Chapter 19: Rain That Remembers

I wiped away the traces of tears from a moment ago, cleared my throat, and looked across at Siwoo.

Siwoo still had her eyes closed, but after a moment of silently watching her, she opened her eyes.

“Sorry. We just met, but you had to see something unsightly.”

“What do you mean? I didn’t see anything.”

“…Right. You said you didn’t see anything.”

“I saw it.”

“Yes, we didn’t see anything.”

Naru quickly covered No-Rani’s mouth.

No-Rani grabbed Naru’s hand and tickled her, and the two, as if they had already forgotten the atmosphere from before, immediately started running around the tea house and playing.

To think they still had so much energy after all that playing.

No-Rani’s stamina really is world-class.

“You two, stop playing and come here for dinner.”

“Yes!”

“What’s for dinner tonight?”

“Vegetable fried rice. Here you go.”

I had prepared in advance so the food would be ready when the kids arrived.

It cooled off a bit since I was late, but it’s still edible.

No-Rani and Naru sat down, scooped up spoonfuls of rice, and smiled happily.

Watching them made me smile too.

The Spirit sitting across from me seemed to be feeling something similar, as she wore the same gentle smile.

With this, the conversation could continue much more comfortably.

“Siwoo, you came to the tea house today because you needed help, right?”

The Spirit is here to help me, but that’s only if I need help.

Normally, it’s a mutual give and take.

Siwoo listened and waved her hand.

“You can just call me Siwoo. I’m younger than you, after all.”

“You’re younger than me? How old do you think I am?”

“Twenty-nine.”

How did she know?

Do I really look exactly that age?

Maybe she saw my blank expression, because Siwoo giggled.

“Your Grandfather told me your age before. I just guessed roughly by years. I’m right, aren’t I?”

“…Yeah, that’s right. Then how old are you, Siwoo…”

“Siwoo, just Siwoo.”

“Okay, then how old are you?”

“I was born about 25 years ago.”

Judging by her appearance, she looks no older than a girl in her mid to late teens.

But…what?

With my head full of question marks, Naru explained.

“Each Spirit is given different time. That’s why their appearance and age don’t always match.”

“Really?”

“Yes. That’s why we look so young.”

“That’s true.”

She probably gets told she looks young everywhere she goes.

It’s fascinating.

So this is the difference between Spirits and humans.

Siwoo looked at me curiously.

“You’re not as surprised as I thought?”

“I’ve already had more than my fill of amazing experiences. Besides, it’s the same with people, isn’t it?”

“The same?”

“There are people who are mature even when they’re young, and people who are childish even when they’re old.”

Once you become an adult, you realize appearances aren’t everything.

“So it doesn’t surprise me.”

“You really do take after your Grandfather.”

“Of course. I’m his grandson, after all. And besides…”

I brought out the tea set I had prepared in advance and arranged it in front of us.

Each time I placed a cup, Siwoo’s eyes sparkled.

“I also inherited Grandfather’s tea-making skills. Of course, not exactly, but—”

“It still tastes great!”

“Yes, it’s exactly the same as the tea Grandfather brewed for me.”

“It makes me proud to hear you say that.”

Thanks to the support of No-Rani and Naru, my heart felt stronger.

At the same time, I could see Siwoo’s anticipation rising.

“Siwoo, do you remember the tea Grandfather brewed for you when you came here before?”

“Of course.”

“Can you describe it?”

I spoke to Siwoo and reached for the tea set.

“It’s a tea that smells like rain. Not like the smell of water, but with the scent of earth, dust, and wind from nature.”

I poured a little tea into the transparent cup.

The scent from the tea resembled the rain aroma Siwoo had just described.

Siwoo savored the subtle fragrance and continued.

“And when you drink it, it feels like rain is falling. Drip, drip, one drop at a time.”

After filling her cup, I poured another tea.

Due to the difference in density, the second tea formed droplets that sank to the bottom.

That scene was just like raindrops falling.

“Do you remember the name of this tea?”

“Yes.”

This is the tea that no one else can drink—only for Siwoo.

“Rain Drop.”

Watching the rain-like tea, Siwoo’s eyes were lost in reverie.

Naru had looked just like that when she first saw Green Dawn.

That look of rediscovering something long forgotten, moved beyond words.

It’s only natural.

This tea is made from special ingredients that cannot be found anywhere else.

“How long has it been since I last saw ‘Rain Drop’?”

This tea, capturing the very image of rain, is like a tonic for Siwoo.

It strengthens the Rain Spirit’s power and revitalizes her.

It is a tea made solely for Siwoo.

Siwoo, afraid the cup might break, carefully held it with both hands.

“I thought I’d never see it again. I can’t make it myself.”

“You tried to make it? You can’t find the herbs for ‘Rain Drop’ in the Human Realm.”

“You can’t get them in the Human Realm. But it’s different in the Spirit Realm. Still, not all the grass, flowers, and fruits in the Yangjibareun Tea House exist there. The most important thing is missing.”

“The most important thing?”

“Yes.”

Siwoo brought the cup to her nose and inhaled deeply.

She looked as if she was afraid to miss even a single whiff of that aroma.

After enjoying the scent for a while, Siwoo opened her mouth.

“It’s the person who makes it.”

“The person.”

“President, only you can make this ‘Rain Drop.’ It’s not something just anyone can do.”

Siwoo said this firmly.

I was puzzled, but Naru sitting next to me agreed.

“It’s the same for ‘Green Dawn.’ Even if you have the recipe and ingredients, not just anyone can make it.”

“Even if we have the materials and tools, and even know the recipe, we can’t make it.”

“So, you mean…”

“Originally, only Grandfather could make this tea. Now, you’re the only one who can.”

Hearing that, I finally understood.

Why the two girls were so moved when they first tasted the tea.

To them, ‘Green Dawn’ and ‘Rain Drop’ were teas that had disappeared from the world.

“I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have met you.”

“…I’m sorry if I raised your expectations too much, but would you like to try it? You might be disappointed when you taste it.”

“No, I can tell just by the aroma. This scent, it’s the real thing.”

Seeing Siwoo’s eyelashes tremble as she blinked, my heart swelled.

It must be how an artist feels when they recreate a masterpiece.

Siwoo slowly, ever so slowly, took a sip.

As if it was the last tea she would ever taste in her life.

Sip.

Siwoo took a careful sip and rolled the tea in her mouth several times.

Then she swallowed.

At some point, Siwoo’s eyes had closed.

“Which is it, I wonder.”

The “Rain Drop” that Siwoo drank today is, strictly speaking, not exactly the same as what Grandfather made.

It’s a modified “Rain Drop” with the effects enhanced by mixing in Kaniere Flower and Moon’s Tear Powder.

“In theory, it should have a stronger effect…”

But since I hadn’t tasted it myself, I couldn’t be sure.

It felt like trying to guess the next lottery number after hitting five in a row.

Would it be right this time, or not?

“So… is it okay?”

“Is it really okay?”

Siwoo looked straight into my eyes.

Only now did I realize that her eyes were moist.

It looked like tears would fall at the slightest touch.

Siwoo gently wiped her eyes and spoke.

“This, it tastes just like what Grandfather made. Maybe even better.”

“Haha. Thank you for saying that, even if it’s just words.”

“No, I mean it.”

Honestly…

I can’t say for sure, since I can’t drink the tea myself.

“Meeting you, President, is truly a blessing. That’s why it’s a bit bittersweet.”

“Bittersweet?”

“I might not be able to drink it again.”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

I can say this with certainty.

“I’ll always be here at this tea house. So come by and have some whenever you want.”

“…Thank you.”

Siwoo’s smile was radiant.

It felt like her very presence swept away any worries or troubles.

Just watching her made me feel at ease.

“Siwoo not being able to brew tea isn’t such a bad thing, huh?”

“Huh?”

“Because of that, I’ll get to see you often. Don’t you think?”

At my words, Siwoo blinked, then quickly smiled.

“You’re right. I like that.”

“As a memento, take this.”

I set a Biscuit in front of Siwoo.

A question mark floated in Siwoo’s eyes as she looked at the Biscuit.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a Biscuit I made. But it’s not an ordinary Biscuit—this one is just for you, Siwoo.”

“For me?”

“Yep. This is the one thing I do better than Grandfather.”

The ingredients for this Biscuit are similar to those in “Rain Drop” and have similar effects.

Those ingredients act as a catalyst to further strengthen the power in “Rain Drop.”

Of course, it also tastes good.

“Try it.”

Siwoo hesitated, then picked up a Biscuit and took a small bite.

After chewing a few times, Siwoo silently lifted her cup of tea.

She took a sip.

Rolling the tea in her mouth, she thoroughly savored the flavor.

“…It’s delicious. It goes perfectly with ‘Rain Drop.’”

“Really? That’s good to hear.”

“Yes, and—”

Siwoo lifted her hand.

A cloud-like mass of darkness formed in her palm.

The cloud of light turned to powder and scattered. And then—

Rumble.

Ssshhhh.

Suddenly, thunder boomed outside the tea house and rain began to pour down.

“That’s… Siwoo’s power.”

“Her power has gotten really strong.”

“Really?”

“She couldn’t normally summon this much rain, even calling a shower takes a long time.”

“Siwoo-unnie is just like me. In the Human Realm, we’re much weaker.”

“I’m even weaker than Naru.”

The two girls traded comments back and forth.

Hearing that, I realized just how much Siwoo’s power had grown.

Naru looked out the window and said,

“When Siwoo-unnie calls rain, it’s filled with Life Energy. All the farms around here will have a great harvest.”

“That’s possible?”

“Normally, it’s impossible. But now, it’s because of President’s influence.”

Thanks to the tea and Biscuit.

I only made this set for Siwoo, but I never imagined it would be so effective.

It’s amazing.

“There will be many people who love this rain.”

As I watched the rain tap against the window, Siwoo spoke up.

“President, could you make more of those Biscuits for me? Ah!”

She clapped her hands as if a great idea had struck her.

“I just had a good idea!”

“A good idea?”

“Yes!”

What could it be?

Just as my curiosity peaked, Siwoo said,

“I’ll pay for the Biscuits you make with my own labor!”

“…You mean you’ll work for them?”

“That’s right!”

“Just…don’t say that in front of other people, okay?”

That could be badly misunderstood.

If the Hyun siblings had been here, they would have freaked out and rushed in.

I can’t just offer myself up as prey to those wolves.

Still, I considered Siwoo’s suggestion seriously.

“So, you want to help out here as a part-timer.”

The Yangjibareun Tea House doesn’t get many customers.

I’d never thought of hiring extra help before. But…

“Could I really say no after seeing those eyes?”

Siwoo’s eyes shone with enthusiasm.

Ignoring that would make me less than human.

I’d have to be an emotionless machine, cold to the core.

“Alright, sounds good. I don’t need much help, but it’d be nice to have an extra hand.”

Washing dishes, serving cups, things like that.

Even if she did nothing, Siwoo has an aura that puts people at ease.

Just having her here will brighten the tea house.

She’s beautiful, so it’ll be good for publicity, too.

Looking at it from all sides, it’s a win for me.

Once I gave my permission, Siwoo clapped her hands together.

“Great! I think I should get going, but is it alright if I come back tomorrow morning?”

“Don’t come too early. You can take your time.”

“No, if I’m going to do this, I want to do it properly. I’ll earn those Biscuits fair and square.”

“Alright. Want some more Biscuits before you go?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“I want more food too!”

“Me too!”

“Alright, alright.”

They really are like baby birds pestering their mother for food.

As the one providing it, I couldn’t help but feel happy.

And so, the warm atmosphere lasted late into the night.

***

After enjoying plenty of tea and Biscuits, Siwoo left before the night grew too deep.

I told her she could stay over, but she said she couldn’t, since she had duties as the Rain Spirit.

Instead, we promised she would stay next time.

And so, the next day dawned with a fresh rain falling.

When I arrived at the tea house with the two girls—

“Welcome, President.”

“…Oh my goodness.”

A single Meid greeted us.