episode_0017
by admin
#17
“… No? What do you mean? Why, why am I living with you… .”
Since that day, I found out that the boss who had been kind to me was actually a shameless person who lived with a minor.
“Sigh… .”
… I was suffering from a feeling of inexplicable stuffiness in my chest.
This is the first time I’ve felt this emotion in my life. What should I call it?
Betrayal? Absurdity? Or maybe jealousy…
“That’s absolutely not true.”
Hmm, yeah, that’s right.
As a hero, you can’t get away with such a shameless act. Yeah. That’s how it is.
At that time, I was trying to figure out the identity of the emotion that was weighing so heavily on my chest.
Swish
Someone gently tugged at my collar.
“Sister Yunseol. Hey, ho, by any chance. Is something wrong? You even used up half a day off last time.”
‘ah.’
I was with Jiyeon just now.
‘Ugh. Where are you keeping your mind?’
It’s all the boss’s fault.
“Ma, if anything happens, please let me know! I, I’m your manager!”
After saying that, Jiyeon grabbed my hand tightly with a solemn expression.
I guess he was worried that I kept mumbling to myself… .
“Thank you, Jiyeon.”
The sight reminded me of a hamster I used to raise with chubby cheeks, so I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Hehehe. As expected, my sister’s smile is pretty.”
Ah. What should I do? Should I bite it? That was when I was seriously contemplating.
“Hello, princess. I’ve been looking for you.”
… a familiar voice came from across the hallway.
Finally, a familiar silhouette caught my eye.
Thanks to that, my heart, which had been fluttering, suddenly cooled down.
“Ms. Hwayoung. Didn’t I tell you not to call me that?”
“Hmm. Is that so? Sorry. Hello, little girl over there.”
Why does that person keep coming to work?
Even having a private office outside.
“No, kid. I’m twenty years old… … .”
Jiyeon hides behind me with a slightly timid protest at Hwayoung’s words.
… This child usually feels a little uncomfortable with that person. It must have been a reflexive action.
‘That applies to me too.’
That person comes to see me every time he comes to work.
At first, I tried to let it go, thinking that he was just trying to be friendly with me.
“Our princess. Aren’t you going on patrol today?”
“… Again, don’t call me that. It’s offensive. ”
Yeah, that’s exactly it.
Those strangely irritating behaviors on her part were the reason why I found her uncomfortable.
“Sorry. I’ve been doing this out of habit. I’ll be more careful next time.”
“… .”
I didn’t bother to respond to her.
Because after saying that, it was obvious that he would call me by that strange name again next time.
Normally, our conversation would end here.
A sharp relationship where we exchange harsh words. This must have been our relationship.
But today was a little different.
“That’s right, Princess. Can I ask you something?”
“… Ask.”
At that moment, I felt a bit of strangeness at Hwayoung’s expression, which seemed to be holding back laughter.
A rather unexpected question came out of her mouth.
“Do you know that cocktail bar called [Oasis]?”
“… Yes?”
A stupid answer that came out without thinking.
“I went to [Oasis] this time. It was okay. That store.”
Was [Oasis] such a famous store?
‘no.’
Even if you give it a good rating, it’s just a small store in an alley.
To be honest, it’s so tucked away in a corner that it’s hard to find unless you know where it is and look for it.
The reason I first came to that place was purely by chance.
I was also curious as to how that person knew about that store…
‘…Why are you bringing up that store now?’
Since we are not in a position to engage in casual small talk, I can only assume there is some intention behind it.
“Our princess. What’s wrong? As if you saw a villain.”
Hwayoung is still smiling meaningfully.
When I see that sight, questions keep coming to my mind.
‘Do you know that I made a fool of myself at that store?’
No. There’s no way that person would know.
Whenever I go into that store, I always check to see if there are any paparazzi around.
But that person wouldn’t have followed me personally. He’s not the type of person who has no free time.
‘then…’
Are you just asking with innocent intentions? Are you hoping to recommend a good store?
I answered her with a slightly uneasy feeling behind me.
“… I’ve been to a cocktail bar called [Oasis] a few times before.”
“Okay? Got it.”
Hwayoung responds to my answer surprisingly calmly.
Because that appearance somehow reminds me of a child before he starts playing a prank…
‘… I’m anxious.’
As I was chewing over that feeling of discomfort,
“Ah. And.”
Bam.
Hwayoung came towards me and lightly placed her hand on my shoulder.
“… Our princess. Drink in moderation. Okay?”
With a smile on her lips, she whispered meaningful words into my ear.
‘what?’
“Okay, wait a minute. You!”
… You can’t say that without knowing what happened back then. How? That person?
“Because it’s not good for your health. Well then, bye.”
After that, she just passes me and Jiyeon and heads somewhere.
I thought as I blankly followed his back with my eyes.
‘How does that person know what happened that day?’
Did the reporters tell you? No. There is no reason for them to do so. If they had done so in the first place, the media would have gone crazy.
then…
‘… Did the boss mention something about that day?’
What if Hwayoung happened to come to [Oasis] by chance and the boss told her about what happened that day?
“That, there are often news articles that deliberately package it in a provocative way to grab people’s attention. That’s what it felt like… In fact, the biggest reason is… ”
“… You don’t seem like that kind of person? I’m a physiognomist. ”
No way.
Although we had only met a few times, my gut told me that there was no way the boss would do that.
… I don’t know, actually. Maybe I just want to believe that.
Just when those few words Hwayoung threw out were starting to gather dark clouds in my head.
“Sister. Are you okay? You don’t look so good… .”
Suddenly I felt a warm sensation wrapping around my hand.
“… .”
Jiyeon is looking at me with a few tears in her big eyes.
… Thanks to that, I feel like my mind is a little clearer.
“It’s okay. Jiyeon. Stop crying.”
“Oh, don’t cry… . By the way, what did that guy say to you when he came to you?”
well.
“… I don’t know either.”
really.
***
“Sigh.”
Wednesday, the day I decided to become Hwayoung’s daily manager.
I arrived at the building where her personal office was located, as written in the contract.
‘I still feel intimidated when I come here…’
Although Hwayoung’s contact information was written in the contract, to be honest, I felt a bit awkward contacting her.
It’s not that I don’t want to be in private contact with you… I’m a bit reluctant to do so.
‘It’s… 9 o’clock now. It would be okay if you came an hour early.’
I took a deep breath and stepped into the building’s entrance.
.
The 3rd floor we arrived at later.
I carefully knocked on the door of the office that had a sign that said [Hero Hwayoung Office].
dripping.
Then I felt a presence inside.
“Come in.”
Soon, I opened the door and went in, and Hwayoung greeted me as if she had been waiting for me.
“Long time no see, honey.”
“… How can that title, honey, not work?”
To be honest, it’s a little burdensome.
I know that the term “honey” isn’t necessarily limited to being used between lovers… but it still has a certain connotation.
But as expected, Hwayoung spoke to me in a clever manner.
“Hmm. What do you think I’m doing today?”
“… .”
He said he wouldn’t change it. Actually, I didn’t expect it.
Well, since we won’t be meeting after today anyway, it doesn’t really matter.
When I think about it that way, it actually seems like it might be beneficial.
… When will I ever hear a popular hero call me honey in my lifetime?
“Okay, take it.”
Whoosh. Hwayoung takes something out of her pocket and throws it at me.
‘… The car is full.’
“Do you know how to drive? If not, I’ll do it.”
If it’s driving…
“… I know how to do it. I’ve even driven a patrol car.”
“That’s right. You said you were a police officer.”
“Yes.”
Most of my few years as a police officer was spent on patrol.
From the moment the superpowered people appeared, the police’s position was greatly reduced.
Most people with powers aspire to be heroes, not police officers.
That’s why difficulties arose even when dealing with villains.
Since the few people with powers who supported the police instead of becoming heroes were assigned to the Violent Crimes Unit, incompetent people like me had no choice but to go to the Public Safety Division.
Of course, I’m not saying that the work that the Life Safety Department does isn’t important… but it’s true that it wasn’t what I had expected.
‘Well, that’s all in the past.’
“By the way, I didn’t hear about your schedule for today… Where are you going?”
“Huh?”
Hwayoung smiles meaningfully at my question.
“… I’m going to brag. To the company.”
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