episode_0078

In front of the quietly burning bonfire,

Engaged in roasting marshmallows without burning them, a pleasant conversation flows back and forth.

The intense heat felt up close, along with a subtle buzz, quickly escalates the atmosphere.

As a hazy excitement settles over the campsite, the devil, wearing a mischievous expression, pulls out a lie detector.

“We’ve come this far; it would be a shame not to do something like this. Until that fire goes out, let’s take some time to speak honestly.”

It’s common sense to check if the device works properly once you bring it out.

Jung-hyun soon raises his hand on the lie detector, urging to ask anything.

“Go ahead, ask me anything. Unless it’s a completely absurd question, I’ll answer everything.”

Perhaps living as an upright man for so long, the devil wore a confident smile.

With such confidence, is there really a need to moderate from the start?

Taking a sip of beer, I gaze alternately at the angel and the devil before slowly speaking up.

“Have you loved another woman besides Hye-eun, O or X?”

“…I have.”

Glancing fiercely for a moment, the devil then sighs and nods calmly.

As a dreadful beep emits from the lie detector, shortly after, a clear sound indicating the truth spreads around.

What expression does Hye-eun wear now?

Glancing over, the angel already had an anticipating look, as if expecting such an answer.

“Back in my senior year of high school, I was crazy about a girl group. Probably talking about that time, right?”

“Correct.”

Exhaling as if relieved, Jung-hyun removes his hand from the lie detector.

Handing it over to me, he briefly explains the rules.

“The rules are simple. The person who asked the question takes the lie detector, and the person who was questioned last cannot ask questions to the one who received the lie detector. It wouldn’t be fun if it turned into a tit-for-tat show, right?”

“That’s true.”

While watching a fight can be entertaining, games like these are only truly enjoyable when everyone participates.

Nodding in agreement, I raise my hand to the lie detector, requesting to ask Hye-eun and Jae-hyuk a question.

“Oh, it’s just you two… Hey, can you refuse to answer this?”

“Of course you can. But then you’ll have to face the consequences. It won’t be a walk in the park, so it’s better to answer unless you want trouble.”

“…Damn.”

Shaking a 2-liter bottle filled with an unidentified liquid, the devil issues a warning.

It’s best to give up any thoughts of evasion. It’s better for your reputation to answer quietly.

Still, should I at least try to smell it just in case?

Curiously asking, Jung-hyun willingly opens the lid for me to sniff.

“Eugh, ugh…!”

I soon realize.

Unless absolutely necessary, it’s better to answer the question no matter what.

Even though I only took a brief whiff, a lingering unique scent remains strong in my nose.

Trying to forget the smell, I take deep breaths, while Hye-eun, with a bright face, throws her question.

“Let’s see… What should I ask? Hmm, got it! Joo, have you masturbated since becoming a vampire?”

“…Seems like we’re starting off quite strongly from the beginning?”

“It’s more fun this way. And honestly… if it’s not something like this, what else is there to ask?”

“That makes sense.”

In reality, it was somewhat expected from the beginning of the truth game.

Starting with mundane questions wouldn’t work since we already know each other too well.

Hyeeun thought that playing a truth game would be meaningless unless they were exchanging stories of such embarrassing and shameful nature.

Honestly, it felt strange to participate while thinking of it as an ordinary truth game.

If you’re not embarrassed to answer the question, it’s a lie.

But maybe this could be a prank worth trying once on a trip?

It could make their bond stronger, you know.

I activated the lie detector and calmly answered the question.

“No, never.”

Getting ready for work when I wake up, then busy preparing well when I come back from work—how do I manage it all?

As I added my words and waited for the result, not long after, a clear sound once again flowed out of the lie detector.

“Why is this real…?”

“How did you think of me to be so surprised?”

Gosh, anyone listening would think I’m a succubus, not a vampire.

With a sullen expression showing discontent, the angel awkwardly took the lie detector with a forced smile.

With the tension rising, that guy would also receive quite a tricky question.

What kind of question would he get?

In that moment of anticipation, Jaehyuk asked Hyeeun in a blunt voice.

“What’s your favorite position when you’re with Junghyun?”

“…”

“Wanna give it a try?”

“Oh, no, no! I just hesitated for a moment! Face-to-face position! That’s my favorite!”

Looking quite flustered, the guy fumbled with the lie detector, activating it.

According to the angel, who was anxiously waiting for the result in an awkward state,

Snap!

“Ha, hah?!”

…Unfortunately, it wasn’t as brutal as expected.

Hyeeun hastily removed her hand from the lie detector as if she had been pricked by a thorn.

Seeing her blowing on her palm as if feeling the heat of a lie was not something to ignore.

Was she caught because she didn’t want to be?

With a pout, pressing her palm firmly, the angel started glaring at Jaehyuk with a reproachful look.

“You, hey… I won’t let this go…! Just wait and see, for real.”

“Whatever.”

Ignoring the angel’s outburst, Jaehyuk fiddled with the lie detector, waiting for a question.

What should he ask to put that guy in a tight spot?

Although I pondered on questions to help him out, it was Junghyun who hit the mark, not me.

“Do you have someone you like these days? When are you going to date?”

Perhaps not liking the mudslinging, he asked the question with a lowered tone.

Jaehyuk gently closed his eyes, then activated the lie detector before slowly speaking.

“I do. I don’t really know about dating. I’m quite confused right now, so I’ll confess when my mind is clear.”

“…?”

Momentarily stunned by his almost joking remark.

Was he doing that to see the reaction when lying?

No matter how much I thought about it, there seemed to be no other answer.

If he had feelings for someone.

I couldn’t possibly not know.

It had already been four months since Jaehyuk and I started living together.

Although we might only spend an hour or two together just starting cohabitation.

Since starting as a bartender, most of my waking hours were spent with him.

Almost every day, I stuck around for at least 10 hours.

Even though we hadn’t known each other for long and I’ve been friends with him for 8 years.

Did I really not know that Jaehyuk had feelings for someone?

“No way.”

I burst into laughter, awaiting the results.

Once that dreadful sound passed, surely Hyeeun would show the same reaction.

Or not? Since she tends to be overly dramatic, maybe she’d react more intensely?

Well, regardless of her reaction, honestly, it didn’t matter.

The most important thing was to tease the guy writhing in thrilling agony.

However.

Ding –

Contrary to expectations, after the terrifying sound passed, all that could be heard was a clear and distinct sound.

…Was what I just said actually true?

That couldn’t be possible, right? Damn it, it had to be a lie!

If I really started liking someone, I should have shown some signs!

Except for sleeping and showering, I practically stuck with him all day long, so it wasn’t an exaggeration, but how did I not notice the change in him?

Strange, something is seriously wrong.

Is the machine malfunctioning? Maybe that’s a possibility.

Lost in confusion, as I fumbled around, Junhyeon, who had received the lie detector, urged me to ask questions.

Since no particular question came to mind, I glanced subtly at Hyeun, but Jaehyuk seemed to be pretending to ponder whether he wanted to repay his earlier embarrassment.

Can’t help it.

If things continue like this, the mood will sour, so I too must ask a question.

I let out a deep sigh and asked the devil playfully in a mischievous tone.

“If Hyeun had confessed before the species mutation occurred, would you have accepted?”

“Of course. Probably, I would have loved her more and cherished her even more than now.”

Ding –

The lie detector confirming the truth.

As expected, I nodded silently without saying a word.

Well… Even though they are a species that fights every time they meet, their love shouldn’t disappear or diminish like that.

Ignoring the spectacle of the angel and demon bickering, I quietly picked up the lie detector.

After that, I put a well-roasted marshmallow into my mouth and awaited a question.

Since Jaehyuk probably wants revenge, maybe Hyeun won’t stay quiet this time either?

Enjoying the soft and fluffy texture, I turned my gaze towards Jaehyuk, wondering if he would speak up, and indeed, he finally opened his mouth.

And.

“What am I to you?”

He threw a rather perplexing question at me.