Nevertheless

The lost soul left, but his words remained like scars inside my head. I was panting while standing in front of a mirror inside the restroom. I don't know how long it took me before going outside.

"Why are you calling? It's so early," I couldn't recognize my voice. Sai was calling me, and it's just 4 o'clock in the morning. I more sober now.

"You're still grumpy in the morning?" I heard her yawning. "I just wanted to ask if you're doing okay? I dreamt of you last night!"

I'm now standing at the balcony while gazing at the night sky. I wanted to get some fresh air, and it's cold.

"Really? Was that a nightmare?" I laughed a bit.

"I saw you crying for Pete's sake. I haven't seen you in a while too, I thought that dream was real!"

I smiled. "Damn, that dream's exposing me."

"What?! So you're really not okay right now?! Wait, let me wash my face and I'll go there!" she sounded panicking and I heard her steps.

"Hey, you don't have to go here, Sai," I pressed my lips.

"You dumb bitch! I'll go to your apartment! Wait for me!"

I sighed heavily. I couldn't even lie about what I feel. Everything's so... unclear and messed up. I lit a cigarette again while leaning on the wall. I chose to include myself in this situation, now I'm facing a complete mess.

"Yohan! You piece of shit come out!"

Moments later, I heard Sai's voice from the street. I went downstairs to fetch her. I couldn't even greet her happily, it's so early!

"I brought instant ramen!" she said and showed me the paper bag. I just watched her preparing it, she looked excited doing that.

"I met your Dad the other night," I told her.

"I know! Dad was bawling his eyes!" she laughed. "I think he got scared that you might court me or whatever. Disgusting!"

I rolled my eyes. She placed a bowl of ramen in front of me. We're now sitting on the floor, and she's across the coffee table.

"He also invited me to go to the East, and I said yes."

"Ah! I heard about that. I hesitated first when Dad told me. I remembered you told me Iseul will get mad when you go there. What made you change your mind? I'm surprised to hear you accepted his offer."

I looked down on my ramen when I heard Iseul's name.

"Hey you can tell me about it when you're ready! Just eat your ramen," she said.

There was silence for a few minutes, until I gained courage to tell her everything. From the moment where I summoned Thai at the South... then the dinner where I saw Iseul, plus the man who showed up to me a while ago. I told her literally everything that's been bugging me lately, and she was listening intently.

"Don't you think that man's just bad mouthing Iseul?" she asked, frowning.

I shrugged. "He sounded convincing enough... I felt so frustrated about it."

"You're frustrated because he said Iseul's the evil one and that she's just manipulating you?"

I smiled bitterly. "I was frustrated because if Iseul is the bad one or not, I'm still willing to help her break the curse. Does this mean Iseul succesfuly manipulated me to believe that there's a curse to break?" I said sarcastically.

Her mouth formed an 'o'. "But... he told you there's no way to break it." she said.

"I don't know what to believe in at this point," I laughed. "I just wanted a peaceful vacation but I promised a lost soul that I'll help her."

"Yohan, you don't really have to push yourself to do what everyone wants you to do. Shame on them if they're using you... But I can sense that you are a kind person who is willing to help someone in need."

I nodded. "I will help her, nevertheless."

"She would call you stupido again if you're pressuring yourself a lot!"

"I'm not."

"Hey, have you noticed? You were rushing your visit in every galleries based on your story. That's not how you usually visit art galleries. Normally you would look at a piece for like... more than ten minutes just to appreciate its meaning?! Plus, you were also rushing your works. I hope you don't lose yourself in the process of helping others. Loosen up a bit," she gave me a reassuring smile.

Yeah, she's right. I also noticed how I don't appreciate artworks that I see just like how I used to. My intentions on visiting became Iseul, and not because I loved art. I was desperate to find clues that I forgot why I wanted to go to Techne Island in the first place. I should work on that, and get myself back together.

"I'm sorry that you're going through a lot. You must've been thinking about it everyday." she said.

"I want to know the truth while helping her. If I succeed, they will be free from the curse. If I don't, it's okay. I'll find out who's lying to me. Plus, I'm also heading home a month from now, I've got enough time for vacation. This won't go to waste." I said, convincing myself that I'm choosing the right thing.

"I'll go with you no matter what! You're not alone, alright?!" I laughed because of her tone.

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Are you planning to go somewhere later?" she asked while I was washing the dishes.

"Yeah, my last destination here at the North before travelling to the East."

"Where?"

"The La vendemmia."

"That vintage shop? Let me come with you!" she said in enthusiasm.

"You've got work to do later. I'm fine going alone." I dried my hands and went back to the sofa.

"It's fine! It won't hurt if I make time for you. I'm also planning to buy things that I'll bring tomorrow to the East." she said. She's still sitting on the floor.

"Alright."

The shop opens at 7 o'clock so I took a nap first. Sai also headed home since it's too early. Upon waking up, I took a bath. I just wore some casual clothes and I brought my sling bag with me. It's just six in the morning but I decided to go to the shop already.

"What a traitor! You said you'll go here at seven!" Sai complained and walked towards me. I reserved her a number card and I gave her that.

"I'm first in line because I went earlier."

She pouted her lips. "Okay, fine."

The shop opened and they let the first five people inside. Sai and I entered the shop. The last time I went here, it was still empty. Now it has some new items displayed.

I roamed around, trying to fine something that I might buy. There's a lot of paintings, sculptures, and some relics from different countries which made this shop famous.

"Yohan!" Sai called. She was almost whispering. "Come here, quickly. I found something... interesting."

I immediately went to her. She found an old frame with a poem on it. It's also a calligraphy... written in red ink.

"This looked like the one from Stara kaligrafija... the one that has Iseul's calligraphy." I said.

"I know, right? And the interesting this is, Iseul's name is written here," she showed me the bottom part of the paper.

I gasped. "It's really her handwriting."

Sai opened her phone to translate what's written on the old piece of paper. My heart started beating fast as she types the symbols on a translator.

"I've got it!" she announced.

"What does it say?"

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'Go where it's forbidden

Burned into ash

But there's something hidden

To break the curse at last'

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