Chapter 10: The Lee Family’s Pet (10)

　　He murmured with a pleased look on his face, “The character ‘Yeon’ for smoke and the ‘Hwa’ for flower. A flower in the spring that comes after winter’s end.”

　　Dana was speechless.

　　“It suits her.”

　　Is he thinking about her right now? Watching the faint smile on his beautiful face, Dana clenched her hands in her lap. I hate this…

　　“I tried spicy ramen,” Doha said suddenly.

　　Dana’s eyes widened. “Wasn’t it spicy? You can’t eat spicy food. You always said your tongue hurts.”

　　“It was spicy. But it was bearable. Not something I’d go crazy for, though.”

　　His usually cool face was alight with a hint of excitement. He was marveling at an experience he couldn’t have when he lived under the constant threat of going on a Rampage. Seeing that expression, Dana unconsciously relaxed her fists. But his next words left her speechless.

　　“I’m not sure it’s worth getting a chip embedded in my heart, though.”

　　“A chip?”

　　While she stared in shock, Doha remained calm. The chip that Espers had embedded in their hearts was a failsafe. A rampaging Esper could devastate their surroundings, and the chip was the last resort to prevent that.

　　“Did the President allow it?” Dana asked, her voice trembling. They said it was fine as long as he didn’t go into a Rampage, but to her, it sounded like Doha had planted a time bomb in his chest.

　　“He had no choice. It was necessary for me to live.”

　　To receive help from the Awakened Center, they had to follow its rules. The Center was a special national institution that protected and supported those who awakened, and compliance was mandatory for anyone wishing to operate in Korea. But if Yeonhwa Hwang hadn’t appeared, Doha would never have had such a dangerous device implanted in his heart.

　　Dana knew with chilling certainty that Yeonhwa Hwang was about to become the most important person in Doha’s life.

* * *

　　As she expected, Yeonhwa and Doha grew close with astonishing speed. They were the same age with similar family backgrounds, so they had much in common. Unlike others their age who were too intimidated to act naturally around him, Yeonhwa never hesitated, even teasing him on occasion. Doha, for his part, seemed fascinated by this type of person he had never encountered before.

　　Dana’s anxiety grew with each passing day.

* * *

　　Yeonhwa was concerned about a Contaminant like Dana being so close to Doha. But after learning she had lived at the estate for years without issue, she accepted her presence with a look of lingering discomfort. Dana, who had been terrified Yeonhwa would have her thrown out, fell into despair at the realization that this newcomer already wielded such influence.

　　Yeonhwa quickly ingratiated herself with the Lee family, and her visits became frequent. Dana learned more about her from the household staff. Her family was of Chinese descent with some Korean blood and ran a business in China—Huainanqing, a solid company ranked within the country’s top 300. It was a background that satisfied even President Lee and the chairman, who judged everyone by their station.

　　“I’m very fond of that girl,” Director Jeong once remarked. “She’s pretty and has a gentle personality. I was wary since she associated with the BM Group, but she’s easy to talk to, unlike those arrogant bastards.”

　　“They say her guiding ability is exceptional. What about the only son of the BM Group? If she’s a compatible Guide for him, surely they would try to monopolize her.”

　　As Director Jeong asked worriedly, a strange smile touched President Lee’s lips. “That would have been a problem. But as luck would have it, that brat isn’t compatible with her either. The son of that family I can’t stand to look at can do nothing but wait to die! He may be running around playing hero now, but how long can that last?”

　　“If he dies, all the glory will go to our Doha, won’t it?”

　　“Exactly. Hahaha.”

　　At this, Doha smiled pleasantly, like someone who had just tidied a long-neglected closet. His face was as beautiful as ever. Dana couldn’t tell if he was happy because he had met Yeonhwa, or because Mujin Park still hadn’t found a Guide.

　　“I think I understand why people form Exclusive Bonds,” Doha murmured one afternoon.

　　Dana said nothing, her heart sinking.

　　“It makes you want to make them yours.”

　　While thinking of that woman, he habitually hooked his finger around Dana’s. The pleasant, sweet sensation of his cool skin brushing against hers, his soft, gentle tone—it was a blind blade forged from a voice that had not yet broken. Dana closed her eyes, trying to shut it out, but she could feel her heart being sweetly carved away.

* * *

　　As a second-year in high school, Doha was a world away from his middle-school self. His skin was pale, his steps unsteady, and a cool chill seemed to emanate from his body. Though he maintained basic manners, his eyes would sometimes turn sharp, revealing a heightened sensitivity. He had once been called a frail, pretty boy, but no one dared call him that anymore.

　　With his senses calmed by Yeonhwa’s guiding, the first thing to return was his appetite. He devoured not only organic meals prepared by a hotel chef but also convenience store cup ramen and kimbap without a second thought. President Lee and Director Jeong, who wanted him to be perfect from head to toe, were not pleased.

　　“Doha, what if you get sick again from eating such cheap things?”

　　“I’ll handle it.”

　　“Still…”

　　“Do I look unwell to you?”

　　They had no reply.

　　He was right. The cheap food did not harm his health. His body, which had grown incomparably taller, was proof. Once similar in height to Dana, he now stood a full head above her. The hands, where blue veins had once been visible, were now broader, the knuckles thicker. They were unmistakably a man’s hands.

　　“They look like an adult’s hands,” she observed.

　　Doha, who was lifting a glass of water to his lips, turned his gaze to her. His brown eyes, which had once seemed as transparent as glass, had darkened to the color of hazelnuts.

　　“Just my hands.”

　　His voice pulled Dana back from a strange sense of dissonance.

　　“Everything else is the same,” he said, smiling affectionately. Dana shook off the bizarre feeling.

　　“What was the homework the teacher assigned?” he asked her.

　　“I organized and printed it for you on Monday. You forgot again? You need to remember these things, oppa.”

　　“Why should I, when I have you?”

　　Though he chided her lightly, Dana felt a wave of relief. It seemed there was still a place for her by his side.

　　If only things could stay like this… just like now, without changing.

　　It didn’t take long for her to realize how complacent that wish was.

* * *

　　Doha’s lips descended onto a smooth, translucent cheek, flawless and looking good enough to eat. Then, onto small, reddish lips like cherries.

　　A scene from a drama was unfolding before her.

　　Dana, who had opened Doha’s door without thinking, froze as his eyes met hers. Her face contorted as she quickly pulled the door shut.

　　“What is it?” Yeonhwa’s voice drifted from inside.

　　“It’s nothing,” Doha replied.

　　The faint conversation drilled into her ears. Clinging to the doorknob, Dana fought the hot surge of emotion. A monstrous urge to barge in and tear Yeonhwa away clawed at her. But she couldn’t.

　　Dana bit her lip. Doha would hate it.

　　It’s not like I didn’t know this would happen.

　　She knew. It was just that the chasm between expecting it and actually seeing it was vast. A Guide calmed an Esper’s excess energy through physical contact. The more intimate and mentally stimulating the touch, the greater the effect. Holding hands. Kissing. And sex.

　　The moment the thought crossed her mind, Dana’s world went blank.

* * *

　　“You didn’t know Yeonhwa was coming yesterday?” Doha asked, pulling out a chair.

　　Dana, who was pouring milk over her cereal, paused. “No, I didn’t know,” she replied, her tone carefully nonchalant.

　　“You must have been surprised.” He looked a little embarrassed, like someone caught in an awkward moment by a younger sibling.

　　“I was a little surprised, but it’s just guiding. It doesn’t matter,” Dana said, hiding her true feelings. Her heart pounded. She prayed he would hear her words and decide not to bring Yeonhwa home anymore.

　　His thin, cool lips parted. “From now on, just stay outside when she’s here.”

　　Dana was stunned into silence.

　　“There’s no need for you to be uncomfortable.”

　　It felt like a fist had been driven into her solar plexus. Touching her tight throat, Dana gave a small nod.

　　That night, she had a dream. Doha affectionately caressed her face and kissed her. The woman in the dream was not Yeonhwa. It was her.

* * *

　　Since Yeonhwa was based in China, she couldn’t stay in Korea indefinitely. She had to return for her studies, promising the disappointed Lee family she would visit whenever needed to give guiding to Doha. But it could never be the same as having her there full-time. While the rest of the household fretted, Dana had to grit her teeth to keep from smiling.