Chapter 34
Decency?
Annoyed, Irix frowned.
As I always think, why does my senior treat my ethics, manners, and morals like trash?
“Since we’ve been shown such favor, the viper is now our friend whom we must protect.”
“Irix. Why ‘our’ friend?”
“…?”
“It’s my snake.”
I almost jumped up. The “almost” happened because I stepped on my robe while trying to stand, and it slipped off. I had to quickly hide under the table.
Fortunately, my senior’s reaction was only as if they’d seen a banana peel being removed. They gave a small smile.
“Still, it’s a relief. Seems like you’ve grown attached to the snake. That’s a good sign. You finally have someone to care for.”
“Are you my counselor? Why are you saying such nonsense?”
“Not a counselor, a caretaker.”
“?”
Irix managed to fix the robe under the table and then crawled out. My senior lay back in a wide chair.
“Going to sleep?”
“Tired. We didn’t get a wink of sleep yesterday.”
“Ask the butler for a snack, eat it, then sleep. You’ll be hungry otherwise.”
“I’ll eat it later when I wake up.”
“No. I’ll eat it all.”
“Alright. Do that.”
“And I’ll order a new one.”
Just as my senior was about to fall asleep, they opened their eyes again.
“Why?”
“Nothing. Fine. You eat it all first, then order a new one.”
Their eyes narrowed. They’re happy. Ridiculous. There’s no reason to be happy, yet they are.
“And senior, I think you need to learn how not to spill Aether.”
“Oh, that.”
“With the capital having so many gods and altars, I wonder how you’ve been managing until now.”
“You know how?”
“Of course.”
“Teach me. It’s my first time, so I don’t really know.”
Irix was dumbfounded.
“Senior, you’ve had Aether your whole life…”
But my senior was asleep. Truly sound asleep. Even the viper curled up on its cushion and began snoring.
“Won’t sleep inside…”
Irix said no more. He rested his chin and watched them.
The train cut through the plains, stretching like the sea. It was late summer night. Stars and moonlight poured over the silent landscape.
Watching that scene, Irix felt his chest clear.
He didn’t leave, after all.
What will happen from here?
Everything he had planned and steeled himself for was wasted.
Now he could know nothing.
Yet strangely, his heart felt light. Even though all the plans had become useless.
Fear, tension—they vanished. He didn’t know what the future held, and that was fine. He felt no need to know everything.
Peace settled in his heart, and he felt sleepy, like being wrapped in a warm blanket.
As he drifted off to sleep, he thought:
The world is fine now.
The fate of destruction has disappeared.
With no reason for me to exist in this world, the real Elpini finally awakens.
They’ll be surprised seeing their own situation, a stranger standing before them.
Elpini, I don’t know what kind of person you are, but don’t be too shocked.
Irix may be brusque and rude, but he’s handsome. That should count for something. Can’t accept that? Oh, you just don’t understand how important a face is yet. It can make a lot of things pass unnoticed.
Lost in these silly thoughts, he fell asleep.
Was it a dream, or just a memory resurfacing?
He was at the nurse station, on night duty. The person normally on duty had suddenly run off, so he had no choice but to take over.
It was a quiet, uneventful evening. After a round in the ward, he edited some reports. The date on the screen was about two months before the incident.
Ah, he knew which report it was.
They had asked him to organize some data for research purposes. Surprisingly, they even advanced the research funding—a considerable amount. That was unusual, both giving it in advance and giving that much.
They must be really desperate. Fine, let’s do it. If I don’t comply now, it’ll reflect poorly later.
He checked and organized the medical records of the children they assigned. Some had already died, and some records were partially destroyed.
“Songina?”
Someone called his name.
He looked up and faced a tall man. Handsome, so he smiled, though he didn’t know who he was.
Fortunately, the man noticed his awkwardness first.
“It’s me, □□□.”
Ah. He remembered.
A kid from the adjacent class in high school. Seeing the face again, yes, it was him.
He often saw him in the school library. Eventually, they started greeting each other and occasionally talking about the weather, teachers, exams—typical stuff.
That was it. Nothing more. He had forgotten.
“Remember now?”
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“What brings you here?”
He showed his ID.
“Working.”
The man smiled sheepishly.
“Sorry, obvious question.”
“You—what brings you here at this hour? After public visiting hours… do you work here?”
He remembered he went to medical school. If he’s a doctor, he could be in a department I don’t know.
“No. My cousin was hospitalized, so I came by.”
The man’s smile was bright, a pleasant one.
“How have you been?”
“Just… getting by.”
“Same here.”
They exchanged small talk, and he looked closely at my face.
“You haven’t changed at all.”
“Doesn’t sound like a compliment. Back then, I always looked like I wanted to hit someone.”
“Not at all. And if you wanted to hit someone, they probably deserved it.”
Irix laughed unconsciously, noticing his hands. No rings. On his wrist was a watch, not an ordinary smartwatch, but one worth as much as my house deposit.
Ah, right. He was from a wealthy family.
I had heard he was the grandson of a very influential person. When I mentioned it once, he said he was just one of many grandsons, meaningless. Some wouldn’t even know he existed.
Then,
“□□ hyung?”
Suddenly hearing his name, he looked back.
301 was there.
Usually pale, today his face looked oddly red.
I almost called him 301? unconsciously.
The man shrugged and said,
“Let me introduce. This is my cousin.”
“No need. We already know each other.”
The man chuckled.
“I heard you were famous in the hospital, but you were taking care of things.”
301 yelled.
“Stop talking nonsense, hyung!”
A full-force shout. Truly angry.
301 glared at the man and ran back, dragging an IV stand with his frail body, moving slowly. Even starting later, I could probably catch up while walking.
The man said,
“I should go now.”
I asked,
“You’re the patient’s guardian?”
“Huh?”
“Because while I’ve been working here, the guardian never came. So it’s you?”
“For now.”
‘For now’ meant not previously. He handed me a business card.
“See you later.”
“Busy.”
“If time allows.”
“No time.”
“Should I come?”
“Private interactions between patients’ guardians and staff are prohibited.”
“Then, when I’m neither guardian nor assigned staff, I can contact?”
For patients like 301, that only happens after the patient dies.
I realized it.
It was after that day. 301 refused treatment and collapsed.
What happened with that hyung? Did they hear something? Is that why they were angry at me?
The train started to rumble.
Clack—clack…
Eyes opened.
Inside the train. Night. The bright moon lit the mountains.
I looked at my hands. Still Elpini. Soft, white hands, gentle.
I looked up; across the seat, Irix was asleep. Wearing the magnificent empress robe, arms crossed tightly as he slept.
Moonlight traced his flowing black hair and straight nose. Seeing him like this, he looked like a mermaid just pulled from water.
301’s alter ego was healthy and beautiful. I hoped their anger wouldn’t be fully realized.
Then I noticed a thin blanket over my shoulder.
It had the same lavish patterns as the robe—seems like an empress’s taste.
Probably Maimon did this. Zephyr wouldn’t bother.
The gesture made me feel good, but since I was going back to sleep, I’d let whoever needed it have the blanket.
I got up and covered Irix with the blanket.
I considered telling him to go inside, but he slept so peacefully I left him be. I brushed his hair off his forehead. Long lashes cast a shadow under closed eyes.
A small laugh escaped.
Good. Today’s you is sleeping here.
Feeling the train’s rhythm underfoot, I gazed at the night sky.
This world bathed in moonlight didn’t seem like it would face destruction anytime soon. Peaceful for now.
I glanced at the sleeping Irix once more and went inside.
