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Chapter 14
A plan was slowly forming in my head.
I didn’t really have any luggage to speak of, so I decided to pack only a few things — some fruits and vegetables that could be eaten raw without cooking.
“Hey, what are you doing here?”
I turned at the familiar voice. Gio was standing behind me, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead — probably from running around looking for something.
“And you? What were you doing?”
“Me? Working.”
“Working?”
Since when did climbing trees during the day to eat fruit and sleeping at night count as work?
At my question, Gio gave a faint smile.
“Yeah. I’m working. I’m guarding.”
“Guarding what?”
His soft brown, slightly curly hair gleamed under the sunlight. Despite his gentle and pure impression, the corners of his mouth curved up in a sly grin.
“I’m guarding my master,” he said, tilting his chin toward me.
I flicked the water off the persimmon I was holding in his direction and replied dryly.
“Are you sick or something? Was lunch too salty? Or wait, I tried adding celery to the soup for the first time — Gio, don’t tell me you’re allergic to celery?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re talking nonsense, that’s why I’m asking. You’re acting weird, so I thought maybe you’re not feeling well.”
Gio stared at me washing tomatoes and apples with a look that said this woman is unbelievable. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then shut it again, several times. His face kept flushing red, then turning pale, as if he were fighting an inner battle. Finally, hands on his hips, he demanded,
“You’re the one who said I act like a dog! So I’m behaving like one, aren’t I? What’s the problem now?”
“Ah, must be your age. So hot-tempered.”
The words coming out of Gio’s mouth were ones that could easily be misunderstood by anyone listening. The way he barked back without thinking reminded me of the puppy I used to raise. I felt a mix of fondness and the urge to fix his defiant attitude.
“Now that I think about it, I used to like correcting bad habits in my dogs. Should I fix yours too?”
I lightly held the tomato in my fist and shook off the remaining water toward him. Cold droplets splashed onto his face; he frowned, closing his eyes, then peeked at me with one eye open.
“What kind of dog bares its teeth at its owner like you? At least dogs eat what they’re given. They don’t whine about the side dishes.”
“Ha! You ever think maybe the problem is your cooking, not me?”
“My dog never talked back, so how would I know?”
“What?!”
No dog had ever stood up to me like this. For a moment, Gio’s growling tone actually scared me a little. I thought it’d be best to retreat before I got bitten.
“I—I’m busy, no time to play with you.”
I stood up, putting the washed fruits and vegetables into the basket. Gio looked a bit deflated.
‘He must be really bored today. We’re parting ways in a few days anyway… maybe I should be a little nicer to him?’
I sat under a shady tree and waved him over. Gio trudged toward me, still pouting — he looked pitiful.
“Here, your favorite persimmon. It’s perfectly ripe.”
I handed him the cool fruit and took a big bite of my apple. The crisp breeze, the dappled shade, the fresh fruit — it was all peaceful and quiet.
“Let’s rest here a bit longer before we go,” I said.
Gio nodded. I leaned back against the tree and closed my eyes. The scent of grass carried by the wind cleared my mind.
Soon, the light dimmed over my closed lids. The air felt cooler — evening was coming. Then, suddenly, a sweet whiff of candy geranium filled my senses.
“Candy geranium?”
I opened my eyes — just in time to see Gio falling back on his butt with a yelp.
“Whoa! You weren’t asleep?!”
“What were you just about to do?”
“W-what do you mean, what was I—!”
The way he yelled first like a kid caught red-handed told me everything. I was certain what he had been about to do.
“You were trying to kiss me, weren’t you?”
I narrowed my eyes at him. Gio jumped up, brushed dirt off his pants, and answered curtly.
“No.”
“Pretty sure you were.”
“I said no!”
His face turned beet red as he shouted.
“If it’s not true, why are you yelling? You’re hurting my ears.”
“You keep twisting things, that’s why!”
I decided to stop teasing him — any more and his face might actually explode.
“Fine, fine. Forget it.”
He muttered under his breath but came to sit beside me again. With his knees drawn up, he rested his elbows on them and turned his head slightly to look at me.
“Irina, have you ever had a dog?”
“Hmm?”
“Have you ever raised a dog?”
I thought back to my old pet, the one who had already crossed the rainbow bridge.
“I did.”
“What was its name?”
“Gwak Dopal. Dopal for short.”
“That’s… a name?”
Awkward laughter slipped out as I tried to explain with hand gestures.
“Well, where I’m from, it’s a common name. You know, something classic and noble, like Victoria or Henry — a traditional family name.”
“Ah, so it’s an elegant noble name.”
“R-right.”
Since when had Dopal been a noble name? But I wasn’t about to explain.
“Then what’s your favorite color? Fruit? Flower?”
Unusually, Gio had a lot of questions today. It was a little annoying, but the weather was nice, and since we’d soon be going separate ways, I decided to humor him.
“I see,” he said, eyes sparkling. His soft brown eyes looked almost cute. The breeze was so pleasant that my eyelids grew heavy. I hadn’t slept well last night, and now drowsiness overtook me.
“Gio, if I fall asleep, just leave me be, okay?”
Feeling like I had someone to rely on, I let all my strength drain away. Sleep pulled me under.
Just before I lost consciousness, I vaguely heard Gio sigh.
“Haah… really? You fell asleep with me right here? Unbelievable.”
Well, people get tired. If you think about it, you caused the situation in the first place, I wanted to say — but sleep swallowed my words.
I felt myself floating, wrapped in warmth. It was soft and comfortable. When I stirred, the movement stopped.
When I opened my eyes, I saw a familiar wooden ceiling pattern — and bolted upright.
“Why am I sleeping here?”
“What do you mean ‘why’? You fell asleep outside, so I brought you in.”
“I told you to just leave me there!”
“So what was I supposed to do?”
Gio’s curt tone carried clear annoyance. I followed his voice and leaned over the side of the bed.
There he was — lying on the floor with only a blanket, hands folded behind his head.
“Then why are you sleeping here?”
“…”
“I asked what you’re doing here.”
Still staring at the ceiling, Gio said calmly,
“You tell me. What do you think I’m doing here?”
“How would I know?”
“Wow. You’re shameless.”
I wondered if he’d eaten something bad — why was he so irritable today?
Then he blurted out,
“You—! Haa… when I carried you here, you grabbed my hand and wouldn’t let go.”
I didn’t remember that, but if he said so, I had to believe it.
“Oh… I did? Um, thanks, Gio.”
Embarrassed, I scratched my cheek.
“But why are you blushing? I’m the one who should be embarrassed, not you.”
“…”
“Don’t just lie there. Go upstairs and rest properly.”
Gio cracked one eye open to look at me, sighed, and rolled onto his side.
“Forget it. You called me a dog, remember?”
Now my face flushed bright red.
Was he sulking? Or had I said something wrong again? As I hesitated, he turned to meet my gaze and said quietly,
“Dogs sleep next to their masters.”
I’d thought he was like a loyal, innocent Labrador Retriever.
But those sharp eyes staring back at me… they were more like a fierce Siberian Husky.
He didn’t look away — I did.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
Until now, I’d treated him like a younger brother. But now… the way he suddenly pressed closer — I didn’t know how to face him anymore.
‘No way… he doesn’t see me that way, does he? No, of course not.’
Maybe he was just teasing me out of boredom.
‘Yeah, that’s all. We’re stuck here, and I’m the only woman around. That’s why. It’s not real. It can’t be.’
I got off the bed and knelt in front of him. Looking down at him, Gio flinched and sat up quickly.
“W-what are you doing?”
“I won’t call you a dog anymore. No more teasing or barking jokes, okay? So stop being mad.”
“Hmm. Funny. I don’t remember you ever calling me a dog out loud. Were you doing that just in your head?”
I froze.
“…Did I never actually say it?”
