Chapter 491 – Within Dreams (2)

– Frustrating Sigh –

It was Lee Si-heon’s nickname saved in Se-young’s KakaoTalk.

“Uh, thank you.”

Watching Lee Si-heon awkwardly expressing his gratitude, Se-young seemed to have sighed inwardly countless times.

How could someone live like such a pushover? In friendships and relationships with women, that man appeared consistent in his submissive demeanor… It was like observing a pitiful animal; sympathy came before affection.

“Ah, it’s just like our Baekgu back at the countryside home.”

An abandoned puppy drenched in rain or a cat limping due to an injured paw.

When she saw him unable to stand up for himself and taking responsibility for everything, he oddly became a person who drew her attention.

“Thank you so much.”
“……”

Is he really that tired?

Over several days, tasks were crammed into just one day, and this pattern repeated for weeks on end. No matter how physically strong someone might be, enduring such a strenuous workload would be nearly impossible. In this regard, one couldn’t help but admire Lee Si-heon’s mental fortitude.

“That’s enough.”

Until the handover, Si-heon seemed like a competent and sharp friend. He wasn’t a consultant… It was somewhat disappointing. Se-Young brushed her hair and shrugged.

“Please don’t work like this later on.”
“Ah, yes.”
“…And if you’re grateful.”

As it happened, this month’s living expenses were tight. Lee Se-Young’s motto was to receive as much as she gave, which was in stark contrast to this man who only gave.

“Buy me a meal or a drink.”
“Ah, yes. I can buy it for you anytime. When should I buy it? Haha.”

Awkward and foolish, Lee Si-heon smiled like a simpleton.

Look at this, it’s that puppy-like behavior again. You can’t help but smirk at the sight.

“Later.”

After exchanging greetings, they each went their separate ways, heading home from work. A silhouette trailed behind Se-Young’s back—it was Lee Se-Young, a wooden figure.

“Would you look at that?”
【Indeed, it’s unmistakably Se-Young.】
“Did you see his phone? Lee Si-heon is such a frustrating guy. Heh.”

Se-Young, who had somehow managed to snatch Se-Young’s phone, flicked it in her right hand before casually tucking it into her handbag.

It was astonishing. Who would have thought there would be someone so similar to oneself in this world? And in the same company, no less, with a senior-junior relationship that made it easy to get close.

“Hey.”

Se-Young, with a smile, watched the two with a wistful expression on her face.

“Maybe we really weren’t meant to be after all.”
【?】
“Why? What’s the reason?”
【You have a rather innocent side too, Se-Young.】
“What do you mean? There’s no one as romantic as me.”

I tried everything to save my dead boyfriend. How could you not fall for this and give up?
Se-young, her chest puffed out, smiled confidently.

【Rather than a typical feminine figure… It might be closer to the masculine side.】
“Are you an alpha? All that matters is happiness.”

That… is true.
Baekyang acknowledged it and smiled shyly.

【Happiness is all that matters.】
“And he has a surprisingly good personality.”

Was that self-praise? Baekyang looked at her face.
Se-young wore a bitter smile.

“I didn’t feel this way before. But in this world… I guess I’m not too ill-tempered.”

Se-young left her family, committed crimes, and struggled to survive.
Naturally, there is a difference between her and the ‘Se-young’ of this world. She shouldn’t feel undeserving because of it.
Baekyang observed Se-young. With a hint of regret, Se-young intently gazed at ‘Se-young’s back.

“I wish I could have properly… met like this. How wonderful that would have been.”

Se-Young and Si-heon’s first encounter was far from romantic or even normal; it was riddled with imperfections.

Let’s compare it to a story found in a book.
If only Si-heon and ‘Se-Young’ had shared a tender scene, as one might see in a heartwarming drama. Si-heon and Se-Young from the other world, however…

‘Greek Roman mythology.’
【 …Suddenly? 】

There’s something like that. Zeus seduced a woman, made her his wife, and somehow the relationship endured. Se-Young and Si-heon’s initial relationship evoked a similar feeling.

‘So, um, I wish I were more relaxed like him… If I hadn’t committed any crimes and met Si-heon as an academy teacher, we could have had an appropriate relationship…’

Se-Young murmured, her eyes glazed and unfocused. Baekyang, sensing something unusual in her sleep-talking demeanor, cried out.

【 Wait a moment! 】
‘…Why?’
【 Se-Young, your eyes were just unfocused. 】

Baekyang rejoiced.

【 I think I understand now. 】

This enticing dream was stirring the deeply rooted feelings of inferiority within Lee Se-Young.

-Like him.
-A suitable relationship.

The aspects Se-Young always lamented when reflecting on her relationship with Si-heon.

By amplifying those emotions…
Is the king’s power attempting to gnaw away at a person’s inner thoughts in this manner?

【I understand why you called it a sweet dream.】

I don’t know whether this space truly exists or not.
But one thing seemed clear: one must not become intoxicated by this dream.
However, Baekyang couldn’t help but stammer in response to Se-Young’s words, which had eventually trailed off.

‘What do you mean, gnawing at my inner thoughts?’
【…Pardon?】

A sense of disconnect was felt in her words as well.
It was due to the disappearance of the ‘doubt’ that she had adeptly nurtured by establishing the ‘Crow’ and interacting with all sorts of influential figures.

【Se-Young…?】
‘…It’s not an inferiority complex. I’m just observing. Can’t I even imagine it?’

Se-Young pursed her lips and clasped her hands together.

“It’s just… a small wish.”

Baekyang thought even that emotion was dangerous. If they were to succeed now, would Se-Young still feel the same way?

【 …I have nothing to say, but please be wary of your emotions. 】
“Understood, for now.”

Se-Young’s gaze was fixed on the back of ‘Se-Young’ as she headed towards the subway. It did not waver until ‘Se-Young’ disappeared from view.

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

I have a young and cute wife. A wife who acts affectionate, gives unwavering love, and thinks of her husband more than anyone else.

“Why are you looking at me so intently… Execution?”

Why am I… here right now? I reflect on each and every experience I’ve been through.

While investigating the light, I encountered Lee Se-Young, and while fleeing from her, I witnessed the light and was drawn into this dimension.

Due to my extremely hazy memories, I sometimes wonder if I originally belonged to this world, but I must resist that thought. I am not of this world.

“Excuse me.”

Heaven blushed as she hugged me, seemingly embarrassed. The feminine body of the girl in my arms had matured significantly since the last time I saw her. As she approached the age of maturity, her growth had accelerated, and her womanly curves had become more pronounced and pleasing to the eye.

Her scent was ripe and sweet. It was slightly sour like a peach, but it was all the more enticing. What tore at my heart even more was the fact that, even though it was a dream, I could hear the voice of my mentor once again.

– Whack!

“Ah! …An execution?”

I was already wrapped in a blanket, but somehow, I found myself holding Heaven tightly in my arms.

Overwhelmed with longing, I rubbed my face.
Though Cheondo appeared slightly taken aback, she glanced at my face for a moment and smiled joyously.

“Oh dear.”

Soon after, Cheondo reached out her arm and embraced me.
A blush like shy flower petals bloomed upon her cheeks.

“Execution… No, Gaga.”

She spoke, her arms wrapped around my chest.
Although she had grown, her delicate body still felt infinitely small to me.

“…Hello, did you sleep well?”

Her voice was lovely.
The girl’s timbre, blooming in the early morning, settled ever so gently upon my ears.

“I had an incredibly happy night.”

My excited heart began to calm.
It was cozy.
In the winter garden without an electric blanket, we laid between cotton quilts, resting our foreheads against each other and sharing our warmth for quite some time.

“Execution, were you happy?”

Perhaps, if such a future existed.

“I suppose so.”

Cheondo didn’t answer my words but responded with a smile.

“Good morning. Go on.”

She lifted the quilt and raised her body.

“What would be good for breakfast? I wonder if there are any leftovers from the food we had yesterday.”

*Swish!*

As Cheondo drew back the curtain-like fabric, the expansive landscape of Do-won came into view outside the window. I gazed at it, mesmerized, as if lost in a dream.

Do-won, the place we tried so hard to protect, seemed to overlap with the one that had crumbled in an instant.

In the middle of winter, snow piled up high, leaving a lasting impression on Do-won. We never got to see the winter we longed for, as, like all the trees, we wilted, unable to withstand the biting wind.

And yet, in such a place, a winter with warm snowflakes arrived, without any disaster befalling us.

‘…Indeed.’

If only I could have known of such a dreamlike space, how wonderful it would have been. As I took in the beauty surrounding me, I lay wrapped in a cotton quilt, lost in thought for a good while.

Suddenly, whoosh!
Cheondo, who had been stealthily approaching from behind, embraced me.
A massive cloth obscured my face. Upon closer inspection, it was a large towel.

“…Huh?”
“I’ll prepare the food soon. Go wash up first.”

Could this really be happening?

“Or do you want me to wash you?”
“…No. I’ll do it alone.”

I hesitated before getting up, took the towel that Cheondo had hung, and stepped into the washroom. Unlike the old Do-won, the water facilities and electricity were now perfect.

-Swoosh-

As the water cascaded down, I couldn’t help but doubt once more. The face reflected in the mirror was indeed mine.

I picked up a brand-new pink razor and trimmed my beard. After using peach-scented soap and shampoo to cleanse myself, I left the washroom, and the soft scent of home enveloped me.

I wondered about Cheondo’s cooking skills. As far as I knew, she wasn’t particularly talented in that department.

As I sat down at the table, lost in thought, Cheondo placed a bowl of well-cooked mushroom porridge before me.

‘Porridge.’

Such a typical Do-won dish.

“…Is it to your liking?”
“I haven’t tried it yet.”
“You still haven’t eaten?”

Asking while bringing his own portion of porridge, I answered, and he adorably pouted his lips. Honestly, I’m not sure what’s going on right now.

“Okay, open wide~”

Since I was still daydreaming, Cheondo placed a piece of jangjorim on a spoonful of porridge and fed it to me. I happily accepted the bite, making Cheondo giggle.

“Hehe, you’re so cute. Like a puppy.”

If it makes you happy, it makes me happy too. As I continued eating the porridge, I realized that Cheondo’s cooking skills were surprisingly good. It was a completely different level of culinary prowess from that of ‘Cheondo.’

“I’ll tell you what we need to do today. Listen while you eat.”
“…Alright.”
“First, this morning, with Do-won’s subordinate inspector… Secondly…”
“Cheondo.”

“Yes, Brother?”

It seemed that it was time to accept the situation.
Seeing her speaking so naturally, I decided it would be best to clarify a few things first.
First and foremost…

“Are we married?”

Heaven closed her mouth, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

“No, not yet…”

Not yet? Does that mean we’re engaged?
Heaven nodded her head in response to my question.

“…We’re supposed to do it in a month.”
“In a month.”
“That’s when my coming-of-age ceremony is. Until then… you’re my brother. But did you forget?”
“…I’m sorry.”

Heaven, with her sharp gaze, is intimidating even at a young age.
As I meekly apologized, she smiled once again. It’s frightening how a woman’s demeanor can change so quickly.

“So, Brother.”
“Yes?”
“This is the last month we can spend as siblings.”
“I suppose so.”

Heaven, who had been smiling, stopped eating and approached me.

As our faces drew closer, I felt a surge of inner tension. However, Heaven gently removed the sleep from my eyes. It must have been left there after a hasty washing.

Heaven spoke softly, close by.

“Let’s create wonderful memories together.”
“…”

Why did that make me so excited? Well, it was understandable.

I knew that Heaven had been quite fond of me during our childhood. Perhaps I hadn’t died in that war… and Do-won had also made an impressive comeback.

Despite the age difference, this was the realm of martial arts, and it was not uncommon for an old man and a young girl to marry.

“Hehe.”

How had Heaven become so cunning? She smiled, pleased that I was staring at her.

‘…For now, let’s stay like this.’

I couldn’t make sense of it, so I remained still. It seemed like a good idea to go through the day’s schedule as Heaven had suggested.

“Execution.”
“Hmm?”
“I say this every morning… You look fantastic today as well.”

Every morning.
It was a ferocious passion.