Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 394 (Part 1)



394 (Part 1)

Mihyo-ran loved to dream.

Unlike the chaotic and messy reality she faced now the world she saw in her dreams reflected a bright and radiant time.

Of course the nightmares she occasionally had were agonizing and painful but still dreams would show her the happiest moments of her life.

On the other hand she sometimes felt sadness in her dreams.

The dreams that only showcased the happiest moments she could no longer experience left her feeling a deep longing once she woke up.

Even now it was the same.

Mihyo-ran knew she was dreaming. There was no way she could not know.

The fact that a friend she could no longer see stood so vividly before her could only happen in a dream.

– It’s a flower!

– Aaaah! A bee!

– Hyoran! Biyon is running away!

– Cheonhee! Put that down!

…

In truth it didn’t seem like a scene she particularly wanted to see. Mihyo-ran suddenly realized this.

Yet she did not avert her gaze.

– Hyoran?

In the midst of the chaotic situation the white-haired woman approached with a smile.

No matter when she saw it it was a truly bright smile.

Even Mihyo-ran who was often described as cold and even ruthless felt something frozen within her melt a little when faced with that child’s smile.

She had that kind of charm.

Perhaps that was why the man also smiled at her.

– Hyoran! This is a flower!

Who could smile so joyfully while presenting something that was clearly not an ordinary flower? It was hard for Mihyo-ran to understand given her personality.

First she accepted the flower the girl offered.

Someone nearby grimaced at the sight.

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– Miss! That’s poisonous! Throw it away immediately!

It was a cold-looking beauty dressed in a light blue martial arts uniform with black hair.

Despite her frosty demeanor her personality was the complete opposite—fiery.

She was known as Baekbong Moyong Biyon.

At Moyong Biyon’s words the white-haired woman swiftly turned and changed direction. It was towards where Moyong Biyon was and upon confirming that Moyong Biyon screamed and began to run away.

– Is she crazy! No! Leave the bee behind!

– It’s a flower!

– I know so don’t come near!

Watching this Mihyo-ran covered her face with a fan and chuckled softly.

It felt like a trivial play but such a scene brought her a sense of stability.

Thinking this Mihyo-ran looked at her hand.

In her hand was an unknown white flower. It was given to her by the white-haired woman and Moyong Biyon had said it was poisonous and to throw it away.

But Mihyo-ran knew well that this flower was not poisonous. She was certain that the girl would not give her such a flower.

Carefully she cradled the flower in her arms and thought.

– I should find out the name of this flower later.

Perhaps it was because she particularly liked the flower.

If the time was right she thought about growing it later.

After that Mihyo-ran quietly took in the scene before her with her calm eyes.

A sky without a single cloud and a vast forest spread out before her. Rare butterflies fluttered by and the sounds of insects filled the air.

Would people believe that this peaceful scene was a ‘demonic realm’?

They probably wouldn’t.

For the simple reason that Mihyo-ran herself could not believe it.

This place was the demonic realm that so many feared?

She wondered how she ended up in such a place yet she was not overly worried given her situation.

At that time it was like that.

Perhaps it was because she was young or maybe it was because she felt that anything was fine as long as she was with them.

To the current Mihyo-ran it was certainly closer to the latter.

No matter what happened she thought it would be okay as long as she was with them.

It was a time when she was wrapped up in such foolish romanticism completely contradictory to her personality. Ironically it was that time she longed for which is why she dreamed like this.

That’s why she felt sad.

Knowing that it was a scene she could never see again made it even sadder.

The current Mihyo-ran also knew.

She was aware that the moment she was experiencing was a dream.

That’s why she was trying to capture it in her eyes a little more.

It would be a small comfort for the days to come.

At that moment the white-haired woman who had been chasing after Moyong Biyon suddenly approached Mihyo-ran.

– Hyoran.

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She called out to Mihyo-ran.

With her flowing white hair and violet eyes that were close to pink she looked like a jewel.

– Are you happy?

Mihyo-ran flinched at the question. Her reflection in the woman’s eyes looked quite surprised.

– What…

– As long as Hyoran is happy that’s enough. Are you happy Hyoran?

Could she hear such things in a dream?

As a strange emotion washed over her Mihyo-ran realized she could not come up with any answer.

The question of whether she was happy.

She could at least say she wasn’t but on the other hand it was hard for Mihyo-ran to recall what happiness was.

What is happiness?

It was a question she had often pondered lately so perhaps that was why she was hearing such words even in her dreams.

And it was her friend asking her.

Mihyo-ran remained silent for a moment contemplating before finally speaking.

– I’m trying to be happy.

Then she turned the question around.

– Were you happy?

At Mihyo-ran’s words the woman smiled. But no answer came.

Mihyo-ran knew.

She knew that the woman would not provide an answer.

This world was ultimately just a memory that Mihyo-ran had pulled out because she missed it.

As she tried to erase her regrets and once again capture the world in her eyes the white-haired woman spoke.

– It’s not your fault Hyoran. So it’s okay to be happy.

– …!

Mihyo-ran stiffened at the woman’s words.

There was something strangely alien about it for a dream.

Just as Mihyo-ran was about to reach out to the woman with trembling eyes a voice pierced her ears from afar.

[Captain!]

In that moment.

Mihyo-ran had no choice but to wake from her dream.

******************

When Mihyo-ran opened her eyes a dark ceiling greeted her first.

It seemed the night had not yet passed. Mihyo-ran confirmed this and slowly sat up.

“…”

Even though she had just woken up Mihyo-ran’s eyes were clear. It was a reflection of her will to always appear calm on the outside.

Even if her insides were chaotic her appearance had to be sharp.

It was one of the Captain’s principles who led the Trading Company.

As Mihyo-ran sat up she shook her head slightly to organize her thoughts.

‘…What was that dream about?’

She felt like she had dreamt of something but she couldn’t remember. It seemed like an important dream…

A sense of regret rose within her but Mihyo-ran tried to forget it and looked to the side.

“What’s going on?”

Next to her a man dressed in black clothes and a mask was kneeling facing Mihyo-ran.

He was her bodyguard Mujin.

“…A guest has arrived.”

“At this hour?”

“Yes.”

Mihyo-ran frowned at Mujin’s response.

A guest arriving at such a late hour meant they had come unannounced and rudely.

Such people were among the types Mihyo-ran disliked the most as she valued planning.

Yet the reason Mihyo-ran did not get angry was that she knew Mujin had woken her up despite knowing this.

If he knew it was rude he should have dealt with it himself.

The fact that he went out of his way to wake her up to announce a guest meant that it was an important guest for Mihyo-ran.

Knowing this she chose not to say anything further.

“Where is the guest?”

“…They are waiting outside.”

After nodding at Mujin’s words Mihyo-ran moved towards the door.

She needed to compose herself and find out who the guest was.