GRR 38
by Nilu“Why are you laughing?”
“…No, it’s nothing.”
Just as Jion managed to cover up his laughter with a cough and looked up, he met Kwon Chasa’s gaze. Startled by his pitch black eyes, darker than he had expected, Jion hurriedly lowered his eyes.
It wasn’t anything particularly surprising, and there was certainly no reason for him to avoid eye contact, but for some reason, his heart skipped a beat.
What’s wrong with me these days…? Am I getting sick? Is it because I’ve been seeing the grim reaper too often? Is it not working even though I’ve been drinking that spring water or whatever it is…
Jion was confused by the change, but he tried hard to act as if nothing was wrong as he adjusted his grip on the chopsticks. He had somehow ended up skipping lunch and had been on edge all day, so he thought that filling his hungry stomach might make these strange symptoms disappear.
“…Thank you for the food.”
After briefly thanking him, Jion began to taste the unknown seafood one by one. Some were slightly mushy with a strong scent, others made a crunchy sound with every chew, and others had a popping texture.
As he was tasting every dish one by one to satisfy his hunger, a thought suddenly crossed his mind. Unlike with Kang Seoyoon, it felt like he hadn’t really done much this time, he wondered if he deserved to be treated to such an expensive dinner.
Jion swallowed the seafood pancake he had been chewing and took a sip of water. Kwon Chasa was staring at the sea outside the window, oblivious to Jion’s thoughts. The surroundings were boisterous with many customers raising their glasses, but it felt awkward as the table where he and Kwon Chasa were sitting was buried in silence.
It was only natural that Jion, who found it difficult to endure this atmosphere, spoke up.
“…I didn’t really do much this time, so I feel a bit embarrassed.”
Kwon Chasa turned his head back to face forward. As Jion’s eyes met Kwon Chasa’s, he smiled shyly and continued speaking.
“I’m the one who made the promise to Seolhwa, but you took care of everything.”
Jion had boasted to Park Seolhwa, who wanted to hear about her mother, that he would definitely grant her request, but in reality, he had done nothing. It was Kwon Chasa who speculated that Jo Yunkyung might be wandering somewhere in the living world, and it was ultimately Kwon Chasa who resolved the issue and reunited the mother and daughter. Even if Kwon Chasa scolded him for being all talk, this time he had no words to refute him.
While he smiled awkwardly at the silent Kwon Chasa, the sashimi, the main course, was placed in the center of the table. True to its expensive nature, the portion was so large and fresh it left him speechless.
To think he would refuse to even taste such food just because he had no appetite. Jion noticed that there was a small bowl with wasabi on it in front of Kwon Chasa, just like his own, and poured soy sauce into it himself. Then, asking him to follow suit, he poured soy sauce into his own bowl and stirred the wasabi into it with chopsticks.
“Even if you don’t have an appetite, you can still taste things, right? You drank milk before too.”
Kwon Chasa nodded in response to Jion’s question. Apart from that he felt neither hunger nor any desire to eat anything, his senses were still alive, so he could distinguish tastes.
Kwon Chasa, who had been staring at what Jion was doing, picked up his chopsticks and roughly stirred the soy sauce. It was because Jion wanted him to eat at least one bite.
Jion picked up a thick piece of sashimi, dipped it in soy sauce, and put it in his mouth. He frowned slightly because of the chewy texture and offered one to Kwon Chasa as well.
“It’s really delicious. Please try it.”
Even after saying it, he worried he might refuse, but fortunately, Kwon Chasa picked up a piece, dipped it in soy sauce, and put it in his mouth just as Jion had done. He chewed and swallowed without the slightest change in expression. He looked completely devoid of any emotion.
Kwon Chasa soon put down his chopsticks and silently pushed the plate toward Jion. Jion felt a little embarrassed upon realizing he had done something meaningless. While he could taste, it did not connect to preferences such as ‘delicious’ or ‘not delicious.’
“But why do you think that?”
“Yes?”
“You said you didn’t do anything this time.”
The conversation, which he thought had ended with the arrival of the food, resumed with a single remark from Kwon Chasa. Jion chewed on the sashimi he had just put in his mouth and looked at him. It was because he could not understand the intention behind Kwon Chasa’s words. As he tilted his head, Kwon Chasa continued speaking.
“You even helped look for the register. Though it turned out to be a wasted effort in the end.”
“Um… yes. I did….”
“You listened to Park Seolhwa’s story as well.”
“Hmm….”
“It was also you who was keeping an eye on Jo Yunkyung while I went to pick up Park Seolhwa.”
“It wasn’t so much surveillance as just a conversation… well, anyway, that’s how it was…?”
“Then why do you say you didn’t do anything?”
He genuinely couldn’t understand. Jion was momentarily speechless.
He wondered if this was really the same Kwon Chasa who always picked at everything he said. He wore a sour expression even when Jion suggested giving Park Seolhwa and Jo Yunkyung time to talk and sort out their feelings.
“…Honestly, I felt like I wouldn’t have been able to keep my promise this time if you hadn’t helped me.”
“…….”
“So… it was a bit unexpected. I thought you would just take Seolhwa away without hesitation, but you waited for everyone. Even though you don’t usually like my way of doing things.”
“Yes, I don’t like it. You’re taking the long way around when there’s a shortcut, so it’s less efficient.”
Jion could only laugh at that double faced attitude. It sounded like he elevated him with his acknowledgement only to instantly bring him back down with harsh words. As a result, Jion was still unable to clearly define what Kwon Chasa meant.
He couldn’t figure him out, whether he was cold or warm, indifferent or kind, rigid or flexible, or whether he held grudges or not.
“It’s just that I don’t prefer it or understand it. That doesn’t mean your way is wrong.”
Jion couldn’t understand why he suddenly felt nervous at the sound of that indifferent voice.
“I still don’t understand why you were idling with Kang Seoyoon, but….”
Ah, but he did know one thing. This old man definitely held grudges.
Jion sighed as he relaxed his stiff shoulders.
“Anyway, it was you who made Kang Seoyoon want to leave this world.”
“…….”
“That’s what matters.”
Or maybe he didn’t hold grudges. Jion was swayed by every single word he spoke, which was nothing but enigmatic. His indifferent voice, devoid of any emotion, confused him even more.
As Jion’s mind grew more and more complicated by the minute, Kwon Chasa spoke again.
“You met Yu Chasa yesterday, right?”
“Ah… yes. He came at the convenience store….”
As the topic suddenly changed, Jion swallowed hard once more. It was because he remembered what Yu Chasa had said. The words about looking after him and coming to take him home at Kwon Chasa’s request.
“You didn’t feel anything strange when I wasn’t around?”
“Something… strange?”
“I told you I had a bad feeling the day you called me. Haven’t you ever felt something similar to that?”
“Ah….”
It was only after hearing the additional explanation that Jion realized what he was referring to. It was the day he had called him out with the wooden plaque as he left school, and it was also the day he had hung out at the convenience store, checking to see if there were any ghosts.
That day, when the wind swirled strangely, Kwon Chasa stretched out his arm to block his path and even hid him behind his broad back. It wasn’t that long ago, so recalling that moment vividly made his heart pound as if he had returned to that day.
Jion, who had hurriedly put down his chopsticks, finally came to his senses and answered.
“Uh… there wasn’t.”
“Then that’s a relief.”
Perhaps because of his indifferent tone and blank face, Jion couldn’t tell whether he was worried about him or not. He decided to put his complicated thoughts aside for the moment. It felt like that was the only way for the pounding in his chest to subside.
“…But what exactly is that strange thing? Is it a ghost?”
Kwon Chasa rubbed his chin with a troubled expression. However, he soon opened his mouth.
“Judging by how skilled they are at hiding, they might be a subi or a geollip1 commanded by a Seongjusin2, but I’m not entirely sure. Those usually roam around when humans are asleep. I don’t know if they just wanted to play a prank or if they were there because they knew you can see ghosts… Anyway, there’s really no benefit in getting involved, so just ignore them. Even if you see them, pretend you didn’t.”
It was difficult to fully understand his explanation, but Jion could tell that he was displeased with what had happened that day. He pondered Kwon Chasa’s words for a moment, then a thought suddenly occurred to him. If it wasn’t a subi or a geollip as Kwon Chasa had mentioned, but a soul who knew he could see ghosts, they might be in desperate need of his help.
“Could it be that they want my help? Very occasionally, there are ghosts who find me through word of mouth, you know. Just like Kanghyun-hyung did before.”
“You must enjoy being famous, student. You don’t even realize how dangerous it is, and you’re fearless.”
Jion pouted slightly at the sarcastic response. And yet Kwon Chasa was the one who brought him all the way here asking for help. Swallowing the words he couldn’t voice, he scooped a mouthful of sashimi into his mouth. Kwon Chasa snorted and suddenly reached out his hand.
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