“Sung Hyunjae-ssi."
A true caregiver. Or, just a caregiver.
"I love you.”
[...]
Sung Hyunjae drew a short breath.
"…Han Yoojin-gun. Yoojin-ah.”
“No matter how you change, it's okay. No matter which path you take, it doesn’t matter. Just as long as it’s what you want. If you want to live, then live."
And I, too, wished for that.
An invisible power moved, gently surrounding both me and Sung Hyunjae.
[...]
“I love you, is it?”
Sung Hyunjae's hair moved very slightly. For a moment, it seemed to glint like silver.
“You noticed, right? The keyword.”
“To some extent.”
Of course, he knew.
“In the beginning, you used to say it sometimes, to me as well.”
“Yes, I tried.”
“But after a certain point, you stopped. [...] You didn’t even joke about it.”
“Well, it’s not something you say easily.”
Going around saying “I love you” here and there isn’t quite right.
“Isn’t it the opposite?”
“Pardon?”
“A keyword for saying it easily. As a caregiver, it’s a sentiment you should express more than anyone.”
“…Ah.”
“But it ironically makes you reluctant to say it.”
Saying “I love you” isn’t bad. In fact, it’s a phrase that’s good to say a lot. It wouldn’t hurt to say it habitually every morning and evening. If it’s sincere, it’s a pleasant thing to hear repeatedly.
“You’re right. Actually, it’s not a word to feel embarrassed about. Wait, wait!”
“I love you, Yoojin-ah.”
I screamed instinctively. Goosebumps ran all over my body.
“No, I still can’t handle it! I need an adjustment period, ten years at least!”
Sung Hyunjae chuckled as he watched me jump up. [...]
“I assume there was a restriction about revealing the keyword as well.”
“As sharp as ever. But now, I’m free from the system’s influence. The system’s restrictions are more like conditions for guiding, aren’t they?”
[...] Now, I no longer had the system or skill window. [...]
“The ‘I love you’ I said earlier was more a way to convey my feelings clearly than a keyword.”
That you’re precious to me, and that I want to help you achieve what you desire.