Chapter 192
The two walked down the trail together.
Even in the middle of the night, the festival heat showed no sign of waning.
Seeing the growing crowd, Seoyeon cautiously opened her mouth.
“I think we might need something to properly cover our faces… What do you think? This isn’t like the place earlier… It’s an open space…”
“Do as you wish.”
The man nodded indifferently.
Seoyeon, who had been looking around, purchased two identical fox masks from a street stall and handed one to him. Once again, he accepted it without saying much.
Wearing the matching fox masks, the two finally stepped side by side onto the main street.
‘Oh, what do I do…’
Seoyeon had to try her best not to reveal her racing heart.
‘It’s a couple item… I bought it without thinking too much… Ah, geez…’
The nights she could only sleep after downing sleeping pills. The countless times she fantasized in her dreams.
The emptiness that washed over her every time she awoke was so unbearably painful.
She had believed such a thing could never happen in reality.
‘I was sure of it…’
Seoyeon agonized over the fantasy unfolding before her eyes, wondering if she might still be wandering in a dream.
But the vivid sensations she felt made it clear—this was no dream.
With her heart pounding, she sneaked a glance at the man. Perhaps, just maybe, he was also accepting this moment with joy, just as she was.
‘Ah…’
However, the moment she saw his stoic and composed expression, almost devoid of emotion, she felt like a piece of wet paper, soggy and limp.
‘As expected… Is he not happy about this…’
Just as her spirits were about to plummet, she shook her head vigorously, quickly brushing off her gloom.
‘No, no!’
She had only just managed to reclaim an opportunity she had once lost. This was far too precious a time to dwell on sadness.
And this time, Seoyeon was determined not to let this moment pass by idly.
Resolved, she turned to the man and asked.
“Um… Shall we go over there?”
“As you wish.”
Seoyeon started walking alongside the man, who nodded without hesitation.
As they walked through the bustling crowd, someone bumped into her shoulder, causing her to lose her balance and stumble.
“Kyah…!”
Regaining her balance should have been a simple matter. She didn’t even need to bump shoulders in the first place.
And yet, even as the stone floor loomed closer, Seoyeon did nothing to react.
It wasn’t that she had caused the commotion intentionally. It was simply that, on instinct, she trusted someone.
The person who had stayed by her bedside all night for her, who had faced monsters with frail limbs for her sake.
And just as she tightly shut her eyes—
What she felt wasn’t the cold pain of the stone floor but the firm and warm touch of someone.
“Are you alright?”
The same cold voice as ever. But if the man was truly such a detached person, he wouldn’t have taken such action in the first place.
“…Yeah.”
Seoyeon, her cheeks now faintly red with blush, barely managed to nod. Even in this moment, her heart was brimming with joy.
‘Hyun is… Hyun, after all…!’
She was certain of it. She had been right all along.
Even after two years, even after he had changed so much into this impressive figure, even if he seemed a bit reserved—
He was still the same boy she had known.
“Th-Thank you…”
Of course, it was only natural that she had to endure the embarrassment herself.
Seoyeon muttered in a shy voice.
Then, as she straightened her posture, she cautiously brought up another topic.
“There really are a lot of people here… Last year, it wasn’t this crowded… Maybe it’s because it coincides with the Founding Festival…”
“…”
“I think we need some sort of plan. So, um…”
After fumbling with her words, she finally brought up her intention.
“Would… would it be okay if I just held onto your sleeve a little?”
Asking to hold his hand seemed too blatant, and more than that, she didn’t think she could handle it herself, so she couldn’t even bring herself to say it.
A brief moment of silence followed.
The man, listening to Seoyeon’s words, silently nodded. In response, Seoyeon beamed and immediately grabbed hold of his sleeve.
“Th-Then, shall we go?”
“…Alright.”
“Hehe…”
Seoyeon giggled softly, lowering her head bashfully. The overwhelming happiness left her unable to focus properly.
There were countless things she wanted to do with him, as many as the stars in the sky.
And right now, what unfolded before her was nothing short of a magical moment of happiness.
***
As they strolled side by side, Seoyeon, now more at ease, naturally struck up various conversations with him.
“Now that I think about it, how’s your health these days…?”
“…Thanks to your concern, I’m doing fine. And…”
The man, responding to Seoyeon, hesitated before continuing.
“Thank you.”
“H-Huh?”
“I heard you not only came to save me but also gave me a blood transfusion. I’m deeply indebted to you.”
“N-No…! Indebted? Don’t say that…!”
Seoyeon shook her head frantically. However, she couldn’t entirely hide the joy that seeped out from her expression.
It was something she had done two years ago. A mere blood transfusion—she could have done it dozens of times for him. Even if it meant draining every last drop of her blood and turning into a mummy.
Thinking about their blood mixing as one somehow felt good. It felt like a sign that they were becoming an inseparable bond.
Of course, whether that was the case or not, the man’s gratitude carried deep meaning in itself.
“…Ahem. That’s a relief.”
Barely managing to compose herself, she spoke again.
“But there might still be aftereffects, so don’t overdo it… Got it?”
“…I’ll keep that in mind.”
The man nodded slightly once again.
Before long, they arrived at the plaza. At its center were colorful sculptures surrounded by numerous street stalls and performance stages stretched out in long rows.
Seeing this, Seoyeon’s eyes sparkled as she let out an exclamation.
“Wow…!”
The man, looking at her, asked curiously.
“Didn’t you already experience this last year?”
“…No, not really.”
Seoyeon shook her head.
“…It’s my first time.”
She had been too busy building her influence back then, and she wasn’t particularly interested in such things. She hadn’t had time to care about trivial children’s pastimes.
But now, Seoyeon finally understood. It wasn’t about what you did but who you did it with that truly mattered.
And in that sense, this moment was nothing short of perfect.
“Th-Then, shall we start with that one…? What do you think?”
Seoyeon pointed to a street stall as she spoke. Once again, the man complied without complaint. And in the flow of time, their journey continued.
“Hey, look at that couple.”
“Both of them are remarkable…”
‘C-Couple…!’
Hearing the exclamations of passersby, Seoyeon fanned her flushed face repeatedly to cool the heat spreading across it.
In truth, she didn’t particularly wish for wealth or glory. She hadn’t been born into a life blessed with such things to begin with.
Before the train of thoughts could even fully form, her life had already been declared terminal.
Particle Hypersensitivity.
An incurable disease born from a frail body unable to handle overwhelming talent, with not a single documented case of recovery.
At the end of it all, the only wish born was a singular one.
To simply live out this tranquil daily life with him, forever.
Even now, after having overcome the disease, that wish remained unchanged.
Of course, she was also certain.
The reason she had been able to endure Particle Hypersensitivity was all thanks to the power of the love that bloomed between them.
-Bang! Bang!
“Oh my, look over there!”
Just as she was caught deep in thought, the sound of the clock tower’s chime echoed.
Simultaneously, the booming sounds of fireworks launched into the sky made the crowd erupt in exclamations, noisily ringing in her ears.
“Wow…”
Seoyeon, too, parted her lips slightly in awe.
The colorful fireworks felt as though they were blessing them.
Before she knew it, she had tightly linked arms with him.
He, too, stood unmoving, gazing up at the sky, lost in thought.
“Hehe…”
Seoyeon let out a soft laugh and clung even closer to his arm.
And once again, she thought to herself.
This was truly a magical, utterly perfect moment.
***
-Bang! Bang…
The fireworks, which had seemed like a scene out of a dream, eventually reached their conclusion.
What was left at the end of such a brilliant festival was a faint sense of emptiness.
To hold onto this lingering emotion just a little longer, Seoyeon spoke to him with extra enthusiasm.
“Shall we go over there now? I heard there’s a closing performance happening…”
“No.”
“Huh? Wh-what?”
But what came back was a firm refusal.
Seoyeon turned to him, startled.
Suddenly recalling something, she checked the clock hands of the clock tower.
11:50 PM.
Like sand scattered by the wind, the magic of the moment was slipping away.
All that remained in her palm was barely a handful of grains of sand.
“I think it’s time for me to leave.”
“W-wait just a moment…!”
Seoyeon hurriedly stopped him as he turned to leave.
Regret and desire were once again rising within her.
She worried that if she demanded too much, he might refuse.
So, she had quickly conceded to his words.
But now, all she could feel was deep regret.
She should have been just a little braver, she thought.
“Don’t go… Can’t you stay just a little longer… please?”
Seoyeon pleaded with an earnest voice.
“Just for a little while… Just 10 more minutes…”
“I’m sorry. I have another appointment.”
But he firmly shook his head.
A creeping sense of unease began to take over Seoyeon.
With trembling lips, she forced out her words.
“Is it… Minha?”
“…”
The man remained silent.
But even his silence was answer enough.
It felt as though all the strength drained from her body.
At the same time, a long-forgotten anger began to bubble up inside her.
If it had been someone else, she could have swallowed her regret and let him go.
But if there was one person in the world for whom that was impossible, it was just one.
Every time she faced her, she felt the discomfort of looking into a mirror.
The arrogance of someone born to dominate, the kind of maliciousness that could almost be seen as a personality flaw.
The way she mirrored Seoyeon’s old self—or perhaps her inner self—that she didn’t want to show anyone.
She despised her.
“…That girl.”
“What did you just say…”
“You’re being deceived.”
The confusion, mingled with resentment and anger, was enough to fan the flames of Seoyeon’s long-standing despair.
She acted on impulse, not sparing a moment to reflect.
Finally, she opened her mouth and spoke.
“Minha isn’t the kind of good girl you think she is. In fact…”
“Stop.”
“Huh…?”
“I said, stop.”
Before Seoyeon’s words could even fully leave her lips, he cut her off.
His tone was still calm.
“Speaking ill of others is unbecoming. And…”
He hesitated for a moment before adding another sentence.
“I’m already well aware of the things you’re saying.”
“What…?!”
It was even more shocking.
What he implied was that he already knew Yeon Minha wasn’t the innocent person Seoyeon was accusing her of not being.
“You… you knew, and you’re still defending Minha? Why on earth…?”
“That’s none of your business.”
Her stammering words were once again firmly cut off.
Even Seoyeon’s eyes were reddening now.
The man who had always taken her side was now openly defending another woman.
The hurt she felt was indescribable.
‘Then… what was the point of everything I’ve done…’
Her throat felt tight with injustice.
She had suppressed her natural arrogance, pretending to be innocent and pure.
She had changed her long hair, her clothes, the food she ate, even the way she spoke—all for him.
Unlike Yeon Minha, who still acted as she pleased.
‘All of it was for you… To become someone you’d truly love…!’
What’s more, Minha was part of the family that had ruined their lives.
Just like Paechun, she was part of Jeokhwa, who deserved to disappear.
Why was he defending someone like her?
Only one reason came to mind.
A kind and naive man had fallen for the schemes of a wicked woman.
“Do you even know what her family… what Jeokhwa has done?! If you knew, then…!”
“I said, stop.”
This time, the man no longer indulged her outburst.
Unlike before.
He checked the time on the clock tower, looking somewhat anxious.
Then, he turned and began walking toward the main building.
“Wait… Please, just listen to me…”
“The contract is over. I told you I needed to leave. Stop being unreasonable…”
And just as he turned to bid his final farewell—
Her voice, raised in anger and frustration, echoed noisily through the alley.
“Listen to me, won’t you…! Minha isn’t the kind of person you think she is…! She’s worse than I ever was…!”
Her choked cry reverberated, fading into the distance.
In its wake, the alley was enveloped in a heavy, heavy silence.
The festival’s vibrancy seemed to vanish, leaving only a cold stillness.
“…Worse than you?”
At the man’s murmured words, filled with confusion, Seoyeon finally realized what she had let slip.
“Ah, ah…”
Her wide, startled eyes were fixed on the man’s back.
Her pupils were trembling so hard they barely held their shape.
Before she could say anything more, she clamped her hands over her mouth, but it was already too late to take it back.
“No… No, that’s not what I meant…”
Seoyeon desperately reached out toward him.
But he stood frozen in place, unmoving, as though he had become one with the silence.
“You…”
The air felt oppressively heavy, as if it were pressing down on her.
Finally, the man’s lips moved, trembling as he uttered just one sentence.
“You already… knew…?”