20 Years Later
Howon/Hoya POV

"Wake up Hoya!" Sunggyu said as he shook my arm.

I sighed as I opened my eyes. I turned and looked out the window of the train. Why do I always have that dream when I come back to Busan? Will I ever see her again?

The train pulled into the station, we all gathered our stuff and made our way to the vans that were waiting for us. We could have just drove here, but our company boss thought it would be a nice break for us.

As we were loading our stuff into the vans, a bus pulled up at the terminal. Not wanting to get into the van just yet, I decided to watch the people disembarking. Surprisingly, only a few people got off, but one of them was a very beautiful young woman. My heart started racing just looking at her. Then, out of nowhere, tears began to fall from her eyes.

I took a few steps towards her and asked "Are you okay?"

She turned to face me and froze.

"Hoya! Let's go!" Sunggyu call from behind me.

I turned and replied "I'm coming!" By the time I turned back to see her, she was gone. Where did she go? Why was she crying?

Sohee POV

I sighed as I thought back on everything that has happened. Who knew I would live this long having been born with only two tails? It's hard to imagine that I am the oldest gumiho in Busan.

With everything that has been happening, I decided to visit the archives in Incheon and speak with the gumihos there. I had heard that their leader Sunjin was very kind and knowledgeable. I was hoping I could learn more about our tails and why I was still alive, while others had already passed on.

I arrived at the archives and was greeted by a young man. "Welcome to the Incheon Archives. How may I help you?"

"I was hoping to meet with Miss Sunjin" I replied.

His face dropped and said "I'm sorry, but that will not be possible."

"May I ask why?"

"My sister passed away a few years ago."

I was stunned and nearly fell over. Thankfully he caught me by the arm and helped me regain my balance. "What happened? How did she..."

He smiled "Come with me."

He led me to a residential area behind the archives. "What is this place?"

"This is our home" he replied. "Have a seat" he gestured.

I took a seat at the table and he served me some tea. I watched as the children ran around and played. "It is so peaceful here" I commented.

"Yes it is" he sighed. Then he took a seat and said "I should probably introduce myself. My name is Siwan. I guess you can call me the caretaker of the archives."

"Hello" I smiled in reply. "I'm Sohee. I come from Fox Mountain in Busan."

"Fox Mountain! You guys are famous! Do they still have that edict game every year?"

"Yes" I chuckled.

"Amazing" he laughed as he took a sip of tea. "So what brings you here?"

"I was hoping to learn more about our tails."

"Our tails? What about them?"

I told him what I had observed over the years, how I was able to make the necklace and the theories I had, but I couldn't come up with any definitive evidence to support it.

"Well, I'm afraid I won't be of much help to you."

"Huh? Why not?"

"Well, it seems as though we are a bit different. All the gumihos born in Inchon have nine tails. No more, no less. I've never heard of something like this."

"I see" I slouched down in disappointment. "I'm sorry to have wasted your time."

"Not at all!" he smiled. "I'm glad that we got to meet. Plus, I learned something new."

Just then, a young woman appeared and asked "Will you be joining us for lunch?"

I stood up and said "I would love to, but I really should be heading back home."

"You don't have to rush" Siwan commented. "You can even stay the night. We don't mind."

"I appreciate the offer, but I really have to be heading back to Busan. Tomorrow is the day for our famous edict game. So I really can't stay."

"Right" he chuckled. "We might have to come to Busan to check that out some day."

"We would be more than glad to have the extra help" I joked in reply.

"Take care on your trip back" The young woman said.

"Thanks" I smiled.

"Feel free to come back any time" Siwan added. "And let the others know that they are more than welcome to come here as well."

"I will" I smiled. "Thank you again."

I made my way to the bus terminal and boarded the bus for home. With how everything has changed over the years, I had found traveling like a human to be the safest method. Even though the bus ride can get uncomfortable at times. A little over four hours later, we were finally pulling into the Busan transportation terminal.

I stretched as I got up and got off the bus. As I was looking around, a billboard caught my attention. He looks just like Howon.

I was lost in thought, when someone called out to me. "Are you okay?

I turned to look at him and froze. Howon! It was only then did I realize that I had been crying.

As he turned away to talk to his friend, I took the opportunity to leave.