Chapter 17
That night, after Seo Do-gyeom and Seo-yeol had left, Baek I-hae lay alone in the hospital room, staring up at the ceiling and blinking slowly.
“Romance, huh….”
She had no idea how to get back home, and what if she ended up having to live here like this forever?
Seo Do-gyeom wasn’t someone she could think about rationally to begin with. Sure, he was handsome, but he was destined to become a dangerous gangster in the future, and he was fated to end up with the original story’s female lead.
That’s why she’d half-jokingly considered reeling in a sub-male lead or some decent guy if one showed up—that was the truth.
Then, a man named Baek Yeong had appeared before her. Handsome and incredibly kind.
‘He does have a bit of a frail, sickly vibe, but that actually adds to his charm. It’s not like being ill is his fault or anything.’
She wondered what it would feel like to date someone like that, and as the thought crossed her mind, Baek I-hae’s cheeks flushed red.
‘It would be nice if someone completely unrelated to the original story liked me.’
She knew it was a pointless wish. But she couldn’t help the flicker of hope that maybe he felt some affection for her too, and that’s why he’d waited.
‘I have to ask for his number tomorrow when I see him.’
With that thought, Baek I-hae closed her eyes.
In the dead of night, long after she’d fallen asleep, a status window flickered to life above her head.
[Main Quest Triggered!
‘Uncover Baek Yeong’s True Identity! Discern the intentions of Baek Yeong, who approached you while concealing his true nature.’
Success: Seo I-heum’s Trust +∞, Seo Do-gyeom’s Favorability +5, A Peaceful Everyday Life
Failure: Forced Activation of the Kidnapping Episode.]
[!Caution!
If the Kidnapping Episode occurs, it may lead directly to death.]
Unlike the dawn when it had blared loudly to warn of Chai Ryeong’s ambush, the status window didn’t make a fuss this time. It blinked faintly before fading away smoothly.
Above it, another status window materialized.
[!Notification!
For smoother story progression, if the status window is not checked immediately, it will be automatically deleted. The quest will proceed regardless of deletion.]
[!Notification!
For smoother story progression, your existing memories of the original game’s content and prior warnings related to the Baek Yeong faction will become hazy.]
“Mmm.”
Baek I-hae shifted in her sleep, rolling onto her side. As she lay facing the wall, the status window behind her began to melt downward, stretching long toward the floor like a dissolving trail.
Soon, it took on a human-like form, gazing down at the sleeping Baek I-hae.
[!Warning!
The player hopes that Baek I-hae’s death will serve as a stepping stone for the characters’ growth, leading to a happy ending.]
…In that happy ending, there was no place for Baek I-hae.
◇ ◇ ◇
Baek I-hae, oblivious to the dawn’s quest incident, hurriedly tidied her hair as morning arrived.
She even applied the lip gloss she’d secretly asked Seo-yeol to get for her, without Seo Do-gyeom knowing—it was a bonus touch.
Even bare-faced, her features were so strikingly beautiful that just adding a hint of color to her lips made her feel like her whole look came vividly to life.
I’m pretty, sure… but if we’re just talking faces, Baek Yeong oppa is even prettier, which is kind of frustrating.
Still, figuring it was better than going without, she felt her cheeks flush as she opened the hospital room door.
The organization member stationed at the entrance, now used to her excursions, wordlessly pressed the elevator button for her.
“You’re heading to the rooftop, right?”
“Yes! But why are you alone?”
“He said he was stepping out to the bathroom for a bit. Eh, he’ll find his way up to the rooftop on his own if we’re not around.”
That was true enough. Baek I-hae nodded agreeably and stepped into the elevator.
“I’ll be at the entrance, then. Call if you need anything.”
As she got off the elevator, she nodded to the organization member who, as always, took a seat on a nearby bench.
Her light, pattering footsteps carried her toward the garden. Soon, the warm sunlight revealed Baek Yeong sitting on a bench.
“Oppa!”
Baek Yeong looked up and responded to her greeting with a smile. It was the same gentle smile as ever.
Ha. How long has it been since I saw a real person’s smile! Stuck in that stoic household, being around someone this kind makes me feel healed.
Indeed, people needed affectionate souls by their side.
As Baek I-hae approached, the small courtesy of him shifting over to make room for her to sit beside him sent a flutter through her chest.
Yes, she had to admit it. Baek I-hae was feeling butterflies for this man named Baek Yeong.
“I have to be discharged this afternoon, so I came up to say goodbye. So, um… could I maybe get your contact info?”
She hoped their connection could continue a little longer.
Uncharacteristically nervous, she cautiously held out her phone, and Baek Yeong’s eyes widened in mild surprise before he broke into a smile.
“Of course. I’ll probably be here a while longer, but feel free to reach out anytime. I’ve really enjoyed the time we’ve spent together.”
He took the phone and pressed the numbers deliberately, each tap slow and clear in her vision.
Feeling the thrum of her racing heart, Baek I-hae stole a glance at him and asked,
“Then, once you’re out, let’s definitely meet up outside. Or I could come visit you here!”
“Sure, thanks. It really feels like I’ve gained a little sister—it’s nice.”
Baek Yeong seemed to find her quite endearing, sharing the same Baek surname and following him around so devotedly.
At first, he’d stuck to formal speech, but after her earnest pleas, he’d finally relented and dropped it. Thanks to that, the distance between them felt dramatically shorter, which left her deeply satisfied.
Whether it was simple fondness or something more romantic, she couldn’t say. Staring up at Baek Yeong with a dazed expression, Baek I-hae murmured without thinking,
“I actually have feelings for you, oppa.”
“…Huh?”
“Don’t pretend you didn’t hear! Honestly, with a face like that and acting so sweet—who wouldn’t get butterflies?”
“Uh, I-hae?”
For once, Baek Yeong’s smile vanished, replaced by a flustered look as he grabbed her shoulders to hold her back—she was inching closer by the second.
He seemed genuinely thrown by her bold momentum, as if she might pull him into a hug any moment.
“The bold one wins the beauty, they say!”
“I’m the beauty?”
“Obviously! Anyone would say you’re the clear winner between us two!”
Baek Yeong, momentarily rendered speechless by her utterly serious words, soon burst into laughter.
Seeing him bend at the waist as he laughed, Baek I-hae’s face flushed red, and she shouted in outrage.
“Oppa! How can you laugh like that at someone’s serious confession!”
“No, sorry. Your eyes do look serious, but the words were just too cute—I couldn’t help it.”
“Being called cute is an honor, sure! But really, I’m only letting it slide because it’s you, oppa.”
As she pouted her lips and grumbled, Baek Yeong’s hand reached out to stroke her hair.
“I’m grateful for the affection. But I don’t have any plans to date anyone just yet.”
“I don’t intend to force anything either. I just felt bad about meeting you with these ulterior motives, so I confessed. Honestly, it felt like it’d get found out pretty quickly anyway.”
Ulterior motives, huh.
Baek Yeong pressed down hard on the laughter threatening to erupt. Her intentions had been plain as day on her face.
‘Ah, damn. I was kinda hoping, but I got rejected flat out.’
Though she played it cool, Baek I-hae—who had secretly harbored some expectations—scratched the bridge of her nose in embarrassment.
Then she sprang up from her seat.
“Leaving already?”
“I’m being considerate since you must be flustered, oppa. I need to head down and pack my things, and later the kids from the same place are supposed to come by.”
“The family you mentioned you’re staying with and indebted to last time?”
Baek Yeong asked with a smile on his face, but there was something oddly subdued in his eyes.
Baek I-hae, who hadn’t caught that expression, nodded.
“Yeah. Originally, uncle was going to come this morning, but I told him it was fine since it seemed like it’d be a bother. Anyway, there’s someone driving me all the way home.”
“I see. That’s a shame—it would’ve been better for you if Seo I-heum had come instead.”
“Why would uncle coming be good…”
Baek I-hae clamped her mouth shut.
She had no recollection of ever mentioning the names of the Seo family father and sons, including Seo I-heum.
As she hurriedly tried to turn her head away, a sharp impact struck her neck.
‘What is this…?’
Baek Yeong caught her tilting body in his arms. As Baek I-hae went limp, she heard someone’s voice through her fading consciousness.
“I thought you’d observe for a little longer, but you’re quite the impatient one.”
“What about the guys outside?”
“I knocked them out. The one who went to the bathroom too. According to the report, Seo I-heum is definitely at home, so it’ll take some time for them to realize Baek I-hae has been kidnapped.”
It was a familiar woman’s voice.
‘Cha I-ryeong?’
The one Cha I-ryeong was reporting to, using honorifics, was unmistakably Baek Yeong.
Her heart pounded heavily.
It was no longer the fluttering born of excitement.
Baek I-hae lost consciousness just like that.
