Chapter 120

Seo Jio was a gentle and old-fashioned person.

‘I never thought I’d have such a blush-inducing impression of someone.’

But that was the thought that came to mind as soon as he saw him.

“Today’s tea snack was star candy, I see.”

“Yes, they were purple, yellow, and green star candies respectively.”

“Isn’t it truly sweet?”

“Looking at the records… they’ve only requested sweet snacks.”

“Last time, they wanted lemon madeleines.”

It wasn’t a particularly meaningful conversation.

Although he wasn’t stopped from reporting it via radio, Seo Jio smoothly passed over the anomaly of 『The Sweet Tea Party』 with the words, ‘a fortune beyond the standard is coming.’

The conversation they were having now was close to ordinary small talk.

Thanks to that, the man was able to feel a bit more familiar with 『The Sweet Tea Party』.

“I’ve also baked them myself.”

“You must be good at cooking.”

“I have a talent for bringing imaginary food into reality.”

“I’m a little envious of that.”

Was this the power that a good person gives off?

As they talked, his tensed body gradually relaxed.

‘…It’s a conversation that gives a sense of stability.’

The conversation didn’t have any special content, but Seo Jio’s attitude towards the man gave him that sense of stability.

Even though he wasn’t doing anything particularly conspicuous, he could sense the deep goodwill that Seo Jio was showing.

‘I heard he talked with another newbie last time, is he managing the employees or something.’

It was a vast goodwill that was hard to understand.

“…Do you often have conversations like this with other employees?”

The man continued to ask.

“I heard that you don’t stay at the company for long.”

“I am staying in a place that is easier to find than you might think.”

“Ah, perhaps… in that case… Yes, are you living in the dormitory?”

“I am living within this building.”

“I didn’t even know such facilities existed in such a large building.”

The man understood.

It seemed the Collector was doting on him quite a bit. That must be it.

‘Well, if the person has this kind of atmosphere….’

He could understand the psychology of the Guild Master, Bisabeol.

‘He has an atmosphere like he might quietly disappear at any moment.’

Seo Jio showed an aspect that was somehow detached from reality.

His voice was low and gentle, resembling the sunlight spreading faintly on a spring day.

The gaze that reached him was clear, yet its color was soft, making it hazy, and his attitude towards people was polite yet cautious, giving a sense of slow lightness.

His soft-spoken manner and the faint smile on his face that showed no signs of disappearing looked like a faded memory from a children's fairy tale or a relic like a silent film.

“……”

Was this too blatant a thought for someone he had just met?

‘…But he doesn’t look like someone who would be tied down somewhere.’

But he also didn’t seem like he would enjoy a bustling atmosphere.

‘His actions are noble, and his atmosphere is heavy….’

As if he would suddenly disappear and wander the world, appearing in an unexpected place, giving an unexpected gift, and then disappearing.

It felt strangely like such an impossibly romantic being.

He exuded an atmosphere that couldn't be described in words.

The very fact that such a person existed next to him and was talking to him was unbelievable.

“……”

“Do you like sweet things?”

“…To some extent.”

“I also like sweet things.”

Was this an unconditional agreement?

‘Part of a social activity?’

Before he could think any further, the other person held out a small snack.

“Would you like one?”

“…What is this?”

“It’s a lemon madeleine.”

“……”

For a moment.

“…Thank you.”

He thought it was strange.

‘I don’t know what’s strange, but….’

Hadn’t we just been talking about lemon madeleines?

Since he said he enjoyed cooking, he must have either made it himself or bought the snack from somewhere.

But the lemon madeleine that appeared suddenly during the conversation was wrapped in a faintly translucent white paper and decorated with a simple, neat black ribbon.

The madeleine, wrapped in elegant paper and exuding a sweet scent, suited the porcelain dolls of 『The Sweet Tea Party』 more than them.

But the black ribbon, merely used to tidy the entrance, looked like it would taste more bitter than sweet.

“……”

Rustle.

He took out the madeleine.

“…Did you perhaps make this yourself?”

“It is my pleasure.”

“You are truly skilled with your hands.”

To be honest, he couldn't imagine the person in front of him baking and wrapping this himself.

‘…Rather than that….’

It seemed like he would literally create it.

Simply because he wanted it, it seemed like it would be in his hands.

‘…I’ve been having strange thoughts since a while ago. Unnecessary delusions are of no help at all.’

Perhaps the mold itself was custom-made, as the madeleine was smaller than expected.

The lemon madeleine’s shell, which was coated in white like a blurry frost, had a crisp and crunchy texture.

The madeleine, which had a faint scent of trees after a rain, was more plain and soft than he thought.

“…It’s delicious.”

For some reason, it was just delicious enough to completely release all the tension that had made his body stiffen again.

“To be honest, I didn’t believe you when you said you were good at cooking.”

“Those are sad words. Why did you think that?”

“Because you don’t have an atmosphere of someone who would get their hands wet.”

“I hear that often.”

“That is the impression you give. However….”

It wasn’t that he thought it didn’t suit him at all.

“…You also have an impression that suits anything.”

He seemed like he could do anything.

He looked as if he had sat on the throne of the Pope in a high place, and also like a beggar in the lowest, most humble place.

But the man instinctively knew that whatever position he truly held, he would be able to accept it all.

Whether he was a chaebol beyond imagination, or a Carnation Child born in a slum on a cold winter day.

Yes, he would come to think that you could certainly be that.

“…The reason is….”

Well.

“I’m not sure.”

“Those are strange words.”

“…Is that so.”

But there was one thing for certain.

“……”

Whatever his status, it seemed no one could hold this person down.

Just as it’s natural for time to pass and the world to change.

‘…I should stop thinking.’

That’s enough.

The man stared blankly into the air.

“……”

He had a lot of work to do, so it was time to break away from this terrible comfort.

“…The time… it’s later than I thought.”

It was already 6 in the morning.

“It doesn’t feel like we talked much.”

“It was an enjoyable conversation.”

“…I’m glad you felt that way.”

Around that time, a new presence was felt.

“Jio?”

It was Curator Yu Seong-un.

“Were you awake?”

“Yes, Mr. Yu Seong-un.”

The two seemed to know each other well as they conversed naturally.

“I was talking with this person.”

“Oh, I was wondering who it was, if it wasn't Curator Binari.”

As he had nothing to say and just bowed his head, Yu Seong-un didn’t say anything more.

As if he was skilled at dealing with people, he turned back to Seo Jio as if not to make him uncomfortable.

“What were you talking about?”

“We were talking about how it’s unbelievable that I’m good at cooking.”

“Oh, really? I thought it suited you quite well…. Your cooking is really delicious.”

Curator Yu Seong-un asked in his characteristic calm tone.

“It’s already past 6 AM. The employees will be coming soon, are you going to stay in the gallery?”

“No, I plan to go back before the other employees arrive.”

Under the light that fell straight down, the man was reflected in the deep blue eyes.

“What will you do, Mr. Binari?”

“I plan to go back to the dormitory, the one the company provided….”

“Is that place Mr. Binari’s home?”

“It seems to be more of a place to stay than a home.”

“You will soon have a comfortable home.”

He showed goodwill once again.

“Do you need a guide?”

“……”

Without realizing it.

“……”

The man ‘unwittingly’ looked around the gallery.

He looked once at the porcelain dolls he was in charge of, 『The Sweet Tea Party』.

He looked at the gleaming glass of the frame hanging next to it, and in front of it.

He looked at the light falling from the ceiling and the clock hanging between them.

He looked at the floor where the light fell. In the light that fell vertically, the shadow.

The one missing black color….

“……”

He saw.

“…No.”

When he raised his head, he suddenly met Curator Yu Seong-un’s eyes.

“It’s alright.”

Those eyes curved clearly, revealing a smile.

“I’ve memorized the entire structure of this gallery.”

“I see.”

“I’ll go out by myself.”

“Thank you for talking with me.”

The man in the black cape said.

“I remember and affirm you.”

“……”

“Have a good day.”

A strange resonance.

“……”

The man bowed his head and left the gallery.

“……”

He passed through the winding corridors in preparation for any unforeseen event.

The lights on the ceiling created a shadow along with his footsteps.

After the shadow moved several times, he arrived at the elevator.

The place to get on was the 3rd basement floor.

The place to get off was the 1st-floor lobby.

He pressed the button and the elevator started to work.

“……”

He muttered to himself without realizing it.

“…He’s a peculiar person.”

He had only seen him for a moment, yet time had flown by.

He had only seen him for a very brief moment, yet it was so.

It could be.

Despite his large build, his presence was incredibly faint, and even when he was right next to him, it felt like he wasn’t there.

Yet, his undeniable presence made it impossible not to look at him, even if he tried to look away.

“He seemed like a great person.”

He was gentle and old-fashioned.

He sparkled like a prince from a fairy tale who had become an adult, he was ancient like a relic of old history now buried in the ground, and he was special, like a miracle of a time that no one remembered.

“A person who gives comfort….”

Why did a country village he had never seen before come to mind?

Why did he hear the sound of dry grass rustling in the desolate wind?

He felt a nostalgia similar to when he admired the vermilion color of the sea as the sun set calmly, or when he listened to a lullaby sung by a parent to put a child to sleep.

It was simple and lyrical.

So.

“He’s a good person.”

The man knows nothing.

“Yes….”

The one-hour gap where he must have been possessed by something unreal.

The sound of dry grass coming from his bare feet.

The shadow that didn't exist alone under the light, or the vast forest reflected in the glass coating the frame.

The sun.

The sea.

The eyeball.

The eye.

Eye.

“……”

Even the gaze sent by the eye reflected in the glass, he doesn't know.

It is an unknown thing.

“…He’s a good person.”

Because ‘Seo Jio’ is a ‘good person’.

He had to be.

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