The Brothers Kim - Chapter 168

“Gyuri!”

Feeling someone brusquely shake her, Gyuri’s eyes fluttered open.

“Are you all right?”

Gyuri g.r.o.a.n.e.d.

Dressed in his adoptive father’s old hand-me-downs, the young boy peered at her worriedly as she sat up. “I think you were having a nightmare.”

Groggy from sleep, Gyuri squinted as she swept her gaze across her surroundings. All around her was a stretch of green that ended where a river began. In the distance, birds chirped as they perched on a budding tree while cows lowed as they grazed. Gyuri blinked at the sight before her. From the cloudless sky and the pleasant breeze, Spring was imminent.

“Yeah,” Gyuri replied, still dazed. “I’m fine, Gulnar.” She cast her gaze down as she tried to untangle her thoughts. So, it was just a dream? Gyuri inspected her hands and recalled the wispy voice’s words. She shuddered. Keen to distract herself, she asked, “How long was I asleep for?” and after doing a quick search, added, “Where’s Tae?”

Gulnar sat cross-legged beside her. He played with the leather ball in his hands as he answered, “Tae should be coming soon. Chun Chun went to look for him not too long ago. You fell asleep just before she left.” He paused to observe Gyuri’s countenance, his lips pouted in concern. “Are you sure you’re fine?”

“Huh? Of- of course.”

Gulnar stopped playing with the ball. “Then, why are you crying?”

“Huh?” Gyuri touched her cheek and discovered it was moist with tears.

“That must’ve been a very scary dream,” Gulnar remarked as Gyuri hurriedly wiped them away. “You kept calling out strange things.”

“I was? What was I saying?”

“Dad and Yoongi.”

Gyuri flinched.

Noticing her reaction, Gulnar pried, “Who are they?”

Gyuri briskly looked away. “Oh. Erm, I’m not sure. I- I must’ve been spouting gibberish while I was asleep.”

But Gulnar was unconvinced. He stared at Gyuri intently, his eyes narrowed. “This isn’t the first time, though. You called me Yoongi before too.”

Taken aback, Gyuri returned the young boy’s stare. From his droopy eyes that made him look sleepy to his button nose and gummy smile, the resemblance to her brother was uncanny. Gyuri thought it was her homesickness causing her delusions. However, as the orphans grew older, the more she began to wonder whether there was more to their familial bond. Suddenly, Gyuri’s mouth felt very dry. Could her family be closer to her than she thought?

“I- I did?”

Gulnar nodded. “So, who is—?”

But just before Gulnar could finish his question, a piercing cry interrupted him. The pair turned to the direction of the noise and found a distressed, young girl hurtling towards them.

“Gyuri! Gulnar! Come quickly!” the girl cried.

“Chun Chun?” Gyuri’s eyes rounded as the girl drew near. With her long, unkempt hair flailing behind her like a whip, Chun Chun looked as wild as the day Gyuri first met her. “What happened? What’s wrong?”

“It’s Tae,��� the girl answered between gasps of breath, “He’s in trouble.”