𝖬osiac || 𝖲𝖵𝖳 𝖠𝖴

Boneless

( A century ago)

  

"You say you'll begin to take more care of yourself and yet here you are, skipping breakfast to help me and the old man"

As soon as the words were spoken, he couldn't help but smile and look at her as the sun appeared on the horizon. "You guys do a lot for me as well, it's the least I can do"

She smiled and pinched his cheek. "What a good son you are," She said. However, the pinch soon became ruthless and he cried in pain as she dragged him inside the house. "That's more of a reason for you to go ahead and eat something!"

"Gran Takahashi, food is for the weak!"

"And you're very weak!"

At this, he sighed and followed the old woman into the house, where she then forced him to take a seat. "Wait here Cheolli, I'll bring out yummy food for you to eat!" She said before she disappeared into the kitchen.

A smile crept into his lips as he stared at the old woman work from afar. "Thank you gran!" he yelled.

Kyoko Takahashi was a woman he had met a few weeks ago in the outskirts of Kyoto. As she walked on the side of the road towards her house, Seungcheol could notice her struggle while carrying grain bags on her back. And filled with a good attitude, he shifted into a human and walked down the path to help her.

"Thank you so much young man!" She said as she bowed. "It would've taken me ages to get here if it wasn't for your help!"

"It's nothing big," He said. "If you and your husband ever need any help then I'd be more than willing to lend a hand"

"My, now that you mention it," She looked towards the field. "Since winter is coming soon I'd really appreciate it if you were to help us prepare for it. My husband is very ill so I've been taking care of the rice fields all by myself"

"It would be an honor," He said.

"Great! Oh, if only my husband was in better shape, I would love it if you were to meet him!"

"Same here Mrs. Takahashi"

"Oh call me Gran from now on! Mrs is way too formal for my taste!"

At this, he couldn't help but laugh. At that time, he had never thought he would end up helping her and her husband on a day to day basis. However, it didn't bother him one bit. After years and years of being alone and filled with regrets from the souls that resided within him (*), being surrounded by a sweet old lady and a stern but loving husband was enough for all that pain to disappear.

And yet.

Deep within him, Seungcheol knew this happiness wouldn't last. Sooner or later, things would have to change.

"Here you go boy," Said the old woman as she walked into the dinning room with plates. "Some miso soup with rice and mackerel!"

"It looks splendid as always Gran Takahashi"

She softly hit his shoulder. "You make me feel special, my son." She smiled. "Now eat up before the old man wakes up and nags about breakfast"

Cheol laughed. His insides fluttered as he witnessed another morning where he ate in company.

To him, even if this happiness didn't last, he would make sure to enjoy every drop of it.

[ (*) As you may already know, the gashadokuro is made entirely of bones that came from soldiers who died in the battlefield. The reason these bones turned into a gashadokuro was because those bones weren't properly buried or paid tribute and filled with resentment and pain, these bones turned into this Yokai ]