Chapter 84: A Table Meant to Bring Us Together

Without a doubt, I had intended to leave all decisions regarding Irihyeon to Jaeyul.

Because of his lie, I had almost suffered some damage, but in the end, the one who had truly been harmed by this incident was Jaeyul.

So why was it that… seeing Jaeyul defend Irihyeon made my chest feel uncomfortable.

What kind of reaction had I even been expecting.

“Ah… right.”

Since I couldn’t think of a proper response, I just kept repeating, “Yeah, yeah,” and ended up only drinking my half-melted iced Americano.

“Rihyeon saved me once before too.”

“It wasn’t exactly help I desperately needed, but still, he didn’t hesitate to jump in, even in a situation where I could’ve died.”

“He does have a bit of a… self-centered personality, sure, but he’s not someone who’s twisted enough to go that far.”

Would it really be right for me to start talking about Irihyeon’s true nature here.

To say, “When I went into the hospital room, he was sitting there perfectly fine.”

“Do you know that the reason you got hurt was because Irihyeon was pretending to be sick.”

But even my words didn’t come with solid proof.

It was possible that Irihyeon genuinely hadn’t been in good condition inside the gate.

Even if he was A-rank, if his mana tended to be unstable, well… something like that could happen once or twice in a lifetime.

Of course, in my mind I was already convinced that Irihyeon had lied completely.

But that might also be because I already viewed him through an unfavorable lens.

Who knows.

Maybe the moment he exited the gate, his body had suddenly recovered perfectly.

“Alright.”

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me.”

“I’ll follow whatever decision you make.”

“Honestly, even if Irihyeon stays on the team, it doesn’t really bother me.”

Ah.

I don’t know.

Why was I killing precious brain cells over someone like Irihyeon in the first place.

To be honest, even if Irihyeon didn’t leave the team, I wouldn’t care that much.

How many people had tormented me with far sharper gazes and far more vicious actions than him.

Compared to them, this was almost cute.

Very, very slightly irritating, maybe.

But nothing more.

Who would’ve thought that a life full of hardships would end up being useful like this.

It was like having received a powerful vaccination.

After that, things at this level were easy enough to tolerate.

I patted Jaeyul’s shoulder as if I was truly fine.

No, I really was fine.

“If… Rihyeon really did do it on purpose….”

But Jaeyul didn’t seem able to pull himself together as quickly as I had.

With a still somewhat stiff expression, he continued the conversation I had already tried to close.

“I think I’d be really, really angry.”

It was obvious at a glance that Jaeyul and Irihyeon were fairly close.

Irihyeon, who had suddenly appeared beside Jaeyul, who rarely showed anyone he could call a friend.

And the rest of the agents who were academy classmates.

They were probably the people Jaeyul could truly call “friends.”

How could he easily accept the idea that someone who had shared the four years I was absent with him had acted like a villain inside a life-threatening gate.

“Yeah.”

“There’s no evidence, so let’s not suspect him recklessly.”

“Let’s just say it was a small misunderstanding.”

Let’s go with that.

If that would put Jaeyul at ease, then that was enough.

“Thanks, hyung.”

“I don’t mind, but tell Irihyeon to clear up misunderstandings with the rest of the team himself.”

“Setting aside others, Park Bomyeong and Yu Eden won’t accept it easily.”

“That much, I can’t help with.”

If they were going to continue fighting together as one team, trust was essential.

No matter how bad their relationship was, they needed to believe that the other person would protect their back.

That was why Espers who frequently changed teams were unwelcome everywhere.

“Being a proper team leader is really… tough.”

“What are you talking about.”

“It’s not your first time being a team leader.”

“You should be used to it by now, Team Leader Seon Jaeyul.”

He’d already been a team leader back when he was taking down illegal special ability organizations.

So why was he saying things like that.

What kind of team leader had Jaeyul been back then.

Come to think of it, he hadn’t seemed particularly close with his teammates at the time.

Was he trying to lead this team differently from before.

“Haah… can’t be helped.”

“This big brother’s going to have to help again.”

Seeing Jaeyul’s slightly darkened expression, it seemed I had no choice but to step in.

I needed to boost our team leader’s morale a bit.

I couldn’t let a newly formed team fall apart again.

Jaeyul looked up at me with a face that clearly asked what I was talking about.

“Grab the vacuum.”

“Jaeyul, are you done vacuuming.”

“Yeah.”

“What about you, hyung.”

“I think it’ll take me a bit.”

“I bought so much stuff, so why is there still so much missing.”

“This won’t work.”

“Let’s go to the mart for a bit.”

“Get Poppy ready.”

“Yap!”

Oh, you smart little thing.

At the mention of going grocery shopping, Poppy ran out with a shopping basket in his mouth, wagging his tail.

See.

I told you we could communicate.

“Hyung… is this really the right thing to do.”

“Well.”

“At this point, it’s basically common knowledge at the center that you and I are family.”

“And since the team was formed, we haven’t even had one team dinner yet.”

“On top of that, we successfully cleared an S-rank gate.”

“At least a small celebration is in order.”

That was why I suggested inviting the team members over to our house.

The current situation wasn’t exactly one where everyone could happily raise a toast.

But I thought it was better to meet face to face rather than let misunderstandings pile up while staying apart.

And just in case, I had even called in support.

“Alright.”

“…Thanks, hyung.”

“For going this far.”

“I’ll buy what we need, so send me a list by message.”

“Yeah, that’s better.”

“I’ll start cooking, so go on.”

“Let’s go, Poppy.”

Thinking we were all going out together, Poppy had run to the door.

But as if he hadn’t heard Jaeyul’s voice at all, he climbed onto the living room sofa and settled in.

That was a clear declaration that he had no intention of going out.

Even to me… he looked kind of cheeky.

“…Haah, seriously.”

“He’s really acting up because he trusts you, hyung.”

“Don’t pick a fight with a puppy you can’t even compete with.”

“Just go to the mart already.”

Leaving the grocery shopping to Jaeyul, I continued preparing the unfinished dishes.

With five team members, plus Jaeyul and me, and even support on top of that, a total of eight people were coming.

The amount of food I had to prepare was overwhelming.

I ordered delivery for the dishes I simply couldn’t make.

Still, since this was the first time hosting them, it felt wrong to fill the table with only delivered food.

Ding dong.

While I was deep into cooking, the doorbell rang.

If it were Jaeyul, he wouldn’t ring the bell.

It was earlier than the agreed time.

When I opened the door, an irritated voice pierced my ears.

“You really had to call people out like this on their day off, huh.”

“Oh, you’re here.”

“Come on in.”

Thankfully, it was a familiar face.

Support had arrived.

Oh Seongyu had brought along Park Bomyeong and Yu Eden, who used to be on his team.

Judging by their expressions, it was obvious they were here half willingly and half reluctantly.

“What.”

“Do you guys have neck braces on.”

“Why aren’t you greeting him.”

“…We’re his seniors at the center, you know.”

“He’s older than you, idiot.”

“You’ve only been at the center a few years and you’ve already turned into a young fossil.”

Park Bomyeong tried to retort to Oh Seongyu’s words and earned a smack to the back of the head.

Hmm.

As expected, when it comes to old-man behavior, a good hit really is the cure.

“Haah… hello.”

Muttering a casual greeting while bowing his head reluctantly, Park Bomyeong looked oddly endearing the more I watched him.

Stupid—no, rather, charmingly simple.

That kind of appeal.

I exchanged a light nod with Yu Eden.

“Ugh, I’m exhausted.”

“Wake me up when the food’s ready.”

Oh Seongyu sprawled onto the sofa as if he were in his own bedroom.

It was a bit annoying, but knowing he’d come all this way without even resting after fighting until morning made me feel more grateful than anything.

“Please sit and rest.”

“We’re not quite done preparing yet.”

Because the guests had arrived early, I felt even more rushed.

At least it was Oh Seongyu who came first.

If Irihyeon’s group had arrived first, I might have suffocated from the awkwardness.

While I was fully focused on cooking, Jaeyul returned.

“Oh, the team leader’s group is already here.”

“Yeah.”

“Help out.”

“We’re almost done.”

“We just need to add the ingredients and stir-fry them.”

Jaeyul unpacked the groceries and immediately joined me in the kitchen.

Thankfully, since we cooked together often, our movements didn’t clash, and everything progressed twice as fast.

In the meantime, Irihyeon, Hwang Jiyu, and Im Chan also arrived.

“Jaeyul, the green onions.”

“I chopped them already.”

“The bowls are right next to them.”

“Oh, thanks.”

“Jaeyul, taste this seasoning real quick.”

“Is it too salty.”

“No.”

“It’s perfect.”

The end was finally in sight.

I’d been worried since it was my first time making so much food, but thanks to Jaeyul’s help, the table came together more impressively than expected.

But as I wrapped up the cooking, something felt off.

With so many people in the house, it was strangely quiet.

I slowly lifted my head and looked toward the living room.

What I saw was very different from what I had expected.

Very different.

“…Why are you all… staring like that.”

As if watching a show, six pairs of eyes were all fixed on us.

Even Oh Seongyu was resting his chin on his hand as he stared.

At my question, the corner of Oh Seongyu’s mouth curled upward, and nonsense spilled out.

“Be honest.”

“You’re not siblings.”

“You’re a married couple, aren’t you.”