Chapter 67: A Role Too Heavy to Carry

“What do you mean, what am I doing? Look at this. Your hand still hasn’t fully healed yet. It hurts this badly from just a little touch, and the person asking you out still wants to meet? Do they even have a brain?”

“That’s only because Mr. Kwon Yiyul pressed too hard. The wound’s almost healed already. He’s very busy, and today was apparently the only time he had available. What else am I supposed to do?”

“What else? Don’t go.”

This bastard had been acting normal just a second ago, so what was wrong with him now?

I still couldn’t get used to Kwon Yiyul clinging to my sleeve like a stubborn child.

Before, he never cared what I did with my life.

But ever since I’d been dragged back to the center, he’d started showing an almost disturbing level of obsession toward me.

When he was in a bad mood, he’d ruthlessly press down on my burned skin without hesitation.

Yet the moment I visibly showed pain, he’d suddenly start gently stroking the wound and offer to call a healing-type Esper if it hurt too much.

Healing-type Espers were so rare among ability users that you could count them on two hands, and their salaries exceeded those of most company CEOs.

Yet Kwon Yiyul treated them like personal servants.

Looking at him, I once again felt a strange sense of disconnect that words couldn’t describe.

If he was going to act like this, then he should’ve just left me alone from the beginning.

I already knew what kind of person he was, but irritation still kept building inside me.

“Ugh…”

“…What’s wrong with you?”

“…It’s nothing. I’m just feeling a little nauseous.”

Kwon Yiyul demanded guiding sessions in his quarters every single day, but in reality, he hadn’t used his abilities much since last week.

Because of that, I’d barely managed to hold on until now.

But after dealing with the aftermath of the flooding accident this morning under the center director’s orders, Kwon Yiyul’s brainwaves had become severely unstable.

Even while quietly sitting in his arms like this, my vision felt distorted, as if the entire world was twisting around me.

I curled inward for a moment to steady my breathing before slipping out of his embrace and grabbing the jacket I’d left on the table.

If I let my guard down even slightly, he’d become suspicious immediately, so I focused all my attention on every single step I took.

“Your face is completely pale. You look like you’re about to collapse, and you’re saying it’s nothing?”

“…There’s still some time left before my appointment anyway, and I’m planning to rest at the dorm first, so I’ll really be fine. So stop worrying about me already and focus on your own work. Didn’t you say you had an important meeting this afternoon?”

“As the team leader, my teammates’ health matters just as much as meetings do. You didn’t forget my position, did you?”

A laugh slipped out along with a sigh at Kwon Yiyul shamelessly using his title as team leader to satisfy his own selfish desires.

What was he, a light switch?

Could he turn his sense of responsibility on and off whenever he felt like it?

“…Ah, right. I was a member of your team too, wasn’t I? Since you’ve never shown even the slightest concern for my condition before, I guess I temporarily forgot.”

My words came out sharper than intended.

As proof, Kwon Yiyul’s expression slowly darkened, like the ocean deepening as the tide rolled in.

But even then, I had no desire to take back what I’d already said.

No matter how the situation looked, I wasn’t wrong.

If anything, my reaction was only a diluted version of the anger I’d built up toward all of them until now.

“…Do you hate it when I worry about you?”

“For the most part, yes.”

“Why?”

“I think you know the reason better than I do, Mr. Kwon Yiyul.”

“Because I toyed with you?”

“…Haha. If someone can still laugh in a situation like this, then they’re insane. Though I guess it’s good that you’re at least aware you toyed with me… Anyway.”

Even through the pounding headache, I laughed.

Had I finally gone crazy?

Or was it because, after finally letting go emotionally, responding to him and enduring his mood swings had become much easier?

I didn’t know anymore.

Everything about this was strange.

“It feels awkward. Just act the way you normally do.”

“……”

“That suits you much better, Mr. Kwon Yiyul.”

So I gave up trying to understand him.

As someone born ordinary, understanding Kwon Yiyul — a man practically made of extraordinary titles — was nearly impossible.

So instead, I decided to simply do what I could.

Resignation.

And surrender.

“Then, since the guiding session is finished, I’ll be leaving now. If I want to rest at the dorm first and still make it to my appointment on time, I should get going.”

“……”

“Take care of yourself. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

There was no need for emotions in a mere tool meant only to prolong someone’s life.

Like always, all I had to do was fulfill my role.

“…You seriously want us to go in there?”

“Yes. I spent the last few days researching places around here, and everyone said this restaurant was the best nearby. Apparently it has a loyal fanbase because of its classy atmosphere too.”

About two hours later, I arrived at the place where I was supposed to meet Ahn Yijeong.

Standing proudly in the center of the shopping district was an extravagant building that looked luxurious from the outside alone.

No matter how I looked at it, this seemed like the kind of place couples visited for dates or people came to during year-end celebrations and important occasions.

I hesitated to even step inside.

Even though I’d said I’d treat him, I’d assumed we’d just grab a simple meal somewhere nearby, so I’d dressed far too casually.

As I nervously glanced around at my surroundings, Ahn Yijeong grabbed my hand as though he’d been waiting for this moment and swung the doors open without hesitation.

Restaurant staff dressed in formal uniforms bowed deeply from the entrance, greeting the both of us.

“Oh, by the way, they said reservations here require you to order a full course meal, so I picked the menu myself beforehand. Is that okay with you?”

“Yes, that part’s fine, but… I distinctly remember saying I’d treat you last time…”

“Come on, that was that and this is this. I’m planning to completely pay off my debt to you this time, then next time I’ll choose a day and completely empty your wallet and pockets instead. Think of today as building momentum for that future occasion.”

Ahn Yijeong’s face was glowing with satisfaction.

Not only had he made reservations in advance, he’d even pre-ordered the course meal.

Maybe him claiming to have money wasn’t just empty boasting after all.

I looked around the spacious restaurant interior, which reminded me of grand ancient architecture, while tasting the appetizer the staff brought out first.

The sweet and tangy flavor of mango pudding instantly spread across my tongue.

“What’s wrong, Jaeyoon? Are your burn injuries bothering you? Should I ask them to change your utensils?”

“No, it’s just…”

Ahn Yijeong and I were the only customers in the entire massive restaurant.

Naturally, every employee’s gaze was fixed on our table.

With dozens of eyes following my every movement, I felt constantly monitored and ended up eating at less than half my usual pace.

I couldn’t even tell whether the food was going down my throat or through my nose.

“For a place in the middle of a shopping district with such a dedicated fanbase, there really aren’t many people here for lunchtime. I keep wondering if they’re actually doing okay financially or if the business is going bankrupt…”

As I finished the mango pudding and poked absentmindedly at the salad beside it, Ahn Yijeong replied casually.

“Oh, that’s nothing. I rented the whole place out.”

“Pfft—!”

I immediately spat out the cold water I’d been drinking.

The water went down the wrong pipe, and I couldn’t stop coughing.

As I hurriedly covered my mouth with a napkin, my face turning red, Ahn Yijeong panicked as well and quickly called over a staff member to bring another glass of water.

Water droplets dripped beneath the table, ruining what looked like an incredibly expensive red carpet.

“Ah, what do I do… I’m sorry. I’ll clean it up right away.”

“Just sit down, Jaeyoon. What if you overdo it and reopen your wounds?”

“But the whole floor got dirty because of me. How can I just sit here and watch?”

“I said leave it alone. There are plenty of people here being paid to work. Why should you be the one struggling?”

Dressed in a stylish casual suit, Ahn Yijeong grabbed my wrist to stop me from moving.

Just like before, he naturally left the cleanup to the employees.

Watching him look down coldly at the staff with an indifferent expression felt strangely different from his usual self.

“Is there anything else you need?”

“No, there isn’t. More importantly, we’d like to talk privately, so could you all step back for a while?”

I’d forgotten for a moment, but he too was a resident of District 1’s Relief Special Zone.

Not everyone from the Special Zone was the same, but judging from how effortlessly he rented out an entire restaurant, he clearly possessed wealth comparable to — or at least not far below — the members of Assault Team 3.

“…The food is good. You should eat too, Mr. Ahn.”

“I’m glad it suits your taste. There really weren’t many places around here fit for treating a guest, so I spent ages searching by myself. I was completely exhausted afterward.”

“You searched personally?”

“Yes. People say the food you share is just as important as first impressions. No one wants to deliberately lose points with someone they want to impress, so I tried putting in some effort. Honestly, this is my first time personally going around searching for places myself, so I’m not entirely satisfied.”

The soft texture of the meat melted gently in my mouth.

I’d been worried my stomach would act up again like last time, but despite being a course meal, most of the dishes were light and easy to digest.

It was obvious how much consideration Ahn Yijeong had put into choosing the menu for me.

“…Still, I don’t think you gain much from trying to impress me.”

“Why? Are you secretly a criminal or something?”

“…This really isn’t the right timing for that kind of joke. No, more importantly… do I look like someone who’d commit crimes?”

“No.”

“Then why…”

“That’s what I want to ask you.”

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