episode_0302

“Oh, Mom… ”

Something like that happened when I returned from an expedition and went back to my hometown to stay for a while.

That soft, warm warmth felt really good.

But this was only because he couldn’t resist the hostess’s strong will. It was definitely not Lee Hyeon who invited him first.

As someone said, he was an adult…

“Haha, I had no idea that someone would love their children so much.”

Fortunately, Jin Ga-ryeong didn’t seem to believe that at all.

She burst into a light laugh and continued mockingly.

“Why don’t you even take a bath together? Wash your back and go into the bath together. Don’t you think I’ll trust you if you do that?”

“I don’t think you need to get involved that much. I was thinking the same thing anyway.”

“Right… Huh?”

Jin Ga-ryeong, who had been nodding, seemed to have realized something was wrong. Contrary to the dignified attitude of the hostess, cracks finally began to appear on her face.

“Why are you so surprised after saying it yourself?”

Still holding Lee Hyeon tightly in her arms and not letting go, the owner of Heukryeon slightly turned around and stepped forward, speaking sharply.

“I’ve always been worried about that part. When I return to my parents’ house, let’s go to the public bath together… Oh my!”

The hostess’s posture was momentarily disturbed. Lee Hyun could no longer bear the burning sensation on his face. In the end, he expanded his predictions to the 7th level and ran away from the banquet hall while holding the hostess’ hand.

“Huh? Wait a minute…!”

Jin Ga-ryeong reached out her hand to the situation that had unfolded in an instant, but it was not reached. The two people who had been standing in front of her just a moment ago were already nowhere to be seen.

Soon after, the space control that Yejieun had been exerting was released, and only then did the sounds of the banquet hall begin to reach her ears.

“Huh?”

Jin Ga-ryeong let out a sigh of emptiness when she saw the empty space. She felt terribly empty, as if she had let go of the fish she had caught.

***

“Jin Ga-ryeong is a woman you don’t need to get close to. Baek Gwang’s family is just a pretty face. How long has that woman been… ”

After leaving Hwayangwan, Lee Hyeon and the owner walked in the garden.

The hostess continued her sermon, though her arms were tightly linked, so she wasn’t walking very fast.

She used to look up at Jin Ga-ryeong with all her might, but now she was squeezing his arm tighter than Jin Ga-ryeong.

“… But that was too much, Mother.”

Lee Hyeon said with an awkward smile.

“No matter what, bathing is a bit like that. I know you said it with the intention of taking the initiative, but I also now… ”

Hyun Lee stopped talking and lowered his gaze at the sudden ominous feeling.

The landlady stopped walking and was fidgeting for some reason, unable to even look at him.

“So, then…?”

…anyone could tell that it was the face of a wounded person.

“Mi, I’m sorry… I’m just thinking about myself without any awareness… ”

“… ”

The landlady had an unusually strong tendency to be overprotective of Lee Hyeon.

It is said that during the last expedition, when they found out that Lee Hyeon was participating too late, they almost turned the cradle upside down.

I heard that he broke into Haewolhwa’s office and made a mess of it.

Fortunately, Lee Hyeon returned safely and stopped her, and the situation seemed to have come to an end, but her overprotective tendencies were not getting better; rather, they were getting worse by the day.

I realized my love for her belatedly, but I had nowhere to go and was wandering around. During that time, my second son appeared and was more than enough to pour out all my accumulated affection.

Lee Hyeon, who had been lost in thought for a moment, answered hesitantly.

“Well… I’ll think about taking a bath.”

“Jeong, really…?”

At this, the hostess looked up at him with her wet eyes wide open. Lee Hyeon, who had been scratching his cheek, nodded awkwardly.

“Yes.”

“… !”

A silent cheer spread across her face. At this, Lee Hyun’s back was covered in cold sweat.

‘… What should I do?’

However, seeing the landlady humming a tune, Lee Hyeon put his worries aside.

…let it be, whatever happens.

“That’s right. He asked me to tell him that he’s sorry he couldn’t come to the observation class. He’s been so busy these days… ”

Suddenly, the landlady, who had been walking lightly, spoke with an apologetic expression. Lee Hyeon shook his head as if it was nothing.

“It’s okay. I can’t force myself when my father is busy. I’m grateful that my mother came like this.”

The landlady opened her eyes wide. Then she stroked Lee Hyeon’s head and smiled bashfully.

“You’re so mature. But I hope you don’t act like that to us. I told you earlier, right? You’re still at an age where you need your parents’ protection. It’s okay to act like a spoiled brat sometimes. Ask to be a lap pillow, or sing a lullaby… ”

“I will definitely do that.”

Hyun Lee, flustered, answered hurriedly, interrupting her from continuing her speech.

I appreciate that, but… somehow her standards seemed a little off.

The early summer garden was filled with a fresh scent. The hostess approached the edge of the path, picked up a herb leaf, and smelled it as she spoke.

“… The scenery here hasn’t changed at all. I really miss it. I’ve gotten so old… ”

“Don’t say that. You’re still beautiful.”

“Oh my? It feels good to hear those words from my son, even if they are empty words.”

The landlady said with a chuckle. Feeling a strange sense of loneliness, Lee Hyeon continued his argument with more force.

“That’s not an empty promise. If you just wear your school uniform, everyone will mistake your mother for a freshman, right?”

As he said, it wasn’t exactly an empty promise. The mistress of the Black Lotus was a female magician who was considered one of the most accomplished in this country.

And they were among the few who not only overcame cellular aging, but also succeeded in reversing it to some extent.

“That, that’s it… ”

The hostess blinked slightly and scratched her cheek, which was clearly red. Although it was an embarrassing compliment, she couldn’t hide the corners of her lips rising to the sky.

Lee Hyun felt relieved when he realized that his compliment had been received. The hostess’ face had brightened significantly and she spoke jokingly with a slightly smug expression.

“… Then next time, should we go on a uniform date with mom?”

“I like it. Anything with my mom.”

“Hmm, hmm… I don’t know if the uniform will still fit me… ”

The hostess raised her slender hand and repeatedly fanned her face. In that scene, a thought suddenly crossed Lee Hyeon’s mind.

In this kind of atmosphere, wouldn’t it be possible to ask comfortably?

“… Me, mother.”

“Huh? Why are you suddenly like that?”

And then Lee Hyeon, who had been hesitating, opened his mouth.

“Did you receive any separate contact from the captain… from your brother?”

“… I heard you received a letter last week.”

“… !”

Lee Hyun opened his eyes wide at the landlady’s words. He also felt a little joy. That Sa Jae Hyuk had listened to him.

Before she knew it, she was staring blankly at the gloomy sky with regretful eyes. Lee Hyun cautiously continued asking questions.

“… Can I ask what it is about?”

“There was nothing special about it. It was a short letter. It just asked about my health and well-being.”

The hostess continued speaking in a slightly absent-minded voice, as if reminiscing about something. Lee Hyeon let out a sigh of regret without realizing it, feeling a little weak.

“Ah… ”

“… It’s okay. That’s enough. ”

The landlady, in turn, stroked Lee Hyeon’s head and spoke comfortingly.

“When I think about the sins I committed against that child… Even this is too much.”

“But… ”

“It’ll get better. Someday, if we keep exchanging letters like this, we might meet again in person.”

“… ”

“It’s all thanks to you. Otherwise, who would have thought I’d receive a letter from that kid? Really… Thank you.”

Suddenly, Lee Hyun remembered what had happened in the witch’s hive consciousness.

The residual thoughts of Seol Yu-jeong that he met there. In the memories she showed him, Lee Hyeon could feel almost exactly the emotions that Sa Jae-hyeok had felt. Anger, loss, regret. All of it.

And the woman in front of him is one of those who provided the cause.

But Lee Hyeon thought.

As expected, you can’t find any coldness in those kind eyes.

The red-light districts and orphanages that Sa Jae-hyeok had tried to protect at that time were able to avoid the cruel blade of redevelopment. Now, Heukryeon is suffering huge losses and putting all its efforts into poverty relief projects.

Perhaps it is their own form of atonement.

If that’s the case, then there’s no need to blame them.

“Chaam… But how long are you going to call me mother?”

Lee Hyun was suddenly awakened from his thoughts by a voice. The landlady was staring at him with slightly puffed out cheeks and eyes full of regret.

“You said it was okay to call me mom… ”

“But… ”

“Ah… Did I make an unreasonable request again… ”

The landlady’s face was turned toward the floor. Her eyes were gloomy, as if a shower might pour down at any moment, despite the clear sky.

Lee Hyun, who had been expressing his discomfort, closed his eyes tightly. He still felt distant, but… If he came out like that, there was really nothing he could do.

“I… Okay, Mom.”

“… !”

The landlady raised her head as if jumping up. She ran to Lee Hyeon with a bright smile on her face as if nothing had happened and hugged him with both arms.

“Hoohoo, so cute~”

“Breath, I can’t breathe… ”

“So cute, I love you so much, my son… ”

The landlady didn’t even pretend to listen to Lee Hyun this time. On the contrary, she just ruffled Lee Hyun’s hair as she held him in her arms. The affectionate whispers she kept spewing out were gradually transforming into something else.

“My son… My beloved baby… I will never hand him over to anyone… No, I cannot hand him over… Never… Never, no matter what happens… ”

“… ”

Lee Hyun felt like he heard something strange, but decided to ignore it.

***

“Excuse me, Mother. Wouldn’t it be better to go back now?”

“Already…? I wanted to walk a little more… ”

Lee Hyun, who barely escaped from shortness of breath, took a deep breath and said.

There was a clear look of regret on the landlady’s face.

“Is there something urgent?”

“That’s not it… ”

Lee Hyeon said, glancing at the clock tower in the garden.

“There are people I want to introduce to my mother.”

There were only about five minutes left until the appointed time. They were probably already waiting.

I may have to keep it a secret from the world for the time being, but my family is an exception.

I’ve already introduced you to Sa Jae-hyeok, so all that’s left is for us to get to know each other.

“If there’s anyone to greet… Are you talking about that kid from the Reds?”

The landlady asked, recalling Yeon Min-ha’s visit to Heukryeon’s mansion during the communist incident in the past.

“There’s that one too…but you’ll know once you see it.”

After somewhat mumbling the matter, Lee Hyeon led the landlady back to Hwayanggwan. Even in the midst of all this, she was constantly muttering something.

“Now that we’re on the subject, Mom doesn’t think you need to get so caught up in things like engagements. You don’t need to feel burdened. Instead, wouldn’t it be okay to spend more time with Mom? Okay? We can drink tea together, go out and play here and there… ”

“Haha… ”

Lee Hyun ended up smiling awkwardly for no reason. Before he knew it, he was approaching the quiet walking path near Hwayanggwan where they had made a promise in advance.

A voice began to be heard through my previously enhanced hearing.

-Jeong, are you really coming?

-Hey. I’m in the middle. Follow the order…!

-Don’t push!

A familiar grumbling voice is heard. Three figures suddenly appear in the distance. They are waiting for the two to come, holding hands neatly as if they had never done so before.

And as Lee Hyeon and the hostess approached, they greeted each other one by one as if they had practiced beforehand.

“Well, it’s been a while, Mom.”

“This is Baek Seo-yeon from Pae, Paecheon. It’s been a while since I’ve greeted you… ”

“This is Baek Gwang’s True Story. Please take good care of me… ”

Even so, they couldn’t completely hide their nervousness. They greeted me with slightly excited voices and waited for my answer with a somewhat shy posture.

“Uh, uh… ?”

At this, the landlady opened her eyes wide in bewilderment and stammered.

“Paechon…? Baek Gwang…? Why, why… ”

“… ”

She looked at each of the people lined up in front of her. There was no sign of hostility in any of them. There were only shy eyes and awkwardly waving hands.

If there’s one thing they have in common, it’s the passionate gazes they have toward Lee Hyeon.

The woman’s intuition was keenly telling her something. At this, the landlady turned her gaze urgently to Lee Hyeon.

“Let me introduce you, Mother.”

And Lee Hyeon said with a bright smile.

“These are my girlfriends.”

The landlady staggered, clutching her forehead as she felt a surge of dizziness.