When Spring Comes

Narcissus-style tragedy, shadow and original self

Those who seek the truth must find another version of themselves, then kill him.

Xuan Yi is a half-truth-seeker. After his shadow gains a consciousness of its own, he finds his father and stepmother.

After being used as a human test subject for seven years, he escapes, only to die at the hands of his own shadow.

Two years later, he comes back to life!

"Who are you?"

"I'm your husband?"

"Husband?!"

"We're married. We'll have the wedding ceremony in a few days."

With all their clanspeople as witnesses, Xuan Yi marries his own shadow.

Their married life is ordinary but full of fun, and Xuan Yi begins teaching his husband the rules of human society.

"People are born to their parents."

"But I wasn't." Xuan Er blinks his clear, round red eyes and quietly objects.

"Brothers should love one another, and we should be filial to our parents."

Xuan Er points to the two "radishes" growing in the nearby field, then points at himself.

This time, Xuan Yi says nothing.

That night, Xuan Yi stops him outside the door, his laugh soft and clear. "We're brothers. Don't come in!"

Some are blessed with every advantage of time, place, and circumstance.

Some go through life without ever being loved.

--2025.3.26

Theme: Love life.