497

 [Chapter 136]

[Prelude to Love (6)]

A room with no lights on.

Yoon I-byeol was sitting on the bed with her legs pulled up.

"...It's too much."

Relying on the light from her smartphone.

She muttered words she had already repeated several times.

Her gaze remained fixed on the screen.

How... could you do this to me?

A sense of betrayal towards Jeong Ha-yang.

A sense of disappointment towards No Eunha.

She chewed on emotions that weighed heavily on her heart.

"..."

No Eunha with a sullen face and Jeong Ha-yang snuggled in his arms.

Yoon I-byeol sinks into negative emotions while looking at No Eunha's profile.

An abyss with no bottom, difficult to escape once you fall in.

The abyss eats away at her heart.

☆

Jeong Ha-yang's public confession.

The contract relationship that started from there.

Eunha had to receive congratulations from people around in a half-dazed state.

As a result, he suddenly turned 18, and January was coming to an end.

...Time passes so quickly.

It was a hectic 3 weeks.

Eunha still felt dazed.

It didn't feel real at all.

In a way, it was unavoidable.

Though he agreed to date Jeong Ha-yang—

—Nothing actually changed.

Before dating and after dating.

Eunha and Jeong Ha-yang spent their daily lives no different from usual.

Meeting just the two of them to eat, going to cafes, watching movies, going shopping, going out to other places, etc.

If anything changed, it was only that the number of times the two met increased.

Now that it's winter break, there's more free time.

I don't know how it will be when the semester starts.

However, even in the passing time without rest, Eunha clearly understood what he had to do.

Though he wasn't without the desire to spend comfortable days making Jeong Ha-yang happy like this, he had to suppress it.

He had to distance himself from Jeong Ha-yang.

"It's good this noona returned, but she thinks I'm free and tries to use me..."

Meanwhile, Han Seo-hyun returned to Korea.

Eunha who got in contact with Han Seo-hyun ended up revealing his thoughts of trying to distance himself from Ha-yang due to her probing questions.

Then she suddenly said to meet.

Thanks to that, Eunha had to postpone the date scheduled for today.

It's really fortunate Ha-yang didn't dislike it.

Though she seems a bit sulky...

Actually, there was no reason to be swayed by Han Seo-hyun to the point of canceling plans.

If only a major issue requiring meeting her hadn't occurred.

Eunha recalled the conversation he had with Han Seo-hyun a few days ago and sighed.

"So where is she?"

A cafe in Luminous Hotel, Jongno-gu.

Eunha looked around searching for her who sent a message saying she arrived first.

"—Over here."

"Ah..."

It didn't take long to find her.

She raised her hand to let him know her location, but.

Above all, her appearance naturally caught his eye.

It's like a halo is shining.

Meeting her after a long time, he unconsciously thought that.

"It's been a while. Have you been well?"

"...It's been a while."

A half-up hairstyle creating femininity.

And hair placed on her left shoulder.

Earrings sparkling in the light, making wandering gazes focus.

Eunha was momentarily stunned.

☆

Han Seo-hyun might get engaged to Choi Jung-hoon of Galaxy Group.

Eunha who heard the story from her was about to say it was nonsense then.

Because Sirius Group had been trying to surpass Galaxy Group all this time, so there was no way Sirius Group would suddenly join hands with Galaxy Group now.

But she—

"—There's no such thing as eternal enemies for people doing business. If it's mutually beneficial, making deals is our way as businesspeople."

"No, but suddenly joining hands with a group you've considered arch-enemies until now..."

"It makes sense. Isn't the benefit Sirius and Galaxy would gain by joining hands very clear?"

"Ugh..."

The alliance of Galaxy and Sirius.

If the two groups join hands, they would surely gain influence that could control the domestic economy.

Eunha couldn't refute after hearing directly from her what he had heard over the phone.

On the other hand, Han Seo-hyun was very leisurely enjoying the coffee aroma.

...This didn't happen in the previous life.

Well... I guess it can be said it's natural. In the previous life, Han Seo-yeon was the only direct descendant of Sirius Group.

Han Seo-yeon who had to manage a group wouldn't marry Choi Jung-hoon.

Eunha inwardly agonized.

He didn't want Galaxy Group to grow and grasp the national economy in its hands in the future.

He also didn't want a future where Galaxy Group and Sirius Group join hands to dominate this country.

It was a future that had to be stopped somehow.

Father said so too.

That there's talk at the top about Seo-hyun and Choi Jung-hoon needing to get engaged...

It's all... because of me.

A future that didn't exist before regression.

He thought this series of flows was because he changed the future.

A few months ago, Choi Jung-hoon was beaten by public opinion while killing his half-sister Choi Ga-in.

As a result, Choi Jung-hoon's fiancée turned her back on him.

Now Choi Jung-hoon is nothing more than a direct descendant reflecting at home without any authority.

Choi Jung-hoon has lost all power now.

So it's not incomprehensible that he's trying to regain lost power by joining hands with Sirius Group.

A very plausible situation.

Eunha had no choice but to take Han Seo-hyun's words at face value.

"And I've been engaged once before. Since Jung-hoon oppa broke off his engagement too, we each have one flaw so we're a good match, right?"

"...Jung-hoon oppa? You seem close with that person?"

"I've known him since childhood. And he's 3 years older than me, so what should I call him if not oppa?"

"..."

In a situation of getting engaged again.

Han Seo-hyun was taking an attitude as if it was someone else's business.

Rather, she seemed to be gladly accepting this situation.

So Eunha frowned.

Someone is worrying right now...

This noona isn't worried at all.

And what's with Jung-hoon oppa? Geez...

Jung-hoon oppa.

Somehow it's an unpleasant sound.

Eunha clicked his tongue.

Then she drank coffee while gently curving her eyes.

"It's fortunate. I had given up on the thought of easily getting married after breaking off an engagement once."

"...Didn't you tell me last time you didn't want to get married?"

"I don't want to in my heart, but I'm still Sirius' direct descendant. I can't just put my feelings first."

"..."

"So if I'm going to get married anyway, it's better to go to a match for me. What grounds do I have to refuse when my partner is Jung-hoon oppa?"

Unlike her words.

She's strangely relaxed.

Eunha stared intently at Han Seo-hyun crossing her legs the other way.

But she didn't seem to intend to answer his doubts.

She chuckles.

"Why. Do you dislike me getting engaged?"

"...Of course I dislike it if you dislike it."

"Does that mean you can congratulate me if I happen to like it?"

"..."

"Why are you silent?"

"...Do I have to give my opinion?"

"Pretending it's not while it's written all over your face that you dislike it."

"When did I?"

"I can see it all in my eyes."

Han Seo-hyun teases.

Eunha tightly closed his mouth.

He was annoyed that a pretty girl knows she's pretty.

But he can't get angry because she's pretty.

As if she noticed—

"—Are you looking at another woman when you have a girlfriend now?"

"What are you saying."

Han Seo-hyun leans her body forward.

She rests her chin on her hand and giggles.

Eunha retorted indifferently.

Nevertheless, Han Seo-hyun didn't withdraw her smile.

"Now tell me your story. I want to hear in detail too. How did you end up dating Ha-yang?"

"...It's as I said over the phone last time."

Han Seo-hyun asks in a gentle tone.

Eunha told the story of what happened as if it was no big deal.

Yoon I-byeol's confession, Jeong Ha-yang's public confession.

Then Han Seo-hyun softly exclaimed and sent an interested gaze.

Though Eunha who was actually in that situation then felt like dying.

Anyway, he said he chose Jeong Ha-yang on the spot.

"...It's unexpected. I thought you two would just keep having a crush on each other until you grew old and died."

"When did I have a crush?"

"Then you didn't?"

"..."

"Don't try to hide your feelings now. It's too unattractive if you keep insisting it's not true."

"...Fine, I had a crush. Happy?"

"Yes, anyway congratulations. I hope you have a happy love with Ha-yang."

"...Noona knows too. What I'm worrying about now..."

"If that's the case, you shouldn't have accepted the confession from the start. Keep talking."

Han Seo-hyun casually congratulated Eunha on his relationship.

He listened to her congratulations with a somewhat sour face.

Then her nonchalant words hit the mark.

But there were circumstances here too.

At that time, Eunha couldn't turn Alice Group into an enemy.

He didn't want to make Ha-yang a laughingstock to others either.

"...That's how it happened."

"Hmm... 1 year..."

Han Seo-hyun first revealed the circumstances she was in.

So Eunha also told her about the contract relationship.

There weren't many people who knew the content that he agreed to a contract relationship with Ha-yang.

Of course my family doesn't know.

The people who know are probably Min-ji, Seo-na, Eun-hyuk, Eun-woo, Min-ho.

I didn't tell Pa-rang hyung of course since he has a loose mouth.

Soo-bin is well...

Eunha slowly listed the names of people who knew about his situation.

Then he paused.

There was one more person.

Yoon I-byeol... was there too.

Yoon I-byeol.

Eunha murmured her name.

This time Eunha was aware that he hurt Yoon I-byeol by choosing Jeong Ha-yang instead of her.

In fact, Yoon I-byeol had been looking pale and lifeless since that day.

So he had no choice but to say.

'—I promised to date Ha-yang for 1 year. So I'm sorry but... can you postpone the answer until then?'

'...Okay. I'll wait...'

'I'm sorry.'

False hope without a set date.

Eunha ended up doing something terrible to recruit the .

As someone who had received advice from Eun-ah before, he couldn't help but feel complicated.

However, the wound she must have received surely couldn't be expressed with such emotions.

But at least I bought some time for now.

On the other hand, Eunha felt relieved.

He gained a 1 year grace period.

Within that time, persuade Yoon I-byeol's heart and recruit her as a proper party member.

It seemed it would be an incredibly difficult task, but.

There was no suitable method.

If he couldn't change Yoon I-byeol's heart still liking him after 1 year, he might not be able to recruit her to the party.

Just then—

"—I'd like you not to think about other women when you're with me."

"...Ah."

"I don't like being ignored. Whether the person you're thinking of now is Ha-yang or someone else."

"..."

"That's manners. Shouldn't you focus on the person in front of you when talking?"

"Sorry, I was wrong."

"It's fine if you know. Then look only at me now."

"Yes, yes."

He was scolded by Han Seo-hyun.

He apologized to her saying he was sorry and brought the now cold mug to his mouth.

"But Ha-yang's words aren't entirely wrong."

"What?"

"That you're a coward."

"..."

"By your logic, doesn't that mean players shouldn't make lovers?"

"When did I say that?"

"It's the same thing."

Han Seo-hyun uncrosses her legs.

Then she lightly taps his leg with her foot wearing shoes.

Eunha just made a sullen face at her playfulness happening under the table.

"You have something you're planning, and it seems hard to make time for dating if you carry it out. And you could get badly hurt too."

"That's right."

"So you'll just end up hurting Ha-yang. So it's better not to date."

"Yeah, that's right."

"Are you talking nonsense from being too blessed?"

"..."

"Do you think you're something special? Is the fate of humanity in your hands?"

The fate of humanity is in his hands.

Eunha couldn't say those words.

Because Han Seo-hyun obviously wouldn't believe it.

"It's still bullshit."

Even so, it doesn't matter.

Han Seo-hyun mocks Eunha with words she doesn't usually use.

"I think a world where the fate of humanity hangs on just one person's hands deserves to be destroyed."

"..."

"If you're not there, someone else can do it. Throughout history, the world has developed and declined like that, and that's an absolute truth that won't change even after the world is destroyed once."

Han Seo-hyun snorts.

Eunha couldn't refute.

Her words were right.

Eunha also didn't think he could change the future alone.

"Aren't you gathering party members because you know you can't do it alone?"

"...That's right."

"Then why are you trying to do everything alone? To use your favorite words, it's very inefficient."

"..."

"From my perspective, it's irrational. Didn't you say in Japan too? That you who have the power to influence the world shouldn't stubbornly cling to a subordinate's way of thinking."

"...I guess so."

He was attacked with his own logic.

Eunha had no choice but to nod at her words.

It was sound argument.

All her words were correct.

They were correct, but—

—Still, I can't.

Seo-hyun doesn't know how strong the enemies that will appear in the future are.

I can't make Ha-yang suffer.

Nevertheless, Eunha didn't try to change his mind.

Stubbornness, prejudice, obsession.

32 years of accumulated life made him that way.

Above all—

—I'm not confident.

To be honest with his feelings.

Eunha wasn't confident.

He was unconsciously aware that he was a person with a broken corner of his heart.

If others learned of his worn-out inner feelings, they would be shocked and run away.

And dating was precisely learning about the other person's inner feelings that he was averse to.

He was afraid and scared.

I'm not sure if I can do well, and I don't want to make Ha-yang cry.

So Eunha remained unchanged.

The decision made in his heart was firm.

That he would make Jeong Ha-yang's heart leave him while dating for 1 year.

"Okay, if that's how you

"Well, if that's really how you feel Eunha, there's nothing we can do."

As if it wasn't her business anyway.

Eventually Han Seo-hyun who observed his reaction readily backed off.

She calmly drinks her coffee.

Then she says—

"—But I could help you."

"What?"

"I mean making Ha-yang distance herself from you, Eunha."

"...How?"

Han Seo-hyun suddenly changes her expression completely.

He found her brightly smiling face very unfamiliar.

It seems like she has some scheme.

Nevertheless, Eunha couldn't help but ask.

Though he resolved to distance himself from Jeong Ha-yang, he couldn't think of how to actually do it.

Moreover, his friends were unconditionally taking Ha-yang's side in this situation.

"Listen carefully."

"Okay."

So he decided to listen to her advice.

Eunha sat up straight.

Han Seo-hyun giggled and said—

"—It's simple. You get engaged to me."

"...Huh...?"

No Eunha was dumbfounded.