Ch.56Episode 10. Comforting the Loners (End)

[“I can’t fall here…!”]

The protagonist staggers to his feet. He spouts a clichéd line to overcome what appears to be a mid-level boss villain.

Whenever someone squeezes out power with lines like that, they always awaken.

As I watch with my chin resting on my hand, light spreads from the protagonist’s hands, unlocking a new power.

The protagonist, who was on the verge of death just moments ago, naturally defeats the mid-boss after awakening and shouts about justice.

Really, they never escape these clichés.

Thud.

Just as my interest was waning in this predictable development, something touched my shoulder.

Looking to the side, I saw Gu Yeonhwa leaning against me, dozing off.

While staring blankly at her, the fragrant scent from the tips of her bun hairstyle snapped me back to reality.

Realizing it would be awkward to stay like this, I carefully tried to hold her head.

“Mom… Why do you… hate me…?”

Though it was a mumble, it rang crystal clear in my ears.

I quietly looked at her.

What expression is she making now?

Are you still smiling?

I was very curious about what expression Gu Yeonhwa might be wearing. Unfortunately, her hair firmly covered her face.

“…It’s just that she needs somewhere to direct her anger. It’s meaningless venting.”

I muttered to myself as if answering her question, picking up the remote from the bed and turning off the animation.

Silence fell over the room.

Her regular, gentle breathing sounded like a lullaby.

She must be tired after training so hard today. I did the same thing a few days ago, leaving Yu Ari in my room and passing out.

I carefully held her head, slowly withdrew my shoulder, and laid her down on the bed, supporting her head.

She stirred for a moment with a frown, smacking her lips as if sleep-talking.

As I quietly looked down at her sleeping peacefully, I felt strangely emotional.

“Gu Yeonhwa, you’ve done nothing wrong. You don’t need to feel small, nor do you need to pretend to be okay for anyone.”

I calmly expressed my thoughts in a quiet voice.

“As much as your mother hates you, I’ll like you that much. So stop dwelling on futile matters.”

These words probably wouldn’t comfort her.

No matter how trustworthy I become, I can’t take priority over her parents.

Still, I can’t just stand by and watch forever.

“I’m going.”

It’s past midnight now, and my visit was just beginning.

If they won’t come to me, I’ll have to go to them.

I straightened my suit and left Gu Yeonhwa’s room as quietly as possible.

* * *

“So this is where you are, Ms. Mitchell.”

As soon as I entered the room, I spoke to a blonde woman who looked remarkably like Gu Yeonhwa. She appeared much younger than her forties.

Her blue eyes were much deeper than Gu Yeonhwa’s, but it seemed like Yeonhwa would grow to look just like this with age.

Is this the power of genetics?

“…?”

Famous Gangnam host bar, Room 3.

This was her private room that she frequented whenever she felt troubled after her divorce. I remembered it from a description in the novel when Gu Yeonhwa went looking for her mother.

She must have been troubled by Gu Yeonhwa today, so it was predictable that she would come here.

“Who are you?”

It wasn’t Gu Yeonhwa’s mother who addressed me, but the male employee who had been listening to her and pouring drinks.

“Huh? Aren’t you staff? He’s so handsome.”

“No, I’m not.”

Both of them looked at me with suspicion.

“There’s no need to be so guarded. I’m here strictly on business.”

“Business?”

I gave a slight smile, closed the door, and walked inside. I stood across from her table and bowed.

“Let me introduce myself properly. I’m Yu Jin, the instructor in charge of the special class at Aegis Academy.”

I showed my hero license as I spoke. She frowned upon seeing it.

“Are you the instructor who recently defeated Yeonhwaryong?”

Surprisingly, the employee reacted first. I simply smiled silently in response.

“…Hmm. I didn’t know my daughter’s instructor was such a handsome man.”

Mitchell mumbled while sipping her whiskey. Her tongue was slightly slurred, perhaps from the alcohol.

“You, step outside for a bit.”

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t play dumb, I said get out.”

“Ah, yes!”

Sensing she was about to become hysterical, he quickly stood up.

“Then have a good time!”

The employee bowed to me as well before hurriedly leaving the room. The staff member who had been suspiciously peering in closed the door.

Silence fell with the sound of the closing door.

Mitchell and I silently faced each other for several seconds. She was the first to feel uncomfortable in that silence.

“Please sit down. I never expected to be talking with my daughter’s instructor in a place like this.”

“I never expected to be having this conversation in such a setting either.”

I said as I sat on the sofa. I kept my distance to avoid her touch.

“Would you like a drink?”

Mitchell asked, swirling her glass.

“No. I want to have this conversation in a normal state. I don’t want to hear excuses like ‘I don’t remember because I was drunk’ or ‘It was a mistake.'”

“Hmm. So? How did you know I was here?”

“I just found you well.”

“You’re not going to tell me?”

I answered with a smile.

“Are you a stalker? Or did you hire a private investigator to follow me?”

Private investigator…

That’s not a term people typically use unless they’ve had experience with one.

“Of course not. I’m just an ordinary instructor.”

When I smiled and replied glibly, Mitchell’s face crumpled. She clearly didn’t believe me.

“So why would a famous academy hero instructor come all the way to this shady place to meet me?”

“Because of Gu Yeonhwa. That’s the only connection between us, isn’t it?”

Her frown deepened.

“I suppose so. Since you’re her instructor. So what did you want to say?”

She put down her glass and folded her arms. Her attitude suggested she was challenging me to speak my mind. There was a strange intensity in her eyes.

“…Are you going to continue treating Gu Yeonhwa like that?”

“Ha. You’re trying to interfere in our family matters when you know nothing about them. Isn’t that overstepping your boundaries?”

“Then would you tell me? Why do you reject Gu Yeonhwa so much? As her instructor, I’d like to know.”

I already knew, but if I revealed that, I’d only face interrogation. Even if I had to take a roundabout approach, I needed to avoid putting myself at a disadvantage.

“I don’t see why I should explain that to you.”

“Gu Yeonhwa seems to really like and respect her mother. I noticed how happy she gets whenever she talks about you, Ms. Mitchell.”

Mitchell flinched and looked down at her glass.

“Why do you dislike Gu Yeonhwa?”

“I told you! I have no reason to tell you that!”

Bang!

She slammed her fist on the table.

“I see. Well… I didn’t expect you to tell me, so I wasn’t hoping for much.”

I responded calmly to her passionate reaction.

“But you know that Gu Yeonhwa isn’t at fault, don’t you, Ms. Mitchell?”

I subtly inserted this information.

The subtle implication that I wasn’t completely ignorant would make her mind race with all sorts of thoughts.

“What are you saying…”

“Isn’t it time to stop taking out your anger on an innocent party?”

“Taking out my anger? What a strange thing to say.”

If this is her response after I’ve said this much, there’s no hope. No matter what I say, she won’t be persuaded.

Perhaps it’s only natural.

While I’m trying to approach this situation logically, she’s responding emotionally.

From an outsider’s perspective, it’s incomprehensible that the anger that should be directed at her cheating husband is aimed at Gu Yeonhwa instead.

It’s not like he cheated with Gu Yeonhwa.

“Can you deny it?”

“I could if I wanted to.”

“If that’s what you think, then I have nothing more to say. However, Gu Yeonhwa won’t be trapped in the past forever like you, Ms. Mitchell. That child will keep moving forward. Someday, she might become a great hero loved by many people.”

“Haa! Really! So what do you want me to do about it?!”

“Shouldn’t you be there to praise and embrace her when that happens?”

“…”

Honestly, it was an empty platitude.

I wanted to tell Mitchell to get out of Gu Yeonhwa’s life.

But immediately separating Gu Yeonhwa and Mitchell couldn’t be the solution. A mother is an irreplaceable presence in Gu Yeonhwa’s heart.

Naturally, having Gu Yeonhwa depend on me would be the best way to control the variables, but that was unrealistic for now.

Unlike with Yu Ari, Gu Yeonhwa’s heart is deeply attached to her mother.

In a situation where she already has someone to rely on, I would have to wait and slowly seep into her life to replace that position.

That’s why, during that time, I’m giving her one last chance.

That their relationship can still be mended.

“If you continue to reject her like this… even Gu Yeonhwa, who wants to stay by your side, will leave you.”

“L-leave? She can leave right now for all I care!”

Listening to Mitchell, she seemed like a child trying to maintain unnecessary pride.

“Don’t speak emotionally and think rationally. Why are you still in Korea when you could leave anytime?”

“Who are you… to meddle like this…”

“I’m someone who wants Gu Yeonhwa to be happier than anyone else. Perhaps even more strongly than you do, Ms. Mitchell.”

I stood up, looking at Mitchell who was biting her lower lip and trembling with clenched fists.

“I apologize for the late-night intrusion. Next time, I hope we can share a meal together in a brighter place, with smiles.”

I bowed deeply and turned around. Without hesitation, I opened the door and left.

I’ve laid enough groundwork. The choice is now hers to make.

Whether she makes the wrong choice or the right one, Gu Yeonhwa becoming a hero is already a foregone conclusion.

I came outside and looked up at the sky. I yawned widely while gazing at the moon floating above.

“Being an instructor in charge is really tiring. It’s late, so I should go to sleep now.”

And with that, the exhausting parent visits for all the special class students came to an end.