Flames flicker.
The scent emitted by the burning candle wrinkles my face.
It’s acceptable since it’s a household.
It would be troublesome if the basement is not ventilated.
My vision turned red and blue, as if my frail body is having a seizure again.
I blinked a few times and just closed my eyes.
Love.
The emotion of love, which dulls most feelings and fluctuates dozens of times a day due to my mental illness, was the last reserve of normativity in my otherwise abnormal existence.
Falling for someone. Being enchanted by someone.
Having the other person become a part of my life, and feeling empty when they disappear.
In theory, that was how it was.
I wanted to feel it someday.
I don’t know now if I am experiencing love or not.
On one hand, it was a relief.
When I looked at Erica, I could focus solely on her without any other thoughts.
My relationship with her is one-sidedly selfish for me.
I can’t be pushed away by her, who holds the safety of justice and the current state as a hostage.
Thanks to that, I was in a situation where I was being criticized all day, but it wasn’t so bad.
Therefore, the act of showing the city skyline at night was impulsive.
When I briefly closed my eyes and opened them again, I saw a face that looked more tired than mine.
Colorless pupils and messy hair, dozens of reports, and a cup of coffee.
What pulled her out was self-interest that was born from admiration.
I didn’t want to see her fall apart.
I still realized that I was tormented.
Even as I made her sit down countless times, I was supporting her back up.
It was contradictory and paradoxical.
That’s why I admired her even more, hoping for a beautiful world.
I extinguished my cigarette and messed up my hair. The silver color is nice, but it’s harder to manage than I thought.
They say you need to handle it carefully with some kind of shampoo.
Just washing it is exhausting.
I continually coughed and vomited stomach acid. There were many times I didn’t want to take medicine, but relying on perfume dulled my mind to a bearable level.
As I waited for morning to break, I heard the sound of air tearing and a crack appeared beside me.
[ Huaaam… ]
My mouth was agape to the point where it twisted, a sight rarely seen. Countless sharp teeth were out, akin to shark teeth.
Bloody blinked.
[ Agggh! Look, did you see?! ]
“What?”
[ Ah, it’s nothing. ]
“I saw.”
Is that embarrassing?
What’s so great about teeth?
[ Look, did you see it?! Agggh! So embarrassing! I just want to die! I could just die! ]
“Don’t.”
Then who would be by my side?
[ Ugh, hic… My teeth… ]
“What about teeth?”
[ Being born a royalty and having such cute teeth is a disgrace! ]
Certainly, upon a second look, they’re more adorable than sharp.
“You’re not a royal anymore.”
You’re living in the human realm now.
[ Once a princess, always a princess. A noble and graceful princess! ]
“But the teeth are cute.”
[ Agggh! ]
Ignoring her whining, I put a cigarette in my mouth.
The magic power injected into Erica’s body is reaching its peak.
At some point, she would realize that the quality of the magic she can handle has changed.
Today is the last extension regarding that. It seems to coincide with the timing the gate will burst.
I got dressed and stepped outside. The sky displayed a pale blue hue with a sun that wasn’t fully risen.
[ I feel something lately. ]
“What is it?”
[ The Spirit World seems unusual. ]
Speaking of which, it has been a few days since I last met Seran. She spoke boldly about a project for me, but I have no idea what she’s planning.
“Are they going to send a diplomatic mission?”
The invasion of the human realm during the Choksal Order. A few days after that incident, several knights were sent to the association.
They merely exchanged pleasantries and returned; I had no idea that turmoil was brewing after that.
Thanks to that, a battle disguised as a massacre broke out.
They would have likely sent a diplomatic mission disguised as a greeting to other places for exploratory purposes.
If it’s Seran, I think she would have already incorporated or eliminated any elements that posed a danger.
But who would have thought that the one causing daily terror like me would slaughter spirit soldiers?
It’s a funny tale.
[ You are despicable and wicked. Once I recover my strength, I want to hit you a few times. ]
“Hehe.”
I understand Seran.
The world is noisy.
Too much.
I glanced momentarily at the sky. The sun revealed itself, coloring the streets a scarlet hue.
I took off my hat and opened the office door.
It seems like I arrived too early. It’s quiet.
The director was blinking while sipping coffee.
“What kind of coffee is it?”
“They said it was a caffe mocha?”
“Didn’t you buy it yourself?”
“Erica got it for me.”
What’s that? Why didn’t I get any?
I should hold onto Erica’s pant leg and cry.
Where is she?
“She hasn’t come yet.”
“Why?”
“Because they are in a meeting.”
“I have to go in and drag her out!”
The director chuckled and handed me a piece of paper.
“What’s this?”
“The gate report.”
“Why are you giving this to me…?”
“You’re a member of the association, after all.”
The director pointed to the lower floor. My seat is right below.
There was a brief silence.
“I don’t have a department or a position, though?”
“But you do have a seat. Right next to Erica, at that. Workaholic Erica.”
I let out a hollow laugh and took in the sheet of paper. There were many words implying that it was a high-level gate and that it was dangerous.
“When do you estimate it?”
“Tomorrow.”
I don’t want to work, but it’s a good opportunity anyway. I could capture the target, Dracula.
In this case, it would be a massive massacre.
I twisted my mind briefly. I’ll pretend to fight alongside Erica and just watch from the back.
It will also be a good opportunity to test the side effects of the blood suction.
Oh, speaking of which, I had one more stop to make today.
While I was twisting my mind, I saw Erica coming out of the conference room.
“Hello.”
Erica abruptly stopped.
“I was glad you didn’t come yesterday.”
“I came today because I didn’t come yesterday. I’m also a member of the association now!”
“Who said that?”
“The director!”
Erica turned her head. The director shrugged.
“Are you upset because I didn’t buy you coffee yesterday? A caramel macchiato?”
Erica hesitated. Then she hid her reddened face with the paper she was holding.
She was cute.
“What was it again? Latte macchiato with caramel…”
“Oh, why did you come today?”
At my long-awaited question, her face flushed with color.
“I wanted to go for a walk.”
That’s a wish.
The coffee was a success, but the bingsu was a failure.
I wonder how a walk would be.
Though we wouldn’t walk very far due to the places we need to go, I didn’t care.
“Refusal is refusal.”
“Ha.”
Erica shot me a glare before passing by.
As I trailed behind, she went down to the lower floor and started gathering her things.
“Are you going to go with me?”
There was no reply.
“Actually, going with me would be good…”
“No.”
“You don’t have to be embarrassed.”
“Ha, that’s ridiculous.”
Sighing, she began to gather her bag, and I fastened my coat to follow her out.
Once we left the association, a cool breeze blew. There were still no people, so it was quiet.
Is it already afternoon?
“…Where are we going?”
I looked at Erica silently and adjusted my hat. My mouth was covered, with only my eyes peeking out.
“What…”
“I was waiting.”
Before Erica’s words could finish, another voice interjected.
Turning my head, I saw a woman in a suit standing there.
“Hello.”
“I’ll be your guide.”
“We’re on a date, so I’ll follow behind!”
Seeing the woman nod, I hooked my arm around Erica’s, although I was promptly shoved away.
“Ouch…”
“What date? And weren’t we going for a walk?”
As we followed the woman ahead, Erica appeared flustered.
“It’s a walk with a destination.”
“Destination?”
“Our commission.”
It was an area where rankers gathered.
They share information and issue guidelines. They are characterized by being a step ahead of the government in response.
Erica blinked.
“I think a spirit world diplomatic mission is coming.”
Erica’s expression hardened. The Spirit World’s Choksal Order had not resurfaced in the aftermath of my massacre that day, but it had garnered a grim image for occasionally sending diplomatic missions to the human realm without revealing themselves.
In the current state, where no one knows who might conspire, it’s an understandable judgment.
Yeah.
Actually, Erica could just stay still.
She could merely follow the directive handed down while quietly working at the association.
This is my self-interest.
Walking with someone, going somewhere with someone.
However, with my status, I can’t go to places like commissions. So I put Erica forward.
…It was tough to apply here.
Leaves were falling in the gentle breeze. Warm sunlight enveloped my body.
“I want to do many things with you.”
“…”
Erica exhaled a sigh. I smirked slightly.
The woman leading us came to a halt. Entering a tall building, we found ourselves at a security check.
I hope Erica can manage it somehow.
“Erica, is it? I’ve heard you are a celebrity at the association.”
“Haha, thank you…”
It seems being a ranker allows recognition.
The man in the suit turned his gaze toward me.
I flinched unknowingly and subtly hid behind Erica.
“Ha.”
“This is…”
“Ah, um… This is my junior. Just joined the association as a hunter.”
“Oh, I see. Understood.”
Good. Very good. It’s definitely Erica.
After passing the man, we hustled into the elevator together.
“Erica, senior. It’s the 12th floor.”
“Shut up.”
