Chapter 3
Putting out the fire. His intention had been clear. He simply wanted to know if she could only stay here temporarily or if she had to return eventually. If it wasn't a full return like his, then maintaining the status quo for a while would suffice. Yes, it was just a question thrown out to gauge the situation.
She seemed a little hurt by it.
"Does Siwoo-nim wish for me to go back?"
"Huh?"
"I thought maybe my presence here isn't welcome."
Her voice wasn't sharp. Even so, he had no choice but to swallow dryly. Tension prickled up his spine, and he hurriedly waved his hands.
"Ah, no, that's not it..."
"Then I'm relieved. Because I can't go back."
Thud. It felt like something heavy had dropped into his gut.
"That's the condition under which I came here. So, I'm sorry to Siwoo-nim, but..."
She spoke with a slightly awkward expression, but there was a clear hint of delight.
"It looks like I'll have to impose on Siwoo-nim."
"......"
So it had come to this after all. He'd briefly entertained a hopeful scenario, but Jenia intended to stay by his side. She'd crossed over with that very thought in mind from the start.
"Siwoo-nim, do you remember when you were first summoned as the hero? We talked all day long."
She was referring to the time when he'd been learning about that other world.
"I have much to learn about this place too. Just as I taught you back then, I believe Siwoo-nim will take care of me."
It was as good as a declaration. No matter what, she would stay by his side.
Plop. He sat down beside her. He wanted to let out a deep sigh, but he couldn't.
'Self-inflicted wound, huh.'
He hadn't gone to that other world by choice. But he had been the one to counsel her through her anxieties, clinging to him at times. Back then, he'd sincerely comforted her with all his effort. If that was coming back to bite him now, he couldn't say he bore no blame at all.
"Siwoo-nim."
She looked at him and said,
"Truth be told, though I'm pretending to be fine, I'm terribly tense in this unfamiliar place."
With that, she rested her head on his shoulder.
"I hope you'll let me rely on you, just like always."
The warm sensation. It was nice to feel it again. Nice... but he knew all too well that it wasn't just sweetness she brought.
"Siwoo-ssi, I heard about what happened at the broadcasting station. What on earth is going on?"
He jumped to his feet. The name 'Seo Harin Handler' was displayed on his phone.
"Siwoo-nim?"
"Jenia."
He turned to her and said,
"Could you stay here for a bit?"
"Going to wash your face again?"
"No, nothing like that. But because you came here, there's something I need to sort out."
He grabbed her shoulders as she tilted her head and continued,
"I need to talk to whatever passes for an 'alliance' in your world. There was a witness who saw you cross over earlier."
"Ah."
She sighed.
"Should I have killed them?"
"No, we can't just go around doing that. Anyway, I get that you came here to stay by my side. I'll make sure you can, so can you wait a moment?"
She paused at his question before breaking into a smile.
"Yes! If you'll let me stay here, then absolutely!"
"Good."
He left her and headed to the entrance.
"Rest a bit then. I'll be back soon. Got it?"
"Yes, Siwoo-nim."
Leaving her response behind, he stepped outside. He quickly answered the incoming call.
"I'll explain everything."
He glanced around warily and slipped out of the building entirely.
"So, the girl I knew from my original world over there... she followed me."
He suddenly felt eyes on him and looked back toward the building. His villa window was there, but he didn't see her.
"Siwoo-ssi?"
"Ah, yes."
He pulled himself together and continued.
"That girl crossed over. Following me."
On a night where even the moon was shrouded in clouds, a black sedan parked near the house. The rear window rolled down, revealing Seo Harin.
"Siwoo-ssi."
Before responding, he got into the car. It set off without a specific destination.
She asked him with a troubled expression,
"What happened?"
"Just like I said."
"Someone you met in the other world crossed over here?"
"Yes."
He sighed and rubbed his face with his hand.
"The priestess who summoned me. Jenia."
"How did she cross over? Can everyone from there do that?"
"No, I don't think so. I don't even know exactly how she did it."
But he knew exactly what he needed to do now.
"Handler-nim, what about the broadcasting station? Are they preparing to report it?"
"I handled it. They won't report it."
"That's a relief."
He made a request of her.
"Handler-nim, please keep this between us. It can't go public."
"Don't worry. We agree it shouldn't be publicized either."
"And don't investigate Jenia."
Seo Harin flinched slightly.
"That... the higher-ups will probably want to know more about her too."
"If you do, I won't cooperate with the Korean government either."
She groaned at his firm tone.
"Is she that important to you, Siwoo-ssi?"
"That's part of it, but there's no upside to poking at her. She's connected to me, so I'll handle it. You can do that, right?"
When she didn't answer, he pressed again.
"You can do that, right, Handler-nim?"
"Sigh, alright."
She clenched her fist.
"I'll do what I can. Not sure how far my authority goes, though."
"If anyone questions it, tell them straight: if they don't want to cut ties with the returnee, stay out of this. I'll handle whatever comes."
He'd considered saying nothing at all about Jenia's arrival, but that was impossible. There was the witness at the station, and more importantly, the government had been keeping close tabs on him since his return. Since it would leak anyway, he needed to leverage their interest in him to block info on Jenia.
"Siwoo-ssi, can I ask one thing?"
She nodded as if understanding his intent, but looked at him worriedly.
"Is she... dangerous by any chance?"
"I don't know for sure."
He honestly thought she was. Beyond her immense power, given her mental state before he returned, any outburst wouldn't be surprising. But he didn't want to plant preconceptions about Jenia first. She hadn't caused that level of trouble yet.
"It depends on what she thinks and does going forward."
"Mm."
"That's why I'm saying don't touch her."
He warned her clearly.
"This is for everyone's sake. Mine and yours."
"Yes, I understand."
Seo Harin nodded.
"Anything else you need? She came from over there, so she'll need help adjusting."
"That's exactly what I'm worried about."
"Tell me anytime if you need something. From our side, it'd be ideal if she adapts well and stays in Korea with you."
Ideal, even after his danger warning?
"Right now, returnees are national powerhouses. Transferees could be too. Might sound funny to you, Siwoo-ssi, but..."
"No, I get it."
From Seo Harin's position in a government agency, it made sense. With only three returnees including him, it wasn't surprising for transferees to get similar treatment.
At least she wasn't inflexible. He didn't want to butt heads with his home country's government either.
"Shall I drop you back then? You rushed out, so you probably need to head inside."
He nodded at her question. The car had already pulled up in front of his villa.
"See you later."
He said goodbye and got out. As the car drove off, he let out a long sigh.
'At least the immediate fire's out.'
Now it was time to face the bigger blaze.