Chapter 13

“Dusik.”

“Yes.”

“Whoa, you scared me. Untransform.”

“Yes, unnie!”

“Did you get the estimate for the front door repair?”

“Oh, right. Just a moment!”

While Dusik went to his room to get the estimate, I suddenly wondered. If he untransforms, he’d be a girl, so where does he sleep? Does he share a room with the minions?

Even if Keru stays in my room, Dusik is still a girl when untransformed, and even though the minions have no sexual desires or organs, they’re still male bodies. Isn’t that a bit… weird?

While I was pondering, Dusik came back to the office with a few papers that looked like the estimates.

Four places. One was ridiculously expensive, two were average, and one was suspiciously cheap. Usually, in these cases, it’s better to go with the middle option. The overly expensive one might be a rip-off, and the cheapest one might use poor materials or unskilled workers. So, I took the three estimates, excluding the cheapest one.

The construction will take about five days. That seems reasonable. Anyway, I plan to bring these estimates when I meet Prilly tonight. Since they’re the ones paying, it’s better to let them choose. Alright, next…

“Ah, by the way, Dusik. Where do you sleep?”

I was quietly looking at the estimates, and when I raised my head, I locked eyes with Dusik.

“My room?”

“Yeah.”

“I share it with the minions.”

Ugh.

“Where’s Keru?”

“Why?”

Keru, who was crouching by the desk, crawled out when I called. I smacked the back of his head.

“Ow!”

“Consider yourself lucky that’s all you’re getting.”

“Why are you hitting me?!”

Even if a leopard raises its front paw, it can’t reach its own head. Keru, feeling the sting, half-lay down and started rubbing the spot with his hind leg, whining because he couldn’t reach it.

Ugh, this thoughtless guy.

“Hey, even if you’re like that, you can’t make a teenage girl share a room with those blackened male minions.”

“No, Dusik is also a guy when transformed… Ow!”

“This guy, this thoughtless guy, seriously.”

Die, just die.

After smacking Keru’s head seven more times, I finally stopped. I can’t believe it was true.

“Dusik, were you uncomfortable?”

“Very uncomfortable! Especially when changing clothes.”

“Keru, you’re getting more hits.”

“Owowow!”

After three more smacks, I finally stopped. This inconsiderate jerk. A beast, literally. Anyway, a thoughtless jerk.

“Dusik, from today on, you’ll stay in my room.”

Even though I was originally a man, only Keru and I know that, and now I’m in a woman’s body without any male parts. It’s still better than sharing a room with the minions.

“Huh? Unnie, really? Is that okay?”

“Yeah, if you’re okay with it.”

“Of course, I’m okay! Unnie, you’re the best!”

Dusik was so happy she started jumping around. I smacked Keru’s head again.

The meeting time was 7 PM.

A car was supposed to come to the base. Not the association president, but the branch manager, and they even have a chauffeur? How much money does this association have?

We’re struggling to make ends meet at the base, and they’re… Ugh. The more I think about it, the angrier I get. I’m not a business-minded person, but I need to make money fast and expand the base.

“Are you ready?”

“Unnie, do I have to go?”

“It’s fine. They just said to come transformed.”

I thought it was some fancy place with a dress code, but since I realized it’s just my taste, it might be better to go with Dusik. But is it really necessary?

There’s such a thing as common sense.

“Phew.”

Just pressing the earring transforms me. No chants or flashy effects. Just darkness sweeping over me from head to toe, and I’m transformed.

“Wow.”

“Pretty?”

“Yes.”

Dusik was looking at me with an honest expression. Honestly, I am pretty. Looking in the mirror, I’m a beauty. Especially with that cold, haughty expression.

I try to smile. It doesn’t suit me.

My vertical pupils slightly contract when I’m expressionless.

Honestly, the expressionless face suits me best.

“Keru, after we get back tomorrow, let’s make some minions. We need to start moving.”

It’s been over a month since I became the Mother-Body. It’s only been a few days since I came to the base, but including the month I stayed at my house, it’s been over a month.

I didn’t know what to do, so I didn’t do much, but after hearing the backstory of this world from Keru, I couldn’t stay idle any longer.

“Got it. I’ll set it up.”

“Okay.”

Then, the doorbell rang.

“They’re here. I’ll be back.”

“Be careful.”

“Unnie, be careful! Don’t drink any beverages!”

Prilly must be out of her mind. Since drinks or alcohol might be drugged, Dusik even filled a thermos with water from the purifier. Holding the thermos, I forced the dented door open to find a middle-aged man standing there with a bewildered expression.

“…Priqu broke it.”

“Ah, yes…”

His bewildered expression changed to one of understanding. He must know what kind of impression Priqu leaves…

“You’re the Mother-Body, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then, let’s go.”

“Yes, thank you.”

I went up the stairs to the building entrance, where a large black domestic car was waiting. Even the emblem on the hood. Is this really the branch manager’s car? The CEO of my previous company didn’t even have a car this expensive.

“Please, get in.”

“Thank you.”

Good thing my transformed form isn’t wearing a skirt. I got into the back seat, holding the thermos, and carefully sat down.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, drive safely.”

The car glided silently. It’s my first time in a car like this. The engine is almost silent, and there’s hardly any vibration.

“Driver.”

“You can speak casually, Mother-Body.”

“Still, it’s not appropriate. Anyway, driver.”

“Yes.”

“How long will it take?”

“We’re heading to Seolleung Station, and with the traffic, it’ll take about an hour.”

It’ll be around 8 PM when we arrive. They must want to avoid the dinner rush.

“Seolleung Station? Which restaurant…”

“It’s a Korean beef bulgogi place. It’s a bit far from Gwangmyeong, but it’s a favorite for association magical girls during gatherings.”

“I see.”

I need to make money fast. While magical girls have Korean beef bulgogi for gatherings, our team barely manages pork belly and soju.

As the boss, it’s frustrating. Employee welfare is the key to morale, and with this, we’ll lose even winnable fights.

“Do you dislike the Mogmog Group?”

“Hmm…”

The driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror. I tightened my grip on the thermos. The Mogmog Group is an evil organization, so it’s not surprising if people dislike them.

Even if he says he dislikes or hates them, I shouldn’t blame the driver.

“Actually, I don’t really have an opinion.”

“Huh?”

I was the one taken aback.

“They’re called an evil organization. They’ve killed people, and there are those who’ve been ruined by their actions. But I’ve never been a victim, and neither has anyone around me.”

“I see.”

Well, that’s natural. If you’re not a victim, it’s easy to not care. It’s not that the driver is strange; it’s just how ordinary people are.

It started to rain. I don’t remember hearing about rain today, but the raindrops hitting the window were quite heavy. You could tell just by the sound.

“We’ll arrive soon.”

An hour passed quickly. The car had already entered the parking lot of the large bulgogi restaurant. Just as silently as it started, the car stopped, and as I was about to get out…

“You’re here, Mother-Body.”

“P-Prilly, no, Branch Manager Park Seona…?”

Prilly, aka Park Seona, personally opened the door for me, holding an umbrella.

“You must be tired from the trip. I was worried it took so long.”

“Ah, haha. Yes. There was some traffic.”

I glanced at my watch. It’s 7:45. From Gwangmyeong to here in 45 minutes during rush hour is pretty fast. I don’t know what she means by it taking long. If she says so, then it must be.

Following Park Seona’s lead, we entered the restaurant. The first floor was still packed with customers. The smell of grilling meat, the sizzling sounds, and the clinking of glasses filled the air.

Where’s our seat?

“Hey, isn’t that the girl? The one who bit her tongue?”

“Yeah, the Mogmog Group…”

“The one who bit her tongue during the broadcast?”

“She’s pretty…”

Aside from the unwelcome comments, most people seemed to recognize me. Well, of course. A girl in this uniform isn’t common, and the design is unique, so anyone who’s seen the broadcast would recognize me.

As I craned my neck to look for our seat, Park Seona awkwardly smiled and pointed to the stairs.

“Our seat is on the second floor. Let’s go.”

“Ah, yes.”

Usually, the host would go up the stairs first, right? Why is she following me, and not even keeping a distance but sticking close…

Going up to the second floor, there was no one there.

Literally, no one. The second floor was empty, with pink lighting everywhere, all the tables cleared except for one in the center.

And as if by some magic, the noisy sounds from the first floor were completely blocked, leaving only the soft flow of classical music.

This is a meat restaurant, right?