The sun slowly peeked through the distant mountain ranges of Shan'ezhou, bathing the entire world in a golden hue. As the morning dew on the tips of the trees was kissed by the sunlight, the droplets shimmered like tiny diamonds, adding a breathtaking beauty to the morning.
But that beauty belonged only to the people enjoying comfort in this city. For me, stepping into another day, I felt only the trepidation of what troubles today might bring. In truth, I would prefer it if the day simply did not begin.
I picked up my old diary lying by the bed.
"Hey, do you remember what today is?" "Why?" "Hmm... don't you remember at all? You're eighteen today!" "What?" "Silly... it's your birthday!"
I stared at it with a vacant gaze. My eighteenth birthday... to the world, it is the proud beginning of a young life, but to me, it was just the start of another uncertain day. I stood up slowly and stopped in front of a small mirror with peeling mercury. Looking at my own reflection, I smiled for a moment like a mischievous child. Tucking a lock of hair behind my ear, I stared at my own face, seeing myself as a princess.
"Alright, that's enough... or else your mistress will give you a 'fine gift' for your birthday!" Mocking myself, I stepped back into reality.
Leaving the house, I walked along the road, skipping forward with a strange lightness in my heart—perhaps because of my birthday—forgetting even the ache of the wound on my forehead. I wondered if my playfulness had gone too far when, in an unexpected moment, I collided heavily with someone coming from the front and was thrown aside. Recalling the suffering of last night, I began to tremble with fear. I immediately knelt on the road.
"Please... don't hurt me! I didn't do it on purpose. Please forgive me..." Tears escaped my eyes and fell onto the dust of the road, dissolving away.
"Oh, what is this... stay there, I'll help you."
A very kind male voice spoke. I closed my eyes tightly. "No... let me go!" I retreated in fear, shielding my eyes. "I only tried to help you..." he said again, calmly.
"No... everyone said the same thing. Let me go... please let me go!" I screamed. The memory of the men who came saying "we will help" only to hurt me last night was vivid in my mind.
But the stranger did not try to hurt me. In a moment I didn't expect, he held me by my arms and, very slowly but firmly, lifted me up to stand. I looked into the eyes of that handsome young man as if hypnotized.
He looked at my face carefully. "What happened to this? I'm sorry if I hurt you!" he said, leaning toward the wound on my forehead.
He led me to an old bench by the roadside and sat me down. Then, taking a small first-aid kit from his bag, he began to apply medicine to my wound with great care.
As the warmth of his fingertips touched my forehead, I felt as if the entire world had stopped for a moment. In a world where people approached me only to cause pain, these hands felt like a wondrous sanctuary. After finishing the dressing, he looked straight into my eyes and gave a smile.
"There... now that will heal quickly. By the way, I forgot to ask your name... who is this timid girl?" he asked in a friendly manner.
I stared at him, not knowing what to do. The words for an answer had slipped from my memory. He smiled again and said, "Why are you just staring? I only asked for your name..." as he gently stroked my head.
"Crazy girl..." he whispered softly. That touch sent a shiver through my entire body. I sat on that bench, staring like someone in a trance until he got up and left. A moment later, reality hit me.
"Oh my god... I'm late for work!"
Remembering my mistress's harsh face, I jumped up and ran toward my workplace at top speed, forgetting even the sting of the wound. As I ran, only one thing remained in my mind: that warm touch, like a dream, which I encountered on my birthday.