Whipped Cream (4)

Erica closed her notebook.

“This should be enough.”

After finishing a brief greeting, we came out of the building. Since only a few hours had passed, it was still a bright afternoon.

We looked around the Namyangju area, starting from the power control facility we visited first. Most of the damaged important buildings were in a similar situation.

As if destruction wasn’t the goal, from Seran’s perspective, it would be right to say it was just a slight touch.

If it had been terrorism committed by another awakened one, I wouldn’t have been particularly curious.

But because it was Seran, with whom I have a connection, I couldn’t help but be interested.

When we arrived at the Magic Branch by van, before I knew it, we were already in front of a neat interior meeting room.

It didn’t take long to move on to the main point after simple greetings.

“As you know, the invasions are occurring centered on Namyangju.”

“How about other areas?”

I heard that the Magic Branch located in Namyangju oversees nearby areas as well.

“It hasn’t surfaced yet, but according to predictions, Uijeongbu is said to be the next target.”

Uijeongbu is where the Association is located.

Several photos appeared on the projected beam. The battle scenes created by the delegation and their movement paths and predicted routes were shown.

Looking back, the place where I met Seran was somewhere between Uijeongbu and Namyangju. When I was active, I often moved my steps from the outskirts of Gyeonggi-do to the Seoul area.

“I’m not sure if the recovery will be okay.”

“We’re also having headaches about manpower allocation…”

The woman seemed to have a headache as she held her head.

Suddenly my throat felt parched. When I put a paper cup to my mouth, lukewarm liquid flowed in.

What’s this, isn’t it coffee?

In the momentary silence that began, I called out to Erica.

“I want to drink coffee.”

“Isn’t this coffee?”

“It seems like tea?”

Green tea maybe.

“Just drink it.”

How cold.

Seeing Erica turn her head to the woman’s explanation that started again, I leaned slightly on her shoulder.

My cheek was pinched lightly, forcing me to widen the distance, and with my throbbing mind, I closed my eyes and buried my face on the desk.

I moved around too much today. Does Erica do this every day?

That’s amazing.

“That’s the situation. Until manpower comes down from the government side…”

Ignoring the voice lingering in my ears, I fell into thought.

What’s urgent for them right now is the manpower issue. It seems they’ve been barely holding on with government support so far. But a second invasion is overwhelming at the point when they barely fended off the delegation’s first visit.

Although there’s no need to forcibly carry out a second invasion, the reason Seran did it is what I’m curious about, not what’s important to the Association and government.

They’re concerned about the damage that will surge in the future.

In that sense, I’ll be a problem for the Association side too. I told the director that I wouldn’t be involved in this matter, but.

If the delegation moves to invade Uijeongbu and I cause terrorism too, it’s only a matter of time before the metropolitan area explodes.

I’ve been living a daily life clinging to the Association so far, but in this situation, vigilance against me will inevitably increase.

It wouldn’t be strange if guns were suddenly pointed at me from all directions while returning to the Association after this is over.

I pondered for a moment.

It’s not particularly the worst situation.

Anyway, if a battle breaks out, I can obtain blood.

The slightly regrettable point would be losing time to be with Erica.

Suddenly, curiosity arose.

I wonder if Erica is wary of me.

For the past week, we’ve entered an implicit ceasefire. Erica is busy with her daily life, and I had no intention of straining her body at the point of giving her a second doping.

I followed the seat next to me with my gaze. As she looked ahead while scribbling in her notebook with a pen, I emptied my mind for a moment.

It would be nice if I could stay like this without thinking about anything.

“…I’ll relay this to the Association as is. Thank you for your cooperation.”

I also got up from my seat, following Erica who stood up as the chair was pulled back.

We left the meeting room and walked down the corridor. When we went down to the first floor, I saw a coffee vending machine.

This is cheap though.

“Want to drink coffee?”

Two eyes turned to the side.

Seeing her nod, I pressed the button labeled cafe mocha.

And for the second one, Americano.

When I handed her the paper cup filled with coffee, Erica immediately sat down in the chair in front.

She seems to be organizing what to record in the report as I see her rolling her eyes while opening her notebook.

I received the coffee and lightly rubbed my chest. I felt the knife.

I don’t particularly want to take lives, but if I’m attacked after leaving the building like this, I’ll have to swing it inevitably.

Like when I was targeted by the Union Department before, and sometimes by independent hunters.

I grasped my tired mind and sat down meekly next to Erica. Fortunately or not, she didn’t push me away.

I glanced sideways to look at the notebook.

“Your handwriting is pretty.”

Erica flinched and her uniform shook. The coffee rippled.

“You startled me.”

“Sorry.”

At this rate, I should be able to rest for a few minutes. My eyes trembled as if they were about to close from the fatigue slowly seeping in.

“Are you sleepy?”

“Ah, I, well…”

It’s dangerous if I fall asleep like this. I don’t like pain, so.

“…Wake me up later…”

With the lingering tone in my ears and the pouring fatigue, I closed my eyes, and

when I opened them again.

I was in that same place, leaning against the wall.

“…Ah.”

“You’re awake.”

That’s a relief.

Still, nothing happened.

“Ah, sorry. Do you have any plans next?”

“No. We can just return like this.”

Last night, no, every night I can’t sleep well.

If I increase my daily activity even a little, my body easily becomes tired.

I nodded and raised my creaking body.

When we left the building, what we faced was the night sky. Only the hazy light spewing from the streetlights on the dim roadside was embroidered.

“Still, you woke up on time.”

“Were you bored because I was sleeping?”

“No.”

That’s sad.

“It’s just too tiring.”

“…We did visit several places today. Good work.”

It was an untimely word of comfort. The atmosphere had changed slightly.

Is this wariness? Or simple kindness?

Pure white eyes turned towards me and then creakily found their own way. Silence fell for a moment.

“Are you worried by any chance?”

“…What?”

“That I might do something in a situation like this.”

Erica walked a few more steps and glanced at me.

“I’m always worried about you.”

“When you say it like that, it sounds like something lovers would say.”

Her round eyes narrowed.

I smiled slightly as I followed her.

“You don’t need to worry.”

“……”

“I won’t do anything.”

“Is that so.”

“Of course.”

I said that and stopped walking. The air currents subsided and the surroundings became quiet.

“If you grant my wish, that is!”

“…What?”

At her face that seemed to say ‘of course’, I stretched my hand forward. There was some distance between Erica and me, so it didn’t reach.

“Just hold my hand until we reach that vehicle.”

“……”

“It’s an incredible bargain! You can subdue a wanted villain!”

I felt a little sad.

In the end, this is also a threat, isn’t it.

I rather hoped she wouldn’t hold it.

If she does hold it, I’ll be happy for that moment. My brain will tremble at the extension of interest stemming from affection.

But what comes to me after that will only be a sense of emptiness and powerlessness. It’s nothing more than forcing my love under the pretext of a misaligned relationship.

“No.”

I hurriedly lowered my arm.

“You don’t have to hold it. I was just…”

“It’s fine.”

And what I felt was a cold touch. It was slender but firm. I stopped my feet and blinked.

I saw two hands with two fingers intertwined.

“It’s just walking a few steps, this much…”

Ah.

It’s okay. What’s the big deal about this much. It’s just someone else’s hand, right? It’s no different from my hand.

So calm down, Aureli. Don’t cry.

“What, are you crying?”

“Ah, no… it’s just.”

I unknowingly frowned at the sensation of my nose tingling. But the more I did so, the more uncomfortable my vision became. Moisture gathered and I couldn’t see well in front of me.

“Why, why are you crying?”

Why am I crying? Both her hand and my hand are cold. There’s not a trace of warmth to be found.

The night sky is dark and the air is cool. The only thing I can rely on is the streetlight. I have to shudder at the anxiety of not knowing when the faint light will go out.

I have to look around not to lose my way, and move my trembling feet.

But just by having my hand touch someone, everything becomes okay.

I don’t know. Anything.

I don’t want to think.

“Hic… sob.”

“W-wait. Why, A-Aureli.”

Something rustled and I felt a soft texture on my eyes.

The tears dry up at the touch.

“Are you hurt somewhere?”

“N-no… Sob… hic… S-sorry…”

I’m annoyed. If I hadn’t cried, I could have enjoyed it calmly. I could have walked a few more steps holding hands.

In the middle of the road, I don’t know what I’m doing.

But it’s good.

It’s so good that I just want to sit down. I want to live like a fool, forgetting everything.

My right hand is busy. I rub my eyes hard to block the embarrassment that comes from my face contorting.

But my left hand doesn’t move at all. While holding onto the slender fingers, it becomes restrained.

Tied. Entangled. To feel even a little more of the faint touch. I hold on.

“E-Erica…”

“Y-yes. What is it?”

“Call my name…”

I keep holding onto my trembling legs and bowing my head. Yet my mouth is unparalleled in rudeness.

“A-Aureli.”

At the voice where I can feel the trembling intact, I close my mouth endlessly. It’s good.

Before my emotions intensify, I nod and look at her.

Ah, I can’t endure.

At the slightly trembling eyes facing me, and the small piece of tissue she’s holding in her hand.

Once again, the strength to control my body drained away.

Right now, like this, if time.

I wish it would never flow on forever.