episode_0009

“Hu-ha! Haha, wow… !!”

Rough breathing comes out along with the heartbeat.

My breathing rarely calms down.

It was an intense state comparable to battle mode.

Without a purifying mask, my breath is even hotter. It feels as if the energy condensed in the body is burned all at once.

I almost breathed this out loud at Sihu. If that had happened, that pretty face would have been burned.

“I’m crazy… Really!”

Every time I think about what just happened, my face gets hot.

‘A sister with that cute and seductive face… … ?’

Although it was what I asked for,

The blow was much bigger than expected.

Sihu’s thank you speech was harmful to the heart.

To be precise, I never imagined that I would directly experience the violence of the word ‘sister’.

Until now, I have never been particularly interested in the opposite sex.

There weren’t many men in the first place,

I was always busy with hero activities and never thought about dating.

But Sihu was different.

It was my first time seeing such a cute boy.

My heart couldn’t stay still when I heard that such a boy was so embarrassed and called me his sister.

Of course, external factors were not everything.

‘For no reason do you think I look like my younger brother? They look completely different… … .’

Although it was only for a moment, it felt like I met my younger brother again.

ㅡSarak, Sarah… !

I calmed my heart and checked my clothes. Without realizing it, one button on my blouse was undone as I was hugging Sihu so tightly.

Having breasts that are too big is also a problem.

If you move it even a little too vigorously, it will fall apart.

That’s probably why he hugged Sihu so tightly.

By the way, when I impulsively held Sihu in my arms, I thought it was a mistake.

It was completely unherolike behavior.

As if being captivated by a young boy wasn’t enough,

Are you hugging me arbitrarily just to satisfy your selfish desires?

The more I think about it, the more my face gets hot.

‘I’m glad Sihu is a kid who doesn’t know anything… … .’

I’m glad there aren’t any eyes around me.

And if Shihu was really 26 years old,

There was no way he could have stayed calm when I hugged him like that.

Most men are conservative about the opposite sex and sex. If Shihu was really an adult male, he would have screamed at me earlier, asking me what I was doing.

He might even have accused me of sexual harassment.

On the other hand, Sihu was calm.

Even though my face was red,

He was gentle to the world like a lamb.

To ease the awkwardness, I picked Sihoo up just as I was hugging her and naturally placed her in the waiting seat on my way back. As if it was intended to be that way from the beginning.

… … .

We didn’t say anything to each other.

It was comfortable for both of us this way.

It’s better to pretend like nothing’s wrong and let go of the excitement and tension… … .

ㅡJiyiing!

As I stand in front of the executive conference room, the door opens automatically.

“Phew, it calms down faster than I thought.”

My heart is already cold at the thought of meeting the old ladies. Although it was only for a short time, I was happy thanks to Sihoo.

“Ugh… ! It’s finally here… ! Why is it so late-?!”

“Miss Lia? No matter how much you don’t like our attendance request, don’t you think it’s too late to be this late?”

“… … .”

As soon as I entered the conference room, the elderly women sitting on both sides of the desk started shooting at me. The association president sitting in the middle just sat with his chin resting in silence.

These old women, who were senior members of the association, were always full of energy. I was worried that they might be former heroes, so I corrected them too much to match their age.

No matter how healthy it is, I at least want to age gracefully.

“There was an accident on the road today.”

“Tsk tsk… ! Anyway, that’s true. What time is it now?”

“And Miss Lia? Looking at the surveillance monitor, I see that they even brought a boy. Who is it?”

“… … .”

I didn’t really react.

It’s always such a mess every time I come here.

I’m anxious because they can’t catch me.

Anyone who sees me will think I belong to the association.

“… You two, please stop. Lia must have had her own circumstances.”

“Tongue, Chairman of the Association… … .”

“If the president of the association says so… Wow!”

When the president of the association, who had been sitting quietly, raised his voice, the continuing siavigil stopped. It was a low, husky voice.

“Is it Lia? You probably know why we called again, right?”

The president of the association, with his white hair braided down to the floor, moves his lips while resting his chin on one arm. There was a sense of intimidation in her voice.

“Yes. I guess they want to recruit me to the association. However, no matter how many times you suggest it, I don’t like it.”

“Really? That’s such a shame. Have you forgotten how I saved your little brother? At that time, I said thank you and said I would do anything─”

“Please stop talking about my younger brother-!”

It’s the same repertoire again.

I’m getting sick of it now.

There is something different to touch every time.

You’re talking about your dead brother… … .

When I interrupted the conversation by shouting, the two old ladies sitting on either side of me got angry and asked me what my speaking habits were. But such trivial reprimands did not reach my ears.

I’ve been holding up well so far, but

I really can’t do this anymore.

I didn’t want to keep being dragged around by the association like this.

“… If you bring up the story of my dead brother every time I come, I won’t be quiet any longer-!!”

Five years ago, when I was an ordinary person.

There was a time when my younger brother, my only family member and blood relative, was kidnapped by a ‘disaster’ level villain.

At that time, the person who helped me was none other than the president of the association.

A former S-class hero who was looking to retire at the time,

Park Mak-rye, the ghost sword.

She eliminated the villain after a bloody battle.

And my younger brother was also safe.

I was indebted to her.

But unfortunately, a year later, the younger brother suffered from an incurable disease of unknown cause and eventually passed away. My younger brother was fifteen at the time.

The president of the association was clearly my benefactor.

It is no exaggeration to say that I was able to become a hero thanks to her.

But recently, she has been using this as an excuse to force me to make choices.

“Lia, you probably know that the number of villains above the ‘martial law’ level has increased significantly these days, right?”

“What does that mean? I’m working just as hard.”

“It’s just about working together among the same heroes. Moreover, if you join, we will be able to easily eliminate the villain alliance, which is a problem these days… … . This is all we want, so why are we rejecting it like that?”

“I told you this before. It’s the same with my identity, but I don’t want to reveal my abilities to others.”

“Huh… By the way, what kind of unique talent is this? … .”

Makrye Park rubs his chin and shakes his head.

Her forehead is full of wrinkles.

It’s probably because of me that you’re having trouble.

However, I am comfortable alone.

The association is also unsatisfactory.

I didn’t want to make my unique story known that much.

‘I don’t know his face, but I will never reveal his unique identity.’

My main unique skill is ‘speaking.’

A skill that allows you to control others with words.

If you meet face to face and hear my voice, the condition is met. After that, the subject moves as I direct. Any executable command.

In other words, no matter how powerful the villain was, he was just a puppet in front of his words.

To be precise, it could only be activated by looking at the shape of my mouth and hearing my voice. That’s why I usually covered my mouth with a mask.

Of course, like the gangsters I encountered this morning, depending on the person, it was possible to control them with just their voice.

However, speaking was a skill with many loopholes.

Even if you just close your eyes or block your ears, loopholes are already created.

While it is a unique machine with tremendous performance,

The strategy was so simple that it seemed absurd.

Because of that, I refused to join the association.

In addition to speaking, other inherent skills were also awakened, but there was no reason to expose strategies on one’s own.

When you join an association, your personal information is made public for publicity purposes. Of course, the association made a deal to protect my information, but I couldn’t trust them.

Even though I am not a member of the association, they are still manipulating people by citing old relationships. What if they find out my information?

‘They will treat me like a dog under the pretext of disclosing information. If the strategy is revealed, you won’t be afraid to deal with me… … .’

I could have taken off my mask right now and manipulated the old folks into not bothering me anymore.

However, I didn’t necessarily want to do that to my benefactor. Because once an argument is made, it doesn’t go away for a long time… … .

The thought of me changing a part of that person for the rest of his life was quite unsettling.

On the other hand, of course there was no hesitation in dealing with villains who deserved to be punished.

“… good night. I understand what you’re saying.”

In “? Are you serious about that? … ?”

“However, there is a condition.”

Well then. I wondered what was going on.

He seems like a snarky old man… … .

The conditions are crazy. I guess their intention is to keep exploiting me somehow.

“… If we catch a wanted ‘disaster’ level villain within the next half year, I won’t bother you again.”

“Woo, don’t be funny! Disaster level? Just joke around… … !”

“So you’re giving it half a year, aren’t you?”

This time, the president of the association cuts me off.

Her eyes twitch.

I guess I’m telling you to just shut up and listen.

“… There is some recently obtained information, so it won’t be that difficult. Please consider my position as well.”

With those words, Park Mak-rye winks. She had a rare kind expression on her face. He was making a very serious proposal.

Maybe it’s a mission that can be easily completed.

I’ll have to look at the exact details to find out… … .

If the mission is ridiculous, then I won’t sit still.

“After that, the president of the association said that… For now, I understand. I’m busy today, so I’ll receive more detailed information later.”

“Do whatever you feel comfortable with.”

ㅡJiiing… !

I just left the conference room.

I wanted to get out as quickly as possible.

As I leave the conference room, I feel a breath of fresh air.

“Sihoo, let’s go.”

“Ah, is it over now?”

“Yes. Wasn’t it a bit boring?”

“No, I didn’t notice the passage of time because I was looking at the scenery outside.”

Looking at this dignified appearance, it doesn’t seem like a child anymore. This is a kid I just can’t figure out.

But one thing is certain… … .

“Why is your expression like that? Did something bad happen?”

“… … .”

It is a face that heals just by looking at it.

I feel like my frustrated mind is being relieved.

Does it look like a puppy that runs up to greet its owner?

And as I keep looking at it, I find myself thinking of my younger brother.

“Hey… Sihu?”

“Yes?”

“That… I said I was so tired in the morning… … .”

“Oh? Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Uh, yeah… ! Hey, maybe… Can I call you sister one more time? If you give it to me like that, I think it will give you strength… … .”

“Yes… … ?”

Shihu’s reaction is cold.

I tried it just in case… … .

I’m crazy, really.

I really don’t feel like myself today.

What are you doing to the girl you met for the first time today?

Actually, he claimed that he was 26 years old, but there is no way that could be possible. And if that’s true, it can’t help but be a pretty embarrassing situation.

“Ahaha-! What should I say now… ! No, I’m kidding! Let’s go quickly-!”

I dismissed the situation like that and turned my back. But then.

“Yes, sister… … .”

Sihu’s shy voice came from behind me.