The moment I saw my classmate and the head of the Tiger Clan on foreign land…
At first, I felt surprised and flustered, followed by doubt and a sense of incompatibility.
‘Why…?’
Why is Hwang Jiho here?
That plane with the Hwangmyeong group logo, is it Hwang Jiho’s private jet?
How was he able to bring it out now when he wasn’t able to back when we had our coverage trip in China?
Why on earth is he wearing a Eungwang High uniform?
But compared to his uniform, Hwang Jiho’s presence is most perturbing.
‘His powers are limited outside Korea…!’
Not a single tiger is with him.
Hwang Jiho is standing alone.
Only Hwang Jiho, the airport staff, and our party are at the terminal.
The moment I realized it, I almost shouted unconsciously.
Thankfully I was able to control myself.
Hwang Jiho is here because he’s worried about me, so I don’t want to say anything foul.
“…Hi.”
As a result of my self-censorship, only a short greeting came out of my mouth.
Hwang Jiho replied to my awkward words with an expression and attitude that was no different from his usual way of greeting me when we were in the classroom.
“How are you? You don’t look hurt, but you look very tired.”
Hwang Jiho greeted me before shifting his attention to Sung Gukeon and Jeon Muyeong.
“Thank you very much for notifying me of the location. Thanks to your kindness, I’m here on time.”
Hwang Jiho is speaking formally!
I’ve heard him use formal language with teachers and seniors before, but it’s always so odd to hear.
“It’s a favor from Painter Hong Kyungbok so I couldn’t reduce it. And you’re a Class Zero hoobae too.”
Sung Gukeon had his “good sunbae” face on, which was a little different from when he was talking to me.
If I were to describe it rashly, it’s a face of a politician.
‘He knows that Hwang Jiho is related to the Hwangmyeong Group.’
Since Sung Gukeon and Jeon Muyeong did background checks on Year One Class Zero students, they must be well aware of Hwang Jiho’s fake identity.
Sung Gukeon was likely to suspect that Hwang Jiho is of royal lineage or a descendant even if he doesn’t know that he’s an alter ego of Hwangho.
Sung Gukeon’s next words affirmed my thoughts.
“…You really look like Eungwang High’s Chairman.”
Rather than mere resemblance, he is the chairman.
If Hwang Myeongho and Hwang Jiho couldn’t exist at the same time, it’s most likely that Sung Gukeon already suspects that they’re the same person.
Rumors about the Hwangmyeong Group’s most influential figure being of royal lineage is impossible to not fall into the ears of the politician Sung Gukeon.
On top of that, 15 years ago when he served as the student representative, Sung Gukeon had a one-on-one negotiation with Hwang Myeongho.
In other words, he’s met him in person.
Sung Gukeon has enough clues to piece together that Hwang Jiho and Hwang Myeongho are the same.
I worried for a moment that Sung Gukeon might take on a hostile attitude, but he’s surprisingly polite.
“I heard that painter-nim was recently indebted to Hwangmyeong Group. Do you know that?”
Has there been a scenario where Painter Hong Kyungbok was helped by the Hwangmyeong Group?
After contemplating for a while, I found a plausible answer.
Hwang Jiho had been actively involved with the painter recently.
‘Hwang Jiho came forward and cut off the hand of Hong Kyungbok’s old student.’
Painter Hong Kyungbok must’ve found out that the case was related to Hwangmyeong Group.
Maybe it has something to do with the Tiger Clan.
Hwang Jiho dealt with Sung Gukeon in a polite but shrewd manner.
After a short conversation, Sung Gukeon suddenly smiled at me.
“I’ll call you soon, Euishin-ah. You better put your friend up to speed.”
Sung Gukeon’s face was full of mischief.
How should I “put him up to speed”?
Sung Gukeon seemed to intend to send me to Hwang Jiho’s plane.
Though I reflexively walked towards the Red Lion Team’s private jet.
“Oh, I still have some things to talk about with Sung Gukeon sunbaenim so…”
“Let’s go.”
My attempt for an escape fell down the drain in an instant.
I thought he’d at least let me say goodbye to Sung Gukeon and Jeon Muyeong, but the two left at a terrifying speed after Hwang Jiho’s words.
Hwang Jiho was grabbing me by the wrist, and though it doesn’t look like his grip was tight, I couldn’t shake him off.
I resisted out of reflex though I knew that I couldn’t beat him by force, but only then did I realize the difference in our strength.
I deeply sympathize with Hani’s feeling of disintegration when she has to deal with Hwang Jiho.
It wasn’t just the arm strength that I felt the difference.
I feel like his physique was literally wider than when we first met.
‘…It looks like Hwang Jiho got taller. Did he do this on purpose?’
Maybe I didn’t notice it since we saw each other almost every day, and I’m only noticing it now since we’ve been apart for a few days.
I grew a little taller after over a year that I was in this world.
But I think Hwang Jiho got taller.
He’s of royal lineage and he can control his apparent age, so I guess he grew his body by a little.
Considering Hwang Jiho’s height and Hwang Myeongho’s current height, I think this Hwang Jiho will become taller than his 30-year-old self.
After we boarded the Hwangmyeong Group private plane and closed the door, Hwang Jiho finally let go of my hand.
Close…
When the door was completely closed, Hwang Jiho spoke in a scarily stern voice.
“It was hard to contact you. Do you expect praise for telling me where you were headed?”
“…”
“I’m going to guess what you think. You’re not talking because you’d say you thought I’d stop you or try to come with you.”
Hwang Jiho knows exactly what I thought.
It was right after the incident with Cadmus, but I, unfortunately, cannot change this schedule.
Hwang Jiho considers me a benefactor of his tribe, maybe because I saved their descendant or I reunited them with Eunho.
I thought Hwang Jiho might follow me, and seeing that he’s here in England on his own private jet, I wasn’t wrong.
This is why I didn’t tell him in advance.
“I don’t think it was a mistake that I told you my weakness. I do regret it though.”
Hwang Jiho recommended that we take a seat.
I sat down, and Hwang Jiho sat opposite me.
He spoke, his voice somewhat softer than his first words.
“From now on, tell me about your plans in advance. I’ll find a way to consider both your intent and security.”
How can I refuse when he came all the way here to say that?
“…Okay.”
“Alright. If you really understand, don’t ever ask Cheongryong to run such errands in the future.”
Hwang Jiho held out a box.
An earring-type device engraved with a Eungwang High logo.
It was my device that I left with Cheongryong to cover my tracks from Hwang Jiho.
“Did you keep your plane ready? It must’ve been hard to take it out right away.”
“Money and manpower solved it. I was on my way to bring home my benefactor, so why should I be frugal?”
I don’t know what exactly happened, but it’s clear to me that the Hwangmyeong Foundation employees must’ve been overworked.
The announcement for takeoff soon came and the seatbelt sign switched off.
‘I should tell him what happened in England.’
Thanks to Phantom Thief Neon’s spectacular announcement, Hwang Jiho must already know why I’m here.
If it’s Hwang Jiho we’re talking about, he would’ve completely got a sense of the situation — everything from the Fomorians’ auction to Sung Gukeon’s retrieval of Imoogi’s Exorcism.
Even if I don’t tell him everything that happened, I need to at least tell Hwang Jiho some facts.
‘I have to tell him about the space suddenly turning into an otherworld garden.’
The time when Joo Soohyuk reached third grade in PMH, Saeum of April dies in Nabiryeong’s garden.
As it is an ability that has not yet been properly grasped, it was necessary that I bring it up in advance so we can learn how to deal with it.
“The reason why I went to England —”
“Jo Euishin.”
Hwang Jiho raised his hand.
“I see you have no plans to rest at all. It’s not time for complicated conversations. If it’s urgent that every minute and second matters, I’ll listen.”
Hwang Jiho said firmly.
After much thought, I decided it was best to shut up.
Even if we discuss it here, we won’t have an answer to the problem, so I thought it was better to organize my thoughts first before talking about it.
“It’s late, but I’ll give you a tour. Did you eat?”
It’s been a few hours since I last ate.
With my delayed response, Hwang Jiho concluded at will.
“I guess not. Let’s go to the dining room first.”
Hwang Jiho took the lead and started an impromptu tour of the private jet.
I got the impression that this aircraft was bigger than Red Lion’s private jet when I got a glimpse of it back at the terminal, but seeing it from the inside, it really was much wider.
Most of the facilities were only mentioned in passing, telling me that he was rushing us to the dining room, but all the interior designs and facilities were top-notch.
It’s a little sad that this magnificent plane had been sitting in the hangar for such a long time.
‘Well, the Red Lion’s private jet was bought for visiting Yeom Junyeol overseas so it’s understandable.’
If the day comes that we don’t have to worry about the Black Screen, then maybe this plane would be used more often.
‘Tiger motifs are everywhere.’
Insignia, lamps, and frames were all tiger-esque.
Most were in gold, the color of Hwang Jiho’s energy wave, but red, blue, white, and silver were also present here and there.
It could simply be because he missed his friends that he bought a plane dedicated to them.
But wouldn’t he have wanted to travel with his friends too?
I was reminded of his wish — to exist anywhere.
But now, he’s tied to the Tiger Clan’s territory, and the same goes for Baekho.
Even the other tigers are in no position to travel yet.
‘It would be nice if the tigers could go on a trip someday.’
It would be very nice if the descendants and Olmu could come.
While I was busy imagining that day, we arrived in front of an opaque door.
Looking at the hologram next to the automatic door, I could tell that it was a dining room.
“You go in first, Jo Euishin.”
Since Hwang Jiho had been leading the way all this time, It made me a bit wary.
“Why?”
“I’ll open the door.”
He didn’t really answer my question, but Hwang Jiho put his hand on the touch panel.
The door opened, but I couldn’t see anything.
‘The lights are off.’
Interior lights usually turn on automatically though.
Old infrared sensors are sometimes faulty, but I’m sure that kind of thing isn’t installed in this state-of-the-art private jet.
I walked in, my mind full of doubt.
That’s when I sensed a presence.
The moment I thought ‘Is it an automated maid?’ …
Pop! Bang!
My vision was blocked by light and confetti exploding, and I raised my hand in reflex.
Al the lights went on.
When I lowered the hand that was covering my face, I heard a familiar voice.
No, familiar voices.
“Happy birthday Euishin-ah!”
“Happy birthday!”
“Happy birthday.”
It was my classmates.
I blinked and looked around, and I saw the kids smiling as they held little poppers.
The table had a cake with chess piece-shaped candles on top, and the walls were celebrated with colorful birthday cards.
“I think Euishin is surprised?”
“Jiho didn’t drop a spoiler this time!”
“Hahaha! I didn’t last time too.”
“You were about to though.”
Hwang Jiho, Kim Yuri, Hani, Kwon Lena, Maeng Hyodon, Saeum of April, Min Geurin, Song Daesok, Mok Wooram, and Dokgo Miro.
My classmates were here to celebrate my birthday.
