"Then, there are 13 of Bell's underlings currently in the Rat's Nest?"
"...No."
"Hmm?"
I was perplexed by the denial, as I had made assumptions based on the information I'd heard. Blinking in confusion and staring at him, No. 12 hesitated before adding an explanation.
"There are, there are only eight. The master has, has been selling those close to you..."
It wasn't as if he had committed a crime, but he spoke as if he were guilty of reselling them himself. Kang Sihyun had a harder time than usual understanding No. 12's stuttered speech.
The master has been selling those close to you?
Upon reflecting on his words, it sounded quite bizarre. Why would there be a need to resell children who had been bought because they were close to him? It didn't make sense, prompting Kang Sihyun to tilt his head in confusion when tap, tap. No. 12 began biting his nails.
"The master, his possessiveness over, over you is, is strong."
So, if you become friends, he feels bad and sells them. That's also why the other kids hate you.
With this added advice, Kang Sihyun remembered the first thing No. 12 had said to him about the kids hating him.
So, it seems that Bell resells anyone who becomes friends with me and locks up anyone who tries to escape.
Huh.
The guy's insane.
After reaching this simple conclusion, Kang Sihyun silently observed the uneasy boy in front of him. If what he said was true, it was puzzling why No. 12 was being nice to him. Surely he wouldn't want to be resold himself.
In a criminal guild, where would they send someone they resold? At best, it would be to a slave market or a battlefield. Considering this, there was no apparent reason for No. 12 to act friendly, so as he stared intently, the boy's cheeks turned red. His expression looked strikingly similar to someone else.
To Daewi, who had said he liked him.
Could it be?
Kang Sihyun hesitated before speaking.
"So why are you nice to me?"
"Uh, what?"
"If, as you say, being close to me means you'll get resold, why are you nice to me? Aren't you scared?"
Now, seeing the full picture, it seemed unlikely that Bell had sent No. 12 in here. His actions didn't match his supposed strong possessiveness. That meant No. 12 had sneaked in here to look after him, an act of considerable bravery and audacity.
When asked what motivated him, No. 12 bowed his head deeply.
"You, you don't tease me."
"Uh?"
You like me, might have been his expected response, but Kang Sihyun blinked, momentarily stunned by the innocent tone of voice as No. 12 raised his hand to cover his mouth.
"Because you, you don't hate my stuttering."
And you listen well to me...
The more he heard, the more he felt guilty for having previously entertained foolish thoughts. Kang Sihyun, even now having lost his memory, appreciated that No. 12 did not mind his stutter and wanted to help. He felt a prick of conscience for having so grossly misunderstood his pure intentions.
Was it self-consciousness?
Maybe because he had been around too many people shouting their affections, he had started to think anyone who blushed at him might like him. It was entirely the fault of the kids from Class A.
He would have to confront them later.
You guys make everyone around seem gay, he thought, wondering what their faces would look like if he said that. Lost in these thoughts, he chuckled, startling No. 12.
"You can laugh, too."
What, am I not supposed to?
The remark was somewhat absurd, but he understood why it was made. Considering what the man named Bell had said and No. 12's statements, No. 1 here must have been living quite roughly.
If you can laugh comfortably in this kind of environment, that would be the real wonder. That's why No. 12, who could smile so easily at just a glance, was all the more remarkable.
"Why, why are you looking at me like that?"
As he stared openly, No. 12 asked him. Kang Sihyun was about to simply respond when a thought struck him, and he looked more serious.
"Don't help me anymore."
"...Huh?"
"Don't help me."
Knowing that getting close would mean being resold by the master, why would he allow Haru to come to his side? He might not be able to save him from his life, but he could avoid making it even worse. If Bell saw them together, it was obvious what would happen.
Adding that he should stay away as much as possible, No. 12 looked profoundly shocked.
As if
he had just heard his parents had passed away, his eyes widened, and soon, tears started falling drop by drop. Kang Sihyun was flustered by this unexpected crying.
No. No matter how young...
Anyone would think he had hurled severe insults at him.
Unsure how to console him as he wept, No. 12 wiped his tears with the back of his hand.
"Do you, do I annoy you too?"
"..."
He felt at a crossroads. If he answered that he was annoyed, No. 12 would no longer approach him. Although he would suffer emotionally and make distressing noises like a lost dog, it was surely better than being sold into a slave market because they had become friends.
But the shock might be too great for recovery.
Knowing Haru as he did, Kang Sihyun couldn't immediately respond.
Yet to deny it would mean that from that moment, No. 12 might become dependent on him. Simply accepting that he wasn't annoying and agreeing to his request for distance would have been ideal, but after spending a year in such a place, it seemed unlikely that No. 12 had that much rationality.
The moment he denied it, he would act as though he was the only one for him, which would surely lead to being discovered by the master, sooner or later.
As he pondered, Kang Sihyun finally closed his eyes.
Considering survival, the answer was clear.
"Yeah."
"..."
"It's a bit annoying."
"Ah..."
No. 12 looked at Kang Sihyun with a shocked expression and then bowed his head. The sound of his voice was so pitiful that Kang Sihyun closed his eyes. Ah, really. Speaking insincerely was torture, and watching the familiar figure's lonely back was equally painful.
But the statement was irrevocable. The guilt he would feel if he allowed No. 12 to get close and then be sold was overwhelming.
No. 12 hesitated for a moment, then spoke an apology before leaving the place where Kang Sihyun was confined. Only then did Kang Sihyun relax and let out a sigh. He had been tense, worrying that Bell might come in at any moment, but now he could finally feel a bit at ease.
His thoughts raced more freely now that he could breathe. He remembered No. 12 wiping his tears just before leaving and leaned his head against the wall.
It was sad, but he had to keep his distance.
No. 12 seemed not to be adept at controlling his emotions, so he had to be ignored.
Yes, perhaps it was better not to build up too much affection in the first place.
Whether during the time at Gren or at Harnen, partings had always been difficult, so perhaps not giving too much affection from the start might make partings less painful.
Kang Sihyun thought this as he tried to erase the image of No. 12 leaving from his mind. Fortunately, or unfortunately, Bell entered not long after No. 12 left and picked up the whip again, allowing Kang Sihyun to quickly forget the sight of No. 12's departing back.
***
"That crazy bastard. He's finally filled up a week."
A week after entering No. 1's body, Kang Sihyun escaped the damp, dirty basement and cursed as he entered the room Bell had directed him to. As he opened the door, seven boys inside turned to look at him. Kang Sihyun flinched when he spotted No. 12 among them.
So these are the rest of Bell's underlings.
Since there were eight, including himself, it fit. Kang Sihyun realized that the story No. 12 had told him about the kids hating him wasn't false as he felt their piercing stares. Even sworn enemies wouldn't look this sharp. No, these kids already seemed to regard him as a sworn enemy.
"No. 1 must be lucky. Attempting escape and not even breaking a leg, staying intact. The No. 7 who tried to escape last month probably died immediately upon being caught?"
One of the boys sneered. Kang Sihyun then realized why they disliked him. Although No. 12 had said it was because he became friends with the kids who got resold, it seemed these were just envious.
A week of being severely beaten, yet receiving Bell's favor.
A favor he didn't even want. From Kang Sihyun's perspective, it would have been cleaner to die once rather than being whipped for a week.
Tsk.
Their desires were completely opposite. How nice it would be if they could trade places, Kang Sihyun thought as he turned his head away from the boy. There was nothing to say in response, but whatever the boy thought of that, his face turned red, and he shouted, "You bastard," as he charged at Kang Sihyun.
Crash!
Kang Sihyun was suddenly grabbed by the collar and fell over
with the boy.
Click.
The door that Kang Sihyun had closed when he entered opened.
"What is this mess?"
It was Bell.
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