TGHD Ch 19

The thought that it might be the triplets’ birthday hadn’t even crossed Ryubeom’s mind. As he hurriedly turned to leave, Yeohwi shook his head with a smile.

“No need. The kids will be thrilled just to play with you.”

Right on cue, the triplets rushed over and clung to Ryubeom. Euno and Dongo grabbed onto each of his legs, while Gumo practically launched himself into the air, causing Ryubeom to catch him instinctively. He was startled, afraid the boy might fall.

Gumo, securely held in Ryubeom’s arms, giggled as if it were all a game. Meanwhile, Euno, perhaps having seen Ryubeom’s attempt to leave, hesitantly asked a question.

“Do you have to go…? Are you busy again?”

His careful, tentative question made Ryubeom quickly shake his head. It pained him to think about how often he had seemed too busy for the kids.

However, with a lingering concern, Ryubeom turned to Yeohwi and asked, “Are the kids okay to play?”

“Of course. You took care of them with your spirit healing.”

Yeohwi smiled and gestured for him to go and play with the kids. Before Ryubeom could say anything more, the triplets had already pulled him along.

Still feeling a bit out of sorts, Ryubeom stepped inside the kids’ café and was inwardly amazed at the sight before him. It was a playground filled with all sorts of activities. There were giant slides, ball pits, trampolines, toy trains, climbing walls, and even jungle gyms with rotating platforms and nets like a challenge course.

Though he’d heard of places like this, Cheon Ryubeom had never been to one. When he was younger, he hadn’t been able to control his strength, often hurting others around him. So the only places he could visit were wide, open playgrounds, and even then, mostly at night when no one else was around.

This setting felt novel to him, but Ryubeom tried to remain composed. The triplets wanted to play, but he was their guardian, an adult. Like the other guardians around the café, he thought he’d only need to lightly participate from a distance.

However, Ryubeom’s plan fell apart within minutes.

“Wow, Beomie is really good at this!”

“It’s so unfair! Beomie, you can catch up to us even if we get halfway there!”

It all started when the triplets kept slipping while climbing the rock wall, so Ryubeom helped them a few times. What he didn’t expect was that it would turn into a race. Of course, no matter how late Ryubeom started, he would never lose to the kids.

“…We trained on actual cliffs in the clan…”

In this beginner’s play area, Cheon Ryubeom was like an expert gamer showing up to a newbie tutorial.

Even on the balance beams that required careful stepping, Ryubeom moved swiftly. He raced up a slippery slope and pressed the button at the top with ease. He’d originally planned to just watch, but the triplets kept urging him, “Beomie, you try it too!”

Before long, Ryubeom was seriously enjoying the games as well. His presence even drew the attention of other kids, turning him into a Pied Piper of sorts for the café. The other guardians were grateful for this unknown man who seemed to never tire from playing with so many children.

In the ball pit, Ryubeom found himself in a 17:1 showdown, dodging balls thrown by the kids. It almost felt like training. But no matter that they were just children, 17 against 1 was tough.

At one point, Ryubeom, perhaps getting too excited, threw a ball and accidentally cracked the wall. The kids cheered even louder at the sight, but Cheon Ryubeom’s face turned pale.

Nearby, Yeohwi looked between Ryubeom and the cracked wall in disbelief.

“…Young master?”

“I, uh, I’ll pay for the damages…”

Seeing Ryubeom panic, Yeohwi chuckled softly. Shaking his head, he replied lightly, “Don’t worry. Guil will cover it.”

“Huh? Why Guil all of a sudden…?”

“He’s been supporting the kids financially. Since he’s recognized as their guardian and even gets calls about them, he should take responsibility for this, too.”

Yeohwi’s explanation seemed matter-of-fact, but something about it felt off to Ryubeom. It was almost as if Yeohwi resented the idea that Guil had been called in his place. Ryubeom considered explaining that he’d only contacted Guil because he knew Yeohwi was busy taking care of the kids, but it sounded too much like an excuse, so he stayed silent.

Afterward, the triplets and Ryubeom sat down for a snack. They’d been running around so much that they needed to recharge. Fortunately, the café had a snack bar, and Ryubeom was able to buy something for the kids. It wasn’t much, but at least it gave him a chance to get them a small gift.

“All done! Let’s go play again!”

“I want to ride the train this time…!”

“There’s a maze over there, too!”

After quickly finishing their cake and snacks, the triplets dashed back to the playground. Ryubeom watched their energetic departure, thinking about how quickly they seemed to recharge after eating. Though he wasn’t physically tired, he was mentally drained, so he decided to take a short break.

Yeohwi sat casually in the area designated for guardians.

“It would’ve been fun if you joined in, too, Yeohwi…”

“Well, I’m not really the type for that.”

Though Yeohwi’s reply was vague, Ryubeom could guess the meaning. Either he felt too old for that sort of thing, or he was simply too tired.

Ryubeom glanced briefly at Yeohwi before looking away. With the triplets gone, the space around them suddenly felt quiet. Though the playground was still noisy, the fact that only the two of them were left in this corner made everything feel more distant.

“…”

Ryubeom fiddled with a bag of snacks, silently reminding himself not to think about “that day.” Yeohwi seemed calm, and if he alone dwelled on it, the atmosphere would surely turn awkward.

As Ryubeom absentmindedly moved his hands, Yeohwi gently asked, “Aren’t you going to play more, young master? You looked like you were having fun.”

“I’m taking a break. I think I ended up playing more than the kids…”

“Haha, no one would mind if you kept playing. Besides, everyone seemed to enjoy being with you.”

Though the words were obvious, Yeohwi’s kind tone made Ryubeom pause. The idea that it was okay to keep playing stirred something in him. A fleeting thought about how such freedom was unthinkable in his clan crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it with a shake of his head. It was just a passing thought.

Yeohwi rested his chin on his hand and gazed at Ryubeom, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“This must be your first time at a place like this, right? Or maybe you’ve been before when you were younger?”

“This is my first time. I still find it amazing that birthday parties are held in places like this…”

“Well, I didn’t know much either, so I asked the company staff for advice.”

“…Really? What about before? How did you spend birthdays back then?”

“Well, this is the first year I’ve celebrated with the triplets.”

Ryubeom blinked in surprise at Yeohwi’s response. He had assumed Yeohwi had known the triplets for a long time, given how close they were. Seeing his curiosity, Yeohwi smoothly changed the subject.

“By the way, when is your birthday, Ryubeom? I’m also curious how the Tiger Clan celebrates.”

“My birthday?”

Ryubeom’s response was slow. His gaze drifted to the side as if the question felt unfamiliar, and after a pause, he answered.

“It’s March 24th… oh, it already passed.”

“…That was just a few days ago, wasn’t it?”

“I haven’t really celebrated my birthday in a while…”

Ryubeom answered nonchalantly. The last time he celebrated his birthday was when he lived with his parents. After losing them and joining the clan, he hadn’t celebrated it at all. In fact, he had been so consumed by the clan’s rigorous training that he never had time to think about birthdays.

He had seen his cousins celebrating theirs, with their parents still being part of the clan, of course. He’d occasionally observed family gatherings or birthday parties from afar but made a point to stay out of sight. He had once been scolded by Cheon Yeongdo on their birthday for showing up and “ruining the day.”

“Oh, the elders’ birthdays are celebrated with banquets. When the weather is nice, they decorate the garden and spend the whole day celebrating like it’s a festival.”

Ryubeom continued to answer Yeohwi’s question earnestly. However, there was something odd about his tone. He spoke as though he had never been part of those celebrations, just someone who had observed them from a distance.

As their conversation wound down, Ryubeom noticed Yeohwi quietly watching him. Just as Ryubeom was about to ask about the steady gaze, the triplets came running over.

“Beom! Come play with us! It’s boring with just us!”

“This place is for you guys to play, though…”

“No, no! You have to play with us! You’re a member of our pirate crew too, remember!”

When did they even form a pirate crew?

Ryubeom chuckled softly as the triplets excitedly dragged him along.

* * *

That night, Cheon Ryubeom made his way back to the villa.

As they were leaving the kids’ café, Yeohwi had shared surprising news: it would be hard for Ryubeom to meet the triplets for a while. Though the poison had been fully extracted, due to concerns about potential psychological aftereffects from the lab incident, the decision had been made to send them back to the main house for a more comfortable environment.

The reasoning made sense, but it also filled Ryubeom with guilt, leading him to apologize again. Yeohwi reassured him, saying it was fine and explained that he and the triplets would have preferred to stay, but Goo Il had strongly insisted on sending them back to the main house.

The triplets were also going to take a break from school, which made sense, but for some reason, Ryubeom found it disappointing. A month ago, he had felt burdened by having to help the kids after school, but now, as their departure approached, he felt a pang of regret.

Does this mean I’ll have to leave the villa too…?

The villa had been a temporary arrangement, intended for helping the kids and investigating the Han River mermaid incident. As he stood quietly in the place, devoid of any signs of life, the doorbell suddenly rang.

Puzzled, Ryubeom opened the door and was immediately greeted by the fresh scent of flowers. The refreshing, clear fragrance filled his senses, accompanied by the sight of bright yellow petals. Through the large blooms, he caught a glimpse of Yeohwi, standing with a serene smile.

“A belated birthday gift,” he said, handing Ryubeom the bouquet.

The image of Yeohwi’s face, smiling with curved eyes, became etched in Ryubeom’s mind. Ryubeom barely managed to part his lips before letting out a sigh. For a moment, it was hard to breathe.

Should he tell Yeohwi that it wasn’t necessary to go through all this trouble, or should he simply accept it with gratitude? He felt a vague burden from the gesture, combined with the strangely fast pace of his heart, leaving him confused. As a result, something entirely different slipped from his mouth.

“…Geumyeonghwa.”

The yellow and orange hues of the flower were very familiar to Cheon Ryubeom. When he mentioned its name, Yeohwi’s eyes widened in surprise.

“You know this flower?”

“It was my mother’s favorite…”

Startled, Ryubeom let slip something he wouldn’t normally share. He had never spoken to Yeohwi about his family, so he felt a bit embarrassed, but Yeohwi looked impressed.

“Really? This flower happens to be your birth flower.”

“…What?”

“Perhaps that’s why your mother liked it so much.”

Ryubeom’s mouth fell open. He’d never cared about things like birth flowers, so of course, he didn’t know. His mother had never mentioned it either, so he tried to dismiss it as a mere coincidence, but the scent of the flowers, carried by the evening breeze, tickled his nose. Suddenly, a memory came back to him.

‘This flower reminds me so much of you, my dear.’

‘I’m way bigger than a flower, though.’

‘Haha, even the way you ask questions so innocently is just like it.’

It was a conversation he’d shared with his mother and father. He vaguely recalled hearing that Geumyeonghwas only bloomed on clear days.

“…”

While he stood there, staring blankly at the bouquet, Yeohwi gently urged him to take it. Ryubeom awkwardly accepted the flowers, still unable to find his words. His chest felt tight. Was it just a coincidence, or was it a love that had unknowingly seeped in from somewhere?

Ryubeom awkwardly tried to change the topic. With Yeohwi standing right in front of him, he felt the need to say something.

“…Thanks. By the way, when’s your birthday, Yeohwi?”

“You’re asking because you plan to give me a gift too, right? You don’t need to. I haven’t celebrated it in so long that I don’t even remember.”

“Well, I haven’t either, but you still gave me something.”

Yeohwi chuckled softly. His voice, even as he responded, carried the amusement he’d felt ever since Ryubeom had first asked about his birthday.

“You don’t have to return everything. I don’t want our relationship to be so transactional.”

His voice was gentle, like someone soothing a child. Cheon Ryubeom always tried to respond immediately whenever someone showed him kindness, not out of gratitude, but more out of a desire not to feel burdened. He had a compulsion to give back just as much as he received.

As if he had never experienced unconditional kindness. As if he couldn’t even imagine that someone might offer such a thing to him.

Yeohwi smiled in front of a hesitant Ryubeom.

“I’m giving this to you because I want to get closer to you.”

“…”

“If it helps, think of it as a thank-you for playing with the kids today. It’s just my way of giving something back.”

As Yeohwi’s gentle explanation continued, Ryubeom fumbled with his words. He realized that Yeohwi was trying to make him feel comfortable, to reassure him that this wasn’t a burden, and it made Ryubeom feel strangely guilty.

“Do you… not like the gift?”

“No, no! That’s not it at all. It’s just that I…”

Cheon Ryubeom stammered. Receiving the Geumyeonghwa had brought back forgotten memories of his parents, and he was grateful to receive a gift for the first time in years. These were surely positive feelings, but somehow, they also felt awkward.

“I like it. I really do… But when I’m with you… I feel strange.”

His words began to tumble out in a jumble. He suddenly realized it sounded like he was blaming Yeohwi, but he couldn’t stop talking. Holding the bouquet in his arms felt as if he were carrying a heavy burden. The emotions that had been pressing down on him suddenly overflowed.

The feelings he had held back until now spilled out, carried by the scent of the flowers.

“No one in the clan has ever given me something like this. Today has been so different from how I’ve lived my life so far, so it feels unfamiliar. Awkward and, well…”

“A little?”

“A little uncomfortable. It’s not that you make me uncomfortable, Yeohwi, but… when I go back to the clan, I won’t be able to experience things like this again… I don’t want to get used to these feelings, and so…”

His voice trembled. He knew he needed to stop the torrent of words, but the more he tried, the more they spilled out, as if emotions long buried were slipping from his grasp. It felt strange to say aloud thoughts that had always been silent in his mind, like exposing a vulnerable part of himself.

“…Sorry. I’m rambling too much.”

He felt ridiculous, overwhelmed with emotion just from receiving a bouquet. Yeohwi must think so too. Ryubeom bit his lip, trying to turn away, but just then, something appeared in his line of sight. A hand gently pressed below his lips, stopping him from biting down.

Yeohwi laughed softly.

“Now you’re acting your age.”

Though it sounded like a quiet mutter to himself, Ryubeom heard it clearly. He was too stunned to move, remaining frozen as Yeohwi tilted his head slightly and asked,

“Once you’ve solved the Sagwido case, are you not planning to see me again?”

“…By then, I’ll be going back to the clan…”

“We can still keep in touch, can’t we? You could come out and meet me now and then.”

Ryubeom hesitated. Once the Sagwido case was resolved, his status in the clan would likely improve, allowing him more freedom to go out. His cousins often took time for outings, after all. The only reason Ryubeom hadn’t done so was because he had nowhere to go and no one to meet. And, truthfully, he hadn’t had the luxury of living that kind of life either.

However, even if he successfully returned to his family, Ryubeom would still not have much time to relax. He had to retrieve his father’s soul, search through the books in Daehogwan to find the demon that attacked on “that day,” recover his lost memories, and figure out why his mother left the family…

All these plans came to mind, but somehow Ryubeom couldn’t outright reject Yeohwi’s offer. He had never pictured a future with someone else in his life. He hadn’t even dared to imagine it, yet why did Yeohwi so naturally paint that future and suggest they walk it together? It felt as strange as a fox asking a tiger to be friends, but for some reason, Ryubeom couldn’t refuse.

It’s all because of the thick fragrance coming from the bouquet in his arms. Just because of that…

“I hope our connection lasts a little longer and runs a little deeper.”

Ryubeom couldn’t avoid Yeohwi, who whispered while lowering his head, and could only look up at him blankly. The tender voice echoed in his ears, and impulsively, Ryubeom responded.

“…I’d like that too, but…”

“If it’s good, then that’s all that matters. There’s no need to distance yourself by worrying about the future.”

Yeohwi cut off Ryubeom’s automatic concerns. His voice, firm yet gentle, entranced Ryubeom. The mysterious red glow in Yeohwi’s deep black eyes, so close to him, held his gaze.

“Just focus on being together here and now.”

Ryubeom was left speechless. He could barely maintain his silence, but deep inside, he felt something intense. As if caught in a powerful gravitational pull, he was being irresistibly drawn toward the figure in front of him.

Unable to resist, he was being pulled in, helplessly.

“So, do you dislike being with me right now, young master?”

“…No.”

“Then that’s enough.”

His true feelings slipped out through the cracks of emotions stirred up moments before, and before Ryubeom could take them back, Yeohwi had already caught them and smiled. It was a smile of satisfaction, like he had secured a prize.

“We’re friends now, right?”

Ryubeom stared blankly at Yeohwi. Under the moonlight, his beautiful face seemed to glow softly. Pushing away someone so kind and beautiful felt like an impossibility.

With Yeohwi looking at him expectantly, Ryubeom couldn’t help but let out a small laugh, nodding in agreement.

“…Yeah.”

“Now, no more ignoring my messages and going silent, and you can’t just wander off during festivals to chase after demons.”

“A-ah, no, that’s…”

Ryubeom was flustered. He was embarrassed and sorry that Yeohwi still remembered the first incident. But the second one? That was truly unfair. As he fumbled to explain, Yeohwi burst into laughter.

Only then did Ryubeom realize Yeohwi had been teasing him. He looked at him in disbelief, but at the same time, the tension inside him melted away. Strangely, he found himself laughing along too. A warm sensation spread pleasantly through his body.

Finally, Cheon Ryubeom faced the feelings he had been avoiding.

In truth, he had been worried he might never hear from Yeohwi again after hearing the triplets were leaving. Yes, he was sure of it now. He thought he was just upset about not seeing the children anymore, but it had gone further than that. After all, their connection began when Ryubeom had saved the triplets.

When had Yeohwi’s presence grown so large inside him?

Suddenly feeling curious, Ryubeom carefully chose his words. If he could continue being close with Yeohwi, then…

“Hey, I have a favor to ask…”

“What is it?”

Ryubeom spoke with a voice full of tension, even squeezing his eyes shut as he blurted out his request.

“If your offer to teach me mental magic from before still stands, could I take you up on it?”

Yeohwi had once offered to teach him mental magic during the investigation of the mermaid case. At the time, Ryubeom had firmly declined, saying it was forbidden to reveal the family’s secret arts. Now, asking for it felt embarrassing.

But ever since being cursed by the mermaid, he had realized the need to learn mental magic. If he had been stronger, he might have been able to save others more quickly. Additionally, Cheonhoyeon had warned him of the dangers of becoming connected to evil spirits, so he wanted to be properly prepared. He needed to get ready as much as possible before leaving in search of the next demon.

Ryubeom waited nervously for Yeohwi’s answer, worried he might be imposing by bringing up what could have been a light-hearted offer. As the tension built from the delay in Yeohwi’s response, Ryubeom suddenly felt something touch his cheek.

A playful tap against the corner of his eye. Yeohwi chuckled, clearly amused.

“Ha, young master. You close your eyes when you’re nervous. But when you’re fighting demons, you never avert your gaze.”

“…?”

“This is kind of cute.”

Yeohwi’s light murmur was almost like talking to himself. For a moment, Ryubeom wondered if he had misheard, but when he opened his eyes to ask, all he could see was Yeohwi’s smiling face, framed against the evening sky.

He was left speechless, only his lips moving without sound, so the other person answered readily.

“If the young master wishes, of course, as much as you’d like.”

“…Really? You can take your time to answer. You should also consider the fact that I’m from the Tiger Clan…”

“That’s true. It’s actually a very dangerous task, so we’ll need to be extra careful, but…”

Yeohwi lowered his gaze. His long eyelashes fluttered gently, making him appear so delicate that Ryubeom’s concern grew. If the Fox Clan found out about this, they’d surely be scolded by the clan leader, maybe even face expulsion, like Ryubeom himself…

Just as Ryubeom started to feel guilty for making such a request, Yeohwi flashed a playful smile.

“As a commemoration of us officially becoming friends.”

Ryubeom’s mouth slowly dropped open. He realized Yeohwi had been teasing him just to get a reaction, but he didn’t feel the slightest urge to be upset. Instead, he felt only gratitude and…

His heart skipped a beat at the word “friend.”

It was a connection he’d never had before, a relationship he never dared to expect. Even though he had just talked with Yeohwi about getting closer, he hadn’t thought to call it friendship. He had simply gone along with Yeohwi’s words.

So, this is how you become friends.

I have a friend now…

Ryubeom felt his heart race pleasantly as a bright smile spread across his face. The excited thumping sensation tickled him inside.

It was a night bathed in moonlight.

* * *

Cheon Ryubeom fell asleep in the villa. He had been planning to pack up and leave, but now he had a reason to stay longer.

Surprisingly, it was the first time in days that he’d slept soundly. After performing a ritual for the mermaids and then meeting with people from the Heavenly Fox Foundation as soon as he came back from the river, he had been so busy that he hadn’t gotten proper sleep for over five days. So, he relished in this much-needed deep sleep.

Having solved the mermaid incident at the Han River, found an opportunity to learn mental magic, and, above all, gained a friend that night, he slept with a clear and happy heart.

Ryubeom didn’t wake up until late noon. As he got up, he heard that the triplets were leaving for the main family house in Guil’s car. The children wanted to say goodbye to Ryubeom before they left, so they had knocked on his door.

Hurriedly washing up, Ryubeom went out to the front of the villa to see them off. Yeohwi was chatting with Guil, and the triplets were standing by the car, rummaging through their bags, checking to see if they had packed everything properly. Of course, their bags were stuffed full of snacks.

Ryubeom patted their heads, relieved to see the triplets’ faces looking bright, even though it was their departure day.

“I’m glad the Yeongyahwa worked well.”

“Huh? Yeongyahwa? What’s that?”

“…Huh?”

Ryubeom was puzzled by Geumo’s tilted-head question. But soon, he nodded in understanding and explained. Since the Yeongyahwa was boiled and consumed as liquid, it made sense they wouldn’t know the name of the flower.

“The flower you took is called Yeongyahwa. It’s the medicine you drank when you came out of the research center a few days ago, and also the one from Yeonggokbong. Ah, you might remember the flower field from then.”

“From Yeonggokbong…?”

“Were there flowers there?”

Euno and Dongo also expressed confusion, which left Ryubeom a little perplexed. At that moment, Yeohwi approached. Casually opening the car door for the children, he told them to get in, then smiled warmly at Ryubeom.

“Maybe they don’t remember because it was raining heavily that day, and we had to move in such a hurry.”

“Ah, that makes sense…”

Ryubeom sighed quietly. Two days ago, he had sent the Yeongyahwa with Guil, but at that time, the triplets had been unconscious, so they wouldn’t have seen the flowers.

While he was thinking it over, Yeohwi waved to the children through the car window.

“Behave and don’t cause any trouble at the main house.”

“Bye, Beom-i!”

“Hmm, seeing how you don’t even respond to me, I’m already starting to worry…”

Ryubeom awkwardly glanced at Yeohwi, who was smiling slightly bitterly.

“Yeohwi, are you really not going back to the main house?”

“No. I have a promise with you, young master.”

Though it seemed like an obvious answer to Yeohwi, Ryubeom couldn’t shake the feeling that he was causing him to be separated from the triplets, so he gave Yeohwi a regretful look. But Yeohwi just smiled and shook his head.

“The people at the main house will take good care of the children. Besides, I had planned to stay here from the start.”

“…You were going to stay anyway? Why?”

“Well, because I wanted to get closer to the young master.”

Ryubeom suddenly coughed, startled. Why did he phrase it like that? He had always found Yeohwi’s way of expressing things strange, ever since he begged Ryubeom not to abandon him. But this sudden word choice was particularly jarring.

“I’m so glad the young master accepted my feelings so readily.”

“Um, Yeohwi, you really have a habit of being overly dramatic.”

As he recalled the bouquet of flowers he’d received the previous night, the image of Yeohwi’s smiling face when he handed it to him suddenly flashed vividly in his mind. Why had that moment left such a strong impression on him?

After clearing his throat awkwardly a couple of times, Ryubeom changed the subject.

“By the way, what’s the Fox Clan’s main house like? Have you been there before?”

In Suin society, even members of the same clan were not all allowed to enter the main family estate. The stricter the hierarchy, the more difficult it was to visit the main family, much like how branch families of the Tiger Clan couldn’t easily enter the direct Cheon family estate.

The Fox Clan seemed to be on friendlier terms with one another, so had Yeohwi ever been to the main family estate? His casual attitude about sending the children there, without a hint of worry, gave the impression that he was familiar with the place.

“I’ve been there before… Well, the main building is quiet, but the rest is quite lively. The Fox Clan’s main estate is like a village.”

Yeohwi explained readily. He said that most of the Fox Suin lived together in one area, and the term “main estate” referred to that entire settlement.

“Think of it as similar to the capital city of Hanyang from the past.”

“It’s completely different from the Tiger Clan…”

Ryubeom nodded in fascination. He had learned that most small or herbivore Suin, excluding the large predators, tended to live in villages. It was only after the peace treaty that Suin could move about the world more freely.

Still, he found it surprising that the Fox Clan, one of the major powers in Suin society, had a main estate that took the form of a village. Normally, the main estate referred to the residence of the clan leader, which often distinguished it from regular clan members. For instance, the direct descendants of the Tiger Clan lived in a mansion as grand as a palace.

“The Fox Clan leader must really care about his people.”

“…It’s been that way for a long time, and now it’s too late to change it. The main estate grew into a village because they took in injured clan members over time.”

Yeohwi responded a bit later, his tone somewhat distant, as if he were recounting someone else’s story. Ryubeom didn’t think much of it, though, and was simply impressed. The atmosphere was so different from the Tiger Clan, where they expelled anyone who was deemed insufficient.

Although he knew that Suin had different cultures and lifestyles, the stories about the Fox Clan were new and fascinating to him. Still, from the way Yeohwi mentioned that the main building was quiet, it seemed likely that the core estate was similar to other Suin main houses.

It would be where the clan leader’s direct descendants and elders lived. Since it was said the Fox Clan leader had no children and was currently abroad, perhaps only the elders lived in the main building.

“Are all the buildings there traditional tile-roofed ones? Given the long history…”

“Haha, no, most of them are modern.”

“…Why?”

“There was a massive fire about a hundred years ago.”

Yeohwi smiled as he spoke, and Ryubeom blinked slowly before sighing. He knew at least that much about the Fox Clan.

The great fire in the Fox Clan.

He had heard that a devastating fire had claimed the lives of many clan members and caused great damage. The Tiger Clan had mocked it as punishment, but back then, Ryubeom had felt uncomfortable with that. Even if they were enemies, many people had died in a catastrophe…

So the fire had occurred at the main estate. Ryubeom hesitated, lips moving silently, until Yeohwi smiled.

“If you’re curious, why don’t you come with me to the main estate?”

“…You haven’t forgotten that I’m a tiger, right?”

“It might add a bit of tension to the peaceful atmosphere. Few people even remember what happened a hundred years ago, so the mood has gotten rather lax.”

“…Sometimes, Yeohwi, you say the most absurd things with such a straight face.”

“Haha, your reactions are always so amusing.”

“Don’t play weird pranks.”

Yeohwi burst out laughing at Ryubeom’s exasperation. Ryubeom shot him a glance but kept the question lingering in his mind. If, as Yeohwi said, few people remembered the great fire, did that mean Yeohwi knew about it firsthand? Or was he just repeating the story passed down within the clan…

He found himself growing increasingly curious about Yeohwi. Was it just because Yeohwi had so many odd traits? Or was it because he considered Yeohwi a ‘friend’ now? Unsure of the answer, he felt a bit confused, but at that moment, Guil approached.

“I’ll be heading off now. Thank you so much for taking care of the children, young master.”

“Yeohwi spent more time with them than I did.”

Ryubeom felt flustered by the overly polite farewell. Yeohwi was standing right next to him, so why was Guil thanking him? But Guil only glanced at Yeohwi and gave an awkward laugh.

“Haha, yes… I’ve already spoken with him.”

With that, Guil quickly got into the car, saying they were running late. Ryubeom, who had already said goodbye to the triplets, watched the car with a hint of regret. The children pressed their faces against the window, waving enthusiastically, and Ryubeom smiled faintly as he waved back.

As he gazed after the car receding into the distance, Yeohwi sidled up to him, leaning his head slightly to speak closely.

“Now that the children are gone, shall we spend some time together?”

“…You mean training, right?”

“Oh, you’re getting good at interpreting things now.”

“…”

It seemed that the best way to deal with Yeohwi was to not react too much. After all, he had just laughed earlier, saying he found Ryubeom’s reactions amusing. Resolving not to fall for his pranks anymore, Ryubeom started walking away.