Chapter 318: The realization
"Wait, wait... so, he can only get ether from women through intimate touch, and so he needs other women’s help." Jiyeon’s voice trembled slightly as she spoke, still trying to process everything.
Yverine, sitting with her legs crossed, nodded her head without hesitation. "Yep, exactly. That’s how his ability functions."
Jiyeon blinked several times and frowned in astonishment. "That’s... crazy to think about. So, he needs many women to recharge his ether, and... he can also copy their skills?"
Eira, who was leaning slightly closer to Jiyeon on the couch, gave a nod. "Yeah. That’s why his growth has been so fast. Each of us gives him ether and share our skills."
Upon hearing this, Jiyeon’s pupils dilated in horror, and her lips parted soundlessly.
Slowly, she lowered her gaze, her hands clutching tightly at her lap. "...I see."
Her eyelashes quivered as thoughts began spiraling inside her head ’Then I am useless for him... I’m not an awakener. I don’t have any special powers. All his other girlfriends are powerful, and they can give him strength. But me...?’
Noticing Jiyeon’s insecurity, Dhayun shifted closer and gently wrapped her arm around Jiyeon’s shoulders, "Hey... don’t think like that. You’re not useless. Woonie doesn’t see you that way."
Yverine leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, "It’s true that each of us gives him ether and skills. But you... give him something else. Comfort."
Jiyeon’s throat tightened, and her eyes stung faintly as she looked down. "But... if he needs strength, then wouldn’t he... prefer you?"
Dhayun tightened her hold on her shoulder and leaned her head lightly against Jiyeon’s. "Listen... you don’t need to compare yourself to us. We’re not competing. We’re all here for him... and now, for each other too."
Yverine smiled knowingly, "That’s right. Which brings us to the point."
Her eyes flicked between the three of them before settling on Jiyeon. "We are living as a family now. A... complicated family, but a family nonetheless."
Eira reached over, resting her hand gently on Jiyeon’s. "So what we want to ask from you, Jiyeon, is simple. Accept this and... accept us. Don’t try to monopolize him, because he belongs to all of us... and we all belong to him."
Jiyeon’s lips trembled as she lifted her gaze, staring at the three women surrounding her.
She closed her eyes for a moment, forcing her thoughts to settle, but that only made the memories clearer.
The Kael she had known in the past, ’Brandon’ was nothing like this.
’Back then... he was just Brandon. A timid boy I could tease, laugh with, and share coffee breaks with. He was shy and awkward with his words and always looked a little lost whenever I caught him staring at me. That Brandon was someone who leaned on me... someone I thought I had to protect and take care of.’
But the man she had seen these past few days, the one who stood in the middle of all these extraordinary women and commanded their respect... he was nothing like the guy from her memories.
He wasn’t just Brandon anymore.
He had grown stronger and influential.
The guy she once knew had become something much greater.
Her hands tightened in her lap, trembling faintly as she tried to process it.
Kael was no longer "just Kael."
’What right do I have to stand beside him now? Me, an ordinary girl with no powers, no abilities, nothing special to give?’
His other girlfriends were awakened. Each of them could fight at his side, lend him strength, and protect him when danger came.
And what was she? Just Jiyeon. Nari Jiyeon.
He has become someone who can’t be reached so easily anymore...
Her eyelashes quivered, and though she fought to hold back the sting in her eyes, the weight of reality pressed harder and harder against her heart.
For the first time, Jiyeon truly felt the distance between the guy she once knew... and the man who now carried the weight of titles, power, and expectations far beyond anything she could have imagined.
And yet, even through that realization, one thing burned in her chest with painful clarity.
She still loved him.
Even if he was no longer just hers and even if she had to share him with others... her stubborn heart refused to let him go.
---
Brandon and Elize were sitting quietly on the couch in the dimly lit living room.
He leaned into Elize’s shoulder, his head resting lightly against her and her fingers idly combed through his hair.
After a few minutes of silence, she spoke softly, "Are you worried about Jiyeon?"
His eyes stayed fixed on the carpet for a moment, lost in thought "Mhm. After bringing her here, I wanted to explain everything to her clearly... but without overwhelming her all at once."
His voice dropped lower, "...I’m just scared she’ll feel too insecure. She’s not an awakener, and being here surrounded by the rest of you..."
Elize tilted her head slightly, looking at his expression before giving a small smile.
She gently pinched his cheek, making him glance up at her in confusion "Don’t worry too much. If the girls are having a talk with her right now, it’s better not to involve yourself. You’d only make things more awkward."
"Those girls can handle it."
Brandon let out a soft breath and Elize, noticing the lingering crease between his eyebrows, brushed her thumb gently against his forehead. "Besides, her insecurity... whether it grows or fades... that depends on you more than anyone else."
Brandon blinked, looking up at her curiously. "...Me?"
"Of course,"
She shifted, resting her chin lightly against his hair. "You’re the center of this strange little family of ours, dear. Jiyeon doesn’t need powers to stand beside you... what she needs is to feel your love."
"To know you see her as equal to the rest of us. If you show her that affection openly, if you treat her the same as you treat us, she’ll realize it herself."
"Make her realize that you love her even though she doesn’t have powers. That you cherish her for who she is, not what she can give you. She needs to feel that from you, Kael."
He fell silent again, staring at the floor as if lost in deep thought.
Elize’s eyes softened and her hand trailed down from his hair to cup his cheek "Among all of those girls upstairs, she’s the one who knows you the best. Don’t forget that. Jiyeon was with you before all of this madness started. She was there when you were still... just Brandon."
Brandon’s gaze flickered slightly as old memories flashed in his mind.
The quiet days at university. The way Jiyeon used to tease him during lunch breaks.
Her gentle smile... when she cheered him up after he failed an exam.
That first nervous confession that led to their relationship.
Elize continued, "You two were friends for more than a year before things turned romantic. And then after that... you dated for what, eight months?"
"...Yeah," Brandon murmured, his voice tinged with nostalgia.
Elize chuckled softly. "That’s a lot of time, darling. Even if she doesn’t awaken, even if she never fights beside you... that bond already carves out her place at your side."
Brandon’s shoulders loosened slightly and he leaned into her embrace a little more.
Elize smiled faintly, stroking his back like a mother soothing a child. "So," she whispered into his ear, "don’t let her drown in insecurity. Hold her hand. Remind her she’s yours, just as much as we are. If you do that, she’ll never doubt her worth again."
Brandon finally let out a quiet chuckle, muffled as he buried his face against her shoulder. "... Elize you are a great lover and a mother."
Kissing his lips, she murmured "I know, darling."
At this time, suddenly the mobile in his pocket buzzed.
Taking the mobile, he saw the name and smiled "Rave..."