Chapter 111: Ah, How Can I Resist Cheon Yu-hak’s Birthday Party! (12)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 111: Ah, How Can I Resist Cheon Yu-hak’s Birthday Party! (12)
It turns out that when a person witnesses a scene so far beyond common sense, they surprisingly don’t think much of anything at all.
It was still the relatively early hour of 11:00 AM. Even though there were more than two hours left before the public festival was set to begin, the city was already overflowing with heat.
Well, being filled with heat is one thing.
But the fact that this heat was being perfectly orchestrated and maintained without a single accident was what truly defied common sense.
How should I put it?
The city itself had been transformed into a festival ground pulsing with energy.
Yet, that energy was so perfectly controlled that excitement and restraint coexisted in a strange harmony.
It seemed as if everyone who could participate had already gathered, as the surroundings were packed with crowds. Judging by how hyped everyone looked for this unprecedented event, accidents should have been popping off left and right, yet everything was remarkably well-organized.
“You can draw your number tags over here!”
A numbering system had been implemented to prevent line-cutting before the festival officially began.
“Drinks are being provided here! Please wait your turn!”
Drink stations were stationed every 200 meters.
“Through ‘agreements’ with the surrounding buildings, we have rented out all structures in this area for the day. If the restrooms inside the venue are crowded, please feel free to use the ones in the nearby buildings. However, please remember this is a rental and maintain a gentlemanly attitude!”
The sheer scale of renting out entire surrounding buildings was staggering.
“Ugh, why does a number tag even matter?! If you left your spot, you’re out!”
“No, look, it’s because of people like you, Mister, that fights break out!”
“Why, you little brat—!”
The moment the man raised his hand, a guard in a suit appeared out of nowhere and grabbed his arm.
“Now, now, sir. It seems you didn’t read the flyers we handed out before you joined the line.”
The guard locked eyes with the middle-aged man and slowly radiated mana. The angry man’s expression gradually turned dazed.
“Huh? What? Who are you people! I’ll tell everyone the Cheonhwa Group is beating people up…! …Eh?”
“There we go. Look right here. Nothing happened, right? Today is a day off, so you’re going to go home, have some beer and fried chicken, and rest, right?”
“Uh, yeah… what am I even doing on such a precious holiday…?”
After the man walked away with a vacant face, the guard spoke into his radio.
“D-Line, number 767 is now vacant. Please check it off.”
They even had superhuman guards resolving potential incidents through humanitarian(?) methods.
But the most surprising thing of all was that, while perfectly controlling all of this, a red carpet had been laid out, cutting through the very center of the party venue and leading all the way to the main hall.
…Mr. Cheon Mu-jin, just how much money did you dump into your son’s birthday?
“Hey, Yu-hak.”
“I don’t know.”
“No, seriously. Be honest. How much did this cost?”
“…I truly do not know. However, I am certain it is an astronomical sum.”
Seeing the guy clutch his head as if he had a migraine made me feel a tiny bit sorry for teasing him yesterday.
Judging by how most of the others looked a bit overwhelmed, they were probably feeling the same way.
“…We have to walk from here. Those of you not used to being stared at, be careful.”
I didn’t understand what he meant at first, but the moment Cheon Yu-hak stepped out of the limousine, his words made sense.
The gazes of the massive crowd poured onto the boy as he stepped onto the red carpet cutting through them.
I see.
So that’s what the red carpet was for.
It was a device that instantly turned the public waiting for the festival into an audience the moment someone appeared on it.
Since this was being broadcast live nationwide and relayed via airships, this scene would remain etched in people’s minds for a long time.
And whether they realized it or not, most people watching this spectacle would perceive those walking the red carpet as being on a higher social plane than themselves.
The sight of the protagonists of this festival receiving the gazes of the unchosen while entering a hall only the chosen could enter—it was a thoroughly calculated performance to show who the rulers were.
I guess he didn’t just throw money away for nothing.
Since Cheon Yu-hak was someone who enjoyed attention to begin with, he was undaunted by the stares.
People let out small gasps of admiration as he stepped onto the red carpet with a naturally noble bearing and moved forward.
…The bastard is pretty flashy and handsome, I’ll give him that.
Next was Ju Ri-ra.
Though she didn’t dare stand beside him, she maintained a haughty attitude as she started walking, as if determined to secure the spot right behind him.
Then my Noona stepped out. This was the limit of the line of people who could handle public scrutiny without a second thought.
The rest of us, myself included, were looking a bit pale.
“So-hyun, what are you doing?”
“…Pardon?”
“You need to get out too. Cathy Unnie, you too.”
Ah, right. Since everyone except Lilac and Lee Yu-na were my partners, I had to get out, but now that it was time, the pressure was insane.
“Um…”
“Stop talking nonsense and get out.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Dammit. Fine. Since I can’t run away anyway, I might as well put on a thick skin.
The moment I stepped out, I felt the gazes I had been watching through the window pierce into me.
Oh? But this is actually better than I thought?
I thought I’d start sweating and get scared when people looked at me, but it was surprisingly fine.
As I naturally walked forward, the following gazes felt strangely… right.
…Am I actually cut out for the stage?
However, I became a bit embarrassed the moment Professor Cathy linked her arm with my right and Noona linked hers with my left.
“…Noona?”
“What.”
“Isn’t this distance a bit strange?”
“What about it? Can’t a sister link arms with her brother?”
…Is that how it works?
“…Professor?”
“This much is fine, right? To be honest, I wanted to come with just you, So-hyun.”
“…I see.”
“Hmm.”
Ha-ni looked over at us with a pout, clearly displeased, but then she approached us with a mischievous grin.
“Oh, a flower in each hand. I’m jealous.”
“What, you want in too? Want to swap? Or since there are no hands left, you want to grab my shoulder?”
“That sounds fun too, but I’ll pass. I thought of something better.”
Ha-ni then walked a bit faster to face me directly, gave a disciplined salute, and then stood slightly ahead of me to my right.
At first, I wondered what she was up to, but because she blocked the path ahead like a bodyguard, almost all I could see in my field of vision was Ha-ni.
…You’ll give up the arms but take my vision instead…?
Truly impressive.
It was the best move to make me perceive her while not looking out of place to others.
I thought she was just a girl in disguise, but she’s a fox. You’re a fox from today on.
…Anyway, judging by her playful smile, she seemed satisfied.
“…Me too.”
Ah, and then there was the one who was terrified of the attention after everything she’d been through, far from enjoying it.
“I want to hold on too…”
Ga-eul fearfully grabbed the hem of my jacket.
For a moment, the Professor and Noona looked at Ga-eul, but after a brief moment of intimidation, Ga-eul steeled her expression and gripped the hem of my clothes even tighter.
“I’m going to hold on too…!”
Sure, I like the confidence, but is grabbing the hem of my clothes really the way to go when you’re not even taking a hand…?
No, seriously, what is this?
Why do I have to enter the party venue in this bizarre formation, with women linked to both arms and people gripping me from the front and back?
To anyone else, this looks like a penalty game.
Finally, Lilac, being the protagonist he is, showed his foolish side by bowing to every single person in the crowd before joining this insane parade with Lee Yu-na.
…Suddenly, I really want to be the Masked Villain.
Well, whatever. If the goal is to draw aggro, this might actually be better.
* * *
Before the party officially began, those considered VIPs—the elderly or those who couldn’t enter through the front gate for various reasons—were already gathered in the main hall, exchanging light greetings.
Most were high-ranking government officials or board members of groups business-linked with the Cheonhwa Group, but among them were also famous heroes visiting from overseas, including Chairperson Leilan of the Academy.
The primary interest of most people gathered here was the flow of the next generation.
Excluding Cheon Yu-hak, who was undoubtedly the star of this party, they intended to watch those who would stand behind or beside him.
Furthermore, some heroes hoped to form relationships with and receive sponsorship from promising group heirs who would cluster around Cheon Yu-hak.
And a very small few.
The real heavyweights, who came purely for interest or their own amusement, were acting as they pleased.
It was almost time for the entrance.
The gazes of those chatting naturally turned toward the entrance of the venue.
Some stared openly, while others pretended not to.
As if answering their gazes, the doors opened, and the first thing that caught their eyes was brilliant blonde hair.
Scanning the audience with deep orange eyes that complemented his hair, he smiled with absolute confidence.
His attitude, which instantly shifted him from the one being evaluated to the one doing the evaluating, made people shrink back.
Though he wore no crown, the boy, draped in the spirit of a finished prince, walked boldly into the hall, enjoying the attention.
But something was strange.
Since he had entered, the doorkeeper should have announced his and his partner’s names, but there was no such signal.
It was the same when his secretary or classmates entered.
Even as individuals with exceptionally striking appearances entered the hall, no explanation of who they were followed.
Could there be a mistake?
The great Cheonhwa Group made a mistake?
However, those thoughts didn’t last long.
The scent of flowers wafted through the sealed hall.
The hall hadn’t smelled unpleasant to begin with, but the sudden, subtle floral fragrance softened the hearts of the guests.
They naturally turned their gazes toward the source of the sudden scent.
An alien black hair that contrasted with the blonde of Cheon Yu-hak, who had entered first.
A slightly small frame, a scowling expression, and even the insane behavior of entering with a woman on each arm.
It was a sight anyone would deem rude, yet most people couldn’t bring themselves to think that.
His red eyes, which seemed to flicker with a momentary golden light, did not scan the hall.
No, it would be more accurate to say he showed no interest in those present in the hall at all.
As if his target had been decided from the start, he moved with a willful stride.
The fragrance.
With every step he took, a fragrance spread—intense enough to fill the hall, yet a gentle scent that was never overpowering.
“Lord Kang So-hyun and partners Lord Cheon Yu-hak, Lady Kang Han-hee, Lady Ju Ri-ra, Lady Kim Ga-eul, Lady Cathy, Lady Park A-ram, and Lady Kang Na-hyun are entering!”
Only then did people realize who he was and why the entrance announcement hadn’t come until now.
However, while most understood, they couldn’t accept it.
What on earth was that bizarre announcement?
They couldn’t understand having multiple partners, or that one of them was the party’s protagonist, Cheon Yu-hak, or that a man was included among the partners, but what they understood least of all was his attitude.
Amidst such a deluge of gazes, he continued to walk as if the surrounding eyes were none of his business.
Finally releasing his arms and finding freedom, he looked in one direction without hesitation, and most of those watching him followed his gaze.
“Ha…”
And then, they saw it.
The head of the Cheon family, wearing a smile like a child who had received an unexpectedly delightful gift.
Despite trying to restrain himself in such a setting, he spread his wings and slowly took flight.
The red gaze followed that figure and gradually approached him.
“It’s been a while. I hope you like the gift I prepared.”
It was a more normal greeting than expected, but it was absolutely not a greeting suited for the current situation.
However, it was precisely because of that that Cheon Mu-jin couldn’t help but laugh heartily.
Right, there was a kid like this. I almost forgot because he was dying, but there was a boy with quite a lot of potential.
His son’s first friend and rival.
The son of his own friend.
The one who stopped his son’s rampage.
The child who reached out his hand to the boy everyone feared.
And the child who had harshly rejected the hand offered in return.
“Indeed, Kang So-hyun, it has been a long time. I am glad to see you look healthy.”
The child he thought would die had not only survived but grown strong enough to present such a gift; as an adult, how could he not be joyful?
* * *
The emotion I felt the moment I first entered the hall was bewilderment.
No, why are all these people looking at me instead of Cheon Yu-hak?
Ah, is it because my black hair stands out?
No, wait. Come to think of it, if some crazy guy walked into a party with two women on his arms, I’d probably stare too.
I guess I’ve become too used to this novel world; my common sense seems to have eroded a bit.
It’ll probably get worse after the entrance announcement, but well, how these people think of me wasn’t very important to begin with.
I was worried I might lack aggro, but this is just right.
I hadn’t heard beforehand where he would be, but a man like him would obviously be over there.
A place where he could clearly observe the hall.
While also being a place where he could best flaunt his own splendor.
When I raised my gaze slightly above the front, our eyes naturally met.
The Heavenly Horse, Cheon Mu-jin.
He was flying toward me.
Hmm, what should I say to make him happy? As expected, going a bit overboard is best, right?
“It’s been a while. Did you like the gift I prepared?”
He burst into a jovial laugh.
He seems to like it a bit too much, but hey, there’s no harm in going big.