STC chapter 25

Even though there’s no way Ye Ilhu heard my inner cheer, he turned his gaze back to me. I felt like a scoundrel caught cheating by a jealous spouse.

Why do I even feel this way?

“I won’t keep you waiting, don’t worry.”

Ye Ilhu had fought hard to get this duel with me, even using a blank check.

Chae Goya’s training was permitted with just one phone call from the guild master, so it was understandable if Ye Ilhu felt a bit wronged.

Unlike C-rank Chae Goya or D-rank me, SS-rank Ye Ilhu was always busy.

I made it clear that his schedule wouldn’t be affected.

After all, with the three-minute limit time, it was impossible to disrupt it.

Yet, Ye Ilhu seemed displeased, frowning deeply and putting his hands on his hips. After taking a deep breath, he turned towards the training room without a word.

I stared blankly at his back, then patted Goya on the shoulder and pointed towards the training room with my thumb.

“See you later, Goya.”

“Yes… Okay.”

“Take good care of our kid for now.”

I handed Dukbong, perched on my shoulder, to Goya. Even though Dukbong was in bird form, he wasn’t scared of Chunsik, likely because he was still a system at heart.

Entering the training room, I saw Ye Ilhu grumbling as he put on his protective gear. I started towards my own gear on the opposite side but stopped and turned back towards him.

He sensed my presence and turned his head.

His cool silver-gray eyes and dark blue hair, often hidden under his bangs, were striking. Even guys would begrudgingly admit how good-looking he was.

Until recently, I wouldn’t have cared if Ye Ilhu was upset or not. After all, he had dismissed me with harsh words and treated me poorly since our first meeting.

But our relationship had changed. Though he still spoke harshly, he no longer seemed to do it to hurt me. He even carried me to the medical room when I collapsed.

“Hmph.”

That’s pretty commendable for Ye Ilhu, who’s often called Prince Ye by the hunters. He’s not so bad after all.

“What?”

When I smiled at Ye Ilhu, he stepped back a bit. His hands slowed as he put on his protective gear.

“Why are you sulking?”

“I’m not.”

“You’re upset because I’m training with Goya too, aren’t you? It seems that way to me.”

Back in early elementary school, I had a similar experience. I had a friend I’d known since kindergarten because our parents were friends, and we ended up in the same class.

Naturally, we became best friends.

The problem came when a new transfer student arrived. I helped the transfer student, who sat behind me, and he started following me everywhere like a duckling.

[Our Baram is playing very well with his new friend, isn’t he?]

Thanks to that, the teacher, who had fewer tasks to do, praised me a lot.

At that time, I often stayed alone with my sister due to my parents traveling abroad frequently, and I was always hungry for adults’ attention and praise.

Wanting to hear more praise from my teachers, I enthusiastically took care of the new transfer student. However, this behavior seemed to annoy my best friend greatly.

To cut to the chase, the three of us had a huge fight but reconciled cleanly. Boys at that age are good at fighting but are also the epitome of simplicity.

We rolled around punching each other on the playground, played a game of soccer, and decided to be friends again.

“…….”

It would be nice if things could be resolved so simply with the 23-year-old kid glaring at me now. Life isn’t easy.

But what could I do? I couldn’t force others to conform to me. I resolved to take everyone in this world, not just Ye Ilhu, Chae Goya, and Ryu Min, more seriously than before.

I smiled brightly and lightly punched his chest.

“Anyway, don’t be upset. I won’t be half-hearted about doing this with you. I promise.”

“…….”

Only then did the sharp atmosphere around him soften a bit. See, sincerity always works. The difference between Ye Ilhu and seven-year-olds is that you can communicate with him.

“Well, let’s work well together today too.”

Saying that, I returned to my spot and put on my protective gear. For some reason, I felt a prickly gaze on my back the whole time.

* * *

Even if there had been some changes between us, Ye Ilhu wouldn’t go easy on me in the sparring match. Of course, that was what I wanted too.

As usual, a loud alarm sounded from my Hunter Watch as soon as three minutes passed.

“Stop!”

After repeating the sparring several times, he retreated without showing much disappointment, seemingly getting used to it.

Sweat trickled down my forehead and back as I fought off the flying fireballs coming at me.

In summer, they’d turn on the air conditioning to make it more comfortable to fight, but it was spring with its awkward temperatures, so I ended up sweating.

At some point, Ye Ilhu, who had taken off his protective gear, approached me and asked,

“Did you have breakfast?”

Why does he keep checking if I had breakfast? Is this also a sign that we’ve gotten a bit closer? Or maybe he feels awkward eating alone because he has no friends.

“I was thinking of eating with Goya?”

“……Why?”

“What do you mean, why?”

I checked my Hunter Watch while answering. It was 7:17. After coming down to the training room, watching the standoff between Chae Goya and Ye Ilhu, and finishing the sparring, it was this time.

“Because I have to spar with Goya too?”

We had to wait about 10 minutes for the limit to lift before starting again.

But then, Ye Ilhu quietly muttered after a brief pause.

“I’ll wait.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll wait, so eat with me.”

Then he pursed his lips as if waiting for my answer. I couldn’t help but chuckle at his stubborn expression.

“Well… alright?”

Only then did he turn around and leave the training room, looking relieved.

As I changed my protective gear, I kept tilting my head. I understood that Ye Ilhu had softened up, but did he really want to have a meal with me that badly, to the point of waiting?

‘Well, whatever. It’s a good thing.’

Just like I cleared up misunderstandings with Ryu Min, there was nothing wrong with getting along with Ye Ilhu.

If Dukbong had been in system window mode, I could have understood his true feelings, which was a bit disappointing.

‘But can I really trust that “true feelings” thing?’

Imagining Dukbong spinning around carelessly, I felt my trust level plummet. Maybe he was just interpreting things to suit himself.

“Um, Baram hyung.”

As I was re-evaluating Dukbong, Chae Goya’s careful voice interrupted my thoughts.

“Can I come in?”

Even though the training room was for anyone to use, it was just like Chae Goya to ask for permission. When I gestured, Chae Goya’s face lit up, and he trotted over to me.

“Where’s Dukbong?”

“Ah… Ye Ilhu hyung said he’d take care of him so he wouldn’t get hurt.”

It seemed not only Dukbong needed re-evaluating. Ye Ilhu, who didn’t seem to care if anyone got hurt, volunteered to take care of my bird.

Though Dukbong was not an ordinary bird and likely wouldn’t get hurt easily, you never know.

‘I should thank him later.’

Imagining Ye Ilhu with a little blue bird on his finger like Snow White made me laugh. Chae Goya tilted his head as if asking why, but I just laughed it off.

“There’s still some time before the limit time ends, but do you want to put on your protective gear first?”

“Oh, yes…!”

The protective gear Ye Ilhu used was in a tall single-use disinfectant cabinet. The red button blinked, indicating that the disinfection was complete.

Deciding to rest for 10 minutes, I plopped down on the floor. With nowhere specific to look, I turned my gaze to Chae Goya.

Chae Goya seemed to be struggling, constantly fumbling with the protective gear. Feeling my gaze, he glanced at me cautiously, as if silently asking for help.

‘It’s confusing if you’re wearing it for the first time.’

But it wasn’t that difficult.

‘Well, everyone’s different.’

I casually asked Chae Goya,

“Want me to help?”

“Yes!”

Chae Goya responded quickly as if he had been waiting for me to offer. Cute kid. I chuckled and held his hands, fiddling with the protective gear. His hands were warm, almost feverishly so.

“By the way, do I have to fight Chunsik today? I really don’t want to.”

Grumbling lightly, I moved his fingers around, showing him how to wear the gear.

“Well, um… I’m defensive… so we won’t be fighting. You’ll just… attack me, and I’ll… block it… that kind of thing…”

Suddenly, Chae Goya’s hands under mine started to feel clammy. Poor kid must be nervous about sparring with me.

Feeling sorry, I gently patted the back of his hand and continued adjusting the gear.

But then, someone abruptly removed my hand. Reflexively, I looked up to see Ye Ilhu glaring at Chae Goya with furrowed brows.

“Stop messing around.”

“…….”

The surprising part was that Chae Goya, who had been hesitating just a moment ago, was now staring back at Ye Ilhu defiantly.

What’s going on with you two? Why are you fighting?

Confused, I asked Ye Ilhu instead of the silent Chae Goya.

“What?”

“Move. I’ll show him how to wear it.”

Ye Ilhu replied, still glaring at Chae Goya.

“Put on the protective gear.”