“I’ll just watch this and then sleep. They say sleeping with the TV on helps you sleep better.”
Yerim slipped an earbud into one ear and said. Evelyn, upon boarding the plane, had thanked and Director Song for taking care of the Guild Leader, then retreated to her single seat. She’d added that, considering the U.S. ti difference, it would be best to sleep before arrival.
As Evelyn said, we’d arrive in the afternoon U.S. ti. A couple hours after takeoff, I sent the kids to rest too—really private single suites, almost like rooms. The beds were quite spacious, and there was a separate chair.
“I don’t need to sleep.”
Next, my brother insisted on sharing my berth with , but I gently pushed him into a bed. Yerim’s looked almost like a double, while Yuhyun’s was just a single. Still, it seed comfortable enough even for Director Song.
“We don’t know when we’ll get a chance to rest like this again. I have a drawer, but you two don’t.”
Rest while you can. I tucked them in with blankets. The forge at Myeong-woo’s and the King of No Harm’s drawer are wonderful—they’re always available sanctuaries. Mine still needs careful charging, but I was suddenly grateful to the King of No Harm. I should bring a few for the kids too—he must have many, since they’re numbered.
Yuhyun closed his suite door and ca over to my seat.
“Gyeol, did you brush your teeth well?”
“Yes!”
“Peace, front paws.”
“Yip.”
I wiped Peace’s paws with doggie tissues and set him # Nоvеlight # on the bed. For Gyeol, I placed a cushion beside the pillow so he had his own little bed.
“Gyeol, are you really going to attend the party with Seong Hyunjae? It could be dangerous. You can still go ho now. You could go with Yoon-yoon. Yerim said she’d switch teams with him.”
Gyeol shook his head vigorously at the thought of going ho.
“I talked with Ppiyak too.”
“Huh? You talked with Ppiyak? You can communicate?”
“By feeling. Ppiyak’s watching the broadcast—if you or I are in danger, he’ll co. Because Gyeol is small, he can teleport together with Ppiyak.”
It’d be nice if Ppiyak helped, but ‘by feeling’... Still, in the unlikely event Gyeol was kidnapped, could I ask Ppiyak to find him? But Arica is so far away. Even in Hong Kong it was tough for him.
“Gyeol, you really won’t get hurt, right?”
“Yes! It’s my trait. I can’t harm others, and others can’t harm . ...So I can’t protect either.”
I stroked the sulking fairy-dragon’s head.
“Even if you can’t protect, it’s okay. Your safety is what matters most.”
“Then Dad should do the sa!”
“Dad’s an adult.”
Gyeol’s face bristled with displeasure. I comforted him to sleep and patted Peace, then stepped into the small lounge, where a wine bar stood to one side. This plane was different from that pink private jet. How many private jets did Chatterbox own? Haeyeon had its own, but for a team trip, using others’ money made sense—just in case we broke sothing.
How safe could an airport be when S-Ranks sward in? Haeyeon’s assets needed protection. On the return, we’d each take our own jets. Dodam didn’t have one yet, so I’d use Haeyeon’s. Director Song... Haeyeon’s would be better than Sesung’s, surely? What if he insisted on a comrcial flight. Maybe I should kidnap him.
“Director Song, you should sleep too. You’ve been busy.”
I approached Song Taewon, sitting with an untouched glass before him. No doubt Seong Hyunjae forced it on him. He has good taste, so he’d have chosen one suited to Director Song. Still, he was too strict with himself. I reached out and nudged the glass toward him.
“It’ll be a long while before we land in Arica. This looks like a Breaker Guild wine.”
“I blended it appropriately.”
Seong Hyunjae selected another bottle from behind the bar.
“Our entrepreneur seems set to make a tidy profit this ti as well.”
That was why Hyunah left earlier than us. Between the party, the broadcast, and Arica, it was a pri opportunity to promote the wine revealed at the Japan gathering.
“I wonder how the Breaker sponsors will react.”
“Not just the Breaker Guild Leader—Hyunah herself could beco a major player in the liquor industry. As a businessperson rather than a forr athlete Hunter, her standing will differ greatly.”
I didn’t know all the details, but in Arica they planned to grant temporary exclusivity before releasing the formula publicly. Since similar wines would inevitably appear, it was better to secure quick approval by offering terms.
Moreover, what Hyunah truly sought wasn’t the wine business but the guild’s independence. She’d often complained to that it just didn’t suit her.
“Now then, Director Song. Did you bring pajamas?”
I tapped the rim of his glass with my fingertip.
“And toothpaste and toothbrush?”
“...I did pack those.”
“Then have a good drink and get so rest.”
“—or enjoy a drink while the kids sleep.”
Song Taewon lifted his glass.
“You two are going to sleep?”
“I will. Seong Hyunjae will get bored alone and sleep too. Don’t worry until we land—it’s a plane. What could happen?”
Better be on his best behavior, lest he fall from the sky. Even an S-Rank shouldn’t cross the Pacific unprotected. Song Taewon drained his glass and stood. His face already shadowed with worry.
“I bought new toothpaste—really good. Want to try it?”
“No, thank you.”
Seong Hyunjae said Director Song used charcoal salt toothpaste. How does he know?
“Did you break into his house?”
“We’ve traveled together on business.”
It was because of his house that he’d been forced to leave. Why speak as if coworkers?
“I find that toothpaste a bit sweet—our tastes differ.”
“It was for Han Yujin.”
Treated like a child. Though it was entrusted for protection. Seong Hyunjae offered a glass too. I sat, chin in hand, looking up.
“What do you an, Elder?”
His dark, moonlike eyes softened.
“Older folks tend to give long advice. Perhaps the years unspent linger.”
“We exchange advice. I have one for myself too.”
“If it’s mundane, I know them all.”
“Director Song, you have a stalker here.”
Ah, poor Director Song is a victim too.
“Besides and Director Song, anyone else to report? We should form a Stalker Victims’ Group.”
“Of course not.”
Thank goodness. Co to think of it, Seong Hyunjae could claim Victim of the Crescent Stalker—worse discipline. He stared at , then spoke.
“They say maintaining oneself is no easy task.”
“...That’s true. You nearly fell into danger already.”
“So Seong Hyunjae must always put himself first. If he can’t firmly place himself as number one, he’ll be swept aside.”
If you can’t endure at the top, you’ll be swallowed by what piles beneath.
“Is that—lonely?”
“Putting yourself first isn’t bad. It’s desirable. Yet people sotis give themselves over entirely—love, friendship, or work and hobbies.”
“...There are plenty who live more moderately.”
Even as I said that, I sensed loneliness. Passionate people make life interesting just to watch. Not doing sothing and being unable to do it are totally different.
“And in daily life—”
Seong Hyunjae tilted his bottle over his glass.
“It’s common to prioritize others in small ways—like feeding your child one more bite. That’s part of the nuance of human relationships.”
“...You also look out for others, Seong Hyunjae. Like choosing Director Song’s birthday gift.”
“Fortunately, they’re like grains of sand to .”
Ah, yes. That snuffs out pity in an instant. He’s so grand that no sacrifice qualifies. A mouse protecting allies by charging a fox is great sacrifice; a lion rely yawning suffices.
“What about last ti, when you scolded ?”
“One thing at a ti.”
Tch. Even two or three, he wouldn’t tell. It was my turn to speak; I took a sip and began.
“Well, I...”
I am...
“I don’t know how to make you like .”
Everyone worries and cares for . I want to respond, but...
“It’s hopeless. I know my worth, but that’s as far as calculations go.”
I know the things Han Yujin did well. I know how hard he tried. He deserves respect and recognition.
“Being able to show it ans—”
Seong Hyunjae continued in an unnecessarily gentle voice,
“That you’re ready for change.”
“...That would be nice. At least, I’d feel sorry toward those who like .”
“It’s a long flight—take a drink if you want.”
“No, I need to sleep.”
I drained my glass, rose, washed up, and went to my suite. Peace, still awake, wagged his tail. I petted him, lay down, and switched off the light.
After shifting a bit, mories flickered just behind my eyelids, and I opened my eyes. So much has changed, and more will. But so things won’t change. Even if ti rewinds, my past remains fixed. ...Liking you is impossible. How could you like ?
I still can’t forgive myself.
As landing neared, Yuhyun’s expression hardened. He sat half embracing , plainly miserable. Yerim, unable to bear it, kicked at Yuhyun’s leg in annoyance.
“You think you’re the only one worried about him!”
Yuhyun didn’t even raise an eyebrow at Yerim. And Gyeol looked miserable too—an infant yet with a world-weary face, sighing repeatedly. Besides worrying for , he shuddered at the thought of with Seong Hyunjae.
“Sigh... life is hard.”
“You can go ho.”
“- Dad, in life you have to do things you don’t want to.”
...Gyeol, you’ve barely lived. Director Song was full of worry, and even Seong Hyunjae looked unhappy. Evelyn ate separately and kept to herself.
Why is the atmosphere so morbid? Feels like we’re attending a wake, not a party. Well, it is a wake.
“Yuhyun, Chatterbox promised to keep safe.”
I patted my brother’s arm.
“They won’t kill . I’m more worried about you.”
“Hyung...”
[Hyung, Yuhyun wants to devour you!]
Gyeol climbed onto my hand and said so. Right—he’d rather end than fall. My brother’s too good.
“If it weren’t for the plane, I’d jump.”
Yerim flopped onto the sofa, complaining. Yet she too worried for . She likely acted up so the gloom wouldn’t weigh on her. Children, the smallest threats sense danger most acutely. Their instincts either shift the atmosphere or go silent—survival strategy, perhaps. Even in a birth family.
“Yerim, sleep.”
I drew a pendant from my inventory and handed it to her: the Water Spirit’s Egg. Gyeol bristled his tail in displeasure.
“Ismuar said it’s better you carry it now.”
It would hatch soon without my aid, and then it should stay by its contract holder. Yerim asked, “Really?” and accepted the pendant.
“Myeong-woo made you a cord for it—strong and unbreakable. You can wear it continuously.”
“Yes! It’s beautiful.”
Yerim bead as she caressed the softly glowing egg. Irritated, Gyeol turned his pack back to Yuhyun. Who knows if the Water Spirit will fight them nonstop once born?
Before long, the landing announcent played.
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