By Zephyria 
“Please forgive us!”
“We’re really regretting it.”
It was an apology.
Everyone in the room bowed deeply, apologizing.
Unlike Ki Jae-eon, who didn’t know what was going on, the children were quite serious. Even more so than when they confessed to unleashing Evil Aura on Kim Young-ho.
“We should have said this sooner.”
The oldest of the group raised his head after bowing and clasped his hands respectfully.
“We sincerely want to apologize.”
They didn’t seem to be joking. Their expressions and voices were tense. The children around him also followed the leader, clasping their hands neatly and taking a remorseful posture. It was like they were receiving a group punishment.
“We judged hyung as we pleased, were disappointed… and even said harsh things.”
His voice gradually faded.
They were all aware of how heavy and painful their careless words must have been to the other person.
Among them was the child who had poured out harsh words towards Ki Jae-eon, saying, ‘Why don’t you work harder?’ The child bit his lip with a self-reproachful expression. He seemed to be recalling the events of that day.
“We know it’s a late apology. But we thought we’d regret it if we put it off any longer, so we’re saying it now. We’re not asking you to forgive us unconditionally. We’ll work hard until hyung feels comfortable. Of course, we might seem shameless and impudent in hyung’s eyes-.”
The child paused for a beat and continued.
“But if you give us a chance, we really want to get along with hyung.”
Acknowledging one’s own mistakes requires a great deal of courage. Because it means accepting that you were wrong. It was a lifelong task for all thinking humans.
Apology, consideration, concession, understanding.
Suppressing one’s pride and respecting the other person.
Theoretically, it’s easy, but we all know that it’s difficult even for most adults. But these many children had done it.
Willingly, for the sake of Ki Jae-eon alone.
Perhaps Kim Young-ho’s incident had ignited a fire in the children’s hearts. That’s why they apologized, enduring the embarrassing and shameful moment.
Because they didn’t want to become an adult like Kim Young-ho.
Because they wanted to be honest with Ki Jae-eon.
At least, they didn’t want him to be hurt because of them.
“And thank you for not turning away from us and protecting us.”
In the end, it was gratitude.
As the leader finished speaking, some of the children who had been silent quietly opened their mouths.
“……I was really scared during Poor little cutie. I was really relieved when oppa came.”
“Hehe- I’m so glad hyung came to the main office.”
“Let’s all eat together this time, samgyeopsal!”
“Wow, that’s great!”
“Um, should we eat when Joo-won hyung comes?”
“Hyung-nim, are you okay with samgyeopsal? We can also do dakgalbi.”
Children were children, and their recovery was fast.
The way they smiled brightly as if they had never been dejected was as pretty as colorful candies. Thanks to them, the subdued atmosphere was instantly refreshed.
All that was left was Ki Jae-eon.
He was silently picking at his hangnails, a subconscious habit that came out when he was nervous.
‘I’ve already received words of gratitude.’
Ki Jae-eon recalled the pile of letters that filled the refrigerator. The letters he had read and reread every day before the sun rose and set. Now, the pile of papers was worn and torn in places.
‘…That was enough.’
His cloudy gaze turned to the children.
His eyes, which could never be called clear, sparkled only when they held the children.
In that moment, the words they had said echoed in his head like a round song.
‘I was really scared during Poor little cutie. I was really relieved when oppa came.’
‘Hehe- I’m so glad hyung came to the main office.’
‘Let’s all eat together this time, samgyeopsal!’
It felt like the children’s words were filling his body. Precious things that couldn’t be defined were filling the already rusted empty can. In that way, green sprouts began to spring up in a life that had only looked towards death.
Whether he wanted it or not… freshly.
Ki Jae-eon clutched the blanket tightly, as if he didn’t know what to do with the unfamiliar emotion. The inside of his cheeks was so sweet that it was hard. Was his salivary gland broken? The unbearable sweetness kept tormenting his mouth.
‘I feel like I’m going to throw up.’
But it wasn’t an unpleasant queasiness. If you peeled off one layer of the shell, it was a completely different emotion.
Yes, it was overwhelming.
Ah- after a short sigh, he lowered his head as if he couldn’t bear it any longer. The nape of his neck, between his disheveled hair, was red. Ki Jae-eon frowned and bit his lip tightly. He bit so hard that it was bloodless. He was afraid that he would blurt out nonsense if he didn’t do that.
‘It feels like my head is broken.’
Why is it so floaty… and ticklish.
The toes hidden under the blanket wriggled on their own, as if keeping rhythm. Soon after, Ki Jae-eon’s breath gradually became wet. I don’t know. I really don’t know anymore. What should I call this feeling that I don’t care if I become a laughingstock?
“Hyung.”
It was then.
A warm hand grabbing his shoulder and a gaze lowering to meet his affectionately.
“That’s good.”
At the sight of his bright smile, he ended up smiling like a fool.
Ah, I finally understand.
I’m happy now. You can cry even when you’re too happy.
“…Yeah.”
*
Crunch. The man, who had picked up an apple and taken a big bite, was drenched in sweat all over his body, as if he had just finished exercising. It was safe to say that he had almost taken a shower in sweat. He lightly swept back his wet hair and quickly finished the apple in his hand. Crunch, crunch- his firm jaw moved vigorously.
Meow-.
A cat, who had been enjoying grooming in the distance, discovered the man and walked gracefully to bump its head against his loose pants. Soon after, a pleasant purring sound echoed through the quiet space.
Hmm? The man’s gaze dropped down. He playfully shook the apple core he was holding in his hand and asked.
“You want this?”
Meow-.
“Is that right. You gonna eat it.”
Then I’m in a bit of trouble. The man smiled and strode into the kitchen. After throwing the remaining apple core into the sink, he took out a small box containing cat food. The Rosary bracelet hanging on his wrist, with its taut tendons, shook briefly.
The cat reacted with a “Mya!” at the sound of the food being poured.
The man placed the food bowl on the marble floor and headed to the living room, where a large window stood out. In the center of the living room, where the bright sunlight streamed in, he picked up the electronic pad that had been casually placed on a long wooden table that could seat six or seven people.
“Let’s see-.”
Something caught his eye as he scrolled through the news rankings with familiar gestures.
“Fallen Genius…….”
He read the headline and clicked on the article.
The gist of the article, lengthily enumerated, was close to a denunciation that slandered ‘Exorcist Ki Jae-eon.’ Of course, there wasn’t a single plausible piece of evidence like a photo or video.
In other words, it was trashy tabloid writing.
“They’ve completely crippled him.”
Reporter Kim Young-ho?
“Damn, what a psycho.”
The man, Shin Yoon, burst into a short, hollow laugh.
Ki Jae-eon collapsing? I’m hearing all sorts of strange things.
“What kind of—for him to chase me away like that. Never mind.”
Shin Yoon cast his gaze out the window, recalling the gloomy face he had seen once.
A presence that was unapproachable, unlike his vacant appearance.
And above all… the talent that made the Vermilion Bird God’s descent possible.
A Genius, yes.
“That’s right.”
That guy was a once-in-a-lifetime Genius.