Chapter 168
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 168
Chapter Title: Ha Yul (4)
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"For now... please come in, all three of you."
Kanda Koshiro, Sharis, and I stepped into the Madan Clan House under Ha Yu-ri's guidance.
I had a rough idea of who Kanda Koshiro was. I'd looked into him after running into him once before.
That said, we weren't personally close, and Sharis wasn't the type to chat up strangers either, so we walked in silence.
In the awkward atmosphere, Kanda Koshiro spoke to me first.
"Um... I feel like I've seen you somewhere before. Have we met?"
'He doesn't remember me clearly.'
To be fair, it was unusual for me to remember him. From his perspective, a nobody like me wouldn't stick in his mind.
'Though I'm not exactly a nobody anymore.'
"...Yes, that's right. We crossed paths in Lund once. I saw you with Ha Yu-ri."
"Ah... that time..."
He seemed to recall now.
"You were Ha Yu-ri's trainee back then."
"Yes, exactly."
Kanda Koshiro looked puzzled.
And understandably so—he'd surely remember how hostile Ha Yu-ri had been toward me at that restaurant.
So it was natural for him to find it odd that I was visiting her privately.
"Hm..."
Even so, perhaps thinking it rude to pry into the details, he didn't ask.
'Nice guy.'
I'd thought so even back then. Among top players, he struck me as one of the better ones.
'He's the one who rallied the Japanese players, right?'
If Myth, Madan, and Eternity were Korea's big three clans, then as far as I knew, this guy was the representative of Japan's above-board clans.
He'd united them with his mild-mannered nature. In contrast, the shadowy Japanese clans had been rallied by Yanagiya Riki.
'Wonder if he knows her...'
I debated asking, then figured it was fine.
"Kanda, is it okay to call you that?"
"Ah, yes. Feel free."
"I heard you're leading one of the top clans among the Japanese ones."
"Yes, that's correct. It's a bit embarrassing to say it myself, but... I lead Ashihara Clan, one of the major clans, though not quite on the level of the big three."
"I see. In that case, do you know Yanagiya Riki?"
It was just idle curiosity. Someone of his stature probably knew her, fellow Japanese and all.
"Yes...? Excuse me?"
The problem was how his face paled and sweat beaded on his brow at her name.
Like he'd never expected to hear it here.
'What the hell?'
Ha Yu-ri looked just as thrown by his reaction.
"Wh-why is her name coming up?"
"Ah, sorry if that was rude."
'Did something happen with Riki?'
He clearly wanted nothing to do with her.
"I'd rather not talk about Yanagiya Riki. But... are you acquainted with her?"
"Yeah, we message occasionally."
I'd unintentionally bragged about my connection to her.
His lips trembled at the words.
"H-ha... I see. If I may ask... your name?"
'Oh, right. I never introduced myself.'
"Sorry. Lee Yun-seong of Eternity Clan."
"...Lee Yun-seong?"
He pondered the name thoughtfully.
"Ah... are you the one who caught the Execution Conference spy and busted the drug-trafficking clan in Silan?"
"Yes, that's me."
Word of me had reached even him.
'Guess my reputation's grown that much.'
Not just mine—Eternity's fame had skyrocketed too.
We weren't quite at the big three's level yet, but we were closing in fast.
And I was just the front—Eternity had the real deal.
Seo Yu-ju, who'd climbed to ranker status in her first year. Our regressor.
"...You've been making waves lately. But how do you know Yan-Yanagiya Riki...?"
"Circumstances led to me helping her out. We got friendly after that."
"...I see."
Something had definitely gone down between them. I'd have to ask Riki later.
'Doesn't seem serious, but I'm curious.'
He was reacting like a student dreading the class rep.
Ha Yu-ri, who'd been listening quietly as we walked, finally spoke.
"...Sorry, but could you two go ahead? I need to talk with Kanda."
"Sure."
Looked like Ha Yul's treatment would have to wait until she finished.
"Have a seat, Kanda."
"Haha... thank you."
The last time Ha Yu-ri had spoken with Kanda Koshiro was when she'd been framed for drug crimes.
He hadn't reached out since, nor had she contacted him.
'...Why is this? I feel nothing.'
Normally, she'd have been thrilled by his visit.
He was the man she'd harbored feelings for, after all.
She'd even been on the verge of confessing, and he'd seemed to like her too.
"Kanda, what brings you here so suddenly?"
"Ah... um..."
He hesitated for a long moment before bowing his head to her.
"First off, I'm sorry, Ha Yu-ri."
"Huh? What for all of a sudden...?"
"I misunderstood you on my own and lashed out, saying I was disappointed. I want to apologize for that."
"Ah..."
"The Black Dye Clan had pinned everything on you, and I judged you too hastily."
His apology confirmed he was a good man.
But...
She felt none of her old emotions for him.
"I've regretted those words ever since. Will you accept my apology?"
Regardless of feelings, maintaining a friendly tie with him was necessary as clan master.
"Sure, it's fine. You couldn't help misunderstanding back then. I'm grateful you came to apologize."
His face lit up at her words.
"...Thank you for accepting. Ha Yu-ri."
"No problem, Kanda."
"By the way... that man earlier. Lee Yun-seong, was it?"
His name from Kanda's lips made her flinch involuntarily.
"...Yes?"
"What's your relationship with him?"
"Well, he's..."
She couldn't finish. She couldn't admit she was his slave.
"...someone who helped me."
That was all she could say.
"Ah... I see. Hmm..."
He hesitated briefly before asking carefully.
"Are you close? Exactly how...?"
"...Why do you ask?"
Her tone came out colder than intended, startling her.
Kanda was thrown too, but he pressed on casually.
"Well... you should keep your distance from him."
"...What?"
"It's because he's close to Yanagiya Riki."
"So what?"
"...She's extremely dangerous. Practically the Eastern Alliance's drug lord. Anyone close to her, like this Lee Yun-seong, must be dangerous too."
"......"
"Of course, I'm not saying cut him off immediately. Just be cautious. I'm worried about you."
His face showed his sincerity.
But it only irritated Ha Yu-ri.
Judging him arbitrarily just for knowing Riki pissed her off.
His advice triggered an instinctive rejection.
"No. That's none of your business."
"But..."
"Drop it. I'll handle my own affairs."
Reading her firm resolve, he reluctantly backed down.
"...Understood."
Silence fell, souring the briefly warm mood.
To ease the awkwardness, he spoke up.
"Ahem... anyway, Ha Yu-ri, are you free sometime?"
"...Pardon?"
"I got two VIP theater tickets from an acquaintance."
"Ah..."
"If you're okay with it, I'd love to treat you properly next time... and spend time together."
A date invitation, plain as day.
"I..."
She trailed off.
In the past, she'd have beamed and said yes.
What woman would turn down the man she'd chased asking her out?
'Why am I like this?'
But things had changed. Her heart had.
Logically, she should accept.
She was master of a big three clan; he led a major one.
He was handsome, gentle, without rough edges.
Perfect match by any measure—including hers.
That's why she'd pursued him before. She'd fallen for his character.
'...Am I crazy? Stockholm syndrome or something?'
Accepting would lead to romance.
Two paths flashed in her mind now:
Girlfriend to Kanda Koshiro, or slave to that man.
Any sane person would pick the first.
Yet ridiculously, she leaned toward the second.
Even if her feelings went unrequited, even if he never looked her way.
At least... she wanted to be near him.
'Ha... crazy bitch.'
She might regret it someday, but...
"...Sorry, Kanda."
"Pardon?"
His surprised expression reflected in her eyes.
He clearly hadn't expected rejection.
And why would he? She'd always been the one chasing.
Her sudden shift was bound to confuse him.
"Sorry, but it feels burdensome. Let's just keep things as they are."
"Ah... if it's burdensome..."
She needed to be clear. He was misreading things.
"No, I misspoke. It's not burdensome—it's my heart."
His face hardened at her words.
"I see..."
"You should go, Kanda. Thanks for the apology. I mean it."
"...May I ask why? Before, you..."
"Just... things happened."
"...Things."
He didn't look convinced but didn't argue.
"......"
With a complicated expression, he accepted her silence.
"...I understand. If that's how you feel, I won't push."
He was still a good man. Most guys would snap at the change in attitude.
He stood after they finished.
"See you next time. Next will be clan business, not personal."
"...Thanks for understanding."
"Of course. Goodbye."
And so Ha Yu-ri sent away her old flame—not relieved, but lost as to why she felt this way.