Vol 6 Chapter 37

"Security?"

"Just a moment..."

Before answering Kapros, Je-hwan quickly typed a few sentences, then looked at him during the pause while text scrolled across the screen again.

"This house uses the computer's automated system a lot. Even the fingerprint scanner for opening doors is handled by this single computer, so if this computer system were to be breached by others, there could be many problems."

"Well... that's true..."

"It'll just take a moment."

After finishing his words, Je-hwan immediately immersed himself in the hologram screen again.

However, the computer that controlled the entire house's system wasn't something that ordinary people could handle so casually while talking about it. While there were plenty of people who were good with personal computers, as Je-hwan had mentioned, from the fingerprint scanner's role to security functions, indoor convenience features, and even the self-diagnosis system specially installed for Kapros's condition and the home doctor network that automatically sent results to the hospital.

Kapros knew that almost no one could easily handle such a computer system that managed all aspects of living in the house. He had heard that from the start, the large computer built into the walls during construction was incomparably more complex than ordinary computers, and even experts usually only handled specific parts of the system.

As if noticing Kapros's serious concern about whether it was okay to entrust this to someone who seemed much closer to athletics than computers, Je-hwan frowned with perfect timing.

Looking at the screen in front of Je-hwan, Kapros indeed saw nothing but a parade of numbers and English text he couldn't understand. Characters appeared and disappeared silently with each movement of Je-hwan's fingers, dancing across the screen. Finally, after watching for a few more minutes, Kapros gave up and decided to read a book stored in the space that appeared when flipping over the sofa armrest.

Though he hadn't read much since starting MIST, such reading materials were all that had consoled his boring life before. Since this book had been put away quite a long time ago after reading partway through, he struggled to remember where he had left off.

After finally finding the content he remembered reading before and starting from there, Kapros became quickly absorbed in the book's contents and didn't look up until Je-hwan called him.

"...Mu-heon."

"Oh, yeah."

When Kapros startled and hurriedly closed the book, looking up, he saw Je-hwan staring intently at the book he had just closed with his black eyes, and behind him, the usual wallpaper was displayed on the screen.

"Are you done?"

"Yeah. I tweaked the protection system a bit. You won't notice much difference."

Tweaked the system? Earlier he had said he was just doing a security check...

"What about the security check?"

"Did that too."

"Then what's this protection system? I heard ordinary people can't handle these computers, so what exactly did you do?"

Surely he hadn't broken anything?

Though Kapros stared intently at the computer screen wondering if anything had changed, there was nothing different. Je-hwan looked down at him with narrowed eyes and tilted his head.

"...You don't believe me."

"No, that's not..."

Kapros couldn't confidently say that wasn't the case because he was actually very worried about his computer. Seeing Kapros's concerned expression, Je-hwan showed a subtle smile on his tilted face.

"Trust me. There isn't much difference, but I'm good with computers."

The confidence reflected in his lowered eyes was genuine, but that made it seem even more unsuitable. Je-hwan and computers... While that guy looked perfectly natural riding a motorcycle with an icy expression, nothing seemed more unbalanced than associating him with intellectual work.

Actually, rather than not suiting him, it might just feel unfamiliar because it was the first time seeing this side of him, Kapros thought...

"..."

"Really."

Whatever expression had appeared on Kapros's face made Je-hwan emphasize his words once more, as if driving in a nail. Though still somewhat dubious, Kapros decided to let it go since Je-hwan insisted he was good with computers. If any problems arose later, he could always bill him for it.

Je-hwan seemed to take Kapros's silence as acceptance and said with a refreshed expression that he would wash up and head home. As Kapros watched him standing at the entrance, insisting there was no need to see him off, everything that had happened here last night felt unreal. It felt even more so as Je-hwan stood on the spot where Kapros had been lying yesterday.

"Alright then, take care."

Je-hwan nodded and was about to open the door when he turned back with an "Ah."

"Later... I'll come back."

"Why?"

"What do you mean, why?"

Je-hwan frowned as if my question was even more incomprehensible, closing and opening his black eyes.

"You said it first."

"Because of... that proposal?"

When Kapros asked with a somewhat bewildered feeling, Je-hwan nodded as if it were obvious.

"We can't test it if we don't meet."

"That's true, but..."

When Kapros trailed off ambiguously, Je-hwan's lips hardened coldly, displeased with something, and suddenly reached out to touch Kapros's cheek. Stiffening at the cold sensation, Kapros raised his eyes to find Je-hwan's wavering gaze piercing straight through him.

"Even if I have other things to do, from today on, think only of me."

His voice was cold, yet simultaneously boiling hot.

"You gave me a chance. I'll do my best. So you should be equally prepared. When I look at you, at least look at me too."

Kapros was momentarily speechless. Though it felt a bit strange, it was true.

Right. He had started this first, so why was he suddenly surprised?

Kapros gathered his resolve anew. When he closed his eyes firmly and calmed his turbulent mind, his thoughts became clear. He quietly opened his eyes and apologized cleanly.

"You're right. I was wrong. I didn't mean to make light of your feelings. I'll try as hard as you do, so don't worry. ...If you're worried, should we do a 'fighting!' cheer before you go?"

"You..."