POSSESSED 18

Anxiety pooled in those deep blue eyes, which had calmly suppressed his anger. I could feel a determination that he would find out the truth by any means, even if it meant asking point-blank.

Meeting those eyes, I felt a strange sensation for a moment. It was as if I weren’t just Yeonji’s Teacher, but a comrade who had entered Baek Joomyeong’s inner circle.

Baek Joomyeong was overflowing with camaraderie. He was the type who couldn’t stand the injustices suffered by his comrades. He looked exactly like that now, and perhaps that’s why. He felt less like Yeonji’s guardian and more like a dependable hunter.

He doesn’t have to look at me like that, since I’m just the Teacher. He doesn’t have to think of me that way.

“No. It’s nothing like that.”

“It’s not?”

“Yes. My movements are sluggish compared to yesterday, just as you said, Mr. Hunter… because I fell out of bed.”

“People don’t hurt that much just from falling out of bed.”

“I do. How do you know exactly how I fell?”

Do you have any idea how much it startles the muscles when you fall with a thud suddenly?

I pushed back brazenly, but I felt a prick of conscience inside. I considered saying I fell down the stairs, but I thought that might be too big a lie, so I settled for falling out of bed. Looking at Baek Joomyeong’s expression, however, it seemed I had only planted more suspicion.

I guess I was too clumsy.

After scanning the surroundings for a moment, Baek Joomyeong took a step back and stared intently at my lips. His gaze was directed precisely at the bandage on the wound and the yellow bruise.

“Teacher, you are quite fascinating. You are in pain as if you were beaten after falling out of bed, and the lips you hit against the door… looking at them now, they’ve bruised as if they were hit.”

“I told you I wasn’t hit. You don’t believe me right now… were you being sarcastic just now?”

“How could I dare be sarcastic to Teacher. It’s not sarcasm; I’m just marveling at the fact that Teacher is that kind of person.”

His expression is blunt and his tone is grumpy for someone saying that. To anyone else, it would sound like sarcasm.

“I apologize if I offended you.”

He must have realized his mistake a beat late. As Baek Joomyeong bowed his head and apologized politely, the look in his eyes became much gentler and his voice more cautious. His overall demeanor relaxed and became soft.

Even though this kind of response was absurd, I didn’t feel unpleasant. Maybe I was even a little surprised. I wondered if Baek Joomyeong had already become comfortable with me. I shouldn’t be a comfortable presence to him. Again, we needed the appropriate distance between a guardian and a daycare Teacher.

“I’m not offended. It’s okay. You don’t have to apologize.”

I hurriedly waved both hands. I was mindful of Yeonji’s gaze as she stared blankly up at us, but I was also conscious of the eyes of the people around us.

What a situation—getting an apology from an S-Rank hunter who is a national hero.

Checking the time, Baek Joomyeong said his goodbyes to Yeonji. The child had hidden behind my legs at some point and was looking up at him.

After finishing his farewell to Yeonji, Baek Joomyeong nodded to me. It was likely a final gesture to say he was leaving. I understood and took Yeonji’s hand. Just as I was about to turn around, I called out to Baek Joomyeong on an impulse.

“Um, Mr. Hunter.”

The strangely uncomfortable atmosphere bothered me, and I wanted to refresh it.

“I have a secret I only tell the kids. I’ll tell it to you too, Mr. Hunter.”

A secret? Baek Joomyeong tilted his head.

“I’m the strongest in… no, second strongest in the world after you, Mr. Hunter. The kids don’t believe me, though.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m saying I’m strong despite how I look. I’m not the type of person who gets hit easily by just anyone.”

Forgetting my embarrassment, I put on playful airs.

The reality was different, though. Contrary to what I just said, if there was someone who got hit easily by others, it was right here—me.

“I hope you’ll believe me, Mr. Hunter. Oh, and Yeonji’s hair is very pretty! You tied it well today.”

At my words, Baek Joomyeong raised his eyebrows once and then lowered his head. He then chuckled and muttered softly.

“…Teacher, you really are very kind.”

Baek Joomyeong is quite peculiar, too. What on earth did he see in me…

I scratched my cheek gently with my index finger while observing him, then waved the hand I was holding with Yeonji as if to signal the end of our meeting. It was time to go inside.

🍥

It was when I was preparing the afternoon snack for the children. Kim Ayong, the Teacher who co-manages the Rainbow Class with me, looked at me with squinted eyes.

“Are you on close terms with Hunter Baek Joomyeong? I saw you two talking a lot this morning.”

“It wasn’t that much. We were just talking.”

“Don’t dodge the question like that. You’ve become close with Hunter Baek Joomyeong, haven’t you? Mr. Taeyeon, I’m so jealous.”

“I told you it’s not like that… maybe it’s just because I’m the only male Teacher that he finds it comfortable to say hello.”

I spoke perfunctorily but firmly. Not only were we not actually close, but looking that way to others could make the situation difficult.

Kim Ayong quickly accepted it, asking if that was the case. I changed the subject.

“You know I’m taking a half-day off today, right? Since a substitute Teacher is coming, don’t worry too much.”

“Mr. Teacher, how can I not worry?”

I gave a playful smile and apologized to the Teacher who was making a crying face, telling me not to go. After that, I slipped out of the daycare center just as the children were taking their naps.

I worried about Yeonji before leaving. Since I felt like she would look for me when she woke up, I contemplated whether I should say goodbye, but I was worried it would look strange to only say goodbye to one child. Besides, she was sleeping so well I didn’t want to disturb her.

So, after only saying goodbye to the Teachers, I slipped out and headed to the bank. I stopped by the counter and withdrew the money as planned.

Looking at it now, having a lot of money in Jang Taeyeon’s bank account wasn’t something to be happy about. When I first possessed him, I just thought he had saved a lot of money and felt proud of that alone. But now that I suspect some of it might be money earned from scamming, it feels distasteful. I felt like I shouldn’t just spend it recklessly.

As soon as I arrived home in a hurry, I looked for a bag. There was a bag large enough to hold all the cash. I could just put it in a locker at the station later. And after watching from afar to see if Lee Sunghwan comes or not…

Just thinking about it made me sigh. To be honest, I knew very well. The money transaction between Lee Sunghwan and me was no longer the most important thing. What mattered was that I knew his intentions and he knew my abilities.

If he doesn’t come, I should take it as a sign that my ability has worn off, right? If so, then it’ll be a do-or-die situation, won’t it? Haah. I don’t want to get involved with Kim Gitak.

I arrived at the station, pondering the future quite seriously. For what it’s worth, I’d watched a few movies, so I had my face completely hidden with a hat and a mask. I gave off a suspicious vibe to anyone who saw me.

Checking the time as it approached 6:00 PM, I placed the bag in a storage locker. Then, I sat on one of the waiting benches nearby and waited for Lee Sunghwan.

I didn’t get tired even though I waited for over two hours. Because I was constantly swept up in anxiety, I kept biting my innocent fingernails and scanning the surroundings. Before long, I saw a familiar person approaching from afar.

Finally…!

Ignoring my pounding heart as much as possible, I approached Lee Sunghwan. I had to check his condition first. Whether my ability was working well, or whether he had broken free and was grinding his teeth.