Chapter 222

EP.222 Wrong Choice #2

[It’s Yuria. The Doctor secretly requested help, so I’m currently in Lyon. I’ll give you the details later. I’ve already informed Marcella. I’m texting using a disposable phone, so don’t reply.]

After reading Yuria’s message, I tapped my temple with the corner of my phone.

The Doctor is currently interrogating criminals and reorganizing international organizations.

Well, she said she’s in the process of doing so.

Since she’s not directly facing the people from the international organizations, there shouldn’t be any danger, so why would she need help? And secretly at that?

‘There’s something going on.’

The Doctor is hiding something from me.

It’s probably related to what she mentioned on the phone yesterday, that ‘thing to look into’…

It’s safe to assume there’s something bothering her.

And I’m probably involved in that bothersome thing too. After all, she didn’t even tell me, the person she loves most.

‘Haah… Jenny… Why are you like this…’

Why are you going out of your way to suffer? Just finish the reorganization, execute a few as examples, and come back.

If you keep this up, I’ll… No, let’s wait for Yuria’s report before deciding.

I still don’t know what that ‘thing to look into’ is, but since the Doctor called Yuria as an assistant, whatever she’s doing is probably within my grasp.

The Doctor made the wrong choice.

*Thud!*

Yeah, like Silvia, who sneaks up and lovingly slaps my butt with her affectionate strength, harboring special feelings for me.

Without even turning my head, I said,

“Don’t hit me.”

Then Silvia, who had announced her presence with a kick, scratched the back of her head awkwardly.

“You don’t even turn around when someone comes? If someone greets you, you should respond.”

“A greeting? Oh, right.”

I tried to lightly kick Silvia’s butt with my shin.

But the moment I lifted one foot, my other foot slipped.

I fell flat on my back with a dull thud.

Silvia burst out laughing, pointing at me and mocking me as I quickly got up and looked around.

“Are you really an idiot? Why are you so clumsy? You’re built like a mountain but act like a fool…”

I did that on purpose, you know?

My face turned red as I got annoyed.

“Stop laughing. People are staring.”

“How can I not laugh?”

Silvia, still grinning, came over and brushed off my back.

“Your head seems fine. What a shame.”

“What a shame… What are you talking about? This happened because of you…”

“Alright, sorry. So, can you stop whining?”

She brushed off my butt and legs without hesitation, then slapped my back.

“That’s it. Let’s go.”

“Yes…”

“Don’t be so down. It happens.”

I sighed deeply, feeling embarrassed, and walked into the mart.

Time flew by as Silvia and I bought snacks for our trip, ate at the food court, and so on.

After finishing our shopping, we each carried a box and headed to the underground parking lot.

After putting the box in the car, I said,

“Get in. I’ll drive you.”

“Just take me to the entrance of the neighborhood.”

She must be afraid of Adeline finding out.

“Is that really necessary?”

“Yes. It’s necessary.”

“Well… Alright.”

As I started the car, Silvia, who had fastened her seatbelt, blurted out,

“And you’re casually using informal speech? Normally, a four-year age difference means you can’t even share a table. I’m letting it slide because it’s you… Be careful from now on.”

“What do you mean, can’t share a table… Is this the Joseon Dynasty? And are you bragging about being older?”

“I made a joke, but your reaction is too intense, don’t you think?”

“Haah… Arguing with Silvia drains all my energy. We really don’t get along.”

“I think we get along great.”

She’s become comfortable enough to say that outright. That’s a good sign.

I roughly nodded and stepped on the accelerator.

As we headed towards Uijeongbu, Silvia asked cautiously,

“How much progress has been made on my Device?”

“Quite a lot.”

“Really…? I thought you’d say there’s no progress. That’s unexpected.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You’re always dating Adeline. I thought you’d just let it slide.”

“I always carry the production kit with me when I go to the company or before bed. I work on it whenever I have time.”

Silvia looked apologetic at my words.

I smiled lightly as I glanced at her face in the rearview mirror.

“I’ll have good news for you soon, so don’t worry.”

“Who said I was worried… Don’t take my jokes so seriously.”

“Was that a joke this time too?”

“Yes. Didn’t you know? Is it my fault for joking with someone as dense as you?”

The car stopped at a red light.

I leaned towards Silvia, who had braked.

“Silvia, you’re dense too… Did you know that?”

As our faces got closer, she panicked like she did in the lab.

I could see her chin jutting out as she tried to create distance.

“Look at this. Your face turns red just from getting a little close. Should I say you’re not dense but just shy?”

“J-Just drive properly. The light’s green now.”

She’s acting tough, pretending it’s nothing, but she’s clearly flustered.

How can she even play with me like this?

I smirked slightly and turned my gaze back to the front.

“Alright.”

**

After dropping Silvia off and visiting the office apartment for the first time in a while, I finished a sweet exchange of affection with Sehwa and cautiously made a request.

“Can you let Adeline stay over for a couple of days starting tomorrow?”

“Adeline? Sure.”

I didn’t expect her to agree so readily…

She must be willing to endure for the greater good. I really like this Demon King who’s growing into the dignity of a queen.

“What’s the occasion? I thought you’d get mad…”

“Adeline’s cute. She follows me well, so I like her.”

Her voice was filled with goodwill. Compared to how annoyed she was when we first met, it’s like night and day.

But… has she developed a liking for Adeline after only meeting her a few times?

Could Sehwa be influenced by Adeline’s innocence and divine power?

As I pondered this, Sehwa’s next words made me sigh in relief.

“Yuria’s not here, so it’ll be fun to play with her.”

Thank goodness. She hasn’t changed.

“Well… have fun playing…”

“Why don’t we go somewhere far? How about Jeju Island?”

Jeju Island… That brings back memories.

“Jeju Island sounds good. Let’s invite Silvia too.”

“Why? Are you planning to hit on Silvia?”

“Exactly. Silvia will definitely refuse.”

“You just want to ask her out of courtesy, right? Got it. But there’s something more important than this. The Doctor seems to have noticed something suspicious. How are you going to handle it?”

“I don’t have a plan. Yuria will keep an eye on the Doctor, so I’ll decide after hearing her report.”

Sehwa stared at me intently.

She was smiling meaningfully.

I asked,

“Why are you making that face?”

“You say you don’t have a plan, but it seems like you’ve already made up your mind.”

“Me?”

“Yes. The Doctor is too much of a wild card to just let go. This incident seems to have confirmed that.”

“Well… That’s true. Let’s stop talking about this and go inside. It’s been a while since we slept together.”

I picked Sehwa up and headed to the bedroom.

I’ll love her a lot since it’s been a while.

**

“Jihyuk. I have something unfortunate to tell you.”

Adeline let out a cute sigh.

I adjusted my glasses and closed the Bible.

“What is it?”

“Sehwa invited me. She said we should go to a villa in Jeju Island, eat delicious food, and go swimming. We’re meeting at the airport tonight. So I might not see you for a few days.”

“What? You should’ve told me earlier… I already made plans… And what kind of swimming is this in this cold weather?”

I frowned and showed my disappointment. Adeline came over and gently stroked the back of my head.

“I’m sorry. But Sehwa said she’s getting busy and we might not see each other often, so I had no choice.”

“Then I’ll go too.”

“That’s not possible. We’re planning to have some secret girl talk.”

“Just girls? So Silvia and Yuria are going too?”

“Yuria is traveling abroad. And Silvia was invited, but she refused because she has a sports competition.”

I let out a hollow laugh.

“Not all four of us are going… Let’s postpone and go next time.”

“Didn’t Sehwa say she’s getting busy from now on? If not now, when will we have time to bond? I’ll be back in two or three days. You can wait until then, right?”

I can wait just fine while playing with Silvia. Yeah, sure.

“Just play with me. Cancel the plan.”

“Jihyuk. Sehwa is a fellow Beast Slayer. Isn’t it good to bond in preparation for fighting together? And we’ve been together every day until now. You shouldn’t try to tie me down too much.”

Adeline spoke gently, as if she were a teacher dealing with a child. It was so funny I thought I’d go crazy.

I also felt a bit sorry for deceiving her.

“Even so, how can you just leave me out…”

“Say ‘ah’.”

“This is too much…”

I grumbled and opened my mouth wide.

Adeline took out a mint candy and put it in my mouth.

As I chewed it noisily, she smiled brightly and hugged me.

But since she’s small, it looked more like she was hugging me.

“I’ll give you a reward when I get back from this trip.”

“…A reward?”

“Yes. Since you waited so well, of course I should give you one. The details are a secret, so don’t ask what it is.”

It feels like she’s going to do something naughty…

I reluctantly replied,

“Alright…”

“Since Jihyuk seems troubled, let’s stop studying for today.”

“Yes…”

Adeline comforted me for a while longer.

She seemed happy to see me so attached to her.

Pretending to be upset like this isn’t bad. I should use it occasionally.

After eating with Adeline and helping her pack, I dropped her off at the airport. As soon as I got back in the car, I called Silvia.

-What.

“Where are you now?”

-Working out.

“Adeline said she’s going on a trip with Sehwa… Did you hear?”

-I heard. She probably left by now.

“I just dropped her off at the airport. Let’s leave tomorrow. I’ll take care of all the camping gear, so just pack some extra clothes.”

-To, tomorrow…? They said it won’t rain at the Grand Canyon for a while…

I did suggest going on a trip when it rains.

But you refused Sehwa’s invitation because you wanted to go with me.

You know this is the chance. You’re even checking the weather forecast, so why are you acting like this? Do you have any conscience?

“The day we spent together was special, but that’s just how it is there. Let’s meet at the lab at 5 AM tomorrow.”

-That early…?

“Because of the time difference, it’ll be evening in the US when we arrive.”

-That’s true… But I don’t know how to set up a tent… Are you going to do it alone?

“Why would we set up a tent? We have a base… a cave.”

I lowered my voice slightly, adding a secretive tone as I spoke.

I wanted to poke at Silvia’s conscience while also building up her anticipation.

And it seemed to work, as I could hear Silvia swallowing over the phone.

-That cave…?

“We were going to play there from the start. Don’t you remember?”

-I remember… Alright. See you tomorrow.

“Be on time. Get some rest early.”

-Don’t be late yourself. I’m hanging up.

“Yes.”

I tossed the phone onto the passenger seat and started the car.

The preparations are perfect. Now I just need to enjoy the secret rendezvous and nurture Silvia’s feelings for me.

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