CH 12

I looked up at Min Joohyuk with bewildered eyes. My cheeks didn’t hurt, but somehow it felt strange. The warrior continued to stretch my cheeks out and, with a complicated expression, said, “You’re really…”

What about me? Now that I look at him, various emotions seemed to pass by Min Joohyuk’s face. All on his own. I grabbed his wrist and dragged down his gargantuan hand. He looked down at my slender fingers covering his wrist and docilely let me drag his hand away.

Instead of paying any more attention to him, I turned back to Song Ha-gyeon, “Ha-gyeon hyung, thank you. But, I’m truly fine right now.”

“…I’m the… thankful one. For healing me,” He said in a quiet voice before placing the medicine bottle on the bedside table. Then, clapping his hand onto my head, he murmured, “Shall we leave?”

Min Joohyuk answered with much enthusiasm, “Yes, Hyung-nim! Everyone should be in the dining area by now.”

“Mmn.”

“I’ll be right in front of you. Please come out on your own time.”

Song Ha-gyeon nodded his head lightly; his hair, loosely tied to the side, rustled. Though the bright morning sun rose, the place was still dark.

If they’re going down to the first floor, then I should get up as well. As I turned around and moved to stand, Song Ha-gyeon took a firm grasp of my wrist. “Ha-gyeon hyung…? What is it?”

“…Do you want me to carry you?” His tone was so flat.

Therefore, I didn’t immediately grasp what he meant. It took a moment for his words to pierce my brain. Did he want to give me a piggy-back ride? Why?

After seeing my expression, the warrior gently released his hold. Then, he walked to the bed opposite mine; when he returned, his hands held white slippers. Kneeling on one knee, Song Ha-gyeon reached out to my leg.

Wait a minute!

I retracted my legs back onto the mattress and spoke in a hurry, “No–hyung. I can do it myself.”

“I know.” Even though he said that, he still stubbornly sat there. There wasn’t even a slight tremor as he looked up at me. He showed no signs of standing up.

Eventually, I cautiously stretched my leg out towards the Warrior. Song Ha-gyeon gently received my ankle; his hands were so hot. Perhaps I only felt that way since my fever had lowered and now I’m feeling the absence of heat.

He slowly pulled on my legs and slipped on the slippers. Then, he stood up and held his hand out.

“…Thank you so much.” I murmured. When I held his hand, Song Ha-gyeon deftly lifted me up. Even though it didn’t seem like he put much strength into his movements, I was suddenly lifted off the bed.

I could feel the warm touch of the slippers on my feet–the floor felt like I was stepping on a cloud.

We left the room together. Min Joohyuk was outside, leaning on the wall next to the door. He ruffled my hair before taking the lead once again and descending the stairs. I followed him slowly.

My mind felt a bit complicated. Min Joohyuk…Song Ha-gyeon too… Was this normal? Is it natural for someone to pay this much attention to another?

I had no idea. I’ve never had proper human contact in the temple, so I was clueless.

Their attentive gazes were so burdensome. The attention was so unfamiliar–so strange. If ignoring me wasn’t the norm, then why have I been disregarded…until now…

“Sun Yihan.”

I heard Song Ha-gyeon’s voice next to me–I must have stopped inadvertently. The warrior’s worried eyes seemed to calm down a little, as if he had been worried.

He nodded and smiled. That’s right–I shouldn’t think about the past now. Those events are long gone, left behind. Though I thought the disregard unfair, it didn’t really matter now.

We finished descending the stairs. I couldn’t even remember climbing up to the second floor; my memories were hazy with sleep. However, I was glad that I was at least properly conscious now.

◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇

Clear sunlight poured into the first floor’s main hall through a large window. The light was already completely bright–the early morning blues had disappeared. As soon as I opened the door to the banquet room, a savory and delicious scent wafted through.

Though I grandly called it a banquet room, it simply was just a space large enough to house a kitchen and a gargantuan table. It was definitely large enough to accommodate four people.

It seemed that someone was cooking in the far corner. The sunlight from the big window shone on his back.

Lightly scattered golden hair glistened in the rays–that must be Park Yul.

The hero turned around to face us, as if he sensed our presence. When his gaze met mine, his light-green eyes crinkled into an eye-smile. The yellow sunlight seemed to sparkle even brighter in his vicinity.

“You’ve arrived? I see Yihan-ie also came as well.”

Behind Park Yul, a wooden spoon and various multi-colored sauce containers were floating in the air. Honestly, if he’s just going to use magic to cook, why did he even bother to roll up his sleeves?

Park Yul waved towards the table; three chairs were deftly pushed back. “I’m almost finished, so sit down for a moment.”

“Park Yul Hyung-nim, has Raen Hyung-nim arrived yet?”

“Mm, I guess he’s not woken yet.”

Min Joohyuk nodded, perhaps Raen’s late start wasn’t uncommon. As I looked at the Warrior, someone grabbed me by the shoulder.

It was Song Ha-gyeon. “…Sun Yihan, what are you doing?”

“…What?”

“Huh? Yihan-ah, you can sit anywhere you’d like. Or…Are you feeling unwell somewhere?” Min Joohyuk piped up

“Ah–No. Thank you.” I see; I had a seat as well. Of course: three seats for three people.

Song Ha-gyeon pushed me down slowly before sitting down in the seat right next to me. Min Joohyuk, sitting straight across, poured water into a white glass and placed it on the table, next to each person.

He placed a glass in front of me as well; inside the cup, light-green tea swirled around. While I looked distantly at the tea, Song Ha-gyeon placed his hand on the nape of my neck as if to check me for fever. “Are you sure you’re fine?”

“Yes.” I lifted the glass. The tea shook–perhaps my fingers were trembling. The glass felt warm to the touch. Meanwhile, a deep bowl containing porridge mixed with various cuts of brightly colored vegetables floated before my eyes before landing gently on the table.

Park Yul soon floated over several plates; appetizing toast and salads were heaped upon the dishes. Meanwhile, Park Yul, who had managed to walk behind me while I was distracted, ruffled my hair lightly. A firm palm touched my forehead. “Your body is feeling alright?”

I nodded. Park Yul continued on to his own seat. “Still, if you eat suddenly you might get sick, so let’s try to eat something easily digestible for now.”

As soon as I heard that warm and calming voice, my heart felt choked. A sudden realization swept over me–that I’ve truly arrived here.

A white table; a porcelain teacup, and a sturdy bowl. These also existed in the temple, but the warm felt different–how puzzling. My disconcerted mind couldn’t follow what was happening.  I wanted to kick back my chair and run out. None of this was real–this couldn’t be happening.

I briefly contemplated the possibility that all of this–the Warriors and the house–was another dream. When I open my eyes again, perhaps I’ll lie alone in that dark temple room again.

“…Why?” I spoke inadvertently. I could feel their gazes on me; those, too, felt unfamiliar. I didn’t know what expression I was making; I could barely even make out the other’s faces through my blurred vision. “Why are you doing all this for me?”

My lips moved automatically, as if they had their own will; my voice trembled severely. My stomach felt weird–like my insides were writhing.

What kind of answer was I expecting? I had no idea; perhaps I didn’t even want to hear any sort of answer. I returned to my senses and rushed to speak. “Never mind–I was thinking about something else.”

“Yihan-ah.” Park Yul spoke as soon as the words left my lips.

“…Please don’t answer that question.” I meant it.

I wasn’t sure I could handle the response.

The temple people were utterly warm when I had no Mana. However, ever since my mana stores formed, no one paid a single ounce of attention to me. I never even wanted to gain Mana in the first place.

What if I change again? What if the reason for their gazes turning towards me disappeared? I’d be misera–…I’d find that unfair.

Therefore, I didn’t want to hear anything. If their concern for me was influenced by things outside my control, then it was better to stay ignorant.

Through my blurred vision, I saw Park Yul stand up from his seat and approach me. The warrior stopped right next to me. Something–perhaps magic–turned my chair his way. Facing me, the warrior cupped my cheeks in both hands. I lifted my bowed head at that touch.

“…What kind of difficulties must you have faced?” His voice was low, as if he were talking to himself.

I never said I experienced any hardships. I was about to voice those thoughts when something cold covered my eyes: wet cloth?

It felt like a droplet of water dribbled down my cheek; perhaps it was from the handkerchief Park Yul used. Park Yul slowly swept across that area with his finger. “Yihan-ah. Do you really think there needs to be a reason?” His voice was so serene.

Was that so? Could such unconditional kindness exist? I don’t really understand.

Min Joohyuk’s bright voice cut through my confused thoughts, “That’s right. We’re a team now.”

The cloth that covered my eyes slipped down; I opened my eyelids. Park Yul was clearly in view–his light green eyes folded into an eye smile. “Joohyuk-ie is right. So don’t think too hard about it.”

The autumn sun rays poured in; the cold air turned warm. Park Yul tapped lightly at the corners of my eyes, as if he were wiping off the remaining moisture.

The warrior then walked back to his seat and properly sat down in his chair again. Next to me, Song Ha-gyeon gently stroked my back.  He lifted the water glass, lifted it to my mouth, and tilted slowly. The grassy scent of the tea wafted up.

After a couple sips of the warm tea, my bewildered and conflicted mind began to calm down. “Thank you.”

“…You really don’t have to thank us for every single thing.”

I looked at Song Ha-gyeon when I heard his quiet mumbles.

I thought, just then…maybe they really don’t need a reason.

There was no way to know…but maybe all that doesn’t matter either. My nervous body unconsciously relaxed a little.

I took a deep breath and turned to the large window across from me. THe flowers in the garden caught my eye. The blue sky that stretched high above was also just so clear.

So tranquil. Thus…So comfortable. My mind settled, like if murky silt at the river bed was able to settle in calmer waters.

That’s right. Perhaps I shouldn’t have thought so hard.

‘Status window.’

A blue window popped up before my eyes.

「The only healer in the Warrior’s Party, ‘Sun Yihan-nim.’」

I could clearly see the letter written at the top of the screen. I reflected on that sentence once more.

‘The only healer in the Warrior’s party.’

I didn’t need a reason either. No, rather, perhaps it’d be more accurate to say a reason just formed right now. Because, I found out that there might just be a place in this world for me. Closer than I thought–maybe…right here.

I was quite certain just yet. However, that wasn’t what’s important.

I’ll just do my best–all that I can–for now. 

——