Vol 7 Chapter 55

This time it was Se-jong. Their dissatisfaction with Je-hwan, who had barely practiced and just stuck by Kapros's side for the past few days, seemed to have built up quite solidly.

'Though the reason Je-hwan doesn't practice is because he's already beyond that level, but these guys really...'

"That's because he's much better at kendo than you guys."

"How do you know when we've never seen him do it?"

"Then do you guys want to spar with that mister? If you two attack together and win, I'll take responsibility and make him leave."

Though they had openly called him "mister," Je-hwan only twitched his eyebrow once without showing any other reaction. In-woo and Se-jong seemed very tempted by this proposal, but even to their young eyes Je-hwan must have seemed quite intimidating, as they showed clear signs of hesitation before taking the bait.

"Uh... uuh..."

"Well? Are you going to do it or not?"

In-woo and Se-jong's gazes turned toward Je-hwan, who was tall enough to be almost 190 centimeters. Je-hwan just kept looking at Kapros as if he couldn't care less either way.

"Ugh...! N-next time, we'll do it next time! After practice today! Tell him to wait because we'll practice and win!"

"See you the day after tomorrow, you monster!"

In the end, the little guys, overwhelmed by Je-hwan's presence, ground their teeth and turned to run away.

'Cute kids.'

Though they were that reckless and funny too. As Kapros's shoulders shook, unable to hold back the laughter that burst out unconsciously, when he raised his head, he found Je-hwan making the exact same dissatisfied face that In-woo and Se-jong had just shown.

"...What's wrong with you now?"

"Don't smile only at those guys."

"What?"

When Kapros questioned back with an incredulous expression, Je-hwan sharply turned his head and went ahead first. Kapros let out a hollow laugh while watching Je-hwan's back.

'Even if In-woo and Se-jong are jealous because they lost someone to play with, surely this guy isn't seriously doing the same with kids.'

Sometimes Je-hwan felt like a child or puppy, but other times he was harder to understand than anyone else, making it really difficult to guess his true feelings. While Kapros was following him with a small sigh, Master's wife entered through the front door and their eyes met.

"Oh my, Mu-heon, you're here."

"Yes."

"You still haven't removed your cast? Don't hold a practice sword today either."

Master's wife really... worrying like this every time he came for work. When he nodded to say he understood, Master's wife turned her attention toward Je-hwan who was walking ahead.

"Ah, look at me. Je-hwan-gun. Could you help me?"

"Yes."

"There are some boxes that need to be moved now, and there's quite a lot..."

"That's fine."

Though it was ridiculous seeing Je-hwan answer as if he hadn't just been ignoring Kapros, what was more surprising was Master's wife's casual request for help.

"Master's wife. If it's something like that, I..."

"Mu-heon, what are you saying when your fingers aren't even fully healed yet."

Watching Master's wife pat Je-hwan's back contentedly as if it was fortunate to have him here, with her eyes wide open, Kapros felt considerable surprise.

"No, still, he's not even an employee, so asking him to do such things..."

"I don't mind."

Je-hwan quickly answered before Kapros could finish speaking.

"...Anytime, it's fine. Please ask me."

"How can he be so nice..."

As if worried Kapros might try to stop him, Je-hwan's eyes flickered as if containing fire while he turned to look at Master's wife once more and spoke seriously. Watching Master's wife's reaction as she completely fell for his looks, Kapros was truly at a loss for words.

'Is that guy deliberately doing this because he knows Master's wife is weak for handsome actors?'

"Master's wife. Master..."

"Ah, your Master had to step out briefly for some business."

To think Master, who usually handled such tasks, happened to be out. Now he couldn't say anything more to stop it. Kapros finally had to watch while nodding as Je-hwan escorted Master's wife out.

"..."

It felt somewhat complicated somehow. Kapros turned away from their retreating figures and slowly dragged his feet toward In-woo and Se-jong, who were watching with sparkling eyes, ready to run over as soon as Je-hwan disappeared.

Right, his job was to look after those kids...

Some time later, Master returned from his outing and suggested that Kapros and Je-hwan stay for a meal since he had bought some good meat.

"I'm fine but..."

Since Je-hwan was working too, he must be busy. When Kapros looked at him while speaking, Je-hwan immediately nodded.

"...I'm fine too."

"You... aren't you busy today?"

When Kapros asked during the moment Master disappeared with a happy face saying they should have a proper meal today, a calm answer came back.

"It's fine. ...If you don't dislike eating with me."

"Don't joke around."

When Kapros spoke while frowning, Je-hwan let out a small laugh.

"I have no work today."

Ah. So that was it.

"Aren't you uncomfortable with Master and Master's wife showing you so much attention?"

When Kapros took the opportunity to ask something that had been bothering him lately, Je-hwan slowly shook his head.

"...Not at all. I think they're good people."

While that was fortunate... watching Je-hwan become unexpectedly quite close with Master and Master's wife, Kapros had asked out of worry that Je-hwan, who normally seemed to have no sociability whatsoever, might actually be very uncomfortable, but he genuinely seemed fine with it. Was he more fond of meeting people than expected?

'Come to think of it, Je-hwan hasn't met anyone else in reality except me.'

He had never shown interest in meeting others, and even with Kapros he seemed to want just the 'meeting' itself rather than going many places together, so Kapros had thought he was naturally extremely averse to socializing with others, but it seemed that thought needed to be revised.

Kapros stared intently at Je-hwan's face before opening his mouth.

"You..."

"..."

"If I asked you to come out drinking sometime later, would you be willing to come?"

"If you're the one asking."