[Chapter 122]
[Intentions Disguised as Goodwill (2)]
"So all you know about mana control is what you learned at school? Wow, that's really amazing. I couldn't have done it alone."
"It's not as difficult as you think, Eun-woo. Mana control, you can study it on your own too."
"No way. I couldn't have done it alone. I think it's really amazing."
"It's not a big deal, really..."
Though he says that.
On Tae-yang couldn't help the corners of his mouth rising at Cha Eun-woo's praise.
He had successfully controlled his power after a few attempts, having just learned how to resolve mana imbalance from club seniors.
It was also thanks to her advice, as she was assigned to the same group.
And he was able to become close with her rapidly because of that.
"Huh? One-bar? What's that?"
"Um, it's short for one-bound, didn't boys here go out to play with a ball during breaks?"
"We had to move classrooms during breaks, so we didn't have time to do anything else unless we had a free period. But from how you talk about it, it must have been really fun."
"Ah, I guess so. I'm pretty good at kicking the ball. Or do you want to try it together next time?"
"Really? I'd like to try it once! Call me when you have time next time."
Actually, On Tae-yang wasn't keen on joining the cultural exploration club.
He thought the club would be full of people like No Eun-ha and Mok Min-ho.
In fact, most of the members had some background.
Even if he didn't think all strong people exploit the weak, it was understandable for him to be reluctant to enter.
Nevertheless, the reason On Tae-yang joined was partly because his childhood friend Jo A-ra showed interest after hearing the explanation meeting, and partly because he was worried about Cha Eun-woo.
He felt it from her face that seemed sad even when he first saw her...
As expected, Eun-woo wasn't a bad kid.
At first, he was drawn to her beauty that exuded a sad atmosphere just by standing still.
And the attraction grew stronger after learning that Cha Eun-woo was Mok Min-ho's childhood friend.
Then his sense of justice told him.
This smiling face looking at me now is Eun-woo's real face.
How much must she have suffered for such a kind kid to have a sad face?
Cha Eun-woo is suffering.
Then the only person who can save her is himself who knows she's suffering.
And the cause of her suffering was clear─.
"─You must have a hard time because of Mok Min-ho, right?"
"...Huh? What do you mean?"
"I've heard about you from other kids. They said whenever Mok Min-ho tries to scold people with his power, you have a hard time stopping him each time."
"It's not that there weren't such incidents... But I've never had a hard time because of Min-ho... Rather, Ga..."
"I heard a lot from Ga-in too. That you had a hard time."
"..."
For the sole reason of being childhood friends.
How difficult must it have been trying to stop the misdeeds he committed for 3 years, unable to separate from Mok Min-ho.
On Tae-yang made a sympathetic expression seeing Cha Eun-woo's face harden as he stated the facts.
"Um, Tae-yang. I think you're misunderstanding something..."
"You don't have to lie. Just speak comfortably, there's no Mok Min-ho here. No Eun-ha is behind us but he's not looking at us now."
"Hey. Don't interrupt me..."
"Do you have some weakness that Mok Min-ho caught? Is that why it's hard to talk?"
"..."
"It's okay. I'm on your side. I'll listen to your worries if that's okay with me."
Cha Eun-woo opens her mouth.
On Tae-yang understood her heart.
Even if others succumbed to power. She alone must have tried to correct Mok Min-ho without abandoning her sense of justice. Or she may have just been pushed around by Mok Min-ho due to her kind nature.
Either way, no one would have understood her pain.
"─Min-ho isn't the kind of person you think. Aren't you misunderstanding something?"
Is it because of a sense of responsibility towards her childhood friend?
But she didn't pour out the feelings she must be holding inside.
On Tae-yang turned his body and looked at her walking forward.
Her shoulders are trembling.
She must be agitated with emotion.
What did Eun-woo do wrong...
Mok Min-ho and No Eun-ha did wrong, but why does she have to be hurt...
Kind, pretty child.
On Tae-yang clenched his fist watching Eun-woo's back as she walked ahead alone.
Then, No Eun-ha who was with Lee Cheon-seo behind ran towards her.
"Why does your face look like that?"
"It's... You know, Eun-ha... No. I'll tell you later."
No Eun-ha who grabbed Cha Eun-woo's hand without permission questions her.
On Tae-yang flared up.
He could tell how much she was distancing herself from him as she shook her head while lowering it.
He couldn't endure injustice.
On Tae-yang soon approached No Eun-ha to say something.
If Lee Cheon-seo hadn't spoken to him from behind.
"It'll be hard to target Eun-woo."
"What?"
"I said it'll be hard."
On Tae-yang asked back in disbelief.
Lee Cheon-seo who placed his interlocked hands behind his head answered his question.
"Eun-woo and Min-ho are childhood friends. Well... just saying this, you know what I mean? Their relationship is special so there's no room for us to butt in. So it's better to look for another girl."
"..."
"If you're also aiming for girls in No Eun-ha's group... let's at least not aim for the same targets. You know fair play, right?"
Lee Cheon-seo pouts his lips while saying nonsense.
Then he turns his head and mutters inaudibly.
"Damn... He's handsome enough to make even men fall for him. Girls would drop dead if he came at them with that face. I really need to choose someone who doesn't overlap with him, geez..."
On Tae-yang couldn't have not heard.
But he was too dumbfounded to refute.
"Eun-ha! Let's go together! How petty to go just by yourselves!? I-byeol, let's go too!"
"O-okay!"
Moreover, Lee Cheon-seo finished speaking and ran towards No Eun-ha without looking back.
On Tae-yang who was left alone again snorted seeing him grinning and trying to please Eun-ha unlike before.
What a sycophant.
No Eun-ha seems not to know that, so he's a rotten bastard.
He's foolish to fall for sweet talk.
On Tae-yang despised those who suck up to those in power like Lee Cheon-seo.
Of course, also foolish people in power who fall for sweet talk.
He felt truly sorry for Cha Eun-woo stuck between them.
Meanwhile─.
"─Buy some bread with this."
""Thank you.""
When they started climbing the hill.
Eun-woo handed money to children begging by the roadside.
Wandering children, Wonderers.
The two children looked similar, perhaps siblings.
...As expected, Eun-woo is kind.
On Tae-yang was moved by Eun-woo's goodwill.
And he was disappointed again by No Eun-ha's behavior of passing by without even pretending to see them, and Lee Cheon-seo's behavior of praising her and glossing over it.
"─It must be hard taking care of your little sister. Here, take this."
""Thank you!!""
Before he knew it, when On Tae-yang also stood in front of the Wonderers.
He felt Cha Eun-woo who was walking ahead turn back to look at him.
At the same time, he was reminded of his little sister Tae-hee in the little sister the boy was taking care of.
The reason Eun-woo can't open up about her worries is probably because she's not close enough with me yet.
I need to try to get close with Eun-woo. Above all... how hard must it be for a boy alone to take care of his little sister.
On Tae-yang boldly took out all the money in his wallet.
The children's eyes widened.
"Y-you don't have to give us this much!"
"Th-that's right..."
The children hastily shake their heads.
He burst into a pleased laugh seeing that.
Their pure appearance looked good.
So he firmly placed the money in the boy's hand who was declining.
Though I'll have some trouble living due to lack of money for a while─.
─I can become close with Eun-woo too, and those children will be saved with this.
Small actions one by one change this society for the better.
He listens to the voice of justice burning in his chest.
On Tae-yang believed without a doubt.
☆
If, just if.
If she was the Cha Eun-woo wearing a red choker who couldn't refuse.
She would probably have spoken roundabout to resolve his misunderstanding.
That Min-ho wasn't that kind of person.
"Even if it's your request Eun-ha, I can't. I don't want to be with him."
But the honest Cha Eun-woo different from before didn't act that way.
She decided to get as angry as she could at On Tae-yang within her limits, and not resolve his misunderstanding.
"I kept talking with On Tae-yang but he only listens to what he wants to hear."
"Really? When I watched from behind, you two seemed to be chatting happily..."
"Only he was happy! I wasn't happy at all."
Because it's obvious he won't listen.
She realized that no matter how passionately she spoke, facts once set in On Tae-yang's mind wouldn't change.
So she huffed unusually.
To the extent that Eun-ha was flustered and tried to soothe her somehow.
"He's... too self-righteous."
Eun-woo could now properly define what she felt from the incident that occurred in the student cafeteria before.
Self-righteous.
He believes he's right and doesn't try to listen to others.
Judging from that point, Eun-ha might be the same.
He resembles Eun-ha.
But he's different from Eun-ha.
"On Tae-yang resembles me?"
"No, different! You're much better!"
"...How?"
"You at least try to change a little when we tell you. But no matter what anyone says, he won't think he did anything wrong."
"How do you know that?"
"Don't you think I know Ga-in?"
"...On Tae-yang is the same as Choi Ga-in?"
Yes, Choi Ga-in. Ga-in.
Eun-woo nodded her head.
On Tae-yang resembles Choi Ga-in.
They're both the same in that they don't properly listen to what others say.
Of course, On Tae-yang's interpersonal skills couldn't be compared to hers.
Come to think of it, I don't feel good.
Eun-woo pressed her lips tightly.
Choi Ga-in lied.
No, perhaps that was the truth to her.
Min-ho acting as a disciplinarian to prevent students from offending Choi Ga-in's mood.
In her eyes, it may have looked like he scolded students for no reason.
It wasn't that I had a hard time trying to stop Min-ho, but because I had a hard time trying to stop you, Ga-in.
Cha Eun-woo sighed.
Even if she told her, she would probably say not to make unnecessary fuss.
It's useless to say anything.
It just hurts my mouth.
Without knowing anything about us...
Eun-woo got angrier the more she thought.
Because of On Tae-yang who misunderstood not only about her, but also about Min-ho who sometimes endured Choi Ga-in's anger in her place.
And because of Choi Ga-in who blamed that on others.
"And... I can't say this but he seems a bit strange."
"Why, how?"
Her mood lightens as Eun-ha who seemed to take his side comforts her.
She who smiled faintly pondered and opened her mouth.
Nevertheless, a clear answer didn't come out.
"Something... something's not right. It's strange."
Eun-woo gave money to the Wonderers she saw on the way up.
Money to buy a few loaves of bread.
There was more money in her wallet but she didn't take out that much.
Meanwhile, Eun-ha didn't even glance at them.
She didn't think his behavior was cold-hearted.
This is just for my self-satisfaction.
I want to help people I can see.
Eun-ha said before.
That giving them money wouldn't save all of them.
If we give money to them, shouldn't we give money to people like them too?
She somewhat agreed.
Nevertheless, she wanted to do her best in this moment.
She would help those she could see, and sometimes teach them how to fish.
That was also why she occasionally went volunteering.
"...Huh?"
"What's wrong?"
Then suddenly.
She turned back again.
On Tae-yang was standing in front of the Wonderers.
He was looking at her.
Their eyes met.
...It's burdensome.
His gaze is burdensome.
She wanted to know what he was thinking.
Because his gaze was sticky.
It was burdensome and somehow unpleasant.
"Looks like he's going to give them money too."
Eun-woo watched On Tae-yang's actions while letting Cheon-seo's words who followed slip by.
He takes money out of his wallet.
He's not... a bad person.
I'm not sure how to express it.
To say he's kind... something feels off somewhere strangely.
Looks like he's going to give money to the Wonderers.
Cha Eun-woo softened somewhat at On Tae-yang's kind heart.
But she soon frowned again.
"Huh?"
"Oh my, a saint has arrived. He might as well give his whole wallet... Eun-ha, don't you think so? In my opinion, he's clearly doing this to look good to I-byeol?"
On Tae-yang handed over all the money in his wallet.
The surprised Wonderers wave their hands in bewilderment.
He deliberately placed the wad of cash in their hands.
Shadows fell on her face seeing that.
...He's naive.
I used to do that too before hearing from Eun-ha, like Tae-yang...
He's naive.
If she didn't know anything, she would have been moved by On Tae-yang's goodwill.
But now she could understand.
The reason the Wonderers wave their hands isn't because they feel bad about receiving.
Wouldn't money be important to children wandering the streets?
"He's going to get robbed..."
Eun-ha clicked his tongue.
His words were right.
Even if they can't be seen, people in the same situation as them are hiding all over the streets.
There's no way they wouldn't notice the large sum the Wonderers received.
She who deployed her sensing network felt presences starting to move here and there and lowered her downturned eyes.
"Eun-ha."
"What?"
"Can't we help those kids?"
"They're not the only ones having a hard time. Don't you think other people are like that too
"They're not the only ones who see things that are tough. Don't you think other people don't? That's pity."
"…It might be sympathy. But I don't want to see those kids get hurt."
Will those young kids be able to protect that much money?
No, that's impossible.
Not only would you lose everything you had, you could also get hurt or, in the worst case, die.
So she also didn't want to hand over a lot of money.
I gave them just enough that they could handle.
"Okay… Okay. I can't help it."
"thank you so much."
"What can I do if you want to do it? Eunwoo, you take care of the kids until I get here."
"Okay, take care on your way back. Don't get hurt."
Fortunately, Eunha decided to step forward, so Eunwoo was finally able to feel relieved.