Five hundred years is merely a speck of an eye, if one compares it to the vastness of the universe. However, this length of time has determined human advancement in space, a long dream of the past, which is now a reality with the existence of space colonies as new settlements.
Civilizations can now exist and thrive outside of their home planet but despite this tremendous achievement of humankind, some things stay rather the same.
Along the roads of Cheongsan Colony, a hovercar passes through in haste. It has no wheels and is merely floating a bit higher from the ground, much like any other vehicles around. This is driven by Kim Hayoon, age 23, the young owner of a small delivery service. She is on her way to her last delivery for the day, as the hovercar turns to a corner.
Hayoon traverses the monumental park, which are mementos of the history of how this colony has come to be. Disputes rage on during the early years of space colonization, especially with the growing armed race in those turbulent times. The United Earth Sphere, who has sworn not to meddle with the independence of colonies, has breached the agreement and tried to take control of the space settlements. Yet, some forces have opposed such an idea, believing it would breed chaos on Earth and can lead to the destruction of humanity if balance is left unchecked.
Hayoon slows her hovercar a bit, taking sight of a huge humanoid mechanical fighter, also known as Star Vanguard. According to written accounts, Star Vanguard has played a major role in fighting the colonies’ freedom against the oppressive forces within the United Earth Sphere, whom soon to be punished by the government, and finally letting the space colonies remain independent.
Hundreds of years have passed, Hayoon is one of the witnesses of peace between the colonies and Earth, and the wars are now just a memory of centuries old. She has been born in one of the colonies and has not set foot on Earth yet. But she dreams of being there one day.
And it will be sooner than expected.
Hayoon watches as her cellslate—a modern multi-purpose cell device—shows an increased number of credits. Credits are known as the unified currency in current governance in the United Space Colonies which can also be used on Earth.
“Twenty-five thousand credits sent to Kim Hayoon,” Lee Seoha confirms. She works as a secretary in a logistics company, whom Hayoon’s client for the last package.
Hayoon bows deeply. “Thank you very much.”
“I heard I won’t see you in the holidays,” Seoha says. Her tone is casual and friendly, which is not surprising as Hayoon often delivers something to their company.
“Ahh yeah that…” Hayoon ponders. “Yeah, I plan to book a trip to Earth with my sister.”
Seoha raises her brows. “Oh, Earth. One-way costs 3.5 million credits.”
Hayoon scratches her cheek. “Yeah… That’s my problem. But I’m waiting for a promo which I’m sure will be around in mid-November. I’m keeping an eye on Zeppelin companies that I saw last time with the promos.”
“You could have told me earlier. My colleagues booked just last month, you might have gotten some spot,” Seoha says, “but I’ll ring you up if I catch a promo as well. They’ll be plenty nowadays.”
Hayoon smiles. “Thank you, Lee Seoha-nim.”
3.5 million credits amount to a year’s salary, if one works with a normal job. Hayoon knows she will never earn that in years, which prompts her to jumpstart a freelance delivery service last year. She accepts odd jobs and transporting legal goods between companies and colony but mostly rush orders that lets her earn more extra money.
Hayoon is driving back to Doldam Area, the area in the colony where she lives. The colony’s artificial firmament is going dark, signifying that it will be 7 PM soon.
She reaches a stoplight and brings the hovercraft to a halt. With the timer still at 20, Hayoon looks at her cellslate.
[ Savings: 5,130,122.12 CR]
Hayoon heaves a breath.
3.5 million credits is only for a one-way trip for one person.
And of course, they still need to return home.
Hayoon parks her hovercar in the garage, closes the door, and heads inside her house. The lights are already on, and the scent of a dish being cooked in the kitchen fills the air.
As she walks to the kitchen, she finds Yi Lifen, or Yiling as they call her. Cardboards, cheese grater, some knives, and peeled skins of vegetables are present everywhere at the countertop.
“Welcome home, Hayoon-unnie!” Yiling greets while stirring the pot a little before closing it again. Hayoon peeks over the casserole with glass lid, seeing a ruby-colored soup in it.
“You’re cooking borscht again,” Hayoon remarks.
Yiling giggles. “Mhmm. Qiuyue-jiejie bought a lot of beets in the market and I thought making some for you here.”
“Ah, thank you…”
Cheongsan Colony is known as the melting pot of Eastern Asians, as Doldam Area is predominantly home to people of Chinese and Korean descent. They foster a strong sense of familial community, and they look out for another, especially for those who already lost their parents.
Hayoon and her sister, Miyoung, do not have their parents anymore.
“I’ll just get changed,” Hayoon says. “Please call Jubyeol, too, I guess he can join us for dinner.”
Yiling nods. “Okay.”
Hayoon goes upstairs and with each climb, her joints revolt a bit. She pauses halfway through and rolls on her right shoulder, before leaving a sigh to continue towards the second floor. Her room is at the end of the hallway when she stops upon seeing another room close. A board signage is placed with ‘Kim Miyoung’ written on it in Hangeul with a small drawing of Earth beside it.
She knocks twice before she twists the knob to open the door.
“Miyoungie…” Hayoon calls in low tone, peeking over, and spots a lit-up monitor. Her eyes fall next to the room’s owner, Miyoung, who is enthralled in front of the computer. She sees her sister wearing headphones and realizes that Miyoung has not heard her. Miyoung must be listening to music, or whatever it is, and so, Hayoon carefully closes the door.
A bit of sigh.
Hayoon leans back at the door for a moment and recalls something from the past. With their parents who said their goodbyes early, Hayoon has devoted her attention and energy to raising her sister, despite them merely being two years apart. She does not have anything for herself, but Hayoon wants to support her sister in all ways she can.
Miyoung is everything for Hayoon.
Hayoon has been unable to complete a specialized course, but now, Miyoung is studying to become a star-cruise pilot. Miyoung’s long dream is to reach Earth, especially to visit the place of their ancestry. There is a landmark in Jeju, Corean Nation on Earth, which is called Samseonghyeol, and there are sparks in Miyoung’s eyes whenever she speaks about it.
The place where Miyoung wants to see.
And Hayoon wants to make it come true.
Hayoon releases another sigh and strides to her room.
Just a bit more. Hayoon thinks. We’ll be there soon.
Dinner.
“Jubyeol, take these dumplings,” Hayoon offers to Jubyeol, who turns shy with the gesture. While they have known him for years, Jubyeol remains timid, yet they always include him with dinners like this one.
“Thanks, noona…” Jubyeol says and takes two dumplings with his chopsticks. Miyoung, even eating, is still reading a small book. Yiling eats a mouthful of vegetables before slurping some soup.
Miyoung closes the book and places it on the empty chair beside her.
“So, it seems during the Mars Century Era, Corean Peninsula is united once again, due to the efforts of the United Earth Sphere that time,” Miyoung suddenly says while picking up her chopsticks. “There’s indeed some good things they’ve done for concluding such a long conflict.”
“Miyoung-unnie really likes Earth. You’ll be a star-cruise pilot in no time, unnie,” Yiling says.
Miyoung smiles sheepishly. “That’s…still gonna take long. But I’m getting more thrilled to reach Earth sooner. We originated there anyway, even we’re born here in space.”
“That’s why I always admire you, unnie,” Yiling praises.
Jubyeol straightens his posture suddenly. “Noona, I remember something. Hagunsei Tech may need you by the way.”
Hayoon frowns. “Why?”
“They were asking for the original blueprint of CT-02…Pictor? I’m not sure if I remember that correctly. They already bought the patent of Pictor Construction Series from the old company where your dad used to work,” Jubyeol says.
Hayoon ponders. “As far as I’m concerned, they had the original copies, and what I had here isn’t the prototype. Unless they were talking about the drafts which are secured in the Messe Vault. I just don’t care about it anymore, since what still are they gonna use for it? The recent models already prove to be superior that’s why the drafts are scrapped.”
“I’m not sure either. They just asked about you the other day.”
“They always like Appa’s works,” Miyoung cuts in. “Unnie is the one given the will and rights to open the vault.”
“Eh, I don’t have a problem with it,” Hayoon says. “But it’s gonna be a long process.” And I can’t afford to miss a day off any of my deliveries. Hayoon sighs slyly. Appa was the head engineer at that time and now they want him when we need their support before.
The red-colored soup reflects Hayoon’s image.
Hayoon slurps it.
Hayoon’s family is from a line of engineers, and her great-great grandfather is one of the immigrants who work while building another colony here in space. She has some talent in tinkering, and she used to create homebrew games back then in her pastime. However, a degree is needed to be qualified in getting better jobs, which she has been unable to finish.
However, there are times when Hayoon regrets not pursuing such endeavor.
Hayoon is renting a small space in a commercial building in Jinshim Area, the colony’s capital. She has been staring at her computer for some time now, browsing, while waiting for an email from a potential customer.
A red dot pops out from the screen, and she clicks on it.
From: Lee Eunyoung
How much will it cost to Yttrol Colony?
Hayoon types.
From: KH Express
Depends on what area. But the base would be 43k CR. Star-cruise fees will also be added, which would be 13.1k CR.
Sent.
Hayoon leans back at her chair and waits for a reply. She grabs the nearby coffee tumbler and sips from the straw.
Another pop-up.
From: Lee Eunyoung
Okay deal… When can you pick up the package?
Hayoon smiles and leans over the desk to type.
From: KH Express
I can pick it up today. Kindly send the pickup address and the exact drop-off address. Please sign it in the form I’ll send. Thank you so much for choosing KH Express 😊
link: bero.formdol.tie/yGholk2
Hayoon opens the drawer and grabs her holo-key, a type of cardkey for her hovercar. Another pop-up appears on the computer screen, which she checks on it—the customer has filled up the details needed for the delivery. Hayoon sends another message before leaving the office.
Onto another delivery again.
Back in the days, travel time between colonies can take weeks and months, depending on distance and hazards. However, sometime around 150 years ago, the routes have been renovated and now being called Lagrange routes. Travel time has become stable since then.
Hayoon’s destination is Yttrol Colony, which will be two hours and forty-five minutes of travel time. It is also the nearest colony to Cheongsan and so, she takes the Falceum Shuttle Line, an inter-colony travel company that spans its services to 15 colonies. The credit cost is also cheaper than other shuttle lines and has always been reliable for decades.
She slides her card in the slot, effectively paying her fare, and enters the large falchion—a huge shuttle with a long body. Hayoon places the package first in the top compartment before sitting near the window. She has a habit of watching the empty space even though it may be the same view each time.
In a few minutes, the journey to Yttrol Colony will begin.
Hayoon typically accepts small packages with varying levels of importance. Her job may sometimes appear an easy way to earn money, but what sets her apart from other freelancers is her honesty and integrity in delivering packages on time.
And this time, Hayoon needs to deliver a commissioned portrait of her client’s customer.
While bigger expresses offer faster delivery, Hayoon’s fees are lower, which is enough to gain a competitive advantage with repeated customers.
“Miss, wake up. We’re here in Yttrol.”
A voice wakes Hayoon from her nap. She fails to realize how deep her sleep is.
Hayoon lifts her head slowly and sees her concerned seatmate.
“Oh sorry,” Hayoon says. “Thanks for waking me up.”
The concerned girl simply nods. “Yeah. It landed just yet. Don’t sweat about it.”
She seems cheery. Hayoon thinks.
They stand from their seats, and Hayoon opens the top compartment to retrieve the package. She is about to leave the falchion, but a crowd of passengers clogs the exit.
“What’s your deal here in Yttrol?”
The girl asks once again, which Hayoon does not expect. She looks at the girl and observes her outfit. A long sleeve blouse and a bag. Hair is also tied in high ponytail.
“For business,” Hayoon answers. “Package delivery.”
The girl widens her eyes a bit. “Wow. That sounds cool.”
Hayoon just nods. “…How about you?”
The girl beams. “I’m just gonna visit my sister. She’s part of the Firestorm Corps, and it’s been a while since I last saw her. I’m more a guest to say.”
Oh, a Trooper. Hayoon ponders. That’s big time…
“That sounds cool. What’s your name?” Hayoon asks.
“I’m Kim Eunju! You?”
Hayoon takes something from her jacket and hands it to Eunju.
A business card.
“Kim Hayoon, sole proprietor of KH Express,” Hayoon says. “Contact me anytime if you have a package to send. Anywhere.”
Eunju grabs the business card.
“Hehe, okay sure!” Eunju giggles.
Hayoon smiles back.
Well, another potential customer.
Yttrol Colony is a second-generation colony specializing in root-crop cultivation and founded 326 years ago. It is engineered with the help of Western nations on Earth, primarily the old country of Finland. The colony consists of seven areas as Kirkas Area is Hayoon’s destination.
Since it is going to be a long journey again, Hayoon manages to charge an additional 16,000 credits from her client. Fortunately, Lee Eunyoung is understanding and considerate. At the same time, Hayoon knows she will have a hard time fulfilling this delivery.
As her tour to Kirkas Area unfolds, Hayoon watches the bustling city. She rides in an airbus, a type of passenger vehicle that flies through the air. People are moving so fast, leaving no room for breathing. There are large domes of greenhouses around. Who would have thought that humanity could reach this level of feat? Being able to grow crops outside the Blue Planet is remarkable, however…
As weird as it sounds, the same human will always be curious about where everyone and everything originated.
Hayoon remembers when Miyoung was much younger, she always draws Earth, highlighting its blue and green colors. Hayoon cannot also forget that bright smile on her little sister’s face. The twinkle in her eyes. The sparkle of joy with her amusement. And the yearning in her voice in going home to a place she has not been before. Hayoon thinks it is all trivial, but after travelling to different colonies, she reaches an epiphany.
Everything around is an attempt to replicate that one celestial body—Earth.
The airbus has landed at the Kirkas Area terminal.
Hayoon waits for the other passengers to leave before following suit. As she steps out, she scans her surroundings, seeing how much larger the domes appear from the ground. It is simply breathtaking. Hayoon wants to find a better word to describe her amazement. This is not her first time in Yttrol, but the experience feels new each time.
Unfortunately for now, this is not time for a retreat.
If Hayoon recalls correctly, the address is 1542 Reimoire Building, Tora II Neighborhood, Lykor District. She is already in the said district and on her way to find the neighborhood.
Hayoon opens her cellslate and navigates to the maps. Each cellslate has built-in maps of different colonies and Hayoon finally spots the Tora II Neighborhood. With the package securely placed in her camper backpack, she strides to the left.
As she continues her stride, a massive billboard catches her sight. She stops then watches an ad from it, which shows a man walking on sand beside a vast body of water.
Hayoon falls in another ponder.
What does the sea look like?
Countless tales circle about Earth. The sky is blue, and the ocean reflects the atmosphere above. With the boundless horizon is what the sea’s depths probably is, so much of it remains unexplored even to this day. Even the unknown parts hold marvelous wonders. Hayoon likes to imagine what it feels like to stand on Earth. Many seem drawn to the idea of living there, yet history has told that humanity always long for the stars.
There is a point in history where disputes become massive between the colonists and the United Earth Sphere. During those times, colonists are called Spacians in a derogatory manner, hinting at a future where space colonies will dominate the economy while Earth’s industries will struggle to keep up.
Greed. Power. Supremacy. Selfish interests are bound to breed bloodshed in the battlefield. Conflicts are perpetually part of the human race—always on the verge of destruction or a new point of discovery.
Hayoon is currently waiting in the lobby of the building. The client of this painting insists on meeting her on the ground floor. While sitting on a bench, her cellslate vibrates.
From: Jung Yoonhye
I’m already here on the ground floor
Hayoon stands and looks around, searching for the package recipient. Someone approaches her as she assumes she must Jung Yoonhye. The hair is notable with curly ends, as her outfit is a peach shirt with red blazer and skinny dark pants.
“Kim Hayoon, is it?” The lady asks.
Hayoon bows. “Jung Yoonhye-nim, correct? I got the package for you.” She opens the backpack and takes out a large painting with utmost discretion. It has two layers of bubble wrap as the lady can tell that there is a glassine underneath.
“Can I have your thumbmark here as proof that you received the package?” Hayoon asks.
“I’ll check first,” Yoonhye says.
“Okay, here it is please.”
Yoonhye grabs the wrapped painting and sits on a nearby bench. Placing it beside her, she carefully remove the wrapping. Hayoon grows in curiosity as she catches a glimpse of the scenery depicted in the painting.
“Sunny never disappoints,” Yoonhye says, smile sparkling in her face. Hayoon cannot help but stare at it as well. The artwork is a ‘sunset’ with two girls standing at the edge of the cliff.
“That looks pretty,” Hayoon remarks, subconsciously.
Yoonhye smiles.
“I asked my friend to recreate the picture when we were kids to a painting,” Yoonhye says, sharing such an intimate detail. “Buan Jeokbyeokgang Cliffs.”
“Buan…Jeokbyeokgang?”
“Oh my, she even managed to get the rock formation in detail,” Yoonhye continues to praise. “It’s a famous tourist spot in Corean Peninsula, where I was born.”
“Ah, so you’re an Earthborn.”
“All of us are from Earth, don’t you think?”
“I…agree.”
Hayoon shows her cellslate again to Yoonhye, which the latter presses her right thumb to it. The system registers the print, and the status automatically updates to ‘RECEIVED’.
“Thank you for bringing it here,” Yoonhye says, “I’ll be going back to Earth soon, and it’s a lifesaver you accepted the request even it’s rushed.”
Hayoon bows her head a bit. “It’s what my service is for. Rush orders will always be in its best shape with cheaper fees!”
“I may ask your service in the future then.”
The payment is deposited into Hayoon’s account, and she transfers it to her savings account. Hayoon is on her way home and already inside the falchion.
Hayoon stares at the empty expanse, dotted with tiny specks of light. Some of them are from other falchions and colonies, while others are distant stars. The void has been feared since ancient times, yet humanity has found a way to confront this vast frontier.
And if Hayoon will describe the space…
Quiet, hollowing, but peaceful.
It is an hour before midnight when Hayoon arrived at her house. She still has managed to clear up some paperwork in the office, causing her to be late home.
The house is quiet and dark when she enters. Miyoung must be asleep already, even though there are times when her little sister stays up so late because of schoolworks. It is a good thing per se, Hayoon believes it to be so. As she walks upstairs and heads to her room, she hears a creak behind. Turning, she figures a silhouette standing from the door and makes up to be Miyoung hugging a pillow.
“Oh, Youngie. I thought you’re already asleep,” Hayoon says. Miyoung lets out a yawn.
“I hear some footsteps, I thought it might be you. Welcome home, unnie,” Miyoung says in a cute and tiny voice. “Yiling came here earlier and brought dark forest cake. There’s still a slice for you in the fridge… I just wanna tell you since Changju-oppa might take it…”
“Oh,” Hayoon giggles. “You could just leave a note. You should’ve not bothered to stay up late for me. Thanks, though.”
“You love dark forest a lot, and I don’t wanna see you grumpy coz Changju-oppa took it. Good night, unnie,” Miyoung says and turns around, but before she reenters her room, arms wrap around her waist from behind. She allows silence to set in a bit and feels a weight resting upon her shoulder. Warm breaths against her neck, and then there is a sniffle.
“Miyoung-ah…” Hayoon whispers softly. Miyoung grabs Hayoon’s hand as a response.
“You have to take a rest unnie. I know you’re tired…” Miyoung says affectionately.
A bit of snort.
A tremble.
Miyoung can tell that Hayoon is merely holding it out together, and cracks like this happen in this kind of quiet times.
“I love you, Miyoung-ah…” Hayoon says, her voice cracking. “Unnie will always love you…”
Miyoung gently removes Hayoon’s arms on her waist and faces her sister. Despite the surrounding darkness and minimal light from her room, Miyoung sees crystal refractions brimming in Hayoon’s eyes. She wraps her hands behind with pillow against Hayoon’s back. Hayoon embraces her sister again, completing the circle.
“I love you, too, unnie,” Miyoung replies. “Thank you for raising me… Even we’re just both kids back then… I love you…”
A tear flows down Hayoon’s cheek.
Miyoung moves away a bit and then leans over, kissing Hayoon’s cheek deeply. Right after, she nuzzles before making a gap again.
Hayoon snorts again and caresses Miyoung’s cheek. “That relieves me a bit. Alright, get to bed soon. I know you still have classes tomorrow.”
Miyoung leans to her sister for another time as she giggles. “Good night, unnie.”
“Good night, dongsaengie.”
After a tiring day, Miyoung’s smile helps the exhaustion fade away.
Miyoung often hears remarks about the youngest sibling being the spoiled one in the family, but her reality is a little bit different. As the youngest and the only family Hayoon has, she must help her older sister with chores and other responsibilities—otherwise, both of them will sink faster than broken debris crashing into a black hole.
They have mutual understanding on how to survive, yet Miyoung does not let hardships hinder her dreams.
Miyoung is a student at Lime Journal Flight Academy, an institution specializing in star-cruise piloting. Becoming a star-cruise pilot is a significant achievement, with a potential for a high salary once licensed to operate a ‘cruise’. However, her decision to pursue this path goes beyond just financial gain.
“You’re drawing again?”
Miyoung glances beside her and sees Choi Moogeum, her classmate, staring at her sketchpad. She sits in the hallway, tucked into a small space by the window, while holding her sketchpad and pencil in hand.
“Ah…” Miyoung leans back on the window frame and chuckles. “Well, there’s not much to do yet.”
“I always see you drawing something. Oh wow, those are nice green fields,” Moogeum says.
Miyoung caresses her sketch. “Yes. It’s base in the Shepherd’s Book and I like to visualize some of the passages there.”
“Ohh…” Moogeum looks amused. “Anyways, I’m just here to inform you about the simulation practicum. It’s gonna be in…20 minutes, they’ll be giving the first years advanced lecture.”
“Ah right. Thanks for the reminder.”
Moogeum leaves. Miyoung closes her sketchpad.
A hopeless romantic. Miyoung can be defined as one.
She has a keen eye on the beauty of things, nature and architecture. Miyoung expresses her awe through canvas and pen, along with some hues and colors of her liking. Yet as how she lets her mind flow freely like air, her sister has taught her to stay grounded.
Especially on how to attain something, no matter how hard it is.
Miyoung watches the current flight simulation and plots some notes and remarks. The room is crowded with fellow first years, and everyone is focused on it.
“You always need to keep an eye in the radar. Sometimes there are outer space objects that can hit us, and it is usually fatal with a near zero chance of survival.” Their teacher states. “In years to arrive, you will be in this cockpit to test your sensibilities and critical thinking in that kind of situation. I pray, however, that it won’t happen to anyone of you.”
A hint of fear. Miyoung knows accidents like this are real. She recalls that even with technology designed to keep space objects away from the colonies, a fragment of a destroyed asteroid still struck Bjorn-Seig Colony 75 years ago. Life in space continues to evolve, but there is still much work to be done.
Break time.
Miyoung stays in the cafeteria with some of her classmates, who also come from different colonies. Yang Matjun from Azeberg Colony, Kurosawa Miyako from BK-Fredt Colony and lastly, Min Sunyoung from Yttrol Colony.
“Oh, the board has a new announcement,” Miyako says, scrolling in her cellslate. “The third years… Oh, they are now set to the Earth Expedition.”
“Really?” Sunyoung says and puts her spoon down to look at her cellslate. “Whoa, you’re right.”
Miyako clicks her tongue. “It will be in January… Why third years this time are so lucky? We still need two years before being eligible for a free trip to Earth! And it is not gonna be even certain, just like what happened in the past.”
Miyoung eyes them. “It’s an expensive trip. 3.5 million credits for just one way. It will sum up to 7 million back and forth, which…equates to a year’s salary already.”
“Once you even got to Earth once, you’ll be popular in the campus,” Matjun says.
Miyoung admits the truth in his words and her heart flares even more.
“You know, we will be there soon…” Miyoung says, cheering them up. “Once we’re pilots as well, it’s gonna be a regular trip.”
“I think Miyoung-ah is coping,” Ayako teases.
Miyoung frowns. “I’m not.”
“Says the one who always speak about getting a trip there since the first day of classes,” Sunyoung says, giggling. “I hear that about you almost every day, I memorize it even—”
“Earth is where we all came from. Who doesn’t want to be there!” Miyoung says—along with her friends. Her face goes beet red and looks down.
Miyako pats Miyoung’s head. “Hey, we’re just joking. Don’t pout like that.”
The tomato-faced girl glares at them. “Once I’ve gotten there, you’ll be all stranger to me.”
Miyoung usually gets home at 5 PM, though she expects that once she becomes a second year, it will be even much later. She strives to be home on time, just to avoid her sister’s scolding, as she has once did. But now, she wants to help her older sister with chores while Hayoon is busy at work.
And in moments like this when Miyoung feels like a burden. Her sister works tirelessly, and Miyoung hopes to contribute with her own paycheck soon.
“Mi-jiejie!”
Miyoung turns around and sees Yiling…who carries another of groceries again.
“Oh, hey,” Miyoung greets.
Yiling walks beside her. “I got fresh veggies from the market. You want some stew?”
Such an innocent question. Yiling always remembers to prepare food for them even though they are not asking her to do that.
A prick hits Miyoung’s heart.
“Seriously, you’re really a great help, Ling…” Miyoung looks down. “I…appreciate it…”
Yiling suddenly becomes confused at the change of atmosphere.
“You okay, Young-mi?”
Miyoung smiles. “I’m fine.”
Yiling stretches her hand, tiptoes a little, and pats Miyoung’s head. “Come on, I’m helping a future pilot here. Not everyone from this area gets the same chance as yours. You don’t have to feel guilty or something.”
Miyoung remains silent for a while as Yiling keeps caressing her head.
“You’re always so kind to us,” Miyoung says then smiles. “I would love a stew tonight.”
Yiling grins. “Right on it!”
The dinner and the night has gone by so soon.
Miyoung crashes on her bed. Her sister is still not home.
A sigh.
Unnie has been late more recently…
Weeks later.
Miyoung’s class will have a flight simulation activity, which was announced a few days ago. Nervousness has been wracking her system since then. She is confident a little that she will get things right, yet she also knows that a small margin of error will mess everything up.
As Miyoung reviews her notes, the speaker in the classroom becomes active.
“Kim Miyoung, you are now called in the cockpit room.”
Her eyes widen. She almost stumbles from her seat, but she maintains her posture up.
A deep sigh.
I can do this.
Miyako and Sunyoung exchange glances before going to the lone figure from afar. Miyoung has been unresponsive since she left the cockpit room, only for her silence to be disrupted by a back hug.
“Hey, Miyoung-ah…” Miyako tightens the embrace a little. “You know, it’s your first time, and it’s easy to make mistakes.”
Still no response. Sunyoung leans over and touches her shoulder.
“Miyoung, do you need something or not? Or we can just go to the cafeteria to get some fresh air?” Sunyoung suggests.
“It’s not even break time, we can’t do that,” Miyoung says, finally responding. “And… And…”
Miyako feels Miyoung trembles. They expect her to cry but Miyoung releases a deep sigh.
“I know, it’s just my first time. Please don’t worry about me,” Miyoung says, giving them a half-smile. Miyako pats Miyoung’s head and rests her chin at the latter's crown.
“We know when you’re upset, Miyoung-ah. Don’t try hiding it,” Miyako says. “I know Professor Choi called you out many times, even us get upset from his constant barrage. I wish it was the teacher from third year who looked after us in this simulation test. His eyes are even crossed, how is he gonna be able to see things easily?”
Sunyoung slaps Miyako’s arm. “Hey, what if someone hears you?”
“What…”
Miyoung giggles. “Well…still you guys did better than me. It’s just…”
“Just what?” Miyako asks.
Miyoung sighs again. “Just let it be. It just…happens.”
Home is the safest place for Miyoung—both physically and mentally. She just wants to sleep and forget everything that happened today.
As soon as she enters the house, the house is empty like usual until her eyes land on the pair of shoes placed on the rack.
Unnie is early today, huh.
Miyoung does not waste time and goes upstairs. A smile becomes permanent on her face, and after weeks of her sister’s absence, Hayoon is here.
Miyoung opens Hayoon’s room, and so, her hope shatters.
Hayoon is asleep.
Ah right… Miyoung carefully closes the door. Yeah, of course, she’s tired…
Miyoung heads back to her own room. She does not bother turning on the lights—it no longer matters. She crashes onto her bed, burying her face on the pillow, finally allowing herself to be as vulnerable as she feels since morning.
Light tremors and inaudible noises. Miyoung hates herself for not being good enough.
It will not be the case to feel this way, but she remembers what the professor has told her. Unfit. She is unfit to become a pilot. She wants to rebel against it, but she has made several mistakes during the flight simulation. And it crushes her heart. She is merely holding it up together as she does not want to worry her friends, but the reality, it cuts deep that old feelings of inadequacy resurface.
Her fingers are buried in the pillow when they finally relax. She gets up slowly and wipes the snot in her nose. She has no appetite to eat for dinner, and it is a relief that Yiling is not around. She stands to grab some clothes when she notices something on her desk.
Miyoung frowns.
She takes it. Two pieces of paper. One is hardened, while the other is a letter.
Miyoung opens her cellslate for some brighter light. Reading upon it, her heart skips a beat.
[Magnaline Space Cruise. Destination: Paektusan Space Terminal, United Earth Sphere]
What the…
[Miyoung-ah, get ready next month 😊 — From your unnie]
Miyoung cannot help but leave her room again in a heartbeat.
Hayoon wakes up.
A weight rests over her shoulder and soon realizes a familiar presence in her arms.
Miyoung…?
Miyoung is sleeping beside her.
Hayoon remembers going to sleep early yesterday, and at that time, Miyoung is not yet home. She merely has left the ticket and the note and then…
She smiles.
“I guess you feel so happy that you sleep here…”
Hayoon hugs Miyoung and closes her eyes again.
I guess this is enough as payment for my hard work then…
[fin.]