Chapter 15. Resolve (5)
Lee Dojin asked again.
“Since when?”
Of course, Seo Yeon-hee had brought Rabbit Mask herself. There was no need to confirm that she'd known of such a person even before she joined Phantom. But Lee Dojin wasn't asking for an answer like, 'I learned about Rabbit Mask through some incident and brought her in because I thought she'd fit as a Phantom member.' He was inquiring whether she'd known her from far, far in the past.
Seo Yeon-hee answered straightforwardly.
“It's definitely been over five years—six, around there.”
It was around the time when the foundations of the terrorist organization Phantom were being laid. Lee Dojin, not yet an adult, couldn't be said to have started his full activities. From back when he was attending Jeil High School, Seo Yeon-hee had already been aware of the woman now active as Rabbit Mask. Bringing her into Phantom had come much later.
Lee Dojin let out a long sigh.
“Hoo……”
His expression looked deeply troubled. He seemed surprised by the answer, different from what he'd expected, yet also a bit relieved compared to before. Finally, he confessed as if unburdening himself.
“It's sooner than I thought.”
“Oh, did you think she and I had known each other for a thousand years, and she'd been hiding it from you, secretly scheming something?”
“I didn't go that far, but I figured it was longer than a few years. And you think I'd suspect you over something like that? I'm hurt.”
At his reproachful tone, Seo Yeon-hee smiled faintly. She gazed at him with an affection too profound to measure.
“Yeah, I was joking. I never thought you'd suspect me over that and feel betrayed.”
Seo Yeon-hee and Lee Dojin didn't know everything about each other. She didn't know the secrets he hid—how he uncovered the traitors, the reasons for his occasional inexplicable actions, the source that allowed him to perceive things logically inscrutable, the potential that produced such remarkable growth despite the harsh constraint of hiding his development. She didn't know those clearly.
Nor did Lee Dojin. The last of the long-lived species, Seo Yeon-hee had lived over a thousand years. Excluding things like Yoo Hae-bin actually being a woman or matters directly involving others beyond herself like Rabbit Mask and Fox Mask, she hid nothing from him. Yet a thousand years was too vast a span. If he asked, she'd answer anything. But to recount it all herself? There were too many events. So Lee Dojin didn't know the details of her entire life.
And yet, though they didn't know everything about each other, they shared one unbreakable principle in their interactions.
“It might sound like I'm treating you like a kid, but…… I'm doing this because I want you to succeed. I want you to be happy.”
“I feel the same.”
Simple in words, but stronger and more certain than any embellishment. They did things for each other. They wouldn't harm one another. They trusted each other deeply and strove to live worthy of that trust. So Lee Dojin hadn't suspected Seo Yeon-hee, and she, seeing how far he pressed, wanted to share what she knew. It wouldn't be for no reason.
Sorry, Rabbit……
She prioritized him over Rabbit Mask's request.
The questions and answers continued.
“How did you first meet Rabbit?”
“Remember when I was wandering abroad before naming Phantom? I got to know her while punishing bad guys.”
“Do you know Rabbit's true identity?”
“Nope. Her eyes and hair were the same colors as now, but she didn't show her face. No name either, and since it was in America, she probably lived there. Not an American accent, though, so I figured she was from somewhere else.”
“So that's what you meant when you said you went to America before?”
“Yeah, but lately she's not just in America—she's all over whenever work calls her.”
“When did you first think of recruiting her?”
“Right from that first meeting. I told her, if you're up for it, wanna work with us? And that there's this boy who's gonna grow up into a super handsome guy in a few years.”
“Ah, thanks…… So what'd she say?”
“She was busy then, but said maybe in a few years. So when we met again later and I proposed, she said she'd join, and I brought her in.”
“You don't know what she did in between, from Silver Demon Mountain to first meeting you?”
“Nope. Someone at Rabbit's level would've made waves somehow, but I never heard anything. Silver Demon Mountain was before I was born anyway, and I lived in Europe, so Eastern details are hard to know unless major. Maybe she changed her appearance so I didn't recognize her…… but silver hair and red eyes aren't common, right? At least from what I know, I've never heard of or met anyone suspected to be Rabbit.”
“I see.”
“But…… if she's lived longer than me, is she even human? I felt a vibe like ours, but there's no known long-lived species matching Rabbit. She said she cleaned up trash at Silver Demon Mountain, so maybe she gained power doing that.”
“Who knows. We'll figure that out in time. So when you brought her into Phantom, she asked you not to reveal her identity?”
“Yeah. She didn't want me telling how we met, even though I don't know exactly. I refused, of course. No secrets from my cutie.”
“So what'd she say?”
“She left it to my conscience. Honestly, I still feel a little guilty.”
Saying so, Seo Yeon-hee laughed with a mix of apology and mischief. Rabbit Mask, hiding her identity in secret. She'd kept her privacy thus far, but with Lee Dojin so curious……
Yet this greedy man demanded even more.
“This'll be the last question, but what was Rabbit's wish? I'd like to hear what you saw when you made the contract.”
“Hm……”
A bit troubled, Seo Yeon-hee pulled out a cigarette. After lighting it, only one remained. The liquor they'd been sharing was nearly gone too.
We're both drinking fast today.
They'd downed at least a glass per question and answer. The cigarettes she'd thought would last were gone. His pack was already empty; hers had just this one left besides the one she was smoking.
Maybe wrap up here and move spots?
Still far from midnight. Lee Dojin had unusually declared he could stay late, so she'd hang out till he wanted to go home.
We started with strong stuff, so next should be somewhere with food.
Deciding inwardly, Seo Yeon-hee spoke.
“When our cute Rabbit…… made her wish contract?”
Her pronunciation slurred slightly—she'd adjusted her state to get tipsy. With apology to Rabbit Mask and the faintest wariness Lee Dojin wouldn't notice, she answered.
“Remember what I said before? Rabbit's wish was set after joining Phantom.”
“I remember.”
His pronunciation wasn't as crisp as usual either. Their eyes met, and in his, she read an indescribably vast affection. Regardless of their relationship's clarity, it was affection—must be called that—swirling within. Feeling it clearly, she answered more at ease.
“When we made the wish contract, I couldn't see her past or memories. I was curious, but nothing showed, and she probably didn't want to show them. But I do know what wish she made.”
“……What was it?”
Seo Yeon-hee answered playfully.
“Rabbit…… seemed totally smitten the moment she saw you.”
***
“What?”
I reflexively questioned the bewildering words, and Seo Yeon-hee grinned.
“Love at first sight. Rabbit with you. You kinda knew, right?”
“Well…… yeah, I figured she had a thing for me.”
I'm not an idiot. The way she fussed over me, always watching whenever we met—I'd thought she was interested.
Seo Yeon-hee continued.
“That's when she made her wish. After I brought her in as a newbie, you two met for the first time, and you did one op together.”
I remembered when. Fox Mask hadn't joined Phantom yet. Rabbit, me, Seo Yeon-hee—we'd done a simple mission as three.
“She said then she'd set her wish right away.”
“And that involved me?”
“Couldn't see memories or past, but I read her emotions during the contract. Rabbit definitely fell for you at first sight in Phantom, and that's what she wanted. To be with you. She didn't want to see you hurt.”
“……We only met once then.”
“Yeah, so love at first sight.”
“……”
Seo Yeon-hee wouldn't lie. If she judged so, Rabbit Mask must've first seen me upon joining Phantom. I'd heard all I could, even what I shouldn't, yet no clear conclusion.
I said, reflective.
“It really was her personal privacy……”
“Oh? You think I'd lie? What I told you stays secret from Rabbit, okay? She's quiet, but she can be feisty when mad. You can tell.”
She mimed zipping her lips, and Seo Yeon-hee chuckled. It was a nice laugh, but frustration welled up too. Silver Demon Mountain info. Plan to kill Arnaud Duré. What I'd just heard about Rabbit Mask. My head was a mess.
I was trying my best. Could I keep my minimal principles while handling everything? I wanted to, but was it possible?
My gaze drifted to the table unbidden. Nearly empty liquor bottles. My cigarette pack empty.
Then Seo Yeon-hee slid her case toward me.
“Smoke this.”
“You sure?”
It was her last one, but she smiled faintly and reached over. She took it out, put it in my mouth, lit it. I exhaled naturally—whoosh.
She tilted the near-empty bottle, pouring for me and herself.
And……
“Mind if I take half?”
She took the cigarette from my mouth, inhaled, then gave it back. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't flustered. But I followed her lead. Our lips touched indirectly once more, and by then, her appearance had changed. Not the small, Lee Sea-like form. Sleeker, impossibly beautiful. Beauty incarnate, yet so perfect it felt unreal. I'd known her nearly ten years, but this was her true form, rarely seen.
Gazing at me, she said.
“It's okay. Worry if you want, suspect if you want. Ponder if you can do well, think a lot.”
She didn't say not to doubt myself or worry. She said it was fine to agonize and reflect.
The reason……
“You can think wrong sometimes, fail occasionally. That's normal, right? Just do your best, like always. I'll watch from your side, help, cheer you on.”
Because of her existence. If I faltered or erred, she'd help. So she didn't deny my worries—she'd assist. And beyond that.
The reason she could help me wholeheartedly, without hesitation.
“I don't know everything about you. The you I don't know might do something wrong even you or I couldn't imagine. Still, I want to help as much as I can.”
“Why?”
She smiled. Told me smiling.
“Because the you I know, and the you I don't—both are definitely, definitely good boys. That's one thing I'm sure of.”
“……Thank you.”
The shared cigarette burned out; only the poured drinks remained. Staring at them, a thought struck me.
Could I…… kill Seo Yeon-hee?
At my parents' funeral, when I first sought her help, I proposed: I'd make her meet death. She accepted, and we'd been closer than anyone for over ten years.
Seo Yeon-hee hadn't chosen immortality. She'd lived because she couldn't die. So she wanted death, still does.
But…… could I grant it?
I wasn't sure anymore. I knew how she'd die. Not now, but someday it'd be in my hands.
Yet even then, could I let her go?
I'd pondered long, and now decided.
“I'm sorry.”
“Hm? For what?”
“What I said at the funeral ten years ago. Even when I can later…… I'm not sure I could do it. I might not. No, probably can't.”
Would she get mad? If so, I'd accept. I spoke truth without hiding, ready for consequences.
But she smiled brightly. Like, oh, that? Gazing at past me tenderly as younger, yet with feelings for present me in her eyes.
And said.
“It's okay.”
“……Really?”
“Yeah, doesn't matter for now.”
For now. Meaning later, someday. But her "later" differed from my guess.
“Way, way later, when a lot of time passes and you die. Then's fine.”
She raised her glass. I clinked mine against it—clink.
Nothing changed. I'd live like this onward. Achieve my goal or fail and die.
But after tonight…… I'd worked hard till now, but from here, I could try even harder.
I wanted to.
Seo Yeon-hee smiling radiantly before me. Her heart I'd heard today. I couldn't match her faith in me…… but at least half.
I wanted to do that well.