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This light novel is inspired by the beautiful landscapes and cultures of Bolivia and South Korea. However, the characters, events, and situations portrayed are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is purely coincidental. This content does not intend to represent or reflect the historical, social, or cultural reality of either country. The author disclaims any legal liability arising from the interpretation of these elements.
Chapter 25 — When Protocol is Also Identity
25.1 An Interesting Meeting
Ryu adjusted his tie and let out a soft sigh before he stepped outside.
He wore a fresh, light gray suit made of Korean linen, with a pristine white shirt and discreet yet elegant shoes.
He walked toward the entrance of the cabin where Zayra was waiting for him.
She saw him coming from the porch and smiled with that mix of sweetness and confidence that always threw him off balance.
She was wearing a high-waisted fabric skirt, a tucked-in white blouse, and mid-height heels.
Her hair was pulled back in a low ponytail and her sweet perfume was starting to feel familiar to him.
"You look great, Zayra."
He said, with the polite seriousness that characterized him, but with an unusual sparkle in his eyes.
Zayra looked him up and down and let out a little laugh.
"You do, too. That suit... it looks excellent on you. It almost looks like it was custom-made for this heat."
"I wasn't sure if it was appropriate,"
he admitted.
"It is. Very much so. Let's go, so we aren't late for the assembly."
As they walked along the paths toward the event hall, they began to relax.
Their conversation moved to lighter topics, how difficult it was to walk in heels on the ground,
how Ryu still wasn't used to the crickets at night, and the number of exotic fruits he had tried for the first time.
They laughed. But upon reaching the event area, an enthusiastic voice interrupted them.
***
"Zayra!"
Yandé's younger sister ran toward her and hugged her effusively.
"You look beautiful, as always!"
Zayra returned the gesture with affection.
The young woman was 19,
but her way of speaking and moving was like that of a spoiled child, sweet and possessive.
She acted with the confidence of someone who felt entitled to this environment.
"Thanks, my dear,"
Zayra said.
"You look lovely too."
Yandé appeared right behind her, impeccable and confident as ever. "
And you... simply radiant."
He told Zayra in a fawning tone.
Ryu watched him carefully.
The compliment didn't bother him, but the intention behind it did.
It was then that the little sister turned to him with a raised eyebrow.
"And what are you doing here?"
Ryu calmly pulled out his UNESCO pass and showed it to her, saying nothing.
"Full pass."
He murmured neutrally.
Enay stared at him in silence.
For a moment she seemed to swell with frustration,
but then she crossed her arms and huffed.
"Pff, that's not fair!"
Ryu barely looked at her, with a polite, triumphant smile.
"She's still a child... I'm always going to beat you with simple logic." He thought, amused.
And without saying it, he already felt part of that strange game between them.
Just then, Sofia, Bruno's wife, appeared.
She was wearing a light beige dress, comfortable yet elegant.
Her hair was pulled back, and she was carrying a folder of documents.
She approached Ryu with serenity and placed a hand on his arm.
"Ryu, this way please," she said in a firm but kind tone.
He blinked, a little taken aback. He had expected to sit next to Zayra.
"Is there a problem?"
"Not at all. But since you're accredited as an external observer for UNESCO, your place is on the other side."
Sofia gestured for him to follow her.
"Come, I'll explain."
***
As they walked toward the designated area, he smoothed his sleeve,
an automatic office gesture in a place where nothing seemed under control.
Ryu noticed that the tables were arranged in a U-shape.
In the center, there was a small podium with microphones.
Each seat had a small flag, a bottle of water, microphones, and documents.
You could feel the order, respect, and formality in the air.
The chairs were comfortable and fans slowly spun in the corners.
"Why a U-shape?" he asked, curious.
"Because here everyone should feel seen and heard."
Sofia replied without stopping.
"More than 20 indigenous communities are coming, from both the east and the west."
Some with thick fabric hats, others with straw ones.
There were abarcas (sandals), ponchos, patterned shirts, and linen pants.
Each with their own identity.
And all with the right to speak.
Ryu turned his head slightly.
The hats, the woven fabrics,
even the smell of damp earth made him feel like a clumsy foreigner in his impeccable suit.
People of different heights, skin tones, and accents.
He even saw a small group of Mennonites sitting calmly.
"Mennonites?"
Sofia nodded.
"They are also included as peasants.
They aren't of indigenous origin, but they live off the land, just like everyone here.
They work, they produce. And they also make demands, in their own way."
Ryu looked back at the room.
***
Zayra was already seated.
Between Enay and Yandé, the latter leaned in and whispered something in Zayra's ear,
and she nodded, smiling.
That closeness made Ryu a little uncomfortable and suddenly.
Zayra shot Ryu a look and mouthed.
"Are you okay?"
Surprised, he nodded slightly, raising his thumb.
"Even here, among so many people, she's still paying attention to me..."
"A favor," Sofia added, in a lower tone.
"I'm not saying this to scare you, but... be very careful with what you say or do.
Everything can be misinterpreted here. The tension is high.
There are land claims, fires, land invasions, and resources.
It's better to stay as a spectator."
Ryu bowed his head respectfully.
"I understand. Thanks for explaining."
But inside, he thought,
"I don't know what I'm doing here. I won't be able to talk to Zayra.
I don't understand the language.
I'm going to spend eight hours listening to complaints I don't understand..."
For a moment, he thought about getting up.
But just then, the moderator at the front raised his voice:
"Colleagues, we're starting! Close the doors!"
A dull sound echoed through the room.
The doors closed.
Ryu settled in, resigned.
In front of him, Zayra kept her eyes fixed on the center.
Yandé was muttering something in her ear.
"Perfect." Ryu thought, irritated.
"Not only can't I talk to her... now I have to watch her laugh with that guy all day."
Enay, from the other side, smiled maliciously at him and raised her eyebrows.
Ryu let out an almost imperceptible sigh.
"This is definitely not my world... but I'm going to understand it. Sooner or later."
25.2 The Voice Everyone Needed
Ryu observed the faces, weathered by the sun, with firm braids and distrustful looks.
"Now I understand what my sister was saying about certain terms," he thought.
A low murmur died down when the moderator spoke with solemnity.
"Welcome. The topics to be discussed in this Assembly today will be.
First, the national blockades and how they affect the indigenous and peasant communities.
Second, land invasions.
And third, proposals for cooperation between communities.
These sessions will be repeated in the afternoon and during the following days.
We begin with the words from the Wiracoa community, who requested this space."
An older representative, with a firm voice and an Andean face, took the microphone.
"This year we've had more than twenty road closures in a month.
"What does that mean?"
A representative asked.
"That we don't have food or supplies."
He replied, with a firm voice.
"Why don't the people from the east help us? Aren't we part of the same country?"
The murmuring grew.
"They see us as 'collas,' as if we're less than them!"
A young Azore from another table replied.
"You people block everything!"
A man shouted.
"We also suffer,"
Another retorted, tired, hitting the table.
"Or do you think we live on air?"
"Don't insult us! We don't block you!" "Then who does?!"
Another shouted.
***
The moderator raised both hands.
" Colleagues, please, let's remember that this is an assembly, not a fight.
To find balance, we ask for a statement from another community in the area.
Chiquitana community of Besoró, would you like to share your position?"
Zayra stood up. Her silhouette caught attention without trying.
She took the microphone with serenity. Her voice, firm and clear, broke the tension.
"With all due respect to our Wiracoa and Azore brothers.
The Chiquitana peasant community of Besoró does not align with either of the extremes presented.
We all suffer here. We are all Bolivians.
There are no 'cambas' or 'collas' here.
Only people who want to be heard."
Ryu watched her with curiosity.
"Her voice cuts across the room... and everyone listens."
There was a sudden silence. Zayra lightly gripped the microphone.
"The blockades don't just affect the west. We also lose.
Our trucks with tomatoes, onions, lettuce, pork, and chicken rot on the highway.
We don't blame you, but rather the lack of coordination."
From the back, a voice was raised.
"So, who is to blame?!"
Zayra held the microphone firmly.
"The State also has a responsibility. Where are its representatives...?"
Everyone was silent.
"It hurts us not to feel heard. That's why we ask that we don't turn against each other.
If we want to find a solution, we must first stop blaming each other.
Because if we continue like this, we will remain divided. And they…"
her gaze swept over the empty podium where the State should have been.
"Will continue to not listen to us."
The moderator lowered his head, visibly grateful.
"It's on record. This Assembly recognizes the call for dialogue without divisions.
We will take a twenty-minute recess to refresh ourselves."
People began to get up. The air outside felt lighter.
And amid the murmurs, someone from the back said in a low voice.
"Who is that young woman? How can she speak like that?"
Ryu thought.
"This woman... is made for great things."
But he noticed hard stares from the back.
Her way of shining attracted respect... and enemies.