NTR Gold Sun and the Mother-Lover
…………… I had no idea why Baek Sehee was turning a blind eye to the infighting in her team. But one thing was clear: internal conflict in a team led by Baek Sehee was far from ideal. And above all else……
'Play some games, she says.'
Honestly, it didn't sit well with me. Maybe this feeling stemmed from Moon Yujin's complex. The need to prove I wasn't useless. To demonstrate my worth.
But even so. Telling me to play games instead of helping Baek Sehee at work? It felt like being treated like a cute puppy or a stuffed attachment toy.
It was a bit of contrarian stubbornness, sure. Still, I wanted to prove my value. I had to do something. Something I could manage.
I scanned one corner of the training ground. There, Kim Taeyang sat alone on a bench in the shadows.
'Maybe I should at least try talking to him.'
I approached Kim Taeyang and sat on the bench beside him.
"Hey, you okay? That hit you took during the mock training earlier…"
Kim Taeyang looked up. He scowled the moment he saw me.
"Mind your own business. If you're bored, go hang out with someone else."
"Ahaha……."
'High-rank Awakeners are all the same…….'
People varied, of course, but the higher the rank, the more likely they were to have rotten personalities. Did egomaniacs attract strong powers, or did strong powers inflate egos? Who knew.
Anyway, I held my tongue. Getting angry wouldn't help.
"Just worried, that's all."
Kim Taeyang snorted.
"What's it to you?"
"It matters. I'm Baek Sehee's manager."
Kim Taeyang's eyebrow twitched faintly. Baek Sehee's manager. Even an arrogant A-rank or higher couldn't ignore that title. Baek Sehee was an EX-rank Awakener and leader of the Dimensional Gate Special Response Team, after all.
"……I'm fine. Bruises like this are routine."
He replied curtly.
"Heard the Reptilian incursions have picked up lately."
"Yeah."
"Ever been out on a real call?"
Kim Taeyang sighed softly, clearly annoyed. But he answered.
"We're the Dimensional Gate Special Response Team. Of course. Plenty of times."
"Must be tough."
"Eh…… manageable."
His replies stayed short.
"I heard your ability is flame-based, right?"
Kim Taeyang raised his hand. He clenched his fist, and faint flames flickered across his knuckles.
"Flame manipulation plus strength enhancement. A-rank."
"Whoa, impressive. So you're frontline?"
"Yep."
The gruff edge in his voice softened a touch. He didn't seem to mind talking about his powers.
We chatted a bit more. Signs of Dimensional Gates opening, how strong Reptilians were, that sort of thing. Gradually, Kim Taeyang's expression eased. His scowl had been pure irritation before, but now… it was just neutral.
"……Huh?"
Kim Taeyang paused mid-sentence.
"Talking to you… it's pissing me off less."
"Pardon?"
"Before you came over, I wanted to deck that Glasses Tae bastard."
'Ah.'
His anger cooling, settling down. That meant Moon Yujin's ability, 'Harmless Cuteness,' was working.
'It actually works.'
I'd considered it, but seeing it affect someone besides Kang Haneul was surprisingly effective.
"Truth is, my ability's mental-type. It… gives comfort, eases anger. That kinda thing. F-rank, though."
Kim Taeyang's eyes widened.
"F-rank, and it hits this hard!?"
I was surprised myself. It had worked wonders on Kang Haneul's innate rage. And now on Kim Taeyang too.
'Does Kim Taeyang have anger issues too? Or does my ability just synergize specially with certain conditions?'
I had no clue. But if it worked, great.
Kim Taeyang set down his water bottle and looked at me.
"Ah…… yeah, really relaxing. Head feels clear."
"Glad I could help."
"Sorry for snapping at you earlier."
"No worries."
We talked a few more minutes. Kim Taeyang turned out more talkative and upbeat than expected. Or maybe my ability was doing that.
He scratched his head.
"Hmm…… being around you makes me all thoughtful, sentimental. Not like me at all."
I just smiled.
Kim Taeyang sighed.
"I know why you approached me."
"Huh?"
"Because of the fight with Glasses Tae, right?"
I didn't confirm or deny.
He wasn't asking for one anyway. He stared into space and continued.
"That prick screwed me over bad. Total asshole move."
"……."
"But yeah, I messed up too. Stole his girlfriend."
'……What?'
"Even sent him pics from the motel with his girl."
"Uh……."
"So we're both at fault. I did something shitty too."
'No, what you did was straight-up trash-tier.'
I swallowed the words.
Kim Taeyang still gazed off.
"Gotta man up from now on. No more sulking."
"Good mindset."
"Yeah. Past is past, can't change it."
He raised his fist.
"Forget the grudges, look to the future."
'It was your fault, dude.'
I didn't voice it. Just nodded.
"Sounds like a plan."
Kim Taeyang grinned refreshingly.
"Talking to you cleared the air. Thanks."
"My pleasure."
He headed deeper into the training ground, steps lighter than before.
'……At least one down.'
……………
After Kim Taeyang, I approached Glasses Tae. He was in another corner, staring at his laptop alone.
He looked up as I neared.
"What do you want?"
Cold tone. Way more formal than Kim Taeyang.
"Just saying hi."
"I see."
Like Kim Taeyang, he didn't seem open to chat. I sat beside him anyway.
He ignored me, eyes on his screen. I peeked—stock charts.
"Stock market's been solid this year, huh?"
"……."
"Heard the Graphidia CEO visited Korea? Raved about some Gangnam chicken joint. That stock skyrocketed."
Glasses Tae adjusted his glasses.
"Precisely, 18% next trading day, 15% the day after."
"Even better. You invest?"
"No. Avoid food stocks. But semiconductors are about 30% of my portfolio."
Conversation flowed. He loved stocks. Semiconductors, secondary batteries, AI plays—he rattled them off.
I nodded along. Didn't know half as much, but pretending to listen kept it going.
Minutes later, his expression softened.
"Odd."
He closed his laptop.
"Feeling… at ease."
"My ability."
"Ability?"
"Yeah. Mental-type. Brings calm. F-rank, but."
Glasses Tae eyed me. His gaze sharpened behind the lenses.
"F-rank works on me?"
"Yeah. Weird, right? Tell me about it."
'Again.'
Kang Haneul, Kim Taeyang, Glasses Tae. An ability that barely worked before shone on high-rankers.
'Does it scale with their rank? Like heavier objects feel gravity more?'
Nah, didn't make sense. I'd attended Awakener training school three years—knew the basics. Probably coincidence.
Glasses Tae crossed his arms.
"Saw you with Kim Taeyang. I can guess why you're here."
I stayed neutral.
"……I wasn't professional earlier. Old grudges or not, no excuse."
'Oh…….'
More rational than expected. Way better than Kim Taeyang. He was the victim, after all. Kim Taeyang stole his girlfriend and sent motel pics. Blood feud territory.
"You're impressive, Glasses Tae. I'd hate sharing space with him."
He chuckled dryly.
"He told you, huh. What he did……."
"Yeah."
"But I did similar. Tit for tat, really."
"……Pardon?"
Similar?
"Fell for Kim Taeyang's widowed mom at first sight. Started dating her. Despite having a girlfriend. Happened right around when he took mine."
"………."
My brain blanked. For real this time.
Glasses Tae continued flatly.
"She showed me my type. Blondes, tanned gal style."
"Uh……."
Kim Taeyang was blond and tanned too. His mom must be the same.
So, recap: Glasses Tae ditches his girlfriend to date Kim Taeyang's mom. Same time, Kim Taeyang steals Glasses Tae's girl.
'……What the actual fuck.'
I barely held back.
"No clue why I'm spilling this to you……."
'Me neither.'
"Anyway, grudges stay buried at work."
He stood and walked off into the training ground.
I sat there, staring blankly.
'What a backstory…….'
What to call this? Six of one, half a dozen of the other?
Whatever. '……It worked out, I guess?'
Both calmed thanks to me. They'd act professional now. Hopefully.