POSSESSED 20

The atmosphere became quiet. I was busy looking after Yeonji as she ate and trying to eat my own meal, so there was hardly any room for leisure, yet my heart felt much lighter. I was gradually able to calm my heart, which had been in an uproar.

However, that became futile in an instant. The moment my eyes accidentally met Baek Joomyeong’s, who was glancing at me every now and then, the anxiety and nervousness I had tried so hard to level out began to lurch. Even my heart, which felt guilty for no reason, began to thud.

It seemed Baek Joomyeong had been waiting for an opportunity. He opened his mouth tentatively.

“Please let me ask just this one thing again. On that day, did Hunter Lee Sunghwan really…”

“I wasn’t hit. That man and I aren’t in a relationship where we would hit or get hit by each other… we aren’t that kind of relationship. And even if I were hit.”

“…”

“I believe it is a matter that has nothing to do with Hunter Baek Joomyeong. I am grateful that you care for me because I am Yeonji’s Teacher, but… if you ask any more than this, I think I will truly be offended.”

Did I go too far, acting like the guilty party who gets angry first?

I worried about Baek Joomyeong’s face, which was turning strangely dark like clouds drifting across a bright blue sky, but there was nothing to be done. Rather than making untrustworthy claims that I wasn’t the type of person to get hit by anyone, it was best to bury it by making a firm point like this. Since I was so anxious, I was also feeling quite cranky.

“I am sorry. I crossed the line.”

Despite the likely embarrassment of my direct words, Baek Joomyeong apologized readily and focused on his meal. I followed suit, moving my chopsticks, then looked to my side at a touch poking my forearm. Yeonji was looking up at me with her tender eyes.

“Teacher, here…”

What the child hesitantly offered was a bite of her own portion.

Yeonji was more perceptive than I thought. Because she realized the atmosphere between Baek Joomyeong and me had turned awkward, she had ended up walking on eggshells alone; as soon as we stopped talking, she seemed to have carefully offered a bite to try and lighten the mood.

I felt sorry that I hadn’t been able to pay attention to Yeonji. So, I made a point to eat the bite she offered with relish and did not hold back on the praise.

“Thank you. Since Yeonji gave it to me, it’s the most delicious thing in the world.”

“Really?”

To reassure the child, I looked at Baek Joomyeong with a bright smile. On the man’s face, which had looked frozen as if it wouldn’t show any movement, a slight smile was also floating.

“Uh-huh. Should we give some to uncle too, like yesterday?”

Yeonji nodded her head, saying she liked the idea. Then, moving the small spoon held in her tiny hand meticulously, she scooped up some rice.

“Thank you. It’s delicious.”

Baek Joomyeong, who quickly accepted and ate the rice before it could fall from its unstable pile, drew a smile with his eyes. When the blue eyes that had disappeared between his elegantly curved eyelids revealed themselves again, Baek Joomyeong spoke to me. It was a low but dependable voice.

“If Hunter Lee Sunghwan ever bothers Teacher, please tell me anytime. If that hunter happens to do such a thing, even by a one-in-a-million chance, from then on, it will become a matter that concerns me.”

“Thank you. But I’ll just take the thought. I’m fine.”

“No. I cannot leave Yeonji’s favorite Teacher in a predicament. I will gladly help.”

I’m really fine, though. Whether the business with Lee Sunghwan turns out well or ends in disaster, it’s better for me to handle it alone.

However, I thought there was no need to go out of my way to refuse his goodwill in this setting.

Without even knowing what kind of conversation we were having,

“My most favorite Teacher!”

I couldn’t refuse for the sake of Yeonji, who was shouting that with sparkling eyes. When I reluctantly accepted, Baek Joomyeong looked pleased.

He really does have a righteous personality.

Today, we visited the cafe located in the guild office building. Even in the evening, the cafe was crowded.

“I’ll buy a round, so please have a drink on your way.”

For Yeonji’s sake, we couldn’t drink here, so we decided to take the orders to go. Baek Joomyeong asked for a hot lemon tea, and I ordered it along with my own.

While the drinks were being prepared, Baek Joomyeong looked after Yeonji. Yeonji, who was leaning her face against Baek Joomyeong’s shoulder and just blinking her eyes, crinkled her eyes into a smile the moment she met my gaze.

She’s like a puppy, so cute.

“Teacher…”

“Yes?”

“Yeonji, hug me…”

How could I refuse a child who even spread her arms out asking for a hug? Baek Joomyeong told her to stay in her uncle’s arms, but Yeonji leaned her whole body toward me. I gladly hugged the child.

Baek Joomyeong took the drink carrier instead, and we left the cafe. It was the moment we stood in front of the elevator to go to the parking lot. An alarm sound began to be heard from somewhere. I looked around to find the source of the noise.

“Wait a moment.”

The owner of the alarm was close by. It was Baek Joomyeong.

He checked his wristwatch, which was flashing a red light, and then narrowed his eyes. Unable to contain my curiosity, I stole a glance at the watch screen and saw the three characters for “Gate.” Something must have happened regarding a Gate.

“I am truly sorry. I think I have to go right now.”

“Of course you must go. I’ll be fine.”

I took the drink carrier with one hand. Baek Joomyeong and I thought at the same time.

What about Yeonji?

He must have felt overwhelmed by the sudden call. I could read countless thoughts passing through his rolling blue eyes. I decided to be considerate of him since he was in a rush. Perhaps I was also becoming weak for Yeonji, who would be left alone.

“Don’t worry. I’ll stay with Yeonji tonight.”

“No. Placing such a burden on Teacher…”

Baek Joomyeong showed a troubled reaction. Then, as if he couldn’t win against the repeatedly ringing alarm, he finally let out a sigh and accepted.

“I leave her in your care tonight.”

To him, who bowed his waist once more to give a formal greeting, I waved my hand. Because of that, the drinks in my hand surged and swayed inside the carrier.

As I tried to send him off telling him not to be too concerned, I was introduced to a hunter who would help us get home comfortably. It was Hunter Ji Wonhee, whose long hair was impressive.

I was familiar with Ji Wonhee. He was the man who had come instead of Baek Joomyeong before to pick Yeonji up from daycare. I knew he was younger than Baek Joomyeong, but I didn’t know his ability or rank. He probably wasn’t S-Rank. In the Wolhwa Guild, Baek Joomyeong was the only S-Rank.

Ji Wonhee, who had come down after receiving Baek Joomyeong’s call while on duty, stopped talking and widened his eyes as soon as he saw me. It was as if he were asking, “Why are you here right now?”

While greeting him nonchalantly, I realized a fact I had overlooked and thought, “Oops.” It felt foolish to think that no one in the guild would recognize me. Since several hunters here had helped with Yeonji’s pickup, it was obvious they would know me as the Teacher.

Baek Joomyeong handed over the car keys and made a request.

“Hunter Ji is the only person I can ask right now. Please take Teacher and Yeonji home.”

“I understand. Don’t worry about these two and get going.”

Baek Joomyeong, who left us in Ji Wonhee’s care, gave a final greeting and disappeared urgently. Ji Wonhee, who took the drink carrier from my hand for me, led us away, telling us to follow him.

Before long, we arrived at Baek Joomyeong’s car. After sitting Yeonji in the car seat and sitting down beside the child, I asked him as he was adjusting the rearview mirror.