Ch 331 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Three People – Part 1 A morning when all things arise energetically to start the day. The warm sunlight cast a new day over the mansion. With the clear weather, anyone would naturally stretch and rise energetically, ready to start their day. However... “Heh heh heh. Another... another day has begun without Kang Gong-ja.” In the shadowed corner of the mansion, a silver-haired blue-eyed woman rolled on the floor in distress, her laughter tinged with despair. “Where on earth did they gooo?” It had already been three days since Kang Yunho and Im Hayeon disappeared. Kang Gong-ja wouldn't have vanished without meee. Ah, surely they will return tomorrow! If they come back now, I’ll fall to my knees and apologizeee. Everything is over... it’s all my fault. Isn't this what they call the five stages of grief? She had somehow progressed to the stage of depression, having passed through denial, anger, and bargaining. "I guess I was too presumptuous after all." Would you call me Gaga? Jegal Hyang recalled what Kang Yunho had said three days ago. “Kang Gong-ja asked me to call him Gaga! How could I possibly keep my composureee?” Isn’t this practically a confession? Sure, there were some prefatory words, but the main point is more important, isn’t it? Jegal Hyang made a meek attempt to justify herself, but there was no one there to listen. “Gaga.” She shyly whispered the same word she had spoken a few days ago. How can anyone express a pounding heart and an overwhelming feeling? Gaga. She thought it was impossible until she uttered that word. Her whole body felt hot. It was as if only she and Kang Gong-ja existed in the world. Kang Gong-ja seemed surprised when I called him Gaga, momentarily stunned. He surely felt my heart. Jegal Hyang reminisced about the pleasant atmosphere of that moment. Isn't language said to define objects? When I called him Gaga, my Gaga was definitely there. Starting today, is that what we have become? If only there hadn't been an intruder. "Huuuh... I knew I couldn't beat Hayeon unnie." She’s exemplary at her work, socially adept, respected by those around her, and trusted by Kang Gong-ja. She’s the very woman of my dreams. Jegal Hyang grudgingly admitted a small defeat. Normally, Jegal Hyang might have simply admired such an amazing unnie who was good at everything. However, the fact that the person she loved was her very own Kang Gong-ja changed everything. He is my arranged partner. He is my Kang Gong-ja. He is my pen name's author. He is my Gaga. Jegal Hyang, like a hamster puffing itself up, squeezed out all her courage to shout, Kang Gong-ja is my, my arranged partner. I think it’s wrong for Hayeon unnie to interfereee. And with those words, everything went awry. “Where on earth did they gooo?” Did he disappear because he got tired of me? Could they possibly have eloped somewhere for love? If that were really the case... “Uuugh... No, no. If I imagine that, I feel like I’ll shatter.” Just imagining it made her feel like her heart was cracking. Jegal Hyang placed a hand over her chest to hold her shattering heart together. “I miss Kang Gong-jaaaaa.” Jegal Hyang collapsed onto the floor once more. Three days. The woman, starved for news of her Gaga who vanished due to her mistake, felt her eyes slowly closing. “Jegal So-jeo? There you are!” As consciousness drifted away, she saw the black-haired man she had been desperately waiting for approaching. “Heh heh. I must be seeing thingsss.” “Jegal So-jeo? Please come to your senses. Jegal So-jeo!” Huh? Is it really Kang Gong-ja? It doesn’t feel like a dream. I, I need to get up. Kang Gong-ja is finally here. “Heh heh. Kang Gong-jaa.” Jegal Hyang tried to rise, but only managed a relieved smile. Why can’t I get up? With the strings of tension binding her for three days slowly unwinding, Jegal Hyang finally recalled a critical fact. Come to think of it, I haven’t eaten or slept at all for three days due to worryyy. She needed rest more than anything else. ********** “H, Hayeon unnie was a runaway courtesan and was kidnapped?” Jegal So-jeo almost got caught while I was trying to rescue Im Hayeon. I handed Jegal Hyang, who had regained her senses, a simple snack and began to explain what had happened. “Yes. I happened to find my elder brother’s daughter and was protecting her.” Before I brought Im Hayeon back to the mansion, Jegal Hyang needed to know the truth too. I briefly explained the unfair circumstances that made Im Hayeon a runaway courtesan. "Th, that can’t be. Be, because of mee, Hayeon unnieee..." Her mouth wouldn’t shut. It’s understandable. A small action on her part had triggered a major event. “Fortunately, we have extinguished the urgent fire. While we are being pursued, we are safe for now. I apologize for not contacting you sooner due to the chaos.” Really, it wasn’t because I forgot. It was genuinely chaotic. I made excuses as I apologized. “Because of meee, Hayeon unnie went through hardships... Wh, what should I dooo...” Jegal Hyang murmured anxiously. “Jegal So-jeo, it wasn’t your fault. It's because I rashly made a suggestion.” Calling me Gaga led to Im Hayeon running away, the Dogmoon moving, the Gimun getting involved, and Gimun’s leader revealing she's Hyang’s master—who could have foreseen? Don't blame yourself. When I consoled her, Jegal Hyang’s anxious expression calmed, and she nodded. “It, it wasn’t a rash suggestionnn.” Jegal Hyang turned her head with a slightly pouty look, whispering in a somewhat disappointed tone. “Hahaha.” “I, It’s nothinggg.” You say it’s nothing after all that. I looked at Jegal Hyang, who was embarrassed, clutching her hand, and avoiding my gaze. A contractual relationship. How did a relationship meant to deceive Man-geum-jeon-ju come this far? Jegal Hyang isn't a romantic partner. Neither is she a betrothed partner. Let’s think of our relationship as a comfortable one. Treat her like a friend. Treat her as an old friend; be a good listener, and empathize with her. We even share a common interest in the Tangga Fights. She's not great at conversations. Since she loves being at home, let's become friends and go out together, giving her experiences she typically wouldn't encounter. I opened my heart to her casually, unaware that her feelings for me were growing. 'How should I respond to Jegal So-jeo’s feelings?' I decided not to ignore it any longer. In light of the immediate situation with Im Hayeon, how should I respond to her budding feelings? "Jegal So..." “What are you two doing?” Great timing. Just when I was about to speak to Jegal Hyang, the door opened, and Im Hayeon walked in. "Hayeon unnie?" "Hayeon So-jeo. How did you manage to lose the pursuit?" She said she’d come separately to avoid detection, but she arrived sooner than expected. “Yes. The Gimun helped a lot. How have you been, Jegal So-jeo?” Despite leaving with a frown, she returned looking refreshed. “Oh, um... Hayeon unnie, are you okaay?” “As you can see, I’m perfectly fine.” “Hayeon unnie, I’m really sorry. I’m truly sorryyy.” Jegal Hyang approached Im Hayeon, bowing her head repeatedly as if unable to hold it up. “It’s okay. It wasn’t your fault, Jegal So-jeo. It was my fault for running off in a huff.” “But still. It’s because I recklessly called Kang Gong-ja Ga... Gaga.” Jegal Hyang glanced at me, then hesitantly spoke the word that incited everything. “If you want, call him Gaga as much as you like.” “What?” “Hayeon So-jeo?” Im Hayeon smiled, appearing unfazed by the word Gaga anymore. “It’s fine. I’m not shaken anymore.” Seeing my surprised look, Im Hayeon approached and firmly grasped my hand. “Eh?!” Jegal Hyang’s eyes widened at the gesture. “You’ve already promised me. Calling you Gaga as part of an act wouldn’t make me waver.” “Haha…” It seems the confession I made in front of the Gimun leader answered her enough. “You’ll come to my ro... room later, right?” Even though everyone can hear, why lean in and say it directly into my ear? “W-what?! Ha, Hayeon unnie, wha-what did you just say?” “Hmph. I wonder.” Im Hayeon forced a casual smile. “Hayeon So-jeo, please stop teasing if it doesn't suit you.” “W-what do you mean?” Your neck is bright red. “Let’s not cause misunderstandings with Jegal So-jeo by discussing the runaway courtesan issue privately.” “But that’s how older sisters said to act...” What have you been hearing at the Giru? “Uuuuugh…” This is getting tricky. I don’t want to see a repeat of what happened a few days ago. If this resolved things for Im Hayeon, should I ask her not to make it obvious in front of Jegal Hyang? But wouldn’t that be ignoring Jegal Hyang’s feelings? I decided not to keep disregarding their feelings any longer. Let’s stop postponing the situation. What should I do? After contemplating the two women’s romantic feelings, I reached a single conclusion. “Would you both come to the garden with me this evening?” To address our relationship, it's time to confront it all directly. ——– “Kang Gong-ja, come quicklyyyy.” “What did you call us to the garden for?” Rushing around to finish tasks that had piled up over the past three days, the sun soon set. In the dimming interior garden of the mansion. I tidied my attire and summoned the two women to meet me there. “I have something important to tell you both.” We mustn't repeat what happened before. Let me have my back close to the exit. Are there no stones around? The grassy area here should be good. I looked at the curious expressions on their faces, took a small breath, and braced myself to confront the situation head-on. “My apologies.” First, let me kneel. “Kang Gong-ja?!” “Why are you doing this all of a sudden?!” Ignoring their startled voices, I continued with my message. “It’s entirely my fault we’ve reached this situation. I was aware of your feelings toward me but pretended not to notice as I wanted to delay addressing it.” This issue is neither Jegal Hyang's nor Im Hayeon's fault. It's my own fault for observing the tug-of-war between them and standing by idly. “Ka-Kang Gong-ja, tha-that’s...” Did they assume I hadn't noticed? Jegal Hyang's voice trembled fiercely as I mentioned her affection. “I apologize, Jegal So-jeo, for pretending not to know your feelings. Hayeon So-jeo, my apologies as well. You were kidnapped because I hesitated.” I bowed my head to both of them while still kneeling. “No, I misunderstood. It’s my fault. Please, get up.” “...” No, I can’t stand up yet. “Why aren’t you getting up?” There’s one more thing left. “Before responding to your feelings, I have something to confess.” I looked at them seriously, unable to hide my forlorn expression. “What is it? Have you been playing games with Gaga again?” “It’s nothing of the sort.” “I’ll forgive you for anything as long as you’re not leaving me for Jegal So-jeo. Please, get up. A man shouldn’t kneel so carelessly.” “Ah! Me too. I-I mean the oppositeee.” The two moved as if to force me up, inching closer to my side. “What I want to confess today is the reason behind perpetually postponing addressing your feelings.” I held back the two with both hands and looked at them once more. “The reason?” “Don’t hurt your knees like that; just stand up and tell us.” I gazed at the women who were looking at me worriedly for a moment. It's suddenly overwhelming to realize just how stunning they both are. Im Hayeon, who would have been hailed as Hubei's top courtesan. Jegal Hyang, whose beauty rivals Im Hayeon’s. Any man would feel as though he possesses the world if he could marry even one of these women. And yet, these two incredible women have feelings for me. An almost undeserved blessing. It’s time to confess to these women who are too good for me. I wish to accept the affections of both. I desire to date both of them simultaneously. But it’s not my underlying selfishness I wish to confess. There’s a more fundamental confession I must make before accepting their feelings. I opened my mouth to finally say the words I hadn’t been able to tell them. “I actually have a fiancée.”