“Why are you being so nice to me today?”

As Uijae lifted his head, he met Sayoung's violet eyes. Contrary to the slight upturn at the corners of his mouth, a chilling aura surrounded him.

[The characteristic Poker Face (B) is now activated.]

‘What a crazy guy. He's really perceptive.’

Fortunately, the Poker Face trait activated automatically. Uijae suppressed his expression and recalled his suspicions about Nam Woojin. Did he somehow know everything? Had Nam Woojin given Sayoung a heads-up about him? They said they were in a cooperative relationship.

But Uijae quickly dismissed those doubts. At that time, Nam Woojin was merely observing Uijae as he listened to Sayoung’s past.

It was only natural to find the sudden appearance of Sayoung’s supporter suspicious, yet there was no questioning his identity, no thoughts about the mysterious powerhouse that had appeared out of nowhere. That gaze seemed to penetrate through Uijae’s very existence, as if…

‘As if confirming value…’

Uijae swallowed hard, silently. Although it was said to be a reward for the drugs, giving away two black tickets might be a sign of his criteria or a testament to having passed some kind of test.

Nam Woojin appeared to be a person thirsty for new knowledge and truth. So, it made sense he would want to analyze the newly emerged existence that was Cha Uijae. But since he only observed briefly, the information he gathered likely wasn’t enough to be called knowledge.

Someone like him, born to be a scholar, wouldn’t place an unfinished book in his library. If this speculation held true, Nam Woojin would not have shared his conversation with Sayoung.

In that case, it was simply that Sayoung's instincts were razor-sharp.

In the end, if he was responding to Uijae's changed attitude, was it worth being so wary? It felt as if Sayoung's narrowed eyes were asking, ‘When did you become someone who gives these things?’

This… wasn't it a lack of trust in people? Uijae found it absurd but, for now, offered a genuine response.

“Being nice? What are you talking about?”

“This.”

Sayoung tapped the paper cup with his gloved hand.

‘This?’

Uijae frowned as he glanced back and forth between the cup and Sayoung. If making a cup of mi-sut-garu was all it took to consider this as being nice, how low was Sayoung’s threshold for kindness? Just as Uijae was about to retort, he caught a glimpse of Sayoung's face. His delicate features were plastered with suspicion.

Is he really just a kid? Less prone to mood swings than Haeun.

“There’s nothing that could have changed your attitude in this short time…”

Sayoung tilted his head slightly and murmured, “The only thing that happened was meeting Nam Woojin.”

“......”

“That guy can talk quite well…”

That was true. They had only exchanged a few words, but the way Nam Woojin dominated the conversation without giving anyone else a chance to speak was impressive. Sayoung rubbed the top of the paper cup and continued slowly.

“You’re not the kind of guy who listens well to people… so it’s even more suspicious.”

‘Suddenly attacking with words, huh?’

“Who does that guy think he is, getting involved between us?”

What do you mean, “between us”? A contractual relationship? Uijae almost shot back but stopped himself. The force behind Sayoung’s words was surprisingly intimidating.

In the meantime, Sayoung briefly closed his eyes before opening them again.

“Well… I think I’ve said everything in my speculation.”

He nodded as if daring Uijae to respond. Uijae thought it best to keep quiet about what Nam Woojin had said regarding Sayoung’s past. Of course, discussing things about Nam Woojin in his absence felt weird too.

Uijae struggled to come up with an excuse… and then gave up. Rubbing his hair, he replied honestly.

“Is it such a big deal if I’m nice? I mean, saying I did something nice just for giving you mi-sut-garu is laughable.”

“…….”

“Oh, right. I’m grateful, why do you ask?”

A look of disbelief crossed Sayoung’s face.

“Grateful? For what?”

“You took my grandmother to the hospital.”

“That was already a part of our contract; I was the one who suggested it.”

“No… you looked after Haeun too.”

“......”

He still couldn’t believe that he had genuinely helped with that public service advertisement, but at any rate, Sayoung had been there to ensure Haeun didn’t get lost in the library. Uijae continued to mumble.

“When I got caught up in the fracture… you came then too, which, I suppose, was part of the contract.”

Thinking back, no one had ever come to help him during his time as J. Instead, he was always the one going to help others. Because he was J. He had to tackle everything with his own strength. It was only natural.

“......”

A brief silence descended, but his head was so tangled that he had no time to process it. After speaking, Uijae realized he had been intertwined with Sayoung more than he initially thought. Once he started, praise for Sayoung poured out like a broken dam.

Uijae rubbed his mouth and discreetly averted his gaze. Unfortunately, his line of sight fell onto the self-serve bar for kimchi and side dishes. The shining Masuk sat prominently in the center.

“The Masuk support was provided by Sayoung, the Wave Guild Leader.”

What the hell, that was also Sayoung? Uijae gritted his teeth. He quickly added, “Well… if you hadn’t been there then… the restaurant might have caught fire. I might have ended up as a suspect in the ambulance theft.”

“Wait… you were actually trying to steal an ambulance?”

“......”

A short laugh escaped him. Sayoung covered his mouth with a hand, laughing.

“I wondered why you were asking about my license.”

“......”

“You really are a fool.”

Shut up; what do you know? The restaurant was almost on fire.

Being acknowledged as a fool by another fool made Uijae frown, but on the flip side, the suspicion in Sayoung’s face was gradually fading. Moreover, he looked quite pleased. He subtly pressed on.

“And?”

“And what, is there more?”

“Isn’t there anything else you’re grateful for?”

“Nothing more to say, really.”

Should he have just conveyed the things he heard from Nam Woojin? In trying to uphold the meaningless bond with someone who had little to offer, he had inadvertently revealed a more intimate story buried deep within. The atmosphere that had grown stiff under Sayoung’s questioning was now relaxed. Sayoung’s sharp demeanor seemed to have softened as well.

As Uijae struggled against the rising embarrassment and subtly touched the corner of his eyes, Sayoung remarked.

“See… you have no trust in people, but your threshold for gratitude is low.”

His tone was teasing, but there was no trace of mockery. Sayoung tapped the table lightly with his fingertips.

“If you’re that grateful, you should accept my date proposal.”

Damn, we’re back to square one. Uijae gritted his teeth and replied.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I just really don’t want to go.”

Even if he had been pushed down to second place, he was still ranked second in the country. It was clear that Sayoung would be the center of attention. Even the secretary accompanying him would likely steal a glance at him. Especially since he was wearing a gas mask.

“You told me to live quietly. I’ll just sell hangover soup here.”

“I can go quietly.”

Uijae had no intention of stepping out of this comfortable and somewhat noisy hangover soup restaurant into a battlefield. Moreover, he had already caused far too many accidents in the meantime; it was time for some self-restraint. But it seemed Sayoung had no intention of letting him off the hook.

“Why do you want to take me with you in the first place?”

“For a date.”

“Don’t talk nonsense about dates. Just say it straight.”

“Um, I’m lonely going alone?”

Sayoung sometimes threw out nonsense with a perfectly serious face. Uijae still gritted his teeth and replied.

“What about Baewonwoo? He’s your vice-guild leader.”

“Well… he would probably go.”

“Then you can just move with Baewonwoo.”

“Why do you call Baewonwoo by his full name but not mine?”

“Ha… Sayoung, you’re really annoying.”

“I hear that a lot.”

After having his name called, Sayoung responded satisfactorily, extending the conversation, “Baewonwoo will be hanging out with other guild members…”

“Then just invite him along.”

“That wouldn’t be right. It’s uncomfortable to go with a superior.”

Sayoung said as if he were teaching him. When did he start being so considerate of the lower staff? Uijae sighed deeply. Sayoung rested his chin on his hands and slowly blinked.

“If I say this, you’ll have one more reason to be grateful.”

Seeing the laughter in his voice, it seemed like he was enjoying Uijae’s unease.

“Do you remember the guys you tied up like dried pollack?”

Dried pollack… he must be referring to the guys caught at Incheon Port. Uijae nodded slightly while still rubbing his eyes.

“You were a bit… reckless, throwing yourself in like that. Ignoring my texts.”

There was still a lingering grudge over not reading a single text.

“I tried to prod them a bit before putting them in the transport vehicle… they remembered you quite well.”

‘Damn.’

Oh no, I hadn’t considered that! Uijae pressed his palm against his face and tightly shut his eyes. He had used memory erasure on the romantic opener, but he had only physically attacked the dried pollack guys without any threats of memory erasure.

Until recently, he had been so accustomed to wearing a mask while active that he had not shaken the habit of leading with his body, trusting the disguise. The pressure on his eyes intensified. Sayoung spoke leisurely.

“I contacted the Awakener Management Bureau and arranged for the transport vehicle… If I had sent you like that, it would have been a disaster.”

The Awakener Management Bureau. Uijae began mentally repenting for not having thought things through.

Jungbin believes that Cha Uijae is a D-rank Awakener. But what would happen if a D-rank Awakener single-handedly took down a group of 20 thugs? And B-rank Awakeners? The moment that fact became known, he would undoubtedly end up captured by the Awakener Management Bureau and have a one-on-one interview with Jungbin. Cold sweat trickled down his back.

“Fortunately, we’re still underground in our guild. I don’t know when I’ll have to go to the Awakener Management Bureau.”

“...If they say anything about me, it will put you in a bad spot too, right?”

“Well, it would definitely affect me less than you. I have a way out.”

Sayoung was putting a long spin on a sentence that could have been short.

Do you want to die together, or go to Songdo?

“Originally… I wasn’t going to force you to come if you refused.”

“......”

“Since you’re grateful for the little things like this…”

A cold leather touch brushed against the back of Uijae’s hand. Sayoung gently took his hand away from his eyes. Their gazes intertwined closely. The chill from earlier had vanished, leaving only a smile on Sayoung's pretty face.

“I’d like to do more for you.”

‘No thanks, you jerk…’

Uijae learned for the first time in 28 years that being honest isn’t always a good thing.

 

The next day, at 5:30 AM, Uijae stepped outside with a broom in hand to tidy up the area where barnacles would attach before opening the shop. However, not long after, a stout stranger in a thick coat wobbled over, carrying a large box and a small one.

It’s cold…

‘This feels just like how the flower wreaths were delivered.’

Uijae’s ominous premonition proved correct once again. As the delivery person looked around, they noticed the hangover soup sign on the sliding door and exclaimed, “Oh, is someone working here?”

“……”

“I have a delivery.”

What kind of delivery arrives this early in the morning? Uijae’s expression hardened, recalling his not-so-good memories of packages and deliveries. But the delivery person didn’t care; they handed Uijae the box and left in a hurry.

Setting down the broom, Uijae squatted in front of the hangover soup restaurant and checked the items listed on the invoice. It was a luxury brand men's suit and shoes.

Sender: Lee Sayoung.

Uijae instinctively realized he had crossed an irretrievable river.

“Damn…”

The faint curse floated through the early morning air.

Cha Uijae’s participation in the Craftsmen Exhibition was confirmed.