Chapter 13 - 12. A Broken Jade
Hajin had no complicated reason for fighting in Helios's arena: he just needed quick money. He had thought it would take him at least two fights before he could get the amount he needed, but someone actually bet on him the first time.
Honestly, he could quit after that first night since he had enough money for his business. While he enjoyed fighting, there were places where he could gain job security and paid well while doing occasional fights. But that person...the girl who looked at him as if she knew him and told him to win...
He wanted to see that person again out of curiosity. And she was indeed present the second time, and then the third. He wanted to strike up a conversation and asked if she knew him from somewhere, but on that third night, she immediately walked away before Hajin even got down from the arena. At that time, he thought oh, well...there will always be next time.
But that next time did not come when he participated in his fourth and fifth games, and when he asked around, it didn't seem like the little butterfly had ever come to the arena again, which truly frustrated him. Did she get bored? Did she stop watching fights altogether? Did she lose interest after more people bet on him?
Hajin wanted to see her; he wanted to talk to her; he wanted to ask all kinds of questions. He couldn't get her and her gaze out of his mind, and it broke his concentration countless times.
And so, despite no longer needing to continue fighting in the arena, he stayed there until the general manager finally called him to the bar and gave him a private room number.
Hajin wasted no time. For all he knew, the little butterfly could fly away anytime.
Standing in front of one of the private rooms, Hajin knocked on the closed door. "Miss, may I come in?"
Unfortunately for him, there was no answer even after waiting for a minute. He knocked again, harder this time, and pressed his ear to the frame. Still, there was no answer. He even called Lee Sol to make sure that he was in the right private room and that she hadn't left yet, but the general manager told him that she should be still in her private booth.
Hmm...oh, well--he only wanted to talk for a bit and conveyed his gratitude anyway. Shouldn't be too much of a problem to intrude for five minutes...right?
"I've no choice, then..." Hajin shrugged and turned the knob, peeking his head inside to check the room. "Miss?"