Dandan felt lost. Just days ago, she was a member of a self-proclaimed witch group, participating in a weekly “art therapy” event held at a bar called the Witch’s Bar. Now, she’s been excluded and told she lacks essential understandings, leaving her adrift.
A photo was the trigger for her breakdown, sparking controversy on social media, a silent accusation. Netizens commented, “You lack something!” But what exactly was it? She retreated to her small room, finding comfort only in the gentle feeling of her lucky clover, warmed by the sunlight. It was a gift, guiding her towards a needed meditation.
Initially, this felt like another reminder of her failure. But as she carefully watered it and protected it, changes began within her. She gradually started observing the world differently. She had spent so long trying to prove her worth, neglecting to observe the harmonious forces around her. There’s Awei, the store manager, a whirlwind of efficiency and quiet determination. Then there’s Bam, working under immense pressure and longing for love, yet still radiating warmth. And Dael, whose humor and approachable nature attract everyone, regardless of their origins. Here, these women seemed to be doing things their own way, not striving to become something, but simply being their best selves.
Driven by a newfound sense of justice, she began an investigation to understand why her professors claimed that women were an obstacle to progress. Based on her experience caring for her lucky clover, she realized that making simple judgements about people was foolish. Dandan realized that what she lacked wasn’t a specific skill or talent, but a willingness to truly appreciate the strengths of those around her and develop her own uniqueness. The lucky clover wasn’t a symbol of what she was missing; it was a reminder to cultivate her inner strength, to find love and joy in simple actions, and to blossom into her unique self.
She began to understand that true “growth” wasn’t about gaining the approval of a few, but about discovering her own voice and contributing her unique “magic” to the world. Perhaps, one day, she would return, not to reclaim a lost place, but to share the wisdom she found in pursuing luck and self-discovery.
LKW, based on Nanabee’s original novel.
