I nearly bowed to Seo Dawon and shouted thank you at him. However, without giving me a chance to languish in gratitude, he shot me a cool look. However, this time Ill need solid evidence.

He spoke as if he would no longer tolerate these sorts of words in the future if I couldnt figure out what was so suspicious about Bae Jaemin.

I thought Seo Dawon had infinite trust in Jung Garam, but I flinched when that belief was shattered. At some point he would draw the line and treat me as the head of a guild would. Understood, I said.

However, Seo Dawon was the one to draw me, who had flinched at his attitude, back into an affectionate mood again.

Seo Dawon looked at me before placing his hands over my bangs. Then, with an expression that didnt hide how cute he found me, he began tousling my hair.

What is this, all of a sudden I had never even received this sort of affection from my father; naturally, I freaked out and avoided his hand.

However, Seo Dawon ignored my attitude and continued as normal. It was as if, now that official business had completed, we moved onto a private conversation. Did you eat?

I didnt

Eat with me.

But, Ryu Hyerin-ssi and you are

What about Hyerin-ie?

When I looked like I wanted to bite myself at the slip of the tongue, Seo Dawon only laughed instead of interrogating me further. It was as if he knew what I wanted to say

Theres still a few hours left until dinner, he said.

If not, do you want to join Hyerin-ie and me later?

What? No! I dont want to.

Its better to eat with just the two of us, right? Seo Dawon had clearly never been rejected before. Eventually, I sighed and followed his lead.

* * *

Its good to see you, Seo Dawon-ssi.

Seo Dawon took me, in his car, to a luxurious restaurant on the city outskirts. The appearance or the service level of the staff was quite extraordinary; the menu we were handed had no prices listed. Nevertheless, the spacious restaurant was filled with people.

Even among those gathered, Seo Dawon was a spectacle. Because the restaurant boasted an open floor plan, I could feel the others piercing gazes; trying to ignore the stares combined with the pressure of such a high-class restaurant, it was hard to stay calm.

The fish here is decent. Of course, Seo Dawon was calm. Furthermore, before I could peruse through the menu properly, he had finished ordering my share.

Considering how I could barely pronounce the menu items, it was probably better for Seo Dawon to choose. However, I inwardly sighed when I thought about what his proficiency in these sorts of situations meant for his life experiences.

Ohoh. If it isnt Seo Dawon-ssi!

However, those thoughts were cut short. Someone suddenly, and quickly, approached our table.

I turned towards the approaching people, wondering if I should block their approach, and opened my eyes wide. Another familiar face again. To be exact, one of the approaching men was the last person I had expected to see.

Thats Moon Issak?

The nerves in my body alighted sharply as I stared at Moon Issak. Perhaps he noticed my gazehe glowered at me without blinking once. 1

His gaze was more vigilant and weighty than what I remembered from when I was in my own body What was more concerning were the people in Moon Issaks company. In particular, the chubby man at the forefront wore a smilein contrast to Moon Issaks impassive faceas he reached a hand out to Seo Dawon.

Congressman-nim. Speaking of smiles, Seo Dawons bright smile filled his face as well. Ihow should I say this Should I say that I felt elements of steadfastness, reliability, and professionalism from that smile? I inadvertently stared, startled by the Mages expression.

Moon Issaks companions, who seemed to be on their way out after a meal, blushed and smiled heartily when they saw Seo Dawons expression. The chubby man grabbed Seo Dawons hand and continued on into a more private conversation. Ohoho, its been almost 2 months since I last saw you in Jeju.

Thats right. How have you been?

Hahaha, me? Well, Im always the same. Rather than me, I think our Guild Master-nim 2 would have been far busier. The man at the front of the party clung onto the Mages hands, busily raising his voiceit was as if he were announcing to all here his lifes most important networking connection.

In particular, he kept on using words like Red Lotus and Guild Master, like he wanted everyone in this restaurant to recognize Red Lotuss Seo Dawon.

If it were me, I wouldnt be able to maintain a straight face next to such a burdensome person Seo Dawon didnt even cringe and was perfectly attuned to the others beat.

And, Moon Issak was

He seems tohate Seo Dawon a lot?

He stood far away from the Mage, eyes lowered and mouth closed in a tight line. Still, the negative emotions that he could not fully bury had permeated into his body language.

Surprisingly, though, Seo Dawon talked happily with the Congressmen surrounding him before finally turning towards Moon Issak, as if he just now noticed the man. He called out in an innocent voice, And this person is

Ah! Hes administrative assistant Moon Issak Hes a very competent friend. 3 Didnt you see him once in Jeju?

Did I?

Nice to meet you again. Im called Moon Issak.

Seo Dawon only grinned after receiving Moon Issaks greeting. That was to say he dragged the lull until the person who had greeted him felt a bit ashamed.

However, the other lawmakers didnt rebuke or say anything to Seo Dawon. They simply smiled genially and moved away, promising to meet again next time. Moon Issak bowed deeply and slowly straightened his back again. I clearly saw that he looked as if he was holding in his irritation before he twirled around and left the restaurant.

Do youhate Moon Issak? When dining service, which had been paused temporarily due to the interrupting conversation, I stirred the soup in front of me and asked the Mage an abrupt question. The relationship between Seo Dawon and Moon Issak concerned me.

However, Seo Dawon responded indifferently, as if it werent a big deal. No?

But then, why? Um

You want to know why I gave him a hard time?

Yes

He was weirdly abrasive from the first time we met.

Huh.?

Well, live a long enough life and there will be people you hate for no reason at all. I guess he just didnt like me.

Moon Issak picked a fight with him first? However, Seo Dawon seemed to have used his status and connections to skillfully mess with himto treat him as subordinate

Perhaps he read something from my expression, Seo Dawon lightly took a sip of his soup before saying, So, I decided to give him a reason.

Ah

But, the funny thing about him Now that Ive messed with him a few times like this, he waited for me in the bathroom and attacked me the last time I was in Jeju island.

What did you say? I looked at Seo Dawon, surprised.

However, he simply blinked his eyes and shrugged, as if he were reminiscing about something quite amusing. He endures me well. Garam-ie, is he possibly to your taste?

Huh? W-What?

I smashed the bones in the back of his hand, and he didnt groan even once.

Crazy.. What on earth happened between you two? Furthermore, doing things like that What was with him reminiscing about something like that as if it were something fun? I lost my appetite; I placed down the spoon that I had been using to stir my soup.

Whats wrong? It doesnt taste good?

Its just Mm, Ill eat later.

Seo Dawon was being kind when he asked me that question, but I refused him while cold sweat. I remembered the few times I rebelled against Seo Dawon since I had met him. I even called him a pervert Now that I think about it, there were many fortunate incidents where the Mage had let me slide.

Seo Dawon is incredibly generous to those that he considers within his boundaries. 4

Then, something abruptly occurred to me. What did Seo Dawon think when Ryu Hyerin betrayed him?

Hyung Hypothetically

Hm?

If I were to make a huge mistake in regards to Hyung Will you forgive me?

What is this all of a sudden?

Its just, well Things like that could happen in life. Though I pretended to be joking, the ends of my sentences sounded shaky.

Seo Dawon stared at me absentmindedly, What would constitute a huge mistake?

Ruining what Hyung has been working towards, losing all your money A mistake that would ruin Hyungs life.

And how could you make a mistake like that?

So, thats why I said hypothetically I stabbed my innocent soup with my fork while avoiding Seo Dawons persistent eyes. Now that Id spoken out loud, I wanted him to dismiss my words as emotionally charged nonsense.

If you beg for forgiveness, Ill have to grant it at least once.

After all, thats what you do with mistakes.

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TL:

Seo Dawon: So, I decided to give him a reason.

Thats the level of pettiness I sometimes aspire to have.

Footnotes