Chapter 84.2

Chapter 84 (Continued)

Baek-seo’s expression softened.

“You should keep it safe. It’s more valuable than you think.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It symbolizes protection and good fortune.”

I looked at the talisman, then back at Baek-seo.

“Thank you for telling me.”

“You’re welcome.”

Baek-seo smiled warmly.

We sat quietly for a while as the bus moved through the city.

…

Baek-seo suddenly broke the silence.

“I need to tell you something important.”

I turned to her, seeing the seriousness in her eyes.

“What is it?”

“There’s a significant movement happening. I think it’s related to the Head Principal.”

I nodded, listening intently.

“We need to be more cautious. The Head Principal might be planning something big.”

I took a deep breath, processing the information.

“Alright. Let’s stay vigilant.”

Baek-seo nodded in agreement.

The bus continued on its route, and we both sat in thoughtful silence, contemplating the challenges ahead.

Baek-seo nodded.

“The person who gave you that talisman, you said the Leader was very fond of them, right?”

“That’s right…”

Wait a minute.

Isn’t this like talking about an ex-girlfriend in front of your current girlfriend?

“Well, they were someone like that.”

“Are they your ex-girlfriend?”

“No, that’s not…”

“Just kidding.”

“…”

Baek-seo cut me off abruptly, as if she had no intention of listening any further. Even though her expression hadn’t changed at all, I felt a cold aura and a sense of danger for a brief moment.

“Anyway, why are you asking?”

“What if the person who gave the Leader that talisman forgets about it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you talking about dementia or amnesia?”

“Yes, let’s assume they have Alzheimer’s.”

Could this be related to something Baek-seo is struggling with?

I decided to answer calmly but seriously, to avoid making the atmosphere heavier.

“Well… it would be sad, but would the situation change? The value of the talisman they gave me wouldn’t change. It might be disappointing if they forget, but if it’s due to something unavoidable like Alzheimer’s, there’s nothing that can be done about it.”

“What if they forget even more in the future?”

“What are you trying to say?”

I narrowed my eyes.

I couldn’t help but ask as the assumption seemed to lead to an even worse scenario.

Baek-seo closed her eyes and leaned her head back on the chair.

“Just like the person who gave the Leader that talisman, I have someone precious to me too.”

Baek-seo answered gently, like a kindergarten teacher talking to a child.

“Are you talking about the withered flower in your room?”

“You saw that? Yes, that one. It’s from that person.”

I remembered seeing it when I went to Baek-seo’s house to find her.

Baek-seo seemed to have deduced how I saw the withered flower and responded calmly.

“Is that person losing their memory?”

“Something like that.”

So this is Baek-seo’s struggle. She hinted at it before but now she’s being honest.

“That person also happened to give you a peony.”

“Indeed.”

I paused for a moment and imagined.

If Kim Dalbi forgets that she gave me the peony talisman.

If she forgets about me.

How would I feel?

“…”

“Leader?”

Probably…

“It would be tough for both of us. I can’t say much more than that.”

It would hurt a lot.

Last time, when I acted harshly towards Dalbi at the hospital, it was a form of defiance.

No matter what her story was, we stood on opposite sides.

As the Disciplinary Committee Leader, I am responsible for the safety of Ahsung High School’s jurisdiction, while Dalbi, as a terrorist, seeks to destroy it.

As mentioned before, our relationship is no longer just between us two.

It has become a war involving responsibility and the safety of many people.

So, regardless of Dalbi’s story, unless she openly betrays the Head Principal and returns to me, unless she relies on me, I mustn’t get close to her. That was my judgment.

However, human emotions aren’t that simple.

The peony talisman still held significant value to me.

I didn’t want to lose the proof that Dalbi cared about me.

That was my honest feeling, and so, even if I had to consider my feelings as the enemy, I couldn’t treat Dalbi with any special consideration.

The talisman was initially a symbol of longing, and now it has become a symbol of regret. If I can’t deny my feelings, then I can only endure by keeping the talisman. That was my resolve.

So, if Dalbi forgets about the talisman and me.

Even so, I wouldn’t let down my guard, but the emotional pain would be unavoidable. It’s not something I can control.

I don’t know who Baek-seo’s precious person is, but Baek-seo must have her own personal relationships that I’m not aware of. It must be distressing.

So I decided not to delve deeply into Baek-seo’s pain.

Baek-seo stared at me intently and then smiled.

“…You’re very understanding, Leader.”

“Understanding? It’s more like avoidance. Whatever I say would just be meddling. I’ve never experienced it myself. If I face that situation, I don’t know what thoughts or choices I might have. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.”

With my limited experience and mindset, my words wouldn’t solve Baek-seo’s worries.

“No, it’s fine.”

Baek-seo shook her head with a smiling face. She then replied in a gentle voice.

“I wasn’t asking for a solution. Just understanding is good. Maybe that’s the answer I wanted the most.”

“I’m glad if it was any comfort.”

After that, our conversation ended.

Seeing that Baek-seo seemed lost in thought, I stopped talking.

Soon, Baek-seo glanced over the seat ahead of us.

There were only about three passengers. Few.

We were in the back seat. Not the most conspicuous spot.

“What are you doing?”

“Checking if it’s possible to show affection here.”

“?”

“No problem.”

Suddenly, Baek-seo subtly wrapped her arm around mine.

Startled by the soft, embarrassing sensation, my whole body tensed up involuntarily.

“Wait, Baek-seo? Doing this in public…”

“It’s fine as long as we don’t get caught.”

Baek-seo smiled contentedly with her eyes closed.

‘Isn’t that a criminal mindset…?’

If someone saw us, it would be a socially inappropriate scene…

But since I already acknowledged Baek-seo as my girlfriend in my heart, it was hard to escape this situation.

I suddenly recalled Baek-seo’s appearance in Moon Chae-won’s hideout.

The current Baek-seo appeared infinitely precious to me.

‘Well, it’s fine.’

I am a 6th Tier.

It’s simple to be sensitive to people’s gazes. If it looks like it’ll cause trouble, I can let go then.

For now, I could afford to indulge in this happy moment.

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