Chapter 135

Raphael, who is eight years older than me, treated me like a kid, and Oscar said every time he taught me how to shoot a gun, it felt like leaving a child by the water.

But Alex, who is twelve years older than me, thinks about dating me.

Therefore, Alex is more out of his mind than the bosses of underground organizations.

“If he’s your age, he’s a college student, right? Rather than a college student, wouldn’t it be better to have a dependable, reliable man you can lean on?”

Ever since I mentioned having a boyfriend, Alex listed the downsides of long-distance relationships every time we met.

He seems flustered, like he’s afraid I’ll fall deeply for my boyfriend.

Jingle!

A new customer came in.

It was the owner of Cafe Paradise.

“After you stopped by, the number of male customers increased by 20% that afternoon. Sales went up too.”

“Wow….”

“And female customers increased by 31% as well.”

“Really?”

She let out a sigh and shook her head.

“Your looks and your friend’s looks are overly stimulating. Come to our cafe and sit as long as you want. In return, all drinks and desserts will be free.”

Is she… serious about this offer?

As I hesitated, she emphasized it.

“It’s like a form of barter. Like providing dresses to actors to promote a brand.”

“Hmm. Okay. I’ll come by when I have time.”

“I’ll tell the staff your name. Though they’ll recognize you just by your face anyway.”

After placing her order, the cafe owner handed back the menu and asked, “But you two really are just friends, right?”

“Huh?”

“The atmosphere felt a bit strange.”

I could feel my eyes shaking wildly in embarrassment.

She wrinkled her nose and smiled. “Well. It’s that kind of time in life. You two look good together.”

We look good together?

I decided to visit Cafe Paradise every day.

I won’t keep eating for free every time either.

Even if I have to empty Johan’s wallet, I’ll pay.

I gave her the best service I could, and the cafe owner left a tip three times larger than usual that day.

Thanks to that, I finished closing up in a good mood.

“You guys. Come take one of these each.”

Alex called the waiters over.

He packed food into containers, put them in bags, and handed them out one by one.

“Potatoes were cheap this time, so I ordered a lot. Take them home and eat with your families.”

For some reason, my bag felt especially heavy, so I glanced at Alex.

When our eyes met, he winked at me.

Noah, standing next to me, made a gagging motion, and Mandy quickly greeted him.

“Thank you. My dad will love it.”

“Right. Oh, Jean. Did you go to Cafe Paradise yesterday?”

“Huh? Why?”

“I stopped by nearby with my sister, and I think I saw you with some guy.”

“Ah.”

Thud.

I casually placed the bag on the table and nodded.

“So you saw.”

“Uh… are you okay? You were crying….”

“I’m fine. It was just a lovers’ quarrel.”

“A, a, a lovers’ quarrel?”

Alex stuttered as he cut in.

“Wasn’t he in Black City?”

“Oh, didn’t I mention it? I’ve been busy all day today, so I guess I forgot. He’s someone I liked since Black City, and this time he came over because of me.”

“What kind of money does a college student even have? If he has to study and work part-time, he’ll go back soon.”

“He’s not a college student.”

“Then a working adult? How much do people make these days? Our restaurant pays pretty well with base salary plus incentives, you know?”

Listening to Alex made irritation rise up, and as I finished cleaning the floor, I set the mop down with a sharp thud.

I can’t settle things with my fists like Raphael.

And if I lash out with words, he’s the owner’s cousin.

‘It’s not like I’m short on money….’

Since it’s my first job, I want to do well for a long time, so I held it in again this time.

But my patience is running thin, so I feel like I might beat Alex to a pulp soon.

“Anyway, I’ll walk you three to where we split off. It’s really cold today.”

“I’m fine. Someone’s coming to pick me up. Noah, please take care of Nelson tomorrow!”

After asking Noah one last time, I quickly finished closing up and went outside.

Then Johan appeared from beside the restaurant wall.

“Johan! Were you waiting for me? Aren’t you cold?”

“I’m fine.”

“I missed you.”

“….”

“Didn’t you miss me?”

Is he embarrassed?

Or is he still not over being angry?

Either way, it doesn’t matter.

“Are you coming to pick me up tomorrow too?”

“Yes. As long as there’s a chance you might disappear again, every day will be like today.”

“Then I’ll wait with Nelson tomorrow.”

“Nelson?”

“My dog. I’ll stay at the hotel just for today and go back home with my things tomorrow. I only left for a while because of a robber, but since you’re here….”

“A robber?”

Johan, who had been walking silently while looking straight ahead, stopped and looked at me.

His face, backlit by the yellow streetlight, had hardened stiffly.

“You’re saying you stayed at a hotel because of a break-in? You’re not hurt?”

“Nelson chased him off.”

“And yet you’re saying you’re going back into that house?”

“They said they’ll install security bars soon.”

As if he had a lot to say, Johan took a deep breath.

But instead of scolding me, what came out was a long sigh.

As he pressed around his eyes, I started rambling like an excuse.

“I can’t report it to the police with a fake identity. And moving would be a hassle in many ways.”

“Haah.”

“And now I have you.”

Johan stared at me as I grinned, then abruptly turned his head away.

I have no idea if he’s in a good mood or a bad one, or what he’s thinking at all.

As he walked slightly ahead of me, his ears seemed a little red.

After arriving at the hotel, I washed my face and came out.

“Come to think of it, we didn’t buy pajamas! Let’s go out tomorrow and get you some!”

I burst out of the bathroom door and suggested it to Johan.

Johan was watching the late-night news.

— After intense debate, the Mist Island council has passed a bill allowing the death penalty for organized criminals. As a result, it appears the death penalty may also be reinstated in Black City….

When he saw my face, he quickly turned off the TV.

“Ah… the, the death penalty….”

All the happiness I felt today must have been just to throw me into hell.

I tried my best not to think about it after reading that article last time, but this just drove the nail in.

Did I leave the window open? Why is it so cold inside?

A chill crept up on me, so I pulled on a thick cardigan and crawled under the blanket.

What if Raphael gets caught?

If Raphael dies, what about me?

An endless gloom settles over me.

“Giselle. It’ll be fine.”

It won’t be fine.

‘You expect me to watch Raphael die twice?’

I’d rather bite my tongue than see that.

“Giselle….”

“Can you hold me? I’m so cold.”

Johan lay down beside me and pulled me into his arms as I trembled.

His large hand gently patted my back.

I burrowed into his arms, seeking warmth.

“Raphael isn’t someone who gets caught easily. I know that better than you do.”

In my previous life, Raphael suffered a severe injury from this man and got caught in an explosion and died.

That time is gone now, but the reality I saw doesn’t become something that never existed.

That’s why, sometimes, wanting this man feels like a terrible sin.

Johan whispered as if soothing me, “Raphael is strong. I don’t want to admit it, but it’s an undeniable fact.”

“That’s right. He’s been famous in the neighborhood since he was young.”

“It means he had no choice but to become strong because he had you. You called it a curse, but to him, it must have been the driving force of his life.”

I miss Oscar.

At times like this, if Oscar were by Raphael’s side, I would’ve felt at ease.

‘Ah. Oscar.’

If I had my full memories as a ghost, I would’ve gone to see you.

“That’s right. I lived because of Raphael, and Raphael lived because of me. It’s true that we weren’t lonely because we had each other.”

“I’m envious.”

“Why? Why are you envious?”

“I… was always alone. If someone wanted me, it was because of my background, not for who I am.”

Ah… so that’s why he said he didn’t know his reason for existence, that he wanted to find value in his own life.

I thought he must have had a lonely past, but it seems he was even more isolated than I imagined.

It upsets me.

What’s wrong with this man? What did he do wrong?

“So even while I was running away with injured eyes as a child, I was deeply grateful for the kindness of someone who healed me. To you, and to this world.”

Johan, confessing his inner thoughts, didn’t look like the outlaw who wears a mask and sweeps through the city.

He looked fragile like a child, and terribly lonely.

The chest I was leaning my forehead against rose and fell a little faster.

“…Actually, the doctor said my eyesight wouldn’t return. I was so scared that I kept trying to heal my body with my ability, and little by little, my sight came back. So I went to get it checked….”

Before registering, I was suddenly afraid.

Whether my eyes opened or not, my life wouldn’t change.

Andrew was dead, and Raphael had become a murderer.

I was only fourteen, and that truth was too much for me, so I decided to run away just like that.

The place I hid after shaking off the social worker who came with me was a soldier’s hospital room.