Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Friday #2
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Seong Yurin picked up the phone with a puzzled expression.
"What's this? You're actually calling me...?"
I don't call people much, that's true.
Anyway, after I explained the whole story of what had just happened, Seong Yurin was so startled that she dropped her usual cool demeanor and asked if Soyun and I were okay.
"We're both fine. We were just shaken up. Calm down. I called because it seemed like your driver would know how to handle this sort of thing."
The driver took the phone from Seong Yurin and handled everything cleanly, so we didn't have to worry about a thing. We just exchanged business cards with the guy whose car had suddenly accelerated and left the scene.
We were just innocent bystanders passing by, after all. If we didn't want to get involved, there was no need to.
As we were about to leave, the man apologized again, insisting he'd compensate us anytime and begging us to contact him later.
In a way, he was a victim too.
Sudden acceleration isn't something the driver can control, right?
Besides, before colliding with us, he'd swerved the wheel toward danger to save us, even crashing into the wall. He didn't seem like a bad guy at heart.
So, I told the man—who was offering compensation right there on the spot—that it was fine and we'd contact him later.
Today was a busy day anyway.
It might make me seem a bit of a pushover, but personally, I had no intention of taking any compensation.
Of course, I'd have to ask Soyun's opinion too, even if I didn't care... but she's probably not up for it right now.
After that, I called Soyun's parents and gave them a softened version of what had happened.
I considered not telling them, but if they heard about it by chance from someone else, it'd be even more shocking.
Needless to say, Soyun's parents were horrified, but I talked my way through it, and thankfully, it passed without too much fuss.
Soyun's mom earnestly asked me to take good care of her daughter.
...Your daughter's already clinging to me and won't let go, ma'am.
We were walking toward downtown, half-embracing each other, when that luxury car appeared ahead.
Spotting us, it pulled up, and familiar faces piled out.
"Ijin! Soyun!"
Lee Sea led the way, followed by four guys and girls rushing toward us.
"Are you okay!?"
Under their worried gazes, I assured them we were fine and handed Soyun over to Seong Yurin.
Soyun nestled into Seong Yurin's arms, being gently patted.
Seong Yurin's overflowing maternal warmth enveloped her. She looked more at ease than in my arms.
Hong Yeonseo came up to me and brushed the dirt off my back.
"What do we do? Your clothes are all ruined. Hiiing."
Oh, right. I fell backward, so my clothes got dirty.
I had the gift bag on my back too; I'd check it later.
Of all days, I wore light colors and this happens. Black clothes really are the best, huh.
"You okay? Weird stuff keeps happening."
"Yeah. Tell me about it."
As I responded to Yoon Jiu, Yoon Jia—who was next to him—rushed over.
"Oppa, don't you need to go to the hospital?"
"I'm fine, I said. It's not like I got hit by the car. Just like slipping and falling."
"Ugh... but still..."
"Come on, worry about Soyun more than me. She must've been really scared. And it's her birthday today, of all days..."
At my words, they all turned to comfort Soyun, who wore a gloomy expression.
In the meantime, the driver brought a jacket from somewhere and handed it to me.
"Oh, thank you."
Thanks to that, I could take off my dirty dress shirt and put on a fresh outer layer.
Is this kind of preparedness what makes someone a rich family's driver?
Or maybe he just lent me his own jacket.
We got in the car and, to break the heavy mood, comforted Soyun while deliberately chatting about everyday things.
Overdoing the sympathy in situations like this just makes the person feel worse.
Starting with sharp ones like Seong Yurin and Lee Sea, everyone picked up on my cue and played along.
Thanks to our efforts, though it took a while, Soyun managed to smile again.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Ijin... thank you so much. If it weren't for you... ugh, it's scary just thinking about it."
These were Soyun's words as we stepped out of the family restaurant where we'd eaten lunch, following her request to talk alone for a bit.
"Don't think like that. We're both safe, that's what matters."
"Yeah. It's all thanks to you."
Soyun gave a faint smile.
Good thing she bounced back so quickly.
Yeah. There was that unpleasant incident, but it's her birthday—she should spend it smiling.
"See? You're my prince, Ijin."
Soyun's eyes sparkled.
Prince...?
Doesn't feel like a title for someone our age.
"...Uh, that's a bit grandiose."
"Nuh-uh. You are. My prince... always saving me. Hehe. You'll keep doing it from now on, right?"
I nodded without hesitation.
She's one of my few friends, after all.
Beyond that, I genuinely like her as a person.
"Sure. Whatever I can do."
"Anytime? Forever? Like, always?"
Soyun stood on tiptoe, bringing her face closer.
"...Yeah. Sure."
"Promise? You're so reliable, my prince."
"........."
I-it's a bit much.
The mood made it feel like I had to promise... so I did.
But forever? That's pushing it.
Still, if it makes her this happy, fine.
Good is good.
I patted Soyun's head.
Earlier, she seemed to like it.
Most kids her age hate being treated like children, but Soyun's different.
My fingers glided smoothly through her soft hair.
"Now we can go to the amusement park and have fun?"
"...Yeah. I think I'm okay now."
Checking her expression, she really seemed fine.
So I brought up the compensation the driver had offered.
"Good. Oh, that guy from earlier mentioned compensation. What do you think?"
"Did you agree to take it?"
"Nah."
"...Then I'm good too."
"Alright. Guess we don't need this."
I held up the man's business card from my wallet.
It was a fancy, high-quality card.
Soyun nodded.
I tucked it back into my wallet. Felt wrong tossing it here; I'd deal with it at home later.
As I finished speaking, Soyun rubbed her head against me and clung closer.
Silence fell between us.
But it wasn't awkward or burdensome.
We savored the pleasant quiet, feeling each other's warmth where our bodies touched.
After sharing that warmth for a moment, we headed back for the meal.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Soyun gazed at Ijin's back.
She thought she wanted to stay in that sturdy embrace forever, for life.
It would be happiness so profound it might even kill her.
My prince.
I'll do my best to become your princess.
With a happy smile, she took hold of Ijin's hand.
The warmth from his hand, naturally clasping hers, filled the girl's heart.
Thank you. For saving me again.
A memory that could have become an indelible scar transformed into a new cherished one, etched in her heart.
All thanks to this man.
There were still many blank pages in the fairy tale book within Soyun's heart.
She wished to fill those empty spaces by his side, together.
Soyun hoped.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Ugh... no contact yet. Did they decide to forget about it?"
In a private VIP room at a large hospital.
A man lay in bed, a bandage wrapped around his head, glaring at his phone.
The woman in a suit standing beside him asked politely.
"Should I look into it separately?"
"No. If we approach first, it'll just make them feel burdened and stir up bad memories. It bothers me, but... haha..."
The man let out a sigh-mixed laugh.
Gazing at him for a moment, the woman touched the corner of her eye and said,
"This incident was really dangerous, young master. We need to investigate thoroughly—it might not have been a simple accident."
"No way. Would someone go to these lengths to kill off a good-for-nothing like me, low in the succession line and just wandering around playing every day?"
"...Still, there are more than one or two suspicious points."
"Yeah. Investigate separately and report back. My head hurts a bit; I need to rest."
At the man's dismissal in his patient gown, the suited woman bowed deeply and left the room.
"That kid... she just sticks in my mind."
The girl who had trembled in fear because of him.
Her image kept flashing before his eyes.
He hadn't been that interested in women before, but was he turning that way now?
Was that his type?
Seeing that tiny girl shaking made him want to protect her.
Though there was already another boy by her side.
The man let out a wry chuckle.
Regrettably, unless they contacted him first, he probably wouldn't see her again...
Still, he thought he wanted to see her at least one more time.