Chapter 31
“What are you saying? Jae-woo was almost kidnapped?”
“That’s right.”
“But why? By whom?!”
“That… you don’t need to know. They’ve been caught and locked up anyway.”
“That’s good news then. Is he safe now? What was their purpose? Usually kidnappings have a purpose, right?”
“The purpose… was me.”
“What?”
“They used Jae-woo to get to me.”
His brain wasn’t functioning properly. He had thought it was just a minor accident, but now the word kidnapping came up, and Han Taekyung was the target. Suddenly, he felt like he was facing an unexpected scale. It was like thinking about a small pebble, only to have a huge boulder roll in front of his eyes.
“Why would they… want to capture you? Who?”
“Well, Seo Igeon, even you can see that I’m pretty impressive, right? That’s why there have been many people targeting me for a long time.”
Why was he acting so unlike himself? He was definitely not the type to say such things.
“Are you joking?”
“No, half serious, half joking. But… I can’t give you the details. It’s something you don’t need to know. Just… that’s what happened. That’s all you need to know.”
“If you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t ask anymore. But let me ask one thing. Are you in danger too?”
At Seo Igeon’s question, Han Taekyung looked at him directly. There was no humor or mischief in those eyes. Serious and upright eyes gave a silent answer. That Han Taekyung was definitely not safe either.
“The reason I’m telling you this is because bodyguards will be watching us from a distance for a while. It might be a bit uncomfortable, but please understand.”
“Of course. Don’t worry about that.”
“Thank you. It will probably be resolved quickly. At least, that’s what I’m hoping for.”
He said that with a smile, but his eyes weren’t smiling at all. Judging from the flow of conversation, there seemed to be many more hidden stories. It also gave the impression that such incidents were not a one-time occurrence, but Igeon decided not to ask and pretend not to notice. He thought that he should wait for Han Taekyung to tell him someday while being prepared for potential dangers.
â—†
“It’s finally over.”
The grueling final exams were over. And as he sat quietly looking back on the past days before the summer vacation, he realized he had really lived diligently since entering school. Thankfully, he was selected as a scholarship student, so he didn’t have to worry about tuition and living expenses, and had a dormitory to shelter from the rain and wind, allowing him to concentrate entirely on practice and training without having to work part-time. So suddenly he felt grateful for everything.
“Drink this.”
While sitting on the bench lost in reflection, Han Taekyung abruptly offered him a refreshing iced Americano. This too was something to be grateful for. Having a friend who understands without any words being said.
“What are you going to do during the vacation?”
“I’ll be training during the vacation. You haven’t forgotten about the senior national team selection in the latter half of this year, have you?”
“As if I could forget. I was just asking.”
Next year’s fall would already be the Olympics. To go to the Olympics, one must absolutely become a senior national representative. And that had been both of their long-cherished wishes.
“Now that exams are over, I should go see Instructor Jin after a long time. He keeps asking me to show my face. I guess that old man is getting old too.”
“Hmm…”
“Don’t you need to see Instructor Kim?”
“I don’t have a specific reason to meet him, but I’ll probably see him soon at the company’s foundation anniversary.”
‘Foundation anniversary.’ Occasionally, when hearing such words, Igeon was reminded that Han Taekyung was a member of the NI Group’s owning family. Since there was no indication of this in his everyday behavior, it always came as a surprise.
“When is it?”
“Next Sunday. Do you want to come too?”
“Huh? Ah… no, I’m good. For a moment I was tempted, but it doesn’t seem like a place for me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Hey, I know my place.”
“Don’t talk like that. We’re all the same people, what’s the issue?”
“…Thanks for saying that. Anyway, then I’ll go see Instructor Jin at that time.”
Does he really not want to go together? Han Taekyung had sincerely invited Igeon, but was casually rejected. Still, Igeon seemed like someone who would both enjoy and feel uncomfortable in such settings.
“Ah, I’ll go to the library for a moment.”
“Okay. I’ll wait here.”
Seo Igeon put down the iced Americano on the bench and ran off. Han Taekyung watched him go, then closed his eyes and sat quietly on the bench, feeling the breeze. Sometimes strangers would approach and talk to him, and peers would invite him to go somewhere together, but he silently sat there waiting for Seo Igeon to return.
“Why is he taking so long?”
“Who are you waiting for?”
Along with a person, the soft scent of green apples tickled Han Taekyung’s nose. When he opened his eyes, someone like a spring breeze was standing in front of him with a lovely smile. Someone who would catch anyone’s eye. A kind and gentle person. A person with a beautiful smile. The person Seo Igeon… was currently crushing on.
“Hmm?”
When Taekyung didn’t answer, Kang Yuhan asked again as if seeking confirmation.
“I’m waiting for Seo Igeon.”
“Ah, now that I think about it, Igeon isn’t here. Where did he go?”
“He went to the library. It’s been a while, so he should be back soon.”
“Hmm… then can I wait too? I have something to say to Igeon.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
Though that’s all he said, Kang Yuhan promptly sat down next to Han Taekyung as if given permission. As a result, Igeon’s Americano fell to the ground, making it undrinkable.
“Oh no! I’m sorry.”
Tch.
“It’s not mine. It’s Igeon’s.”
“Ah, is that so? Still, what should we do? Now he can’t drink it. Did any splash on your clothes?”
“No.”
Han Taekyung picked up the cup and threw it into the trash can next to the bench. He knew Igeon would surely look for it when he returned, saying he was thirsty, so he thought he would give him his own drink. He placed his Americano on the other side, away from where Kang Yuhan could disturb it.
“That’s a relief.”
Kang Yuhan, not knowing what to do, brushed his hair behind his ear. Han Taekyung observed this carefully. Seo Igeon always praised this person. For his looks, personality… saying he was really, really wonderful. He praised him as being so beautiful that he would never meet such a person again. But Han Taekyung didn’t understand. Aren’t there many people like this? They seem common…? Although he thought so, he didn’t voice it for fear of getting an earful from Seo Igeon. What exactly was so good and special about this person?
“Um… if you keep looking at me like that, even I feel embarrassed.”
Under the continuous gaze, Kang Yuhan turned his head, fidgeting with his hands as he spoke shyly. His skin was white and flawless. It did seem like he would be popular as his peers had repeatedly claimed, but beyond that, Han Taekyung couldn’t bring himself to be interested in Kang Yuhan no matter how he looked at him. Why? Why was he not interested in an omega? Even though this man was clearly showing interest in him rather than Seo Igeon, which was unfortunate for anyone to see, he just felt indifferent. Rather, he was more concerned about Seo Igeon who hadn’t returned yet. Did this guy get lost? Why is he taking so long? Should I go get him?
“Um, Taekyung…”
“Yes?”
“I know you’re not interested in me.”
He was about to get up to go look for Seo Igeon. But suddenly Kang Yuhan spoke up. And on the very subject Han Taekyung had been thinking about.
“And I know I’m inadequate in many ways, and that I’m not good enough for you. I feel sorry for bothering you. But… strangely, I can’t give up.”
“Sunbae.”
“Yes?”
“Do you know anything about me?”
“Not, not really. Just… well… actually, it was love at first sight. During that selection. I’ve known about you for much longer, but I fell for you then. That’s why I actually hoped you would come for counseling. You don’t know how much I prayed. Please let me be in the same group as you… So… when we became part of the same group, I was really happy. It felt like heaven answered my prayers. I won’t ask for more. I’ll try not to. So please just pretend not to notice if I look at you that way sometimes.”
He was beating around the bush with his confession. And it was as good as an outright declaration. Regardless of how Kang Yuhan meant it, that’s how it sounded to Han Taekyung. He wanted to say it was annoying. He even considered talking to the professor about changing groups. But he couldn’t. Ridiculously, a certain foolish guy who hadn’t shown up until now appeared with perfect timing. Judging from his expression, he seemed to have heard everything just now.
“Then, I’ll be going. Give my regards to Igeon when he arrives.”
Kang Yuhan, seemingly not noticing Seo Igeon, hurriedly ran in the opposite direction. Han Taekyung let out a deep sigh.
“Seo Igeon.”
Looking at Igeon whose shoulders were slumped, Han Taekyung felt irritated. Because of just one omega… to see a national athlete dejected like this. Really…
“Why did it take so long?”
“…The book I was looking for wasn’t there. I was searching. I even checked the computer system, but it didn’t come up.”
“So you’re empty-handed?”
“Yeah, they said they’ll contact me when they find the book. In this day and age, why don’t they just make e-books? Do we really have to read on paper?”
“I guarantee that if it wasn’t paper, you would just skim through diagonally, flipping pages quickly.”
“But it’s easier to find things. Books are hard to search. And since it’s a school book, I can’t even write notes in it.”
He was talking normally and speaking as if nothing had happened, but his voice lacked energy.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
