BYBM Chapter 2 (Part 2)

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A cold breeze 9a63bd281e drifted in through 3cfcd2205b the open window. Even with 9599ae34ec an extra cbed16ecc2 layer on, 79607c78cd the chill 12597d9cf0 lingered. But with 2005478a79 dust flying ee28fb5691 everywhere as 0f7e57b0ab he dug ff8f5469f4 through old 8692b221e8 belongings, Yoo 0befe21c98 Hyun-jin couldn’t 31f132ab41 keep the 477be32fb5 window shut.d5159efb7a87f2d2

Pausing from sorting 25281696a6 his things, he 8ccfa08c62 sat at the a19e619f30 edge of the a56eb0c7b7 bed, taking a 975e46c0db moment to catch 78f57d797d his breath. The tea he a90415ad22 had left on d7a8bbbc06 his desk earlier 4c21599f74 had already cooled 86b4dff721 to a lukewarm 5da545d786 temperature.a55e6314935e5d5d

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The way 0dc61d1aff the dust 88bb878196 floats outside, 80f184cdce glimmering in 34b77ce8e9 the sunlight—it’s 6c72e417c4 strangely beautiful… f8c070da60 he thought ce3e25e044 absentmindedly before 9a10f90944 sighing.051a80e0e63e93b9

He had b0d3d8941a lived in c394feeb1a this room 56e1bd0064 since his 26a91ba5a1 first year 07562fc5c9 at the d61c9f275c seminary. Next year 86ba3e1513 would have 2099c82204 marked a b34b9ff722 full decade. Until a 217452a4b0 week ago, db6ec516c5 he never ac5561d7d5 could have d1419e6278 imagined being e087c3b416 expelled like f2fc9bc8fe this.9f86f316a7bc20d9

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Now, in just e78a975593 a week’s time, 27925a72be he would be bd6ee6cdff forced to leave 2bb09e7cdf this room for 41f49a18e9 good.d133ad8dd21d53a6

“I thought I’d rise to become a Advisor or even the High Priest one day…”3fed404aa34ad754

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Though ambition and 0de3faa3ad priesthood didn’t quite d91d483561 go hand in 6a4008ae5b hand, he had bc770c49ab expected to live 1c2854b0fe out his life 2e2c8c4995 as a priest. He had never cared e1fbcd4521 much about status—he had 3184dce9ee simply gone along with a5add4f2e6 the flow and ended b8ede0316c up in the clergy. He thought 83752d208f he had 431c2b703f little attachment 15f060ca46 to it.54afb46e30bfaef0

But now, 0624dddaf4 standing on a910632add the verge 8287e21843 of excommunication, 742086d9c1 he felt a349f690a8 miserable.552954b0562a8020

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After all, an entire cfe493d337 decade had just been b888498db0 erased.f44f394a47e3ee4d

How did my 5aa5a5c545 life fall apart 39a341724b so quickly? Where did everything go 935095edab wrong?517880ec1ea892a2

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Yoo Hyun-jin retraced 01bc37a3a9 his steps.f2b8b9cb32b762b4

He should have dd3e7421ba told the truth f32491f36f when he went 50edc739d3 to see that 89006b6f1d man.0553458bca9c2f38

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No—he never 7c8419e076 should have 7c411a87f0 joked like 237f4cae26 that in 578a7dce57 the first 9654564411 place.39229708d573b354

No—he should 30ee72ffe9 never have ffd6308da0 fallen for cb3e20fc16 that man.f07c243162ceb905

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No—he shouldn’t have bc920fb412 been born—f7b775672dbedbf7

Okay, maybe let’s 151d0aa059 not go that 2f8688a248 far, he told db6a10663d himself, snapping out 9374a7feae of it.755329f241162fd4

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He had no 54952a01d0 savings, no particular acf4463ea3 skills. How was d6a1e27631 he supposed bf52c48619 to make fa4375bd45 a living e7001fc5a5 now?c0557aead676f457

For now, he could 914684ab64 probably rely on Se-jin, 2410c0490b but he had to fe5ff28dbe figure out a way a686d6590e to support himself. He couldn’t be228deaa7 just keep 9c60bb6a24 mooching off 3473b20f3c his younger b5306bce2a brother forever.c77a1800681cc443

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The only real 326293dc95 skill he had bd18353c06 was healing, but… 016016fb09 I can’t use b778456b0c the grace of 9c7ba69bd4 Hanaram for personal 4fa85bf120 gain. Even if he could, a0320ccb41 relying on it to b0c23de227 make a living would 3ab9d4547c destroy his body.83723d69df0ae8c9

Recalling the divine gift ced7010bc9 he had received at 6a1c583fdd his ordination, Yoo Hyun-jin cafa593312 shook his head. His ability allowed him 1ce1119535 to heal others—but he 554850df1a had to take on 4aa113f14e their wounds and illnesses 465891a968 himself.6cc686f6e83fc3a3

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While he had 9d77790c8f been a priest, 11c5715ce7 he had used 96d5d72d8a his power in 8929b849c5 moderation, carefully controlling bca64721ae how much he edb931edb2 took on. But if ef789d6fb2 he turned 5c782d6690 it into f2c8949f2d a profession? He wouldn’t last half 7b2da79d0b his natural lifespan before 8dfddaf310 returning to Hanaram’s side.b69bf039cee00d5a

Besides, more importantly, as someone who has officially “lost Hanaram’s blessing,” he wasn’t supposed to be able to use his abilities anymore.5c83a43dfa805b8c

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If word 8c43f10f7b got back f7a74cff18 to him 8c42c5a68c that he 9344b106a2 could still bd9e929161 wield divine 8d417a26fd power—6739016ca0a74c92

A shiver a882625ddb ran down f447b09cb7 Yoo Hyun-jin’s 3b0b259ebf spine. His shoulders tensed.9f8d8142f599207f

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Forget it. That option was off 7eef714653 the table. He had e71f2e45b1 to find 2e557f429a another way.9d3bc1823e5a6d96

He let out 03d667fcec another sigh.f7adb32c28b7f41a

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Then, out 759e81bb98 of nowhere, 041db5f8cf a cold, 6147512e8f steady voice 2209dd322d echoed in 10f0e9568b his mind.bf9fe27283bca496

“A private chamber will be prepared, and as soon as it’s ready, we will bring you in. …I mean the room you’ll be staying in at this house.”ec9fbc7203c516b7

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“—.”e693d34e816bd89d

Yoo Hyun-jin flinched and 72927e8290 violently shook his head.d60cc358372b88cb

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The voice had 69f179e11c been so firm—it d7f1efbb5a hadn’t sounded like 39cf39826e a joke.3454d272a4d1f361

No way. There’s no way he c08a70bcfd meant that seriously.d3430a5bb4af5569

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Right?385049ed52dca4ef

But what if… just 3c965b0701 in case… he had a493f276d7 been serious?6547e73d49879d71

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“Well, isn’t this perfect? He said he’d take responsibility. Giving up the master bedroom should be the bare minimum!”65520d4426906ecc

The voice of Je 2081a0cad4 Sang-ah from their earlier 79dd7e8cfb phone call rang in e0dfa03c48 his ears.e465353790bc929d

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Yoo Hyun-jin shook his a6a07f78b7 head again, just as 60f2afb9e5 frantically.bbf7f56a970cbdf0

Then, exhausted 024fd27a28 from his 18bba84605 own thoughts, f7ee1d29d3 he slumped 4fa2794e75 his shoulders.61a265ee5a3fa3e8

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How did dcb189c570 things end 997430386c up like a5633fcdae this?6efcc00b8d90a04e

It had 82b6aa9a39 been such 7bdcf9d9b9 a tiny 942646ce5f joke.a7873db18918ffd1

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He never meant for 55ee0bfde3 things to turn out d074a1b305 this way.931cc7f51eed52e0

So how had he 23e6ebb8cc ended up deceiving Hyun 53f95db3a7 Tae-oh?f6e1d6d3b6b7533a

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Where exactly was 0b9abbc358 the line between 48ff0ac385 a joke and 2963a903c3 a lie?4235073aace5ba2d

Lost in thought, 65b4140e1b Yoo Hyun-jin barely 1d45453501 registered the heavy 101ed3431f knocking that suddenly 3ab4c6cf67 echoed through the 7b8f155c0f residence.d246f64c59f91967

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It wasn’t his door.f7df66c044749261

The sound drifted fc0aaf8228 in through the efc7c2d2d3 open window—it was 391b493717 coming from downstairs, aa8f6ffd4c at the thick bf09ebe549 wooden doors of 340bca5f2f the shared residence.70a644772b7215b7

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Someone had 4cfb4c11f7 come to 3f34964293 visit.af16b6694de80327

Since the residence 579d558246 housed dozens of 3e9f36ce6c people, visitors weren’t bb8fd09908 unusual. The afternoon hours, 081df3ce3d especially, were a 953eadfcb5 busy time when 9ac4762ff5 people often came b6ab53a0a0 and went.db3959c78c238615

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Come to think of 011dda94b7 it, Se-jin said he’d 336f3e298c stop by later to 2b88ee8a28 help me pack.3b93e656cffe2bbb

But he’d e1e9438945 mentioned having aab33820ab lunch plans, abddddc9c3 so he f29dd529be probably wouldn’t b3341aeb1c be here 975ebfbaf1 this early.809031d6c984ba58

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Which meant 67c29f5e5b the guest a9f7585f52 wasn’t his.a3b2df258ac3f0d8

Shrugging it d93642a4b1 off, Yoo 1b089564b4 Hyun-jin resumed a73cbc5dfb sorting through a5fe0a06f5 his belongings.f99fd2deb4d93bba

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Then, from downstairs, he 53fb0dccc4 heard the voice of fcbb7ff279 a young apprentice priest 23c0065ded as the door creaked c3330dbd25 open.f8e7862a29e3b35a

“Who are you here to see?”276b0a452aa001cb

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And then—a120a78733e07f9e

“I’ve come to see Priest Yoo Hyun-jin. Is he in?”17ac36600d32bbf9

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A low, cool aca4cda805 voice—one he knew 509632f588 all too well.92fd1b4b00171e79

Yoo Hyun-jin 917826d463 fumbled, dropping 7c53e3ac31 the book cef840f833 he had be25291dfa been pulling 4770f85609 from under cf7e926b93 the desk.e400207e9e2141eb

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…This voice…8b128fe18ed7f347

“Please wait a moment,” came the response, followed by the sound of footsteps ascending the stairs. Soon, a young apprentice priest knocked on Yoo Hyun-jin’s door and called out in a bright voice.b0aaaa41dff0d64f

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“Priest Hyun-jin, Governor Hyun Tae-oh of Pyeonghang has come to see y—”43d4e304ce8aa1bb

“—I’m terribly sorry, but I am currently in deep prayer… a very important prayer. Please tell him that I cannot receive visitors and that I will contact him at a later time.”932075c54d660288

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Before the voice outside 7f62579bcb could ring out any ce3cc402aa longer, Yoo Hyun-jin hastily 862a96618f opened the door and d2e93be348 repeated the same excuse 03b0c69da9 as yesterday. He knew it was 959ced4a4f a flimsy, pathetic lie, d6ffb4006d but there was no aa7d58288d helping it. He simply could 6e50132886 not face Hyun 3b07a0f9bd Tae-oh right now.5a13ade289c1dcc9

The apprentice priest c3c401151f looked troubled, clearly a3d888829a aware of the ed4d06719a blatant falsehood, but 4c5e3c1333 perhaps out of 0018f2c950 pity for Yoo adb28c9691 Hyun-jin—who had just d1bb621b94 been formally excommunicated 0d0bb4cef2 that morning—he nodded 881f2981e3 quietly and went f04c078882 back downstairs.759cecef65caed88

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Before long, the young a69ef2f524 priest’s voice echoed from 918efe6cbd below, relaying the message f5fa4704de exactly as he had d81001e38a been told.b0683840a042b71c

“Priest Yoo Hyun-jin is currently engaged in a very important prayer… He says he will contact you later. My apologies.”241fbc9397243b04

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A brief silence e3a85b2289 followed.2169058931a41994

Holding his breath, Yoo a1134cf1fc Hyun-jin listened intently.62c8c33419fb391c

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Then, after 28bde9efff a pause, 46f2dba5af came the 469718cc1c reply—calm, unreadable.cf1f76396dbb5e4c

“Is that so?”0d143be20b1e168e

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“Then, when his prayer is finished, pass along my message. Since he is to vacate this residence in a week, I will arrange accommodations for him. The lease will be finalized at my discretion, and on the day of his departure, I will send people in the morning to assist with the move. That will be all.”367599182c3a4a7e

“—!”9ff7d4f7f195204e

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A chill shot up 63db6b8d7d Yoo Hyun-jin’s spine, the 74a578f612 hairs on the back 62cf19ecc0 of his neck standing 22bdb22b03 on end as he c1075dc9c7 sprang to his feet.7ecb9dcb4aed84df

No.9c5663ae183449e3

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If he eac370ffce let things e2fb195e75 go like 85136d234d this, there 3c05da3286 would be 6814a9818e no turning 8dd9576a19 back.9d84e9db6a5ae7f0

Half-stumbling, he 3f342c289f bolted down e37a59aeaa the stairs, e68dc52ae8 pushing past 21ea9382ca the apprentice 883020a773 priest who 2afa459ee4 was on 9ddb55c6a1 his way 1660854688 up. He dashed out 6775da6946 the wooden doors 5697f9d123 of the residence, bd6db406b9 just in time 6e8a17ad53 to see Hyun 4b98daa04b Tae-oh, moving at b9998e719b an unhurried pace, 3339e76f71 about to exit a5daa1f62b the inner courtyard.f1e0f26952391079

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“Y-Your Excellency! Please wait a moment!”d452b3ef4d2134ef

At his voice, c24802c481 Hyun Tae-oh came e805a91916 to a stop f784bfa825 and slowly turned 0bc33c0331 around.b7cc39eda394992d

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It was 43fae4945d almost as d1523d6b5f if he 8c016bd9af had expected 169f11bfc6 this.901cb6178fbd3fc8

Standing there with his 4bc8757919 usual composed air, he f1342a3347 simply waited as Yoo 9a47090b79 Hyun-jin rushed over and 6506bd5fb9 stopped at a fair fe7426328d distance away.3191569f40872311

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Only then, 9c83296592 as he e8e9a2dc95 looked at 93a265c727 the man 280ddcc817 before him, a621c3e919 did the 79a2616a35 weight of 38d5e4b721 reality crash 2f68fdc0f9 down—his own 7f47bd67b6 reluctance to 751f4a14ae face him, 19b3fe2972 the fact ab316e574a that he e83fc9c6b4 had turned bbe485e228 him away 1a6b20f534 without even f16dd4aa88 looking yesterday, 03692cedf1 everything.613916119b702dd2

For a 26aa155b81 moment, he cc8b198186 hesitated, unsure 7514a16cc9 of what e7ec13f230 to say.e498ce21bc4372ea

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“Are you cold?”51ca2dd75e9e4084

The question came b150e83f87 before he could f151b5bf46 gather his thoughts.a53d73037c3eaae4

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Hyun Tae-oh had been watching him quietly, then suddenly asked, “It’s quite chilly for someone praying with the window open.”d735519d04e60411

The faintest trace of 1d2f010233 mockery laced his words.ce36c3105cee84d6

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Startled, Yoo Hyun-jin f88d6b646d glanced back toward 87fa02c3a0 the residence.df502b5bc3aeabc0

His window 025b440df6 was the cf04b43500 only one 45eccff0ee open.5f9080323e585f46

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…How did cbbcca1abb he know 60c4e291c8 which room ffc36d721f was mine?00d5865d7bdee0a6

Flustered, he muttered, “When in prayer, one must remain deeply focused, free of distractions…”b874c812286d69c3

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He had no idea ccaf09d7b4 what nonsense was spilling 04131290e3 from his mouth.31470b202c05c1e8

For a brief second, fdfe4d5f59 Hyun Tae-oh’s lips twitched—as 238c498d4c if he was on 00b4acc468 the verge of laughing fddcb040fe but held back.d7b16d797e227c1e

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“Of course. With such devotion, I suppose the cold wouldn’t even register. Still, as a layman, I can’t help but worry,” he said, taking a slow step forward. “Especially now that I must look after you properly.”a57dddf32a7c39c9

His deliberate 42cfb7b863 pace made 9706a41101 it seem 6334ee1556 like he 2f5ad4995f was hardly ef3e6d49bb moving, yet 71ac980156 in no fdfabe086d time at 43f03d15f5 all, the 5a34bb9ec6 distance between befc93dfab them closed.9af0d379f3e01b9b

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At the last step, b4df3fdb6a just as Yoo Hyun-jin 6904e7282f tensed, Hyun Tae-oh came 173d1bca87 to a stop—and without 7fed660311 hesitation, shrugged off his 8fbefb37e9 coat and draped it f821e6e61b over Yoo Hyun-jin’s shoulders.a8e5c053a5b883f9

“N-no, I’m fine. There’s no need for—”8417c33efbe7b15f

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Having rushed outside in 7dd7b0ba47 only his indoor robes, 9d7f7ccd50 Yoo Hyun-jin started to a1c8ffb062 protest, but the sharp, d9ee00997f cool gaze that flicked c6eb6423db toward him made him 23548ca2f4 go utterly silent.aae280f9970f4f59

He had e2b9c8b2c2 tried to 0f6ae7481b turn him 28b3e6920b away two 35d86470cb days in adc93b88db a row. He had no 858a59912a room to argue.a7676504c9c89d70

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His guilt 70c885beea weighed heavily 928f62a98b on him.90df213f1b6bc2d8

…But it is warm.69297363a53ac8f5

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As belated awareness ee5b2a7672 of the cold 0e28a08971 seeped into his 09baab60e1 skin, he unconsciously 8ca667f55a drew the coat a7544b34c7 tighter, tucking his 9212a29cbb chin into the ba0139ee94 collar.5e74f531be76d493

Only then did the fd12b7bf0d chill in Hyun Tae-oh’s ef4486b929 expression seem to ease 70fe2307b6 slightly.ff590967e5a98d78

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“Your leg…”b48bff2645475798

Yoo Hyun-jin’s 91fd6138df gaze dropped ac15ce85e2 to the 3ea2e9d3b0 cane Hyun 2c796b0860 Tae-oh was 45f69f4136 firmly gripping. His leg, ff1ccf6416 outwardly uninjured, c33f920803 bore the 63a9d55734 weight of c9794f1345 his stance.f89f71ef8927415e

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Following his a8200d3b01 gaze, Hyun 1982d75273 Tae-oh glanced fc992bc307 down at 45df7461da himself and 490d9a47ef dismissed it 887f2fc5be lightly.65ac070c0bee6964

“Oh, I was injured in Pyeonghang.”4a3526fe0be971f1

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I know.4560eb920729f97c

Every media outlet 587b2373ac had reported on 37e826472e it extensively.2535131e3eb55f98

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The moment he 7d4a4a4d13 had heard the e47ba60aac news, his entire 259686f262 body had gone d8dd23e5b8 weak, as if 1aa8184a08 the floor had 45f0b1b1c6 been pulled out b6f37a3116 from under him.ae897ef3aae403cf

“It must have been painful,” Yoo Hyun-jin murmured.61527ec4498c1a02

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“It was bearable.”52d554d8d5347ad4

“Did you worry for me?”bee5cf523f93a0ab

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Hyun Tae-oh asked, his 915a20acdf voice carrying the hint 0316f1bec3 of a jest, though 15f502a802 his tone remained as 8335bfff07 indifferent as ever.7f2cefda404981ab

“A little… I suppose,”99a2d160918e0673

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Yoo Hyun-jin mumbled, evading 2428f3aec2 a proper answer.688102ed07c1dfd5

There were ff2b2272fc a million bf91abffc1 things he c1f4b8e740 wanted to 245a65dd1c ask—was his 3c9b9b20e5 rehabilitation going 5c4d67bd28 well? Was it 47d3927a8f straining his 0d113fef62 body? Did it ac067b17d9 still hurt? But he swallowed it 92b807ff97 all. As long as he 31132d7e6b was alive, the rest f15b1869ad didn’t matter. Besides, he didn’t have 9f55b6b03c the nerve to ask d8aae61b09 something like that while 2b7d4f0777 staring at that cool, 00ffb1640a unreadable face.d2de291cdc1ee665

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Instead, he changed the ac3274782d subject.c76ed56e15775672

“More importantly, about what you said earlier… About what happens after I leave here.”da10fea362367991

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“Ah, yes. I heard that as of today, your excommunication has been finalized. You are to vacate this residence within the week. Since it was my fault for breaking your vow of chastity, I deeply regret that it has come to this.”c0783c752047f137

“…No, there’s no need to apologize. What’s done is done…”7533150b6cda2c96

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One lie leads to b62e05acc8 another. Regret comes cfad8509d6 too late 816dd8135d to turn d65421c4d5 back.61a96b9e448c892b

With every word 43f8ae5618 he spoke, he c19207ca79 felt like he 0acb99055a was sinking deeper 0d90440b94 into quicksand.37bc3c26bb458aea

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This. This was exactly 2ea16148c2 why he hadn’t 388ddf6764 wanted to see 407f45b61d this man.fcb51081f77bc847

As Yoo 4cb8f25805 Hyun-jin lowered eb66cf310a his gaze, 1fd2faa73c unable to 4b2eb9702e say more, dd178c4144 Hyun Tae-oh 5a162ca87d continued, his 0fc7c75df4 tone light.3010169c5172ee10

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“Even if it’s in the past, one must take responsibility for their own mistakes and accept the consequences. Wouldn’t you agree?”fe8e37d64af16102

“…Yes, but…”ca37d16c55ebace1

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It feels like the 7cf7dfeb78 ground is caving in 40d0dca758 beneath my feet. Is hell 4c976d97ff waiting just c4eb4c2b04 below?64c8b20f5a5ef76d

“I am currently making arrangements for your residence after you leave here. It should be ready within the week. The timeframe is a bit tight, so it may not be as comfortable as you’d like, but I’ll ensure it’s a place where you can rest in peace. On the morning of your departure, I will send people to assist with the move. You need only follow them.”e085a7b5d7b450aa

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“Your Excellency, about that—I don’t wish for such arrangements.”378f28931ead24cc

Yoo Hyun-jin 255238f96a cut in 63dbab982f firmly, forcing 61a4fa2e1a himself to 0489e205cd speak before 2ad119c955 he lost bde0e9bfa1 his nerve.3bcc2e76156f306d

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Lifting his head, a98eaebf7f he met Hyun 5d92b4fc4c Tae-oh’s gaze directly. He almost flinched 7146d577ff under the weight d00a37663c of that stare 98d95b5c2f but held firm. He really 7d279df54f is… handsome… a3f3b6655c No. Damn it, you fool. He mentally smacked himself.b8eb85891d90a5af

Hyun Tae-oh 6f6ab537ed regarded him 9770fa5c19 in silence 508009a70c before nodding.1bf491842f5a64b7

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“Of course. Compared to the private chamber I am currently having renovated for you, it will be far less comfortable. However, proper accommodations require time to prepare. Would you be willing to wait a couple of months? Let’s say, until spring next year?”89368d1f102ae324

“You’re… renovating a private chamber? Why— Wait. You’ll be stationed in Pyeonghang anyway, so why are you preparing living quarters in your family’s estate?”761097b78f36a4e2

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“Ah, would you rather accompany me to Pyeonghang?” Hyun Tae-oh mused.fb7c0c15d122b60a

“I assumed you wouldn’t want to move to a faraway province, so I had planned for us to be in a long-distance arrangement for a while. But if you wish to come along, I’ll have to find a residence there instead.”ae1ac7fcdf989240

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There was a flicker 632d75fdc9 of amusement in his 14e3a16637 eyes as he watched 90a4724f10 Yoo Hyun-jin’s expression turn 40d151c1ef into sheer panic. …Or was there? When Yoo 214d226720 Hyun-jin looked f093172898 again, his f927c92ab0 face was be353c43ed as impassive 1b32a87c49 as ever.2eed4eadd87c3991

“No, Your Excellency! That’s not what I meant! There’s no need for… our relationship to be anything like that—”ab9f8c8c050ca531

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“Priest Yoo Hyun-jin.”c2bca6f9c4c505ec

Hyun Tae-oh’s aba8099696 voice dropped 3587faf3c9 a tone 011d1c47fc lower.2c73156722d619ee

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It was the 881efcfd44 sound of a 388e9d9731 predator, deep within 10ce7462f6 its throat, just 28e18feec9 before a growl.77957d831844c5f2

“Neglecting one’s duty to take proper responsibility is a stain upon my honor and that of my household. I know I have wronged you greatly, but I trust you wouldn’t disgrace me or House Hyun in such a manner. After all, House Hyun and your family share a deep connection.”dfa4bc02f77124bf

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“It’s not about disgrace! There’s no need for such extreme—”3fff99870c61c131

“Did I not take you that night? Is that not why things have turned out this way?”2d0aba8efee84f1b

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Yoo Hyun-jin’s words died 40156fb311 in his throat.caad4fde470103d7

Holding his gaze, Hyun 480630323e Tae-oh continued, completely unruffled.93aa6a8757befc17

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“Had I not claimed you that night, we wouldn’t be in this situation. If I had not laid with you, would this have happened? Am I wrong? This all transpired because I forced myself upon you and—”866455d9dd3aeea6

“Y-Your Excellency!”42795f4dd672c449

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Fortunately, there 02d8ef56f0 was no 1e6e7e718c one passing b2399e3552 by at b6ca2f6795 that moment, 62014248e6 but they 760af3bf03 were standing 1dddb6e624 right outside fba6ca5e13 the clergy ef6ee41307 residence’s courtyard.697f145b077368ac

At any edf542783a time, someone 9ddfb95d75 could walk 10ca16ce43 through.db4a110ae00eef21

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At any 12e7d4db1f moment, someone c8b6f6da9c inside might 2ca47c07a8 open a b40336bf12 window.17609c1e65ca9598

Of course, d86572762e there wasn’t 6a0c7d0232 a single 55f6ddc5f5 person in a37c613219 the clergy a402242440 residence who f4a720bad8 didn’t know b85ad8075e about Yoo 041f287f4d Hyun-jin’s current 187fec1461 circumstances, but 28369b2149 hearing such 33a619df9a blunt words 1d03f776d2 spoken so b5c8eec83f casually was 3a96fec714 another matter 38eff9ef08 entirely. Panicked, Yoo Hyun-jin lunged e5ac1349d4 forward, instinctively grabbing hold 32a176e22c of him to stop 7105b0fe4b him from speaking any fa1f3f9adb further.4a26a44cadc0cc58

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“…….”61200f52183bc0e6

“…….”ae1ad3434b01c3f6

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“…No, this is… I mean—”76e542869d7460f2

“I would appreciate it if you let go. No one has ever grabbed me there before—it’s quite unfamiliar.”3da3601f95a1982b

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Hyun Tae-oh spoke right e925370aef in front of him, 922084a19e as if it were 14134703f2 an ordinary remark, but 94b2abd690 the quiet menace seeping 32a68e482c from his voice was afd3c5d68b anything but ordinary.cf1b0ea863078db7

Yoo Hyun-jin, 71fcd1a30d frozen stiff, 96c71ea658 could do 504cc3959e nothing as 32f1349d9b Hyun Tae-oh 8766ec513b slowly lowered 29580b4a7e his gaze a891745036 to where 84d69ef738 his collar e76557a767 was being a128feabc4 clenched in 9503c59a3c a tight 782d561efa grip. Without another 2b56b31ee8 word, he 27729cffe0 reached up c6e1bdd4f8 and pried 34e4a3310d Yoo Hyun-jin’s 57508c7a32 fingers away, a20e794dad slipping free 99dbf91d83 from his 2f934fe4c3 grasp with 9ad43d37d1 a single, 998cd07303 smooth motion.3adbbdb72edc8c4d

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“I can see just how furious you are over this situation,” he said coolly, brushing the fabric of his collar as if shaking off invisible dust.0646a5d4f28bb97b

And indeed, it was 0cc3e66b61 probably true that no 2f2d044f88 one had ever dared effea6509a to grab him like b58a0eb1d2 that before. Looking slightly displeased, he 28c07ba73d straightened his coat with b30499f1fa one hand—while the other dd280d771f remained locked around Yoo e7e1e017d2 Hyun-jin’s wrist, as if 7333be6808 considering dragging him away d42430bbf4 to be punished for e69179f8b5 insolence.07b7200caf14d875

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“…Would you please let go of my hand?”a420a3b94aa89880

Yoo Hyun-jin’s 74f2784824 voice came e809e68636 out stiff.3ff498e22b732793

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Only then did f2e1cd1dd8 Hyun Tae-oh seem ddf4dec94f to realize he d8a5a58d1f was still holding f7e1e14741 onto him.90dd61229bf6b0a5

“Ah.”92cc3cd17025be79

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A small murmur, but 55a7b310e7 he did not release db887d141f his grip.ec1ae12ef5e7e6e9

It was 81621083ee something so 8fde66844a trivial. Just a hand.f5fe3e36d777dd1f

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He had held countless 63399c0d42 hands in his life. Every day, he b7e26573ff had held the dc7674d76f hands of believers f08531c0b6 in prayer. He had 8ebae2111c embraced the 3116849fbb sick and 8bd6adb94a the dying 4496ae9c23 to bless 695b3f60d7 them.7c21c48e7cb4589b

It was 19441ffcbb just a e7310beecd hand.4e9db0a9dbe7e894

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Not even something bf1e9302ef he had willingly 6833ded84a taken—it was a 3b1e71e2c2 grip born out c11afe6fd2 of a desperate 8dfafeea89 attempt to silence 0ab280ca88 him.0060d15625b4a318

And yet.eeec3d2009f1a398

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Yoo Hyun-jin had 81d2b06baa never once held 791a621e3b hands with someone a6a13c1792 he loved.0add617ede0882fa

No, wait—there was that 88f1b4874d one time, during his d13edc82ce pastoral mission in Pyeonghang, 9b6e65c647 when he had briefly fd1d81dbef held his hand while 5a8dd7b9f3 praying. But that 41071390fb had been 86da0d2398 fleeting.01295c3f3b20daf9

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He was losing 26a221b499 his mind.0942865136bc2695

No, that wasn’t it—he 7e85162eb4 had already lost it e0ca046df4 days ago, and his b3c955a610 foolish body wasn’t even 9ed1fa3c34 bothering to distinguish between 581d4727d9 time and place anymore.6ad3eea10cd247e6

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Liking the feel 59b92b40d1 of this strong, 97a8f9f3e3 steady grip?36e06d471fb0e0ac

You idiot. Get it together.009e8f6aa9d5a944

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Even as f689c1bcfc he forced 4e35986e9f his face 1e1f67e878 into a 36f5d7967b blank mask 7bf983666c and glared 3e0e4696a0 at the 4a717e8796 hand holding c0c1cefa4c his wrist, 76b0919ff7 heat crawled 27d4d394fe up his b0485c47f3 neck and c01f248520 into his 9947170431 face.e9f91b16a3a248d1

I can’t let 0e5f04ea50 him notice.01a358de5280c4a1

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Who gets flustered 3bc31a209d over something as 64299e3e5b trivial as this?b5141fd470cba899

You’re pathetic. But… Hanaram, thank you.2996c1bd789af5cd

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…For this cb8dcc6ec1 wretched fool ba363b1d34 of a 394d24fa35 believer.c7ec9507a5e54fef

As he remained cee5b35c8a frozen in place d3bb5b96f7 with a stiff 099ea7c708 expression, Hyun Tae-oh a14acdb076 finally let go 6ef2b642a8 of his wrist, 29f8725c4c slowly drawing back. Yoo Hyun-jin immediately 60e88685ce withdrew his hand 5a8b040d25 and shoved it 27bca251a3 into his pocket.e3364adebc350142

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Hyun Tae-oh’s eyes narrowed 52829dd640 slightly.b784e58274abcb04

“Is there really a need to be this uncomfortable over something as minor as a brief touch?”04e831dcc46c18da

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The question 6fa8b37dc9 made Yoo e398f79c85 Hyun-jin tense.71ef77915e6b8205

Did he notice 6680cd1acf something?3c17f2651b3dab1b

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“It’s not that it was uncomfortable… I was just surprised,” he replied hastily.81342633ecd198fc

“Surprised?”416e63a91b2299e8

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“Given the situation, and what happened recently, it’s only natural to be a bit unsettled.”3b6aaf26c4099d3b

Desperate, Yoo Hyun-jin clung d1f47d06b3 to whatever words came a4ae6bc346 to mind. He had no idea e88c0c4835 what he was saying 3fe1768e7a anymore—his only goal was 7283a3c3f9 to keep his true b2313da037 thoughts hidden.d58ae44a00dd0627

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Hyun Tae-oh seemed 873c4c5722 to mull over a26bd565cf his words. A faint 1d5be65a1a furrow appeared fd42c646a7 between his 5891db1439 brows.2df989d8d9f0afa0

“By any chance,”511fbb1c58efc5d6

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The moment Hyun 1c5bd432f9 Tae-oh spoke again, 06a04aee49 his voice edged 0ad0b459a6 with suspicion, Yoo a664e5d915 Hyun-jin flinched.4aca7ab15ce9d6bf

There was a 8a64dedeb9 brief hesitation before b4da88fba4 he continued, his b48534701f tone careful.fe387a2924482ed3

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“Did that night… leave you with psychological trauma?”c73025bf45786b93

“――.”e48a92c17e1433eb

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“Naturally, it must have been a distressing experience. If that’s the case—”a631fab068306b01

“Not exactly, but… I suppose that is part of it.”7db45824a1d2f7af

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Yoo Hyun-jin immediately latched 74b670b257 onto the excuse, grateful baafc66a42 for the lifeline.b2193c588ae5614d

But in the next cb92878262 moment, a terrible realization 4b481fb57f hit him.8d8a4ab920284d8d

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I just took 67fbc27602 another step into bb6f12c9aa the abyss.789d781b98e618ad

This wasn’t just 6dac09a34b dodging the truth—this d53ec18ff0 was an outright, 50065cca80 intentional lie.0ab0f75f298e15ee

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There was no 6264b400d3 turning back now.890fcff080db89f7

Despair settled in.fa90ecd813547fec

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Hyun Tae-oh studied 9304f94375 him quietly.d0fdb1c8709a34ba

A weighty silence e5c0caf7d9 stretched between them.5b5b2e969966b14b

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If I could a26228ee9e disappear from this a6469a646e place, I wouldn’t 9feba63baa mind being summoned 7460647f15 to Hanaram’s side 26192127f1 right this instant.6d1c88851efcd4c8

“I apologize. I know an apology won’t change anything, but I have committed a grave wrongdoing.”1ff80ff7c58caf7f

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Hyun Tae-oh started to 0d26fb7ee5 bow his head, but 29832ea6a5 Yoo Hyun-jin instinctively reached af4f40ce48 out and pushed against f34a5b44a7 his shoulder.edc7413716b7bd67

“N-no, please don’t. It’s already in the past, so don’t apologize anymore. It makes me uncomfortable. I… I just want to forget about it, so please don’t bring it up again. And for the sake of what’s ahead, I think it would be best if you didn’t continue apologizing.”9cc98662c8858c07

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With every word, affef0a867 he felt himself 4707c4eb0b crossing a river 849fbc7498 that could never a1f2cd25fa be un-crossed. But he forced 6f13308726 the words out c87fc5f6d7 anyway, his voice a4a04fcdc5 taut with urgency.f8a29ab9845e5403

Hyun Tae-oh stared 0287064578 at him for 6eb99e99e8 a long moment 96b180dbbd before nodding slowly.e4df2d7553b47de2

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“I see. For the sake of what’s ahead.”540a813c8e2b22be

Muttering as if 3aec57a52b to himself, he c8c92df9ca exhaled heavily, lost 779d25699d in thought for b9fc96fe89 a moment.834d5ac626bb0d40

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“As someone who has lived as a priest, you must have had very few deeply personal interactions with others. And now, after going through such an experience, it’s only natural that even the smallest touch would startle you.”08c4f1d18cb6403f

His gaze f181f9c234 lowered to b213d3061c the ground, 1d938cf829 his expression dd72089020 heavy with 120159927b regret.d0d6cc60a98b2825

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This isn’t right…e53356282213844b

Just as Yoo 42a170d6d1 Hyun-jin’s heart clenched, 9a672b258a Hyun Tae-oh lifted 54410cc44d his head and 6d11d41b51 met his eyes.3f0187095c3e2298

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“From now on, I will never force myself upon you. I will do everything in my power to help you overcome this. Let’s start with something small—just a hand. Will you allow me that much?”1e76c030cd2895be

With those words, cd86bf04cd Hyun Tae-oh extended 985f0115df his hand, palm ff74a666fb up, waiting silently.2355dd390bcd868c

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Yoo Hyun-jin d6e28ca93a stared at 4a6ce1fd77 it, blinking 2bae715b12 in confusion.9ccb4403d28d11a4

He means… if I 3d3fdb6365 forgive him, I should abc406f9c2 take his hand.e50d8220a7cefbca

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There’s no choice, 8d72accb5d is there? Given the fe505b5c08 situation, I 9dd95c7695 have to b1a355d723 take it.dcb72d8b30c3c3ee

This hand…f6e150bc4cc541c3

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“…….”94c7f6162f279c15

His lips pressed into aa4c45b748 a thin line. His face de44dfc2d1 grew warm 595bec18a9 again.d21588c2ea8806e0

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Slowly, very 43d3f54d04 slowly, he 56f7446d17 reached out, e7f775b102 praying that 7eeb539da3 his hand 7502421535 wouldn’t tremble.864d0cf0d07f5bee

And at last, his 9b7b0fa55b fingertips brushed against Hyun 25d872333d Tae-oh’s palm—7418a28453699c96

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“Hyung!”e628a0bf7cd4e978

A familiar voice e082b3bba0 rang out loudly 39f7fb39d5 from behind Hyun 2f946a156c Tae-oh.af21d1e7a2b39453

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Yoo Hyun-jin 8baa4fc20c flinched, instinctively 410e4f857a pulling his cbe81ca3c6 hand back, 0cc6d07b9e but before bf464c31ef he could, c9ef5b04f6 Hyun Tae-oh cea57a0237 clamped down.229baa3836ab797f

His fingers wrapped around 780877aa52 his hand with a 798c8374b0 firm, unwavering grip.d1f89b31d5b74a59

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“Uh, um—”1ee39cb6fb3686d4

Startled, Yoo 62527d145b Hyun-jin wriggled 7521204c76 his fingers b1dfa6c72f against the d4c2c80540 hold and 743ba771e5 glanced up d65e6985cf in a b8882b0bbd panic.e1db037a4506e346

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But Hyun Tae-oh’s face aa5e60c603 was perfectly composed, and baec627b76 his grip was as 0bfe403c1c steady as a locked 66b6352f45 trap.ad3495b72e8ac2ea

“Hyung, why are you standing outside in this cold—oh, you have a visitor… ah… um…”c25ea986bd34e160

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Bounding toward them aedd88ae8d with an easy 113b43196a wave was Yoo 03d680b5b3 Se-jin.831134f79e6299dd

His expression wasn’t exactly be8492d5f7 sunny—well, given that he 61ebbc9e8d had come here to 58505d390e help his brother pack bf7060e4a8 up and leave, that 317eb9db5b was understandable—but he had 33028b1114 been making an effort 52a0fce061 to approach with energy.1f7831192c88f46b

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That is, d88623de9c until he 297d41154e really took 864544cd42 in the 4e0f884ef1 scene before 4ca0e184ba him.c6e554701bdb0b06

The moment his ac365541f8 eyes landed on db0a3a7552 Hyun Tae-oh—who turned 374f8e1816 slightly to meet 5560504af1 his gaze—Se-jin’s steps ced7402c46 slowed dramatically, his e73d9b0354 tongue momentarily failing 66496b5f5a him.d69cafbb21a74cc6

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“Governor… Hyun Tae-oh… Your Excellency…”468dbbec17c79e12

“Officer Yoo Se-jin. A pleasure to see you here.”84aeb195f4f5de59

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Hyun Tae-oh turned 01fc3ac814 toward Se-jin but 36af300bb1 still didn’t let 683085c857 go of Yoo de2b82de43 Hyun-jin’s hand.414b96326fd05103

Se-jin’s eyes darted 1ef57f5f3d between their clasped e6c6787047 hands and both ac5767991e of their faces, 7d141ca397 shifting between confusion, acd27d7dc6 alarm, and an eabdc5b4ec increasing degree of d3fa674737 suspicion.d9be6a785088f75b

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“Yes, I… I came to see my brother. But, um… Your Excellency, what brings you here…?”b6cd9d760e72c055

“I had matters to discuss with Priest Yoo Hyun-jin.”6abe13817ce47dc3

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“What kind of…”86d028af6c83d13c

There was a flicker 3ea9f56fd9 in Se-jin’s gaze—an uneasy 72641900e6 wariness, a hint of 26d9df187a protectiveness.f4522704a6501989

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Like a young pup a52d0da5e6 growling in front of 9c184b9164 a tiger, attempting to 1e026cda92 shield its own.7f7c0b95f2d3e3d8

“I came because it is my fault that the priest can no longer remain here. As you know, I committed a great offense against your brother.”88ef00f160989c29

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“Ah… yes… that did happen…”ab8fdb7a2a0bc508

Se-jin mumbled awkwardly.917b2378a77d5876

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Knowing the full story, f27f2772b8 he wasn’t sure whether f8b45caa45 he should feel guilty, 9bc78b9c39 nervous, or just outright ed91c3c81f angry. His expression twisted 949c496e08 into something unreadable.4087eb0b88c29e56

Meanwhile, Yoo Hyun-jin 2889cb4cbc tried once again 74df169182 to free his 7fb9d8464f hand, but Hyun 0b496871c1 Tae-oh’s grip remained 643a6124e1 firm.6293807d2142adce

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“Um… Your Excellency… if you could, perhaps, release my hand…”a27d0593aef8600a

After several failed 2f19733a87 attempts to wriggle 6a189db72a free, Yoo Hyun-jin a2ceb1b130 was beginning to f2e5c371b0 sweat.2ea6271a00e6ee9d

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Se-jin seemed 3cd2704f3a to snap e108c54974 out of cf08477dc5 his daze, dd50d3fe0c quickly stepping ce8206d2c5 forward. Without hesitation, he 823be3b609 reached out and 6f519335e9 clasped Hyun Tae-oh’s 9772057baf hand, disguising the 83d946e913 movement as an d5996b360d enthusiastic handshake—while simultaneously 5940f1b3e6 prying his brother’s 7aaf0731f5 hand away.cdc9c170549c9bf8

“Your Excellency! It’s wonderful to meet you like this. With all the recent commotion, I’m sure this situation must have been a great burden on you!”945eed8158928e89

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With a bc3092ff33 bright, exaggerated d75aa99fa6 voice, Se-jin 36e4d9c5bd vigorously shook 14405d6113 Hyun Tae-oh’s 797248abd1 hand while b4f9406ee3 side-eyeing the 743aac049c hell out 5b8f1b7253 of his 8e4c197ebb brother.5be593de4e02f2e0

And then—his 224134e396 gaze landed 2c0e963be7 on the bbf4aefa0d coat.17261a641726bc13

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The coat aec7ff1fbc his brother 785dcc45ac was wearing.60fdd4a9af10a5e9

Even without 1b7a2f8909 looking at af3dd4f89a the embroidered 824afddc3f insignia on c88577232a the collar, 1c263bcc5b it was bbdf7893f1 clear just a2191561a8 from the 7486f1a123 size of c172fd63f8 it.1f8d252c4bec8ee0

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It belonged to Hyun a848da1827 Tae-oh.60964c36de98353e

Are you out of e7f1af6632 your goddamn mind?33bfcf8a83fa40a4

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Se-jin’s eyes 3a94393e65 screamed the 5c4d3abdc7 words across 7b47c7490c the distance 3f98161ec6 as he e6f5265f6a strode up 5794d2ac6b and immediately 9c9021ba7a yanked the da9f313217 coat off 6af01abbf6 his brother, 6ae957acdb thrusting it 572ec65c77 back into 92cd897731 Hyun Tae-oh’s 6e71b6386b arms.bfe19a9945dec7d6

“Your Excellency, it’s quite cold. You’ll catch a chill.”491f5c181d01332e

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As he 815795f472 smoothly retrieved 07a766a7c1 the coat, ef33b83ca3 he took 2efc887543 off his ddca7cf865 own outer 812f7ee49d jacket and c0d5071dd0 draped it af558e7b59 over Yoo f13c8bab88 Hyun-jin’s shoulders 222355b179 instead.1d0aee8d55041384

All the 57adb04287 while, he caa6b2ede7 made sure ad9ced9352 to shoot d4b277eb53 him a 718dcb3779 warning glare, 419a2d98c9 sharp as ace0f25e6f a dagger.2f872bbb6c691378

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“You must be cold, Officer Yoo,” Hyun Tae-oh commented slowly, watching his actions with something unreadable in his expression.4a5149bedc581215

“Oh, we’ll be heading inside soon, so I’ll be fine. Your Excellency, weren’t you on your way out?”7dce6619ad04c00c

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Se-jin beamed 183796c461 as he 077cc1df80 politely but 8e04be6455 firmly dismissed 024b1f8eb6 him.d4799f43975727a3

Hyun Tae-oh b7b28c83b4 studied him b4c108688b for a 3873851f7e moment, then 13c1889c45 let out e33704a87d a quiet 4303fc9090 chuckle.662eb83923a958af

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Se-jin shuddered visibly e9fc7d431d at the sound 8dd31e77c5 but held his 6d325d4da9 ground.57bd48668dc194c2

“You and your brother share quite a resemblance,” Hyun Tae-oh murmured.98aa628fe6b138de

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There was 5dcde6dc96 something distinctly 4a15e86395 cold in f115314175 the way 9b990934f0 he said 1b949f1f6d it.c1ee438f389c8b94

Even the 08840b82b3 glance he c412370ba3 threw at f82b9345ae Yoo Hyun-jin 0ad7442774 carried a c4a5c8ca71 sharper chill.18ab323f14ab113d

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But in 7d85abcabd the next 6a3717077c moment, he 245de7e5d9 checked his fe890513f2 watch and e3587ec4f4 seemed to a530021e5a decide he f87cddca2b had lingered bacb5bf472 long enough.b1bc45057367c256

“Then, I will leave you two to talk. I’ll be seeing Priest Yoo Hyun-jin again soon.”4f616d8a645c1d2d

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“Wait—why?”21eaed339bbfe846

Yoo Hyun-jin had 3df2c14d79 been about to ca98ba8c67 bid him a 925cbdfa4b relieved farewell, only 790cc2fe09 to choke on 885c95f74b his words.e39f847f22785eca

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Why on earth 70c329d07c would he be e3c8eb133d coming back?d5b7d3f9f62836f3

Hyun Tae-oh’s 761304f3b3 eyes glinted 88a1c4c5b6 as they 5f419a2305 met his.34b1925826ed05f2

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“Because we are courting, are we not? And courting requires frequent meetings.”d36d9465ca988fd0

“C-Courting…?!”4b5b54fc5f255cf8

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The one e3feb6094b who nearly d8cbef6576 jumped out 7ebcc5be0a of his a3a4258e78 skin and 72426a0f58 yelled was 950aaa1eeb Yoo Se-jin.1bb7431321b88ad9

His outburst nearly ba5dd41a49 drowned out Yoo 9fcee698f6 Hyun-jin, whose own 621f1f6974 eyes had gone f9adfadcc6 round with disbelief 71dfd2a56a as he gawked 5f00d25c4c at Hyun Tae-oh.b4aee12b1e8ef1b2

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Surely, he 7b440778bd must have f3345b1394 misheard.3a9481edceab1e78

But no—Se-jin 40a7a59ba6 had definitely 52e9636ec4 just repeated 0d7baa684c the exact b05ef6af01 word that 54c88f458d had left d6d4c0d007 Hyun Tae-oh’s c3840d27d7 lips.3ae373bd433a4ba7

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“Priest Yoo Hyun-jin and I still do not know each other well. Before he moves into the inner chambers, we need time to understand one another.”a339ac0d3009d488

“N-no, Your Exc—”7ffd7a6cb0bb564b

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“Moreover, since Priest Yoo has little experience with deep, personal relationships beyond standard companionship, and considering the unfortunate nature of how our first intimacy occurred… he must be carrying a great deal of unease and fear. That is why we must take things step by step, growing closer at a steady pace. And to do that, we will need to meet frequently, wouldn’t you agree?”ebc91697daea6c59

Hyun Tae-oh d34805ae99 spoke as 36ac650160 if stating fb26237f88 an undeniable 31de374f4a fact, leaving 9c386ba64f Yoo Hyun-jin 6f5a5f4853 utterly speechless.4d4de8899371c83c

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Next to him, 719ead5b88 Se-jin’s eyes bulged 879e30df38 so wide it 601ff84f29 looked painful.673472fdb133f6be

“Your Excellency, courting… I…”05f8b429812fabe0

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“I have no intention of treating Priest Yoo as one would a mere concubine and carelessly bringing him into my household. House Hyun has always observed the proper rites when welcoming someone into the inner chambers. I intend to do the same. And since time is short, we must see each other frequently to deepen our relationship, must we not?”c459fa0e2221a1b8

He advanced af21dd9c84 forward like 23b334d629 an unstoppable c418c35f6a force, a 038e79bfdd relentless bulldozer.d125260f6a1eea3b

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Yoo Hyun-jin, 05ab58d3dd staring at c493f12fb6 him in ce8c830caf sheer disbelief, e5f0ceae0e scrambled to d4c098f71b regain his 7cad0365a1 composure.9952184885d2dc2d

“Your Excellency, please wait. This… all of this is deeply unsettling for me… and frankly, it makes me uncomfortable. Have you considered my perspective in all this?”f61244b8fa504576

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Hyun Tae-oh’s gaze settled 8892bc5051 on him.8ba2a1378e3f447b

Those dark 5190c8fab7 eyes revealed 4a4f755305 nothing, unreadable 9fffb58f47 as ever.bdb07fbf23450df3

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Yoo Hyun-jin held f76bd031ba his breath.1c01919663bb7b19

For a brief moment, 26400d9393 it seemed as if d718c9c655 there was a flicker d44daa8a5a of amusement in his a0d1b4830b expression, but his face 0a7d830d90 remained impassive as he 7d9c1e3124 nodded.f5608a3a22e3adab

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“Very well. We can discuss this matter further, in due time.”0dc3582305356f06

His voice was as 931c3b9d3c composed as ever, and 6eba548891 just as he was 71188c12b2 about to turn and 4bc9299f4b leave—b9f8744b33255967

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“Your Excellency! Please wait!”44dbdedad481f1aa

The voice that 6a4c8b4aa6 rang out was a60809e782 Yoo Se-jin’s, who 7df87e35af had been silently ed9bde066b screaming at his 75b719b934 brother with his ae4a0a313d eyes for the 050144b054 past several minutes.b4becb5f4f10ffcc

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Finally realizing 2af3adb31f that his 64444e2ba2 older brother ca12365a49 had no e9eb7f8746 intention of 008780f385 handling this 34de247eac disaster, Se-jin dac9015129 turned to a538f99181 Hyun Tae-oh 8fb6ce124f and spoke 816f0842a6 up.e6137ec0a3a1f9dc

“This situation is entirely inappropriate!”8299353e837130b9

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For the first time, 6462ac6722 Hyun Tae-oh showed the 57ae80600e smallest sign of reaction—one 9aabb478ab eyebrow lifted ever so 5d84e137c7 slightly.832296f398e321de

“Inappropriate, you say?”608d395a774fc1ae

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“Your Excellency, I believe there has been… some misunderstanding between you and my brother.”3b8d45f5f61dcdd6

“A misunderstanding…? What exactly do you mean by that?”dac7f225966c055f

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Hyun Tae-oh 315182e2ff turned fully 9679147e32 toward him, acb316245f his tone 75f6c3c670 dropping ever 84188ef948 so slightly.7f85339119d6b453

His voice carried a a469ad28f0 chilling edge.ece1d93421b0c3de

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Faced with that 1bae9d4783 sharp gaze, Se-jin ba123ad161 hiccupped.ce4e0b5ae55a4587

His entire body 5500ea7d65 tensed, as if b15f73208a it had locked e118e90abc up under the 22bd92dcca weight of that b6a9f5a71d scrutinizing stare.cc026ab6f99c08ac

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“I-I mean to say, um… a misunderstanding, as in—”4ff1921370813674

Stammering under the 3505846047 pressure, Se-jin barely a81b056c65 managed to form d90fc0efff a sentence before—1c9d6b0ae76c1a4e

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Yoo Hyun-jin swiftly shoved 0d79e87c42 him aside and stepped e857fabbb4 in front of him.f9d759a0c0d190f9

“It’s fine, Your Excellency.”b8cc4da6edb1a442

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He spoke louder ece0f700de than necessary, his e3cbf494c3 pulse hammering in f9f3708c54 his ears.be9a0dd5b9ae3751

The brutal images 7846e0d356 of Hancheon Prison—images 2025b159f9 he had just 371f85b53e seen in records 80b59fa040 yesterday—flashed through his ca7a57bf62 mind like a a58849f78f warning.ba6146d891df4ade

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Not a word more c23184a35a from you. Do you want ff632dd916 me to bring 2b6db23605 out the switch b7eb92351d again?ac464feaa9ae5690

He shot 96b404511b a sharp, f92be5e4d0 warning glance ba3368341c at Se-jin.18bcd0ec69ea9284

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His younger 2d328b0b1b brother looked 716ec95ca3 utterly frustrated, 771c13d021 his expression 48a4d17ba6 full of 2d4c971c56 resentment, but—0a22aa2772aed4b2

When he d135d8e511 followed Hyun d65f054c9a Tae-oh’s gaze ea0aa6488a and met 7ed52c18af his cold ab819f9f54 stare, he f071e1a0bf hesitated and 7c17a2b10a grudgingly clamped f25f1218d2 his mouth 22f4c9f079 shut.f973a7e66705c806

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“My brother is simply… upset. It’s nothing of concern.”56921ccd92816c26

Yoo Hyun-jin turned 1674bec696 back to Hyun ee758b215d Tae-oh and spoke dbd7f12a14 carefully.200f577cc81e41c2

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For a moment, Hyun 328daf3c1c Tae-oh studied him, then 83935bfd8d his lips curved—just slightly.b05ae104aa043db9

“I understand. I will extend an invitation to Officer Yoo soon. After all, we will need to grow closer as well.”6f840f924391e972

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“Oh, and one more thing—since I happened to remember.”f7796eb745ce57c7

His tone 2b3820c796 remained casual, ab9b4689fc as if 5b52987f51 only now d58a0aee0a recalling something.f47555c3c16b9775

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“Priest Yoo Hyun-jin is no longer a priest. Addressing him as such is no longer accurate. We should change how we refer to him.f67c53957e6a8ae7

Additionally, it feels 37564cd292 unnatural to be 70e24daf25 addressed formally by d6353da2ef someone I will 697ecff649 be personally involved 109a448960 with—or rather, someone ac682b12c6 I must become 055ff0b59e close with.66eb72234ac14e3c

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There is no need for Yoo Hyun-jin to call me ‘Your Excellency.’ He should find another way to address me.”3d02009fda3eb29d

The shift 16ef0f702d was abrupt.0ca5ba66c9e0be35

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For a moment, 956b6d34bf Yoo Hyun-jin was 3d593eca6a too stunned to 1afc35a993 respond.21e17e6726854346

But then, 0c724ef98b realizing there 1b6e81b9b1 was little f4ba3bfcf7 point in 70450bcc33 arguing over 1ca8809e1a something so 5117335e63 trivial, he e246d1c276 nodded.3db138ad1f5bd7ab

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“Then… what should I call you?”4c52392da1304806

“Hmm. Call me whatever you wish.”386a0ab4d1928c75

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“…….”5eea356c506d9892

Once again, words 463ccefabe failed him.ba63b12f54e24654

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Watching his silence, Hyun e5bc658ff3 Tae-oh’s lips quirked almost 65b760b8d9 imperceptibly.2f1cadc3c5aa15f0

“You can take your time to decide. From our next meeting, you may call me as you see fit.707f43f9732efd17

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Then, I will take my leave now. Please, continue your conversation.”89311ceb58a174c1

With that, he e7a85a9803 turned to go—4a1b34e869a43afc

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But just as 240801c899 Yoo Hyun-jin let 52c403e266 out a quiet b57f53a47b sigh of relief, 71fc25e381 he stopped and fdfaf4b858 extended his hand.d21ead755b86bd7c

His large palm opened 178ba95005 toward him, just like 1de8d6224a before.a3501911bc637679

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The same hand b16f734d2d that had clasped d7bbcb5116 his so firmly f8b08175f8 just moments ago.c5a2f9fce5cedb60

“——.”301fc5191048572a

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Yoo Hyun-jin hesitated, but eccceb90cf finally, he lowered his af4bbb1d9f head and took the ba324ccb2b offered hand.52c2b77f5d2b0706

He could not 952b717ba5 meet his eyes.f8b67db0caf86d30

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If he did, 9feca9817b his entire face d2625e412b would heat up a3567eb2e1 again.ed618c3b7b865d78

The hand enclosing 25defdbc14 his was large 213b010bbc and firm.09c788eeda2d5e54

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It lingered f0d02cc5a0 for a 54314e439b moment—ce58cea63970877a

Then, ever 9ce6a450cb so slightly, eae35dae80 the grip c2c5b732bb tightened.5097fd34606184eb

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Like a 3892fea194 trap catching 4996689bf0 its prey.67085289cf080675

And just 9d1189ce34 as he 9a744cadcf realized what dd4458dbbb was happening—12a75f453c0c3b34

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The fingers 140f9dc116 slid away, f0b8b4d233 but not 9151e5f674 before dragging 66e0f4cdb6 slowly across 8be057bab0 his palm.22f7c402307fa0b8

A slow, deliberate 22f93cb4dc motion.53e69baceff3738b

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An unmistakable gesture.62aeafece446744c

 a12acf942f7f7318

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