THE TRUTH MANSION'S
Chapter 9's

        Butterfly—or moth—yellow it flew away like a colored piece of paper. Woo-mi was born and raised in Saha Mansion, so he never got a formal education. Even so, his brain was filled with various kinds of knowledge in various fields. He loves to read, he knows a lot about history and philosophy, he also memorizes famous novels and poems.

        Although knowing what Woo-mi said must be true, Jinkyeong wants to keep talking to Woo-mi, so she adds, “It seems like she is too pretty to be considered a moth.”

        Woo-mi purses her lips and smiles. “You differentiate, do you think one species with another species based on beauty or not? Interesting once.” Without waiting for a response, Woo-mi stands up and walks towards the public water tap.

        The only source of water in the Saha Mansion is eight taps mounted around a cylinder of coarse cement. All residents of Saha Mansion take water from the tap. This tap is for eating, bathing, and washing. No one complains even though they have to go back and forth to fetch water, because it has become their habit. Near the row of taps there are jeriken and a small stroller that is always used by the residents and returned to the place all in a clean condition.

        Woo-mi is unaware that water has spilled out of the jerry cans. He stared blankly ahead with his left eye wrinkled as if he were eating something sour. After more water is spilled than the water is accommodated in the jerry then Woo-mi jerks and quickly turns the tap to stop the flow of water. The old, rusty faucet creaked as it rotated. Woo-mi often unknowingly spins the tap so powerfully that it breaks.

        Whenever I had to replace a broken faucet, the old man from the building supervisor never looked upset. He chuckles and says to Woo-mi, “There is no need to drain so much. Twist gently, just like the way you treat women.”

        “Old Brother, how about your neck that I gently twist? Your bullshit is not funny at all.”

        Woo-mi often damages, messes up, and breaks things accidentally. However, Woo-mi doesn't seem confused or regretful. The old man also just smiles every time Woo-mi touches him. Deep wrinkles were visible in both corners of the old man's mouth as he smiled. Woo-mi's hand pushes the carriage with three jeriken full of water, while her other hand carries one more jeremy. Then, he walked towards the entrance of Building A. The ramp, which is cemented arbitrarily on the left side of the stairs, is steep and uneven. Woo-mi gallops up the ramp while trying to keep the stroller balanced to the left and to the right.

        Jin-kyeong is still holding a bombong cabbage flower.

        Konnim's grandmother patted Jin-kyeong's shoulder. “You didn't hand over the flowers?”

        Jin-kyeong's face flushed red.

        Sa-ra who is standing leaning against the second-floor crossbar sees everything that is happening in the front yard. She can't see Jin-kyeong's expression, but she knows Jin-kyeong's cheeks are red. Sa-ra galloped down the stairs. Jin-kyeong is still standing while holding the yellow flower.

        Jin-kyeong looked down at the flower doubtfully.

        “Flower for whom?”

        “Not for anyone.”

Sa-ra looks up at Jin-kyeong for a long time, but Jin-kyeong just looks back at her, not understanding what she means. Sa-ra smiles in frustration and asks, “Then the flower is okay for me?”

That's when Jin-kyeong just offered the flower. Sa-ra receives the bouquet with two hands, then smells it. Jin-kyeong starts moving towards the stairs. His brain was just filled with shadows about butterflies.

        “Thank you, Eonni!” exclaim Sa-ra.

        “Hm?

        “Thank you for the flowers. Thank you for making a bouquet for me.”

        Still daydreaming, Jin-kyeong raises her hand and waves to Sa-ra. Sa-ra smiles brightly and waves her flowers happily.

Eonni is a Call for older women by fellow women; Big Brother.