Chapter 25: Promises Beneath Diverging Paths

Ida returned with Enok faster than expected. Confirming Ida’s competence once more, Kebel wore a bright smile as he headed toward the reception room where they waited. Pushing open the ornate, gold-trimmed door, he found the two of them standing inside.

Ida’s eyes sparkled as if asking for praise, while Enok stood stiffly, visibly tense. A faint smile briefly touched Kebel’s lips before fading. Though Enok must have sensed his presence, he remained silent, staring only at the rug beneath his feet.

It was rude by any standard, but Kebel simply gestured that it was fine and signaled Ida to leave.

Looking disappointed at not being praised, Ida slumped his shoulders and walked out. Watching him go, Kebel made a mental note to call him later and commend him properly.

The door shut, and a heavy silence settled between the two. Enok still stood like a wooden statue, unmoving, as Kebel approached him carefully.

“It’s been a while. We’ve met before, do you recognize me?”

“…No.”

“Do you remember the boy from Kaso Village whose future you couldn’t see when I came for a reading?”

He had changed a lot. When they first met, he seemed like someone who had clawed his way through life desperately, but now he had grown into someone more composed, capable of discernment.

Seeing how cautious Enok was, as if afraid Kebel might harm him, Kebel spoke gently.

“That was me.”

“…”

“Could you lift your head and look at me?”

At Kebel’s request, Enok slowly raised his head and met his gaze. His stare was so intense it made Kebel’s face heat up in embarrassment. Does he always look at people like this? he wondered. Yet Enok still hadn’t lowered his guard, his eyes sharp as he examined Kebel.

Feeling awkward, Kebel scratched his cheek lightly and spoke again.

“You don’t need to be nervous. I just called you to have my fortune read again.”

“…I’m sorry about before.”

“I didn’t call you here for an apology. And you didn’t do anything wrong.”

Kebel shook his head with an easygoing smile. Gradually, Enok’s tension seemed to ease. He nodded slightly, lowering his gaze again. Finding that gesture oddly endearing, Kebel mentally patted his head.

“Standing like that must be tiring. Shall we sit and talk?”

“…Yes.”

Fidgeting with his fingers, his cheeks flushing faintly, Enok nodded. Only after receiving his answer did Kebel take a seat. As if waiting for that moment, Enok gathered his bundle and sat across from him.

He gave off the fresh, earnest air of a country boy who had just come to the capital chasing a dream.

“Can you read my fortune now?”

“Yes, of course.”

Enok took a cloth from his belongings and spread it over the lavish table, placing a crystal ball on top. Seeing it made Kebel’s heart tighten.

It wasn’t fear that his future might be unreadable, it was fear that Enok might say he would die in a few days. For a fleeting moment, he thought it would be reassuring if he were here beside him… but Kebel quickly shook his head.

Lately, whenever he did anything, thoughts of wanting to share it with him followed. Even though he knew he had to stand on his own now, habits formed from being together seeped into his everyday thoughts.

“Could you place your hand here?”

“Okay.”

Snapping out of his thoughts, Kebel placed his hand on the crystal. Without thinking, he spoke casually. Normally, he would use a more formal tone, but unless necessary, he didn’t speak down to strangers.

As his palm touched the cool surface, a chill ran down his spine. Enok placed his hand over Kebel’s. Gone was his earlier nervousness; now his expression was calm as he gently closed his eyes.

A faint flash of light flickered, and Enok slowly opened them again. His clear, luminous gaze fixed directly on Kebel, as if reflecting him entirely. It wasn’t eerie or unsettling, just… intense.

He blinked once, yet something about him felt subtly different. Unable to look away, Kebel found himself staring back.

From Enok’s unusually red lips came a soft whisper. His voice was gentle, like a lullaby, warm as cotton, yet the words themselves were not comforting.

“Your future is still dark…”

“I see… I thought so.”

Kebel replied calmly, as if he had expected it. But the bitterness in his heart couldn’t be hidden. He glanced at the hand resting over his, then slowly withdrew it, placing it on his thigh. Watching his every small movement, Enok spoke again.

“But it wasn’t completely dark.”

“…What?”

“It was faint, but I definitely saw something.”

At those words, a spark flickered in Kebel’s eyes. Like grasping at a lifeline, he leaned in, eager to hear more. Noticing his interest, Enok’s cheeks flushed again. Looking down shyly at the crystal, he continued.

“I couldn’t see clearly, but something was there. Like… it was hidden in thick fog.”

“…Fog?”

“Yes. And this is just my guess…”

He trailed off. Impatient, Kebel urged him to continue, but Enok hesitated. Then, with a quiet sigh, he lifted his gaze again.

“It felt like someone was trying to hide your future. I didn’t understand it back then, but… it definitely felt like someone was blocking it.”

“…My future?”

“Yes. And I sensed a bit of the same energy from them as I have.”

“…”

Someone hiding his future? Why? The thought echoed in Kebel’s mind. No matter how much he thought about it, no one came to mind. With a long sigh, he gave up trying to make sense of it.

“But don’t worry too much. One thing I can say for certain is… you were smiling.”

Smiling. Just that one word soothed something deep inside him. For some reason, at that moment, Kebel felt certain he wouldn’t die, that everything would work out.

“Thank you.”

A small smile bloomed on his face, like a flower just opening. Enok stared at him in a daze before suddenly snapping back to himself, shaking his head.

“Then… is my job done?”

His voice was hesitant. Of course, Kebel hadn’t brought him here just for a reading, it was merely a pretext. Smiling warmly, Kebel spoke in a calm, reassuring tone.

“If you’re okay with it… I’d like to be friends. What do you think?”

“…Me? How could someone like me be friends with someone of your status…?”

“I’d like that. I really need you.”

Just then, a breeze slipped through the open window, tousling Enok’s gray hair playfully. For a moment, it shimmered as if threaded with gold.

Was it the story’s influence? Or was it just his own perception? Even something as ordinary as Enok now seemed quietly beautiful to Kebel.

“I don’t know if I can really be of help… but I’ll do my best.”

“Good. I’m Kebel Iliya, that’s my name.”

“…I’m Enok Shrimp. Just call me Enok.”

Even as he said it, his ears turned red in embarrassment. To ease that, Kebel gently spoke his name, as if it were something precious.

“Enok Shrimp. It’s a nice name.”

At those words, Enok’s face flushed like a blooming flower. His eyes widened, blinking rapidly, as if he might scatter petals at the slightest touch.

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