[Chapter 122]
[Intentions Disguised as Goodwill (3)]
Children wandering the streets, Wonderers.
As a result, they mostly lived in groups among themselves or under someone's care.
They couldn't live alone with their small and young bodies that couldn't even resist properly.
"I don't understand why back alley guys always rush in without assessing their opponent. Is this their characteristic?"
"...Kkeu...euuuugh..."
"...Ugh... Uub!"
In any case, most Wonderers form groups.
And they each earn money and donate most of their daily income to that group.
As a sign of asking for protection in the future.
In the end, the money they received from On Tae-yang doesn't fully return to them.
Moreover, the areas where Wonderers mainly operate are near back alleys called the lowest places in society.
"These guys think they're invincible if they can just handle mana. It's something you learn when you enter elementary school, but they act like it's a high position."
Back alleys.
A place where bad guys with the mindset of living only for today gather.
It was obvious to anyone that they would look down on Wonderers, and there was no way they wouldn't extort money from Wonderers with large sums.
Sure enough.
The Wonderers who received money from On Tae-yang were caught by them while trying to hide hurriedly.
"I usually overlook your physiology... Unfortunately, think that you were unlucky."
"W-we're sorry..."
"Pl-please spare us!"
"We were drunk so our minds..."
"Let's uniformly make it so you can't use one hand cleanly."
""""...!!!!""""
However, the Wonderers didn't have their money taken away.
Because Eun-ha who left the group to Eun-woo was secretly following them.
Eun-ha who was waiting for the moment the thugs surrounded them took them all down in the blink of an eye.
There was no need to even draw a weapon.
Hand-to-hand combat alone was enough.
"By the way... They came in large numbers. These guys always rush in even knowing they'll lose when their gang is attacked. What's with that loyalty... Or do they think there's no business without numbers."
One by one.
He crushes their hands fairly. Those whose specialty is using their hands will probably be eaten by those stronger than them according to back alley physiology.
It wasn't Eun-ha's business.
He just granted Eun-woo's request.
Even if I save them once, their situation won't change.
Who knows how guys holding grudges over this will deal with them later...
In a way, it was consideration for Eun-woo.
If Eun-woo knew, she would surely be shocked and faint on the spot.
Of course, Eun-ha had no intention of telling her about this.
There's only one thing to tell her.
That the Wonderers safely returned home and will live happily from now on.
"Since I wrecked these guys like this, their boss won't leave it alone... Might as well take down the boss too while I'm at it. Kids, where's your boss?"
"Th-the person you're stepping on is our boss..."
"Ah, what. He was here."
Eun-ha who decided to clean up the back alleys while he was at it soon looked down at the guy he was stepping on.
The Wonderer siblings were hiding behind a trash can unable to hide their fear, and Eun-ha found it absurd.
He felt deflated.
"I thought I could stretch my body a bit after a long time... You guys, come here."
""...""
"I won't eat you. Come quickly."
Eun-ha who came down from the mountain of people piled on the ground called the Wonderers while gesturing.
The siblings seemed very scared.
The boy's face was hardened as he hugged his little sister.
Eun-ha who sighed treated them as gently as possible thinking of Eun-woo.
Thanks to that, it took quite some time to persuade them.
"You guys. You probably don't have anywhere suitable to go anyway... Rather than that, how about going under some kids I know?"
"...What?"
"Wait a bit."
Eun-ha ignored the boy who asked back as if he heard wrong.
He who took out his smartphone called Lee Kang-hyuk.
The ringtone didn't last long.
"Hey. It's me."
[Yes, boss. What's the matter?]
"There are some kids I know, so take care of them."
[What? What do you mean...]
"The location here is past the back of Hoegi Station..."
[No, wait a minute boss. What on earth are you saying...]
"Anyway I asked so don't make them cry."
Eun-ha who only said what he needed to hung up.
Eun-ha sent the coordinates of his current location by text message.
With this, the Wonderers who couldn't guarantee tomorrow will live comfortably under Lee Kang-hyuk's protection.
"You should know you're lucky. If it weren't for Eun-woo, you could have died by those guys."
"Th-thank you..."
"Thank you..."
With this, he resolved Eun-woo's request.
Eun-ha who decided to show off to her later turned his back on the Wonderers.
Checking the time, it was lunchtime.
No wonder he felt hungry.
☆
They were able to eat lunch inside Kyung Hee University's Grand Peace Hall.
The members who were divided into groups and active in the morning gathered together and ate seolleongtang.
It was lunch freely distributed to students by the Dongdaemun-gu Office.
"Ah, Eun-ha. Good job."
"You know this is a debt, right?"
"If you hadn't said that out loud, I would have been moved... I know, this is a debt. I'll remember it."
"I was just joking."
"Hey, it's too late to make excuses now. Enjoy your lunch."
Eun-ha who returned after finishing Eun-woo's request received seolleongtang at the entrance and entered the Grand Peace Hall.
Friends gathered in front of the stage waved their hands discovering him.
Then Eun-woo who was organizing dishes spoke with a bright smile.
"E-Eun-ha. Here's a se..."
"Eun-ha, there's a seat here."
Friends eating lunch sitting in three rows.
Eun-ha who was contemplating where to sit faced Jung Ha-yang and Yoon I-byeol who spoke to him simultaneously.
Their gazes soon turn to each other.
Then Jung Ha-yang turned to look at Eun-ha and spoke again.
"There's a seat here."
""""...""""
Yoon I-byeol doesn't say anything.
All the friends lowered their heads and ate seolleongtang as if by agreement.
The only person without tact was Jin Pa-rang who said he would go out and get another bowl.
Why is the atmosphere here like this.
I'd rather eat alone.
Eun-ha swallowed his words inwardly while glancing at Yoon I-byeol who lowered her head like a squatting frog.
Anyway, he tried to move to the seat next to Ha-yang with slow steps.
Right then.
"I got dumplings for your share too, Eun-ha. The dumplings ran out quickly so it seems some people couldn't eat them."
"As expected, there's no one but you, Ha-yang."
Eun-ha quickly ran and took the seat next to Jung Ha-yang.
Though the dumplings had cooled, nevertheless the taste of dumplings hadn't gone anywhere.
Eun-ha warmed his stomach with seolleongtang and filled his belly with dumplings.
"How is it? Delicious, right?"
"Yeah. Do you want to eat one too?"
"No, it's okay. I already ate."
Friends had already finished eating seolleongtang and were resting inside the Grand Peace Hall.
Eun-ha who was hurriedly eating lunch tried to hand a dumpling to Jung Ha-yang who placed her bowl on her knees.
Then she declined and rather offered dumplings to him.
So Eun-ha decided to eat the remaining dumplings with satisfaction.
If he hadn't received Jin Seo-na's telepathy.
[─Ha-yang left those without eating to give to you, Eun-ha.]
He stopped as he was about to put a dumpling in his mouth.
Eun-ha turned his head and looked at her who was watching him eat with a pleased expression.
She opens her round eyes.
As if asking what's wrong.
"You eat some too."
"Me? I said I'm fine."
"Eat when I tell you to eat."
"No. Really, I'm fine..."
"Say ah~. The dumpling's going in."
"...Ah."
Jung Ha-yang who was adamantly refusing finally couldn't overcome Eun-ha and ate a dumpling.
She who tucked her fallen hair behind her ear opened her mouth saying ah.
She chewed feeling the dumpling enter her mouth.
"How is it? Delicious, right?"
"Yeah, it's delicious."
"Have one more."
"No. You eat it."
"Here, the dumpling's going in."
"Really... You never listen to me."
Jung Ha-yang eating dumplings as if reluctantly.
Eun-ha burst into laughter seeing her eat dumplings deliciously.
Because she ate well deliciously even while saying she's fine.
Perhaps knowing the reason he was laughing, Jung Ha-yang puffed up her cheeks in protest.
There was no way Eun-ha would be scared.
"Come to think of it, where are On Tae-yang and Jo A-ra? They don't seem to be nearby..."
Then Eun-ha looked for On Tae-yang.
He thought they would be eating together with friends, but they weren't around.
Jung Ha-yang answered his question.
"On Tae-yang just ate and left quickly. A-ra followed saying she felt bad leaving Tae-yang alone... They should be in the back."
"...He left after just eating?"
"Yeah. Because Min-ho was here... Actually, he wouldn't have eaten together at all if Eun-woo hadn't persuaded him."
Lest Mok Min-ho hear.
Jung Ha-yang tells Eun-ha in a whisper.
Soon he turned around and looked for On Tae-yang who would be eating lunch somewhere.
He could find him with Jo A-ra near the door.
I thought it would be fine since other kids were here...
On Tae-yang didn't just dislike him, but disliked his friends too.
Even if his friends had good personalities, they couldn't change On Tae-yang's mind where prejudice had settled.
He really is incredibly stubborn.
Eun-ha frowned.
"And he had an argument with Pa-rang oppa too. Maybe that's why he didn't want to be with us."
"Why Pa-rang hyung?"
"Well... He badmouthed you, Eun-ha... So we didn't stop him either."
Ha-yang supplements carefully.
Eun-ha who heard those words couldn't show his displeasure.
Honestly, he felt a bit proud.
"No Eun-ha is worse than that so don't make Eun-ha out to be a petty and childish kid for no reason, he got angry."
"Where did Pa-rang hyung go? I'm really going to..."
If she hadn't interjected midway, Jin Pa-rang's evaluation would have risen in Eun-ha's heart.
Eun-ha clicked his tongue and watched Jin Pa-rang quietly slip out of the Grand Peace Hall.
Jin Pa-rang seemed to know he did wrong too and ran outside like an arrow as soon as their eyes met.
"And? Did you become close with Jo A-ra?"
"A-ra and I were in the same group, and though she seemed to keep her distance, her personality seemed good."
It's not just On Tae-yang to watch.
Eun-ha decided to hear the results of entrusting Jo A-ra to his friends.
Then Seo-na who turned her body in the front row told him about what happened in the morning.
Overall, it didn't seem difficult to become close with Jo A-ra.
Though it seemed she tried to keep some distance, perhaps conscious of On Tae-yang.
"I'll keep entrusting Jo A-ra to you guys. The problem is On Tae-yang..."
Eun-ha turned his head and looked back at On Tae-yang sitting by the door.
31st grade students were now sitting around him.
Even looking from afar, it was noticeable that he was proactively leading the students.
His refreshing smile that drew people in was certainly no different from the smile he saw in his previous life.
A sunny smile like his name.
On Tae-yang's leadership is admirable.
I wouldn't have to worry even if I entrusted the party to On Tae-yang.
Of course his skills and personality are the best.
Eun-ha had On Tae-yang in mind for the sub-leader position in the party he planned to make in the future.
The problem is that his sunny and cheerful personality doesn't shine towards Eun-ha.
How can I really change him...
Was it because he was staring too obviously?
His eyes met On Tae-yang's.
On Tae-yang who was conversing with 31st grade students turned his head away from him with a clearly displeased face.
Eun-ha who received another expression of rejection drooped his shoulders.
Then, the mermaid who poked her head out from the front row spoke while flapping the fins attached to the sides of her head─.
"─Why do you only care about On Tae-yang? Hmm, I see, I'm just a caught fish now, is that it? This makes me sad. Don't just pay attention to him, pay some attention to us too."
"What are you saying, a fish speaking human words. But when have I ever not paid attention to you guys?"
"You only paid attention to Tae-yang and A-ra without asking what I did today. No Eun-ha, are you upset with me?"
"Okay, I'm sorry. I'll pay attention to you from now on too. Happy?"
Ariel playfully threw jabs in front of Eun-ha.
Eun-ha shrugged his shoulders without even blinking.
Then, triangular ears suddenly popped out beside Ariel.
"─It's useless. It's easier to give up."
"Huh? What are you saying?"
The fox cleared her throat and continued.
"Eun-ha doesn't pay attention to fish caught in his fishing grounds."
"You're ly..."
""""It's not entirely wrong.""""
"..."
It was truly a novel fox sound.
Eun-ha became dumbfounded seeing his friends all nodding their heads.