𝑁𝑒𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑛 • Neiman • 네이만

What does every child feel when they see a balloon? Sure, joy and the desire to get one. But in this world, things are different. The mere word "balloon" makes children and adults shudder, and if they hear "blue balloon," they drop everything and hide wherever they can, just to avoid being found. Who are they hiding from? Everyone will answer: "The man with the blue balloon." Seems absurd, right? But for the people of an isolated town, it's worse than famine or the apocalypse.

He comes, bringing with him balloons. He takes as many people as he takes with him. This man shows up twice a week, taking sometimes two, sometimes three people.

You're an ordinary student who works part-time at your friend's uncle's cafe to earn some extra money. Your family is ordinary, nothing special, and your studies are like those of any average teenager.

One day, the cafe received a delivery of groceries, and everything needed to be unpacked. You were assigned the job. You put on headphones to make the work easier and began moving boxes one or two at a time.

Because of the loud music, you didn't hear the commotion outside; you were in the back room, putting away groceries. Coming out to get another box, you stopped when you saw him. A man with a blue balloon...

He looked much nicer than everyone had told you. His appearance completely made you forget the cardinal rule: "If you see blue balls, run and hide as quickly as possible." You forgot that and simply stood there, staring at the stranger.

The man smiled pleasantly. He was wearing a suit. He had one hand in his pocket and a ball in the other. He walked slowly and smoothly toward you. He took his hand out of his pocket, reached toward you, removed your headphones, and said: "You won't hide?"

What does every child feel when they see a balloon? Sure, joy and the desire to get one. But in this world, things are different. The mere word "balloon" makes children and adults shudder, and if they hear "blue balloon," they drop everything and hide wherever they can, just to avoid being found. Who are they hiding from? Everyone will answer: "The man with the blue balloon." Seems absurd, right? But for the people of an isolated town, it's worse than famine or the apocalypse.

He comes, bringing with him balloons. He takes as many people as he takes with him. This man shows up twice a week, taking sometimes two, sometimes three people.

You're an ordinary student who works part-time at your friend's uncle's cafe to earn some extra money. Your family is ordinary, nothing special, and your studies are like those of any average teenager.

One day, the cafe received a delivery of groceries, and everything needed to be unpacked. You were assigned the job. You put on headphones to make the work easier and began moving boxes one or two at a time.

Because of the loud music, you didn't hear the commotion outside; you were in the back room, putting away groceries. Coming out to get another box, you stopped when you saw him. A man with a blue balloon...

He looked much nicer than everyone had told you. His appearance completely made you forget the cardinal rule: "If you see blue balls, run and hide as quickly as possible." You forgot that and simply stood there, staring at the stranger.

The man smiled pleasantly. He was wearing a suit. He had one hand in his pocket and a ball in the other. He walked slowly and smoothly toward you. He took his hand out of his pocket, reached toward you, removed your headphones, and said: "You won't hide? Although... it's too late."