Chapter 61
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: There, There
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The neat lunchbox that had been so tidy was now completely empty.
They'd said it was packed full of medicinal herbs, and sure enough, just eating it made me feel a heat rising in my body.
Of course, it might just be my imagination.
Once the meal was over,
we took a moment to catch our breath, sipping the tea that Yi Seo-ryeong had prepared in advance.
A gentle artificial stream flowed in front of the bench.
It was the perfect spot for a relaxing tea time.
Seol Yu-wol was splashing her hands in the stream, utterly fascinated.
I considered joining her for a bit of splashing but held back, worried it might come off as treating her too much like a child.
Yi Seo-ryeong watched her daughter with a tender smile.
She called out to me cautiously.
"…Divine Physician."
"Yes."
Yi Seo-ryeong met my eyes.
"When do you think Yu-wol will be ready to venture out into the wider world?"
"Hmm…"
I took a moment to choose my words carefully.
By Hunter Association regulations, Otherworlders were required to undergo a socialization adaptation period of at least a month.
The length could be adjusted based on the individual's progress, but it was generally around that timeframe.
Seol Yu-wol's case was a bit different, though.
I was personally overseeing her socialization and adaptation.
And more importantly, her family member and perfect guardian, Yi Seo-ryeong, was right by her side.
That meant the period could be shortened considerably.
Even now, Otherworlders were continuing to appear somewhere in the world.
However, since I couldn't handle every Otherworlder outside Seoul—or the sheer volume of them—I was prioritizing high-rank cases.
Accordingly, the Association seemed eager to resolve Seol Yu-wol's situation as quickly as possible,
so they could prepare for the ones to come.
I had no intention of going along with that rush, but…
even setting aside external pressures, my gut told me her treatment would wrap up sooner than expected.
I carefully selected my words before responding.
"I don't think it will take much longer."
I glanced at Seol Yu-wol, still splashing away, and continued.
"Soon, there'll be an official Hunter test for Yu-wol. Once that's done and she decides on her preferred path… everything after that should proceed smoothly."
That was my professional assessment.
Yi Seo-ryeong nodded at my words.
But her expression was a complicated mix of emotions.
She gazed at her daughter's back with a wistful look for a long while, then…
she began to confide her true worries to me, hesitantly.
"I have my own concerns as well, Divine Physician."
I turned to look at her.
Taking my gaze as permission, she continued slowly.
"If Yu-wol were to… return to my side, to the Azure Heaven Alliance, I would be overjoyed beyond words."
I saw that as a positive outcome too.
Seol Yu-wol would be safe under Yi Seo-ryeong's protection.
And Yi Seo-ryeong would find peace of mind in safeguarding her daughter.
It would undoubtedly benefit them both.
"But… if that child chooses to leave my side and walk a different path… this mother's heart would feel so empty and lonely."
She gave a wry smile.
"If I asked her to come to me, she would surely accept… but now, I'm not even sure if that's the right path. Or if I'm forcing my child down a road just because I'm her mother…"
I listened quietly to her honest confession.
Yi Seo-ryeong was my client too, after all.
This much was no trouble at all.
Still, the worries she was sharing with me were, well…
the most ordinary kind.
Of course, that didn't make them any less weighty.
It was the dilemma every parent in this world wrestled with night after night—torn between their child's future and their own desires.
Their burden was immeasurable.
So,
it wasn't a wrong worry at all.
On the contrary, it was the most natural one imaginable.
I smiled faintly.
Yi Seo-ryeong grappling with the concerns of an everyday parent was definitely a good sign.
[Yi Seo-ryeong]
[Main Stance]
She wants to provide the best environment possible for her daughter, Seol Yu-wol. At the same time… she believes she must respect whatever path her daughter chooses. She's conflicted between these two thoughts.
[Suitable Response] [Satisfaction Rate 88%]
Eh, just say whatever you were planning to—it should be fine!
[Suitable Response] [Satisfaction Rate ???%]
Lay Yi Seo-ryeong's head on your lap. Gently pull her into your embrace. Pat her head and say, "You've been worrying so much," then, as her husband, add, "Don't worry about a thing anymore. Just rest in my arms."
And then, to those longing red lips of hers…
'Hey.'
[?]
It knew full well I wouldn't pick the second option, so it didn't even flinch—just kept typing out the next instructions without a care.
Compared to that, the 88% satisfaction response was basically "Do whatever."
Wasn't that pretty much useless?
I tossed out a feeler, half-testing the system.
'Should I go with the second one?'
[!!]
[(⸝⸝⸝˃֊˂)]
[I think that's a great idea!]
[If we talk it over more…]
We'll talk when we get home.
[?!]
[((;°Д°)))]
This time, we really needed to have a deep conversation.
Love's firm hand if necessary.
[I'm sorry…]
[(TДT)]
I shoved the system aside and opened my mouth.
Then, to Yi Seo-ryeong sitting before me, I began sharing my honest feelings as her counselor.
"To cut to the chase… I don't think there's any issue at all with the worries you're having, Alliance Leader."
At my straightforward words, the turmoil in her eyes began to settle into calm.
"On the contrary, it's an utterly natural process. Conflicting between your child's future and your own desires is the most inevitable pain every parent in this world endures."
I looked at Yi Seo-ryeong and gave her a gentle smile.
"If you weren't wrestling with those concerns and instead forced your own will on her, that would be a problem."
"But… you've changed, Alliance Leader. And now, you're agonizing over it."
I nodded.
"Isn't that enough to make you a good mother already?"
Her movements froze at my final words.
"……."
Yi Seo-ryeong's red lips parted slightly.
Moisture gathered in her dry eyes.
Then she hurriedly bowed her head.
As if trying to hide her crying face from me.
But it was too late.
Her shoulders trembled faintly.
Oh no.
I hadn't meant to make her cry.
I'd only wanted to offer support and solidarity.
Ah… what do I do?
"I'm sorry… Divine Physician."
She apologized in a voice thick with tears.
She must have thought she'd made a fool of herself.
Ah, first things first.
In the end, I acted on instinct.
- Pat pat.
I gently patted her trembling back and shoulders.
Then,
Yi Seo-ryeong leaned into my chest, nestling slightly into my embrace.
With her forehead pressed against my chest, she whispered softly.
"Hic… Thank you… Divine Physician…"
"No, no."
I replied comfortingly and lifted my head.
My eyes met Seol Yu-wol's from afar, where she was watching this bizarre scene unfold.
She looked utterly flustered, not knowing what to do.
From her perspective, it probably looked like I was hugging her mother tightly.
Which, fair enough.
- Creep… creep…
Suddenly, Seol Yu-wol started backing away.
Like a kid who'd stumbled on her parents' affection and was preparing to make herself scarce.
But the key point was—I wasn't her father.
I shook my head slightly at the absurdity.
Without letting Yi Seo-ryeong, who was leaning on me, notice, I desperately nodded toward the side table with my chin.
'Tissues! Get some tissues!!'
I meant for her to grab some and hand them over.
She probably never imagined her mom was crying.
Finally catching on to my urgent look, Seol Yu-wol stopped retreating and hurried over.
Good thing she got it eventually.
Seol Yu-wol yanked out a bunch of tissues and thrust them into my hand.
Why not hand them directly…
I passed the tissues from Seol Yu-wol to Yi Seo-ryeong.
But she didn't take them.
She just silently shed tears while leaning against me.
In the end, I personally dabbed gently at her damp eyes.
How many minutes passed like that?
Finally calming down, Yi Seo-ryeong pulled away from me.
Her face was flushed red as a peach blossom.
She seemed to think she'd acted shamefully.
Yi Seo-ryeong shot to her feet and bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry, Divine Physician. I made a fool of myself again…"
"No, no. It's fine. That can happen."
I waved my hands frantically to stop her.
I really did think it was okay.
The mood was turning awkward.
I glanced at my watch.
The Association-permitted outing time was nearly up anyway.
"Shall we head back?"
I said gently to the two of them.
Yi Seo-ryeong nodded, her eyes still red.
Seol Yu-wol looked at her mother and nodded as well.
We rose from our seats.
And began tidying up the now-empty lunchboxes together.
Just like a family cleaning up after a fun camping trip.