“To ensure we’re all in sync before setting off to exterminate the catastrophe-class threat, let's form teams among ourselves and tidy up some fissures before departure,” said Taekju, bringing the four Muam guild members along to the restaurant for a group dinner in a seemingly kind tone, though it carried a hint of autocracy. It was a proposal that didn’t seem to consider our opinions much, yet it wasn’t as if we could refuse.
Knowing the response was already determined yet because I wasn't the highest authority here, I looked towards Hahyuk. Thankful, the man who had straightened the plate Taekju had casually set down nodded readily.
“Sounds good. It’s essential we sync up.”
“And it looks like those kids have some things to sort out among themselves, right?”
Taekju, having finished distributing plates and sitting back down, leaned his chin on his interlocked fingers and smiled. His eyes narrowed, seemingly aware of the minor tensions already present among us, which made me swallow uncomfortably.
If you know, why not mediate?
Even now, the fervent gazes from across were almost suffocating, adding to the discomfort and worry about whether I could even eat properly amidst this. Under the table, a hand clasped mine.
“…?”
Looking down, I saw Haru handing me a small box. Tilting my head slightly to check, I couldn't help but chuckle.
When did he even bring this?
I wasn’t sure if Haru always carried it or if it was just a coincidence, but thanks to him, I received antacids at just the right moment. After running my hand over the box that said it contained 10 tablets and thanking him with a look, Haru slightly turned towards me and whispered.
“Don’t mind them too much.”
“I’m not.”
“You say that, but you often get upset.”
That was true.
However, it wasn’t something I could control with willpower; my digestive system just wasn’t strong. It was frustrating and somewhat shameful that my body had become more frail within the year since I started living as Kang Sihyun.
I hadn’t exactly been easy on my body, to the point where Daun had started admonishing me last month to take better care of myself.
It seemed Haru had noticed my frequent discomfort. As I laughed awkwardly, Seowoo, sitting next to me, showed interest.
“What’s that?”
“Ah, Haru gave me some antacids.”
“Antacids?”
“Yeah. He must’ve brought them just in case.”
Unsure of what to do, Haru, who had once toddled around, now took care of me, which felt both impressive and heartwarming. Considering Taekju and Hahyuk might find it strange if I took the medication in front of them, I decided to pocket it for now. But Seowoo, perhaps sensing my worry, began to inquire more.
“What’s with the medication? Are you feeling unwell? Is your stomach upset now?”
“No, just sometimes I get indigestion, so Haru must’ve brought it just in case.”
“You’ve mentioned that before. If you’re having digestion issues, you should tell me. I could’ve brought some medication before coming here.”
The disappointment was evident in his voice, as if the medication he would have brought could’ve been more effective. The laugh that escaped me at his words had a different meaning compared to Haru’s gesture.
“Stop making a scene over nothing and sit properly.”
With everyone’s attention on us due to Haru and Seowoo being so close, I couldn’t help but be conscious of the others. Given the already uneasy atmosphere with Muam, I urged them to sit properly. Seowoo finally sat up straight, still looking regretfully at the pocketed antacids.
“What are you whispering about over there?”
Apparently, the sight of the three of us huddled together then separating looked suspicious. Hamin, who had been glancing over occasionally, asked, and Seowoo, as usual, was about to dismiss it as making a fuss, but the boy beside me spoke up first.
“It’s nothing.”
“What do you mean, nothing?”
“Just, stuff.”
“…Does it bother you?”
“It seems the looks from Muam are quite bothersome.”
“That’s not why I mentioned it.”
Bluntly blaming Muam, Hamin frowned at the boy’s unabashed deflection. His eyebrows twitched slightly. I raised an eyebrow at the two, seemingly ready to start a squabble right at the dinner table.
“Both of you, cool it. If you start fighting here, I’m pretending I don’t know you.”
“Do I really look like a fighter to you?”
“Pretty much.”
“You’re the one who’s always looking for a fight.”
“What?”
“…Seems like you and Hamin are about to fight, Sihyun.”
Suddenly, the role of mediator fell
to Seowoo. His concerned tone made me take a deep breath and internally shake my head. Hamin was absurdly good at dragging others down to his level of childishness.
“If it really bothers you, you could’ve sat next to me. I told you to earlier.”
“So what? It’s my fault if you and Seowoo fight?”
“If you put it that way, then yes.”
Huh.
“Sihyun.”
Hamin responded lightly, and Haru, perhaps thinking I was about to get angry, called my name softly. I paused, then exhaled deeply, finding Hamin’s petty complaints laughable given that he had lost at rock-paper-scissors and ended up sitting at the end.
I decided to pinch his hand later back at the dormitory and tell him, ‘You know, it’s both funny and childish when you do that.’ Keeping my gaze forward, we continued our whispered, supposedly inconspicuous conversation, but when I looked up, everyone from Muam to Hahyuk was staring at us.
I felt embarrassingly exposed. Despite Hamin being the instigator, it was my face that heated up. I cleared my throat loudly, and Taekju, watching us, chuckled softly.
“It seems there’s a strong bond among the guild members. Were you all in the same class?”
“We’ve been through a lot together. There’s quite a bond.”
Hahyuk, sipping his water with dignity, answered with a gentle smile. I didn’t understand why he was bragging about how we became close after bickering in Class A.
“It’s enviable. Our kids are always fighting and respecting the strong, but they lack camaraderie.”
“Oh,” Taekju exclaimed briefly, his eyes sparkling, and Hahyuk smiled as if he were a professor pleased with his assistant instructor. I forcibly ignored Haewoon’s voice ringing in my ears about Taekju’s directives and pretended to look around the restaurant.
Soon, the food we ordered arrived with the sound of a cart.
The table was lavishly adorned with dishes of sashimi. Despite having had luxurious meals several times at Choi-gang High, the spread before us was still impressive.
Taekju, dressed like a character out of a Japanese delinquent movie, had chosen a high-end Japanese restaurant that seemed to reflect his persona. It felt like we could film a Yakuza movie here without any sense of incongruity.
Despite hearing the invitation to eat, the sheer amount of food made us hesitate until we saw both guild leaders begin to eat, prompting us to pick up our chopsticks.
The term 'high-end' wasn't for nothing; even though sashimi wasn’t exactly to my taste, the food was delicious.
It was one of those moments when taste triumphs over personal preferences.
Contrary to my worries of possibly feeling unwell due to the uncomfortable company and setting, the meal concluded satisfactorily. The trio from Muam, excluding Half-moon, seemed to be experiencing such luxurious dining for the first time as well; their previously glaring eyes quickly shifted to fascination with the gourmet dishes as soon as they were served.
Engrossed in the food, both parties finished their meals without further incident, but just to be cautious, I turned around to take two antacids afterwards. Partly to prevent indigestion but also to signal to Seowoo, who kept adding more sashimi to my plate, that I was full.
Only after taking the antacids in his presence did the boy reluctantly stop eating. Ignoring his advice that I should eat more because I had lost weight, I nodded in response to Taekju’s inquiry if I enjoyed the meal.
Muam’s guild leader might be annoying and the members likewise, but the restaurant he frequented was quite satisfactory.
“Shall we get going then? We’ll guide you to the lodgings now so you can rest for today, and we’ll resume the meeting tomorrow. It’s not too far since it’s all within Seoul, but you must be tired from the journey here. Plus, the Redem guild members need time to adjust to the accommodations.”
The period set aside for Muam and us to sync up before heading out to catch the Titan was about a month. Since we were to stay at the Muam guild’s lodgings for that duration, it was necessary to get acquainted with the surrounding area beforehand. Agreeing with the suggestion, the person who chuckled and stood up led us out of the restaurant.
Boarding the cars driven by each guild leader, we headed back to Muam. Upon arriving at the guild building and following Taekju’s lead to our lodgings, I realized how wise it was to have taken the antacids in advance.
The welcoming committee, evidently sent out on someone’s orders, looked at us with a mix of enthusiasm and discomfort that could easily be mistaken for a challenge to a duel rather than a greeting. The atmosphere was awkward and strained as
I tried to form words, but Taekju, seemingly unconcerned with our situation, informed us that Half-moon would take over the remaining guidance and left with Hahyuk. Truly, a guild leader couldn’t be more irresponsible.
“…….”
With even the Redem guild leader gone, the Muam members showed their clear hostility without restraint. Unwilling to be intimidated, Hamin whistled.
“Feels like we’re celebrities with all these antis.”
“…….”
“Why, want an autograph?”
His nonchalant quip and smirk made me sigh deeply at Hamin’s unabashed demeanor for the first time in a long while. I glanced at the scowling Muam members and stealthily stepped on Hamin’s foot.
He had a knack for adding fuel to the fire.
It was ridiculous that he called me a fighter.
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