“Then how about I tell you the reason for this visit?”
Now it was the time for the important business.
“Now then, Sunghoon, you’re probably most curious about why I came here, right?”
I nodded my head.
“Also if you managed to convince Ungnyeo,” I said.
The most important matter to me was if Jeongmi-nuna managed to convince Ungnyeo. Otherwise, there was no way to stop the terrible events that happened before, the ones that happened to Narae and Rangii, from happening again. I unconsciously clenched my fist. Jeongmi-nuna blushed slightly after seeing me do this.
“So even though you were so worried earlier, you can make that kind of face.”
“…What?”
Jeongmi-nuna suddenly said something indecipherable, when,
“If you are so taken with the Young Master’s impression of a dog needing to go out into the yard and relieve itself, then I would recommend you get new lenses for your glasses.”
Saehee succinctly explained what Jeongmi-nuna meant. That I looked like a dog that needed to relieve itself.
“These glasses don’t have a prescription.”
“A glasses-toting older woman. What an antiquated trope.”
“I guess you didn’t know that younger people actually like it quite a bit.”
These two. They were joking around. I raised my hand to stop their subtly hostile conversation and pressed Jeongmi-nuna for an answer.
“So how’d it go?”
Jeongmi-nuna cleared her throat and returned to the original topic.
“Ungnyeo-nim said she would accept your reasoning on one condition.”
“Awesome!”
A cheer slipped out of my mouth. This meant Narae and Rangii weren’t in danger anymore. I was so happy that I was ready to beat a drum and dance in joy by myself.
…But Saehee. Why’re you looking at me so disparagingly? And Narae-nim. Why are you looking at me so calmly like that?
“It appears you are talented in hearing only what you wish to hear, Young Master.”
I could tell now why Saehee was looking at me as if I were some organism that was less than human. She was referencing the part of what Jeongmi-nuna said that had escaped me.
“Wait. On what condition?”
Jeongmi-nuna nodded her head.
“That’s right. Ah, but don’t worry too much about it. It’s really simple.”
Those words were the scariest of all. Because lurking within that one sentence was a horrible problem. And, as I expected, Ungnyeo’s condition that Jeongmi-nuna was talking about wasn’t simple at all.
“Ungnyeo-nim fully believes that the Tiger-nim is in love with you. But the problem is you.”
“Me?”
“That’s right. Kang Sunghoon, the human the Tiger-nim fell in love with. Though, during that time, the Tiger-nim displayed proof of her true love for the man known as Sunghoon, there’s a small problem with you.”
I didn’t have to think hard at all. Because I remembered what happened on that day as if it happened yesterday.
The day I nearly broke Rangii’s heart. I went into that tiger’s den to hold her to me. After that, I survived Rangii’s Tiger Punch despite my only human body, and I gave my first confession ever to Rangii while she wasn’t in her right mind.
“…You mean that wasn’t enough?”
I wanted to bring Ungnyeo here and have her take a Tiger Punch. Then she’d understand. My voice unknowingly rose along with my temper. Seeing my anger, Jeongmi-nuna shook her head and clarified.
“Not at all. But the problem is that you said something that caught Ungnyeo-nim’s attention.”
“What the heck did I…ah.”
I remembered what I said then.
‘But don’t you like…love Narae?’
‘That’s right. But I like you too. I love you too.’
‘…Where does that make sense?’
‘Right here.’
‘That’s stupid.’
‘That’s what’s called a person’s heart. I definitely like Narae, but I like you too.’
Uwagh! Uwaaaagh!! Uwaaaaaaaagh!! I said that! I did say that! I literally declared my intent to two-time! I couldn’t blame Ungnyeo at all for doubting my sincerity. I actually agreed with her. If I were in her shoes, I’d say something like, “The hell did that asshole say?”
Someone with that same sentiment exuding from her eyes was sitting to my right. Thankfully, Narae had no idea what Jeongmi-nuna and I were talking about. I got the feeling that she was eyeing Jeongmi-nuna and me for a chance to ask about that.
“What does that mean, Unni? Didn’t you say there are no more problems from back then?”
Unfortunately, my childhood friend is proactive.
“I thought so as well, but Ungnyeo-nim’s paranoia flared up again.”
Thank you, Nuna. Thank you for sneaking around the real reason. I quickly spoke up before Narae could ask why Ungnyeo was acting paranoid.
“Why is that?”
Once again, unfortunately, my childhood friend is proactive. Her question was so surprising that it nearly made me jump, but I was just barely able to keep my cool. I looked at Jeongmi-nuna, begging desperately with my eyes for her to save me.
Jeongmi-nuna understood.
“You see, back then, Sunghoon said this. He said he likes women with big breasts.”
Half-understood.
“Ohh…so he said that.”
Narae’s scornful glare was painful. It stung. Not only did I feel a stinging sensation in my heart, but my entire body went cold despite the summer heat, as if I were naked and stranded in Siberia. I tried my hardest not to be completely overwhelmed by Narae and spoke to Jeongmi-nuna.
“A-A-A-And? Wh-Wh-Wh-What condition did she give?”
Of course, I was overwhelmed regardless of my best efforts. You see, Narae’s hand crept up and grabbed me by the forearm. No matter how much I like Narae, I would rather not undergo this kind of skinship.
Jeongmi-nuna smiled charmingly with her eyes as if she didn’t notice my situation.
“Ungnyeo-nim said that she wishes to see a video of you, the Tiger-nim, and a member of the Bear Clan being lovey-dovey together.”
Behold the pride and joy of the Korean education system: the moment I, a pubescent boy, heard the words lovey-dovey video, I put the first letters of the words audio and video together in my head.
“But why?”
“Because she wants to see you. Your prowess as a man when with the Tiger-nim and a well-endowed woman you like, that is.”
“Wait, Nuna. I can’t follow this conversation.”
My prowess as a man? I was still a high schooler, so she couldn’t be talking about economic power, but was she talking about my open-mindedness or generosity or something? She couldn’t really mean something as suggestive as that, could she? Narae returned me to this world from my delusional thoughts.
“…”
Because she pinched my arm.
“Ow! What’s that for?!”
“Are you seriously asking?”
No, I already knew. Did all my thoughts show on my face? Curious about that, I asked Jeongmi-nuna a question.
“Nuna, can you tell what I’m thinking right now?”
“Hm? Not at all?”
That was a normal response. I had no idea how Narae knew what I was thinking. I purged my mind of any more suggestive thoughts and decided to instead confess that I was an idiot to Jeongmi-nuna.
“But what do you mean by prowess as a man?”
“Hmmm?”
Jeongmi-nuna once again smiled at me with her eyes. She looked really good like that. More than others, that is. The ghost whose smiling eyes were a sight less welcome than Jeongmi-nuna’s answered my question.
“She wishes to see proof that the Young Master, even while unleashing his lust on both the Master and Narae-nim, can live a harmonious life with both of them so that neither becomes envious of the other.”
“Ah, so that’s what she meant?”
That seemed like the kind of prowess only a truly trashy human could have. Then it’s fine. After all, the phantoms are very vocal about calling me human trash, so…wait. What did Saehee just say? When I fully understood what Saehee said, I shouted.
“What?!”
“Worry not. Ungnyeo-nim is open to any man except Hwanung-nim having a wife and a concubine. After all, she is ancient, no?”
The person that this mattered to is a modern human. And there was another modern human sitting next to me.
“W-Wait! What did she say, Unni?! You mean Sunghoon’s going to make Rangii his c-concubine?”
“I wonder why you think the Master would be the concubine.”
Narae ignored Saehee’s remark and waited for Jeongmi-nuna’s answer. She waved her hand side to side as she spoke.
“It’s not like that. I told you, didn’t I? Ungnyeo-nim just wants to see you, the Tiger-nim, and one other be lovey-dovey. In other words, she wants to make sure that neither the Tiger-nim nor Sunghoon do something that causes their feelings for each other to change, and that the inclusion of another woman won’t end up breaking them apart. I guess you could say she wants to check on these things.”
Something that causes Rangii’s feelings to change? Even I’d want to know if that were possible. So that I could be sure to avoid it, of course.
“And so.”
It seemed like Jeongmi-nuna wanted to continue the original topic. I wanted to learn how to stay on track even in the midst of this chaos like her.
“Could you please be in a lovey-dovey video? Ungnyeo-nim said that a ten-to-twenty minute video would be enough.”
Could I refuse that request? No. I didn’t have a choice; it was an ultimatum. If I refused, then Ungnyeo might do something again. I had no desire to put Rangii’s safety on the line again. I didn’t want to see Rangii crying so sadly ever again. I didn’t want to see Rangii so hurt ever again. Saehee seemed to agree that accepting this request was for the best.
“Then I need only film four or five short scenes. Should you agree to it, I will handle the filming, dubbing, and special effects.”
I had to ask her something first.
“Why the dubbing?”
“Ungnyeo may find faults with the Master’s, the Young Master’s, and the other person’s recorded conversation, so I shall provide my assistance.”
Saehee was always thorough when it came to Rangii. In my head, I lifted my arms in surrender and vocally responded to Jeongmi-nuna.
“I guess I have to.”
“Good to hear. That’s a huge relief.”
But there were a few other problems with what Jeongmi-nuna said.
“But Nuna. There’s still the issue of how we’re going to film…”
I closed my mouth when I saw Saehee take out a smartphone.
“In this day and age, even idols record movies using smartphones.”
Suddenly, I was a relic of the old generation. I asked a different question.
“Then who are you going to be filming Rangii and me with?”
Jeongmi-nuna raised her hand and pointed. …Ah. That was a dumb question. After all, Jeongmi-nuna said that I like big breasted women to cover for me.
“Me?”
Narae asked, Jeongmi-nuna’s finger pointing at her, and she replied.
“Yeah. I wasn’t able to tell you until now, but this is the reason I brought you here.”
Narae spoke in surprise.
“B-But why me? Why do I have to be in a video like that with Sunghoon?! N-No! That’s disgusting!”
Chii got something wrong. If she wanted to kill me, she should have just gotten the girl I like to say something like that. Narae turned head sharply to the side, and I suppressed the groan building within me.
My feelings weren’t the problem right now. Ungnyeo wanted to see how Narae, Rangii, and I get along on a daily basis. But was it possible to get Narae to go along with this without telling her the whole situation? After all, she was so against it. Then did I have to tell Narae the real confession I gave in that cave? If I did that, Narae would almost surely help out. But the problem was after that. I would honestly rather she just turn me down. Because the worst case scenario would be if she came to hate me. Who in their right mind would like to hear, “I also like a girl other than you,” as a confession?
But this was for Rangii’s sake. Even if Narae did end up hating me, there’s always a chance that I can make up with her. There was no way I could do nothing and put Rangii’s safety on the line just to not be hated. Yeah. I should tell her. Having made up my mind, I opened my mouth. But I immediately closed it. Unbeknownst to Narae, Jeongmi-nuna raised her index finger and pressed it softly against her lips, signaling me to keep quiet. What was her plan? I kept quiet, and Jeongmi-nuna spoke.
“In that case, Narae? Should I call my little sister? She has an impressive chest and is about your age. And Sunghoon might even like her; she is quite pretty.”
What was your plan, Nuna? While I couldn’t wrap my head around why she said that,
“N-No!”
Narae suddenly shouted against what Jeongmi-nuna said. I looked at Narae in confusion, but I didn’t even register in Narae’s perception as she glowered at her unni with a terrifying light burning her eyes.
“Absolutely not, Unni! What if Sunghoon uses the video as an excuse to do l-lude things to her?!”
Narae-nim. Unlike what you think, I am not just some cur who falls just for a pair of large breasts. If, by some strange twist of fate, your breasts were smaller, I would still have fallen in love with you. Even if you disregard that terrible hypothetical, I was also in love with Rang…um, never mind that.
“For the sake of everyone in the Bear Clan, I have no choice but to accept the risk.”
At least protect my image a little, Nuna!
“I planned on asking you to do this from the beginning, Narae. Because Sunghoon couldn’t raise a finger against you. But I never imagined you’d be so against this, so what should I do? This isn’t something you can run away from just like that, don’t you agree? Otherwise, not only the Tiger-nim and Sunghoon, but the entire Bear Clan could end up in a lot of trouble.”
“Ugh.”
Narae flinched and let out a small groan at what Jeongmi-nuna said. From Narae’s perspective, Jeongmi-nuna must have brought up a valid point. She looked at Narae smoothly and spoke.
“If you don’t want that to happen, then you just need to do this. Why are you so against it? At least tell me the reason.”
“D-Don’t ask me when you already know.”
“I can’t help it. The safety of those defenseless kids who will just end up used like tools without even knowing why is my top priority. Your will is important as well, but not compared to their lives.”
“B-But…”
Narae’s words trailed off as she glanced at me and closed her mouth. That surprised me. To think that there was someone who could talk Narae into submission like that. Jeongmi-nuna was so mature that I thought that even I couldn’t argue against her. Was this what’s called genuine maturity? …She wasn’t that much older than me, but her mental age was a different matter.
Narae, unsure of what to say, gave up on arguing with Jeongmi-nuna and turned to face me. She was clearly angry. But why was she looking at me? I turned my head to look at Jeongmi-nuna rather than face Narae’s scary stare. Jeongmi-nuna spoke.
“Okay. Then I’ll do it. Then your worries from earlier won’t happen, right? This way I have an excuse to see Sunghoon in shorts and have as much skinship with him as I want. Maybe I’ll just go all the way. I could even…
“I’ll do it! I just have to do it! Let me do it, Unni!”
Narae slammed her hands against the table, stood up, and cut off Jeongmi-nuna’s quiet words. I stared blankly at Narae, her face bright red and close to tears. Jeongmi-nuna, what in the world were you saying? Why was Narae suddenly demanding to do this?
“But you don’t have to?”
“I said I’ll do it! This is a request from you, so I’ll do it, Unni!”
Jeongmi-nuna looked a little saddened, as if she were disappointed, and nodded her head.
“…Okay.”