58 – Proof of Relationship (1)
“Illya, at least unlock the car before we talk…”
“I cannot easily understand the basis for Lord Taehyuk’s decision.
Do you have benefits worth hurting yourself for?”
– Vroom.
Illya began moving the car without even touching the steering wheel.
Instead, she came close to me, inserting her hand into her body.
“Doing this in a moving car, isn’t it a bit…?!”
Click.
With the sound, the gun was snatched from the waistband.
The injured right hand couldn’t reach out,
and the unharmed left hand was inadequate to prevent the unfolding situation in an instant.
“I cannot easily predict the consequences of Taehyuk’s irrational actions.
For instance, there is a considerable possibility of preventing acts like firing a gun to escape from a moving car.”
“You…”
I’ve never thought about such a thing.
Is there a logical reason to throw oneself out of a moving car with a broken arm?
Or,
could what he’s about to do not simply end in mere confinement?
“Lord Taehyuk, please calm down.
I did not choose these actions to harm you.
I would appreciate it if you could abandon attempts to take back the gun with an injured body or plans to seize control of the vehicle.”
“I haven’t thought about that. But I’m curious.
What are you trying to do?”
“I will explain when we arrive home.
For now, please respond to incoming calls sequentially.”
A phone call?
A certain phone call.
It’s not like there would be missed calls during the time I fainted again.
Awkwardly slipping my hand into my pocket, just as I was about to take out the phone –
A screen appeared on the helmet.
[…Hello?]
“Yeah, Dayeon.”
The phone I pulled out was filled with records of the two.
There were other names here and there, but…
Most of them were from Dayeon and Haru.
Especially Haru, seeing the messages filled to the brim, I let out a deep sigh.
[It’s not bothering you, is it…?]
“No, it’s just… things have been tough lately.”
When Illya uttered the word ‘love’ with her own mouth, I thought only happiness remained ahead.
But after messing up my wrist and doing a mercenary job once, this is how it turned out.
A cast on my hand, an unyielding belt around my body,
and the car moving freely without my hand on the wheel.
[Oh, then rest up quickly. That… news. You’ve seen it, right.]
“Do you also think my wrist looks that painful?”
[Not just your wrist, you got shot in the body too.]
Ah, right. I forgot.
My arm hurt the most, so I had forgotten about it.
There seemed to be several bullets lodged in my body as well.
“Well, it’s nothing. I always wear body armor, you know. By the way, does Dojun wear it too?”
[I’m very careful about safety. If someone forgets their protective gear for musical instruments, I even scold them myself.]
[After watching the news this time, I heard a speech urging everyone to wear bulletproof vests even if they’re heavy… Hmm.]
Nevertheless, there seemed to be room for laughter.
Although relieved, Ilia’s discerning eyes were gradually revealed.
Instead of turning the steering wheel head-on,
she was facing me directly, silently waiting.
“It’s fortunate… Don’t overdo it. Like shooting a gun and not wanting to sprain your wrist like me.”
[Is it because of the injuries we got from your request?]
“No, it’s just… something happened again. Don’t worry about it. I’ll take a break for a while. Well, I won’t be able to do anything properly for a while, anyway.”
And Ilia will make sure of that.
Giving freedom, but what exactly is she using it for to confine me, I wonder.
[So… would it be difficult for you to come to me for a while?]
“It seems difficult.”
He answered without hesitation.
The one putting on my necklace right now is not the girl on the other end of the phone –
It was Ilia who was holding me back.
[Heh… Are you trying to break down even an iron wall?]
“It hurts. My wrist is really hurting. They even put me in a cast.”
Even as she said that, Ilia excused herself using injuries, so as not to hurt my feelings.
…Could a simple phone call lead to such a headache?
[Alright then. It would undoubtedly be impolite to keep calling a person in pain.]
[…Ilia, are you there?]
At the question, glancing slightly to the side, Ilia didn’t react at all.
She used to express her opinions passionately, even drawing an X with her hand before.
Now, she was just holding the small heart she gave as a gift.
As if trying to feel something.
“I’m here.”
[Heh, looks like you’re not causing a fuss after all.]
“Well, that problem is a bit challenging, you know. To put it bluntly, I’m thirty-five, and you are – “
[Eh, eh? Thirty-five?]
I flinched at the sudden outburst.
A woman’s high-pitched voice could be a weapon that dealt a fatal blow to the ears.
“Yeah. Getting old, right? So – “
[Even if you say that, I thought you were in your late twenties at most! Thirty-five…]
And with a laugh that seemed to be enjoying it, Da-yeon, whose voice had become excited, felt that something was wrong.
Ilia’s eyes were somehow getting colder.
[I mentioned it last time as well, but I’m nineteen. So… you know?]
“No, where’s the appeal in an old man like this constantly saying that…”
[Have a bit more confidence. Even after rolling as a mercenary for ten years, with a face like that… Ha.]
Oh, I was wrong.
Well, that’s because Ilia took her eyes off me.
Even if it was for the sake of human relationships, if things were going like this…
That’s right. Of course.
At least I could understand that much.
“Got it.”
“I love you, Taehyuk-nim. I hope you won’t forget that fact.”
It felt a bit uncomfortable as if it had become somewhat of a heavy shackle, but even so, I could fully comprehend why Ilia was saying that.
I picked up the persistently ringing phone and answered it once.
[…]
No sound coming through the speaker.
A day passed without any response until the slow count reached twelve. It felt oddly strange.
Certainly, by now, there should be chaos and commotion.
“Tatanka-san?”
[Ha, Ha-ru, Ha-ru… you asked me to call you that.]
Alive.
But… the condition seems really bad.
From Noble mtl dot com
“My throat is blocked. Is there anywhere hurting?”
[Wrist… it’s because of me. I… made you get hurt…]
And there was even a sense of apology.
The drastically changed appearance was intriguing, but it didn’t make me more curious beyond that.
And perhaps it’s because the affection has already faded away.
I didn’t really feel like comforting the one who seemed to have cried a lot.
“Yeah, well. Thanks to you. I’m not dead. You don’t have to feel that sorry.
Blaming me as usual -“
[No, no, no!!]
Ah, really.
My ears started to feel numb.
My ears, struck twice, reluctantly began to tingle.
I wanted to lower the volume a bit and touch my ears, but… I couldn’t take off my helmet.
[I’m the one who’s wrong. It’s my fault. I’m not that shameless.]
“You were wrong, Taehyuk. You were wrong…”
“…You’re not supposed to be at work, are you?”
[I, I’m… on break. Took… sick leave.]
What’s with the guy who used to wear a mask and go to work even during the height of the flu season?
…Was it true that he liked me?
“Well then, rest well. Let’s see each other in good health again – “
[…Can I come over?]
I barely held back a rough sigh trying to scratch its way out of my throat.
He was definitely the one who was sorry just a moment ago and said he liked me –
He should at least have some awareness, shouldn’t he?
“Will it be alright?”
[Um, yes. I’m sorry. You must not want to see it… Of course.]
[Ugh, I don’t know why I said that. I wanted to say I love you.]
[Just, that I liked you, and that’s why I couldn’t live properly all this time…]
A voice that cracked, trembled, and squeaked, sinking into a deep tone.
And then suddenly pouring out words and giggling.
Like being on guard without even getting any sleep – the state of rambling throughout the day didn’t seem good at all.
“…Just rest a bit. Take care of yourself. Your throat seems really bad.
It’s as if you haven’t slept for a few days, losing your taste…”
[…H-How did you know? You’re smart…]
No, don’t laugh.
I didn’t mean to give you attention.
Somehow, with every woman I meet, with every conversation,
I was making Illya more stubborn.
Even though I didn’t have that intention.
“Ha… Just, just rest. I’ll stop bothering you.”
[Wait, just a moment – ]
I pressed the button to turn off my phone and roughly threw it in front of me.
…I only had phone conversations with two people.
It was easy to understand why Illya reacted like this.
“Is it over?”
“…Tiring.”
He extended his left hand towards Illya.
However, she didn’t take it, so I had to grab her with my right hand and interlock our fingers.
“No need to worry. I’ll do my best to tidy up one by one whenever possible.”
“The likelihood of two people visiting Taehyuk-nim’s house is very high. If Taehyuk-nim expresses refusal, Goda-yeon and Tanaka Haru already know his whereabouts.”
As my outstretched hand was firmly held,
Illya’s face slowly began to break into a smile.
“Taehyuk-nim has already experienced failure in interacting with Tanaka Haru. Therefore, my intervention is deemed essential.”
It was said with a somewhat ominous feeling.