Chapter 125

Chapter 13 – Incident and Accident

After the incident with Dohwa, the day dawned. Since Dohwa had asked Ayu to save her world, Ayu seemed to be deep in thought about various concerns. Of course, since those concerns wouldn’t be resolved immediately, I told Ayu to let me know once she made a decision. Whatever decision she made, I intended to respect her wishes and actively follow her lead.

‘Murim, huh.’

I’ve never been to another dimension before. As I briefly imagined the Murim in my mind, I turned to Baeksan.

“Baeksan, can I go to another dimension now?”

When I asked, Baeksan yawned lazily and answered.

“Remember what I told you last time? Earth is easy to enter but tricky to leave, except for the Tower of Apocalypse’s dimensional movement.”

“I remember. That’s why even Returners who want to go back to their dimensions can’t.”

“Yeah, but because of what happened back then, so many holes have been punched in the dimensional gates that the Tower of Apocalypse’s influence has weakened.”

Baeksan looked up at the sky.

“Now, it’s possible to leave through open dimensional gates.”

“So, dimensional travel is possible now?”

“Of course, but only temporarily. The Tower of Apocalypse’s influence will return to normal within a year.”

Then Baeksan crossed his arms.

“……Actually, maybe not even temporarily. If that brat does the same thing again, it’s possible.”

“That’s a scary thought.”

I thought again that I should treat Si-ho well. Meanwhile, I arrived at the World Returner Association in Korea.

The reason I came today was to keep my promise with Seolhyang. The one hour she had asked for to take a break she had long desired.

It was an old promise, but knowing how hard she had been working lately, I was more than willing to give her my time. Still, I was worried about Seolhyang.

She was handling the Alters situation, which was connected to me, and I had briefly informed her about the recent Dimensional Invader incident.

‘And there’s also that new person who seems to see the same worldlines as Seolhyang’s ability.’

Problems kept piling up, and I was already feeling exhausted. How much harder must it be for Seolhyang, who was tackling these issues head-on?

‘I’ll grant whatever she asks for today.’

If it could relieve even a bit of her stress, I was willing to do anything. As I entered the Returner Association Building, an employee saw me and came out from behind the counter, smiling and bowing.

“Welcome, Kang Ha-chan. Let me guide you.”

They’re even guiding me? Feeling a bit flustered, I followed her.

She stopped at an elevator and entered a password. You need a password to use the elevator? Feeling like I was entering a new world, she gestured to the open elevator door.

“Please go in.”

Feeling like I was receiving VIP treatment, I entered the elevator and saw Eun-hyeon waving from a distance. Since I was at the Returner Association, she must have stopped guarding me and was taking a break.

I bowed my head to her, always feeling indebted, and Eun-hyeon mouthed, “Have a good time.”

……Will it be a good time?

As I thought that, the elevator doors closed. After a while, the elevator dinged and stopped, and the doors opened to reveal the entrance to a rather luxurious office.

It felt like the entrance to some grand royal palace, and the expensive-looking door creaked open.

“Ha-chan, come in.”

At that moment, a voice called from inside the door. An automatic door?

As I stepped through the open door, it creaked shut behind me, and I saw a fancy shoe rack. Was it okay to put my shoes here?

Thinking that, I changed into fluffy slippers and stepped inside. The interior was more lavish than a president’s office.

Everywhere I looked, there were furnishings that seemed both modern and antique, creating a strange yet fascinating atmosphere. As I walked through, I saw a wide-open window with a view of Seoul’s cityscape……

“……New York Square?”

I blinked at the view outside the window. Rubbing my eyes and looking again, New York Square was still there.

“Don’t like New York? Should I change it to London streets?”

As I stared at the streets I’d only seen on TV, a voice came from beside me. Standing there was Seolhyang, wearing a fluffy white coat.

She was holding a teacup, and the aroma of coffee wafted from it.

“Is this some kind of hologram?”

“Hehe, want to open the window?”

Hearing that, I slid the window open, and the outside scenery came into view. There really was New York Square.

Watching the busy foreigners, I quietly closed the window. Clearly, they had done something with space manipulation.

‘So the Returner Association is connected like this.’

“Moving between countries is dangerous if handled carelessly, so there are legal procedures between nations. But the Returner Association Building is an exception. Of course, if you go outside, you’ll still need to go through formal entry procedures.”

She yawned, looking tired. It seemed she had pulled an all-nighter, as there were slight shadows under her eyes.

“Aren’t you overworking yourself?”

“Compared to when we first established the Returner Association, this is nothing. But there have been a lot of incidents lately.”

She took a sip of coffee and smiled at me.

“Want to look around more?”

“Sure.”

Seolhyang took me around her office, showing me various rooms. The office was divided into several rooms, one of which was a bedroom, making me feel a bit emotional.

I realized she must be eating and sleeping here when she’s busy. At the same time, a soft, inexplicable fragrance wafted from the bed, making me avert my eyes. It felt like I was peeking into a girl’s room.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen your face, Ha-chan. It’s nice to see you again after so long.”

Putting down her teacup, she leaned back on the sofa. Seolhyang smiled at me and gestured for me to come closer.

Following her gesture, she pulled me down onto the sofa and rested her head on my shoulder.

“Why don’t you lie down?”

“Then, will you be my lap pillow?”

Seeing her tired face, I took a cushion and placed it on my lap, gently moving her head onto it.

As I stroked her head in that position, she smiled faintly, seemingly enjoying my touch.

The warmth of a person’s hand can be comforting. Though it was a bit embarrassing, I was sure she would like this gesture since she liked me.

Even if I were against it, I’d still feel comfortable.

“You really are overworking yourself.”

“A little?”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“You’re doing it right now.”

“I’ll come every day to do this for you.”

“Just imagining that makes me so happy.”

Feeling sorry for her, I gently stroked Seolhyang’s head.

“I’m sorry. It’s because of me.”

“What are you talking about? You’re the one who got dragged into this. This is all part of the Returner Association’s work.”

“But I’m still involved. It makes me uneasy.”

“What should I do? I’ll have to make you feel better.”

Smiling, Seolhyang sat up and stretched her arms out toward me.

“This solves everything for me. Will it make you feel better too?”

She smiled at me, asking for a hug like a child throwing a tantrum. Though I was stiff from my childhood friend’s bold move, I smiled wryly and pulled her into a hug.

Today’s one hour was entirely for Seolhyang. I wouldn’t take it for myself.

Seolhyang, who had thrown herself into my arms, widened her eyes at my proactive move, then smiled brightly and rested her head on my shoulder.

“Your embrace is so warm.”

“It’s more like hot.”

Though I felt a bit guilty after kissing Ayu yesterday.

“By the way, I heard something strange from Ayu yesterday.”

“……What was it?”

Seolhyang, nestled in my arms, had half-closed eyes, looking drowsy.

“……You guys were secretly planning to all live together.”

Seolhyang’s shoulders twitched. She slid down and hid her face against my chest, clearly indicating that this was her idea.

“I can guess why, but still.”

“……It was for my happy married life. I had no choice.”

When she spoke like she was throwing a tantrum, I pinched her cheek slightly. The soft texture was oddly addictive.

“Why do you all assume marriage is a given? Isn’t dating supposed to come first?”

“Eui-woo.”

Both Ayu and Seolhyang. These girls all acted like marriage with me was already decided.

Normally, confessing and becoming a couple comes first, but they’ve all skipped that premise.

“People’s feelings can change while dating. Marriage comes after that.”

“They won’t change.”

At that moment, Seolhyang held my hand, which was pinching her cheek, and spoke.

“No matter what happens, they’ll never change. I’ll only ever love you, Ha-chan.”

Hearing the word “love” made me flinch. The weight of that word was heavier than I thought.

“And besides, you’ve never even dated anyone before, so how can you be so sure your feelings will change?”

“That’s.”

I did have an ex-girlfriend in that other world, but in this world, I’m a 26-year-old virgin, so I had nothing to say.

“I’ve never dated anyone either, but if my feelings were going to change because of something like that, they would have already changed in that other world.”

Hearing her words, I cupped her cheek with my hand. Everything Seolhyang does is not easy.

And yet, it feels like only she can handle these things, so I always end up relying on her. I gently rubbed the shadows under her eyes with my thumb.

Every time I saw the traces of her fatigue, my heart ached.

“And about the marriage talk.”

Feeling my touch, Seolhyang asked nervously.

“Do you not want to marry me?”

That question had the kind of impact no man in the world could refuse.

“……How could I not want to?”

Seolhyang, who had even prepared a game room for me, was undeniably lovable.

“Hehehe.”

Seolhyang hugged me again, laughing happily.

“So, you heard that from Cheonma? That girl confessed to you, didn’t she?”

When Seolhyang asked, I slowly nodded. I couldn’t lie to Seolhyang.

“Hmm, I wonder what you said.”

As she urged me with a sly look, I averted my eyes and answered.

“……I said I like her.”

“You told her?”

“Yeah.”

When I confessed like it was a secret, Seolhyang’s eyes twitched.

“I haven’t even heard that yet……”

She bit her lip in frustration. Then, she pouted and glanced at me.

“I confessed first, but you told someone else you like them. What am I supposed to do now?”

“Uh, well, that’s.”

“Do you not like me, Ha-chan?”

This girl was pushing me even though she already knew. As I hesitated, she pressed closer to me.

The soft fragrance from Seolhyang and the weight of her body pressing against me tightened around me. This felt like coercion.

But my heart had already turned to trash long ago.

“……I like you.”

I might be the biggest trash in the world. Telling two girls I like them.

My greed was overwhelming, and my head was spinning.

For a moment, I thought, since everyone already agreed to live together, maybe it’s okay? But realizing how pathetic I was for even thinking that made me feel miserable.

Hearing my answer, Seolhyang’s face turned bright red, but she shook her head.

“Not enough.”

“Huh?”

“Not enough! I’ve been holding back all this time, but she got it all in one go. I’m not satisfied with this.”

Wait, what do you mean not satisfied?

As I looked at Seolhyang in confusion, she grabbed my collar tightly.

“Next.”

“N-next?”

“Do the next thing. The thing that comes after saying you like me.”

Was she here to throw every possible tantrum today? As I hesitated, Seolhyang tilted her head slightly with a pout.

“……Don’t you want to?”

Now my face was probably bright red too, but I decided to grant her wish.

“I love you.”

When I answered, Seolhyang’s eyes widened, and she brought her face close to mine. Even at this distance, her face was incredibly beautiful.

“……How much?”

“I’m going to run away.”

“Heeing.”

“Where did you learn to act cute?”

She was cute, but I couldn’t take it anymore. Seeing me at a loss, Seolhyang smiled brightly and lifted her head.

Then, our lips met.

Lately, my lips have been meeting others’ quite often. As I thought that, Seolhyang’s face moved away.

“I love you too.”

That whispered statement tickled my heart in various ways, testing my patience.