“So, what’s next?”
“Sorry?”
“Any other reason?”
His uncle gestured, as if to say, 'Is that all? Tell me more.' His expression clearly indicated that he didn't find my reasons convincing. If they had been, he wouldn't have argued.
Jeong Tae-ui silently looked at him. He returned Jeong Tae-ui's gaze. Without urging him further, he patiently waited for Jeong Tae-ui to speak.
Occasionally, Jeong Tae-ui would be surprised by his Hyung. It wasn't about his brother's genius or luck, things he was already familiar with as if they were a part of him. It was when he realized that his brother understood him surprisingly well.
Having grown up together for a quarter of a century—though their separate lives meant they weren't always together—they thought they knew each other pretty well. But sometimes, Jeong Jae-ui would still surprise Jeong Tae-ui.
It was especially evident when Jeong Jae-ui pointed out aspects of Jeong Tae-ui's personality or thoughts that Jeong Tae-ui himself hadn't consciously realized. Without making a conscious effort to observe, Jeong Jae-ui had a natural ability to perceive the essence of people.
In that respect, uncle definitely had a similar composition to Jeong Jae-ui.
“…….”
I had never said anything like that, nor had I ever shown any signs of it, and we didn't meet very often, but I felt like my uncle already knew. Or even if he didn't know, I wouldn't be surprised at all if he told him.
“……It's dangerous for me to go to a place full of men.”
Jeong Tae-ui muttered gloomily. His uncle, raising an eyebrow slightly as he looked at his sullen face, smiled as if amused.
“Who?”
Before he could fully grasp his uncle's question, he went on to ask another one.
“You mean you, or other guys?”
Jeong Tae-ui slightly furrowed his brow. And after being lost in thought, he answered.
“If we had to choose, it would be me.”
“You? Why are you so worried? Like they're going to jump you or something.”
Jeong Tae-ui glared disapprovingly at his uncle who was speaking as if it were funny. And then, clicking his tongue as if giving up, he mumbled like a sigh.
“I would be the one, who's going to jump all those people.”
“I had no idea you were so protective. If you want to, and you think you can, go ahead and take them down. In that place, you might make it in, as long as you're not messing with your superiors.”
“……. Are you saying that anyone who’s stronger can just do whatever they want to anyone weaker?!?”
When Jeong Tae-uie exclaimed in disbelief, his uncle spread his hands and smiled wryly. Sometimes, I can't tell if this guy is joking or being serious. Jeong Tae-ui clicked his tongue, scratched his head irritably, and glared at his uncle.
“You know, so why are you pretending not to?”
“I'm not sure. As far as I can tell, the only thing I can guess about in this context is that you might be attracted to people of the same sex. Is there anything else I'm missing?”
“That's enough to tire me out.”
“Was it so exhausting to take down that obnoxious senior of yours and then get out of the military?”
Jeong Tae-ui glared fiercely at his uncle for a while, then sighed as if he was tired, and leaned his head against the wall. See, you knew all along. I wasn't so surprised because I had a feeling.
His uncle took a cup from the cupboard within reach, grabbed a kettle also within reach, and poured water into it. And as if it were a fragrant tea, he savored the plain water and said.
“Jeong Tae-ui. Regarding that matter, I thought that perhaps I might have been able to barely understand if you had used it as a reason from a slightly different perspective. But I cannot understand the meaning you conveyed.”
“A different perspective? What do you mean?”
When he asked in a tired voice, weary of their argument, his uncle smiled playfully.
“FFor example, are you afraid that other guys might jump on you?”
“Uncle, that joke is not funny…….”
A deep sigh escaped. "No, I didn't say anything that funny," the following muttered words were even more joking. The words that weren't joking came after that.
“Okay, is there any other reason?”
Jeong Tae-ui let out a long, heavy sigh. He was silent for a moment before muttering, as if he had given up hope..
“……. 6 months?”
Upon hearing that, his uncle's eyes lit up and he smiled brightly.
“Yep, six months. Until we find a new director. After that, it's up to you. You can quit if you want, or if you enjoy it, you can stay. And let me tell you, even if you do quit, job offers will be pouring in right away, so don't worry about finding a new job. The only thing you'll have to worry about is where to go, because having worked for our organization is such a great career boost.”
“Yes, I’m sure that’s the case.”
Jeong Tae-ui felt completely drained, slumping into the chair as if he had just finished a full marathon. Although he felt no sense of accomplishment whatsoever, the clock on the wall showed that it was time for people to start their day again.
People say you can't see what's coming, but I never expected such abrupt and unforeseen changes to hit me so hard.
I told you I have had a bad feeling since this morning. This is what happened in the end.
At that time, it turns out his uncle's decision to choose Jeong Tae-ui based on his intuition may have been surprisingly accurate.
-Manhwa Chapter 1,2-
-End of Prologue-
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Credits:
Translator: Hoshi Miya
Editor/Proofreader: Tâmago
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