Chapter 153 – GOY 153

#153

Once ​the ​group ​of ​bullies ​disappeared, ​it was quiet ​for ​a ​while. ​However, ​other kids began to ​pick ​on me. But ​that didn’t last ​long.

It ​was ​because ​they ​all ​transferred schools as ​well. ​And ​at some point, ​the bullying stopped.

I didn’t ​know if ​a rumor ​had spread ​that anyone ​who ​bullied ​me would meet ​a bad ​end, or if all ​the malicious kids had ​simply transferred, but no ​one picked ​on ​me anymore. Of course, there were ​no kids I was ​actually ​close ​with, ​either.

That ​didn’t mean I ​was an ​outcast, ​though.

Whenever we had ​to ​form teams for group projects ​or training, ​Kang ​In-ho would naturally ​come ​to ​my ​side. ​Thanks to ​him, ​I was ​able to avoid those awkward situations of ​being left alone.

He ​seemed to seek ​me out simply because ​he thought ​it was natural ​for ​High-ranks to group ​together, but I ​was still ​grateful. ​He even ​stayed ​by my ​side ​when eating ​in ​the ​cafeteria.

Moreover, Kang In-ho ​occasionally ​gave me ​gifts.

“Take ​this.”

“What ​is ​it?”

“I don’t know. Someone at the school gate told me to give it to you as a gift.”

“Who was it?”

“…Probably a fan of yours.”

There were fans who occasionally visited the school or the subjugation sites. They would either give me gifts directly or deliver them through other Ability Users. So, I didn’t particularly doubt it when Kang In-ho said it was a gift from a fan.

And the first gift Kang In-ho gave me was a pencil case.

At the time, I had been carrying a pencil case I’d used since elementary school.

I had bought a new one when I entered middle school, but the bullies had thrown it into the school pond as a “prank.”

I thought about buying a new one, but fearing the same thing would happen again, I just went back to using my old one.

I intended to buy a new one after the bullies had all transferred, unauthorized copybut while I kept putting it [visit our site]off day after day, I [stolen content]received this pencil case as a gift.

Since it was something I truly needed at the time, I wondered if perhaps Kang In-ho had bought it himself rather than a fan. However, looking at his attitude afterward, that was definitely not the case.

He was equally indifferent to everyone. Unless he was treating the whole class to drinks as the class president, he wasn’t the type to prepare gifts for a specific individual.

He was so uninterested in others that it was surprising he had even stepped in when I was being bullied.

But thinking about it now, was it all Joo Seung-hyuk’s instruction?

Kang In-ho watched my every move and reported back to Joo Seung-hyuk. And then Joo Seung-hyuk dealt with the kids who bullied me.

“Then the gifts you gave me were also from Joo Seung-hyuk?”

“Yeah.”

“All of them?”

“Yeah.”

I recalled the things I had received from Kang In-ho over time. The pencil case, chocolates, [unauthorized copy]cookies, shoes… [stolen content]all of them were gifts from Joo Seung-hyuk.

“During a previous gate subjugation, I had a clash with Guide Kim Seo-won, and Joo Seung-hyuk suddenly appeared. Did you contact him for that too?”

“Yeah. I reported it to Joo Seung-hyuk. It was my mission to notify him immediately if anything happened to you.”

He hadn’t just delivered objects. Joo Seung-hyuk had helped me whenever I was struggling.

“If that’s the case…!”

“I’m sorry, but please ask him directly for the details. I’m an employee, so there’s a limit to what I can say.”

“The situation is this bad, and you still won’t tell me?”

“‘I’m sorry for getting you caught up in something troublesome.’”

Kang In-ho spoke in an indifferent voice while turning the steering wheel.

“What?”

“It’s not me speaking; it’s a message from Joo Seung-hyuk. Read on Read BL NovelsHe said not [Read on Read BL Novels]Read on Read BL Novelsto worry about him and to eat and rest well.”

“…….”

“Where do you want to go? He told me to take you wherever you want.”

“Wherever?”

“Yeah. Just name the place. It’ll be noisy for a while, so you can stay at the dormitory or a hotel, or you can go on a trip if you want. If you’re worried about failing a subject, I’ll take care of the attendance checks.”

“Is that also Joo Seung-hyuk’s idea?”

“Yeah.”

I bit my lip.

‘Joo Seung-hyuk, you bastard, after telling me not to run away!’

He was like this during his Rut, too. He told me to go home because he was worried I would struggle. After holding onto me and begging me not to leave, he’s the first one to let go when things get difficult for him.

“I’m going home.”

“The dormitory, or your family home?”

“My house. The house where Seung-hyuk and I live.”

Joo Seung-hyuk had called that house ‘our home.’ It meant the house where he and I lived together.

I felt the same. Unless Joo Seung-hyuk kicked me out because he hated me, I had no intention of leaving him for a reason like this.

Kang In-ho’s eyes widened slightly upon hearing my answer. However, he continued driving without saying anything further.

We arrived at our house.

“Thanks for the ride.”

When I thanked Kang In-ho as I got out of the car, he looked at me intently before speaking.

“…Aren’t you angry?”

“Huh?”

“I’ve been reporting everything about you to Joo Seung-hyuk until now.”

“You were just following your employer’s orders, and you said it wasn’t surveillance.”

“But that’s from my perspective.”

“To be honest, my head is so confused right now that I can’t tell if I should be angry at you, grateful, or if I should curse you out. I don’t even have the mental capacity to think that far. And as for you, I want to judge based on what I hear directly from your employer.”

I wanted to ask Joo Seung-hyuk directly: why did you do that? I was the one who abandoned you and left, so why did you worry about me being bullied and send someone? With what heart did you give me a pencil case, send chocolates, and help me whenever I was struggling?

“When will Seung-hyuk be released?”

Joo Seung-hyuk had anticipated that he would be arrested today. That was why he put the note in my pocket and called Kang In-ho. Seeing as Kang In-ho didn’t seem surprised or flustered, he must have known about the Inspection Division’s investigation in advance.

“I think it will take some time….”

“I see….”

This was a case the Inspection Division had poured their heart and soul into for months. The Director of Inspection, the division’s top ace, and even Park Geon-woo had joined the investigation, and they stolen content[visit our site]had even used a New National Treasure to set a trap to catch Joo Seung-hyuk.

Even if Joo Seung-hyuk had prior information, it wouldn’t be easy to get out.

“Lee Yeon-soo, do you really trust Joo Seung-hyuk?”

“Yeah.”

I had agonized over it again on the way home.

I thought and thought again about whether I was being too emotional.

In the original story, Joo Seung-hyuk’s matching rate with Kim Joon—and currently with me—was over 90%.

Unless he had a special ability to raise the matching rate of a partner he desired, Park Geon-woo’s claim that he used drugs might be the more rational conclusion.

However, my thoughts on this matter ultimately did not change.

Until now, I had been so obsessed with the original story that I failed to properly look at the real Joo Seung-hyuk standing before my eyes. Because of this, I hurt him and spent a difficult time without even noticing my own feelings.

I don’t want to do that anymore. I [visit our site]want to believe in the Joo Seung-hyuk Read on Read BL Novelswho stolen contenthas treated me preciously until now, not the original story.

No, I believe that is the truth.

“He would’ve loved it if he heard that….”

Kang In-ho remarked casually as he also got out of the car.

“My employer told me to protect you until he returns. So, I’m planning to stay here for a while; is that okay?”

“Are you asking for my permission?”

“Since this is your house too. If Joo Seung-hyuk isn’t here, I should get permission from you.”

He spoke as if it were natural. Yes, this is our house. If Joo Seung-hyuk isn’t here, I have to protect this home.

“You can stay.”

I pressed the door lock code and opened the front door. Joo Seung-hyuk had told me the password, but this was the first time I had pressed it and entered myself.

As I went inside, Kang In-ho followed behind.

“Lee Yeon-soo, which room should I stay in?”

“Don’t you have your own room?”

Kang In-ho had been with Joo Seung-hyuk since childhood. Moreover, seeing as they shared information about the investigation, they seemed to be very close.

If so, he must have visited the house often and perhaps even stayed over.

“Why would I have a room in this guy’s house?”

Upon hearing my words, Kang In-ho’s face suddenly contorted. I had watched him for a long time, but this was the first time I’d seen him look so annoyed.

“No, I just thought you guys were close….”

“A close relationship between an employer and an employee does not exist in this world.”

“Ah, right….”

I nodded awkwardly, looking at Read on Read BL NovelsKang In-ho’s expression, which seemed to [Read on Read BL Novels]be [Read on Read BL Novels]the physical embodiment of ‘disgust.’

It seems I had misjudged.

“Then do you want to use that room? There’s no bed, but it’s spacious.”

I pointed to the empty room next to the living room. As far as I knew, there were no rooms with beds or guest rooms on the first floor.

So, I had wondered if the second-floor room Joo Seung-hyuk had kept hidden from me was actually Kang In-ho’s room, but based on his reaction, that didn’t seem to be the case.

“Got it.”

“I’ll bring you a blanket.”

“I’ll do it.”

“No. You’re the guest, so rest.”

“I’m not a guest; I’m here to protect you. That’s my role. So, you’re the one who should tell me if you need anything.”

Kindness was felt within the Read on Read BL Novelsindifferent visit our sitevoice. I think I understood why Joo Seung-hyuk had entrusted me to Kang In-ho.

“Okay. I’ll do that….”

I nodded with a faint smile.