episode_0014

Human nature doesn’t change. I realized it once more when I was held in their arms.

****

When I opened my eyes, my embrace felt empty. The spot that had been filled with comforting warmth just before I fell asleep was now hollow.

“Mina?”

I rubbed my eyes and called her name, but only silence returned. Thinking she might have gone to shower first, I checked the bathroom, then the kitchen and other places. Mina was nowhere to be found. It was as if she had vanished from the world overnight. At least the condom discarded in the trash and the marks left on the sheets proved that last night wasn’t a dream.

“Hm?”

I checked my phone; it was around 7 AM. And there was a message from Mina from an hour before.

“-Senior, something came up, so I’ll head out first.”

“What kind of ‘something’ could she have on a Saturday morning?” Of course, everyone has their reasons. But to just leave a message and go without a word to someone you spent the night with…

“Haa.”

No. Maybe something truly urgent and unavoidable came up.

“-It must be urgent. Go carefully. Call me if you need any help.”

I wrote and deleted repeatedly before finally sending a reply and tossing my phone onto the bed. I decided to call Mina later. For now.

“Let’s just go home.”

I gathered the clothes strewn haphazardly on the floor and headed to the bathroom. Even when I tried not to, rumors about Mina kept flickering in my mind while I showered. The number ‘1’ next to the speech bubble remained, not disappearing, until I left the motel room.

****

I left the motel, took the subway, and arrived in front of the villa around 9 AM. The pouring sunlight illuminated the shabby alley lined with buildings. A leaf, carried by the wind, gently landed on a car parked in the extremely poor parking lot.

“Ah, damn it, groceries.”

Just before entering the building, I suddenly remembered the promise I’d made to Ms. Lizetta. Should I go buy them now?

“…No.” It’s the weekend anyway, plenty of time. I’ll just stop by home first.

“Oh?”

As I was about to turn back, intending to head towards the building again. Someone happened to come out of the building. A small build, black hair tied back. Today, as always, she was in a tracksuit. It was Jeong Seungah, a university student living on the first floor of the same building.

It’s Saturday morning, is she going to a part-time job or something?

“Ugh.”

But then, what do you know, Seungah, upon spotting me standing in front of the building, immediately scrunched up her eyebrows. As if she had seen something she shouldn’t have.

“Why is she acting like that?”

Before I could understand the situation, I couldn’t help but cock my head, watching Seungah quickly pass me by and disappear into the alley. Even if we weren’t close neighbors, we were on terms where we’d exchange greetings if we ran into each other. As I replayed Seungah’s reaction in my mind, I realized I had already climbed all the stairs and arrived at my door.

“I’m home.”

The moment I unlocked the door with my key and stepped inside.

“Welcome home.”

Instead of the usual silence, Ms. Lizetta greeted me from the entrance. Hmm. Good.

“Ms. Lizetta, have you been well?”

“Yes. Hyeonseong Nim, did you enjoy yourself last night?”

“Well, yes, of course I… Huh?”

The hand taking off my shoes stopped mid-air. I raised my head from a bent posture, and Ms. Lizetta’s blue gaze looked down at me. It was definitely the same look as the day before, but was it just my imagination that it seemed colder today?

“Uh, last night, you say?”

“I heard from Child. That Hyeonseong Nim spent a good time all night with a junior colleague last night.”

“Ah~.”

It wasn’t all night though. Her eyes were too intimidating for me to argue.

[You had no way to contact her, so I told her instead. Aren’t you grateful?]

“You told her, you mean?”

[I’ve been watching the whole time. You getting chewed out by your boss and huffing, and you grinning like an idiot when your junior wags her tail a bit.]

“…That’s an invasion of privacy.”

[The laws of this world are none of my concern.]

Voyeuristic bastard. “You were watching all that, so why didn’t you say anything?”

[Why? Because I didn’t want to surprise you.]

Oh, how tearfully grateful I am. You were probably just happily munching on popcorn anyway.

“Hyeonseong Nim.”

“Yes.”

I straightened my back without thinking at Ms. Lizetta’s call, having been glaring into thin air.

“Don’t just stand there, please come inside first.”

“Yes.”

I followed Ms. Lizetta into the house without a word. I wondered if this was exactly what a husband looked like returning home after an unauthorized overnight stay.

“Oh.”

Reaching the living room, I could feel the changes inside the house that I hadn’t noticed from the entrance. The floors and windows gleamed, and fresh air filled the interior.

“Ms. Lizetta, did you clean?”

“Yes. Cleaning is a maid’s basic duty. The time given was ample, and it was a simple task, so there was no great difficulty.”

Answering nonchalantly, she extended a hand towards me.

“Please give me your outerwear and bag.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Ms. Lizetta took my bag and outerwear and walked indifferently towards my room. I watched her back for a moment, then.

“Ms. Lizetta. Um, I’m sorry.”

At the words I finally uttered after repeatedly parting my lips, Ms. Lizetta abruptly stopped walking.

“I don’t quite understand why Hyeonseong Nim is suddenly apologizing to me.”

“Hmm. Because Ms. Lizetta seems angry?”

Ms. Lizetta, who had been standing with her back to me, finally turned her head and gazed in my direction.

“What part made you think I was angry?”

“It’s just, my feeling.”

“In that case, your feeling is wrong.”

Ms. Lizetta’s resolute tone echoed through the house.

“Wherever Hyeonseong Nim goes or with whomever, and whatever he does, even if I am neglected like a stray dog because of it. As a mere maid, I should not have, nor attempt to have, any complaints.”

No. No matter what, it feels like it’s right to be angry in that situation.

“But it’s true that it was my fault for leaving Ms. Lizetta alone without even providing a proper means of contact.”

“As Child previously mentioned, I have already been informed of the situation. Therefore, Hyeonseong Nim does not need to apologize to me for that.”

No. No matter what, it feels like it’s right to be angry in that situation.

“Furthermore, I also forgot the groceries I promised.”

“Regarding that part as well, there is no need for the master to feel guilty for breaking a promise made with a servant.”

Ms. Lizetta’s shoulders gently rose and fell as she rapidly fired out her words.

“Indeed, it seems I was in the wrong.”

“…Was there an insufficient part in my explanation just now?”

“No.”

I shook my head vigorously at Ms. Lizetta, who was asking with furrowed brows. I thought she was just a mechanical person. But she knows how to get angry too.

At first, I thought I found her difficult because of my awkwardness in dealing with women. And she’s also my ideal type. But looking at it now, it seems I unconsciously held a strange resistance towards Ms. Lizetta, even without showing it. Her appearance is no different from a human. But she’s a being who acts according to inputted knowledge and emotions. It’s not about arguing whether that’s bad or disliked. If I disliked it, I wouldn’t have stood here receiving her service. It’s just, what should I say. Watching her demeanor just now, I felt strangely relieved. That person also has her own feelings.

“Ms. Lizetta, please make some time for me today.”

“Time?”

“Yes. I told you I’d buy you clothes, didn’t I? Let’s go today.”

“You must be tired from yesterday, there’s no need to overdo it…”

“No, I’m perfectly fine. What kind of body do you think this is? Let’s rest a bit and then head out around lunchtime.”

It was exactly when I desperately needed a change of pace.

“If Hyeonseong Nim says so…”

Ms. Lizetta nodded, though looking somewhat bewildered.

[Hey. What about the possession?]

“Ah, right.”

“For now, on hold.”

“You, you’re guilty of being obnoxious.”

[Waaaaah!!]

“Ugh, my brain feels like it’s going to burst.”

****

Around 11 AM, as I prepared to go out, I looked for clothes for Ms. Lizetta to wear. Walking down the street with a woman dressed in a maid uniform seemed like it wouldn’t be easy.

“It doesn’t matter to me if I stay like this.”

“It matters to me.”

Meanwhile, rummaging through the closet, I realized something.

“I really have so few clothes.”

Even the clothes I do have are all similar in style. Since I’m buying new clothes anyway, I should try wearing some styles I don’t usually wear. What’s the point of letting a good body go to waste? In a hurry, I dressed Ms. Lizetta in a long, gender-neutral hooded zip-up jacket and sweatpants. Perhaps because of her good figure, even plain clothes looked exceptional on her. Especially since they were men’s sizes, they were baggy, yet one particular area was conspicuously prominent…

“Ahem.”

After clearing away lewd fantasies with a cough, I grabbed my phone and wallet and got ready to leave with Ms. Lizetta.

“I’m going out.”

[Hmph. Go or don’t go.]

He’s really sulking. However, even without Child, I couldn’t drag this out any longer. For the past two days, there hadn’t been a dull moment, but I hadn’t really done anything according to my own will. I had merely followed the waves that swept me along, just like before. This can’t go on.

“By the way, Hyeonseong Nim.”

Just before I put on my shoes, Ms. Lizetta called my name.

“Yes?”

“Does no one live upstairs?”

“Ah, no. No one lives on the 4th floor right now.” The villa has a total of 4 floors, and I live on the 3rd floor. The 4th floor has been vacant since the previous resident moved out a few months ago.

“I see. After Hyeonseong Nim left for work, I went around to greet the neighbors, but there was no response from the 4th floor.”

So that’s it. How very polite of her… At that moment, the expression Seungah had made when she saw me just a few hours ago flashed through my mind.

“Um, Ms. Lizetta?”

“Yes.”

“Did you also meet the person living on the 1st floor?”

In response to my question, Ms. Lizetta gave a short, firm nod.

“At first, she was wary, but when I said I was Hyeonseong Nim’s maid, she kindly accepted my greetings.”

“I see. Haha.”

Now I understood why Seungah had made that expression towards me. I don’t know for sure, but she probably thought I made my girlfriend cosplay as a maid and greet people, didn’t she? I recall the person living on the 2nd floor is an elderly person living alone.

Haha. I’m screwed.

Worrying about how I should face the neighbors from now on, I left the house with Ms. Lizetta. There was still no reply from Mina.

****

The place Ms. Lizetta and I headed to was the Ideal Department Store downtown. As the only large department store in a city that wasn’t particularly special, it was extremely crowded on weekends.

“So this is what the outside looks like.”

Until we reached the department store, Ms. Lizetta took in everything we passed with curious head movements, like a newborn baby.

“How do you feel about coming out like this?”

“It feels as it was described in my knowledge, but seeing it with my own eyes gives me a special feeling.”

Entering the department store, the vast sense of space and lights brighter than sunlight greeted us from the lobby. As expected, the crisscrossing escalators were packed with people pushing carts, leaving no room to stand.

“Shall we buy clothes first?”

“I merely follow what Hyeonseong Nim decides.”

Ms. Lizetta replied formally and linked her arm through my right arm. Naturally, her ample chest pressed against me, and a soft sensation was conveyed.

“If I don’t do this, I might get lost.”

“Yeah, well. That’s true.”

If I think about it, this is called shopping, but it’s no different from a date. I headed towards the clothing store, carrying both awkwardness and a pounding heart. As I entered the store and was picking out clothes with an unfamiliar sensation.

“Oh my~, both of you are such a handsome and beautiful couple.”

A store employee, as if seizing the opportunity, approached Ms. Lizetta and me. Certainly, Ms. Lizetta’s appearance didn’t discriminate against clothes. It was to the extent that every passerby glanced at her face, as if a halo shone behind her.

“Especially your girlfriend, she doesn’t lose out at all, even compared to Yuna.”

How incredible was it that even acknowledging it was lip service, the employee even named the most famous model in the country? What kind of clothes did I even put on a person like that?

“Are there any other clothes besides these?”

At that moment, Ms. Lizetta, who had been quietly looking around at the clothes hanging in the store, asked the employee a question.

“If you tell me what style you’re looking for, I can guide you.”

“Please recommend styles that men generally like. Like a nurse or a bunny girl…”

“Wait, what the f*ck.”

“Huh? Huh?”

“I’m so sorry! She’s lived in the countryside and isn’t familiar with places like this. Ahahaha.”

I hastily covered Ms. Lizetta’s mouth.

“Ah, I see. Hohoho…”

The employee tried hard to maintain a calm demeanor in response to my utterly flimsy excuse. Fortunately, we avoided being kicked out of the store, but after that, I had to endure the piercing stares from the employee. It seems Child didn’t input common sense into her head.

After the situation had somewhat calmed down, with the employee’s help, we picked out clothes suitable for Ms. Lizetta and me. ‘With such a good ‘mask’ (face/appearance), any clothes look good on her.’ In Ms. Lizetta’s case, every time she changed clothes and came out, she turned the fitting room into a runway just for her. As I admired her outfits, I felt like I understood why people spent so much time choosing clothes. As we continued to visit other stores, looking at each other’s outfits.

“Hyeonseong Nim, could you spare a moment?”

Ms. Lizetta’s voice came from inside the fitting room, where she had gone to try on underwear.

“Why, what’s wrong?”

My voice automatically lowered because I was the only man in the lingerie store, which was otherwise filled only with women.

“It seems the bra strap is caught incorrectly.”

“Uh, yeah. So?”

“My hands can’t quite get it loose. I’m sorry, but could Hyeonseong Nim come in for a moment and help?”

“Me?”

I instinctively looked around. Everyone was preoccupied with choosing underwear and didn’t seem to pay much attention to this side. The employee who had helped with measurements earlier had also disappeared for a moment to assist other customers. Should I wait for an employee to come and ask for help? Or should I go in? The answer, needless to say, was obvious.

“Alright. Just a moment.”

I looked around one last time, then cautiously opened the fitting room door and stepped inside. At that moment.

“Ugh?!”

Ms. Lizetta pulled my arm, pushing me against the inner wall of the fitting room. Under the dim light of the fitting room, her radiant blue eyes shone coolly. Elegant pure white lace lingerie caught my eye.

“M-Ms. Lizetta? Wh-where’s the strap?”

“It was a lie.”

“Why, why would you lie like that?”

“Hyeonseong Nim.”

Her deeply lowered voice tickled my ears.

“Actually, it has been bothering me ever since we left the house.”

“What, what is it?”

“My attitude when Hyeonseong Nim returned home today was inappropriate for a maid to show her master.”

“Inappropriate, you say? It wasn’t that much…”

“No.”

Her sharp voice, just like at home, cut me off.

“As Hyeonseong Nim said, I did feel anger at the time. I don’t know why. Whatever the reason may be. One thing is certain.” Her grip on my wrist trembled delicately. “It is an emotion that a mere servant should never, ever harbor towards her master.”

“I-I didn’t think it was that bad… Ugh?!”

‘What’s with the strength of this person’s grip?’ My physical strength should have increased considerably due to my traits, but I can’t break free.

“Moreover, not only did I commit an impropriety towards my master by being swayed by such emotions, but I also made him apologize.”

“Th-that was entirely my fault, so…!”

“Hyeonseong Nim may have felt that way, but I myself cannot tolerate it.”

Immediately, Ms. Lizetta released my wrist and slowly stepped back, resting both hands on the fitting room wall. Then, she pushed her ample rear, encased in lingerie, backwards.

“Therefore, please, Master, punish this maid who displayed disrespectful behavior yourself.”

The hand that had been resting on the door gracefully slid down her lower abdomen and pushed aside the panties covering her intimate area. Her plump labia, tantalizingly raised, were tightly closed.

“A-Are you serious? There are people outside, and Ms. Lizetta, you’re…”

“Yes. I’m a virgin. Is that a problem?”

When she asked so calmly, I, on the contrary, had nothing to say. Furthermore. Perhaps because yesterday ended with incomplete combustion, my dick was already throbbing inside my pants, begging to be let out.

“Gulp.”

Unable to suppress my desire, I swallowed hard and placed my hand on Ms. Lizetta’s backside. Her body temperature, conveyed through my palm, began to slowly rise.