Lin Young-Jae got out of the bathroom with newly changed clothes.
His new outfit made him appear like a fresh student. White collared shirt peeking out on the beige knitted sweater, brown pants and white shoes. Everything fit perfectly, as if she had secretly taken measurements while he slept.
Looking at Lin Ji-Young's sparkling eyes, Lin Young-Jae decided not to ask. He just admired her eyes for fashion. If it were him, he would have just grabbed all black. Pays less for cleaning out stains and laundry if ever.
He never bought white shoes before too. Especially when dirt easily sticks in, with more effort to deep clean the shoes inside out.
But now... Light clothing doesn't feel so bad.
"Thanks, noona." He lightly said. His eyes on the clothes with a light look of satisfaction.
Lin Ji-Young was also happy. Her eyes didn't fail her after choosing these clothes. She knew it'll fit her baby brother very well. She had imagined this so many times before and had a vague image of how it'll look to Young-Jae.
She really wanted him to wear different outfits back then and had made sure to ask his measurements from the boy's attending physician. Every changes was noted every six months and the fact that each time, making sure that she had all set for the season. But each time, Young-Jae's health didn't get better and his size and weight gradually changed.
Not until today. The clothes she had custom tailored were finally worn and one of her dreams to see her brother walking with beautiful clothes on finally came true.
Lin Ji-Young couldn't help but be teary eyed. Touched that after patiently waiting this long, she finally saw this side of her baby brother.
Lin Young-Jae blinked twice and immediately panicked. He quickly ran towards Ji-Young's crying figure.
"... Noona, are you okay?" The young man asked.
"Yes." Lin Ji-Young immediately wiped her tears and looked happy again. Pulling her young brother into a tight embrace. "Ah, my baby brother is finally leaving the nest— whilst temporarily. But I'll miss you very much!"
Lin Young-Jae awkwardly hugged her back. "I'll miss you too." He replied, almost a whisper.
While the two were hugging warmly, people outside the door stood to watch them, not daring to disturb the conversation between siblings.
Shin In Soo helplessly smiled. As much as he wanted to keep that kid here, he'd rather prioritize his safety than anything else.
Separating these siblings might have been a sad parting that he soon realized. Yet he feared that what happened before might happen again.
He glanced at his twin sister and guild vice leader, Shin Sera. Although her face showed a stern and serious facade, the side of her eyes were obviously red, showing the bit sign that she's about to cry. She was such a soft hearted girl, but sometimes, her intimidating aura made her look indifferent.
The two who greatly looked opposite of each other almost didn't look alike if it weren't for their red eyes and blonde hairs. But the shape of their eyes, the carves of their brow, and the way they carried themselves are completely opposite of each other that always made people surprised whenever they hear that Shin In Soo and Shin Sera are twins.
Some raised eyebrows but had soon gotten used to this polar opposites. After all, before the era of dungeons, the Shin family were known to be a big shot in the business world.
The CEO of Shin conglomerate, Shin Jeon, held his head high, creating headlines after headlines of patents created, especially in the medical field. It is said that his straight, superior, and respectable demeanor was inherited by his daughter, Shin Sera. While the Madam of the Shin Family who also came from a prestigious upbringing rose from handling the underground. She had a sly and mysterious air around her. Her smile, as charismatic yet dangerous when not read properly. Everyone can tell that the sly young master of Shin got his traits from his mother.
Shin In Soo looked at the leader of Legion who indifferently watched the sibling hug their goodbyes.
Lin Young-Jae's ability is useful, sure. But he still couldn't understand why Park Do Hyun was in a hurry to recruit the young man. He had always been indifferent when the matter involved others. Even if it's his people, he wasn't this hands on. And he most definitely doesn't bother recruiting awakeners whose ages are not yet legible for joining a guild.
So why break all his known habits just for a sickly weak child who has not been thoroughly assessed yet? To the point where he'd criticize his guild's weakness just to make a reasonable excuse to bring the young man with him.
"Are you ready?" Lin Ji-Young finally let the embrace go but held both shoulder with a firm yet gentle grip.
"Um..." Lin Young-Jae nodded and as soon as he gave the nod. The people at the door finally moved, headed by Shin In Soo.
His smile plastered to his face with professional practice. "Are these your luggage?" He asked.
Lin Young-Jae glanced at his older sister and then back at the Aegis' guild master. "Yes."
"Great! We'll haul it in the car. Best to walk slowly and spend more time with huntress Lin while we wait for you downstairs." Gathering the luggage, slinging it on his shoulders and pushed back the crowd at the door, Shin In Soo disappeared almost immediately with the group, leaving the sibling alone in the room again.
Lin Ji-Young sighed after that second of interruption. Massaging her temples before looking back at her younger brother.
"Come on, Jae, I'll walk you to the parking lot." She said.
Taking the young man's hand, she lead him out of the room door. The white path welcomed their exit still stench with the scent of disinfectant spread out in the air. The hallway is quiet in that floor, no unnecessary sound, no footsteps but theirs and no sign of life.
Lin Young-Jae's room is located roughly in the middle of the hospital building floor. Because of his strict restrictions, two rooms on both his left and right were unoccupied and the rooms in front of him is just as vacant.
So it was no wonder why he had been lonely.
Lin Ji-Young also noticed this eerie silence. She had not noticed it before because she was always eager to reach his room. But now that they're walking out slowly, the lonely silence made her heart ached.
"Jae..." She called softly.
"Hm?" The young man looked at his elder sister.
"I have a lot to be sorry for."
He looked at her guilty look, smiling back sweetly. "Yet I have a lot to be thankful for." He said. "Noona, without you, I'm not here."
This is one of 'Lin Young-Jae's' honest truths. His heart would flutter and then it would hurt because like his sister, he felt just as guilty for existing like this and burdening her.
The sibling looked at each other. With a knowing eye contact, both laughed, holding each other's hand tighter.
Seems like they're both guilty.
"I'll visit you as often as I can." Lin Ji-Young said again, as if a new mantra to reassure the boy besides him.
Lin Young-Jae hummed. "I'll wait for you."
'Ding!'
The elevator rang. Opening, the two entered and had a few moment of silence for a while.
In the three-second mark, Lin Ji-Young looked at her brother seriously.
"Don't just wait for me. Have lots of fun and friends too. If you need anything, tell hunter Lee Seok Jin and he'll get it for you no matter what, when and where." She said, her voice uncharacteristically emphasizing Lee Seok Jin's name as if he owed her a lot.
"Okay." The young man simply responded. "Then noona, don't just rush at anything dangerous. Make sure you're safe and healthy too." He said back.
"Yes, of course." Lin Ji-Young happily complied. She loved hearing her brother's nagging. Not only is it rare, it's also very loving.
The elevator level was slowly decreasing. And as the two made a comfortable and warm chat, the elevator finally reached the parking lot.
In just a few strides, they were close at the low-key black car parked on the door. It wouldn't even be eye catching if it weren't for both Legion and Aegis' guild master's standing beside it.
Noticing the approaching sibling, Shin In Soo waved his hand.
Reaching the car, Lin Ji-Young's hold in her brother's hand tightened and slowly let go. The look of reluctant parting was obvious that.
"I'll see you soon." With one final squeeze, Lin Ji-Young let him go.
Lin Young-Jae glanced at the empty feeling in his hand and made his way to Park Do Hyun's side. He faced Shin In Soo, Lin Ji-Young, and the just arriving Shin Sera who held a tablet with her as usual. But there was an extra paperbag in her hand which she didn't have earlier.
The woman put down her devices and glanced at the small group. After a quick check, she walked towards Lin Young-Jae, stretching out her hand to hand over the paperbag.
The boy, although confused due to his limited interaction with the female vice guild master, took the paperbag with both hands with a quiet thank you. He was curious about what's inside, but was embarrassed to break eye contact.
Shin Sera also just stared. Thankfully, Lin Ji-Young took her attention away with a topic concerning a dungeon. Seeing as no one was looking at him at the moment as the guild leaders were talking amongst themselves as well, the young man was finally able to take a look at the contents of the paperbag.
Inside, were a set of scarf, gloves, bonnet and just actually the small things that might be needed during winter.
He fished out the white gloves, pause for a second and took a second glance. The fluffy texture was comfortable as if he was touching the clouds but...
Why is it shaped like cat paws?
He placed it back then grabbed the bonnet. The same texture as the gloves and on top of it, there were cat ears.
He put it back again and slowly raised his head and look at Shin Sera in a new light.
Seems like, she's into the cute stuff. But why give it to him with such a straight face?
Noticing the boy's look, Shin Sera gave him a glance. Her expression, not breaking her upright character, looked down at the paperbag. And in a quick second, he was sure he saw the spark of shine in her eyes.
After Shin In Soo and Park Do Hyun's conversation ended, the smiling Aegis guild's master glanced at the young man who was clutching the paperbag. He couldn't help but gave it a second glance.
He remembered that bag sitting on his own car earlier purchased by his twin. He checked the contents and was sure that it's some kind of cat costume.
Lin Young-Jae noticed his eyes too and looked away in embarrassment which confirmed that it was indeed the same item from Shin Sera's purchase.
"We'll visit." The man smiled, assuring him.
Lin Young-Jae couldn't help but sigh helpless. "Then I'll see you."
Everyone finally had their piece of goodbyes. Park Do Hyun noticed that everyone no longer had anything to say after Lin Ji-Young's hundred reminders. The luggage had been stuffed in the trunk and all that's left was for them to get in and leave.
Lin Young-Jae was also a bit confused why it was only Park Do Hyun when he was told yesterday that the medical specialists from Legion will also be coming. But he didn't ask further thinking that they decided to just wait in the guild premises instead.
The young man actually preferred it that way. So that he could fully say his goodbyes well before leaving the first home he first saw when he possessed this body.
"Well." The young man looked at Park Do Hyun. "Shall we go, hyung?" He asked.
The Legion's guild leader nodded. Lin Young-Jae gave one more glance to the people with him and then ran to the passenger seat. Park Do Hyun also entered the driver seat, not wasting a second and started the engine.
The tinted window slowly slides open where Lin Young-Jae waved his hand with a smile. Lin Ji-Young and Shin In Soo waved back as the car slowly moved out of the parking lot and sped away, disappearing into the curve.
Lin Ji-Young, Shin In Soo and Shin Sera visibly calmed down in a blink of an eye, hearing another set of footsteps coming. As they turned their eyes, Hospital director and Doctor Woo Eun was there. Maybe it was because the underground parking lot is darker than any other floors upstairs, but the cold eyes under his glasses was visibly darker. A sense that can make a person feel that this man is angrier than he should be.
The three looked at him, still confused why.
But before anyone can ask, he spoke. "I think this guild needs a more thorough clean up, not just in the guild itself but also in the hospital." He said. "Because if not, I might just as well commit murder myself."