561

 [Chapter 151]

[Crossroads of Choice (3)]

"When will you get better?" "That's not up to me, why are you asking?"

"No... It's just been so boring lately without you."

"Train instead of wasting time."

"Noh Eunha! You shouldn't say that to someone visiting you!" "Yeah, go train."

"Sob sob... I'm hurt. Noh Eunha really isn't human."

"Pretending to cry won't work." "Pupu."

"Fire Chicken, don't copy him." "Pipi pipi papa papa pupu pupu!" "Hah..."

I don't know why it's so chaotic when Ariel comes to visit.

After the academy cultural festival ended,

Ariel who came to visit after a long time clung to Eunha and whined.

She climbed onto the bed without permission and hung onto Eunha's legs.

"I feel like I'm getting sick even though I wasn't before because of you..."

"Noh Eunha! You can't do that! How can a sick person try to get sicker here!? Are you actually pretending to be sick because you don't want to go to the academy?"

"I think I'll get sick because of you." "Ow! Don't pull my ears! They're sensitive!"

"Then get off my bed quickly."

"Ugh... if I can just cling to Noh Eunha's legs, this little pain is... Ah!"

"Really... you're so persistent." "What? Why did you stop?" "You seemed to like it." "Tsk tsk tsk."

"Hah... I'm glad I was hospitalized. Otherwise I would have suffered mentally because of you in the 2nd semester too..."

"Huh? What did I do? Shouldn't you be happy when such a pretty and good girl like me begs to play?"

"Where is there a good girl here." "Look at me! Look! I'm right here!"

"...The world must have ended. For a world to come where someone like you is called a good girl."

"Wow, are you looking down on Ariel right now!?"

"Yes, I'm looking down on you right now."

She's really such a child.

Eunha already felt tired.

He stopped touching Ariel's ears and decided to ignore her lying down using his legs as a pillow.

"Ah, I'm sleepy." "What do you have to be sleepy about."

"I haven't been sleeping well lately..."

"Oh really." "It's not a lie! Do you know how much I suffer from insomnia..." 

"Huh? Really?" "But if I just drink a little dew, I sleep soundly..." "Didn't I tell you not to drink alone."

"That's why I'm not drinking dew because of you, Noh Eunha! The reason I can't sleep well lately is because of the promise I made with you..."

"Hah, really..."

"So hurry up and get better. Get better and let's drink dew together."

"Okay, I'll get better soon. You did well. You kept your promise well. Good girl."

"Tell me I'm pretty too." "Okay, you're pretty."

"Ariel is the best, right?"

"Just go to sleep already." "Ow! If you're going to hit, hit my ears not my head!"

"Nope, I don't want to."

Come to think of it, Ariel who he saw after a long time seemed to have lost weight.

Eunha gently stroked her head as she closed her eyes.

She seemed to feel good, slightly raising the corners of her mouth.

Not long after, Ariel fell asleep.

She must have been tired lately.

Seeing her fall asleep as soon as she closed her eyes...

Last time too, Ariel came to visit and suddenly fell asleep using Eunha's legs as a pillow.

Now used to it, Eunha didn't try to disturb Ariel.

Then he turned his head.

"Is it hard? Taking care of Ariel..." "You ask me that while making that request?"

"I had no choice. There was no one around to ask to take care of Ariel besides you, Kaede."

There was one more person who came to visit today.

Hoshimiya Kaede.

After Yoon Ibyeol complained of PTSD about monsters,

Eunha asked Min-ji to take care of her, and asked Kaede to take care of Ariel.

He thought about asking Seona or Eun-woo too but...

They're already handling various things because of me, so I can't make them busier.

Jung Hayang, Jin Seona, Cha Eun-woo.

The three were deeply involved in managing factions while also interfering in the friendships of academy students.

He couldn't assign work to them.

So Eunha asked Kaede.

Fortunately, it seemed Ariel was getting along well with Kaede.

Of course, from Kaede's perspective, she didn't seem to think she was close with Ariel.

It was just Ariel one-sidedly clinging to Kaede.

But in the end, you could say the two became close.

"It must be hard, but please take good care of Ariel in the future too. Really... there's only you."

"...You'll have to repay me double later, keep that in mind." "Okay, I'll do whatever you want when that time comes."

"...You promised."

With Fire Chicken on her lap,

Kaede demanded his confirmation with a sullen face.

Eunha nodded to Kaede two, three times.

"I feel so sorry to Ibyeol and Ariel..."

"..."

After a moment of silence passed,

He stroked Ariel's head and brought up a story he couldn't tell other friends.

It was a story he could only tell Min-ji and Kaede.

No, perhaps it was guilt.

Eunha brought that up.

─If I hadn't tried to use Ibyeol's feelings from the beginning, this wouldn't have happened...

I should have paid more attention to Ariel...

He deeply regretted it.

It was all his fault.

While he was hospitalized, the relationship between Yoon Ibyeol and Ariel apparently worsened even more.

Yoon Ibyeol was now even avoiding her friends.

Ariel was noticeably depressed and kept trying to arrange drinking gatherings with friends.

"─If you know that, don't make such mistakes again in the future."

"..."

Eunha's lament.

Kaede who had been listening for a while opened her mouth, glaring at Eunha.

There was firmness in her voice.

"If you were hoping for comfort from me, I'm sorry but I have no intention of comforting you at all."

"..."

"I can forgive once. No, actually I don't want to forgive even once. But I absolutely can't forgive twice."

Saying that personally she detested people who try to play with others' feelings, Kaede spoke clearly.

Eunha couldn't say anything to her scolding words.

He just listens silently.

Then she continues to scold.

"Or rather than regretting, just keep pushing forward consistently. If you're going to be a bad guy, be a bad guy, if you're going to be a good guy, be a good guy. Don't try to waver half-heartedly. That's the most disgusting."

"..."

"The reason I joined your party was because you seemed to have some conviction. Not because Noh Eunha was showing me this wavering and half-hearted appearance in front of me."

It was a painful point.

Eunha looked at Kaede who was scolding him while looking straight at him.

He nodded.

"─I'll do as you say. I won't show weakness anymore." "...That's fine then."

It was advice from a party member.

Eunha who tried to draw her into the party and become the party leader decided to accept her advice.

So he readily agreed to what she said.

But when he nodded without much consideration, Kaede made a somewhat displeased expression.

She answered curtly.

Then─

"─I didn't say not to show weakness. I said not to show indecisiveness."

She blurted out.

Eunha tilted his head.

"Isn't that the same thing?" "How can that be the same. I didn't say to become an iron-blooded leader, but to be unwavering as a leader..."

"So that's the same thing."

"No, it's different."

"How is it different?"

"That's..."

The conversation went in a strange direction.

Eunha and Kaede only realized that now.

The two frowned.

Nevertheless, Kaede seemed determined to answer until the end since she brought it up.

Eventually finishing her thoughts, she─

"─Noh Eunha's judgment as a party leader must never waver. That means there's a risk of not just you but the party members wavering too." "..."

"But Noh Eunha's judgment as an individual can waver as much as you want. You can show weakness, I'm saying." "What does that mean?" "Ugh... Just figure it out yourself."

Words that were vaguely understandable.

In the end, Kaede threw up her hands.

Eunha burst out laughing seeing Kaede who didn't even know what she was saying anymore.

She glared at him.

So Eunha laughed more.

"Okay, so I can show weakness then?"

"...I absolutely don't want to see your weak side." "You just said I could show it." "I said you could show it as an individual."

"Then I'll show it as an individual. Isn't that fine?"

"I don't want to see your individual side either."

"Then what do you want me to do?" "Can't you show it to someone else besides me..."

Word play that seemed to go on and on.

Kaede finally gritted her teeth and spoke forcefully.

Eunha giggled at her grinding her teeth.

"Okay, then I won't show you. Is that really okay?" "..." "What's the problem now?"

"...I didn't say not to show me at all."

"What do you want me to do..."

"If you really have no one else to show, then I'll reluctantly watch at that time."

"How shy."

"Shut up."

Kaede snorted and averted her gaze.

She crossed her arms as if very angry.

But Eunha didn't care and kept teasing her who was trying not to show she was flustered.

"I'm not joking with you..."

Eventually Kaede gritted her teeth and threatened him.

And right at that moment,

"─Noh Eunha."

"Pi?"

""..."" 

"Kuul..."

For the first time, kneeling before Eunha,

On Taeyang came to meet him first.

☆

"Kaede, could you take Ariel out for a moment?"

"It's fine. I've seen you're okay so I'll just take Ariel and go back."

"...Huh? I want to sleep a little more using Eunha's legs as a pillow..." "Let's go." "Aang! Kaede is using violence! Noh Eunha save me!"

"See you next time."

Regardless of Ariel making a fuss,

Eunha saw off Kaede who left the hospital room grabbing Ariel's nape as she was still half asleep.

Now the only people in the hospital room were Eunha and On Taeyang.

"Don't stand, sit there."

"...I'm fine."

On Taeyang stood still for a long time after entering Eunha's hospital room.

Even after Ariel and Kaede left, he stood there nailed to the spot as if being punished.

Even when Eunha offered him a seat, On Taeyang stubbornly refused.

In the end, Eunha gave up.

""..."" 

The two were silent.

Shadows fell on On Taeyang's face as he kept his mouth tightly shut.

Eunha looked straight at his face trying to read his thoughts.

He must feel miserable. It must be humiliating.

How could he not.

On Taeyang who had been antagonistic towards Eunha until now.

After the existence of the Elixir became known,

On Taeyang bowed his head to Eunha.

The fact that he came to Eunha's hospital room now and stood still in front of Eunha as if he would do anything he was told could be proof of that.

Eunha felt satisfied but,

On Taeyang probably couldn't erase the thought that it was humiliating.

Was it a small sign of protest?

"─The Elixir..."

"..."

Unable to bear the silence any longer,

On Taeyang blurted out as if uncomfortable being here.

Where is the Elixir, he asked.

The words he started were left unfinished, conveyed to Eunha as is.

"I have it now."

"..."

On Taeyang probably wanted to confirm.

Whether the potion that could cure his mother really existed.

Eunha who read his thoughts got up and took out the Elixir.

Returning to the bed, he opened the box towards On Taeyang.

"This is the Elixir."

"Ah..."

A potion like a sea of stars gathered together.

On Taeyang who saw the Elixir up close let out an exclamation of awe as if seeing a marvel of nature.

"...!" "Is this enough?"

"..."

On Taeyang's hand reaches for the Elixir.

Eunha who had been quietly observing his actions quickly closed the box.

Only then did he snap back to his senses, looking at Eunha right in front of him with surprised eyes.

"Really... can that cure my mom?"

"That's right."

Docilely.

He naturally lowered his eyes after meeting Eunha's gaze.

Eunha answered On Taeyang who bowed his head towards him.

On Taeyang nodded weakly.

"I'll... trust only you. Please..."

Haltingly.

On Taeyang lays out his words.

Words he wouldn't have heard before.

Eunha nodded to him submitting to himself.

Even without saying anything.

He's crawling on his own.

There was no need for him to say anything more to On Taeyang.

Because On Taeyang was crawling submissively.

"Surgery is scheduled at Alice Hospital soon. When the date is set... I'll let you know by text."

"...Thank you."

If On Taeyang had been favorable towards Eunha from the beginning,

The two wouldn't show this superior-subordinate relationship now.

Perhaps they could have maintained an equal relationship.

""..."" 

Both Noh Eunha and On Taeyang,

Had similar thoughts then.

"Then... I'll be going now. I hope... you get well soon."

"Thank you, take care."

But it was too late for regrets.

This relationship could no longer be reversed.

The two who were in an uncomfortable silence ended their awkward conversation like that.

☆

"Huh? Yucheon hyung?"

After sending On Taeyang off,

Eunha who ate dinner thought no one else would visit today and was about to go to sleep early.

He was tired since many people came to visit today.

But then, Lee Yucheon came without notice.

"Eunha..."

"...Yes?"

A face that looked like he was about to cry.

His hair was disheveled too.

Eunha blinked seeing Lee Yucheon's appearance.

He just wanted to ask what had happened to him.

But Yucheon who entered the hospital room suddenly─

"──!!"

Approached in front of Eunha,

And abruptly knelt down.

He even hit his head on the floor with a thud.

Eunha couldn't help but be flustered by Lee Yucheon's sudden action.

"...What are you doing?"

Eunha had to ask.

Then his body trembled.

 Lee Yucheon was lying flat on the floor crying.

"To you..."

A voice mixed with sobs.

Eunha who got off the bed tried to help Lee Yucheon up.

Lee Yucheon who raised only his upper body while still kneeling grabbed both of Eunha's arms and continued speaking.

"I heard you have something called an Elixir..."

"..."

"The chairman of Alice Group said... that it could cure any disease... is that true?"

Elixir.

Hearing that name come out of Lee Yucheon's mouth, Eunha was momentarily at a loss for words.

How did Lee Yucheon know about the Elixir?

The question was quickly resolved─

─I asked to keep it secret for a while, but it seems he ended up telling after all.

I told him not to tell anyone because I thought this might happen...

Eunha's flustered feelings upon seeing Lee Yucheon quickly cooled.

No matter how much Lee Yucheon cried, Eunha no longer tried to worry about him.

Because his purpose was obvious.

"My younger sister... my younger sister is sick now. I didn't tell you the truth but... she's very critical now." "..."

"The chairman of Alice Group said so. That if there's something called an Elixir, it could even cure mana depletion..."

"..." "Is that true?" "That's right."

Lee Yucheon kept seeking an answer.

Eunha who had been listening to him tearfully explaining in detail finally gave an answer.

"...Thank goodness."

The answer Lee Yucheon wanted.

His face brightens.

He smiles.

Soon desperation appears on his face.

His grip on Eunha's arms tightens.

Almost clinging to Eunha.

Lee Yucheon speaks in a desperate tone.

"I'll do anything you want." "..."

"So please... please can't you give us the Elixir? I'm begging you like this..."

A direct descendant of Luminous Group.

The action of a direct descendant of a top 10 business group begging while kneeling like this carried heavy meaning.

Lee Yucheon put his neck on the line.

In other words, he who would become chairman of Luminous Group in the future chose to submit to Eunha.

If he granted his request─

"─..."

It would be the same as getting Luminous Group in his hands.

Eunha quietly looked at Lee Yucheon and turned over thoughts in his mind.

As a result of his calculations─

─The value of On Taeyang who has <Brave > is immeasurable.

<Braver > On Taeyang who showed the power to subjugate the 2nd tier monster Maegu.

There was nothing to think about.

Eunha valued On Taeyang's worth more highly.

Therefore─

"─I'm sorry. I'm sorry to you hyung, but I've already decided to use the Elixir on someone else."

"...!"

Eunha betrayed Lee Yucheon's expectations.

Even if this caused him to turn against him.

Eunha wanted to keep On Taeyang under his control even if it meant risking Lee Yucheon becoming an enemy.

"Please... I'm begging you...! I'll do anything you say! I'll do anything... please... can't you do something? Huh?"

"..."

"Eunha, we're friends. So... please think about it one more time."

Lee Yucheon clung to him.

So Eunha couldn't back down like this, he gripped his arms tightly and shouted.

He begged.

He pleaded while crying.

Nevertheless, there was no change in Eunha's attitude.

"Instead, I'll promise you this. When I make another Elixir next time, I'll give it to you no matter what happens."

To appease Lee Yucheon,

Eunha said that.

While gently removing Lee Yucheon's hands.

But even so, Lee Yucheon shook his head back and forth.

"No! That's too late! Her condition is very bad right now! If we don't treat her now...! She might really die!" "..."

"So please... I'm begging you..."

Lee Yucheon's situation was pitiful.

But Eunha had no choice.

Just as Lee Yucheon's younger sister's situation was pitiful, On Taeyang's mother was also in urgent need of treatment now.

This won't do.

I should lock the door.

So Eunha was adamant.

In the end, Eunha tried to forcibly remove Lee Yucheon and send him out of the hospital room.

"Eunha! Please...!"

The moment it became a simple test of strength.

Lee Yucheon who had been lying on the floor trying to hold his ground was pathetically dragged out by Eunha.

Lee Yucheon struggled saying no, and flailed his arms and legs trying to hold on somehow.

Nevertheless, Lee Yucheon was getting closer to the hospital room door.

"I'm sorry, hyung. But there's nothing I can do. It's no use begging like this."

"...!"

Lee Yucheon who was finally pushed out of the hospital room.

Eunha made a bitter expression looking at Lee Yucheon sitting slumped outside the room as if he had lost the world.

"Please... I'm begging you like this! Please!"

"..."

But Lee Yucheon didn't give up.

Eunha thought this wouldn't do and decided to lock the door.

Creak

The door closes.

Lee Yucheon hurriedly gets up and rushes to the door.

Thud!

But closing the door was faster.

Lee Yucheon's body hit the door.

Then the sound of him pounding on the door hard could be heard.

"Eunha! Don't do this! I'll do anything so give me the Elixir!"

Thud thud.

Lee Yucheon pounds on the door.

As if he absolutely won't back down from here until it's opened.

Eunha couldn't move standing in front of the door.

"..."

"Pipi." "I know. But there's nothing I can do."

Fire Chicken softly cries.

Stroking the familiar sitting on his shoulder, Eunha spoke weakly.

Though he felt sorry for Lee Yucheon,

He had no intention of bending his will.

No matter how much he pounded on the door, Eunha had no intention of ever opening this door.

Until he said the next words─

"─Please save Yoojung..."

Lee Yoojung.

Hearing that name,

Eunha flung the door open.

"─What did you just say?"