episode_0016

Out of the four attendees, three had transformed into different species, subtly altering the dynamics of the gathering.

In the past, it would have been Hyeeun boldly throwing out witty remarks first, while Junghyun stuttered, and I would engage in a verbal tussle with Jaehyuk over a topic.

But now…

It was more like a 1:1 showdown between an angel and a devil.

Not quite violent or filled with shouting matches, so for now, we kept quiet and let things be.

“So, you’re saying no adjective should accompany pure love? Why should strange adjectives be attached to innocent love!”

“However you put it, as long as it’s about love, isn’t that enough? Whether it’s one person loving many! Or winning someone’s heart through being a tutor! As long as it’s love, anything goes!”

“Ugh!!!!! That’s not innocent love!!!”

“Hey, Han Jiwu! Yoon Jaehyuk! What do you guys think? Honestly, even things like tutor-pure love or harem-pure love could be considered as pure love, right?”

“Well, um, that’s…”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, their words stumbled.

No, wait.

Why does the devil like the pure love genre, and the angel prefer the hardcore genre?

Shouldn’t you two switch species for real?

With a puzzled expression, they hesitated on what to say, until Jaehyuk, perhaps tipsy, nodded first and spoke up.

“Whether or not, the form of love isn’t that important. The fact that there is love is what matters.”

“No, hey… that’s because you like milquetoast stuff! Pure love is beautiful on its own! No adjective should be added!”

“Well, if it brings happiness… wouldn’t that be pure love?”

“…This crazy guy, seriously.”

As he glared disdainfully, he averted his gaze and started gulping down his beer.

Sensing the sensitive nature of the topic, I subtly suggested changing the conversation.

Observing the escalating tension between the devil and angel, I quietly poked the angel’s side with my finger.

“Stop fighting. You two aren’t acting like yourselves today.”

“…R-really? Why did I get so worked up? Is it because the other is a devil?”

“Angels and devils are natural opposites. Even the vampire’s detailed weaknesses apply, so it’s only natural.”

Realizing his excitement, Hyeeun looked surprised.

He soon apologized to Junghyun with a guilt-ridden expression.

“…Sorry. I got carried away without realizing…”

“No, it’s my fault. I overreacted compared to usual.”

A warm conclusion as always.

After a sigh of relief, amidst the slightly subdued atmosphere, were they drinking to ease their throats?

Jaehyuk, who had been going along with the flow, suddenly spoke with a puzzled tone.

“By the way, why am I the only one who didn’t become a different species among us? It feels a bit isolating being the only human…”

“Feeling left out? Want me to turn you into a different species too?”

Grinning with sharp fangs exposed, Jaehyuk flinched and shook his head in terror.

“No, not like that. It’s just… honestly, it’s fascinating. All my friends turned into different species, and I’m the only one left as a human.”

“I read a theory that said species transformation is related to inherent desires. Maybe you didn’t have any desires?”

“I did have a strong desire to take a break, but did I need a special desire?”

Contemplating, he turned to Hyeeun with a question.

“What were you usually thinking about?”

“Me? Lately, I’ve been obsessed with corrupt material, so I’ve been passing time just watching that. What I did while watching… Lady’s Secret ~ ♡”

“…Junghyun, what about you?”

“Just, I want something to change… That thought? People around me keep saying that being too nice is a problem, so I was thinking about what it feels like to be bad.”

“Lastly, Han Jiwoo. What were you thinking to become a vampire and then undergo a sex change?”

“…You probably won’t believe me, but I just wanted online lectures. I’ve never thought about sucking someone’s blood or becoming a woman.”

Why did I have such thoughts because I felt unsatisfied?

While I don’t envy the characters in novels, I’ve never envied vampires at least.

There are plenty of decent races besides those flawed ones, so why would anyone want to become a vampire?

Due to my preference for sleeping and love for resting comfortably in a cozy bed, I prefer being holed up in my room.

If laziness led me to become a vampire, there would be no end to this laziness.

Unjust feelings and petty jealousy welling up.

Trying to suppress rising sorrow, I gulped down the remaining beer at once, only for it to turn into bitterness.

After emptying the beer glass, the pent-up frustration exploded due to the sudden rush of intoxication.

“Geez…! I just wanted online lectures! I didn’t want to become a damn, miserable vampire…!”

“Calm down, calm down. Jiwoo, you seem quite drunk right now, don’t you?”

“I’m not drunk! Who gets drunk after two glasses of 500cc beer!”

“…You’re getting worked up so suddenly, what’s wrong? No, tell me everything now. What’s making you so upset?”

What’s making me so upset? Well, obviously…!

“From having many useless weaknesses to no one caring! Jaehyuk, he’s the same…! Offering cohabitation under all sorts of good conditions, do you know what he did?”

“Why am I the one being nagged at again?”

“Just wait, it’s getting interesting.”

Jaehyuk’s bewildered expression and Angel and Devil with excited faces.

I widened my eyes fiercely and began to expose that shocking incident.

“That jerk ordered garlic chicken! I told him several times that I can’t eat garlic…!”

“No, I already apologized for that! It was a mistake due to habit!”

Despite Jaehyuk’s excuses, the returning gaze was icy cold.

Angel and Devil jokingly condemned him as if he were a criminal.

“This is Jaehyuk’s fault. Even if Jiwoo dislikes it, what if he turns into a vampire?”

“Ugh, trash.”

Completely cornered, Jaehyuk sighed heavily, covering his face with his hands.

“Ah, these friends are like pests. They can’t catch a break even if they see a slight opening.”

But it seemed that incident still bothered him considerably.

While grumbling, Jaehyuk sought forgiveness from me once more.

“Sorry, I’ll order fried chicken next time.”

“Uh, yeah…”

The excitement and intoxication subsided terrifyingly quickly as courage-boosting elements disappeared, turning me into a coward instantly.

It seems like I’ve troubled him too much… Surely, he wouldn’t go back to his place and torment himself with silver chopsticks, right?

No, that stubborn guy could easily do that and more…!

With eyes filled with fear, as I glanced at him, I could confirm.

There was a determination in those fiery eyes, a will to torment without fail.

Ah.

Maybe I should sleep outside today.

—–

“The next meeting is in June, right? So, we’ll only see each other after the semester ends.”

“Well, if we fall over, we might be close enough to touch noses while coming and going, so we might as well see each other’s faces, right?”

“Alright, that’s even better. By the way, Jeonghyun? Remember that ‘sunaeh’ we talked about earlier… How about we delve a bit deeper into it together?”

“…I’ll go home first. I have a lot to do, you know.”

“Well, that’s bland. I should head off too. Ugh… Talking so much after a long time got me quite tired.”

Perhaps due to someone being drunk, the gathering ended earlier than expected.

As much as I wanted to unwind a bit more, what could I do?

My body had already turned into a mess of alcohol trash just from drinking 1000cc of beer.

It was like crossing a river where there was no turning back due to the already committed excesses.

All I could do was resolve to drink in moderation at the next gathering and bid farewell to my friends.

Of course, I didn’t forget to apologize to Jaehyuk later.

On the way back to my studio apartment,

I walked with my head down, offering an apology to him in a soft voice.

“Uh, sorry…”

“What for?”

“For making things awkward for you. I was really drunk and out of my mind back then.”

“It’s fine. In front of those guys, all sorts of things come out. Don’t worry about it.”

“But still…”

Hesitatingly glancing around, Jaehyuk sighed and said to me,

“It seems like you’ve been holding onto a lot, huh? That’s why these problems arise when you keep suppressing them. It’s better to let it out when you need to, as you always say.”

“…You’re right, I’ve been saying it but not following through.”

“Yeah, instead of bottling it up, try to let it out once in a while, okay? Pretending everything is fine doesn’t make it okay.”

Saying this unexpectedly coolly, he started walking ahead.

Just as I was starting to feel moved by his back, thinking he looked somewhat reliable, his words pierced through my thoughts.

“Oh, but I didn’t say I forgive you, did I? So, I’m planning on preparing natto for tonight’s snack as a special treat.”

“…”

“If you’ve done wrong, it’s only natural to pay the price, isn’t it?”

A chilling emotion settled in.

I stared at the guy bursting into laughter and once again made a resolution.

Even if it kills me with spiciness,

I swore to myself that I would definitely take a bite out of that bastard.