Chapter 1009: Side Story – Hope City Guild’s Daily Life (3)

Cheon Jihee looks at me with a dumbfounded expression at my words that we might lose our common ground with Hye-eun.

As things were, she might have developed a strange misunderstanding about me, so I quickly elaborated on what I had just said.

“Wh-what kind of nonsense is that….”

“Please don’t misunderstand. I’m just trying to talk about co-parenting.”

“…Co-parenting? Surely you don’t mean that if I were to have your child, we could raise it together, thus creating common ground?”

“Well, yes.”

“Haaah, if you thought I’d want to have your child for such a trivial reason, you’re mistaken about something….”

“It’s good for doing prenatal education together using the common ground of being pregnant, and if we have a common topic, we can create much more natural excuses when spending time together, right? For example, even when Hye-eun is breastfeeding her child, it might be a bit awkward in front of you, Cheon Jihee-ssi, normally, but if you were also pregnant, that sort of thing would be much less awkward.”

“……!”

Intentionally steering the conversation towards things related to Hye-eun definitely changed the look in her eyes. As expected, this was the most effective way to persuade Cheon Jihee. She seems quite complex, yet surprisingly simple.

“…Breastfeeding the child while sitting together with Hye-eun, indeed, those were perspectives I hadn’t considered.”

“More importantly, the very act of having my child means you’d share the most similar aspect with Hye-eun. If a child were born between you, Cheon Jihee-ssi, and me, it would inherit my blood just like Hye-eun, so wouldn’t it be about half similar? If that happens, you won’t just be someone who helps me in bed like until now; you’ll truly become family with Hye-eun, Cheon Jihee-ssi.”

“T-truly family…? H-Hye-eun and I…?”

Of course, I’d be the connection sandwiched between the two of them, but still.

“Right now, the situation isn’t right for us to live together, but once the development of Hope City is complete, I plan to build a new mansion and live together with Hye-eun. Not just Hye-eun, but other people involved with me will be living there too.”

“…How lewd. Imagining things like a perverted woman would.”

“Of course, I’m not just letting anyone in; I plan to live only with people who have formed a special relationship with me. For example, someone closely involved with me, to the extent that they’d even bear my child.”

“……Despicable.”

“I’m always open, Cheon Jihee-ssi. Seizing the chance to become family with Hye-eun is your decision to make; I won’t force you.”

“……Keu.”

At my somewhat sudden proposal, Cheon Jihee bites her lower lip with a hardened expression, seeming to ponder deeply. She probably needed plenty of time to think. It was a question of whether she was prepared to bear the child of a man she didn’t love, in order to become family with the person she loved.

『Current Favorability: 60』

No, to be precise, it would be more accurate to say a man she loves less compared to Hye-eun, rather than a man she doesn’t love at all. Still, with a favorability of around 60, Cheon Jihee would probably have enough reason to consider it. Of course, if she refuses, I won’t particularly force her.

“You don’t need to decide hastily. And I’m just letting you know that this method exists.”

“…Why are you making this kind of proposal? You have many other women you see besides Hye-eun.”

“What?”

“Even if it’s not me, there are plenty of women who’d say they’ll have your child, so why deliberately bother persuading me like this?”

“…….”

“I think you’re misunderstanding something. The reason I’m making this proposal is for you, Cheon Jihee-ssi. If I hadn’t said this, you’d be so focused on Hye-eun that you wouldn’t even consider having my child, right? You wouldn’t even realize the easiest way to become family with Hye-eun was right under your nose.”

“…….”

“I want not only Hye-eun but you too, Cheon Jihee-ssi, to continue remaining active in the Sky Blue Shield. In that sense, from a long-term perspective, I thought it would be better for you, Cheon Jihee-ssi, to get closer to Hye-eun, which is why I told you this.”

“…I’ll keep it in mind.”

Along with those words, Cheon Jihee quietly closed her mouth and walked out of the training room.

“Are you going to the restroom too, Cheon Jihee-ssi?”

“…No, I have a lot to think about, so I’m heading home for today. Anyway, you said you came to help Hye-eun with her training, right? Please take care of the last set for me.”

“…Okay, Cheon Jihee-ssi. Go inside and rest.”

“…….”

–Cheolkeok.

…I didn’t bring it up too suddenly, did I? Still, the sooner this kind of talk happens, the better. There was a method where I could get carried away with Hye-eun later and force a pregnancy, but I didn’t really want to use it. Even if setting the mood appropriately could make sex happen, regarding childbirth, which would affect the rest of her life, I had to ensure it was Cheon Jihee’s decision made with sound judgment.

As I was once again feeling in my heart how complicated a life involving relationships with multiple women is, Hye-eun, having returned from the restroom, came back into the training room.

“What did you talk about with Jihee-ssi? She just left with a serious expression, saying she was heading home.”

“I asked her if she had any thoughts of having my child, just like you, Hye-eun.”

“…Hmm. So that’s why she made that expression. You, Taekyung, are the closest to Jihee-ssi among men, but still, the person Jihee-ssi likes the most seems to be me.”

“…That’s right. More importantly, she probably wouldn’t have considered having a child if it weren’t yours, Hye-eun.”

“Ahaha… In the first place, it would be impossible, but even if it were possible, I’m a bit hesitant about going that far….”

…Well, Hye-eun doesn’t particularly have a personality that likes women like Jihee-ssi does, so it can’t be helped. She just liked watching other women get fucked by me; she didn’t have the personality to want a relationship between herself and those women.

“Does Cheon Jihee-ssi absolutely have to have your child, Taekyung? If that’s the case, should I try persuading her separately? Still, if it’s my request, she seems like she’d listen much more seriously than if you asked.”

“I appreciate the thought, but I don’t want to go that far. Ultimately, I believe it only has meaning if Cheon Jihee-ssi says she will have my child based on her own judgment.”

“Okay, I understand. If you think that way, Taekyung, I won’t particularly intervene.”

Hye-eun’s reaction, understanding and speaking as if it were no big deal, even though I was talking about having a child with someone else. Perhaps thanks to being the very first among the women I’ve held to bear fruit of love with me, her reaction felt quite composed.

…Above all else, it’s because Hye-eun is this kind of woman that I thought I wanted to have a child with her.

“Whatever choice you make, Taekyung, I’ll always be on your side, so if you think you need my help, don’t hesitate to tell me anytime.”

“…Okay. Thank you, Hye-eun-ah.”

It was the moment I once again felt that Hye-eun being the first person I formed a relationship with after gaining my awakening abilities was the greatest fortune of my life.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

–Ka-ang! Ka-ang! Ka-ang!

“Hold your stance, Kang Hye-eun! Don’t lose focus until the very end!”

“Heu-eu, heut! Hyaaaak…!”

With Cheon Jihee having left a little early, Hye-eun’s final mock training set began once again. Just like Hye-eun, holding a training weapon for the first time in a while, I swung my greatsword against Hye-eun, who stood in front of me holding her shield and maintaining her stance. Of course, if I swung with full power, Hye-eun, being pregnant, wouldn’t be able to keep up, so it felt like I was only using about 30% of my usual strength. I guided her so she could block all attacks without needing excessive movements or actions. Even so, it wasn’t exactly easy, as beads of sweat were flowing on Hye-eun’s cheeks before I knew it.

‘Pregnancy is certainly a fatal disadvantage for an active Hunter.’

Hye-eun could have blocked everything if we fought a mock battle using just swordsmanship and shield techniques, even if I swung with full power, but this meant she could only exert about 30% of her strength, even though she’s only three months pregnant. Of course, the impact is felt more strongly because Hye-eun is a front-liner, while rear guards like Cha Yuri or Do Sihee might feel it less, but the fact remains that the overall combat power decreases. Even while swinging my sword for her training, I couldn’t help but feel sorry, thinking it felt like Hye-eun couldn’t exert her full strength because of me.

–Kka-aa-ang!

“Heup, Haaaak…!”

Thus, Kang Hye-eun blocked the greatsword swung for the last time with her shield, striking a pose with a battle cry. The moment she blocked the final attack, her two firm legs planted firmly on the ground, the training room’s alarm rang, signaling the end of the final set.

–Ttaeng-geurang….

“Haaa, ha, haaa….”

“Are you okay, Hye-eun-ah? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Eueung, I’m okay, there’s nothing like that… I’m just a bit tired….”

Hye-eun carefully sat down and caught her breath, and the beads of sweat on her face explained the hardship of the training just moments ago.

“Haa, it’s definitely a bit harder to block than usual. Even though Taekyung is holding back his strength…”

“It can’t be helped. So don’t push yourself even more.”

“Still, I have to keep my skills sharp like this so I can return right away after giving birth later, right? If I return quickly, our guild can continue to be maintained. The Sky Blue Shield too….”

“…You don’t have to go that far, Hye-eun. The guild will run fine on its own, so don’t worry unnecessarily. To me, you are more precious than the guild.”

“Hehe… I know you’re just saying that, but it still sounds nice to hear…”

…It wasn’t just words, though. By the way, even being pregnant, can one become this weak? I thought the women in this world were quite tough, seeing them work at construction sites even with bellies almost at full term, so perhaps Hye-eun just has a particularly unique constitution.

‘I should compare it once when Cha Yuri or others get pregnant. Or perhaps it’s harder because it’s my child, a male Awakener’s, not because it’s Hye-eun.’

While I was briefly reviewing the pregnancy plans of other women in my mind, Kang Hye-eun, who was resting on the floor, tugged at my collar and cautiously asked.

“…Um, Taekyung-ah.”

“Hm? Do you need something?”

“What I need… is right in front of my eyes right now….”

“Huh?”

“Today, if it’s okay, can you spare just one night?”

“…….”

Hye-eun’s face had reddened before I knew it, and next to it appeared the estimated acquisition points: 80.

…Perhaps the reason her skill felt a bit weaker today, especially, wasn’t solely due to pregnancy.