The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 216

216. The Same Place

‘Still partners, though.’

I was worried they might reconsider our relationship due to my lack of qualifications. Or maybe that’s why I was called here. There had been no contact since then, and not a single word had been exchanged all day today.

My head was filled with complicated thoughts, but I deliberately avoided dwelling on them and replied that I understood, asking where I should go.

All I can do is paint. That’s barely anything, so what?

“I need to go see the Sesung Guild Leader for a bit.”

Yoohyun wore a dubious expression at my words. My brother approached me and examined my face.

“You don’t have to push yourself. Even if things go south with the Sesung Guild, it’s not like we can’t handle them. We can stand up to them now.”

“Why would things go south? Why would the Sesung Guild Leader do something that would make him give up both Giseungsu [a highly skilled individual] and a blacksmith? It’s nothing.”

Yeah, what could it be? It’s just that I lack confidence in myself. Honestly, anyone would feel intimidated in front of Sung Hyunjae. It’s not that I’m lacking, but that he’s extraordinary.

I left the guest room with Yoohyun. Sung Hyunjae had called me to the bar on the top floor of the hotel. The entire floor seemed to be empty, as we didn’t encounter anyone after getting off the elevator. The outer walls of the wide hallway were glass. Beyond the glass, the water in the rooftop swimming pool shimmered bluishly under the lights.

“I’ll wait outside.”

“No need. If the Sesung Guild Leader has any conscience, he’ll see me out.”

Instead of replying, my brother sat down on one of the chairs spaced along the hallway. I knew he would.

“Call me if anything happens, hyung [older brother].”

“I will.”

How reliable. I opened the door with its ornate patterns. The bar was dimly lit, and the wall facing the swimming pool was also glass. Overall, the interior was Western-style, but the outer flower bed was planted with low bamboo, and there was a painting of a woman in Japanese clothing, as well as other Japanese-style decorations. Pick one, just one. It’s distracting.

“This way.”

Sung Hyunjae was standing beyond the long bar. The lights behind him and the glittering glasses. As long as the taste isn’t poisonous, his face alone would make the business thrive. …Judging by the Japanese reaction, they’d line up even if it meant dying.

Remembering those over-the-top broadcasts calmed me down. The Brain God’s cocktail, a tingling taste. No, I can’t laugh. …Yoohyun, something with a cold ice-blue color and fire? Could do that. Yerim… No, let’s stop with the nonsense. I can’t get influenced by Japanese broadcasts.

“The Sesung Guild’s finances must be terrible these days, for the Guild Leader to be moonlighting.”

I realized I’d blurted it out as I was speaking, but I just went with it. At least I didn’t call him Brain God. I should ask him to make me a tingling cocktail to boost his sales, oh Brain God. And provide some background music too.

“You certainly seem to be in a much better mood.”

Sung Hyunjae said, gesturing for me to sit down. I sat on a chair in front of the bar. It felt like I really had to order something, but I didn’t know what. Do they only sell cocktails here? Don’t they have peanuts or something?

“The broadcasts in this area are interesting. The Amaterasu Guild [referencing Japanese mythology] is entertaining too.”

Lion King and the Japanese Samurai were fun. Thinking about Yerim stepping on them already made it more fun. I should have made a placard too.

Sung Hyunjae placed an empty glass in front of me. He skillfully took out various ingredients and put them into a shaker, like someone who had been working here for a long time. My eyes were unconsciously drawn to the movement of the silver container. A drink with a bright, greenish hue was poured smoothly into the glass without a sound, and a decorative straw was inserted.

It looked like just juice, and it actually tasted sweet. Delicious.

“You didn’t call me here just to drink this, so what’s the matter?”

The sweetness in my mouth made me feel bitter. Is this the carrot and stick?

“I have a proposal to make.”

A card was placed next to the cocktail glass. A black credit card.

“The old one must be unusable now.”

“Are you saying we should end our partnership and go back to the way things were?”

I wasn’t surprised, as I had expected it to some extent.

“I’ll drop the partner status, but I won’t take the card.”

Just the Guild Leader and the director of the breeding center. That’s how we can settle it. Actually, there’s no need to be partners or anything. It’s not like we’re going to become enemies now. At least, I hope he’ll give me minimal cooperation.

“Let’s just draw up a simple contract for each other’s sake. You don’t want the world to end either, do you, Sung Hyunjae?”

I suddenly remembered when I first met him. He had been treating me like a commodity since then. I was joking, and others took it as a joke too. Three months since then. It wasn’t a long time.

I thought it would be beneficial to get closer. More than anything, it would be incredibly reassuring to have him on our side. Sung Hyunjae himself was the number one ranked Hunter, and the ability to share Combat Prediction as a teacher skill was still too good to pass up. Not to mention his influence, which extended widely overseas.

And also. Well, other things too.

Looking back, I felt a little gloomy. I must be lacking, but what can I do?

“…You have less patience than I thought.”

In the end, a blunt remark came out, and Sung Hyunjae opened his mouth.

“Quite the opposite. I’m constantly holding back.”

“Constantly? I’m truly sorry for being such an irritatingly incompetent F-rank.”

I didn’t realize you were holding back that much. I should prostrate myself and apologize for frustrating you.

“I could force you to tell me. About that attitude I don’t understand. About everything you’re hiding, Han Yoojin.”

He smiled gently, saying that he doesn’t usually hold back when he’s curious.

“But I cherish Han Yoojin.”

“What do you want from me?”

“A guardian, you could say. That’s my proposal.”

Sung Hyunjae walked along the long bar.

“If you reveal your weakness, you won’t be able to withstand it and will collapse. If that happens, we need to build supports, not just paint. Taking the time to do it meticulously and sturdily. So that you can withstand it even if you’re completely empty inside.”

He turned the corner and came out of the bar, approaching me. I thought about getting up, but just turned my chair to face him. His silent steps stopped in front of me.

“So, you’re saying you’ll be that support?”

Why you? I have my own brother, and kids who are like family, and friends.

“Relying on others isn’t a bad thing. It’s a desirable trait, as long as you don’t live in a world alone. But before that, you need to establish your own foundation. The center of everything is ‘me.’ If you can’t hold yourself together properly, everything around you will easily fall apart.”

“…Are you telling me to practice self-discipline or something?”

“Aren’t you already pushing yourself and cutting yourself down enough? You need rest more than discipline.”

“I’m not that free.”

“I’ll create an environment for rest. Perfectly and meticulously.”

Sung Hyunjae said gently, as if soothing me.

“If you accept my proposal.”

He lowered himself. Kneeling on one knee, he went below my line of sight. As if an adult was lowering their eye level to avoid threatening a child.

I had been relying on him a bit, but is this really necessary?

“Just in case you’ve forgotten, I’m twenty-five years old. I’m not old, but I’m an adult, and I started working early. Thanks to that, I have much more life experience than you think.”

Actually, I’m thirty. I’m definitely not young.

“There’s no need to treat me like a child without a guardian.”

“Adults and children are the same. They feel sadness, joy, and all other emotions equally. It’s just that as you get older, the things you have to endure and the things you have to take responsibility for gradually increase. You end up worrying about what others think before you can cry when you want to cry, or laugh when you want to laugh.”

“Because we’re adults.”

If you just do whatever you want, would that be a proper adult? Unlike children, you have to endure everything to live without unconditional protection. I hate waking up early, but I have to force myself to open my eyes, I want to rest, but I have to go to work, I hate my boss, but I have to laugh it off, and I have to endure everything I want to eat and buy to fit my budget.

I was just faster than average. I had to take responsibility and endure things earlier.

“You don’t have to take responsibility, and you don’t have to endure.”

It was so sweet it felt like my teeth would rot.

“Without worrying about anything, just follow your heart. You can do whatever you want. No one will interfere. You don’t have to worry about what others think, and you don’t have to take responsibility. You can just see what you want to see and hear what you want to hear.”

“Uh… isn’t that just saying I should become your property?”

“A guardian and a ward. A relationship where you can become independent and be sent away at any time, once you’re strong enough to stand on your own.”

I didn’t understand well. More than anything, why he was doing this to me.

“Really, this is a surprisingly kind offer. What’s the catch? Don’t tell me there isn’t one.”

“When you can handle it, I hope you’ll tell me everything then.”

“…Is that all? I’ll let it go that you’re holding back from forcing me to talk. But you’re going to wait while acting as my guardian? No, really, why?”

“Because I want to.”

I was speechless at the simple answer. It wasn’t for me, but just because he wanted to. That was like him. In the end, he didn’t even want me to feel burdened.

“…Honestly, it’s tempting.”

If Sung Hyunjae was determined to act as a guardian, mobilizing everything he had, there would be no more perfect care than that. It was hard for me to imagine.

It would be an extremely satisfying and happy life.

If I hadn’t regressed.

“But Sung Hyunjae. You’re too late.”

The current me can’t accept that. At the same time, it’s because I’m like this that Sung Hyunjae is patiently reaching out to me. If I had been in a state where I could give up and choose to rest, I wouldn’t have received proper attention. The irony was a little funny.

“You should have contacted me ten years ago, or even twenty years ago. When I was around six or seven years old. Then I would have followed you happily. Taking my brother with me.”

“I’m sorry. I was still immature back then too.”

“Still, thank you.”

I got up from the chair and held out my hand. Sung Hyunjae took my hand and helped me up, even though I hadn’t been relying on him.

“Since you have plenty of patience, I look forward to working with you in the future, partner.”

My heart felt lighter. Sung Hyunjae looked down at me. It wouldn’t be bad if I looked down at him, but I’m more used to this eye level. He wore an exaggeratedly disappointed expression.

“When I make up my mind and concede, you don’t fall for it.”

“What do you mean, ‘you’? Have you made this offer to other people besides me?”

“Not to this extent, but I once offered Song Taewon Chief to secretly watch over him.”

“You must have been rejected.”

“I’m openly protecting him now.”

Isn’t that something that would be criticized as cronyism? It would be more comfortable for Chief Song, though. It seems like he’s really being nice to Chief Song in a vague way. It’s a really ambiguous kindness.

“I’ll keep this as an emergency fund, considering your sincerity, Sesung Guild Leader.”

I picked up the card next to the glass. I wasn’t planning on using it carelessly like before. Should I just call it a souvenir?

Before leaving the bar, I turned to Sung Hyunjae, saying that there was no need to see me off since my brother was waiting.

“Since you’re being so generous, I have one request.”

“Speak.”

“Please stay as you are. Without changing, without disappearing. Just as you are.”

The words, ‘Until I can rise to that position,’ stopped in my mouth. I wasn’t confident enough to say it proudly yet. It would have been hard to be confident if I had been alone on the cruise.

“And if possible, don’t die either.”

“I won’t.”

It was a light answer, as if we were making a dinner appointment.

* * *

Yoohyun was standing up when I went outside.

“Not sitting down.”

“I stood up because I heard your footsteps.”

Surely he didn’t hear everything that was said inside. Sung Hyunjae wouldn’t have called me without checking that.

“I knew nothing would happen. Should we go back to the room and order room service? I’m a little hungry.”

I had a hearty dinner, but I got hungry after taking a long bath.

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

Yoohyun muttered softly. Look at this guy.

“Are you jealous of the Sesung Guild Leader again? There’s no need to be. You’re always my priority.”

Everything now stems from my brother.

“No matter what anyone says, no matter what happens, you, Yoohyun, are the most important.”

So, let’s relax and have some late-night snacks. My brother nodded and smiled. Room service menu… I guess there won’t be any Korean? Should I call a guide?

As soon as I woke up in the morning, I yawned deeply with a sleepy face. The bedding was comfortable as it was a good hotel, but I didn’t sleep much. I had asked the guide to translate the TV channel lineup and ended up falling asleep late while watching it.

The main purpose was to learn about the Japanese Hunter world, but.

‘There’s a pink aura swirling between Yoohyun and Yerim.’

It’s probably a blue murderous aura. No, not murderous. Anyway, pink is nonsense. The color of budding friendship is still far away, but pink… Besides, Yerim is still a minor. And five years is a big age difference. If I had to pair her with someone, Noah would be better.

‘Still, these two were decent.’

The most shocking thing was none other than Sung Hyunjae and Kang Soyoung. How could these crazy people pair a child with an old man? They were saying nonsense like, ‘Could she be deeply involved with the Guild Leader, the blonde beauty from England?’ I wanted to sue the broadcasting station. And why do they keep saying she’s English? Soyoung has dual citizenship and is affiliated with Korea.

‘Even if love transcends age, borders, race, and gender, the younger one should be at least in their late twenties!’

That’s being generous, and preferably in their thirties. Only after gaining enough life experience and being able to take responsibility for their own lives can you say that age is just a number! Do you have any conscience, taking a child?

Anyway, I’m against this pairing! It would be ambiguous even if you paired her with Moon Hyuna. Or Evelyn. Well, in reality, Sung Hyunjae just treated Kang Soyoung like a child. It’s definitely not Kang Soyoung, but he must have dated before. I’m suddenly curious.

I was thinking of ordering room service, but it seemed better to have meals together, so I went down for breakfast. Yerim, Noah, and Moon Hyuna, who had gone shopping at night, came back with all sorts of things. Among them were fake Peace and a chick doll. I decided to take the chick doll and hand it over to the Haeyeon legal team.

“There was a shopping mall specializing in Hunters!”

“Hunter Market? I told you about that yesterday.”

“No, Hunter products for the general public. They were selling photos and bromides [promotional photographs]. There were also piles of lion dolls.”

…Is it like celebrity bromides? I suddenly remembered the dolls modeled after Yoohyun and Yerim that I saw yesterday. They were cute. If I have time, I might sneak out to take a look.