RE: Player again

271

[Chapter 091] [A Promise That Can't Be Kept (5)]

If one were to describe the highlight of the academy cultural festival, it would be the sight of fireworks brightly illuminating the night sky and then scattering as colorful flower petals.

'Wow... it's really pretty. Right?'

'It's just flower petals after all.'

'That's why it's prettier. You don't have to wonder what feelings are contained in a flower with no name, right?'

'......'

'...Flowers are pretty because they're flowers. They're not pretty because they have names, but because we don't know their names.'

'...Then you think flowers aren't pretty if they have names?'

On the third day of the cultural festival that Eun-ha experienced as a 3rd year high school academy student.

At that time, he was talking about the future with Yu Jeong while watching flower petals falling.

His answer was already decided, and she was contemplating offers from prominent clans.

'It's not that they're not pretty. But I end up thinking about what the flower language might be for flowers whose names I happen to know.

So I guess you could say it reduces the fun of looking at flowers...'

'Flowers are just flowers, what's the point. Is there any need to give meaning to flowers with no will of their own?'

'This guy... Eun-ha, think about it. Let's say you founded a party. But your acquaintances gave you wreaths saying congratulations.'

'I don't have acquaintances like that.'

'...Aren't Do-jun and I even acquaintances? And even if not Do-jun, are you saying I'm not an acquaintance after supporting you for 3 years?'

'...So what are you trying to say?'

'Changing the subject... The wreaths your acquaintances brought were white chrysanthemums. Would you still quietly accept them saying white chrysanthemums are pretty?'

'I'd kill them all.'

'Right. And sprinkle chrysanthemums on them... Anyway! As you said, flowers have no will and no meaning.

It's just people who give meaning to flowers. That's why you need to know the meaning.'

'......'

'We're dealing with people, not flowers, right?'

'...What I deal with are monsters.'

'Sigh, how can a kid be so dense... Don't you know that people can sometimes be crueler than monsters? This won't do. I've decided!'

At that time, the two were on the rooftop of the boys' dormitory.

She said she heard information that the boys' dormitory rooftop was a quiet place to appreciate flower petals.

So the two were there.

At that time when all the students would have been looking up at flowers in the main field.

'I'll have to follow you since I can't trust you. Be grateful.'

Yu Jeong said that.

That she would step into a place where only death existed as a conclusion, despite offers from prominent clans.

'Eun-ha, you owe me one?'

What feelings did she make that decision with at that time?

Eun-ha still didn't know even now.

Just.

That day, he suddenly thought the night sky he looked up at with her was pretty.

It was the same even now.

The flower petals scattering under the starry night sky felt so pretty because he didn't know their names.

"─It really is a pretty place like you said."

"Right?"

Under this beautiful night sky.

If Yu Jeong was there in his previous life, Han Seo-hyun was there in this life.

☆

"─Today was really fun."

Seo-hyun who had her arms resting on the railing quietly began speaking.

Her words seemed as fleeting as the flower petals disappearing into mana just before falling to the ground.

"Probably... days like this that can be enjoyed again won't come."

A tone tinged with resignation.

Her gaze didn't leave the night sky.

Eun-ha thought she looked like someone trying to return to the moon.

That appearance reminded him exactly of himself before his regression and Ha Baek-ryeon who had to live oppressed.

"You can enjoy it again next time. I'll guide you again so look forward to it."

So he held on.

Like a woodcutter hiding a fairy's winged clothes so the fairy couldn't return to heaven.

So she wouldn't become detached from worldly affairs again.

"You know─"

But Eun-ha was momentarily at a loss for words at what she said.

"─Is that because I'm Sirius's direct descendant, or just because I'm Han Seo-hyun?"

An unexpected question.

He made eye contact with her who had been looking up at the night sky.

She who had seemed uninterested in the world was looking directly at him.

"If I... had been born in an ordinary family... could I have met you like this?"

"......"

"Would you have been able to recommend and be considerate of me like this then too? Really?"

She asked self-deprecatingly.

As if she already knew the answer.

But Eun-ha had to deny it.

The answer was decided.

Of course, she must be hoping to hear that answer too.

So Eun-ha opened his mouth without hesitation.

"─Of course, I'm meeting you because it's you."

The answer she wanted to hear.

It wasn't difficult to say because he knew the answer.

"─Liar."

"......"

But she dismissed his answer as a lie too easily.

Her pupils that had been chasing flower petals were only looking at him.

"Sky blue."

"...What?" "You that I see."

"......"

"You said that because you pity me, right? Because I'm Han Seo-hyun... you're saying you're meeting me."

She rested her chin on her arms on the railing.

Her pupils that had been sparkling like starlight soon sank into darkness.

He could only look into her eyes.

He didn't know what to say.

Because her words were right.

"I know too. The reason you meet me... is because I'm Sirius Group's direct descendant."

"......"

"If I had been an ordinary Han Seo-hyun, we two would never have met. Isn't that right?"

Her words were right.

After all, his meeting with her began at a party with Sirius's name attached.

If she had been an ordinary Han Seo-hyun, he surely would not have met Han Seo-hyun.

Even if they had met─

"─That would have been the end. Because you don't pay much attention to those around you except your family."

"......"

"The same goes for me."

It probably would have been like that.

Eun-ha would have considered Han Seo-hyun as just a passing acquaintance.

"We were able to keep meeting because I was Han Seo-hyun of Sirius Group, and your father was my father's subordinate."

"...That's right."

Now Eun-ha admitted it readily too.

His meeting with her was merely continued on the premise of what they each possessed.

It wasn't meeting a person.

It was meeting her background.

He couldn't deny that.

"So what?"

"...What?" "Is it wrong to look at your background?"

But Eun-ha felt strangely irritated.

He undoubtedly admitted he had been meeting her seeing her background, but somehow his pride was hurt.

It had been 6 years since he first met and got to know her.

Could that time really be maintained just by background alone?

"You're too picky."

"......"

Han Seo-hyun's facial expression changed.

Regardless, he pointed at her with his finger and continued speaking.

"You get irritated at the drop of a hat."

"You scratch at people's insides."

"Sometimes you order me around like a servant."

"I have to play with you when you're free." "Going along with your rhythm is a given."

"Checking in with messages and calls from time to time is of course."

"I even have to read your moods."

Han Seo-hyun furrowed her brow.

Nevertheless, Eun-ha poured out all the complaints he had been harboring.

Even he didn't think there would be so many as he was saying them.

"I've endured all this and met you because you're Sirius's direct descendant." "...You really..."

Han Seo-hyun's voice was trembling.

It was evidence that she was angry.

That's why Eun-ha quickly added the next words faster than ever.

"Why do you think I kept meeting such a picky person?"

"......"

"If I was just meeting you for your background, your sister would have been more comfortable than you."

Eun-ha brought up Han Seo-yeon who wasn't present.

She was a good business partner.

She was cleaner about making and breaking ties than any third generation chaebol.

At least she gave appropriate compensation if results were shown.

So he didn't have to try to match Han Seo-yeon's moods.

Nevertheless, Eun-ha was continuing to meet Han Seo-hyun, not Han Seo-yeon.

"But it was because you were Han Seo-hyun."

It had been 6 years already.

The meeting that began with a purpose now had its own meaning to him.

She too was included in the category of his fence.

That's why he didn't like her defining this relationship simply by background alone.

Did those feelings get through?

"...You sure know how to talk."

"You've been meeting me all this time because of my abilities too, so what..."

"That's not true." "You're lying."

"No."

Han Seo-hyun denying it flatly.

Eun-ha who had been speaking with a trembling voice grasped her mood responding in a suddenly serious tone and decided to back off at this point.

Flower petals were still fluttering.

Before they knew it, the two were looking out at the scenery with their shoulders touching.

"You know."

"Yeah."

"As you probably know now... later I'll end up marrying YH Group's Choi Ye-jang oppa."

"I know."

Lamenting with a heavy sigh.

Eun-ha quietly listened to her story recited as if resigned.

"That's the duty of a direct descendant. If I marry Choi Ye-jang oppa who will inherit YH Group, Sirius gains a reliable son-in-law in YH."

"And it means weakening Galaxy's power and being able to surpass Galaxy."

"...Yeah, that's right."

Galaxy and YH.

The relationship between the two groups was quite peculiar.

YH Group was a group that split off from Galaxy Group.

YH Group's chairman Choi Yun-hye was the younger sister of Galaxy Group's chairman Choi Yun-han.

In the past, the two joined forces to make Galaxy Group the top group in South Korea.

And Choi Yun-han became chairman and reorganized the group's power structure with his direct descendants.

Choi Yun-hye who was angered by this separated the affiliates she owned from the group and created YH Group.

As a result, the stakes they each held were entangled in a complex relationship.

Sirius Group, which has the second biggest influence domestically, is aiming for this.

To fan the flames of discord between Galaxy Group and YH Group a bit more, and for Sirius to be reborn as the top group in the country by forming an in-law relationship with YH Group.

There is nothing more certain than relationships formed by blood ties.

However, the blueprint Sirius Group had hoped for is thoroughly shattered.

That's how it was in his previous life.

"Are you okay with that?"

"It's the duty of a direct descendant. There's no room for my feelings to get involved at all." "So are you okay with it or not?"

"...I don't like it. But I have no choice."

Until Eun-ha died in his previous life, Sirius Group was perpetually second.

They weren't on good terms with Galaxy, and were on even worse terms with YH.

Sirius Group's 3rd generation chairman Han Seo-yeon hated YH Group's 3rd generation chairman Choi Ye-jang to death.

The look in Han Seo-yeon's eyes when she looked at him was filled only with contempt and disgust.

Perhaps an even more viscous emotion than that.

Sirius Group persistently attacked YH Group at every opportunity.

To the point where YH Group requested help from Galaxy Group.

Surely if Changhe Clan's Clan Lord Gil Seong-jun hadn't brought in Dangun Group and Dawn Group, Sirius Group would have collapsed right then.

He didn't know then but...

Now Eun-ha could understand why Han Seo-yeon was like that.

Most likely some problem occurred with Han Seo-hyun.

And that problem was probably one he couldn't do anything about.

"─I've decided to study abroad in Japan after graduating middle school."

That's when it happened.

Han Seo-hyun brought up something out of the blue again.

Eun-ha couldn't help but ask.

What was the reason for going to Japan.

"That's the duty of a direct descendant too." "......"

"Father, mother, and sister all wish for Sirius Group to advance into Japan."

"......"

"Sister is the one who will inherit Sirius Group. And my role is to help sister by making a political marriage with YH Group and creating connections in Japan. That's why I'm going to study abroad."

It was news to him.

He had never heard this before.

But there was no lie in her appearance forcing a bitter smile while speaking.

"...It will fail." "That's something we don't know, right?"

"No, it will fail."

Eun-ha told her firmly.

In his previous life, Sirius Group, no, no business group advanced overseas.

If her study abroad had been decided in his previous life too, she would not have left any results.

Perhaps there─

─I see.

Only then did Eun-ha vaguely understand why he who had lived one life didn't know about Han Seo-hyun.

She must have disappeared from the world after going to study abroad in Japan.

If she had been in Korea, news would have spread about how the engagement between Sirius Group and YH Group ended.

Yet the fact that news didn't spread means it happened overseas where rumors are relatively harder to spread.

"...If I tell you not to go, will you not go?"

Japan was an archipelago surrounded by sea on all sides.

Distortions occurred constantly even though it was under Cocoon's influence.

Sometimes powerful monsters appeared from the sea.

It was that dangerous of a country.

That's why Eun-ha asked her sincerely.

"...Could you do that?" "Do what?"

For a moment her eyes wavered.

But she who had shown emotional fluctuation soon asked emotionlessly like a sea with calmed waves.

"Could you say such words to me even if it means throwing everything away?"

"......"

"Sirius Group won't bend its will. This was grandfather's wish too."

"......"

"So what will you do? Can you say such words to me prepared to even turn the world and Sirius into enemies?"

I can't.

Eun-ha closed his mouth.

Han Seo-hyun had clearly entered his fence.

But he couldn't protect everyone inside the fence.

If he protected Han Seo-hyun.

He would have to give up almost everyone inside the fence.

Above all, he would have to abandon Ha Baek-ryeon who had become the purpose of his second life.

"...I'm sorry." "No, it's okay."

Han Seo-hyun must have known that.

That's why she asked if he was prepared to say such words even if it meant throwing everything away.

Eun-ha's answer was decided.

If told to weigh Han Seo-hyun and Ha Baek-ryeon on a scale, he would undoubtedly choose Ha Baek-ryeon without hesitation.

"...When will you return from studying abroad?"

That's why Eun-ha quickly changed the subject.

She who had been looking at flower petals with a bitter smile fell into thought for a moment before answering.

"I don't know either. I might return right after graduating high school there, or I might keep staying there. That's why I came to tell you today."

It was words without promise.

That's why Han Seo-hyun came to say goodbye to Eun-ha today.

A farewell.

“When I go to Japan next year, many groups will approach me to recruit you.”

"...Really?"

"Because you've shown too much. Underhanded work will start from now on. Choi Ga-in's attempts to entice you will get worse from next year too..."

Until now, Eun-ha had been under the protection of Sirius Group, especially Han Seo-hyun.

But her protection will disappear.

Eun-ha will receive Han Seo-yeon's protection in her place, but Han Seo-yeon won't try to protect him with all her might like Seo-hyun did.

Also, if she judges that he is no longer needed, she would withdraw her protection.

It means perfect protection will disappear.

"So from now on, rely on Ha-yang more than my sister. I've already talked to Ha-yang."

It meant she had handed over responsibility.

Telling him to rely on Jung Ha-yang rather than Han Seo-yeon who would appear at the end after watching the situation if he clashes with direct descendants of business groups.

She was looking ahead.

That's why she brought Jung Ha-yang into her faction and passed on all the skills she knew to her.

"...I got it, thanks for worrying about me."

"I'm not worrying."

"Then what is it?"

"I absolutely can't tolerate people touching what's mine. That's all."

"You're not being honest..."

"Want to get scolded?"

"Why don't you stop treating me like a kid? How old do you think I am..."

"You're just a middle schooler now but you sure talk a lot?"

Seo-hyun moved away from the railing.

Then she approached him who had also moved away from the railing and measured his height by eye.

"I'm still taller too."

"What are you saying. There's not much difference."

Eun-ha blurted out.

The height difference between him and her wasn't much now.

At most about a hand span difference.

It only looked like there was a clear height difference because she was wearing heels.

"You'll be even taller than this when we meet next time?"

Her growth would be ending soon.

Eun-ha replied nonchalantly.

Han Seo-hyun who had been staring blankly at that appearance soon smiled faintly and answered.

"─Alright, I'll look forward to it."

A promise that couldn't guarantee a reunion.

Both he and she knew.

And he knew even better.

That this meeting would be their last.

That's why he rummaged in his pocket and took out a bracelet.

"What's this?"

"It's a bracelet I won from the division competition earlier. The artifact's name is... right, Sound of Mind."

Eun-ha took her hand that he had been holding all day as if familiar.

Then he kindly put the bracelet on her right wrist.

It was like a charm.

This artifact was only useful for that kind of purpose.

"Sound of Mind... that's what it means."

"Yeah."

"What effect does it have?"

"An effect that sometimes detects mana flow."

"...Sometimes?" "That's how it is originally."

Eun-ha felt sorry that this was all he could give her.

Surely Han Seo-hyun would experience things that couldn't be dealt with by an artifact like this.

That's why it was a charm.

"Occasionally... there's a superstition that if the user desperately wishes, it will convey the sound of their heart to the person they desperately think of just once?" "...So it's a superstition."

"This is just... an artifact women use as an accessory."

"Are you giving me something cheap?"

"...I'm sorry."

"Still... it's fine. Because it's the first gift I've received from you."

He knows the future.

But he doesn't know all futures.

Only the future he knows.

Only the future he has encountered.

Only the future he has heard.

He only knew that much.

That's why Eun-ha didn't know Han Seo-hyun's future at all.

When she would meet tragedy.

Where she would meet it.

Because he didn't know, he couldn't prevent it.

"I'll be lonely when you're gone."

"...Liar."

"It's not a lie."

"...I see, it's not half a lie."

"I'm telling you it's true?"

"...Contact me often. I don't know if signals will work properly in Japan but..."

There are too many things I want to protect.

There are too many things I can't protect.

Eun-ha realized that again and shared a promise he couldn't keep.

─Let's meet again later.

Hopefully, may we be able to meet again.