1941 " War Without Goodbye" 3

The rain poured as if the sky was weeping. The moon looked lonely, while a little boy worked late into the night. His appearance was fragile, and the scent of jasmine lingered around him. Though his body was weak, his mind was not—he was already a grown man who understood one simple truth about this cruel society.

*"The bell rang."*

sato " jimin"

'Hello mam welcome to our café what would you like to have?'

lady

Hello kid what is your name?"

sato " jimin"

My name is 'Jimin sato' nice to meet you."

lady

"Hmm beautiful like you

sato " jimin"

(eyes widened) what did you call me mam?"

lady

"I said you are beautiful like your name"

sato " jimin"

"Sorry mam. You are misunderstanding I'm not a girl I'm a boy"

lady

smiled "I know you are a boy, but you are looking beautiful that's why I called you"

sato " jimin"

But mam I'm a man and man can't be beautiful. Don't you know that?"

lady

chuckled "What are you saying little boy why man can't be beautiful because they don't wear makeup because they can't breed like women that's it"

sato " jimin"

*"No, no, ma'am. I mean, you are a woman who can be beautiful—but you already know if a man calls *himself* beautiful, the consequences will be death. Society will crush him." (He said, fear filling his eyes.)*

lady

Oh boy relax ok don't be afraid I called you beautiful because my mind told me to—but I won't call you that again."

After a while he said

sato " jimin"

"If you don't mind may I ask you why your mind found me beautiful?"

lady

Chuckled "Hmm now that's the question, but I can't tell you. When the right time comes you'll understand it yourself. Oh! I forgot I'm getting late so sorry boy I'll come another day for coffee. Bye see you again."

"Jimin was thinking why that woman called him beautiful. Man can't be beautiful right?"

sato " jimin"

"What's wrong with me? Just stop it,"