episode_0094

… … … … …

The liquid in the glass was a rather strong wine… …a color too strong to be considered wine. And the scent that came out every time Professor Wol-hee tilted her glass was strangely pungent to be called wine.

The teacher looked at me, slowly savoring the red liquid. Her red eyes shone even brighter under the candlelight.

“Boy, I hope you enjoy your meal.”

As I listened to Teacher Wol-hee’s sweet voice, which interrupted my exquisitely continued thoughts, I recalled the president’s advice.

‘Spend time with them, but don’t think too deeply about it. It’s best to have fun as much as possible.

They too… … truly care for you in many ways.’

Yes. You don’t have to be so nervous. Teacher Wol-hee today is definitely a little different than usual, but that means she’s really looking forward to spending time with me.

“Yes, thank you for the wonderful meal. I will enjoy it!”

I picked up my fork, cut off a piece of roast duck, and put it in my mouth. The subtle scent of herbs tickled my nose, and the moist meat juice spread in my mouth.

At first, I was worried that I would not like the food that I would see in European historical dramas, but my worries were in vain. The food was very delicious.

“How about a glass of wine? I prepared some specially for you.”

Teacher Wol-hee placed a crystal glass in front of me and smiled affectionately.

The teacher’s white fingers carefully poured the contents of a different bottle from the one she was drinking. The wine poured into my glass was much lighter in color than the one she was drinking, and had a sweeter aroma.

It’s been a while since I’ve had a drink, and I’m worried that I might make a mistake while drunk… … But I’m reluctant to openly refuse an offer to drink in such a nice place.

The president of the association originally told us not to think too deeply and to just have fun.

I lifted the crystal glass and took a sip of the wine that had been poured into the glass. The aroma and taste that filled my mouth were new and wonderful. The first impression was sweet, but the aftertaste was strangely bitter.

Although I had never had an expensive drink before, other than the vodka that the sun had given me, I could tell that this wine was quite high-class.

“How is it?”

“It’s delicious. Actually, it’s my first time drinking wine… … .”

The teacher smiled, as if satisfied with my answer. The candlelight illuminated her pale face, casting beautiful shadows.

“Teacher, would you like to eat more too?”

I asked in a voice that had become bolder without me realizing it. After downing my second glass of wine, I felt my face flush slightly.

The teacher had already emptied his plate cleanly, but he didn’t bring any more food and just poured himself a glass of wine.

“It’s okay. I’m satisfied just seeing the boy happily eating.”

There was sweet affection in Teacher Wolhee’s voice.

As I listened to that voice, the truth that the president had said came to mind.

The members of the social club surrounding me all say that they have very special feelings for me. More than just a feeling of affection or intimacy, more than that… … a feeling like obsession.

That means, the same goes for Teacher Wol-hee, who is sitting right in front of me right now. She always checks my health with worried eyes, and all those actions of conducting countless tests, but in fact… … .

Could it be because of the wine? Things I normally wouldn’t have thought about crossed my mind.

But I really didn’t understand it. Even if I had special abilities, honestly, it was just so unrealistic.

I put down my glass and looked at Teacher Wol-hee. Her appearance was as beautiful as a painting. Her pale skin had a strangely rosy hue and a faint glow, and her red wine-colored dress made her elegant figure stand out even more.

How could such a great and beautiful person like me… …? And not just out of simple affection, but out of irrational obsession… …?

And it’s not just one person who feels that way, from Sister Seo-yeon to Sister A-young. Everyone feels that way… … ?

I thought I had gained enlightenment when I first met and talked with the president of the association, but now that I’m actually meeting him, I can’t quite believe it.

However, just as Teacher Wol-hee looked completely different today than usual, I was also different today. Strangely, I felt courageous. Perhaps it was the power of alcohol.

“I, I… … teacher.”

His voice trembled slightly, but he didn’t stop talking.

“Today, the teacher… … is really beautiful. Well, that is… … she was always very beautiful, but today she was especially… … .”

I never thought the day would come when I would say something like this. I’m sure it’s because I’m drunk. But since I’ve already started talking, I’m determined to see it through to the end.

“Thank you so much for preparing such a special dinner… … I really appreciate it.”

When I greeted Teacher Wol-hee, her red eyes shone with surprising clarity. Her ominously red lips parted slightly, and a blush appeared on her cheeks.

“Boy… ….”

Her cold hand covered mine on the table.

… … … … …

“Excuse me, teacher… … Could I take a closer look at this mansion? It’s such a wonderful place, I’d like to take a look around… … .”

At my words, Teacher Wol-hee’s eyes lit up with joy. But at the same time… … her red eyes seemed to glow even more intensely than before. Her fingertips were also trembling slightly, giving the impression that she was trying to hold back something.

“Of course. If the boy wants it.”

As Ms. Wol-hee stood up from her seat, the hem of her dress gently scattered on the floor like black fog.

As I walked around the huge mansion, I could feel how special this place was. It felt different from the secret underground mansion of the Sky President or the penthouse of the Sun.

The drawing room, decorated with masterpieces from the Middle Ages or the early modern era, was truly antique, and the library, with its ceiling-high bookshelves and thousands of volumes, contained books that were not from Earth.

However, while touring the mansion, I could notice that there were spaces that the teacher naturally omitted from explanation.

Black doors at the end of dark hallways, stairs leading to basements with strange sounds, rooms with strangely pungent smells… … .

“Ah, this side isn’t sorted out yet.”

“That’s… …um, the ingredients… …that is, the ‘meat’ is stored there.”

After passing through so many rooms and spaces, we arrived at a place where modern equipment and extra-dimensional medicinal herbs that we had never seen before were mixed together.

“This is the lab.”

As we entered the lab, the teacher said:

“You must have seen the boy… …This mansion is still a little messy. In fact, it’s a recently built building.”

There was a strange emotion in the teacher’s voice. She continued her explanation as she walked to the window.

“At least when we first settled on Earth, we didn’t need such big houses.

Furniture and portraits were just piled up in cheap storage lots. I thought a small apartment and a hospital lab would suffice. ”

Her white fingers swept over a beaker of red liquid.

“But lately… …my way of life has changed a lot. It’s like going back more than five hundred years… … .”

Teacher Wol-hee slowly turned her head. Her red eyes took on a deeper and more dangerous light.

“Everything… …since I met the boy. Since the boy came into my life… …I was able to return to my true self. It was as if a long-dormant instinct had awakened… ….”

Her voice became sweeter and more dangerous, like that of a predator.

“Oh, I see… … .”

At that moment, a chill suddenly ran down my spine. It was as if someone was whispering in my ear, and a very strong danger signal ran through my whole body.

When I came to my senses, the beautiful face of Teacher Wol-hee was getting closer and closer. Her red eyes and sharp teeth revealed between her lips flashed as if they were going to devour me.

“That, Teacher Wolhee!

By any chance… … can I see some other places?”

A loud voice came out without me knowing. Then, the face of Teacher Wol-hee, who was slowly approaching, stopped. Her eyes wavered for a moment, then soon regained their usual calmness.

“… … Okay. Then should I show you the music room?”

After a brief silence, Professor Wol-hee’s voice still sounded sweet, but the sense of danger from earlier seemed to have subsided somewhat. We left the lab and headed to the second floor.

Ms. Wol-hee took the lead and climbed the stairs to the second floor. The heels of her shoes clacked against the stairs, making a loud noise.

“Here it is.”

The large double doors opened to reveal a spacious music room. In the center of the room was a huge grand piano. Its shiny black surface reflected the light from the chandelier, making it shine like the surface of a deep lake.

“Wow… … Is this a grand piano? This is my first time seeing one in person.”