Chapter 115: Chapter 115: A Kid(2)
He noticed Jana suddenly look down, hugging her shark plushie tightly.
"What's wrong?"
Jana's voice trembled as she whispered, "Don't you hate me now?"
Seojun was taken aback by her words and the sight of her tears. Instinctively, he reached out, lifting Jana and placing her gently on his lap.
"What are you talking about? Don't cry. Why would I hate you?" he asked, gently wiping away her tears.
Jana's tears flowed freely as she clung to Seojun. "It's just... people get really angry at me because I'm a prodigy," she sobbed. "They're jealous, and they say mean things. I try my best, but it feels like no one is happy for me."
Seojun gently wiped her tears and asked, "Why do they get angry? You're just really talented."
Jana sniffled and looked up at him. "Because they think I get special treatment and that I'm showing off and then they say things that hurt my feelings."
Seojun hugged her tighter. "That sounds really tough. But you know what? Being good at something is nothing to be ashamed of. And the people who care about you, like me, are proud of you."
Jana managed a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, brother. It's nice to hear that. Can you be my friend?"
Seojun smiled warmly and nodded. "Yes, of course, I'd be happy to be your friend."
Jana's face brightened with a relieved smile. "Thank you, brother! I'm really glad."
Jana looked up at Seojun with a small pout. "Brother, I'm thirsty."
Seojun stood up. "Wait here, I'll get you some water."
But Jana grabbed his shirt, her eyes wide and pleading. "Can I come too?"
Seojun found her expression too cute to resist. He sighed. "Okay, you can come."
Jana's face lit up with a big smile. "Yey!" She jumped down from her chair and took Seojun's hand. Her shark plushie was tucked under her arm as they walked down the hallway together.
As they walked, Seojun overheard a few staff members whispering nearby.
"Look, isn't that Mr. Alex's friend they brought along?" one said.
"Wow, he's really handsome," another added.
"Shut up! Don't you know him? He's that returnee who's F-rank. He's useless," another voice interrupted.
"Aw, that's a shame. He looks really different from the news," someone else remarked.
"But useless! How can the Ford keep someone like him around? Ugh, disgusting!"
Seojun ignored the murmurs, focused on finding water for Jana. But Jana, hearing the comments, looked up at him worriedly. "Are you okay, brother?"
Seojun smiled down at her. "Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"
Jana seemed reassured and pointed to a high-tech water dispenser. "It's right there."
discover-stories-MVLeMpYr
Seojun praised her, "Good job," and they approached the dispenser. After filling up their bottles, Seojun noticed Jana looked uneasy.
"What's wrong?" he asked, kneeling beside her.
Jana blushed and whispered, "I need to pee, brother."
Seojun chuckled softly. "It's okay, there's nothing to be shy about."
"Wait here, brother!" Jana exclaimed, running off quickly.
Seojun took a sip of his water and waited. When she took longer than expected, he started to worry and went to find her. He spotted her emerging from a side hallway, her shirt stuffed with snacks.
"Where did you go?" Seojun asked, puzzled.
Jana grinned sheepishly. "Hehee, sorry brother. I just grabbed some snacks on my way back. Let's go!"
She pulled Seojun back toward the room, happily clutching her plushie and snacks. They played until Jana bid goodbye and as she leave Alex and Alexa came and they leave the Mystic Union Guild. Jana hugging her plushie watch as the helicopter flying away waving even so Seojun can't see her.
Once the helicopter was gone, Jana turned and began to walk away. A few curious staff members noticed her wandering around the hallways. A staff member approached her with a friendly smile.
"Are you lost, baby girl?" he asked.
Jana shook her head, and several other staff members gathered around, cooing at her cuteness.
"She's so adorable!" one of them said.
"Look at her with that plushie, just precious," another added.
The guy who first spoke asked gently, "Want me to bring you to your parents? They're probably on the first floor."
Jana smiled sweetly and replied, "I can do it, brother. Thank you!" She gave a polite bow that made everyone melt with affection.
"Goodbye, sisters and brothers!" she said cheerfully as she walked away.
As she moved down the hallway, she overheard a few staff members chatting.
"Hey, where's your friend?" one asked.
"She just went to the restroom," another replied.
"Probably pooping," someone else joked, and they all laughed loudly.
Jana continued walking, her small steps taking her to a dark alley. She approached a door, slowly opening it to reveal a staff uniform-clad lady bound and gagged with silk, her hands tied behind her back.
"I'm back, sister," Jana said as she entered the room.
She proceeded to the storage room, where she would continue her secretive task. Jana set her shark plushie in the corner and retrieved her small sword, a chilling smile spreading across her face.
"Where were we earlier? Oh right, you were saying mean things about my new friend."
The lady's eyes widened in fear as she shook her head frantically. Jana's smile grew more unsettling.
"What's the matter?" she asked, her voice cold. She carefully removed the silk gag from the lady's mouth.
The lady, tears streaming down her face, began to apologize desperately. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean it! Please, forgive me!"
Jana's eyes were steely as she watched the woman's distress. "Brother Seojun didn't deserve that. He's really kind and caring."
The lady continued to cry and beg for forgiveness, her sobs shaking her entire body. "Please, I'm so sorry! Ms.Hye I didn't know you were connected to him. I didn't mean to."
Jana's expression softened just slightly as she considered the lady's pleas. She kept her small sword at the ready but showed no sign of immediate anger.