Chapter 178
-Caw!
Returning to the dormitory, I frowned at the window.
A crow with an unfamiliar appearance was sitting there, staring intently at me.
“Huh?”
I was just about to be on guard and ponder its identity.
The crow’s beak opened with a clack, and a somewhat familiar voice began to emanate from within.
-Second Young Master!
“Team Leader?”
It was the voice of Myo Sanga, the VIP team leader of S&C, a corporation owned by Heukryeon.
So that’s who it was.
Only then did I relax and take off my uniform jacket to tidy it up.
As I sat down on a chair, the crow hopped onto my lap as if it had been waiting and settled there.
“What brings you here?”
-Just wanted to check in. Are you feeling any better?
“I’m perfectly fine. My body feels light, and my head is clear.”
Although I’m still struggling to draft the predictive techniques for the 7th path due to the severe pain… there’s no need to mention that.
Whatever the team leader hears will be immediately relayed to Heukryeon’s couple.
I don’t want to cause unnecessary worry. The medical staff at the Cradle had already declared me normal, and other areas are recovering well anyway…
-Phew, that’s a relief. But if you feel even the slightest abnormality, you must let me know immediately, okay?
The crow, after heaving a sigh of relief, immediately switched gears and started nagging.
-More importantly, Young Master! I explicitly told you not to get involved in dangerous situations! Multiple times, in fact!
The crow flapped its wings and went on a tirade.
-Do you know how worried the Madam was? And the Chairman too. He suddenly ordered the company’s private soldiers to be fully armed in the middle of the night… I had such a hard time trying to stop him…
“…I, I’m sorry.”
I had no choice but to apologize as I watched the crow pour out its complaints.
Honestly, I feel a bit wronged too. How could I have known that such a monster was hiding in the basement of that foggy city?
Come to think of it, is Mok Jinwoo’s busy schedule also due to the aftermath? Unlike the incident with the True Spirit, there hasn’t been any proper news coverage, suggesting that significant information control is in place.
I originally wanted to visit him before the social gathering to clear up my questions. Especially since he seemed to know something about my powers.
But the meeting schedule has been pushed back since the social gathering ended… which is quite disappointing.
“By the way, Team Leader. Since you’re here, could I ask you a favor?”
-Yes? What is…
“I need to replenish my emergency medicine. Could you get them for me? Recsa for the stimulant, Eritin for the accelerator. The same as last time.”
The medicine I received from her last time were all used up in the south long ago. Because of that, I had to face that monster in the First City with only my own strength.
There’s still a lingering regret that if I had used the medicine’s power, I might have been able to resolve the situation sooner.
Of course, the recovery would have taken longer as well…
-Yes, yes…?
The crow let out a bewildered gasp upon hearing my request.
-Y, Young Master. Did you really use them all? Oh no… You promised me…! That you would just keep them…!
Then, with wide-open pupils, it nervously looked around.
-Ugh, ugh… If the couple finds out about this, my career is over… No, that’s not it. Young Master, are you alright? Both have terrible side effects… This isn’t the time, I should personally escort you…
“Team Leader, I’m fine. And you can rest assured.”
Taken aback by the unexpected reaction, I quickly tried to calm her down.
“I haven’t used either of them. They just got damaged during the fight, and I’m asking you to replenish them.”
The lies are flowing smoothly. Perhaps it’s because I’m not facing her directly.
-R, really…?
“Would I ever lie to you, Team Leader?”
-I, it’s not that… It’s a relief, but…
“Could you please do this for me?”
-B, but…
“You’re the only one who can help me right now, Team Leader.”
-H, ha, hau…
The slyness that comes out naturally is quite surprising even to me. Even lying.
Did I always have this ability? Come to think of it, being shameless is a bit like the captain…
-Really… I don’t know anymore.
After a long internal struggle, the crow let out a deep sigh.
-Geez… How can you be so similar to the First Young Master in that aspect…
Myo Sanga seemed to share the same sentiment as me.
-I’ll send the requested items by tomorrow. And…
“Only to be kept for emergencies, never to be told to anyone, and I’ll make sure to convey your praises to them. Got it?”
-…Yes.
As I took the lead, the crow nodded in defeat.
Myo Sanga stayed on my lap for a long time afterward, chattering away. It was quite an informative time for me as she shared various information about the outside world.
-…Our S&C is planning to hold a product briefing at this social gathering… Haa, the tournament’s winning prize… Ah, we’re sponsoring it…
“Then will you be coming this time, Team Leader?”
-I… Haa, I don’t think I can… I have a lot on my plate… Ah, ugh…
“Team Leader? Is something wrong? Why does your voice sound…”
-Y, Young Master… your hand, haa.
“Yes?”
-Your hand, hng, please take your hand off…
Myo Sanga’s voice was increasingly mixed with a strange nasal sound. I finally looked down at the desperate plea, feeling a hint of tears in her voice.
And I found my fingers gently stroking the crow’s head and neck without realizing it.
“…I’m sorry.”
Embarrassed, I quickly withdrew my hand.
“…You seem to have a deep connection with the crow. The sensory synchronization is very well done…”
I must have picked up a strange habit from constantly stroking Yeon Minha and Ddangkong.
Come to think of it, what is that Ddangkong doing? Lately, all I can see is the small cat’s tail sticking out from the bushes. And the aloof meows that come with it.
It runs away instantly if I try to catch it, approaches again if I give up, but it doesn’t completely disappear either…
Is this how cats are normally…? It feels like a child throwing a tantrum, demanding attention for being upset.
-I’m a bit sensitive… Ugh… I’ll try to hold back next time. If that’s what you really want…
“…It was a mistake. You don’t have to do that.”
The crow shook its head for a while, seemingly trying to shake off the embarrassment, before opening its beak again.
-Ahem, anyway, you don’t need to worry about the family’s affairs. The 25 trillion regulation is scheduled to be discussed for abolition at the next regular meeting, and S&C’s second-quarter sales are also stabilizing.
“Is that so? That’s really great news.”
-That’s right. It’s all thanks to you, Young Master, for doing such a great job as the advertising model. The couple is personally handling the compensation negotiations, so it should be soon… Ah.
A sudden silence filled the dormitory room. The crow, which had been chattering excitedly, suddenly stopped talking and closed its beak tightly. As if it had made a slip of the tongue.
“Compensation…?”
Then, it rolled its eyes, trying to gauge my reaction.
-They told me to keep it a secret…
***
Even after sending the crow back, I stood frozen in thought. The fact I had obtained by grabbing the crow’s wing as it tried to escape and questioning it was swirling in my mind.
The incident that occurred in the First City. And the fact that that girl saved me from the brink of death, compensation negotiations were underway between Heukryeon and Paechun.
The negotiation itself is understandable. However, the problem was that their demands were far beyond imagination.
Paechun was demanding several lucrative businesses.
And based on the common knowledge I’ve learned while staying at the Cradle… their claims weren’t exactly unreasonable.
They are merely demanding compensation for saving the life of a successor of the Five Families.
‘The couple said it was a small price to pay compared to your life, Young Master… You don’t need to feel guilty…’
Although Myo Sanga hastily added those words, they didn’t quite resonate with me.
If I had negotiated with that girl, wouldn’t I have been able to resolve it without going that far?
Not just a mere ignorant person from an outlying frontier village, but the successor of the great and prestigious Heukryeon family.
The way that girl looked at me… it was clear that she held genuine goodwill towards me.
“Haa…”
Then this is clearly my fault. It was none other than me who kept putting off meeting that girl.
Because I still couldn’t get over my personal feelings, and because there were other priorities.
“Instead of being helpful, I’m just causing trouble…”
I sighed and rubbed my face. But there’s still some time left until the deadline for the negotiations.
Should I try to find something that could be helpful in the meantime…
-Thud, thud…
While I was lost in thought, the sound of the dormitory door opening and the familiar footsteps of someone approaching could be heard.
I stood up and headed towards the stairs. Another dilemma was tightening its noose around me.
***
“I knew this might happen, so I’ve made some plans.”
“First, on the first day…”
“And on the second day…”
“…”
Watching Yeon Minha list out her plans was quite suffocating. Even though she tried to hide it, her voice was filled with excitement and anticipation.
“I don’t think I can go around with you this time, Senior.”
Therefore, even though I chose my words carefully, it wasn’t easy to say them.
“…”
I was afraid I might get a severe scolding.
But Yeon Minha just stared at me with calm eyes.
“…Well, that can happen.”
After a moment of silence, Yeon Minha’s voice, when she spoke again, was very nonchalant.
“You must have made a few friends by now. After all, it’s been several weeks since you enrolled.”
“…”
“It’s okay. And it’s common for friends to hang out together on the first day of a social gathering. Sometimes, guys want to have fun and make memories together…”
I can’t bear to look her in the eye. Yeon Minha seemed to have noticed my unusual state as well.
Her lips quivered as she hesitated, and her voice came out in stutters.
“Is it… a girl?”
“…Yes.”
I squeezed my eyes shut. I don’t know why, but when I was dealing with Myo Sanga earlier, lies just flowed out. Is it because I’m facing the person directly?
The first day was entirely allocated to Jin Yeseo. Her family’s servant had applied for a permit to visit the Cradle that day, according to the information she had obtained.
“…”
Yeon Minha stood frozen like a statue, silent. Should I consider it fortunate that she didn’t dig into the details?
“…That can happen. Isn’t it possible for friendships to develop between people of the opposite gender? What kind of world are we living in?”
It was only after about five minutes that she spoke again.
“Of course, I always maintain proper conduct, but that doesn’t mean I can impose my standards on others.”
Is she saying this for my benefit?
“It’s okay. You can spend the first day like that. I have consecutive tea party schedules on the second day. But I might be able to make some time in the evening. I believe there’s a play and fireworks then…”
“I… I don’t think that will work either.”
My insides feel like they’re about to spill out. I have to attend an illegal gathering hosted by Kwon Yuri on the second day’s evening.
In exchange for promising to help make Yeon Minha’s gathering a success.
“I have… a prior engagement.”
“…”
Cracks gradually appeared on Yeon Minha’s calm expression.
“Is it… a girl again this time?”
“…Yes.”
“…Ugh.”
Now Yeon Minha was on the verge of tears. She seemed unable to hold back her emotions any longer. Transparent tears were forming in the corners of her upturned eyes.
“…Senior?”
No answer came. Yeon Minha hung her head low, not moving.
I feel like I’ve become useless trash that can’t be used anymore.
Yeon Minha seemed to have been looking forward to spending time with me at the social gathering. Much more than I had vaguely imagined. Even the always refined and elegant young lady must have times when she wants to break free…
“…”
Of course, there’s no guarantee that telling her the truth now would appease her.
It’s not hard to imagine Yeon Minha’s reaction when she finds out that the people I’m spending time with are Jin Yeseo and Kwon Yuri.
But these are promises I can’t back out of. One involves a forced engagement, and the other is a contract that puts Yeon Minha’s reputation at the Cradle on the line.
Still, I thought there might be a chance to make some time on one of the days…
“…Alright.”
While I was racking my brain for a way to fix the situation.
Yeon Minha’s voice, which had regained its composure, reached my ears again.
I turned my head to look at Yeon Minha.
Her eyes were filled with a complex mix of emotions that couldn’t be defined as just one.
“I said it’s alright. You can play to your heart’s content.”
“But…”
“You don’t have to look at me like that. I’m really not angry.”
Yeon Minha, who had approached me, firmly grasped both of my hands.
Despite her calm voice, I could clearly feel the trembling sensation of her fingers.
“But… promise me one thing.”
“What…?”
Then, she whispered something so softly that it was barely audible.
End of Chapters