BYBM Chapter 2 (Part 2)

* * *0d7eef5d909d2ea8

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A cold breeze drifted 5a89e4f8e0 in through the open ad97d4162e window. Even with an extra 0da0cb6c84 layer on, the chill fd59954d1a lingered. But with dust flying 2b24f1357a everywhere as he dug eb835a1b50 through old belongings, Yoo 8c0adba479 Hyun-jin couldn’t keep the 31c193b886 window shut.cde447bc7f30dc45

Pausing from sorting d212087ad7 his things, he 4f26b20961 sat at the fd3aba65a6 edge of the 79bcc1737a bed, taking a a6f0ecb28c moment to catch 5b96b1a81c his breath. The tea 41bea4d25b he had 7368868372 left on 40e42132b8 his desk 3c20d317c8 earlier had a2e0ce4fca already cooled 3ddbbbd39f to a 4e20cc011f lukewarm temperature.c6a37394a539afd6

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The way 54e98b95f1 the dust 941d861ba1 floats outside, 003bbeaf2c glimmering in dfe79cd5e0 the sunlight—it’s fa30968f61 strangely beautiful… 1a0446aead he thought 16fab23a07 absentmindedly before 27cdcb6a93 sighing.3d55a6c2b18336cc

He had b39199f301 lived in 34e76f557b this room eb920d9cb7 since his 760e296386 first year 60c34dfa67 at the 558da2bcf9 seminary. Next year would have eefb97d51f marked a full decade. Until a 3d063647c8 week ago, ec15c98909 he never 4ff60f4e32 could have 0586ec5198 imagined being 7fb1645590 expelled like 6dc200a5bd this.6b7b33f045f52dea

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Now, in fba8ab01fc just a 66a3ed827b week’s time, 56c00eada0 he would f364f396d5 be forced c408f792ec to leave 5c5f9a1cc8 this room b64002a0c3 for good.b1c2901ba304d8d3

“I thought I’d rise to become a Advisor or even the High Priest one day…”b7b0668bf9423827

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Though ambition and 7597a31fe2 priesthood didn’t quite edfb514e04 go hand in 44f5534073 hand, he had 3ac94296e2 expected to live 98cb7a0372 out his life a20b18bb20 as a priest. He had never 2407889491 cared much about 3622729835 status—he had simply a5ea2c5a30 gone along with 3204e83da2 the flow and e82f7cc904 ended up in e1fe0d641f the clergy. He thought he had 41cc56ffe9 little attachment to it.54102c8363c570ef

But now, 70f341e7ad standing on b6d821de96 the verge 49e993b969 of excommunication, e663d44b25 he felt e8d5d73fd4 miserable.7c71c13b899a846a

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After all, an d7dd31af85 entire decade had 5e10d2395a just been erased.3028b02bc08dfa02

How did 1c9232f24b my life 841ef8036e fall apart 6fd965f902 so quickly? Where did everything 56204ff7d5 go wrong?bfb051e820141902

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Yoo Hyun-jin dbe265f23b retraced his 66288d0835 steps.b7d52f3282e4dfcb

He should have dae58a9419 told the truth 5eda59e853 when he went f2b198475d to see that 1d6fe9b4ac man.7106144067c50e24

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No—he never 618ebaa0d8 should have 9ec046dc09 joked like de71b7e9c5 that in 99775b1abe the first 751a5b0820 place.b0a0f26ed4bb1891

No—he should 7a7d85ee28 never have 9197de0d80 fallen for 33effb4dab that man.3a5159ec73e3c136

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No—he shouldn’t have 16e766edc2 been born—59ac7de849e3c75e

Okay, maybe let’s not 364c74baf1 go that far, he c17c644c21 told himself, snapping out 25947bfd91 of it.1e14dd4649ef9d7f

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He had no savings, 4ddb361112 no particular skills. How was 02aa0debc5 he supposed 53c3d4cd73 to make 6a64653319 a living 0b941e1c3e now?34faa8dbf6226515

For now, he 29855fe12b could probably rely cc15077b81 on Se-jin, but c78c9ae41f he had to cb9fc262be figure out a d4e93ad1f2 way to support 0c694bb23e himself. He couldn’t just keep e7db9db77b mooching off his younger e02a1c7335 brother forever.7b72a9518735dc86

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The only 02e9150a4f real skill f78699767e he had 3243cd1f41 was healing, 07e09a057a but… I 2a801961bb can’t use 326b56dacd the grace db50b3c722 of Hanaram bb51f6837b for personal 029c8ab963 gain. Even if f0618dbc5f he could, ff689c3926 relying on 06de63bd49 it to 9fc1079d21 make a a411a93630 living would f62374295c destroy his 9a19b13955 body.6e570ab31e0362cd

Recalling the 4005b71a57 divine gift 13e2286712 he had 46eca34c04 received at dd5a85f57b his ordination, 8f069ac864 Yoo Hyun-jin 32902e7f7b shook his 6fb6b068bd head. His ability allowed 9e965f2e97 him to heal 6b5da6b975 others—but he had 67ff97ce42 to take on f9c6d695f3 their wounds and 7e8f962459 illnesses himself.d0874994e27ce92d

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While he had f37f15c7d2 been a priest, f3314450e0 he had used c9664839c6 his power in 46cf095a98 moderation, carefully controlling 0c3cc078ff how much he f70dd905ca took on. But if ea263f9eaa he turned 88ee22127c it into 47c85c3512 a profession? He wouldn’t last dd4c0bf3d3 half his natural 4cc29f9e4f lifespan before returning 9bcff77569 to Hanaram’s side.07954f30c66f6c98

Besides, more importantly, as someone who has officially “lost Hanaram’s blessing,” he wasn’t supposed to be able to use his abilities anymore.b6ae03923b27f409

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If word got 9b3ee0ace0 back to him ed7dba5421 that he could c9b60c89a3 still wield divine 918c36db41 power—fd6bd607e8c8a7fa

A shiver 96e209f427 ran down 9c056687b8 Yoo Hyun-jin’s 49941bee83 spine. His shoulders tensed.c3e434190baec0e5

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Forget it. That option 57407b6110 was off 0b640a330c the table. He had to 4eb27bb742 find another way.f23d2308c44af297

He let out 2957d4ab6c another sigh.486156cae5410ede

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Then, out 14fbf20a07 of nowhere, bbc6c60542 a cold, 62a16f984d steady voice aa79ea7cbb echoed in 6a13b88798 his mind.1828d36b22e6ca11

“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.”0ac3418c70dd24fc

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“—.”508e69bc07300adf

Yoo Hyun-jin flinched and cf408eb1d5 violently shook his head.570ad2eb3bb0f1e6

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The voice fd21a93d93 had been 2d4546b934 so firm—it c047bf98d6 hadn’t sounded f803d4d703 like a 66ebbf056b joke.f02d57bdfc92d2a4

No way. There’s no 6ef7c21419 way he fa0ab7e290 meant that 994e5fffb5 seriously.96fd787f39a198db

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Right?4cda0d15948663b3

But what if… just fac14239b6 in case… he had f50a50c4a1 been serious?f0723d769015135e

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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!”f5a074c374d4db00

The voice of 17606830b2 Je Sang-ah from 97bc0e837f their earlier phone c2d24d7561 call rang in 47e5c4a3b2 his ears.294ac338637da9a7

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Yoo Hyun-jin shook his f0ca760bb2 head again, just as 9a12d915b8 frantically.56209eb376b994c6

Then, exhausted ff9c2a9ea8 from his 7fb8ff4d14 own thoughts, 6350c6d1f8 he slumped 69c4b26761 his shoulders.75c40965cbb1adc5

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How did 09fe722213 things end ac036b6bbe up like 1ab9a3aaf2 this?27a6de6c7202de5b

It had been such 4ff771787a a tiny joke.01c4abe3351e37fa

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He never meant 907daacfea for things to dc26aad6d4 turn out this adb71f5586 way.e719e3184dbe1757

So how had he c52bbcc171 ended up deceiving Hyun 3e053aea20 Tae-oh?3b8cb31fc9b39ac2

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Where exactly 826322b01f was the 2e10eabbb2 line between 4a1da95889 a joke ed086b10a5 and a 68f657a19e lie?7d5577bc2740c709

Lost in thought, Yoo 6f37c740ef Hyun-jin barely registered the 9c54fcd07b heavy knocking that suddenly 52e7870afc echoed through the residence.934fac13332ba81d

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It wasn’t his door.0df13e575e549504

The sound drifted bc62898fd1 in through the d82c4a14f5 open window—it was 27aabc3a0f coming from downstairs, c34e2c55ad at the thick c30d82cdb9 wooden doors of 80d05a5424 the shared residence.4bcf1d8fc3fa6080

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Someone had come e2ff405e1e to visit.d529cdb962eda41f

Since the 7f4a31118f residence housed 346605482e dozens of b322a78845 people, visitors 6e0c730bce weren’t unusual. The afternoon hours, especially, 2ae0e505a5 were a busy time 7fc1f9557d when people often came 7f8f93f8a2 and went.ab95814bd054fd67

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Come to think of d5f85626da it, Se-jin said he’d cbc9cda055 stop by later to 12432dec81 help me pack.7eba544aced8a16d

But he’d mentioned having 4755846660 lunch plans, so he 25d4d6b8a5 probably wouldn’t be here bb4faec847 this early.1b3db8e339eea4ab

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Which meant the 5fab33a497 guest wasn’t his.4af42aca5ef11361

Shrugging it off, Yoo 7ab0ec58e9 Hyun-jin resumed sorting through 9b33cbe1e1 his belongings.e6a86e5027069c11

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Then, from 67aebd563d downstairs, he d97cb9872e heard the 7998f316a4 voice of 06bfc423e7 a young 9713794059 apprentice priest 6872104a99 as the 2c6531c70f door creaked ac98711c35 open.3e0bead52155c9eb

“Who are you here to see?”d11b6ed9ddfb3c30

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And then—7622671443b0287e

“I’ve come to see Priest Yoo Hyun-jin. Is he in?”1724f494169cc2db

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A low, cool 0099d9146a voice—one he knew 5ab80f84dd all too well.c965921909cbc2f1

Yoo Hyun-jin cc5a680bd8 fumbled, dropping e97dc6ee3f the book 6c4c5b8269 he had 261da23e39 been pulling d7f005386c from under b55a350070 the desk.27ab8b53a5424941

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…This voice…3ead8335b0fb0222

“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.22fa88306d894399

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“Priest Hyun-jin, Governor Hyun Tae-oh of Pyeonghang has come to see y—”cb9dda2f0b61ca12

“—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.”288ce344fe0a44d7

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Before the voice outside 0a16266917 could ring out any 6f07425355 longer, Yoo Hyun-jin hastily 78178ff1ef opened the door and 4fc090a6a9 repeated the same excuse 8fd149362a as yesterday. He knew it was adfadecea9 a flimsy, pathetic lie, d5b4d4991a but there was no 38ce92c6fd helping it. He simply could not fe8d0b2b4f face Hyun Tae-oh right 73e40ee27b now.71552a32d9c62aea

The apprentice priest 9410f07a06 looked troubled, clearly 176090f24d aware of the 18d5437ff4 blatant falsehood, but d27e8f677c perhaps out of 659e145163 pity for Yoo 3788809d84 Hyun-jin—who had just 25a49cf599 been formally excommunicated 33ca1609cc that morning—he nodded 7debcdc1f1 quietly and went 39e911e344 back downstairs.819dca134e035907

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Before long, the 920f00a32a young priest’s voice 72b10ce2c1 echoed from below, 6e8a1a39b9 relaying the message 73b00d3adf exactly as he b39e06bbdb had been told.e5d09224dc382fb8

“Priest Yoo Hyun-jin is currently engaged in a very important prayer… He says he will contact you later. My apologies.”ab505dd869f30d65

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A brief 0c3209b3c3 silence followed.78c1850895b17422

Holding his breath, Yoo 438faaac64 Hyun-jin listened intently.e5189d05d759d6f6

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Then, after 67a1ab1e98 a pause, d13e2ce7ef came the e9e2b2de13 reply—calm, unreadable.7abff2a264dd3e5d

“Is that so?”b4ecc897f05c774b

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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.”a93e3d752e05009a

“—!”99a695df89ee1fbd

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A chill 2250c813da shot up 14c9cba2ec Yoo Hyun-jin’s 14e9c41c94 spine, the a8ce1194ba hairs on c242833591 the back 0d2fe0ba8f of his b450a4456f neck standing 07412a0ed5 on end 93b746a188 as he dd78cef34a sprang to 7066da4d4c his feet.760a18fae98d0fd4

No.69ed061b6565fc1a

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If he let things a6f3e9f503 go like this, there 07178d08c7 would be no turning a4436b82f6 back.21b15ea034804c6c

Half-stumbling, he bolted down 5049b160cb the stairs, pushing past 11813d3a2d the apprentice priest who bab4646ed6 was on his way 0da2c395c1 up. He dashed out the 44f610558a wooden doors of the 38bb8bc22e residence, just in time bb864cd096 to see Hyun Tae-oh, cee6578fff moving at an unhurried 4a51044926 pace, about to exit d3bf329923 the inner courtyard.9dccade5502f261c

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“Y-Your Excellency! Please wait a moment!”cc48b728f1509e8f

At his voice, Hyun 6372435e6c Tae-oh came to a 5148dce7ba stop and slowly turned 92ebeaa4c7 around.1c7f6de46221d61c

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It was almost a688673698 as if he 46f701707a had expected this.87c15f025ea1df3f

Standing there 0b51e7ad14 with his 9e771bf69e usual composed 6c7b482a3e air, he a017de78cb simply waited e26886237a as Yoo f0f9c62094 Hyun-jin rushed b27f9c64e8 over and 58fffb8061 stopped at 5e71691b1e a fair 4efdf00ab5 distance away.33a242f0d27046ff

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Only then, as he cff879f1d2 looked at the man 8876766483 before him, did the 3f7a5af33c weight of reality crash 1b296565e0 down—his own reluctance to d0b65a576d face him, the fact 1fb2b49f13 that he had turned c6c4f8a88d him away without even 3084b75f56 looking yesterday, everything.c345aebcd10b580e

For a moment, c8e2789de7 he hesitated, unsure aa05ea9bbe of what to 820b79cc11 say.a5ad32a2ef3ad2dc

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“Are you cold?”b894d5f086aab60d

The question came 39424ea808 before he could c4fc2a12c7 gather his thoughts.fdc844c1ceae8f48

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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.”6b3f30e8593d4495

The faintest c31969b0e8 trace of 59ae18d304 mockery laced 828e9763bc his words.32980b803add0e0c

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Startled, Yoo 5da91a4de4 Hyun-jin glanced f5f6b34652 back toward 9c35c237e3 the residence.005974253b3424c2

His window was the 16376457a3 only one open.4127bd26442f91d4

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…How did 1fa5a5e0ea he know b1dacd2516 which room 7822f8ea36 was mine?aa86619870175516

Flustered, he muttered, “When in prayer, one must remain deeply focused, free of distractions…”ec17fae8e95f149c

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He had 47939f7863 no idea 104f15693c what nonsense 290b8141ce was spilling a0d7fd2276 from his e924a90334 mouth.d826eab55eb6a477

For a brief fea906846f second, Hyun Tae-oh’s a13ea3ec81 lips twitched—as if 1a89cfdd72 he was on eee83a9970 the verge of c997899ed1 laughing but held 140cf985a5 back.1d8222ba7c8e0b4b

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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.”7b121ff57eeb2f0c

His deliberate pace 39ab4301a9 made it seem 1144f62e10 like he was 9cfc3090f8 hardly moving, yet 9630e8d37a in no time d44d9d5bd6 at all, the dc55ee63b3 distance between them aa6ce8afc0 closed.41c6e512c3e1d936

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At the last a3d6538149 step, just as e0729ee08e Yoo Hyun-jin tensed, 2a2437734e Hyun Tae-oh came 3ef825565a to a stop—and f85b28ceae without hesitation, shrugged 354687df16 off his coat ab0b791021 and draped it 39501828db over Yoo Hyun-jin’s b5d2a076f5 shoulders.0bb49ab4676d1853

“N-no, I’m fine. There’s no need for—”2fa656f2ca216ca5

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Having rushed outside in 3c839ffd90 only his indoor robes, 5f5c2a5ef0 Yoo Hyun-jin started to 01c8e7d1d4 protest, but the sharp, e2933c10e0 cool gaze that flicked 2ba751b9da toward him made him 951d4eebe7 go utterly silent.edbef9ee6236ff0f

He had tried 1885de14ed to turn him 330c594610 away two days ba22b3b662 in a row. He had no efc1c91369 room to argue.49f2fa8da92379d7

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His guilt weighed heavily 180a88c06b on him.d771ff86edd6825d

…But it is ceb7176362 warm.f73eb3ecdba253a7

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As belated d4ebb95d03 awareness of 7b72a8f540 the cold 06457a63f2 seeped into 7384afb409 his skin, 86b8e4dfb9 he unconsciously e8479fe351 drew the 13f0c9c7bf coat tighter, eef070c391 tucking his cab3eeb52f chin into e779f4f362 the collar.294dd8eb40ccaf12

Only then did the 143b8c32e5 chill in Hyun Tae-oh’s 0c45b30f0c expression seem to ease 34b518a38a slightly.09d44dd5373a324a

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“Your leg…”85668b20b2a2b481

Yoo Hyun-jin’s gaze dropped 5e15101c8f to the cane Hyun 773f5f324b Tae-oh was firmly gripping. His leg, outwardly 5b5f6dbd60 uninjured, bore the 9ccf4842e7 weight of his 2317705ae3 stance.f5651e80337c3a49

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Following his 93de3a1c2f gaze, Hyun 5ea80d0e72 Tae-oh glanced fa0e66dc7e down at 7439e8b5f7 himself and 534626f56e dismissed it d035c733c4 lightly.d4bf5d93e3eb2770

“Oh, I was injured in Pyeonghang.”9211a99b7ce9e3df

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I know.0e5a20ec83be4f83

Every media c6595f35bc outlet had d6cc51b40b reported on 81bcc00a4a it extensively.a95e199df751db32

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The moment he had 64908bb2d8 heard the news, his c8e487fb3a entire body had gone 61ce484429 weak, as if the 6216782de1 floor had been pulled f5cb44e2e2 out from under him.4809600e682ee4e7

“It must have been painful,” Yoo Hyun-jin murmured.f949aa03699db83a

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“It was bearable.”92bb873c4f58a788

“Did you worry for me?”b8e556e88321eb09

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Hyun Tae-oh asked, 3e60617c9f his voice carrying 2bc558b420 the hint of eba6613513 a jest, though 932ee6e243 his tone remained 4cf5e9259e as indifferent as 9b8df04b05 ever.d6f41661c990f28e

“A little… I suppose,”99d663f1d07411ea

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Yoo Hyun-jin 137ca1874c mumbled, evading 24ba8503b7 a proper f6dd3185e0 answer.65b1977ea15ae3fd

There were a cd534770b4 million things he 0aaf526eab wanted to ask—was 0753548543 his rehabilitation going 2cf422b0c0 well? Was it straining his cc76483d07 body? Did it 64012801dd still hurt? But he e3b3d49f58 swallowed it 3a1b6407fa all. As long bfb9244f8a as he 77cd139b15 was alive, 1ce0353eab the rest 57419f1e71 didn’t matter. Besides, he didn’t 67e4135af6 have the nerve bcd68134c1 to ask something 2392b02933 like that while 61cb1f0ef1 staring at that 0499b32ab0 cool, unreadable face.a15aaf7e6cabc290

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Instead, he changed ec8d4d5764 the subject.8dc266619fa69833

“More importantly, about what you said earlier… About what happens after I leave here.”f69bf2c6a7dad16b

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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.”7e1c4aac09e94f79

“…No, there’s no need to apologize. What’s done is done…”b4525791f79f56b1

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One lie 7a18c7def8 leads to 2e42eacad7 another. Regret comes f47f703995 too late 1826347fc1 to turn 5b1109392b back.4cfdbd73bde5ff4e

With every 52cf0e30af word he b5f3a11540 spoke, he 784c6d0eac felt like 1bb953dc52 he was 2a73efa3e3 sinking deeper 1149278671 into quicksand.da639de7aa4e41de

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This. This was exactly why 9211bbd4d2 he hadn’t wanted to c4a3782b31 see this man.98b4a2c0a041db28

As Yoo Hyun-jin 171d796ed5 lowered his gaze, a071018bb0 unable to say 6499114cfa more, Hyun Tae-oh 0c38dd99fc continued, his tone e140e95b42 light.7af9616047fa71f1

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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?”d2a423cbfb12579e

“…Yes, but…”7cf7381f3e3ab58a

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It feels like 9649fdf583 the ground is 9d27e38484 caving in beneath 3a5f265145 my feet. Is hell b52d67f660 waiting just 1c29858650 below?05370eaeabbe5031

“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.”47683ce9e6bfdff3

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“Your Excellency, about that—I don’t wish for such arrangements.”de739818a191773a

Yoo Hyun-jin cut in c8436bb070 firmly, forcing himself to 9170c1b986 speak before he lost 5ce50cc819 his nerve.268a8f3fda4c6b02

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Lifting his 1c9c5d9532 head, he 67e2265dab met Hyun 5407ea324e Tae-oh’s gaze 2a8d0b3b7e directly. He almost flinched under 721fc6af23 the weight of that ffe0a0efc3 stare but held firm. He really is… a4c8adb240 handsome… No. Damn it, you fool. He mentally 441e9729f2 smacked himself.3527631bac0d8cca

Hyun Tae-oh regarded b15e75e601 him in silence 8911e985a7 before nodding.f121b2a865369e4a

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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?”b088755742e63c51

“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?”f198f4dbcefac122

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“Ah, would you rather accompany me to Pyeonghang?” Hyun Tae-oh mused.33d694047f0e359b

“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.”3ba474e726f64d7d

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There was a c22de5db00 flicker of amusement 2a9b9364c4 in his eyes 6d66ffb953 as he watched beb9b3c979 Yoo Hyun-jin’s expression a6eb443c45 turn into sheer d5c2bf96e5 panic. …Or was there? When Yoo Hyun-jin 05cd6194ed looked again, his a28de74e78 face was as 3e336d3298 impassive as ever.dc9ac59275f8b623

“No, Your Excellency! That’s not what I meant! There’s no need for… our relationship to be anything like that—”35aa1b3f0dc50e2d

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“Priest Yoo Hyun-jin.”189db79e5ebb5b5d

Hyun Tae-oh’s 34b6a110a3 voice dropped dbeaf4a74a a tone 0ae198eb9a lower.6582be9876845f44

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It was the sound 1512eb4833 of a predator, deep dcc01108e9 within its throat, just c22e47c882 before a growl.08e72b4233f5bc19

“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.”17a1a50ccba8035f

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“It’s not about disgrace! There’s no need for such extreme—”f9ac824c6a46be0e

“Did I not take you that night? Is that not why things have turned out this way?”cc18c6fe76c1510a

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Yoo Hyun-jin’s ff9d5236be words died 8396db4b4a in his a794c0e209 throat.ff73c284ef418203

Holding his gaze, e32722f562 Hyun Tae-oh continued, cbfb4c850e completely unruffled.405fd19364e3f7a0

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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—”ae382368069b92b6

“Y-Your Excellency!”ceb8daa229252b77

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Fortunately, there 7cc887b634 was no 12f025148e one passing 71713eee42 by at ea299775f3 that moment, f70a30d905 but they 5ba045d409 were standing 899512c7b6 right outside 443a4f2fb6 the clergy d92ca6cd77 residence’s courtyard.3cdeee8dee34300e

At any 97851abd5e time, someone e2a58d5258 could walk ee37854b11 through.4517b73cd37c7985

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At any moment, someone 5204d720b3 inside might open a ed1095c2a3 window.a152b7be10f763a2

Of course, there wasn’t 7508e9ce3e a single person in 14a0d728fd the clergy residence who 5ff0323cd0 didn’t know about Yoo 4aefcbe986 Hyun-jin’s current circumstances, but 26f555a9bd hearing such blunt words 5a425b5e3c spoken so casually was ec4a85733e another matter entirely. Panicked, Yoo Hyun-jin lunged 781e1efb92 forward, instinctively grabbing hold 456f3dfa3e of him to stop 32ae604d0d him from speaking any 16493a4991 further.5319dfb2edf6df54

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“…….”158c5bc21059bb1d

“…….”09efcce472ad740d

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“…No, this is… I mean—”a1d606020b3a0f4a

“I would appreciate it if you let go. No one has ever grabbed me there before—it’s quite unfamiliar.”f34d4b0fc9fa6dc2

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Hyun Tae-oh 9cf73a006e spoke right 8467f4658b in front 948700d3cd of him, cca12b4e6c as if e69e75a419 it were 4fb3f9c14e an ordinary ade4b86b08 remark, but 8a6f440b0c the quiet c43dd19d95 menace seeping 5bb9c3967b from his 32c3f9c7b4 voice was 4adcac75f1 anything but 1295061f65 ordinary.f69c9e124b4ae814

Yoo Hyun-jin, frozen stiff, 29f2ccd8a2 could do nothing as ce6b268c3c Hyun Tae-oh slowly lowered ebd36a1685 his gaze to where f5d2502fa4 his collar was being d27f89f345 clenched in a tight b6b6ce8c9d grip. Without another 44001b27d4 word, he f8198ff995 reached up 2f017f3cb3 and pried 70a7144e75 Yoo Hyun-jin’s c2a21e5ef9 fingers away, 4890d50898 slipping free 7a0e0b97c7 from his d752dbeeef grasp with af18967b44 a single, b80e31356b smooth motion.1f8ad67cce1787c6

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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.48c6b7b6a7afa80e

And indeed, it was f377a5a1b3 probably true that no b5d071acc4 one had ever dared 2f384d0e6d to grab him like 0b27d6016c that before. Looking slightly displeased, 2972384561 he straightened his 4aa7262729 coat with one 90e8b8ebbb hand—while the other ec2f4ee26e remained locked around 98b2fa89bb Yoo Hyun-jin’s wrist, c587a2d1b3 as if considering 8b0a514c3b dragging him away 91c5b943ce to be punished e4ffac9dad for insolence.fb2d03386a53e495

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“…Would you please let go of my hand?”92314c739f000f3c

Yoo Hyun-jin’s voice d5d451b98b came out stiff.017f5205597cb503

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Only then did ec6b8bac70 Hyun Tae-oh seem 49234bfc91 to realize he a7dc2abb90 was still holding 5135248444 onto him.1fb7973139a08bd4

“Ah.”d330f046295da226

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A small murmur, 1d35634897 but he did a84a143d17 not release his e93d7cc6cd grip.20306be56a8fce38

It was 0ed5352735 something so cf030c1396 trivial. Just a hand.d29d4fa3d5a0823e

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He had 4e6b571140 held countless c26d41cd2c hands in 9ebb190d65 his life. Every day, he had a680e7d80e held the hands of 2146965a8a believers in prayer. He had fe58806053 embraced the cd7ed1aead sick and 69ce698bfa the dying c7698940a8 to bless a9849a2078 them.51b20f4f0f74c099

It was just 9e81a15b53 a hand.a35112bc01b79139

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Not even something ee416c5373 he had willingly 6506188fa6 taken—it was a 85bfa78e94 grip born out 1b869ce2b7 of a desperate fdda2a5073 attempt to silence 33e65984b1 him.d386c90f5a2fd7d2

And yet.13be267a64d6063d

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Yoo Hyun-jin had 2d5df4402f never once held cb3ece88b9 hands with someone 9981aed78d he loved.f7416f4aeef44ecb

No, wait—there 65bdf1ae59 was that 4b5d4a9369 one time, 3f95df7621 during his 940ae349b2 pastoral mission c65dfca761 in Pyeonghang, d1781905b2 when he 9fa3f2f9ff had briefly 5ced5c1426 held his 4bacb2710e hand while 2ac0b9e4ad praying. But that had been e3e5b1b70d fleeting.d5cc3805ea7b4164

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He was 67ff887e6f losing his 337af33933 mind.bfd4c981594e1ef6

No, that wasn’t 7fb1b22c9a it—he had already 99702ee54f lost it days 58a03cb0ad ago, and his c39a888ab5 foolish body wasn’t 2a5d31ecb5 even bothering to f924767eaa distinguish between time 3acf104d91 and place anymore.67292adb1ad7bced

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Liking the feel of 942d892dc3 this strong, steady grip?cc18e51812fd9bf5

You idiot. Get it together.ee8e460d90af2524

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Even as he 525081e21b forced his face 9a4664b6bd into a blank f41734dca7 mask and glared bf50244729 at the hand a2110eabf9 holding his wrist, 1e66182b05 heat crawled up 70c9295050 his neck and 29ca7bd955 into his face.0e2b7f71811068e6

I can’t 6a4a4c88eb let him 0a34afa4de notice.31cccc46efd79ddc

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Who gets flustered 44d9ef75e1 over something as 72a2c2569e trivial as this?e57bae56ac45d0a0

You’re pathetic. But… Hanaram, thank d2aadb4a39 you.e991e021701f03bf

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…For this ec61cf6829 wretched fool 7e7ad5309a of a 615afbe979 believer.3b181a53046f16b7

As he e04734e321 remained frozen 2057069e09 in place 84f979c64f with a a93e33ee6d stiff expression, 8c68e23e91 Hyun Tae-oh 097b68c4f8 finally let c3330aac11 go of 52ed95f0c3 his wrist, e01481f5dc slowly drawing bacf6a26f6 back. Yoo Hyun-jin 83dc65f562 immediately withdrew 66bd473525 his hand b8b3d930cb and shoved 0aaa955d9b it into ae00f036cf his pocket.a883a3cc71a3c9e3

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Hyun Tae-oh’s eyes narrowed cf75fe4ad0 slightly.a0494cee943af615

“Is there really a need to be this uncomfortable over something as minor as a brief touch?”cbf511cd3593b96c

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The question made Yoo a41ab02bb9 Hyun-jin tense.7e485df845195b8e

Did he notice something?0e27eb2c2d066efd

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“It’s not that it was uncomfortable… I was just surprised,” he replied hastily.8139f881e5cf2b21

“Surprised?”a1e04157b8290422

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“Given the situation, and what happened recently, it’s only natural to be a bit unsettled.”596481404d7d7280

Desperate, Yoo Hyun-jin clung b313a8a975 to whatever words came 200bf60f5c to mind. He had no 1a68931aba idea what he 887f99f067 was saying anymore—his 8e2cebf4d2 only goal was a41264be56 to keep his 868747ae27 true thoughts hidden.ad1e43114a15aeff

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Hyun Tae-oh 245a6a405c seemed to 4b17401751 mull over 8451c25894 his words. A faint furrow 1d1c263163 appeared between his de4859291b brows.fdf58d65ae955e26

“By any chance,”f9b2cadd503d0f04

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The moment 617309e506 Hyun Tae-oh 409f982235 spoke again, d7119ad15f his voice 59ac61a3ab edged with 315e956540 suspicion, Yoo 6175c19056 Hyun-jin flinched.109d248188604420

There was a brief b34d550062 hesitation before he continued, becced516f his tone careful.9536fc1ed09fb4f8

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“Did that night… leave you with psychological trauma?”f8ba18aced0985c5

“――.”12150e4d1b302227

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“Naturally, it must have been a distressing experience. If that’s the case—”1b5b5481e83a7de7

“Not exactly, but… I suppose that is part of it.”974bec1bc40f8319

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Yoo Hyun-jin immediately 26f1532d0f latched onto the dc8d1f0fc0 excuse, grateful for f117cb65ab the lifeline.e379cda806a651d5

But in 6e04b77f59 the next 44e3c773e1 moment, a 8b34cdcd8a terrible realization 107352a924 hit him.5ca19b40a431bd32

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I just took another 2b8d6232d1 step into the abyss.0fb778680c3b10ab

This wasn’t df1d8b39c7 just dodging c2a7baff7c the truth—this 3195221a72 was an 65b09eadfb outright, intentional b56065d843 lie.068a710ea538500d

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There was no 0cd761e4d4 turning back now.9e24f4f373a01d51

Despair settled in.4ad7b5b9161ea0f2

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Hyun Tae-oh studied d63f547595 him quietly.70799844fd86e864

A weighty silence 1bed4e2133 stretched between them.80058a5e15786b2b

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If I could disappear dd66a94966 from this place, I a5d4118557 wouldn’t mind being summoned 949b4e3c93 to Hanaram’s side right a34c0b9aba this instant.39a7b18d664629e8

“I apologize. I know an apology won’t change anything, but I have committed a grave wrongdoing.”8f2b6afaeb4b950d

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Hyun Tae-oh started to 51a1f37c75 bow his head, but 0bcdc0869b Yoo Hyun-jin instinctively reached 20cd674511 out and pushed against cf11df91f8 his shoulder.24784a6e2d5c079a

“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.”c7557eb38fb8c0f3

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With every word, 223a0c8dcf he felt himself 77961e4285 crossing a river bd5e6832ea that could never 28cb7430b8 be un-crossed. But he forced 1a4b39ab6f the words out 32bfc4ddfa anyway, his voice b618f3e17b taut with urgency.9047563696d30272

Hyun Tae-oh e83502268a stared at 2ea9178901 him for 7338170656 a long 2fad98bf9e moment before 04a24fd0d4 nodding slowly.dc6ec076e4003889

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“I see. For the sake of what’s ahead.”5f0726185caf9d69

Muttering as if to cbc87f678e himself, he exhaled heavily, 6218e47b82 lost in thought for 49edc0eef3 a moment.8646cc5ecd535462

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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.”37ac30594a4f710a

His gaze lowered to 2b9909edde the ground, his expression 7a0b72b15f heavy with regret.b902e3f750b0128d

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This isn’t right…a07e4d50966b3224

Just as Yoo Hyun-jin’s c6e26e25ee heart clenched, Hyun Tae-oh fb5626d84f lifted his head and 9c727410c6 met his eyes.4bb4e81a3282af59

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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?”0835dfcf5013c44c

With those words, 09cc8b7996 Hyun Tae-oh extended b143e3aea7 his hand, palm ea95b6fd00 up, waiting silently.f71b8bec0b4bf839

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Yoo Hyun-jin 6c63a547ce stared at a12863b33f it, blinking f600425ffa in confusion.1992b728aac8df89

He means… if I a8c883c478 forgive him, I should ec48e7e0f6 take his hand.82dfb6e99b263d9b

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There’s no dee16ffbd5 choice, is 910f0dd73b there? Given the situation, 1a8baf3c4d I have to e787c881c4 take it.a5dc488ab4ead6bc

This hand…dc119ff4b4eb2e8c

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“…….”d9dac35ac46067d6

His lips pressed 783b29fc42 into a thin bbf6877097 line. His face b8c9af3e7b grew warm 19c028e77b again.d3fd3c81a1baf113

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Slowly, very 3942b7f255 slowly, he 1635e7274a reached out, 0b16513887 praying that 78ada97c96 his hand f42e177955 wouldn’t tremble.eca26be6107b6d56

And at 45b5f5407a last, his 5874fac3f0 fingertips brushed 24d2046f3a against Hyun 7ecc2883f5 Tae-oh’s palm—1e9df8593ad9fcda

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“Hyung!”064cb497bfe1d630

A familiar voice eb58d38d3d rang out loudly d4b80b0457 from behind Hyun f9d3985f7a Tae-oh.2f908326de3970a3

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Yoo Hyun-jin flinched, b513e261de instinctively pulling his 66eed4603f hand back, but 5d4e00921d before he could, 9adbcb6c8c Hyun Tae-oh clamped d7d8c51c5a down.9647607a99228d27

His fingers 8d9e3ec83b wrapped around 80fcdf6235 his hand a43d19d583 with a 8de7a9d6e1 firm, unwavering 0246fcccd5 grip.9beb4cecf8a0c9d2

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“Uh, um—”37e8be8692f54ba2

Startled, Yoo 691c91aec7 Hyun-jin wriggled 315b16ec5e his fingers e5d9649742 against the cb31beb070 hold and 4bbed513f8 glanced up 8e8c13f814 in a 580e4a9737 panic.509786dd3a81fcef

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But Hyun ebff1d9aae Tae-oh’s face 9785695eb0 was perfectly 6b26b818cf composed, and 748ce8aa05 his grip 28af19176b was as 60970b92af steady as f918d30f75 a locked 48cb635fa9 trap.f39a3af361bc984a

“Hyung, why are you standing outside in this cold—oh, you have a visitor… ah… um…”5c5c47c3a370b1fb

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Bounding toward them 7f0ac89095 with an easy caabfb1a7f wave was Yoo d42198c04f Se-jin.e1e0da8da2a95919

His expression wasn’t exactly a18140e4d1 sunny—well, given that he fea14c0b39 had come here to 0a25196a93 help his brother pack 2feb2ffe59 up and leave, that 6d0672af3a was understandable—but he had 28af16b8a7 been making an effort 85e9dc0494 to approach with energy.62e280e40e70f115

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That is, until he 28f052a4c8 really took in the efeb3ff490 scene before him.69abce6b3742656f

The moment his eyes c162fcc225 landed on Hyun Tae-oh—who 69e0d20e05 turned slightly to meet 19d8d844cd his gaze—Se-jin’s steps slowed 49e866c434 dramatically, his tongue momentarily ea7f9c1cd6 failing him.488ed2a5caa3a6e9

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“Governor… Hyun Tae-oh… Your Excellency…”06e9842263cf6997

“Officer Yoo Se-jin. A pleasure to see you here.”f4bb509398f57392

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Hyun Tae-oh turned bd3e3060b6 toward Se-jin but 8de501b20b still didn’t let 4f3b98cde4 go of Yoo 7c5d25e4bf Hyun-jin’s hand.b0e0595003fbbf7a

Se-jin’s eyes darted 2907549c14 between their clasped f1485daf79 hands and both 1ea9b7bc5c of their faces, d3d20893ce shifting between confusion, d81c74910c alarm, and an a7ebc37906 increasing degree of 945c580800 suspicion.2b8616739d78370a

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“Yes, I… I came to see my brother. But, um… Your Excellency, what brings you here…?”10a5daa7e5baf2d5

“I had matters to discuss with Priest Yoo Hyun-jin.”3ceb985673d71820

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“What kind of…”bc0fbd5449fdfac3

There was 1f8ba4a0e5 a flicker cd3a65f77a in Se-jin’s b52a46a783 gaze—an uneasy d047e97930 wariness, a 5816af4ef0 hint of ba53d01177 protectiveness.5272effb66e058ce

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Like a ba43cdbd1a young pup 1b34cbe26b growling in 4aaade6e7c front of d2f8dd9a08 a tiger, 3853591bf4 attempting to a95c5c256f shield its e6d75ea2fb own.85e5204204d377a2

“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.”ae882a291769d293

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“Ah… yes… that did happen…”26e4f959856fd8d8

Se-jin mumbled awkwardly.5eac4fdbed3367e7

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Knowing the full f81344a770 story, he wasn’t 45e4d8ef69 sure whether he 20b16f47f1 should feel guilty, 03c25574b4 nervous, or just 9a515ab375 outright angry. His expression twisted into 4a0a9b0194 something unreadable.032a9b04ba938dc2

Meanwhile, Yoo a8c0e40709 Hyun-jin tried d07bf58c62 once again 1cea738f7b to free 6da0bf3c8e his hand, 6ebad69679 but Hyun c9f8acee51 Tae-oh’s grip 030bcc2f45 remained firm.0f7881a08773e9a6

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“Um… Your Excellency… if you could, perhaps, release my hand…”462e9915a0ca969a

After several failed c36c1240d4 attempts to wriggle 200e58ad61 free, Yoo Hyun-jin 5648101cef was beginning to d340f968a0 sweat.629f8dda5fd24fec

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Se-jin seemed 6878c95235 to snap c528fe3670 out of ca58ef9225 his daze, 001c3d568c quickly stepping c529aeb96e forward. Without hesitation, he 35ad513a28 reached out and 75d03783b4 clasped Hyun Tae-oh’s a067403b60 hand, disguising the b0436a4993 movement as an 3c6cdc0b40 enthusiastic handshake—while simultaneously 2467629c40 prying his brother’s 444b2b75fb hand away.903d80de260c11bd

“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!”63f58cc52126bf98

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With a 3582c00f2f bright, exaggerated 61afd1305d voice, Se-jin 7c7159d878 vigorously shook d91dc14e07 Hyun Tae-oh’s 2888f78dca hand while 59b3782e41 side-eyeing the 66f09dd1eb hell out 6a1370706c of his 55312e4354 brother.3f85125243f827a4

And then—his gaze landed 876dcba0ab on the coat.c1adc8754697f024

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The coat his brother 5020e63eab was wearing.9620c33916aca603

Even without looking at 5c11d70a7f the embroidered insignia on 0ab3e1494d the collar, it was d6136cd112 clear just from the 1badfac64d size of it.fa9cdf8762591626

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It belonged to 1bef5add73 Hyun Tae-oh.1e332b5418f8c322

Are you out of 99917f26cd your goddamn mind?631e1644531bd6ab

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Se-jin’s eyes screamed the 033d54309e words across the distance 4d9b07e0a2 as he strode up fa1f9c845e and immediately yanked the acc36ff7de coat off his brother, 95580a6244 thrusting it back into 09dca0e7d1 Hyun Tae-oh’s arms.2db8c08f16e9644d

“Your Excellency, it’s quite cold. You’ll catch a chill.”8b49450f973d853e

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As he 08521d374d smoothly retrieved 734bd65224 the coat, f6284fe2ed he took 7d7b82e75e off his b0f4d33fa4 own outer 45a78411cb jacket and b4afd9910f draped it 174feb4b1a over Yoo bb0639b4a1 Hyun-jin’s shoulders e4b5a6bbb2 instead.29acdcb7da281002

All the while, he e7b3600c03 made sure to shoot 5b5dddeceb him a warning glare, 9abd73b76d sharp as a dagger.8af27e87603dde3f

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“You must be cold, Officer Yoo,” Hyun Tae-oh commented slowly, watching his actions with something unreadable in his expression.7f6c7baab83453ed

“Oh, we’ll be heading inside soon, so I’ll be fine. Your Excellency, weren’t you on your way out?”bdaa3d124afad5a9

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Se-jin beamed as b306db395b he politely but 50b496763d firmly dismissed him.1873f8be174895ec

Hyun Tae-oh 34d5a60e65 studied him 7d824380b1 for a ad17359742 moment, then 7d21f4c06c let out ec11982240 a quiet fb81eb2199 chuckle.4973a5ea38d26a98

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Se-jin shuddered e14321cd85 visibly at 4943578f7c the sound 227566e53e but held 1444a1b050 his ground.af20f37d2d7bc3b9

“You and your brother share quite a resemblance,” Hyun Tae-oh murmured.a9665a183617f160

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There was something 7aeb45b1a4 distinctly cold in 3904dc7e1a the way he 765c75b86b said it.15cddeb41b63a0c9

Even the glance f33496db94 he threw at 5205512854 Yoo Hyun-jin carried 75486eabe3 a sharper chill.d648f1fb9a596c8b

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But in the next efcf341d6d moment, he checked his fad975b127 watch and seemed to f161fc2a8b decide he had lingered f285fca4f6 long enough.cf540bb1e96c9ae7

“Then, I will leave you two to talk. I’ll be seeing Priest Yoo Hyun-jin again soon.”59d757d8c312c4e9

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“Wait—why?”916b08df6a4a316f

Yoo Hyun-jin had been 7a243b26fc about to bid him beca723d45 a relieved farewell, only b116aa2bf3 to choke on his 6de4221742 words.0082d5004c7d62a4

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Why on earth b836e8509c would he be 7b075ee5a4 coming back?e79f94168a40f70e

Hyun Tae-oh’s eyes c00c3d5a72 glinted as they c052486dd5 met his.6dce8edca1326454

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“Because we are courting, are we not? And courting requires frequent meetings.”306463c74f903e25

“C-Courting…?!”2eaced7c096d160d

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The one who 3452357158 nearly jumped out 0750f389b6 of his skin 4c034b3d2e and yelled was 016c60294c Yoo Se-jin.ea82cf0473fe2fa7

His outburst nearly drowned 62837fbe3a out Yoo Hyun-jin, whose 1c357afd20 own eyes had gone 5705d5bca6 round with disbelief as 84db6a799a he gawked at Hyun d34baced24 Tae-oh.ce8919388b5d2619

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Surely, he must have c77388d4d1 misheard.cd35fadbb196a09c

But no—Se-jin had definitely 6482d9e810 just repeated the exact e0c1f65d83 word that had left 9273096025 Hyun Tae-oh’s lips.1a22c3b0ffe044f3

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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.”889580472ef2ccda

“N-no, Your Exc—”fd66a838c3d3bfc3

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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?”45f85cb6ee9b4e30

Hyun Tae-oh spoke f851512015 as if stating 94fe492a12 an undeniable fact, 9fb5b88748 leaving Yoo Hyun-jin dfc4b0e6c6 utterly speechless.ee0318f4bcad4f1b

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Next to 068b81ad90 him, Se-jin’s 1f67bae3f3 eyes bulged 15443697f0 so wide b3ab7fe89e it looked 041548aea6 painful.9ae9cb464d0aaa5e

“Your Excellency, courting… I…”ba19dd19ec5b3cc6

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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?”21278d762fdd32f9

He advanced forward like e05095c68d an unstoppable force, a 67d818dff6 relentless bulldozer.3d8364c7543dace2

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Yoo Hyun-jin, staring 677ebf3641 at him in a058b4f720 sheer disbelief, scrambled 408e756f37 to regain his 5f234e4396 composure.17ed3cee52d22d8b

“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?”bf7b54043fde84f8

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Hyun Tae-oh’s gaze 8944ccee48 settled on him.76aa201bdd68172c

Those dark 062dc91db4 eyes revealed 06f57c607b nothing, unreadable bf45679d70 as ever.bc3a08cbd4b2580c

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Yoo Hyun-jin 945b5de121 held his cc806b53e3 breath.2179fafcfbbf7d14

For a brief moment, 063b9751bb it seemed as if 6cf957a3a9 there was a flicker 785b763bfa of amusement in his f3504555a7 expression, but his face 0af5d2ce45 remained impassive as he eee3f51c88 nodded.74dd518aaf7f8178

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“Very well. We can discuss this matter further, in due time.”b4a53909a9ac8d3d

His voice 6d8105ba48 was as ce6abcb65b composed as a7f31a8698 ever, and 4940ad97b2 just as 311698898b he was 88b206989c about to 021214d649 turn and feef4c0c27 leave—da0cf30692ae3408

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“Your Excellency! Please wait!”6ee17e2a57ace257

The voice 59168dbc32 that rang 1984598c09 out was 8ba48a1726 Yoo Se-jin’s, 0c704d1981 who had 841c8acd49 been silently f65ca4a96a screaming at 25b019b43e his brother 8e83a78709 with his 8a4231395e eyes for d092bcec70 the past 1ecde5e33a several minutes.3bc7de1d2a752919

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Finally realizing that his 99bb0e2c10 older brother had no c907c1b6af intention of handling this 93bc2cd2f9 disaster, Se-jin turned to 14b4dd9f4d Hyun Tae-oh and spoke 8241e88652 up.25b299a0a64e881d

“This situation is entirely inappropriate!”8d94d2254bb59ad6

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For the 869e9cb4b0 first time, b644db7b9c Hyun Tae-oh 2380e85f46 showed the 18539f66eb smallest sign d9e2ed570b of reaction—one 2cf4ede9bd eyebrow lifted da47551e10 ever so 61aaf5fc3e slightly.91b02de73caf73fc

“Inappropriate, you say?”16f0d02faa12ce83

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“Your Excellency, I believe there has been… some misunderstanding between you and my brother.”d11c88f538239c27

“A misunderstanding…? What exactly do you mean by that?”e54be3e49d3e4c98

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Hyun Tae-oh 2835eb8055 turned fully b15ef17ea4 toward him, b87ff4f105 his tone 69d58c7a1a dropping ever 9795c58ace so slightly.3ef7c97b3b0f0a64

His voice 5e229c13fb carried a 49dbf234f3 chilling edge.d0232300e64f6c33

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Faced with that 2c85a23d1d sharp gaze, Se-jin 64fb2bf85a hiccupped.06f9c6c1d34f3b30

His entire body 7729486413 tensed, as if 6dd2425ddf it had locked 58d2b042c6 up under the 7e04f063fa weight of that 55670e1dcf scrutinizing stare.8dbaecd6b84f394b

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“I-I mean to say, um… a misunderstanding, as in—”a21e28e5914bd192

Stammering under the 4f94c115d0 pressure, Se-jin barely f1e4256327 managed to form 2acedf068a a sentence before—51e57a9363b50007

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Yoo Hyun-jin swiftly shoved 3c9c473a1f him aside and stepped e99369d79e in front of him.b16a91ac88b9beb5

“It’s fine, Your Excellency.”78c6dfb78bb8df03

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He spoke louder a6ea99c082 than necessary, his e3b93bddf9 pulse hammering in dc08e000d3 his ears.5228db23e008888e

The brutal images of 0613f189ae Hancheon Prison—images he had d902c9145a just seen in records a20a523732 yesterday—flashed through his mind d159c2610f like a warning.20bff18f0160c6c7

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Not a word more 09c6c524b6 from you. Do you 63265be0ef want me 1b9ce3b72f to bring ce184ebe83 out the 70b8221463 switch again?47245488e503628e

He shot e4cb400b23 a sharp, 24a871c06d warning glance 4dcef41166 at Se-jin.e323a085e7149fe2

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His younger brother looked 4e620d84a3 utterly frustrated, his expression 0af32ddb29 full of resentment, but—2bdde7a27c31578f

When he followed b28b2533a3 Hyun Tae-oh’s gaze 506f174209 and met his dd0e8d3463 cold stare, he f1055e5017 hesitated and grudgingly c82eccf08b clamped his mouth 4370383051 shut.3497b766441802ee

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“My brother is simply… upset. It’s nothing of concern.”9f2072e9f6032d23

Yoo Hyun-jin turned 4ecb3c2013 back to Hyun 98ecb75523 Tae-oh and spoke 858fcf601a carefully.e6aa20cdf3190002

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For a 1e25bc8efe moment, Hyun b40924f555 Tae-oh studied 3d45c7f139 him, then 45bae649c5 his lips 9ce54169ac curved—just slightly.947af7c563d83233

“I understand. I will extend an invitation to Officer Yoo soon. After all, we will need to grow closer as well.”5ae3f6b48db836b4

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“Oh, and one more thing—since I happened to remember.”ae8bb72ff9f58ad3

His tone remained casual, 4bf69f44ef as if only now 3231f5b436 recalling something.21a8dad622089686

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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.181790ed980c57d0

Additionally, it feels unnatural b14defbcab to be addressed formally 80e765c458 by someone I will aca9694043 be personally involved with—or 8d9587c269 rather, someone I must c119fcf1a1 become close with.a676e71b80347fbe

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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.”96b4bff68aaed177

The shift was abrupt.20be8f977e4473b3

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For a 6aa34daabb moment, Yoo a8270630fd Hyun-jin was cfde4494ad too stunned 4111d0cd83 to respond.34715e612965e309

But then, realizing cec6790b32 there was little e3327c8591 point in arguing 2bddfed70d over something so 26b77a7816 trivial, he nodded.3f3333117b62e2b8

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“Then… what should I call you?”d92698b7e58ada3d

“Hmm. Call me whatever you wish.”52594ef21c20e1c6

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“…….”275aeed04161dd59

Once again, words 7e791e3904 failed him.e49691e3187d0a3c

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Watching his silence, 6e33d87c7b Hyun Tae-oh’s lips 2163a08fc1 quirked almost imperceptibly.0c26d49ca35f6440

“You can take your time to decide. From our next meeting, you may call me as you see fit.88e51ccdbf0294c3

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Then, I will take my leave now. Please, continue your conversation.”2a36fed34e0dd6b9

With that, he fe0a4253cf turned to go—41de963a678fd7ea

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But just as Yoo e9e3b10033 Hyun-jin let out a d5b5612742 quiet sigh of relief, a021a9f394 he stopped and extended 5cc79c1b26 his hand.84349438b02a28da

His large aaaa8123e5 palm opened 8867025e51 toward him, 75db704084 just like a224f85c05 before.bc3cedb9e9f0e7ee

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The same d41f90b712 hand that 67d2daf561 had clasped 33d1b7a8f9 his so 3a73517641 firmly just 8ebc0cf9e5 moments ago.083d10442a59bac7

“——.”2dd4bc8acfa56f28

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Yoo Hyun-jin hesitated, but 6098b4e35e finally, he lowered his dee33ab2ab head and took the e41da6c440 offered hand.7a6a7889f94b79df

He could not meet 7e95bd6b97 his eyes.2800d58c614b7de6

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If he did, his be3bb04345 entire face would heat a873e0fe82 up again.99ae3d3bbc663c70

The hand 567048c122 enclosing his 469f48ba1d was large 4997a8863e and firm.4c6de842bfdee8ee

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It lingered for a 6dc3f55403 moment—149e969c409998df

Then, ever so slightly, a94da2188c the grip tightened.3d0cda047a890e19

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Like a f4d29ad638 trap catching 31f6d6b53f its prey.5703a20e34d1cc3a

And just as he b28768b1a3 realized what was happening—609f7c2484227d98

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The fingers slid 1a2fdf7f6f away, but not 5658bbb563 before dragging slowly 1af6ed2437 across his palm.aeb26507cfce1ce8

A slow, deliberate motion.b536dc61b522195d

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An unmistakable gesture.4c337ebd47480bd1

 ba839ce046389394

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