KFL 86

“No, no!”

I hurriedly waved my hands and bowed ninety degrees.

“I’m really sorry that Se-han had an accident because of me! Please forgive me!”

[Do you think Sung Se-han would resent Lee Tae-kyung for something like that?]

Without realizing it, I put my hands together and looked at the Status Window with a humble posture.

If Sung Se-han finds out the truth, will he resent me?

“No… Se-han probably won’t resent me. He’s just that kind of person. He doesn’t regret or look back….”

[Why are you trying to distance yourself from Sung Se-han when you know that so well.]

[Isn’t it just hurting Sung Se-han again because you can’t heal your own wounds.]

“…….”

I was too ashamed to look at the Status Window. It was true. I couldn’t handle the guilt of causing Sung Se-han’s death, so I ended up hurting Sung Se-han, who didn’t know anything.

“I’m really lacking….”

All I’m doing for the guy who died because of me is hurting him again….

[Geez! I told you to stop digging, you’re going to get groundwater pouring out.]

The Status Window looked at me very pitifully. Feeling the Status Window’s emotions seems a bit uncomfortable at times like this.

“I… I don’t know what to do.”

I couldn’t decide whether I could be by Sung Se-han’s side, whether it was really okay to do such a shameless thing.

[I understand you’re confused. But it would have been better not to say that Sung Se-han makes you uncomfortable.]

The Status Window seemed to be taking a deep breath, and my heart was anxiously tightening.

“I’ll apologize to Se-han quickly. But he’s not answering my calls right now….”

The Status Window kept sighing as if for me to hear, and my head went further and further down.

“I’ll work hard to make up for my mistakes.”

I apologized again, bowing deeply, and then lifted my face with a determined expression. Se-han must still be suffering because of me, and I can’t just keep reflecting forever.

“You said the last 3 points are difficult, right?”

[That’s right! The last 3 points must be Lee Tae-kyung…]

Bee—

“Agh!”

I covered my ears and collapsed at the sudden, sharp noise. The pain was so intense, like my eardrums were being torn apart, that I couldn’t think straight.

“Ugh…! Ugh!”

Just when I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, the noise suddenly stopped. I took my hands away from my ears and slowly raised my head.

“Status Window…?”

I looked around, but the Status Window was already gone.

“Could it be because I asked a question…?”

The noise erupted as if to interfere the moment the Status Window tried to answer my question. I stood up from my crouched position and slowly walked up the stairs.

This is the second time the noise has interrupted my conversation with the Status Window. It seems the Status Window can’t arbitrarily give me information.

That’s right. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

“The last 3 points must be Lee Tae-kyung…”

I was grateful and considered it valuable information just to have heard that much.

I’ve been eliminating Inferiority Score without much difficulty so far, but the last 3 points are difficult.

But instead of worrying, I feel motivated. I’m glad there’s something I can do for Sung Se-han. I even think it’s better because it’s not easy.

If I can reduce the Inferiority Score to 0 and completely eliminate the risk of an accident, then I think I can escape from this guilt.

To do that, I’m ready to do anything, whatever it takes.

After climbing all the stairs, I took out my phone again. Even if Sung Se-han refuses, I’ll persistently call him…

Vrrrum—

“Ah, you scared me!”

While lost in thought, my phone suddenly vibrated. An unsaved number was displayed on the screen. Feeling a sense of foreboding, I quickly answered the call.

“Hello?”

—Lee Tae-kyung, are you with Se-han right now?

I easily recognized Kang Robin’s voice just by hearing it, but I couldn’t answer right away. Why is he looking for Se-han at this hour?

“I met him a little while ago… but we parted ways soon after.”

—You met a little while ago? Wait a minute, weren’t you supposed to have dinner together?

I had nothing to say, so I hesitated, and I heard Kang Robin sigh deeply.

—Lee Tae-kyung, tell me properly what happened. Se-han didn’t answer his phone all evening, and now he’s turned it off completely and disappeared. This is because of you, isn’t it?

My heart kept sinking as I listened to Kang Robin’s words.

“Se-han’s phone is, turned off?”

—Hoo…! Did something happen between you two? It wasn’t just a quarrel, was it?

“Robin!”

I couldn’t stay still, so I started walking quickly.

“Where would Se-han go? Maybe to the dorm…”

—There’s no way he’d go to the dorm right now.

My mind grew colder and colder at Kang Robin’s sharp tone. If he couldn’t be reached during dinner, it’s natural to be worried, but Kang Robin’s anxious attitude seemed unsettling.

“But Se-han might arrive home soon, so if you wait a little longer…”

—You’re so carefree, Lee Tae-kyung.

I couldn’t say anything in response to Kang Robin’s sharp words criticizing me, and I just bit my lip. Kang Robin was silent for a moment, as if trying to control his temper.

—You’re not at the dorm right now, are you?

“No, I’m on vacation, so I’m at home.”

—I’m on my way there now, so send me the address.

I was surprised for a moment that he was coming here, but I answered immediately.

“Yes, I’ll send it right away.”

I ended the call and started writing a text message, but my fingers kept trembling. It seems like I’ve done something terribly wrong, but I don’t know what it is.

While waiting for Kang Robin at the entrance to the apartment complex, I pressed Se-han’s speed dial number several times. But his phone was still turned off.

Vroom—

I recognized Kang Robin’s car as a strange SUV approached quickly. I got into the front seat as soon as the car stopped.

“Hello.”

“Is this a time for ‘hello’?”

Kang Robin was still sharp. I silently fastened my seatbelt and looked straight ahead.

“I’m sorry. Because of me.”

Kang Robin seemed lost in thought as we drove down the quiet dawn road. It wasn’t the right atmosphere to ask where we were going, so I anxiously looked out the window.

“Lee Tae-kyung.”

“Yes, yes.”

I looked at Kang Robin respectfully. His hardened expression had softened a little.

“Se-han is my precious son.”

It was something I already knew, but it was a surprising statement nonetheless. I felt my shoulders shrink a little.

“Yes, I know.”

Kang Robin was silent again.

“I didn’t even know Se-han was born, so I couldn’t take care of him. If I had known, I would never have left him alone. I couldn’t help it because I didn’t know.”

Kang Robin, who was speaking incoherently, seemed uneasy, and I felt a sudden fear.

“I, I don’t know much about Se-han’s childhood…”

“Even if Se-han doesn’t want you to, I think you need to know.”

I closed my mouth and just stared at Kang Robin. Sung Se-han said he would slowly tell me everything I didn’t know, but I couldn’t wait any longer. I wanted to hear something else, even if it was from Kang Robin.

“Se-han…”

The knuckles on Kang Robin’s hand, which was gripping the steering wheel tightly, were white.

“Our Se-han, until he was seven years old, he lived locked in a room.”

I couldn’t understand, so I just blinked like an idiot.

“Ah… yes? What do you mean by that…”

My chest felt tight because of Kang Robin, who was staring straight ahead with his mouth tightly shut. He needs to explain it properly and accurately, quickly. I don’t know why he’s stopping in the middle of his sentences.

“I, you mean Se-han lived locked up? What do you mean?”

“Until Se-han’s maternal Grandmother rescued him at the age of seven.”

Rage was seething in Kang Robin’s light-colored eyes as he turned to look at me.

“Se-han was trapped in a small place without being able to talk to anyone.”

I couldn’t understand Kang Robin’s words properly, so I could only open my mouth blankly like an idiot.

“Those bastards locked the child in a room and prevented him from having any contact with anyone.”

It was natural that I couldn’t accept these unreal words. I didn’t want to hear anything, so I unconsciously covered my ears.

“How could people do that? They wouldn’t even raise animals like that. They only fed him enough to keep him alive…”

Could these terrible words I’m hearing actually have happened to Se-han?

I clutched my chest in agony, but it didn’t get any better. I couldn’t accept anything.

Why did Se-han have to live like that? Wasn’t there anyone… wasn’t there anyone to help him?

Se-han’s Mom?

[How to prevent the death of genius idol Sung Se-han.]

Another voice penetrated my ears. It was a gentle, cheerful, and affectionate voice. I focused all my attention to not miss that voice.

[An opportunity to eliminate 1 point of Inferiority Score has arrived!]

[However, it may be accompanied by a lot of pain.]

Nod, nod. I just nodded diligently with my ears covered.

[Lee Tae-kyung can choose. Even if it’s not now, there will be plenty of opportunities…]

My eyes grew hot at the Status Window’s voice, which was filled with concern.

Please let me do it.

The moment I conveyed my firm determination, the surroundings were dyed in dark silence.