Chapter 40: Once in a Lifetime Opportunity (2)
TL/Editor: Raei
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I handed Solace a warm cup of tea.
Even though, due to her abilities, she doesn't feel cold or catch colds... it's more about the sentiment.
I couldn't tell how long she had been waiting for me.
Even if it wasn't my fault, a sense of guilt arose for making her wait.
"....Ah, thank you."
Solace took the tea I handed her with both hands, smiling slightly with her eyes.
Whatever happened, she can't look me straight in the eye.
She just blew on the tea, maintaining a weak smile.
".....So?"
After waiting for a long time, I broke the silence, hoping she would naturally share her worries.
Solace remained silent.
She just slightly bit her lip in response to my question.
It was the first time I had seen her so vulnerable.
Of course, she is someone who cries easily... but even when she cried, it wasn't like this.
Even when she cried on TV, it was only for a fleeting moment, and she would soon reassure the public with her determined eyes, promising to improve.
Even in my death, she cried but ended up expressing gratitude to me and promised to move forward.
It was possible to see her hidden strength even through her tears.
But now, she doesn't feel the same.
There's no sign of her usual strength.
She looked depressed and fragile.
As expected, she was still inexperienced.
".....Hehe."
Unable to continue her words, she just looked up at me and laughed.
Although she came to find me, she seemed unable to speak when it came down to it.
"....Just wait a moment."
I said.
I got up and went to the kitchen.
I started boiling a pack of ramen I had bought for myself.
It didn't take long, so Solace waited quietly.
Then, along with the finished ramen, I took out a bottle of soju from the fridge.
"....Alcohol...?"
Solace muttered.
Alcohol can be dangerous when one is down, but I'm here.
I'll be the one to erase the negative thoughts.
There's nothing like alcohol for opening up.
-Clink!
The familiar sound of the soju bottle opening.
I filled both our glasses.
"Nothing fancy, but let's eat and chat."
I suggested in a light tone.
I still plan to encourage her to speak first.
I don't intend to forcibly extract her worries.
Solace weakly smiled and nodded her head.
After taking a sip, I asked.
"....So. Did you wait long?"
"......Where did you go, oppa?"
She responded to my question with her own.
But it was a sufficient answer.
She must have waited a long time.
"I went to the amusement park with Soo-yeon. It was a graduation gift I had promised her."
"Soo-yeon?"
"Yes."
"Didn't you use to call her Ms. Soo-yeon?"
"Ah."
I nodded my head.
"Today at the amusement park, we got closer and decided to speak informally."
"That's good."
Solace smiled again and then sighed deeply, resting her chin on the table.
I waited quietly, allowing her to continue the conversation.
It was a good moment for her to open up about any worries.
..........
But Solace remained silent again.
She hadn't even touched the ramen.
She seems lost in thought.
Before she falls into negative thoughts, I call her.
Bom.
.........
Bom.
Uh... Yeah?
Try some.
She glanced between the chopsticks and ramen I offered, then awkwardly laughed and waved her hand.
Ahaha, sorry. Even though you made it... I just dont have the appetite.
".......Okay. Eat whenever you want."
Yeah.
I didnt press her further.
I refilled her empty glass.
That's when Solace spoke.
......Oppa.
....Yeah?
.....That... Soo-yeon.
.....Go on.
Solace moistened her lips quietly and looked around awkwardly before speaking.
....Even though you didnt like her like that.... why did you decide to help her?
....What?
....What was your reason?
Now, it was my turn to pause.
The reason was you lingered on my lips.
But saying that now might seem like a joke to Solace.
After a long time searching for an answer, I spoke cautiously.
.....It was probably for the same reason as you. You also help many people as a hero.
........I earn money doing this, oppa. It's different for you.
Why different? You didnt become a hero just for the money.
.....How do you know that?
Hmm?
How do you know I didnt become a hero for the money?
Silence followed.
How should I respond?
I couldn't tell how the conversation had reached this point, but if I wanted to support her, I needed to answer carefully.
-Brrrring... Brrrring...
Just then, my smartphone began to ring.
I was getting a call.
I pulled out my smartphone from my pocket to see who it was.
It was Song Soo-yeon.
Realistically, she was the only one who would call me at this time.
I wondered why she was calling now.
....It wasnt important.
I couldnt answer it anyway.
I turned off the vibration on my phone.
Then I looked back at Solace.
She was still gazing at me, motionless.
I continued to answer her previous question.
I just know.
If one had seen her as a hero before my regression, it was an undeniable fact, especially for me, her archenemy.
I had a deeper understanding of her.
If her actions had been all an act, I would not have been influenced.
"....You think highly of me."
Solace said, then bowed her head deeply.
Without looking at me, she asked.
"....So... do you help anyone who needs it...?"
"....I'd like to."
Solace fell silent upon hearing my answer, her head down for a long time.
Truly, seeing her this vulnerable was a first for me.
I felt an involuntary urge to comfort her, something I had never imagined she would need.
After a long pause, she suddenly lifted her head.
"It's good news, oppa!"
Her expression and voice completely changed, now filled with a big smile.
"...What?"
I raised my eyebrows in surprise.
"Good news for you, who lives for others! The Hero Association approved the sponsorship! You'll be able to receive a million won every month!"
"....Bom?"
"I came here today to tell you this...! I thought you would want to know...."
"............."
"Actually.....that's all I wanted to say. You said you went to the amusement park, right? You must be tired. I feel like I'm taking too much of your time. I'll go now."
And with that, she abruptly stood up.
Before I could stop her, she walked towards the restaurant's entrance.
I couldn't just wait for her to start the conversation anymore.
She didn't come here just to talk about the sponsorship.
That couldn't be.
She wouldn't have waited outside the restaurant for so long just for that.
Especially not on a day when there was a terrorist attack in Seoul.
I stood up to stop her from leaving.
Solace had already opened the door and was starting to fly out.
-Thump!
I caught her wrist as it began to rise and pulled her down.
"Bom."
".........."
She descended powerlessly in front of me.
"....What's wrong?"
I finally asked.
If she wouldnt tell me, I had to probe.
And at that simple question, the armor-like facade Solace had been wearing began to crumble.
Suddenly, her face filled with tears, she began to cry.
"....Heeu.... heeuu.....!"
Her tears shook me.
When she was sad, I felt sad too.
"....Bom, talk to me."
I could no longer restrain my desire to comfort her.
My hand reached toward her cheek.
And then, habitually, my fist clenched.
It was a habit I had developed recently because of Song Soo-yeon.
Whenever I was about to touch someone, I hesitated.
I had clenched my fist like this several times in front of Soo-yeon's cheek.
".....Heu-heu.... Oppa...."
But Solace was not Soo-yeon.
I unclenched my fist.
Then gently, I stroked Solace's cheek.
It felt warm and soft.
".....I know you were dispatched today for the terrorist attack. What happened?"
Solace, crying more intensely, nodded her head.
"....Heeuk.... Oppa.... in front of me......a young girl.....huuu..."
That was enough for me to understand.
The various facts I had learned from the articles came together.
Bomb hostage situation.
Solace rescuing hostages in place of Shake.
A young girl.
Solace, feeling guilty, wept with her small shoulders trembling.
I could imagine what she must have witnessed, why the usually strong Solace was so distressed.
I pulled her into an embrace.
It was the least I could do to comfort her, who had been my strength.
I patted her trembling, delicate back, which I had only thought of as strong.
Now I understood.
Being strong meant hiding pain well.
As I comforted her, Solace vented her frustration.
"Heeuk... But in the articles...! They say I'm a hero...! ...!"
"...A hero can't save everyone. You did well. It's okay."
"Huuu... Heuu...."
For a long time, I held her.
---
---
Song Soo-yeon was staring blankly at the restaurant from the darkness.
It had been over 30 minutes since Jung-gyeom and Min-Bom had entered the restaurant.
Her heart kept sinking, and she was growing increasingly anxious.
Alone inside for 30 minutes, what could they be doing?
Especially after leaving her out.
She contemplated barging in hundreds of times.
But she couldn't bring herself to do it.
She had no excuses to make, nothing she could do.
Moreover, there was fear.
Fear of witnessing something shocking if she entered.
The only courage she could muster was to make a phone call.
Swallowing hard, she pressed the speed dial for Jung-gyeom.
-Brrrring... Brrrring...
As the phone rang, Song Soo-yeons eyes remained fixed on the restaurant.
-The customer you are calling...
Jung-gyeom didn't answer the phone.
No matter how long she waited, it was the same.
He was rejecting her calls.
"....You can pick up."
She murmured to herself, unknowingly.
"....Hurry up and answer. What are you doing?"
She spoke as if conversing with him.
But, of course, no answer came back, and he never picked up the phone.
Song Soo-yeon kept calling his phone.
At least she was causing some interruption, whatever they were doing.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
Min-Bom rushed out.
Song Soo-yeons mind snapped back to reality.
Thankfully, their meeting hadnt lasted long.
It was only 30 minutes.
She wasn't pleased, but was relieved it hadn't lasted longer.
Min-Bom began to levitate into the air.
At that moment, Jung-gyeom, who had rushed out of the restaurant, grabbed her wrist.
........
This physical contact felt like needles piercing Song Soo-yeon's heart.
A stinging pain reached her.
They were having a serious conversation, with Jung-gyeom not letting go of her wrist.
Song Soo-yeons eyes were fixed on that wrist.
Meanwhile, the sound of sobbing began to reach her.
Min-Boms shoulders were shaking.
Again, Min-Bom was fawning over Jung-gyeom.
A fiery anger started to consume Song Soo-yeon, infuriated by Min-Bom exploiting Jung-gyeoms innocence.
.....But then, that anger was doused in cold water.
Jung-gyeom very gently and carefully placed his hand on Min-Boms cheek.
.......Mister?
It was a gesture he had never shown to Song Soo-yeon.
.....No, it was one of the many gestures she had forbidden, calling it creepy, perverted, telling him not to harbor strange feelings.
Min-Bom was not her, and Jung-gyeom no longer needed to be cautious.
Min-Bom, who had done nothing, was becoming closer to Jung-gyeom than herself, despite all she had done.
And it didnt end there.
Jung-gyeoms arms moved.
He pulled Min-Bom into his embrace.
Min-Bom naturally nestled into his arms.
They fit together like puzzle pieces.
Sharing warmth with each other.
So tenderly, so affectionately.
It was not a light hug.
It was an embrace where ears touched ears, upper bodies pressed close, almost suffocating.
The only treasure the world had given her was embracing another woman.
Her heart hurt too much.
It was unbearable, her head pounding.
.....Get away....
Song Soo-yeon murmured.
That was all she could do.
Song Soo-yeon turned away.
She couldnt bear to see that sight anymore.
She couldnt stand to see Jung-gyeom treating another woman more preciously than herself.
.....Please, get away...
In the darkness, Song Soo-yeon crouched down, burying her face in her knees.
.......Then, her hand began to glow with a purple light.
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