Chapter 20

EP.20 Three-Way Encounter #2

“Uh… Say hello. This is Jihyuk… Song Jihyuk. He’s a friend… who helped me a lot.”

Sehwa, try to act better.

Yoo Seunghyun can probably tell how flustered you are.

Or not? Maybe he’s just clueless, laughing like an idiot.

Let’s start with greetings.

“Hello? I’m Song Jihyuk.”

I reach out my hand, and Yoo Seunghyun jumps up to shake it.

“I’m Yoo Seunghyun. Thank you so much for helping Sehwa. And thank you for inviting me into your home.”

There’s a lot to be thankful for. But he’s gulping down the soup like it’s his last meal.

I never had any intention of letting you in.

“It would’ve been nice if you both came in together. Too bad.”

“Oh… no, it’s fine. Do you like green onion pancakes?”

“It just felt right since it’s raining. I was going to eat with a friend, but… something important came up, so I’m eating alone.”

Sehwa’s body trembled slightly.

Seems like she caught on that the comment was directed at her.

Yoo Seunghyun makes a pitiful expression.

“I see… Would you like to join us?”

“No. Sehwa was singing about how sad she was not to see Seunghyun. I’d be a third wheel.”

“Oh, Sehwa said that?”

Yoo Seunghyun looks at Sehwa with loving eyes.

But what can I do? Sehwa’s too busy gauging my reaction.

And this idiot… doesn’t even realize I’m roasting him right now.

“Of course. She looked happy.”

From a distance, the staff calls me, saying the takeout is ready.

I smile brightly at her and continue.

“I’ll be going now. Let’s grab a meal together next time.”

“I can’t tell when my next day off will be… Don’t leave, sit down. We’re fine.”

This guy is beyond clueless.

What Sehwa desperately needs right now is someone reliable to listen to her struggles.

Not some overly nice idiot trying to repay a favor or express gratitude.

This is practically begging me to take his girlfriend away.

I turn my gaze to Sehwa and ask.

“What do you think?”

“Huh?”

Sehwa’s flustered expression is too pitiful.

You’re bound to agree.

You’ll feel guilty for meeting Yoo Seunghyun without telling me.

“I’m… fine. Sit here.”

“Alright. I’ll leave in a bit.”

Sehwa moves her hips and heads to the corner.

I bring the packed pancakes and lay them on the table, sitting next to her. Yoo Seunghyun smiles warmly and asks.

“Are you two close?”

“I think we’re pretty close at university.”

I secretly place my hand on Sehwa’s thigh as I answer.

Sehwa coughs awkwardly and laughs.

“Not just close, we’re the closest.”

“Really? That’s good to hear. Do you drink makgeolli, Song Jihyuk?”

I pick up the makgeolli bottle while affectionately stroking Sehwa’s thigh.

“Of course. I like it. Let me pour you some first.”

“Oh… thank you.”

He holds the makgeolli bowl politely, as if addressing an elder.

He even stands slightly to pour me a drink.

I’ve never officially done anything for Yoo Seunghyun.

Sure, I invited him into my home, but he declined, so we’re on equal footing now.

He’s treating Sehwa like his future wife, caring for her, and bowing to me like I’m some kind of authority…

The more Yoo Seunghyun acts like this, the more Sehwa will see me as her ultimate protector.

Yoo Seunghyun pours Sehwa a drink and says.

“Shall we toast?”

A toast, a toast.

A toast to your own actions pushing Sehwa away, you fool.

I smirk and raise my glass.

**

[Jihyuk, are you home? I just dropped off Seunghyun and was about to head back… You didn’t even get to eat the pancakes properly. Should I pack some for you?]

[Are you asleep? Why aren’t you answering?]

[Call me when you wake up.]

[Can’t you pick up the phone?]

The vibrating phone.

I lie on the bed, chuckling leisurely.

It’s 2 AM.

While most people are deep in dreamland, I’m getting bombarded with calls and texts. What a nuisance.

Buzz—!

Another vibration. This time, it’s a call.

Texts, then calls… how simple.

I decide to answer this time.

“Mmm… hello.”

Perfect sleepy voice acting, well done.

-Were you sleeping? Sorry…

“Yeah… what’s up…?”

-Can I come in? Open the door.

“Enter the password… 5584…”

After giving the password and hanging up, the door clicks open, and I hear footsteps.

Soon after, the sound of running water comes from the bathroom.

Sehwa must be washing her hands.

A little later, my bedroom door opens very quietly.

Sehwa’s beautiful face peeks through the crack, but she can’t see into my dark room.

Maybe if I make some noise, she’ll come in.

“No knock?”

“S-sorry…”

“Come in…”

As soon as I give permission, Sehwa walks in and sits on the bed.

She looks at me, who’s just woken up and is fumbling with my phone.

I stretch and say, sounding incredulous.

“Why so many calls and texts? It’s 2 AM.”

“I missed you…”

“What about Yoo Seunghyun? Did you meet him?”

“Yeah. I just dropped him off at the hotel. He wanted to go for round two, but he was so drunk I just took him to the hotel.”

“What about you? How much did you drink?”

“Just a few drinks with you. I’m really sorry for waking you.”

I silently shift to the side.

Sehwa takes off her outer clothes and lies down next to me.

A subtle mix of makgeolli, oil, and fabric softener fills the air.

I sniff, and Sehwa pulls her hair to my nose.

She sniffs her hair and makes a face.

“It smells… should I go wash?”

“It’s fine. You can stay like this.”

“No. If the smell gets on the blanket, it’ll be bad. I’ll go home and wash. Wait a bit… okay? Don’t fall asleep.”

“Can’t promise… then just bring your clothes here and wash. There’s a bathroom in the room.”

“Huh?”

Sehwa looks visibly flustered.

Definitely because of the suggestive comment.

“Don’t misunderstand. I just said that because I might fall asleep again if it’s quiet. You can leave the door open and wash in the living room bathroom.”

“Ah… I thought… then 5 minutes… no, 3 minutes.”

“Alright.”

Sehwa leaves, her footsteps echoing.

Good thing the building has good soundproofing, or this would be a noise complaint.

Soon, Sehwa returns with her clothes, checks if I’m asleep, and heads to the bathroom to shower.

She leaves the door slightly ajar, as if pressuring me not to sleep.

Why is she so careless? What if I peek?

Wait, maybe she left it open for me to peek? That’s pretty spicy…

As I stare at the ceiling, lost in thought, Sehwa finishes her shower and comes out, drying her wet hair with a towel.

“Sleeping?”

“…No.”

Relieved, she lies down next to me and brings a strand of her hair to my nose.

“Smell it. Does it smell? Ah…”

A damp sensation on my philtrum.

Sehwa realizes her mistake and quickly pulls her hair away.

She wipes the moisture off my philtrum with her finger.

I chuckle.

“It doesn’t smell. Did you have fun?”

“Seunghyun kept talking about you. He said you’re a really good person.”

“Did he? That must’ve been disappointing.”

“Why?”

“You’re stressed about those monsters appearing worldwide. You wanted to confide in Yoo Seunghyun and get comfort, right? But he kept mentioning me, so you must’ve been disappointed.”

Sehwa looks visibly shaken.

I hit the nail on the head, didn’t I?

I know everything.

“That’s why I was going to leave soon… but it’s too bad. If you’re okay with it, I’ll listen.”

“…..”

“Or you can just forget it and sleep.”

Sehwa wipes her eyes.

Tears suddenly spill out.

She’s really moved… touched to the core.

“I won’t say anything… you’ve been through a lot too…”

Her voice trembles. A protective urge wells up inside me.

“No. The equipment development is almost done. Dr. Cash will handle the final touches. I have more time now, so it’s fine. And later, we’ll transform and practice using it.”

Sehwa shakes her head.

Her face clearly shows happiness.

It’s not just excitement about using the new equipment but joy that I have more time now.

“Crying then laughing… what a mess.”

“Mmm…!”

Even her sniffles are cute.

It’s funny too.

Sehwa nuzzles her face against my chest.

I pat her back, and she relaxes completely.

“I think you’re really strong. People outside are trying to expose your identity, and you’re struggling to protect them from monsters, yet you endure silently.”

“…..”

“It’s tough, right? Hang in there a bit longer. The range for detecting that silly-named Evil Energy has expanded, and Dr. Cash says there’s progress in talks with the World Union. If monsters appear, we’ll be ready for you to jump into action anytime… huh!”

A strong pressure on my lips.

Sehwa’s soft, plump lips press against mine.

She actively kisses me, trying to slip her tongue into my mouth.

Guess my words comforted her. I still have more to say… but I’ll save it for later.

After a long kiss, I tap her back rapidly to signal her to stop.

Sehwa pulls away, her eyes dreamy, and confesses honestly.

“Jihyuk… I held hands with Seunghyun today. You told me not to…”

What? You did that even after I warned you?

This is totally a demon move. I need to hurry Marcella with the tracking demon modifications.

I want to scold her, but she’s been through a lot lately, so I’ll let it slide.

“I had no excuse to avoid it… Please don’t be mad.”

Hmm… I was going to warn her, but this is fine.

“It’s okay. Since you’re honest, I’ll let it go.”

“I won’t do it again. Not until you say it’s okay.”

At this rate, she might break up with Yoo Seunghyun.

No, probably not.

Sehwa wants to reflect on her actions and repay my comfort, but her feelings for Yoo Seunghyun are still strong.

The Sehwa I know wouldn’t change her feelings so easily.

But the weight on my side of the scale has increased significantly.

Maybe it’s reached an equal level? I’m not sure yet.

“I get it. Now that we have more time… want to go shopping the day after tomorrow? Let’s eat out and have fun.”

“I’d love that. Anything’s fine. But why the day after tomorrow? Not tomorrow?”

“I have something to do tomorrow.”

It’s been a while since I met Yuria. It’s time to show my face.

This time, I plan to create a situation where she can contact me.

“Something to do…? What? Going to the lab? Or meeting that old friend?”

Sehwa’s eyes seem to shoot beams as she asks.

I shouldn’t provoke jealousy and make things more complicated. I’ll treat her well for the next few days.

“No. My uncle is being discharged tomorrow, so I’m having a meal with him.”

“Uncle…? Ah! The secretary who was hospitalized?”

“Yeah. I wanted to bring you, but there are personal matters to discuss… sorry. I’ll come back as early as possible, so wait for me, okay? We’ll go shopping when I return.”

“Okay, I’ll wait. But aren’t you tired?”

“Of course not if I’m going out with you. Wait quietly.”

“Alright. Hehe…”

Sehwa quickly brightens up, laughing softly and resting her head on my arm.

She doesn’t show any intention of leaving, and as she interlaces her fingers with mine, it seems she plans to sleep here.

Was Yoo Seunghyun’s behavior that disappointing? She’s acting like she’s starved for affection.

I silently thanked him.

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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