TL/Editor: Raei
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It was because of ?
Song Soo-yeon was incredulous.
Not Solace, but ?
She was the cause of the graffiti, and she was the reason why Jung-gyeom was angry.
It wasn't Solace who had been a nuisance.
It wasn't Solace who had hard Jung-gyeom.
Song Soo-yeon quickly turned to Jung-gyeom, wanting to explain.
....
But she couldnt find the right words.
In front of his furrowed brow, all her words faded away.
Only anxiety remained.
She feared that he might utter the words she had said.
Go away, you're a nuisance, Soo-yeon.
Imagining that voice, Song Soo-yeon couldn't stand still.
She had to act.
She pushed the two n out of the restaurant.
I, Ill go out.
Whoa!
The n, and even Solace, were pushed outside by Song Soo-yeons sudden action.
Ah, mister, just wait a mont...!
She told Jung-gyeom not to follow, creating a brief mont.
Closing the restaurants door, she asked again in a situation where Jung-gyeom couldnt hear.
?
The n nodded their heads, still in disbelief.
...Yes.
And not... not un-Solace?
Song Soo-yeon also changed how she addressed Solace.
She didn't particularly want to care, but she couldn't risk showing closeness to Solace, fearing it might harm Jung-gyeom.
But then she hesitated to hear the answer.
No, forget it. Shut up.
She didnt want to hear it.
Especially not in front of Solace.
She didnt want confirmation that she had been the one causing trouble.
Song Soo-yeon looked up at Solace.
...
...
A subtle exchange of glances occurred between the two.
Song Soo-yeon was the one retreating.
Solace remained the sa, but Song Soo-yeon's heart was faltering.
...Solace, please get rid of these guys.
...Yes.
Solace nodded chanically, not saying anything to Song Soo-yeon.
And just as she was about to make them float, like Jung-gyeom before, Song Soo-yeon stopped them again.
Just, just a mont.
...
...Solace, please give so ti to talk with these guys.
...Ti?
Yes. Just, just a mont.
...It might be dangerous.
If sothing happens, Ill call... please.
Song Soo-yeon asked, swallowing her pride.
She needed a mont.
Solace just looked at her silently.
She didnt offer a quick response as usual.
Finally, she let go of their hands and quietly whispered as she passed Song Soo-yeon into the restaurant.
...Call if sothing happens.
-Ding! Ding...! Ding....!
As the restaurant bell rang, Song Soo-yeon looked at the n.
She could feel her burning hatred towards them.
She hadn't expected such a bolt from the blue.
Why did she keep forgetting?
The world was so full of garbage.
There was no need for a lengthy conversation.
After all, this wasn't the ti to have such a discussion.
Even though Solace had entered the restaurant, given her abilities, she could likely hear every conversation.
This was just a formality.
Song Soo-yeon pondered for a long while.
What should she do?
Was this the right thing?
Ti passed as she faced the n.
But having made up her mind, Song Soo-yeon, swallowing nurous words, said to them.
...Give your number.
...Pardon?
The n's faces, previously grim, brightened significantly.
As disgusting as it felt to Song Soo-yeon, this was a necessary part of her spontaneous plan.
She needed to et them again.
And for that, their numbers were essential.
I wont ask twice. Give your number.
Oh, yes!
With brightened faces and giggling, they took out their phones.
Their numbers were entered into Song Soo-yeon's phone, which previously only had Jung-gyeom's contact.
Song Soo-yeon felt as if her phone was being tainted, but again, she clenched her teeth and suppressed her emotions.
In fact, these dark emotions were familiar to her.
They were feelings she had endured countless tis at ho and school.
---
---
After Song Soo-yeon pushed the n out and left, Solace entered the restaurant a short while later.
...Wheres Soo-yeon?
Seeing Solace enter alone, I expressed my curiosity, to which Solace replied lightly.
...She said she needed so ti to talk.
....
...She must be shocked.
I nodded.
Yes, it must be shocking.
After saying such cruel things to Solace.
All the words she had uttered had co back like a boorang.
It was bound to be embarrassing and painful.
Solace briefly tousled her hair and then pulled off her mask.
Min-Bom's face was revealed.
Lost in thought for a mont, she then asked .
...But oppa, about the hand?
What?
Her expression softened, erasing the previous restless atmosphere, and she asked gently.
Her guilt towards seems to have lessened.
The n earlier said they got angry seeing you and Soo-yeon holding hands.
...Ah.
Sohow, I felt a need to explain.
There was no need for her to misunderstand my relationship with Song Soo-yeon.
I was helping her overco her hatred of n. She was feeling guilty for not being able to kiss yesterday and causing a fight.
Ah.
I added more, hoping that Song Soo-yeon and Solace would beco closer.
It's true. Even this morning, Soo-yeon told she was going to apologize to you.
...But then this happened?
Yeah. And-
-Ah, oppa?
Solace suddenly interrupted .
...Yes?
She hesitates for a mont, looking down, then speaks softly to .
...You dont need to make excuses for Soo-yeon. Even if you do, I wont hate her.
...........What?
Solaces candid words struck with a shock.
I hadn't anticipated this at all.
I was more shaken than by the motives of those n earlier.
It was the first ti I saw Solace express negative emotions towards soone, and so directly at that.
......
I didn't understand. I had seen many unexpected human sides of her before, but this felt different.
Maybe because she usually showers everyone with affection.
Or is it because I genuinely like Song Soo-yeon as a person?
I paused and blinked.
Solace laughed awkwardly.
Ahaha, why are you surprised, oppa... Im a human too, you know.
...
...Soo-yeon doesn't like either... Especially since Im a hero.
...
When I thought about it, it made sense.
I couldn't argue with her words.
The malice Song Soo-yeon had shown up till now wasn't light.
To reassure , who was without a response, she said,
Don't worry. I wont show it. I just wanted you to know.
I just looked at Solace silently, unable to say anything.
She said,
...Isnt it enough if I dont show it?
It sounded like an excuse to who was silent.
...Yeah.
I nodded reluctantly, but Solace continued as if that wasn't enough.
Even if it's an act, theres no problem as long as we get along.
I moved my lips slightly.
Why wouldn't there be a problem?
I hope for no one to be unhappy.
I hope we can all be together, laughing and chatting.
If it's like this, won't soone always suffer?
But even this is my selfishness, my insistence.
I can't impose this on others.
Solace continued,
...Even if its hypocrisy, as long as we can keep up the act, its good.
At that, I looked up at her sharply.
...
Min-Bom was looking straight at .
The more I got to know her, the more unexpected aspects of her surfaced.
Solace saying such things.
I wasn't disappointed.
Just surprised.
She felt more human to .
I was getting to know her deeper, maybe even feeling closer to her in so aspects.
...But one thing was confusing.
Was she always like this, or was she changing as she grew?
Whatever it was, her words resonated deeply with .
It even felt like a statent to , who had been a villain.
If soone who knew before the regression saw now, they might think of as a hypocrite.
Eventually, I nodded to Solace's words again.
Yet, clinging to a lingering hope, I expressed my wish.
...Still, I hope you get along with Soo-yeon.
Solace let out a small laugh.
...Im trying, you know...?
---
---
After Solace took the n away, Song Soo-yeon remained in the restaurant, looking at with deer-like eyes.
She was restless, unable to sit or settle down.
Why are you standing there? Sit down, Soo-yeon.
...Mister.
She takes a step towards , beginning to ramble her excuses.
This... this can't be... Can you believe it's because of ? Just because they saw once at the baseball field...? Are you saying they've been stalking since then?
...They are actually the people I t at the supermarket today. They must have followed from there.
But still. It doesn't make sense... to ignore Solace and be jealous of ...!
...Soo-yeon, dont try to understand. If they were normal, they wouldn't have done the graffiti.
I tried to reassure her, but her excuses only grew more fervent.
It's not that...! Those guys, they must have lied because they were scared of Solace...! They blad instead, thinking theyd get hurt if they said it was because of her...!
...Soo-yeon.
Or maybe...! Maybe...! Solace told them to lie like this-
-Song Soo-yeon.
I call her na in a slightly stern tone.
Song Soo-yeon finally steps back and closes her mouth.
She looks at pitifully, biting her lips in anxiety.
...Sigh.
Now I see.
I understand why Solace dislikes Song Soo-yeon.
Even now, shes blaming Solace.
...Soo-yeon, stop trying to bla everything on Bom.
...Uh...!
...Im not blaming anyone right now. You did nothing wrong. The ones at fault are those n. Why are you blaming others?
...Mister...
...I understand you hate heroes. But I wish you'd at least try to get along. Im tired of fighting like this all the ti.
She clenched her fists and lowered her head.
This might be the first ti I've spoken to her so directly.
I don't know how shell react.
Will she curse? Run out? Throw a tantrum?
Song Soo-yeon just stands there, then turns silently and leaves the restaurant.
I let out a long sigh.
Seems like shell need ti this ti too.
But a few minutes later, I hear a scraping sound outside.
Curious, I open the door of the restaurant, and there she was, eyes reddened, cleaning the graffiti with a bucket and mop she got from the bathroom.
Occasional sobs are part of the package.
Without looking at , she spoke.
....I'm sorry. I'll... I'll clean it all up, mister.
....Soo-yeon.
...Don't say I'm a nuisance for being here...
Now I see, she relies on a lot.
Her beautiful appearance, cold expression, and harsh words make it hard to see this clearly.
She seems proud enough to live on her own.
But Song Soo-yeon is afraid of being rejected.
Considering she even asked to help her overco her hatred, she must be relying on .
....
I took her hands, already red from the cold winter.
Song Soo-yeon looked up at .
...I would never say that, Soo-yeon.
...
...Co inside, it wont clean up like that. Co in and calm down.
---
---
Late at night.
Song Soo-yeon was waiting for soone in the darkness.
It was a place far from her one-room apartnt.
An eerie, deserted lot with no passersby.
There were no CCTV caras, nor did the moonlight reach this place.
It might have been scary in the past, but now she had a purpose.
How long had she been waiting?
Two n, giggling, approached from a distance.
Wow, shes really here...?
She did give us her number after all.
Song Soo-yeon suppressed her revulsion.
She really needed to satisfy her curiosity, or she wouldnt be able to sleep.
As they approached, she stepped away from the wall.
Before she could speak, the n flaunted their frivolity.
Wow, you're even more beautiful up close. Im speechless.
Seriously. You might be the most beautiful person Ive ever seen.
Song Soo-yeon didnt respond to their complints.
Instead, she asked what she had been wondering.
Is it true? Was it really because of ?
Pardon?
Did you graffiti the restaurant because of ?
The n blinked and exchanged glances.
Shouldnt we exchange nas first?
.......
When Song Soo-yeon didnt reply, they sneered and answered her question first.
Of course. Why would we lie about that?
Song Soo-yeon clenched her teeth, then bombarded them with questions.
You ignored Solace and were jealous because of ? Does that even make sense?
Uh, youre making us nervous asking like that...
One man expressed his confusion, and the other elbowed him, saying,
...Hey, hey, just answer her. Its not that hard. She ca out to see us, after all...
...That's true.
They looked back at Song Soo-yeon and said as if it were obvious,
How could we be jealous because of Solace?
...What?
We dont dislike Solace, but honestly... we dont even know what she looks like. Shes from a totally different world, a hero.
Song Soo-yeon listened blankly, not getting the answer she wanted.
We dont care who a hero kisses. And a woman stronger than ... not my type, heh heh.
They took a step closer to her.
Stuttering as they spoke, they began to extend their fingers one by one.
Unlike Solace, you are a normal person like us. We know your face. You're pretty. And that guy with you didnt seem like your boyfriend, so we thought we could get to know you.
Song Soo-yeon burst into incredulous laughter.
She finally got it.
So, Solace is an unattainable hill, but I seed climbable...?
One of the n snapped his fingers.
"That's right. So seeing you holding hands with soone irritated us."
Song Soo-yeon blinked and asked them,
"What makes you think you could get close to ?"
He spread his arms wide.
But here we are, getting to know each other on a secluded night, right?
Suddenly, I could hear his inner thoughts.
You will be mine.
That was the last straw. Song Soo-yeons patience snapped.
She was tired of being treated like a trophy by n.
The familiar humiliation, always having to be endured, was too much.
She was disgusted by the unsolicited sexual advances that ca without her consent.
Too many beasts in the world have tried to touch her.
This was the end.
No more.
The n approached her.
So, now that weve answered your questions... how about a drink?
My place is nearby. We could go there and-
Song Soo-yeon interrupted.
-Fight until one of you dies."
Her hands were glowing purple.
For a mont, the ns eyes shone the sa color.
After a brief silence, one man naturally swung his fist at the other.
-Thump!
And then the sounds of hitting and punching filled the dark sky.
-Thump! Thump! Thump!
There were no words, no screams, just the sounds of the n beating each other.
It might just be a release of pent-up anger.
Song Soo-yeon watched them for a mont, spat on the ground, then turned and began to walk away.
She turned on her phone and called Jung-gyeom.
The sounds of the fight gradually faded.
After a short wait, his voice ca through.
Hey, Soo-yeon?
She briefly recalled the mont he jokingly asked her not to beco a villain, but she brushed that mory aside.
A small smile appeared on Song Soo-yeon's face.
Mister, what are you doing?
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