PASSION Chapter 4 Part 26

Chapter 4 Part 26

Tae-ui suddenly slowed his steps. He was reminded of what had happened that morning.

That morning, that man had died. The man who had targeted Ilay last night, who had held the crossbow.

Ilay had told Tae-ui he would handle it after returning to Europe. And he hadn't broken that promise. Until that man came at him again.

It was morning when they returned to the branch building after finishing the march. They had to go straight into morning duties without even resting after finishing breakfast. People entered the building carrying their luggage while muttering curses.

Tae-ui too was grumbling "They're really working people to death" while picking up his luggage he had put down. Then suddenly he went "Oh" seeing one person. Among the rough, burly European branch men, his eyes caught a relatively small - though not really that different from average - young man. Wondering why he seemed somehow familiar while looking at him, Tae-ui soon realized.

It was the man from last night. Though not properly, he had seen him entangled with Ilay. Looking again at the side profile because the jawline seemed familiar, it was indeed that young man.

Tae-ui cleared his throat awkwardly. Though their eyes hadn't met and he hadn't directly encountered such an embarrassing scene yesterday, it was still awkward.

So that's it. That was Ilay's type. A smaller than average build with relatively delicate, beautiful lines.

Tae-ui became depressed. He was reminded of that gaze looking at Shin Lu. Though he knew he should be careful, he didn't know what to do even being careful. He couldn't fold up Shin Lu small and keep him in his pocket, and besides, if Shin Lu wanted to go, he could only watch silently.

That man Ilay was undoubtedly overwhelming enough to feel life-threatening, but on the other hand, he possessed equally clear and intense instinctive charm. Hadn't he felt it acutely last night?

Tae-ui suddenly felt a pang in his chest. And became even more depressed. Thinking about whether he could really compete if that man seriously approached Shin Lu, his mood couldn't improve.

While Tae-ui was gloomily agonizing like this.

It happened in front of everyone. That man with his head wrapped in blood-stained bandages rushed at Ilay. The blue blade thrust straight toward his side approached him in an instant.

Tae-ui was lost in thought while lifting his luggage some fifteen steps away from Ilay. Then he saw it.

The blade about a hand-span long was sharp enough to cut human flesh and bone without difficulty. Just as that blade was about to touch Ilay's side.

Ilay turned around. After giving the man a momentary glance, he looked at Tae-ui the next instant. It was a very brief moment. For such a short moment one couldn't even tell if their eyes had met, he smiled slightly.

You understand, right, breaking my word isn't my will, it's something I can't help.

That smile was saying that. And Ilay cut down that reckless and foolish man who had probably charged in with a resigned heart. Without hesitation, he sliced his throat in one stroke with the same knife the man had brought.

Blood sprayed like a fountain from the wound cut deep enough to half-sever the neck. Taking that blood full on, Ilay threw the knife to the floor like trash. Then wiped the blood that had splashed above his eyelids with the back of his hand. Only his eyes were white on his blood-stained face.

Tae-ui watched that scene blankly while frozen in place. It happened just a few meters away. A drop or two of blood had splattered onto Tae-ui's cheek and collar.

No one there opened their mouths. They just watched the man slowly collapsing while spurting blood, and Ilay standing expressionlessly before him looking down indifferently.

Ilay raised his gaze from looking down at him. His eyes briefly met Tae-ui's again. Looking at the man who had already become a corpse, Tae-ui muttered softly:

'Another case of "self-defense," I see.'

Though he wasn't a man to miss the sarcasm hidden in those words, even though Ilay must have heard that muttering, he just slightly raised the corners of his mouth in what might or might not have been a smile.

Tae-ui wiped the blood drops on his cheek with his thumb and moved his feet.

Not long after Tae-ui passed by Ilay and entered the building, an instructor came running, and the sound of the troubled-looking instructor giving Ilay a stern warning could be heard.

Though regulations wouldn't allow holding you responsible, we can't overlook if this keeps happening, if this happens again we'll take measures - it was a warning that even Tae-ui, let alone Ilay, wouldn't take seriously.

Tae-ui rubbed his goosebump-covered arms again. Even in the perfectly climate-controlled building, remembering that morning scene made his stomach turn and sent chills down his spine.

That was Ilay and simultaneously Rigrow. A man who didn't even blink in such situations, without the slightest difference from usual. That point was what Tae-ui found hardest to bear.

"Actually, didn't he join here because he could kill people without punishment?"

Tae-ui muttered sulkily to himself. Though he didn't want to think that way, if he originally had such a perversion of greatly enjoying killing people.

"Who are you talking about, Brother Tae-ui?"

Tae-ui, who had been staring blankly at his feet while leaning against the wall, startled and looked up at the sudden voice. Shin Lu was standing quietly a few steps ahead looking at him. When their eyes met, his brightly smiling face was sweet as cotton candy today too.

"Oh, Shin Lu. How long have you been there?"

"Since 'hands too beautiful to waste on that guy'... Whose hands are so pretty?"

Shin Lu asked while tilting his head slightly. At that subtle question, Tae-ui quickly waved his hands.

"No, it's nothing. Someone not worth thinking about. Someone there's no good in knowing about."

"Hmm..."

Shin Lu looked at Tae-ui steadily but soon nodded with a bright smile.

"Yes. Whatever it is, don't worry too much about it either, Brother. Your face seems to have gotten much worse in just a few days. ...Are you coming from Instructor Jung? It wouldn't be good to get caught."

Shin Lu spoke worriedly. This floor where they were standing now was somewhere Tae-ui shouldn't be. However, having already resigned himself to copying ten Rules and Regulations books, Tae-ui had nothing more to fear. He thought once caught on record, getting caught once or ten times was the same.

Tae-ui quietly looked down at Shin Lu. Just looking at him made him smile naturally.

He was a beautiful and lovely young man whenever seen. Just looking at this pure and clean appearance made his heart settle. Especially that sweetly melting smile.

"Shin Lu."

"Yes?"

"...Nothing."

Tae-ui called his name then smiled meaninglessly. Though Shin Lu tilted his head with a strange expression, he soon showed that lovely smile. Seeing that smile made Tae-ui's heart ache. Such joy he had never felt before - perhaps this was the joy of romance people talked about.

Though he wasn't sure if he was actually having a romance, still since he liked him and he also showed affection knowing Tae-ui's feelings, it could be called romance without lacking - come to think of it they had even kissed, though on the cheek - thinking such thoughts to himself, Tae-ui smiled happily.

"Where are you headed?"

"Ah. Going back to my room. Just finished work. Had a lot of work today so finished late."

"I see. ...Right then, go rest. Rest, and see you next time."

Tae-ui patted Shin Lu's shoulder while hiding his regret. Shin Lu too was silent for a moment as if regretful before speaking:

"Yes, take care then. Don't forget about going out together after training ends."

That slightly playful whining tone made Tae-ui's heart ache again. This really must be the joy of romance.

"Yeah. Then later..."

Rubbing his mouth with his hand, embarrassed by the smile that kept creeping up despite trying to suppress it, Tae-ui suddenly closed his mouth the next moment. The smile instantly disappeared from his expression.

Because he saw a man coming around the landing in front of him, behind Shin Lu.

Ilay Rigrow.

Perhaps realizing Tae-ui's expression had suddenly hardened, Shin Lu turned around with a puzzled face. Ilay too, who had noticed their presence while turning from the landing and walking this way, stopped his gaze on Tae-ui's face then looked at the turning Shin Lu.

"..."

"..."

A subtle silence flowed. Ilay looked at Shin Lu. Shin Lu too looked at Ilay. Tae-ui anxiously looked back and forth between the two.

Whenever thinking of Shin Lu in front of that man, Tae-ui tasted a vague anxiety. An instinctive anxiety of worrying about losing something precious. Like now.

"...Brother Tae-ui. Then I'll be going now. Get back safely."

Breaking the brief heavy silence, Shin Lu spoke quietly. Though Tae-ui couldn't see Shin Lu's expression as he had his back turned, there was faint wariness in his voice. Tae-ui felt relieved at that voice. At least in this moment, what Shin Lu felt toward that man wasn't affection or curiosity. He was warily defensive toward that man.

Though that monster-like man would have no hesitation in taking what he liked by force regardless of whether Shin Lu was wary or not, Tae-ui felt slightly relieved at Shin Lu's reaction. Because deep down he had worried that Shin Lu might be drawn to that man's threatening charm, even if only slightly.