This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 257

Dogun’s Perspective

“Someone once said that if you long for something with all your heart, the heavens will hear you.”

I never expected this kind of situation to unfold, but it felt as if the entire universe was crowdfunding to free me from my torment.

If that were the case, shouldn’t I also play my part?

The timing for action? Hmm… yes, Saturday seemed like a good choice.

For that moment, it would be wise to gather the ingredients in advance.

I wouldn’t want to let a golden opportunity slip away by searching for things at the last minute.

As these thoughts swirled in my mind, I might have been nodding subconsciously.

Did I have more to say?

Yoonseo, who sat across from me, started sneaking glances at my face, reading my mood.

“What’s up? Do you want to ask me something?”

She polished off the beverage she was sipping as if trying to mask her own intentions. Was she embarrassed that I noticed her thoughts?

She flinched for a moment and then giggled awkwardly.

“…Did I give it away?”

“A little?”

So, what was she wanting to ask of me? Maybe asking for a beverage or something?

If that were the case, I wouldn’t mind getting it for her…

“Um… well…”

It seemed her request was not as lighthearted as I thought.

“Could you… make me a lunchbox if you’re free this weekend?”

So that was Yoonseo’s hidden request.

“A lunchbox?”

“…Yeah.”

A lunchbox, huh. Surely, it wasn’t just a casual gathering that would involve no food.

“Why the sudden lunchbox?”

“Well, I heard that on weekends, everyone tends to eat food brought by their families rather than the usual meals…”

“If that’s the case, you can just ask your dad.”

If I asked him for a lunchbox, he’d probably rush to the kitchen to whip one up instantly—probably a twelve-tiered one at that.

“Uh… but I’m tired of the ones my dad makes every day…!”

Wait, what was she saying?

To be honest, I was a bit amazed.

It made me wonder if that’s why they say raising children can be futile.

If my dad had heard Yoonseo’s words just now…

He would have acted all nonchalant and joked about it, but at night, he’d secretly soak his pillow with tears.

Of course, Yoonseo probably didn’t mean it seriously.

“Anyway! So… is that a no…?”

“Well, it’s not a no, but…”

Since I needed to eat anyway, I could just think of making it while having my meal.

And by lunchtime, I would likely be free from my worries.

“So, we have a deal then?”

Just like that, I ended up promising Yoonseo a lunchbox.

And with that, time flowed on until the fateful day arrived.

Maybe it was because I had been eagerly waiting for the weekend since almost Tuesday, right up until I got into bed last night.

Before the alarm I set for nine o’clock could ring, my eyes flew open.

In fact, my body felt light, as if I could float away.

Since I was in such a good mood, I found myself humming a tune while brewing coffee.

“What’s up? You’re up early?”

Chae-rim, my older sister, entered the kitchen through the door leading to the hallway.

“By the way, what’s with the humming? Something good happen this morning?”

“Oh, it’s nothing much… maybe it’s just that since I’m back in school, I’ve been particularly looking forward to the weekends.”

The real reason was different, but would I really say that out loud?

So, I deflected and moved on.

Thankfully, Chae-rim didn’t seem too concerned about it either.

“You’re having coffee, right?”

“Yeah, could you do me a favor?”

“Black with two spoons of sugar, right?”

Did she come down here immediately after waking up?

She nodded as she yawned slightly, her hair looking tousled like someone who just got out of bed.

Still, she didn’t look shabby at all—her looks were just too unfair.

Thinking about that made me curious.

What if that sister of mine decided to dress up for once? What would she look like?

“…What?”

“Huh?”

“I was just wondering since you kept staring at me if you wanted to say something.”

Did I really stare that hard?

I briefly questioned myself but just passed it off and handed the steaming mug with fluffy vapors to her.

Of course, it was the coffee she ordered—black with two spoons of sugar.

“I’ll drink well.”

She tilted the cup slightly to show her gratitude and blew on it, starting to sip it with warmth pouring into her body as if she was finally alive.

“Ugh…”

I was sure what I handed over was coffee, but from the sound slipping into my ears, it almost felt like she was drinking porridge.

So, as I spent the early hours leisurely, I soon realized it was that time.

Time for me to be free from my worries, and for my sister to head off to Busan.

“Shouldn’t you be leaving soon?”

“Well, I guess I should…”

As expected, the Senior wasn’t cutting it at that time.

‘Tsk…’

The schedule was set for lunch, after all.

Even though she passed the test with flying colors, she was still just one of the new heroes. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t change the basic framework.

“Have you texted Seolhwa?”

“Yeah, she said it might take about another hour…”

“An hour…?”

If the schedule was already tight, adding another hour of delay would make it almost certain we’d be late for the event.

Perhaps that’s why my sister’s face twisted in a worried frown.

Seeing her like that, I offered a suggestion.

If she was worried that something might happen to me, I could just hang around next door until the Senior arrived, so she should just head out without fret.

I figured that would ease her mind somewhat, and fortunately, it seemed to work.

She nodded, but still hesitated, standing in the front hall.

Gently nudging her, I managed to get her into the car.

After I saw her off, I returned home, washed my hands clean, and sat down at my computer, filled with a solemn heart.

And finally… the time of liberation had come.

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Chae-rim’s Perspective

At that moment, as Dogun was preparing to unravel all that had built up inside him, my expression as Dogun pushed me out of the house was anything but relaxed.

How could it be?

“What if we end up late for the event?” Dogun had pushed me along, but I didn’t feel confident at all.

Is this really okay?

Am I really allowed to do this?

Although I told myself that Dogun could just hang out next door until Seolhwa arrived and that I didn’t need to worry too much, honestly, that alone wasn’t comforting.

If the situation we were worried about actually happened, how much could we endure just because of that one thing?

And the further away from home I got, the deeper my doubts began to sink.

That’s why.

When I stopped at the intersection and the signal changed, I abruptly turned the car around.

I began retracing the route I had already taken.

I had no other choice.

If I continued on this path, I feared I couldn’t settle down until we arrived.

‘…This won’t do.’

Initially, I planned to offer the manager position with a little more ease.

I was worried that rushing to offer it might come across as forcing him, so I intended to take my time… but given the situation, it seemed better to get things sorted right away.

If I tidily wrapped this up now, then I wouldn’t have to worry about the same issue if a similar situation arose in the future.

So, after speeding back and finally arriving in front of the house, I got out of the car and headed straight next door.

I cautiously rang the doorbell to inquire about Dogun’s whereabouts, only to be met with the response questioning why I was looking for him.

When I first heard that response, I was, of course, bewildered.

Could something have happened in that brief moment?

And after fleetingly feeling that bewilderment pass over me, I wondered if Dogun had lied to ease my worries, which felt like a solid assumption.

So, I immediately headed home and, as expected, there he was.

Was he rolling around on his bed or something?

I sensed some movement beyond the closed door.

Only after noticing that did I start to feel reassured.

Simultaneously, I felt a bit angry, though it was a tiny bit.

So, I walked straight in through the door to Dogun’s room—

“…?!”

What I saw in that moment was something I should never have been allowed to see.