Clear as Crystal (Ji Dwi x reader)

Chapter 9

(Y/n)'s POV

"Ji Dwi...?"
"Don't worry me like that again," he exclaimed.
"Alright, I'm sorry. But I'm fine now so there's no need to be worried."

He let go and looked at me in the eye. Before either of us could do anything, the door opened. I was almost knocked to the ground.

"H-Hansung?!"
"Noona, why didn't you tell me you were hurt?! Huh?!"
"Geez, stop yelling, would you? I'm fine."
"*smiles* Then that's good."
"Is everyone outside? Do they all know?"
"Yeah."
"I bet Soo Ho's glowing with happiness right now."
"Oh and Wi Hwa said to take the day off."
"Alright."

He gave me one last hug before leaving the room. Did Ah Ro tell everyone or what?
I stood up but got pulled down by Ji Dwi.

"*pouts* I want to go outside."
"You need some rest," he said while leaning his back against mine.
"I already had enough rest. Oh right! I have to go see Lulu!"
"Lulu? Who's that?"
"She probably feels like I've abandoned her."

I quickly stood up and headed towards the door but Ji Dwi grabbed onto my hand. I pulled him up and dragged him outside.

"Yah, where are we going?" he asked.
"To the forest, now hurry up."

~Some time later~

Once we arrived, I immediately whistled then told Ji Dwi to wait. Lulu should be here any minute now.

"Who exactly is this Lulu?" he asked me for the hundredth time.
"She's my friend."
"So why are we coming to the forest?"
"Because this is where she lives."

Suddenly, a low growl came from behind us. I turned around and immediately hugged her. She growled before lying down.

"Lulu...is a tiger?" asked Ji Dwi.
"Yeah, I found her two years after I got here. Her mother was killed by hunters so I've been looking after her ever since."
"Oh, I see."

Ji Dwi's POV

While (Y/n) was playing with Lulu, I couldn't help but wonder about those five bandits from last night. Why were they targeting (Y/n)?

"Hey (Y/n), I'm going back for a bit."
"Okay, see you later," she replied with a smile.

I went back to the palace and continued towards the throne room. As I had expected, mother was sitting there just like all the other times she refused to give it up. It was as if she protected it with her life.

"Mother, did you send those bandits last night to Hwarang House?"
"What are you talking about after barging in here?" she asked sternly.
"Did you order those people to kill (Y/n)?"
"Why do you care?"
"You were the one to offer her a job and yet, you decide to get rid of her?! What are you thinking?!"
"Don't yell at me. I only did it to protect you."
"Protect me? Are you sure you didn't do this for your own sake? Because you would be killing me if I found out that she had died."
"Stop being greedy and actually consider it from my point of view instead! That girl is..."

(Y/n)'s POV

After saying goodbye to Lulu, I headed back to Hwarang House. But where did Ji Dwi run off to? Wait, why did I even care where he went?

"So you're back," exclaimed Wi Hwa.
"Yeah, did something happen?"
"No, nothing much. I was just wondering where you went with Ji Dwi. On a date?"
"Yah, are you crazy?"
"*laughs* I don't know, maybe I am."
"Tch, I'm going inside."

He just shrugged and moved aside. Once I had stepped inside, arrows immediately flew towards me. I quickly jumped out of the way.

"Oi, watch it. Can't you see that we're practising?!" Soo Ho asked, annoyed.
"How was I supposed to know?! You should've told me to watch out."
"Tch, you're as blind as a bat."
"Says you."

He rolled his eyes before continuing to practise. Suddenly, someone pat me on the back a little too hard, causing me to cough.

"What?!"
"You're back. Where's Ji Dwi? Wasn't he with you?" asked Sun Woo.
"He left, I don't know where he is."
"Teach me how to fight."
"Learn it yourself."
"Yah, I won't leave you alone if you don't."
"*sigh* Fine."

~Some time later~

We were having a duel but in the end, I had won five rounds out of five. He was improving a lot but still not enough to beat me.

"*pants* Y-yah, let me r-rest," he demanded while sitting down.

I just shrugged and sat down beside him. The weather wasn't too bad today and I was feeling hungry. Why was I so random? I wonder where Ji Dwi was.

"Hey, let's go get some lunch. I'm hungry," exclaimed Sun Woo.
"Okay, let's go."

When we arrived, everyone was there eating like it was their last meal. And of course, Ji Dwi wasn't here.

"Noona, Sun Woo! We got some for you," said Hansung.
"Thanks."

I sat down beside him and picked up the spoon. This meal was probably the biggest I've had. Father never let me eat much because I wasn't 'worthy'. According to him, I didn't deserve to eat.

"Noona, what are you thinking about? You're eating so slowly."
"Oh, it's nothing."

I quickly finished the meal before Hansung could say anything else. I shouldn't look strange, but it felt a little weird to be surrounded by men and only men.

"Yah, eat this for me. I don't like these vegetables," Soo Ho said while giving me a small dish of...vegetables.
"Yah, eat it. It's healthy for you."
"No, I won't. Just eat it, will you?"

Geez, what was his problem? Forcing me to eat the foods he didn't like... *sigh* Well, it wasn't like I could argue with him anymore. I took the dish and ate the vegetables. They didn't taste bad so why didn't he like them? *sigh* When was Ji Dwi coming back?...