Ch.147Episode 30. Responsibility (End)

“Thank you for the meal.”

“Thank you for the meal!”

“Sure. I’ll treat you again next time.”

Mitchell smiled faintly as he watched the energetic Gu Yeonhwa. After waiting for Mitchell to pay the bill with his card, they left the restaurant together.

“It was so hot just a few days ago. Now it feels cold.”

“Yeah. Soon it’ll be time to wear winter uniforms.”

“When I think about it, it feels like I haven’t done much, but a whole year at the Academy is almost over.”

“…It’s the opposite. Time passes quickly because you worked harder than anyone else.”

“Ohhh. I guess that’s one way to look at it.”

Gu Yeonhwa stroked her chin and nodded repeatedly.

“Well, I did work pretty hard.”

Look at her getting all high and mighty just because I put a positive spin on it.

If Mitchell weren’t here, I would have flicked her forehead.

“Are you heading straight back to the Academy?”

Mitchell, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, asked.

“Is there somewhere else to go? If you have more to talk about, should we go to a café?”

“No. That would be too much trouble.”

“What trouble? Oppa loves talking with Mom so much!”

I don’t particularly enjoy it. Don’t interpret things as you please.

“…Instructor, you’ve been training Yeonhwa on weekends too, right?”

“Yes. Yeonhwa needs physical strength to support her imagination if she’s going to properly utilize her abilities.”

Physical strength doesn’t increase overnight.

Mitchell would know that well. She’s an Academy graduate after all.

“It seems you clearly understand how Gu Yeonhwa should develop. I’m relieved.”

“I see. Still, missing a day or two wouldn’t hurt.”

“That won’t do. One day becomes two, and two becomes three—that’s human laziness. I think the current pace is just right.”

“I see.”

Mitchell spoke firmly and strictly. I nodded slightly, accepting her opinion.

“Oh, by the way, did you know? They’re estimating that next year’s Academy enrollment rate will be much higher than this year’s.”

“I’ve heard.”

I was well aware that I was the reason.

The Chancellor even called me in specifically about it.

An S-class hero who made great contributions to nearly annihilating Akcheon, South Korea’s chronic disease.

News about me had been reported countless times, and they never failed to mention that I was currently working as an instructor at Aegis Academy.

It seemed that students’ exaggerated rumors about me controlling a special class full of problem children and providing teaching that perfectly nurtures students’ talents had attracted attention.

“I heard your fan base has been growing exponentially lately. Do you feel it?”

“Not really… I didn’t become a hero to get attention from people.”

Now it was just troublesome having to be mindful of others’ gazes whenever I went out. Just going out with the special class students could cause all sorts of scandals.

I guess this is what famous celebrities feel like.

Anyway, I plan to step down from my instructor position and disappear once those kids become heroes.

“For someone who says that, you were pretty enthusiastic about giving your autograph to the chef at the restaurant.”

“I just wrote my name, that’s all…”

When I expressed my complaint with a wry smile, Mitchell giggled.

Genetics don’t lie—her smile alone had considerable impact. Looking at them again, they really seemed more like sisters than mother and daughter.

“Anyway, thanks for making time today.”

“If Mitchell wants to meet, I should make time even if I don’t have any.”

“…Smooth talker.”

“Pardon?”

“Don’t say things like that with that face. Pure students might fall for you just from that, you know?”

“Fall for me? What are you…”

She smiled meaningfully and pointed at me with her slender finger. Yeonhwa, who had been quietly listening, nodded repeatedly at Mitchell’s words.

“She’s absolutely right. Oppa’s way of speaking is problematic.”

“Look who’s talking about ‘problematic.'”

I wonder if she knows that she’s the most problematic one among the special class students.

…Though when I think about it, they’re all pretty much the same.

“Yeonhwa… I’m glad to see you’re doing well.”

“Of course! My adaptability shines wherever I go!”

Mitchell burst into laughter as Yeonhwa spoke proudly with her hands on her hips. Yeonhwa’s pleased expression whenever Mitchell laughed was like that of an innocent child.

“Yeonhwa…”

Mitchell unconsciously reached out to Yeonhwa and patted her arm.

“…I wish I had the courage to hug her someday.”

After muttering that and caressing Yeonhwa’s arm, Mitchell raised the corners of her mouth bitterly and opened her car door with the smart key.

“Well then, I’ll be—”

Whoosh!

Yeonhwa hugged Mitchell as she was turning around. She even started nuzzling her face against her. Startled by this action, Mitchell hurriedly turned her waist and grabbed her shoulders.

“W-what are you doing?”

“Mom doesn’t need to find courage. I’ll be the courageous one.”

Mitchell froze, looking down at Yeonhwa in a daze.

“…Don’t you hate me? I abandoned you and hated you unilaterally.”

“Because you’re my mom.”

A pure smile without any ulterior motives.

Mitchell bit her lower lip hard, holding back tears that threatened to escape. Eventually, she gently stroked Yeonhwa’s head.

“I’m sorry for being caught up in something so futile.”

Mitchell’s first apology.

“It’s okay! I forgive you!”

Yeonhwa responded so cheerfully that it might have embarrassed the apologizing person. Mitchell’s gaze turned to me.

It was as if she was saying, “You were right.” I shrugged my shoulders.

Then suddenly, a question occurred to me.

Until her birthday, she had been trying to avoid Yeonhwa.

It was clear that she had intended to open up to Yeonhwa to some extent from the beginning, but it was strange that Mitchell, who had been ignoring her for years, changed her attitude in just a few months.

I wondered why she suddenly started calling Yeonhwa and showing interest. Should I ask?

After the mother-daughter hug ended, Mitchell got into her car. She lowered the window and looked at us with her lights on. Yeonhwa waved to Mitchell, and Mitchell waved back.

Meanwhile, I approached her car.

“May I ask one more thing? There’s something you haven’t answered yet.”

“What is it?”

“…Was there a specific reason you started contacting Yeonhwa again?”

This was a question I should have asked at the restaurant.

No, I did ask, but she skillfully avoided my question.

“…That’s not something we should discuss here. Let’s talk about it over the phone later.”

She spoke quietly, looking at Yeonhwa who was standing a few steps away. Does that mean it’s something Yeonhwa shouldn’t hear?

“Alright.”

“I’ll call you later.”

“Understood. Drive safely.”

“Bye, Mom!”

Yeonhwa waved her arms as she said goodbye. Mitchell smiled and left the parking lot.

“Hehe. Hehehehe…!”

“What’s with that weird laugh?”

“I’m happy. It finally feels like Mom is facing me.”

“…That’s right.”

At least for now, she can think that way.

For my part, I needed to know why Mitchell contacted Yeonhwa again to feel at ease.

If Mitchell hadn’t truly repented and was trying to use Yeonhwa or put her in danger, I was prepared to make her end up like Kim Soyang.

“…Shall we head back too?”

“Yes!”

For now, let’s not take away Yeonhwa’s smile.

* * *

“You called sooner than I expected.”

It was just before midnight.

[Yes. There’s no point in delaying it.]

“I see.”

We maintained silence for a moment. To give her time to think.

“…So what’s the reason you contacted Yeonhwa again?”

[I don’t want Yeonhwa to walk the same path I did.]

“Excuse me?”

The same path…?

At those meaningful words, I couldn’t help but tilt my head and ask Mitchell again.

[When we met last time… I noticed a strange atmosphere between you and Yeonhwa. More precisely, it felt like Yeonhwa was conscious of you. As a man.]

So that’s why she glared at me whenever Yeonhwa showed physical affection or spoke to me intimately.

[You know it too, don’t you? That Yeonhwa likes you not as a teacher-student relationship, but romantically.]

“That’s…”

I knew she had feelings for me, but I wasn’t sure if she actually liked me.

[Even if not right now… she’ll surely develop those feelings as she continues to rely on you.]

Her assertive tone made it difficult to deny.

[And someday, she’ll reach the point of confessing. Having been broken once myself… I don’t want her to go through the same experience.]

So that’s why she contacted her. Was she afraid Yeonhwa might get hurt if I rejected her?

[If you like Yeonhwa, and Yeonhwa likes you… I won’t say anything about you two dating.]

“I see.”

[But if you’re going to date her, you’ll need to take full responsibility.]

Responsibility, huh.

If it’s about responsibility for Yeonhwa becoming a hero, I could guarantee that, but the romantic relationship part was difficult to take responsibility for.

I already had a relationship with Yu Ari, and Jeong Iyeon was also eyeing me. In this situation, if Yeonhwa confessed to me, the only option I had was to reject her.

Or betray Mitchell.

If by any chance Yeonhwa said she couldn’t give up on me, I was willing to accept her feelings.

After all, Yeonhwa was more important to me than Mitchell.

[Do you understand?]

“I understand.”

But since I couldn’t tell her the whole truth, all I could do was agree.

[If you touch her and run away… I’ll kill you.]

“…”

That’s quite brutal.

Still, I won’t touch her and run away. I promise.