There had been quite a commotion, but I barely managed to pull myself together and get the situation under control.
“So, here’s the deal.”
I crossed my arms and glanced over, and there was AhnSol, kneeling with his head bowed.
I didn’t know where to look.
I’d thrown him a towel to cover himself, but it barely did the job—still barely concealing what shouldn’t be seen.
“Your story is that you came into the public bathhouse and found me there. You got startled and tried to leave, but after confirming I was asleep, you tried to sneak in, wash up, and leave quietly.”
That was AhnSol’s explanation.
Of course, it was a ridiculous excuse.
When I came to my senses, my face was buried in AhnSol’s most private place.
I’d calmed down, but my heart was still pounding.
“So you’re saying I suddenly attacked you and did that…?”
“Th-that’s not it!”
“Then what?”
“……”
AhnSol stubbornly denied it, then fell silent again.
If what I said was true, it was my fault, no matter what.
I’d owe him a hundred apologies.
But since it wasn’t true, I was at a loss.
I’d already checked the facts.
Activating my third eye, I could clearly read AhnSol’s thoughts.
He couldn’t lie by nature.
His restless expression and inability to say a word under questioning proved it.
And that wasn’t all.
Though it seemed unused, AhnSol even had an aphrodisiac.
How did he get hold of something I was keeping?
What on earth was he thinking?
Sigh.
I deactivated my third eye with a heavy breath.
“AhnSol.”
“Yes…”
I clenched the aphrodisiac I’d forcibly taken from him, and AhnSol bowed his head even lower, as if speechless.
“Do you know how dangerous this is?”
“I didn’t intend to use it…”
“Then why do you have it?”
“Just… as a charm…”
That didn’t really sound convincing.
Well, whatever.
At least there was no sign he’d used it.
But even if he had, the embarrassment wouldn’t fade.
My suspicions were right.
There had been times like this before, but back then, strange things happened openly and repeatedly, so I could stay on guard.
And each time, I’d just let it slide, treating it as a joke.
But this time, he’d crossed the line.
More than that, the flowers I’d thought were lilies and chrysanthemums in my dream…
They were no longer a harmless prank. It was beyond that—embarrassingly so.
I’d been feeling pleased that the day had been enjoyable thanks to that.
Now, I felt not just surprised, but betrayed.
“……”
So, what should I do?
In the stillness of the public bathhouse, only meaningless time flowed.
I was so dumbfounded I couldn’t figure out what to do.
Should I get properly angry?
“Hmm…”
I thought it over carefully, but strangely, I didn’t feel like getting mad.
If anything, I felt burdened.
Besides, AhnSol had done a lot for me.
There’s a saying that you should separate work from personal matters, but the trust AhnSol had built up was too great to just cut off coldly.
Part of me also felt responsible for having let things slide vaguely in the past whenever something like this happened.
Yeah, maybe giving him a chance was not a bad idea.
But this time, I’d make things clear.
“AhnSol.”
I deliberately lowered my voice, and his body trembled.
“To be honest, I never imagined you’d go this far just because of a dream…”
“……”
“But listen. There’s a limit to jokes.”
“……”
“Put yourself in my shoes. How would you feel if a stranger did the exact same thing to you?”
“……”
“It’s not just upsetting. Even if it’s a joke, this is way too much. Understand?”
“……”
“There are jokes you can accept, and jokes you can’t. This is clearly the latter.”
“……”
AhnSol kept his mouth shut the whole time, so my voice echoed alone in the bathhouse.
I didn’t want to push too hard, so I decided to end it at a reasonable point.
“Anyway, you know you were wrong, right?”
My voice rose slightly, wanting to hear him say it.
AhnSol still kept his head bowed, hiding his expression.
But after a moment, he gave a faint nod.
Or at least, it looked like one.
“…Good.”
I exhaled the frustration that had been building in my chest and turned away.
I’d said all I needed to say; it was time to wrap this up.
Staying any longer would only make things awkward.
I wanted to get out of there as soon as possible.
“Let’s forget about today. I hope nothing like this ever happens again.”
I sighed—though I’d lost count of how many times by now—and started walking.
For some reason, my pace quickened, and the exit came into view in no time.
Then—
“No, it’s not like that.”
Just as I was about to step out, a timid voice caught my ankle.
“Huh?”
“No… I mean…”
No.
Though the subject was missing, I could guess what he was denying.
Suddenly, the weight of it all pressed down on me.
This can’t be happening.
“AhnSol?”
Before I knew it, I straightened up.
I’d just let him take the first step, but his denial was like setting fire to the bridge I’d just crossed.
“What did you just say?”
“……”
“Say it again. Look me in the eye.”
“……!”
I thought I was holding back, but even to my own ears, my tone sounded harsh.
Just enough to make me regret it.
Maybe that’s why.
AhnSol suddenly lifted his head, his face defiant.
But a second after locking eyes with me, his expression crumbled, and he bowed his head again.
Of course.
Though AhnSol was an exceptional user, he was still my disciple.
He couldn’t handle my energy.
How long had passed?
An awkward, uncomfortable silence stretched on.
I kept my mouth shut, waiting for him to speak.
Then, slowly, AhnSol’s stiff shoulders sagged.
“Fuuuu…”
It was only after what felt like ten hours but was probably ten minutes that I heard a long sigh.
Watching quietly, I saw his head slowly rise again.
Like a broken machine creaking, he finally met my gaze.
And then, he smiled.
“Yes…”
He definitely smiled.
“A joke…”
He spoke weakly, his expression pitiful as he forced a smile.
It was a far cry from the bright face I’d seen that morning—a strained, forced grin.
It made me uncomfortable for no reason.
“…It was.”
His faint voice trembled.
Thank goodness.
At last, I got the answer I wanted.
Yeah, that was a relief, but…
“AhnSol…”
Why did he look like that?
His mouth smiled, but his eyes didn’t.
His watery eyes looked like they could burst into tears any second.
His shoulders visibly trembled.
As if he was holding something back with all his might.
Seeing that, the fluttering, startled feeling in my chest suddenly cooled like a bucket of ice water.
Looking at his face, hearing his voice—
The resolve I’d held so tightly wavered, if only for a moment.
This isn’t right. This isn’t right…
“…Yeah.”
I immediately let go of my tension.
My mind suddenly clouded, but I forced a smile.
“So it really was a joke. Right?”
“…Yes…!”
AhnSol nodded vigorously, almost too much.
“A joke…”
His voice was strained, squeezed out desperately, a stark contrast to his bright expression.
“A joke…”
He continued, voice heavy with moist resignation.
“Really… ugh!”
Suddenly, he took a deep breath that pierced my ears.
“Really… sniff, sob…”
He tried hard to hold it in.
“Sorry… hic… hiii… ugh…”
But his trembling lips couldn’t finish the words, and he let out a sobbing moan.
“Sorry… huuuh… huuuh… ugh…”
Then, as if all at once, the sorrowful crying burst out, and the expression he’d been struggling to maintain crumbled instantly.
Hearing his anguished sobs, I was left speechless.
It felt like I’d been hit hard in the head with a hammer.
So why?
Why did I jump to calling it a joke and force him to answer that way?
No matter the situation, AhnSol’s true feelings might not have been a joke.
Why did I try to brush it off like before?
“……”
Maybe.
Maybe I already knew how AhnSol felt.
Not just today, but long before.
More precisely, since I heard AhnSol’s secret from Goyeonju.
Still, I thought I was the one who reached out first in that moment.
To avoid awkwardness after crossing the line.
To keep things like they were before.
But that wasn’t it.
I shouldn’t have done that.
I said I’d be clear, but deep down, I was no different from the past.
I tried to let it slide half-heartedly, as always.
In other words, I deceived him—and had been deceiving him.
I might have even taken his “It wasn’t a joke” seriously.
But I didn’t even allow that—I deceived him outright.
Just because it was burdensome.
Because I thought it’d be troublesome.
Facing that truth, I realized how cowardly I’d been.
I felt utterly ashamed.
AhnSol was on the floor, hands pressed down, sobbing uncontrollably.
I was at a loss for words, just opening and closing my mouth.
I’m truly sorry for turning away.
You’re such a good brother.
Even if not me, you could find a good man, right?
I already have many wives.
A flood of thoughts rushed through my mind.
But I couldn’t choose any of them.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
Dozens of memories flashed through my mind like rays of light.
Yeah.
That was Ansol.
“Oppa… please don’t leave me behind and go somewhere else, okay?”
“But Oppa is always so strong and kind. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what would’ve happened to me…”
In a world like Hall Plain, rife with betrayal and power struggles—
“I’ll do my best too. I’ll work so hard that Oppa will be truly satisfied… so please…”
“Oppa… what do you think of me…?”
More than any other user could compare.
“Angel-nim! Please, let Oppa win without getting hurt anymore…!”
“That’s right! Our Oppa is so strong!”
Foolishly fixated on just one person.
“It’ll be okay, I swear! I stake my luck on it!”
“Right? Oppa, my Oppa!”
And always watching over me.
That was Ansol.
So then—
What must she have felt, trapped in a situation where she couldn’t even speak her true feelings?
How miserable must she have been?
Thinking that way, I realized just how deeply hurt the words “I thought about it” could cut.
Though it was my doing, I was genuinely disgusted and couldn’t bear it.
In the end, I was the fool who let things get this far.
If only I had listened to her honestly and taken her seriously from the start.
At that moment, I felt the energy swirling around me drain away completely.
…In the end, there was only one choice left.
I hesitated for a moment, but then steeled myself and turned around.
I stepped closer and draped the towel I’d been holding over her.
Then, carefully and slowly, I began to wipe her down.
“Ah…”
Ansol couldn’t stop crying for a while, but soon, as if she realized what I was doing, she turned her head unsteadily.
“Oppa…”
Without a word, I kept working with my hands.
After thoroughly cleaning her and helping her straighten up, I caught a worried look in her eyes.
Then I smiled and lifted her up in my arms.
Like a princess being carried.
“Eh, eh?”
“Shall we get out of here first?”
Looking into her big, blinking eyes, I headed toward the bathhouse exit.
Outside, the air felt cool against my skin.
It cleared my head a little.
Though we were both barely dressed, the lobby was empty—probably because of the late hour.
Even with the towel covering her, Ansol kept shifting nervously, probably uncomfortable being suddenly exposed like this.
After pondering what to say for a long time, she finally spoke quietly.
“Do you still keep the teacups I drank from?”
I felt a sudden startled movement from the arms holding her.
I’d meant to break the awkward tension with that question, but it seemed I’d chosen poorly.
“Um…”
“Oppa…”
Another strange silence fell, and we both spoke at the same time.
“You go first.”
Quickly yielding, Ansol hesitated but then spoke.
“You… knew?”
“Yeah.”
“……”
“Sorry. For pushing you earlier.”
Her plump cheeks puffed out in a pout.
“I was upset. I thought Oppa hated me. That’s why you wouldn’t even let me bring it up…”
“That’s not true.”
“Then why did you run away earlier?”
“…I’m sorry.”
She added softly that she’d been so hurt.
That was all.
How much more do you have to toy with someone’s heart to be satisfied? If only I could curse at her, maybe I’d feel better.
But the look she gave me was full of trust and affection.
“I don’t like an Oppa who only thinks of me as his little sister…”
Her voice was cautious, still damp with emotion.
But I could tell how much courage it took to say that.
“But I hate it even more if Oppa only accepts me because I’m whining.”
Is that a threat?
Her cute protest made me smile without meaning to.
She wanted a clear answer, but I’d already given one earlier.
So instead of answering, I stopped on the stairs.
“How about you? What do you think?”
“Huh?”
“I could still turn things around now.”
“I—”
Suddenly, I felt her arms tighten firmly around my neck.
“I was the first to like Oppa.”
For Ansol, that was unusually resolute.
Of course, my answer just now was enough.
Honestly, until a moment ago, I’d been half sorry and half unwilling to betray her true feelings.
But now, it seemed clearer.
I flew up the stairs and stopped in front of Ansol’s room.
I set her down and, despite her bewilderment, gently pushed her inside.
She was a girl after all; she needed time to prepare.
Me too.
“Go in first. When you’re ready, call me.”
“W-wait. I’m fine…”
“And you know…”
“Hm?”
I whispered softly into her ear as she struggled to pull me inside.
Ansol gave me a very strange look but hesitantly disappeared into the room.
I leaned against the closed door and closed my eyes gently.
“Heh.”
A sudden, silly laugh escaped me.
What a ridiculous sight.
The clan lord standing naked in the hallway at midnight.
If anyone caught me, it wouldn’t end as just a simple disturbance…
But my worries were unfounded.
Less than five minutes later, I heard her calling me.
The door suddenly swung open.
Turning around, I saw Ansol dressed in the same clothes from that morning.
I was especially pleased to see she was wearing the sheer stockings I’d insisted on.
“C-come in… eek!”
I stepped inside as she let out a small scream and covered her face with her hands.
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Why now?
We’d already seen everything.
…Well, I guess now that she was dressed, the situation was finally sinking in.
Ansol quickly averted her eyes.
Ignoring that, I headed straight for the bed and plopped down.
Then I leisurely took in the room.
For a girl’s room, it was surprisingly neat and simple.
Just like Ansol.
“Y-you know, the things the older sisters said were true.”
Ansol cleared her throat softly and spoke.
Her voice sounded calmer now.
But she was still turned away, glancing nervously while repeatedly folding and unfolding her hands.
Cute, really.
“They said it took forever for them to confirm their feelings. Especially since they’d never met a guy as defensive as Oppa…”
“Who said that?”
“Soyoung unnie.”
“……”
No words.
“I think I’m starting to understand now.”
Ansol smiled faintly.
“Hm? What do you mean?”
Without thinking, I replied casually.
The stiff atmosphere eased, and my mischievous side surfaced again.
A playful grin crept onto my face.
“I think you’re misunderstanding something. I came here to scold you.”
“…Huh?”
“I said I came to scold you.”
“Eh? B-but earlier…!”
“Yeah, I did say that. But before that— you know your behavior today wasn’t exactly great, right?”
“W-well…”
Caught off guard, Ansol struggled to respond.
“If you did something wrong, you have to be punished first. We’ll talk after that.”
I said firmly on purpose, then flopped onto the bed.
I motioned at her with a nodding gesture.
What happened next was pretty adorable.
With a sulky face, still looking away, she hesitated but slowly approached.
“Get on the bed and stand over me.”
A question mark popped up over my head for the first time in a while, but Ansol obediently followed.
Swallowing hard.
I lay back on the bed while she stood with legs apart, looking down at me.
And with that embarrassed expression, I felt a stirring I hadn’t expected.
I took my time admiring her figure, clasped my hands behind my head, and spoke calmly.
“Good. Now it’s time for you to be punished.”
“Y-yes…”
Though I couldn’t hear it, Ansol’s face clearly said she thought this was unfair.
“Lift your skirt. With both hands.”
But the next moment, her eyes went wide.
“W-what?”
“Hm?”
“Y-your skirt?”
“Yeah, your skirt. What, don’t want to be punished?”
No fool would have failed to understand that.
“Ah, I mean… being punished…”
Her pale face flushed deeply, as if confirming my guess.
“N-no! I want to be punished.”
“Really? You sure about that?”
“Y-yes! Sol wants Oppa to punish her. I really want to be punished.”
“Alright then. Lift your skirt.”
Still, Ansol hesitated.
But I patiently waited.
This was fun in its own way.
Kind of like when I role-play with Nam Da-eun.
If she’d just whipped it up in one go, I’d have been surprised.
“Come on.”
I urged her softly.
“Y-yes… Oppa…”
Ansol answered sweetly, like a gentle lamb.
After a moment, her small white hands clumsily gripped the hem of her skirt and slowly lifted it up.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
I was sure the rent included internet, so I thought I just needed to bring the LAN cable and connect it myself. But it didn’t work, and I struggled a bit.
The landlord just ignored me, so I ended up calling a technician.
The speed’s a bit slow, but at least the internet’s working now. :)
I wanted to finish it somehow, but I think I’ll need to write one more chapter.
I’m truly sorry and feel awful for not keeping my promise. (__)
I swear, no matter what, I will finish the next chapter—even if the sky splits in two.
It’s been three days since I started living on my own, and I’m definitely realizing it’s no easy feat.
Above all, eating properly is the biggest challenge…
And most of all…
Dear readers,
I’ve really missed you. ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
Between living alone and being a returning student, I’m feeling seriously lonely. ㅜ.ㅠ