Chapter 146
Chapter 146
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: Three Peaches (6)
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“Ugh.”
Cheondo groaned dejectedly, clutching her forehead.
I approached her from behind and placed the ion drink I'd prepared earlier on top of her head.
“Eek, it's cold!”
Cheondo's head jerked up in surprise.
She looked at me and let out a sigh of relief. A faint tss escaped her lips as air leaked out.
“What brings you here, Little Heavenly Demon?”
“You are the Little Heavenly Demon.”
Hearing my words, Cheondo jumped up from her seat in shock. She frantically looked around, then sighed in relief upon realizing no one else was there.
“Don't call me that out in the open. But... what's this?”
Cheondo took the can I offered her.
A blue ion drink. Perfect for quenching thirst on a sweltering summer day from a vending machine.
“It's a sample I got before it was officially imported. Try it.”
“A sample...? What does that mean?”
Cheondo stared at me, clutching the can, looking unsure what to do.
She resembled a hamster gripping a sunflower seed.
I tapped the top of the can and flicked the tab open with my fingernail.
Click.
The sound of the can opening. Surprise flickered across Cheondo's face.
“Amazing. Can I just drink it?”
I nodded.
Cheondo cautiously brought the rim to her lips. I heard the drink sliding down her throat.
Gulp, gulp.
As she drank the ion drink, her eyes blinked rapidly with each swallow.
The exquisite compound, pinnacle of scientific advancement, enveloped her tongue.
About five seconds passed.
Cheondo set the can down with a satisfied expression.
“The water is cool, and it's sweet...”
It was slightly frozen from the freezer, and as an ion drink, it was loaded with sugar.
Drinking it when exhausted and overheated brought an instant burst of happiness beyond words.
“Want some, Senior Brother?”
“Nah, I had some earlier.”
I pulled over the chair next to her and sat down. Cheondo glanced between the can and me, then pressed the rim to my lips.
“You have to share something like this.”
Forced to my lips, I had no choice but to take a sip.
My teeth chilled.
“Hee hee. Refreshing, right?”
Cheondo grinned brightly, her face childlike.
“Heh. So, why the sudden burst of work?”
I responded to her smile with one of my own and casually voiced my curiosity. A hesitant emotion briefly crossed Cheondo's face.
She quickly brightened her expression, set the can on the desk, and scratched her cheek with her index finger.
“Well, it's nothing big. I've been reading comics too much lately, so I wondered if this was okay.”
The Heavenly Demon had been away more often lately, naturally freeing up time for us disciples.
But Cheondo wasn't one to laze through her days.
She invested most of her time in personal training.
If she felt uneasy about her current routine, she'd increase training time, so her excuse didn't add up.
“Really?”
It was a lie, then.
I met Cheondo's eyes steadily. Sometimes, silence drew out answers better than words.
Cheondo's gaze wandered aimlessly.
Thirsty, perhaps, she reached for the can again.
Gulp, gulp.
She moistened her throat.
Finally, her lips parted from it.
“...How do you handle all these things so smoothly, Do-won Senior Brother?”
A single question. Cheondo's lips pouted.
“Why?”
“It's just amazing. You suddenly appeared as Little Heavenly Demon, and now everyone trusts you.”
He'd cleaned house, rooted out corruption, and advanced their lifestyle by nearly a century. All in just one month.
For Do-won, this was undoubtedly good.
“...Public safety improved too. Starvation dropped a ton. At the inn where I worked, they call you a savior and love you.”
As a Do-won resident, she should be grateful.
“But.”
As if mocking herself, Cheondo gripped the can tighter.
“...Lately, I just haven't been feeling great. Jealousy, I guess. Since I can't do things like you.”
Same Little Heavenly Demon.
Comparing abilities.
The inferiority born from it. A sprout of emotion she tried to ignore.
“I want to be like you, Do-won Senior Brother.”
Yet the emotion in her voice was closer to admiration than jealousy.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ -Cheondo.
-Yes, Master.
-That guy. He's quite useful.
Master always talked about Senior Brother.
What he did today. What he taught this time.
We always chatted in my room evenings, but she rarely mentioned training.
-...That's good.
My standard reply whenever he came up.
Good thing.
My close one achieving something. No reason to ache; I should rejoice.
Jealousy? I thought not.
'Even if I lag, I'll push hard my way.'
Always diligent. Serious in all things.
With effort and grit.
But Master always sidelined me. Comparing me to Senior Brother. Sometimes blatantly.
Why can't you reach this far?
I shouldn't feel annoyed, but I did.
Doubts gnawed, full of pathos.
I'd striven to inherit Heavenly Demon. But could I never become one?
I thought I couldn't stop now.
Until just before hearing those words from the Master I'd chased lifelong.
-...So, how long will you stay in that position?
Just a week ago.
No resentment in Master's words, yet my heart sank.
Ah, as expected.
I lacked talent to satisfy as a father figure.
How to face White Path and Golden Path.
Yet no tears came—years of rigorous prep to become Heavenly Demon had toughened me.
Ridiculous. Little Heavenly Demon who can't even cry.
Heavenly Demon must uphold dignity, chest out proudly.
No room for tears atop all.
Back then, even a drop meant brutal beatings from Master.
That training now ached poignantly.
“I want to be like you, Do-won Senior Brother.”
Pathetic sight I made.
Instead of helping Senior Brother, I hindered.
Now, bottled emotions on the verge of bursting.
Still, wanting to be like him was true.
First emotion beyond Master. Too high; unreachable lifelong, probably.
“Why be like me?”
“...You do everything well.”
Denying jealousy, yet spilling jealousy-like words.
Ugly, denying my feelings.
Why did hidden emotions surface so easily beside this man?
Time had passed since that question arose.
I stroked the dented wrinkles of the can drink from Senior Brother.
At some point, sharing unfamiliar foods like this. Looking forward to comic time. True too.
Jealous, yet fun together.
-Strangers met on the road, no ties—you can say anything. Closer ones hold back more.
Exposing feelings because unrelated?
No. I realized: daily fragments, always with Senior Brother.
Far past unrelated.
Yet won't share real name.
Stubbornly uses name I gave.
Draws lines, yet annoyingly considerate, yielding, bringing fun things.
This man was a master of consideration.
This time too.
“You'll surpass me soon. Make light of someone like me.”
Such words, not deeply resonating.
Grateful for consideration, but I knew my limits well.
Senior Brother smarter, better at work, stronger, Master's hope.
Even treats rival warmly.
The vessel was his, not mine.
“No. That won't happen.”
“It will.”
Innocent face, as if knowing all. Eyes like an insider after one month of hardships together.
His gaze akin to inn couple's mutual look. Even burdensome.
'...What do you know about me.'
Thought flashed inwardly.
Frustrated, cluttered heart irked childishly.
“What do you know about me to say that?”
That's why. Words that shouldn't escape did.
“...Gasp!”
I clapped hand over mouth in shock.
Couldn't believe such irritation spilled from me.
Late guilt surged; I swallowed hard.
Heart pounded with remorse; felt drink rising back.
Silent in guilt.
“......”
Senior Brother's eyes widened. As if never expected such from me. Stirred my heart more.
No intent to say that.
I squeezed eyes shut. Wished to block ears too.
Craved a hole to crawl into; I grabbed bag to stand.
“...Sorry. I'll go now. No need to come nights anymore.”
Run.
No face to meet his now.
Rushing out, shoulders grabbed before step.
Senior Brother stepped close.
No prior shock on his face. Calm, gentle eyes met mine.
“Sorry.”
An apology.
“I didn't consider your feelings.”
His actions never a nuisance. Miracles for all Do-won.
Pride swelled inwardly when called great.
In dizziness, I pressed words urgently.
“Why apologize.... Nothing to apologize for. No. Just. I'm the one lacking. Little Heavenly Demon jealous—that's the issue.”
Stammering frantically. Midway, unsure if words right.
“Everything, from one to ten, my fault...”
Senior Brother brushed off, offered one phrase.
“No faults. You've done well till now. Will continue.”
Praise.
How long since Master's such words?
Throat choked. I shook head.
“I, can't do well.”
“You're young yet.”
“Are you old, Senior Brother?”
“...Can't say I am.”
No tears, but shoulders trembled. No such emotional surge lately.
Senior Brother unchanging. Once icy cold, hid flawlessly before me.
Truly inscrutable.
Yet fondness grew. Why?
Puppy-like look craving embrace?
Or patting head without minding mood?
Talent I lacked?
“...Thought I could do anything. Losing confidence now.”
Doubt deepened; crumbling pride drew wry laugh.
Hic, hic.
Even now no tears— so like me.
Suddenly pulled forward.
Warmth on cheek; front propped my unsteady body.
“You'll do well. You and me.”
Vague words.
No intent for comfort; not comforting anyway.
If meant to console, awfully clumsy.
But voice emotion, resounding in ear— goosebumps rippled. Strangely etched heart, rage subsided softly.
Magical.
“You're amazing, Senior Brother. How do you handle so much so casually?”
Man spoke soft still.
Emotion so consistent, unwavering words felt true trust, care.
“Can't not do well.”
His hand patted back.
“...Master's disciple.”
My breath trembled at that.