This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 236

Dogun’s Perspective

To be completely honest, I had some inkling of what was going on.

The only thing I knew of my Senior, who was generally calm about everything, was that one particular reaction she had.

However, since I didn’t have anything concrete to go on, I couldn’t be completely sure, but my suspicions were confirmed by none other than Chae-rim’s Sister.

It happened when she was done preparing the meal and was calling everyone over.

I first stopped by her room, which was closest to the stairs, to inform her that dinner was ready, and then I intended to head to the Senior’s room—

“Don’t! Just leave me alone.”

Chae-rim’s Sister, now changed into comfortable clothes, urged me not to.

She added that if she got hungry, she would take care of it herself, so I should just leave her be.

At that point?

Like it or not, I couldn’t help but be certain.

That the envelope passed through Chae-rim’s hands would probably be related to the people who murdered the Senior’s parents.

Could it possibly contain information about the suspects?

I had never looked inside that envelope, so I couldn’t be sure, but if my previous assumptions were correct, then the Senior’s mind must be in utter chaos right now.

No matter how composed she usually is, she couldn’t help but be in turmoil at a time like this.

Even if it were someone else instead of her, the outcome would be the same.

Not to mention that during the training camp at school, when they unexpectedly faced danger, the Senior had herself declared she wasn’t aspiring to be a hero out of some grand sense of duty, but to utilize the powers attributed to heroes to seek revenge for her parents.

Yet, the evidence had now come back to her hands, and I figured she’d be overwhelmed with a million thoughts at this moment.

“Um… well… if it’s just for a while…”

So, following Chae-rim’s advice, I decided not to disturb the Senior for the time being.

I thought it would give her the chance to sort things out herself.

Initially, that was my intention, but at some point, I naturally came to realize something.

That I couldn’t just sit idly by while this was happening, given my nature.

At first, I definitely tried my best to not get involved.

I didn’t want to add to the burden that her already overflowing mind was carrying.

So, even when I found myself worrying, I tried to suppress it as much as possible, but… it turned out to be far from easy.

After all, it was evident that such a straightforward and strong person was visibly breaking down every time we met.

And that was also the reason I stood here, holding a mug in front of the Senior’s door.

‘Is she sleeping… ?’

With light spilling through the crack of the door, it seemed like she was still awake, but…

It felt ridiculous to hesitate after coming all this way, but considering the Senior’s situation, how could I not be hesitant?

Yet, returning this way felt equally odd because I hadn’t seen her eat anything in the past few days, which stuck in my mind.

And so I found myself helplessly staring down at the door handle while being caught between indecision.

“Mew—”

Suddenly, an unexpected guest interrupted my thoughts.

I distinctly remembered that when I left the kitchen, Miya was curled up asleep in her dedicated house in the living room.

Had she woken up, responding to the delightful smell wafting from the mug in my hand?

No, I could let that slide, but how did she climb the stairs?

Not just any stairs, but ones nearly her size.

Just as a string of question marks began forming in my head, the little creature, seemingly imitating a wolf, started circling around me and soon launched a playful attack on my ankle.

‘Seriously…’

Every time she caught a whiff of milk, she thought it was all hers.

“This isn’t yours, you know.”

Taken aback by her nonchalant insistence for me to relinquish my mug, I whispered in disbelief… and like I was contradicting her, Miya stretched out and spun around toward the door.

The problem came right after that.

Maybe she was miffed by my refusal to share the delectable smell that had drawn her here, or maybe she just needed a friendly ally to back her up. Either way, she began scratching the door obnoxiously, as if to summon someone.

And, as expected, it seemed someone did respond, because there was a rustling sound from behind the door, and someone was getting up.

At that moment, I froze, and with a creak, the door I was standing in front of slowly opened.

And through it appeared—

“Miya… Huh…?”

A Senior who had significantly deteriorated in just a few days, looking pitifully worn out.

Was I the only one flabbergasted by the unexpected situation?

The Senior, who had just locked eyes with me, stood there in mid-step as if she were paralyzed.

Ignoring that, the one who called her out, Miya, pranced confidently into the Senior’s room, as if it was all perfectly fine.

“Um… well…”

Now what do I do?

My mind was racing with confusion.

Maybe it was because of that, but my body started moving on its own.

“Um… If you’re not sleeping yet, would you like to share a drink?”

Baeksulhwa’s Perspective

To be honest, I had no intention of going out at first.

I felt bad for Miya, who had to struggle to climb all the way to the second floor with her tiny body, but right now, my situation was precarious.

So I had no room to focus on anything else.

Then, I suddenly thought maybe Miya’s presence could help clear my exceedingly disorganized mind a little bit.

And so, unlike usual, with a body that felt like it weighed a ton, I forced myself to get up and head to the door… but when I cautiously pulled the closed door, I was met with an unexpected sight.

Right there stood Dogun.

Naturally, I was taken aback.

Why was Dogun here at this hour?

I must have been taken by surprise at the suddenness of it all, and I was lost in thoughts like that when Dogun, seemingly just as flustered, finally mustered up the courage to speak.

“Um, if you’re not sleeping yet, would you like to share a drink?”

And that’s what I heard.

Only after hearing that did I notice the two mugs he was holding, one in each hand.

His carefully worded, almost timid invitation left me unable to refuse.

If he brought a drink all the way here, he must have had a reason behind it.

Therefore, I let Dogun into my room…

“Here, please. It’s a bit cold now, but…”

Surprisingly, unlike what I feared, Dogun entered my room and didn’t say another word.

He didn’t ask why I’ve been like this lately, or if I was okay, nor did he express concern about any worries I might have.

Despite that… I strangely felt more at ease because of it.

At the same time, I came to realize something new.

Perhaps… Dogun might know about my situation.

To put it correctly, he had probably picked up on it.

While he could be a bit clueless at times, Dogun was generally quite perceptive.

Also… he was the only one who understood the situation I was in.

So there must have been many questions he wanted to ask me… yet he stayed quiet about them, only throwing out mundane chatter, which oddly soothed my heart.

Thus—

“Um… I was wondering…”

“Yes?”

“Would you… come with me somewhere…?”

Finally, I was able to make up my mind.