CH 129

I fell asleep and woke up to see Kim Woo-jin walking around the hospital room with an anxious face and Min Ah-rin cutting apples.

I looked at the two of them while lying down who was unaware that I was awake and first checked their physical condition. Fortunately, I took the medicine on time, so I was fine with no pain.

‘Medicine…’

Suddenly, I remembered what Cheon Sa-yeon did to me last night. No matter how weak I was to not be able to take my medicine, how could he…

‘Ah, shit.’

As I continued to think, I felt my face heat up. Let’s stop. It was that he was just giving the patient some medicine.

I calmed my shaking heart and carefully raised my upper body. Kim Woo-jin and Min Ah-rin, who looked back at the sudden noise, rushed with surprised faces.

“Han Yi-gyeol!”

“Yi-gyeol-ssi!”

“Good morning.”

I smiled awkwardly and hugged Min Ah-rin, who came into my arms. Kim Woo-jin dyed his eyes bright red as if he was about to cry.

“I was very worried.”

“I’m fine.”

As I replied calmly, Min Ah-rin let out a long breath of relief. After hugging her, I beckoned to Kim Woo-jin.

“You come here too, Kim Woo-jin.”

Kim Woo-jin, who blinked with a stupid expression at my words, hesitated and walked over. I hugged Kim Woo-jin, who came closer, and hugged him with strength, just like I did to Min Ah-rin.

Kim Woo-jin, who held my body tightly in his arms just like me, couldn’t hold back his tears and dropped thick tears.

“Why are you crying again?”

“……”

When I grabbed Kim Woo-jin’s shoulders and playfully scolded him, Kim Woo-jin looked at me with a rather bitter gaze. Min Ah-rin smiled next to him and handed her handkerchief to Kim Woo-jin.

“Again, I thought I might… not be able to see you.”

Kim Woo-jin, who barely stopped crying, wiped the tears with the handkerchief and continued with a gloomy voice.

“Because of mental ability…”

“Ah.”

It was then that I understood the two of them. I nodded, pondered for a moment and carefully opened my mouth.

“Even so, I have a question. Min Ah-rin-ssi.”

“Yes?”

“Actually, the perpetrator’s ability… It didn’t work for me.”

At those words, Min Ah-rin and Kim Woo-jin looked surprised. Min Ah-rin, who frowned, looked at me with her confused eyes.

“But, Yi-gyeol-ssi. When we first met Jeong-han-ssi, obviously…”

“Yes. Kwon Jeong-han’s ability to control emotions worked.”

“Is there a possibility that the perpetrator has a lower grade than Kwon Jeong-han-ssi?”

“I don’t think so. It was because his ability worked even with S-rank Master Kang Seung-geon. I think it is SS-rank.”

S-rank Kwon Jeong-han’s ability worked, but SS-rank Samael’s ability didn’t work. It was theoretically impossible.

“Uum, in this case, I don’t know. I never heard of it.”

As expected. I sighed and organized my thoughts.

I didn’t tell them, but I had had a similar experience twice already. Every time there was Cheon Sa-yeon by my side.

‘Cheon Sa-yeon… does he know the reason?’

He had a bad personality and had a lot of suspicious things, but it was clear that he knew more than others. The problem was that I didn’t know if I was able to get a proper answer just by asking.

“For now, you can stop worrying that I will be attacked by the perpetrator’s ability. Rather, people other than me are more at risk. Like Edward-ssi.”

“If the people around Yi-gyeol-ssi are affected by his ability… something like this could happen again and again. Or he can attack Yi-gyeol-ssi.”

“Yes.”

I sympathized with Min Ah-rin and remembered Samael’s last words.

“See you next time, Han Yi-gyeol.”

We could run away luckily this time, but there was no guarantee I could do it again next time. Samael would prepare more thoroughly.

In the end, nothing changed. As long as Samael kept chasing me, I couldn’t let go of my guard.

“Min Ah-rin-ssi.”

However, for now, I guess I could just take a breather. I asked as I got out of bed.

“How about Kwon Jeong-han-ssi?”

I and Edward would have left and Min Ah-rin would have treated me right away, but I was still worried. Min Ah-rin smiled slightly.

“Jeong-han-ssi is also resting in the hospital room. Of course, his health has recovered safely.”

“That’s a relief.”

I said as I unbuttoned the patient gown I was wearing.

“I want to wash up and go, would you like to go with me? Kim Woo-jin, what about you?”

“I’ll go.”

“Of course.”

The answer came right away. I smiled and went into the bathroom.

* * *

As I approached the hospital room that Kwon Jeong-han was using, I could faintly hear the sound of two men having a conversation with the faint smell of coffee through the slightly opened door.

As I stood in front of the door and knocked lightly, the door gently opened with the sound of heels.

“Talented Han Yi-gyeol.”

It wasn’t Kwon Jeong-han who opened the door. After staring blankly at the other person’s face for a moment, I immediately remembered his name.

“Master Kwon Ji-hoon.”

“You remember me. Long time no see.”

“Of course.”

He was Kwon Jeong-han’s cousin and the Master of the Four Seasons Guild, Kwon Ji-hoon. He smiled brightly and shook hands.

“You just came in time. I was having coffee with Jeong-han.”

“Talented Han Yi-gyeol.”

Upon entering the hospital room following Kwon Ji-hoon’s guidance, Kwon Jeong-han, who was sitting on the sofa drinking coffee, got up with a bright face.

“Kwon Jeong-han-ssi.”

“I was very worried. How is your body?”

“I’m fine. I was really worried.”

Kwon Jeong-han, who walked right in front of me, lowered the tip of his eyebrows.

“I’m sorry. I’m the bodyguard, but I couldn’t protect you…”

“Don’t say that.”

I felt even more sorry that I made him have to go through such a difficult thing at such a young age. I smiled bitterly and looked back at Kwon Ji-hoon.

“I also apologize to Master Kwon Ji-hoon.”

“No.”

Kwon Ji-hoon, who poured black coffee into a new teacup and put three sugar cubes in it, handed me the cup.

“Jeong-han is Talented Han Yi-gyeol’s bodyguard. It’s my brother’s fault because he couldn’t properly protect Talented Han Yi-gyeol.”

“That’s right. I will be more careful so that this doesn’t happen again.”

Kwon Jeong-han, who spoke in a firm voice, bit his lip as if hesitating for a moment.

“So, will you continue to entrust me with your security? Of course… I understand if you can’t believe me anymore. Still, I want to continue to help you by your side.”

There was no quick response to the unexpected words.

I couldn’t believe he was going to protect me… I thought he would quit right away. It was natural to be afraid after going through something like that. Even if Kwon Jeong-han wanted it, I expected that his guardian, Kwon Ji-hoon, would stop him.

“But, Kwon Jeong-han-ssi. As it happened this time, it is very dangerous. Something similar will definitely happen again.”

“Then I’m more confident. Wouldn’t it be better to have experience than to bring in someone new?”

“……”

Just like when we first met, I shed a cold sweat inside to see Kwon Jeong-han, who strongly appealed to me. That’s true, but…

“Talented Han Yi-gyeol. It’s not my business, but if you don’t mind, but why don’t you give him one more chance? Jeong-han’s ability will definitely help.”

Kwon Ji-hoon’s brown eyes that reminiscent of chocolate glowed softly. Having said this, it was hard for me to say no.

“…that’s what I think too. Thank you, Kwon Jeong-han-ssi. Thank you for telling me first that you will be the bodyguard. I welcome you anytime.”

It wasn’t a made-up word, it was the truth. To be honest, I coveted Kwon Jeong-han’s ability. With him, the surroundings would be a little safer from Samael’s ability.

Kwon Jeong-han, who was waiting for my answer with a nervous expression, exhaled a sigh of relief.

“But Kwon Jeong-han-ssi. Did Master Cheon Sa-yeon say anything?”

Even if I allowed it, it wouldn’t be meaningless if Cheon Sa-yeon said no. Kwon Jeong-han, who immediately understood the meaning of my question, nodded.

“Master replied that he didn’t mind if only Talented Han Yi-gyeol was okay with me continuing to guard.”

That was so Cheon Sa-yeon’s answer. Min Ah-rin, who was watching quietly from behind, covered her mouth and smiled.

“Then Jeong-han-ssi will continue to be in charge of the bodyguard? Good for you!”

Unlike Min Ah-rin, who liked it, Kim Woo-jin was still bitter, but he didn’t seem to dislike him much. Did it work out well?

“Talented Han Yi-gyeol.”

“Yes?”

As I was arranging things to do in the future in my head, Kwon Jeong-han called me. Looking at him curiously, he smiled somewhat shyly.

“I’ve felt this before, can you please speak to me comfortably?”

“Speak comfortably?”

I was still speaking comfortably tho? When I was puzzled because I couldn’t understand the words, Kwon Jeong-han added an explanation.

“I’m four years younger, but you always speak formally. I want to get closer to Talented Han Yi-gyeol.”

“Is, is that so? Then um, how…”

He was firm enough that it felt like a demand rather than a request. Kwon Jeong-han gave me innocent eyes.

“Can’t you speak informally? I will call you Yi-gyeol-hyung.”

“It doesn’t really matter…” (딱히 상관은 없긴 한데요)

“Speak informally.”

“There’s no…” (없긴 한데)

Having been properly caught in Kwon Jeong-han’s way of speaking, I dropped the honorifics before I even thought about it. Kwon Jeong-han smiled broadly when I spoke informally, while Kim Woo-jin contorted his face.

“Hyu, hyung? What do you mean ‘hyung’?”

Kwon Jeong-han opened his mouth with a bright face to Kim Woo-jin, who was astonished.

“Hyung is correct. Because I’m younger.”

“Wh, what kind of hyung do you call him while you’re working for him? No, do you?”

“Yi-gyeol-hyung gave permission, is there any reason not to? Kim Woo-jin-seonbaenim is the same age as Yi-gyeol-hyung, so you can’t do it even if you have permission.”

The obvious teasing words put strength in Kim Woo-jin’s forehead. Min Ah-rin and Kwon Ji-hoon watched with interest due to the quickly harsh air.

“Can I call you Kim Woo-jin-seonbaenim as hyung too?”

“I don’t need it!”

Why was I the only one who had to stop it again? I sighed and slid between the two.

“Stop it, both of you.”

“……”

“Yes.”

Compared to Kim Woo-jin, who looked at me and dropped his shoulders, Kwon Jeong-han answered quickly as if there was nothing wrong and took a step back. At that shameless attitude, I glanced back at Kwon Ji-hoon.

Kwon Ji-hoon, noticing the meaning of my gaze, raised the corner of his mouth and shrugged his shoulders lightly. He was really that kind of personality. He must have been hidden it before then.

‘Leaving the guard over, or speaking informally… I feel like I got caught.’

I didn’t have to think about it now. I patted Kim Woo-jin on the back and felt the rush of fatigue.