As soon as I stepped foot into the apartment with Elise ahead, I took a deep breath, seeing the two pups and two kittens all jump off the couch. Kemono, the eldest of the three immediately ran over to Keum and Raon. All three dogs sniffing each other than going straight into playful hops and chases. Running all around the apartment as if they played tag. I blinked, it's the first time iv'e seen the oh-so-serious Kemono being a pup. As for the kittens, they both ran to my aid first. "Meowww~" "Meeww" they both cried out, rubbing their bodies against my legs. Bending down and picking up both of them, I looked over to the kitchen where Elise started tying on an apron and her hair. Getting ingredients out of the fridge, hardly minding the dogs running past her or barking. "Looks like you got used to them. When I left, you were so scared of them" I mentioned, walking over to the counter and sitting down on a stool. "It's because of Suho. He kept putting me in awkward positions like feeding them or bathing them. I'm still jumpy around Keum but I'm overall okay with the two now" She admitted, pouring some oil into a pan, rotating it so the oil coated the entire thing. Setting it down on the stove after setting the flames to her desired tempurature. Next, she swiftly took out a knife, opening a pack of chicken. Cutting it into strips.
I set down the kittens. Standing up and walking over to the pantry, pulling out an apron for myself. "Sir?" She stopped her actions, looking right at me quite shocked. Pausing, I opened my mouth to speak only to exhale. I got up to help out of habit. As Sehyun, I usually helped mom cook whenever I can, almost everyday. Sometimes I'd cook for the family when she was sick or too tired. So..."Sorry. I just thought maybe I could...help or learn? I'm going to live on my own soon so..." I explained, using the fact I'm moving out as an excuse. This only made Elise flinch, clenching the knife in her hand. In turn, I couldn't help but feel scared when her confused gaze shifted to silent anger. "Fine" She mumbled, stabbing her blade into the cutting board as I jumped hearing the loud THUD when she did. Even the happy pups all came to a halt, staring at us in the kitchen. "Here, start cutting these up and this. Add this much water into this stock pot. Once it starts boiling, be sure to add the fettuccine in" She handed me a knife, cutting board, some basil leaves and a few other ingredients before placing the pot onto the stove again, showing me just how much water I'm suppose to pour inside then the package of noodles set beside it. If I was an inexperienced cook, like Kain who seems to have never done anything for himself, then I would've been overwhelmed.
But as Sehyun who was raised by a mother who never skipped cooking a meal for her two sons, this was rather on the calmer side. The holidays were the worst since me and my brother were skedaddling everywhere in stores and the kitchen with our mom simply yelling out instructions like a rapper. Inviting moms family and her friends over. To say the least, I got this. Almost immediately I first filled the pot with water and added a bit of salt to help it boil faster as I started chopping up the rest of the stuff at an average pace. Taking my time since there's really no rush. Once the water boiled I expertly slid the hard fettuccine in, no making a single splash. Once I finished, I turned to ask Elise what else I could do just to see her standing there, stunned. Behind her stood Suho and Izen. I guessed they came in not too long ago. But their lack of awareness threw me off. Were they so shocked I can follow instructions well?
Well, after meeting Kain a couple of times, I would be shocked too if I'm being honest. "Is there something the matter?" I asked, stirring the noddles in the pot so it wouldn't cook together. "Well...no. It's just shocking to see you look so familiar within the kitchen" Izen was the first to speak up, clearing his throat. "Familiar? He looks like he's been cooking for years. There's no way those knifing skills are from a novice" Suho added in. "Oh...' My eyes widened watching Elise bite her lip as her eyes glossed over with tears. "Huh??" Now I felt really confused. Did I do something to hurt her feelings? "So...you can cook as well...how long have you been able to?" She asked, passing me as she placed a few more items into the pan and stirred it, making sure the chicken was cooking thoroughly.
"Uhm..." Her on the verge of tears caught me off guard. I couldn't answer properly without worrying whether my words would only hurt her further or not. "A year. I've been secretly teaching myself when I was too bored" I mentioned. "I see" she spoke. I turned back around, looking at both Izen and Suho for help. Both males only looked away. "I'll set up the table" Izen said, walking the other way to the cabinets. "I'll help hyung!" Suho followed Izen closely, simply giving me a quick glance before turning away. Both useless. They wanted no part in whatever is happening. Even I have no idea what the hell is going on.
After another few minutes of helping Elise prepare or do other things, we both set the food down on the table. Thankfully the brothers were able to set it up nicely. Even adding a touch of flowers in a vase placed right in the middle. Glancing around, I saw Izen throw away a grocery bag and a receipt. He probably bought the flowers and vase to somehow ease Elise's mood after everyone here saw the teary eyes. After all, to me, Elise is an amazingly nice girl. Our first meeting wasn't the best since she was so scared of me. The meetings after that as well but over time, she grew used to me. Then yesterday she even became so comfortable to the point she cried for me and hugged me. I don't want to see her cry. Let alone the reason for her sadness be because of me.
"Please enjoy. I'll do the dishes now" Elise bowed to all three of us sitting down. "You're not going to eat?" Suho asked, a bit surprised since the two brothers sat next to each other so the only seat left was the one next to me. "No, I'm simply a maid" She responded, turning around as I stood up from my chair. "I'll do the dishes instead, please eat" But I froze when she turned to me, her usual adorable brown eyes that reminded me of melted caramel turned into hardened amber. "Absolutely not, sir. This feast was made for you. What's the use of cooking it if you won't eat?" Suddenly, her glare softened into a happy smile. The switch up only scared me. It reminded me of when mom would be mad at me for something and the more I could't figure it out on my own, the more kind she becomes only meant my impending doom. "But-" Still, determined to at least get on her good side again, I wanted to do the dishes instead. "Sit" she spoke in a kind manner, smiling still. I knew that tone well. Rather than being stubborn, I sat down. "Eat" She demanded and I did as told. Serving myself some chicken fettuccine.
Not wanting to speak nor interfere with whatever was happening before them, both Izen and Suho only served themselves after I did. Quietly eating as the sound of water and dishes clinked in the background. After we finished, I stared down at my plate. Gulping. For the longest time, I thought I wouldn't ever eat food made out of love again. But Elise, once again, showed me nothing but love. I sighed. I can't keep ignoring it. I don't want her to hate me. "Put away the food for me" I said, standing up as the other two paused, looking at each other then went back to eating. Their gazes said a lot and as brothers, they really didn't need to say anything to know what the other thought. They just had a silent agreement to do as told.
"Elise" She stopped rinsing a cup, looking at me with a smile. "Yes, sir?" She asked. I pursed my lips. Sighing. "Did I do something to hurt you? Offend you?" I asked, watching her smile slowly drop. Then she turned away, her gaze planted to the ground. Staying silent. "I'm sorry if I did say something that might've hurt you. But I can't..I won't know what it is if you don't tell me" Once again, she remained quiet, but her brows furrowed together. I took a deep breath. "Please?" I begged. After hearing my plead, she let out a sigh of her own, opening her mouth. "You said you were going to live on your own now" She said. "I...hoped to continue to be someone that can help clean and cook for you. Since it's the least I could do. I mean, Suho protected you, young master. And we've recently gotten close and I understand you're now of age to leave the apartment and learn to live on your own but..." she stopped, feeling her tears coming back up. Why is it so hard to just say it? "I thought I could become more than just a maid. I thought we could become friends..." I blinked. That's why? Because I decided to start living on my own after all these years, and these past few months gave her the impression of becoming closer than an employee and employer relationship?
Letting out a long breath of relief, I couldn't help but feel saved in a way. For a second there, I thought she was going to confess she had feelings for Kain or something. "Of course we're friends" I said, smiling. "But you're leaving!" She retorted. Then a thought popped up in my head. My home, I'll be living in it by myself. A home that always occupied 3 people since I was born. Would I be able to handle it? I only made ilseong build the house because I was too scared to live in such an empty apartment but I'm still very much affected from the night I died. Living there on my own would either help my mental health or drive me other the edge. Plus, it's a house made for more than one person. It's a home for three. Too big for one person to maintain it.
"Then" I started. "Would you like to live with me?" I asked, not exactly expecting her to gasp, dropping the glass cup she rinsed onto the ground. "C-can I?" She asked back. "Of course. The house is too big for just myself anyway" I shrugged. Suddenly thinking of Jiwoo. The kid has been living by himself since the beginning of the Manwha and probably way longer. Way before Kayden came into his life. I can only imagine being so alone and so scared for as long as hes been.
"Yes! I will! Haha!!" She yelled, jumping over the broken cup and hugging me again. I chuckled, hugging her back. "Please take care of me then, roomie. Ah, I'll pay you of course. You're just going to be in charge of maintaining the house and cooking every now and then" I said, "like a live in maid I guess" She nodded her head. "Of course" She agreed easily.
"Jeez. You're acting like he proposed to you or something. Are you that happy to move in with the young master?" Suho and Izen both walked up with the dirty dishes in hand. "So, you decided to have a live in maid" Izen confirmed, placing the stuff on the counter as Suho sighed at Elise's naiveness. Having no idea when Kain could return back to his old self. This kind one might be a facade for all he knows. But when he glanced at his brother looking between him and the said boy, he felt a shiver run up his spine. "Young master" Izen addressed me. I looked at him. "Would you mind having a third roommate?" He asked. "Depends who they are" I answered, wondering who he's going to sacrifice. After all, Kain is notorious for being an asshole so it'd be interesting to see who Izen throws under the bus. "None other than your bodyguard of 3 years" He stepped aside, revealing Suho whose mouth flew open. "What!?" He yelled. "Ah, if it's him. Then I'm alright with it" I smiled. "A live in bodyguard" Izen chimed. "Hah!" But Suho couldn't say anything to make his brother from deciding for him. He's his superior after all. I could only laugh at this. I've gained two more roomies in a span of one hour. Great! Meanwhile, the three of them could only stare at me laughing. A rare sight. Kain Hua, a boy they served for the sake of their savior, Ilseong Hua, is laughing heartily. Izen couldn't help but suspect the change. It was weird enough that Kain didn't throw a fit seeing his face but now he's laughing, worried, and enjoying his time with the three people he seemed to despise the most? To him, it was a lot like Kain had become a whole different person.
...
The next day, Izen decided to drive me to my school. Explaining I don't have to worry about packing as they'll worry about it instead. By the time I come back home, everything should be packed and tomorrow, I should be all moved into my new house. But there was one thing that kept bothering me. Since Izen, Ilseong's right hand man is here with me at the moment. Right now should be a good time than ever. "Izen, can I ask you something?" Izen glanced my way after we came to a stop at a red light. "Go ahead' He responded. "Why did father not send any students to the awakened academy when they were fully welcome? Seongik Han also seemed a bit confused about it but he didn't directly bring it up" Hua is an official organization in this world. In the manwha, it's nonexistent but here, it's regarded as powerful as Shinwha and the Union. "Hmm, because this semester of the academy was a test run rather than official" He explained. "After receiving your report last night, the chairman decided we'll allow a few of our teenage awakened ones to participate in the next semester" I blinked. "Then, does that mean I'll be going back?" I asked, furrowing my brows. He glanced at me once again. "I wonder. As far as I know, Ilseong decided to change Hua's rep to a different one" He said. Good. "Will it be you?" He shook his head. "Rather, it's one of Hua's founder's son" I blinked. The founder's son? Sounds like someone of Kains rank. "I see" With that, the conversation ended.
"Have a good day at school young master" Izen smiled as I got out of the car, walking into a different school. I transferred from Jiwoos school to a different, elite school. Usually it's required for their students to dorm on campus but since Hua is a major sponsor for their education, they made an exception for me. I knew for a fact, this school is probably a school containing most of Hua's teenager awakened ones. It never crossed my mind until I felt a few of their students containing powers.
"Welcome Kain" The headmaster greeted me at the entrance, then showed me around campus again. Leading me into class, I simply didn't care for the teaching since I already learned it. Turned in my work. Then left for lunch. I sat at a table on my own, yawning as I ate slowly, scrolling through my phone. Then a message popped up. Clicking it, I examined it.
'Hey, I got your phone number from Mr.Inhyuk. You didn't text me at all...' it said. 'It's Jiwoo by the way' I gasped. I forgot to enter his phone number into my phone. Then giwook popped up in my head. I also forgot to enter his number...it's fine. I can do it at the apartment. 'Hey, sorry. I forgot to text you. Are you at lunch right now?' I texted back. 'Yeah. Jisuk, Wooing, and Subin are here! You used to come to our school right?' I let out a light sigh. Because I was desperate to avoid Jisuk and everyone else, I had transferred schools on a whim. 'Yeah, I did' I said. After a moment. Jiwoo sent a picture of all of them together. 'Is it too much to ask you to transfer back?' I stared at the message. Wooin was in the background, waving up at the camera as Jisuk had an angry face because Subin was pestering him on the side while Jiwoo smiled. Is it too much? It's not. But, do I want to go back? Of course
"Hey, you're the new student right?" I flinched, looking up from my phone to see three girls giggling. Their leader smiled, all blushing a bit once I made eye contact with them. "Yes" I simply said. "You're really good looking" She complimented as the other two behind her whispered about her actually saying it. I smiled. "Thanks" I said, setting my phone down. "What's your name?" She asked. I could feel a bunch of other students around silencing so they could hear as well. Seriously, it doesn't matter where Kain went, he always attracted attention. "I'm Kain Hua. Nice to meet you" I introduced myself.
I need to find Huas affiliated kids. For now, I have to stay in this school. To get more information on the organization since I can't really use Kain. The guy only shows up when he wants to and I'm sure he won't tell me anything without a price.
Speaking of which. Isn't it about time Beakdus chairman starts up some bullshit and some guy tries fighting Jisuk after school? Wow, the Manwha really is well on its course. As well as "that" incident...
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A/n: the difference between writing on my phone vs computer is huge 💀 ig imma start writing on my computer from now on lol (also that's my bad it's been 4 days 🗿 I'll update next chap 2 days from now)
No memes today sorry y'all 😭
Izen Yun ;
Suhos older brother and Ilseongs secretary. He's an awakened one. (In case y'all forgot bc he's gonna be appearing a lot more)
Age: 27