Trusty Reading Lamp

Chapter 5 - The First Step

But my eyelids felt like lead on my tired face, luring me into a deep slumber. I let them fall and dreamed.

Of Stories.

Of Constellations

Of ⯀⯀⯀⯀ ⯀⯀⯀⯀⯀⯀⯀⯀.

OoOoOoOo

"Prepare yourselves Incarnations, for the [Sponsor Selection]!"

Bihyung theatrically snapped his fingers, and yet another holographic window appeared before all the incarnations present. Each displaying a varying number of options. Hyunsung stared with a perplexed look on his face, wide eyes flitting left and right as he read the cryptic riddles left out before him. Lee Gilyoung must have quickly read his window, before looking across to Sangah for support with wide, hopeful eyes.

The other girl that Sangah didn't recognise sat across the train, huddled in a puffer jacket with a contemplative look on her face. She seemed rather level-headed. "Noona, what do I do?" That was Gilyoung, searching for assistance from the woman who had helped him survive.

"Don't worry about it, Gilyoung." Dokja decided to speak up first, which left Yoo Sangah surprised , before her face broke out in a giddy smile. 'He's getting better.' "I would just pick the option you like the name of the most."

"Oh... Ok!" Yoo Sangah hoped that her explanation ended up with Gilyoung having the same sponsor as he was supposed to, because his utility in the 'early-game' was unmatched.

To Sangah's left, Dokja was looking crestfallen, so she spoke up. "What's up Dokja, anything wrong?"

"I... only got one option. And its... Secretive plotter?"

Oh. Well that makes sense when you think about it. Throughout this first scenario, Dokja did nothing, so of course, the constellations that would have sponsored him didn't offer.

"But that's okay, right?" Yoo Sangah whispered, "You won't planning to pick one anyway."

Dokja sighed, dejectedly. I know. But it's the principle!" He threw his hands up into the air, much to Gilyoung's confusion, "and if no constellations are interested in me, how will I get their coins?"

"Don't you worry about that." Sangah reached over to gently ruffle his hair. "That's what I'm here for!"

'Damn, my ears are burning.' Despite her statement being entirely true, she couldn't help her immense embarrassment given the context.

"Noona, Hyung..." Gilyoung spoke slowly, clearly hesitant, "Are you two married?"

Silence.

Yoo Sangah stared ahead, face unmoving save a light red tint on her cheeks 'that would be nice...'

Kim Dokja's eyes blew wide, mouth hanging slightly open, with proverbial steam blowing from his ears. 'I wish...'

"Noona? Hyung?"

"Ah. N-No we're not" spoke both in unison, frantically waving their hands in front of their faces.

"Oh." Gilyoung's face fell slightly, yet the other two didn't seem to notice.

"Sangah-ssi" Dokja poked her shoulder whilst pointing in front of her, you should pick a sponsor you know."

Ah. She had completely forgotten, being completely swept up in the warm atmosphere in the otherwise cold train carriage.

As she pulled the window into her view, she stared with wide eyes at her expansive list of options.

Sponsor selection