Chapter 232
Swoosh! Paf!
Six archers in matching uniforms, ranging from a man of considerable stature, to a girl whod just enrolled, to a boy with long hair all lining up to practice their marksmanship in a spectacular display.
"It seems that the dojo is more crowded than ever. It's become quite crowded, hasn't it?" SiWoo took a sip of the tea Sakura had poured for him as he watched the archers.
"Isn't this all thanks to my performance during the competition~? Hehe. My popularity is no joke." Sakura smiled and poked at SiWoo's cheeks. "SiWoo~ Why do you make the same expression whether you're happy or sad?" She leaned in closer to him.
SiWoo nervously averted his gaze. "M-me? What are you talking about?"
She wasnt about to let his behavior slide and inched even closer, looked into his eyes, and said, "Right now, you're incredibly happy." Could she read his feelings after all the time theyd spent together?
SiWoo took another sip of the tea, still fixated on the archers, and said, "I just like the atmosphere."
Sakura scrunched her eyebrows in frustration and shook her head. "Both Isshin and you are so dishonest and shy You could be a bit more honest." She sighed before looking in the same direction as SiWoo and making a mischievous smirk. "For example~ You could say you're happy that Choten's prettiest idol is with you.
SiWoo tried to brush her off, but Sakura didn't stop there. "Or maybe you don't feel lonely because there are a lot of people here?"
"Lonely? What are you talking about?"
"Haa Are you going to deny your feelings? You suffer from loneliness, you know?" Sakura shook her head in disapproval.
Upon hearing their conversation, Sakura's father took SiWoo's side. "Haha, is that so? He doesn't look like the type of person who suffers from loneliness."
"On the outside, yes, but this past month with him made it clear. At first, I thought he was very mature, but he's quite childish."
"Hey" SiWoo tried to argue.
"He's also a bit clingy"
"No, I'm not."
"Despite acting like that, he likes being with me. You should see how much he follows me around" Sakura sighed and complained about her popularity.
Her father looked at her and laughed. When it comes to dishonesty, Sakura, you're the same. Aren't you very thankful for him?"
"Huh? But I admit it all. I'm grateful for being able to train by his side and for being able to register our dojo as a training center for the city guards again" She made an odd humming sound before a fox-like smile formed on her face and she touched SiWoos cheek.
"It's cute how he gets annoyed when I tease him like this and how he gets shy despite doing his best and pretending not to be" Even though the topic seemed to have changed, Sakuras words flowed naturally.
Sakura's father watched them both with a smile on his face. "Sakura. Unlike me, who just runs a dojo in the countryside, you and SiWoo have huge talent."
"Ah~ Those types of compliments are what SiWoo's the most embarrassed about!" Sakura overreacted and yelped as she turned her head away.
Meanwhile, her father continued praising them. "That's why, while I'm here guarding this dojo Make the world a better place. I'm sure you both can do it."
Normally, SiWoo would have tried to avoid such an embarrassing conversation, but he ended up nodding before he even knew what he was doing when he saw the mans smiling face.
Sakura, who was sitting next to him, swiftly, naturally took SiWoo's hand and spoke gently, without any mischief. "Yes. I will become a stronger and more remarkable hunter and ensure everyone in Japan hears the name of our dojo. Changing the world is just a bonus!" she energetically exclaimed.
Then, her lips twitched. "Until then Dad, you have to keep guarding the archery dojo, okay? Because Ill be the next master" Her eyes started to tear up.
SiWoo took out a handkerchief Sakura had made for him and handed it to her. "Are you a crybaby?"
"These days, maybe I am"
Sakura's father kindly laughed. "Yes, I'll do that." Then, he comforted Sakura, who was already crying.
SiWoo stood up and gave the father and daughter some time. Unfortunately for him, every action has its price.
[Lee SiHyuk: SiWoo. Dad called for you. He orders you to return since he listened to your request.]
[Lee SiHyuk: He's quite adamant, so it might be best for you to return.]
SiWoo looked back at the archery dojo where Sakura was waiting. 'Yes' Just as she said, he wasn't honest with his feelings, but it wasn't just because of shame. If he were to convey all hed felt during his time with her, he feared what would happen once it was time for them to part ways.
His childhood had been so painful and tedious. Why was it, then, that his moments of happiness felt so short? 'Sakura you're right.' Maybe being true to his feelings and being more honest with himself would be good.
[SiWoo: I'm on my way, so just ask Father to keep his promise about the archery dojo.]
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After the picnic, EunAh returned to her room late at night and yawned from her fatigue. "I'm going to be lying here, so. If something happens No, if something really big happens, wake me up." That being said, she flopped down on the massage chair, which filled her with drowsiness the moment she activated it.
"EunAh seems tired. Velvet, we must be quiet today," Sumire said.
"Okay! But, where's Dad?"
"He went to his room to change his clothes. In the meantime" Sumire naturally opened the kitchen door and froze upon seeing the kitchens drastic changes.
[Advanced baking cooking set! - $59 USD]
[Cherry blossom dish set, 4 types - $152 USD]
[Bravo stainless distiller - $132 USD]
[Premium tablespoon set for 10 people - $320 USD]
[Leon's special]
[]
An endless parade of items lay before her, but how could it be that they were all things shed already wanted? The answer was simple. Sumire thought of the time she'd spent with Velvet. "Velvet? These things What happened?"
Velvet's eyes shone, and she raised her hands as if seeking praise. "I asked Mommy EunAh to buy them! Im a genius, so I cant forget the things you want! She approached Sumire with great anticipation, expecting to be petted and praised.
However, instead of praising her, Sumire kneeled to face Velvet and sternly said, "Velvet, you can't always buy everything you want. Buying all this is overspending, and demanding someone to buy you things like this is bad behavior." Sumire had many younger siblings, so she was able to calmly teach Velvet a lesson.
Of course, she knew that praise wasnt always the correct path to take. If EunAh's mindblowing wealth and Velvet's whimsicality were to combine, then theyd surely bring about a disaster at some point.
Sumire thought it was a growing pain that Velvet had to experience. "Velvet Although YuSung and EunAh are all precious family members, making such one-sided requests is bad."
Velvet had thought shed be praised and gave Sumire a confused look. "I Im bad? But" shed asked for the kitchen tools for Sumires sake. "But I did it for you."
Even if it was painful, Sumire had to remain firmstarting on the right foot was crucial for developing good habits. "Velvet, money is precious to everyone. Spending EunAh's precious money so freely could end up hurting both of you later."
Sumire's economic theory was honed over a lifetime of frugality. Of course, Velvet's spending would hardly impact EunAh and the Shinsung Group's wealth. Still, she didn't back downit was her teaching philosophy as the eldest daughter who'd raised many younger siblings.
"Uh" Was it too early for Velvet to learn about the value of money? Her widened eyes slowly teared up. "Kyahang" Her head lowered in defeat, she said, "Mommy EunAh said she had a lot of money, so it was okay to order a lot Youre mean"
Her shoulders slumped, and Velvet took out a small bag no one had seen her prepare. "You dont understand my heart I" She gave Sumire a determined look and ran out of the kitchen. "I am going to leave!"
"Velvet!" Sumire called out to her in desperation when she started running, but Velvet, even if she was just a hatchling, was still a dragon. She opened a portal and walked into it.
It was the intelligent dragon hatchlings first act of rebellion.
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