Chapter 168

“First… all three of you, come in.”

Following Ha Yu-ri’s guidance, Kanda Koshiro, Sharis, and I stepped into the Madan Clan House.

I had a rough idea of who Kanda Koshiro was. I had looked him up after seeing him once before.

However, since I wasn’t personally close to him, and Sharis wasn’t the type to chat with strangers, silence filled the air as we walked.

In the awkward atmosphere, Kanda Koshiro spoke to me first.

“Um… but the gentleman here seems familiar. Have we met before?”

‘Guess he doesn’t remember clearly.’

Well, it’s more unusual for me to remember him. From Kanda Koshiro’s perspective, it’d be hard to fully recall someone like me.

‘Though I’m not exactly a nobody anymore.’

“…Yes, that’s right. We met once in Runde. I saw you with Ha Yu-ri-nim.”

“Ah… that time…”

It seemed my words jogged his memory.

“You were Ha Yu-ri’s trainee, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Kanda Koshiro looked puzzled.

Understandably so, since Ha Yu-ri had been hostile toward me at that restaurant, something Kanda Koshiro would surely remember.

So, it’s natural for him to find it strange that I’m here visiting Ha Yu-ri privately.

“Hmm…”

Despite his curiosity, he seemed to think it rude to pry further and didn’t ask more.

‘Seems like a decent guy.’

Even back then, I felt he was one of the better top players.

‘Wasn’t he the one who united the Japanese players?’

If the representative clans for Koreans were Shinwa, Madan, and Eternity, then as far as I know, this guy was the face of the Japanese light-side clans.

I heard he united the Japanese with his gentle nature. In contrast, the dark-side Japanese clans were united by Yanagiya Riki.

‘I wonder if he knows Yanagiya Riki…’

After some hesitation, I decided it was okay to ask.

“Can I call you Kanda-san?”

“Ah, yes. Feel free to call me that.”

“I heard you lead one of the major Japanese clans.”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s a bit embarrassing to say this myself, but… while we’re not on the level of the top three clans, I lead the Ashihara Clan, one of the larger clans.”

“I see. Then, do you happen to know Yanagiya Riki?”

It was just simple curiosity. I figured someone of Kanda Koshiro’s stature would know Yanagiya Riki, being Japanese as well.

“Yes, uh…”

The problem was, at the mention of Yanagiya Riki, the man turned pale and started sweating.

He reacted as if he couldn’t believe her name came up here.

‘What’s this about?’

Not just me, but Ha Yu-ri also seemed taken aback by Kanda Koshiro’s reaction.

“Why… why is her name coming up?”

“Ah, I apologize if my question was inappropriate.”

‘Did something happen between him and Riki?’

It seemed like he was wary of Yanagiya Riki.

“I’d rather not talk about Yanagiya Riki. But… are you acquainted with her?”

“Yes, we’re in touch occasionally.”

Somehow, I ended up boasting about my connection with Riki.

Hearing that we were in contact, Kanda Koshiro’s lips trembled.

“Ha, haha… I see. Uh, may I ask your name…?”

‘Come to think of it, I haven’t introduced myself.’

“Ah, my apologies. I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Lee Yun-seong from the Eternity Clan.”

“…Lee Yun-seong?”

He seemed to ponder my name.

“Ah… are you the one who caught the Execution Society’s spy and took down the drug-trafficking clan in Silan?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

Seems like news of me had reached even him.

‘Guess my reputation’s grown that much.’

Not just my personal reputation, but Eternity’s fame has skyrocketed too.

We’re not quite at the level of the top three clans, but we’re climbing fast.

And honestly, I’m just the sidekick. Eternity has the real deal.

Seo Yoo-ju, a first-year who’s already a ranker. Our Returner.

“…I’ve heard a lot about you lately. But how on earth do you know Yanagiya Riki…?”

“I happened to help her out. That’s how we became acquainted.”

“…I see.”

It seemed clear that something had happened between him and Yanagiya Riki, so I figured I’d ask her about it later.

‘Doesn’t seem like a big deal, but I’m curious.’

His reaction was like a student avoiding a strict teacher, so it’s only natural to wonder.

While silently listening to our conversation, Ha Yu-ri spoke up.

“…Sorry, but could you two go ahead? I’ll catch up after talking with Kanda-san.”

“Sure, go ahead.”

It seemed like Ha Yu-ri needed to finish her conversation with him before treating Ha Yul.

******

“Please, have a seat, Kanda-san.”

“Haha… thank you.”

The last time Ha Yu-ri spoke with Kanda Koshiro was when she was framed as a drug offender.

Since then, there had been no contact from him. Ha Yu-ri herself hadn’t reached out either.

‘…Why is this? I feel nothing.’

Normally, she would’ve been happy to see Kanda Koshiro.

After all, he was the man she had feelings for.

She had even expressed her feelings to him, and it seemed he had some affection for her too.

“Kanda-san, may I ask why you’ve come to see me so suddenly?”

“Ah… um…”

After hesitating for a moment, Kanda Koshiro bowed his head and spoke.

“First, I want to apologize, Ha Yu-ri.”

“Huh? What for…?”

“For misunderstanding you and speaking harshly out of disappointment.”

“Ah…”

“Actually, the Black Char Clan pinned everything on you, and I was too quick to judge.”

Ha Yu-ri could see that Kanda Koshiro was a good person through his apology.

However…

She no longer felt the same emotions toward him as before.

“I deeply regret what I said back then. Will you accept my apology?”

But regardless of her feelings, maintaining a friendly relationship with Kanda Koshiro was necessary as a Clan Master.





“Yes, it’s okay. I think it was inevitable to misunderstand at that time. Rather, I’m grateful that you came to apologize.”

At Ha Yu-ri’s words, Kanda Koshiro’s face brightened.

“…Thank you for accepting my apology, Ms. Ha Yu-ri.”

“No, Mr. Kanda.”

“But… about that man earlier. Was his name Lee Yun-seong?”

When Kanda Koshiro mentioned his name, Ha Yu-ri’s body flinched involuntarily.

“…Yes, why?”

“What is your relationship with Ms. Ha Yu-ri?”

“Well, I…”

Ha Yu-ri couldn’t continue. After all, she couldn’t say that she was that man’s slave.

“…No, he’s someone who helped me.”

That was the only answer she could give.

“Ah… I see. Hmm…”

After hesitating for a moment, he cautiously asked.

“Are you two very close? Exactly what kind of…”

“…Why are you asking that?”

Ha Yu-ri’s words came out colder than she intended, and she felt flustered.

Of course, Kanda Koshiro was also flustered, but he acted as if it was nothing and continued.

“Well… I think it would be better for you to keep your distance from that man earlier.”

“…What do you mean?”

“It’s just that, that man is close to Yanagiya Riki.”

“What does that matter?”

“…She is a very dangerous person. She’s practically the drug queen of the Eastern Alliance, and someone like Lee Yun-seong, who is close to her, is clearly dangerous as well.”

“……”

“Of course, I’m not saying you should cut ties with him immediately. But at least you should be cautious. I’m just worried about you, Ms. Ha Yu-ri.”

Kanda Koshiro’s face showed that he meant every word he said.

However, Ha Yu-ri only felt annoyed by his words.

She was irritated by the way he judged Lee Yun-seong just because he was acquainted with Yanagiya Riki.

She even felt a reflexive rejection to the idea of distancing herself from him.

“No. That’s not something for you to worry about, Mr. Kanda.”

“But…”

“Let’s stop this conversation. It’s something I’ll handle on my own.”

Perhaps sensing Ha Yu-ri’s firm resolve, Kanda Koshiro reluctantly agreed.

“…Alright.”

A silence fell between them, and the previously pleasant atmosphere suddenly changed.

Perhaps wanting to ease the awkwardness, Kanda Koshiro cleared his throat.

“Ahem, ahem… By the way, Ms. Ha Yu-ri, do you have time later?”

“…Huh?”

“Well, I managed to get two VIP tickets to a play from someone I know.”

“Ah…”

“If you’re okay with it, I was thinking of treating you to something nice next time, but spending time with me…”

It was essentially a date invitation.

“I…”

Ha Yu-ri stopped mid-sentence.

In the past, she would have blushed and accepted immediately.

If the man she had been chasing after asked her out on a date, what woman would refuse?

‘Why am I like this?’

But things were different now. Her feelings had changed.

Clearly, accepting would be the right decision.

She was the master of one of the top three clans, and while he wasn’t the master of a top three clan, he was still the master of a famous large clan.

Moreover, Kanda Koshiro was handsome, with a gentle and flawless personality.

By all accounts, he was the perfect match. Even she could see that.

That’s why she had been so attached to him in the past. She had fallen for his character.

‘…I must be crazy. Am I suffering from Stockholm Syndrome or something?’

If she accepted this proposal, they would likely become lovers.

At this moment, two options appeared in Ha Yu-ri’s mind.

Being Kanda Koshiro’s lover, or being that man’s slave.

…A hundred out of a hundred times, everyone would choose the former. It was the normal choice.

But strangely enough, Ha Yu-ri herself was drawn to the latter.

Even if her feelings weren’t reciprocated, even if he never looked at her again.

At least…she wanted to be by his side.

‘Ha…I’m insane.’

She might regret this choice someday, but…

“…I’m sorry, Mr. Kanda.”

“Huh?”

Ha Yu-ri saw Kanda Koshiro’s bewildered expression.

From his perspective, he probably never expected her to refuse his offer.

It made sense, since she had always been the one expressing her feelings to him first. His confusion at her sudden change in attitude was a natural reaction.

“I’m sorry, but I feel a bit pressured. Let’s just keep our relationship as it is.”

“Ah… If you feel pressured…”

She needed to be clear. It seemed like he was misunderstanding.

“No, I didn’t phrase it well. It’s not that I feel pressured, it’s just how I feel.”

Kanda Koshiro’s face stiffened at Ha Yu-ri’s words.

“I see…”

“Mr. Kanda, it’s best if you leave now. I appreciate the apology. Really.”

“…Can I know the reason? Surely before…”

“It’s just that a lot has happened.”

“…A lot has happened, you say.”

Kanda Koshiro didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t press further.

“……”

With a complex expression, he accepted Ha Yu-ri’s silence.

“…Alright. If that’s how you feel, I can’t force you.”

He was still a good person. Most men would have gotten angry at her sudden change in attitude.

After finishing his words, he stood up.

“I’ll see you next time. Let’s meet for official business then, not personal matters.”

“…Thank you for understanding.”

“Not at all. I’ll take my leave now.”

And so, Ha Yu-ri sent away her old romantic interest. Not with a relieved face, but with one that showed she didn’t understand why she was doing this.