136 – 136. The night sky? Or me?
The day after the press conference was held. Wednesday.
“Haa… ….”
Special Countermeasures Division Team 2 Team Leader’s Office. Min Chae-ryeong was breathing her sighs with her tired face.
There were documents printed with various official letters on the desk, and e-mails from various organizations were lined up on the laptop screen. It was all about vegetables.
Chae So-yeon interview request, TV appearance offer, charity event invitation, government agency recruitment, etc.
“I was told to shut up during the press conference in case this happened… ….”
It was strange that he didn’t get attention from the media after he made such a fuss at the conference about a subject that had already attracted a lot of attention as an American hero and agent. Min Chae-ryeong, who tried to pass this situation as quietly as possible, was suffering from heavy workload that she did not even have in her arms thanks to her trolling.
“Haa… ….”
And Ahn Su-ho was also suffering from overwork. Ahn Soo-ho, who was resting thanks to the early end of the day, was caught by Min Chae-ryeong, who needed her help, and shared her paperwork.
‘Your partner did it, so you should take responsibility too, right?’
I could refute as much as I wanted to, but Ahn Su-ho didn’t. It was because Min Chaeryeong looked very bad. She has nothing to do until after work anyway, so it’s not difficult for her to help.
“Hamburger Franchise CF Recruitment… …. 7 P.M. Terrestrial talk show panel invitation……. Seongnam city daily police promotion activity……. With so many calls coming in, it’s just too much to refuse.”
“Even if you refuse, please refuse as politely as possible. I’m grateful for the offer, but I’m busy with academy policing activities and I’m running out of time. You know what it feels like?”
“Is it possible or not?”
-Tadak. Ride on.
In the quiet team leader’s room, only the sound of two people tapping on their laptops resonated. Suho Ahn, who was engrossed in his work, occasionally checks the time with a look of nervousness.
“Do you have any appointments today?”
Min Chae-ryeong, noticing her sign, asked insinuatingly.
“Yes. I’m going to meet the sky. They said it was all over with only one theoretical exam left, so I’m going to buy you dinner to catch your breath.”
“You are kind. Anyone who sees it will know that you two are dating.”
Ahn Su-ho was lost in thought for a moment at Min Chae-ryeong’s joke. To say or not After thinking about it, he quickly nodded his head and replied.
“Yes. We are dating.”
-Stand up.
At those words, Min Chae-ryeong’s hand, which was tapping her keyboard, stopped abruptly. She frowned and looked at Ahn Soo-ho.
“…… Are you two dating?”
“Didn’t you know that? I heard that he watched the sky and saw that he often went with me.”
“That’s right, but… ….”
Certainly, Min Chaeryeong knew that Ahn Soo-ho had been getting particularly close to Kang Ha-neul lately. However, she only thought of them as close brothers and sisters, but she did not think that the two would become lovers.
That would be too… ….
“What about Yewon Ji?”
“I’m also dating Yewon.”
“What?”
“The so-called leg of lamb. Both of them know that I have another woman. Somehow it happened.”
She couldn’t explain all the conflicts between the three of them to Min Chae-ryeong. That’s why she just happened to be like that, she vaguely evaded.
“Huh… ….”
However, at that calm answer, Min Chae-ryeong was unable to escape from her shock. She seemed surprised, and at times she seemed devastated.
Unexpected that Min Chae-ryeong showed such a humane reaction, Ahn Soo-ho took her gaze away from her monitor and asked a sneak peek.
“Are you surprised?”
“That’s amazing. It’s surprising that he confidently crosses both legs. Rather than that…….”
Min Chaeryeong’s eyes are tearing thinly. She calmed down her expression before she knew it and returned to her usual Min Chae-ryeong.
“I just wanted to tell me the truth without hesitation. The other day, Ji Ye-won said that she was not very important or important to you? Of course, it was obvious that it was a lie. What kind of change of heart is this?”
“As the team leader said, it’s also an obvious lie. It’s not like we’re dating secretly, so you’ll find out after time anyway. Furthermore… ….”
Ahn Soo-ho met Min Chae-ryeong’s eyes. A gaze that seemed not to back down even an inch.
“The team leader is a reasonable person, right? Unlike in the past, now you know that it would only be a loss to be hostile to me.”
At those words, Min Chaeryeong’s temples suddenly sprouted tendons. Ahn Su-ho expressed it moderately, but it was no different from a half threat.
Don’t touch my person.
Don’t be hostile to me.
If hostile, I won’t stand still.
So make a reasonable decision.
Ahn Suho’s words contained such a meaning. At those words, Min Chae-ryeong chewed her lips carefully, giving off a displeased yet resentful look.
If Ahn Su-ho had said something like that just a month ago, he would have laughed it off and said it was ridiculous. If you put your mind to it, you can step on it anytime. I would have been so sure
But I couldn’t do that anymore.
It was impossible to even read the records of overrank dungeons without certain authority, but with Min Chaeryeong’s connections, it was not difficult to check that much. Thanks to this, Ahn Soo-ho clearly imprinted his value or danger on Min Chae-ryeong through his performance in this raid.
“…… You’re right. If you think rationally, there is no need to be hostile with you, who is a cooperative relationship ‘for now’. Because that makes sense.”
But.
After adding that, life slowly began to emanate from Min Chaeryeong’s body. For some coincidence, the fluorescent lights hanging from the ceiling crackle and flicker at the right time.
“Don’t be so cocky. No matter how strong you become, it’s only a little annoying. You are the one who judges rationally. Okay?”
“It’s the same for each other.”
The two glared at each other wordlessly. The peaceful atmosphere just a moment ago has disappeared, and only heavy tension pervades the team leader’s office.
“You… ….”
Min Chae-ryeong stood up from her seat and glared at him. However, An Su-ho had no intention of backing down.
Min Chaeryeong had already tried to control Ahn Soo-ho through Ji Ye-won. In order to prevent such a thing from happening again, he had to build a relationship with Min Chae-ryeong on an equal footing while getting along well.
So she can’t blackmail Ahn Su-ho by holding the two of them hostage. She and she made me think that it would be better to voluntarily maintain the cooperative relationship as it is now rather than intimidate.
“………… Done. If I fight like this with you, I will only lose.”
Did you read that sign? It was Min Chaeryeong who retreated first. She shrugged her shoulders and let out a deep sigh and smiled brightly.
“Okay. Like you said, you and the people around you. Whether it’s Ji Ye-won or Kang Ha-neul, I won’t touch her as much as possible. So don’t point your teeth at me unnecessarily. Got it?”
A fishy smile appeared on Min Chaeryeong’s lips. She said so right away, but Min Chae-ryeong was willing to use Ji Ye-won or Kang Ha-neul if necessary. At least she wouldn’t know if it was Ji Ye-won, but she had her eyes on Kang Ha-neul from the very beginning, and she closed her eyes and cried out that she wouldn’t touch her river sky.
“…… Yes. Let’s do it.”
Ahn Su-ho was not unaware of that fact. But I thought this was enough. I warned her like this, so she wouldn’t know if it was because of Min Chae-ryeong’s own purpose, but at least she wouldn’t touch the two needlessly to control An Su-ho.
“Really. Do you know how you growl at me these days whenever we’re alone like this? Anyway. I don’t know what they did, but if I became a little stronger, I’d become arrogant…….”
Min Chaeryeong spoke in a soft tone, as if scolding a child, and glanced at her watch.
“It’s time to get off work soon, so stop helping me and go. I’m scheduled to work at 9:00 later, but I need to take a break, even for three hours. Oh, did I say that I had a date with Kang Ha-neul? Where are you going? Have you made a reservation for the shop?”
“Since the test isn’t over, I’m just thinking of eating in moderation. Furthermore… …. You must already know where and what Haneul is doing anyway. Isn’t it?”
“If possible, don’t leave the area around the academy. I might be kidnapped again.”
“Keep in mind.”
Ahn Soo-ho closed his laptop and started organizing the messy materials on the table. Then, a thought flashed through her mind and he glanced at Min Chae-ryeong.
“I am the manager. Can I ask you something?”
“What is it?”
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a broadcast appearance or an invitation to an event. Won’t So-yeon get a lot of scouting offers from various guilds and institutions in the future? I wonder if all such proposals are cut from the team leader’s line.”
“Of course not. Soyeon is mine Even though there are a lot of shortcomings, there is no way I’m willing to pass it on to someone else, even though I’ve worked hard to get it, right?”
I got it.
That’s what he said, but in Ahn Su-ho’s eyes, the vegetable association was nothing more than Min Chae-ryeong’s subordinate at work. The relationship will soon be broken if So-yeon wants to leave the guard, or if he decides to go somewhere else.
“What if you want to leave the guard? Can’t you stop that?”
“No.”
However, Min Chae-ryeong immediately shook her head. As if there was no such possibility.
“That’s not going to happen. So-yeon will never try to leave me. It’s not threats or coercion, it’s because I was raised to follow only me in the first place.”
“Raise…… Did you come?”
She tried to ask what that meant, but Min Chae-ryeong just smiled silently and waved her hand. She was an unspoken guest spirit. Even if she asked, she wouldn’t answer.
“… ….”
In the end, Ahn Su-ho had no choice but to leave the team leader’s office, leaving behind his uncomfortable feelings. After going to his seat and packing up, he leaves the office in time for work.
‘Chae So-yeon was raised to follow only herself? What are you talking about? Is she really saying she literally raised her? They’re only three years apart?’
A meaningful answer to a question posed without much thought. Suho Ahn pondered the meaning of ‘raised’ as he descended the stairs of the building, but he couldn’t come up with an answer.
“Hmm… ….”
“Brother!”
At that time, Ahn Soo-ho escaped from his thoughts when he heard a voice calling him. Coming out of the guard building, he noticed Kang Ha-neul waving in front of him.
Kang Ha-neul was wearing a light white jjolti and tight-fitting leggings. As if to show that he had been studying just a moment ago, the eco-bag slung over one shoulder was filled with major books, writing instruments, and notebooks.
“Were you waiting?”
When Ahn Su-ho asked, happy and sorry, Kang Ha-neul shook his head.
“I didn’t wait that long. 5 Minutes? Oppa, I thought it would be time to leave work, so I came early.”
“I was just waiting in the library. The exams aren’t over yet.”
“I only have one subject left anyway. And if I come to pick you up, it’s better because I can meet you earlier. Hi-Hi.”
Ahn Su-ho smiled at that appearance as if he was looking for praise by adding, ‘Did I do well?’. He said he did well and stroked her hair, and Kang Ha-neul was embraced in his arms.
“hehehe.”
Kang Ha-neul, who was rubbing her body pleasantly while receiving Ahn Su-ho’s touch, looked around in amazement.
It was time for work, so there were many students and staff in front of the security guard building. I couldn’t help but pay attention to her openly showing affection in the middle of the crowds coming and going.
“Oh, let’s go! My brother said he has a night shift at 9:00. I don’t have much time, so I have to eat quickly and rest well so I can work hard at night!”
“You don’t have to be in such a hurry. I heard you ate lunch quite late too. Since we have a lot of time, let’s take a short walk and go eat dinner slowly.”
“Ummm… ….”
At Suho Ahn’s suggestion, Kang Ha-neul let out a quiet voice and looked up at him. The head was lowered and only the eyes were slightly raised, as if a cat was looking up.
“Hey, that would be nice, but are you okay? I feel like I’m stealing oppa’s break time…….”
“What are you talking about? Taking a walk and eating with you is a break for me. You don’t have to care so much.”
“Really? Then play with me and have a good rest! Hee hee.”
Kang Ha-neul laughed and held Ahn Su-ho’s hand tightly. A little while ago, she was ashamed of other people’s eyes, but that level of affection seemed to be within the permissible range.
“Huh? But the sky is you…….”
At that time, Ahn Soo-ho looked at her back as if he noticed something about her.
“Are you in Avatar now? Why is the color on the ends of my hair…….”
Kang Ha-neul’s hair was originally black, but now about 10cm at the ends are dyed sky blue. The natural gradation from black to sky blue was a form that could not be created with artificial dyeing.
“Oh, this? The other day, when I woke up after drinking with my brother and Yewon unnie, I had changed like this. Maybe it’s the influence of the cherry blossoms of love? That day, she lent her abilities to her brother and got them back…….”
Kang Ha-neul shrugged her shoulders, saying that she didn’t even know herself. She also wondered if her avatar’s hair color, which she used to drink often, was light blue, so she wondered if it was the effect of her skill. However, the exact cause was not known to Ahn Su-ho.
“Don’t worry, it won’t be a big deal! Besides, isn’t this pretty? The natural connection between black and sky blue is just like the night sky after the sun goes down.”
Saying that, Kang Ha-neul pointed to the sky. The sky was still dyed with a scarlet sunset, but on the other side where the sunset did not reach, a black night sky was slowly approaching.
At the border, the sky blue and deep blue were intertwined, and it looked similar to her hair, as Kang Ha-neul said.
“Sure. Very pretty.”
“The night sky? Or me?”
“Aren’t they both heavenly?”
“By the way! Are you saying that the sky up there is pretty, or that I am pretty?”
“Huh? Is the sky pretty?”
“Tell me straight. You mean I’m pretty? Yes?”
Strength goes into the hands that hold hands with Ahn Su-ho. The river sky opened her eyes and glared at An Su-ho. Ahn Soo-ho, who had been receiving that gaze, nodded as if he had lost.
“Uh. The sky next to me is prettier than the night sky up there.”
“How come, it seems like you are bowing down and bowing down… …. It makes me feel good when my brother says I’m pretty.”
The two of them looked at each other and burst into laughter at the same time. The sight of the couple openly bathing in salt as they stroll down the street makes the passers-by look happy, envious, or displeased.
“Then our meal is at 7 o’clock? I will eat it by then. Where would you be before that? It’s fine for me to just walk like this.”
“Okay. Shall we go to a cafe and have a cup of coffee?”
“Ah. A little coffee before that meal……. Besides, I don’t want to drink now because I’m going to drink a lot later tonight.”
“Are you going to stay up all night again?”
“I don’t leak at all and I’m going to sleep for about 4 hours. Yewon unnie gave me a genealogy, but the concept part is still lacking…….”
– Male voice Male voice.
At that time, the two people turned their heads at the same time at the sound of a distant hum. There was a huge crowd in an outdoor stadium about 50 meters away.
“What? Any event today…… Ah.”
Recognizing the cause of the crowd, Ahn Soo-ho let out a low exclamation. A beat later, Kang Ha-neul also said, “Come to think of it… ….’ And took off his luck.
“I heard that the midwinter ranking match against Ryu Tae-hyun will be held at an outdoor arena today, isn’t that the case? It must have been 6:30.”
I checked the time and it was 6:15. I guess it seems right. The two of them looked at each other at the same time.
“…… Shall we go see it?”
“Yes. I was going to say the same.”
“I know the results, but are you curious? Because it’s an incident that happened in the original story…….”
Dalian Ryu Tae-hyeon and mid-winter conducted during mid-term exams. Kang Ha-neul, who couldn’t remember the details of the original story, remembered the episode properly.
“Yes. I’m definitely curious. What the outcome will be.”
On the other hand, Ahn Su-ho was purely curious about the results. Midwinter, which went through two fights with Ahn Su-ho in preparation for the ranking match, became considerably stronger compared to the same point in the original work. If she is like that, maybe she could produce a different result from the original.
Curiosity slowly rose in Ahn Suho’s heart. He looked up at him, who had his eyes fixed on the side of the stadium, and gently took the hand that Kang Ha-neul was holding.
“Don’t stay blank, go quickly. Go quickly and get a good seat.”