316 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

**Preparing for Opening – 7** [Exchange Diary.] Why is only the exchange diary placed on the desk? Even when asked to clean things up a bit, she would barely make an effort, so why is the desk so tidy today? ‘Did you even clean up just to look at the exchange diary?’ Lim Ha Yeon bit her lip softly. She must have written in the exchange diary after finishing her daily tasks before bed. Just how much was she anticipating it, to tidy up her usually messy desk to a pristine state just to read it. Unconsciously, Lim Ha Yeon clenched her fist in frustration. What might Jegal Hyang have written? Could it be that there are slanders about her? ‘If she’s truly sly, she might have.’ If Kang Yun Ho were to hear Jegal Hyang’s slanders and reconsider his thoughts about her? What if, without her knowing, Kang Yun Ho’s opinion of her started to diminish? The thought stifled Lim Ha Yeon’s chest with a sudden surge of helplessness. If not slander, perhaps the diary contained Jegal Hyang's affections for Kang Yun Ho. What if he noticed that after reading? She would have been rendered speechless from surprise, then quickly grabbed a pen. ‘What words could she have written?’ From today, might the relationship between the two gradually grow closer? Lim Ha Yeon imagined Kang Yun Ho and Jegal Hyang whispering sweet nothings to each other somewhere she couldn't see. Sometimes with a pen, sometimes with whispers, sometimes just through glances. It hurt. To the extent that she could barely feel any pain from her bit lip. Her heart ached. [Exchange Diary.] Inside the exchange diary could be the hidden feelings of Kang Yun Ho that he couldn’t express with words. It could hurt. Maybe it’s better not to open it. But. ‘It’s better than regretting not opening it.’ After much contemplation, Lim Ha Yeon finally opened the exchange diary. What words might have been written? [Recently, I read a rare book that I found at Manggeum Bookstore. This book is…….] 'A book review?' A book review in an exchange diary. Surely that can’t be right. Maybe it was intended to start lightly because it felt awkward at first. Soon, they would be whispering sweet words. Lim Ha Yeon continued to turn the pages. [Mr. Chongwan found some good books at the antique bookstore street. Did you know, Young Master Kang? Sometimes, rare martial arts manuals pop up at the Infinite Bookstore. Last year, the Wudang sect caused a stir trying to find such a book. Oh, the book I read was…….] 'It really is a book review.' There were no manipulative schemes by the sly fox, nor were there love whispers too embarrassing to show to others. The diary contained only the daily life of a woman who loved words and drawings. It was so wholesome. So wholesome that those from the literature society might question what kind of book talks those were. This can’t be right. Even if she wanted to think that, there were only a few pages. Most of them were book reviews. Of course, the shaky handwriting accompanying “I hope Young Master Kang reads it too. It would be nice to read it together” added a twist. But even this was too subtle to call sweet nuance. Admittedly, there were segments where inner feelings were revealed. [I’m looking forward to living with Young Master Kang. And I hope it doesn’t become too much of a nuisance to Sister Ha Yeon. I worry she might be upset because she has to move lodgings because of me.] Was it concern for herself? Or was it a safeguarding move? It seemed like a timid woman's concern, yet when pondering Jegal Hyang’s heart, it could also appear as a defensive maneuver. Lim Ha Yeon paused her thoughts and began reading the response written by Kang Yun Ho. ‘Huh?’ [Lady Ha Yeon is a person with much more affection than one might assume.] Compliments about herself right from the start. [It can take time to open her heart. It took me quite a while to become close as well. But now, having forged a bond, she is someone with whom I share the same goals, someone I can greatley trust and depend on.] Another compliment. [There isn't a woman who approaches people with such a warm heart as she does. Although she denies it, she's also my martial arts teacher. I am learning the Ascending Body Techniques, which is a key practice of Lady Ha Yeon’s family.] [I am sure that once Lady Jegal understands Lady Ha Yeon’s heart, they will one day become sisters in spirit. Also…….] The diary was overflowing with praises about Lim Ha Yeon, almost to the point of embarrassment. ‘You, truly…….’ Lim Ha Yeon felt so shy, as if she had heard Kang Yun Ho confess his love in front of many people, that she couldn't lift her head. The sincerest presentation of feelings through a diary. Even in an exchange diary where praises for another woman should be kept in check, he couldn’t help but express his indelible feelings for her. What could be sweeter than this? Returning the exchange diary to its place with her face flushed red, Lim Ha Yeon quietly approached him where he lay. ‘I’m sorry.’ She couldn’t wake him, but she wanted to stay close by. For a while, she lingered before his face that beckoned her day after day. ********************** “Morning. Hurry up and get up.” “Mmm…” In the morning, awoken by the sound of someone knocking on the door, I rubbed my eyes and paid attention to the sound as I carefully opened the door. “The head chef made beef and seaweed soup with sausage veggie stir-fry. Come down and eat with the staff.” “Lady Ha Yeon?” Standing at the door was Lim Ha Yeon, much more spirited than the day before, waking me up. “Why do you look like a different person?” She even joked with a smile. One would wonder if she was the same person who seemed down all day yesterday. “Oh, no. I’ll prepare and head down.” “I’ll keep your seat, so come down quickly.” Nodding, I closed the door again. Patting my cheeks until they made a slapping sound, I snapped back to reality. Is it that? Standing before the desk, my mind became clearer. The window was shut tight, and everything laid as they were before bed. No matter how closely I looked, there was no sign that anyone had intruded. Except for the exchange diary, placed exactly where it was yesterday. “I haven't seen enough spy movies not to notice this.” Opening the book, a slight chuckle escaped me. The placement, the angle of the exchange diary, none of it had changed from the day before. Except for a single strand of hair that had been slipped in between the pages of the exchange diary that was now missing. “After all, exchange diaries are the best way to express your heart.” Only today’s exchange diary had not been meant for Jegal Hyang. Writing about Lim Ha Yeon in a diary meant for Jegal Hyang. There could be no greater comfort for her heart. Lately, Lim Ha Yeon has been getting bolder in sneaking around if she sees a reason, so I decided to set up a little trap, and it worked perfectly. Though I feel a bit sorry for Jegal Hyang, it’s a contractual dating situation, and the diary mentioned being worried about Lim Ha Yeon, so it served as a fitting excuse. Truthfully, it resembled a book review more than anything; other than stamping a “Well Done,” there wasn’t much more to say about it. "From now on, I'm going to write this as though it’s an exchange diary for the three of us." I need to craft a true exchange diary that satisfies both Jegal Hyang and Lim Ha Yeon. ——————— "The house isn't large, but it should suffice for your needs. Everything is set up, so you can move in with just a small suitcase." Upon reaching the house we would live in together, someone from Man Geum Jeonjusa began showing us around. "The security will rotate shifts around the clock. It will be set up quite thoroughly, so just request when you go out, and they'll accompany you right away." "Lord Man Geum Jeon Ju mentioned that Naewon is a place where you don't need to mind the world’s attention." “Haha.” Why not just tell me to make some history with a granddaughter? "Please take a look around Naewon at your leisure." The guide from Man Geum Jeonjusa finished the tour with those final words and quietly retreated to the outside quarters. "Two main buildings: the inner house and the separate residence. A typical structure." "The inner house only has two rooms." Surely, the house was not a grand mansion, but ample enough that men and women could comfortably coexist anywhere without raising eyebrows. "Since it’s the three of us living together coincidentally, why don't we reside separately in the inner and outer quarters?" Man Geum Jeon Ju, sir. The inner house having only two rooms makes your intentions too obvious. "Not a bad idea." “Umm…” Jegal Hyang approached, clutching my sleeve with her head lowered. “Yes, Miss Jegal?” Does she have something to say? If she asks for the spacious inner house, I’d be willing to concede it. "It... it seems like Grandfather would disapprove." Jegal Hyang spoke to me in a concerned tone. “I understand Miss Jegal's concern. However, residing together in the inner house could invite rumors that may greatly harm Miss Jegal.” In truth, Miss Jegal probably doesn't want to live in the inner house either. She’s such a kind-hearted woman; she mentioned this out of concern for me and fear of her tiger-like grandfather, I suppose. The thoughtfulness is appreciated, but we’re in a contractual relationship. Living separately gives us room to explain later. If both of us were to live in the inner house, it would almost be akin to acknowledging a quasi-marital relationship. “I... I’m okay with it.” Jegal Hyang spoke in a low voice, her face turning a deep red up to her ears. It’s a tricky situation. For now, it's the right choice, but if rumors leak later, the Jegal family might bring out their traditional pastime of weepy sword-play. Moreover, there’s the issue with Lim Ha Yeon. Typically, the main house is for the married couple, while the annex is used by a second wife or concubine. It's like when friends take a car ride, and one sits in the front while the other’s in the back; it becomes a matter of etiquette, and the friendship feels strained. I had just managed to uplift Lim Ha Yeon's spirits, so there’s no need to invite suspicion and anger. I looked at Lim Ha Yeon with concern. “...You two should use the inner house.” Oh? She’s not mad? “Miss Jegal, may I have a word with you, Miss Ha Yeon? Would that be acceptable?” I pulled Lim Ha Yeon aside to discuss the matter privately. Should I just let the two of them use the inner house? "Lord Man Geum Jeon Ju might play another trick on us. Let them have it.” “If Miss Ha Yeon doesn’t mind, then I won’t object…” “What’s important isn’t where we sleep, but whether we share the same goals, right?” Lim Ha Yeon shrugged casually as she spoke to me. Did the effect of yesterday’s diary resonate stronger than I thought? With both Jegal Hyang and Lim Ha Yeon agreeing, I nodded after a moment’s consideration. “In that case, let’s move the belongings in and live together from tomorrow.” Immediate issues and potential future problems. Resolving the pressing issue came first. —————————————– “I thought my heart would burst.” The Man Geum Jeon Ju's residence. In Jegal Hyang's room, the silver-haired, blue-eyed beauty melted onto the floor, exhaling a sigh of relief. Normally, she would have nodded at Kang Yun Ho’s suggestion to live separately. But today, she couldn’t allow it. "I must find a way to become closer to Young Master Kang." The prospect of the betrothal being annulled is unacceptable. The idea of connecting another cousin with Young Master Kang – that’s something she can’t bear. Steeling herself, Jegal Hyang began to imagine future scenarios. How can she become closer to Young Master Kang? First, imagine the situations with Young Master Kang. When she wakes up in the morning, first there’s Young Master Kang, with his gentle voice... “Hehehe.” Sadly, the future plans quickly transformed into blissful daydreams. She couldn’t stop giggling. She was glad she had gathered her courage. The thought of living from tomorrow onwards in the same house, and possibly the same room, with Kang Yun Ho made Jegal Hyang seem happier than ever. Along with the diary exchange. Although it was mainly filled with book reviews hurriedly written, she managed to convey it, receiving it back within a day. What contents might it hold? Excitedly, Jegal Hyang opened the diary. He wrote that he enjoyed reading it. This point was interesting. Thank you for the recommendation. His sincere thoughts on the book reviews. It also contained stories about his daily life, allowing Jegal Hyang to understand what Kang Yun Ho was usually up to, leaving her satisfied. Except for one thing. “Why is there so much about Sister Ha Yeon?” A slight whine slipped from her lips. Any ordinary woman might have fumed at such a part. However, having written her concerns about Lim Ha Yeon herself, all the timid Jegal Hyang could muster was a small complaint. In the diary painstakingly written by Kang Yun Ho for her, Jegal Hyang’s delicate brow furrowed slightly as she read more about Im Ha Yeon, but she couldn’t stop reading. “Huh?!” Until she stumbled upon a peculiar piece of information in the text. “That, that can't be true, can it?!” A fact that Kang Yun Ho had nonchalantly glossed over. Written in the diary was something that the youngest daughter of the Jegal family would never be able to overlook easily. It was a fact Im Ha Yeon had decided on after much contemplation but hadn’t managed to relay to Kang Yun Ho. What shocked Jegal Hyang upon reading it was: “Is Young Master Kang really learning the martial arts secrets of Sister Ha Yeon’s family? Those are never shared with outsiders!” The martial arts secrets of their lineage are never revealed to outsiders. Unless they consider them as someone who would blend with their blood.