episode_0149

Episode 149: Conversation

“Meow~”

“Kim Seobaang~”

“…Master.”

Thud..!

‘Ugh… Even if Yomi is like that, these girls who only talk….’

Passing by the signboard of Doheedang, I was almost knocked over as Sarigo, Hyangdangi, and Yomi suddenly sprang out from somewhere and rushed towards me, clinging to me tightly.

“Sob.. Why didn’t you come in yesterday..! I was so sad not seeing you return even though morning had broken..!”

“…Master. I missed you.”

“Meow….”

“Uh… I guess I’m a bit late, huh? Sorry, my friends.”

Still, there was nothing to say as they all clung to me with sad faces, like anxious pets seeking comfort….

Strangely, a sense of guilt welled up deep inside me at their demeanor.

I had been at ease, thinking it would be okay even if they were a little late, always smiling and positive about everything.

If I had known they would be this gloomy, I would have hurried my steps….

Hmm… Yet, amidst our chaotic running around, I feel strangely happy that they came running to greet me like this?

Could it be that they care for me unexpectedly from deep within?

“Sob….”

“….”

“Meow…”

Feeling my heart melt, I embrace my family members who are still clinging to me with melancholic expressions.

Well, what can I say.

It’s true that I had reasons for staying out without a word.

‘Sigh.. It’s all my fault…’

Seems like we were waiting anxiously at the door all night, wondering when we would return, but I arrived well past lunchtime after fooling around in the morning….

Still, there were some unavoidable circumstances.

Suddenly falling ill…

Heh heh… Some healing was necessary, too.

Moreover, since the master woke up early, insisting I eat lunch before leaving….

“No, sir..! Your face is completely swollen..! Does it look very painful? Yes, well… I expected you to fall ill if you pushed yourself too hard. It was wise not to let the servants disturb you in the morning….”

“Yes… Thank you, sir. Thanks to that, I could rest comfortably and recover a bit. Oh… If I had known I would feel this sick, I would have taken it easy yesterday. I still feel a bit under the weather….”

“Hehehe. You must have been very gentle due to your nature. But Heesun must have suffered a lot.”

“Oh..! How did you know that…!”

Pinch..!

“Ouch..! H-Heesun..! Ah, haha.. You, you’ve suffered a lot..! It was difficult even to move a finger once I woke up, right? Thanks to Heesun’s diligent care….”

“Do you know that Heesun personally moved you to the room while you were unconscious? She must have suffered more mentally than physically. But now that you’re also ill, how much do you think she was hurt? So, you need to consider your wife’s feelings more delicately. By the way, why is Heesun blushing and not saying a word?”

“Oh, haha..! Don’t worry too much. Maybe I got a bit of a cold from the treatment this morning…? Haha..! I’m receiving very sincere care….”

“Oh dear… Well.. When you suddenly relax after being tense, that might happen. But does a mountain get a cold? Ah! That’s good news, right? When you leave with Heesun, will you take lunch with you? I’ve instructed my concubine to prepare nourishing food. Have a drink each with Heesun before you go.”

“Oh.. I’m sorry, Master, but my family is waiting for me at Doheedang.”

“Hmm… How about just taking it until lunch? In a way, isn’t part of your pain somewhat my fault? It would make this teacher quite uncomfortable to send you off without even feeding you a meal. Heesun also looks so unwell… Don’t worry the other family members too much. Heesun is probably being well taken care of.”

“…Yes.”

How can you just come after hearing those words?

It felt strangely like an old father reluctantly feeding his children before sending them off, a situation that hadn’t happened in a long time, making my heart ache for no reason…

Of course, our teacher isn’t old.

Moreover, it was even harder to refuse due to the strong misunderstanding that Heesun was sick.

I can’t exactly explain that it’s not sickness but embarrassment.

If asked what there is to be embarrassed about, what could I possibly say?

So, inevitably, I ended up consuming nourishing food at the teacher’s house.

The journey back also took some time.

I had to soothe Heesun’s anger a bit.

She was pouting, calling me a bad person for teasing her with a slight pinch on my side. How could I look at the pitiful and cute Heesun in such a state?

I had to quickly hug her and comfort her.

I did everything she asked for.

Holding hands, linking arms, asking for caresses…

I earnestly cooperated to alleviate her tantrums, demanding like a haughty princess.

In the end, forgiving me as the kind person who soothes her tantrums, saying she loves me, and giving me kisses on the cheeks, how adorable and lovely that was…

“Alright, kids! Master is feeling a bit unwell now. Shouldn’t we head back soon?”

“…Is the master in pain? Should we do a massage…? Or apply heat?”

“Kim, master? Oh no…! Come to think of it, half of his face is swollen…! Did the teacher ask for stones again? I’m sure eldest sister said something about it?”

“Meowww?”

“……”

Ah… I should have told Heesun not to mention that I’m in pain…

Things were already getting better, so there was no need to unnecessarily worry the kids.

Furthermore, with everyone fussing around, poking and prodding me from all sides out of concern, it became even more chaotic…

Heesun seemed to realize her mistake of casually mentioning it and quickly began to rectify the situation.

“Oh..! Kids.., um, it’s not such a big deal… I don’t have physical injuries; I just need emotional stability. So let’s calm down a bit. If you keep acting so agitated, the master will feel even worse.”

“Oh..! Sorry, sister..!”

“Sorry….”

Finally, the children gradually distanced themselves from me.

Phew… I finally feel a sense of calmness.

I reassured the kids, stroking their hair one by one, telling them everything was fine, and headed to the bedroom.

Actually, I still need some rest because my body is still aching….

In Heesun’s spacious room.

With remnants of illness still lingering, I lay on the bed, and Hyeongdan sat beside me, looking at me with a worried expression.

“So, Hyeongdan? Sari said she was very worried because you’ve been gloomy all day…”

“Ugh..! Sari said that? Ugh… I’m sorry… I didn’t realize you were worried….”

Originally, I was alone.

Heesun took all the kids out, saying that if things got chaotic, I needed to quietly regain my composure.

But could our mischievous little ones really listen to Heesun’s words so obediently?

Geez..!

Not long after, the door opened, and Sari and Yomi peeked in cautiously, asking if they could come in. I nodded, indicating it was okay.

Although my body was aching, I wasn’t sleepy, perhaps because I had slept a lot during the day, so I thought it was a good thing.

“…Master.”

Meow..!

-Purr purr purr purr….

[As I nodded my head, Yomi, who had a blank expression on her face, came into the room with a flushed face and snuggled up next to me, her heart pounding as she leaped onto my chest while baking bread.

Seems like Heesun didn’t give permission, so when I asked how she got here, she said she took advantage of Heesun being deeply asleep and sneaked out.

Well, she was the caregiver yesterday. Plus, she even suffered harassment in the morning, so it’s understandable that Heesun might be tired.

But why did I miss Sari so much in just one day?

“Master… I like you…”

She nestled in my arms, asking to be petted, nuzzling her head as if requesting affection, and expressing love by kissing my cheeks…

Feeling sorry and guilty, I patted Sari’s bottom and kissed her lips.

However… something feels oddly off about the situation.

It’s not Sari’s display of affection that’s strange…

It’s just that only two out of the usual three are here together.

“Come to think of it, where’s Hyangdan?”

“Hyangdan… has been acting a bit strange since yesterday… quite gloomy.”

“Hyangdan?”

It was strange.

Although mischievous, he’s always positive and never loses his smile… for Hyangdan to be gloomy?

Well, he seemed a bit absent-minded and physically unwell earlier, but even when he scolded me for being late after embracing me earlier, Hyangdan’s face did look quite dark.

“Why? Did you guys have a fight?”

“…No, I didn’t fight with my friend… Hyangdan is too kind to get angry…”

“Then why?”

“…I don’t know.”

Listening to Sari, it didn’t seem to be an issue of friendship.

‘Why is Hyangdan feeling down…? Ah! Since yesterday, right?’

Hmm… it seemed like the timing was peculiar, most likely because of me.

Come to think of it, I haven’t really talked properly with Hyangdan since that night.

I fell asleep briefly and then rushed out in the early hours to see the master craftsman…

That must be it.

Afterward, I asked Sari and Yomi to bring Hyangdan here.

It seemed necessary to have a proper conversation with Hyangdan about that day.

“Why was Hyangdan feeling so down? You weren’t responsive… Sari mentioned you didn’t play together?”

“Well…”

In response to my question, Hyangdan cautiously began to speak.]