Mixed-Blood in a Gender Role Reversed World - Chapter 58

 Chapter 58 : Fangs Never Forget Themselves (1)

...Is something wrong?

My aunt’s shoulders were trembling as if she were about to collapse, so I forced a smile despite my confusion.  

The aura emanating from her darkened, almost matching the color of the coat she was wearing.

Honestly, I couldn’t make sense of it. Just moments ago, she was berating me, mistaking me for a liar.  

But now, it feels like I could bluntly say in front of her, “I just beat them all up because I was pissed, and it seems Shasha was the same, huh?” and still come out unscathed.

That’s how much my aunt seemed to feel guilty toward me. Perhaps she was regretting how she had cornered me earlier.  

Even so.

“There’s no one in the world who doesn’t make mistakes.”

The irritation from feeling wronged had completely vanished. Just as I have my own untouchable sore spots, my aunt must have hers too.  

It seemed like hers had accidentally been triggered.

Seeing her so dejected tugged at my heart for some reason. After a brief silence, my aunt let out a heavy sigh, as if the ground had caved in beneath her, and spoke.

“For now... come with me to the house.”

I stifled a chuckle that slipped out as I followed her, who had already turned her back.  

Anyone watching would think it was her house, not mine, I thought to myself, even as I recognized the seriousness of the situation.

I followed her confident strides into the house. The women inside silently bowed their heads. The slightly messy house, occupied by several people, had been tidied up neatly.

“...”

Even if I could overlook Yuri, seeing Pecha whose appearance was always impeccable with disheveled clothes made it clear who had done the cleaning.  

They really were about to leave. Their determination was impressive.

“I need to talk privately with my nephew.”

As soon as my aunt spoke, the women, who had already started walking away, grabbed the doorknob.  

Yuri left first, and just as I thought Pecha would follow, she turned back to look at my aunt.  

A faint, proud smile lingered on Pecha’s face. My aunt, seemingly displeased, squinted and gestured for her to leave quickly.

“Well done.”

With those words, Pecha bowed deeply and left the house. I briefly cast a puzzled glance, but soon the room fell silent.  

Feeling the heavy air, I deliberately sat at the table casually.

“Would you like to sit?”

I politely gestured to the seat in front of me. After a moment’s hesitation, my aunt quietly pulled out a chair and sat down.  

We were now facing each other across the round table.

“Do you have something to say?”  

“...Hmm.”

My aunt, avoiding my gaze with her eyes cast downward, let out a low hum.

(..Can we even talk about this before dawn?)

I couldn’t grasp what was troubling her. Judging by how she was gauging my reaction, it didn’t seem like bad news.  

Although she was the one who dragged me here, it felt like I’d have to break the ice first.

Let’s start slowly... with something light, like a joke.

“Do you also dislike tea, Aunt?”  

“...?”

I asked with a playful smile.  

After learning online why they had reacted so negatively to my suggestion of tea, I had facepalmed. Who knew I’d use it like this?

“I offered some to Pecha and Yuri, but they both hated it. I was wondering if you felt the same. Should I brew you some?”  

“...Shasha.”

My aunt, softly calling my name, covered her face with both hands. Looks like my joke fell flat. I was just trying to lighten the mood.

“Was it not funny?”  

“...Funny?”

Her gaze shifted to my face, scrutinizing me as if searching for something.  

Was she trying to figure out how my sense of humor could be this bad? I gave an awkward smile, and she muttered under her breath.

“...It’s true. You really don’t know anything.”  

“Don’t know what?”  

“...It’s nothing. So, nephew, is there anything you want to do these days?”

(If you’re not going to tell me, don’t make me curious.)

I answered, half-jokingly, as if poking at something I couldn’t have.

“I want to know about my past. For example...”  

“No way. Absolutely not. Anything else... just tell me what you want.”

Her sharp response cut through like a blade, as if even touching the topic would slice my fingers off.  

Alright, I get it. That’s off-limits...

“...”

After racking my stubborn brain, I looked straight at her.

“I want you to live your own life, Aunt.”  

“...”  

“I mean, let’s live like a normal family. Living separately, keeping in touch occasionally, like a typical family.” 

“...I’m sorry. I’ll return to Russia right away. But I’ll leave the kids...”  

“No, that’s not what I meant. I meant let’s live together here in Korea.”

My aunt, who had closed her eyes like a guilty sinner, opened them wide in surprise.

“I’m not holding you back for no reason, right?”

For the first time today, I saw her smile with satisfaction.

__

“We’ll meet again next time.”  

“See you later!”

Pecha, bowing politely, and Yuri, carrying a suitcase, left the house first.

“You could’ve stayed a few more days.”  

“No need. I’ve already found a place, so just lock the door properly.”

My aunt, speaking coolly, was about to leave when she suddenly stopped, as if remembering something. Turning back with the door behind her, she said,

“Do you have a girlfriend? Not just a casual friend.”  

“Uh... no.”  

“You’re such a playboy. I won’t say anything about playing the field, but... don’t toy with girls’ hearts. Treat them well. I’m off.”

After she left, I tilted my head and muttered to myself.

“She’s never seen her, yet she talks like she knows.”

__

The first thing I did alone was find paper and a pen.  

Sitting at the table, I scribbled down plans for the future. After finishing, I read through the crooked handwriting.

[That bastard’s definitely mafia. Aunt has zero intention of telling me about the past. But I need to know.]

“Why? Because it sucks. I’m tired of being dragged around. I thought I was finally starting a new life, but nothing goes my way.”

Right now, it’s just my aunt, but what if uncles, cousins, and distant relatives all show up, shouting “Shasha! Shasha!”?  

And I want to know who’s trying to kill me. I don’t know which bastard it is, but I’m not scared. I want to crush them. That’s the only way I can live in peace.

I looked down at what I’d written next.

[Control over my body. That bastard Shasha keeps trying to take over my mind. The body’s a problem too. It reacts to names I don’t know. Even when my mind’s clear, it’s the same. Also...]

...Looking at it now, it’s serious. It feels like I’m possessed, which is kind of creepy.  

The scariest thing right now is dreams. It’s already confirmed that Shasha’s memories in my dreams affect my mind, and as far as I know, there’s no way to stop dreaming.

So, I’ll have to dream no matter what... but will my mind stay intact?

“Even if I can’t stop it completely... I need to try mitigating it.”

I looked down at my injured palm. The wound, already free of bandages, was slowly healing.  

I don’t want to cut myself to stay sane, so I need to get a new talisman tattooed soon.  

A tattoo to serve as a top to tell whether I’m me or Shasha.

“Now that the bodyguards are gone, no one’s watching me. All that’s left is to wait.”

They won’t just sit back and watch a defenseless prey.  

When they try to approach me... I’ll show them I’m not prey and turn the tables to extract information.

“If they thought I was just a guy here, they’re mistaken. Come at me, and I’ll kill you.”

As I cracked my knuckles, the sound echoed ominously.

It would’ve been nice if my aunt had left me a gun. Even if it’s hard to use or carry here,  

with a final weapon, I could at least defend the house. Even against an unexpected attack...  

I expressed my frustration by snapping my fingers, then let out a small laugh.

“You and I aren’t so different, are we? Good thing it’s me.”

I stared into the void like a madman.

__

_

“...Chaemin, it’s me. Can you talk right now?”

Hayul, stroking Maru sitting on her lap, spoke gloomily.

[Yeah. But are you sick? Your voice sounds off. ]

“Just... a cold.”  

[A cold in the summer? Anyway, spill it. If it’s another crush consultation, I’ll kill you. ]

“It’s not that... sigh. I called because of this... You know that club you guys are going to, Valkyrie?”  

[Oh! Changed your mind? Hell yeah, let’s go! With your face, you’ll have all the guys wrapped around your finger!]

Sitting on the bed, twirling Maru’s fur, Hayul untangled it as Chaemin’s voice brightened noticeably.

“...Just listen. Seoyoon said there’s a cute male guard there, right? So... do you know what he looks like?”  

[Of course I don’t. Why don’t you check their website? Don’t they post staff pictures or something?]

(...As if they’d post that, idiot.)

Sighing, Hayul said,

“Alright, I’ll call Seoyoon. Thanks.”  

[She’s probably on a date with her boyfriend. Her phone’s off, so she won’t pick up.  ]

“She’s going to a club when she has a boyfriend...?”  

[That’s just how she is. So, you going or not?  ]

“I’ll think about it... I’ll call you back.”

Brushing off Chaemin’s pleading voice, Hayul ended the call and gripped her smartphone tightly.

“It’d be so easy to just call Sewha and ask...”

It was the fastest and easiest way, but Hayul shook her head. Sewha probably already thought she knew everything.  

If she asked whether he worked at that club... wouldn’t it bring up the misunderstanding she’d made?

“Sewha, do you work there?”

“Didn’t you already know, noona...? Then what did you think I was doing all this time?”

If Sewha, after thinking it over, realized what she’d been talking about...

“...That’d be awful. No way.”

Lost in thought about what to do next, Hayul groaned with a sulky expression.  

Then, as a last resort, she tried searching, as Chaemin had suggested.

“Huh...?”

A recent review caught her eye.

[A male guard with lots of tattoos and a mixed-race look, I hope you’re still there. I was a soldier back then... thank you so much. You’re as kind as you are handsome. If you’re still there when I get leave again... number...]

For some reason, Hayul felt annoyed and closed the window. It was obviously about Sewha.

“What number... How can they post something like that in public?”

She was irritated for a moment, but soon Hayul smiled.

“No way Sewha would do that. Maru! Your unnie misunderstood!”

Overjoyed, Hayul hugged Maru and flopped back on the bed.  

Thinking everything was happily resolved, she was about to text Sewha, “What are you doing?” when a jolt ran through her.

“Then who were those girls...?”

If he wasn’t doing that kind of work, why did Sewha go home with two girls? And they seemed close.

“Ah...”

Hayul’s face fell again.

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