DEAR ARDHAN
AUTUMN IN GURYONG PARK
Seoul, South Korea
The sun seemed to be shining coyly, hiding itself behind the gray clouds that enveloped Seoul that morning. However, since morning blind, or rather during the 24 hours that Seoul life has never died.22 years passed since the last time Esther set foot here.
Things had changed so much that he could not even recognize her anymore. Yellow leafy trees that if autumn like now usually fly in the wind are now changing skyscrapers that are like skywall.
South Korea has long been one of the world's trendsetters. The development and sophistication of the technology is growing rapidly. The film and music scene is also increasingly dominating the world entertainment industry.
One of the largest research centers in the country has collaborated with ICE's genetics lab in the process of developing Imultan Serum for human brain cell development.
In a darkblue coat by the world's leading brand Ester traverses the streets of a once unfamiliar city with his ICE-Boarder. The name of the street has changed a lot, finally he decided to go to the tourist information center whose building is now closer to the airport.
Once inside the building the air is slightly warmer, it may be that the automatic temperature regulator in the room is working properly. A female prototype robot in receptionist clothes greeted her and asked what could be helped.
"Can you give me a visual map of Guryong village in Gangnam district?"
The robot was silent for a moment, as if processing what he had just asked.
"Sorry, the place you're looking for can't be found. As another suggestion, you can-"
Without listening to the useless babble the robot Esther breezed out. It was clear the village would not be on the search. Let alone now, 22 years ago the government has forgotten it. Consider Guryong is only an Illegal Village amid all the splendor of Gangnam.
It was founded after mass evictions that took place in the run-up to the Seoul Olympics in 1988. The population in the settlement at that time could not be ascertained, between 700 to 2,000 people settled on land covering an area of 70 hectares.
"Excuse me, did you ask Guryong Village?"
When it was just about to pass away, another Airboard aligned it. Esther turned her head, she was a woman in her 40s. From behind his glasses Esther scanned the man's body from foot to head, nothing suspicious.
"Yes right."
"Sorry, may I ask what interests are there?"
"Why should I talk to you?"
"Because maybe I can help you. I'm from Guryong."
"Really?"
"Of course, look at this."
The woman held an old identification, there was a name written in hangul letters along with an address adjacent to Guryong Village. The address that Guryong residents usually put on their identity.
"This is my identification 25 years ago, and this is what it is now."
The woman pressed a button on her smartwatch. Esther read the row of hangul letters that appeared from the hologram screen on the arm. The address is still the same.
"Well, if you can help me. I'll tell you what my purpose is."
In the end, the girl agreed. It's the only way to find Han Li Eun.
***
"You owe me one answer,"
After a while tracing the streets of Gangnam with each other, the woman who brought her Airborder first made a sound. Looking at the girl who had been noticed since he was silent, as if he was thinking about many things.
"What?"
"Destination, what exactly is your purpose in finding Guryong?"
Hearing that question Esther raised an eyebrow, slightly suspicious.
"Why do you want to know so much?"
"Because ..there is no rich stranger like you who is far away looking for a slum like Guryong, especially after 15 years the place was destroyed."
"What do you mean destroyed?"
Esther was shocked not to play, although long ago had suspected that the place would be destroyed, but hearing the news from the mouth of people immediately made her shocked.
"You see that big park over there?"
"Yes, that's Guryong now."
This time he stopped his Boarder, staring at the place with a strange expression. He seemed to be able to see two lost people running through the rain through him, sheltering under a shady tree right in front of a small alley.
He also seemed to be able to see a woman who walked timidly offering a pair of umbrellas, even though her body was soaked, she tried hard without being able to offer services. The only Ojek Umbrella in Guryong.
"Hey! Why daydream, you seem to cry."
Esther shook her head quickly, trying to look fine. He rubbed the tip of his eye with a tissue, trying to smile towards the woman who was watching him cluelessly.
"Where did Guryong's men go?"
"Some of them are migrating to other cities, or staying afloat by renting cheap apartments. I was also among the ones who survived." he explained.
"Do you know a woman named Han Li Eun?"
Hearing that name is called her eyes enlarged.
"Si, who are you really? Why are you looking for Han Li Eun? What do you want?"
From the initially friendly women it actually turned nervous and alert. He began to notice Esther from head to toe, actually trying to recognize the female face before him.
"I asked, do you know him?"
Instead of answering, the woman ran straight away, she even fell off her airboarder. Seems very frightened.
Esther pressed the button on her Earphone, "If you follow me, make sure you follow the woman, tell her the address without being conspicuous. Give me the information immediately."
After saying that Esther again looked at the garden of Guryong with an expression that remained the same. He descended from his ICE-Boarder and, while still carrying it, walked slowly into the garden gate, the incarnation of a small alley twenty-two years ago.
***
"What's? a female?"
"Yes, the guy's beautiful, he's wearing a super expensive coat."
The long-haired woman with the bangs rarely frowned. For a moment forgotten by the canvas and the brush, he was thinking who was the rich man looking for him? Are Jae Won's men? Or the debt collectors from Yeongyego?
"Have you asked her name?"
"No, the girl seems so cold. He didn't even want to mention your name until he saw Guryong's garden, it seemed like he was very interested in that garden."
Han Li Eun frowned.
"You're saying he just arrived in Seoul?"
"Yes, he even looked for Guryong in the information center. I was trying to steal the very expensive-looking Airboarder."
"Why not be? You know we can't eat stale Kimchi Jiggae all the time?"
"In addition to saying your name, I also feel that she is not someone who is easily stolen or cheated."
Han Li Eun again knitted her brows, is it possible for her?
"Ah of course not,"
"What isn't?"
"No."
The woman quickly shook her head, dismissing the silly thoughts that had crossed. It was impossible for the woman who hated him for a lifetime to seek, 'maybe she had already forgotten me for a long time.' her inner self.
"If you're curious, just come to the park. I'm sure he's still there." The woman spoke again, this time Han Li Eun seemed interested.
"You sure?"
"Look at her guts anyway. Just make sure of yourself. I'm hungry, just looking for another victim." he said as he left.
Han Li Eun hesitates about grabbing the coat. Encouraged by curiosity he finally decided to get out of his small apartment, whoever it was, he had to make sure with his own eyes.