episode_0038

I froze in front of the sink, as if time had stopped.

Staring blankly at the face reflected in the mirror.

The face before me was clearly my own.

But at the same time, it was a face I didn’t recognize at all.

The rushing sound of water pouring out showed no sign of stopping, and the bathroom was filled with an eerie tension.

Above the sound of water that enveloped the silent space, my heart pounded like a pulse throbbing in my ears.

The face in the mirror was distorted as if colors had bled together, and its skin tone also seemed off.

But no matter how I looked at it, that was Yaru-o’s face.

Just in case, I lowered my head and examined my body.

But contrary to my expectations, that characteristic robust physique was nowhere to be found.

A frail and small physique, just like the face in the mirror.

It was the shabby body I always saw when I possessed someone.

I closed and opened my eyes several times, and rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand, but nothing changed.

[Why are you just standing there blankly?]

Just as I hesitated and was about to reach out to the mirror, Child’s voice suddenly cut in.

“Hey, Child.”

[Ah, I get it. It hasn’t even been a week since you got that body. Of course you’d want to see it over and over again.]

“That’s not it…”

Wait a minute.

Could it be that this guy can’t see it?

“Child, how do I look to you?”

[…Asking me something like that, you’re not seeing me as a target for capture too, are you? That’s a bit scary.]

Are you pretending not to know?

Or do you really not know?

“Stop messing around and just look. My face is weird.”

I slowly turned my head and pointed at the mirror.

The tip of my finger was trembling slightly, against my will.

“That was clearly Yaru-o…”

But when I looked back at the mirror, there was no trace of the distorted image from moments ago.

Only my familiar, fatigue-ridden face stared back with dull eyes.

[…What are you talking about? You look exactly like your usual self.]

My body, which I looked down at again, was the same.

The puny physique that had been there just moments ago had returned to a muscular one.

[Hey, what’s wrong with you since earlier?]

I clenched and unclenched my fists several times, slowly steadying my breathing.

Then, I explained what I had just seen to Child as calmly as possible.

Child was silent for a while, then cautiously opened his mouth.

[It’s hard to say definitively. But there’s a high possibility it’s an aftereffect.]

“But didn’t you say that if immersion increases, aftereffects decrease?”

[Even then, it’s only about 30%. Besides, this possession was much longer than the first one, wasn’t it? It wouldn’t be strange at all to have aftereffects.]

“That’s true, but…”

In the current situation, the hypothesis of aftereffects is the most plausible.

However, for some reason, the unsettling feeling in a corner of my mind didn’t disappear.

[Usually, a little rest should make it better… For now, if the same phenomenon repeats, tell me immediately.]

“Understood.”

It seems there’s nothing I can do but observe for now.

[Don’t take it too seriously. A brief hallucination is a relatively mild aftereffect.]

“Is that what you call comfort?”

That’s not exactly reassuring.

A chuckle escaped me at Child’s awkward comfort.

I lowered my head and splashed cold water on my face repeatedly.

The moment the cold sensation touched my skin, it felt as if the distracting thoughts that filled my mind were being washed away, even if just a little.

Right.

As Child said, it’s probably just a simple aftereffect.

There’s no need to overreact.

Even as I tried hard to convince myself.

While showering after washing my face, I wiped away the steam from the mirror several times to check my face.

As if afraid that ‘it’ from earlier might reappear.

****

After finishing a rather unsatisfactory shower and stepping out of the bathroom, a savory butter scent tickled my nose.

As I roughly wiped the water from my face and hair with a towel and headed to the kitchen, I saw Ms. Lizetta’s back moving busily.

She was so engrossed in cooking that she didn’t notice me approaching closely behind her.

“Omelet again today?”

When I spoke, Ms. Lizetta finally turned her head and shook it, showing no surprise.

She was so focused that there was cold sweat on her forehead.

“Similar, but this time it’s omurice. I thought this way might be more filling for you.”

Peeking my head over her shoulder, I saw a frying pan and a wok placed side by side on the gas stove.

An omelet was cooking in the frying pan, and fried rice was sizzling in the wok.

Contrary to my worries, both looked quite appetizing.

“When did you make the rice?”

“I prepared it right after Hyeonseong-nim possessed the body. It wasn’t as difficult as I thought.”

Right, if you just wash the rice and get the water ratio right, the rice cooker does the rest automatically.

The day has finally come for the rice cooker I bought and left gathering dust in a corner to serve its purpose.

“It’ll be done soon. Hyeonseong-nim, please finish getting ready for work.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Ms. Lizetta turned her attention back to the cooking utensils.

She was so meticulous even when adding each seasoning, it was like watching a cooking competition.

I guess I can look forward to it this time?

After going back to my room to get ready and returning to the kitchen, Ms. Lizetta was just placing the finished dish on the dining table.

“Ohh.”

Sitting at the table while tidying my clothes, I inadvertently let out an exclamation of admiration at the contents of the dish.

The golden-brown cooked egg softly embraced the fried rice.

Above it, a heart shape was meticulously drawn with ketchup.

The rich aroma, a blend of butter and stir-fry, stimulated my appetite.

Just by its appearance, it was on a completely different level from her previous failed attempt.

My hunger, which had peaked due to sleeping for ten straight hours, was about to grab a spoon and put the food into my mouth when…

“Hyeonseong-nim, just a moment.”

Ms. Lizetta, who was standing by the table, reached out and stopped me.

When I looked up, wondering what was wrong, she took a short deep breath and then brought both hands together in a heart shape in front of her chest.

…No way?

Is she going to do *that* too?

Ms. Lizetta?

“…Make. It. Delicious. Magic, magic, sparkle!”

“…”

Her movements were a bit stiff, and her tone was emotionless and expressionless.

The sight was less shocking and more awkwardly hilarious, making it hard to suppress a laugh.

Ms. Lizetta, who had frozen mid-air with a heart drawn in the air, stared down at me expressionlessly before quickly returning to her usual posture.

“I tried it because I saw it on the internet; it’s a magic spell that maids use to make food delicious.”

I didn’t even have to ask where she learned it; I could pretty much guess.

She must have watched some YouTube or something while I was away.

“I apologize. I interfered with your meal with a pointless act.”

Ms. Lizetta, who couldn’t hide her somewhat downcast expression, bowed her head and quietly sat down opposite me at the table.

Her appearance was strangely cute, and the corners of my mouth involuntarily turned up.

“No, it wasn’t pointless at all. I’m sure the omurice became even more delicious thanks to Ms. Lizetta’s spell.”

“I hope that’s the case.”

“You’ll know once you eat it. Ms. Lizetta, you should eat too.”

“Understood.”

As I took the first spoonful and put it in my mouth, she followed suit.

The soft egg melted in my mouth, and the sweet and sour taste of ketchup added umami.

The fried rice, stir-fried in butter, was savory, and the combination of various vegetables, ham, and onions provided a satisfying chew.

“…It’s delicious.”

Perhaps it was because the food in that other world was generally bland?

This familiar stimulation and rich, greasy flavor felt even more impactful.

My hunger intensified, and my spoon moved without stopping.

“I’m glad it suits your taste.”

“It’s really delicious. Your skills have improved a lot, Ms. Lizetta.”

“It seems practicing whenever I had free time on the weekend helped. I feel relieved to hear you say that yourself, Hyeonseong-nim.”

She had so little time to practice, yet she improved this much.

Perhaps her learning ability itself is fast.

However, her expression still seemed a bit disappointed.

Her movements with the spoon were also a bit slower.

“Ms. Lizetta, aren’t you happy with it?”

“No. It’s not bad, but I still feel it’s insufficient by my standards.”

Hmm.

So, she hasn’t reached the result she had in mind?

Of course, it might not compare to high-end dishes made by a top chef.

“It’s delicious enough as is. If you keep this up, you’ll definitely get even better results next time.”

At my words, she finally gave a faint smile.

“Yes. I will make sure to serve an even more improved dish next time.”

She’s been smiling a lot lately, even when we went shopping on Saturday.

It’s good to see, so I don’t mind.

“And, I will try to put more sincerity into the spell as well.”

I don’t think she needs to worry too much about that part.

But I can’t tell someone who’s trying not to.

“I-I’ll look forward to it.”

“Yes. I will certainly live up to your expectations.”

She’s still serious about everything.

But still,

If I could someday see Ms. Lizetta doing ‘Magic, magic, sparkle!’ with a cheerful energy…

That might not be so bad, either.

Imagining that scene, even if only in my mind, I put the fried rice into my mouth again.

****

Only after the atmosphere had settled down a bit, I took out my phone and opened the gallery that I hadn’t checked yet.

The photos I had taken during the possession were perfectly preserved in the gallery.

I took them quite diligently, so it would have hurt if they’d disappeared.

“Was it enjoyable there?”

As I was scanning through the photos, lost in brief memories, Ms. Lizetta’s question reached me.

“Yes, it was enjoyable.”

I nodded and gently placed my phone on the table.

“If I had had more time, I would have stayed longer.”

Half was a joke, half was serious.

Because there, unlike reality, I didn’t need to think about a complicated future.

“Even though it’s different from reality, just a virtual world and virtual beings, Hyeonseong-nim doesn’t seem to mind much.”

Her words were somewhat meaningful.

I was momentarily speechless.

Certainly, that world isn’t reality.

However, having directly interacted deeply with them, I know they aren’t just simple NPCs or anything like that.

And.

“What does it matter if they’re real or fake? To me, they’re real. That’s enough.”

At my casual remark, Ms. Lizetta stopped eating and stared intently at my face.

Oh.

Did I say something rude?

“Ms. Lizetta?”

“…It’s nothing. Please forget what I just said.”

She lowered her gaze and silently focused on her meal.

It bothered me strangely, but I didn’t ask further.

I finished my meal while pondering her words.

After the meal, I spent some leisurely time before heading to the entrance for work.

Just like last week, Ms. Lizetta followed me and handed me my bag as I put on my shoes.

I could carry it myself, but it seems she’s adopted it as part of her routine since that day.

More importantly.

“You’re asking if you can use the computer?”

“Yes.”

When I asked again, hearing the question as I slung my bag over my shoulder, Ms. Lizetta quietly nodded.

“You have a phone, so why the computer specifically…?”

“There’s something I want to investigate personally.”

“Investigate?”

What could she be investigating?

Her words were too vague, so I couldn’t quite grasp it.

“If my using the computer makes you uncomfortable, you can refuse.”

“Hmm.”

Honestly, there’s nothing particularly uncomfortable about it.

She already knows about my most sensitive adult game folder, too.

As long as she doesn’t touch work-related documents, there shouldn’t be any problem.

“Alright. There’s no password set, so feel free to use it.”

“Thank you.”

“But please tell me what you investigated when I get home from work.”

Leaving my final request, I quietly opened the front door.

The moment I was about to step over the threshold.

“Hyeonseong-nim.”

Ms. Lizetta’s voice brushed past my ears, and at the same time, a soft hand pulled my arm.

Then, her lips, which had approached without a word, touched my cheek and then pulled away.

“Have a good day today.”

Her cold yet kind voice lingered warmly in my ears.

[Don’t get distracted today like last time, and come home early.]

Before those words had even fully settled, Child’s sudden interjection scattered all the lingering sentiment.

He’s truly an expert at ruining the mood.

****

The weekend passed at the speed of light.

The commute to work immediately after was truly hellish.

On one hand, my fingers were itching to use the hypnosis app quickly.

The first target is Team Leader Kang Jooyoung.

Since she’s been enduring it for my stress relief so far, I’ll make her pay me back with her body.

By the way, there’s no sign of Mina responding to my calls.

I thought I’d ask her directly now that I’m at work, and as I got off the elevator and was about to head to the office…

The atmosphere was already strange starting from the hallway in front of the elevator.

“Hey, is that the one?”

“Yeah, that’s him.”

Wherever I, who usually had almost no presence, passed by, gazes and whispers followed.

“Who did you hear it from?”

“I don’t know, I heard it from a colleague too.”

“If it’s true, isn’t that a crime?”

And not in a good way.

When I looked in the direction the whispers came from, the employees avoided my gaze as if nothing had happened and awkwardly busied themselves.

It feels unsettling.

As I headed to my desk with a sense of unease, I felt a distinct sense of incongruity.

My junior’s seat, usually occupied before mine, was empty.

It wasn’t simply that the seat was empty; there was no trace of him having come to work at all.

“…”

Suddenly, I felt a chill creep up my spine.

This kind of ominous premonition rarely goes wrong.

Calm down.

Maybe he’s just coming in late today.

I decided to contact him later, and for now, I needed to find out about these persistent gazes…

“Oh? Lee Daeri-nim.”

Just then, a voice from inside the office hallway interrupted my thoughts.

The one who called me was Kim Hanseok, the youngest member of the same Japan team and Mina’s colleague.

“What’s wrong?”

“Team Leader Kang-nim called for you earlier. She said to come straight to meeting room 5 when you arrive.”

I instinctively checked Kang Jooyoung’s seat.

Her seat was also empty.

“Did she tell only me to come?”

“Yes… Ah, no. Assistant Manager Son-nim was also called. Assistant Manager Son-nim went to the meeting room earlier.”

“Assistant Manager Son-nim too?”

He said he was going on a business trip to Osaka for a site visit last week.

Come to think of it, was he returning today?

More than that, being called to the meeting room as soon as I get to work.

My mind is already complicated, and now this is just making matters worse.

But there’s no way I can not go.

“Thank you.”

I briefly thanked Hanseok and walked past him towards the meeting room.

At that moment, I deliberately ignored the wary glance Hanseok cast at me as I passed by.

My steps towards the meeting room were heavy, as if bound by chains.