Chapter 18: Encounter (6)
Chapter 18: Encounter (6)
Noona was an Awakener...?
“Since when...?”
Living together all this time, I hadn’t noticed even the slightest hint that she was an Awakener.
“Right after I started middle school...”
She had kept it hidden from then until now... Why would she do that?
At first, I felt a bit hurt that she had kept such a secret from me, and I couldn't quite understand her reasoning.
Why?
Even now, after revealing the truth, Noona seemed diminished, as if she were walking on eggshells around me.
Wait...
Noona was never the type to act like that.
Why was she doing this?
Ah...
It was because my parents were killed by Awakeners.
Realizing this belatedly, I finally understood how she felt.
She probably thought I held a grudge against all Awakeners. She must have been terrified that I would distance myself from her if I found out she was one of them.
Ugh... I’m such an idiot.
“Noona, it’s okay. I don’t care if you’re an Awakener. I’m one now, too. Though I still don’t know what my ability is...”
“Shin-a... I’m sorry for hiding it all this time.”
Even though I told her it was fine, she kept her head slightly bowed, still looking uncertain. I reached out and took her hand, which was resting on her lap.
“I said it’s okay, Noona.”
I needed to change the subject quickly.
“But Noona, when did you actually start working as an Awakener? It couldn't have been while you were in school.”
In reality, almost no one hid being an Awakener because once you awakened, you were immediately sent to an Awakener Academy for free training.
Considering Noona had attended the same schools as me all the way through high school...
“Yeah. I didn't intend to do it at first, but after you got hurt, Shin-a...”
Ah... She started because of my hospital bills.
My heart ached at the realization. She had hidden her identity for my sake, and then, when I was injured, she started working as an Awakener just to pay for my treatment.
How could I not be moved?
I had done so little for her...
Technically, we weren't even blood-related. We had just ended up becoming family as siblings. Even if she had turned her back on me when I was hurt, I wouldn't have had any right to complain.
Hmm...
But if Noona was active as an Awakener, there was no way I wouldn't have heard of her.
Was she using a pseudonym?
But among Awakeners, those who hid their identities were...
Wait, could it be Wolyeong?
Except for those involved in illegal activities or crimes, Awakeners rarely hid their identities. The Association and the government tried their best to manage them, and since most entered the Academy immediately upon awakening as children, there wasn't much room to hide.
And there was no way Noona was doing anything bad.
Among the famous Awakeners I knew, the only one who kept their identity a secret was an S-rank psychokinetic named Wolyeong.
Since news about Awakeners was such popular gossip, there were countless articles and videos about those with great power.
Among them, the one called the strongest psychokinetic was Wolyeong.
“Noona... are you Wolyeong?”
At my question, she gave a shy nod.
“Yeah. That’s right.”
She always wore a black robe that covered her entire body and a black veil, earning her a massive fanbase as a "mysterious Awakener." Even through the robe and veil, people could tell she was a beautiful woman.
Hmm...
“So, Noona, every time you said you were going on a business trip, you were actually going to clear dungeons inside portals?”
“Yes... that’s right.”
Then... it must have been the same this time.
On normal workdays, she probably cleared portals that were close by.
Come to think of it, I had only heard that she worked for the Yuseong Group; I never asked for details about what she did.
I never felt the need to pry.
Back then, I was the one with the problems, and I barely had the mental energy to worry about anyone else.
“Then... did you come home early because your schedule finished ahead of time?”
“Yeah, exactly. Shin-a, you haven't had dinner yet, right?”
“Of course not. It’s dinner time now.”
“You’re right... Hehe. Then Noona will make dinner right away.”
She immediately stood up to head toward the kitchen.
“Noona, don’t rush. Go wash up and change your clothes first.”
“Okay. I’ll do as you say, Shin-a.”
She stopped in her tracks and looked back at me. Her black hair, tied in a neat ponytail, swayed with the movement.
★ ★ ★
Following Han Shin’s advice, Kang Yujin stepped into the bathroom to wash up.
As the warm stream of water from the shower hit her, she thought back to when Han Shin asked why she had come home early.
Originally, she was going to tell him she came back because she was worried after getting a credit card notification showing he had bought women’s clothes and underwear.
But Han Shin was now fully healed, and based on what she had gathered from his explanation, those clothes were clearly for Grace.
A white tracksuit. And she assumed there was underwear underneath it as well.
As far as Kang Yujin was concerned...
“I’m so jealous...”
She muttered in a low voice, unable to help herself. She was incredibly envious that Grace had received clothes and underwear from Han Shin.
She knew Han Shin hadn't given them with any special romantic intent, but anything received from him was special to Kang Yujin, so it was only natural for her to feel this way.
‘Shin-a will give me a present too, right?’
She calmed her heart, anticipating the day she would receive a gift from him.
She was self-aware enough to know that she became quite aggressive whenever it involved Han Shin.
It was a relief that nothing had happened between Grace and Han Shin, but...
Kang Yujin worried that the beautiful, platinum-haired knight might reach out for her brother at any moment.
On the surface, Grace seemed to manage her emotions well as a loyal knight, which Yujin had confirmed earlier.
‘But... I can’t let my guard down.’
The problem was that, although she had no proof, she strangely distrusted Grace. She couldn't shake the feeling that Grace had feelings for Han Shin, even if she didn't show it.
Furthermore, while she hadn't heard the full story, Grace was a follower of the god Tiamat who had come to help Han Shin.
Han Shin had mentioned he was receiving training from Grace and going into dungeons with her.
If Grace had even the slightest interest in him and they were constantly together, the "accident" Yujin feared could happen at any time.
In her mind, Yujin began to imagine Grace and Han Shin naked, kissing and becoming intimate.
‘Ugh... No way...’
Her imagination was running wild, but since it wasn't an entirely impossible scenario, she felt anxious.
Even though not a single drop of blood was shared between them, they had a relationship like real siblings.
However, Kang Yujin had a plan from before Han Shin’s accident.
She decided that now was the time to start evolving their relationship from siblings into lovers, something she had intended to do after they both graduated and lived together.
‘In fact, now that things have turned out like this, there are no more secrets between us. I don’t have to worry about being an Awakener anymore...’
Given how much she had agonized over hiding her identity from him, the resolution of that secret carried significant weight.
As his "Noona," she took pride in knowing almost everything—no, practically everything—about Han Shin. She was confident she could grow closer to him and change the nature of their relationship.
Lost in thought, Yujin washed up much faster than usual.
She had already labeled Grace as a "sly fox" trying to seduce Han Shin.
Having designated her as a potential rival, she was anxious and curious about what was happening outside.
Worried that Han Shin and Grace were alone together, she intended to finish up and get out quickly.
After changing her clothes, Yujin headed to her room.
She used her psychokinesis to operate the hairdryer, drying her wet hair with ease.
Around her, not just the hairdryer, but a comb and towels floated in the air, moving freely without being touched.
It was a sight she had never allowed in the house before, but now that the situation had changed, she didn't hold back.
She didn't even have to lift a finger.
As an S-rank psychokinetic, the idea of finding it difficult to manipulate telekinetic power was emotionally incomprehensible to her.
Having dried her hair in an instant, she lightly applied skin lotion and tied her long, straight hair back neatly.
‘Good.’
Standing before the full-length mirror, she checked her reflection. She wore her usual comfortable home attire: a white T-shirt and black dolphin pants.
She turned this way and that, confirming everything looked perfect, and gave a small nod.
It meant she was ready.
Stepping out of her room, she saw that the living room was empty.
‘They must be preparing dinner already.’
Confirming that Grace wasn't there either, she felt certain the two were in the kitchen and headed toward them.