Encounter

Min-ho opened his eyes and saw sunlight streaming in through the window. He recalled last night's events. He noticed that his hands and legs were tied. His head was aching like anything.

He started shouting like a madman. “Leave me or else I’ll kill you.”

When he heard footsteps coming from the staircase. He saw a girl, a beautiful girl he recalled the rumours as he had heard about the witch.

“So you are the so-called witch who hit me yesterday. You can’t bewitch me with your pretty looks. Release me and I’ll forgive you,” said Min-ho trying hard to open the knots.

“I was not expecting you to wake up for at least one day after receiving that shot. Hmm…quite strong,” said Si-ri looking at Min-ho. 

Meanwhile Min-ho was busy admiring Si-ri’s beauty. After coming back to his senses, he continued to ask her “Release me you witch I won't harm you.”

“I am not a witch,” she responded in a gentle voice.

“But they said that the black mansion is the residence of a witch.”

“Do I look like a witch? Whatever you have heard is not true, there is no witch here.”

Min-ho remarked that the creepiness of the house was fit for a ghost but by looking at Si-ri he was quickly convinced that she wasn't a witch. So, he asked her to let him free.

“I am not a witch but you are a thief. I will not let you go.” Si-ri said furiously.

Min-ho again started convincingly and explained that the only reason he came was because of the bet. He further explained that his intention was not to harm her.

"Trust me, I’m harmless. Don’t make me lose my temper. Release me now you have my words."

Si-ri inspected him more closely and decided that he’s not a threat. She offered to untie him, but only under one condition. She leaned in close and said, “Let me eat it.” 

He followed her line of sight to see her pointing to persimmons hanging up high in a tree just outside of the property.

"Bring me a few of those and I'll let you go," she commanded.

Min-ho gave her a confused look not understanding why she doesn't pick them herself.

"I am not allowed to leave," She explained.

He gave in and picked the fruit with an irate face, earning a priceless smile from her.

Meanwhile, Lord Yong arrived in the dark forest.

As Si-ri devoured the persimmons while Min-ho looked at her, intrigued. When Si-ri asked Min-ho how he got to this house, he jumped up, remembering his original mission; to find the belongings of the witch.

Min-ho told her about his deal with Ji-ho and pointed at the scarf next to her to take with him.

Si-ri was not clearly convinced with the idea of Min-ho taking her scarf and grabbing it back from his hand. Min-ho tried to take it back, and a brief tug of war ensued, which ended up with him pulling a little too hard and Si-ri collapsing into his arms, her head on his chest.

She could hear Min-ho’s heart beating. He looked totally flustered, while Si-ri had no traces of embarrassment. She marvelled at the firmness of his chest, saying that he was a “healthy man".

He quickly jerked away, but Si-ri just pulled him back in and presses herself up against his chest, wanting to listen to his rapidly beating heart.

He wriggled free and stammered, "Girls should not behave like this." 

"Why?" Si-ri asked curiously.

To which he had no answer. She noticed his cheeks glowing bright red.

It was obvious that Si-ri had never had any human interaction in all those years and was very naïve. Just then, Si-ri heard her name being called. Panicked, she asked Min-ho to hide and quickly straightened up as Lord Yong stormed in. 

“Father,” she greeted him. 

“These are some clothes and other household stuff for you. I am again reminding you that under no circumstances you’ll ever set foot outside the house.”

“I know father, don’t worry. I will take care of it.”

They chatted for some time before Lord Yong bid farewell to his daughter.

Meanwhile, Min-ho overheard the entire conversation while hiding.

He saw Lord Yong leaving and came out to confront Si-ri with a confused expression. “I don’t know much about your life but how could your father confine you to such a horrible place like this all alone?”

“Because he wants to protect me,” said Si-ri.

“Protect you? Why? From what?”

“He says I am a cursed child. That is the only thing I know. He never told me the story behind this curse. But I have faith in my father, he is searching for ways to save me from the curse.”

“That is really strange. Do you know what kind of curse this is?” Min-ho asked curiously.

“I don’t know.”

Min-ho was still dazed by her revelation, when Si-ri quickly said, “You should leave now; the forest is full of wild animals so you must be careful on your way”

 “Oh! Yes, I should leave.”

“Wait!"  She placed her ring on his palm and continued, “I hope this shall be enough for your bet.”

 “Oh! Thank you so much I almost forgot about it. I will always be grateful to you. Tell me if you want any help from my side as I never take any favour from people, also I hate being indebted to someone.”

“Why is this boy full of himself?” Si-ri murmured in her thoughts and answered after taking a pause, “I don’t want any help but a promise from your side.” 

“What promise?”

“You must promise me that the secret of this witch mansion will remain a secret, after returning you must not tell anyone about me. Father says that if people came to know about this anyway that a young girl is living here alone, it wouldn’t be safe for me anymore,” she explained.

“Don’t worry. You can trust me. I am taking my leave now. It was a nice meeting you…?” 

“Si-ri” she said promptly.

 “I am Min-ho.” He responded with a curt nod.

Before Si-ri could say something Min-ho slowly leaned towards Si-ri and whispered something in her ear.

“But you’ll have to pay for hitting me so badly. Now I’ll come here more often to punish you.” Min-ho let out a devilish laugh. He then waved Si-ri bye and left.

Si-ri froze in fear and shock after what he said. She watched him walking towards the forest until his figure disappeared. Anyone could see the gloominess and awe in her eyes.

Meanwhile Min-ho was still astounded by learning about Si-ri. “This is really unfair. I really feel bad for that girl. She has been imprisoned in that horrible mansion for years without any interaction with other human beings. The poor girl has not even seen the outside world.” Min-ho thought.