Chapter 30

Translator: Nox

"Doctor Teacher, you're here?"

After finishing my embarrassing conversation with Rishar, I entered the Greenhouse to find Jin leaning against the bed, reading a book.

He'd been reading that book for several days now. Something about it being a birthday gift from Rishar.

I'd grown curious since it was about dwarven civilization, so I took a peek, but the text was completely unreadable. Apparently written in a language extinct for at least a thousand years, yet Jin read it effortlessly. Amazing.

"You seem pretty idle these days. No executive meetings or anything."

I'd always found it adorable how those grim rebel executives huddled cutely in this bright Greenhouse atmosphere, but I hadn't seen them around lately.

At my words, Jin set the book down and stared intently at me. W-what? Did I say something weird?

"Mm. I should've mentioned it sooner, but I need your cooperation, Teacher."

Jin said with a serious expression. I swallowed dryly, suddenly tense, and sat by his bed. What could make him bring it up so gravely?

"Right now, I'm in no state to handle duties on the surface. So keep that in mind."

His words shocked me. What was this? He'd shown everyone his healthy self just days ago at the gathering, and now this out-of-the-blue nonsense?

"There's a reason for it. So I'd appreciate if you didn't mention my condition to anyone. Better yet, if possible, stay by my side to make me look critically ill."

Sensing my confusion, he added an explanation.

I was at a loss for words at his request. Sure, I was a quack doctor, but even I knew medical ethics forbade discussing patients outside the patient and guardians.

Setting that aside, did this mean he needed to pretend to be sick for some strategy? Stay by his side to make him look gravely ill—what on earth was going on?

After our brief talk, Jin returned to his book. Whatever the reason, if this workaholic was resting instead of working, I welcomed it.

Plus, more time to admire this handsome face. Absolutely not personal interest—just sticking by for operational needs, as he said.

"Why stare so intensely, Teacher?"

Sensing my gaze, Jin asked without looking up from his book. Ah, no, does he have eyes on the side too? And he knows I'm staring because he's handsome. I deliberately turned my head away.

But unable to resist, I kept sneaking glances, and Jin's lips twitched like he was holding back laughter. Was the book that funny? Or teasing me?

I shook my head and pulled out needle, thread, and fabric from my bag. Had to focus on something to curb the urge to keep staring at Jin.

After trying embroidery for Jin's birthday gift, I'd realized it was perfect for killing time. Plus, using suture needles honed hand dexterity.

Deep in embroidery, I lifted my head to stretch my back—and felt time stop with a thud. Our eyes met. Jin's, gazing at me with a warm smile.

But in an instant, as if he'd never worn that expression, he turned back to his book.

W-what was that? Did I hallucinate? What was that holy, dazzling smile? Why smile so beautifully at someone?

'...Must've misread it.'

I stared hard at Jin, but he showed no change, immersed in his book as if that dreamlike smile never happened.

Snapping myself out of it, I focused stitch by stitch on the embroidery. After a while, it was time to move Jin back to his bedroom.

In this summer heat, he didn't seem hot at all—blanket pulled to his chin, mask on. Never got used to the sight. Like a chaebol heir from a prosecutor's office drama.

"Not hot?"

I asked Jin. Even watching made me sweat. Perhaps my feelings showed, as he chuckled at my face.

"Thanks to you, Teacher, my complexion's improved beyond recognition, so I need to hide it somehow."

He was seriously faking illness now. I gaped at him in disbelief.

"What's going on exactly? And come to think of it, you haven't been teaching Rodent lately."

"Mm, you'll need to know anyway. I'll explain once we're in the bedroom."

"Really? Then I'll swing by the lab first. Rick said the new medicine I requested would be done by evening."

Excited to finally get answers, I said cheerfully.

Jin grimaced at 'new medicine.'

No matter how hard I tried for fruit flavors, I couldn't eliminate medicine's inherent bitterness. Understandable for Jin, enduring countless types, to dread new ones.

"Not for you, so no grimacing. Hangover cure. Made it after seeing so many suffer post-banquet."

At my narrowed eyes, Jin finally sighed in relief. Hated medicine that much?

Heading to the lab after parting with Jin, Rick and Lui greeted me in a somber mood. Unfamiliar atmosphere left me awkwardly gauging them.

"Teacher, you're here?"

Lui greeted me after awkwardly exchanging glances with Rick. What was going on?

"Y-yeah. Here for the medicine I asked Rick for."

At my awkward reply, Rick hurriedly handed me the vial. I uncapped and sniffed. Hmm, familiar scent.

Just like the hangover drinks I'd chugged after company dinners back home. No way... Similar ingredients? Smelling it alone sobered me up.

"Thanks, Rick."

Forcing a smile amid the awkwardness, I thanked him. But Rick and Lui kept eyeing each other, silent.

"What is it, you two? Did you fight?"

At my question, Lui bit her lip and cautiously spoke.

"N-no, it's... Leader, is his condition really bad?"

Her voice overflowed with worry. I finally realized the source. Jin's fake illness had reached them.

Rick might not know, but Lui had lived like family with Jin for 16 years. Hiding from her too—what was he plotting?

"Uh... sorry. Can't tell you."

I vaguely brushed it off.

But sensing something in my tone, Rick's face crumpled. On the verge of tears.

Ah, no. Why was the mood this heavy?

"W-well, I'll head out then. Gotta see Jin."

Unable to bear the stifling air, I bolted from the lab. No clue what was happening.

I hurried to the one who could answer my questions.

 

* * *

 

"Jin! Jin!"

I flung open the door, calling his name. Jin, fresh from washing up and changing, was towel-drying his damp hair.

"Teacher, what happened? You ran here?"

Panting, I caught my breath and stared at him. Too curious to hold back.

"Dying to know. What's really going on?"

Why were Rick and Lui so deathly worried about Jin?

Jin grinned amusedly at my heaving against the wall. I was dying here!

"Alright, I'll tell you. Drink some water first and catch your breath, Teacher."

Jin poured a cup and beckoned. I plopped by his bed. Was water ever this sweet? I gulped it down.

Jin hesitated briefly before speaking.

"Where to start. Mm... Can't go into details, but there's a spy near me. Very close."

A spy? I gaped at him. Well, not surprising given the circumstances...

"Everything we do gets sabotaged. But by the time I notice and hunt them, they're already hidden."

His story jogged a memory. Arachne waiting precisely at the lake, knowing our walk time. Too frantic then to think, but suspicious now.

"So to lower their guard. Waiting for them to move again."

Jin smiled slyly.

So faking illness to make the spy complacent? Very Jin-like espionage.

"But Jin, you showed everyone how healthy you are at your birthday. Will they buy it?"

That was the issue. Fresh recovery in public—would sudden decline convince them?

"Mm, think so? My track record's too illustrious."

Illustrious track record... True, his bedridden history was legendary. Felt oddly undercut; I gave a deflated laugh.

"Can't rely on luck, so we'll proceed step by step. Fishing takes patient waiting."

Jin added to my hollow laugh.

"Ah, but no plans to escalate. Organization morale and stability come first."

"Faking illness to bait the spy while maintaining morale and stability... both at once?"

I asked puzzled. Seemed one had to give. Everyone would waver if Jin was 'ill.'

Jin chuckled at my words.

"No need for the whole Underground City to know. The spy's right beside me anyway. One of the executives."

...Made sense hearing it out.

"If I avoid people and tell executives to keep quiet, they'll infer it themselves. That I'm critically ill."

A captivating smile curved Jin's lips. Yeah, Rick and Lui's reactions proved it worked.

But one crucial flaw hit me. If Jin holed up avoiding guests, Rishar would handle executives.

But... could Rishar's wooden acting fool anyone? That acting droid.