Short

A look of sudden fatigue appeared on Jung Bin's face. He seemed to have a lot to say, but he tried his best to come up with a moderate response.

"A secret meeting? Anyone who hears that might misunderstand."

"If it's not a secret meeting…"

The hand that was wrapped around Cha Eui-jae's shoulder tightened slightly.

"…then what could two people possibly be doing alone at this late hour?"

"…"

"Did you talk bad about me or something?"

Cha Eui-jae knew from experience that if he let this continue, Lee Sa-young would definitely lose his temper. He couldn't let that happen— he still had things to hear from Jung Bin! Urgently, Cha Eui-jae grabbed the hand that was wrapped around his shoulder. The black-gloved fingers flinched slightly. Cha Eui-jae, with difficulty, called out his name.

"Lee… Lee Sa-young?"

'Shit.'

His voice came out more strained than he expected. It was hard to act like usual after realizing that Lee Sa-young was the boy he had been looking for, and that he had kept the selfish promise even after coming back from the brink of death. All his past experience seemed useless in front of Lee Sa-young.

However, Lee Sa-young, who had been called by name, responded as if he had been waiting for it, moving his body slightly. He raised the corners of his lips like a satisfied cat and tilted his head.

"Mmm… Why?"

When Cha Eui-jae didn't respond, Lee Sa-young playfully tapped his shoulder with his gloved fingers.

"If you call me, you should say something, J."

"I contacted Jung Bin first because I had something to ask. So, stop talking nonsense… no."

As Cha Eui-jae tried to speak harshly as usual, the image of young Lee Sa-young lying bandaged up flashed before his eyes, and he trailed off awkwardly. Instead, he adjusted the mask that had been slightly lifted by the fingers that had slipped under it.

"Aha…"

Drawing out the last syllable, Lee Sa-young asked in a voice laced with amusement.

"Is it something you can't ask me?"

Cha Eui-jae had a lot to say about that. After all, who was it that always evaded questions like a slippery eel? Cha Eui-jae pinched Lee Sa-young's fingers tightly.

"You, damn it, you never answer when I ask. You think I don't notice how you always dodge the question?"

"Because it's something you don't need to know. And do you think Jung Bin would give you a straight answer? He's even better at dodging questions than I am."

"He gave me a good answer, though? We were close back in the day. We had camaraderie. Right?"

"Huh? Oh, yes, of course. We were comrades."

Caught off guard while watching the two of them talk, Jung Bin hastily answered. Lee Sa-young's voice dropped ominously.

"Oh… really?"

Jung Bin quickly changed the subject.

"By the way, Lee Sa-young-ssi, you arrived much sooner than expected. Were you nearby?"

"…"

Lee Sa-young narrowed his eyes instead of answering, as if to say, 'You think I'll fall for that weak trick?' At that moment, Cha Eui-jae quickly joined Jung Bin in asking.

"I'm curious about that too."

"…"

"Are you not going to answer?"

"…No."

Finally responding briefly, Lee Sa-young gestured behind him. Near the entrance to the playground, Cha Eui-jae noticed a familiar wooden door. He hadn't noticed it, overshadowed by Lee Sa-young's presence.

The owner of the door, Romantic Opener, was slumped on the seesaw, looking like a soaked sponge. His fingers twitched sporadically, as if to signal that he was still alive. Next to him, a squeaking sound echoed ominously.

"…"

The source of the sound was a pig-shaped spring rider. The flickering streetlight illuminated the bouncing rider and the person perched on it. The lenses of a pair of sunglasses glinted.

Perched precariously on the small, narrow rider, A Small Miracle Seo Min-gi bowed his head.

"Greetings, customer."

"…"

"Hmm, the spring seems to be rusty. I'll need to remove the rust and apply some lubricant. The streetlight is flickering too. It's not a suitable environment for the children who are the future of our country to play in."

Seo Min-gi jumped lightly off the rider, pulled out a nitrile glove and began inspecting the spring with a flashlight. The rusty spring creaked and groaned.

Cha Eui-jae looked down at his feet awkwardly. Though their shadows overlapped, they were still. Normally, shadows don't move on their own, but when Seo Min-gi was inside, the shadow would sometimes move differently from its owner. Jung Bin muttered.

"I knew you were in the shadow, but I didn't expect you to bring everyone along."

Both Jung Bin and Cha Eui-jae had noticed but pretended not to. Seo Min-gi replied earnestly.

"I was just watching. The Guild Leader dragged everyone here."

"Yeah, that's right."

Lee Sa-young chimed in casually.

"Not only were J and Jung Bin meeting secretly… they were talking about me."

'So you were pretending not to know while asking?'

"I was curious, so I just had to come… at this hour."

Lee Sa-young emphasized "this hour." Cha Eui-jae glanced sympathetically at Romantic Opener, who was slumped on the seesaw. The playground wasn't far from the Pado Guild building, close enough for hunters and even ordinary people to walk to. And yet, to get here quickly, Lee Sa-young had knocked someone out.

'Isn't that a waste of manpower…?'

"Blagh."

At that moment, Romantic Opener let out a groan and slumped further. The dark wooden door slowly disappeared. As the creaking of the rusty spring continued, Lee Sa-young leaned his head against Cha Eui-jae's, whispering softly.

"So… did you hear everything you were curious about?"

"…"

Cha Eui-jae didn't answer. Lee Sa-young didn't seem to expect one, as he turned his attention to Jung Bin.

"And you."

"Yes, Lee Sa-young-ssi."

"Weren't the details of my awakening classified? Since when did you start speaking so freely?"

"It is classified. However, I judged it was appropriate to tell J."

Standing up straight, Jung Bin met Lee Sa-young's gaze without flinching. He spoke firmly but gently.

"I'm in a position where I can make such discretionary decisions."

"…"

Lee Sa-young tilted his head skeptically. Jung Bin, with a soft smile, held his gaze. Finally, Lee Sa-young's eyes curved into a grin.

"Seeing the distance between you two… it seems my judgment wasn't wrong. You seem quite close. I don't know when, where, or how you became close."

"…"

The black hand on Cha Eui-jae's shoulder tightened. Jung Bin continued in a relaxed tone.

"Well, I'm sure there are things between you two that I'm not aware of, just as there are secrets you haven't told J."

"That's enough."

Lee Sa-young growled lowly. Jung Bin shrugged.

"But I've learned that having too many secrets isn't good. I'd recommend opening up a bit more."

"Why don't you just leave?"

"I was planning to. Well then… I believe your questions are answered."

Bzzz… a long vibration rang out. Jung Bin pulled out his phone, checked the screen, and let out a small sigh.

"…It seems you've created more work for me, Lee Sa-young."

Lee Sa-young replied coldly.

"You should be diligent. You're a public servant, after all."

"I was going to handle it anyway… Should I thank you?"

Jung Bin rubbed his face briefly before looking up to meet J's gaze. Lee Sa-young stepped forward, as if to shield J. Jung Bin smiled wryly but addressed Cha Eui-jae with a gentle tone.

"J."

"…"

"I should say this now."

Clearing his throat, Jung Bin spoke firmly.

"I'm really glad you're back."

"…"

"If you ever need anything, feel free to contact me. I'll do my best to cooperate."

It was the moment when a former comrade became a current one. Cha Eui-jae was about to say something when Lee Sa-young cut in coldly.

"That's enough. Leave."

"Yes, yes. I have to deal with the task Lee Sa-young has given me. I'll be off then."

Jung Bin bowed politely, then said goodbye to Romantic Opener, who was still slumped on the seesaw, and Seo Min-gi, who was still repairing the spring rider. As he left the playground, his figure seemed much stronger than the weary image Cha Eui-jae remembered from the past. His back looked far more resolute.

After Jung Bin's presence had completely faded, Lee Sa-young spoke with a sullen face.

"Hyung…"

"Hmm?"

"I think you like me more than I thought."

"What?"

Cha Eui-jae stared at Lee Sa-young with wide eyes. Lee Sa-young grinned and reached out to adjust the black mask.

"I didn't expect you to contact Jung Bin right away…"