Chapter 458: Cho Hyejin’s Instruction Manual (3) |
Jo Hye-Jin was surprised. However, she quickly composed herself and responded both carefully and calmly, “I’m not sure why you’re asking me that question, Sub Guild Master, but the guild master is an amazing person…”
”He always works hard toward his goal, and he has a respectable demeanor. If you look closely, you’ll notice that he has many admirable traits. It’s funny to say this as a person from the modern world, but I find him worthy of being followed.”
“I wasn’t asking for a formal answer like that,” I told her.
“What?”
“I’m asking what you think of him as a man,” I clarified.
“Excuse me?” she asked.
“A man. What do you think of him as a member of the opposite sex?” I added.
“What are you suddenly…”
“Don’t you have feelings for the guild master?” I asked.
“I have my reasons, so please just answer honestly. This is important,” I told her.
“How is it important? If you’re trying to make fun of me… I’ll file an official complaint. Please refrain from making rude remarks,” she threatened.
“No, I’m not trying to make fun of you. I’m asking because I’m curious. We’re friends, after all. It’s actually written all over your face, so you don’t have to deny it. You like Hyun-Sung,” I said.
“How could I… I have never had that kind of thought. I don’t know why you’re saying that, but I think you’re mistaking my admiration for the guild master as having feelings for him. I have never harbored such frivolous feelings, and it’s not right for me to have those feelings either. As the guild master’s adjutant—”
“No, stop saying that. You like him, that’s it,” I interrupted her.
“I don’t…” she said.
“Yes, you do!” I shouted.
“I-I don’t! I don’t…!” Jo Hye-Jin suddenly shouted.
Of course, she immediately calmed down because she felt embarrassed. I was shocked as well because her reaction was a little more heated than I thought. I expected her to deny it from the start, but she was even more determined to deny it than I thought.
Jung Ha-Yan was astonished by my questioning. I could see from her face that she still hadn’t realized that Jo Hye-Jin had feelings for Kim Hyun-Sung.
‘It’s not really weird because she’s not really interested in other people.’
I was sure that she didn’t really care enough about Kim Hyun-Sung and Jo Hye-Jin to pay attention to them on a daily basis.
However, I couldn’t help but think that she was a bit simple-minded when I saw her relax upon realizing that there was no way Jo Hye-Jin and I would get together.
“Hoo, hoo…”
“...”
“Whew. Ahem, ahem. I’m sorry for yelling all of a sudden, but it’s really not what you’re thinking. I think there’s a misunderstanding because of what happened earlier, but I said that because I was genuinely worried about the guild master and the Blue Guild. I didn’t say it because of my personal feelings,” Jo Hye-Jin explained.
“Is there something wrong with liking someone? When a man and woman hang out together, they could end up having feelings for each other,” I said.
“I’m telling you that it’s not like that…” she said.
“Honestly, it’s weird to see you deny it. You’re not a kid, and I’m not making fun of you for liking someone. I think your unicorn is going crazy by now. You’re an adult, and this topic is making you blush?” I asked.
“You have misunderstood that as well. Back on Earth, do you know how much—”
“What?”
“I’ll at least tell you this. Everyone knows the Wooshin All-Girls High School technician,” Jo Hye-Jin said.
‘She’s talking like Gangwon Province’s Love Doctor Park Deok-Gu.’
The blush on Jo Hye-Jin’s cheeks was still there, and I didn’t really care, nor it mattered that Jo Hye-Jin was a technician at Wooshin All-Girls High School. The most important part here was what she thought about Kim Hyun-Sung.
I could already see the answer, but she was just too embarrassed to tell me.
Of course, I knew that she knew that fact more than anyone else.
Everyone in the guild knew that Jo Hye-Jin secretly liked Kim Hyun-Sung.
She would always blush whenever they were together, and she had been using her adjutant role as an excuse to stay next to him.
She was probably thinking that she had been doing a great job hiding her feelings, but Kim Hyun-Sung was the only one who still had no idea of her feelings for him.
‘Should I support someone else?’
I had always been the type to come up with many different methods, so I thought it would be best to start out with Park Yeon-Joo of the Black Swan Guild. However, the more I looked at Jo Hye-Jin, the more I felt bad for her.
‘Our Hye-Jin did suffer a lot…’
She had died a humiliating death at the hands of the masked scum, and she only got to confess her feelings right before she died. Personally, I thought we were pretty good friends, so if I had to pick one person to support, then she was the best choice.
I was sure that she would have a positive impact on Kim Hyun-Sung’s mental health, but most importantly, she cherished him as well. Therefore, it was undeniable that she would be helpful in many ways.
She was also willing to sacrifice herself for Kim Hyun-Sung as though her life was worthless, so I really thought that she wouldn’t be a bad choice.
“I’m not interested in the Wooshin All-Girls High School technician or whatever. I’m asking because I want to help you. Actually, it’s more like a necessity,” I told her.
“What do you mean…” Jo Hye-Jin asked.
“It’s related to Mr. Hyun-Sung,” I replied.
“What?”
“The thought never crossed your mind when you were beside him? Mr. Hyun-Sung is at his limit mentally,” I answered.
“That’s…”
“You don’t really need to hide it anymore. Anyway, you’ve never seen him rest, right?” I asked.
“That’s not true. The guild master always takes proper breaks…”
“I’m not talking about resting in between training. Of course, eating and drinking tea between work also doesn’t count…”
”I’m asking about breaks that ordinary people take—lying in bed without doing anything, enjoying cultural activities and hobbies. Enjoying his personal free time also counts as taking a break. I’m sure you noticed something since you’re always with him, so I’m asking if you have seen him do any of that,” I explained.
“N-no, I haven’t,” she answered.
‘I knew it.’
I had to ask her because it had been quite a while since I worked closely with him.
As expected, Kim Hyun-Sung was still doing the same thing. I thought he had changed a lot on a personal level, but it seemed that he hadn’t really changed that much inside.
I turned and saw Jo Hye-Jin’s grim expression. I was sure that she finally realized that something was off.
“He had always been like that, Miss Hye-Jin. He has improved since then, but he’s still mostly the same. It’s not strange that you haven’t seen him take a break. Aside from whenever he eats with the guild members, I’m not actually sure what he eats. Does he still usually eat combat rations?” I asked.
“Something like that…” Jo Hye-Jin replied.
“I have been turning a blind eye, but it seems that it’s even worse than I thought. He still hasn’t changed even after several years, and I’m sure he has no idea that he has never changed since day one…”
”I understand that he feels unsafe, but our guild master’s case is a bit extreme. He’s always worried, always prepared, and always on the move. Is that how a normal person should live? I’m not even sure if a machine could live like that,” I continued.
“...”
“I actually wanted to dance and clap when I heard that Mr. Hyun-Sung was with a woman last night. I believe that being with a woman would relieve some of his stress,” I added.
“That’s…!” Jo Hye-Jin shouted.
“Of course, I know what you’re worried about. The sudden appearance of an unknown woman is weird, and there are many questionable parts to the story as well…” I trailed off before continuing. ”However, it’s still a fact that the guild master needs a space where he can truly relax and rest. That’s exactly why I thought of you.”
“You can’t just create something like that just because you want to create one. A person’s emotions… Even if I do have feelings for the guild master, the guild master—”
“You can’t say for sure. This may sound funny to you, but you’re very pretty. I don’t know about Wooshin All-Girls High School technician or whatever, but you spend a lot of time with Mr. Hyun-Sung, so you have an advantage. And…” I paused.
‘She understands him well.’
“I understand what you’re saying, but… I’m not sure how you’re going to help. The offer is so sudden as well. Of course, this doesn’t mean that I have feelings for the guild master. I’m just telling you this because I’m curious,” Jo Hye-Jin said.
‘I’m the mysterious Bitcherella, and I’m in an awkward position right now. I’m worried that our Hyun-Sung may do something unnecessary and useless, so I want you to support him. Take care of his mental health from time to time since he’s struggling, and he also needs someone next to him so that he can rest properly…’
I really wanted to tell her that, but I obviously couldn’t do that.
In the end, I had no choice but to give her a reasonable excuse.
“You know how greedy and territorial I am, right? It would be strange if someone manages to enter the Blue Guild when they emerged out of nowhere. Deok-Gu’s comments also didn’t make sense, but they can happen…”
“If Hyun-Sung is trying to find a partner, then I would prefer it if his partner was someone I know. This is the biggest reason why I’m telling you this. Personally, I have always been rooting for you, and the timing is perfect, so why not?”
“Anyway, are you in or not?” I asked.
“Y-you can’t really help out, and it’s not like I need that kind of help. Initially, I…” she paused.
She was still insisting that she had no feelings for Kim Hyun-Sung, but unlike her words, her complicated expression was betraying her.
I was sure that she wanted to ask for help. I had given her many bullshit excuses, but everyone knew that Jo Hye-Jin was a virgin who had never even held a man’s hand before, so she couldn’t really be blamed for her behavior.
It was highly likely that she was just confused about how she could get closer to Kim Hyun-Sung and start a relationship with him. There were already many beautiful and talented women around him, but a mysterious pregnant woman suddenly appeared.
She had to have already forgotten how she looked at me in desperation earlier, asking about what she should do if Deok-Gu’s remarks were true.
“It’s unfortunate, but it can’t be helped…” I said.
“...”
“I should contact Miss Yeon-Joo of the Black Swan Guild,” I added.
“Wait, it’s kind of strange that you would offer help for something like that. I’ll stop you if it’s something inappropriate,” she commented.
“I won’t really say that it’s inappropriate. It’s reasonable, and this is all for the guild master as well. Who would take responsibility if that cunning woman managed to trick our innocent Hyun-Sung?”
“He’s like the father of our guild, and I can’t just watch and see him getting tricked by some random woman. Don’t you agree with me, Miss Hye-Jin? I know you’re embarrassed, but you don’t have to deny it. I mean, what are friends for?”
“I’m sure you have no idea, but I had eaten a lot of dinners with Hyun-Sung. I had done many things with him, and we even frequented the sauna. With my knowledge of him, I’m sure that I can help you,” I said.
The room we were in became enveloped in silence. Jo Hye-Jin obviously felt conflicted, but she started showing signs that she would answer me positively.
‘I knew you’d react that way.’
After a while, Jo Hye-Jin finally spoke, “H-How will you help me?”
“I want you to change your style and makeup choices. We should change your bearing, too,” I replied.
“I see…”
“Most importantly, you must not do anything else aside from what I tell you. Think of it as moving as my puppet or as my avatar for a few days,” I added.