Your True Feelings (3)
'W-what does that mean...?'
Baek Yuha clamped her hand over her mouth. Her heart pounded wildly, as if it might burst out at any moment. Her head buzzed. The conversation inside no longer reached her ears.
I won't let you go… that phrase could only mean…
"…Ugh."
A stinging pain pierced her, and for some reason, she clutched her chest tightly. One thought led to another, chaining endlessly.
Were the two of them… that close? Come to think of it, that day in the hallway, Woojin said he helped first… and during practical training, it was Woojin who… No way…
"…Love at first sight or something…"
Kim Woojin was an irreplaceable person to her. If someone like that had found a girl he liked, it was only natural as a friend to congratulate him.
Of course… as a friend…
Yet for some reason, Baek Yuha could only hang her head.
Then a voice called from behind.
"Oh, Yuha?"
"Eek!"
It was the nurse she'd grown familiar with over the past two days visiting the ward. She'd often given knowing glances, seeing how devotedly Baek Yuha nursed Kim Woojin. Recognizing her, the nurse greeted warmly.
"What are you doing out here instead of going in?"
"I, uh… well…"
Startled, Baek Yuha floundered without a proper greeting, like a kid caught red-handed doing something bad.
She averted her eyes and blurted out incoherently.
"S-so… s-sorry…! Next time…"
"Yuha? Wait—"
Ignoring the nurse's attempt to stop her, Baek Yuha bolted down the hallway. Her vision blurred, moisture gathering at the corners of her eyes. In that moment, she felt like the impure intruder here wasn't Han Sua—but herself.
"Huh…?"
The nurse tilted her head, baffled, watching Baek Yuha vanish.
"Y-you won't let me go…?"
Han Sua stammered, repeating it. Unlike her usual sharp demeanor, her face was flushed with clear panic. Her cheeks were a bit red too. Does she have a fever?
No wonder she couldn't grasp it—I'd cut straight to the conclusion without context.
"Han Sua, you asked what my goal was."
I calmly filled in the details. There was no reason to hide it from her anyway. She was in no position to defy me now.
Answering one question wouldn't hurt.
"I'm planning to bring down the Hwaryeon Group."
"What…?"
Han Sua's eyes widened in shock.
Honest Confession
Han Sua stood there blankly for a moment. It was because the man before her had boldly declared the very goal she'd once dreamed of but ultimately abandoned.
"And Hwaryeon is too massive and powerful to take down alone. Without help from an insider, it's impossible."
"An insider…?"
"I'm talking about you, Han Sua."
The man smiled with that annoyingly handsome face. Come to think of it, she was the perfect collaborator. The recent raid had failed, but she'd gained her father's trust instead. She'd pinned the villain killings on Marionette, staging herself as earning even more trust from heroes and the public.
It was exactly as Kim Woojin had instructed after taking down the baron. Of course, it wasn't joyous praise. The future still loomed uncertain. She'd chosen the hero's path prepared to die, yet she'd survived. Now she drifted aimlessly, without purpose. Hwaryeon stood strong, and she remained as powerless as ever.
Yet to her, this man was saying:
"Help me, Hero Psyche. Lend your strength to toppling Hwaryeon."
She was lost, unsure whose tune to dance to now. He'd appeared out of nowhere one day—someone whose face was at least easy on the eyes. But after a day of brutal torture and threats with just a finger, she'd plummeted from haughty corporate heiress to lowly puppet.
His atrocities didn't stop there. He raided the bank she oversaw, tanking the stock and undermining her position in the group; blackmailed them to bring her along, ruining her long-awaited field training. He'd even stolen her freedom in death, leaving her with nothing but miserable, gloomy days.
But he'd saved her from death's door. He'd put on that ridiculous, inexplicable play, turning himself into a clown to make her a hero. He'd realized the very ideal she'd longed for.
Just like that voice on TV right now.
The man's actions were utter chaos, impossible to predict. Maybe he really was insane. A mere villain, boldly declaring he'd dismantle mighty Hwaryeon.
"…It'll be tough."
Han Sua shook her head, ignoring her trembling heart. Deep down, she hoped he'd refute it fiercely.
"I know."
And he answered simply, as always.
"I'm not joking."
She pressed on, almost shouting.
"You're already one of the most dangerous, unpredictable villains in Korea. Know what that means? Not just the Hero Management Bureau—villains will watch you too. Especially Hwaryeon; they'll stop at nothing to eliminate you. You wrecked their biggest project this year…!"
"Perfect. Saves me the trouble of hunting down trash like them."
Han Sua was speechless. His expression remained serene, as if those words were no bluff or bravado—just obvious duty.
"…Why go that far? Why hate villains so much? Because of that family stuff you mentioned?"
She recalled their orphanage exchange. But he shook his head lightly.
"That's part of it, but…"
His hesitation lingered. Han Sua read the tangled emotions on his face: reluctance, guilt, regret, self-loathing, devotion, unconditional sacrifice.
Finally, he spoke slowly.
"…There's someone I want to help."
"Someone you want to help…?"
The savagery he'd shown her was gone. His awkward smile held only gentle affection for that person.
Han Sua frowned in confusion, then ventured carefully.
"Is it… Baek Yuha?"
"…"
The long silence was answer enough. Han Sua's words caught in her throat.
And then, the ugly feelings she'd buried deep began to surface.
Truth be told, her earlier barbs about him being feeble were lies she didn't mean. During the raid, his arms holding her as she fell had been firmer and more reliable than anything. Night after night, that warmth revived in her memories, keeping her awake. She'd had to admit it: that lukewarm heat was unmistakably the sensation of salvation.
But now, this man before her—who'd nearly let her die as a villain, only to revive her as a hero and promise to fulfill her lost dream—was doing it all for someone else.
Not jealousy or affection, mind you. Her flushed cheeks earlier were just an involuntary reaction. This was mere petulance. A question.
Baek Yuha. What made that girl worthy of such unconditional devotion from him?
It felt less like a villain's one-sided stalking; their feelings seemed mutual already.
"Anyway… don't even dream of running."
His voice pulled her from her thoughts.
"I told you—I spared you because you're useful to me. If you're thinking of rebelling, give it up quietly."
"…"
His tone was oddly nuanced. The words were pure vile threat, yet they almost sounded like a plea for help. Was he just awkward with people? Surprising, given his looks.
No, what does his face have to do with anything…!
Han Sua shook her head to clear the intrusive thought, composed her expression, and asked.
"…Do you need me?"
"What?"
"Am I… really necessary? For what you're planning."
For some reason, she sensed his goal extended beyond just Hwaryeon.
Caught off-guard, he soon regained composure and nodded.
"Yes. Absolutely."
It was an overflowing affirmation. Whatever the case, she was what he needed now. Not clueless Baek Yuha.
Even if she was leashed like a dog, that much was fact.
"…Fine."
Han Sua replied immediately. A smile crept onto her lips, one her haughtiness couldn't hide.
Suddenly, that leash didn't feel so bad.