Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Part 11. Weekend at Room 301 (2)
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Wei Lian checked the list once more. There were twelve initial audition passers. Yet the list showed thirteen names. As he carefully scanned the audition participants' names, one stood out.
"Yoo Gaeul..."
It was a familiar name. Upon checking, she turned out to be Yoo Yeoreum's younger sister.
Wei Lian's face twisted into a scowl.
Yoo Yeoreum. An irritating name. If only he could have brought her to Azure Dragon House, it would have been perfect. He was confident he could have groomed her into a top-tier cadet with full support. But Yeoreum had always dodged him, to put it bluntly.
And what came after was even worse.
Others scraped together every penny, wined and dined contacts, and begged for even a single line in the press. But Yoo Yeoreum spat vulgarities at the reporters who came to her and vanished. As if she had no interest in such things. As if they held no value at all. To Wei Lian, who thrived on the power of the public and media, it was deeply offensive.
Not knowing what an opportunity it was, or how grateful she should be.
That immature redheaded brat...
The problem was that Yoo Gaeul was Yeoreum's sister. Her profile showed blonde hair. Just as enticingly pretty. The kind who would draw spotlights just by existing.
How did someone like her suddenly get added?
"Ha PD. It's me."
Puzzled, Wei Lian called Ha Jun-su.
"There's an unfamiliar name."
-Yes. You're talking about Cadet Yoo Gaeul, right?
The response came immediately, as if anticipated.
"Yes. It was a bit surprising. She didn't go through auditions like the others. What's her story?"
-I added her.
"...What’s that about? Our upright Ha PD wouldn't be short on funds. Haha."
-I added her because she deserved it. Why are you so curious?
A voice drawing a line.
-Hope that clears it up. Don't call until the auditions are over.
Ha Jun-su hung up.
'That arrogant...'
Anger boiled deep inside. It filled his gut warmly and rose to choke his throat.
His eyelids trembled.
"What's wrong, Professor?"
Black hair. Cadet uniform cropped scandalously short.
Gong Joo-hee approached. Wei Lian flipped his expression into a beaming smile.
"Oh? Joo-hee, you're here. Nothing much. Did you meet Alexei alright?"
"Of course."
Alexei. He had been the main declarant at last year's entrance ceremony.
Wei Lian had pulled strings with big money to arrange a meeting with Alexei's manager. But Gong Joo-hee smirked recalling it.
"Eh, nothing special."
"Really?"
"He was yelling like some warrior, but honestly, it didn't resonate. Just a big guy with a booming voice. All hype."
"Hmm, I see. Still, there must be something to learn. Last year had tons of impressive cadets, but he stood out on stage. You should pick up that vibe."
Russia had an organization called 'Sivyan,' a youth assassin group. Alexei hailed from there. A boy who climbed by stepping on corpses from childhood.
"No need. What do I lack?"
Gong Joo-hee laughed confidently.
The prestigious Gong swordsmanship family. One of Korea's three great sword houses.
Gong Joo-hee, who had vied for position against countless siblings from main and branch lines since childhood, wore many masks.
"I got the top evaluation in the first round, right? Even if those kids show up again, it'll be the same. Child's play. No reason to tense up."
"Right. Professor only believes in you, Joo-hee."
"After auditions, squeeze the PR department for all it's worth."
"You bet."
Wei Lian exchanged glances with Gong Joo-hee's attendant across the way. Thirteen was too many. But two or three would withdraw voluntarily. With money, squashing dirty rumors was easy. The attendant nodded. Things were progressing well there too.
So Wei Lian relaxed and turned away.
He'd been gutted missing this chance last year. But this year was different. Wei Lian vowed to use any means to the end.
Time left until auditions.
Just one day.
Crunch, crunch.
Winter chewed raw chestnuts shells and all.
Something only possible in human form as a dragon.
He nibbled meticulously like a squirrel with an acorn.
"Tasty?"
Bom's question. Winter glanced sideways cautiously. Toward the kitchen with Yoo Ji-tae, Yeoreum, and Gaeul. Thankfully, Yoo Ji-tae wasn't looking. Winter shook his head carefully at Bom.
Raw chestnuts weren't particularly tasty.
Still, Winter crunched through the rest.
"..."
The guardian stood statue-still, watching silently. Bom ignored him. For him, just watching was enough.
-Ding dong.
-Delivery's here!
Tonight's dinner: jokbal.
Yeoreum, Gaeul, and Yoo Ji-tae sat in the kitchen eating pig's feet.
Brown, pudding-like appearance. Savory pork scent mixed with sweet-salty soy sauce wafted up.
Yeoreum tore into a huge bone, but midway, she frowned and side-eyed next to her.
There, Gaeul trembled, clumsily using chopsticks.
"Hey."
"Uh, yeah?"
"What're you doing?"
"What? What did I do?"
"..."
Since last night, Gaeul's condition had worsened. When Yoo Ji-tae asked why, she replied, 'Me? I'm fine!' Which meant she was nervous, just like the entrance interview.
But this tension seemed deeper.
Plop.
A piece of jokbal meat fell. Gaeul tried picking it up again but dropped it.
Plop.
Meat fell again.
"Argh, damn it."
Yeoreum snapped.
"Quit it and eat with your hands!"
"Huh? Why?! I wanna use chopsticks too!"
Gaeul yelled back but her shaky hands persisted. Meat neared her mouth then plopped onto her chest.
"Eek, this is expensive!"
Startled, Gaeul flailed up, reaching for tissues. But her foot tangled, stepping on Yeoreum's beside her. 'Mommy!' She panicked, flailing. Grabbing the table desperately pressed the radish bowl's edge, launching it skyward via leverage.
Yeoreum's chin was in its path.
But quick-reflexed Yeoreum dodged leisurely.
"You're such a pain. Total mess."
"Ugh... Sorry, it was an accident..."
"Knock it off and sit. Before I really lose it."
"..."
Yoo Ji-tae silently ate his jokbal.
Then, a radish chunk stuck to the ceiling light from the high toss finally fell. Perfect ambush. It landed in Yeoreum's red hair.
Her bone-gnawing hand froze.
"..."
Drip, drip.
Broth followed, trickling down her forehead and nose bridge.
Instantly, Gaeul jumped up in horror.
"Yoo Gaeul."
Voice low and settled. Gaeul got chills.
"Y-Yeah...? Sorry, Unni..."
Serious Yeoreum wagged her index finger. Come here.
"S-Sorry! Sorry, Unni! Accident! Sp-Spare me!"
"..."
"M-M-Mommy...!"
Gaeul fled. Exactly three seconds later, caught and dragged to the shoe rack for an armbar. 'Waaah!' She resisted fiercely but ended up face-planted by shoes.
Straddling her back, Yeoreum said,
"Hey. Scared? Look at her shaking."
"Ugh..."
"Why freak? You're dropping out anyway."
Words blurring insult and comfort continued.
Meanwhile, Yoo Ji-tae felt a twinge of puzzlement.
Gaeul had clearly changed after immersing in memories and emotions. Proof: Director An Gi-mo reversed his evaluation, marveling, 'How did she express it like this?' Even to clueless Yoo Ji-tae, her newfound charisma was evident.
He expected her to be thrilled. But no. On the way back from lessons, she grumbled to him about losing immersion. 'You did great,' he said. The chick just tilted her head, 'That's not it...'
He couldn't understand.
If needed, Yoo Ji-tae considered thinning competition differently. He consulted Bom, who relayed, 'It'll have bad long-term effects.' Via providence, so he accepted. Meaning, no go.
So it all hinged on Gaeul.
Could she pull it off tomorrow?
Gaeul must have been terribly anxious. Past midnight, her grumbling from her room suddenly stopped.
Yoo Ji-tae shut his ears too. Spending another sleepless night as usual.
Creeeak— In the dark, the door slid open slowly.
He opened his eyes.
"Ajusshi..."
"..."
"Can I come in?"
It was Gaeul.
"Come in."
She nodded and tiptoed inside.
"What."
"I, um... well... y'know..."
Um um um. Unable to continue, she clamped her mouth. Then huffed a sigh and pressed on.
"Just a tiny bit nervous."
"Scared of failing?"
"No, no. Failing's fine..."
"Then."
"...What if I mess up from nerves? What if I can't even do what I've practiced..."
Voice shrinking.
"Any tough parts?"
"...Yeah. Emotions still don't click fully. Like I grasped then lost them. I knew it before."
I see. The hardest part tripping her up.
Pondering, Yoo Ji-tae called her.
"Come here."
She approached slowly. Moonlight filtered through the window. Her trembling fingertips caught it. One more step revealed an earnest expression he'd never seen.
"Wanna hear it again? That guy's story."
"...Yes."
Yoo Ji-tae patted the empty bed spot.
She lay beside him. Hesitantly gripped his wrist cuff with shaky hand.
The regressed man closed his eyes, recalling distant memories. He talked to her until dawn.
By morning.
Her hand no longer trembled.