Chapter 9: The Pit (part 2)
I looked at Min-Soo, and for the first time, I felt a stab of annoyance.
"The Ivory Circle? Don’t you think you’re exaggerating a little?" I said, my voice sharper than I intended. "She was just being nice. She saw I was struggling and gave me some advice."
Min-Soo shook his head, his expression still grave. "Ji-Hoon, kindness is a luxury only the strongest can afford. When someone like her smiles at you, you have to ask yourself what that smile costs her, and what it’s going to cost you."
His caution, which had seemed so useful at first, was starting to sound like paranoia.
"Or maybe you’re just jealous," I let slip.
The word came out before I could stop it. Min-Soo’s face froze. His analytical expression vanished, replaced by one of hurt surprise.
He was silent for a long moment. The noise of the cafeteria seemed far away.
Finally, he sighed and pushed his tray away. His appetite was gone.
"Alright," he said in a neutral voice, his impassive mask back in place. "You’re right. I’m probably seeing conspiracies everywhere. It’s my power, after all. To analyze. Sometimes, I analyze too much."
He stood up. "Do what you have to do. I’ll keep giving you the information I find. That’s our agreement. But I won’t say any more about this."
He left without another word, leaving me alone at the table with my half-eaten meal.
I felt a little guilty. But another part of me, the part that had received a bit of kindness for the first time in ages, refused to believe there was anything wrong behind Yoo-Na’s smile.