AAGULT Ch 89

Chapter 89

This… quite honestly… doesn’t this feel just like a formal meeting between families?

Even when receiving a leave of absence from the hospital in the morning, he hadn’t anticipated this kind of setting at all. Caught off guard by the unexpected encounter, he cautiously observed the elderly couple seated across from him.

He wasn’t sure if he was allowed to say this, but the two of them were truly elegant. They resembled the kind of refined older couple often portrayed in media—those people who make others say, “That’s how I’d like to age.” They were stylish without being flashy, and warm without being frivolous. The atmosphere surrounding them was tranquil and poised.

Come to think of it, there was quite an age gap between Aiden and his brother. Perhaps that’s why this felt more like meeting grandparents than parents.

“Aiden, why are you only now introducing your pair when you’ve already chosen one?”

“Sorry, Mother. He’s still hospitalized. Jaeha, this is my mother.”

“Oh my. Are you feeling any better?”

“Thanks to you, I’ve recovered a great deal. My name is Song Jaeha.”

The elegant and refined interior, rarely seen in ordinary homes, immediately caught the eye. The fact that such a setting wasn’t even in a private residence, but in a traditional fine dining restaurant, only elevated its sense of dignity.

Dozens of meticulously prepared side dishes were laid out, their care and attention evident at a glance. Though unfamiliar with such a formal meal setting, Jaeha kept quiet and ate as politely and quietly as possible, lest he seem rude.

He lowered his gaze. Now that his rank had recovered and his sensitivity had returned, he no longer automatically read thoughts just by making eye contact. And though he could now read thoughts even without eye contact—albeit with difficulty—old habits were hard to break.

“That’s a relief. Aiden, I heard you went into two gates recently.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Are you alright?”

“This person was right beside me, holding me up. That’s how I managed to get through it.”

“Oh my…”

Aiden’s mother, seemingly moved, raised a hand to her mouth.

Jaeha went momentarily blank, unable to grasp the situation. It was only yesterday that he’d learned Aiden had such trauma. Or rather, Aiden had never shown any sign of it.

And yet Aiden, as if Jaeha had always known and supported him through it, leaned on his arm and spoke in an affectionate voice. The finesse with which he manipulated emotion was nothing short of astonishing.

His tone was both vulnerable and strong—so much so that even Jaeha briefly found himself wondering, Did I really support him like that? The emotional pull of his words was that convincing.

Then, from the other side of the table, Aiden’s father, who had been eating silently with a stoic expression, spoke.

“When will you officially register the pair?”

“As soon as his rank is restored to A-grade.”

“Good. It’s time for you to settle down. You’re Song Jaeha, correct?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Thank you. I leave our youngest in your care.”

“Yes… sir.”

This wasn’t the kind of situation where replying, “Me?” would’ve been wise. Jaeha simply bowed as politely as possible. The old gentleman offered a faint, satisfied smile.

“He’s a precious child we had late in life, so naturally we worry. We don’t expect much. We just hope you’ll continue to get along well together as you do now.”

“……”

“It pained us to see him wandering abroad, avoiding the gates out of fear. But thanks to you, I feel slightly reassured. It’s time for Aiden to build a nest.”

[A nest not named Halla.]

Something felt off. To begin with, welcoming a full-grown man, supposedly a ‘prospective pair,’ with such warmth felt far too much like an arranged family meeting. Objectively speaking, Jaeha was hardly a good match for Aiden. An orphan with no background, a criminal, hardly a fitting partner for South Korea’s only S-rank guide and the second son of a powerful conglomerate family.

And that aside, Aiden was an extraordinary person in his own right. Even the country’s top actors couldn’t hold a candle to his beauty. He had a face like a first love in a cherished memory, the kind of face anyone would fall for.

As Jaeha looked at him, he suddenly felt like a delinquent who had dared to touch the sleeping face of the student council president during lunch break. The realization of how mismatched they were hit him again.

Moreover, entering gates—even low-grade ones—always carried unknown risks. Working as a guide abroad was much safer in comparison. And yet, here they were, treating continued work in the field as a given just because he was “number one in the industry.” Their attitude didn’t quite line up with that of a family simply happy that their youngest son had overcome his trauma.

Jaeha felt like he was trying to fit puzzle pieces that didn’t belong.

Yes. For all the warmth in their welcome, there seemed to be sharp bones embedded in their words.

“If there’s anything we can help with, just say the word, son.”

“Okay.”

Do they not like me? That thought naturally came to mind—and that was when realization struck him.

‘The succession war in the Halla family was brutal. Actually, it wasn’t even a war—it was almost one-sided suppression. Guide Aiden stood out from a very young age, and because of the age gap, his older brother felt extremely threatened and tried to block him…’

‘Everyone knows but no one says it out loud…’

Rumors like that circulated even among Association officials—how could those at the center of it all not know? If his parents, the heads of the powerful Halla Group, didn’t know, that would be even stranger.

“Yes, continuing as a guide is probably best. Considering the ability you possess.”

“Darling, don’t push him too hard.”

His wife offered a light gesture of restraint, but even that felt more like token agreement than genuine concern.

Who tells a son who was almost killed by his own brother in a gate to stay in the same industry? The more they spoke, the clearer it became that they’d never reserved a place for Aiden within Halla, nor did they intend to in the future.

A shiver ran down his spine. What was even more unsettling was how unaffected Aiden seemed by all of it. In front of his own parents, he put on a completely polite façade, feigned innocence, and played his role. His true thoughts remained entirely hidden.

And only Jaeha could perceive that.

[Ugh, this is so annoying…]

Through their locked gaze, Aiden’s thoughts seeped into his mind. Emotions he didn’t even bother to conceal—exhaustion and clear distaste.

Rather than feeling surprised or disappointed, Jaeha felt a strange ache in his chest. Was Aiden someone who couldn’t even show his real emotions to his parents? Or was it the atmosphere of his upbringing that had led him to close himself off from others?

“Anyway, I’m thinking of taking a vacation. It’s been a while.”

Whether Jaeha cared or not, Aiden smoothly shifted to the main topic.

“Oh really?”

“Not too far. I think a villa would be perfect. I’ve already been overseas plenty of times.”

“A villa? Where?”

“Didn’t my brother have one? That island with the ocean view? Can I go there for a bit?”

A brief silence fell over the space. The restaurant had been quiet to begin with—no clinking silverware or idle chatter—but now a more uncomfortable silence layered itself over it, making Jaeha instinctively cautious.

“Sure. Why not.”

The permission was granted far too easily for such a heavy atmosphere. But both Aiden and Jaeha instinctively picked up on something behind those words.

“But don’t get too involved.”

The words that followed confirmed their suspicions.

It was a short but heavily loaded warning. Jaeha’s eyes narrowed. So that really was the lab’s location. The remaining question was just how involved Halla was—were they merely turning a blind eye to their eldest son’s crimes, or were they more deeply entangled? Either way, it wasn’t something to bring up here.

“Involved? Dad, I’m just going to rest.”

Aiden’s tone remained cheerful as ever. But there wasn’t a single person in the room who didn’t understand the implication behind his words.

Another moment of silence passed.

Aiden’s father slowly set down his chopsticks and tapped his fingers on the table a couple of times. The motion was brief and restrained, yet it carried a peculiar weight. It conveyed more than words—a sense of contained displeasure, or perhaps a silent warning.

“I’m not sure your brother will be happy to see you.”

There was even more clarity in that statement than before. It was as if he were asking, You already know, don’t you? The back of Jaeha’s neck went cold.

The atmosphere thickened. Aiden’s mother, who hadn’t said much until now, finally looked directly at her son.

“Aiden.”

Her voice was soft and gentle. But Jaeha sensed a weight in her tone, different from her husband’s but equally heavy.

“Yes.”

“Whatever you see there…”

She paused briefly.

“Think of Halla.”

Jaeha’s mouth turned dry. Think of Halla. The meaning behind those words was all too clear. They were certain he would see something there. Which meant they already knew what was happening at that place.

No matter what he saw, heard, or uncovered—do nothing that could tarnish Halla. Even as someone meeting them for the first time, Jaeha could instantly recognize the veiled pressure, the veiled threat.

He glanced at Aiden beside him. He wore the same calm smile as ever.

[Not even tired of sugarcoating that bullshit?]

“Of course, Mom.”

His thoughts were so irreverent it almost made Jaeha choke on air.

“I’ll just rest and come back refreshed.”

But all the same, Jaeha quietly set his spoon down. Despite the dazzling spread of food in front of him, he’d completely lost his appetite.

With nothing more than being the “beloved youngest son,” they’d secured not just access to the island but even tacit approval from its owners—his parents—to slip in unnoticed by Ye Kanghyun, the eldest son. Since Aiden was from the same family, it wouldn’t seem strange for him to enter the island. In fact, being a fellow family member meant any word would reach Kanghyun more slowly.

“Wow…”

The wealthy really were on another level. They didn’t just own the island—they also had a private jet. And they were flying to the island on it.

“It’s your first time on a plane, right?”

“Yes.”

…Can I even call this a plane? A private jet. I can’t believe I’m actually riding in a private jet…