episode_0169

169.

…Responsibility?

I couldn’t calm down my bewildered mind.

Out of the blue, what nonsense is this?

I have never done anything that would warrant taking responsibility for Byak Yurin, nor have I made such a promise.

I haven’t even touched her with a finger.

But why is Byak Yurin suddenly coming to me and talking about responsibility?

Knowing Byak Yurin’s personality, she wouldn’t make up false words.

“….”

I waited for Byak Yurin to continue, curious about her intentions.

However, Byak Yurin just silently stared at me without adding anything else.

Her usual expressionless face made it impossible to know what she was thinking.

“Why is Byak Yurin suddenly talking about responsibility like this?”

I raised my voice to hear Byak Yurin’s explanation, but I had to close my lips tightly as I made eye contact with passing residents.

It wasn’t something to be discussed outside.

It would be troublesome if the nosy residents spread strange rumors about us.

“Phew. Byak Yurin, come inside for now. Let’s talk inside.”

“….Okay.”

Byak Yurin obediently nodded her head.

And she walked into the living room, setting down her large travel bag roughly, while I brewed some tea and handed it to her.

“….Thank you.”

She said with gratitude as she sipped the tea and sat on the sofa.

I also sat across from Byak Yurin, staring at her intently.

“So, Byak Yurin.”

“Yes.”

“Why suddenly talk about responsibility? Can you explain it so I can understand?”

“….”

Byak Yurin slowly put down her teacup and began to speak.

The shocking truth dawned on me.

It was understandable.

Byak Yurin was…

“You were completely kicked out of your family’s house?”

“Huh.”

Byak Yurin nodded her head as she sipped her tea again, looking very nonchalant about being kicked out of the Byak family as if it were nothing.

“I couldn’t just ignore the fact that I was involved in the rebellion.”

Come to think of it, Byak Yurin was exposed as a member of the rebellion because of Yoo Da-hee’s statement to Byak Nam-il, right.

“Phew. This is something.”

I sighed slowly.

Regardless, the fact that Byak Yurin was once part of the worst villain organization couldn’t be denied.

Although she didn’t commit any heinous acts after joining the rebellion and even betrayed Yoo Da-hee and helped bring down the rebellion, it couldn’t just be overlooked.

After all, Byak Yurin was the granddaughter of the legendary hero who represented South Korea.

“Still, you were lucky…”

“What?”

“You weren’t handed over to the police…”

“Well, I guess they didn’t want to expose the family’s disgrace, but…”

Byak Yurin looked at me directly after moving her head slightly.

“Being kicked out of the house while still physically unharmed, isn’t that fortunate…?”

Byak Yurin seemed to be taking the fact that her family had abandoned her too lightly.

Even though they were family.

Isn’t she feeling a bit unjust or sad?

Well, considering Byak Yurin’s family background, it might be inevitable.

“So, what does responsibility mean in this context?”

“You said you would hire me as a bodyguard if I ever got kicked out of my house last time.”

“Oh.”

“And that’s why I came.”

“Goodness, you…”

Is that what you call responsibility now?

Don’t you think there’s a serious error in word choice?

You just startled me for no reason.

“Hmm. Bodyguard, huh.”

A figure like Baek Yurin as a bodyguard?

Not bad.

Not bad, indeed.

So Yeon might not like it very much?

“Still, having Baek Yurin as a bodyguard would definitely make me feel more secure.”

After defeating Yoo Dahee.

I was constantly harassed by prank calls, stalking, mail bombings, and so on.

Yoo Dahee may have been a villainous figure, but she was famous, so she had plenty of followers.

Especially since she was a legendary figure in the world of villains, there were more villains who harbored ill intentions towards me than I had expected.

Lately, I’ve even been receiving death threats.

Oh, of course, I haven’t told So Yeon about these facts yet.

It was a role that could cause unnecessary worry or trouble.

I was just trying to move to a secure area with the help of Yoo Seolhyun or hire top-notch bodyguards.

However, top-notch strong individuals were a rarity in South Korea.

No matter how much money I offered, they wouldn’t bother with the security of a mere trainee.

It wouldn’t help their careers either.

But if I hired heroes below the top tier, it would diminish the value of the bodyguards and be of little use.

“Currently, Baek Yurin is at the high ranker level. Even if a villain with ill intentions attacks, she should be able to defend against it.”

I could become very strong through my abilities, but until I activated them, I could be considered quite powerless.

If I were caught off guard without the opportunity to use my abilities, it would be the end.

But with Baek Yurin, I could buy some time to activate my abilities no matter who attacked.

In that sense, I was very pleased to hire Baek Yurin as a bodyguard.

I’m just worried that So Yeon might not react well.

“Hmm. Should I book a hotel room for her? No, that would defeat the purpose of hiring her. Baek Yurin might feel a bit uncomfortable if she only receives money.”

I scratched my chin for a moment, lost in thought.

“…Was it too much of a request?”

“Huh?”

“Well… I used to be a villain after all… If that fact were to be known by others, it could have a negative impact on you… It might be uncomfortable for you to hire someone like me…”

Did she notice that I was worried?

Baek Yurin understood my position well and got up from her seat.

“Then I’ll be going now. It’s late… Sorry for intruding.”

“Just a moment.”

Baek Yurin, with her travel bag on her shoulder, was about to leave the house.

I quickly grabbed her wrist.

Baek Yurin blinked and turned around.

“Why?”

“Where are you going?”

“….”

Baek Yurin fell silent.

When she realized I was staring at her intently, she turned her head slightly, looking a bit uncomfortable.

Huh. Look at this?

It seems she didn’t have anywhere else to go.

“Do you have money?”

“….”

Once again, Baek Yurin didn’t answer, just avoiding eye contact.

“What, don’t tell me your card got blocked and your account got frozen?”

“My card got blocked, and my account got frozen.”

“Ugh, really.”

I shook my head in disbelief.

Why is she so reckless?

Where does she think she can go at this hour with nowhere to go and no money?

“So, where were you planning to stay tonight?”

“…On a bench in the park?”

“Come on.”

Even if you’re strong, what kind of girl would choose to sleep in a park?

“What about the academy?”

“I dropped out and was trying to find a job.”

“Ugh, really. You’re hopeless.”

You’re living too recklessly.

Baek Yurin, who had no plan, seemed like she would cause trouble if left alone, so I sighed deeply and shrugged my shoulders.

Well, what can I do? I guess it’s better to take her with me.

Of course, there is a high possibility that Soyeon will resist, but it is not in my nature to unilaterally bend to Soyeon’s will.

Well, there is a way to persuade her… it’s not like there isn’t one.

I wanted to postpone that method for later, but…

“I can’t help it. I promised to hire you as a bodyguard.”

“You don’t have to force yourself.”

“I’m not forcing anything. I needed a decent bodyguard anyway. But having you is more than enough. Well, Soyeon might be a little jealous, though.”

It goes without saying that Soyeon and I are not in a romantic relationship.

But that doesn’t mean I can just casually say to Soyeon, “What does it matter if I spend time with another girl?”

From the start, I know that Soyeon can be unpredictable and a bit scary when she gets angry.

…She wouldn’t go as far as to imprison me, would she?

Haha.

What am I thinking?

Soyeon wouldn’t do that.

…Probably.

“Actually, I’ve been receiving some death threats recently.”

“…?”

“So I hired a bodyguard and have been sleeping in a protected area until I move to a new place. With you around, I won’t have to do that anymore.”

“….”

“You’ll have to stay with me for a while. Is that okay?”

“…Sure.”

She seemed indifferent to the idea of spending time with me.

“No problem.”

“Good. I’ll open a separate bank account for your salary. We can negotiate the amount later.”

“Jinhyuk.”

“Why?”

“…Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me.”

“…No.”

Baek Yurin shook her head.

“I know… I’m asking for a lot… It’s probably not beneficial for you to get involved with me.”

Huh? That’s not true.

You’re really strong.

Having you as a bodyguard is beneficial for me.

There might be some surviving Rebellion members who might seek revenge on me.

Or other villains might target me for no reason.

In that sense, having you by my side makes me feel secure.

“I haven’t even paid off my previous debts… and now I’m asking for help again.”

“Forget about the debt. And you fought hard at Gwanghwamun Square.”

“…It doesn’t seem like it was much help.”

I chuckled.

“Haha. Well, then you can help me a lot in the future. Right, Yurin?”

“….”

I tried to act friendly, but Baek Yurin remained silent.

It’s a bit awkward.

Did I call her by her first name for no reason?

“Ahem. Anyway, if you have any difficulties, let me know. I’ll help if I can.”

“….”

Baek Yurin looked at me for a moment, then slowly nodded her head.

And quietly called my name.

“Jinhyuk.”

My face was clearly reflected in her red eyes.

“Please take care of me for a while. …I will definitely repay this debt later.”

“Sure.”

As I answered, I gently scratched my temple and thought.

Now, how should I explain this to Soyeon?

With her current possessive nature, she definitely won’t just sit back and watch me spend time with Baek Yurin.

As mentioned earlier, there is one convincing way to persuade her.

But using that method… hmm.

“Jinhyuk? What’s wrong?”

“I was just thinking about how to persuade Soyeon.”

“Why…?”

Baek Yurin listened to my words, looking puzzled.

“…You’re not even dating Jin Soyeon, so why do you need to persuade her?”

“For now?”

I’m not that shameless.

“Whether I spend time with you or not has nothing to do with Jin Soyeon…”

“Of course it does. Yurin.”

At that moment.

Isn’t Soyeon standing behind me and Baek Yurin with a disapproving expression?

“I felt a familiar presence in the house… it was you, Yurin?”

Ah, really? Without any warning like this?

I couldn’t even hear the sound of the door opening.

Not only me, but even Baek Yurin seemed quite surprised. Baek Yurin’s poker face was impressive.

“So Yeon used to come over without a word from time to time, but why today of all days.”

“I came in quietly with the intention of surprising you guys….”

So Yeon looks back and forth between me and Baek Yurin, speaking coldly.

“You two seem to be having quite an interesting conversation, huh?”

She’s smiling, but her eyes are not smiling at all….