"Twenty-seven minutes of searching and nothing. How could a fish so legendary be so elusive?" Ji-ri muttered to herself.
Zero results. Ji-ri's search for a rare fish their island knew in stories, the Diamond Duster, is non-existent.
The rarest fish in the world would fetch a substantial amount of money. Ji-ri scrolls for twenty-seven minutes through the search engine's pages. Not one reference to the fabled fish. A sigh exits her lips. Sitting up and stretching, Ji-ri leans back in her seat, rocking back and forth on its legs. She tugs at her lavender-colored overall shorts, continuing her search.
"Ji-ri! Your food is ready!" Aunt Han's shout interrupted her thoughts. The impulsive actions at the shore had already faded from Ji-ri's mind, as she had expected.
"Coming!" Ji-ri called back.
As she set the chair back down, her eyes caught something on the computer screen.
Ji-ri's search for 'Diamond Duster South Korea' yielded different results.
Another one of the rarest fish she'd heard of.
The Sapphire Spinner.
Estimated to bring in billions of won.
Ji-ri's eyes scan the name and type in a new search result. 'Sapphire Spinner South Korea'.
There. The top article.
Her eyes go closer, scanning the sentence.
"Eccentric Aristocrat Carl Kleine Seeks New Thrill! Offers Sixteen Billion Won for a Sapphire Spinner Dinner".
Ji-ri is excited about the money, of course. She rocks on her chair in excitement. Ji-ri wants to release shouts of joy, but she did not want to disturb her Father's movie downstairs. There's something that bewilders her even more.
The Diamond Duster is in a symbiotic relationship with the Sapphire Spinner. It feeds off of the bacteria that flock to it. The Diamond Duster is transparent and will harden into a rare pearl once it's harvested.
The Limpid Pearl is the rarest pearl in the world. It can rake in five hundred billion won alone.
This will be for the ears of her people only. If Ji-ri gets the pearl, she wants to tuck most of the money away. Ji-ri wants to buy the best defense money can buy to guard their island. Her new goal is for Egret Island to become the Antarctica of South Korea. Visitors can fill out a form and send it to something similar to the Department of State's Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs. Ji-ri wants the selection process known to man to be the strictest. After reading the entire article, Ji-ri's hands are typing at the speed of light.
She searches for websites and forums for fishmongers, chefs, and the like who wish to pursue this hunt.
"Ji-ri! I'm not going to call you again!" Aunt Han roars.
"Be there in a minute!" Ji-ri says. She has to say something or furious sandals will slap up the staircase steps.
Aunt Han was never attracted to the idea of having children. Ji-ri's mother's departure from this world didn't give her an option. Ji-ri's cynical take would be that she is responsible for Aunt Han's frustrations on the matter. Ji-ri's optimistic side thinks it's because Aunt Han has no clue about how to interact with children or young adults.
Ji-ri searches forum after forum, finding one full of ecstatic fishmongers. Their profile images display their businesses. Ji-ri sees a gold-plated one that catches her eye. She clicks the image, and it refreshes into a new page. Once the page loads, it reads, 'THE BIGHT. We take a bite out of hunts rare and wide." Ji-ri assumes it means they'll travel anywhere worldwide to get the rarest finds. That's something her people need at this moment.
Ji-ri's feet speed down the stairs in excitement, then become stiff. Her father watches Aunt Han prepare the meals and takes his plate. Ji-ri doesn't get the chance to see his face since he bolts into the living room. His black robe with gray stripes is the last to leave the kitchen. Aunt Han's eyes scan the body language of her brother-in-law. At times, Ji-ri can sense that Aunt Han pities her, and that's why she goes easier on Ji-ri when she's near her Father.
"Come take your food before it cools," Aunt Han squeals.
"Thank you," Ji-ri says, grabbing her dinner and looking upstairs, knowing her Father will feel more comfortable if she goes up.
He avoids Ji-ri, for she is the accidental murderer of his wife. Ji-ri tries to convince herself that it's because he's afraid he'll lose her someday, too. Her father was less subtle in his disdain for Ji-ri when she was younger, and he actually behaved like a parent. At least those memories give her great comfort when she's down. He embraces our legends however, with a joy Ji-ri has never seen. Perhaps if she finds this Sapphire Spinner, she'll be able to witness his absolute happiness. About to head upstairs, Ji-ri pauses her steps, facing Aunt Han.
"Did the sellers come yet?" Ji-ri asks.
Aunt Han looks up, realizing they have left her mind.
"That's right. They should be here by now," Aunt Han says, walking outside. Ji-ri places her plate back down on the table. Following Aunt Han, Ji-ri senses her Father's stare at their backs. He is most likely confused as well.
Opening the door, Aunt Han completely blocks the entrance. Even if Ji-ri asks her to move, Aunt Han will pounce. Ji-ri looks over her shoulder and sees a solid gold helicopter further down the row of houses.
A black helicopter settles down behind them.
Those are not the fishmonger sellers. They're among the many groups seeking to buy the Egret Natives' island. Seung-won is going to say yes before they can open their mouths.
Ji-ri pushes and sneaks out from behind Aunt Han, joining a group of their neighbors. They all began shouting.
"Give us more time! One more year!" Ji-ri's elder neighbors yell, their children joining in.
Seung-won gives them a look of disgust as if he were one of the billionaires a few yards away from the Natives.
Ji-ri has her golden idea but waits to see if she should say it.
"Great-grandfather is incapable of giving the say-so these days. All business affairs are in my care, and we're heading into the twenty-first century! It's time to get with the times," Seung-won says.
"Have you forgotten who you are?" One of Ji-ri's neighbors shouts, and many adults give the neighbor quick looks. They want him to keep his mouth shut, or the Natives would be up for sale with the land.
The five billionaires, clothed in shining silver suits, look over at the yelling crowd.
Ji-ri recognized those eyes her entire life. Eyes full of annoyance, disdain, and disgust. Standing in silence, the leader of the billionaires' lips finally separated.
"If we can get a word in edgewise. We have been in negotiation with Seung-won for almost eight years. We have given leniency after leniency. The Roze Group will buy the Red Bay, or Egret Island if you prefer, in a month's time. Your secondary Leader is cooperating. It would be very helpful if you do the same," he says.
As expected, an uproar launches.
Ji-ri tries to tune out the noise her people are making. This idea she has is too good. It's twelve times longer than the time the Natives are allowed, but she has to give it a shot.
Ji-ri puts a foot forward.
She looks up to the sky. Rain, at a time like this. Ji-ri needs to hurry.
Rushing towards the Roze Group, she hears loud sounds. The billionaires' armed bodyguards jump from the black helicopter, surrounding the men. In seconds, Ji-ri has eight rifles pointed at her. Her hands are right beside her head before she has time to think.
"Please. A year. I have an offer that will appease your tastes," Ji-ri shouts.
The billionaires stare daggers at her. The saliva in her mouth dries up in seconds. Ji-ri has to keep going.
"In a year from now, on this day, I'll give you the Sapphire Spinner," Ji-ri continues.
The billionaires must know what it is because Ji-ri witnesses their eyes widening in delight. She observes their expressions, and it's obvious they have to hold themselves back from drooling.
"And when I do, I want you to give us peace," Ji-ri finalizes.
The billionaires' expressions darken.
Silence is the only thing her people are willing to share with the billionaires.
The group of rich men lowers their heads, consulting with each other. For what feels like minutes, the Natives stare at the men who have no idea what it's like to work with their hands. They straighten their positions, staring Ji-ri down. If looks could kill, she'd be dead ten times over.
"We would reject this offer if it were any other day. We've heard of Carl Kleine's offer on this species. You've got a deal if you can snag this prize before anyone else. You've got yourself a deal. Otherwise, we'll evict you and yours. And if you try to return, we'll have you deported. Deal?" the leading billionaire states.
Silence.
Although the air stagnated, Ji-ri can feel her people piercing her back with hate. She's too scared to turn around and confirm it.
"If you make this deal, Ji-ri, I'll disown you," Aunt Han hisses at her.
Ji-ri looks back at Aunt Han, scanning to see her Father's approval of her Aunt's words.
His body is quivering, and the corners of his mouth look like they're curving into a grin. The sight almost knocks the breath out of Ji-ri's body.
For the first time in years, he looks proud of Ji-ri.
That's when Ji-ri begins to connect the dots, recounting a memory a few years back. Her neighbors told her that when her father wasn't busy fawning over her mother, he did everything he could for the island. Ji-ri's Father prides himself on being a hard-working man of Egret, and Ji-ri can see that she brought back samples of his joy.
It strengthens her resolve.
Ji-ri looks back to the billionaires who are awaiting her answer.
"It's a deal," Ji-ri agrees.
"Wait-" Seung-won interjects.
"Done," the leader of the Roze Group says, all five turning around in an instant. Before Seung-won can get a word in, the men board the gold helicopter. The rifles lower, and the bodyguards enter the black helicopter. The leader turns to face me.
"We'll give you one year. Fail, and your island becomes ours," the billionaire stated, his voice cold and final.