The call Rohan made to Juyun was brief.
He politely asked if she could come to the Security Bureau, as he was on his way there now.
Juyun immediately closed the book she was reading and got moving.
*Thud!*
Juyun, who had arrived at the Elysium Security Bureau parking lot, was dressed in formal attire even though it was a day off at Orion Academy.
She brushed her red hair back, feeling a burning sensation, and moved forward.
“Excuse me!”
As soon as she stepped into the Security Bureau headquarters, she strode in confidently.
The security officers on duty knew who Juyun was and why she was there, so they simply made way for her.
*Click. Click. Click.*
She didn’t need to ask where Rohan was. She could sense his presence and headed in that direction.
Juyun suppressed the urge to charge straight through and instead quickened her pace.
After a few steps, she spotted Rohan sitting among the security officers.
“Instructor! Over here!”
“···!”
Despite the cheerful tone, Rohan was wrapped in bandages all over.
The sight brought back memories of the past.
Juyun clenched her eyes shut, shook off the distracting thoughts, and took heavy steps forward.
Before figuring out what Rohan had gotten himself into, she first approached the person organizing medical supplies to check on his condition.
“I’m Juyun, an instructor at Orion Academy. How is Cadet Rohan’s condition? Is he badly injured…?”
“He has bruises and abrasions evenly distributed across his body. Some wounds may leave scars, but there are no injuries that will cause permanent disability.”
The woman in charge of medical care at the Security Bureau continued her detailed explanation.
Only after hearing that Rohan was fine and there was no need to worry did Juyun finally turn to him.
Seeing his confident demeanor, she wondered if he had committed any crime.
“Rohan. What on earth…?”
“Instructor. I’m really sorry for bothering you on your day off.”
“That’s fine. Are you feeling any discomfort?”
“It looks worse than it is. I’m fine.”
“Huuu…!”
Juyun let out a heavy sigh and sat down on an empty chair.
The security officers with her, knowing who she was, tensed up and remained silent.
The youngest officer discreetly left to prepare something to drink.
“Could you explain what kind of trouble our cadet has gotten himself into?”
“Instructor, I can explain it myself…”
“Quiet. I’ll hear that later.”
Juyun silenced Rohan with a glance and turned her gaze to the security officer.
A man as big as Gilbert picked up a document from the desk and spoke up.
“Commander Juyun. I’ll explain.”
“I’m an instructor now… but please go ahead.”
“First, the organization Cadet Rohan wiped out was the Hwangseom…”
The organization was named Dan (Hwangseomdan) and was involved in human trafficking and organ trade.”
“Eradication…? Rohan took down a human trafficking organization…?”
Juyun blinked in disbelief at the story that far exceeded her expectations.
The security officer nodded mechanically and continued the explanation.
“Yes. With cooperation from another country, we received information that matched the wanted individuals. Currently, security officers are scouting the area, and we believe there are no remaining members.”
“…”
“Rohan, the cadet, rescued a total of fifteen people by annihilating the organization, and all of them have been transported to the hospital for treatment.”
“…”
Juyun, who had calmly grasped the situation, fell deep into thought.
The security officer placed a drink brought by the youngest in front of Juyun and praised her.
“You really have an outstanding cadet.”
“On the contrary, it’s because I met a great instructor that I was able to grow like this.”
“Hahaha! Our junior must have been born under a lucky star? I wish I had entered the academy at this time too.”
Rohan chimed in with a comment, and the security officer laughed heartily.
But Juyun was different. The corners of her mouth formed a cold line.
Her sharp gaze turned towards Rohan.
When their eyes met, Rohan tried to diffuse the awkwardness with a smile.
‘This guy…’
I need to have a separate talk with Rohan.
Just as Juyun made up her mind, the security officer added an explanation about a part he had missed.
“The bounty will be transferred and paid by the Security Bureau once approved by the other country, and the reward for protecting the academy city’s security will be separately reviewed by the committee.”
“…Thank you for the detailed explanation. I would like to have a word with the cadet, if that’s alright?”
At Juyun’s request, the security officer’s gaze turned to Rohan.
Rohan nodded in agreement, and the security officers hurriedly prepared to leave, gathering their hats and equipment.
“Understood. Please let us know if you need anything.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
The security officer, ready to leave, politely handed a document to Juyun.
“This is the log of Cadet Rohan’s testimony. It can be disclosed to the guardian with the consent of the person involved, so you may read it.”
“Thank you.”
After the security officers of various sizes and races left.
Juyun began to carefully read the document she received from the security officer, and Rohan remained silent.
After a suffocating time alone for Rohan, Juyun’s voice broke the silence as she reached the last page of the testimony.
“A car speeding recklessly in the alley threw a cigarette butt through the window, and you thought you heard a scream for help, so you chased after it?”
“Yes. That’s correct. I still don’t know if it was a hallucination or a real scream.”
At Rohan’s answer, Juyun’s lower lip twitched.
He bit his lip hard.
Strangely, words of praise didn’t come out easily.
Saving someone was clearly something worthy of praise. Such real-life experience would also be excellent nourishment for growth.
But here, instead of praise, why was the first thing that came out of his mouth a scolding about why he didn’t call first?
“Instructor.”
“Do you have something to say?”
“I’m sorry.”
Juyun, who had been staring at the log with a stern face, moved her head.
Rohan was reflected in her fiery eyes.
“I knew it was dangerous given my skills. But I thought it was something I had to do.”
“…”
“I did consider contacting you, Instructor, when I was sure of the situation, but I judged that waiting might lead to casualties.”
An explanation that it wasn’t an impulsive act driven by emotion.
If he had called, she would’ve definitely told him to stay out of it.
‘Ah.’
Juyun snapped out of it at Rohan’s actions, which seemed to be seeking forgiveness for his mistake.
She realized she had made the mistake of staying silent in a serious atmosphere without saying he did well.
“…I see. You did well. You did a great job.”
“Thank you.”
“Calling after it was over was the right decision. It’s something the instructor definitely needs to know.”
“I’m sorry for causing such a situation on the weekend. My apologies.”
“No need to apologize again. It’s really fine.”
“Yes!”
Juyun softened her expression and smiled gently as she watched Rohan respond confidently.
Rohan, who had no family on the register—she, as his instructor, was his only guardian.
“Since you’ve protected the city’s security like this, your chances of passing the Security Officer exam after graduation are very high.”
Juyun swallowed the bitter words lingering in her mouth and playfully grabbed Rohan’s cheek.
She wanted to pinch him as a warning to be more careful, but also wanted to praise him softly.
“I’ve actually had that path in mind as a candidate for a while now.”
Rohan continued his answer with his cheek stretched by Juyun’s playful hand.
“So being a Security Officer is one of your candidates… Seems like you’re considering various career paths.”
“But I’ve roughly decided on a direction.”
“I’d like to hear about it once it’s finalized.”
“Of course. I’ll definitely let you know.”
Despite his injured appearance, how is he so good at answering?
Juyun tugged Rohan’s cheek.
“Ughhh…!”
“You endure pain without showing it during practical classes, but now you’re being dramatic.”
Rohan’s voice stopped as if he’d been caught.
Juyun raised the corner of her mouth even more and scolded him as lightly as possible.
“What you did today is a good deed that deserves a hundred praises. But from now on, be even more cautious.”
“And be careful. Got it?”
“Yep! I’ll train hard too!”
Somehow, the current situation feels like the daily life I had with my younger sibling.
Juyun suppressed her turbulent emotions and gave sincere advice.
“…If you get seriously hurt, you can’t undo it even if you regret it. You’ll be the one suffering the most, and secondly, you’ll make the people around you sad.”
“Sorry. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Rohan, sensing Juyun’s inexplicable mood, kept his mouth shut for a moment.
But only for a moment.
He had to say what needed to be said.
“Instructor.”
“Speak.”
“But if the same situation happens again in front of me, I’ll act the same way.”
“…”
Juyun tightly closed her mouth. It felt like she was sinking into nostalgic memories.
Other cadets don’t give her this feeling. Only Rohan keeps making her chew over buried memories.
“Sorry in advance.”
Juyun let out a small laugh at Rohan’s future-tense apology.
“I didn’t see it coming… You’re quite the troublemaker.”
Rohan tried to brush it off with an awkward laugh.
Juyun quietly watched him, then got up and headed toward the security officers.
After a brief conversation, she returned to Rohan.
“Rohan. Can you walk?”
“No problem!”
Rohan sprang up and spun around in a circle.
It was partly to reassure Juyun, but he really was fine.
“Good. Follow me.”
“Is it okay to go back to the dorm now?”
“No. We’re going to the instructor’s house.”
“…Huh?”
When Rohan reacted as if he’d misheard, Juyun, with a rare hint of playfulness, explained.
“There might still be remnants to search for, and the on-site investigation isn’t over yet. If you don’t like the instructor’s house, you can wait at the Security Bureau until it’s done.”
The unspoken implication was that he’d have to sit and wait for hours.
“…”
Rohan didn’t ponder for long.
He obediently followed Juyun, who had taken on the role of his protector.
