NOVEL NEXT Chapter 226
“Well, there has to be some decency.”
“What decency? It’s just a game, and honestly, if we were to count what Jae Heon has done for me, I shouldn’t be living at home; I should be offering my own house instead.”
Yu Da On shook her head, as if to say that my refusal was absurd.
“And, at least as long as I’m awake, I can’t see Jae Heon sleeping outside.”
“That’s the thing…”
With her speaking that strongly, I couldn’t muster the courage to say anything.
“…”
And above all, I didn’t know the way back.
The moment I opened the door to Jang Chae Yeon’s House, I ended up in Yu Da On’s practice room. What on earth could I do?
I held up my smartphone, but of course, there was no signal.
“…I’ll owe you just for a day.”
“Sure!”
In the end, I decided to accept Yu Da On’s suggestion.
*
I immersed myself in thought as I looked around Yu Da On’s room.
In my memory, Yu Da On’s house had really been desolate.
“What are you thinking so deeply?”
Yu Da On, looking like she had just gotten out of the shower, approached me while shaking her hair dry with a towel.
“I was thinking about Da On’s house.”
“Oh. It’s really pretty, right?”
“That much is true.”
I nodded and looked around.
“I was wondering what if Da On’s house looked like this.”
“Ah…”
Yu Da On trailed off.
“My house is a bit… barren.”
“No, it’s not that.”
“Well, it is true.”
Yu Da On turned her gaze away and continued.
“I’ve been to other people’s houses too.”
“…”
To be honest, she wasn’t wrong, and I had nothing to reply with.
“But I think it’ll be different next time you come!”
She smiled brightly, as if to say, “When did that happen?”
“I think next time my house will be decorated so beautifully that Jae Heon will be surprised!”
“That would be a relief.”
After all, looking at an empty house makes my heart ache.
Especially when considering the path someone like Yu Da On has walked.
“By the way, Da On.”
“Yes?”
I looked at Yu Da On, who was drying her wet hair with a towel on her head.
“About the fight with Chae Yeon…”
“…”
Yu Da On’s movements froze.
“That’s the thing.”
“I’m, I’m sorry.”
Before I could even start, Yu Da On quickly apologized.
“What?”
“No, in front of Jae Heon… I shouldn’t have fought with Chae Yeon.”
Yu Da On looked at me with a face filled with fear.
“I should have endured what Chae Yeon was saying…”
“That’s not it…”
“Even so, I really only have eyes for Jae Heon.”
Yu Da On placed her fist against her chest, looking at me intently.
“I’m serious. I’ve never acted like I would give my liver or gallbladder to anyone. Really!”
“…I believe that.”
Was there even time for that?
Though it was only two times at the hospital, I realized one thing while standing against them.
They didn’t treat people as people.
Yu Eun’s father was the same, and so was Yu Da On.
Considering that, did she ever have time to talk to anyone else?
She had just spent her time alone within those walls.
Perhaps it was a miracle that she hadn’t gone insane.
“I believe you.”
At my words, Yu Da On’s expression noticeably brightened.
“Then that’s good.”
“Yes. But what I meant was, there was no need to corner Chae Yeon like that.”
“…”
Yu Da On looked down at the floor.
“After all, we’re on the same team. It’d be good if we could rely on each other, you know… to rely on each other. That would be nice.”
“…”
Yu Da On stood still, her gaze fixed on the floor.
What should I say if she says she doesn’t like it?
Or if she says she does like it, what should I say then?
While I was pondering Yu Da On’s reaction, she finally lifted her head and nodded repeatedly.
“I’ll do that.”
“…Sounds good.”
“I can also apologize to Chae Yeon!”
“That’s entirely up to Da On.”
At that moment, establishing my position would mean that we were no longer colleagues.
In that instant, we would no longer be equals.
In circumstances, I could issue commands or make suggestions.
But in relationships, I shouldn’t tell someone to apologize or refrain from apologizing.
While I may know their actions, the moment I give advice on their emotions, it means I’ve already established a perfect hierarchy between me and that person.
That couldn’t happen.
“I’ll do anything Jae Heon tells me to.”
And as if she could see through my thoughts, Yu Da On muttered.
“…That won’t do. Da On should express her opinions more.”
“For example?”
“You could listen to my opinion and say it’s terrible, or you could… mix your own opinion with someone else’s.”
“I can add my opinion to someone else’s, but I can’t see myself adding it to Jae Heon’s.”
“That’s similar to contradicting my own opinion.”
“O, oh…!”
Yu Da On’s eyes widened in realization.
“I didn’t mean it like that! I’ll do whatever Jae Heon says…”
“Then just like you said earlier, you could say my opinion is terrible…”
“No, I can’t do that!”
“You just ignored my opinion again, didn’t you?”
“Jae Heon…!”
Seeing Yu Da On now almost on the verge of tears made me chuckle involuntarily.
[Love Needs Money's effect has been activated!]
Of course, my smile vanished the moment I saw the window pop up in front of me.
It’s as if I’m not just chatting; it feels like I’m charming Yu Da On to earn points.
“Is something wrong?”
Yu Da On looked at me curiously.
“Are you feeling sick? Your expression looks suddenly bad.”
“No, it’s just that…”
“If it’s something painful, please tell me quickly! I’ll find a way to escape from here somehow.”
Gone was the Yu Da On who was enjoying being at home; only the Human Resources Team’s Yu Da On, who was clearly displaying her intent to get me out, remained.
“No, really, it’s nothing at all.”
“It’s not nothing—what do you mean it’s nothing?!”
Yu Da On’s eyes widened.
“I’m serious.”
“I may not know everything about Jae Heon, but I know well enough what he’s thinking when he makes a certain expression.”
Yu Da On looked at me with a serious expression.
“You look like you’re deeply troubled right now.”
Everyone seems to catch on to my feelings surprisingly well.
“…Alright. Then I’ll explain.”
In the end, I had no choice but to explain about Casanova to Yu Da On.
As Yu Da On blinked her eyes after hearing my explanation, she looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“So?”
“Huh?”
“Why does that matter?”
Yu Da On looked at me as if she truly didn’t understand.
“I’m saying I’m taking points from Da On, aren’t I?”
“Yes.”
“Didn’t Da On hear that?”
“Hear what?”
“The winning prize.”
“Ah…”
Yu Da On seemed to finally understand and nodded.
“The way to escape from the hospital forever?”
“…I’m a bit different.”
“That’s what I see.”
Yu Da On smiled as she spoke.
“You don’t have to mention what belongs to Jae Heon; everyone has things they don’t want to talk about.”
Yu Da On looked at me.
“But that doesn’t matter to me.”
“Yes?”
Wasn’t Yu Da On afraid of the hospital?
“Honestly, even if I were caught by the hospital right now, I could wait with a smile.”
Yu Da On locked eyes with me.
“I believe Jae Heon will come to rescue me.”
“…”
“Even if he can’t come for me, as long as Jae Heon is alive, I’m happy.”
She closed her eyes.
“So that doesn’t give it much significance for me.”
“…”
“But I know that for Jae Heon, under such conditions, he would never depend on me. He’d rather lose than win.”
She opened her eyes and looked at me.
“There’s a reason to win, right?”
“…You really can’t be deceived, can you, Da On?”
Perhaps it was because she had spent the most time with me, but Yu Da On always seemed to be one step ahead in understanding me compared to others.
“Then I should help you even more!”
She smiled brightly.
[You will receive 50% of the income from Yu Da On.]
My conscience felt like it was bleeding with pain.
“And I was in Chae Yeon’s house.”
“How did you know that?”
“From the smell.”
Yu Da On pointed to her nose.
“Actually, I knew from the moment I saw Jae Heon that Chae Yeon’s shampoo scent was there. But since you didn’t say anything, I thought there might be a reason, so I didn’t mention it.”
Lying in front of someone who knows me… what a terrible thing I did.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I understand completely.”
She shook her head as if it was nothing.
“Then are we going to A-Rin’s house next?”
“Uh, I haven’t decided that yet.”
“We have to go!”
She opened her eyes wide, as if saying, “What are you talking about?”
“We have to if we want to win!”
“No, but I still feel bad for A-Rin…”
“Are you not feeling bad for me?”
“…”
I was left speechless by Yu Da On’s words, and while at a loss for a response, she gently pushed me from behind.
“I was originally going to let you sleep, but I need to send Jae Heon off quickly.”
“Wait a minute, Da On—”
Without even hearing me out, Yu Da On kept pushing me eagerly.
“Go quickly and get A-Rin’s points! I’ll be working hard to earn points too! Maybe I’ll aim for a world championship!”
“Da On…!”
“But.”
Yu Da On, who had been pushing me, looked up at me.
“You must not sleep over at A-Rin’s house, okay?”
“…Understood.”
The expressionless way she spoke made her smile again upon hearing my answer.
“Then have a good trip!”
She nudged me from behind.
“Ah!”
I found myself in a dimly lit professor’s room at night.
“…What is this?”
Song Ah Rin was staring at me.