Middle of spring, green grass, wind and sunlight. Everything seems to be perfect, doesn't it?

TB

Hongjoong fell from his horse. It all started from there, at least in his father's mind. But Hongjoong said it was nothing. His father responded that it was more than anything. Think back to the time he stopped by to drink water at a fountain in the middle of town and accidentally fell into it. Also, when a tea party was held in the British-style garden behind the house, a fire started because Hongjoong walked past an ashtray and fell on the dry grass.

He couldn't help but retort that the reason was all in his father's words. He walked past the ashtray because it was the entrance to the house. It fell on the dry grass and yes If it didn't burn, it would be even more strange. But then his father suddenly couldn't help but respond.

It was an ultimatum given to him to go find his other half. Hongjoong was also annoyed. He ran out of the house with a loud voice telling him to hurry up and leave.

Branches picked up from the side of the road sent white grass flowers flying. Hongjoong walked with his legs high amidst knee-high grass. The hill in front of him with a large tree was where he was going. But it seemed too far for him to reach. So he decided to lie down among the grass that was clearly overgrown. Letting it all over your body, your eyelids closed tightly.

This “Half Life” story had haunted him for as long as he could remember, until he was almost 18 years old in just a few days. This place world of fate Hundreds of years ago misfortune spread its roots until the purity of love came. This place has become a living place again.

Pure love comes neither from our lover nor from our parents. It is a more pure love. That is between humans and animals.

But even then, it's not like the bad luck will disappear completely. It waits for the time to attack people who are innocent. angry person Cruel and lonely enough to create cracks and seep into their lives. Innocence gradually disappears with each passing year until the child reaches the age of 18.

The year of fate that was hidden will return. Therefore, it is the duty of every child to find their other half in life, to use that pure love to protect themselves from misfortune.

At the same time, this difficulty does not occur only to humans. All animals must be searched for as well. During the daytime, they can live like humans, but when the moonlight shines on the earth, they transform into animals. When one day they find their other half, they can be human all the time but at the same time they can be animals whenever they want.

18 years old

2 more weeks

Where do you go to find it?

Hongjoong shouted loudly, hoping that the anger would go away. A few tears flowed from frustration. Hong Zhong sat up.

“What's more important than that is where am I going to get the money to use it? In the meantime, I don't have a house.”

But before his idea could take shape, Someone else was walking towards him with an agile expression. A shirt made of dark green silk that swayed in the wind. Fluffy black hair and large eyes stared intently at him. It's Seonghwa.

“Hongjoong, what are you yelling here? I was sleeping in that tree and your voice made me so startled that I fell.”

“So?”

Seonghwa had been his enemy since childhood. The two never got along with each other, but fate or whatever caused them to spend most of their time together. Because Hongjoong's second best friend met his other half at the age of 7 at the horse race, and 2 years later, his #1 best friend.

Met the parrot half his life This makes Hongjoong have to live with other friends who are gradually disappearing. Until he realized it again, there was only him and the black cat in front of him.

The black cat that everyone is afraid of When the purpose of seeking an animal into your life is to ward off a terrible fate. Therefore, the black cat, which is a symbol of bad omen, must often ask himself the question, why was he born into this world? But Hongjoong believed that no matter how much he asked, he wouldn't know the answer. Like he didn't know how he could go on living without money.

“I won't get into trouble with you, Hongjoong. Run away from home again."

"Don't act like you know."

“Let me guess, it's probably the same story with your father, right?”

This guy knows everything. Because he is the only animal that still resembles the magic of yesterday. So sometimes he can predict other people's fortunes.

“Come and sit here,” Hongjoong beckoned. The other party dropped down beside him. Seonghwa was obviously bothered as well. If you live in darkness all the time Habit will make you satisfied with the way things are. But one day the light shines on and it becomes clear that things will be easier if you can see them.

After a while the darkness returned as before. This feeling was the same as Seonghwa. Once you experience being human, it is impossible not to demand to live a normal life like everyone else.

Since childhood, he often had no friends. Therefore, there was no incident of close friends disappearing one by one. Hongjoong was the only person he knew. The first time was when Seonghwa came into the kitchen to steal bread. He thought Seonghwa was human. But late one night the black cat came back into the kitchen. It wasn't because of his expression or anything else that he realized that this was a human who had secretly entered his house. But it was the dark eyes that stared into him.

“Master Kim, stand back,” the house butler shouted to 7-year-old Hongjoong. Hongjoong did as well, and after that night Hongjoong stays up later than everyone else in the house. He came down to the kitchen and got some bread. The fish and milk were placed next to the slightly open window. Every morning when the housekeeper prepares food, no one will suspect it. because the plate was empty

“What are we going to do now?” Hongjoong said, thinking that he couldn't let time pass like this.

"we?"

“You wouldn't have told me you'd met your other half.”

"not yet"

“That makes me and you become us. Is it time for us to work together to find a solution?”

Seonghwa moved a little closer to hear a plan that in his own mind probably didn't make any sense.

“You want another half-life, right? First of all, I can't give you what you want, but what I can give you is a chance to meet them. Two, I need money. Three masters can predict fate. So we will open a fortune telling shop.”

The two sat and debated their plans in the middle of a grassy area so high that if they were seen from far away, they could not be seen. The sunlight was shining, matching the irritated atmosphere that had formed around the two of them.

“I am the one who predicted, how much share will I get?”

“How did you get your share as an opportunity? As for my money?”

“Kim Hongjoong, you really are a cunning person. Don't you also want to meet your other half? The fact that they came to listen to my prophecy meant that you too had the opportunity to meet your other half. I also want a share of the money.”

“No, I need more money than you. I don't even have a house to live in.”

“Let's put it this way. You don't have to give me money, but you have to pay for all the food and I'll give you a place to stay.”

“Is that the caravan you want me to sleep in? It is too small.”

“Don't forget that when the sun goes down I am no longer human. You can live comfortably.”

Hongjoong pretended to calculate for a moment before agreeing.

“I have nothing to lose. Let's start work.”

They ran out of the grass and headed towards the fountain in the middle of the city where everyone gathered. Hopefully someone will come and make their plans successful.

The place in front was crowded with people. The tight-fitting neckline showed off her distinctly feminine figure in the multi-colored dress and bulging skirt. A white shirt and knee-length boots similar to what Hongjoong wore were also noticeable. Hongjoong dragged Seonghwa to sit under a big tree. As for himself, he walked to the fountain in the center of this place.

Along the way, he secretly picked up the hat of a young man who was flirting with a girl in a red dress. And away on the fifth bench, he grabbed the old man's shiny black staff and held it in his hand. Put on a top hat and stand on the edge of the fountain with a straight back and a sharp but friendly face.

“Fate always plays tricks on us. Like where I am now Everyone probably knows me well. But please don't tell my father about this.” Everyone smiled and laughed at his true joke. The Kim family's fame probably helped them a little. “I learned that it would be a long time until I met my other half.

As you know, in just a few days it will be my birthday. And that's right, I will go through it myself. I also know this for anyone who hasn't met the other half of their life. Today I have that opportunity for you. And I heard that today everyone is ready to give me a little money. Want to know how I know? If your answer is yes

I'll be waiting for you under that big tree. See you later."

Hongjoong ran back to where Seonghwa was waiting, looking bored.

“I think it's definitely going down.”

“Oh, look, Mr. Park.”

12 minutes passed and the first customer walked in with a little bunny in hand. Seonghwa invited him to sit down and tell his fate by staring deep into his eyes. The golden coin was dropped into the brown cloth bag that Hongjoong held in his hand the entire time. As the first person left, others kept walking in.

As the afternoon approached, everyone started rushing home to drink holiday tea with neighbors and close relatives. Seonghwa then turned to suggest something to Hongjoong.

“I think we should go somewhere else. Besides, I haven't met a single human being who hasn't met another half of their life. I'm starting to get bored.”

Hongjoong nodded and helped support the other person who was starting to get bored. He also understood that doing something like this was not easy at all, and combined with his constant worry, he couldn't help but feel sorry for the person in front of him.

The next place was the stream at the back of the city where the youngsters usually gathered. Along the way, Hongjoong told Seonghwa to lead the way first and then he would follow. There was some business to attend to. Seonghwa followed suit. He saw a small bird fly by in front of him. Instinctively, he pounced until the fur fell off and flew. The colorful feathers in front of him distracted him from the bird and allowed it to escape. He bent down to pick up the feathers that had fallen to the ground before he remembered that he had to hurry to the stream.

After waiting for a while, Hongjoong ran over, looking tired. Breathing heavily, he sat down on the rock next to Seonghwa. Then he took out the fish pie from the cloth wrapped in it.

“Two of yours, one of mine and this fresh milk for you.”

Seonghwa smiled and picked up the pie and took a bite. Hopefully when you're done chewing you'll say thank you.

“No thanks. Don't smile like that. I arranged the food as agreed upon.”

"yeah"

"I told you not to smile."

After finishing eating The two sat and waited, but no one walked by. So we thought that we should lie down for a while because today we definitely have money to cook dinner.

“I want to play in the water. Seonghwa, come play as a friend.”

"What? I want to sleep."

“Come here,” Hongjoong grabbed his arm and pulled until Seonghwa shrieked.

“I am not a servant in your mansion.” However, Seonghwa took out a feather from his bag and placed it on the grass, covering it with a leaf. He walked past Hongjoong in a huff and jumped into the water. Hongjoong followed suit.

The sunlight of the late afternoon It hits the surface of the clear water until it shines brightly. The spring breeze blew across the white grass that Hongjoong couldn't help but wonder if it was the same grass he had hit the previous morning because he was upset. He followed it until it stopped moving as it hit Seonghwa's forehead.

Hongjoong walked up to the other person and touched the other person's forehead with his fingers and moved away. But that flower didn't even move. He pulled the hem of his white shirt and wiped the other person's forehead. The grass flower moved slightly to the tip of his left eyebrow. This time, he leaned his head down and wrapped his lips, blowing soft air. It blew a little.

before he started doing it again Seonghwa's big eyes that he always remembered stared into his eyes. The hand that was holding Seonghwa's face tensed. He wanted to back away, but his feet didn't move. It doesn't move like that flower. Seonghwa was silent. He froze, but instinctively he took a big breath and sunk himself into the water. Hongjoong didn't blink.

Can't keep up with what the other party is doing Seonghwa emerged from the water.

“Just like that, that grass flower is gone.”

Seonghwa walked up to the shore, leaving Hongjoong standing silent at what had just happened.

After a while, Hongjoong came up from the stream. Seonghwa closed his eyes and closed his eyes. Support your head with thick tree roots. Hongjoong brushed the leaves next to Seonghwa to lay down, but feathers scattered beneath the bright green leaves. Hongjoong smiled slightly. Then a good idea came up He ran out onto the grass next door. Then pluck the white grass flowers yellow and blue

He walked over to another large tree and pulled out a thin, tough vine. Calculate the right length before walking back to the other person.

He wrapped the vines in a circle. Then insert the flower into the gap and hang the feather from the vine, which is tied into a circle again. Hongjoong smiled happily and fell asleep next to Seonghwa.

I realized it when Seonghwa called out in a sleepy voice. Hongjoong wakes up.

“Hurry back now. The sun is going down and I don't want to turn into a cat on the way home.”

“I can carry you myself.”

“That's the reason I rushed back.”

Hongjoong rolled his eyes, stood up and threw the thing in his hand at Seonghwa's fluffy head.

"Your crown"

“Huh, made it for me? Ah, so beautiful.” Seonghwa ran his fingers over the feather that hung all the way to the tip of his nose. He let it tease him like that until Hongjoong led the way, so he ran after him and adjusted the crown into place.

The two walked until they came to a meat and seasoning shop. Hongjoong picked up the brown cloth bag that was tied to his side but found that it was empty inside. The money they earned was definitely stolen while they were asleep. Or they disappeared into the water when Hongjoong was unconscious. He told Seonghwa with his first guess and kept the other to himself.

Seonghwa couldn't help but lose his mind. Everything you've done all day has been wasted. It turned out that today he had no more food to eat. He almost screamed out loud but Hongjoong proposed another plan to survive. Seonghwa didn't like it but had no choice.

In the foreground was the kitchen window of Hongjoong's mansion. empty inside Hongjoong, who was waiting by the bench to see the mang tree, waved at Seonghwa to hurry over. Seonghwa followed and picked up the bread. Roast beef and two apples But with the speed with which he climbed out of the window, another one fell to the kitchen floor. He decided to leave it behind when Hongjoong jumped up and danced because the gardener was walking by.

He had moved himself behind the tree now. Seonghwa rushed towards the tree. Hongjoong grabbed him as soon as he arrived. He stood there silently until he was sure there was no one else around. The two quickly ran and climbed over the wall, heading towards the forest south of the house. They crossed the stream twice, crossed the grassy hill and the stream once more, and a wide field appeared, surrounded by large trees and flowers of various colors, like Seonghwa's crown. Under the big tree was a dark green gypsy caravan.

Seonghwa placed the items in his hand on the table he made himself. Hongjoong sat down on a piece of wood nearby. Seonghwa went to pick up firewood which was not too far away. Come back and light a fire.

“You are in such a hurry to start a fire. It's not dark yet.”

“When it gets dark, I can't light a fire. Have you forgotten?”

“Ah, sorry,” Hongjoong really meant it. He had no intention of teasing the other party. This time, he could feel Seonghwa's distress. So tomorrow he will try harder. For him, it was very easy to live alone because he was human after all. But Seonghwa was different.

Seonghwa handed out bread and meat. before dividing the apple into 2 halves and giving it to Hongjoong

“I dropped another one.”

“Um, you eat, I'm full.” He bit into the apple that should have been Hongjoong's. The bonfire created white smoke that rose high. On the ground, a light mist began to move in. The air immediately became colder. Seonghwa felt a sharp pain in his chest. It's almost time. He hurriedly chewed down the last bite of the apple and walked into the car. Hongjoong was stunned, put the other half of the bread aside and followed Seonghwa.

“Is something wrong?”

Seonghwa shook his head and lay down on the bed. He shivered and closed his eyes as if he had lost control. He bit his lip so hard that Hongjoong felt uncomfortable, and that made him realize what Seonghwa was going through. In his life, he had only seen 2 humans who reverted to animal form. times, and that was a long time ago He couldn't remember it looking this tortured.

Hongjoong lay down next to Seonghwa and hugged him tightly until the person next to him stopped moving. Hongjoong looked up to see Seonghwa, who still had his eyes closed. He was covered in sweat but didn't seem as suffering as before.

“Why are you sleeping up here?”

“Come on, Seonghwa. You'll just….”

“I have turned into a cat.”

“So just stay still. This bed has enough room for the two of us.” Hongjoong knew that the other person wanted to argue. But due to exhaustion and possibly pain, Seonghwa needed to focus on other more important things. His breathing was soft and slow. He must have fallen asleep.

Hongjoong's heart felt light. Lightness that pierces to the point of pain He had never known that there were many others who had suffered like this. Because he spends so much time following society's patterns that he forgets to look up and see that the people close to him are always calling for help but he never listens. This time it was almost a whisper, but he heard it clearly.

He saw it clearly. Even though he said that he would try harder tomorrow, at that time it was just a superficial statement. This time, he thought of that sentence and really meant it. Not only Seonghwa, but one day in the future, he hoped that if fate didn't catch up with him first, he would hope to save all animals from this kind of suffering.

As Seonghwa's sweat dried, Hongjoong felt his body cool as well. Hongjoong got up and pulled out a white velvet cloth to cover the two of them. The inside of the caravan, with only room for a low bed and a few clothes, grew dark. Hongjoong had never been in such a time of transition from one thing to another like this.

He hugged the other person to acknowledge Seonghwa one last time. Before meeting him again tomorrow

Moonlight streamed in through the small opening. Across Hongjoong's body He tensed and hugged Seonghwa even tighter. When it came into contact with Seonghwa, everything seemed to disappear in Hongjoong's mind. But as he moved and still felt the other person's body not shrinking in size. His heart was as wet as raindrops falling in the desert.

A soft light filled the small room. Seonghwa shifted slightly and draped his arm across Hongjoong's body. A paw pressed against his skin. Hongjoong loosened his hug that was too tight. He breathed heavily and realized the moment had changed.

Closing his eyes, Hongjoong couldn't wait to tell Seonghwa what had happened. Fate-telling plots are no longer necessary. He can go home tomorrow to tell his father. But having said that, staying here isn't bad at all. You may need to expand the area a bit, but it's probably not too late to think about it another day.

He raised himself slightly and blew out the candle. He returned to hug Seonghwa who was still wearing the crown as before. Today everything seemed terrible, but fate played a trick. At the end of the day, Hongjoong dared to say that today was the best day he had ever experienced.