Under Creature Chapter 6.1

That day was a little special.

“I’m here.”

“Gyeom hyung is last today!”

One reason was that the Seo siblings, who were always the last to arrive at the office, were already there before him. The other reason was…

“Didn’t you reject that offer?”

…that Baesangwoo, whose discussion about joining the vigilante group had been concluded and should have been over, had visited the office again.

“I came for something else today.”

I’ve been seeing you a lot lately.

“Hyeong! Sit here next to me.”

Jewoo purposely pulled Yigeom over and sat him between himself and Baesangwoo. He must have been incredibly uncomfortable sitting next to Baesangwoo.

“What’s the matter?”

“It’s nothing much, I just need Dohyun’s help.”

Seo Dohyun’s help? Yigeom looked at him, sitting across from him. Their eyes met, and Dohyun’s eyes crinkled slightly.

“Have you eaten lunch?”

Yigeom awkwardly nodded his head.

“…Yeah. You?”

“Not yet.”

Doa, overhearing their conversation, covered her face with both hands, overwhelmed with emotion.

“They’re having… a normal conversation.”

Normally, there would have been several prickly responses, such as, ‘What time do you think it is? Of course, I’ve eaten,’ or ‘Why do you even care?’ But their relationship had changed.

The fact that such an ordinary conversation was taking place between the two was incredibly fascinating and deeply moving to Doa. It was the same for Jewoo. You could tell by the way he bit his lip, trying to suppress the corners of his mouth from turning upwards.

“What’s up with them again?”

Yigeom muttered, appalled. Recently, whenever he had any conversation with Seo Dohyun, they reacted like this. Really…

Baesangwoo pushed himself off the sofa where he had been leaning comfortably and said,

“Anyway. It’s not something I need to tell all of you. I came here to talk to Dohyun, so I’m going to take him for a bit.”

What kind of conversation is it that requires such secrecy?

“Okay. Take your time.”

Whatever it was, it wasn’t his business, so Yigeom replied calmly and got up from his seat, rummaging through the overhead storage cabinet.

The snacks he had been saving to eat yesterday should be here somewhere…. Fortunately, they were there. He had become experienced now, hiding them between the plates in the overhead cabinet instead of the drawer he had previously used as a snack stash.

All of this was a habit he had developed because of Cha Jewoo.

“Oh! That snack was there? I saw it before, but it disappeared, so I was looking for it. Hyeong, you hid it!?”

“Yeah. If I leave it out, you’ll eat it all.”

“That’s not true! Hyeong, come here and eat with me.”

Yigeom opened the bag and went over to Cha Jewoo’s side. Now that the overhead cabinet hiding spot had been discovered, he didn’t forget to think about where he should hide his snacks next time.

Meanwhile, Dohyun had left with Baesangwoo.

“But why are you avoiding Mr. Sangwoo?”

“…Did you notice?”

He knew from Doa later that Yigeom had hidden in the bathroom when Baesangwoo had visited the office before. This time, too, as soon as Baesangwoo sat next to him, Yigeom had purposely pulled him between them.

“He says he’s scared because he’s big. But Sanha-oppa is bigger. What’s his standard?”

Doa answered, popping a snack Yigeom had opened into her mouth.

“That mister, despite how he looks, was sooo scary until a few years ago.”

“Mr. Sangwoo was?”

Jewoo, Doa, and Yigeom all asked at the same time.

He seems like a kind and warm-hearted person, even if he speaks roughly?

Come to think of it, Jewoo said he joined Latter a year ago. He thought Jewoo had awakened then, but Jewoo had met Baesangwoo a few years prior? Then did he belong to a different guild before transferring to Latter?

“When did you awaken…?”

“Gyeom-ah.”

Yigeom, about to ask his question, looked towards the entrance at the sound of his name. Dohyun, who had been talking with Baesangwoo, had opened the door and called him.

“What?”

“Come here for a second.”

Wondering what it was about, Yigeom obediently got up.

“Oooh, now that they’re close, he’s just telling him to come and go!”

“Go buy him some snacks!”

These guys. Just like students, they were reacting as if they were watching a school couple. Ignoring them lightly, he followed Seo Dohyun out.

“What is it?”

Dohyun stopped before they reached where Baesangwoo was waiting and said to Yigeom,

“I think I need to use my ability.”

“Your ability? Just use it. Why…?”

Was Baesangwoo’s request something that required the use of his ability? More importantly, why call him specifically if he could just use it?

Dohyun rubbed his piercing. He knew it was a habit that emerged whenever Dohyun felt awkward.

“We agreed I’d ask for your permission before using it.”

“…Ah.”

Because of that?

Feeling inexplicably embarrassed, Yigeom averted his gaze. After their dramatic reconciliation that day, Seo Dohyun had become even nicer to him. It was still the same now. Whenever he noticed Dohyun making an effort to get along with him, he felt strangely awkward for some reason.

So, he deliberately changed the subject.

“Speaking of which, you said you’d never met A, right?”

“That’s right.”

“But the records of Doa’s incident seven years ago show that A was involved?”

It was clearly stated in the records. That A had been active.

“Ah, that? I couldn’t see anything back then.”

Yigeom accepted his answer. Of course, if his only sibling had been captured, how could he have seen anything else?

“Why? Are you curious?”

“About what?”

“You’re asking about A.”

“No, just…”

Yigeom scratched his cheek. He’d asked because he had nothing else to say.

“If you’re done talking, I’ll go back to the office. Finish your conversation.”

He’d given permission for Seo Dohyun to use his ability, so as long as he knew when and how many times it would be used, he could prepare for it in advance, even if it was a bit tedious.

Dohyun stopped Yigeom, who was about to head back to the office again.

“Since we’re already out here, let’s listen together.”

“Really? Is it a conversation I’m allowed to hear?”

“Yeah. You’re special.”

“…Even when you talk.”

Seo Dohyun said such embarrassing things without a change in his expression, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and the embarrassment was all Yigeom’s.

He thought it would be a better choice to follow Seo Dohyun than to return to the office where the students would undoubtedly tease him, interrogating him about what they had talked about.

“Sigh, fine. Where’s Mr. Sangwoo?”

“Over there.”

It was a cafe near the office that Latter frequented.

As they entered the cafe, Baesangwoo waved his hand, indicating his location. Yigeom sat down, and Baesangwoo, his wrinkled eyes drooping, rambled on.

“I don’t mind just helping, but it’s still embarrassing to explain the situation.”

“What is?”

Despite Yigeom’s question, Baesangwoo hesitated. It was unusual behavior for him.

“Well, I’m a vigilante, you know? It’s embarrassing to admit I was attacked. Especially since I’m one of A’s closest aides.”

“…Attacked?”

Yigeom’s eyes widened for a moment. Even though he hadn’t seen Baesangwoo fight, he knew he held a high position within the vigilantes and possessed the skills to match. The words ‘Baesangwoo’ and ‘attacked’ simply didn’t connect.

“What happened?”

He belatedly examined Baesangwoo’s appearance, but he couldn’t see a single injury. What kind of attack could have happened to someone like him? It made even less sense.

“Ah! It’s nothing serious. It’s not a big deal, so…. It’s hardly an attack, haha!”

Baesangwoo, embarrassed about what had happened, couldn’t bring himself to explain easily, so Yigeom gestured towards Dohyun, who was quietly listening to the conversation.

Dohyun gave a brief summary.

“He said he was walking down the street a few days ago when he got a headache and collapsed, then woke up. That’s it.”

“…Huh?”

Yigeom frowned. That wasn’t an attack….

“Shouldn’t you go to the hospital? Shouldn’t you get an MRI?”

“Hey, you!”

Baesangwoo’s eyes widened, and he snapped.

“I don’t have any underlying health conditions!”

“Still, just in case….”

He suddenly collapsed while walking down the street? He woke up without any injuries, so why call it an attack? Wasn’t there a problem with his body?

At Yigeom’s suspicion, Baesangwoo explained the situation in more detail, as if making an excuse. But first, he introduced himself.

“As you know, I hold a pretty high position in the vigilantes.”

“Yes, I know.”

“So, it’s not something to brag about, but even Blood Hunters can’t touch me easily.”

If Baesangwoo were to die, the vigilantes would surely launch an all-out war against them.

If an assassination attempt were made without preparation, the Blood Hunters would also suffer significant losses. That’s why they couldn’t touch him easily, yet he had recently been attacked.

“So, what’s the reason?”

“Just listen!”

When Yigeom, still unable to shake off the thought of a hospital visit, asked again, Baesangwoo yelled and continued.

“So, it seems like they were trying to get information about A from me.”

“…What?”

Whether through using an ability or something else, they had knocked him unconscious, taken his phone, wallet, and even his car keys, and searched inside his car.

“This is the situation I found myself in when I woke up.”

“…….”

Yigeom blinked in surprise.

“Of course, it seems they didn’t find any connection between me and A.”

The only link between Baesangwoo and A was an old cell phone that received messages at midnight, but with A now actively operating, even that had been discarded.

“They seemed to give up after searching and finding nothing, but it’s been bothering me.”

“What is? More importantly, are you really not hurt anywhere?”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m not hurt. Don’t worry.”

Baesangwoo reassured him of his well-being and continued.

“It’s definitely the Blood Hunters’ doing, but they just searched and disappeared…. I need some kind of evidence to track them down or do anything.”

If it were a simple pickpocket or something similar, it would have been an ordinary person, and Baesangwoo wouldn’t have been a target.

“So, I’m thinking of starting with an internal investigation.”

Yigeom looked at Seo Dohyun. The story had come a long way, but the reason Baesangwoo had come to Latter was to ask Seo Dohyun for a favor.

“But what does that have to do with Seo Dohyun?”

“Ah, that? Dohyun is a master at finding spies. So, I’m asking for his help.”

…Seo Dohyun is? How?

When Yigeom looked at him with a dubious expression, Seo Dohyun smiled enigmatically. For some reason, that smile made him extremely uneasy.

Meanwhile, Baesangwoo was busy bragging as if praising his own son.

“When this guy was a vigilante, you know~! Do you know what he was like? He caught suspicious guys every single time! He’s a real wonder, a real wonder.”

“…Hey.”

Yigeom called him quietly.

“Yes, Gyeom-ah.”

“Do you happen to…. Never mind.”

Baesangwoo didn’t seem to know about Seo Dohyun’s ability either, and it would only cause trouble if he brought it up here.

“Seo Dohyun. So, when are you available? He said he’d get your permission, so did you get it?”

“Yes. Gyeom said it was okay. Next week seems good.”

“Okay. Then I’ll contact you next week. But are you two dating or something? You need permission even for going somewhere? Doesn’t Latter have any privacy?”

It’s not just a simple errand, it’s about using his ability. Yigeom moved his lips slightly.

“Never mind. I’m done talking, so I’ll be going. I just took some time out for this. See you next week.”

Baesangwoo got up and urged Yigeom and Dohyun.

“Oh, right. Don’t tell anyone that I was attacked, okay?”

I still have my pride, you know. If word gets out, I’ll die of embarrassment from being attacked, he muttered and disappeared.

“…….”

After Baesangwoo left, a quiet silence settled.

“Shall we go too?”

“Wait a minute.”

Yigeom stopped Dohyun.

“Why?”

“…….”

“Gyeom-ah, what’s wrong?”

Dohyun stroked Yigeom’s pale cheek.

“Are you cold? Should I ask them to turn on the heater?”

It seemed they had turned off the heating in the cafe as the weather was starting to get warmer. As Dohyun looked towards the counter, Yigeom shook off his hand and cautiously asked,

“About… finding the spy.”

“Yes.”

“How do you do it?”

“…….”

Dohyun’s silence amplified Yigeom’s anxiety.

“Is it, by any chance… is it perhaps….”

“Gyeom-ah.”

He called Yigeom soothingly. Looking up at Seo Dohyun, his pupils evoked a feeling similar to the day they first met.

Deep, dark pupils that felt almost heartless, the corners of his mouth habitually turned up, the piercing in his ear.

“When you’re about to die, there are no gods or anything. Even if you’re addicted, what good is it? Everyone is just desperate to survive.”

“…….”

“At that point, everyone confesses, every single time.”

🦅࿐

Dohyun entered the office with his hands in his coat pockets. His face was filled with an unusual irritation.

“Huh, where’s Hyeong Gyeom? Didn’t you go out together?”

“He left.”

“Left? He wasn’t here for even an hour?”

Jewoo slurped his cup ramen and voiced his question, and Doa, quick-witted, warned him.

“They stopped fighting for a while, but they’re at it again.”

Dohyun didn’t deny it, as if agreeing, and muttered to himself,

“It’s difficult.”

It really was difficult. What was the problem this time? They had been getting along well. But why again? Yoon Yigeom was truly…unpredictable.

He had a rough idea of why Yigeom was angry. He wasn’t lacking in perception or intelligence; he just couldn’t understand.

Dohyun stretched his legs out on the long sofa and lay down.

Doa, worried about her older brother, who seemed distressed, started,

“Oppa, what is it this time? Did you talk to him?”

“There wasn’t even a chance.”

Without a chance to talk, Yigeom, with a pale face, had pushed Dohyun and left the cafe.

“So, what is it this time?”

Seo Dohyun looked at his sister.

‘He wants to act like a good older brother to his sister.’

Yigeom had said that when they went to take the Hunter test. Act like a good older brother. He could do that for Doa anytime, if only she didn’t have the trauma.

She must have forgotten the memories of seven years ago for a reason. He avoided mentioning it as much as possible because he didn’t want her memories to resurface with negative words like death or Blood Hunters.

“If you’re that worried, go to Hyeong Gyeom’s house.”

Should he? At Jewoo’s words, Dohyun thought for a moment and then sat up.

“I’ll be back.”

“Okay. But Oppa, there’s CA Area today, so you have to come back by evening.”

“If it’s late, go hunting with Jewoo. If it seems dangerous, call me.”

Jewoo answered cheerfully.

“Okay! Leave CA to us and go quickly!”

Ding-dong— Ding-dong—.

He rang the doorbell dozens of times. Usually, Yigeom would have come out by now, unable to stand the noise, but today, whether he was stubbornly hiding inside, unwilling to open the door, or whether he was somewhere else, there was no sign of the front door opening.

Dohyun found Yigeom’s number and called. The phone rang several times, but the call didn’t connect.

“…He’s really hiding.”

Like his ability, he was like water. He seemed within reach, but the moment you closed your fist, he would scatter and disappear.

Weren’t they close?

Yoon Yigeom. I really don’t understand you.

🦅࿐

“You don’t have to answer? It keeps ringing.”

“It’s spam.”

“It says it’s a son of a bitch.”

“Since it’s spam, it must be a son of a bitch.”

Yigeom answered, leisurely munching on fruit at Kang Taeha’s house.

Son of a bitch. Seo Dohyun really was a son of a bitch.

He seemed to have somewhat fixed his murderous habit of killing people after that day. Spy detection? Using his ability? Everyone confesses when they’re about to die? So, has he always been finding spies using the same method? This crazy… He was a fool for trying to understand this crazy psycho.

He said he was sorry. He said he was sorry for killing them. Then what was this? He wouldn’t kill him because he was a special being who remembered that world, but it was okay to kill others because they would forget anyway? It didn’t matter? And then, if someone like him appeared, someone who also remembered, would he apologize again then? No. That bastard doesn’t even apologize properly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Something’s…wrong.”

Yigeom looked at Kang Taeha. He had always had a mature side since he was young. The thought that it might be okay to ask him for advice crept into his mind.

More than that, he just wanted someone to sympathize with his irritated feelings.

“What if…”

“Yeah?”

“Hmm.”

Yigeom hesitated to speak. He couldn’t figure out how to explain it. Chewing on the fruit, he organized his thoughts and asked again,

“Someone killed you in a dream. They keep killing you.”

“That’s a nightmare.”

“Right. It’s a nightmare. But when you wake up, you don’t remember. You don’t even remember having the nightmare.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. But is it really a nightmare? Even though you don’t remember it?”

If it’s a dream, you didn’t actually die, and you don’t even remember it when you wake up, can you call it a nightmare?

Kang Taeha chuckled, as if asking why he would ask such a question.

“Just because you don’t remember a nightmare, does that mean you didn’t have one?”

“…Right. That’s right.”

Even if he couldn’t remember, he still had the nightmare. Even if the person involved doesn’t remember, he and Seo Dohyun remember. That the person died once.

“Did you get your answer? You’ve been asking strange questions lately. Is it because of that friend?”

“That friend?”

“Seo Dohyun…was it?”

“Ah, that son of a bitch.”

“Son of a bitch? That friend just called.”

“…….”

Yigeom didn’t bother to answer.

“Why? Did you two fight?”

“It’s not so much a fight…. It’s more like I got angry unilaterally.”

“Then that friend must have done something wrong.”

Yigeom paused at Kang Taeha’s casual remark. Kang Taeha added,

“I know you well.”

“…….”

“You never get angry for trivial reasons. Never, not even once.”

He spoke with near certainty.

“So, are you going to keep fighting with that friend? Avoiding his calls too?”

Keep fighting with Seo Dohyun? Even if he didn’t want to fight, they would end up fighting. Reconciling and fighting, reconciling and fighting, it would repeat itself even if he didn’t want it to. He and Seo Dohyun had personalities that clashed fatally. Perhaps it was because he knew everything about Seo Dohyun, more than anyone else.

Seo Dohyun seemed to have a different brain structure from ordinary people. Because everyone forgets anyway. Because of that deceptive ability, he had lost his sense of morality. It seemed like the careless thought that it didn’t matter what he did had become ingrained.

He understood. Yigeom himself, after repeating and repeating, sometimes didn’t listen to what others said or didn’t answer.

It was because he was sick of it. Everything. He knew it very well from experience. To the point of nausea.

In that sense, he was better off. He had Seo Dohyun by his side, who remembered along with him when he first became aware of the repetition.

But Seo Dohyun had lived alone with that ability for several years.

It was enough to drive him crazy.

He had probably reached a point where he didn’t even know that killing people was wrong.

He understood, but that didn’t justify his actions.

“Gyeom-ah, the phone’s ringing again. Don’t you have to answer?”

“…I’ll just take it outside.”

Yigeom decided to go outside to answer the call. It seemed like it would take a while, and he felt awkward having a conversation while holed up in someone else’s house. He already knew the passcode to Kang Taeha’s house, so he could go in whenever he wanted.

It wasn’t like he was going to keep fighting with Seo Dohyun, and he knew that Seo Dohyun was making an effort to get along with him. If he didn’t know what he was doing was wrong, he had to tell him. That what he was doing was morally wrong.

“Hello.”

—…….

There was no answer from the other end. He must have called, expecting him not to answer again, and seemed momentarily taken aback that he had picked up.

“If you called, speak. You’ve been calling incessantly and making a racket.”

—Where are you?

“Is that all you have to say? A friend’s house.”

— So that’s why you didn’t open the door.

“Did you come to my house too?” Yigeom asked, perched on the fire escape stairs, continuing the phone call.

“So why did you call? If you have nothing to say, I’m hanging up.”

As Yigeom threatened to hang up, a slightly urgent voice popped out from the speaker, worried that he wouldn’t answer again. In a way, it sounded desperate.

— I’m sorry.

“Sigh.” Yigeom let out a sigh. Then Seo Dohyun spoke again.

— I’m sorry.

“What are you sorry for?”

— Let’s talk face to face.

“I can’t right now. I’m at a friend’s house.”

— …Is it him?

Yigeom could roughly guess who Seo Dohyun was thinking of.

“Probably the him you’re thinking of.”

— When can we meet?

For some reason, Seo Dohyun sounded urgent.

“I’m staying over. …Are you by any chance in front of my house?”

— No. I didn’t want you to hate that. Why? Should I wait?

“Yeah, you know me well. Don’t wait.”

It was absurd to think that this guy, who’s so perceptive about such things, would act that way.

“Yoon Yigeom. I was wondering where you went. There are plenty of empty rooms, why are you outside on the phone?”

“Ah, I’ll be right in.”

At Kang Taeha’s call, Yigeom paused while ascending the stairs.

— Gyeom-ah.

“…I’ll call you tomorrow.”

He hurriedly hung up and turned towards Kang Taeha.

“Why did you come out? You could’ve stayed inside.”

“I came out looking for you. Did the conversation go well?”

“It was only me who was angry in the first place. He probably doesn’t even know what he did wrong.”

Yigeom grumbled as he punched in the entrance code. Even if he did know why Yigeom was angry, he probably wouldn’t even think it was wrong.

What’s so great about that guy… Yigeom, for putting up with him, was a sucker among suckers. The thought of having to meet him tomorrow and talk to that unreasonable guy already filled him with anguish and sighs.

🦅࿐

The next day, arriving at the cafe, Yigeom crossed his arms and spoke to Seo Dohyun in a threatening manner.

“Go on, tell me.”

“If you don’t want me to, I won’t.”

The hasty reply, as if he was about to run away again, was utterly ridiculous.

“It’s not that I don’t want you to, it’s that you shouldn’t do it because it’s a crime. Do I have to tell you this? Even a kindergartener knows this.”

“…….”

“Have you thought about Mr. Sangwoo? He’d be devastated if he knew you were committing such crimes because of something he asked you to do.”

Bae Sangwoo already seemed to have a special regard for Seo Dohyun and Seo Doa. How would he react if he found out that Dohyun had been committing such acts all this time because of his request?

“He doesn’t remember.”

“Sigh…That’s why it’s absurd to premise it on that.”

The conversation wasn’t going anywhere. Yigeom didn’t even know why he was bothering to persuade him.

Even if he didn’t intervene, those people wouldn’t actually die under the guise of spy hunting. Surely, they’d continue living as if nothing had happened, completely oblivious.

But Yigeom was different. He knew. He knew that they had died once.

Wasn’t that blatant negligence? There are no victims, only perpetrators and bystanders.

So, isn’t it a crime? Because there are no victims? Because the victims don’t remember? Seo Dohyun’s ability, making things possible that weren’t before, was only raising his threshold for immorality. If he kept thinking like this, his head would explode.

“Then. What about Seo Doa?”

“Doa?”

He didn’t want to use Seo Doa as an example in this context, but it was the best way to persuade him. At least, he wouldn’t be harsh to his own people. Yigeom narrowed his eyes and asked,

“Seo Doa lost her memories too. So, are the vigilantes and Blood Hunter who kidnapped the previous Doa innocent? Because she doesn’t remember?”

Dohyun’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, as if the words had hit a nerve.

“Doa is….”

“Why? Is it okay because Doa can remember anytime, but if you use your ability, she’ll never remember?”

Dohyun didn’t look like he realized his wrongdoing at all, but since it was Yigeom speaking, he remained silent, as if willing to listen to the end.

“Seo Dohyun. That’s what they call a ‘perfect crime.’”

“…….”

“Is a perfect crime not a crime?”

Yigeom continued, his voice choked with emotion.

“Frankly speaking. If you’re really justified, can you use that ability to kill Seo Doa, Cha Jewoo, or Sanha-hyung?”

There was no answer.

“See. You can’t.”

Dohyun remained silent for a while before opening his lips.

“I treat you specially.”

“Yeah, you seem to be trying.”

“I don’t kill you and I cherish you.”

“So what? Am I supposed to be grateful?”

What’s so special about not killing someone? How lacking in basic common sense must he be to say something like that?

“But why do you keep…”

“…….”

“Why do I have to treat others like that too?”

It’s enough that Latter is special to me. Seo Dohyun said so. It was an expression that he had no intention of backing down.

“Hey.”

Yigeom’s expression turned serious.

“It’s fine to have someone special.”

That’s not wrong. Everyone has someone they cherish and consider special. Yigeom had one too.

“But that doesn’t mean other people are like ants on the road.”

“I’m too busy focusing on what’s precious.”

“I…”

Yigeom faltered, unable to finish his sentence.

‘I…’

He didn’t want to go crazy within the repeating time. He was afraid that he would become like Seo Dohyun, a person devoid of morals.

He felt like he would go crazy because of Seo Dohyun, who wouldn’t listen to reason. But if Seo Dohyun hadn’t been there in these times, if he had been left alone, that would have driven him crazy too.

“I just…”

Yigeom simply wished.

“I want to live like a human.”

Seo Dohyun’s ability is powerful. Frighteningly useful in battle. That’s why it’s chilling. It makes everyone forget except him and Seo Dohyun.

That world, known only to them, is powerful. But…, but, aren’t they being robbed of their humanity in exchange for the right to enjoy that world?

Finally, it erased Seo Dohyun’s humanity. The kind that kills people without hesitation and feels no guilt.

Yigeom didn’t want to lose his humanity within these times. He didn’t want to become like Seo Dohyun.

And he realized. He couldn’t let go of Seo Dohyun, who had already lost his way.

“I, I really… I don’t want to endure this alone, and I don’t want to be with a crazy guy like you either.”

“Yoon Yigeom. That’s a bit harsh. We agreed to become friends.”

“Yeah, we agreed to become friends. We agreed to try. That’s why I’m doing this.”

That’s why he was trying to persuade him, to have a conversation, to somehow appease him. Because Seo Dohyun at least pretended to listen to him, because he at least pretended to be sorry even when he wasn’t.

This time, he hoped he wouldn’t just pretend to understand even if he didn’t, that he wouldn’t do that kind of thing.

Yigeom murmured in a trembling voice. He was scared, scared that he would become like him.

“Seo Dohyun.”

“Yes, Gyeom-ah.”

Even in this situation, that gentle and calm voice sounded somehow more terrifying than anything else. As if he had no emotions.

But enduring this time alone was impossible. He couldn’t be without Seo Dohyun. So, we.

“Please, let’s…”

So he pleaded earnestly. He pleaded, holding back tears.

“Please, let’s live like humans.”

I can’t let you go.

Seo Dohyun remained silent for a long time. Yigeom kept his head down, his gaze fixed on the table. He couldn’t bring himself to look at his face. He was afraid to face him, afraid that his expression would be terribly calm.

It was Seo Dohyun who finally broke the silence.

“Don’t cry.”

“…….”

“Don’t cry, Gyeom-ah.”

“I’m not crying.”

His words were very brief.

Is that all you have to say after all this? Yigeom bit his lip in despair, and Dohyun spoke again.

“I tried, but understanding isn’t something you can just do by trying.”

That’s true. It’s a matter of values. It’s not something that can be easily fixed.

“So, for now, I’ll do as you say.”

“…What?”

Yigeom abruptly raised his head at the unexpected answer. The usual expressionless face.

“I won’t do what you tell me not to do, and I’ll fix the things you hate.”

“…….”

“Is that enough?”

Yigeom’s lips parted slightly in a daze. What did I just hear?

“I’m asking if that’s enough, Gyeom-ah.”

“Uh… uh, yeah…”

He affirmed hurriedly, feeling perplexed yet urgent in case he changed his mind. This was a good start. A significant improvement for Seo Dohyun.

“Then I’ll have to tell Mr. Bae next week that I can’t do it.”

“…….”

This works? Seo Dohyun is listening to me?

“You’re making sense?”

Yigeom murmured, blinking.

“Did you even think about trying?”

“…No.”

Even just yesterday, anger had rushed in so quickly that he hadn’t even thought about having a conversation.

“So, you didn’t try again.”

“…….”

“You didn’t answer my calls, you weren’t home. You were busy avoiding me again.”

“That’s…”

He had nothing to say. It was true that he had deliberately taken refuge at Kang Taeha’s house for fear that Latter, who knew he and Seo Dohyun had fought, would form another strange reconciliation expedition and come looking for him.

“Gyeom-ah, I’m always trying to get along with you.”

“Right. I’ll try too.”

“Easy to say.”

Yigeom stealthily glanced at him. It was true that he had avoided him without even thinking about talking.

“Well… let’s try to talk more and get along from now on.”

“Of course. We’re both trying. Right?”

Yigeom needlessly rubbed his teacup. Then, to avoid the slight awkwardness, he said clumsily,

“Shall we get up if we’re done talking? …See you tomorrow?”

“Where are you going?”

“A friend’s house.”

He seemed displeased with the answer.

“You go to him whenever something happens.”

Well, Kang Taeha is the most comfortable… Somehow, it felt like he shouldn’t say that in front of Seo Dohyun. His persistent gaze followed Yigeom, holding him captive.

“Don’t go. Stay with me.”

Yigeom glanced at his watch. Stay with you? But the time… It was already evening. So, he refused quite frankly.

“No. Kang Taeha’s waiting.”

“…….”

Dohyun, seemingly bothered by this, tapped his index finger on the table, lost in thought. After waiting quietly, he spoke.

“Aren’t you trying?”

“I will try. But I have a prior engagement with Kang Taeha.”

“Cancel it.”

“I’ll try to be friends with you, but it’s a bit much to cancel a prior engagement, isn’t it?”

He then put his drink on the tray and returned it. Seo Dohyun followed Yigeom, making his displeasure known.

Outside, Yigeom faced him and reiterated his point.

“Just so you know, I said I’d try to be friends with you, not that I’d put you first. And you…”

He opened his mouth, unable to finish his sentence. He wondered if he would even understand if he said this, but he tried to speak anyway.

“You really. Fucking, fucking need to live atoning. To me, and to others.”

Even though he apologized and Yigeom accepted the apology, it didn’t mean he forgave him. Seo Dohyun had to always carry the burden of regret and guilt, and the suffering that comes with it, towards him and others. That was right.

“Otherwise, you’re not even human.”

“I will.”

Dohyun vowed firmly, unexpectedly. Yigeom’s departing footsteps stopped abruptly.

“I’ll do everything you tell me to.”

“…….”

“So, stay with me today.”

Easily given answers easily lose their value. Yigeom didn’t believe his answer was sincere, thinking he just said it to avoid the current situation.

‘Well, still…’

For a guy who wouldn’t even utter the word ‘sorry,’ this was remarkable progress.

Feeling somewhat proud, Yigeom reached out and ruffled his hair. It was probably the first time he had touched him like this. Then, without hesitation, he turned his back.

“I’m going.”

Dohyun stubbornly etched that retreating figure into his memory.