Ch.191Someone’s Memory(?)

# 191. Someone’s Memory(?)

[JoanOfArcIsASaint : tomorrow]

[JoanOfArcIsASaint : Putrid Raid]

[JoanOfArcIsASaint : We’re going to Purkle, right?]

[SaeX : SaeX]

[KillCut : lolol]

[StubbornBackdoor : lol]

[JoanOfArcIsASaint : Don’t just laugh, you punks]

[JoanOfArcIsASaint : Double-check the schedule]

[JoanOfArcIsASaint : For every minute you’re late]

[JoanOfArcIsASaint : I’ll fine you 10,000 won]

[EtiquettePath : I’m good]

[WaterKnowsTheAnswer : I’m fine too!]

[PhysicalTherapist : Me too]

[SaeX : Tyrant wooooo]

[KillCut : Tyrant wooooo]

[StubbornBackdoor : Wooooo]

[JoanOfArcIsASaint : What? You want to pay double the fine?]

[SaeX : On-time deployment possible sir]

[KillCut : Possible sir]

[StubbornBackdoor : Possible!]

[JoanOfArcIsASaint : Should’ve answered earlier, geez]

[JoanOfArcIsASaint : Anyway]

[JoanOfArcIsASaint : Putrid is known to be a gimmick-specialized boss]

[JoanOfArcIsASaint : Keep your brains nice and flexible]

[JoanOfArcIsASaint : Everyone OK?]

[EtiquettePath : No drinking during raids]

[EtiquettePath : Especially WaterKnows and PhysicalTherapist]

[WaterKnowsTheAnswer : But having a can of beer after work feels so good!]

[PhysicalTherapist : Agreed]

[WaterKnowsTheAnswer : Just kidding, of course! Hahaha]

[PhysicalTherapist : Adding that makes me look bad]

[JoanOfArcIsASaint : I’ll be watching you tomorrow]

*

“Hey! SaeX! You seem really unfocused! You’re making small mistakes, which isn’t like you.”

[SaeX : Sorry]

[SaeX : Probably stressed from some family issues]

[SaeX : Will focus better]

[KillCut : Can’t help family issues]

[StubbornBackdoor : Time for Talula here]

“Wait, family issues… Hey. Shouldn’t you take a break then?”

[SaeX : Nononononono]

[SaeX : It’s my fault]

[SaeX : No need for that]

[SaeX : Will focus hard now]

“Alright… Let’s take a 5-minute break to clear our heads. Anyone who needs the bathroom, go. Anyone who needs a smoke, go ahead.”

[KillCut : What if I need to do number two?]

“Like, really number two?”

[KillCut : I’m not sure]

“…Just go then. Take your phone to the bathroom.”

[KillCut : Ah!]

*

“NICE!!!!!!!”

[SaeX : SaeX!!!!!!!!!!]

[KillCut : That’s what I’m talking about!!!]

[KillCut : Took a good dump and Purkled]

[SaeX : LOLOLOLOLOLOL]

[EtiquettePath : Nice]

[WaterKnowsTheAnswer : Kyaaaaaaaa]

[StubbornBackdoor : Amazing!]

[PhysicalTherapist : Purkle again!]

“That was close. Damn. Seriously. Everyone was just incredible. Wow.”

[SaeX : That’s SaeX for you]

“Enough with the SaeX talk. Wow. Seriously, everyone did great without exception. The counterattacks and evasions in the final phase were excellent, and the healing was just phenomenal.”

[KillCut : Hehe]

[PhysicalTherapist : lol]

[PhysicalTherapist : That’s just the basics]

“Everyone worked really hard on today’s raid, and it’s getting late, so let’s have the after-party tomorrow. If anyone can’t log in, make sure to post in the group chat. Then we’ll adjust the time.”

[EtiquettePath : OK]

[EtiquettePath : Good work everyone]

[WaterKnowsTheAnswer : Got it! Good job everyone!]

[SaeX : GG]

*

“Hey.”

“…”

“Hey.”

“Huh? What? Hey?”

“Why are you spacing out suddenly? You’ve already started the engine.”

I blinked and looked around to assess the situation. I was sitting in the driver’s seat of a large van, with Subin sitting in the passenger seat looking at me.

In the middle seats, Yehyun noona and Soyu noona were each leaning against the windows, staring blankly outside, while in the back, Arang, Seyeon, and Yuri were chatting noisily.

“It’s nothing.”

I pretended nothing was wrong as I shifted gears and pressed the accelerator.

Ah, this stuffy air.

The missed conveniences of civilization.

Earth.

“Honey.”

“Huh?”

“You’re unusually quiet today. Are you feeling sick?”

Yehyun noona, sitting right behind me, asked quietly. More than anything, the word “honey” felt extremely unfamiliar. Plus, her tone was so full of affection, it was just…

“Honey?”

“No. Just… I have something on my mind.”

“Something on your mind?”

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

“Fine. Whatever.”

They were all pretty to begin with, but dressed in Earth-appropriate clothes, they were something else. With this large van, I felt like a road manager for a six-member girl group.

Yehyun noona was the oldest, but Subin would probably be the leader.

Subin, the leader in charge of being chic and aloof.

Yehyun, the eldest in charge of warmth and kindness.

Yuri, the maknae in charge of beagle energy and physical prowess.

Something like that.

Their names were all pretty enough that they wouldn’t need stage names. All beautiful, with great bodies, nice personalities, and different facial types, so they’d have both group fans and individual fans in equal measure.

As for the most important skills like singing and dancing, well. With visuals like that—GOAT-level visuals—they’d blow up as long as they weren’t terrible, right? Even faster if they had good songs.

It was quite an enjoyable fantasy. They didn’t have to be a girl group either. They could become popular quickly as individual YouTubers or streamers. If they went the creator route, they’d form a crew called Veritas.

Then I’d be Veritas’ first subscriber, live audience member, and manager, enjoying the sweet life. A true supporting husband.

“Your expression is weird. Are you really not feeling well?”

Shut up, Eun Subin! No matter how pretty, fit, smart, rich, capable, and charismatic you are, you can’t stop my happy fantasies!

—is what I wanted to say, but that would make me seem genuinely sick, so I just gave her a compliment, saying I was fine and was just struck by how pretty they all looked.

Subin’s expression became even stranger.

*

Mindlessly following the navigation, we arrived at a luxury resort by the sea. Among the options, Subin had reserved the most premium suite.

There’s no need to explain in detail how magnificent, comfortable, and fantastic the view from the suite was. You get what you pay for. That’s enough.

Some dove onto the luxurious beds, some went out to the terrace to admire the sea, some organized the luggage, some marveled at the bathroom…

“So, what should we do first?”

“What time is it now?”

“11:43.”

“It’s a bit awkward for lunch, isn’t it?”

“But it’s also awkward to do anything else, right?”

“Then how about we eat early? We can have dinner early too.”

“Agree!”

“I agree too!”

Decision-making was quick. We all got along well, and our relationship began in a regular engineering department after all. We were used to moving with one mind.

Soon we split into teams—one preparing vegetables and side dishes, the other setting up the meat, fire, and table—moving in perfect coordination.

With everyone contributing, preparations finished quickly, and before I knew it, I was standing in front of the charcoal fire with tongs and scissors in hand.

‘Right. I should be the one grilling the meat.’

People who have experience grilling do it best, and seeing the women clinking glasses and nibbling on side dishes, it seemed right for me to do it.

‘At company dinners, I hated being pressured to grill just because I’m a man.’

But for my women, I could grill for ten hours.

A moment later, when I placed well-cooked, golden-brown meat pieces on the plate, they all thanked me in unison.

Among them, Subin even wrapped some meat in lettuce and held it up to my mouth.

“Eat while you work.”

“I am eating.”

“Hurry up. My arm hurts.”

“Nom.”

“How is it?”

I gave a thumbs up instead of answering. Subin smiled slightly and started wrapping her own portion. I put a new piece of meat on the grill and raised my glass. The women all raised their glasses in response.

After swallowing Subin’s wrap, I happily exclaimed:

“Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

“Oppa! Should I stir-fry some kimchi?”

“Sounds good.”

“Okie!”

Meat. Kimchi. Alcohol. And beautiful women.

Could life be any happier?

“Honey. The meat!”

“Ah. Sorry.”

With seven people who all had good appetites, the cooked meat disappeared quickly. I needed to focus. I was serving the best meat…?

‘Wait. Seven people?’

Seven people?

Me. Subin. Yehyun noona. Soyu noona. Arang. Yuri. Seyeon.

That’s right. But… suddenly I felt like I was forgetting something…

“You’re spacing out again. You really are sick, aren’t you?”

“No… wait. Just a moment.”

“Don’t hide it. I need to know. What is it?”

“Were we always seven people?”

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

Subin looked serious.

“There are obviously eight of us.”