IBP C2 Part 4

My vague goal of ‘a higher ranking’ immediately after entering high school became more concrete as I progressed through the years. I chose a related major in university, and before graduation, I passed both the written and practical exams for a desk job investigator position. That’s how I became a Level 4 Investigator. Looking back, it was almost a miracle.

Snapping out of my reminiscence, I noticed Yudhis leaning back comfortably, sipping his coffee. He was clearly waiting to hear what I had done for work. He appeared calm, but he couldn’t quite hide the glimmer of anticipation in his eyes. He looked like a large dog waiting for a treat, and I found him momentarily endearing.

…It’s this island. Just being here is enough to drive a person mad.

“I was a government official. Higher ranked than my father.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say I was an investigator, so I spoke vaguely. It wasn’t a lie, so it should be fine, right? I tensed, expecting him to immediately ask, “So, what kind of government official?” but Yudhis didn’t press further. Relieved, I quickly changed the subject.

“I like sweet foods, resort destinations with clear blue oceans, falling snow… well, now that I say it out loud, I seem to like nature in general. Oh, I also quite enjoy reading. And beautiful things. I dislike loud music, loud people… bitter things? And I’ve never been in a relationship.”

Except for numerous one-night stands.

I swallowed the last part and closed my mouth. My throat was dry from talking so much. I finished the last of my milk tea and set the glass down.

“Would you like another cup?”

“I wouldn’t refuse.”

The Knight moved silently, without any further instructions. Perhaps because I was wrapped in a blanket, I felt much calmer facing him this time.

He was a handsome man with long eyelashes, easily as attractive as an A-rank slave. If only his expression wasn’t so icy, I would have found him much more appealing. But now, I felt a sharp gaze on me. I flinched and turned to see Yudhis staring at me with an intense smile.

“I’ve noticed this from before, but you seem to have a fondness for beautiful things.”

His tone was casual, but why did it sound like a taunt? Was I imagining things?

“Is there anyone in the world who dislikes beautiful things?”

“Oh really? Then you must like me too?”

How can you say such nonsense so casually?

I was so taken aback that I spat out my milk tea. I coughed, covering my mouth with the edge of the blanket. Yudhis stopped the Knight, who was about to hand me a napkin. He practically snatched the napkin and approached me. I was acutely aware of his proximity, but I couldn’t refuse. Muttering my thanks, I dabbed at my mouth, which was already mostly clean thanks to the blanket.

“Don’t mention it.”

Instead of returning to his seat, Yudhis sat down next to me. Was this it? Was this the moment I had been dreading?

“Haha. If you keep acting so cute, I’m going to want to tease you.”

His dimples deepened. His smile, which had seemed so refreshing and relaxed, now held a hint of decadence. …I definitely knew someone with that exact same smile…

As I struggled to grasp the elusive memory, Yudhis crossed his legs and gestured towards my collarbone with his chin.

“The tattoo on your collarbone. Did you know its meaning when you got it?”

“…No. The tattoo artist recommended it, and I chose it because it looked pretty.”

“Do you know it’s Latin?”

“Yes. That’s the extent of my knowledge.”

“It’s ‘ovum.’”

“Excuse me?”

I looked at Yudhis blankly. At that moment, the setting sun cast its light directly on him. Though filtered through the thick foliage, the fragmented light still illuminated him, making him shine like a diamond.

“It means ‘egg.’”

A shiver ran down my spine at his words. A sense of inexplicable déjà vu washed over me, sending chills down my spine. Yudhis observed me intently.

“What is it?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

Yudhis shrugged and looked out the window.

“It’s almost time for the hunt to end.”

He was right. The sky outside was ablaze with the colors of sunset. Yudhis tapped his wrist device a few times. He also summoned the Knight and spoke to him briefly. I could have eavesdropped if I strained my ears, but for some reason, I didn’t feel like it. Yudhis spoke.

“It’s over. You can go back now.”

It seemed he had confirmed the end of the hunt. I suppressed the urge to cheer.

“Yes. I’ll be going then.”

I practically ran out of the greenhouse. However, before I reached the end of the passageway, I remembered the blanket I was wearing. I had learned during the educational sessions that nudity was the norm for Commons, and I had no idea what kind of retribution I would face for taking the King’s belongings, so I trudged back.

Yudhis, who had been gazing at the sunset, looked surprised to see me return so quietly. I was equally surprised by his reaction, as if he was seeing something completely foreign, despite having been with me just moments ago. His lips parted and closed a few times before he finally spoke.

“Stop there and slowly take off the blanket.”

Disappointment welled up inside me. I realized I had harbored a sliver of hope, some expectation of him. I had found a strange comfort in his actions, the time we spent together, as if he was shielding me from the hunters. The resurfacing emotions pushed me to comply with his request. I unwrapped the blanket very slowly, letting the soft fabric slide against my skin, revealing my chest and genitals last.

Finally, as the blanket pooled at my feet, Yudhis, who hadn’t taken his eyes off me, approached. He picked up the discarded blanket and did something completely unexpected. He had the Knight bring a new blanket and draped it around me. After carefully and meticulously tucking in the edges, Yudhis whispered softly,

“I didn’t mean to treat you like a prostitute. It’s just that you looked so beautiful in the sunset… That’s all. I thought you would look like a living antique if you slowly unwrapped the fabric.”

The image of an ancient statue draped in long, flowing fabric flashed through my mind. As did the 23rd-century Pygmalion’s creations I had seen on my first day on the island. Even with the golden light of sunset, I highly doubted I looked like that.

“Keep the blanket.”

He murmured. His voice, like a gentle wave, washed over me.

“See you again, Han Yunseo.”

His words, directed at me, sounded strangely unfamiliar. So much so that even the way he said my name felt awkward. I don’t remember how I left the library. Did I close the door behind me? I think I did. Because the two owls, facing each other, were staring at me with what looked like pity.

The staff glanced at me, running frantically with the blanket clutched in my arms, but that was all. The guests looked slightly surprised, but perhaps because the hunting game was over, they didn’t stop me, only whispering among themselves.

The most intense and complex reaction came from the slaves. First, their eyes widened in shock, then they seethed with anger. The atmosphere was thick with the desire to pounce and snatch the blanket from me, but no one actually did.

Back in my room, I unfolded the blanket. I had expected it to be adorned with a crown or chess pieces, but it was plain. After inspecting it, I folded it neatly and placed it in my desk drawer. I ate the provided meal, washed up, and lay down. The gas soon filled the room. I didn’t resist. I was getting used to the forced sleep. Perhaps because I was playing an unwitting Scheherazade, I dreamt of my high school days that night.

Past the road, just well-maintained enough to be considered quaint rather than dilapidated, around the corner, was a narrow alley barely wide enough for two people to walk shoulder-to-shoulder. That shortcut was my route to school. Midway through the alley, branches from a tree on the other side of the wall hung down so thickly that even when I squeezed past as tightly as possible, they would scrape against my arms and cheeks.

Taking any other route added at least twenty minutes to my commute. I had no choice but to use the alley, but it was incredibly inconvenient. Whose bright idea was this? What’s the owner of that tree doing? Has no one complained? I grumbled for weeks. It wasn’t until spring arrived that I realized the branches belonged to a forsythia bush.

The slightly shaded alley was filled with vibrant yellow. The previously gloomy space was no longer gloomy. The familiar shortcut suddenly felt unfamiliar. From then on, even when the branches scratched my arms and brushed against my cheeks, I no longer felt annoyed. So that’s why the branches were still there. Along with this bright realization came another, like a bonus.

Unfamiliarity is another word for excitement.

***