Vol 11 - 21

Perhaps everyone has their own body temperature.

I had thought this at some point. It was a thought that flashed briefly and then disappeared, something I had forgotten for a long time. But now that thought resurfaced.

There was a hand gently caressing my cheek.

I immediately recognized whose hand it was, thanks to the warmth I felt.

Ah…… it’s Ilay.

In the hazy fog of sleep, I vaguely thought so. My body, which had been stiff for a moment, suddenly remembered that familiar warmth and relaxed again.

His temperature was unmistakable. Ilay’s temperature was always recognizable, whether it was after he soaked in hot water or brushed off snow from his car with bare hands.

It was different from normal temperatures. Sometimes his hands were cold, sometimes they were warm. But there was always something unchanging about it. That’s how Jeong Taeui could recognize him.

The feel of his hands was the same.

Whether he was pressing hard, gently massaging, or just lightly brushing by, Taeui could always tell it was his hand.

So I didn’t need to open my eyes.

No, in fact, I didn’t want to open my eyes. I was incredibly tired and sleepy. I was exhausted as if my mind had completely shut down, so I didn’t want to move even a finger.

‘Tay…… are you dead?’

See, it’s definitely him.

Even without hearing the whisper, Jeong Taeui knew that only Ilay could say such a dreadful thing to someone who was sleeping.

‘—I’m not dead yet.’

I grumbled irritably. Even though I was too tired to lift my eyelids, I had to respond. Otherwise, Ilay might seriously think I was dead and go ahead and bury me.

A soft laugh suddenly rang out.

Then the hand touching my cheek pulled away, replaced by another warmth. It was a pair of slightly rough lips.

The lips slowly brushed across my cheek and moved to my lips.

A tongue gently licked at my gums, signaling for me to open my mouth.

‘—So sleepy.’

I frowned and muttered. But as soon as I opened my mouth to speak, the tongue slipped in quickly.

‘—I’m tired. I want to sleep. Let’s do this later.’

Though I was so tired that I didn’t want to move even a finger, I turned my head away in the end. But I stubbornly kept my eyes tightly shut, knowing that if I opened them, I would have to get up.

‘Go back to sleep, it’s okay.’

The lips pressed against me and whispered.

I could only grumble in frustration, but in the end, I sighed deeply.

‘—I’m really tired…… Do you even know how exhausted I’ve been today? You have no idea what’s happened since this morning…… My whole body is worn out, and my mind is completely drained……’

‘Yeah, yeah, I know, go back to sleep.’

Though Taeui continued to complain, the lips never stopped. On the contrary, the person seemed to find it amusing and let out a low chuckle, their breath brushing against Jeong Taeui's mouth.

‘—I’m really going to sleep, okay? If you start teasing me with lines like “I wonder if you could open your eyes” like you used to, I’ll be mad.’

The other person laughed again. ‘Yeah, sleep, rest up; you’ve had a long day.’ – They whispered gently, kissing Jeong Taeui's lips.

……Could this be someone else, not him? How could his voice be so gentle? It was a voice so gentle and sweet that Jeong Taeui rarely heard it.

But the voice was comforting. So I exhaled in contentment and softly sucked on the tongue sliding into my mouth.

The moving tongue stopped abruptly.

Though I found it strange, the wave of sleepiness surged over me like a tide, and my consciousness began to drift away, just like the ebb and flow of the tide.

Like a light turning on and off in a brief instant, Jeong Taeui suddenly thought: What’s happening?

I felt something licking my stomach and waist. Judging by the coolness on my skin, my clothes must have been removed at some point. It was obvious who had done it.

‘—What is this…… Can’t I just sleep? Huh?’

I grumbled irritably. The hand stroking my thigh touched my bare skin, indicating that I wasn’t wearing any clothes. It seemed I wasn’t wearing anything at all.

‘It’s okay, go to sleep.’

The voice whispered near my stomach and gradually lowered. ‘Uh uh.’ – As I furrowed my brow, wondering, something soft and wet took me into its mouth.

Uhm…… When Jeong Taeui moaned softly, the gentle voice spoke again.

As I grew more irritated, the gentle voice reassured me to relax and sleep peacefully, entrusting everything to that person. After a moment’s hesitation, I decided to follow the advice.

Just as the person had said, a pleasant sensation began to spread. It wasn’t the suffocating and anxious feeling I had vaguely feared, but rather a feeling of floating in warm water. Slowly, warmly, and pleasantly.

In the dreamy haze of sleep, I floated near the surface, then sank deep below, my consciousness rising and falling like the tide.

‘—So nice…….’

I muttered, and the man below me chuckled softly.

How long has it been? It didn’t seem like too long.

As my body floated and swayed in the pleasant waves, I gradually approached the light shimmering on the surface. Bit by bit, the speed of my approach increased until the light suddenly touched my eyes.

‘—Aaaah……!!’

A breath escaped me. At the same time, something surged from below, bringing a wave of pleasure. My body trembled instinctively and arched multiple times as the sensation exploded.

With that movement, the light that had been near and far suddenly became distant again. Only after that, in the peaceful silence, did Taeui suddenly think:

‘—…… Could it be…… no way……’

As I murmured each word, a low voice responded.

‘Tastes good.’

‘—Uh…… did you swallow it?’

‘Yes.’

That tone, as if it were no big deal, made me feel the person move as he stood up. I frowned, thinking: ‘Why did you swallow it?’ but before I could say anything, the person kissed me again.

‘Wait a minute, you swallowed it and then kissed me again, even though it’s mine…… No, it’s precisely because it’s mine that I don’t like it.’ – I frowned in displeasure. But despite that, the person continued kissing me multiple times.

‘Did you like it?’

It seemed he hadn’t heard my protest, so he asked again. I grumbled a few words in my mouth but then relaxed and responded: ‘Yes, it was comfortable.’

‘Really? Then this time, it’s my turn to enjoy it.’

‘—…… Saying that now seems a bit unreasonable, but I’m still so sleepy……’

‘Just sleep. I already told you, just go to sleep.’

Those lips kissed my eyelids lightly before pulling away.

For a moment, I intended to try to sit up, but the feeling of fatigue weighed heavily on me. As soon as my body was released, the sleepiness intensified even further.

‘—Alright, sorry, but I’ll go back to sleep. I’ll pay you back when I wake up.’

After saying that, Jeong Taeui took a deep breath.

A hand touched me, accompanied by a soft laugh. That hand guided me down to a sensitive area of the person’s body.

Soon, a thick and hot flesh met my hand. It was unusually warm, heavy, and limp, but as my fingers wrapped around and squeezed it, it began to stir.

The strong pulse in the palm of my hand grew faster. The large hand covering me began to move together.

That hot shaft quickly hardened and stood erect. Moreover, it swelled to the point where it couldn’t be fully held in one hand.

No matter what, it was too large to grasp with one hand…… But perhaps I could hold it all since the person’s hands were also big. Even in my drowsy state, I clearly felt the massive size in my hand.

Finally, when it had hardened to its limit and was nearing climax, the person suddenly let go of my hand. There was a rustling sound. Even in my sleepiness, I wondered what was happening, and the person gently removed my hand. Right after, there was the sound of something being lightly torn.

Ah, a condom.

……A condom? But why use a condom for this?

As I was still puzzled, the person lifted my legs and spread them wide, positioning himself between them.

‘—I…… I…… just want to sleep……’

Still half asleep, I whined like I was about to cry, and the person leaned down over me and whispered.

‘It’s okay. Just relax and take it easy. I’ll be gentle.’

‘—Couldn’t you wait until next time……?’

‘No.’

‘—……’

‘Not today, Tay. Today I absolutely need to feel that you’re really here…… Today, I thought my heart had stopped beating.’

Our chests pressed together. His breath brushed past my ear as the hot flesh pressed tightly against me below. Even in my drowsy state, I felt suffocated.

‘I never realized my heart was so weak.’

Perhaps because my body was sinking into sleep, thankfully, even though I felt a bit suffocated, it wasn’t to the point of being painful or uncomfortable enough to wake me up.

I swayed slightly, breathing heavily, and gently pulled my hips back. I moved lightly so that my body could accommodate me more comfortably.

‘—Yes. Your heart is never weak. It’s very strong.’

‘That’s right. But I thought it was about to shatter. I thought I might lose consciousness because it was breaking apart to the point of passing out.’

His voice grew deeper and huskier. The hand gripping Jeong Taeui’s waist tightened, and Taeui winced, letting out a groan, causing him to loosen his grip immediately.

‘—Hmm…… but look, you’re still fine. Everything’s okay.’

As soon as I said that, I regretted it a little. The man’s erection, resting inside me, began moving slowly, probing deeper into my body. I realized I might not be as “fine” as I had just claimed. Perhaps I should have said, ‘If you move too forcefully, I won’t be able to handle it and might just die.’

But it was too late to regret it now, and more importantly, this time the man was moving much more slowly and carefully than usual, so Taeui decided to stay silent.

Before long, the inside of my body became wet. I could feel the moisture seeping out, allowing the hard flesh inside me to move more easily.

My body was now truly accustomed to this man. A sigh escaped me, but I didn’t feel any discomfort.

Hearing the man continuously call my name in a deep, warm voice – ‘Tay, Tay’ – I clung tightly to him.

Even the rhythm of my body, trembling in sync with the man as he climaxed inside me, now felt as comfortable as a gently swaying cradle or the soft lapping of waves.

And when those vibrations ceased, I couldn’t resist following the powerful rhythm within myself one more time, letting the surge of emotions flood and overwhelm me.

**************

As soon as I opened my eyes, the wall clock came into view. It was just past five in the morning. Outside the window, it was still dimly dark.

This was the room where I had lived for many years, so familiar yet feeling strangely alien after being away for just a few weeks.

Perhaps after another day, I would be accustomed again and forget these thoughts, but I had to admit that human feelings are indeed difficult to understand and full of intrigue.

I looked around the room while still groggy from sleep, clearly feeling that I was indeed back in my own room in Berlin.

“…………Oh dear…………”

I grimaced. Just as I opened my eyes and began to regain consciousness, the headache I thought I had forgotten suddenly surged.

My head throbbed painfully. The situation was still bearable, but the sensation of oil flowing in my head instead of blood was extremely uncomfortable.

I knew that sleeping pills available on the market also caused nausea and headaches, let alone injecting drugs directly into the body. I just hoped that they would be the type without side effects.

While gently patting my head, I had to sigh once more: “Ouch……” once again.

Not just my head, but my lower back also throbbed painfully. Perhaps due to sleeping in the wrong position, I felt stiff.

“Um……?…… I had such a hard time in Dresden. Maybe when people relax, that’s when illnesses really strike……”

I mumbled as I got out of bed. Just as I stepped out, my back throbbed again, but I did not find it too difficult to walk normally.

“What’s this…… at this age, still having such strange dreams…… how embarrassing, it seems even the body follows the dreams……”

I scratched my head while scanning the empty bedroom and accidentally touched my groin area. Nothing unusual. I wondered if I was experiencing nocturnal emissions at my age, but it seemed not.

I didn’t remember clearly, just vaguely remembered, but had a dream too embarrassing to recount. Perhaps it was because I had slept in this bed many times or because I had thought of Ilay before falling asleep.

“Come on, Jeong Taeui…… don’t let your mind wander, focus.”

I shook my head vigorously and opened the door.

Although I had only slept for a few hours, I still felt quite alert. Although my head buzzed from the headache that came with waking up, and my lower back felt a bit painful, I still thought I could endure it.

Having just returned after a long absence, I thought I should spend some time observing the house, and I stepped into the living room. Just as I opened the door, I paused.

I thought Kyle was sleeping, but Kyle was sitting there.

“Oh……” – Jeong Taeui hesitated as Kyle looked up from the newspaper on the sofa.

“Up early, huh? Go back to sleep. You must have only slept a few hours, right?”

Kyle said while looking at the clock with a surprisingly alert face even though he was the one Jeong Taeui had disturbed in the middle of the previous night.

Oh dear, Kyle actually doesn’t sleep much. He usually gets up early to exercise and arrange his work for the new day before starting the day.

“I just woke up from a nap so I feel refreshed. Any interesting news?”

I asked instead of greeting and looked at the newspaper being flipped in the other person’s hand, and sat down in front of him. Kyle flipped the last page of the newspaper and shook his head.

“Fortunately, there’s no significant news yet. It seems nothing has happened yet – or he hasn’t been reported—.”

“…………”

Kyle’s answer wasn’t what I expected. But through that, I could see the complex hardships in Kyle’s stormy life as a brother to Ilay.

I scratched my head and mumbled: “Right……”

Thinking back, just at yesterday’s scene alone, there were a few dead. If those with broken necks didn’t come back to life, then there would be at least four people according to Jeong Taeui’s vague memory. What happened after that, no one knows.

“There must have been some intervention before the news was released…… or not, depending on the opponent.”

I pondered, recalling the time I was introduced in the media as a terrorist, and mumbled sadly.

Yes, since then, I had been confined within the fences of this house…… I thought somewhat exaggeratedly and looked out the living room window, suddenly startled.

In the dim dawn, a man was standing outside in the garden.

It was Christoph. He was sitting under a banyan tree that Peter had lovingly cared for last night, looking this way in a dazed manner.

He was completely dazed, paying no attention to anything, and suddenly, when his gaze met another’s, Taeui was startled and involuntarily swallowed, causing Kyle to look back in surprise. After seeing Christoph, Kyle turned his head this way and said – “Ah.”

“The boy woke up earlier than me. When I stepped out, he was already sitting alone on the sofa in the dark. I was also startled to see something moving in the dark……”

“It seems like he didn’t sleep much……” – Kyle added while Taeui and Christoph looked at each other as if in a staring contest.

Christoph wasn’t exactly looking at Taeui but seemed to be just directing his gaze this way. Christoph tilted his head in confusion. Jeong Taeui smiled lightly and waved gently.

“He must be tired…… Since he started helping Richard, he has been busy every day. Perhaps he can’t sleep when he changes his sleeping place.”

“Haizz still sensitive as ever.” – Kyle muttered and picked up a newspaper from another news outlet. One might think that having to read up to seven newspapers every morning would be difficult, but Kyle seemed not to take much time and still read smoothly.

Vol 11 - 22

I suddenly turned my head to look at Kyle. Although his face was normal, the expression of dissatisfaction was evident with a slight frown as he glanced at Christoph and then back at the newspaper. I smiled lightly.

“But you still like Christoph.”

“What me?!”

Kyle’s eyes widened, and he shouted. But then, seeing my wide grin to the point of curving my eyes, Kyle sighed.

“Beautiful.”

“………” – Taeui fell silent.

“Why?”

“Just a bit surprised.”

I shook my head. Ah, such a surprising reason. Throughout the years living with Kyle, he had never expressed likes or dislikes about others’ appearances. He could say someone is beautiful, but he had never said he liked them because they were beautiful.

“Really? Actually, no one knows, right? If you look closely, Christoph is also beautiful.”

Not sure if just a glance would tell that he is beautiful, but Kyle still added, seemingly trying to defend Christoph in front of a perplexed Taeui.

“He doesn’t know how to speak indirectly and sometimes is blunt with everyone, so at times he might make others uncomfortable, but if you just look, his simple mind indeed makes him look beautiful. It’s really easy to read his thoughts.”

Only after hearing this did I finally find it reasonable. I wondered if I was weak in German, but it seemed like the man was just using the language unusually.

“Is it like a younger brother much younger than me?”

“Exactly!” – Kyle nodded. Then it seemed like he suddenly thought of something and sighed.

“Such younger brothers eventually only give you a headache, whether it’s a blood brother or Christoph……”

Jeong Taeui laughed loudly.

“But it seems you still love Christoph more than the aloof Richard—a person who doesn’t give you a headache.”

“Oh no. Richard is also beautiful. I like him too. But he doesn’t make me worry. I don’t even feel restless. As a result, I probably worry about Christoph more…… Although my busy life almost doesn’t allow me to notice. But isn’t that too obvious?”

Kyle took off his glasses and asked me discreetly. He hoped it wasn’t too obvious. I shook my head.

“Not really obvious. But I just feel it.”

Although not entirely clear, sometimes I still felt it from the empathetic gaze or the subtle tone. Kyle seemed like a big brother worriedly watching his younger brother walk on a shaky path.

“Is that so…… But I also like you, Tay. You're beautiful too.”

I was instantly surprised by the praise I had never heard before, and suddenly felt like I was eating honey. But then I smiled shyly and said: “I like you too.”

Kyle truly loved everyone. He not only liked people in the literal sense but also had a sincere affection for each person around him discreetly. He wasn’t overly friendly with kind people, but he was always ready to help those who needed his assistance.

A person who has always lived a happy life. That’s why Jeong Taeui liked him. Although it felt completely different from Jeong Jaeui, now he was like a big brother to Jeong Taeui.

It seemed unknown that the confessions were overflowing as Christoph stood up from behind the glass looking at Taeui and Kyle chatting happily.

“Having fun?”

Christoph stepped in and plopped down next to Jeong Taeui with an unhappy face. He then picked a grape from the small fruit basket on the table and put it in his mouth.

“Um. Kyle said he likes me and said I’m beautiful.”

I chuckled and pointed to myself. Christoph chewed the grape in his mouth and then glanced at us both strangely.

“…….Really?……. Does Rick know?”

Christoph’s blunt tone carried a bit of vague worry as if he had just discovered a big secret that shouldn’t be known. He lowered his head and stared at the grapes seriously.

……Aha, so this is what’s called ‘beautiful.’

I laughed loudly. “I’m not sure.” – I whispered, and Christoph cautiously asked again.

“Do you like that?”

“Um——maybe I also like Kyle. Yes.”

I said with a smile in my eyes, and Christoph was still silent. But then he suddenly mumbled.

“But why not me?”

“……Huh?”

“Even if it’s not Rick, if it’s okay to like, then why not me? Why Kyle?”

Christoph’s gaze became sharp and fierce; suddenly, he stared at Kyle. Kyle’s eyes also widened.

“Look at that why am I— or rather, you—.”

This time Kyle looked at both with a very skeptical gaze.

Strange. How did it start as a joke and not end with a joke?

I licked my lips and waved my hands.

“No, no. I like you too. Just like I like Kyle. It’s completely different from liking Ilay. Oh?”

As I spoke, Christoph watched me intently for a while, then finally seemed to understand – but still not very happy – he mumbled “Um” and nodded.

Kyle rested his chin on his hand and frowned as he looked closely at Christoph and Taeui from every nook and cranny on their faces, then shrugged.

“Um, okay. Anyway, this isn’t a good topic to discuss for a long time. This joke, if dragged on, will become either awkward or boring. One of the two.”

I shrugged and nodded. As I tried to change the topic as usual, a short silence passed.

“Do people usually say such words when they are close to each other?”

Christoph asked with a puzzled face, and Kyle looked at him with slightly furrowed eyebrows as if trying to remember.

“No, actually, if they are close, they seldom say that. For example, in a family, people usually don’t say such words. Right?”

“It’s roughly like that, I guess. I also seldom say such words to my brother.”

I also recalled memories while speaking. I couldn’t remember much about the long time living with those considered family. But even when thinking about friends and colleagues from school days, saying ‘I like you.’ wasn’t a common thing.

“Yeah, that’s why it’s easy to cause misunderstandings.”

I smiled and shrugged. The words just now were just a joke, not because of the subject but because the way of conveying the meaning of the sentence could easily be misunderstood, leading to chaotic situations I had witnessed a few times. It was one of the most easily miscommunicated sentences.

Suddenly, Christoph’s gaze met Taeui’s.

It was unclear what Christoph was thinking; his blue eyes didn’t blink as he looked at Taeui. It seemed like something flashed in those eyes.

Finally, he seemed to want to join the conversation and whispered: “Right, I’ve never said those words to my family.”

It seemed obvious. The carefree words were blurted out.

The smile on Taeui’s face faded momentarily.

I wanted to say that it wasn’t like that, not like that, but I couldn’t utter it.

It wasn’t that those words were never to be said. People don’t say them because they assume they are understood without being heard. If they can’t be felt without saying, then those are the words that need to be said.

When I suddenly fell silent, Christoph looked at me in surprise. I awkwardly replied vaguely: “Well, uh……nothing.”

“By the way, a few days ago, when talking on the phone with Changin, the conversation about your brother was mentioned. They asked for your phone number.”

At that moment, Kyle naturally changed the topic of the conversation.

“Ah…… yes. There was a phone call.”

I followed the new thread of the topic. However, a corner of my heart still ached. Perhaps because Christoph seemed too normal, the emotions became even more complex.

“Alright. They said they are coming to Germany soon. Do you plan to meet?”

“Ah. No. I’ll just stay in Berlin. With a situation like this, it seems difficult to meet……”

I hesitated after pausing, and at the same time, Kyle looked at me while my mouth stiffened for a few seconds.

“……might not meet. Because he wants to meet. As you know, things related to my brother always happen contrary to my wishes.”

Jeong Taeui smiled bitterly.

Perhaps by now, my brother had forgotten the desire to meet me. Or had given up on that intention and decided to meet next time. If so, we might not be able to meet at this time, but we can meet at a later time.

But in reality, whether to meet my brother or not doesn’t matter. The current situation is already like this.

“There’s a forum in Frankfurt at this time…… The omens seem unusual; I wonder if your brother is okay.”

To be precise, it’s not that the forum is happening at a dangerous time, but danger has appeared precisely when the forum is happening, but I slowly shook my head.

“The organization will take good care of him there; there’s nothing to worry about. Moreover, it’s Jeong Jay after all.”

“I’m not worried about my brother’s situation, but somehow it doesn’t seem too good.”

I rubbed my forehead.

If I knew nothing, perhaps it would have been better, but having heard some things, I couldn’t help but worry.

“If someone attending the forum is kidnapped, it will be a major issue.”

“Indeed, it would be huge. It’s not just any attendee; if the main character gets kidnapped, then what more is there to say?”

As I muttered, Kyle nodded immediately without hesitation. However, as I sighed and groaned, Kyle seemed to want to soothe my worries and added:

“But in this situation, the abduction itself is the problem. Jeong Jay currently has a clear affiliation. And you’ve been with UNHRDO yourself—you know how it is.”

I nodded. Regarding that, I had argued that the idea of kidnapping was nonsensical. The organization that Jeong Jaeui is currently working with has a training program almost at a military level. If he is protected by such a group of people, unless he steps out voluntarily, kidnapping is impossible.

If one has to consider the possibility—

“If someone who understands the operational mechanisms stands out, it would be easy to find a loophole.”

Christoph said while chewing grapes, seeds and all.

That’s indeed the problem.

However capable one might be, taking someone out quietly is impossible, but if Ilay stands up, it’s not impossible to say.

……More terrifying than anything is if that person stands up without knowing what he would do to achieve his goals.

“But the contract with Rahman has been broken. Ilay won’t need to bring my brother forward anymore. So, I wonder what Rahman would do in this situation.”

I slowly tapped my chin, pondering.

Last night Richard said: They had gone to Frankfurt immediately after.

If kidnapping becomes infeasible, the only approach left is the conventional one. That is to meet face-to-face to get the desired response. While inside the headquarters of UNHRDO, the organization can completely prevent any external contact as it wishes, but once outside, the story changes. At least, face-to-face meetings are possible.

Meeting Jeong Jaeui is possible, but to extract his consent—

“If it were me, I’d target you.”

Christoph had responded as if he had seen through my thoughts. I frowned at Christoph and then ruffled my hair: “It’s indeed back to the starting point.”

After being caught up in a whirl and finally stopping, it all comes back to where it started. “If this continues, I might collapse before achieving any result,” Taeui sighed internally and muttered. As long as no specific situation occurs, any further speculation won’t continue.

“I wonder if Ilay is alright……”

While ruffling my hair as if trying to figure out a solution, and suddenly mumbling to myself, remembering the person who had nearly become the main character in the mentioned kidnapping.

Ilay wasn't someone to worry about like Jeong Jaeui, but the last image of him in my memory was of him collapsing and unconscious.

Luckily, whether it’s Rahman or Tarten, their ultimate target was not Ilay. Yet, on the other hand, for a man who has committed a series of brutal crimes to the extent that it’s unknown how many enemies he has at all times. Thus, it’s possible that while he was unconscious, the victim had managed to pull out a knife and strike.

“No news at all…… It’s really unsettling.”

I whispered so softly that it was almost inaudible, but because the living room was so quiet, it seemed as if the sound had been heard. Suddenly becoming alert again, I realized Kyle was quietly watching me. Kyle’s expressionless face merely blinked, making me slightly embarrassed, thinking I had said something wrong.

I looked at Kyle in surprise, and Kyle slightly raised his eyebrows looking up at the ceiling, then widened his eyes and shook his head: “No…… it seems there isn’t much to worry about.”

After speaking, Kyle shifted his gaze back to the newspaper. Beside him, Christoph was picking grapes and continued to mutter as if hearing everything.

“You worry about who you need to worry about. Someone who has been injected with Propofol to that extent yet can still run around and kill three people.”

“HUH, killed three people during the coronation ceremony?”

Kyle had only heard briefly about the general situation and the cause and effect but didn’t know the details, so he looked up from his newspaper and asked again.

“I haven’t verified it exactly…… quite possibly more.”

Although he had run away with the intention of severing all ties, since it was a family affair, Christoph spoke calmly to the point of surprise, making Kyle slowly hold his forehead. From what Christoph said, it seemed like the issue was bigger than just killing three people, talking about murder now was too late.

“But for Rick, that’s also enough to go mad.”

Christoph muttered while picking up grapes to eat. I looked at him with admiration as I saw Chris chew both the skin and seeds and replied: “Right?” Christoph frowned as if it were obvious.

“I’d go mad too. If someone who promised me stabs me in the back at a crucial moment.”

“Even though it’s not something pleasant, thinking about it, Ilay is even more of a surprise. I don’t think he’s the type to trust others easily.”

He thought that if one had signed a contract, one wouldn’t naively trust the content of the contract and the partner to the point of being blind. On the contrary, if someone is ready to strike from behind, then it’s worth mentioning.

“Ah…… right. You’ve never been here. You were only at UNHRDO for a short time before leaving.” – Christoph nodded as if he understood.

“It’s like your life hangs by a thread attached to a condition in the contract. Adding or omitting a word can decide whether you go to heaven or hell, not to mention if there’s a problem with the contract overall, then it’s not even worth mentioning. Here, unilaterally breaking a promise is taboo.”

Christoph spat out a grape stem from his mouth and glanced at Kyle.

Vol 11 - 23

Kyle was engrossed in the newspaper. It wasn’t clear whether he didn’t hear or pretended not to hear with an impassive face flipping through the newspaper. Christoph continued to speak after watching Kyle for a while.

“Moreover, when mentioning Riegrow and Tarten, it goes beyond the scope of trustworthiness and reliability. Even if Tarten turns his back on Riegrow to cooperate with someone else, it shouldn’t lead to him stabbing Riegrow.”

Moreover, given Rick’s temperament, he would also not think that he would be blatantly stabbed in the back like that. Christoph said this with a bit of melancholy emotion and then ended the succinct sentence.

"That is, they almost accepted any action from him, or let him do whatever he wanted, but still made sure to maintain their relationship with the Riegrow family."

“……The more I hear, the more ominous it sounds……”

I was still pulling at my hair, which was pinned up. I wanted to tear it out but thought better of not harming myself and let go.

“If that’s the case, then it can be concluded that Ilay’s position in this event is very important.”

I sighed and exaggeratedly spread my arms. But there was no answer to that statement.

“When we meet Richard, we’ll know.”

Kyle folded the newspaper and said.

As soon as that name was mentioned, the expression on Christoph’s face vanished. Taeui just glanced at him quietly.

“Um…… really want to have dinner together in this house?”

There are many reasons why facing each other directly seems difficult. At least even if the food is delicious, it’s hard to enjoy it.

But Kyle picked up the last newspaper and opened it and spoke calmly.

“Unless he definitely lets go of me first, I have no intention of letting go. And anyway, in this situation, the one who got ‘hurt’ is not Riegrow but Ilay himself.”

“And you know, it’s not always the guy who gets stabbed in the back like that which is truly extraordinary.” – Kyle added with a slightly pleased mischievous tone.

Thinking back to the times Ilay mentally tortured Kyle, I understood that the feeling was not just an illusion.

**************

Darkness fell over the face.

The intense red light shining above Christoph’s tightly closed eyes was obscured and turned blue. Christoph slowly opened his eyes.

“Oh, did I wake you?”

Jeong Taeui stood above him, holding a large bucket. It might just be a feeling, but there seemed to be a foul smell emanating from the bucket.

“What’s this bucket shaking in front of my face?”

Christoph spoke coldly. If released, the bucket would directly hit his face.

“Huh? Oh, it’s fertilizer. Peter told me to bring it here.”

“Because it’s made from natural ingredients, it stinks, right? But it’s natural.” – I added naively and grinned broadly. Christoph stared at me with a deadly gaze.

“If it’s natural fertilizer then……”

“Ah—what’s it called in German, um…… Kompost? Fertilizer?”

I shook my head and mumbled while searching for the right word as Christoph immediately moved aside and sat up.

“Are you shaking that thing right in my face?!”

“Ah, sorry. I thought you were sleeping.”

“Even if I was sleeping, don’t bring it too close!”

Christoph shouted angrily. “Yes, sir.” – I obediently put the bucket down next to me and sat down beside Christoph under the tree where Christoph had been lying. I seemed comfortable as I leaned my head against the trunk and closed my eyes while Christoph still stared intently at me.

“Like it?”

Christoph suddenly asked. I merely rolled my eyes at Christoph and replied succinctly: “Yeah.”

“Wow, you really like going into the forest in Dresden.”

Christoph nodded, murmuring, and suddenly Taeui burst out laughing. Christoph frowned, not understanding, and shook his head.

“The one who likes going into the forest is you. You ride horses almost every day. Even when the horse is injured and can’t be ridden, you still go.”

Jeong Taeui spoke while laughing. Christoph coldly shook his head.

“I don’t really like the forest that much. It’s just less crowded there, and I don’t have to face more people than in the manor.”

That place was always quiet and secluded.

During that time in Tarten when he was still struggling for the succession and his schedule was packed, he hardly had any rest. Among the few places he could find tranquility outside his bed, that was one place where he could be at peace alone.

“Really? Why is that? The forest is so beautiful. At least you don’t encounter many others there…… Oh, there was that time you met Richard.”

I hesitated as if it were odd. I seemed to remember something and added, making Christoph raise his eyebrows.

“It’s rare. He doesn’t often go there.”

Christoph said, and Jeong Taeui looked even more surprised.

“I thought he often walked there because he knew the path so well.”

“Ah…… it’s been a while since he’s been going regularly. Olivia likes walking in the forest.”

Her physical condition was weak, so she seldom walked in the forest, but when her health was good, she would occasionally sit and rest near the entrance to the forest. Christoph had seen her several times like that. And each time, Olivia always had a bright smile. Even though Richard just smiled lightly beside her, she didn't realize that Christoph was actually uncomfortable.

She always smiled. Every time Christoph saw her there, she was cheerful. No matter when.

——Does Olivia really like me? ……No, if it was me, it wouldn’t be like that.

Suddenly, a gentle yet malicious voice rang in his ear. It was a recently heard remark.

Beside Christoph in silence, Taeui looked up at the sky and whispered.

“Olivia…… sounds like Oliver. Then she’s also like Richard, right?”

Christoph was silent for a while then slowly said.

“Not exactly like Oliver, but enough to recognize that they are siblings……. And I hate that.”

He hates it. Not hate, but dislike. Although it wasn’t so, she was Richard’s sister and even looked like him. So he didn’t want to approach.

Not yet.

Every time Olivia saw Christoph from afar, she would happily approach. Always like that, without exception. So frequent it was strange.

“Even if I spend more time there just lying down than walking around, I still meet her more often than others. Every time she sees me, she approaches. So each time – or sometimes occasionally – I wondered. Why is that? Does she really like me?”

Christoph clamped his mouth shut.

In the end, those doubts would never be resolved. And now it could no longer be dealt with.

I tilted my head to look at Christoph then looked up at the sky.

“So…… maybe if you stayed longer, you’d also like Olivia.”

I spoke as if talking to myself and when Christoph looked at me in surprise, I just scratched my head and added.

“Usually thinking like that means it’s so.”

Christoph blinked: “I guess.” He murmured and tilted his head in thought for a while, but still couldn’t make sense of it.

He quietly watched Taeui for a while. After observing Taeui’s relaxed face leaning against the tree trunk for a long time, Christoph suddenly said.

“Jeong Taeui. I like you.”

I opened my eyes and looked at Christoph. I seemed confused and surprised and didn’t take my eyes off Christoph.

“…… I thought so, but now I’m not sure. I really……”

Christoph stopped midway and just stared intently at Jeong Taeui.

While the two were looking at each other, Taeui seemed embarrassed and was about to say something but just then.

“Are you two here together?”

The glass door leading to the living room opened, and Kyle stepped out.

He had been pulled away early to go to the company and had just returned, still in his suit. But right in front of them, he immediately stripped off his clothes and was left only in his underwear, then walked over and jumped into the swimming pool next to them. Along with the loud splash, water sprayed near where they were sitting.

After diving underwater for a while, Kyle suddenly surfaced, breathing heavily in a refreshing way, and wiped his dripping wet face with his palm.

After trying to wipe his face several times with his fingers, Kyle inadvertently caught Jeong Taeui’s gaze. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he exclaimed:

“Hey, Jeong Taeui, I remember Peter is waiting for you in the front garden. I think you were supposed to bring him fertilizer, right?”

“Oh? ……AH!”

Jeong Taeui, with a regretful expression, quickly stood up.

I grabbed the bucket I had set down, waved goodbye to Christoph hastily, and hurried away.

Christoph, who was sitting nearby, watched as Taeui’s figure disappeared behind the building. Meanwhile, Kyle swam back and forth a few more times in the pool, and finally, as if satisfied with his laps, let himself float on the water.

“If I think about it, it’s not surprising that you like Tay, considering your personality…… But Tay is off-limits. Ilay genuinely values him. Even though I see it every day, I still can’t believe it.”

While floating on the water, Kyle suddenly voiced his unexpected thoughts. Only then did Christoph turn his gaze from where Taeui had disappeared to look at him.

As if those simple words contained a vague worry. Kyle might have been concerned about whether Christoph and Rick would have a conflict, or perhaps he was feeling sympathy for Christoph.

“Why do you like Jeong Taeui?”

Christoph asked. Kyle squinted and smiled, unfazed by the unexpected question.

“Because he’s beautiful.”

“……”

“Huh?”

“……Nothing, nothing at all.”

Christoph widened his eyes at the brief response, then shook his head.

But upon reflecting once more, it made sense. That radiant beauty truly defied description.

“Indeed.” – After being convinced upon further thought, Christoph nodded to himself and asked again.

“Is that really so?”

“Yes.”

This time, the answer came immediately and without hesitation, leaving Christoph at a loss for words, so he remained silent.

How could one know? How could one understand such a thing?

Christoph stared at the man with wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, not from age but from smiling, and whispered. Yes, that was something easily said.

It could be easily spoken. Even if one didn’t think so or didn’t realize they didn’t think so, it could still be easily said.

It seemed Kyle also heard Christoph’s whispers.

Kyle turned his head to look at Christoph and then slowly stood up from the water. He jumped out of the pool and sat down seriously. Unexpectedly, he spoke with a serious tone.

“Have you ever thought that words have power?”

Christoph frowned and looked at Kyle with suspicion. He shook his head.

"I don't think so."

“If we hear something said to us repeatedly, we might start believing it without even realizing it. Depending on the circumstances, that can be a very scary thing.”

Christoph looked at Kyle with a strange expression. He couldn’t understand what Kyle was trying to say.

Kyle had always been like this for a long time. Ever since Christoph was very young, there were things about Kyle that Christoph couldn’t comprehend. Christoph couldn’t understand many things others said in general, but this was different.

Sometimes, when those of the same lineage ‘brothers’ gathered, most of them were friends around Christoph’s age. Among them, Christoph was one of the older ones, but Kyle was much older than Christoph. Among those of the same lineage, Kyle was the oldest. When Christoph first met him as a small child, Kyle was already a mature adult compared to the other peers.

Strangely, although Christoph was young and Kyle was clearly more mature than most adults, at some point, he became someone with careless and quirky habits. Perhaps Christoph’s childhood memories were mistaken.

One of those quirks was this. Sometimes he would say things that were hard to understand, leaving the listener puzzled as to what he was really implying.

Kyle wrinkled his wet eyebrows, blinked vaguely, and smiled faintly.

“That’s why important words should always be thought over many times before being spoken.”

“Important words.” – Christoph whispered in response. “Yes, important words.” – And Kyle, as if soothing a child, repeated after him.

Christoph stared at Kyle, then suddenly voiced thoughts that had crossed his mind a few times before.

“Kyle. I think that the older you get, the more childlike you become.”

Christoph’s words made Kyle blink in surprise with a puzzled expression.

“If I remember correctly, before I was even chosen as a successor candidate – back when you were still at the talent education facility – you were a mature person with sharp intellect and deep thinking, always admired by adults. A mature person full of willpower and wisdom…… To put it simply, you spoke little and often pondered, making you seem very composed.”

Kyle clutched his chest as if struck by a blow from the reminder of memories from over twenty years ago.

“Ah…… yes…… that was a shameful childhood…….”

“What made you change like this?”

Could it be the pressure of inheriting the family business, or having a relative with mental illness? While Christoph murmured such thoughts, Kyle only smiled bitterly.

“People really don’t know who they truly are until a certain point…… But why are you saying such heart-wrenching things now……?”

“You said to think carefully before speaking. I’ve thought about it several times.”

“No, no, Christoph…… that’s not what I meant…….”

Kyle lay down and rolled onto the grass, flipping over. As expected, his posture, lying on the ground with his knees in the water and his stomach on the grass, didn’t look like that of an adult at all.

“So, what is it? What are the important words that need to be thought over several times before being said?”

When Christoph asked, Kyle raised an eyebrow and grinned: “Hmm”, sinking into thought.

“Right, like these words. I like Tay. I also like Rita and Peter. And Ilay…… Ilay, I have to think a little more.”

Kyle suddenly looked gloomy as if darkness had clouded his mind.

“That guy is a heavy burden on my life. But to love such a burden requires continuous effort and practice.” – He whispered gloomily, and when his eyes met Christoph’s, he realized he was speaking nonsense and sighed. Then he smiled wearily.

Christoph looked enviously at the deep wrinkles at the corners of Kyle’s eyes. How could one smile so much that it created such wrinkles on their face? And Kyle suddenly smiled gently. Those wrinkles deepened.

“And Christoph, I like you too.”

Kyle’s words left Christoph expressionless. He stared at Kyle as if he had heard something very strange and entirely unexpected and slowly tilted his head.

“Me?”

Christoph blinked in surprise, and Kyle generously smiled and nodded. After a moment of thought, Christoph shook his head and replied uncertainly.

“I’m not sure.”

“Is that so? I thought you liked me too.”

When Kyle responded in surprise, Christoph didn’t think for too long before rolling his eyes and whispering to himself.

“That’s never going to happen.”

Christoph frowned slightly, but Kyle didn’t seem to care about his expression or the answer to his question: “Really?”, and laughed out loud.

“People don’t necessarily have to understand themselves.” – Kyle added, and those words sounded quite negative, but Christoph only looked at him with a strange expression.

Not knowing what to say. Somehow. Uncertain. But regardless.

Christoph lightly tapped his forehead, feeling a bit confused with the fragmented and unclear emotions that suddenly surfaced.