Erica let out a weary sigh.
Normally, Orly, who would stubbornly cling to her because he liked her, was acting strangely today as if he had taken some medicine.
His gestures, expressions, everything about him.
He was avoiding her gaze and maintaining some distance, almost as if intentionally.
“The square in front, yes.”
Erica hung up the phone and glanced at Orly again.
He was fiddling with his side hair and pretending to be distracted. She could see the trembling in his pupils, and he was sweating profusely.
“What is it this time?”
“What?”
Seeing him casually avoid her gaze made Erica lose her composure.
“Right. Do as you please. Keep it up, I’m curious to see how long you can maintain it.”
At that moment, Orly flinched, and Erica turned away with a aloof expression.
What wind blew in? Did she have to accommodate him again for a while?
She could see a member of the corpse disposal team approaching. Erica briefly explained the situation and started to walk away.
She heard footsteps behind her.
That said, it was true that one more thing she had to do had increased.
When she opened the office door, she found the director, who should have been on the upper floor, at his desk. As she approached, the director fluttered a piece of paper.
“Oh, Erica. About the report this time.”
A fleeting silence passed. The director blinked.
“What’s wrong? Did you have another fight? Didn’t you make up?”
Looking back, she saw Orly peeking out from behind the office door. Erica couldn’t help but chuckle.
Seriously, what’s wrong with him?
“We didn’t fight. He just seems to be having strange thoughts on his own.”
Of course, directed at her.
Suddenly, a sense of despair welled up within her.
“But you should treat him well. Until now, he’s been well-behaved.”
“Really? With the terrorist incident, I was so anxious.”
“Compared to Orly’s past actions, that’s not much to worry about, is it?”
Erica had no retort.
“Anyway, you handled the previous necromancer group well. I saw the reports that came in. The treatment for the members of the terrorist organization is nearing completion.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Has there been any contact from the association president?”
Since Erica came down to the Gyeonggi Province branch with her department, she had kept in touch with the association president, Lindergh, occasionally, but there hadn’t been any news lately, maybe because they were busy at headquarters.
“The headquarters is probably busy with communications with the top-rankers. Government support is increasing because of that.”
“We can afford to relax a bit since we have Orly. The support has really ramped up lately.”
It was partly because it was the capital region, but the standing of the number one ranker was extraordinarily formidable.
“Recently, it seems like the director keeps siding with Orly.”
“Siding? I’m just stating facts. The association is a profit-making organization, after all.”
Erica, twisting her side hair, turned her head slightly with a sulky expression. Orly, who had been glancing at her, hurriedly hid behind the door.
Should she scold him a bit?
No, that wouldn’t do.
She could just ignore it.
Erica blinked. Still, she couldn’t help but be concerned about the sudden change in Orly after spending time together.
She had been kind to him and cared for him when he was hurt.
It was a slightly embarrassing thought, but she had considered inviting him over, thinking it was unavoidable.
Absolutely not because she liked him. No, absolutely not.
It was a good opportunity to learn about the weaknesses of a wanted Awakened One.
Erica internally repeated that it was obviously the case and turned her head back.
“By the way, I called the corpse disposal team earlier.”
“A corpse presumed to be an Awakened One was discovered. There were torture devices made with magical engineering technology on the neck, and there were many magical fragments scattered around the scene as well.”
Erica paused, twirling her side hair.
If the culprit was of the magical category, the builds would be common compared to other Awakened Ones, which would widen the scope of the investigation. Moreover, high-rank Awakened Ones in that area were oddly elusive and often concealed themselves.
It was because their character traits reflected a certain degree of behavior.
She felt a slight headache coming on.
“Anything else?”
“There was Orly on the scene, but…”
The director subtly turned to look behind him.
“What did he say?”
“He said he didn’t kill anyone and doesn’t know who the culprit is.”
The director was silent for a moment.
“Call in the others and have them investigate slowly; how about taking the rest of the day off?”
“Already?”
“Oh, I misspoke.”
The director gestured towards Orly.
“I meant for you to strengthen your bond a bit more. Isn’t there a cake shop nearby?”
Suddenly, Erica recalled a memory of her repeatedly saying she wanted to hug Orly and know more about him.
Embarrassment flooded over her.
“…”
That aside, she remembered that the atmosphere of that conversation had led to a suggestion that they spend time together, but it had not been upheld after that.
“…I’ll ask for now.”
Erica turned around immediately. In that fleeting moment, joy surged from having a chance to rest, but as soon as her eyes met Orly’s, a subtle feeling began to creep in.
Did she do something wrong?
Watching Orly suddenly turn around and try to run away, Erica slowly opened her mouth.
“Stop.”
Suddenly.
Like a trained dog hearing the sound of food being given, Erica sighed as she watched Orly trembling, his body creaking.
The door was getting closer.
“What’s wrong now?”
“What do you mean?”
She was genuinely exasperated.
“Do you want to keep messing around?”
Seeing Orly casually avoiding her gaze, Erica unknowingly placed her hand on top of her head.
And the air was disturbed.
“Get off me.”
Orly pushed herself against the wall, creating distance.
“Ha…”
You’ve finally lost it.
When did you say those nice things?
When you cried in my arms?
Suddenly, irritation welled up.
“Are you not coming over?”
“I don’t want to!”
Seeing him sneak into the office, Erica reached out to catch him. Of course, she failed.
“You’ll regret it! Listen obediently!”
After saying that, Erica felt a sense of dissonance.
It seemed the roles had reversed.
Silence fell. The office’s attention turned to her.
“Director! Erica is bullying me!”
You’ve gone mad. You’ve really gone mad.
Erica first calmed her excited heart. She knew very well that she wasn’t normally like this, but whenever she met Orly, it happened.
The gazes around her reflected that. She was already known as a renowned ranker in the association, yet here she was making a fool of herself.
To others, it must look like they were in a lovers’ quarrel while everyone else was busy working.
Erica’s mind raced.
Then she calmed her voice. She spoke.
“Three.”
Orly suddenly looked startled. He turned his creaky neck towards her and hid behind the director.
“Director! Please help me…!”
“Two.”
The director chuckled as he gently pushed Orly towards him.
Orly stared at the director with a blank expression.
“One.”
Orly dashed towards her with a terrified look.
Silence enveloped the room.
The office grew cold rapidly.
Erica placed her hands on her hips and sighed.
“What did I do wrong?”
Orly remained silent, lips pressed tightly together, only looking down.
It was infuriating. She decided to punish him.
Erica raised her hand and placed it on top of Orly’s head again.
Orly blinked. He quickly messed up his hair.
Silver currents scattered everywhere. A faint moan was heard, but she ignored it.
“I styled it…”
“You look good.”
“…”
The director, who had been quietly observing, casually remarked.
“That’s too much.”
Suddenly, she felt the attention around her. Erica stopped her rough petting.
Am I completely the villain here?
“…That’s enough. You don’t have to say anything. You must have your reasons.”
What reasons?
Does disregarding a person count as having reasons?
“…I’ll buy you a chocolate cake, so come with me.”
Stepping out into the street, it became much quieter. She felt her heart lighten.
Feeling the presence following behind her, Erica exhaled.
She knew well that she could not reach a complete understanding. However, she could vaguely gauge.
That Orly was still immature in handling others. The occasional forced tension or the emotional outbursts of tears reflected that.
Yet, she did not cling to that side of him. She had just done her best to embrace his shortcomings.
Perhaps this incident was also one of Orly’s whims.
Steadily, they were seeping into each other’s atmosphere. In the barren and cold city, while emotions faded, she was building memories together with Orly.
Ahead, she could see a store. Looking back, she noticed Orly struggling to pull a hat down over his coat.
It seemed small and hard to fit, making him struggle.
“Here, give it to me.”
Erica sighed and gently tidied up Orly’s bangs. Then she pulled the coat’s hood down tightly over his head and put it on.
Their eyes met. Orly opened his mouth as if to spit it out.
“Don’t be nice to me.”
“What?”
“Did you not hear me? Don’t treat me well.”
A fleeting silence passed. Erica’s eyebrows twitched.
“Does it make sense for you to treat me well? We’re supposed to be adversaries.”
“When did you whine to me?”
“That was possible because it was me.”
The absurdity reached its peak. As she listened to him, it made her want to give him a proper scolding.
“I don’t do niceties. That’s why I do as I please. I can hug you, or stab a blade into your chest.”
Eyes that vaguely captured light reflected.
“But you can’t be like that. While I’m mistreating you, you should resist.”
“Why should I? Is there a law that says I have to?”
“Because you hate me.”
Erica stopped in her tracks.
She had hated him. At first, she loathed him intensely. But perhaps it was some sort of affectionate bond. Even while they were adversaries, a slight attachment had begun to form.
It was because she had faced another side of Orly. The way he smiled slightly was beautiful. His innocent actions were endearing.
Honestly, she didn’t even know. Was she going crazy in this changed reality? Feeling such emotions watching a crazy person?
But Erica decided to be honest with her feelings. She couldn’t ignore Orly’s pale, suffering body and desperate struggles.
She reached out into their already broken relationship. In this shattered world, it was fine if such a relationship crumbled.
She had already begun to fall for her.
Slowly.
“That’s right. I do hate you.”
“Good. You should feel that way.”
“Then starting now, I’ll hate you even more.”
Erica raised her hand. Without giving Orly a chance to escape, she pinched her cheek hard.
“Ouch, it hurts. It hurts!”
“I really hate you.”
“Wait! It really hurts! Seriously!”
Keep whining. I’ll definitely scold you.
“Did you do something wrong?”
“This is a threat! Aah! Aah!”
She pinched harder. Seeing the tears welling up, Erica smiled slightly.
“I’ll ask you again. Did you do something wrong?”
“I did wrong! I did wrong! Let me go! Please let me go!”
Seeing him kneel, Erica gently released his cheek.
She had let him do whatever he wanted until now; this level of punishment was only natural.
