"Good morning and happy new year, Miss Yuri!"
A lean but graceful looking young man cheerfully chimed as he approached Yuri's form at a moderate pace. The young man walks the opposite way of Yuri's destination, thus the reason he seemed to look like he was approaching Yuri.
Hearing him, Yuri swept a glance to his direction, shortly examining the young man's most distinct features.
Dennis Turner…. He was the same age as Yuri. He was an average working mailman, and he was also born outside the 4 central cities. But as opposed to his measly background, he had a heart-melting smile, a refined-looking face, and a pair of mesmerizing honey-colored eyes that almost looked as if they were twinkling when hit with the sun's light.
"Good morning and happy new year, too, Dennis," Yuri replied with a small wave. Right now, the current company that Yuri works for, Sweet Haven Company, ranked 2 in the top 10 most prominent writing companies in the City of Tyche.
Inside the 4 central cities, the top job for an Ordinary is to be a writer due to their lack of prowess and ability to compete.
Ever since ancient times, it has been said that 'writing' closely resembles how the Gods created the universe, therefore to be fair with everybody, the King placed high priorities in writers; hence it became the most sought out work for those who came outside of the 4 central cities. But because of this, the 5 Great Family Leaders that ruled each central city also built their own writing companies and competed with one another. One company that Lunaria Lucian created is the Sweet Haven Company. This specific company had been in business for the past 1000 years already and was the dream of all common people to have a work under for because of its high merits and accommodation.
A haven for the talented, a perfect place to reach the stars and stay 'forever.'
That is what they've promised us and also what they've taken from us.
Ignorance is bliss, what you don't know, you won't be afraid of.
Maybe that was why my father never told us of anything… Never mind that, for now, I must remain low, and unnoticed, lest I want them to figure out my real ambition in entering Sweet Haven Company…
"What's up, Dennis?" A hoarse, husky voice called out from behind Yuri, as a middle-aged man with dark brown eyes, framed with smooth brows and short chestnut hair swiftly walked past her to catch a high five with Dennis.
This man... What's his name again?
Unlike Dennis, who looked exceptionally young and baby-like, this middle-aged man has a fuzzy beard growing, obscuring his well-defined chin, making it seem like he's a close relative to Santa Claus. Still, even so, his body built was genuinely fitting for his profession since he was a Moon ranked high-grade Martial Artist, possibly part-timing as a proofreader in Sweet Haven.
"Hey, there, Jean!" Dennis called out with a wave.
Smack!
After returning the high five, Dennis smiled at "Jean" and asked, "How's your day today?"
At once, after hearing his queries, Jean lets out a long sigh, replying, "Not good, not good!"
"Oh? What happened?" Dennis asked, his head slightly tilted to the side in confusion.
"It's a VERY long story!" Jean strongly affirmed to him, but Dennis was quick to retort, "Cut it short then."
"Ugh! You never give up, do you?"
Cracking a mischievous smile, Dennis replies, "En. You shouldn't have told me in the beginning."
"Geez! You're the worst!" Jean cried out but immediately laughed right after.
Pausing for a bit, Yuri slowed down her own pace and glanced back at them with a blank look. Both guys were smiling and sporting each other. They seem to have known each other for a while now and have a good relationship.
Judging by the looks of it, despite his poor background, everyone acknowledges Dennis. To be specific, many people admired him for his charismatic character, kind personality, and warm smiles. He was handsome, sweet, and playful. Who wouldn't want him to be with if he's all a perfect guy ought to be?
Honestly, if I were to compare it to a common idiom, I would relate it to a moth that's drawn to a flame.
The reason for this?
It's simple.
Have you heard of the story "The young moth and the ever-splendid flame?"
If not, then let me tell you something interesting…
Once upon a time, there was a flame that was so bright and wonderful, and for the young moth, the flame was the most lovely in the entire universe, because of this, the blazing fire gradually drew the young moth to its mesmerizing allure. However, an old moth stopped him and warned: "Do not be blinded by your desires, see the flame with an open-mind, be aware of the flame's danger before it's too late. Hearing that, the old moth's words went from the young moth's ear to another. He was just too stubborn that he did not heed the old moth's advice and approached the bright crimson flame until his wings were burnt off, and he got stuck on the candle's wax. As a result, the young moth burned to his death. But do I blame the young moth? No. Do I blame the flame? No. It was neither one's fault.
It was the same case between our relationship. I was the disfigured young moth, and Dennis was the ever-splendid flame.
I was too stubborn to believe that the flame would understand the difficulties of a disfigured young moth.
But I guess I was just wrong.
Isn't it fascinating? A young moth not chasing a flame for its own desires, but because it felt detached and alone...
Are you now intrigued to know whether if the young moth would survive in the end?
Or would the young moth be burned by the all-consuming flame?
If you are, then, I don't think I have the answer for that yet...