HLFH | Chapter 25

“…You planned this from the start, didn’t you?”

“Did you think I’d take Jaeeon away? No way. It’s better for him to stay at Bonryeong and go to the hospital for now. Going back to Incheon would only repeat the vicious cycle.”

“I agree, but the head of the family…”

“Yes, he won’t accept it. He won’t acknowledge that there’s a problem with Ki Jaeeon the exorcist. No matter what Bonryeong tries… since he summoned the Vermilion Bird, they’ll do anything to bring him back. And they’ll manipulate him again. Master Kim Young, I can’t watch my son be ruined anymore.”

“But…”

“That’s why I’m here.”

Ryu Sunghee smiled gently.

“Pardon?”

“My tongue holds sway over the Ki Family.”

Her slender fingers, tapping the table, slowly came to a stop.

“Ki Jaeeon the exorcist will summon the divine beast once more at Bonryeong.”

She predicted a shocking future.

“…!!”

But Kim Young’s surprise wasn’t because of her prophecy. It was because of her fingers, slowly intertwining like a cross.

[Crossed Fingers]

Depending on how it’s done, it can mean different things.

Usually, it means “good luck” when done openly… but if done secretly, it can mean “lie.” She was openly crossing her fingers.

But considering the context so far…!

[Lie]

Yes, she was lying.

Kim Young realized her intention.

was using her reputation to deceive everyone!

Indeed, if she spoke, even the head of the Ki Family wouldn’t dare contradict her. It was an absolute prophecy. They’d want to keep Jaeeon at Bonryeong to see the divine beast again.

In other words, her words would allow Bonryeong to avoid unnecessary conflict with Cheonjiharang and gain sufficient justification.

But if the lie were exposed…

“Are you sure about this?”

Kim Young asked worriedly.

Of course. For a fortune teller to lie was a disgraceful act.

Especially since the subject of the prophecy was Ki Jaeeon and the divine beast, both highly scrutinized. If it was later revealed to be false, it could be extremely humiliating for her. In the worst case, her career could be jeopardized.

“The lighter the tongue, the less weight the truth holds. That’s what my mentor and mother, Master Im Sookhyun, used to say.”

Understanding Kim Young’s concern, she chuckled, her gaze fixed on the hospital catalog.

“But is that more important than my child?”

Ryu Sunghee stood up, smiling softly.

“As a fortune teller, I may become lighter, but as a parent, I’ll become heavier.”

“Master Ryu…”

“I prefer being called Jaeeon’s mother.”

As she quietly walked to the door, Kim Young bowed his head urgently. Thank you for your help. Her kind heart made Ryu Sunghee smile behind her hand. Such a good person, almost to a fault. Someone who showed courage when even parents couldn’t… the gratitude should be from me.

“Oh, please! Before you go, see Jaeeon. He’ll be happy to see you.”

Before Ryu Sunghee could respond, Kim Young opened the door and grabbed a passing kid.

“Sorry. If you’re not busy, could you call Ki Jaeeon the exorcist? I can’t go myself because I have a guest.”

The kid replied, sweating nervously.

“Ah, um, he went on an errand?”

…

…What?

Kim Young’s eyes widened like marbles.

Oh my, Ryu Sunghee covered her mouth.

“An errand I never even asked him to do…?”

It seems my son is receiving unexpected treatment. Ryu Sunghee’s pointed comment made Kim Young smile awkwardly.

“Ha… haha.”

Who on earth would dare send Ki Jaeeon the exorcist on an errand…!

As they left Bonryeong, the sun was setting.

“Thank you for coming such a long way.”

“Please take care of Jaeeon.”

“Yes, don’t worry.”

After exchanging final words and turning to leave, a loud voice called from afar.

“Idiot! How many times do I have to explain? You have to use the skill here—!”

“Ah, s-sorry… I don’t really know the game…”

Two young men, silhouetted against the sunset, were bickering as they walked. Both were tall and easily noticeable.

The fierce-looking one was carrying heavy bags, shouting at the gloomy-looking young man.

The gloomy one, trembling slightly, was awkwardly holding a phone, walking slowly. His eyes darted across the screen.

“Skill! Skill!”

“Ah, uh…”

“No… Ah! Idiot… Ah! Are you doing this on purpose?!”

“The screen’s too small…”

“Your hands are big!!”

From the sound, it seemed like bullying, but the fierce-looking one was carrying all the bags. Ryu Sunghee listened closely.

As they got closer, loud sound effects became audible.

Ah. They’re playing a game… a game.

Ryu Sunghee, who had been tense, let out a small laugh.

It was amusing. Running errands with a friend, bickering as they walked.

‘He looks just like any other kid.’

This was the happiness Jaeeon should have had. No, the freedom I should have given you.

Another regret piled up.

Ryu Sunghee watched her son’s unfamiliar, clumsy appearance and quietly moved on. They weren’t the kind of mother and son to exchange tender greetings and say “I love you,” so she intended to pass by… but…

“M-mother?”

Her instinctively stopped at her son’s call.

Turning around, she saw her son, slightly surprised. As his uncertain gaze turned to certainty, his expression quickly changed. It was as if he was asking, “Why are you here?”

His bewildered face stirred something in her heart.

‘A mother coming to see her child…!’

But the anger was directed at herself, not Jaeeon.

Why, why didn’t you give love until he reacted like this?

The cost of neglect under the guise of trust was more bitter than expected.

The first to speak was the boy beside her.

“Mother? Hello. I’m Kim Juwon. Uh, yeah… hey, go say hi.”

With rough but considerate words, the boy who introduced himself as Kim Juwon disappeared inside with Master Kim Young.

The alley was left with just the mother and son.

An awkward air lingered. They were both watching each other, making it even more so.

Ryu Sunghee hesitated, looking at her son.

After a long deliberation, she was about to awkwardly offer a small greeting when she noticed her son’s rigid posture.

His gaze lowered to the ground, lips tightly shut, hands behind his back.

…Ah, it was the posture he took when scolded by his father.

She felt a lump in her throat. No, Mom is… her smooth lips moved silently several times.

The calm demeanor she had in front of Master Kim Young was long gone. She looked at her son, who had stiffened his shoulders, with a heavy heart.

Then it happened.

“I’m… sorry.”

An unexpected apology came.

Her heart sank at his defeated appearance.

Sorry? What did you do wrong?

The thought stopped there. The face veil flew off, and the silent alley echoed with hurried footsteps.

Before she knew it, she was holding her son tightly in her arms.

Thump.

Thump thump.

Her son’s startled heartbeat resonated through her skin. Ryu Sunghee hugged Ki Jaeeon even tighter, as if to protect him. Though he was now too big and tall, he was still her…

“Are you… eating well?”

“M-mother…?”

“Is your bed comfortable? Are the clothes you brought warm enough? Do you have enough money?”

Pat, pat. Her voice, gently patting his back like soothing a child, seemed oddly emotional.

“Jaeeon.”

Ryu Sunghee thought as she embraced the warm body even more.

…Yes, this warmth.

What I need to protect isn’t the Ki Family, Cheonjiharang, or the future of exorcists, but this. This warmth.

“You’ve done nothing wrong.”

Sorry for understanding too late.

“If it’s hard, you can take a break.”

Don’t worry anymore, Jaeeon.

Mom will protect you.

Mom is very strong.