Acknowledging Each Other's Existence - 12
Yeonhyeon was grieving.
It was hard for her to accept the fact that there was nothing she could do for him. Perhaps even this was hypocrisy. Maybe it was self-deception directed at herself. She lacked the courage to act for his sake. Even knowing that what she'd done was wrong, she didn't have the confidence to make it right. She had no intention of challenging the Responsibility Council's decision. She didn't want to deny the immense responsibility they bore—the peace and well-being of Seven Seed. If only she could accept what she'd done without running away, if only she could acknowledge the reality that "I was the one who captured Sunwoo." But she couldn't even manage that much.
She might just have been making excuses to herself, claiming it wasn't her true feelings simply because she was sad.
"I'm sorry..."
She thought she might be resented. He might lash out at her, demanding why she'd captured him, accusing her of plotting this from the start. She'd come to this prison to face that. In this empty place, she hoped he'd vent his anger freely, without regard for anyone's gaze. She wanted him to blame her. Only if someone cursed her out would her guilt ease even a little.
"It's okay. I understand."
But he, cruelly, didn't condemn her. He simply watched her with a warm, compassionate smile.
"I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I... I..."
"Just your apology is enough."
It couldn't be true. Yeonhyeon couldn't believe his words. No one like that existed.
"We... we might do something terrible to you..."
"It's fine. Unfortunately for you, I have no intention of letting that happen."
"But you don't have the strength for that anymore..."
A potent drug had been administered—one that would make an ordinary person convulse in agony or pass out. He must know what state his body was in. So his words now were probably just to reassure her.
Yeonhyeon stared at him, biting her lip hard.
"Is there... anywhere you're uncomfortable?"
"Of course not. This place is a bit dirty, sure, but the space is wide and comfortable. Makes me think I kept the kids in too cramped a spot before."
"..."
He seemed at peace. Talking freely in a casual voice, as if he weren't imprisoned at all. Nothing could hold him down. Even in this situation, he wore a bright smile.
"So... what do you plan to do now?"
"For now, I'll just see how things play out."
"What kind of situation?"
His expression turned icy for a fleeting moment.
"Whether I need to kill someone or not."
"Pardon?"
As if she'd hallucinated it, he was beaming again.
"Honestly, it's best if no one dies, right? It just makes things awkward for everyone."
Yeonhyeon nodded.
"Y-Yes... that's true."
"No conflicts, comfortable, a bit childish. Like a kids' animation rated for ages seven and up. They fight over silly reasons, and it all wraps up without anyone dying."
She didn't understand what he meant. But she knew how unrealistic it was.
"Personally, I like it when it all ends with everyone laughing it off happily."
Yeonhyeon sensed fragility in his heart. Too soft. A mindset like that wouldn't survive this brutal world.
But that line—"whether I need to kill someone"—was odd. It sounded like, if he wanted to, he could kill anyone here without issue.
In that instant, unease flickered through Yeonhyeon's mind.
Anseongu was a danger zone. Yet a man went in first and built a base there...
She'd glossed over it casually before, but now it struck her as bizarre. A man rushing into such land alone to establish a base. Even if men leveled faster, they had no need to take on that much risk. It was strange. There was something more.
"Hey, Yeonhyeon?"
"Y-Yes!"
Her thoughts shattered in an instant. He was the one bound, yet she felt dragged along in his wake.
"You seem regretful about following orders from above."
"Yes... that's right."
"Let me put it more specifically. Has this happened before? Capturing people for the organization's safety like this?"
Yeonhyeon sighed deeply.
"I can't say it never has. But even for me, something like this is a first."
"Really?"
"Field members going rogue happens occasionally. Rather than punishing them, we prioritized unity—shamefully, we let it slide."
"I see."
"Yes. Seohee's group getting exiled was a true exception... If it wasn't that severe, most cases just fizzled out."
He sighed regretfully.
"That's a shame."
"Yes. But that was individual deviance. This is the first time we've openly harmed someone who approached us amicably. At least, for me."
He gave a faint smile.
"That's a relief, then."
"I have no face to show."
"So, Yeonhyeon... you said decisions here are made by the Responsibility Council, right?"
"Yes."
"How many are on it?"
Yeonhyeon hesitated for a moment. It felt like he was prying information from her. But it was such trivial, insignificant intel. Like asking, "Which way does the organization's front gate face?" Anyone would answer freely; not knowing it would be weirder.
"Ten members."
"That's a lot... How are they selected?"
"Longtime council members keep their seats."
"Hmm..."
"When one retires or dies, the others nominate and fill the vacancy."
"Interesting."
It wasn't impressive information. Yet he smiled brightly at even this irrelevant detail, looking relieved. Yeonhyeon still couldn't grasp his feelings.
"Why... are you so pleased?"
"Because I've figured out those people don't represent the 'ordinary folks' here."
"Pardon?"
"Ten... at most ten. Even in the worst case, no more than ten people bear responsibility for this."
The discomfort she'd felt exploded at his words.
He can't grasp the situation?
This went beyond mere denial of reality.
He believed it. Was convinced he could escape this place.
"Don't you ever feel frustrated, Yeonhyeon?"
"Pardon?"
"You know their actions are wrong. You might have chosen differently."
Yeonhyeon wasn't foolish. She knew exactly what he was implying.
He's inciting rebellion.
Absurd. Foolish. Reckless.
Yet she couldn't regain her composure. His words carried conviction. Not the pleading eyes of someone groveling for mercy to break out. It was resolute, as if it was already decided—as if he could achieve it whenever he wanted.
That terrified her. Maybe he had forces hidden away, vast ones beyond anything she'd seen. Maybe his capture was a ruse too.
...No.
Reason—or perhaps cowardice—held her back at the last moment. She didn't want to ruin everything by falling for a silver tongue.
"...I know what I did to you can't be apologized for enough, not even after a hundred times."
"Nah, no need to feel that bad—"
"But."
She bit her lip hard.
"Even so, I won't help you escape. No matter what you say... I owe Seven Seed too much. I won't start a rebellion."
With that, Yeonhyeon squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for his reaction. He might rage. Curse her as no different from the rest.
That might be better. It could be a future she could endure.
If he despaired, accepted he couldn't escape—that a horrific, dismal fate awaited. Then Yeonhyeon truly wouldn't be able to bear it.
"What are you talking about?"
But he looked up, startled.
"Rebellion? Hold on. Were we even talking about that? Don't even dream of it. I don't want extra work."
"..."
"Even if you feel like flipping everything over, just hold off. Just for a bit. Got it?"
Watching Sunwoo spout nonsense, Yeonhyeon pondered.
Was he just naive after all?
To the very end, she couldn't understand him.