IRLPLBIO Chapter 23 Part 2

The man, Park Kwang-cheol, handed Kim Min-jae a mobile phone. He subtly wiped off the parts stained with their blood, but some traces remained. Seeing Kim Min-jae flinch, Park Kwang-cheol felt a little awkward.

“This, I think it’s yours.”

“It is… Th-thank you…”

“And this is the kid you were looking for, right?”

Park Kwang-cheol stepped aside. He moved so that Lee Na-eun and Kim Min-jae could see each other. Even without a mobile phone, they would surely recognize someone they had been in contact with all day for months.

“Oh…”

Thud, Kim Min-jae recognized her first and dropped his bag.

“L-Lee Na-eun?”

“Yes, Min-jae oppa.”

Hesitantly, Kim Min-jae raised his hand, then flinched, unsure how to move it in the air. He wiped his sweaty palms on his pants, then on the hem of his uniform shirt, then wiped the sweat from his forehead with his forearm, and then, worried Lee Na-eun might be displeased, rubbed it on his clothes again.

Park Kwang-cheol unconsciously smiled a little. It was truly fortunate that it ended so simply. Because if things spiraled out of control, many people would get involved, and even more mental energy would be expended.

“That’s good, you can meet your friend.”

“Huh? Oh, oh. Thank you… It really does get resolved if I tell you, thank you…”

“You won’t have to worry about those guys from before anymore, but if anyone else causes trouble, contact me. I’ll give you my number.”

“Uh-uh… Th-thank you so much… sniff.”

Kim Min-jae started to tear up again. Unlike before when he was sniffling alone, this time Lee Na-eun patted Kim Min-jae’s back. She even pulled out a portable tissue and gently wiped away the tears streaming from beneath Kim Min-jae’s glasses.

Picking up the dropped bag, Park Kwang-cheol suddenly caught a scent lingering in the air. It somehow smelled like Jae-gu.

Instead of returning to school, Park Kwang-cheol came to Han Ga-yeon’s cafe. Han Ga-yeon did not scold her son for returning with his bag during the morning. Half of it was faith that there must have been a reason, and the other half was the thought that it was fine to relax since he would be transferring schools soon anyway.

“I’m back.”

After a brief greeting to Han Ga-yeon, Park Kwang-cheol naturally opened his textbook on a corner table. Since he had unexpectedly rushed out, he had to at least finish today’s studies by himself. Because in case of an emergency, the only things he could rely on were his own mind and the knowledge he had accumulated within it.

Park Kwang-cheol, who had been concentrating on his book for a while, suddenly spoke. His eyes remained fixed on his textbook and notebook.

“Mother, what if I… can’t be as helpful as expected?”

“Are you already worrying about that?”

Han Ga-yeon asked back as if to tell him not to worry, but Park Kwang-cheol was very serious.

“…I’m the one who said let’s go, but what if we don’t gain enough to justify the trouble you and Jae-gu hyung have gone through?”

“You don’t have to calculate losses or gains beforehand. Mom decided to work hard too.”

“Mother…”

“Even if I look like this, don’t forget I was a talent who competed with my older brothers early on.”

To lighten Park Kwang-cheol’s burden, Han Ga-yeon spoke in a light tone. Only then did Park Kwang-cheol subtly raise his eyes. The desire to ask, ‘What about Jae-gu hyung?’ was so clearly revealed that Han Ga-yeon burst out laughing.

“Don’t worry. Jae-gu also decided to work hard.”

“When did you have that discussion with hyung?”

Han Ga-yeon narrowed her eyes. Her reliable son, who had manifested as a Dominant Alpha, had a possessiveness and monopolistic desire for Jae-gu that was so overflowing it often extended in strange directions.

A mother’s touch was a special remedy for making him come to his senses.

Whap!

With the sensation of a palm slapping his back, Park Kwang-cheol snapped back to reality. His eyes, which had been half-glazed, now regained their normal luster after he twisted his body to place a hand on the stinging spot.

Han Ga-yeon smiled sweetly and patted Park Kwang-cheol’s shoulder. Each time, Park Kwang-cheol flinched.

“Jae-gu seems to be deep in thought these days.”

Han Ga-yeon remembered Jae-gu, holding her hand tightly, saying, “Aunt, you must live a long life. I’ll do well.” She also recalled his expression, which was too desperate to dismiss as ordinary words.