572
[Chapter 154]
[One Day at a Time (3)]
The second Elixir was in the process of being made.
But On Taeyang's mother passed away.
So... it ends up like this after all.
While heading to the funeral hall the day after receiving a call from On Taehee,
Eunha was lost in thought.
He had expected this to some extent.
From the day Eunha handed over the Elixir to Lee Yoojung,
On Taeyang's mother's condition had only been getting worse.
When he last saw her, honestly, it wouldn't have been strange if she died at any time.
So when he heard the news of On Taeyang's mother's death─
─I have... no regrets.
He didn't show much reaction.
Because he had resigned himself to some degree.
It was something he had been prepared for since deciding to save Lee Yoojung.
She was more precious to him.
Therefore, he would make the same choice even if he went back several times.
Meanwhile, they arrived at the funeral hall.
"Pipi..."
"Let's go."
People wearing black mourning clothes.
Eunha looked at the building that seemed to have a gloomy atmosphere for a while before moving his feet.
Finding the mortuary wasn't difficult.
Jo Ara had sent a detailed message in advance.
From what he heard, it seemed Jo Ara was currently assisting On Taeyang and On Taehee at the mortuary.
─Is this it?
Going down to the basement,
Eunha found the mortuary.
At the entrance were wreaths from Dangun Group at the forefront, followed by Player Academy, Sirius Group, Alice Group, and Luminous Group.
Wreaths that naturally stood out compared to those at other mortuaries on the same floor.
They were markers showing what kind of relationships the deceased had before passing away.
...There's no one here.
But unlike the brilliant front,
There weren't many people in the mortuary.
Even those were just staff in the kitchen.
The emptiness felt greater because it was a spacious area that could accommodate many people.
"Ah, Eunha. You came?"
"Oh, Ara."
Jo Ara was receiving condolence money at the front of the mortuary.
He exchanged light greetings with her wearing black clothes.
Ara welcomed his arrival and even held his hand.
"I'm really glad you came. Even without that, the atmosphere is like this and not many people are coming so it was a bit..."
"Not many came?" "Actually there weren't many people who could come... So when Taehee said the mortuary was too big and we should use a smaller one, Taeyang said he wanted to make mother's final journey grand..."
Jo Ara trailed off,
But Eunha could understand what she meant without her continuing.
He could fully understand On Taeyang's feelings.
But even so─
─It's too desolate like this.
The mortuary was too empty.
Though he understood the heart of honoring his mother, it only made her death feel shabby.
"Still, Hong Yehwa unni and people from Dangun Group came in a group this morning. I don't know if they came because of Taeyang or because of that Hong Yehwa unni person."
"But still, many came. No contact from the academy?"
Jo Ara seemed to have noticed Eunha's gaze looking at the empty mortuary.
She hastily added.
Eunha nodded.
Then since the topic came up, Eunha asked if academy students didn't come.
Taeyang had many people around him, so it seemed those kids could fill the empty spaces...
There were many students who hung out with On Taeyang at the academy.
Mostly students from high school academy.
Those who couldn't join any group's faction tended to move in groups as if flaunting their presence.
"Well... They did contact saying they would come if possible, but there's been no contact yet."
"Huh..."
"It seems some went down to the provinces... I don't think many will come."
Jo Ara sighed deeply then.
A tone with worry mixed in.
Eunha also couldn't hide his complicated feelings hearing Jo Ara's words.
Should I call the kids...
No. That wouldn't be right to the kids either... and just filling seats isn't everything.
Eunha even had such thoughts naturally.
But he shook his head inwardly.
His friends would come if he called, but he wondered what meaning there would be in having those who didn't particularly like On Taeyang fill the seats.
"But some kids he knew from before said they'd come tomorrow... It's not like there's no one at all, so it should be fine."
"That's good then. And I'll stay until the funeral procession ends too. Let me know if there's anything I can help with."
"Huh? No, you don't need to do that. How can you do that when you were just discharged? I'll just accept your thoughts."
"What are you saying when you're not even the chief mourner..."
"Anyway. There's really no need. I'm just grateful you came like this."
From when he heard the news of her death,
Eunha had decided to stay at the funeral hall while the funeral proceeded.
He had told his family at home before coming out.
It was Eunha's way of trying to fulfill his responsibility.
But Jo Ara who couldn't know that waved her hands with wide eyes.
"I'm doing this because I want to. Find me a place to sleep later."
"You can just sleep on the floor, what... Are you really going to stay up all night?" "This kid doesn't trust me."
"No, it's just... The more I see you, the stranger I think you are. Actually, there's no reason you need to go this far." "This kid doesn't know anything."
Jo Ara insisting it was fine.
Eunha approached her.
She looked up.
He spoke towards her eyes.
"I'm not doing this just because I don't want to see you and Taehee struggling alone."
"...Because of me?" "Because of you and On Taehee."
"Is that... true?" "Has this kid only been deceived..."
"Ow. Ugh."
"Anyway, know that."
For a moment Jo Ara's eyes sparkled brightly.
She let out a small exclamation.
He lightly hit the head of Jo Ara who was looking up at him as if in a daze.
"Okay. If you'll stay with us, of course I welcome it. Eh, I'll let it slide since it's you."
"What are you letting slide?"
"Let's share a room. It's small but it'll be warmer and more comfortable than sleeping in a place like this."
"I can just sleep on the floor..."
"Tsk, don't ignore my sincerity."
"Fine, whatever... Just don't snore."
"Ugh! I don't snore, okay?" "Last time I saw you wiping your nose on my clothes, you must snore a lot when sleeping."
"Fine, I'll prove it later so wait in the room. Hmph, you better not snore yourself."
Jo Ara pouting her lips.
Eunha ignored her and took off his shoes to go inside.
"Where's Taehee?"
"She's inside now."
"Okay."
"You comfort Taehee a lot."
Jo Ara stood on her tiptoes and whispered softly to Eunha.
She pushed his back.
Eunha who nodded quietly soon entered the room where the memorial altar was set up.
Immediately─
"─What right do you have to come here!?"
"Oppa!"
"Taeyang!"
"..."
On Taeyang shouted in an angry voice.
☆
On Taeyang's anger was understandable.
It was reasonable for him to show such strong hostility towards Eunha himself.
But even so─
"─Get out. Get out right now. I said get out!!"
"Oppa, why are you talking like that!? Eunha oppa came, you shouldn't treat him like this..."
"What? Like this? Hey, On Taehee. Did I tell you or not?"
"..."
"Stop it, you two! What are you doing in front of the mourners!?"
On Taeyang unleashed his anger towards Eunha in front of the mourners without hesitation.
As he revealed his hostility towards Eunha with fierce eyes,
Not only did the people in the mortuary stir, but even people from other mortuaries turned their gazes towards him.
"Who killed our mom!!"
"Kyaa!"
"Taehee!" """"..."""""
"On Taeyang..."
On Taeyang yelled.
Pushing aside On Taehee who was trying to stop him, he strode towards Eunha.
Thud.
On Taeyang stopped right in front of Eunha.
"Leave while I'm asking nicely... I'm holding back a lot right now." "..."
"I want to kill you in front of mom's portrait so badly. Don't ruin the atmosphere and just leave."
"Oppa!"
"On Taehee, you be quiet!"
On Taeyang threatening.
Behind him, On Taehee who got up from her seat with Ara's support was shouting at him.
Eunha just quietly watched this.
Then─
"─At least let me pay my respects." "I told you. Get lost."
Not caring about the eyes of people around,
On Taeyang grabbed Eunha's collar.
Eunha looked at him with a calm gaze.
"I understand you resent me, and I know I did something I should apologize to you for." "..."
"But I hope you'll let it slide just for today. We can't show such an unsightly scene in front of your mother."
"Who are you to talk about our mom..."
"Then are you going to beat me up here? That wouldn't be right. Can you cause a disturbance in a place like this?"
Eunha knew On Taeyang.
On Taeyang was someone who spared no effort for his family.
The anecdote of him creating the Elixir to save his mother in his previous life was proof of that.
So Eunha thought On Taeyang would back down at this point.
He thought so, but─
"─Those eyes again."
"..."
"I hated them from the first time I saw them! Those eyes that seem to be evaluating me...!"
On Taeyang's eyes flashed.
He growled, grinding his teeth.
Then he sneered.
"─Fine, I can do it. You think I can't do it!?"
""""...!!""""
On Taeyang whirled around.
He brought the sword that was standing to one side.
"Kyaaaah!" "Oppa what are you doing now!"
"On Taeyang! Are you crazy!?"
"Pipi!"
Regardless of people screaming,
On Taeyang unhesitatingly drew the sword from its scabbard.
With a scraping sound of metal against the scabbard,
He swung the sword roughly and suddenly pointed it at Eunha's nose.
"...What are you doing."
"What am I doing? It means I won't move according to your thoughts."
Nevertheless, Eunha didn't even blink at the sword wavering in front of his nose.
On Taeyang seemed displeased by this.
He said with a scrunched face.
"Last chance. If you don't want to get hurt... just leave."
"Pipi!"
"You stay still."
A tense situation.
On Taeyang threatening.
Fire Chicken flying over trying to protect Eunha's body.
Eunha tried to shake off Fire Chicken, not taking his eyes off the wavering sword in front of him.
Then rather─
"─Your sword."
"..."
"It's shaking now. If you're going to point it, point it straight."
"...!"
Noh Eunha boldly.
Gently grasping On Taeyang's sword, he took one more step towards him.
Now the sword was placed on Eunha's chest.
The two were in a position to look into each other's eyes very closely.
Eunha in On Taeyang's pupils.
On Taeyang in Eunha's pupils.
Their pupils were reflecting each other.
But while one side wavered greatly as if shaken─
"─Don't try to point a sword at someone when you're not even prepared to point a sword at a person."
"...Kuk...!"
"If this wasn't a funeral hall, you would have died just like that. Because I, unlike you, wouldn't hesitate." "...!"
Eunha's pupils didn't show any wavering.
He just calmly stared at the other person.
He didn't fear death.
No, he didn't think he would die by On Taeyang's hand in the first place.
Then he rolled his eyes.
Glancing at On Taeyang's sword.
"The sword looks nice." "...!" "But having a good sword and knowing how to use that sword properly are completely different things."
It was a sword full of superficial style.
It felt decorative.
It felt excessive for an academy student who wasn't even a Player yet to use.
Eunha took his eyes off the sword and advised him.
No, he mocked him indirectly.
Not stopping there─
"─I think I told you before. Kill that hot-tempered personality. If you're so desperate to die by my hand, formally request a duel. Then I'll just accept."
"...Noh Eunha...!"
"If you're going to swing, swing, and if you think I'll die hit by your sword. But I won't die to someone who doesn't even know how to swing a sword properly." "Eeek...!"
As if On Taeyang was threatening,
Eunha also threatened.
On Taeyang couldn't refute and just flushed red.
He knew it too.
That he couldn't win against him.
And that he couldn't harm a person.
So Eunha turned his back.
"Taehee, I want to pay respects to your mother."
"...Yes."
On Taehee with a worried face.
Eunha smiled gently at her and walked towards where her mother's portrait was.
Right at that moment.
"─Noh Eunhaaaa!!"
On Taeyang was finally swept up by impulse.
He raised the sword high above his head and rushed at Eunha.
People's screams burst out.
On Taehee called out urgently.
But Eunha didn't respond at all.
There was no need to.
─Chiiing!!
"...Kuk...!!"
A protective magic spread out in front of Eunha.
Jo Ara who exclaimed as soon as On Taeyang rushed in had deployed magic.
On Taeyang's sword couldn't properly damage Jo Ara's barrier.
In the end, it was proof that he hesitated until the last moment even though he was swept up by impulse.
"─What are you doing to Eunha."
"Ara, you... kheuk...!"
"Now you're determined to kill Eunha after all this!? Are you really human? How can you do this! Do you know how much I've endured until now!"
The situation reversed.
Jo Ara stepped forward.
Even without a device.
As if she had become aware of the power of the Gift
She deployed multiple types of magic simultaneously to surround On Taeyang.
""""..."""""
If she just gave the signal now.
The magic would activate immediately to intercept On Taeyang.
Jo Ara's momentary quick-wittedness ended the situation.
"I've endured and endured all this time. Even as you, Taeyang, gradually changed into someone I don't know, I thought at least the important parts wouldn't have changed."
"Ara, I..."
"I don't even want to hear your voice anymore!"
How could you do this, she said.
Jo Ara shouted with tears flowing.
On Taeyang dropped the sword from his hand at her voice shouting with anger mixed in until her throat tore.
He tried to explain something.
Jo Ara shook her head as if covering her ears.
"I... can't be with you anymore. You don't even care about me, and being with you isn't fun at all anymore. Now it's just horrible!!"
"..."
"Let's end our friendship," she said.
Waves rippled across On Taeyang's face.
"End our friendship... You're being too harsh..."
"I'm serious. Let's end it. I don't want to be involved with you anymore."
Her attitude was firm.
He couldn't say anything.
On Taeyang realized.
That he could no longer turn her heart back.
And she─
"─Apologize to Eunha." "...What?"
"Hurry up and apologize to Eunha!"
"..."
In a tone that couldn't forgive,
Jo Ara spoke forcefully.
On Taeyang's face turned pale.
His eyes turned to Eunha.
At that moment, Eunha─
"─Oppa, you're really not hurt anywhere, right? Right? Really?"
"I'm fine. You saw it too. Ara protected me." "But still... You never know." "I said I'm fine..."
"Ah..."
While Jo Ara was blocking On Taeyang,
On Taehee rushed to Eunha to check his condition.
Meanwhile, she didn't even glance at her brother On Taeyang.
She was busy worrying about the uninjured Eunha, stomping her feet.
On Taeyang was dumbfounded.
No, he was stunned.
"Taehee, how could you do this to me..."
Feeling betrayed by his younger sister.
On Taeyang muttered with an unbelieving face.
And hearing those words, On Taehee─
"─Apologize to Eunha oppa."
"..."
"You did wrong, oppa. So apologize, please."
As if her emotions were cut off.
The worried expression she showed Eunha was nowhere to be seen.
On Taehee urging with a cold face.
No, she was forcing him.
"Why, how..."
""""..."""""
His sister clinging to Noh Eunha.
His childhood friend stepping forward to protect Noh Eunha.
On Taeyang couldn't understand this situation at all.
He couldn't believe it.
Why, how.
Why are you by his side!
The people who should be on his side.
Were by Noh Eunha's side, not his.
On Taeyang felt like something was crumbling.
His world collapsed.
Nevertheless─
""─Apologize.""
"..."
The two who had turned their hearts to him.
Now paid no attention to On Taeyang at all.
That made him miserable.
Above all─
"─I'm... sorry..."
In front of everyone watching.
The situation of kneeling and apologizing to the person he hated so much made his heart burn.
"─It's okay. I was harsh too."
"Noh Eunha! You're not hurt anywhere, right? Are you okay!?"
"You're saying that after protecting me?"
"Phew, thank goodness."
"Unni, you're not hurt anywhere, right?"
From that day until the day of the funeral procession.
No, from that day on.
Jo Ara and On Taehee consistently ignored On Taeyang completely.
☆
March of Seonryeok year 14.
Start of the first semester of high school academy 3rd year.
"─So Noh Eunha is here? Well... I wonder if it's worth monitoring him personally."