Chapter 82

EP.82 Turning Crisis into Opportunity #2

“Jihyuk-ssi… Please let go…”

Yuria couldn’t speak properly because her cheeks were being squeezed so hard.

Her face was full of fear, but at the same time, she was also excited by my coercive demeanor.

Let’s push her further.

“Wasn’t it you who teamed up with Yoo Seunghyun to approach me? What connection do you even have with Yoo Seunghyun? If you didn’t conspire to deceive me, this doesn’t make sense.”

“N-no… It’s not like that…”

Yuria struggled, grabbing my arms with both hands to try and free herself.

Her grip was gradually getting stronger.

At first, it was weaker than an average woman’s, but now it was getting stronger.

It wasn’t intentional; her cheeks were starting to hurt, so she instinctively put more strength into it.

Just as I was about to be pushed back by her strength, I shoved her face away and released her.

“Ahhh!”

She screamed, taking a few steps back, and touched her reddened cheeks.

She glared at me with a venomous look, but upon seeing my angry face, she lowered her eyes.

“I-it’s a misunderstanding… Jihyuk-ssi…”

Yuria’s attitude had become more submissive.

It seems my anger worked. A small bit of training succeeded.

Honestly, I was nervous when I grabbed her cheeks, but thankfully it worked out.

As I walked towards her with big strides, she matched my steps by backing away until she plopped down on a bench.

“Jihyuk-ssi… Please listen to me… I listened to you too…”

“You suddenly got angry, and now you say you listened to me? You defined me on your own terms and now claim you listened to me?”

As I started speaking formally again, Yuria let out a shallow sigh of relief.

“I’m really sorry… Um, let’s sit here first! I’ll explain everything…”

“Enough.”

“Huh…?”

“Let’s stop here.”

“Stop… here…?”

Yuria’s voice trembled.

If she was so anxious, she should’ve just submitted. Why did she try to overpower me?

“You don’t trust me. So let’s just stop here. Let’s stop seeing each other.”

I turned around, ready to leave the park without hesitation.

But Yuria quickly stood up and grabbed my arm, forcing me to stop.

Her grip was too strong. It was hard to shake her off.

At this rate, my arm might pop off, damn it.

“Jihyuk-ssi! I… I was wrong!”

“Let go.”

“No…! No! Please listen to me first. Okay? Please…! I’ll explain everything…”

I had no choice but to turn back.

I made sure to put on a face that showed I still had lingering feelings for her.

Seeing my face, Yuria sighed in relief and spoke.

“Would you like some coffee? Should I go buy some now? No, let’s go together. To the café…”

“Just sit down.”

“Ah, okay!”

Yuria, who had been rambling, immediately sat back down on the bench.

She crossed her knees and placed both hands on top, slightly leaning to the side—a very demure posture.

I sat next to her and leaned back against the bench.

“Haah…”

As I let out a deep sigh, Yuria glanced at me.

“Um… Jihyuk-ssi…”

“I’ll just stay like this for a bit, so be quiet.”

“Okay… I’m sorry…”

Yuria obediently lowered her head.

It’s good that I regained momentum, but I almost got into big trouble because of that bastard Yoo Seunghyun.

And Aiter is gone too, so I’m pissed… Should I take it out on her?

No, let’s stop here for today and fully humiliate her during our date tomorrow.

I pressed my head firmly and turned to Yuria.

“Explain.”

“Um… You can’t leave in the middle, okay?”

“Just explain.”

“Okay… So here’s what happened…”

**

Yuria spent a long time explaining in detail her conversation with Yoo Seunghyun.

She even revealed to me that Yoo Seunghyun is the reincarnation of Aaron.

I didn’t expect her to go that far. It was unexpected.

It means she likes and trusts me that much.

I’m starting to think I can corrupt Aiter soon.

“…So I got angry because I thought Jihyuk-ssi was deliberately making Seunghyun-ssi look like a fool… But I was the fool. Even if he’s the reincarnation of Aaron, I shouldn’t have doubted Jihyuk-ssi just based on Seunghyun-ssi’s words…”

I stared intently at Yuria’s face.

Neither soft nor angry—just expressionless.

Yuria fidgeted nervously, as if anxious.

After watching her squirm for a bit, I spoke.

“There’s more, right? The reason you got angry.”

“……”

“You said you’d explain everything. But are you lying again?”

“No! Actually…”

Yuria hesitated, then tightly closed her eyes.

“I thought Jihyuk-ssi was playing with Seunghyun-ssi… So I thought you were playing with me too… That’s why I got angry…”

I’m still playing with you, though.

I chuckled inwardly and said, “I see.”

“When Jihyuk-ssi tried to leave me… my heart sank. I guess I really like you a lot.”

“If he’s the reincarnation of the Knight Commander, shouldn’t you go to Yoo Seunghyun instead of me?”

“Seunghyun-ssi doesn’t know he’s Aaron. And I feel Aaron’s presence in Jihyuk-ssi… Ah! But that doesn’t mean I don’t like Jihyuk-ssi for who you are!”

She frantically added, even waving her hands.

I thought for a moment and asked, “From your perspective, Yoo Seunghyun is someone you can’t give up on, right?”

“…Yes.”

“So you’re planning to meet Yoo Seunghyun while also seeing me?”

“J-Jihyuk-ssi, you’re meeting Sehwa while also seeing me… It’s not wrong, is it…?”

Bold. That’s why I like her more.

I can’t wait to feel the thrill of being more important than a love that spans galaxies.

I silently wrapped my arm around Yuria’s shoulder and pulled her closer.

She followed willingly.

She even rested her head on my shoulder.

I turned my head and kissed her hair, and she seemed to feel good, adjusting her posture.

“I’m glad though.”

“About what…?”

“I’m glad you feel Aaron’s presence in me, and I’m glad you like me for who I am.”

“…Hmmm…”

She let out a breath and wrapped her arms around my waist.

She’s got enough charm. But how dare she?

I removed Yuria’s hand, and she looked very flustered.

“Jihyuk-ssi…”

“I’m still not over my anger.”

“Ah, I know… From now on, I’ll listen to Jihyuk-ssi’s words too…”

No, no.

You should only listen to me. Don’t listen to others.

“Did you clear your schedule for tomorrow?”

“Yes…”

“I was thinking of canceling…”

I trailed off, and Yuria’s eyes darted around.

She seems anxious, huh?

I continued.

“I’ll let it slide this time.”

Yuria placed her hand on her chest, took a deep breath, and exhaled.

“Th-thank you… Where are you going?”

“None of your business.”

“But… I need to know where we’re going to dress… You told me to dress nicely, didn’t you…?”

“I said it’s none of your business. Just be ready and come out when I tell you.”

“…Okay…”

She lowered her gaze and fidgeted with her hands.

I’ve even seen through Yuria’s inner thoughts, and the gap in our master-servant relationship has widened further.

Especially the fact that Yuria brought up Aaron—it’s a fantastic result.

Even though we haven’t known each other long, we’ve come this far.

It means my relentless pushing has worked perfectly.

“Let’s get up now.”

At my words, Yuria was startled and shook her head.

“Already…? N-no, I don’t want to.”

“Do you think I’ll listen just because you say you don’t want to? Do you think throwing a tantrum will get you everything?”

“Then what should I do!?”

Yuria’s face turned pale as she snapped at me.

She didn’t even realize she was getting angry and glanced at me nervously.

“Jihyuk-ssi…”

“This is ridiculous. Were you always this unreasonable? I thought you were mature, but I’m really disappointed.”

At my blunt tone, Yuria’s face turned as pale as a sheet of paper.

“I-I’m sorry… My emotions have been all over the place today…”

“Don’t make excuses.”

“I’m sorry… Please forgive me… I won’t do it again…”

“Promise?”

“Yes! Yes! I promise! I won’t get angry at Jihyuk-ssi again!”

As the atmosphere shifted to forgiveness, Yuria’s voice rose in excitement.

Earlier, it seemed like she was considering whether to listen to me or get angry… Heh heh…

If she had calmly observed the situation from half a step back, she wouldn’t have needed to lower herself like this.

But her current state is one where emotions are ahead of reason.

And that’s exactly what I controlled.

I timed it perfectly to explode when her irregular emotional line was at its peak.

‘Easy, so easy.’

I reached out my hand to her and said briefly.

“Hand.”

Yuria quickly grabbed my hand.

But she didn’t interlock our fingers.

Even though she wanted to, she held back, fearing I might get angry.

Her expression gave it away.

I smiled faintly and used my free hand to scratch under Yuria’s chin.

Like praising a puppy.

Yuria was surprised at first by my touch but soon closed her eyes, seemingly enjoying it.

“Be ready by 10 AM tomorrow and wait outside your house.”

‘I’m telling you this as a special reward for listening well.’

My tone carried that nuance.

I’m leaving room to give her satisfying rewards if she continues to listen well.

“Okay…”

“Let’s go back.”

“……”

After hesitating, Yuria finally stood up.

She didn’t let go of my hand.

That’s right, you should listen. You want rewards, don’t you?

I smiled warmly and left the park with Yuria.

After we parted ways, I got a text before even reaching home.

[Jihyuk-ssi, I was really wrong today. We’re definitely meeting tomorrow, right? I really like you♥]

I burst out laughing as I transformed into Kim Taegon and headed home.

The text made it clear that she had firmly chosen her path.

She’ll still meet Yoo Seunghyun, but her heart will lean more towards me.

Ah, her body too.

It’s a shame that her saying she likes me isn’t the same as saying she loves me, but that’ll change tomorrow.

I sent a short reply.

[Yes.]

Then, a cute chibi character crying tears came as an emoji.

She must want to hear that I like her too.

By the way, when did she even buy that? It’s ridiculous.

A bit later, an angry emoji came too.

Alright, alright. I’ll send the reply you want.

[I like you too.]

Soon after, three emojis of a red heart came.

She’s definitely cuter than Sehwa when it comes to texting. I’ll admit that.

I chuckled and called Kim Taegon’s phone.

-Yes, Dad.

“Sorry. I don’t think I’ll be able to come home today.”

-Why?

“An urgent business trip came up. It’ll take about two days.”

-Oh? That’s a shame… Okay.

Her voice didn’t sound disappointed at all.

Look at the difference in tone when dealing with a crush. No wonder all fathers in the world are sad.

Raising kids is useless.

Ah, I didn’t raise her, though.

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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