485

 [Chapter 134]

[Tangled Relationships (7)]

I've never been loved.

My mother never showed any interest in me.

The only time I received anything resembling attention was when I severely angered her nerves and got beaten.

'My life was ruined because of you.'

That's what my mother would say every time.

Not knowing what I had done wrong, I would habitually apologize unconditionally.

That relationship ended when I turned 7 years old.

'—This is the house you'll be living in from today.'

'You too, Mom?'

'Are you crazy? Why would I live here? You're the only one living here.'

'...Just me alone?'

'Not alone. Your father is waiting for you over there.'

'...'

'Say hello. It's your father. He'll raise you instead of me from now on.'

One day, my mother took me to a mansion that was like a palace.

There, people were looking down at me with disapproving gazes.

That's when I heard from my mother.

The story that the person who would be my father was someone who would inherit Galaxy Group someday.

'It was hard raising you all this time, but now I'm finally getting compensation for that. It must have been hard for you being with me too, right? Now just live in luxury under your father.'

'Ah....'

My mother says she found out the man she met by chance while drinking was a direct descendant of Galaxy Group.

That's why she had me, she said.

Now that I had grown up to some extent, it was time to let him know of my existence and receive proper compensation, she said.

My mother laughed and said:

'Let's not see each other anymore.'

A child born into the world for money.

A child with no meaning.

That was me.

Learning the reason I was born into this world, I held back my tears.

I hated and resented my mother who was abandoning me and leaving.

But—

'—It's a bit awkward to say this as your mother, so I'll say it as your senior in life. The people in that house probably won't like you and will look down on you.'

'...'

'When that happens, don't just take it but stand up strongly. Even though you're the child of a concubine, your blood is still from someone they can't ignore. So be confident. You need to establish dominance from the start.'

'...'

'And you should pick a good man like I did and make your life. Life isn't much more than that.'

The words my mother said as she left me, that scene.

It particularly remained in my memory.

And her last words prevented me from completely hating her.

'...You must have had a hard time suffering under a mother like me all this time? From now on, enjoy what you can enjoy and live in luxury. Take care.'

Perhaps the first and last love my mother gave me.

But I heard my mother passed away not long after.

I don't know the reason.

I only heard the news that she died.

I never saw my mother again after parting that day.

It's become such a distant past that I can't even remember her face now.

I only clearly remember the advice my mother gave at the end.

'—I'm Choi Ga-in, Choi Ga-in! Yet you treat me like this!?'

Viciously.

I, who became a direct descendant of Galaxy Group, acted out to never be looked down upon by people.

Outside and inside.

To servants and family.

So they wouldn't look down on me.

And also—

'—You're going to enter Player Academy? Why?'

'Because I hate that oppa looks down on me. I really hate and get annoyed at being treated like I don't exist.'

—Also, to be acknowledged by family.

I wanted to receive even a little acknowledgment from family who ignored me.

I wanted to receive even a little attention.

I wanted to receive even a little love.

In that sense, I hated and envied Choi Jung-hoon who received acknowledgment and love from everyone so much.

Above all—

'—Fine. It's none of my business. Do as you like.'

'Again looking at me with those eyes and ignoring me... Just wait, I'll make oppa eat his words.'

I wanted to be acknowledged by him.

I wanted to be acknowledged as someone indispensable to Galaxy Group.

So I entered the academy.

And finally an opportunity to be acknowledged by oppa came.

Probably even oppa who had only ignored me until now would have no choice but to acknowledge me.

Because No Eunha, who the industry is paying attention to, will become my person tonight.

If I make Eunha my person—!!

—I can be acknowledged too.

I can be loved too.

When that time comes, there won't be a single person who ignores me anymore.

And I'll make my life and be happy.

I believe it without a doubt.

☆

October nights are long.

The sun had set and deep darkness dyed the sky before I knew it.

But outside the window, lights twinkle illuminating the darkness.

"Phew... It's almost done."

Separating Moon's Blessing from Choi Ga-in didn't take long.

But I ended up exerting so much mental energy separating the flower that had become part of her body that my head throbbed.

Though the temperature had dropped coldly.

Twenty-five wiped the sweat beaded on his forehead and opened the window for some fresh air.

The sound of people talking can be heard.

"Master must be somewhere out there too. I'm jealous. While someone is sweating working hard now, someone else is happily on a date."

Though he said that.

Twenty-five chuckled.

He who was always watching his master's mood had vaguely noticed the changes that had occurred in his master recently.

His master who seemed completely inhuman when they first met now showed somewhat human-like aspects.

"Master has softened a lot. Honestly, can a person maintain a tense state all the time? You rest when it's time to rest, and work when it's time to work."

Though his master might deny it.

From his perspective, his master seemed like someone in a hurry.

As if being chased by something.

He seems relaxed but isn't relaxed.

He's just acting.

<Floater > who was skilled at lying knew this very well.

His master like that had softened a lot.

It was a good thing.

"Anyway... I always think about it, but I really don't know what kind of scheme our master is harboring. He won't tell me even if I ask, so I have no choice but to do as he orders..."

He can't do anything himself.

Rather, his existence is probably one of the reasons his master constantly maintains a sharp state.

He is non-daily life.

He is not someone who can soften his master's heart.

"I wonder who on earth made our master's face cute... Whoever it is, I want to bow down to them."

Only people living immersed in daily life can soften his master's heart.

Twenty-five was curious.

What kind of daily life softened his master's heart.

"No, that's not it. I can't conclude it was just one person."

Soon he shook his head.

Though it may have been a catalyst.

The daily life built up over a long time, numerous people must have caressed his master.

Twenty-five who leaned his back against the window frame stretched while feeling jealous of them yet also grateful.

"—Now I should do the final work. What if Master can't even go on his date because he's worried about this? Let's finish quickly and send a text."

Twenty-five moved to start work again.

A makeshift workbench made by connecting several wooden boxes and covering them with white cloth.

He looked down carefully at Choi Ga-in lying on top of it.

The remaining work was to separate the roots Moon's Blessing had put down into Choi Ga-in's mana circuits.

"Geez... For a mere flower, you're putting up quite a resistance."

Twenty-five grumbled.

Moon's Blessing was flickering with a soft light as if making a final emission.

He ignored the flickering light and picked up a blood-stained dagger.

Now to cut the final connection.

He carefully tried to draw the knife—

"—Eun...ha...ya..."

"Huh?"

At the same time.

She who should have been in a state of suspended animation muttered something while shedding tears.

Twenty-five couldn't help but be flustered.

He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Twenty-five quickly tried to cut with the knife to remove Moon's Blessing.

At that very moment.

"——!!"

The flower that fell off her wrist.

Emitted a dazzlingly intense light.

"...Mom... I miss you..."

A flash that engulfed the entire space.

Followed by an explosion.

One of the pillars supporting the tower collapsed.

☆

There are unusually many people today.

It was inevitable since it was the day the comprehensive division competition ended and fireworks were scheduled.

There were people everywhere they went.

As a result, the two people walking around holding hands ended up being spectators of people rather than spectators of the cultural festival.

Nevertheless, the two were having an enjoyable time alone together.

"I wanted to eat cotton candy too... Seo-na and Eun-woo said it was delicious, so I was holding back to eat it with you..."

"They said the ingredients ran out, so it can't be helped. But wasn't the churros we just ate delicious?"

"Still..."

It's almost time for the fireworks to start.

Eunha was on top of a tower behind the lake, near the building where workshops were clustered.

A famous spot Bae Soo-bin recommended saying she could watch the fireworks without feeling awkward alone since there weren't many people passing by.

Eunha who brought Ha-yang there chuckled seeing her constantly talking about cotton candy.

It's cute how she puffs up her cheeks by filling her mouth with air.

"Yap. Yap yap."

"...Is it fun?"

"Yesh."

So Eunha poked her cheeks repeatedly with his finger.

She who had been whining until just now looks up at him with strength in her eyes.

As if telling him not to.

But Ha-yang only provoked Eunha by puffing up her cheeks.

He couldn't keep poking her cheeks though.

"I'll buy you that cotton candy next time. I'll make Cheon-seo make it even if I have to nag him, so forget about it now."

"...You said you ate it with Yeon-hwa unnie and Eun-a unnie though."

"...About that, I know because I ate a lot, but it was too sweet to eat."

"Tch, liar."

"So when I buy it for you next time, I'll buy even more delicious cotton candy than that. If there isn't any, I'll bring some even if I have to make it myself."

"Really?"

"No, I'm lying."

"Are you going to keep teasing me?"

"Isn't it enough that you ate churros with me? Do you think churros and cotton candy can all fit in these cheeks? Are you a glutton like Kim Min-ji?"

"...Don't pull... my cheeks..."

It's not fun to just poke her cheeks.

Eunha stretched Ha-yang's cheeks.

She caresses her reddened cheeks and pouts her lips.

Eunha read her eyes.

Though her eyes are showing anger by putting strength in them.

Her pupils are sending the message to hurry and comfort her.

"Did you want to eat it that badly?"

"Hmph, I don't know."

"Then I'll ask Yoo-cheon hyung. To make one delicious cotton candy. Wouldn't Luminous Suite make a proper cotton candy?"

"..."

"Let's go eat cotton candy then. How about it?"

"...With who?"

"You and me."

"No one else...?"

"Do you want to go with other people too?"

"...No. Really just you and me?"

"Then should you go alone?"

"I want to go with you."

"Should we watch a movie then too?"

"Yeah! There was something I wanted to see, let's go see that!"

"How do you know what movie will be released then? Aren't you getting ahead of yourself?"

"Ugh... Don't tease me."

Jeong Ha-yang's face turns red.

She lightly hits Eunha's side.

A strike without strength behind it.

Eunha giggled at the side attack that was no more than aegyo.

Though her face was red, Jeong Ha-yang didn't avoid his eyes and kept looking up at him like that.

The corners of her mouth twitch.

He can see her holding back a smile.

Just then—

—Boom boom boom boom—!!!!

—Pop pop pop pop—!!!!

Without fail this year too.

Bae Soo-bin's fireworks exploded.

Sound fades from the world.

Colorful lights illuminate the night.

"...They're setting off quite a show."

It's very grand this year.

Eunha muttered as he turned his body towards the direction the fireworks were exploding.

With fireworks of this scale, people outside the academy are probably looking up at the night sky too.

Everyone's gazes are focused on the night sky.

"Ha-yang. Let's watch from over here."

But Eunha's gaze was only directed there for a very brief moment.

Something shining brighter than the fireworks was right beside him.

He who turned his head from the night sky soon led her with his arm on her shoulder.

It's a spot where the fireworks can be seen better.

He who secured a spot faster than others glanced at her marveling appearance.

Her eyes beautifully sparkle with the scene of exploding fireworks reflected in them.

"It's really pretty, right?"

Soon Jeong Ha-yang who felt his gaze.

Smiles looking at Eunha.

But her voice drowned out by the sound of exploding fireworks didn't reach Eunha's ears.

"...Eunha?"

"—Yeah. It's pretty."

Nevertheless, he felt like he could tell what she was saying.

Eunha who had been blankly staring at her for a moment answered her who tilted her head.

This time Ha-yang didn't seem to hear.

Nevertheless, she was still smiling, and he smiled along with her too.

Boom boom boom boom—!!!!

Sound leaves the world.

In a world without sound, all that can be seen is what's visible with the eyes, not the ears.

Not exchanging intentions through sound, but exchanging intentions through eyes.

Jeong Ha-yang's eyes sparkle especially brightly.

Is it because they captured the fireworks?

'—I hope you don't become someone who only endures too much.'

No, that's not it.

Eunha denied in his heart.

She's not looking at the fireworks now, but looking at him.

What's contained in her eyes is not fireworks, but her feelings for him.

"Whyyy?"

Then what emotions would be contained in his own eyes?

Would they be sparkling?

Would they still be dead?

He couldn't tell which it was.

But Eunha decided to move his body as his heart led him.

'I'm not sure who you just thought of... But don't try to suppress those feelings too much. It's not a bad thing, right?'

He puts strength in his hand.

He pulls the hand that was embracing her shoulder.

Jeong Ha-yang enters his arms.

An impulsive action.

She opens her eyes wide in surprise, and he pressed his lips to her forehead just like that.

"...Eun...ha...?"

Jeong Ha-yang says something.

Eunha placed his hand on her cheek while releasing his arm around her shoulder.

Jeong Ha-yang flinches.

But that's all.

Though she could block with her hands anytime, she only tightly closed her eyes.

"...Ah..."

Eunha gently brushed her left cheek just like that.

Is it because of the sensation touching her cheek?

She opens her tightly closed eyes.

A somewhat dazed gaze.

Eunha who looked down at her eyes decided to be a bit bolder now.

Their eyes meet.

Jeong Ha-yang seems to have sensed it too.

She raises her head.

He brushed her hair aside and lowered his head.

""...""

Jeong Ha-yang closes her eyes.

Now Eunha towards her lips—

—————!!!!

Just then.

A sudden, invigorating energy appears out of nowhere.

The entire space vibrates.

The ground shook.