Chapter 10

EP.10 Subtle Love Triangle

Whoosh-!

Flying back in an unmanned flying taxi, the two of us.

Sehwa, with a tired face, was on the phone with Yoo Seunghyun.

“Yeah… I’m on my way. I’ll… I’ll tell you when I get there. In a bit… What? She told you to go to work? What time is it even… Are you kidding me? A bonus? Even so…”

Her voice grew louder.

Sitting beside her, listening in, I chuckled inwardly.

This must be Marcella telling Seunghyun to go to work.

Classic Marcella.

How does she know my heart so well?

“…Alright. What can I do? If you’re tired, tell the boss and take a break. Yeah… No, the place I was living is completely destroyed. I looked it up online, and the government set up temporary housing. Ah… You knew about it too? Okay. I’ll hang up now.”

The sorrow of a worker who has to go to work right after a grueling day,

Having to earn money before even fixing the destroyed home.

I understand that feeling.

Just this once, I’ll call you Seunghyun.

Work hard, Seunghyun. You’re a hero of Korea’s nightlife.

After hanging up, Sehwa let out a long sigh.

“Haah…”

How about it? Life suddenly changed, and now you’re facing reality again, feeling empty, right?

Don’t worry, I’m here.

Sehwa turned to me and asked,

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Just a little itchy, but it doesn’t hurt. It’s really amazing. The lab machines were amazing too…”

“Your eyes were really sparkling. You really are a study bug from the future science department, huh?”

“It was full of things I liked. But now… it feels like I’ve returned from a dream to reality.”

Sehwa nodded in agreement.

“That’s exactly how I feel. In an instant, I lost my home and ended up on the streets. I feel like crying.”

But that’s a rental, right?

The one shedding tears should be the landlord.

And I’ll solve it for you, so why the tears?

Recalling the temporary housing I saw online, I said,

“It’s a container, but it’s decently furnished.”

“Right. It’s not much different from a studio. But it’ll still be uncomfortable…”

“Why don’t you just stay at my officetel?”

Sehwa was startled by my words.

“You want me to come to your place…?”

Is your Confucian DNA waking up or something?

You have a boyfriend, and you’re hugging me?

This is quite contradictory. Humans are indeed selfish.

“No… I misspoke. The floor I live on is empty.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Ah, I misspoke again. The officetel building is mine. The top floor where I live is all empty. I’ll give you a room, so you can stay there.”

“What…!?”

Sehwa was shocked, then shocked again.

Well, it’s understandable, but you didn’t ask properly during the opening party.

Your fault.

Sehwa asked in a trembling voice,

“How… how much money do you have?”

“Well… ask the doctor. She did a background check on me.”

“…..”

“Annoyed? Like when we went to eat pork cutlets?”

At my light tone, Sehwa burst out laughing.

She shook her head.

“No. I’m just surprised now.”

“How are you going to sleep in a container with no soundproofing? Just stay at my officetel. There are enough rooms. The interior is all done. Just bring yourself.”

Sehwa’s ears seemed to twitch slightly.

She’s considering it.

Her eyes cleared, and she cautiously looked up at me.

“Is that really okay…?”

“That’s why I suggested it. Tell Yoo Seunghyun to come over after work. I’ll let the security guard know. Stay there until your studio is fixed.”

“Really… thank you so much. If it weren’t for you, I really…”

Her tone was sincere.

I looked at the device on Sehwa’s right arm, currently dormant.

Dr. Cash must have insisted she keep it close. Told her not to give it to anyone.

Glancing at the device, I said with a slightly scared look,

“If you don’t like the room, you won’t… hit me, right?”

Sehwa burst out laughing.

“Puhaha! You idiot, if I don’t transform, I’m just a normal person. I tried hitting the wall earlier, and my wrist just hurt.”

“R-right? That’s how it is, right?”

“But you never know. I might suddenly change…”

“…..”

As I gulped, Sehwa giggled and moved closer to me.

Not too close, just a little.

“Just kidding. I’m already so grateful, why would I hit you? So stop looking at me like that. It’s like you’re looking at a monster.”

“S-sorry.”

Scratching my head, I apologized and changed the taxi’s destination.

**

Sehwa chose the room next to mine herself.

I told her to pick any, but she didn’t even hesitate.

That’s right… rely on me more.

Nurture that feeling growing in your heart, becoming more certain.

She was amazed by the spacious room, incomparable to her old studio.

She seemed confused whether to be happy or not about getting to live in a place she might never have been able to afford for free.

As she hesitated in the wide living room, I said,

“I have a card, but it’d be good to set the door lock password. There’s a manual, so reset it when you have time… You’re going to shower, right? I’ll bring some food and drinks from my room and leave them by your door. If you need anything, there’s a 24-hour mart on the first floor.”

“Thanks, Jihyuk.”

“Don’t mention it. That genius lady told us to be ready to come to the lab anytime. So it’s better to be close. It’s not troublesome, and it’s good.”

“That’s true… but lady?”

I shrugged.

“What’s the big deal? She’s a hysterical lady. She doesn’t look like one, though…”

Sehwa laughed in agreement.

“Pfft… yeah, she’s a hysterical lady. But if you slip up in front of the doctor…”

“You’ll cover for me.”

“You seem different today? Something… something unfamiliar.”

But it’s not uncomfortable, right?

You might even like it.

“Maybe it’s because I died and came back… Anyway, I’ll bring some food and leave it in front. Want some water first?”

“No, I’ll shower first. I really need it.”

“Alright.”

I went back to my room and brought out various foods and beers.

I placed them in front of Sehwa’s door and quickly finished my shower.

Then I sat on the sofa and turned on the TV.

“Hello? Demon King.”

Marcella was smiling as if she knew I’d contact her around this time.

I smirked back at her.

“It was you who made Seunghyun go to work, right?”

“Yes, he should be happily running errands by now. Did I do well?”

Originally, Seunghyun was hailed as a hero for evacuating citizens caught on camera and was praised for days.

But now, he’s just a errand boy working in a legal and illegal entertainment establishment.

Seunghyun knew this well and requested to keep the reports low-key, so the heroic tales remained submerged.

“Well done.”

“And congratulations! Finally… you’ve infiltrated!”

“It’s too early to let our guard down. We need to build more trust. In the doctor’s eyes, I’m just a smart and useful machine enthusiast, nothing more, nothing less.”

“Understood. And I found Rose. She’s currently auditioning at various labels.”

My eyes lit up at Marcella’s report.

Beast Slayer Rose, real name Stella Hailey.

A person who lives in poverty with her younger sibling but has unwavering beliefs.

She’s a singer.

Right now, just an aspiring one.

She becomes a famous singer in the latter part of Volume 3, but that’s a distant story.

Even with the changed flow, it’s still a distant story.

Why? Because Marcella and I will make it so.

“We need to recreate the environment as closely as possible. Until she comes to Korea and meets Seunghyun and the doctor. It’s okay if things change, but it’s best to go as we know, as we intended.”

“Wise words, I’ll keep that in mind! By the way, want to see her? Should I bring up the screen?”

“Sure, let’s see…”

As I was about to nod, wanting to see Rose after so long,

Ding-dong!

A clear bell sound rang.

Looking at the lobby phone screen, Sehwa, fresh out of the shower, was awkwardly smiling at the camera.

I said to Marcella in a flat tone,

“We’ll talk later. Ah, I almost forgot. Have one of the Gold Perfume Hotel managers send Seunghyun…”

I gave Marcella a simple command.

Marcella, having received the order, clapped her hands and jumped around.

“What a brilliant plan! I, Marcella, pledge my unwavering loyalty to the Demon King…”

“I’ll take my leave now. Handle it without a hitch.”

Cutting off Marcella, I pressed the remote control buttons in a specific pattern.

The screen turned off with a click.

Now, even if the TV turns on, no matter what you press, only regular channels will be available.

Until I operate it again, no one will know about the Antarctic secret base.

Insurance to prevent any unforeseen events.

Having prepared thoroughly, I opened the front door with a bright smile.

“Do you need anything?”

“Not really… just if you’re not sleeping, let’s have a beer… can I come in?”

Sehwa’s hands were full of snacks and a six-pack of beer.

The ones I had left.

“Of course, come in.”

Sehwa carefully took off her shoes and entered my secret space.

Sniffing the air freshener, she smiled happily.

“Smells nice.”

Your smell is nice too.

The shampoo scent from your damp hair is reaching my nose.

Hiding my pounding heart, I said,

“It’s black cherry. Want one?”

“I’m good.”

She said she’s good, but her eyes say otherwise.

Alright. I’ll give you one when you leave.

Speaking of which… do you have a blanket in your room? I don’t think so.

“Wait… do you have a blanket in your room?”

Sehwa smiled prettily, lifting the corners of her mouth.

That’s a no.

Just say no, what’s with the ‘it’s okay’ smile?

Well, given Sehwa’s personality, she’d feel bad asking for more after getting a free room…

Closing my eyes, I tapped my head.

“Guess I’m still out of it. I’ll give you one when you leave.”

“Okay, thanks.”

We sat on the floor, drinking beer, eating snacks, and chatting.

I deliberately avoided talking about the Beast Slayer.

I also tried not to mention the doctor.

Just chatted about everyday things like how to get to school tomorrow… I don’t want to do the piled-up homework…

As if sensing my intention, Sehwa suddenly asked,

“Why are you doing this?”

That short sentence was loaded with meaning.

The appearance of an unheard-of monster, almost dying, the heroic deeds of a justice-clad hero, the sacrificed people…

Why aren’t you talking about these things?

You don’t want to talk about this, do you?

You want to talk about normal things now.

“I…”

Sehwa stopped mid-sentence and pursed her lips.

Her tone was full of guilt.

The guilt of not saving the citizens faster was weighing on Sehwa’s mind.

Yeah… Sehwa was like that.

Hoping she’d keep that feeling for a long time, I gently patted her back.

Sehwa looked up at me.

Eyes that looked like they’d cry any moment.

I shook my head with a serious expression.

“Stop talking.”

“You…”

Don’t say it. Just focus on me.

“If you say more, I’ll go eat tteokbokki alone? And it’ll be the cream tteokbokki you love.”

At my not-so-funny joke, Sehwa suddenly burst out laughing.

At the same time, a tear rolled down her cheek.

Pretending to be flustered, I fumbled.

“Why… why are you crying? Are you mad because I said I’d eat alone?”

“…Yeah, I’m mad. You idiot.”

Even as she said that, Sehwa’s tone was filled with gratitude.

She forced a smile and chugged her beer, staring at me.

With a very complicated expression.

Sehwa’s clear eyes seemed to pierce through mine.

I also stared at her intently.

How do you feel about me, who’s been taking care of you and giving you advice without holding back?

Aren’t I much better than Seunghyun, who left you confused and went to work?

Sehwa seemed to neither affirm nor deny the question in my eyes.

There’s a strange atmosphere flowing.

Confident, I brought my face slightly closer.

Then Sehwa’s eyelids lowered as much as I leaned in.

What more is there to measure?

Slowly, very slowly, I moved my face towards Sehwa’s crimson lips, slightly frothy from the beer.

And just as her warm breath from her cute nose touched my philtrum,

“Eup…!”

I pressed my lips against Sehwa’s.

The long-awaited real kiss with Lee Sehwa, Leona.

My mind filled with rosy colors, my heart pounding.

But for the future, I suppressed my excitement and did what I had to do.

I moved my hand to the back of her slender neck and gently held it.

The soft touch of her slightly messy hair was felt.

Peeking through half-closed eyes, I saw her tightly shut eyes.

A face full of guilt, but she didn’t seem to want to pull away.

I won’t go as far as using my tongue today. Just doing a little experiment, so don’t feel bad.

This is all for you, because I love you.

I know all your erogenous zones.

Now, like this… press lightly around the cervical spine with your nails…

“Hah…!”

See, you’re opening your mouth slightly and trembling.

This is an erogenous zone I learned from Seunghyun, and he still doesn’t know about it.

Seunghyun will never know.

Through my closed lips, Sehwa’s hot breath slipped in, and her exhaled breath tickled my nose.

I wanted to explore her mouth, but… I decided to hold back today.

There will be many more opportunities.

Whoosh…

At that moment, the device on Sehwa’s arm made a faint sound.

A sound only I, with heightened senses, could hear. Sehwa didn’t hear it.

This meant the device’s energy was charging.

The energy just charged would be very, very weak, but as her feelings for me grow, the more excited she gets, the more it will increase proportionally.

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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