Mansion

After hastily finishing my shower, I shook out my hair.

Perhaps because I mopped the floor daily? Less dust clung to me than expected, but the uncomfortable feeling from sitting on the floor had faded.

Glancing at the clock, about twenty minutes had passed.

Normally, ten minutes would’ve been enough to finish showering.

Ever since my body changed, even rushing took over twenty minutes.

No particular reason – just an inexplicable embarrassment when touching my own body.

Though I’d fully accepted this as my body now and adapted to possibly living in it forever.

Still, showering while seeing my reflection always felt like peeping at someone else bathing, making me hesitate.

The shoulder-length bob didn’t help either, adding extra time.

“Phew…”

I hurried knowing they’d arrive soon.

They’d said thirty minutes by phone, so waiting a little longer should suffice.

Exiting the shower, I heard the Owner conversing with someone.

…A customer? At this hour?

“Oh, finished?”

“Ah, yes. Thank you for letting me use it.”

“Not bad for someone brought here. Seems trustworthy enough.”

“Huh?”

“They’re waiting outside. How close are you? Arrived crazy fast.”

…Already here? But they said thirty minutes!

Peeking out at the Owner’s words, a familiar-faced woman rushed to hug me.

“Ghk!”

“Boss! Long time no see-sumda!”

“…Boss?”

“Ah, ahaha…! A childhood friend-sumda! We played those games when young…!”

Before I could complain about the waist tackle, I dodged the Owner’s questioning about “Boss” with excuses.

Jane realized her slip-up, shaking her head vigorously.

“Yes-sumda! Childhood nickname stuck-sumda! Like a pet name!”

“Hoh, really? Should I call you Boss too?”

“Please spare me-sumda…”

“Kidding, kidding.”

This brat. After repeatedly telling her not to call me Boss in public.

I shifted my outstretched arms to her exposed midriff – perfect for punishment given her revealing outfit.

“…Boss? What’re you… Kyeeek?!”

“Shhh. Noise attracts suspicion.”

Though lean from her long legs, enough flesh remained for a good twist.

Gripping Jane’s belly fat with my right hand, I twisted with all my feeble strength’s might.

Tears welled in Jane’s eyes as I pinched her untrained soft spot.

“Well then, thank you, Owner-nim.”

“Sure. Visit when free. I’ll give discounts.”

“Yes. I’ll visit often.”

“Quite eloquent. Your friend seems moved to tears.”

“Ahaha… Y-yes-sumda… Overwhelmed-sumda…”

The Owner mistook Jane’s pained tears for emotional reunion.

Jane forced smiles rather than correct him, clearly fearing my retaliation.

Her facade dropped immediately after exiting.

“Boss, too cruel-sumda… Hurt so much-sumda…”

“Who told you to use that title publicly? Next time…”

“W-won’t-sumda! Never again-sumda!”

“Really?”

“Yes! Truly-sumda, Bo… I mean, Unnie!”

As she nearly slipped again outdoors, I prepared another pinch.

Quick-witted Jane instantly corrected herself.

Though accustomed to the title, public use risked misunderstandings.

…Honestly, “Unnie” didn’t thrill me either, but better than “Boss” or “Ophelia-nim”.

“Then, I’ll guide you-sumda!”

“Sure.”

Following Jane’s slow steps, I began walking.

“…This area’s fascinating.”

“Unnie didn’t live nearby-sumda?”

“I did, but rarely stayed here at this hour.”

During Academy days, student curfews prevented roaming. Later bartending meant reversed sleep schedules for night shifts.

…Felt foreign. Beyond foreign – like another world.

“…Unnie. May I ask something-sumda?”

“What?”

“You always sang about returning to the Academy-sumda. Last we met, you’d become a teacher there-sumda.”

“Right.”

“Then why here-sumda?”

There it is. Expected this question sooner, but she held back around strangers.

Time to answer.

“Caused trouble and ran away.”

“Lie-sumda.”

“…Huh?”

“Boss wouldn’t run-sumda. I know you-sumda.”

My explanation to the Owner – that Academy expulsion forced my escape.

Jane instantly rejected it.

“The Academy you longed for-sumda? Running? Something happened-sumda.”

“…No, really. I ran.”

“You’re saying that now-sumda. But I believe in Boss-sumda.”

“…”

“I’ll wait until you tell the truth… KYAAA?! B-Boss! Hurts-sumda! Hurts-sumda!”

“Who said to call me Boss, huh? We’re still streetside!”

“AAAAH! Sorry-sumda! Sorry-sumda! Won’t repeat-sumda!”

“Smooth talker. Didn’t you say that earlier?”

“This time true-sumda! Really-sumda! Truly!”

“Reeeally?”

“Really-sumda! Promise! Promise!”

“…I’ll let it slide just this once.”

“Huff… huff… Thought I’d die-sumda…”

I watched Jane rub her reddened belly.

Such smooth talker. Even spouting embarrassing lines.

…Hope she didn’t notice my flushed face.

Urgently pushing her back as she recovered.

“Hurry. People are staring.”

“Ugh, Bo… Unnie became cold-sumda…”

Fortunately, Jane missed my blush.

Rubbing her pinched waist, she led onward.

“…How’re the kids?”

“Too healthy-sumda. Calming their ‘When’s Unnie coming?’ cries was exhausting-sumda. Glad one worry’s gone-sumda.”

“I see…”

“Want to buy gifts-sumda? They’d love-sumda.”

“Good idea. Giant whale plush toy?”

“Perfect-sumda. They’ll go crazy-sumda.”

Children adore plushies. Especially those from harsh slums unlike privileged kids.

Though hearing they’d moved, doubt they could afford many toys.

Meeting them after so long, I grabbed a huge whale plushie.

“Wow, enormous…”

“Right. Bigger than expected. Ugh…”

“No, not the plushie… Nevermind-sumda. Let me carry it-sumda?”

“Won’t it bother you?”

“Fine-sumda. Less conspicuous if I hold it-sumda.”

“…?”

Jane’s odd response puzzled me, but she offered no explanation.

What’s her deal?

Chatting about trifles, we wandered streets.

Initially just curious about their new home’s location.

…But changing scenery gradually bred doubt.

Are we going right?

“Jane.”

“Yes? What-sumda?”

“Are we going correctly?”

“Yes-sumda. Almost there-sumda. Arriving soon-sumda.”

“Almost?”

Surveying surroundings at her words.

Nothing but luxurious buildings. Mansions with yards, some with pools.

…Clearly wealthy neighborhood.

They rented here?

“Here-sumda. Bit big-sumda?”

“Bit…?”

“Heh, heheh.”

Ding-dong.

Stunned, I watched Jane casually ring the bell.

…What happened while I was gone?

[Who is it.]

“Me, brat. Open up. Unless you wanna die.”

[…You should refine that vulgar tongue. Haven’t I said? Leaders shouldn’t seem cheap…]

“Shut up and open. Boss is here. Keep Boss waiting?”

[…! Opening immediately!]

Clang!

As I dumbly stared at the hurriedly opened mansion door, Jane approached smiling.

“Boss, please enter-sumda!”

“Uh, uh…”

Now I was truly curious.

They moved from ruins to here? Seriously?

…How?