493

 [Chapter 136]

[Prelude to Love (2)]

First day of winter break.

On Tae-yang packed to go home without doing his now routine training.

Can't help it since Tae-hee kept whining for him to come.

Actually, he wanted to stay at the academy and immerse himself in training during the break.

He had just found a clue to growth, but it was obvious it would all be for nothing if he went home.

But he couldn't tell his younger sister On Tae-hee he would come a little later like during summer break either.

His sister would surely get angry.

If only Tae-hee wasn't 4 years younger...

His sister's current age is 13.

His sister 4 years younger is living alone while nursing their mother.

When Choi Ga-in was alive, their mother could receive inpatient treatment at the hospital thanks to her consideration, but that was now a thing of the past.

Since her sponsorship disappeared, they had no choice but to return to their original place.

On Tae-yang had been worried about his sister living alone all this time, but now he was also worried about his sister living while nursing their mother.

Of course, his mother who was discharged after receiving treatment and returned home too.

"But why isn't Ara answering her phone? Is she oversleeping even though she slept earlier than me?"

He finished packing.

On Tae-yang who sat on the bed repeatedly checked the time.

He had made plans to go out together with his childhood friend Jo Ara a while ago.

But there was no contact from her even though it was almost the promised time.

She doesn't read messages even if he sends them.

"This won't do. I'll have to call."

Is she oversleeping?

On Tae-yang sighed and decided to call her directly.

The dial tone was long.

Eventually the dial tone cut off, and Jo Ara finally answered the phone.

"Hello? What are you doing now? Don't you remember we were supposed to go out together?"

[...So-Sorry... I just woke up...]

On Tae-yang opened his mouth in an irritated tone right away.

She seemed to have sensed his mood and answered in a naturally shrinking tone.

"Hah... Get ready quickly. I'll be waiting in front of the dormitory."

She seems to know she's sorry.

On Tae-yang said while suppressing his irritation.

It seemed he would have to do some light training while waiting for her.

When On Tae-yang thought that—

[—Tae, Tae-yang, I'm sorry but... I'm a bit sick now... I'm really sorry but I think it'd be better if you go first.]

"What? You're sick? No, why?"

[I, I don't know either. Come to think of it, I think I had a bit of a cold since yester...ugh...day.]

She seemed fine yesterday.

On Tae-yang frowned hearing her words.

It felt somewhat strange, but her voice didn't sound good.

In the end, On Tae-yang sighed quietly without making a sound.

"Okay, I got it. Take care of your health... Contact me when you get home."

[Okay, sure. Ah... my head is spinning. I'll contact you later. You be careful too.]

"Hah..."

He waited for nothing.

On Tae-yang hung up the phone.

So he didn't hear the background sounds of something tapping and voices afterwards.

[Ah... Ugh, do it a bit harder.]

[You should have drunk in moderation.]

[Who's saying this after making someone who said they'd only drink one glass drink all night...ugh...]

[Should we get some hangover soup since it's come to this?]

[Ah... That sounds good. Let's get some hangover soup, then go back to the dormitory and sleep soundly, then go home tomorrow. Ugh... I'm tired.]

[But wasn't it fun? Want to have another drink next time?]

[...Really just one glass.]

☆

Eunha spent this year's Christmas at home with family.

Since he planned to have a year-end party with friends, he decided to spend time with family during the Christmas period.

Even so, he was inwardly worried about this period.

I thought Ha-yang would at least contact me...

Should I think this is fortunate?

Just a feeling.

He thought Jeong Ha-yang would send a message asking what he was doing for Christmas.

So Eunha was thinking of a message to politely refuse without hurting her in preparation for that time.

But unlike other times, she didn't send any messages during this year's Christmas period.

It's better this way.

Yeah... it's better.

Half relief, half regret.

No, there was more regret.

Nevertheless, Eunha suppressed his feelings and deliberately turned his gaze elsewhere.

Fortunately, he could feel at ease because Eun-ae and Avenir were there.

If only Yoon I-byeol hadn't sent a message asking what he was doing for Christmas then.

What is Yoon I-byeol thinking? If I pushed her away that much, she surely would have understood what it meant...

Eunha politely refused Yoon I-byeol's proposal.

No more messages came from Yoon I-byeol after that.

And time passed, now Eunha was spending the year-end party at the academy.

""""Cheers—!!!!""""

Friends he hadn't seen in a week gladly clink glasses.

Not just friends came, but also those who were close with them.

The year-end party Jeong Ha-yang ended up hosting became a place all academy students wanted to attend.

"They're having fun..."

Eunha was away from the hall.

Students were intimidated by him, and he didn't particularly want to enter among the noisily chattering people.

Above all, he felt awkward.

Ha-yang and I-byeol are there.

It's awkward with both of them now.

It's obvious they'll feel awkward with me too...

Jeong Ha-yang and Yoon I-byeol were having a good time.

Eunha didn't want to make the two uncomfortable by needlessly butting in.

He didn't want to become uncomfortable either.

So he was out on the balcony holding a bottle of beer.

Just then.

"—Aha! No Eunha, you're caught!? Are you trying to save yourself now? This is too disappointing?"

"What do you mean disappointing... Yeah, just be disappointed."

Ariel parted the curtains and came in.

Eunha clicked his tongue seeing her holding beer bottles between her fingers.

Meanwhile Ariel approached with big strides while snickering.

Then Ariel squatted on the floor in her dress and laid out beer bottles.

It was a red dress that matched well with her pink hair.

"Why are you alone here? Aren't you lonely being alone?"

"I wasn't lonely, but now I'm starting to feel lonely being with you."

"That's when you need alcohol!"

"Hah..."

Eunha subtly hinted at sending her away, but it didn't work at all.

Rather, Ariel even proposed a toast holding up a beer bottle.

In the end, Eunha gave up and decided to go along with her.

"Whew."

"What are you trying to do climbing up there? What if you fall?"

"Don't you know I'm good at parkour?"

"I know well that you go crazy enough to take off your clothes anywhere when you're drunk."

"No Eunha pervert."

"Why you exhibitionist."

"I'm not someone who takes off clothes when drunk? Want to check?"

"How?"

"With alcohol of course!"

"...You're really something."

Ariel who hopped onto the railing sat straddling it.

She swings her legs wearing a dress with a side slit.

Eunha sighed while turning his gaze elsewhere.

He was trying to spend time quietly when a noisy mermaid appeared.

"Why don't you go inside and drink with the kids? Why did you come out here?"

"Because you're having no fun alone! You're supposed to enjoy yourself excitedly on fun days."

"...Okay, thanks. Do you know what the other kids are doing now?"

"Now? I think they were playing games. Until just before I came in here, Pa-rang oppa and Si-hyung were playing the orange game."

"They're having fun."

"Ah, the beer is refreshing! The beer I drink with No Eunha really tastes the best? The beer you drink with me tastes the best too, right?"

"You already emptied one bottle... Please drink slowly."

"I'll think about it if you answer!"

"Okay, drinking with you tastes the best. Happy?"

"Oh, good, good. Praise me more. I like having my head patted too. Come on, come on."

"...Aren't you going soon?"

He's completely out of it.

He looked up at her with a dumbfounded face.

Then she who met his eyes just cackled showing her snow-white teeth.

The scales fluttering on both sides of her head seemed to be teasing him.

"I shouldn't have said anything..."

In the end, Eunha sighed.

He decided to just drink as Ariel urged in a 'whatever happens, happens' manner.

"—Every day has been so fun since entering the academy, you know?"

When they had almost emptied the beer bottles Ariel brought.

She whose face had become slightly flushed muttered drunkenly.

Eunha sensed it.

"Don't take them off, you'll be in trouble if you take them off."

"Why are you like this. I'm not hot at all? Don't do that and just listen to me. Every day has really been so fun since meeting you guys?"

"Okay, okay. You're drunk. Come down now."

"Okay, okay, bongooray, not okay?"

"Uh... okay."

"But lately I really hate how No Eunha always goes around with a face like he's not having any fun at all."

"..."

"Other kids are strange lately too..."

"Sorry."

"If you're sorry, drink one bottle alone."

"...Isn't that too harsh?"

"Is No Eunha backing out now?"

"Okay, fine."

"Okay, okay, bongooray, not okay?"

"...Okay, I got it."

"Goood. I'll drink one bottle together since I feel sorry for you! Let's spend next year happily and fun too! Now, cheers—!!"

Ariel shouting loudly.

Eunha who unconsciously read Ariel's concern quietly nodded.

He gulps down the alcohol while toasting with the last remaining bottle.

He sends worries and concerns down to his stomach, burning them with alcohol.

Nevertheless, his heart wouldn't disappear easily.

"Oh, they must be doing something inside."

The alcohol was all gone.

When Ariel was grumbling regretfully, noisy sounds could be heard from inside loud enough to reach the balcony.

The curious mermaid immediately fluttered her scales.

"I'm done playing with No Eunha so I'll go play again! You come later too!"

"Okay, got it."

"Okay, okay, bongooray!"

"...I got it."

"Then I'm going!"

Ariel shook her pink hair and tried to leave.

Eunha quietly saw her off.

Just then.

"—Ah, right!"

"Huh?"

"Take this!"

Ariel turned her body right before going inside and threw something at Eunha.

Eunha who reflexively caught the falling object tilted his head.

It was a card.

"What's this?"

"My room card!"

"...Why are you giving this to me?"

"Take me to my room if I get drunk later. I might lose my key while drinking! You know my drinking habits, right?"

"No, hey... You should think about moderating... Hah..."

Eunha was dumbfounded.

When he tried to say something.

Ariel sharply pulled the curtains as if not wanting to hear criticism and went inside.

Eunha left alone just stood there pitifully.

☆

"...What is all this? How much did you drink in such a short time?"

"I didn't drink alone."

"I know that too. But isn't this too much even for two people?"

Beer bottles rolling on the floor.

Yoo Do-jun who came in parting the curtains clicked his tongue seeing that sight.

To this, Eunha retorted as if making an excuse.

Meanwhile, Yoo Do-jun was also holding a bottle of alcohol in his hand.

This time it's wine.

"You guys are really something... Did you two plan something?"

"Huh? What are you saying? Are you drunk?"

"I wish I was drunk. Just how many bottles did you drink now..."

"You were born with a blessed constitution."

Do-jun pouring wine into the glasses he brought.

Eunha received the glass he handed over and swirled it around.

He filled his stomach with beer.

He can't drink because his stomach is full.

Eunha smelled the unique scent of wine while glancing at Yoo Do-jun standing beside him.

"Eunha."

"What."

"I might have a big favor to ask you sometime soon."

"What favor?"

"Not just a favor, but a big favor."

"It's all the same to me."

"Is that so."

Yoo Do-jun chuckles.

Eunha looked at Do-jun who was slumped against the railing with his chest.

He seemed to be agonizing uncharacteristically.

Eunha couldn't help but be curious.

"Why, what is it?"

"It's not certain yet."

"Don't keep me in suspense and just say it."

Even if Yoo Do-jun says he doesn't know.

It's been almost 50 years spent together including his previous life.

Now it's like they can read each other's minds.

It must be related to Eternal Group.

There was no reason for Yoo Do-jun to agonize at this time except Eternal Group.

Eunha asked directly.

"I think there's something with Eternal Pharmaceuticals. Looking at how those bastards are acting, it seems there's something fishy."

"Ah..."

"What? Do you know something?"

"No, I don't."

Eternal Pharmaceuticals.

Eunha took a sharp breath hearing Yoo Do-jun's words.

Yoo Do-jun pressed but he pretended not to know.

Eunha answered he didn't know.

It's 1 year earlier than before regression...

Is it because he established his position faster than before regression?

Eunha traced his memories.

Eternal Group's darkness, Eternal Pharmaceuticals.

It could be said to be what clinched Yoo Do-jun becoming Eternal Group's chairman in his previous life.

But the time he noticed Eternal Pharmaceuticals' corruption was at least 1 year earlier than his previous life.

That's how quickly he established his position in this life.

Well, didn't he say there are only two or three succession rights holders opposing Yoo Do-jun now, including the vice chairman?

And Eternal Pharmaceuticals' corruption—

—Is deeply entangled with the vice chairman.

In other words, the moment Yoo Do-jun digs into Eternal Group's darkness.

There will no longer be anyone who can oppose him.

And that will be the time he ascends to the imperial throne.

Above all—

"—Eternal Pharmaceuticals isn't under my jurisdiction so it will take quite some time to dig into. I don't know how long it will take either, but this can't be thought of lightly."

"Is that so?"

"...Why are you saying 'Is that so?' here? Anyway, I'm sorry but... I might have to borrow your strength a bit if things go wrong."

"Call me then. I'll help."

"I'm telling you this isn't something to think of lightly. If we make a mistake, it's over for both you and me. Think carefully."

"I thought carefully."

"...Crazy bastard."

Yoo Do-jun widens his eyes.

Eunha giggled.

In his previous life, Yoo Do-jun would ask for dirty work without hesitation.

He started considering him a friend only after he became Eternal Group's chairman and finally found peace of mind.

That's why Eunha felt newly strange.

Because he, who had no qualms about using others, was worried about himself.

"Don't be so sorry. I'll keep using you."

Eunha patted Yoo Dojun on the shoulder.

Yoo Do-jun just laughed in vain.

And anyway, that's the path I have to take.

Eunha leaned her back against the railing.

The wine was bitter.

Still, he drank it all in one gulp and looked back at the path he had to take.

In order to renew the Youngwon Group, the darkness of the Youngwon New Testament had to be uncovered.

Above all─.

─Because I already know the future… I can't just come out like an idiot and bring out information like before the regression.

─Belphegor, the Nine Demons.

He must be sleeping there.