Be Careful When Agreeing to Terms and Conditions

7.5 Interlude (3)

Exchanging a few drinks with someone is not that special. There was nothing to say about it if you were someone like me who loved drinking and people. No matter how busy I was, I had a drink date at least one or two days a week, and the people I met were usually Palm Seed and Tartaglia, but there were also times when I shared drinks with other people.

For example, today was like that. The person I had an appointment with today was none other than Kamwoo. After I submitted my resignation letter to Wolhaejeong, the frequency with which Sister Kamwoo visited me increased significantly. It seemed like we saw each other about once every two days. If she didn’t have regular time, she would sneak by and say hello even around lunch time, and those frequent meetings with Gamwoo continued to today’s drinking party.

The snack prepared today was a vegetarian-based meal out of consideration for Sister Gamwoo. Bamboo shoot soup without meat, Mond potato pancakes, and even hangin tofu for dessert. It was a similar menu to the day I reconciled with my older sister, Kamwoo, not long ago while revealing old feelings.

Although he was slowly getting used to my consideration, Sister Kamwoo bowed her head to express her gratitude as soon as she entered his office again today. As always, he was polite. It was already late at night, and the place was my office located in the Liwol branch of Siwoosangdan. Whenever I met my sister, it was always at this time and place.

This was largely because my sister and I were both very busy people. This was the only time the two of us had time, and it was difficult to go to a restaurant or home late at night. The restaurant had long since closed, and Lumine and Mona were sleeping at home. So, on days when I had an appointment with Sister Gamwoo, my office would naturally become a meeting place.

Of course, my office surprisingly had good conditions for drinking. There were beds for overnight stays, and since it was an upper building, it was easy to rent the restaurant’s cooking facilities. In addition, the Liyue branch building of Siwoo Sangdan was located in the middle of downtown Liwol. In many ways, it was the perfect meeting place as it had excellent accessibility.

As such situations were repeated, it seemed that Gamwoo had become quite accustomed to my office. She greeted me as soon as she entered the office, and before I could invite her, she moved to the reception table.

This was the seat where Gamwoo had sat several times. She didn’t even need me to guide her. However, in accordance with Li Yue’s strict etiquette, the formality of the host inviting her guests to take a seat was necessary.

Preparations for drinking had already been completed. Not only the snacks but also the glasses and drinks were all neatly arranged on the table. As soon as Gamwoo sat down in her seat, I poured her drink into the glass prepared in front of her. With a crunching sound, the unique refreshing scent of dandelion juice began to tickle the tip of her nose.

Sister Gamwoo, who had been watching her for a moment, placed her hand on her heart again and expressed her gratitude. Her soft voice escaped her lips.

“Thank you for inviting me today, little brother Siwoo. I heard you’re very busy these days…….”

I smiled wryly at those words and shook her head. These days, Siwoo Sangdan has become so popular that I’m busy with work, but that doesn’t mean I can’t make time to meet anyone. Especially if it’s late at night after all work is finished.

Gamwoo’s thank you message even contained a hint of regret. So I decided to joke on purpose.

“No matter how busy you are, you always have time to meet the people you want to meet, right? “You think this means that I wanted to meet Sister Gamwoo.”

At my sly voice, Sister Kamu let out a small laugh. A soft smile formed on her face. However, Sister Gamwoo seemed to be a little embarrassed by my words, and it seemed like my joke was too mischievous.

Gamwoo, who was smiling for a moment, soon received my words with a warm glow in her mysterious purple eyes.

“…… “I missed you a lot too, little brother Siwoo.”

I could feel the sincerity in those words, so I also smiled slightly. He said he wanted to see a beautiful woman like Sister Kamwoo, but there was no way he wouldn’t be in a good mood. It was a feeling similar to a man’s sad instinct.

And a few words and a few drinks were exchanged. The refreshing scent of dandelion wine went well with the oily ‘Mond Potato Pancakes’. And the soft and warm texture of the bamboo shoot soup went down my esophagus and warmed my stomach, and when I thought the alcohol and snacks were too heavy, the sweet and tangy taste of the apricot tofu whetted my appetite again.

I just prepared a vegetarian-centered meal without thinking, but it was a harmonious combination. Gamwoo, who was concentrating on talking to me at first, had already emptied several bowls of snacks. Realizing that he was too absorbed in eating, Gamwoo blushed and hung his head.

He seemed embarrassed. It’s been less so these days, but whatever happened in the meantime, today’s sister-in-law was as shy as the girl she was in spring.

Rather, she was watching my reaction while watching her eyes. She glanced at me, then with difficulty opened her mouth.

“Well, Siwoo’s younger brother… “What do you think of women who eat a lot?”

“…… ? I don’t really have any thoughts. “If I had to be specific about her, wouldn’t she be better than a woman who gnaws?”

That was my honest thought. She may not be a person who eats so much that self-control is impossible, but it was no fault for a woman like Kamwoo who was as thorough in self-control as to have a large appetite. To be a little more honest, it would be nice if it was a pretty girl. Of course, I wasn’t stupid enough to say something like that in front of a woman.

No matter what my true intentions were, Gamwoo seemed relieved only then. She said, ‘Is that so…? ….’ She muttered, slightly avoiding my gaze. She even looked a little happy. It occurred to me that Sister Gamwoo’s mood was strange today, but I ignored the signs without much doubt.

After that, a few small words were exchanged. It was mainly a story about the current situation. As we both slowly got used to it, I asked a question that might be sensitive. It was also one of the most important questions I had about Sister Kamu recently.

“…… Come to think of it, Sister Kamwoo. “I heard she submitted her resignation.”

Sister Kamwoo widened her eyes as if she was surprised by my words, but then nodded her head with a wry smile. In fact, she had never heard the news that Sister Kamwoo had submitted her resignation. It’s just that such important information naturally reaches my ears.

She opened her mouth in a sighing voice. It seemed like it was burdensome to bring up the matter in front of me.

“As expected, you knew… that’s right. “Not right now, but we have decided to leave Wolhae Pavilion after resolving the chaos in Liyue.”

“The reason for such a decision is probably… ….”

Hearing my cautious voice, the smile on Sister Kamu’s lips became even more bitter. She nodded her head weakly.

“…… Yes, because you have to take responsibility. “I was sorry back then, little brother Siwoo.”

I swallowed a heavy sigh at the answer, which was as expected. Actually, I had a guess. Perhaps that was the reason why Sister Gamwoo could not bring up her resignation letter. It must have been even more difficult for her to say that she had submitted her resignation letter as a result of the fact that it was caused by a fight between me and Kamwoo.

Of course, it could also be said that it was self-employed. Although it is a consequential story, it was clearly Sister Gamwoo’s mistake to detain Gakcheong, one of the Seven Stars of Liwol. The tradition of neutrality maintained by Wolhaejeong was broken, and that did not mean that Sister Gamwoo achieved her political goals. Rather, the situation became more complicated when I brought in the Wooindan.

Best of all, in the end, the bidding war with Eunggwang ended in my victory. As Sister Gamwoo, all that remains is responsibility without having achieved anything. Even though she came to this conclusion voluntarily, it was Li Yue whom she valued so much that she lost her temper and shook hands.

I couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to step down from the position of protecting Li Yue. Perhaps Sister Gamwoo is more lonely than I thought.

When I looked a little depressed, Sister Gamwoo consoled me with a bitter smile. It was a gentle voice as always.

“Don’t worry too much, brother Siwoo… “My brother Siwoo just kept what he wanted to protect, and I just paid the price for making the wrong choice in the process.”

“That’s true, but… ….”

Nevertheless, when I could not shake off my aghast look, Sister Gamwoo shook her head as if she could not stop me. And then he opened his mouth once again.

It was a question. She asked me in a soft yet strong tone.

“…… Do you regret it?”

In response to that question, I stared at Kamwoo without saying anything. Sister Gamwoo asked me again. Mysterious purple eyes were interrogating me.

“I fought with all of Li Yue just to protect one woman… “Does Siwoo’s younger brother regret anything?”

“…… No.”

My answer came out with a long sigh. If you asked me that, I had nothing else to say. Because my answer is always the same.

“I have no regrets. If you touch Lumine again, he will fight the same way. “Because that’s who I am.”

At her answer, she smiled again, as if she knew that this would happen. However, her smile had a sad feel to it, so I looked at her with a puzzled gaze.

I felt strange today. But before I could even think about such issues, Sister Kamwoo continued.

“Little brother Siwoo is quite blind.”

“…… I’m kind of like that. “Ever since I was young, I don’t like people touching me.”

Then I cleared my throat and said, “Hmm.” As I was talking, I felt like there was a possibility of misunderstanding.

“Of course, that doesn’t mean that Sister Kamu isn’t mine… ….”

“It looks like you like it a lot.”

It was a question that suddenly struck me deeply. My words stopped for a moment. It was such a straightforward question that it was difficult to understand the intent of the question.

My expression became stupid for a moment. When I looked at Sister Kamu blankly, Sister Kamu smiled. Is it sincere, or is it a facade to hide the truth? I couldn’t tell at the moment.

“I think I like that ‘traveler.'”

I was silent for a moment. He avoided Gamwoo’s gaze, and then sighed and leaned against her backrest.

Actually, it wasn’t something to be ashamed of. Because loving someone is not a sin. I am not an adolescent boy whose first love came to me, and I am long past the age where I can vehemently deny the fact that I like someone.

Nevertheless, I felt some hesitation. When I think about it, it may have been because I have never expressed my feelings through words before. My honest feelings about Lumine.

I, who was moaning and saying, “Okay,” Had no choice but to nod my head. Seeing myself like that made me feel a little awkward and embarrassed.

“What… Yes. “I think he likes it, I guess.”

As if she knew that, Sister Gamwoo also nodded slowly. And he asked me. It was a blurry face that was still unreadable.

“When it comes to love, are you really that blind?”

It was a difficult question. I narrowed my brows as if thinking for a moment, then tapped the table with my index finger. Tap, tap, tap. Only after the sound of my fingers hitting the table several times did I open my mouth.

“…… “It may vary from person to person, but for the most part, that’s the case.”

Then I brought out some memories. In particular, I had a lot of memories from my college days. Even thinking about it now, my expression was slightly crumpled because it was such a painful problem.

“It’s no joke when love gets involved. Isn’t that why there is a term ‘political drama’? Not to mention arguments, subtle fights, politics, ugh…….”

My body trembled slightly. Even thinking about it again, it was a bloody memory. If you think about it, there was no need to go far. Right now, I was stuck in the middle and couldn’t move.

How did this happen? I looked a little depressed, but Sister Gamwoo didn’t even care about me. She closed her eyes and seemed to be lost in thought.

It took a while for that to happen. Sister Gamwoo slowly nodded her head as if she had finally realized. And opened her eyes. A gentle smile hung on her face.

“Thank you, little brother Siwoo. Siwoo’s younger brother always solves my problems. “I finally understand.”

“…… “Do you understand?”

I tilted my head at Gamwoo’s sudden words. By understanding, what do you understand? In response to my question, Sister Gamwoo placed her hand on her chest without erasing her calm smile. As if she was holding something precious.

“I think I’m in love.”

I was so startled by Sister Kamu’s confession that I almost lifted her body halfway up. As for her, Ga-woo’s sister loves her, and even though she has been protecting Li Yue for a long time as a half-human, half-seon, she has never once been rumored to be dating.

If she had romantic feelings, everyone would have no choice but to be interested in her. It was the same for me too.

I asked in a voice mixed with surprise and interest. The voice sounded a little excited about the new major incident.

“No… Love? Who exactly is the other person? “I don’t know if I should congratulate you on this.”

And then I burst out laughing. ‘Congratulations’ already. Well, there was no need to worry about Kamwoo. Thinking so, I added.

“Well, there are few people who would turn down a woman like Sister Gamwoo. “I wonder who that lucky partner will be.”

“Um… “Who is that?”

Sister Kamwoo stood up with a knowing look on her face. And he slowly approached me. Since it’s a secret story, I guess they’re trying to tell it secretly. With that in mind, I waited for her to speak.

Gamwoo approached me, and her scent passed the tip of my nose. The sweet smell of flesh made my heart pound for no reason due to the unique scent of her female body.

I asked myself if it was frustration, but the thought was soon forgotten. Rather, it was because I was looking forward to what Sister Kamwoo would say next.

A tense silence fell. It’s only a moment, but it’s a very long time. And soon, breaking the silence.

Gam-woo pursed her lips.

“…… “It’s in front of me now.”

Sweet breath, heated with intoxication, touches me. That would have been physical proof that Sister Kamu had made a voice, but I couldn’t say anything.

The brain stops. My head was hot from the alcohol, and I cast a questioning look at Sister Kamu. Then, Sister Gamwoo smiled brightly once again,

“I love Siwoo’s younger brother.”

A wedge was driven.

The sight of Kamwoo, who said that and got closer as if they could touch each other at any moment, was so beautiful. So much so that I forgot what to say.

**

I am depressed. That was the honest sentiment of each office. In the old days, the more work the better. Because it seemed like her Liyue needed her, and because she thought it was her chance to take a step forward towards what she wanted, Liyue.

However, the experiences of the past few days have thrown each office’s mental world into disarray. For the first time in her life, she met someone who understood her feelings, fell in love, and Gakcheong became a fool who yearned for her love. The torrent of intense emotions she was experiencing for the first time passed through her keen brain like an electric current.

I hated my job. Each office thought so for the first time. I want to see Si-woo, but I can’t go see him because I have too much work to do. She became more and more resentful of things, and in contrast, she had to grind her teeth every time she heard that Gam-woo was going to see Si-woo once every two days.

Why you? Each office thought that it should not have been done that way. I already knew that Siwoo had many women by his side. But she wasn’t as good as Gam-woo.

Wasn’t Gamwoo the one who turned each office into such a fool that they only blindly looked at one man? If it weren’t for her, each office wouldn’t have known about her feelings of love, and she wouldn’t have been as confused as she is now, weighing her beliefs and love.

So, Kam-woo should not have taken Si-woo away from her. Siwoo was the only one for each office. She didn’t want to be taken away. She wanted to be by Siwoo’s side, and she wanted to spend time with him. She wanted to create a library of precious memories by infusing the name Siwoo into each and every little detail of her daily life.

Nevertheless, there is not enough physical time. This fact was giving each office a sense of helplessness. As one of the Seven Stars of Liyue, the workload as a Jade Star was beyond imagination. Even civil servants under each office often couldn’t last more than a few months due to the intense workload and perfectionism of each office. The absence of skilled subordinates increased the workload of each office, and to make matters worse, each office was unable to handle its duties properly during the period of house arrest.

So I didn’t have time right now. The schedule had to be planned in seconds, let alone minutes. Since he couldn’t even sleep properly, Gakcheong’s judgment was a little blurred. Lack of sleep causes nervousness. Gakcheong’s tired eyes had a sharper light than usual.

Then she stopped when she was walking down Okgyeongdae. As each office took steps to take care of business again, they heard whispers. They were Wolhaejeong’s secretaries. Was she ‘Hye-sim’, the daughter of Cheon Chu-seong?

Although they knew that much information, each office did not pay any more attention to the secretaries of Wolhaejeong. Because it wasn’t her business anyway. However, the content they whispered as they passed by was enough to keep each office in its tracks.

“…… So, senior Gamwoo might confess today.”

“Really…… ? “The general secretary is also amazing, I don’t know how you got the hang of it so quickly.”

Tall, each office stands tall. It was an unconscious judgment. Before I could even recognize that fact, a voice came out through the lips of each person.

“…… “Hold on a minute.”

The secretaries of Wolhaejeong stood still at the cold voices of each office. And he looked at each office with puzzled eyes. Gakcheong slowly turned his body and looked directly at the two. Once again her mouth opened.

“What did you just say?”

The two secretaries exchanged puzzled looks, probably not understanding the question. Each office looked at the figure and supplemented her with questions.

“What did ‘Gamwoo’ do?”

At those words, the two secretaries widened their eyes. And he made an embarrassed expression. It was already widely known that the relationship between each office and Gamwoo was not good. But suddenly, each office showed interest in Gam-woo’s private life, so they couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.

Of the two who watched for a moment, it was Hyesim who stepped forward first. She spoke out cautiously.

“Well, it’s a story related to private life…” ….”

“It’s okay, just tell me.”

However, the answers from each office were firm. She added, frowning slightly as if she was not in a good mood.

“…… “I might have something to do with that private life.”

The two secretaries of Yuehaejeong exchanged glances and tried to find a breakthrough, but the opponent was one of the Liyue Seven Stars. Wolhaejeong is a place where the Seven Saints of Liyue gather to discuss the great and small affairs of Liyue, and the secretaries working there were all secretaries of the Seven Saints of Liyue.

Therefore, they were unable to protest to each government office. Moreover, the position of Wolhaejeong’s general secretary will soon become vacant, and each office has recently emerged as a new center of power for Chilseong.

In the end, Hye-sim hesitated, and then spoke in a low voice as if she had no choice.

“Well, Senior Kamwoo seems to be in a good mood today… ….”

“Stop.”

It seemed like each office was going to question her until she answered, but surprisingly, Hye-sim’s words did not last long. As Hye-sim, she could not help but be confused. However, the government did not have time to examine Hye-sim’s heart. A picture formed in her mind in an instant.

Because he was one of the people who knew Kamwoo’s heart better than anyone else. Gakcheong chewed his lips.

“…… “I think I understand, so let’s go.”

And each office took a step forward. Yes, today. It wasn’t for nothing that he said he might confess. The hearts of each office tightened with anxiety. Her steps became faster. Her steps don’t even know where she’s heading.

Where is it? Where are you trying to see her face? It’s already late. When I see those two talking, it looks like Gam-u has already left work, so what on earth am I doing?

Gradually, the minds of each office are bleached. What needs to be done, duties as a Chilseong, and Li Yue’s future. Pure white paint is painted over these things. I’m nervous. My heart hurts. It shouldn’t be like this, but Gakcheong bit his fingernails like instinct.

Cracking sound. Each office was already leaving Okgyeongdae. At first, my walking pace gradually became faster, and my brisk steps became running. Each office reviewed the possibilities. Where are Siwoo and Gamwoo now? Where are you whispering love?

Her clever brain was engrossed in such thoughts. She didn’t need long to come to a conclusion. Because there was only one possibility.

When each office had an exchange with him, didn’t he usually head there? A late-night office, a space where just the two of us can stay.

She started running. Her running was bold and quick. Gakcheong also trained in martial arts and was one of the owners of the ‘Eye of God’. Her anxious heart hastened Gakcheong’s steps. It was a little more time later that I arrived at the Siwoo Sangdan Riwol branch.

Each office gasped. The gatekeeper looked at her with suspicion, but the gatekeeper did not dissuade her because the relationship between each of her houses and her brother-in-law was already well known. Gakcheong climbed the stairs without even thinking about catching his rough breath.

One step, one step. Every time that happened, each office imagined the conversation that Gam-woo and Si-woo were having. What are the two of you talking about leisurely? Just thinking about that made each office feel like it was going crazy.

She’s not as good as that woman, no matter what. Gakcheong gritted his teeth and climbed the stairs. As she expected, light was still leaking from Siwoo’s office.

Each office leaned against the office door, panting. Light and heat were leaking from that gap. Her eyes turned into the gap. Two familiar dolls were visible there.

The distance was close. As soon as Gakcheong realized that fact, he almost burst into tears, but held back. There was still a chance to overhear the story.

I hear mangled voices. As I listened, I began to hear the story a little more clearly.

“Well, Sister Kamwoo…” As you know, I have Lumine. No, actually, there are two more besides Lumine…….”

“…… Does not matter.”

Gamwoo’s voice as he answered was sorrowful yet firm. Gam-woo squeezed Si-woo’s hand as if to envelop it. Seeing that scene, sparks flew into Gakcheong’s eyes.

Whose hand are we holding now? Why, arbitrarily?

“In the first place, I didn’t expect that I would be Siwoo’s first time. Second, third… No, no matter how many times you do it, it’s okay.”

At the same time, Gamwoo made a sad expression. Each office thought that Kamu was an abomination.

“I love my brother Siwoo. “Now I can’t bear life without my brother Si-woo.”

Life without Siwoo? Hasn’t he been through a lot? Gakcheong well remembered the sight of Gamwoo running wild with jealousy at that time.

But how many times is okay? That couldn’t be possible, this was an obvious lie. It was Gamwoo’s acting, and it was the tears of a wild beast pretending to be a gentle animal.

“…… So, give me a chance. No matter how many times you have it, it might just be the first.”

Gain Siwoo’s sympathy. It was an obvious strategy, but it was great. Each office could not bear to expose its bare face. And the next moment.

The eyes of each office widened. Siwoo’s hand, which Gamwoo was holding, was moving to her chest. At that moment, each office could not stand it at all.

With a bang, the door to the office opened violently. The eyes of the two surprised people turned to Gakcheong, and regardless of whether Gakcheong’s angry steps went straight to Gamwoo.

Gam-u, who was looking at Gakcheong with startled eyes, immediately calmed down her expression. This was because he noticed the obvious hostility in each office’s eyes.

Each office asked in a tightly suppressed voice full of anger and hostility.

“It’s fun… You go around calling someone a whore, but what you’re actually doing is a whore? “I guess you can’t control that dirty body anymore?”

And the story continues.

**

A sharp battle that goes back and forth, and a question that follows.

‘It’s me, it’s that woman.’

This question forces a very classic yet difficult answer. This is because the man asking that question is a piece of trash who boasts at least the level of female prowess that is comparable to that of a lamb leg, and that guilt had the power to make him hesitate to answer.

That’s exactly my situation right now. Because of the alcohol, my head was spinning, Sister Kamwoo was confessing, and suddenly, each office was forcing me to choose between two choices.

Who on earth should I choose? If I had to be honest, I’m Lumine. However, I was not tactless enough to give such an answer.

Gakcheong and Sister Gamwoo’s eyes were focused on me. It looked like everyone in each office was angry, and judging from the cold expression on Gamwoo’s face, the atmosphere was unusual. Why on earth this happened, I couldn’t figure out.

I put my head, which was throbbing from overheating, as hard as I could. Perhaps because he was drunk, his thoughts did not proceed properly. Pieces of the dismembered accident slipped away. The words are scattered, and the letters fall apart without any logic.

In this case, there was only one way. The simplest solution. Some people might call them ‘tricks,’ but they are useful skills in human relationships.

I was silent for a moment. And he sighed, “Whoa.” Then my head cools down a little.

When I got up, Gakcheong and Gamwoo looked a little embarrassed. It was because my face wasn’t very good.

I lowered my voice and spoke in a very unpleasant tone.

“…… “What are you doing now?”

At the sound of a voice filled with subtle anger, the gaze of each office wavered. Sister Kamwoo was also looking at me with a little surprise.

It was because my reaction was unexpected. The more it was, the better. I deliberately scratched my neck to make a growling sound.

“They arbitrarily entered the upper building, and the two fought over who owned it… And now you want me to choose? “What on earth?”

At those words, Gakcheong made a face that said, “Oops.” In fact, I had very few clues to understand the situation right now. It was confusing to hear Sister Kamu’s confession, but each office was suddenly forcing me to answer.

There were enough elements for me to become irritated after drinking alcohol. Actually, I wasn’t that annoyed, but I had to buy time first.

Gakcheong’s expression instantly turned into confusion, and Sister Gamwoo also became restless and began to look at me. My face became even more annoyed, and I let out a heated voice without even trying to hide my anger.

“…… “Are you kidding me?”

That’s right. This is one of the skills of human relations.

‘Get angrier in front of angry people’.

Surprisingly, when this happens, most people regain their senses even after becoming angry. Just like Gakcheong and Gamwoo now.