Ch.32Chapter 32. Escape

“Hey, take a break now.”

“Pardon?”

“Yeah. Take a break, please.”

As I was examining the blueprints, people kept approaching me from all directions.

Apparently, I looked terrible.

Well, normally I don’t even work a full hour after arriving at the office.

Today I’d been working continuously until almost lunchtime, so of course I was practically in a punch-drunk state.

“Go get some air. You can leave 30 minutes early and come back after lunch break.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll do that.”

If even the section chief says so…

I stretched and got up from my seat.

I wonder if this company is giving me too many special privileges.

I’m already goldbricking almost every day, and even on the rare days I actually work, they give me such generous break times.

This is why I love our company.

“Sigh…”

As soon as I stepped outside, my face scrunched up in disgust.

The indoor air with air purifiers is actually better.

The station’s air always feels stuffy and irritating from the moment you breathe it in.

“Maybe I’ll make a call.”

While scrolling through my contacts, I realized I was doing something stupid.

Cuss doesn’t even have a phone.

And I didn’t have the nerve to call her homeroom teacher—Joan or whatever her name was—and ask to speak with Cuss.

She’s probably doing fine anyway.

If she’d caused any trouble, I would have received a call from Teacher Joan by now.

I decided to stop thinking about Cuss.

If I kept thinking about her, instead of clearing my head, my thoughts would only get more complicated.

At times like this, I should smoke a cigarette.

Even though I quit a long time ago, I guess it’s inevitable to crave one occasionally.

Instead, I took some gum from my inner pocket and chewed it while walking for a while.

“Ahh…”

Soon I arrived at the park and sat on a bench.

With the lake view spread out before me, it was perfect for sitting mindlessly.

They say it’s an artificial lake, but damn, it’s huge.

Somehow they’ve managed to keep the air clean in this area too.

I wonder how much money they burn daily maintaining this park.

While lost in these trivial thoughts, my attention was caught by a woman walking from a distance.

“Wow.”

I couldn’t help but exclaim.

She was tall with an amazing figure…

I’ll stop describing further because it would make me sound like some perverted old man.

Anyway, she was the kind of woman who could be described as beautiful rather than just pretty.

Is she a model?

“Huh…?”

To my surprise, the woman walked straight toward me and sat down beside me.

Is this a green light?

Isn’t it?

But wait, I’m already pretending to date Juliane?

Does this mean I need to pretend to two-time?

How many kids should I have?

“You look tired?”

“What?”

“Your complexion doesn’t look good.”

Her sudden question brought me back to reality.

Well, it’s normal for strangers to strike up conversations sometimes.

And sometimes those conversations lead to hotel rooms.

“Are you a model?”

“No. Just a wage earner.”

The woman covered her mouth and chuckled at my question.

Is this a green light? Really?

“Work was particularly tough today, so I came out early to get some fresh air.”

“Same here.”

“Hmm… Is that so? We’re in the same boat then.”

Her seductive smile almost made me fall for her.

Actually, I already had.

I wonder if I reacted the same way when I first met Juliane before losing my memory.

“Excuse me…”

“Oh, just a moment. I’m getting a call.”

“Sure. Go ahead.”

“Yes, son. Why did you call?”

“…?”

My brain froze for a moment.

Ah… she’s married.

Damn, I knew there was a reason she was so pretty.

That explains everything.

“…Mmm. I see. Okay. See you after school. Muah!”

“So you have a son.”

“Yes. He’s still at the age where he needs his mom. He even calls me from school like this.”

“I have a daughter too. She’s at school right now.”

Before I knew it, I was showing this nameless woman my phone gallery.

They were candid photos I’d secretly taken of Cuss when she looked cute.

Her pouting face while trying on a dress at a clothing store.

Her face covered in sauce as she devoured spaghetti.

And her peaceful sleeping face…

I hurriedly put my phone away when I almost showed a picture with her tail visible.

“She’s pretty. I wonder when my child will grow to that age… The future seems daunting.”

“Haha.”

Since I hadn’t actually raised Cuss to that age, I had nothing to say.

“I got a call from work. I should head back now.”

“Haha. You’re busy.”

“Well, goodbye then. See you next time.”

The woman waved, took glasses from her pocket, put them on, and turned away.

It was fascinating how wearing glasses gave her such a commanding presence.

She seemed like someone who would look perfectly at home wearing full latex and cracking a whip while cursing.

“Huh? See you next time?”

See you next time?

I didn’t even get your name.

This is definitely a green light, right?

But I can’t date a married woman…

Well, actually, there’s nothing stopping me.

Has adultery been abolished in California?

I should look that up.

***

Ring ring ring…

“Ugghhh…”

In a room bathed in warm sunlight, Juliane opened her eyes, her golden hair disheveled. The first thing she did was clear her throat.

“Ahem! Hmm! Ah! Aah!”

Looking satisfied, Juliane quickly tapped below her ear.

“Yes, Jinsoo. What is it?”

“Oh, were you sleeping, Juliane? Did I wake you?”

“Noooo? I was already up?”

Checking the clock, Juliane bolted upright and exclaimed in panic.

She couldn’t possibly admit that she’d fallen asleep at 6 AM and had been sleeping until now, 2 PM.

“I’m sure you were. Your voice just sounds a bit hoarse today.”

“Ahaha… Does it?”

He’s like a ghost.

Almost no one can tell when I’ve just woken up…

“Are you in your car, Juliane?”

“Car? Why suddenly ask about a car?”

“So you haven’t left yet.”

“No… not yet.”

“Haha. I was worried you might have forgotten to pick up Cuss.”

“Ahaha…”

Laughing awkwardly, Juliane racked her sleep-addled brain for memories.

Come to think of it, she had agreed to pretend to be his girlfriend in exchange for his help with the Navy scandal.

Jinsoo would be at work now…

So who was supposed to look after Cuss after school?

‘Right. I promised to take care of her…’

Juliane smacked her forehead, her expression contorting.

She had forgotten that and spent the night staring at her computer screen…

It was truly an inexcusable mistake.

“She’ll probably take the school bus home…”

“No, no. I’ll go pick her up myself.”

“That’s fine too.”

Juliane jumped up and tied her hair back with a headband as she spoke.

She needed to drive there herself today and make it clear that she was Jinsoo’s partner.

That way, Cuss wouldn’t be looked down upon at school for not having a mother.

“Then when you get back, we can talk slowly about the false accusations—”

“Yes. Good luck with your work.”

“So rude…”

The moment the call ended, Juliane cursed under her breath.

Does this man even want to clear his name or not?

Even if they weren’t false accusations, he had been subjected to an unfair investigation, and he could demand enormous compensation from the state for the time he’d served.

Then they could live comfortably in the station instead of in the countryside where the nearest mart was five miles away.

Jinsoo’s psychology was simply incomprehensible.

“40 minutes until school ends.”

It takes 20 minutes from here to Saint Catalina School.

That means she only has 20 minutes to get ready.

Juliane looked into the bathroom mirror with a grave expression.

Disheveled hair, puffy face, and long dark circles—it was a complete disaster.

“I can do this…!”

Juliane patted her cheeks firmly, steeling her resolve.

*

‘Another peaceful day!’

Wiping the drool from the corner of her mouth, Cuss wore a satisfied expression.

She had behaved well during all classes without causing any problems.

Of course, that was because she’d been sleeping the whole time.

And during lunch, she hadn’t drawn attention or stood out.

There was a minor incident where she accidentally tripped Tom, causing his tray to spill on his face, but that was trivial.

“He looks really angry.”

“Huh?”

Tom was still glaring fiercely at her but wasn’t approaching to speak.

She was glad she had apologized immediately after spilling the tray.

-Hey. I’m sorry.

After saying that one line and immediately going to get a new tray, he didn’t throw a fit like yesterday.

Indeed, the power of apology in human society is truly mysterious.

This was something Cuss had learned.

“By the way, Cuss. Don’t you use social media?”

“Social media? What’s that?”

“Well… Social media is where you post photos, share things you want to talk about, and connect with friends.”

“Why would anyone do that?”

“Um… because it’s fun?”

“Is that fun?”

“Well, yeah?”

Although Alice was now using social media more out of obligation than enjoyment, she answered affirmatively.

“I’ll consider it.”

“Great! Then give me your phone number.”

“Phone number?”

“You must have your own cell phone.”

“I don’t have such a thing. We have a home phone though.”

“Whaaaat?”

No cell phone either?

Alice couldn’t help but exclaim in shock.

How could someone live without a cell phone at this age?

Rare silver hair and doll-like features.

Plus all these other traits that seemed out of place in modern times.

Alice couldn’t shake the feeling that Cuss was like a noble lady who had stepped out of a fairy tale.

“Try begging your parents to buy you one. They should get you that much, right?”

“Hmm. He’ll probably hate the idea.”

“Why?”

“‘No cutting into flesh!’ That’s what he’ll definitely say.”

“There are definitely people like that. But nowadays, there are also ones you can wear on your wrist like a watch. Try asking for one of those.”

“What’s good about having one?”

“We can talk even when you’re at home!”

“Oh. I’ll ask Jinsoo about it.”

“Hehe.”

The sales pitch was successful.

Alice grinned as she left the classroom with Cuss.

“Ugh.”

“…”

Or rather, tried to leave.

Cuss’s backpack got caught on the doorframe again.

It was still an absurdly large book bag.

It looked big enough to fit a whole adult inside…

Meanwhile, Alice’s own bag was so small that it filled up with just a few books.

Alice thought she should beg her parents for a large backpack too.

“Hey! Are you Cuss?”

“Huh?”

The moment they exited the school building, Alice was stopped when someone grabbed her bag from behind.

Startled, she turned around to find an incredibly tall senior with a scary face.

Tom was standing behind him.

Alice froze in place.

Getting a senior to take revenge!

“That’s not her, bro! Cuss is running away!”

“What?”

Alarmed, Alice turned around to see that Cuss was already fleeing in the distance.