[Chapter 217]
[Establishment of Causality (3)]
Jean Valjean was Noh Eun-ha.
Im Baek-yeon was shocked when she learned this fact.
Even though she had her suspicions, when it actually became reality, it was hard for her to recover from the shock.
Give me back my first love...
So Im Baek-yeon locked herself in her room.
She hugged her legs tightly and buried her face in them.
A close friend she had been close to for six years.
A friend for whom she had developed romantic feelings.
She wanted to deny that person was Noh Eun-ha, who had established a harem.
Does that mean I've liked Noh Eun-ha oppa all this time?
Was I really thinking about confessing to a married oppa?
It was too frustrating and embarrassing.
At the same time, her face flushed with heat.
Noh Eun-ha = Jean Valjean = first love.
She was confused.
Ugh...
Why do those thoughts keep coming to me!?
As those descriptions popped into her head uncontrollably,
Im Baek-yeon couldn't just hate Noh Eun-ha.
She was annoyed that Noh Eun-ha hadn't told her anything, but that was as far as it went.
Rather, the exact reason why she locked herself in her room was─
─I don't know how to treat oppa.
That was the reason.
Her shame about herself outweighed her anger toward Noh Eun-ha.
I can't go out because I'm embarrassed.
All her actions and words towards Jean Valjean came flooding back, and she started hitting her pillow in frustration.
Moreover, memories spent with Jean Valjean began to overlap with Noh Eun-ha's image.
I liked Bal-jang, not Eun-ha oppa.
But Noh Eun-ha oppa is Jean Valjean, and Jean Valjean is Noh Eun-ha oppa, right?
Ugh...
Im Baek-yeon tried hard to see them as separate individuals.
She needed to completely separate them in her mind to be able to purely get angry at Eun-ha.
But she couldn't separate them.
Moreover─
"─Baek-yeon, I'm really sorry. I sincerely apologize."
It was Noh Eun-ha.
Even though she was intentionally ignoring and avoiding him, Noh Eun-ha persistently came to seek forgiveness.
Tonight was no different.
Noh Eun-ha apologized at the door.
Does that oppa have no pride?
How can the Pandora Clan Lord behave like that?
At first, it only felt unpleasant.
But as Noh Eun-ha's apologies continued, he started to seem pitiful instead.
Also, Noh Eun-ha was a
It was frustrating that such a person came every day to apologize in front of everyone else.
Before she knew it, he had established himself as a great hero in her heart.
While it felt nice that such a hero bowed his head, there was also a sense of dissatisfaction about it.
"If you're a hero, you should care about how others see you... If you keep this up, your hard-earned reputation will plummet."
Noh Eun-ha seemed pathetic.
He seemed so foolish.
As a result, Im Baek-yeon found herself caring about his reputation unexpectedly.
"Ugh..."
Im Baek-yeon pondered and pondered again.
Then she sighed deeply.
While thinking of her own feelings, she didn't want Noh Eun-ha to appear pathetic in front of others.
He can look pathetic in front of me.
But not in front of other people!
Im Baek-yeon steadied her mind.
Since Noh Eun-ha had been apologizing for several days and seemed drained because of her, she decided to forgive him.
Im Baek-yeon got up from her bed.
"Hmm... I hope I don't have any sleep crusts."
Im Baek-yeon stood in front of the mirror.
She didn't want to look disheveled.
After checking her face in the mirror, she walked towards the door.
"Ahem."
Clearing her throat.
She tried to set the mood.
She pretended to have an angry face as taught by Im Ga-eul.
Im Baek-yeon gently opened the door.
Peeking through the crack of the door, she spoke to Noh Eun-ha standing outside.
In a sulky tone.
"Don't make noise around others and come inside."
☆
For two long weeks,
Eun-ha repeatedly sought forgiveness from Im Baek-yeon's room.
People passing through the corridor would occasionally click their tongues after seeing him begging for forgiveness.
'What kind of clan lord...'
Mok Min-ho made an openly pathetic expression upon seeing that scene.
Then he flinched when he received a question from Eun-ha.
'But why are you here?'
'What?'
'Why did you come to the girls' dormitory at this hour?'
'...'
'You came to meet Eun-woo, didn't you? Go on, go.'
Mok Min-ho couldn't deny it.
Eun-ha sent him off with a knowing look.
As expected, Mok Min-ho had come to meet Cha Eun-woo.
'The clan is a mess. Should we really ban dating among members?'
It was like a dog covered in dung scolding a dog covered in straw.
In any case, Eun-ha decided he would use this moment someday when Mok Min-ho would scold him later.
Mok Min-ho, who follows rules well, probably wouldn't be able to say anything then.
Soon after, Eun-ha once again sought forgiveness from Im Baek-yeon who was still inside her room.
As two weeks passed by...
"Don't make noise around others and come inside."
Finally, his efforts paid off.
Baek-yeon told him to come in.
Eun-ha's face brightened instantly.
"Baek-yeon, I'm coming in."
When Baek-yeon opened the door for him,
Eun-ha immediately entered the room.
The room was dark.
He asked for permission and turned on the light.
"Please sit over there."
"Uh, okay."
"What do you want to drink? Water? Juice? Coffee?"
"...Give me coffee."
"Wait there."
For the first time in a while, their eyes met.
Of course, it was just for a moment.
As soon as their eyes met, she quickly turned away.
Still, it made Eun-ha happy.
Look at how her hair sways.
Baek-yeon turned on the coffee pot and rummaged through the cupboard.
Every time she moved, her twin braids tied with ribbons swayed.
They looked just like cat tails.
The sight of two pure white tails swaying was quite cute.
Eun-ha quietly watched as she brewed coffee for him.
"Why are you smiling?"
"I'm happy because I haven't seen you in a while."
"..."
Finally, Baek-yeon brought over the coffee.
With a sullen face, she asked him something.
Fortunately, it seemed like Baek-yeon's mood had improved somewhat.
So Eun-ha spoke honestly.
She didn't respond.
"I'm sorry for not telling you all this time. There's really no excuse for that. But I want you to know... I didn't do it to deceive you."
"I've heard that for two weeks."
Eun-ha lowered his head to Baek-yeon.
She let out a scoff.
Taking a sip of coffee, she sighed deeply.
"Stop bowing your head. How can the clan lord of an S-rank clan act like this towards a middle schooler? Don't you have any pride?"
Baek-yeon scolded him.
Eun-ha laughed at her tone that seemed to worry about him.
The pre-regression Baek-yeon used to be like that too.
At the same time, memories spent with pre-regression Baek-yeon flooded back.
Pre-regression Baek-yeon also valued Eun-ha's dignity.
Baek-yeon was still Baek-yeon.
"What does pride matter? If I can just apologize to you, that's what's important." "..."
"I don't need pride with you."
Eun-ha expressed his honest feelings.
The reason why Baek-yeon was angry at him was that he had deceived her.
So he thought it would be better to express his honest feelings even if he needed forgiveness.
Whether Eun-ha's thoughts worked or not,
Baek-yeon didn't get angry or curse at him when looking at him.
Instead, she just slightly avoided eye contact and covered her mouth with her teacup.
"You're really strange... Would you die if I told you to?"
"...If that's what you want. But please don't give such orders, thinking about my family."
"You're responding seriously to something I said jokingly... I won't say anything like that."
Baek-yeon scoffed.
Then suddenly she burst into laughter.
Though she tried late to manage her expression, it was already too late.
Everything had been revealed to Eun-ha.
"Are you done being angry now?"
"I don't know. I won't tell you."
"I'm sorry. I messed up." "What did you mess up?" "I deceived you using Jean Valjean..."
"That's enough, I don't want to hear it. I've heard enough over these past two weeks; I don't want to hear it again. Let's just say I've heard it." "So will you forgive me now?"
"Does someone called
"Why?" "Because I don't want you to hate me."
"Why?" "Well... I don't even know myself."
Of course, Eun-ha couldn't be completely honest with Baek-yeon.
To do so would mean talking about what happened before regression too.
So he mumbled instead.
Fortunately, Baek-yeon didn't seem interested in probing deeper.
"What's that supposed to mean? It's really strange. Why do you always act like this?"
"I don't know. What can I do if I like you?"
"Hmph, so that's why you watched over me?" "I have no excuse."
"You really did wrong, right? Are you sincere?"
"I am sincere. I promise."
"Then how will you apologize?"
"...Should I beg for forgiveness in front of everyone? On my knees. Or should I publicly announce that I tried to guard you as Jean Valjean?"
"Don't do that, really. Just try it." "Then what should I do? I'll do whatever you say, Baek-yeon." "Will you really do whatever I say?"
"Yes."
Baek-yeon tapped her foot.
She leaned over the table and asked if he was serious.
Eun-ha answered without hesitation.
"Then let's do this." "How?"
And suddenly.
She stood up and held out her pinky finger to Eun-ha.
It meant she wanted to make a promise.
Eun-ha eagerly intertwined his pinky with hers.
Her finger was shorter compared to his.
It was so thin and white.
He realized anew how small and delicate Baek-yeon was, someone he needed to protect.
Then Baek-yeon, finishing her thought, suddenly spoke.
"Next year when I enter high school." "When you enter?"
"I'll legally become a quasi-adult."
"That's right."
"Then I'll be able to drink alcohol with you and others."
"But alcohol is a bit early... You'd probably be weak to alcohol..."
"We won't know unless I try." "...Okay, let's say that's true. So?" "Then buy me alcohol. Before anyone else."
"You want me to buy you alcohol? Is that enough? Really?"
"Yes, I'll forgive you for that. Teach me well how to drink alcohol."
Unlike her dignified words.
Baek-yeon's proposal was quite modest.
Eun-ha blinked his eyes as he asked about her proposal again.
Finally, he burst into laughter.
"Alright, I'll buy you as much as you want. No, I'll buy you for life, so don't worry."
"Really? You promised."
"Yes, here, promise. Is this enough?"
"No, this is too weak. I want to record it by voice too."
"Okay, do as you like. So you forgive me now?"
"Okay, I'll forgive you. But if you deceive me one more time, then really..."
"...What will you do?" "I'll seek refuge with the Habaek Clan."
"Alright, I won't do it again. So please stay with the Pandora Clan."
That day, the two became even closer.
☆
As Choi Eun-hyeok left the Pandora Clan,
Jin Seo-na pretended to be calm on the outside and went about her daily life.
But clan members who had known her for a long time could tell she was feeling depressed.
Work, work, work.
And alcohol, alcohol, alcohol.
Jin Seo-na immersed herself in work and alcohol to avoid letting her thoughts wander even for a moment.
She might collapse later if this continues.
Eun-ha was concerned about Jin Seo-na's condition.
He had also received a request from Choi Eun-hyeok.
So once Im Baek-yeon's anger subsided, Eun-ha focused on Jin Seo-na.
"Fox, fox, what are you doing?"
"...What is it?"
"Did you sleep? Did you eat? What are you doing, what are you doing, puppy?" "Don't make fun of me."
Recently, he had been interacting with her more frequently.
Eun-ha was a Twelve Seat, and Jin Seo-na was currently the representative of the A-in Association.
As a result, they often attended meetings together to support people affected by Lilith's terror.
That day was no exception.
Eun-ha approached Jin Seo-na, who had returned to her seat after eating with the A-in Association people, and started playing with her ears.
"There are people around. Stop it."
"It's break time, so no one's paying attention to us, and there aren't many people here anyway."
"Stop annoying me."
"Lift your left ear, lower your right ear." "..."
"Lift both ears." "Shi..."
"Puppy, don't curse. Can't you see there are people here?"
"Do you really want to see me angry?"
"So, did you eat?"
"I did."
"What did you eat? Was it delicious eating with the A-in Association people without me?" "...Who did you eat with?"
"I ate with
"It must have been hard eating with them."
"But
"Oh, really? That's nice."
"Let's go eat there together next time."
"Me? With you?"
"Why? Don't you want to? I thought it would suit your taste."
"Hmm..."
"Honestly, you probably couldn't even taste the food properly while eating with those people. You know what?"
"What?" "You seem to have lost weight recently. Look, your cheeks have gotten much thinner."
"Ugh, don't touch me as you please."
With three wives,
And preparing for his fourth marriage,
Eun-ha had become quite adept at understanding women's language.
Just saying "don't touch me" once without showing any sign of dislike meant it was okay to touch.
Eun-ha, who had been touching her ears, slowly moved his hand down to caress her chin and cheeks.
His touch was like handling a puppy.
Jin Seo-na seemed reluctant but ultimately didn't reject his touch.
She quietly surrendered herself to his hands as if there was no other choice.
"So? Will you come eat with me?"
"Beef bone soup?" "Yeah."
"...Is it really delicious?"
"That's for you to find out when you go. Let's go together for lunch tomorrow."
"...Okay, let's do that."
Jin Seo-na couldn't resist Eun-ha.
After that, whenever Eun-ha attended meetings with her, he took care of her to the point of annoyance.
"Here, take this." "Candy? Where did you get it from?" "I took it from
"Hehe, thanks. I'll enjoy it."
One day, Eun-ha passed by her seat during break time.
He placed candy on top of the documents she was looking at before disappearing.
Jin Seo-na smiled slightly as she enjoyed the candy he gave her.
And then another day...
"Here."
"Ow!" "...Why are you giving Yu-ran to me?"
Jin Seo-na often stayed late working for the welfare of A-in members.
This day was no different.
Eun-ha visited her office.
Holding Noh Yu-ran in his arms.
"Hurry and hold her. Yu-ran is struggling." "Yu-ran, hello? It's Aunt Seo-na. Peek-a-boo! Are you not sleepy today?"
Jin Seo-na looked bewildered.
But she still smiled while holding Noh Yu-ran.
For someone who lived buried in work, the baby's smile was like magic that washed away all fatigue.
"Isn't she cute?"
"...She's cute. She resembles Ha-yang."
"Well, that's true."
"And there are parts that resemble you too."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, there are surprisingly some similarities with you. Anyway... she's really adorable. I wish I had a child like this..."
Jin Seo-na gave a bitter smile.
She also knew how to handle babies from taking care of Noh Yu-seong.
Noh Yu-ran stayed calm in her arms without throwing a tantrum.
Soon, Eun-ha rested his chin on top of her head.
Her triangular ears twitched.
She showed no particular reaction and just continued taking care of Noh Yu-ran.
"Don't just work all the time. Take care of Yu-ran sometimes from now on."
"What? Me?"
"Ha-yang is taking care of her now, but when she returns as a sub-lord later, she'll be very busy. It seems Ha-yang won't be able to take care of Yu-ran much." "So you're leaving her with me?"
"Yu-ran likes you too, and it's better than leaving her with a stranger." "But I'm a sub-lord too?"
"When Ha-yang returns, divide the work between you two appropriately. I'll appoint a new sub-lord soon."
Even without immersing herself in work, there were many things to do to avoid thinking about other matters.
Getting absorbed in something you like is best.
Hobbies were the best option.
But she thought hobbies were just a form of escape, so she didn't pay attention to them.
That's why she immersed herself in work.
So after much consideration, Eun-ha decided to gently suggest that she become Yu-ran's babysitter.
"I want you to be Yu-ran's babysitter. What do you think? Don't you like it? If you're okay with it, I'd like you to be a guardian who firmly supports her even after she grows up."
"Are you asking as the clan lord? Sigh, this is official business..." "I'm asking as a friend." "..."
"As one of your childhood friends."
Eun-ha moved away from her.
Then he reached out and played with her ears.
Jin Seo-na seemed lost in thought.
By now, Noh Yu-ran had fallen asleep peacefully in her arms.
Soon, she smiled.
"Okay, I'll be Yu-ran's babysitter. I want to see Yu-ran grow up closely too."
"Thank you."
Jin Seo-na smiled brightly.
Eun-ha felt relieved.
Taking care of Noh Yu-ran would help her gradually sort out her troubled feelings.
"I'll take good care of her like a mother."
What kind of influence this would have.
At that time, neither of them knew.