[Dear respected Jiwoo.]
[Today, an unexpected news flew in from the house of the academy.]
[You want to know my name?]
“Thank goodness. It seems the Seocheon Post Office didn’t forget to contact me.”
If they hadn’t, I would have rushed straight to the Seocheon Post Office after reading the letter.
[Thanks to you, I’ve definitely figured it out. Jiwoo, you are not from the Volcano Sect!]
[Actually, I was wondering if there might be some hidden supporter among the sect members. I’ve been narrowing down the candidates from afar, but I think I can conclude that today. There aren’t many people who know my name since I live in a secluded hermitage, but still, a sect member wouldn’t fail to recognize me.]
The letter contained the joy of a young detective thrilled with immense realization.
[As my doubts are resolved, I become even more curious. I grew up in a sect, so how do you know me and support me? Now that one mystery is solved, I feel like another mystery has just piled up. However, there is one clear fact I’ve come to know! No, the first undeniable fact I’ve learned about you, Jiwoo.]
What could it be?
[It’s not just me who is curious about the other person’s name!]
Suddenly, I felt a triumphant laugh from the letter.
[What a generous supporter you are, offering help without even knowing my name. Could you be an incredible tycoon? It’s practically unimaginable to me.]
“I’m a self-employed worker who works more than 16 hours a day.”
I have to go to work tomorrow too. And it’s not even a five-day work week. My head suddenly starts throbbing.
[Since you’ve continued to avoid my questions, I understand you might be reluctant to reveal your identity, Jiwoo. But I wish you could at least tell me your name.]
[In turn, I’d be more than happy to share my name.]
[Disciple of Master Jinmu.]
[P.S. You mentioned we were paper friends. I’ve heard friendships start by exchanging names! I’ll be waiting.]
“No! I can’t reveal my name first!”
I can see how desperately curious they are about my identity. Given that they’re sending me a fortune every month, it makes sense.
Maybe it’s because I’ve learned a bit more about them, or perhaps they think they’ll finally discover my name. The excitement of the original protagonist seeped through the handwriting.
“It feels like I’m chatting with a pen pal.”
Rather than frustration, a chuckle escaped me.
Is it like waiting for a raid with guild members in a game while enjoying a fun conversation? If the other person were female, it might feel like love games I’d only heard about, but sadly, my correspondent is the protagonist.
I felt more like I was getting to know this mysterious pen pal.
Since I’ve confirmed the original protagonist’s existence, should I take some more time to find out their name? The next letter is thin. I opened it right away.
——
[Dear Jiwoo.]
[My master is very ill.]
[I’m sorry. Due to nursing, I might not be able to write for a while.]
“Is Master’s condition worse than expected?”
After the master’s death, the original protagonist would have no reason to stay in the Volcano Sect and would come out into the world.
I thought the master’s condition would be relatively okay since there’s still a bit of time before the original story begins, but it seems I was mistaken.
I took out the next letter immediately.
——
[To Jiwoo.]
The handwriting seems a bit dry.
[You have never answered my questions.]
“Huh?”
The handwriting in the letter seemed a bit angry.
[Even if I write about my daily life, you never respond. I can’t tell what kind of expression you’re making even if I share my true feelings.]
[Go eat something delicious. Be careful of catching a cold. Train hard. You send me short messages of concern, but they feel completely devoid of emotion.]
[It makes me wonder. Do you write the same kind of letters to others too? Am I just some beggar on the street to you? Am I receiving your aid without any feeling, just like a random act of charity?]
[In acknowledging this, my head spun, and I paused my brush for a moment.]
[I don’t know who you are. I don’t know your name. I don’t know what you look like or what you do.]
[You called me a paper friend. Yes, it really feels like a paper friend. I doubt you even read my letters as if I’m writing to paper.]
“Sorry. I forgot.”
I really hadn’t read them.
How could I have known that I sent a letter at New Year’s and remembered it in the fall?
[P.S. Master’s breaths have become a bit more steady. If Master is worried about me and not the other way around, then thank you.]
The handwriting in the letter was sharper than usual.
“Seems like they’re pretty mad. I should have replied in time…”
When the original protagonist received a letter with a single line of greeting, they poured their heart out, revealing what had happened until now, and actively wrote letters to me.
If only I had been open about my support, it might not have prompted so many thoughts, especially after sending money out of nowhere without even a single reply.
“This reminds me of my freshman year in college.”
I couldn’t help but smile bitterly. I mustered the courage to reach out to a female classmate, only to see ‘Not Read’ all day long.
And then half a day later, the reply came.
‘ㅇ.’
When I sent a long message again, I got the next day’s response too.
‘ㅇ.’
She must be busy. I thought nothing of it, but when I saw that another handsome classmate contacted the girl I liked and received a reply right away, I realized.
It wasn’t about being busy; it was about the person.
The shock was overwhelming for a freshman, and I had to soothe my wounds that weekend. The original protagonist might be feeling something similar.
Not in a romantic way, but in the way of a supporter.
“If our relationship closes off like this, things will get awkward.”
Feeling hopeful that there were a few letters left, I opened the next one.
——
[Dear Jiwoo.]
[I received your letter.]
[Though it’s just the typical greeting letter, I can’t imagine how relieved you must be that I received it.]
[You must have accepted my apology. Thank you.]
The letter was filled with sincere thoughts and apologies reflecting their inner turmoil.
[Oh, by the way, you asked for my name.]
“Uh? Are you actually going to tell me?”
I unconsciously sat up straighter.
[After much deliberation, naturally, it would be proper to tell you my name, but I’ve developed a bit of a desire.]
“Desire?”
Is there something they want from me?
[Aside from greeting letters, I want to receive your letters. Not just one line, but two. If you’re okay with it, you can write more!]
“Haha.”
[To receive a letter from a stone-cold Jiwoo, I’ll need some leverage. But still, I’d like to let you know another name I’ve been using.]
“Another name?”
[Even though you sent your letter in winter, I received mine when the plum blossoms of the Volcano Sect bloomed. So from now on, please call me Lanmae (亂梅).]
“Lanmae? Chaotic Plum Blossom?”
What does that mean?
[When will your letter arrive? Will there be a reply this time? What kind of person are you, Jiwoo? Every time your letters come, my heart gets all chaotic, so henceforth, I shall be Lanmae (亂梅).]
[Next time, I will be waiting for a reply with ‘Lanmae’ written on it.]
[From Lanmae (亂梅).]
[P.S. If you write something other than a greeting, the plum blossom might just get a bit more chaotic.]
“Seems like you truly are from the Volcano Sect…”
A small chuckle escaped me.
Isn’t it shameless for a guy to ask me to call him a plum blossom? As expected of a disciple of the sect, calling martial artists ‘Plum Blossom Swordsmen.’
“It’s great to become a pillar for the protagonist during such a tough time, but…”
I wondered if I might have meddled with the original protagonist at an inconvenient time.
After a moment’s contemplation, I realized that since I had already sent the letter, there was no turning back.
“Since it’s come to this, let’s shake the plum blossoms a bit.”
One to Lanmae (亂梅).
Let’s send my first response as Jiwoo.
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