Under a large tree at the edge of the market, Mira made Yurim sit down.
"Yurim… I think you should stay here while we shop," she said gently.
"This place is safe. You'll be protected."
Yurim nodded hesitantly, unfamiliar fear clouding her eyes.
"We'll be back soon," Mira assured her.
She placed the shopping bags into Rian's hands and tugged him forward.
Rian paused and looked back.
Yurim smiled faintly and gave him a small nod.
Then they disappeared into the crowd.
Yurim watched them until she could no longer see their figures.
"This feels like a dream," she whispered.
"Or maybe… a long nightmare."
She shook her head lightly.
"No. Not a nightmare. Just a strange dream."
Her fingers curled into her sleeves.
"I miss my family today," she murmured.
"But strangely… I'm not desperate to return to my old life."
Her gaze dropped when she felt movement near her feet.
Small creatures—tiny and unfamiliar—ran around her feet.
She smiled softly and gently blocked their path, like children playing, or ants finding their way home.
---
"You look like that tiny statue."
The words suddenly crossed Rian's mind.
He stared at the small carved figure in front of him and let out a quiet laugh.
"I'll take this one," he said to the shopkeeper.
Mira leaned in to look—and burst out laughing.
"You have a very funny taste," she whispered.
---
Away from the market stalls—
"Move faster, you lazy pigs!"
A rough, muscular man shouted as he shoved a group of weak children forward.
They struggled under the weight of heavy sacks on their backs.
"Come on," one child whispered to another, forcing a smile.
"After this, we can buy sweet candy."
Their bodies trembled with exhaustion, yet their eyes still held hope.
Yurim's chest tightened.
The sight of their unhealthy bodies made her heart ache.
"Dreaming of a future that gives nothing… if you have no power," she whispered.
The man threw a few coins onto the ground.
"Take this and get lost."
"That's not enough," one child cried.
"My mother is hungry."
"Yes… please give us more," another begged.
"My sister hasn't eaten."
The man shoved them aside.
The children fell hard onto the ground.
Their cries echoed in Yurim's ears.
Her eyes were frozen on the sight, unable to look away.
Yurim gasped, tears filling her in her eyes.
"I can't even help you," she whispered.
Her gaze fell again to the tiny creatures roaming around her feet.
She closed her eyes.
---
"How does this one look, Rian?" Mira asked but—
She stopped.
Rian wasn't there.
Her eyes darted through the crowd, panic rising.
"Where did he go…?" Mira whispered.
---
Under the tree—
The gentle wind swayed Yurim's hair.
Her gaze remained lowered, tears growing heavier, threatening to spill.
Suddenly—
"Yurim…"
A soft, familiar voice reached her.