ALL NOVEL Chapter 179
Thud!
Having returned to the dormitory, I frowned at the window. A strange-looking crow I had never seen before was staring at me.
“Er?”
I was contemplating its identity with some caution.
The crow’s beak suddenly opened with a clack, and a voice I recognized fairly well began to emerge from it.
– Young Master!
“Team Leader?”
It was Myo Sangah, the VIP manager from S&C, owned by the Heukryeon family.
I relaxed once I realized who it was and removed my school uniform jacket to organize myself.
As I sat down, the crow jumped onto my lap as if it had been waiting for this moment, landing with a plop.
“What brings you here?”
– I just wanted to check up on you. Are you feeling any better?
“I’m totally fine. My body feels light, and my mind is clear.”
I was still having some trouble drafting the prediction for the seven paths due to the pain, but… There was no need to mention that.
If the team leader hears about it, it would reach the Heukryeon family immediately.
I didn’t want to cause unnecessary concern. Anyway, the cradle’s medical staff had already given me a clean bill of health, and I was recovering well overall…
– Phew, that’s a relief. But if you feel even a bit strange, please let me know immediately!
With a sigh of relief, the crow quickly shifted to scolding mode.
– More importantly, Young Master! Didn’t I clearly tell you not to engage in dangerous situations? I mentioned it several times!
The crow flapped its wings and darted around in distress.
– Do you know how much Madam has been worrying? And what about the Chairman? He suddenly armed the company security forces in the middle of the night… I had to stop him while he was at it…
“…I’m sorry.”
I couldn’t help but apologize while watching the crow complain.
Honestly, I felt a bit wronged too. How could I have known a monster would be hiding beneath the misty city?
Now that I think about it, was Mok Jinwoo busy because of that aftermath processing? Considering the lack of proper reports contrary to Jinryeong’s activities, there seems to be a significant information control happening.
I originally wanted to clear up some questions with him before the social gathering started. Most importantly, he seemed to have some knowledge about my powers.
However, even after the gathering ended, the meeting schedule was delayed… which is quite disappointing.
“By the way, Team Leader. Can I ask you for a favor while you’re here?”
– Huh? What kind of…
“I think I need to restock the emergency medication. Can you bring them to me? The awakening agent is Rexa, and the acceleration agent is EriTin. Just like last time.”
The medications I got from her last time had long been used up in the south. Because of that, I had to face the monster using only my own strength in City No. 1.
If I had borrowed the power of the medicine, maybe I could have ended the situation sooner, which is something I still regret.
Of course, it would’ve taken longer to recover, but…
– Y-Yes…?
The crow let out a bewildered gasp at my request.
– Y-Young Master. Please tell me you didn’t use all of them? What should I do… You promised me…! You were just supposed to keep them…!
It then started looking around anxiously with its eyes wide open.
– I-I can’t… If the family finds out, my prospects will be gone… No, that’s not it. Are you alright? Both have side effects that are unbearable… I’ll come get them myself…
“Team Leader, I’m fine. And you don’t need to worry.”
I hurriedly tried to reassure her in reaction to her unexpected response.
“Neither were used. They just got broken during the fight, and I’m only asking for a refill.”
Lies were pouring out so easily. Maybe it was because we weren’t face to face.
– R-Really…?
“Of course I wouldn’t lie to the Team Leader.”
– That’s not what I meant… I’m glad but…
“Could you please help me?”
– B-But…
“Right now, you’re the only one who can help me.”
– H-Huh…
I was surprised by my own cunningness. Even the lies were rolling off my tongue.
Did I learn to say something like this? It seems being shameless is somewhat of a trait I share with my leader…
– Really… I’m at a loss now.
After a long deliberation, the crow let out a sigh.
– How can you be so similar in that regard to the eldest young master…
Myo Sangah seemed to share the same sentiment as me.
– I’ll send you what you’ve requested by tomorrow. And…
“Make sure to keep it emergency use only, never tell a soul, and definitely relay my compliments to the Team Leader. Deal?”
– …Yes.
Seeing my proactive approach, the crow nodded as if it was defeated.
Myo Sangah continued to sit on my lap for a while, sharing various pieces of information from the outside, making it quite a useful time for me.
– We at S&C are also planning to hold a product presentation at this social gathering… Oh, yes, we sponsored the tournament prize…
“Is the Team Leader coming this time around?”
– I don’t think I can… I have a lot going on… Agh, ugh…
“Team Leader? Is something wrong? Your voice sounds…”
– Y-Young Master… please, your hand…
“What?”
– Your hand, p-please take it away…
Gradually, Myo Sangah’s voice began to mix with an unusual nasal tone. It was only then that I looked down and discovered that I was gently petting the crow’s head and neck.
“…I’m sorry.”
Embarrassed, I quickly withdrew my hand.
“…You seem to have a deep bond with the crow. It appears that sensory empathy is really strong…”
Perhaps I developed a weird habit from constantly petting Yeon Minha and Peanut.
Thinking back, what on earth is Peanut doing? Recently, all I’ve seen is the tiny tail of a cat rising above the bushes. Accompanied by its sassy meow.
It dashes away in a flash when I try to catch it, but when I give up, it comes closer again, yet it doesn’t completely disappear…
Is that how cats generally behave…? It feels like a little protest to get me to notice its sulk.
– I’m just a bit sensitive… Ugh… I’ll try to hold back next time. If that’s truly what Young Master wants…
“…It was a mistake. No need to do that.”
The crow shook its head for quite a while as if to shake off the embarrassment before finally speaking again.
– Ahem, anyway, there’s no need to worry about the family affairs. The 25th regulation will be discussed for its repeal at the next regular meeting, and S&C’s Q2 sales are entering a stable phase.
“Is that so? I’m really glad to hear that.”
– You see? It’s all thanks to you taking on the role of the advertising model effectively. The compensation negotiations will also be handled directly by the family soon, so… Ah.
In that moment, a silent stillness fell inside the dormitory. The crow, who had been chatting excitedly, abruptly stopped and closed its beak as if it had said something it shouldn’t.
“Compensation…?”
It then began to roll its eyes, gauging my reaction.
– I was told to keep it a secret…
*
Even after sending the crow away, I stood there, frozen in thought. The fact I had learned from the crow after pressing it was looping around in my head.
The incident that occurred in City No. 1. And that girl had saved me from the brink of death; negotiations regarding compensation were taking place between Heukryeon and Paecheon.
The negotiations themselves were somewhat expected. However, the problem was that their demands were beyond imagination.
It seemed Paecheon was demanding several lucrative businesses.
And based on the common sense I learned while staying at the cradle… Their claims weren’t entirely unjustified.
After all, they were requesting a reward for saving the heirs of five families.
‘The family mentioned that Young Master’s life is worth a very low price in comparison… you don’t need to feel burdened…’
Myo Sangah’s hurriedly added comment didn’t resonate with me.
If I had initiated negotiations with that girl, maybe I could have resolved it without reaching that level.
I’m not just an ignorant child from an outskirts settlement but rather an heir of the prestigious Heukryeon family.
The emotions of that girl towards me… she definitely felt genuine fondness.
“Haa…”
Then this is undeniably my fault. The one putting off facing that girl was none other than me.
I had yet to sort through my feelings and justified it by saying I had more pressing matters to attend to.
“To be a nuisance, even if I can’t be of help…”
I sighed and rubbed my face. They did mention there was still some time before the deadline for the negotiations.
Perhaps I should find something to help with in the meantime…
Pitter patter, pitter patter…
Lost in thought, the sound of the dormitory door opening echoed, and I recognized someone’s familiar footsteps coming closer.
I stood up and headed toward the stairs. Another dilemma was tightening its grip on me.
*
“I figured you’d say that, so I’ve already made some plans.”
“First day will be…”
“And on the second day…”
“…”
Listening to Yeon Minha list her plans was quite suffocating. Even if I tried to pretend otherwise, her voice was overflowing with excitement and anticipation.
“This time, it seems a bit difficult to hang out with you.”
Thus, even though I tried to choose my words carefully, it wasn’t easy to spit out.
“…”
I worried that I would receive a significant scolding.
However, Yeon Minha simply stared at me with calm eyes.
“…Well, that can happen.”
After a brief silence, Yeon Minha opened her mouth again, her voice carrying a tone as if it were no big deal.
“You must have made a few friends since you’ve been in school for a few weeks.”
“…”
“That’s fine. And usually, on the first day of a social gathering, friends hang out together. After all, there must be times when you want to create fun memories with the boys too…”
I couldn’t manage to meet her gaze. It seemed that Yeon Minha had a knack for sensing my awkwardness.
As she chewed on her lips, contemplating some words, she finally emitted a choppy voice.
“Are you… going with a girl?”
“…Yes.”
I tightly shut my eyes. Although it seemed I had lied without much trouble to Myo Sangah earlier, perhaps it was different when faced with Yeon Minha directly.
The first day was entirely reserved for Jin Yeseo. I received information that her family’s servant applied for a visiting permit to the cradle that day.
“…”
Yeon Minha stood there, stone-faced and silent. I should be grateful she didn’t probe further into my identity.
“…That can be possible. It’s entirely possible to form friendships between the opposite sex, isn’t it? After all, what kind of world are we living in nowadays?”
This was probably meant for me to hear.
“That’s fine. You can spend the first day that way. I have a bunch of tea party schedules on the second day anyway. That said, I might be able to make some time in the evening; I’m sure there will be plays and fireworks then…”
“Um… I don’t think I can make that either.”
It felt like my insides were about to spill out. I had to attend the illicit sub-group meeting organized by Kwon Yuri on the second evening.
I promised to help make Yeon Minha’s sub-group a success as a trade.
“There’s a prior engagement…”
“…”
Gradually, I felt the calm expression on Yeon Minha’s face starting to crack.
“Is it… also a girl?”
“…Yes.”
“…Ugh.”
Yeon Minha was nearly on the verge of tears now. It seemed she could no longer hold back her fluctuating emotions. There were already tears visibly gathering in her eyes.
“…Senpai?”
I didn’t respond. Yeon Minha lowered her head and didn’t move an inch.
I felt like I had become entirely useless at this point.
It seemed that Yeon Minha was genuinely looking forward to spending time with me at the social gathering. Far more than I had vaguely imagined. Even an ever-cultured and elegant lady must have moments when she wants to break free…
“…”
Of course, now that I had the chance to tell her the whole truth, I had no assurance that it would soothe her feelings.
It wouldn’t be difficult to imagine her reaction once she learned that I would be spending time with Jin Yeseo and Kwon Yuri instead.
Yet these promises couldn’t be canceled. One side was tied to a forced engagement and the other was a contract guaranteed by Yeon Minha’s prestige at the cradle.
I still thought that maybe there was a chance I could make time on that day…
“…Alright.”
Just as I was racking my brain on how to remedy the situation, Yeon Minha’s voice returned to my ears, now serene once more.
I turned my head to look at her. Her eyes were a blend of various complex emotions, difficult to define.
“That’s fine. Just do whatever you feel like and have fun.”
“But…”
“There’s no need to take it so hard. I’m not really angry.”
As Yeon Minha approached me, she firmly grasped both of my hands.
Despite her calm voice, I could distinctly feel the quivering in her fingers.
“Instead… promise me just one thing.”
“What is it…?”
She whispered something softly just enough for me to hear.