July 2
A gloomy drizzle fell from the sky. The princess-like young girl held a transparent umbrella, her light gray dress fluttering in the breeze.
She stood before an ancient palace, her exquisite crystal slippers stepping into a puddle.
"Ins, let's go."
The stooped Old Man selling hot dogs beside her packed up his stall and covered it with a rain tarp.
He slowly moved forward. With every step, his figure straightened a little more. By the time he reached Ins's side, he had transformed into a stern, imposing man, as though he had never been the bent old peddler from moments ago.
The bustling street was packed with passersby, yet no one seemed to notice the Old Man's transformation.
From time to time, though, people turned to look at the delicate, beautiful girl who resembled a princess.
"Director, are you giving up this identity?" Ins glanced at the casually packed-up stall beside them, opened a black automatic umbrella, handed it to the Old Man, and asked softly.
"An old man at this age ought to 'die,'" the Old Man said, taking the umbrella and shaking his head slightly. "If I drag it out too long, it won't have much effect."
Although he had not used an umbrella earlier, his clothes remained as dry as if they had been baked beneath a blazing sun, without a single drop of rain on them.
He raised his head and looked toward the bend in the street ahead. "Has it begun?"
"Yes." Ins nodded lightly. "It's two blocks ahead."
"Good." The Old Man nodded and stepped forward with Ins.
The lights along the street stretched into long streaks like flowing radiance, while the passing figures interwove like illusory reflections.
In an instant, they had crossed several blocks and arrived outside a completely cordoned-off