Chapter 73 (1/2)

Chapter 73: Chapter 7 Excommunication-8

The next afternoon, Twins, as requested, returned the smartphone and sword to SoYoon.

When she opened the home button, she found the screen full of missed calls and message notifications. She first checked the request messages and realized she didn't need to do anything in a hurry. The small requests she handed over to March then hesitantly read Heart's messages.

Heart probably knew where she was and who she was with. Seeing how many people had seen Twins with her, she was positive he was aware of it. Knowing SoYoon's strength, he would realize she was staying there of her own will.

She called Heart right away. It rang only a few times before he answered.

”It's me.”

Heart was quiet for a while then sighed: Whitey. It felt like she hadn't heard the sound of his voice for a long time.

”Have you returned home?”

”No.”

”You're still at Twins' house? It's a request, right?

”Yes.”

”Whitey. I don't want to interfere with any of your requests, but that dog is not worth it. You haven't forgotten what that jerk is like, have you?

”Yes.”

”…Your answer is too short, Whitey. Say more. I want to hear your voice.”

SoYoon closed her eyes. She had so many emotions flowing through her that she didn't know what she was supposed to say. Then, Twins, who were watching her from a few steps away, interrupted her.

”What are you doing? Who is it?”

Heart ground his teeth upon hearing Dee through the phone.

”How dare that dog.”

”Heart, I called you to let you know I'm okay. I'll call you again…”

”Were you worried that I was worried about you?”

It was a weird statement, but it was true. SoYoon kept her mouth shut. Heart laughed on the other side of the smartphone.

”Were you worried, Whitey? I know you are strong, but worrying isn't something you can control. So don't do anything rash.”

”...Yes.”

”I told you your answers are too short. How long do you have to stay there?”

”One week.”

”All right. If you stay there even one extra day, I'm going to come get you personally. Got it?”

After she hung up, she nervously checked Mad Hatter's message. ”I have, for you…” She was afraid he would have written a continuation of that phrase.

That's when Dee asked her. ”Do you...like that punk?”

The SoYoon they knew was nonexpressive and indifferent. And so, Twins couldn't imagine that she could like anyone. They didn't think she was a type of girl who could talk in that tone of voice or smile like that.

Instead of answering, SoYoon lowered her eyes. That action alone was a better confirmation than if she had answered. She went back to checking her messages.

Luckily, Mad Hatter's messages only seemed to relay his worry about her. Calling him felt more difficult, so she put her smartphone in her pocket and got up from her seat. She was thinking about reading in the library again.

The conversation he had thought she ended must not have been enough for Dee, however. He grabbed her shoulder, turned her around, and asked her again.

”Do you like that punk?”

Again, she didn't answer. At this, she didn't know what he was thinking, but Dee frowned.

”F*ck, why can't you like us instead of that useless guy? Why would you waste your time on a guy like that?”

”It's not like that…”

”Yeah, right! Heart, you must be blind...forget about that guy, Undertaker. I'll be really good to you. Hm? Heart, I didn't know it, but he's a really bad guy. We would never do that to you. You trust us, don't you?”

Even Dum came out and hugged her gently, trying to persuade her. Somehow she had become a girl with a crush on Heart. She mulled over the thought and sighed.

***

SoYoon looked down vacantly at the cutting board. A sliced carrot sat on it. Dee, who was milling around her, peered over her shoulder.

”You were complaining about not knowing how to cook, but you look to be pretty good at it.”

As he had noticed, she had neatly sliced the carrots in the same size. She had prepped the meat earlier, cutting it into cube-size pieces.

She had come to be preparing food because of Dee's sudden complaint. On the fifth morning, Dee grumbled about the food. The mushroom soup was too runny, and he left half of it uneaten.

”That chef. I go easy on him for a couple of days, and he slacks off. When he comes back…”

His casually tossed words foreshadowed a bloodbath, so SoYoon scooped up a spoonful and put it to her mouth. The smell of mushroom and cream filled her senses. It was a delicious soup.

”It tastes fine.”

When SoYoon said this, Dee stared at her then said out of the blue, ”Blondie, try cooking something.”

However much she tried to convince him that she did not know how to cook, she couldn't dissuade him. Eventually, she stood at the counter in the kitchen. She used a knife daily, so her cutting skills were superb. She was at least good at chopping. She peeled the orange-colored onion skin and placed it on the cutting board. Dee, who had been watching her, suddenly started to panic.