Herick, who had settled near the corridor window, directly received the hateful gaze of the man putting down his coffee cup on the table. He’s just dying to eat me alive. Without needing to pay special attention, Herick frowned at the hostility he felt from all directions.
Michael was blankly watching the setting sun through the glass window. Seeing his lips that were so dry they had cracked, Herick soon let out a sigh.
“Are you okay?”
Michael’s behavior, refusing to eat anything since yesterday as if staging a hunger strike, was utterly pitiful. Why was he trying to torture himself like this? Herick spoke again to Michael, who gave no answer.
“Why don’t you eat something? Your looks are the only thing that might get Choi’s attention, and if you lose that too, he won’t even give you a second glance.”
Only then did their eyes meet. Though his face had become quite gaunt, perhaps because of this, it held a rather unique charm. However, seeing Michael, who had always been so shameless and steadfast, showing weakness drove Herick, who had admired Michael’s strength, to the brink of madness.
“Why did you raise your hand earlier?”
When Michael, who had been extremely agitated, reached out his hand toward Enya, Herick couldn’t help but be surprised. It wasn’t that Michael hadn’t shown violent tendencies before at the Gostin mansion, but he always had his reasons. Whether it was to instill a sense of caution in those who failed to properly carry out their duties, or to establish his position by using violence against those who tried to mess with him.
To think that he, whose every slight movement had always seemed calculated, would get excited by a few of her words and do something he wouldn’t normally do. On one hand, Herick thought it fortunate that Michael’s sufficiently disrespectful attitude wasn’t made an issue.
“Because I was angry.”
“You were angry? You?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s fascinating. I don’t remember ever hearing you say you were angry before.”
What special words had she said?
“Your abilities are certainly worthy of being called a treasure. It’s just that the vessel containing those abilities is stupid—that’s the only major flaw.”
Could it be because of those words? Herick tilted his head. Such sarcasm could have gone in one ear and out the other.
“Now I have only one chance left.”
Michael said this while persistently staring at a man hurriedly running toward the elevator. With his pudgy build, he waddled along carrying an old, discolored suit and a bag. As he approached the elevator, checking his wristwatch, the guard standing in front asked for his identification.
“I’m Dr. Noah Harland.”
I’m here to see Ms. Cenaline. He answered while pulling a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his thoroughly damp forehead.
Herick looked back, following Michael’s gaze. But Noah had already boarded the elevator, guided by the man.
“What chance?”
Herick asked, looking back at Michael.
“The chance to turn the tables.”
“…And if you can’t turn them?”
Michael picked up a sugar cube placed next to the coffee cup. Through the gaps of his tightly clenched hand, sugar powder fell like an hourglass.
“Then I won’t be able to save him anymore.”
When he spread his hand wide, the remaining lump of sugar fell with a plop.
“Because Choi will be the next one to die.”
* * *
“What are you trying to do?”
Theo approached Enya, who was immersed in her work as if nothing had happened, and covered her documents with his palm.
“Why are you stepping in to fulfill the promise between Hunter and Michael?”
“Just be honest. You’re curious about what this promise is, aren’t you?”
“…”
“Don’t be shy.”
“Stop changing the subject.”
Enya leaned back in her chair with a meaningful smile.
“I once met a child similar to Michael.”
Enya closed her eyes gently as if reminiscing. A child who already knew the ending of life at a young age, and who struggled desperately to escape from a world where everything they predicted came true.
“The reason they were obsessed with ‘death’—the unpredictable world beyond a life that seemed like a scripted play—was probably for that very reason.”
Theo listened attentively to her voice, which had grown completely serious. Since she had never shared any personal stories, he couldn’t help but focus even more.
“Michael’s wish is the same as the lifelong wish that child held.”
Enya slowly opened her eyes and uttered softly.
“Namely, not to dream.”
“Dream?”
“Yes.”
“…Is that all?”
What the hell. Theo sat on the desk, feeling let down. And here I thought she was going to say something profound.
“It sounds too modest to be a lifelong wish, doesn’t it?”
“He must have had a lot of nightmares, I guess.”
At his curt remark, Enya laughed out loud, finding something hilarious. Haha, if they were nightmares, then yes, they were nightmares.
“So what does that story have to do with the promise between Michael and Hunter?”
“Because Hunter knew the method.”
Finding a way not to dream.
Enya recalled Hunter’s confident expression.
That method exists. Maria definitely said so.
“What are you talking about?”
Theo couldn’t grasp what her words meant. Why make such a grand promise over something as trivial as not dreaming?
Question marks filled his mind. Wondering if there was some meaning he had failed to grasp, he was trying to think deeply about the relationship between Michael and dreams, when his concentration was disrupted by Noah’s timely arrival.
“Fortunately, I’m not late today! Ahaha.”
Noah looked pleased as he held up his wristwatch and smiled brightly. His face was gleaming with sweat and oil. Did he run here for fear of being late? Theo examined him carefully.
“Welcome, Dr. Harland. We’ve been waiting for you.”
Enya greeted him kindly. She waved her hand dismissively at Theo, who was asking with his eyes who this man was, and stood in front of Noah.
“So, has there been any progress?”
“Well, I’m not sure.”
Noah scratched his neck, hesitating to answer.
“It’s just… I get the feeling that Choi has caught on.”
“Choi?”
Theo, who perked up at the familiar name, rushed over with a threatening demeanor.
“Are you talking about Hyungoh right now?”
As a startled Noah retreated backward to avoid Theo’s large frame bearing down on him, Enya pushed against Theo’s chest.
“Step back, Theodore. He’s a precious guest.”
“…”
“What do you mean he seems to have caught on?”
Oh, yes. Noah hurriedly opened his bag and took out a small recorder.
“This is a recording of the conversation I had with him. Unlike what you said, his personality is… how should I put it, quiet but rough.”
“Hmm.”
Well, that’s understandable. Enya returned to her seat and played the recorder. As she held it close to her ear to hear the faint voice, the corners of her mouth gradually curved upward.
“Good, have Michael come up.”
Theo frowned.
“Why are you calling for that guy again?”
“It seems like Hyungoh has already finished his mental preparation.”
Her slender hand pulled out a slightly protruding photograph from the neatly arranged documents on the desk. It was a childhood photo of Hunter and Maria that she had shown to Hyungoh before.
Enya stared at Maria’s smile and whispered as if talking to herself:
“It’s about time we bring this to an end.”
