episode_0179

-Click!

When I returned to the dorm, I squinted my eyes at the window. There was a crow of an unfamiliar appearance sitting there, staring at me.

“Huh?”

I was a little wary and worried about its identity.

The crow’s beak opened, and a familiar voice began to be heard from within.

-Second Young Master!

“Team leader?”

A company owned by Heukryeon. This is the voice of Myosang-ah, the VIP team leader of S&C.

Someone said that.

Only then did I relax and take off my uniform jacket and put it away.

And as I sit down on the chair, a crow hops up onto my lap as if it had been waiting for me and lands.

“What brings you here?”

-I just wanted to say hello. Are you feeling better?

“I’m fine. My body is light, and my head is clear.”

I’m still having trouble making predictions for the 7 routes due to the intense pain, but… I guess I don’t need to say anything.

Whatever the team leader hears will be relayed directly to the Black Lotus members.

I don’t want to worry you unnecessarily. The medical staff at Cradle had already determined that he was normal, and he was recovering well in other areas anyway…

-Phew, that’s a relief. But if you feel anything even a little bit strange, you should let me know right away, right?

The crow sighed in relief, then immediately changed his attitude and started nagging.

-More than that, Master! I told you clearly that you should never do anything dangerous! How many times!

The crow flapped its wings and flew around.

-Do you know how worried your wife was? And what about the chairman? He suddenly ordered the company’s private soldiers to be heavily armed in the middle of the night… I had to stop him for so long…

“… I’m sorry.”

I couldn’t help but offer an apple to the crow as it continued to grumble.

To be honest, I also feel aggrieved. How could I have known that such a monster would be hiding in the basement of that foggy city?

Come to think of it, is Mok Jin-woo busy because of the aftermath? Unlike Jin-ryeong’s case, there aren’t any proper reports, so it seems like there’s a lot of information control going on.

Originally, I wanted to go see him and find out the answer to my questions before the social gathering began. Above all, I felt like he knew something about my powers.

But rather, it is quite regrettable that the meeting schedule was postponed after the social gathering ended.

“Oh, Team Leader. While you’re here, can I ask you a favor?”

-Yes? What kind of…

“I think I need to refill my emergency medicine. Can you bring me some? The stimulant is Rexa, and the accelerator is Erythin. Just like last time.”

The medicine I received from her last time was all used up in the south a long time ago. Because of that, I had to fight that monster in the first city with my own strength.

I still regret that I couldn’t have ended the situation sooner if I had borrowed the power of medicine.

Of course, recovery would have taken longer as well…

-Yes, yes…?

The crow let out a stupid sigh after hearing my request.

-Do, Do-ryun-sama. You didn’t even use those? What should I do? You clearly promised me…! Just keep them…!

Then he looked around anxiously with his pupils greatly dilated.

-Ugh, ugh… If your wife finds out about this, your promotion will be over in an instant… No, that’s not right. Is your master feeling okay? The side effects for both of you will be unbearable… Instead of this, I will go and get you myself…

“Team Leader, I’m okay. And you can rest assured.”

I quickly calmed her down at her unexpected reaction.

“I’ve never used either of them. They just broke during a fight, so I’m asking for a replacement.”

Lies just flow out so easily. Is it because we’re not talking face to face?

-Really…?

“Of course I would lie to the team leader.”

-That’s not true, that’s not true… Fortunately, though…

“Can I ask you a favor?”

-Ha, but…

“The only person who can help me right now is the team leader.”

-Ha, ha, how…

I’m quite surprised at how naturally witty he is. Even the lies.

Did you know I could say something like that? Now that I think about it, I guess I’m a bit like the captain in being shameless…

-Really… I don’t know anymore.

The crow, after a long period of suffering, let out a deep sigh.

-Chaam… How is it that you resemble the first lord in such a way…

Myosang-ah also seemed to share the same sentiments as me.

-I will send you what you requested by tomorrow. And…

“Keep this for emergency use only, and never tell anyone. Be sure to tell the team leader about my compliments. Okay?”

-…yes.

When I hit the player, the crow nodded as if it couldn’t win.

Myosang-ah continued to sit on my lap and chat for a long time after that. It was a very useful time for me as she told me various information about the outside world.

-… Our S&C is also planning to hold a product briefing during this social gathering… Hehe, and the tournament winning prize too… Oh, and we sponsored it…

“Then, is the team leader coming this time too?’

-I… Ugh, I don’t think I can go… I have a lot of work to do… Ugh, ugh…

“Team Leader? What’s wrong? Why is your voice… ”

-Do, Do-ryun-nim… Son, huh.

“Huh?”

-Hand, black, please take your hand off…

As time went on, Myosang-ah’s voice became more and more nasal. Only then did I look down at her desperate plea that was almost on the verge of tears.

And then, without realizing it, I found myself gently stroking the crow’s head and neck with my fingers.

“… Sorry.”

I quickly pulled my hand away out of embarrassment.

“… I guess you have a deep bond with crows. It looks like you have a great sense of humor… ”

Did you develop a strange habit from petting Peanut all the time?

Come to think of it, what on earth is Peanut doing? All I can see these days is a small cat’s tail rising above the bushes. And I can even hear the shrill cry coming from it.

If you try to catch it, it runs away in an instant, and if you give up, it comes back, but it doesn’t disappear completely either…

Is that the original personality of cats? It feels like a cat protesting that it wants to be noticed that it is upset.

-I’m a bit sensitive… Ugh… I’ll try to be more patient next time. If that’s what you want, Lord Jeong…

“… It was a mistake. You don’t have to do that.”

The crow shook its head for a while as if trying to shake off its embarrassment before opening its beak again.

-Ahem, anyway, you don’t have to worry about the family. The 25-article regulation will also be abolished at the next regular meeting, and S&C’s second-quarter sales are also stabilizing.

“I see. That’s really fortunate.”

-That’s right. It’s all thanks to the fact that the young master has done a great job as an advertising model. The compensation negotiations are also being handled directly by the couple, so I think soon… Ah.

For a moment, only a quiet silence flowed through the dormitory. The crow that had been chattering excitedly stopped talking and closed its mouth tightly. As if it had made a slip of the tongue.

“Bounty… right?”

Then he rolled his eyes to check my reaction.

-You told me to keep it a secret…

***

Even after I sent the crow away, I stood frozen in thought. The truth I had obtained by questioning the crow by holding its wings as it tried to escape lingered in my head.

The incident that happened in the first city last time. And because of that girl saving me from the brink of death, negotiations regarding compensation were going on between Heukryeon and Paechun.

The negotiation itself may seem like a natural thing to do. However, the problem was that their demands were beyond imagination.

It seemed that Paechon was demanding a number of good businesses.

And according to the common sense I learned while growing up… their claims aren’t exactly unreasonable.

They are only demanding a reward for saving the successors of five families.

‘The couple said that it was a very small price to pay for the young master’s life… There is no need for the young master to feel guilty…’

It was something Myosang-ah added in a hurry, but it didn’t really hit home.

If I had negotiated with him, I think we could have resolved it without it going that far.

He is not a mere ignorant person from a remote village, but the successor to the prestigious Black Lotus family.

The feelings that the child had when looking at me like that… no matter where I looked, I could feel a clear sense of goodwill.

“Sigh… ”

If so, then it’s clearly my fault. It was I who kept putting off meeting her.

Because I still haven’t gotten over my personal feelings, and because I have other things to take priority.

“It may not help, but it’s a nuisance… ”

I sighed and wiped my face. I said there was still some time left before the deadline for negotiations.

In the meantime, I guess I should find something I can do to help…

-Thump, thump…

While I was lost in thought, I heard the sound of the dormitory door opening and the footsteps of someone familiar.

I got up and headed toward the stairs. Another challenge was closing in on me.

***

“I knew this would happen, so I made a plan.”

“First of all, on the first day… ”

“And on the second day… ”

“… ”

It was quite suffocating to see Yeonmin-ha listing her plans. Even though she tried hard not to, her voice was filled with excitement and anticipation.

“I think it’ll be a bit difficult to go with my senior this time.”

So, even though I was very careful with my words, it wasn’t easy to get him to spit it out.

“… ”

I thought I would get a big scolding.

But he just looked at me with compassionate, calm eyes.

“… Well, that could be possible.”

After a moment of silence, Yeonminha opened her mouth again and her voice sounded like it was nothing special.

“You probably have a few friends you’ve made friends with. Of course, it’s been a few weeks since you entered school.”

“… ”

“It’s okay. And it’s normal for friends to hang out on the first day of the social gathering. Sometimes, you might want to hang out with guys and make some fun memories… ”

I couldn’t look her in the eye. Yeonmin-ha seemed to have noticed my strange behavior as if she were a ghost.

She hesitated for a moment, her lips pursed, and then let out a hoarse voice.

“Are you a girl?”

“… Yes.”

I tightly closed my eyes. I’m sure I had lied to Myosang-ah earlier. Maybe it was because I was standing right in front of her.

The first day was to be entirely devoted to Jinyeseo, as she had received information that a servant of her household had applied for a visit permit to the cradle that day.

“… ”

He stood there frozen like a compassionate statue, speechless. Perhaps I should be thankful that he didn’t ask about my true identity.

“… That could be true. Isn’t it possible for a friendship to develop between the opposite sexes? What kind of world is this these days?”

It was about five minutes later that she spoke again.

“Of course I always keep my bearings straight, but that doesn’t mean I can force my standards on others.”

Is this what you want me to hear?

“It’s okay. You can spend the first day like that. I have a tea party scheduled on the second day. But I think I can somehow make time in the evening. There’s definitely a play and fireworks at that time… ”

“I… I don’t think it’ll work even then.”

I feel like my insides are going to burst out. I have to attend an illegal gathering hosted by Kwon Yuri on the evening of the second day.

In exchange for a promise to help Yeonminha’s gathering become a success.

“I have a prior engagement…”

“… ”

I can feel Yeonminha’s calm expression gradually cracking.

“By any chance… is it a girl this time too?”

“… Yes.”

“… Ugh.”

Now, Pity was almost on the verge of tears. It seemed as if she could no longer hold back her emotional turmoil. Clear tears were already welling up in her cold eyes.

“… Senior?”

There was no answer. He bowed his head in pity and did not move an inch.

I feel like I’ve become some useless piece of trash.

I think she was looking forward to spending time with me and the social gathering. Much more than I had vaguely imagined. Even the always refined and elegant Young-ae sometimes wants to deviate…

“… ”

Of course, there’s no guarantee that telling her the truth now will appease her.

It’s not that hard to predict Yeon Min-ha’s reaction when she finds out that the people she’s going to spend time with are Jin Ye-seo and Kwon Yu-ri.

But it’s not like they can be cancelled. On one hand, it’s a matter of forced engagement, and on the other hand, it’s a contract that’s secured by the prestige of Yeonminha from the cradle.

But I was wondering if there might be a time for one day or so…

“… Okay.”

I was racking my brain trying to figure out how to handle the situation.

Yeonminha’s voice, which had regained its peace, rang in my ears again.

I turned my head and looked at Yeonmin-ha.

Her eyes were filled with a complex mix of emotions that could not be defined by one.

“Okay. Just play however you want.”

“But… ”

“You don’t have to look at me like that. I’m not really angry.”

Yeonminha, who had come closer before I knew it, grabbed both of my hands tightly.

In contrast to the calm voice, the sensation of trembling fingers is clearly felt.

“But… promise me one thing.”

“What…?”

Then he whispered something so softly that it was barely audible.