“...So you planned this from the start.”
“You knew you’d take Ja-eon? No way. It’s better for him to stay at Bonryeong and attend hospital for a while. Returning to Incheon will only repeat the vicious cycle.”
“I agree, but the family head…”
“Yes, he won’t accept it. He won’t admit there’s a problem with exorcist Gi Jae-eon. No matter what Bonryeong picks at… now that the Suzaku has been summoned, they’ll do whatever it takes to bring him back. And they’ll keep using the child as a pawn. Kim Young, I can no longer bear to see my son ruined.”
“But—”
“That’s why I came.”
Ryu Seong-hee smiled faintly.
“Yes?”
“My tongue is above the Gi family.”
Her slender fingers, which had been tapping the table, slowly stopped.
“Exorcist Gi Jae-eon will summon a divine beast once more at Bonryeong.”
She foretold a shocking future.
“...!!”
But Kim Young wasn’t startled by her prophecy itself, but by how her fingers twisted slowly as she spoke.
Her index and middle fingers crossed like a crucifix.
[Cross-finger]
A gesture whose meaning shifts with context.
Usually, made openly, it means ‘good luck’... but if made secretly, it can mean ‘a lie.’ Of course, she crossed her fingers openly.
Yet considering all the context so far...!
[Lie]
Yes, she was currently telling a lie.
Kim Young belatedly saw through her scheme.
was trying to deceive everyone under the weight of her reputation!
Well, even the head of the Gi family would dare not contradict her. Because it was an absolute prophecy. To see the Four Divine Beasts again, they’d want to keep Gi Jae-eon at Bonryeong.
In other words, her words would allow Bonryeong to avoid pointless conflict with Cheonjiharang and gain sufficient justification.
But if her lie were exposed…
“Is that really okay?”
Kim Young asked anxiously.
Naturally so—it's shameful for a fortune-teller to speak falsehoods.
Especially since the subjects of the prophecy—Gi Jae-eon and the Four Divine Beasts—were under close scrutiny. If proven wrong later, it could lead to insults like ‘her shoes fell off’... and be a grave humiliation for her. In the worst case, her career might collapse.
“The lighter the tongue, the less weight truth carries. These were words from my teacher and mother, Im Suk-hyun.”
She smiled wryly, as if acknowledging Kim Young’s worries, eyes fixed on the hospital catalog.
“But is that more important than my child?”
Rising from her seat, Ryu Seong-hee smiled gently.
“I prefer being called Ja-eon’s mother rather than Ms. Ryu.”
Kim Young bowed hastily towards her as she quietly walked to the door.
“Thank you for your help.”
Touched by her kindness, Ryu Seong-hee covered her mouth in a smile.
She was genuinely kind to a fault—taking courage on matters even parents couldn’t face, someone to be truly thankful for.
“Oh, please don’t just leave without seeing Ja-eon’s face. I’m sure he’d be glad.”
Before Ryu Seong-hee could reply, Kim Young stopped a passing child.
“Sorry. If you’re not busy, could you call exorcist Gi Jae-eon? I can’t go myself because I have a guest.”
The child wiped sweat and answered,
“Ah, he’s... gone on an errand.”
...
...What?
Kim Young’s eyes went wide as a bean.
Even Ryu Seong-hee covered her mouth.
“An errand I never asked him to do...?”
It seemed her son was receiving unexpectedly special treatment. Ryu Seong-hee’s sharp remark made Kim Young awkwardly twitch his mouth.
“Ha... haha.”
Who in their right mind would send exorcist Gi Jae-eon on an errand?!
As they left Bonryeong, the sun was already setting.
“Thank you for the long journey.”
“Please take good care of our Ja-eon.”
“Yes, don’t worry.”
After exchanging last words and farewells, they turned to leave.
From afar came a loud voice shouting, “You idiot!”
“How many times do I have to explain? You need to use your skill here—!”
“Ah, sorry... I don’t really get the game…”
Two young men walked bickering, backed by a sunset tinged red and yellow. Both were tall and easily noticed.
The more aggressive-looking one held heavy envelopes in both hands and shouted at the gloomy-faced youth.
The gloomy youth shivered and walked slowly, awkwardly holding his phone, eyes darting over the screen.
“Skill! Skill!”
“Ah, uh…”
“No... no! Damn it... Are you doing this on purpose?!”
“The screen is too small…”
“It must be your big hands!!”
Though it sounded like bullying, the one carrying all the bags was the fierce-looking one. Ryu Seong-hee listened closely.
As the two approached, loud sound effects grew.
Ah. They’re playing a game. …A game.
The tense Ryu Seong-hee chuckled softly.
It was just funny. Those two, running errands and bickering, looked like ordinary kids.
‘Looking at them, they’re just normal kids.’
What Ja-eon should have enjoyed. No, the freedom I should have given you.
Another regret piling up.
Ryu Seong-hee quietly moved on, taking in her son’s awkward figure. They weren’t the kind to exchange warm greetings or gentle touches, so she planned to just pass by...
“Mo-mother?”
Her son’s call instinctively stopped her.
She turned to see his slightly surprised face. His uncertain eyes hardened into certainty, and his expression quickly changed, as if to ask, ‘Why are you here?’
Her startled face suddenly welled up with emotion.
‘A mother coming to see her child…!’
But that anger wasn’t for Gi Jae-eon, but herself.
Why, why did I withhold love until such a reaction came?
The price of neglecting under the guise of trust was bitterer than expected.
The child standing nearby was the first to speak.
“Mother? Hello. I’m Kim Joo-won. Uh, yeah... Hey, you go say hello.”
With those rough but considerate words, the boy named Kim Joo-won disappeared inside with Kim Young.
Only the two remained in the alley.
Awkward silence filled the air. They were watching each other carefully.
Ryu Seong-hee hesitated, looking at her son.
After long hesitation, she tried awkwardly to greet him, but saw him stiffen.
His gaze was fixed downward, lips tightly pressed, hands clasped behind his back.
...That was how he looked when scolded.
Her chest tightened painfully. No, Mom… her smooth lips moved silently several times.
The calm composure he had in front of Kim Young was long gone. She looked at her son with a painful heart, shoulders stiffened.
Then—
“I... I’m sorry.”
A sudden apology came.
Her heart sank at that defeated look.
Sorry? What could you possibly have done wrong?
Her thoughts stopped there. The face veil slipped off, and hurried footsteps echoed in the now silent alley.
Before she knew it, she was tightly holding her son in her arms.
Thump.
Thump-thump.
She felt her son’s startled heartbeat through his skin. Ryu Seong-hee hugged Gi Jae-eon protectively. Though he was now big and tall, still he was her...
“Are you... eating well?”
“Mo-mother...?”
“Is your bed comfortable? Are the clothes warm enough? Do you have enough money?”
Pat-pat. Her voice, softly stroking his back like a lullaby, was oddly wet with emotion.
“Ja-eon.”
Ryu Seong-hee hugged the warm body tighter, thinking.
…Yes, this warmth.
What I must protect isn’t the Gi family, Cheonjiharang, or the future of exorcists—it’s this. This warmth.
“You’re not at fault.”
Sorry for understanding so late.
“If you’re tired, it’s okay to rest a while.”
Don’t worry now, Ja-eon.
Mom will protect you.
Mom is very strong.