Episode 373. Final Exam (2)

“Let’s eat! I’m starving.”

“Yes. Liliana-ssi.”

“Liliana unnie. I want to eat too.”

When the meal was ready, everyone gathered at the table.

Liliana and Nam Dahee giggled at the table as always.

I tried to help Nam Daeun, but Scarlet told me to stay put, so I quietly sat down at the table.

Finally, the world has come where I get scolded even when I try to help.

“Oppa! Unnie said she’d make something delicious today.”

“Mm-hmm. Eat a lot, Dahee.”

As I sat down at the table, Nam Dahee giggled and spoke to me.

She seemed really hyped up, probably because she was playing with Liliana after so long.

“When Oppa wasn’t around, I only ate simple side dishes every day… Thanks to Oppa, I’ll be able to eat Unnie’s delicious food!”

“… Dahee. You don’t have to say things like that. Besides, Unnie often made delicious food for you.”

I smiled gently, looking at the embarrassed Nam Daeun.

So she was cooking diligently for me.

I should make sure to enjoy it as much as possible.

As we started the meal, Nam Dahee also focused intently on eating.

“Dahee. Make sure to eat your vegetables too.”

“Okay…”

Nam Daeun was taking care of Dahee as always, and Liliana was talking with Rebecca, who had come out of her room after smelling the delicious food.

“Rebecca. Give me some ham, okay?”

“Take it. And Liliana. You really have no intention of calling me Rebecca-ssi, do you?”

“You use informal speech too! As I’ve always said, you should be calling me unnie! You guys should be grateful that I don’t force the laws of the Underworld on you.”

“Thank you. Liliana-nim. Please have some of my meat instead of Rebecca-nim’s ham.”

“As expected, it’s only Scout…!”

Liliana chuckled as she took some meat from Scout. No, Scarlet’s plate, and Rebecca-ssi leaned close to me and spoke.

“Honey. Is Liliana really older than me?”

“Uh… I think so.”

“Underworld-style age notation? Like, if an elf is 250 years old, is that like 25 in human years?”

“I don’t know what that means…. But she probably has lived longer than you, Rebecca-ssi.”

“Hmm… Okay. In that case, I’ll give up too.”

Rebecca continued eating with a somewhat dejected expression.

What’s this? Is she perhaps weak towards older women?

Yum.

I put the warm soft tofu into my mouth.

Still, it’s really nice because the atmosphere is so warm and friendly.

Rebecca and Scarlet had joined the table, but the atmosphere was similar to usual.

Actually, it seems even better.

“Speaking of which, Daeun-yang. Where did you get that sword? You always carry it around.”

“… Ah, it’s a precious item. I even sleep with it just in case I lose it.”

“Aha. Honey must have bought it for you.”

“R-Rebecca-ssi. How did you know?”

“Daeun-yang is just so cute.”

Rebecca continued eating with a smile, and I let out a wry smile looking at Nam Daeun.

How could I not know when she grips the sword tightly, calling it a precious item, while glancing at me repeatedly?

Since the topic came up, I checked, and Nam Daeun’s sword didn’t look to be in great condition.

The handle was worn out; it seemed like it was already time for a replacement.

Just how diligently has she been training?

“Daeun-ah. The sword’s handle is very worn out.”

“Mm-hmm… Lately, I’ve been training in all my free time.”

“It would be better to change it to a better material, right? The sword might not be able to withstand your magic power.”

Judging by the aura I feel, my guess is probably correct.

Nam Daeun has become really strong before I knew it.

It was scary enough to think I might be caught up to at this rate.

“… No. It’s okay.”

Nam Daeun said, hugging the sword to her chest.

“Really?”

“Yes. It holds many memories. It was also the first gift Hoyeon gave me.”

Even though I didn’t put that much effort into the gift, it makes me happy that she thinks of it that way.

The more someone is like this, the more rewarding it is to give them gifts.

Speaking of which, I had something to tell Nam Daeun.

“Right. Daeun-ah, can you teach me some swordsmanship?”

“… Suddenly?”

“Honey. No matter how difficult the path of magic is, you shouldn’t give up.”

“No. I just thought I’d learn it sometime. The world is so scary; how can I rely solely on magic?”

The magic-blocking barrier I experienced before.

The memory of that time was still vivid.

Until I develop magic to break through that barrier, I need to create at least a means to protect myself.

Of course, I’m not seriously considering it yet.

If it doesn’t work out, I’ll just give up.

“If you’re looking for close combat rather than swordsmanship, I can teach you.”

“Scarlet, you?”

“Yes. I also aim for close combat.”

“Uh… Was that so?”

Come to think of it, I haven’t really seen Scarlet fight.

She’s treated as an ace in the guild, but actually, she never fought me even during our first meeting.

Of course, I caught glimpses while we were on operations together in France… but even then, I never saw Scarlet’s true strength.

“For now, I’m asking you. There are more than one or two things I want to learn.”

“If the opportunity arises, I will teach you.”

Scarlet nodded and smiled.

… Why is she smiling so contentedly?

I was looking for a teacher, not offering to provide stress relief.

“Rebecca. So what are you doing at home now? Are you unemployed too?”

“Hmm… Magic research? Honey asked me to do something.”

“Then help me with my broadcast! You’re pretty too, Rebecca, so you’ll be popular.”

“I’m not really in a position to just put my face out there, so that’s a bit….”

“I can help, Liliana-nim.”

“Oh, Scout! Truly, it’s only you! Daeun-ah. Do you want to join too?”

“Uh… If I can be helpful….”

Looking at the bustling table reminded me of the past.

The time when it was just Liliana and me living in the dormitory.

Except for the times I played with Liliana, the house was always quiet.

After meeting Scarlet and then Nam Daeun, I brought them to our house temporarily, but who would have thought we’d end up living together like this.

Before I knew it, I had gotten used to living with women.

A life spent with pretty women all day long.

I am happy.

There’s only one downside.

‘Sometimes I want to rest at night.’

Tsk

I scooped up the soft tofu and smacked my lips.

*

After finishing the meal and helping Liliana with her broadcast setup, it quickly became dark.

Liliana is computer illiterate, and so am I, so it took quite some time.

By the way, Scarlet fixed the computer for me.

She knew a lot because she has work experience.

“Hmm. I’ve arrived.”

Stopping my distracting thoughts, I stopped walking.

This was Nam Daeun and Nam Dahee’s room.

Even though there were plenty of spare rooms, the two of them were still using the same room.

I swallowed hard in front of the door.

She told me to come at night, so I came… but Dahee must be asleep, right?

‘She told me to come in quietly without knocking.’

Nam Daeun had said this as she passed by while I was fixing Liliana’s computer.

I quietly opened the door and checked inside.

Dahee could be seen sleeping soundly on the bed.

“Dahee just fell asleep too.”

“Seems so. Is Dahee doing okay lately?”

“Yes. She seems to have made many friends… and she’s almost forgotten about the past.”

Nam Daeun smiled, stroking the sleeping Nam Dahee.

Because Nam Dahee was held captive like a hostage in the Buyer Guild’s hospital since childhood, she has more childlike aspects than other children.

I kept worrying, but fortunately, it seems nothing bad has happened.

I sat down on a nearby chair and spoke to Nam Daeun.

“Nothing happened while I was gone, right?”

“Yes. I did well on the exams too.”

“That’s a relief. I heard you started studying too.”

“Thanks to Hoyeon, I was able to do it easily.”

When she was held captive by the Buyer Guild, she didn’t take written exams at all.

All the guild wanted was to be first in practical skills.

Now, I hope Nam Daeun enjoys her academy life too.

“What did I even do? It’s all thanks to your hard work.”

“No. I’m always grateful. To Hoyeon, Liliana-ssi, even Scarlet-ssi.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Everyone is kind, right? Rebecca-ssi also seems kind the more I talk to her. I’m not interesting and I’m not good at conversation….”

Nam Daeun looked at me, smiling self-deprecatingly.

I reached out my hand and took hers.

“No one thinks that.”

“Thank you.”

“Right. Can I ask what you talked about with Scarlet earlier?”

“Nnnnngh. That… is a secret between women.”

“Come on, tell me. It concerns me, doesn’t it?”

“Ah, I can’t…. Sorry….”

“Okay. Okay. I won’t ask, so get up.”

Nam Daeun replied, bending over and burying her face in her knees.

I’m curious, but I can’t help it.

I’ll have to probe Scarlet about it later.

“It’s thanks to Liliana-ssi that Dahee has become so cheerful too.”

“That’s a relief. She didn’t have a negative influence.”

“Yes. Instead, she’s covering Dahee’s wounds.”

“… I see.”

Actually, I’m worried about Nam Daeun too.

Nam Daeun was the one most hurt by the Buyer Guild incident.

She lived enduring everything, even knowing all the facts.

I didn’t even want to imagine what would have happened if I hadn’t appeared.

Since there’s a terrible ending in the original work where everyone dies and she commits suicide, you must know how hard it was for her without me needing to explain.

“Daeun, do you need anything? Tell me anytime if there’s something you want, even if you don’t absolutely need it.”

“I… don’t really know.”

“Why?”

“Just because. I’m satisfied being with Hoyeon. I’m so much happier than before.”

“Still. Anything is really fine.”

“I mean it….”

Nam Daeun pouted, looking aggrieved.

This is really frustrating, but I don’t know what to do.

Being good is nice, but getting this reaction every time feels a bit strange.

“I told you. You can afford to be a little more greedy.”

“Nnnngh. I’m fine with this.”

Nam Daeun got up from the bed, came towards me, and spread her arms.

I hugged Nam Daeun with a slight smile.

When she reacts like this, I can’t do anything.

“Then, shall we go out for dinner sometime, just the two of us?”

“… Yes. That sounds good.”

Swish

Nam Daeun stroked my back and raised her arms.

“Hoyeon-ah… Can I kiss you? Uh, uhm….”

Instead of answering, I covered her mouth with my lips.

Maybe because it’d been a while, I supported Nam Daeun’s nervous waist as we continued the kiss, and her face quickly turned red.

“… I love you.”

“Yes. I love you too. Daeun-ah.”

“Hoyeon-ah… Haa, I can’t hold back anymore.”

“Yes. Let’s go to my room. Dahee is here.”

“No… Just once. Can’t we just do it once before going?”

“… Huh?”

I asked again, widening my eyes.

What are you talking about?

Dahee is sleeping right over there.

“I can’t wait… My body is too hot.”

Nam Daeun ignored my words, knelt on the floor, and grabbed my pants.

She wasn’t like this before, so why did she become like this?

Is this also my fault?

“….”

“Haa, haa….”

Nam Daeun pulled down my pants and pressed her cheek against my bulge, visible even through my underwear.

As the soft touch moved up and down, I couldn’t help but flinch.

“It’s been a while… hasn’t it?”

“Daeun-ah. Are you okay?”

“Sorry…. I’ll be quiet so Dahee doesn’t wake up, so please bear with me just this once.”

“… Yes.”

Am I really in a position to say that?

My standing erection became even harder, receiving Nam Daeun’s breath.

Becoming hard even while watching Dahee sleep, my degeneracy seems to be gradually increasing.

No, let’s accept it now.

This must be a man’s destiny.

“Smack… Smack….”

Slurp Slurp

Lewd sounds soon echoed in the room, and I closed my eyes, placing my hand on Nam Daeun’s head.