Sentinel Phobia
Jungkook's pupils shook violently. Since when had she been awake? In fact, her feelings were still very complicated. In fact, Jungkook had liked Heeyeon rationally and felt that he liked her. However, he found out because of Yeoju. The feelings Jungkook had toward Heeyeon, whom he had thought he liked, were simply gratitude. Gratitude for taking in his shy self and the affection he felt for his family. It was nothing more, nothing less. Now he finally figured it out.
So what should Heeyeon do? My mind was becoming increasingly confused. At least, the Heeyeon I knew wasn't the kind of woman who would do something like that. Certainly, Jungkook himself valued his brothers more than Heeyeon. Even if his brothers forced him out, he wouldn't be able to follow them, wouldn't be able to resent them, and would just shed tears, consumed by unresolved affection. That was the unspoken meaning of "the brothers are more important than Heeyeon."
Yes. Jungkook couldn't abandon Heeyeon, but he could prioritize her over her. Having been affectionate and wary of others from the start, Jungkook was easily stressed and hurt by changes in interpersonal relationships. That's why it took him the longest to accept Yeoju, and it was equally difficult to abandon Heeyeon.
"...I hate it all."
Jungkook wiped his tears and went into his room. As if to reflect his distress, the door slammed shut. Normally, his brothers would have questioned who would slam a door like that, but at this moment, they knew better than anyone how hurt and afraid Jungkook must have been, so silence flowed.
Meanwhile, Jeong-guk, who had entered the room, was deeply distraught. Clearly, Hee-yeon was the precious older sister who had freed him from the mold of being mute. While she might be cold to others, she was still a savior, always so kind to him. Yet, Yeo-ju kept stepping on him. He wanted to be on her side, to protect her. Every time he did, he was tormented by the compulsion to not abandon Hee-yeon, and a corner of his heart felt heavy. But before he knew it, he saw himself laughing, crying, and chatting happily in front of Yeo-ju.
Yes. Deeply aware that Hee-yeon was a godlike being who had saved him, he was gradually discovering that he was secretly enjoying being with Yeo-ju. Yeo-ju was now precious to me. I don't know if this metaphor is appropriate, but it was like going to church all the time and then skipping out to meet a girlfriend and go on dates. That's exactly how it felt.
Having grasped his own whereabouts, Jeong-guk finally became certain. He would ultimately stand by Yeo-ju. He would stand by Yeo-ju. It was a moment of certainty for Jeong-guk, who had been wavering and confused since Yeo-ju's collapse.
Heeyeon paced frantically around the room, unable to find her bearings. She was so anxious, her pupils dilated, her fingers gnawing at her nails. If she were abandoned by her members, she would become a worthless guide. That was unacceptable. She had to shine, no matter what. To do that... she had to persevere. And that woman. She had to pull her out, no matter what.
"How dare you... think you can abandon me?"
Heeyeon, her eyes gleaming menacingly, left the room. Her target was obvious. He was the pushover who always gave her a friendly smile and gave her anything when she sullen. A knight who only cared about her. She was probably going to see Jeongguk. And as if to repay that obviousness, Heeyeon naturally opened Jeongguk's door and went in. She was bold enough not to even knock, the usual thing anyone who lived with her would do.
"Jungkook..."
"...Sister?"
"Jungkook, I'm a little sad... What if I get kicked out like this? You'll protect me, right?"
It was a certainty, a glimmer of hope. You'd always protected me, and the reason was because I'd freed you from pain. This time, to repay that debt, you had to be on my side. It was a confidence, a confidence that almost seemed shameless. But Jeongguk had no intention of playing princess anymore. He was no longer Heeyeon's knight. He was no longer a foolish knight who blindly pledged his allegiance to his master. He was becoming a courageous knight, searching for his own love.
"..I'm sorry, sister."
" ...what? "
"I'm going to change a little now."
" what...! "
"I'm no longer a fool who only looks at my older sister."
" what..! "
I won't be led around by my older sister anymore.Those were the words of Jeongguk, who had emerged from the shell, even stronger. Heeyeon clenched her fists. She had never expected it, but it was Jeongguk too. Heeyeon almost swallowed the cold arsenic, but she held it in, believing it was still Jeongguk's presence. Heeyeon had been practicing for so long that she had become quite adept at managing her facial expressions. The problem, if there was one, was that the words that came out of her mouth were like daggers that stabbed Jeongguk where he was hurt. They were words that could easily break the delicate Jeongguk.
"Ha... This is what I get in return for making a mute person who can't even speak? Even a magpie can repay a favor, but I can't even receive it from a mute person."
" ....what did you say?"
"Why? Did I say something wrong? You were originally a mute. Am I wrong? I helped you open your mouth, and this is what you get in return?"
"Sister,"
"I treated you well because you were half-assed, but you think you're really great. Do you think you can ignore me like that because you appeased others and treated them well?"
" ....Stop it."
"What do you mean stop?"
Hee-yeon's expression, as she singled out and struck only Jeong-guk's sore spots, actually seemed relieved. There was no more pretense. Everything would change soon anyway. Soon, everyone would return. Just wait a little longer, and that woman would disappear. That would happen to everyone. Sure, everyone would struggle, but that would be temporary. Whether Yeo-ju died or was dragged away and suffered for the rest of her life was of no concern to her. All that mattered was a future where everyone would lean on her and support her.
"Can you keep coming out like this?"
Heeyeon, who smiled meaningfully and left the room, only heightened Jeongguk's anxiety. "I can't leave like this. What could it mean?" Was it a mistake to dismiss the questions that arose as nothing and just ignore them? Unaware of what was about to happen, he couldn't help but be consumed by the sadness of the moment.
Deep into the night, when everyone was asleep, the center was abuzz with the sound of emergency warning lights. It was an anti-government intrusion. After a day of stress from Heeyeon's verbal abuse, less than ten hours had passed since they finally managed to fall asleep. Everyone, half-asleep, received full guidance from their team guides and then rushed out.
Objects were flying everywhere. It was a true war. The Sentinels continued their battle, exchanging blows. Buildings were destroyed here and there, attacks rained down, and many Sentinels were injured. Even the guides who arrived later were injured here and there, and the situation became utter chaos.
The guides guided the recovery team, and the recovery team healed the guides. They barely managed to heal the Sentinels. Some had to go to the shielders and continue guiding. The Sentinels were so obsessed with ending the battle quickly that they even pushed themselves too hard. It was clearly a battle of stamina. The longer it dragged on, the more difficult it became.
While the outside world was engulfed in a war, Hee-yeon and Yeo-ju, who had finished preparing late, ran out. Well, let's be more specific, Yeo-ju, who had finished preparing early and was trying to leave quickly, was urging Hee-yeon, who was leisurely. Yes. Hee-yeon was very relaxed. While everyone else was pale and flustered, Hee-yeon was the only one leisurely taking care of herself. It was hard to tell whether she had given up after beating up everyone at Jeong-guk the day before or was just pretending not to be scared and afraid to go out.
The door I barely managed to open led me to a deserted corner of the center. Soon, the dormitory door had vanished along with Heeyeon. It was a trap. A trap laid by the Sentinel's powers. The female protagonist, belatedly realizing it, was wary of her surroundings, when footsteps began to be heard from afar.
The sound of footsteps gradually drew closer, and what appeared in the quiet corner was...
" ...dad. "
Still vivid in the heroine's memory. It was the person she loved the most and feared the most.
Aaaah!!... The boss mob has finally appeared!!
Actually, we ran for this scene...
From today until the next episode, we're accepting male lead candidates!
Even those who usually just lurk, please join me today! 😉