Changmin's PoV

The days were warm and relaxing - peaceful.

What day was it? Surely it wasn't a day of rest if the trotting of passing horses, the hurried footsteps of people and the encouraging shouts of street vendors were anything to judge by.

No, indeed it wasn't a day free of labour but then again, it never was for me, now that I think about it. 

«Changmin, wake up! You'll be late for work! Siwon will not cover for you again!»

The voice which called for me came from outside the room, maybe from the kitchen or perhaps my sister, Sooyeon's, bedroom. I would typically be certain whether it was time to leave my bed when she would burst into my room, awakening me with pinches and laughter.

The room in which I slept, my bedroom, had that powerful smell of new shoes.

Only last night I had finished mending the sole of an old, worn out shoe, managing to make it appear as new.

Everyone in the small village in which I lived said that I had taken my skill from my father, his own hands having mended plenty shoes, but unfortunately unable to witness the fruit of his teachings I've put into practice.

"He's gone. He's reached a better place by now."

I shook my head and slapped my cheeks, getting up from my little bed which consisted of a mattress stuffed with straw.

Opening the window, I let the morning air filter in, masking the smell of the leather until it was only faintly present.

«Changmin-ah, you're going to be late!»

As I feared, Sooyeon burst into the room ready to wake me up, but stopped upon noticing my vacant bed, then slowly turning to the window and seeing me.

«You saved yourself this time, big brother!»

She quickly advanced with her wooden cane in hand, giving her the support she required.

Sooyeon was a fifteen-year-old girl with a strong desire to live, but someone whose life our God decided to make difficult; she had fallen ill to a rare disease - which I did not know of - at just ten years of age, weakening her legs and giving her a pale complexion.

Only her slightly rosy cheeks made people aware that she was a living person, a living girl.

I turned and placed my hand on her head, stroking her well-combed hair which was arranged in its usual, soft braid.

«Only this time, eh?»

She looked up at my face, nodding with a small smile.

«You know it's always me who wakes you up.»

«Ah, my very little chick is right!»

I picked her up and she clutched her cane, raising it above her and wrapping an arm around my neck, bursting into laughter.

«Brother, put me down! Mum will get angry if you're tardy again!»

«Ah, I will not be late. Also, my princess' carriage must take her to the kitchen for her royal breakfast.»

«But I already had breakfast...»

«He will do it again anyway with his coachman.»

I ran into the kitchen with her, who giggled in amusement as she held onto me.

In the small kitchen, the scent of milk and bread was strong. My mother had already prepared the table and she was busy cleaning the floor.

«It's about time you woke up, you lazybones.»

Her voice was not angry at all, after all, it was rare for her to ever raise her voice, my mother.

She was a normal woman, smiling and always kind to everyone. Even after the death of my father, her smile remained full of life, unlike those of many other widows.

«Sorry mum, I got caught up repairing a shoe.»

I set my sister on a free chair and rested her cane against the table.

«Ah, but try to rest. Do not tire yourself out too much.»

My mother got up and placed two bowls of steaming milk in front of us, abreast some bread bought from the baker near our house.

«Today I also have many clothes to sew. I hope to finish by the third day of this month's rest.»

«I will give you a hand, mom!»  Sooyeon exclaimed through her full mouth.

«Sooyeon, table manners, my dear, and today you'll be going to class. You must also pay the teacher that which we haven't been able to in these past few months.»

«But mom...»

«Listen to mother, Sooyeon. It is important that you are literate and cultured.»

With the money we earned, my mother and I could take Sooyeon to school and pay for her medicine. I never went to school, but I have no regrets. I liked my life as it was. At least I had learned a craft whilst watching my father at work.

«All right... needless to say that I don't need it that much...»

Sooyeon resumed eating and did not add anything else.

_____________________________________________________

«Changmin-ah! Run, run, run!»

Siwon had arrived at the shop door and clapped his hands, causing me to believe I was late.

«Give me a second!»

In my arms I held a small bundle of my shoes and lunch, which happened to be an apple and some bread with cheese.

«With the long legs you have, I wouldn't think you'd need it.»

Siwon was five years older than me and I saw him as an older brother, not simply a best friend.

He was a tall, well-trained man, and to anyone who didn't know him, he didn't appear to be someone who worked in a shoemaker's shop.

I snorted and went inside, laying my bundle on a table.

It was an organised shop with the shoes which had been adjusted, all in a corner with the nametags of the customers who had to pick them up.

«Have you got any new shoes?»

I asked, taking the pair I brought from home to set them amongst the others.

«No, there are two pairs of old, men shoes though. I told the owner it was better to throw them awau, but he didn't want to know about it. These gentlemen, I swear.»

Siwon shrugged and laughed, looking at me.

«I'll take care of it. You do the calculations, as always.»

We were in two and he did the accountant's work, given that he had been fairly educated in the past.

«Where are they?»

«In the shop, Minnie.»

«... I meant where exactly, Wonnie.»

«Ah! They are there, under that table, but believe me, not even you can do much to save them. They're too worn out.»

I went to the spot he gestured towards and found the shoes. From what I could see, they were expensive and indeed very tattered.

«Siwon, who's the customer?»

Siwon, who was sitting at his table with some papers in hand, looked up and stared at me questioningly.

«I told you, a gentleman.»

I caressed the rims and sat down on the ground.

He must be very rich, I thought to myself.

Those shoes were wonderful, unique.

«You'll see... they'll be as good as new.»

I was determined to do my work well and, above all, to meet the customer who was wearing this particular pair.

(Eight hours later)

«Changmin-ah, I need to close shop now and you should go home. It's late and you haven't moved from there, except to eat lunch.»

Siwon approached me as I was finishing the last layer on the shoe's exterior and looking at my work in the dim lighting of the candles.

«A little more... I want to finish them...»

I did not take my eyes off my work which would soon be completed.

«Ah, okay Minnie. You close up then, so tomorrow you will also be the first to arrive.»

Siwon laughed and patted me on the shoulder, heading for the door.

«Goodnight Minnie and say hello to your family for me.»

«Nae, night to you too and do the same for me.»

I replied, going back to work.

After another good hour, I finally finished and looked at the shoes.

«Perfect. Simply perfect. Changmin, you did a good job.»

I smiled and stood up, putting them in front of the shut window with a card on which Siwon would write the name of the customer, the following day.

I put the tools away and blew out the candles, then going out and closing the shop door.

Outside, the village would have seemed to be asleep, if it were not for the few strangers and for the women of the night, who were trying to attract them.

I walked briskly, just wanting to go home and sleep, stay with my family, but the abrupt shouts and a blow to my body made me fall to the ground.

«Ouch!»

A man was escaping a group of guards.

He was quite shabby looking, from what I could see in the faint light, but I didn't have the time to say anything before he threw a bag full of coins at me and got up, running away.

The guards arrived at that moment and before I could speak, they hit me in the head and I lost my vision.

I could see nothing, except for blackness.

Author spaces

I rewrite this fanfic with little correction (thank you wlw-jongin)
Hope you like it and let a comment and like, if you appreciate this fanfic! ^^ 💕