Episode 193. The Girl’s Revenge

After parting ways with Lee Hoyeon, Lucy stopped by a hair salon before heading to see Lumi. This was because she no longer needed to maintain the same black hair color as Lumi.

“Aren’t you the customer who was here earlier?”

“Ahaha… That’s right.”

The hairdresser looked at Lucy strangely, having returned just a few hours later, but Lucy just smiled and avoided their gaze.

“…This feels a bit strange.”

Her hair was blue, and it was short; the combination felt a little odd.

Lucy, emerging from the salon, continued to ponder. How should she talk to Lumi? No matter how much she thought about it, a good solution to resolve this situation all at once wouldn’t come. It was too tangled up from the start. Besides, if she had to explain everything from why she cut her hair short to what happened with Lee Hoyeon, there was just too much to cover.

However, she didn’t want to waste any more time. She wanted to tell Lumi the truth as soon as possible. In the end, Lucy just headed straight for Lumi’s dormitory.

Tiring-

Since they were twins who shared each other’s room passwords, she could open the door and walk right in. Going further inside, she saw Lumi lying on the bed, watching TV.

“Lucy?”

“Yeah. I’m here.”

“Your hairstyle has changed…? It’s pretty.”

“…Thanks.”

Lucy hesitated, unsure of what words to start with. There were so many things held in her heart, but she couldn’t seem to assemble the words swirling in her mouth.

“You know, Lumi….”

Seeing Lucy finally open her mouth after much deliberation, Lumi gave a slight smile.

“It’s about Mr. Hoyeon, isn’t it?”

“Huh? How did you know?”

“Whenever you make that kind of face, it’s always about worrying over Mr. Hoyeon.”

“…Actually.”

Lucy slowly began her story. The feeling of alienation she had felt for a long time. Then, discovering the two of them coming out of the motel. That’s why she couldn’t trust them, even when they suggested dating together. Ultimately, the time she disguised herself as Lumi and went to find Lee Hoyeon. Right up to confessing to Lee Hoyeon and confirming their feelings for each other.

Lucy honestly poured out all the emotions and words she wanted to say from her heart. Although she was worried about Lumi’s reaction, it was something she had to tell her eventually anyway.

“I’m sorry. I’ll never doubt you again. Both Lumi and Lee Hoyeon… I like both of you.”

But contrary to Lucy’s worries, Lumi didn’t get angry.

“You did well, Lucy.”

“…No. I’m sorry. What I did wrong was wrong.”

“Uh-huh. It’s okay, Lucy. I’m just happy that you and Mr. Hoyeon confirmed your feelings for each other.”

“Lumi….”

The twins held each other’s hands tightly. The trust they had built up between them couldn’t be broken by a mistake like this. That’s why Lumi wasn’t angry.

“Lucy, doing it with Mr. Hoyeon… was it good?”

“W-what are you talking about!”

Lumi looked at Lucy, smiling. It was the same expression she’d had when she experienced it for the first time. For today, at least, she felt like the older sister.

“Next time, let’s do it together, the three of us.”

“Lu, Lumi….”

Lucy couldn’t hide her shock at Lumi’s words. To hear her usually pure younger sister suggest the three of them do it together.

“Wouldn’t Mr. Hoyeon like it too…? If we want to beat the competition, we need to put in some effort too….”

“…Right. Yeah. Now that I think about it, Lumi’s right.”

But Lucy couldn’t help but nod at Lumi’s subsequent words. The countless beautiful women surrounding Lee Hoyeon kept flashing through her mind.

To beat the competition, they had to use their own unique weapon.

“Yeah, let’s do our best, Lucy…!”

“Because we’re going to win, Lumi.”

The two made eye contact and smiled slightly. They found it funny how serious they were getting. Today, the twins resolved themselves to seduce one man.

*

Meanwhile, the day after Lee Hoyeon saw the Centaur, in Lee Hoyeon’s room. Liliana had gone off to do her broadcast, and Scarlet disappeared somewhere after receiving a call.

In the quiet living room, Nam Daeun was watching TV while hugging Nam Dahee. Since she was taking a break from the academy, Nam Daeun had spent the whole day with Nam Dahee.

• Exposés and whistleblowing regarding the Shinyoung Guild are ongoing. Among them, we have prepared an interview with Guild Master Park Min-gyu of the Buyer Guild, who recently showed courage and became a whistleblower. Let’s watch together!

• Greetings. I am Park Min-gyu of the Buyer Guild….

“Oh, Unnie. Isn’t that Mr. Min-gyu?”

“….”

Nam Dahee couldn’t hide her shock at the familiar face. Park Min-gyu’s face was on the TV. Nam Daeun also roughly knew the inside story of the Buyer Guild. They handled dirty jobs, taking responsibility for the dark side of major guilds. And their biggest client among them was the Shinyoung Guild.

• Weren’t you worried before making this exposé?

• Of course, I was. Making enemies of major guilds isn’t easy. But I wanted to let the public know that this dark side exists.

• At the same time, the Association has also expressed its intention to protect the Buyer Guild as whistleblowers. Our broadcasting station also…

This is probably his plan to step into the spotlight using this opportunity. He’s always wanted to quit the dirty work and gain greater honor and wealth. The Association is also acting quickly to pretend they’re uninvolved through this situation.

“Dahee-ya, shall we watch something else?”

“Okay, Unnie.”

Just before Nam Daeun changed the channel, Park Min-gyu’s voice was heard.

• I don’t know how to put it into words. But with the wish that the world could be filled with goodwill and good deeds….

Ttik-

• Today’s segment! Exploring Male-Female Life!

“I’m going to the restroom for a bit. Unnie.”

“Okay.”

Watching the comedy program filled with haha and hoho laughter, Nam Daeun felt nothing at all. Since some time ago, Nam Daeun’s heart had become empty. Like a broken jar, no matter how much she tried to fill it, her emotions leaked out somewhere. The only remaining piece of that broken jar was her younger sister, Nam Dahee. Only when she was with Dahee could she return to her old self.

And then, there was Lee Hoyeon, a new connection. Even when she was with him, her emotions slowly began to revive. Thanks to Lee Hoyeon, she had escaped Park Min-gyu’s clutches, but she was still in a situation where she had to be confined to the dormitory like this. Because she and Nam Dahee were being chased.

Goodwill. Good deeds. Help. Contribution. Service. These were the words Park Min-gyu spouted. Nam Daeun didn’t believe such illusions. If those nice words had spread throughout the world long ago, she and her sister wouldn’t have suffered such a fate. Nam Dahee would have continued a normal school life, and Nam Daeun would have attended the academy normally, without risking her life over grades.

“Ah~ Damn bastards! Why do I have to lose! Why!”

A cute voice came from the room. It was Liliana, the Succubus.

“….”

Nam Daeun used to live emotionlessly, but strangely, she felt her mood improve when she was with the people here. They were good people who taught her many things and enabled her to repay Lee Hoyeon. However, the frustration lingering in a corner of her heart remained.

Seuseuseuk-

Just then, a sign of presence was felt from the ceiling.

Tadak-

As soon as Nam Daeun sensed the presence, Scarlet was standing before her. It was a skill that always surprised her. Scarlet tidied her hair and looked at Nam Daeun, opening her mouth.

“Ms. Daeun. You were resting well, weren’t you?”

“Yes. What is it?”

“You said you wanted revenge on Park Min-gyu… didn’t you?”

“…Yes?”

“Follow me, Ms. Daeun.”

Hearing the name Park Min-gyu come from Scarlet’s lips, Nam Daeun’s heart began to beat rapidly. At the same time, the stones lodged deep within Nam Daeun’s chest began to stir.

*

“Hoo… Kkeueup.“

I was meditating alone in the quiet hospital room. Since hearing strange words from Baek Ahyoung yesterday, I’d kept recalling the original story but couldn’t find anything that bothered me.

“Clan of the Past… Clan of the Past?”

I managed to get past it somehow back then, but it wasn’t a problem that would be solved just by moving on. It got to the point where I seriously considered having Scarlet investigate my background. However, I decided against it, knowing she’d suspect me immensely if I asked her to investigate myself.

This was a problem that could be dealt with slowly. Baek Ahyoung was already ‘conquered,’ and she said she’d understand anyway, so I didn’t need to worry about it. Plus, she said she’d come find me directly, so she’d probably show up if needed. Since they were called the ‘Clan of the Past,’ it didn’t seem like they’d harm me either.

Anyway, my mana circuits had recovered significantly, and my discharge was drawing near. So now, I needed to start handling my piled-up work, and the most important thing was, of course, Nam Daeun. Of course, the other heroines were important too, but Park Min-gyu needed to be dealt with quickly. If the Buyer Guild was left alone, who knew what troublesome things they might do, and only then could Nam Daeun and Nam Dahee move freely.

Sasasak-

I felt a familiar flow of mana. It was Scarlet, whom I had summoned.

“Hoyeon-nim. What is it… Hmm? Are you able to use mana?”

“Yeah. The treatment is almost finished. What are the others doing?”

“Ms. Nam Daeun and Ms. Dahee will likely be resting in the dormitory. Liliana-nim is doing her broadcast.”

“I see…. Do you remember what I told you before?”

I had given Scarlet prior instructions. It was to spread rumors that I was keeping Nam Daeun and Nam Dahee. And I had also told her beforehand to personally deliver a letter to the Buyer Guild Master. So they could act whenever I gave the order.

“If it’s about matters related to Ms. Nam Daeun, preparations are complete.”

As expected of an ace, it seemed the preparations were done.

“I think it’s about time we started making a move.”

It would be good to get fully discharged and handle things, but I’d become too famous for that. Right now, because I’m hospitalized, the attention on me is a bit less. But once I’m discharged, tremendous attention will pour down. It’s better to handle this before then.

“Then shall we move right away?”

“Hmm…. No. Just a moment. Let’s ask Nam Daeun directly.”

“Her?”

“Yeah. Because if I just assume things on my own, it could go wrong.”

I’m the type to ask before giving, even when giving birthday presents. It’s better to act with a clear understanding of Nam Daeun’s intentions. There are various kinds of revenge. Some where the opponent just needs to be destroyed, and others where you want to finish it with your own hands. It’s an awkward topic to ask directly, but I have my status window. I should be able to find the answer to some extent through leading questions.

“Then, I’ll bring Ms. Daeun right away.”

“Yeah. It’s not visiting hours yet.”

Watching Scarlet leave out the window, I started meditating. Because I also had to think about the questions I needed to ask Nam Dahee.