Chapter 372
Chapter 372
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 372. Lucky Candy
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-Click.
I don't bother holding back the sigh that escapes as I close the door behind me.
I'm exhausted. They seem to get along so well, but the moment I turn away, they're at each other's throats.
I should go find somewhere to rest...
"Oppa?"
"What are you doing here?"
Just then, a familiar voice rings in my ears. I turn around to see Park Ye-eun and Ailin staring at me.
"Ye-eun, Ailin."
"Why'd you come out of the room?"
"Well..."
As I trail off, Park Ye-eun narrows her eyes and tugs at Ailin's sleeve.
"Sis, should we head outside?"
"Outside?"
"Yeah. With oppa, the three of us."
"...Sure, why not."
Ailin nods calmly, and Park Ye-eun takes the lead, striding ahead.
Good thing I didn't go back in. Who knows what would've happened if another fight broke out.
The three of us walk quietly like that.
How long do we walk? Soon, a neatly manicured garden-like spot comes into view.
"There's a place like this, huh."
"I know everything around here!"
Park Ye-eun puffs out her chest with a grin at my mutter, and Ailin watches her fondly before turning to me.
"How's your body holding up?"
"It's decent. Honestly, after going through all that, if hospitalization is all it takes to fix me up, I'd say I'm pretty lucky."
"I see."
Ailin murmurs calmly at my words, then looks away.
"I should've gone with you back then, but I couldn't."
"What, so we all end up in the hospital together?"
No need to go looking for more trouble. Me and Song Arin getting admitted was bad enough.
"Still..."
"You helped me, sis!"
Park Ye-eun strokes Ailin's arm with a smile.
"If you hadn't helped back then, we never would've found him! Oh, and Daon sis too!"
"...Daon too?"
That wasn't what I'd asked Yoo Daon to do.
Under my gaze, Park Ye-eun rolls her eyes in confusion before nodding.
"Yeah, yeah. Daon sis helped out."
"What'd she say?"
"Uh, that this was what you needed..."
...
Ailin crosses her arms and says nothing.
...
Beats me. I'll ask later.
"So, why didn't you go back in?"
Park Ye-eun pokes my side with her elbow, her voice sly as if trying to lighten the mood.
"Don't poke a patient's side like that."
"It's not hurting there."
She's got annoyingly sharp instincts for useless stuff.
"Hmm."
"They were fighting, weren't they?"
As I shut my mouth without a word, Ailin mutters matter-of-factly.
"They fight whenever you're around."
"They only fight when I'm there?"
So they don't fight without me?
I stare at Ailin with wide eyes, and Park Ye-eun hurriedly shakes her head.
"N-No, that's not it! Probably because when you're there, they talk more and that's what leads to fighting?"
"Oh, so they don't talk much without me?"
Sounds like they don't even chat when I'm gone.
I press my furrowed brow bitterly, and Ailin continues in her usual calm tone.
"Can't be helped."
...
"Just accept it and roll with it. You will, right?"
"Well, yeah."
"It's your fault."
"What?"
I shoot Ailin an aggrieved look, and she smirks crookedly with her arms crossed.
Her dull blonde hair gleams in the sunlight.
"Anyway, it's your fault, so apologize."
"Uh..."
"Even I think it's your fault, oppa."
"Got it, I'm sorry."
I apologize with heavy sighs.
No rest anywhere, huh.
"Enough nagging."
Park Ye-eun chimes in playfully, looking at me.
"I heard Chaeyeon confessed?"
...
I avoid Ailin's gaze.
"No wonder the vibe was off."
"Was it?"
Ailin stares straight at me in response to my question, and I clamp my mouth shut again.
"Yeah. It wasn't worth fighting over."
She murmurs, closing her eyes and shaking her leg.
"I see."
...
...
After a brief silence, Ailin speaks again.
"Got it."
Then she hands me a fruit basket.
"Take this, at least."
"...Thanks."
I accept the basket and bow slightly, earning a smile from Ailin.
"Rest up. Call if you're bored. When's discharge?"
"Dunno. I don't wanna stay long."
"Then I'll visit often."
"Don't you have work?"
"If the Response Team's swamped, the world's in chaos. The idler I am, the better, right?"
True, but...
"I really don't have any work!"
Park Ye-eun raises her hand with a laugh, and I shoot her a glare.
"Who's watching the Team Leader while you're here playing?"
"Team Leader's on vacation. Out having fun."
Traitor.
"Oh, right."
Park Ye-eun opens her mouth with an "ah" like she'd forgotten something.
"Uh, remember?"
"What?"
"Our branch chief's Funny Box."
"...You didn't send the Funny Box to the hospital, did you?"
If so, I'll march straight to the branch chief and sort it out.
No, better—go to HQ and complain that the branch chief's harassing me.
"No, not that."
Thank god. Seems the branch chief didn't send it to torment me.
"Uh, remember the Stationery Store ticket?"
"...Oh. Yeah, I do."
I'd even forgotten it existed.
"But why?"
"I got an email about it."
Park Ye-eun shows me her smartphone.
[Notice: Unused Stationery Store Visit Ticket]
[We are deeply regretful that you have not used the Stationery Store ticket despite receiving it. We firmly believe that this store, filled with enjoyable and fun items, will bring you joy.]
[To ensure your enjoyment, we are sending one item in advance!]
"Usually, stuff like this turns out to be a weapon of mass destruction."
"Great minds think alike."
Ailin murmurs calmly as I lean in to read the email, and I nod in agreement.
High chance it'll cause an incident.
"Uh, but it was really nothing special?"
"Did you bring it?"
"Yeah."
With that, Park Ye-eun pulls something from her pocket, and Ailin and I leap back in unison, bracing ourselves.
"Ailin, ready!"
"No gun. Hospital rules."
"Damn..."
"No, it's seriously nothing!"
Seeing our reactions, Park Ye-eun mutters in bewilderment and pulls it out.
...
...
Our eyes lock on the tiny thing in Park Ye-eun's hand.
"It's candy."
"Won't it kill you if you eat it?"
Ailin mutters suspiciously at my words, and I nod, thinking she might be onto something.
"Yeah. Hang on."
Probably tells me if I check.
Sure enough, a translucent window pops up.
[Name: Lucky Candy]
[Age: X]
[Specialty: Luck Bestowal]
[Talent: X]
[Background: True to its motto of bringing happiness, the Stationery Store is always pondering what to give users to make them happy.]
[Weakness: Eat it.]
...
...
..."What is this?"
Ailin frowns at me as I stare intently at the candy.
"Is it dangerous?"
"No, not that..."
How do I even explain this?
"It says it brings good luck if you eat it?"
"What luck? Like an earthquake hits out of nowhere, everyone dies, and you're the sole survivor?"
Does luck like that even exist?
Actually, it might.
"Either way, I don't recommend eating it."
"Not like I'd eat it even if you shoved it in my mouth."
"Uh, then I'll just—"
Park Ye-eun moves her hand toward her mouth, and I grab her wrist.
"Confiscated."
"Ah, oppa! That's too much!"
"Who told you to go eating random dangerous crap? No."
"Nooo..."
Park Ye-eun whines and reaches out, but I'm not giving it back.
"Confiscated. Ailin, any objections?"
"None."
"Good. Unanimous decision by the two guardians: confiscated."
"We're not my mom and dad!"
Park Ye-eun yells indignantly, and I look at her in disbelief.
"How much older are you than Ailin that she's your mom? Call her noona, me hyung."
"You're way older than me, oppa! You're like an ajusshi!"
"Good day, Branch Chief. Yes, this is HR's Kim Jaeheon. The reason for my call is to request a position change for our intern Park Ye-eun to Accounting..."
"Ah, seriously!"
I dodge Park Ye-eun's kick and set down my phone.
"Anyway, no."
"Ah, then let me eat it and prove it's safe!"
"I'm keeping it from you to stop you eating it. Right, Ailin?"
Ailin startles like she was lost in thought and nods.
"Ah, yeah. Right."
..."Something up?"
"No, nothing."
She slowly shakes her head at my question, then looks at me with a resolute expression.
Why?
"Six years' difference ain't much."
"Cut the nonsense."
I turn back to the candy.
Red candy.
No wrapper, even.
I'll hold onto it for now.
As I think that and go to pocket it,
"There you are!"
Song Arin kicks open the door and barges in, eyeing Ailin and Park Ye-eun.
Yoo Daon and Jang Chaeyeon follow behind.
"Did they kidnap you?"
"I walked out on my own."
I answer, looking at Song Arin, who frowns at me.
"Anyway, what's with that candy?"
"Oh. Containment Object."
"What're you on about? Is it alive?"
"Nope."
...
Song Arin marches toward me, brow deeply furrowed,
"Hey, come with me for a sec—"
"Stay here."
Ailin blocks her with outstretched arms.
"Who're you to—"
"Who're you?"
Ailin and Song Arin's eyes meet, tension crackling, but before it escalates,
"Huh?"
-Thud!
Park Ye-eun trips over nothing on the floor, bumping my arm,
-Smack!
The candy flies into the air,
"Gahk!"
And slips straight down my throat.