Chapter 205: Return Gift (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 205: Return Gift (2)
‘He actually bought this?’
Kang Gi-yeon couldn't believe his eyes.
A letter was placed neatly atop the unopened plastic packaging.
In the top left, it said "Sender: Kim I-wol," and in the bottom right, "Recipient: Kang Gi-yeon," both written in clear handwriting.
‘It’s not an office envelope.’
The UA Building always had standard envelopes for mail and registered post. Kim I-wol usually used those.
But this envelope was a common design, the kind sold at any stationery store.
As he picked up the envelope, he finally noticed the illustration on the front of the box. Judging by the unfamiliar design, it seemed to be a new illustration.
Had the volumes been released like this? Gi-yeon wondered as he carried the manga box set and the letter back to his room.
He placed the two items delivered to his door onto his bed and hesitated for a moment.
He decided to reply to the fans first. They had been curious about this manga since yesterday evening.
Gi-yeon
[Kingdom Cafeteria ~Another~ is here.]
[It’s the limited edition box set for the release of Part 2.]
[It includes both Part 1 and Part 2.]
Gi-yeon finished his report diligently. He checked the flood of replies.
Then, he turned off his phone and carefully opened the envelope, which didn't have a single trace of messy glue.
He felt like he already knew what it would say. If it was Kim I-wol, he’d probably written something like "Ten Reasons Why I Presumed I Upset You" or "My Excuses That You Have No Choice But to Accept." He’d be lucky if the opening wasn't "To: Kang Gi-yeon."
A sigh escaped him. Judging by the fact that there was more than one sheet of paper inside, his prediction seemed to be on the mark.
If things went south, he’d show this letter to Seong-bin Hyung too. Then he’d turn the dorm upside down once more. Gi-yeon made a firm resolve.
He took a deep breath, checked to make sure he still had some Cheongsimwon left just in case, and unfolded the paper.
The opening, written in neat script, was the first thing he saw.
【To Gi-yeon.】
The very next line contained content that defied Gi-yeon’s expectations in many ways.
【I heard that "Kingdom Cafeteria ~Another~" was released as a limited edition box set to celebrate the publication of Part 2. I bought it because I wanted to show it to you. Since it starts from Volume 1, it should include Part 1 too, right?
It’s supposed to come with a set of three first-edition postcards, but I thought the owner of the gift should be the one to open it, so I couldn't check. Let me know if they’re missing. I have the receipt, so I can go exchange it.】
The letter was filled with talk about "our genre"—something Gi-yeon thought would never come up as a topic of conversation with any of the members.
Kim I-wol’s account of comparing and purchasing the manga spanned an entire page.
He wrote about how a paper bookmark was included as a bonus, how an entire section of the bookstore shelf was dedicated to promoting this book, and how the bookstore gave him a separate prize.
At this point, Gi-yeon couldn't understand why he was hearing all this from Kim I-wol.
【They also sell transparent acrylic cases separately to protect the box. It looked like a good way to store the books. If you need one, measure the size and let me know. It’s a limited edition, so we can’t let it get creased.
Since they’re releasing a package like this, it must be a really popular manga. I’m thinking of giving it a read myself if I get the chance later.】
Kim I-wol was incredibly long-winded. Gi-yeon couldn't fathom just how much of a "cultural experience" the guy had gone through at the bookstore.
Then, the first sentence of the second page caught his eye...
【I spent some time thinking about what would make you happy when you’re alone, but I’m not sure if you’ll like it.】
...It sent a subtle ripple through Gi-yeon’s heart.
【I’ve never done something like this before.】
It certainly seemed that way. This side of Kim I-wol was unfamiliar to Gi-yeon as well.
When Kim I-wol showed kindness, he was always full of certainty. He knew exactly what the members liked and disliked, and he had a tendency to step in when someone needed something, saying, "You need this right now, don't you? I know."
Sometimes that was fascinating, other times suspicious, but recently, it had started to become annoying. It was because Gi-yeon couldn't gauge how much mental energy I-wol was spending on looking out for others.
That same Kim I-wol was now making a clumsy attempt for Gi-yeon’s sake.
【I’ve thought a lot about what you said.】
Even though he had always acted with such shameless confidence. Even though he acted like he knew everything about them.
Gi-yeon slowly read down the letter.
【I made you feel so anxious, didn't I?】
The sentences Kim I-wol used were gentle. When they spoke in person, his face and voice were mixed in, so Gi-yeon mostly focused on the content. But in writing, he could see the specific words and endings I-wol had carefully chosen.
Gi-yeon just hoped I-wol wouldn't shift all the blame onto himself. That was all he wanted. If he were to hope for one more thing, it would be for Kim I-wol to take better care of himself.
【It wasn't a lie when I said I was okay.】
The words, written with firm pressure, were vivid.
【It was because I truly thought I was fine. I didn't realize it until you told me. I guess I’ve been a bit thick-skinned. It’s embarrassing to write this down.】
Gi-yeon knew. Kim I-wol really thought he was fine, so he tended to dismiss things as "no big deal" rather than trying to hide them from the members.
He had simply been curious. Why Kim I-wol pushed himself so hard.
And Kim I-wol provided the answer to Gi-yeon’s question.
【I thought that’s how I had to be.】
The sentences that had been flowing smoothly suddenly felt like they had been cut short. Perhaps Kim I-wol had spent a long time agonizing over this part.
【I thought that since I tell you all to work hard, I should naturally put in the effort too. I didn't want to worry you, either. Everyone is holding back their own struggles.
I also thought that since I’m the eldest, the standards for me and for you all should be different.】
On the following line, there was a long trace of something erased with correction tape. There was no way to know what words I-wol had intended to write.
Instead, written shortly over the white tape was: "Don't be in pain."
【When I said Spark can't exist without you, I meant it.】
The neat handwriting trembled slightly.
【I’ll try to change. Please give me a little time.】
Liar.
Gi-yeon couldn't believe him. Even the promise to try would ultimately be an action for the sake of his fellow member, Gi-yeon.
Nevertheless, if Kim I-wol could become even slightly better at looking after himself...
Gi-yeon was more than willing to at least pretend to watch for that change.
It has been 19 hours since I sent my soul-baring letter of apology to Kang Gi-yeon.
There has been no reaction from the kid. Forget a reaction, I haven't even seen his face today.
‘It didn't look like he threw the books away.’
I even peeked into the paper recycling bin on the balcony, worried my gift might have been sorted out as trash. Fortunately, I didn't see any familiar-looking paper waste.
Then what on earth was the problem? I didn't even use the word "sorry," and I took out all the "answer-is-already-decided" phrasing. I spent so much time writing and erasing in my notes app just to transfer the final version beautifully!
Maybe I should have just written something like "Future Improvement Plans" in the letter after all. I tried to be sincere in a situation that called for a formal apology, and I ruined everything. That’s just my luck.
‘Maybe I should try adjusting that negative emotion thing first.’
Of the reasons Gi-yeon called me inhumane, this was one I could improve immediately.
If the System hadn't blocked my emotions, I would have prioritized checking on Gi-yeon’s well-being rather than noticing the similarities between Spark and myself while he was angry. If I had, Gi-yeon might have panicked at least a little less back then.
‘Can’t you adjust the limit of the negative emotion awareness rate?’
When I asked internally, the System appeared.
+
[SYSTEM] A work directive from the ‘Person in Charge’ has arrived.
▶ You should actively utilize the welfare. This is all the company investing in its employees.
+
One more investment like this and the group’s going to disband, you bastard.
Thankfully, the System didn't tell me to just give up on the support altogether if that was the case. Instead, it brought up a long scroll bar that allowed me to adjust the degree of awareness.
As I dragged the scroll to the right, a notice appeared at a certain point stating it was identical to the initial setting.
I quietly thought back to when I first returned to nine years ago.
Back when people might have called me a weird hyung, but never a problematic person.
I set the value to be the same as the initial stage when the awareness reduction first started being applied. If I turned it off completely, I’d likely end up digging a hole of self-pity just like when I first opened the memory data.
After pressing the apply button, my chest felt a bit tight. I closed the System and lay down on my bed.
"What's with you lying down already?"
"What's the point of someone like me walking around with my eyes open?"
"You must be fucking tired. Just sleep."
Choi Je-ho’s indifference felt particularly stinging today. I turned my back to him as a form of protest.
By the time I was thinking of the eighth clause for my "Future Improvement Plans," Lee Cheong-hyeon entered the room.
"Is Iwol Hyung already asleep?"
"He’s out of it. He was talking nonsense."
"Is this hyung talking nonsense anything new?"
My roommates are all so cruel. Right now, I envy Kang Gi-yeon. His roommates are Jeong Seong-bin and Park Ju-woo. It’s only natural to yield the "good personality" guys to the youngest who needs comfort, but being envious is a separate matter.
"Anyway, if he's sleeping, I guess I'll have to give him the book tomorrow."
"What book?"
Choi Je-ho asked back.
"A manga. Kang Gyeon Hyung told me to lend it to him. He said Iwol Hyung wanted to read it."
"What?!"
I kicked off the covers and sat up. Lee Cheong-hyeon shrieked and scrambled backward.
"Whoa! You weren't asleep?"
"If my Gi-yeon is lending me a book, I have to wake up even from the dead."
"So you are aware that your sins are deep."
Cheong-hyeon clicked his tongue and handed over the manga. It was Volume 1 of Kingdom Cafeteria ~Another~.
"Did Gi-yeon say anything else?"
"No. We were just chatting and he suddenly gave it to me. He didn't say much other than to lend it to you."
"I see... thanks."
I fiddled with the glossy cover of the manga over and over. It felt like I’d be ending the day in a brand-new way.