noveldrama
Chapter 125
Chapter 125
Around the time Winter was almost dragged away, Yujin was busy facing a barrage of questions from the reporters.
He was the hero who had single-handedly carried the S-rank gate and was a strong candidate for promotion to S-rank—a monstrous rookie who had made a global name for himself in just two months since his enrollment. The reporters were eager to squeeze out every possible question, their eyes alight with determination…
---
**"Mr. Seo Yujin!! What is your connection to the Josin Cult in the U.S…?"**
**"——Three questions related to Winter. Five questions about myself. A total of eight questions only."**
**"……!!!!?"**
Yujin was actually training the reporters, limiting the number of questions with a simple declaration.
His eyes glinted with a subtle golden hue.
---
**"Eight is too few!"**
**"Exactly! The public has a right to know about Mr. Seo Yujin."**
**"Winter is about to pay for her crimes."**
**"…Excuse me?"**
**"At a minimum, it’ll be 15 years. This is the moment when a child who’s gone through so much will be taken by the Ministry of Defense to serve."**
**"……."**
**"She’s someone I care about deeply, like family. I would appreciate it if you allowed me the chance to give her a proper farewell."**
With a slight furrow in his brows, the expression on the overly handsome young man was filled with sorrow.
It was perfect acting.
---
*Alright, no one’s going to keep pestering him after he says this, right? This next S-rank is asking so earnestly. Better let him off easy.*
---
**[Hypnosis unleashes a big-eyed pleading attack.]**
**[He mumbles "Pwease~?" with a pout and chubby cheeks.]**
Hypnosis added to the act as a bonus.
The unbeatable combination of the two had the reporters nodding their heads.
---
**"Well, family is family…."**
**"Honestly, isn’t this even a story? A girl we thought was a villain being saved by a hero…."**
**"Let’s keep the questions formal and let him go."**
In an instant, the mood shifted.
Reporters who were ready to go head-to-head with him just a minute ago suddenly softened, thinking, *Oh, he has family to consider? Well, in that case….*
Thanks to this, the interview proceeded smoothly.
---
**"Do you think of Winter as a daughter…?"**
**"The mana fuel rod was provided by Master Ninomiya Aika, an Awakened expert…."**
**"What’s your relationship with that reporter who asked about Kkong last time?"**
Although one reporter’s interruption briefly earned him a lemonade dispenser-style punishment, the impromptu interview concluded in about twenty minutes. Yujin finally dashed into the courthouse, leaving a sea of camera flashes in his wake.
---
**"Seo Yujin and Winter… it’s like a romance novel."**
**"If he gives her a farewell kiss despite her being a former enemy, it’d be amazing, right?"**
**"Come on, he wouldn’t actually kiss her…."**
*What are those reporters whispering about?*
Little did he know his actions were fueling the reporters' romantic imaginations.
---
Once inside the courthouse, Yujin headed straight for the waiting room.
The location had been texted to him by the Chairman.
Winter was waiting there.
---
He swung the door open.
**"Winter, are you okay?!"**
*She must be feeling anxious, so I need to comfort her….*
Yujin’s expression was filled with concern as he entered.
He’d witnessed firsthand what Winter had endured in the military.
And now, she was on the verge of enlistment.
A 15-year service term—ten times his own, longer than even North Korea’s standard.
Knowing this, it was impossible for Yujin not to worry.
Any man would understand the agony of military service.
How did Winter respond to his concern?
---
She bit down on a candy with a crunch.
**"You’re late, little rice cake. I almost died of old age waiting."**
**"…What?"**
There she was, lounging on the waiting room sofa, popping candy into her mouth without a hint of fear or tension.
---
**"Are you okay? I thought you’d be trembling in fear."**
**"Ha. Do you think the strongest villain, Winter, would be scared? As if."**
**"Yeah! My sister is super strong and smart. She’ll rule there too!"**
Beside her, Haru was feeding lemon candies to her sister.
The two sisters showed no sign of tension despite the impending separation.
Yujin glanced sideways.
---
**[Chairman, what kind of magic did you use? I thought she’d be paralyzed by trauma.]**
**[I didn’t do anything. Haru calmed her down on her own.]**
**[Our Haru?]**
**[Yes. The girl who was trembling suddenly settled down… it was a touching sight. You would have loved to see it.]**
**[Ah, that’s our Haru!]**
Hearing the explanation, Yujin beamed with pride.
He was feeling overwhelmed with affection for his daughters.
---
**[Alright then, spend some time as a family. I’ll be waiting outside.]**
**[Why don’t you stay with us, Chairman?]**
**[Haru may think of me as family, but Winter certainly doesn’t. I’d just be in the way.]**
The Chairman made her exit smoothly, noting that Winter had been glancing at her with apprehension.
---
*Something doesn’t feel right. This might not be dangerous, but… better escape before I get dragged into it.*
Thanks to her intuition, the Chairman could predict the upcoming chaos, and she left to avoid being caught up in it.
She truly deserved the title of "Wise Elder" from the Saint.
---
Yujin, left alone with the two sisters, cleared his throat.
**"Ahem, Winter?"**
**"What is it, little rice cake?"**
**"Since we don’t have much time, let me give you some advice."**
**"……?"**
**"You’ll be joining the special forces, unlike me…."**
He explained that Awakened individuals were highly valued even in the military.
They weren’t treated like regular soldiers but rather like elite special forces personnel.
Of course, it wouldn’t be like the status they enjoyed in civilian life, but—
---
**"You’re in mandatory service. You’ll be spending fifteen years there."**
**"……."**
**"So make sure you display your skills properly and earn special treatment. Make your time there as comfortable as possible."**
With so much time before her discharge, he advised her to maximize her position and status in the military.
It was practical advice.
---
He continued with a few more tips.
These were the nuggets of wisdom he’d gathered during his own alternative service in his previous life.
---
*That fool, little rice cake. Acting like my dad and everything.*
Winter’s lips curved into a faint smile.
To her, the advice sounded more like nagging, but…
It was the first time she’d received such heartfelt concern.
Even Seol Ha Yeon had never offered her this kind of family love.
It deeply touched her heart, bringing out a rare soft smile instead of her usual mocking smirk.
Seeing this, Yujin smiled as well.
---
**"Well… I’ll tell you the rest later. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."**
**"Are you done with your nagging, little rice cake?"**
**"Nagging? That’s harsh. It was valuable advice, you know."**
The atmosphere grew warmer.
Yujin and Winter exchanged smiles, as if they were a genuinely close father-daughter pair.
---
**[Alright, Haru, watch carefully. Your sister is going to show you something.]**
**"……!!"**
With her sister’s signal, Haru’s eyes sparkled, ready to observe everything closely.
Under her gaze, Winter moved forward.
---
**"Still, thank you… Dad."**
**"……!!!"**
*My sister hugged him!*
Winter wrapped her arms around Yujin.
The steady young man stiffened momentarily, then trembled with emotion.
After all, this was Winter—the girl who always acted prickly.
For her to suddenly show affection like this…
Yujin couldn’t help but feel moved.
---
*My Winter…!!*
**"Yes, yes. My dear daughter. Take care!"**
He hugged her tightly, moved beyond words.
It was unusual for him to behave this way, given his usual reluctance toward displays of affection.
The tender atmosphere was precisely what Winter had aimed for.
---
**"So… Dad. Can I have a going-away gift?"**
**"Hm? Oh, sure! I was planning to give you something. What do you want? I’d get you the stars if I could!"**
**"Hehe. Then…."**
She grinned.
---
**"Instead of a farewell gift… give me a kiss."**
**"……?"**
In the soft atmosphere, she requested a kiss.
Yujin blinked, bewildered.
A kiss? Not a peck, but a kiss?
*My daughter’s really bold, huh…? Doesn’t have anyone else to do this with, so she’s turning to her dad?*
It was out of the question.
It wasn’t something he’d do with his daughter.
---
*Sorry, but my lips are reserved for my wives.*
After all, he had three beloved wives.
To
kiss someone else, even a cherished daughter, felt like cheating.
He was about to refuse, but then…
---
*Wait a second. This could be a chance. A chance to cure her mental health issues.*
Just as he was about to decline, a thought struck him.
Winter had numerous mental health issues.
Until now, his hypnosis hadn’t been effective because of the power difference, and she’d needed leniency in sentencing due to her disorders.
But now that her sentence was set and he had grown stronger… this could work.
---
He nodded subtly.
---
**"Alright. Just this once, I’ll indulge you."**
**"……!!!"**
*See, Haru? Men will give in if a woman acts like this! Your sister knows how it’s done!*
Winter’s confidence surged.
She thought she’d successfully seduced him and pointed to the sofa across from Haru—the perfect place for her sister to see.
---
**"Sit here."**
**"Alright, alright."**
Yujin sat down, and Winter sat lightly on his lap.
Their gazes met.
---
**"Alright… Winter. I’ll give you a peck, so don’t struggle and just enjoy your time there, alright?"**
**"Okay, Dad."**
**"Forget everything that’s been hard so far and be happy, alright?"**
**"I get it, now hurry up."**
Then, Winter leaned in closer to Yujin…
---
**[Watch closely, Haru.]**
She gave him a light butterfly kiss.
Their lips met briefly.
By Yujin’s standards, it was just barely appropriate for family.
His eyes glowed golden.
---
*I feel like I should immediately run to apologize to my wives, but… treatment comes first!*
---
**[Hypnosis, in a nurse outfit, rushes forward!]
[It marvels at how many injuries there are, asking if it hurt, and starts sticking bandages on the target’s psyche.]**
He began the treatment.
Despite the kiss, he focused on his task without any distraction…
---
Suddenly, Winter’s tongue slipped between his lips.
Yujin’s composure shattered.
For a moment, he froze in shock.
Their tongues intertwined.
---
*Wait. Is she… did my daughter just give me a deep kiss?*
Yujin was stunned for nearly three seconds.
To him, Winter was like Haru—a daughter.
A slightly more fiery one, but still.
But here she was, slipping her tongue into his mouth.
What was going on? Was this a dream?
This wasn’t something family did…
Meanwhile, in front of him, Winter’s eyes began to clear.
---
---
**[Symptoms of PTSD, borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, dissociative identity disorder, and 16 other disorders have been nullified…]**
Her mind, once clouded by dark memories, extreme mood swings, and a painful past, began to clear and heal.
Her eyes, once clouded with madness, regained their light.
---
*Haru, look. Your sister’s… chu-rup chu-rup… with Dad….*
Whether before or after regaining her sanity, her love for her family remained the same.
---
*Wow. He’s really handsome. Maybe I should just go all the way with him…?*
*My sister is the master of chu-rup chu-rup!!!*
*Are kids these days this intense with kisses? TV dramas are corrupting them….*
In every way, they truly were a one-of-a-kind family.
---
After the brief kiss.
---
**"Alright, Dad. I’ll be off. I might not see you for a long time, but please wait for me with Haru…."**
**"What are you talking about? You’ll be back in three days."**
**"……Huh? W-What?!"**
Winter stammered in disbelief.
---
*I did that thinking I wouldn’t see him for a long time, but what’s this rice-cake nonsense?!*
Her newly stabilized mind was once again on the brink.