NOVEL NEXT 27.
27.
‘That, that, that shameless bastard…!!’
After all the Chairman had done to raise him, how could he volunteer for this servant-like role that was beneath him? If there had been even a hint of awkwardness in Choi Jae-won’s actions as he lowered himself to sit at Ryu Ho-yeon’s feet, thoroughly wiping the floor and even using his own sleeve to dry Ryu Ho-yeon’s wet feet, perhaps it would have been less infuriating and enraging. What angered him most was how naturally both of them acted—both the one providing care and the one receiving it, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. The Chairman could clearly see how the two conducted their daily lives.
“I’m sorry for bringing my grandfather suddenly, and I’m really grateful for your thoughtfulness.”
“Hmm, well… You didn’t mind when my mother came either.”
“Still…”
Just look at that! During the entire nineteen years that the Chairman had raised Choi Jae-won, he had never seen, nor even imagined, his cursed grandson smiling so docilely with such gentle eye-smiles. He was a boy who had learned to glare and intimidate others before he learned to smile sweetly. He knew how to effortlessly take what others had but never knew how to easily give up what was in his own hands.
‘Huh, perhaps I’ve lived too long.’
Feeling his blood pressure rising from watching this infuriating scene, the Chairman abruptly stood up and strode to the kitchen. He needed to gulp down some ice-cold water to calm his boiling insides.
He chose the largest cup from the drying rack and picked up what looked like a water bottle on the table to pour some water, but to his dismay, it was another disaster.
“Ah, hot, hot!! Damn it, what is this! Who puts hot water on the dining table?!”
Looking again, he realized it was a kettle, but in his hurry, he had mistaken it for a water bottle, not noticing the details. Deciding that cold water wasn’t enough, the Chairman opened the freezer, filled a cup with ice, and practically poured it into his mouth. Regardless of how sensitive his aging teeth might be, he chewed the ice aggressively as if taking out his frustrations, and only then did his anger begin to subside.
As his fury cooled, he started to notice the mess around him. Without wanting to mention it directly, he knew his fastidious and exceptionally tidy grandson wouldn’t tolerate such a disorganized state if he were in charge of the housekeeping. Though he didn’t know the exact circumstances, it was certainly that Esper who had made this mess. It was a biased assumption that twisted his arm more than bending it inward, but in this case, it was quite accurate.
The Chairman put the few remaining ice cubes into his mouth all at once, slowly melting them while thinking deeply. Since their first encounter at the front door, or truthfully, since seeing that strikingly handsome face broadcast on television yesterday, something had been tickling the depths of his mind. He definitely, definitely had seen that face somewhere before.
“Hmm, where was it… Where did I see him… I definitely saw him somewhere…”
As the Chairman paced around the kitchen, deep in thought, his eyes suddenly caught two bundles of luggage that Choi Jae-won had dropped off. The open bags were spilling out their contents, most of which were items that Choi Jae-won had frequently used during his high school years. Among them, the moment he saw a hardcover diary with a lock, his memory suddenly flashed.
“Ah!! That guy!! That celebrity guy!!”
The household staff had occasionally reported finding what seemed to be secretly taken photos of some figure on the young master’s desk. Even at a glance, the composition was obviously a paparazzi shot, and the person in the frame was such a remarkable individual that the Chairman had simply dismissed it, thinking that his grandson, who never seemed particularly childish, had finally developed a celebrity crush like others his age. He had told the staff not to report it anymore, planning to let him indulge for a few years if he ever asked to date this person, and then completely buried it in the recesses of his memory.
“Why are you shouting to yourself like that? What celebrity guy are you talking about?”
Startled by his grandfather’s sudden outburst, Choi Jae-won grumbled as he walked into the kitchen.
“Wow, why is it like this in here… Did hyung do this? Look at those clumsy hands. So cute anyway.”
The Chairman was no longer surprised to see his grandson picking up scattered cooking utensils with a grin. He had learned from watching yesterday’s press conference that before pairing with a compatible Guide last year, Ryu Ho-yeon had lived in hiding without even registering his identity. He couldn’t fathom how his grandson had managed to collect photos of such a person even before he was of age.
One thing was certain, though. Choi Jae-won’s actions, which he had thought were an impulsive betrayal sprung on everyone at once, were actually a strategic achievement that had been methodically planned long before.
Damn this unconditional love for descendants. The Chairman wanted a refund for the heartache this boy had caused him. Though there was no one to give him a refund and no way to get one, that’s how cheated he felt.
“Sigh… Indeed, I’ve lived too long, this old man…”
“Grandfather! Why do you keep talking nonsense? If you’re going to die, transfer all your shares to Father first, then die!”
“You brat!! You be quiet! I’m about to burst from frustration!”
He wanted to grab the walking stick he had left by the shoe rack and beat him soundly all over, but his aged body lacked the energy for that. In the end, the Chairman had to settle for giving his grandson’s broad back a couple of firm slaps before leaving the Center.
He had gone with a light heart, planning to see his insolent grandson’s face after a long time while also maintaining the company’s image. But why did his body feel so heavy on the way back?
Upon returning home, the old man slept soundly until his son and daughter-in-law returned from work. Feeling that as a parent he should share what he learned, he revealed the shocking facts he had discovered today, only for his hesitant daughter-in-law to disclose even more astonishing information.
“I didn’t mention it before because I was worried about your blood pressure, Father… But the truth is, since Jae-won was just a five or six-year-old kid, he would throw tantrums demanding that pretty ‘hyung’… Even when we tried to calm him by saying that Han-seo hyung was an Esper so he should be patient, that we would introduce them later, he would just cry loudly, and eventually… yes, that’s how it turned out…”
Ha, could there be a grandson with such extreme filial piety! Thanks to the story of Choi Jae-won showing promising signs since his snotty-nosed childhood days, the Chairman wouldn’t have to worry about low blood pressure for a while.
“Hyung. Good work today too.”
“Huh? Oh, yeah. You too, good work.”
“I just want to get back quickly and take a proper shower. In the dungeon, washing up is the biggest hardship of all.”
Though disinfectant gel was distributed for basic hygiene, how could it compare to the refreshing feeling of washing with water? On their way out after clearing yet another S-class dungeon, Ryu Ho-yeon kept tilting his head, feeling something strange, while Choi Jae-won simply appeared excited about finally returning.
It was hard to pinpoint exactly when it had started, but at some point, Ryu Ho-yeon had become able to complete S-class dungeons without struggling with guiding deficiency, as long as the area wasn’t too large. That “not struggling” level was still in the early to mid-30 percent range—a state where ordinary Espers would certainly complain of pain—but for Ryu Ho-yeon, 30 percent was a manageable level.
Why? The guiding requirement for completely conquering an S-class dungeon hadn’t changed significantly, so why this sudden improvement?
Ryu Ho-yeon quietly gazed out the dark car window. It was completely dark outside, making the glossy window act like a mirror. Choi Jae-won’s face, with eyes closed neatly as if exhausted, was clearly reflected there. Ryu Ho-yeon narrowed his eyes slightly. Then, beneath Choi Jae-won’s shadow, he could faintly see his own shadow appearing dimly.
Now there were two possibilities. Either Ryu Ho-yeon’s own abilities as an Esper had grown naturally without his knowledge. Or…
“…You’ll bore a hole in my face. Why are you staring so intently?”
“Just, you look very tired.”
“Are you worried?”
“Do you need my worry?”
“Yes. Very much.”
“Then I’ll worry about you.”
Strangely, lately his Guide had often been appearing weak—perhaps something unknown was happening to him.