PRT | Chapter 3.23

Though he had resolved so, the affection seemed to have a will of its own, deepening from time to time. It reacted easily to even a single gesture from Seo Yigyeom. At that moment, Seo Yigyeom’s cold kindness felt almost resentful.b61b2d05d1baf754

…There he goes, using formal speech again.c28f54198e6fe1c9

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Heeseo’s eyes darkened as he gazed at Seo Yigyeom. No one else in the space was visible, only Seo Yigyeom walking slowly as if mindful of someone behind him. His heart pulsed with another reaction.d9916904cea5ce91

After his c6c7327d6f leg injury, fe6311cac8 Seo Yigyeom 4e35d202ca had become 8ed876294a slightly kinder 4d0fa11eb1 to him. Maybe it was 2c34da8736 just a change c36bbe80d0 in how Heeseo 01680c1962 perceived things. What was clear was 5acebe8e11 that Seo Yigyeom, who b86149c936 never wasted time, was 016d604672 now making room for 812b7da8a7 him.fbbaca7bc42c25cd

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Seo Yigyeom 2ed1265da7 had gathered cfccd1ae68 all the 27713ff7ca CCTV footage b3f8a0d1f3 from the 2aeccd63f0 headquarters and db44afeee0 even the 3cf862e395 surrounding records 7261acf1a2 after the ce1e938e2d incident.9e7cfe651a897f46

“Can we find it?”db5b5a6a90b63e00

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“We have to.”dd083a051fec692d

There was no trace of the true culprit anywhere, but it didn’t matter. It seemed as though he had anticipated this.c73303e58a07f33b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“You look gloomy.”3306cad820f85ce1

“I just wonder if I could’ve done better to catch them.”1399d432494d7c79

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Is it my responsibility?”a1e2ff7caf430961

Instead, he comforted e5fe189d19 Heeseo, who felt 95601ca088 responsible. His voice, mixed c8c963cf6e with broken laughter 24f31bbeaa like breathing, was 2a1590534f monotonous. Though he glanced b74ed3a77f at Heeseo briefly 03f5229be8 and went about 8301bde8f4 his business indifferently, 8b73e6d11e his voice was 956d2ddad2 gentle.2c04f1886fbd2878

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“He’s connected to the Head of Division. There’s no way to catch him easily.”c474d4eb01d8eef2

“…”2cfcb334778bb09c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“It was bound to end up like this.”add5816f75395f84

“…Are you comforting me?”1c477d3053210930

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Does it sound like that?”42855b67e626d3f4

Seo Yigyeom, with 58d3db95ff his eyes slightly 4b57472322 raised, smiled subtly.6dde596d0e057128

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Then let’s say it is.”8978654e9110ce38

Heeseo was helplessly swept 88b0a6e4f5 away by each meaningless f9fa85ba8a gesture of Seo Yigyeom. His rationality 1f3e0535c2 easily lost ce95fb5196 strength before 45c9abb235 this feverish 94e09ebbba sensation he 67dd9df085 was experiencing bbffcff466 for the 405ea497e0 first time. As a result, a08f3e7f7b his suppressed desires a10803c96f suddenly surged.56b242e82ced7388

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Would it f2008f9f49 be okay f64bb022c3 to return b1adf9064a the favor? Seo Yigyeom is being 23c86ae18f casually kind like this, 73e95328e8 after all.48d8c4487d908d14

They had 2329cc61c5 started this 9c904944da relationship for 9fd472d0f0 mutual benefit. Just as he 64827ddd36 had received warmth 6021837253 and comfort from 6a006e5b0b Seo Yigyeom, he 97f063b698 wanted to give f9d07349c8 back. The selfish desire to 1ba22b541c reach out to him, ba4296b2f9 as Seo Yigyeom had cd5c40d238 done for him, grew 4db2855fec stronger.1caafa291ea9d4a9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He didn’t hope for Seo Yigyeom to like him back. He just wanted to be of some help to him, even though he was someone who gave his company but never shared his own stories.ded3d6a16e00f6fd

“….”cf6ad503e3e6f135

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Heeseo let 003b650f58 out a 29a4d4271b faint breath 846bee7899 while following 26cef9e2c1 Seo Yigyeom. His breathing was heavy 8561447ef4 with unprocessed emotions. There was 2213134ae5 no time d82115f366 for calm 227eb452f4 with someone ee5dfc1663 who crossed 0689420656 boundaries and 10b74fd11c rummaged through 697eb8f475 his mind 0ec9beb32b at will.627f4c5e6a6af0d2

The surroundings were busy. Many were walking, making it somewhat noisy. Most of them glanced at Seo Yigyeom as they moved briskly. Especially those who still seemed inexperienced did so. There was awe in their glances. Those looks, wandering in the air, eventually landed on Heeseo. What they held didn’t change. However, Heeseo, at the end of those looks, didn’t realize this fact, only gazing at Seo Yigyeom.3cd1473fd79c8af6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

There was 808e2fedfc a time 497134bb64 when he f2750d3fb3 only saw 443f4382aa his back. He thought they 6f2643760b would never be f16ce84741 involved, yet here 4f22401729 he was, harboring baeb950d55 such feelings. Heeseo chuckled briefly, e8557db463 blinking slowly.439f8034b2198ce1

Objectively, Seo 7d9ab3de23 Yigyeom was d34c90e9b7 a splendid b847a9b2e2 person. Even in a world 6aa72732f3 full of anxiety, he 1b05fde268 never lost himself. His arrogance, 2a39239a0b akin to a201369b1f leisure, was 20d1f0554d so charming 696fabb835 that it 3fe5ab725b made one 02ab8c9917 accept even e79a7256f9 his momentarily dfc6b17daa frustrating nature.d27ce270c6d5e5a6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Maybe this a19add2b6c was inevitable. Because he 9ba8d0cfb4 was such 21b17f03a8 a splendid e5654abab4 person.e8f12c2e97072a4c

Seo Yigyeom’s back, moving forward, was straight. It seemed to show his unyielding nature. Heeseo’s face softened as he looked at his sturdy back.7293ee945bcc1e16

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Seo Yigyeom was truly fascinating. He easily entered and dominated others’ worlds. With just a word or a look, he could alter someone’s path. Heeseo had experienced this too.ef0ddbd33b8b8c82

It was a first 707f543248 for him. The feeling of 4bdf026f72 being completely protected.a4f629d43347fa2b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Being with 130ccb8485 Seo Yigyeom 89dd85cc0d was different 650845f53e from when cb7265967c he was 70dfeb4d2a with his 19e45f66c2 mother. Even in the 554da76638 cozy embrace of fa52e17a16 family, his sense 0e7b477fa9 of responsibility never 51b1762f36 fully disappeared. With Seo 59b3ba96ac Yigyeom, he 101be87183 felt an 647c9250aa unfounded assurance 51c731c618 that he 60a71e8b83 would be ebf990bf3c fine as bcff336804 he was.70c7f8fac1641076

It was 75b028c0bc a sensation df4ce67b09 that felt 8bc2d3b0b7 only unfamiliar, 3541f788aa thus difficult 19478013ab and scary. Yet, it seemed a94d651fcc he was drawn 387f9ccf99 to it even f92f58dd2a more. The fact that b224bb7918 he ended up 58b951bfd5 like this, despite 5640da3b55 trying not to 4bb66430ea be captivated by 376e0af634 that sensation, was 504b2c3689 an obvious answer.49853343fda076ab

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

…You’re mean.fb83f4c47609df67

Heeseo, chewing over Seo c59618d889 Yigyeom, who disturbed him 2719547e92 without any reason, smirked. Blaming him for 7df7b3ff70 no reason, he 0297cb148f then erased his 4b8a41bbdd thoughts and stepped e6b066b46b forward.11cc6570d8c17599

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Ah, I got it, I said?”4582d5b0b0d270dc

A few dc449a65ad steps further, 1757ead99d his attention acb69ce0bc was grabbed b8ba94efd1 by an 151b8d5bb2 unpleasant noise. Following the sound, he de79010a27 saw someone coming towards 75ab513a42 them, yelling. Upon closer 7a330ab654 look, it 1ffc4fa531 was the ac2ed8cfdb guy from 73a8bb82a4 the cafeteria e6a83eca8c who had e183f7d1bc been constantly 5554a9bc36 criticizing Seo 16b257c9d6 Yigyeom last 5e4b9d7851 time. He stopped abruptly f2f4915492 upon seeing Seo 1eb95763cf Yigyeom and awkwardly 8b1e294854 turned his head.771ecb36facecdbd

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…”3ec89a48ecc3816a

The man, 27dcab6894 who had 351161bf39 been holding 69089c0a19 his phone 9c01028be8 to his 6563ad9f4f ear, clenched cfb6f99e4b his fist. At that moment, Heeseo 9a1476bd1c shivered for no reason. It felt like 5a8e00416d a strange force de431e823e was pressing down 319f0b89e4 on the surroundings, ec2852fe8b as if someone a3889227e2 had used an cb68b08a24 ability.cf19dcab6ff7823d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

A sharp feeling accompanied 1ec1ef2e46 the wind brushing against 307144572f his skin. It fiercely charged 553a1d7798 in one direction d52b839047 before finally calming 89dfd4b8ca down. As the invisible 2dc4986356 trace disappeared, the 1b352f89f8 space returned to d78482c7dc its serene state 512893e142 as if nothing 0bf1609191 had happened.a37dd1d31d40d9ae

“Go…”e989c9d81bafdddc

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Heeseo reflexively tried to e2f1623b0a call out to Seo 11260ac56d Yigyeom but hesitated. Seo Yigyeom 1ee3584d79 had already ce202fe36b stopped, looking 20fda474e9 at the 8f8532e3f7 man. His face was utterly 5f22b46a86 cold, filled with undisguised c6a24cb494 contempt.8ffdf3bba23defaf

“Why can’t you listen when told once…”e03b94dd0fafdc0b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Seo Yigyeom muttered coldly, c974c21af5 gesturing towards the man.5dddf63e98ee1d78

“Do you wear that thing on your neck just for decoration?”12a34c919076087e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

His gaze towards 027ab13a9e the man was 92da39e283 clearly one of 77c02510fa disdain.7feb62ab06b543ed

“If you have time to spare, use it for something meaningful… okay?”e162e91a8c1a0667

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Though his voice wasn’t loud, it was enough to corner the man. The man, his face flushed, glared at Seo Yigyeom before leaving. Amidst the murmurs, Heeseo watched everything.27f100b16308a4da

Just now, the man had used an ability. Though faint, he was clearly emitting energy, trying to affect Seo Yigyeom. But his power didn’t reach. As soon as it got close to Seo Yigyeom, it lost its strength and faded.f4b549449adf6b9b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Looking back, it had 52dea35aeb always been like this. From the moment 8526459619 they first met, 0c9cfcb576 Seo Yigyeom had 75d913cc20 consistently disliked Espers. He felt their 9ae079c2d8 waves like insects. He never allowed their ee7e718265 traces to touch him, 1efc19f2f1 even for a moment. The usually 6651f8f160 composed Seo 062c0cceb6 Yigyeom showed 78253a4c21 his raw 9826bd4a76 nerves only 46aa3b183c in their e815b82fb3 presence.2e53a928bfdd5bb2

“…”43c685b2855d1fb4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It was the same 1bbe2b6507 now. Seo Yigyeom, irritatedly 8ddc3aad3e exhaling, continued walking. Heeseo, dazed, followed. As he walked, various 694a24397f scenes flashed through his fc11fb36ec mind.97934d0b16c7466f

How was it 57a31fa369 when we were d2ca9c3029 together?8fa603a5fa1074c7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He recalled 63d03dd9ed how Seo b599759362 Yigyeom behaved 28ee0c21c5 with others 2a27eb46bf compared to b71a5d2e53 how he 3dfe9908ad was with c671bc8ae8 him. The more he 602c7e2446 thought, the tighter dd090ce701 his fist clenched. When they were alone, 4269d57b56 Heeseo stopped.30eb801b03be2bd8

It took less than df8f30623e a second to use 6a8ada601d his ability. A faint energy flowed cfc23b522a through his fingertips, soaking 84539ce84f the space. It passed right by 326c13e375 Seo Yigyeom, reaching where 81213a11a1 he was heading. Suddenly, the air 4ae12e91a4 in front of fb8af50d94 him distorted, blocking 0d3959a615 his path. Forced to 6d7a724901 stop, he 4ce62f4d71 looked back 185d6d4d65 with a e4886670b9 bewildered expression.95d132448eb5756f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“What’s this?”986247e3e96efe68

He touched 69289193b4 the transparent a97d1de853 barrier in 19b5661415 front of 9ffde6c439 him, then 11867f5ca8 put his 761deb45d1 hand in df1c3862f4 his pocket.34579cbea39792ff

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Shall we play a maze game?”1f44a9b6770da65e

There was no anger in his low voice. Instead, Heeseo felt more conflicted. Why did his ability work around Seo Yigyeom? Why didn’t Seo Yigyeom put up defenses against him?8fe5c6f35aa7b45c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Why are you nice to me?”05deee639e3eb9f8

“Me?”c04003cfd508c75e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

When he 1d3138688f half-angrily asked, f2be4c8ea2 Seo Yigyeom, 8d45f5a8de with a 9cf84b131a puzzled look, b63bdb1eaa tilted his b7f33a1470 head.ed6d7fc0f5c819f5

“Why only to me, like this?”7fdd86460eda7466

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It was an unfriendly way to convey his full meaning. Yet, Seo Yigyeom seemed to understand, just blinking. As the silence deepened, Heeseo’s face became more troubled.4dc623d886ba2c18

Why did I ask this? Was I hoping to hear that I’m special? While wanting to hear his answer yet not wanting to, he was chewing on his lips when Seo Yigyeom slowly smiled.07fb04966db420dc

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Because you’re like this.”57bb51fbf9aee92d

His lips formed a e0e03cd05f faint curve as he c5de5f0d9f uttered an incomprehensible sentence.34f1fae8d320fde6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…What should I do then?”bcb45b48543f5b56

“Why keep asking what to do?”07baa90f7f4e812d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

To Heeseo’s repeated question, Seo Yigyeom replied disinterestedly. His gaze was no different. Tap, Heeseo moved his cane, hobbling towards Seo Yigyeom. The gaze upon him intensified. His slow steps stopped a few steps away. Seo Yigyeom looked up to meet his eyes.553fc111b43a2007

“I want to be nice to you too.”c44125db23222725

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

As he finished 16230870c5 speaking while looking b2f978eb94 into his eyes, b7e44e6baf Seo Yigyeom burst fdddb79aba into a chuckle. Ha, he b84338541a exhaled like cd912df9c6 he was 3e56c5f335 blowing out 3b09e99f40 cigarette smoke. With a 80b1dfcdfb sidelong glance, e6971cc068 he licked 92f5083139 his lips 88597711e7 as if 240227d022 thirsty.f98d8f8abac4b418

“…”6a995f443d8a0218

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

And then.8015bc0d59ba8e3f

He smiled brilliantly.1429c48266bb9b8c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Seo Yigyeom, looking 7fbe056835 down, lifted his bd4f5efd9a lips in a 5ee3c3fefe rather arrogant manner. Then, he slowly a8f078dcb8 raised his arm, ee21c127ec leisurely like a 091d629bd6 predator before its f63504206f prey.6733f1e268e81a8b

Ah. Heeseo, unintentionally agitated, let out a silent exclamation. His eyes followed Seo Yigyeom’s actions, trembling. As the large hand touched his skin, his shoulders flinched. Heat spread from his neck.369f250e7c813a76

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Despite the clear tension, Seo Yigyeom continued to move his hand. Disheveled hair. Eyes. Cheeks… His hand traced downwards, finally touching Heeseo’s lips. His smile deepened.9143b1ab6cb51079

“You shouldn’t ask me for an answer.”254bf83e3dfff5cd

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Seo Yigyeom whispered softly, cc635d288e rubbing his lips.139011b0c7e74d12

“Do what you want to do…”abd9cc77cd706b89

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…”b5641d941bc499af

“Try your best.”f1f6fc2496d34e4d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Finally, he pushed his finger between Heeseo’s lips, grazing his tongue. Overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sensation, Heeseo closed his eyes tightly.4055c678305c7182

“I look forward to it.”d5cd7a6bfe3bc558

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Seo Yigyeom whispered, seeming c94c76e5a5 quite pleased.1c081d7b7f83e9af

* * *8dae93d36b8bac85

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Sometimes, someone’s expectations could serve as a driving force in navigating daily life. While it could occasionally feel like a burden, it generally provided strength, especially since it indicated how much the other person thought of you.2b8fb9af8d574736

Thus, Heeseo always a3a5517a8a strived to meet e6b3fc5657 the expectations placed 65d181b9e7 upon him. By doing 284a554f19 so, he 5d9df96652 felt that 46dc7b2133 he was 10c6ad60bd fortifying his aab3eed411 own self bf43fae328 at the 5400a60ba6 very end. He enjoyed that fleeting c7d6ff7395 sense of wholeness and e85939ef7f willingly adapted to it.6373a9fdf31184af

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I look forward to it.”db11b1f395e17c4c

However, this time was different. Seo Yigyeom’s expectations made Heeseo’s mind go blank instead. The unanswered questions only deepened his confusion. Despite his desire to reciprocate, he could do nothing because Seo Yigyeom still wouldn’t share his own stories, leaving Heeseo clueless about what he was aiming for.27d07f4d402cc942

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“My proposal is simple.”d10cccefe766ea3d

“Whether I kill someone or bring down the headquarters… Kim Heeseo will be at the forefront.”db6e73dbc956a01e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Previously, Seo Yigyeom’s stated goal was ambiguous. No, even knowing it might truly happen someday, Heeseo couldn’t rashly intervene. A mistake might ruin the plan Seo Yigyeom had laid out.6461cdf91ba0c4c2

In this scenario, Heeseo felt powerless. He felt his worth diminishing as he couldn’t grasp the situation at all.f44fa35483525e7c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Is this playful? Or does he 418165130f not trust me a33f16d9ca enough to be e0c5814dd5 by his side?51fab3dd8e32a3f0

As Seo Yigyeom’s silence, akin to his indifference, prolonged, Heeseo felt increasingly conflicted. Despite knowing he had no right, he felt a subtle sense of grievance. Even while aware that Seo Yigyeom treated him differently than others, it still stirred him.8236fd0271e9e126

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Haah…”379d6b9db964ccf9

Tap. A sigh mingled ed9b5bd26b with the sound c1d2d16e0e of a pen e20ec4c719 tapping the desk. Heeseo moved 6daa2e6406 his hands 17d0ec0d74 without even 3c78c1d0a0 realizing what 7371007735 he was 37d62bb974 doing. Despite the afe6ba4381 irritable gesture, 1df67f047c his face, 9c3c9faa75 which gazed c344b18c8b blankly, was 47907fc305 gentle.2bde53d8bf89ee77

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Even in this situation, Seo Yigyeom extended his hand. He had perfectly handled his mother’s move as well. Perhaps because he knew Heeseo couldn’t move around due to his leg, he sent someone to ensure it was done safely. Not only that, but he also cut off any summons from the headquarters, giving Heeseo a reason to focus solely on recovery.cdca0cff17b48cd9