Episode 360. The Last Night (2)

Wednesday evening.

I was originally supposed to meet Alice for dinner, but she said she had a dinner appointment with her family, so I decided to eat at the dorm with the girls.

We were eating takeout from a restaurant Scarlet recommended, and as expected from a French person, she really knew her way around good food.

I let out a hollow laugh watching Liliana devour the food like it was the most delicious thing ever.

“Eat slowly, Liliana.”

“It’s my last French meal, so I have to eat a lot!”

Om-nom-nom.

Liliana shoved a baguette into her mouth, then picked up chicken with her free hand.

How is it that she eats like this every time I see her, yet maintains that figure?

That’s the biggest mystery.

“Liliana-nim. You can eat it tomorrow morning, so don’t overdo it.”

“Ah. Right!”

“It’s always so lively here, I like it. Are all of Baby Daddy’s girlfriends like this?”

“…They all have very distinct personalities.”

I picked up a piece of bread in the middle of the noisy table.

I prefer chatter to silence.

Liliana really helped set the mood, which was great.

It seems like the women have gotten close to each other now.

‘I wonder what Alice is up to.’

She said she was eating with her family, maybe she’s eating with Irene?

Maybe Isaac is joining them too?

I just hope my name doesn’t come up and cause any trouble.

That old man still scares me.

“If you’re not going to eat it, can I have the bread?”

“Sure. Eat up.”

I pushed my plate towards Liliana and got up from my seat.

“I need to get ready to go soon, so I’ll take my leave.”

“Okay. Go ahead.”

“Have a good time.”

“Our Baby Daddy is always so busy.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

I left the women to their meal and got up from the table first.

I felt a little bad at first, but seeing how they didn’t seem to mind, maybe I was just being overly polite.

It was 7:30 PM.

I had plans to meet Alice at 8:00, so I needed to get ready.

“Ugh, I don’t feel like showering…”

Of course, even if I didn’t feel like it, I couldn’t skip it.

It would be such an insult to my pride if I smelled bad.

I stretched and headed into the bathroom.

---

Since Lee Hoyeon had quickly finished his meal due to his appointment, the remaining three were naturally still eating.

Liliana frowned as she put a beautifully shaped fried egg into her mouth.

“Mmm. French fried eggs aren’t very tasty.”

“It’s probably because they’re seasoned lightly. Try eating it with the bacon.”

“Ah. I see. The bacon was super salty, though.”

“Rebecca-nim. Would you care for some coffee?”

“I’d appreciate it if you did. Scarlet-yang.”

At first, it felt awkward without Lee Hoyeon around, but now the women had grown accustomed to each other.

They had become close enough to chat even without Lee Hoyeon present.

“Scarlet-yang, you’re talented at making coffee. My previous secretary couldn’t do it like this.”

“Back when I was the youngest member of the Iris Guild, I made 100 cups a day.”

Rebecca finished her meal while sipping the coffee Scarlet had brought her.

Just as Liliana was wolfing down the remaining food.

Scarlet spoke to Rebecca, who was sipping her coffee.

“Speaking of which, Rebecca-nim, you mentioned your goal was to restore your clan, right? Since you’re the only one left, you’re targeting the talented Hoyeon-nim.”

“Hmm. It’s a long story, but that’s the gist of it. But Scarlet-yang, aren’t we the same age? You can speak casually to me.”

“I’m already used to speaking formally. I’ll try my best to use casual speech. …But why are you calling me Scarlet-yang while saying that?”

“Scarlet-yang is my senior, so I’m showing you respect.”

“…”

She wanted to ask why Liliana-nim was spoken to casually, but Scarlet swallowed her words, figuring she wouldn’t get a meaningful answer anyway.

She already knew Rebecca was a free spirit.

“Speaking of which, Baby Daddy’s relationship with his girlfriends seems quite peculiar.”

“…It does.”

Even from Scarlet’s perspective, it wasn’t a normal relationship.

How many women were attached to just one man?

And they were all incredibly beautiful.

Why were these beauties, capable of overthrowing nations if born thousands of years ago, clinging to this one man? That was a question she pondered too.

“There are many women, but he’s a good person!”

“That’s right. He seems like a bad guy, but his kindness is part of his charm. Plus, he’s handsome.”

Liliana, who had been diligently eating, added her two cents.

Scarlet agreed and added her own comment.

Perhaps if Lee Hoyeon had been born during the era of a queen, he would have become her consort and ruined the country.

Scarlet had never seen a man so handsome.

“It’s entirely possible.”

If it were anyone else, maybe not, but with his wandering eye, it was entirely plausible.

He would have driven any queen wild.

Scarlet smiled faintly as her serious thoughts continued.

Meanwhile, Rebecca watched Scarlet and Liliana, lost in her own thoughts.

“I wasn’t talking about it in that way… but anyway, as long as everyone’s happy, that’s all that matters.”

The women of her clan seemed to have a very different mindset compared to Lee Hoyeon’s girlfriends.

Perhaps it was the difference between the Rune clan and others.

Even knowing that, Rebecca couldn’t quite understand.

“Does it even make sense to defy your husband’s wishes?”

Once you’ve slept together, he’s your husband from then on.

If a man wants to date a woman, they date.

Why would anyone have complaints?

Rebecca tilted her head and brought the coffee to her lips.

---

“Are you alright?”

“…Mom, you know I’m not hurt.”

“Did you? That’s a relief.”

Alice fell silent watching her mother, Sophia, smile playfully.

She’s a problem too.

Knowing Dad and Irene were making such a fuss and not stopping them…

She wore an expression like she was enjoying an interesting spectacle while her daughter suffered.

“Alice. What are you talking about? You were clearly hurt. I saw the blood, Alice.”

“…It was just a scratch.”

“Scratches can be dangerous, you know. Infections starting from small wounds…”

“…”

Alice lowered her head and took a bite of bread, listening to Irene start her lecture again.

Irene’s presence wasn’t uncomfortable like it used to be.

The memories of being bullied remained, but perhaps her sister had matured like herself, becoming a comfortable, family-like figure.

Actually, they were family to begin with, so it’s more like things returned to normal.

“Alice. Are you listening to your sister?”

“Yes. I’m listening.”

“Irene. Stop teasing Alice and focus on the meal.”

“…I’m not teasing.”

Nom.

Irene reluctantly continued eating.

She still had a lot she wanted to say, but she couldn’t disobey her mother.

The quiet sounds of eating filled the room.

Although Father wasn’t there, it felt good to have the family together after so long.

Especially having her own sister there made her happy.

Cute and beautiful Alice.

Her sister, who seemed like a perfect copy of herself, was the only one who could satisfy Irene.

“…”

But lately, Irene had been feeling something strange.

Alice was still beautiful.

Seeing her made Irene’s heart flutter, and she felt an urge to do anything for her.

She wanted to see more of her expressions, worried about her, yet felt like she could fly when Alice smiled.

The problem was… the intensity had weakened.

Alice, whom she had loved enough to give everything for, now felt like that fiery passion had faded.

She wasn’t sure what the cause was.

However, it was a few days after Alice returned to France…

“…Lee Hoyeon?”

No, no.

Irene shook her head.

Could it really be because of that man?

That man, who not only tried to steal Alice away from her but also forcibly took her first time, was the worst man Irene had ever seen.

She admitted he was handsome, of course, but not even comparable to Alice.

“Speaking of which, Alice. How are things with Hoyeon?”

“…W-Why bring up Hoyeon’s name so suddenly?”

“…”

Irene paused her meal, listening to the conversation between her mother and Alice.

Why did his name just come up?

“You consulted me the other day. Oh, maybe Irene doesn’t know?”

“Mom! Haa…”

“Consulted you about what? Alice had a consultation?”

Irene’s words sped up without her realizing it.

A consultation about Lee Hoyeon? What did that mean?

“I thought Alice seemed troubled about a boy, so I cheered her on, but it doesn’t seem like much has changed?”

“…I am trying.”

“Just be confident, Alice.”

“So that’s why Dad isn’t here…”

“Your father would throw a fit if he heard this. Hehe.”

Alice nodded.

No wonder Dad, who never misses these things, wasn’t here. They must have deliberately not invited him to avoid this topic.

“…Mother. Isn’t it too soon for Alice to be thinking about men?”

“You’re the one who’s too late, Irene.”

“…”

Alice listened to their conversation, slowly continuing her thoughts about Lee Hoyeon.

How could she make that trash her own?

If she confessed right now, maybe after sleeping together, they could deepen their relationship?

She wanted to get ahead of all the other women, but it wasn’t easy.

“Confidently… Haa.”

Of course, an answer that hadn’t surfaced until now wasn’t likely to appear just from a moment’s thought.

Alice let out a shallow sigh and focused back on her meal.

That’s why she didn’t notice Irene subtly biting her lip.

---

“Is today the last day?”

On the way to meet Alice.

I walked, lost in thought.

How could I maintain a good relationship with Alice?

It was a constant struggle, but building a relationship with a woman was incredibly difficult.

They say a woman’s heart is like a reed swaying in the wind, and it’s true.

Women are like time bombs, you never know when they’ll explode.

“We’ve built up some physical intimacy…”

What they call ‘sex-based affection’.

Just like how some people look for their exes because they can’t forget their sex, even if they dislike the person – sexual compatibility is extremely important.

Of course, for me, raising her affection level from that point makes it even harder.

Fortunately, Alice’s heart was almost completely open.

If I naturally lead us to sex, she’ll probably pretend to resist before allowing it.

The only thing bothering me is whether she’ll pretend to resist them too.

Alice has a personality that dislikes relationships where she isn’t the center.

• Me: Alice. I’ve arrived.

Now that I’d reached the dorm, I stopped pondering and sent Alice a message.

• Alice: You can come in now. I’ll leave the door unlocked.

Creeeak-

I opened the dorm door, familiar with the routine.

If I couldn’t settle things today, I’d have to continue this ambiguous relationship back in Korea.

“I want to settle this for good this time.”

I entered the dorm, seeing Alice waiting for me at the entrance.