Chương 99: S.05 Time to Fly 05(03)

Scene 05. Having finished the dishes, So-hui shook the water off at the sink. While Jeong-seon sat in the living room reading the moods of Si-yeon and Lee Yeon, Lee Yeon was the first to smile and call out to Jeong-seon. Lee Yeon: The Bishop. Jeong-seon, still unused to her own title, didn't even realize she'd been called and gave no answer to Lee Yeon's summons. Si-yeon: Hey. She's calling you. Jeong-seon: Ah! Yes, yes. Lee Yeon: Don't take it so hard.

Jeong-seon: It's just — every time, for days now, the three of you do all the work while I sit here doing nothing — Si-yeon: Ah-ni, what's a guest going on about. If you ask me, I'd rather this... sis here didn't do anything either. Lee Yeon: I'm truly fine. And — the Bishop. Jeong-seon: Yes. Lee Yeon: There's something the former Bishop and I have always carried regret over, toward you who are now the Bishop. Jeong-seon paused for a moment, then studied Lee Yeon intently.

Lee Yeon: For fear the secular world was dangerous, to keep you from speaking carelessly — we kept you from the friends, the older sisters and brothers that other children get to have. That weighed on me to no end. It still does. Jeong-seon: But, that's — Lee Yeon: I know. The Black Doctrine, unlike The Covenant, has no such teaching facilities, nor any place that teaches dance or social graces. For that reason, the Stewards had no choice but to take you in and teach you by turns.

And so, the Bishop — Jeong-seon: Yes. Lee Yeon: That is why I have never once said a word, even when you and everyone at Headquarters speak freely together—even when you trade curses. Mercifully, the people here treat us all without reserve and have truly taken us in as family. So I count it a blessing. That you've come to have peers your own age to open your heart to—late as it is, however late—has lifted my burden, even if only a little. Jeong-seon: Then — um. The Seventh Steward. Lee Yeon: Yes.

Jeong-seon: Can I — help with things like the dishes? Or the cooking. Lee Yeon: If the two of them allow it, by all means. But I'll be helping too, of course. With the Bishop working, there's no way I'd just sit — So-hui cut off Lee Yeon's gentle voice for a moment and, smiling, came over while wiping the water from her hands. So-hui: That's exactly why I can't let you. Argh. It's already a handful with just one of you helping — what's with both of you trying to pitch in.

Jeong-seon: Ah-ni, but I can't just lie around being waited on every single day — Si-yeon: Over there, you lot did it every time. We just got waited on. At Si-yeon's listless scolding, Jeong-seon could find no reply. Si-yeon: So just take it easy, would you. You're not some sack of barley left sitting in the corner. At a comfort so very like Si-yeon, Jeong-seon let out a deep breath and nodded. Jeong-seon: Then — once I've got everything sorted, you have to come visit. You two. So-hui: Got it.

So hurry up and pull yourself together. That's the whole reason we go out and teach you to fight every day. Jeong-seon: Still, because of that, I do get a bit better. Really. So-hui: Si-yeon and I were the same. Every day. We wanted to get better fast. Si-yeon: You have no idea how badly I got beaten back then. So-hui: As if I hit you that much, listen to her. Si-yeon: Anyway, at least you don't blubber on and on like we did. Lucky for us. Jeong-seon: Did you two cry a lot? Si-yeon pursed her lips and nodded.

Hearing Si-yeon's wordless answer, Jeong-seon let out a small sigh. Jeong-seon: I didn't want to have any regrets either. But I do, after all. So-hui: No matter what you do, you can't end up without regrets. That's why you try all the harder to have fewer of them. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work. Jeong-seon nodded slowly, falling in with what the two of them meant. The image of Ji-young, who had helped Hyang-rim to the very end, flickered past.

Steadying her breath, Jeong-seon abruptly raised her voice. Jeong-seon: Then — I'm going to ask one favor. So-hui: Hm? What? Jeong-seon: Make me rolled egg—Japanese-style. Si-yeon: Oh, SSibal, give her an inch and she just keeps — Scene 06. It was the rooftop floor where an upscale restaurant sat. After the elevator doors opened, Yeon-jin and Yu-seok, laden with a fair amount of bags, stepped inside. A staff member who caught Yeon-jin's presence hurried over and gave her a deep bow. Server 1: Welcome.

Yeon-jin: The reserved table. It's open, right? Server 1: Yes. Yeon-jin: Don't seat anyone. On either side. Server 1: Yes. This way. Yeon-jin and Yu-seok followed behind the staff member, who guided them with a gesture. Gathering up her paper bags, Yeon-jin looked at Yu-seok's hands—holding only a light load—and let a smile form. Yeon-jin: You didn't buy all that much, huh. Yu-seok: Well, I've got enough coats as it is. The two of them moved deep into the upscale restaurant.

When the door opened, a cozy table sat in the center. As if weary, Yeon-jin set her bags aside and lowered herself onto the chair drawn out at the staff member's gesture. After the staff member settled Yeon-jin's chair, they took out the menus and laid them on the table. Yu-seok didn't bother to accept the hand of the other staff member stationed behind him; he drew out his own chair and sat. Yeon-jin, looking over the menu, asked. Yeon-jin: What're you having? Yu-seok: Dunno.

Yu-seok looked over the menu set before him as well. Yu-seok: Maybe I'll have a drink. Yeon-jin: I brought my car, though. Yu-seok: You're not going home anyway, are you? Yeon-jin: And how'd you figure that? Keeping his eyes on the menu, Yu-seok let a faint, smug smile cross his lips and glanced up at Yeon-jin over the top of it. Yeon-jin was watching him with a look of surprise. Composing his smile, Yu-seok closed the menu he'd been reading. Yu-seok: Order whatever goes well with drinks, your call. I'm not picky.

Yeon-jin: Says the pickiest person alive. Yeon-jin gathered up the menu carelessly and pointed out each dish, one by one, to the staff member waiting at her side to take the order. After noting it all down as if double-checking, the staff member withdrew in haste. In the spacious hall, only Yu-seok and Yeon-jin remained. As if parched, Yeon-jin lifted the pitcher and filled the empty glasses set before Yu-seok and herself. Yu-seok wet his lips lightly with the poured water.

Resting her folded arms on the table, Yeon-jin leaned forward and asked Yu-seok with a smile. Yeon-jin: So — what are we? At Yeon-jin's abrupt question, Yu-seok made a puzzled face. Yu-seok: What do you mean? Yeon-jin: Us. Are we lovers? Or business partners? Or — what — master and servant? Barely holding back a laugh, Yu-seok crossed his legs slightly. Yu-seok: What do you want it to be? Yeon-jin: None of the three are bad. In my position, any of them's fine. But there is one thing I want. Yu-seok: What's that.

Yeon-jin: It's already been well over a month since you started staying in the new place I got you, hasn't it? Yu-seok: And? Yeon-jin: And I've been commuting from there a good while too. Yu-seok: So. Yeon-jin: Still, doesn't that make us something close to it? Is what I'm thinking. Yu-seok: Does it? Yeon-jin: Still, the only one who looked after you while you were out cold for four days was me, right? Nobody else came by. Yu-seok: Ah, so I should pay you back, is that it?

Yeon-jin: Even if you take it that way, well, that's not bad either. Yu-seok: Kind of childish, aren't you. Somehow. Yeon-jin: Grown-ups and kids are all the same when it comes to handling feelings. Yu-seok: So what, then. You planning to do the childish thing —"it's such-and-such date today, let's go out"? Yeon-jin: That'd be a bit much. The Doe Yu-seok I know isn't the type to suit that anyway. Yu-seok: So what is it you want to do? Yeon-jin: Someone like me's not a bad deal, is she? Yu-seok: The terms, sure.

You're not bad in the head, for what it's worth. Plenty of uses, too. And? Yeon-jin: Live with me. For as long as it lasts. Yu-seok: We already live together, don't we? Yeon-jin: Not like that. Yu-seok: Lonely? At Yu-seok's amused question, Yeon-jin let her smile fade for a moment and slowly straightened the back she'd bent forward. Yeon-jin: Ha. You could just turn me down nicely, but no, you've always got to dig. Fucking hell. Yu-seok: Guess you are lonely. Yeon-jin: Yeah. Sure. I've always been lonely.

That's why I've lived clawing for everything. Yu-seok: With me around, you're not lonely? Yeon-jin: You act like such a piece of shit it gets on my nerves a little. But, well — you've got a decent enough face, even if it's not knockout-gorgeous. And no, I wasn't lonely. This past month. Yu-seok pursed his lips and nodded. Yu-seok: And if I refuse? Yeon-jin: Well, then that's that. What, you think I'll scream "piss off!!" like some brat just because you said no? Yu-seok: And if I accept?

Yeon-jin's words stalled for a moment. She'd never thought about what came after. In truth, she'd been certain there was no way he'd agree, so she hadn't prepared a single word for what followed. Yu-seok: Guess you didn't even think about it. Yeon-jin: Right? I was sure there was no chance. Yu-seok: So what is it I'd have to do? Granted I don't act like a brat. What, just keep on like this? Yeon-jin: Ah, SSibal. Have you never even dated?! Yu-seok: I have. Quite a lot, actually. Yeon-jin: Ha. What a prick.

Yu-seok: And you? If anything, you're the one who looks like a romantic amateur. Seems like you've got high hopes, too. At Yu-seok's provocation, Yeon-jin let out a dry laugh. Yeon-jin: The number of guys I've been with is — Yu-seok: Those were all about money. A transaction. Yeon-jin's words stopped. After a brief silence, Yeon-jin asked Yu-seok with a sneering smile. Yeon-jin: Is there even a single guy or bitch out there it isn't like that with? Yu-seok: There are. Plenty, probably. People not like us.

People who devote themselves. People who care for others more than for themselves. Yeon-jin: You're surprisingly romantic, you know that? Yu-seok: Not at all. I'm calculating. That people like us are the minority is an answer you only reach by doing the math. Yeon-jin: Hm. Yu-seok: In the end, you probably never bothered meeting people without wanting something from them. That's why you were lonely. You'd never have known the real thing. Yeon-jin: And you have?

Yu-seok let a moment of thought settle over him and pursed his lips. Yu-seok: Nope. Now that I tally it up. Yeon-jin: Same on both sides, then. Yu-seok: I've devoted myself before. Still am. Yeon-jin: To whom? Yu-seok: The former The Oldest, and the Strategist. Yeon-jin: Ah. Fair enough. They're worth that much. Though whether you're approaching it as more than just worth, I couldn't say. Yu-seok: One of them was like a mother to me. My head never understood it, but my heart understands it deeply.

That time I had no choice but to send her off with regret — it's true I regret it even now. Ah, and I'm still devoted to the Strategist. She's the one who carries out the will the former The Oldest left behind most deeply, too. But these days, someone else has been catching my eye quite a bit. Yeon-jin: And who's that, now? With a slightly brighter sneer, Yu-seok gave a short answer. Yu-seok: Kang Ji-young. Yeon-jin finally burst into loud laughter. Yeon-jin: You want to bed the bitch you're out to kill?

To have her?? You're out of your mind too, aren't you. Yu-seok: That's how highly I rate her. She's something, isn't she? She survived to the very end through every ordeal and climbed all the way to that seat. Well, sure, the former The Oldest did dote on her and raise her — but she could receive that only because she had the mettle for it. Not just anyone can rise that far. She's remarkable. She was, even when she fought holding the Weeping of Putrefaction.

Watching her hold out alone to the end, carrying everything on her own — yeah. Honestly, I wanted her. Yeon-jin: You ought to know your place. Yu-seok: My place? I know it better than anyone. That's why I'll just kill her. I reckon survival weighs more than private feelings. Though she's not one to go down like that, of course. Yeon-jin: Ah, suddenly the competition's looking pretty stiff, huh? Yu-seok: Does it look that way to you too? Yeon-jin: Well, even so.

Even if I think of you as someone just passing through, I'm confident I won't regret someone like you. Yu-seok: That's a surprise. Yeon-jin: I'm saying this with all my pride set aside. As for me — well. If you'll have me, I'm grateful. Yu-seok: Why cling so hard? Yeon-jin: Because, like you said, it's worth that much? Because I figure I might not be lonely? Yu-seok nodded. The dishes began to arrive one by one.

Following the food set before Yu-seok and Yeon-jin, a deeply aged liquor came in with Western-style glasses. Yu-seok opened the bottle first, took in its scent, then poured for Yeon-jin, who waited with her glass raised. Yu-seok: So — once we've eaten, where do you want to go?