Chapter 207
Chapter 207
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 207
Chapter Title: Stay Still, Joo Ji-tae (2)
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"…Huh? Why?"
"You two were in bed?"
"…With me. The three of us."
"Ah, fuck, of course. What then."
Yeoreum made a face like her food had gone cold as she asked.
"…Just. We talked."
"What about?"
"…Hm, I fell asleep, so I don't really remember."
Yeoreum furrowed her brow. It was too early to jump to conclusions. Come to think of it, Bom often acted like Winter was her own daughter. And Winter seemed to look up to Bom like a mom.
Nothing strange about that. Bom was Green Clan. The Green Clan naturally embraced the entire species like their children, as per their providence.
From the Red Clan's perspective, it was like... a mystical mom type clan(?).
"Tell me everything you know."
But Winter apparently didn't like Yeoreum's tone. She crossed her arms, thought for a moment, and decided to use a line she'd learned from Yoo Ji-tae.
"…Why should I?"
"Huh? Hey."
"…Hee hee."
"This is serious, and you're pulling 'why should I'? Just tell me."
"…With nothing in return?"
Yeoreum was exasperated.
How did this little brat get so cheeky?
"This punk's gotten bold..."
But Winter was serious. Why should she spill everything just because some Red Clan she didn't like asked nicely?
"What do you want then?"
Winter pressed her thumb and index finger together into a circle. It was a scene from a hard-boiled movie she'd watched with Yeoreum once.
"Oho. Look at you. Unbelievable..."
"…If you don't want to, I won't say."
"Hold on."
Yeoreum rummaged through her drawer. She had 1,000 won left after spending 49,000 of the 50,000 Yoo Ji-tae gave her on festival day buying graphic novels.
Hm. She's just a kid. This should be enough.
With that thought, Yeoreum handed Winter a 1,000-won bill. A sly grin spread across Winter's face.
"…A thousand won won't cut it."
Snap!
"Ow—"
Winter finally opened up after getting flicked on the forehead.
"…Annoying."
"Just tell me already!"
"……."
"I'll give you five thousand later, okay?!"
Winter pocketed the 1,000 won, closed her eyes, and recalled the memory.
She could've held out longer if she wanted. But Winter gave in easily because she was curious what Yeoreum meant by "serious issue."
"…Hm."
It had happened a few times.
Times when, after Winter fell asleep, Bom and Yoo Ji-tae chatted in the same bed.
Her sleep was spotty, so the memories weren't clear, but the first thing that came to mind was when Yoo Ji-tae suddenly started pounding on her back while she slept.
What had Bom said then?
'A little gentler. Nice and soft.'
'A bit more kindly now.'
'Like stroking.'
Yeah, something like that while he patted her back.
Yeoreum was shocked hearing Winter's account.
"What!? Are they insane?"
"…Huh?"
"Nice and soft? Gentler?"
"…Yeah."
Soon, Yeoreum's expression turned grave.
"The bed wasn't shaking or anything, right?"
"…No? Why?"
"They must've gone super gentle then... Wow. They're crazy... Let me see these bastards? Sneaking around behind my back? Or are you lying? Tell the truth. This is seriously important."
"…No. I'm not lying."
"You're not? Wow... Yoo Ji-tae and Yoo Bom, you little shits..."
"…Why? What?"
"You wouldn't know. You're too young and clueless."
"……?"
Then Yeoreum muttered to herself. 'Wow, fuck. Quiet cats climb the ridgepole...' 'Yoo Ji-tae, was he that kind of guy? Acting all prim and proper...' 'Holy shit. They really did it for real...?' She glanced back at Winter.
"Huh? What're you still doing here? Scram."
"…What is it? Tell me."
"Forget it, kid. You're done. Out."
Winter was suddenly shoved out the door.
"……."
Slam! The door shut. '…What the hell. Annoying.' Winter scratched her head, glared at Yeoreum's door in annoyance, then turned away.
As she did, she thought it over again.
There'd been a few similar instances after that, but nothing weird about them.
So why was that wild boar acting like that?
But whether Yoo Ji-tae and Bom were getting cozy wasn't the point. They weren't kids. If they liked each other, fine. Yeoreum didn't care much either way(?).
There was a bigger contradiction here.
The Red Clan wandered around enjoying fun escapades(?) during their outings. Because it was amusing. She herself would've done the same randomly(?) if she didn't have clear goals or direction in life.
But as far as Yeoreum remembered, Blue and Green Clans didn't do that.
It was their clan's nature, their disposition.
Of course, individuals varied, so some dragons might. Sure.
But Green Clan was the exception.
Somehow, Green Clan dragons all had eerily similar personalities.
To the point where dragons who could glimpse the future inevitably ended up that way. Boring. No fun.
So Bom fooling around with Yoo Ji-tae without 'love' was hard for Yeoreum to comprehend.
Did that mean Bom actually loved Yoo Ji-tae? That didn't make sense either.
As long as they wore the Fragment of Origin, hatchlings couldn't love.
This glaring contradiction sparked question after question.
And since the Fragment of Origin was vital for dragons enjoying outings, Yeoreum realized she couldn't dismiss it as mere curiosity.
Whether they'd done it or not didn't matter anymore.
This was more serious.
It was the next dawn.
Lately, Yoo Ji-tae left the dorm at night and didn't return alone. So mornings, Bom went out alone to buy food.
"Hum hum♪"
Same today. Humming, Bom grabbed her market bag. Perfect time for a private chat.
"Unni."
"Oh? Morning. Up early?"
Her mood seemed good; Bom smiled faintly at Yeoreum.
"Going for food?"
"Yeah."
"I'll come."
"Sure. What's up?"
They headed out.
Yeoreum felt like early mornings had this 'morning air.' From dawn for a couple hours. Even in midsummer, that short window felt refreshing, cool, crisp. That's why Yeoreum always opened her window upon waking to savor it.
But not today. She couldn't relax.
As they reached the commercial district...
"Unni."
Yeoreum spoke clearly.
"Yeah?"
"Do you like Yoo Ji-tae ajusshi?"
"Yeah."
The answer came too quick.
So Yeoreum thought her question was off.
"…No, not like that."
"Oh, Yeoreum-ah."
"Huh?"
"How about that?"
Yeoreum turned. Bom pointed to a sandwich shop open since morning.
"Ah, looks good."
"Right? Great."
The interruption felt timed oddly. On the way back with sandwiches, Yeoreum tried again.
"Bom unni."
"Yeah?"
"Got a question."
"What?"
"Answer straight. No dodging."
"Okay."
"Do you love Yoo Ji-tae?"
"No?"
Instant answer again.
Voice so natural, like she'd never even considered it. Her face was its usual blank, unreadable self.
"Then?"
"What then? No means no."
"No sticky feelings? Like wanting him? Crazy about him?"
"Nope. None."
Bom's response felt off. According to Gaeul, Bom shouldn't answer like that.
Gaeul said she'd never told Bom what she saw. So Bom shouldn't know...
Yeoreum quickened her pace to block Bom.
"Listen."
"Huh? What?"
"Talk."
Bom stopped, blinking.
"I'm serious. Don't brush this off."
"About that question earlier?"
"Yeah."
"Hm... Why ask suddenly?"
"No matter how I look, something's weird. From what I've seen, there's definitely something between you two."
"Well... I do stick to ajusshi a bit."
"What if it's more?"
Yeoreum was dead serious. Maybe overly so. Meeting eyes, Bom awkwardly fiddled with her hair, smiling.
"What's with you today..."
"Is there?"
"No."
"For real?"
Bom placed a hand on her chest.
Dragon heart. Beside it, the Fragment of Origin.
"I have this too."
Shard of the first dragon. Ancient One's power. Every dragon wore it on their heart when leaving for outings across dimensions.
It was a beacon. Passport. Airplane ticket.
Also a guide. To keep young hatchlings from overindulging in fun.
"We all got checked by the Lord before leaving, right? If I loved ajusshi in the same situation as you all, wouldn't that be super dangerous?"
"Right. Good point. That's exactly why I'm being all stiff here."
Now Yeoreum pulled cigarettes from her waist pouch.
She naturally lit one with a finger flick.
"Us. First outing, and it's rough. Came out to play and everything goes to shit."
Deep inhale. Thick smoke billowed like clouds.
"We're eating well now, but dimensions are off. Drifted here, no clue how. What can we trust?"
Another deep breath.
"Just the Fragment of Origin."
"Yeah."
"If there's a problem with it now... You might not make it back when we do. That's why I'm asking. No issue with your Fragment? You really don't love ajusshi?"
"I said yes."
"Better vouch for Green than fuck Blue..."
Famous Red Clan joke.
Never trust Blue even in death. Don't trust Green easily.
Bom pouted playfully.
"Hey. Ridiculous... Why ask if you won't believe me?"
"If there's a problem, we drop this daily playtime crap. No time for this shit. Gotta fix it."
"……."
"Last chance. You swear you don't have those feelings for ajusshi—"
Yeoreum sucked hard on the cigarette. Her gaze deep. Suspicious eyes. Sharp as a hunting dog twitching at blood scent.
Exhaling deeply, Yeoreum spoke.
"Can you swear?"
The air grew heavy. Genuine worry.
'Yeah.' But Bom brushed it off, and Yeoreum burned the whole cig.
Like vowing something. Yeoreum glared into Bom's eyes sharply for a while. Bom smiled awkwardly, as if fine.
After that, Yeoreum didn't speak to Bom.
He checked his pocket watch. 7 AM. Arriving at the dorm, he ran into Bom and Yeoreum, Bom carrying packaged breakfast.
Bom called 'Ajusshi—' so he waved back.
Next instant, Yeoreum grinned wide and charged at Yoo Ji-tae.
"Oh, my baby!"
Using the pet name she saved for good moods, Yeoreum leaped, wrapping legs around his waist, arms around his neck.
Then she thrust her face in.
Lips pursed like for a kiss. Exhausted and defenseless, Yoo Ji-tae naturally blocked her face with his hand and gently pushed her head away.
"What're you doing."
"Aw, why! Don't like my kissies?"
"Get down. I'm tired today."
Yeoreum persisted, so Yoo Ji-tae lifted and set her down. Power gap too much; she landed like a kid.
"Jeez. Eunuch... Whatever. First kissies for us, huh♥ Yeah? Yeeaah?"
No response from tired Yoo Ji-tae. Yeoreum smirked, turned away. Glanced slyly at Bom. 'Ah, got breakfast sandwiches.' Bom casually offered Yoo Ji-tae the food. The three entered the dorm together.
Still, that brief glance from Yeoreum stuck with him.
What was that. These kids.
But Yeoreum's antics were just beginning.