BSMF | 28

Chapter 28  

Now, It’s Time to Focus on Personal Matters

“Hiwook!”

Hearing So-hye’s voice echo down the corridor, Hiwook, who had been walking ahead, stopped.

When he turned, his eyes were sharper than before, barbed with a roughness that could pierce.

“…What is it?”

Normally, one would shrink under that cutting gaze. But So-hye didn’t flinch; instead, she looked him squarely in the eye, standing her ground.

“No matter how much I think about it, I can’t let it go like this.”

“Can’t let what go?”

“I want to know why you dislike me.”

At that, Hiwook let out a short, incredulous laugh.

He turned his gaze elsewhere, clearly exuding irritation at the situation.

So he really didn’t even want to face her.

But if she gave up now, following him out would have been pointless.

So-hye took a deep breath and began with an apology.

“First, I’m sorry for startling you this morning. I didn’t know you were here, so I shouldn’t have shouted.”

Hiwook kept his mouth tightly shut, merely looking down at her.

“What is this woman trying to pull?”

His expression said it all.

“So please, tell me honestly. What did I do wrong, and how can I fix it?”

Even as she spoke, worries buzzed through So-hye’s mind like a swarm of bees.

“What if I make things worse by bothering someone who already dislikes me? What if he hates me more for being pushy?”

But staying silent out of fear would only make the lab atmosphere heavier.

It was better to face it head-on and be straightforward. At least then, she could convey her true feelings.

After all, she was not someone who could be pushed around easily.

She had survived five years among the fierce Kyung-rim and the dancers. A little intimidation wouldn’t make her back down.

“I want to get along with everyone in this lab,” she said.

“….”

“And that includes you, Hiwook.”

Her confident hope caused Hiwook’s brows to furrow diagonally.

He had expected her to shrink, to pout and run to Woo-geon, telling him everything.

But she came at him boldly. Quite different from the assistants who had fallen out of his favor before.

“I don’t know… I wasn’t planning on that,” he muttered.

But that was all the feeling he allowed himself.

“I just… dislike you.”

“Is it because I’m a woman? Or because I’m Mr. Shin’s partner?”

“If it’s the latter,”

Hiwook tilted his head, hands shoved deep in his pockets.

“Can you break up with him?”

So-hye’s heart skipped a beat.

Would she ruin her contract with Woo-geon just to open this man’s heart?

It was absurd. Even ignoring her own feelings, it would endanger Woo-geon.

Seeing her flinch, Hiwook let out a low snort.

“See? You can’t do it.”

“And what benefit would you get if I broke up with Mr. Shin?”

“Maybe it’d make your presence less of a distraction in the lab.”

Hiwook shrugged, his cold eyes fixed on her.

She was here as Woo-geon’s partner, after all. Anyone who didn’t want to stay or couldn’t manage would quietly leave.

“You’ve never studied professionally, just worked as a cafe dancer. How much help could you really be?”

A temporary, casual presence, anyone could leave at any time.

In Hiwook’s mind, So-hye was exactly that.

So rather than letting her linger without producing results, it was better either to keep her completely under control or kick her out.

“Don’t waste your time trying to impress me. Just stay out of the way. Better if you leave on your own.”

He spat out his last cold words and turned away.

But So-hye wasn’t about to let him leave.

“You’re right, Hiwook,” she called.

Her steps stopped, her posture firm as she faced him squarely.

“I came into this lab thanks to you, without any special experience. All I’ve done is work as a cafe dancer, and I only studied drawing briefly when I was younger.”

Hiwook responded sarcastically.

“So you admit you don’t belong in this lab?”

“No. That’s why I’m telling you—I didn’t come here lightly.”

She owed Woo-geon her life, after all.

She wanted to be even a little help to the man who had saved her.

“And I genuinely like Mr. Shin,” she added.

And for the sake of this moment he might remember in the future… she wanted to dig a little deeper.

With her limited skills, she had come here. To repay his kindness in any way she could.

“So I want to help with anything he needs—whether it’s drawing or something else. You don’t need to go easy on me because I’m a woman. I’m confident in my strength.”

Woo-geon’s research, his mission to fight against Japanese oppression and give the Joseon butterfly its rightful name—she wanted to support it with all her might.

“I’ll work hard to be helpful until you acknowledge me, Hiwook!”

So-hye bowed deeply, with unwavering respect.

Hiwook squinted, slightly taken aback.

“So call me ‘senior.’ Don’t be so cheeky as to call me Hiwook.”

Turning, she found his expression had softened compared to before.

For a moment, So-hye stood frozen, then smiled brightly.

“Yes, senior! Then I’ll head back to the lab first.”

She gave one last bow and went ahead.

Hiwook just watched her leave.

A stubborn woman, acting boldly with her beloved by her side.

A flurry of unkind adjectives raced through his mind—but none felt negative.

“Huh, really…”

Hiwook let out a hollow laugh.

It was absurd and frustrating, but somehow, she seemed different.

‘Bold, this woman.’

She even managed to shake someone as stoic as him. Not an ordinary woman.

He clicked his tongue, resigned, and turned away.

“…What is it?”

Woo-geon leaned against a corridor pillar, looking at him.

He had been watching the situation unfold.

Watching So-hye disappear down the corridor, Woo-geon approached Hiwook.

“So, how does it feel to have pushed my fiancée?”

A wry smile played at his lips, belying the intensity of his gaze.

Hiwook frowned.

“You want to scold me for bothering your partner?”

“You know I’m not saying that.”

Woo-geon placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder—a subtle plea.

He was asking him to just watch over So-hye a little longer.

“She’s not someone who acts without responsibility. She’ll be a great help in the lab.”

“And if she only looks that way to your eyes?”

“I trust my judgment.”

He trusted her.

Woo-geon’s faith in So-hye was unwavering.

She would definitely become a valuable asset.

And more than anything…

“She won’t be a problem for ‘our mission,’ either.”

Hearing that, Hiwook’s eyes softened slightly.

The reason Hiwook had been so opposed to So-hye wasn’t just about the lab—it was tied to the Han-Yeol group as well.

“You told the leader?”

“He probably heard it through rumors.”

A small crack appeared in Hiwook’s brows.

No matter how bad their family ties were, it was shocking to realize such an important matter had been handled independently.

“A reckless fool,” he muttered.

“That’s a first,” Woo-geon replied lightly, reassuring him.

“Anyway, you don’t need to worry. We’ll keep personal and work matters separate.”

“…Even the smallest mistake won’t be overlooked,” Hiwook said, still sharp, and passed by Woo-geon.

He was signaling he would watch So-hye, at least for now.

A somewhat insincere man.

Woo-geon chuckled softly, letting his gaze drift back to the direction where So-hye had disappeared.

Her bold stance against Hiwook was still vivid in his mind.

He had expected her to falter when confronted with such unreasonable demands—but she had not.

She had spoken firmly, even to someone who openly disliked her, and had requested to be watched over.

She was undeniably daring.

‘I knew she was fearless in strange ways… but maybe she’s stronger and more resilient than I thought.’

“She genuinely… genuinely likes Mr. Shin.”

So-hye’s words lingered in his ears.

It wasn’t just an act. Her eyes and expression couldn’t be dismissed.

Her words had caught him at a vulnerable moment.

‘Genuine… genuine.’

And knowing it was true made the words heavier.

“….”

His lips, unconsciously curved in a line, slowly descended.

His dark eyes, deep in shadow, slowly closed as if sinking underwater.

“You’re blindly devoted, aren’t you?”

Even though they knew their feelings for each other, they had to pretend otherwise… what kind of punishment is that?

And what crime had she committed, to like me?

“You and I are both people receiving punishment without guilt.”

His quiet voice dissipated into the empty air.

Yet he still could not let her go, perhaps truly paying the price for his own selfishness.

If he could just let go, it would all end—but he couldn’t.

No, he wouldn’t.

Woo-geon followed the fading traces with his eyes before finally turning away.

Now was the time to suppress himself.

Had it been worth following her?

After clearly stating her position, Hiwook no longer openly mocked or picked fights with So-hye like that morning.

His gaze remained sharp when it met hers, but he was far more gentle than before.

Relieved, So-hye stayed vigilant and did her best.

She focused on drawing what needed to be recorded, and tackled small chores as soon as she noticed them.

Even when colleagues tried to stop her, she continued seeking tasks.

And she did this even without Woo-geon or Hiwook present.

She wanted to prove it wasn’t just for appearances.

Seeing her, Hiwook’s eyes softened.

“Hey, pass me that bucket.”

“This one, sir? Yes!”

Sometimes, he even asked her to help.

It was truly a remarkable improvement.

The busy first day passed quickly, and dusk had fallen outside the window.

“Those who are done can leave,” Woo-geon announced.

Those absorbed in research finally straightened their aching backs.

Se-ho, glancing around, grinned and spoke.

“Sir, how about a get-together tonight? It’s been a while.”

Woo-geon, still examining butterfly specimens, glanced at Se-ho.

He raised an eyebrow and returned his attention to the specimens, uninterested.

“Those who want to drink can go. I won’t interfere after work.”

“But, in celebration of So-hye joining us, shouldn’t we welcome her?”

Woo-geon paused slightly at the mention of her name.

The slight tremor nearly made him drop a wing.

Se-ho smiled and pressed on.

“It’s important for a new member to feel welcome. Right?”

“I think it’s a good idea too,” said So-hye.

“Me too! Not for disinfecting specimens, but for my own satisfaction,” added Seok-tae and Jae-woo.

Se-ho then asked So-hye.

“What about you, So-hye? You haven’t eaten properly yet, so why don’t you join us for something delicious?”

So-hye looked at Woo-geon and smiled awkwardly.

“If the sir approves…”

“You heard that, sir? She agrees!” Se-ho’s voice brightened.

Woo-geon could no longer ignore the hopeful eyes of his assistants.

There was still one hurdle remaining.

“Hiwook, what about you?”

All eyes turned to Hiwook.

He was concentrating on butterfly specimens, suddenly bombarded with expectant gazes—naturally, he felt pressured.

He frowned sharply, but instead of averting his eyes, they looked at him pleadingly.

“I…”

A surge of refusal rose in his throat.

But then he noticed So-hye’s eyes.

They sparkled, clearly wanting to join the group.

The refusal stuck in his throat.

“…If you’re going to ask, don’t say ‘everyone’ at all.”

He would go along.

“Yay!”

Cheers erupted around the room.

So-hye, along with the other assistants, clapped and laughed brightly.

Her radiant smile floated toward Woo-geon like a butterfly approaching a flower.

It embedded itself clearly in his vision, fresh as a summer breeze.

“Let’s go, sir!”

Driving out the lingering darkness in his heart.

Ignoring reason, letting a new flower—possessiveness—bloom.

“Well then, work is done, so you can enjoy some free time now.”

Woo-geon rose and stretched his long legs.

He stood beside So-hye, reaching his arm around her waist.

A firm arm wrapped around her slender back, their bodies pressed together.

So-hye looked up at the shadow looming over her.

“We must separate work from personal matters,” he whispered.

“…….”

“Now is the time to focus on personal matters.”

The thrilling whisper wound around So-hye’s ear, lingering insistently.

“That’s enough for now.”

Woo-geon held her close and exited the lab.

By now, the other teachers in the staff room would be leaving, so it seemed fitting to leave their expressions slightly wrinkled.