Chapter 74

EP.74 Troubled Heart

Click! Whirr!

The movement of rainbow-colored energy intensified.

Yuria, who was watching Aiter’s form on the enlarged screen, couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

“Wow… That’s really amazing…”

“Shh… Please be quiet.”

“Ah, yes…!”

At my words, Yuria immediately pursed her lips, sweating profusely as she focused intensely.

She didn’t even dare to breathe.

It’s funny how someone like her turns into a haughty queen at night.

Well, it’s not like I’m the one dealing with her walls, so it doesn’t matter.

After increasing the capacity for a while, I finished the final task and closed the Device.

Then, I wiped off the sweat with a handkerchief placed beside me.

“That’s it for now. We need to increase the capacity slowly. Aiter is a sensitive friend… If you keep poking, it’ll get angry.”

“It feels like a living being. You’ve worked hard.”

“Not at all. But…”

I trailed off, glancing around the laboratory.

I wanted to make it seem like I was worried about the doctor being around.

Seeing me like that, Yuria tilted her head with a puzzled expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“Uh… Did you charge the Device? Last time, the doctor said Yuria’s charge was only at 3%… Now it’s at 5%? The doctor wouldn’t make a mistake…”

“……”

Yuria gulped, seemingly embarrassed as she recalled yesterday’s events.

I apologized to her.

“Oops… I should have respected your privacy… I’m sorry if you’re upset. I just wanted to say you did well.”

At that, Yuria waved her hands dismissively.

“I’m not upset… Can you tell me more about how Aiter gains power? I heard it’s through sexual activities with someone you like…”

“You seem to know it well already?”

“No, I mean… Does it work with anyone you ‘like’?”

“Why are you emphasizing the word ‘person’?”

“Ah… Um… How should I put this…”

Her face turned red as she started to ramble.

That look isn’t bad either.

“If it’s sexual activities with animals, I also…”

Yuria cut me off, flaring up in anger.

“Wh-who said anything about doing that with animals!?”

I covered my ears and frowned.

“No, I was just explaining. I never said Yuria did anything like that with animals.”

“You… You made it sound like that!”

“I’ll admit to that. I’m sorry.”

“Haah… No, I’m sorry. I should have asked more clearly… My question was straightforward. Does it charge just by liking someone?”

You got charged yesterday. Why do you keep trying to confirm it?

Stop being annoying and just accept it.

“The confirmed method is that.”

“Is there no other way?”

“Hmm. We’ve tried various experiments, but nothing else worked.”

“I see… Is the capacity modification done?”

“For today, yes. You can wear it now.”

Yuria, weakly nodding, picked up the Device and placed it on her wrist.

The Device transformed into a watch and snugly wrapped around her wrist.

“Thank you.”

“Not at all. But you don’t seem to be in a good mood?”

“It’s just… I have a lot on my mind.”

“If it’s okay with you, I’m here to talk anytime.”

“No, it’s fine…”

Yuria, about to say it’s fine, stopped and looked at me.

She sensed something of Aron in my expression.

Aron’s clear gaze and asymmetrical smile.

My face looked exactly like that now.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, nothing.”

Confusing, right? I’m showing the smile that Aron, reincarnated, would have shown.

I stood up and stretched.

“Shall we head back? It’s already 3 PM.”

“Huh…? Yes…! Let’s go back. We should go back…”

“I’m a bit hungry. Want to grab a meal nearby? Sehwa won’t be here for a while, and Yuria’s acquaintance won’t be coming until evening…”

“Hmm…”

Yuria pondered.

It seemed a bit awkward to leave Sehwa and have a meal with just me.

But you can’t refuse, can you? You saw Aron’s smile on me.

After a moment of thought, Yuria finally agreed.

“Yes… Let’s keep it simple…”

“Got it. Let’s go.”

@@

Evening, 6 PM.

Yuria slowly walked through the streets, lost in thought.

‘What is this…?’

The meal with Jihyuk was quite enjoyable.

Our hobbies seemed to align, and when we talked, Aron’s presence faintly lingered.

Thinking back, even at the café before going to the lab, I felt Aron’s presence in Jihyuk.

The way he silently tapped his lips or his actions when complaining…

I never felt this way when I saw the person who was supposedly reincarnated, so it’s strange.

At the same time, I felt terribly sorry to Sehwa.

I had a meal with Jihyuk without saying anything.

‘Ha… This is driving me crazy.’

Pushing aside her complicated feelings, she arrived at Sinope and saw Seunghyun, dressed in a shirt and suit pants, coming out of the store.

It was definitely the person she saw yesterday.

She hurriedly called out to Seunghyun.

“W-wait a moment!”

“Huh?”

Seunghyun turned his head and stared at Yuria, then looked surprised.

“Ah…! Are you… the person who was with that man yesterday…”

“Y-yes. I’m Yuria Elenard.”

“I’m Yoo Seunghyun. Nice to meet you. Do you live around here?”

“Not really… Are you heading to work?”

“I’m off work. I’m a manager, so I work in the mornings.”

“Ah…”

If I had known, I would have knocked on the door. I went to the lab for nothing.

‘No. The capacity modification was necessary.’

And if Seunghyun is off work, it’s actually better.

I can have a long conversation with Seunghyun, which makes me feel better.

Thinking that, Yuria stared intently at Seunghyun.

He was incomparably uglier than Aron’s face.

His body too, unlike Aron who trained daily, he was chubby.

But his innocent face was similar.

Face and body don’t matter, but… the most important Aron’s vibe is missing.

“Why… are you looking at me like that?”

Seunghyun’s voice, sounding flustered.

Yuria, snapping out of it, shook her head and noticed the ring on Seunghyun’s left ring finger.

“Is that ring… from your girlfriend?”

“Yes, that’s right. But… ha…”

He suddenly let out a troubled sigh.

Yuria was convinced there was some issue between Seunghyun and his girlfriend.

If this person is Aron’s reincarnation, I must hold onto him no matter what.

Thinking it was good that he fought with his girlfriend, Yuria mustered the courage to ask.

“Can I… have your contact info?”

“Con… tact info…? Ah, are you interested in this line of work?”

At that, Yuria frowned.

Is he mistaking me for a bar girl now?

I feel quite upset.

“No.”

“Then why…”

“Yoo Seunghyun, right? I like you.”

“……”

Seunghyun’s neck stretched forward like a turtle.

His face was one of disbelief.

After a moment, he spoke.

“Did you lose a bet or something?”

“What are you talking about?”

“No… Why would someone like you be interested in someone like me…”

He lacks confidence.

Completely different from Aron, who was always confident.

Yuria was growing more doubtful.

Is this person really Aron’s reincarnation?

But my father wouldn’t lie.

Could it be someone else? No. My father clearly said he strongly felt Aron’s presence in this person.

Even if it’s not confirmed yet… My father, who has reincarnated, felt it, so it must be true…

I don’t understand, but I must hold onto him.

“Is it not okay?”

“…Sorry, but I don’t think it’s possible.”

If it’s not okay, just say it’s not okay. What’s with “I don’t think it’s possible”?

Aron wasn’t this indecisive…

I’d rather believe Jihyuk is Aron’s reincarnation.

Yuria, clenching her fist, spoke.

“Sorry for being forward. I’ll come back tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow…?”

“Yes. See you tomorrow.”

With that, Yuria turned away without hesitation.

Her desire to have a long conversation with Seunghyun had already vanished.

The first conversation with Seunghyun scored below fifty.

If he weren’t Aron’s reincarnation, it would have been a zero.

@@

I chuckled as I watched Yuria and Yoo Seunghyun’s conversation through a tracking demon.

Yuria’s mind must be a mess with three things.

First, the fact that the Device charged due to her father’s touch.

Second, the faint glimpse of Aron she saw in Song Jihyuk.

Third, the fact that Yoo Seunghyun, who she thought was Aron’s reincarnation, fell short of expectations.

If I were in Yuria’s shoes, I’d be just as confused.

As I giggled to myself, Sehwa, lying next to me, rubbed her eyes and woke up.

“Ung… Why are you laughing…?”

“Something funny happened. Go back to sleep.”

“Aren’t you sleeping…?”

Huh? You’re speaking casually now?

How dare you? But you’re cute, so I’ll let it slide.

“It’s not time to sleep yet. Hand me the phone. Kim Taegon’s.”

At that, Sehwa reached out and levitated the phone on the table, moving it to my hand.

It would have been faster to just hand it over. Seems like everything is a bother… Tsk tsk…

Maybe I should have corrupted her later.

I sent a text to Yuria, who was staring out the taxi window.

[Yuriya. Dad won’t be home until dawn.]

Yuria, holding her phone, was startled.

She quickly tapped on the screen.

[Yes. Be careful on your way back. But Yuriya…? Was that a typo?]

I was about to reply when I thought it was too plain, so I added an emoticon.

[No. Dad didn’t make a typo. ^^]

This should make me seem appropriately old and friendly.

Seeing my reply, Yuria’s face lit up with a smile.

The emoticon must be funny.

Operation successful.

[Everything else is fine, but Yuriya… That’s a bit… I’m not Korean, you know.]

[What’s wrong with Yuri? It’s pretty and nice.]

[Alright. Call me whatever you want, Dad.]

[Father?]

[Dad.]

[Thank you~ I feel energized! ^^]

Damn it. I can’t do this anymore.

I tossed Kim Taegon’s phone aside and reached over Sehwa to grab Song Jihyuk’s phone.

[Did you meet your acquaintance?]

Seeing the text, Yuria banged her head on the headrest.

Then she sighed.

She must be thinking of Sehwa. Feeling guilty, right?

We just had a meal. Why so dramatic? If it’s awkward, draw a line.

Of course, she can’t do that.

Soon, a reply came.

[I met them, but I’m not sure if it went well…]

[I see. Sorry for bringing it up.]

[No. Have you made up with Sehwa?]

[No. She hasn’t come back yet, and she’s not answering my calls.]

[Should I try contacting her?]

[No. She might get even more upset.]

[Ah, that makes sense. You’re surprisingly delicate?]

[You called me blunt this morning, and now delicate… What’s going on?]

[Sorryㅎㅎ]

A faint smile appeared on Yuria’s lips.

Look at her? She might fall for me before Seunghyun.

I don’t want to deal with your tendencies.

[Want to have a meal together next time?]

Looking at the screen, she sighed again.

Driving her crazy? A day full of deepening worries?

After nearly five minutes of fidgeting, staring out the window and at her phone, she sent a reply.

[I’m fine.]

She says she’s fine without even asking why. This girl has no principles.

If she gets corrupted, Sehwa will have a hard time.

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

---