"Who spread the rumor?" Kang Sihyun finally regained his composure after being in a state of panic and asked, to which Lee Hamin, sitting on the sofa, flicked his foot.
"Why, you want to go correct them?"
"I wish I could."
"Come on, as if rumors have a clear source. If that senior knows, it means it's spread throughout Muam already."
It was a valid point, yet why did it sound so teasing? Maybe it's because he had been laughing at me until just before.
Ignoring Hamin, who had made a rare valid comment but didn’t look too good in Sihyun's eyes, Sihyun continued his thought process.
"I can't understand why such a rumor would spread in the first place."
"Since when do rumors need your understanding to spread?"
"...Why are you picking a fight today?"
His continuous jabs were starting to get annoying. What's so enjoyable that he's as happy as a fish in water?
Shouldn’t he be displeased if people say he likes me?
The rumor was about Sihyun being Kang Haewoon's beloved, yet Hamin seemed not just unbothered but rather amused. Was his dislike for Haewoon greater than his fondness for Sihyun, enjoying the scandal that had arisen?
Considering Hamin's character, it seemed possible.
"You're having weird thoughts again."
"...I haven't."
"Come on, spit it out. You were definitely thinking something."
The thought that Hamin's dislike for his brother outweighed his fondness for Sihyun almost slipped out but Sihyun held back, fearing embarrassment.
No, more importantly, it wasn't something to proudly announce in the presence of Haru and Seowoo, so he kept his mouth shut, and Hamin looked at him with a face full of curiosity.
"Why won't you say?"
"I'm not obligated to tell you everything. Anyway, the point is, I don't understand why such a rumor would spread. Does anyone have any guesses?"
Sihyun naturally shifted the topic while looking at Seowoo, who had been a bystander in the conversation. Catching Sihyun's glance encouraging him to join in, the boy smiled slightly and shrugged.
"I have no guesses, but it does feel like a rumor that could spread."
"What do you mean by that feeling?"
"If the Redem Guild Leader is often seen with a Quadruple, it's easy to suspect favoritism. Add to that someone with an inferiority complex, and they might have spread a malicious rumor."
A malicious rumor, indeed.
Suddenly recalling an event, Sihyun frowned. Remembering what happened in the Choi-gang High cafeteria made him grimace, and Haru came over to smooth out his frown.
"...Are you upset?"
"More bewildered than upset. And a bit pitiful, I guess."
It was perplexing why people found pleasure in gossiping. Haru tried to soothe him, saying not to get angry, and Sihyun reluctantly sat down on the sofa, mulling over his conversation with Dal.
Muam's current opinion of them went like this:
Hamin, Redem Guild Leader's brother and presumed next Guild Leader; Seowoo, a familiar face from rift support, dubbed a gigolo; and Haru, an eerie newcomer.
None were recognized for their skills but rather for their appearance, status, or certain characteristics.
And Sihyun was the Redem Guild Leader's jewel.
"Is that really how I'm rumored?"
"Yes."
"Who spread it? Why did such a rumor start?"
"I can only tell you what I've heard; I don't know the details. Sorry."
Dal's genuinely apologetic look when saying this made it impossible for Sihyun to press further. Deciding to let him go, Dal patted his shoulder a couple of times in a feeble attempt at consolation, which felt anything but comforting.
As Sihyun sighed deeply, Hamin finally stopped laughing, realizing Sihyun was seriously disturbed by the rumor.
"Does it bother you that much?"
"People will look at me weirdly."
"I'm thinking if the rumor bothers you, why not cover it with a new one?"
"A new rumor?"
Intrigued by the novel suggestion, Sihyun looked at Seowoo, who had moved closer.
"The rumor started because the Guild Leader is showing favoritism by often being with you, right?"
Not really favoritism.
Haewoon merely didn't want to hand over a Quadruple like Sihyun to another guild, securing him under slightly better terms rather than showing favoritism.
Or was it?
As Sihyun internally debated whether this was favoritism, reviewing Haewoon's recent actions made it ambiguous. Unsure whether it was favoritism, Sihyun chuckled softly as Seowoo continued.
"I'm not saying to really think about whether it's favoritism. But in a nutshell
, that's what it looks like, doesn't it?"
"Well… I guess?"
"Yeah. So, if you keep hanging out with us instead of the Guild Leader, wouldn't the current rumor die down? Reduce contact with the Guild Leader."
"Yeah, spend less time together. What, were you having secret meetings?"
Hamin chimed in, perfectly aligning with them for once after three years of friendship, now four.
So this is what it means to stand together, Sihyun thought, as Seowoo, with his contagious smile, and Hamin, eager for his response, looked at him. Haru, curious about Sihyun's take on the suggestion, spoke up before Sihyun could ask.
"I think it's a good idea to do as Seowoo suggested."
"...So, by being seen with you instead of Haewoon and thus spreading a new rumor?"
It seemed like fanning the flames, potentially worsening his reputation.
As Sihyun worried about this, Seowoo tapped his knee gently, assuring him.
"Not necessarily a new rumor. Just being with us should reduce the fuel for the current one."
If a new rumor arises, so be it.
The boy's smile hinted at playful undertones.
Something's fishy...
"Isn't this some trick?"
"!"
Startled by the accusation, Haru clung to Hamin, asking if it was some trick. Hamin scoffed, denying it.
"Why bring up tricks all of a sudden? Did you think we wanted to stick with you that much?"
"Yes."
His immediate response caused Hamin to scrunch his nose.
"You brought up wanting to bury the rumor. We're just suggesting a way. Why think that way? You're being overly self-conscious."
"What?"
"It's not entirely without self-interest, but it's a decent strategy."
"Fight poison with poison, as they say."
Haru added, his cheeks flushing. The idiom usually invoked was more about matching like with like, not literally suggesting poison, but the quick consensus left Sihyun pondering.
The more they talked, the more convincing it sounded.
Isn't that how human psychology often works? Even if you firmly believe something, if enough people repeatedly tell you it's wrong, you start to wonder.
Swayed bit by bit, Sihyun's initially skeptical stance gradually straightened. It took 30 more minutes of persuasion for Sihyun to finally concede.
"Alright, stop. Let's just try it, okay?"
After being talked into submission for a whole half-hour, anyone would be sick of resisting. Surrendering, Sihyun saw the boys brighten up. Seowoo mentioned that if it doesn't work out, they could always stop, convincing Sihyun to go along with their plan.
With a decision made, the boys immediately set out from the dorm, and Sihyun found himself strolling down the hallways, flanked by Hamin on the left, Haru on the right, and Seowoo behind, drawing curious glances from Muam Guild members.
At first, they treated him like a strange curiosity, but as Hamin draped an arm around Sihyun, Haru casually fixed his hair, and Seowoo hugged him from behind, the onlookers' eyebrows furrowed even more.
Is this really okay? Sihyun worried about inadvertently starting more bizarre rumors, but the boys seemed unfazed, continuing their parade through Muam's corridors.
"Keep it moderate. If a rumor starts that we're gay, then what?"
"So what if it does?"
"I'd be okay with that."
"…I guess I wouldn't mind either."
"……"
Their cavalier responses to Sihyun's caution felt like a confirmation of their affections. With Haru wondering why he's included, Sihyun sighed, realizing he couldn't muster the energy to argue.
"Fine…, you guys live it up."
When in Rome, or so they say. Eh.
Muttering almost to himself, the boys laughed. Haru's laughter seemed more genuine, not forced, more like a cheerful resignation. At a loss for words, Sihyun spent another three hours being showcased around, receiving the intense scrutiny of Muam members.
And so, the close proximity and frequent physical contact between Sihyun, Hamin, Haru, and Seowoo continued into the next day.
That is, until they were summoned to the conference room.
"Seems you've heard the rumor?"
Now indifferent to others' judgments, Sihyun walked into the conference room, entourage in tow, to find Haewoon awaiting them. The Guild Leader's casual inquiry, coupled with a smirk, suggested he was well aware of the gossip circulating about Sihyun, who felt a sense of betrayal.
"You knew?"
"Of course, I heard."
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
"Hmm?"
"……?"
"Why should I? Considering how much you keep from
me, I'm not obliged to share everything…"
Haewoon toyed with a teacup on the table, his words trailing off. Hamin's inherited annoyances seemed to originate from him.
Sihyun scowled at the untimely attempt to control the atmosphere, only to focus on the meeting as Muam Guild members filed into the room. Despite their lingering hostility, Haewoon's presence seemed to keep them in check.
With the hostile gazes upon him, Sihyun, followed by the junior trio, took a seat opposite Haewoon at the table.
"Everyone's early. Did you all rest well yesterday?"
"Yeah, somewhat…"
"Great. Then shall we begin?"
Haewoon intertwined his fingers and placed them on the table, lifting the corners of his mouth slightly. Sihyun watched him command the room's attention despite his tardiness and focused on the meeting's agenda.
Thank you for reading this far! You can access more chapters from HERE by joining my Patreon community. You'll gain exclusive early access to the COMPLETE NOVEL.
As a member of my Patreon community, here is what you'll get:
For $5
- Early access to 100s of chapters before they go public.
- You also get access to all the novels I'm translating, you can find them here HERE.
- Your name will be featured on the "Wall of Gratitude".
- The power to vote on which novel I translate next.
- You Get Ad-free Chapters.
For $10
- You get to suggest a Novel for me to translate.
- You get access to Digital art.
- Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in gold).
For $20
- You get to recommend a Novel and I will immediately start translating it.
- Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in blue).
Plus, you can Cancel your membership at any time.
Don't let this amazing opportunity slip through your fingers!
