episode_0031

Whether it’s monthly rent or a jeonse lease, I don’t particularly care.

Ideally, it’d be nice if it were close to Miren Academy.

It’s not absolutely necessary, but I’d prefer at least some guaranteed sunlight and a decent view.

I’d rather live in a villa or an officetel than an apartment.

Whether it’s a two-room or a one-room, I’d like it to be at least around 10 pyeong in size.

I’d prefer it not to be on too low a floor. Around the third or fourth floor would be fine.

I plan to live there long-term, assuming nothing happens, but there’s a chance I might not be able to return home for some reason.

It doesn’t need to be near a subway station. Even if the bus stop is far, it’s fine as long as it’s close to the academy.

And…

Ah.

This is roughly my budget.

“Could I see your ID? I need to scan it.”

“Sure.”

“Since you want to move in as soon as possible, the gas will probably be connected by the day after tomorrow…”

The pitch-black night, the sun long gone.

House-hunting ended up being far more uneventful than I’d expected.

It wasn’t like my conditions were that strict…

But above all, it seems the last condition carried more weight than I thought.

Some say money can’t buy happiness.

But it can certainly buy convenience.

Either way, what a comfortable world we live in.

I’ve changed my phone number… and things with Lee Hayoon are progressing smoothly.

Now, if only I could avoid Yozora.

Just as I popped a cheap candy from the table into my mouth, recalling Yozora’s drunken grin—

“If you’re looking for a place near the academy, you must be someone pretty impressive.”

The man tapping away at his computer from a distance spoke up.

Next to him, a large Seoul map hung on the wall, making him look tiny in comparison.

“No, it’s just my workplace.”

“Then, are you a hero—”

“A health teacher. Just a regular person.”

“Ah, a health teacher. Haven’t heard that term in a while. It’s been so long since I graduated.”

Only then did his interest in me fade slightly.

The cold clatter of his keyboard, doing who-knows-what, echoed sharply.

Ten years old.

Since being identified as a healing-type Transcendent at such a young age, I’ve learned a lot.

One of the most important lessons?

Unless there’s a good reason, never reveal personal information to others first.

This world is full of wounded people.

The day my identity was broadcast nationwide—

About 20 hours later, I learned that fact.

A grown adult, far older than me, knelt before me.

Clasping his bony hands together, he revealed his bald head, hidden under a beanie.

…In the end, I healed him.

Without understanding why.

Right in front of everyone.

Thanks to that, my school life remained “interesting” well into middle school.

Every day, I’d wonder how to escape those people unnoticed.

If the newly emerged healing-type Transcendent hadn’t been so twisted, it might’ve followed me into high school too.

Luckily, that girl hogged all the attention as the “Saintess,” so high school was relatively peaceful.

Peaceful.

Meaning—

Sitting by the window,

ignoring class like any aspiring villain would,

gazing up at the same unchanging white clouds,

thinking, That new hero costume I saw on YouTube yesterday was ridiculously sexy.

If they tied their wrists back and ripped just the lower half, then pounded them hard—

“Here you go. Take your time reviewing everything at home… Oh, and here’s my card—”

“…Ah, thank you.”

31

About two days left until the gas is connected in my new place.

Which means I’ll have to dodge Yozora, who’s probably throwing a fit on the first floor of my building, two or three more times.

No matter how I thought about it, there was no way to avoid her.

It’s not like there are multiple entrances.

And it’s not like I can fly in through the window like some people.

Maybe I should just crash at a motel for two days.

But then when would I move my stuff…?

Lost in thought, I walked through the noisy streets when a familiar figure caught my eye.

Not a woman’s back—a man’s. Around my age.

Definitely not a friend. (The reason is a secret.)

I wondered if he was from the same high school, but probably not. How would I remember every single person?

Short, military-style hair.

Casual clothes under a thick coat.

And most noticeably, a large, pitch-black sword sheath slung over his shoulder.

Hmm. One of the guys I saw back at the company?

Even upside down, his fashion screamed, “I’m a Transcendent.”

But the moment my eyes landed on the bear-shaped keychain dangling from the sheath, I remembered.

The guy who accidentally wandered into the infirmary last time.

I don’t remember his name exactly. Baek… something.

“…If you ever suggest eating that again—”

“Was it bad?”

“Did you think it was good? Sour, bitter, spicy, and pungent—what kind of abomination was that?”

“I didn’t like it either, but they said girls love it, so…”

“At least ask me first. Goddammit…!”

Anyway.

Baek Whatever was getting quietly low-kicked by the girl next to him. Right in the middle of a crowded street.

Every time her leg swung, her long red hair fluttered beautifully.

The crisp thwack of each kick was just a bonus.

Had she trained professionally? The angles were sharp.

I could feel my calves tense just watching.

Maybe Baek Whatever was fine with it because he was a hero-in-training.

…Or maybe he was just used to dating violence.

“Ugh… Let’s rinse our mouths with ice cream.”

“You’re not full? I’m a little—”

“You barely ate anything. What nonsense is that? Come on. I know a place.”

Should I go over and build my friendly health committee image?

Or would they see me as a third wheel ruining their date?

Before I could decide—

The girl grabbed Baek Whatever’s wrist and vanished into the crowd.

Last time I saw him, he had a pretty sharp demeanor. But now, he seemed completely whipped.

He said he was a third-year when we talked, so the girl probably is too.

…Ah. There was a redheaded high-ranker with a number in her name. Maybe it’s her.

I rose on my tiptoes to look, but they were already gone.

“Hmm.”

I’ll see them when school starts.

I’ll check then.

Adjusting my collar, I crossed the neon-lit crosswalk.

“……”

Yozora.

Please don’t be waiting at my door.

Of course, that was too much to ask.

“……”

Parked haphazardly in the alley due to lack of space, I peeked at the building entrance and sighed.

…This crazy bitch.

I thought I’d talked her into leaving last time, but here she is again, like it’s nothing.

“…Hehehe…”

“……”

The only silver lining? No black bags full of soju today.

And the fact that she’s just sitting by the entrance, giggling at her phone like an idiot.

Wait. That’s not a silver lining.

It means she’s been waiting so long she’s resorted to YouTube.

Meaning she’s not leaving.

Fucking psycho.

No choice. Guess I’ll stay at a motel for a few days.

It won’t solve the moving issue, but hiding here won’t help either.

Worst case, I’ll just buy new stuff. No point overthinking it.

I turned to leave quietly—

Then I heard it.

Not from me. From Yozora.

“…? What are you doing here?”

The sound of the entrance door opening. Then a man’s voice.

I don’t know who lives next door, but he must be one of the villa’s residents.

Looks like he stepped out for a smoke and ran into Yozora.

…Unlucky bastard.

I quickly scanned the surroundings.

The entrance CCTV was working fine, and the street was packed with cars—all with dashcams.

Which made this very problematic.

“…Huh? Me…?”

Yozora, grinning vacantly, turned to the man.

“Yeah, you—”

The man stared at her face for a long time.

Like he’d just met a celebrity.

From this distance, I couldn’t be sure—

But was he just looking at her face?

“Waiting for a friend… Hehe…”

“Ah, a friend… I see.”

Even a kid passing by would recognize Yozora’s slurred, drunken voice.

The man glanced around, then tucked his cigarette back into his pocket.

As Yozora turned back to her phone, the man bent at the waist, leaning closer.

“…What are you watching?”

“Mmm…? Ohhh… Cognac recommendations…”

“You like alcohol, huh?”

“Yep. Makes me feel good…”

“I see.”

So this lunatic was laughing at liquor ads?

Before I could dwell on it—

The man crouched fully now, inching closer to Yozora.

“Which resident are you waiting for?”

“Which…?”

“The unit number. 101, 201, etc.”

“Ahhh… Uhh… 205? Yeah. 205…”

“205… I’ll let you know when they arrive. Could I get your number?”

“…Huh?”

“Ah, no, I mean—just purely—”

“……”

The man’s excuses were pathetic.

Yozora just kept smiling.

Her slightly parted lips pressed together now. Only the smile remained.

Calculations raced through my head.

The odds of a grown man suddenly going missing and the police questioning nearby residents.

The odds of them checking the countless CCTV cameras and dashcams.

The odds of the man’s face, Yozora’s face, and mine—hiding behind a car—being caught on tape.

How annoying life would get if that happened.

Dealing with Yozora for a few minutes now would be far less trouble.

The math was quick.

“Sunbae.”

“…Ah! Woojin…!”

I exhaled deeply and walked over.

Last time, an hour of humoring her wore me out. Today should be the same.

Yozora beamed and stumbled toward me as the awkward man lit a cigarette and slipped away.

Part of me wanted to tell him to take her with him.

I swallowed the thought.

“…Even if you keep coming, my answer won’t change.”

“Mmm… It will… I’ll make it change…”

I muttered it quietly, hoping she’d shut up, but Yozora’s sticky-sweet voice oozed back.

The man probably heard it too.

“So. What is it today?”

“Today…?”

“You came to drag me back to the company, right?”

“…Ahh… Got it… You’re asking how I’ll tempt you today…”

“Yeah.”

No soju today.

Just the heavy scent of alcohol on Yozora’s breath.

Which left only one option.

“Seduction…”

“…What?”

“Seduction. So… you know…”

“……”

Yozora took a step closer.

“……Wanna touch me…?”