episode_0374

.

The phone battery was at 62%.

Since anything less than 100% always made me anxious about the battery, I plugged it into the charger and quickly finished my shower.

If I hadn’t had any reason to go out today, I would’ve just washed up and been done with it. But imagining having to walk under the scorching sun later when stopping by home made washing up at Lee Hayoon’s place feel utterly pointless.

Before picking out clothes from the wardrobe, I turned on the PC first.

Spending nothing but happy times with the two sisters wasn’t an option—I still had one piece of homework to take care of.

I turned on my phone, scrolled casually through my contacts, and one newly registered number from yesterday caught my eye.

A number saved simply as “Asshole.”

The same number that was saved as “Vice Student Council President” in Baek Seoyeon’s phone.

I had a fleeting worry—what if I’d written it down wrong?—but a glance at the Kakao profile picture confirmed it was definitely him.

Looking at the profile photo, where 70% of the frame was filled with his own face, made me want to gag. Just how full of himself was he?

I wish only girls did that kind of thing.

But even now, there are girls like Lee Jiyoon here, who don’t even bother setting a profile picture.

Complaining about it would only eat away at my nerves for no reason.

After roughly throwing on underwear and pants, I let out a light yawn and opened a browser window.

Maybe it’s because I’m a healer, but my body recovers pretty fast. Still, after going five rounds with Lee Jiyoon in the early hours, the fatigue was no joke.

If I’d known it’d be like this, I would’ve chewed down more caffeine. I underestimated it.

“Huu….”

Letting out a sigh heavy with exhaustion, I started typing into the address bar.

South Korea officially restricts access to adult sites, but the surveillance system isn’t exactly a panopticon—there are still a few loosely patched gaps here and there.

Or, if I wanted, I could always take a more aggressive approach.

Opting for the relatively tame method, I browsed through a few videos, narrowed them down to a handful, and finally picked just one.

It wasn’t like I was conducting some strict screening—I just used a method I’d often relied on as a kid.

You know, the one everyone knows about—the Coca-Cola thing.

I considered using a recording program to send the file to my phone, but…

It felt like too much effort.

So I went with a more primitive method.

– Ah…, oh……. …Nnha, ecchi…….

“I should probably cut out the Japanese parts.”

It’s not like the guy next door hasn’t been to our place before, and even if the sounds were embarrassing, I turned it off in less than ten seconds.

It’ll be fine.

Probably.

“…It’s the weekend afternoon—he’s probably home.”

The thought that he might be the worst kind of neighbor crossed my mind, but I brushed it off with a laugh.

People who are strict with others are usually lenient with themselves.

Especially when they’re doing something this fun.

I played back the recording once. The moans weren’t an exact match for Baek Seoyeon’s, but they were close enough, flowing out of the speakers in roughly the same range.

Well, of course—I’d specifically picked videos with women whose voices were similar to hers from the start.

I’d worried about background noise during recording, but this level was negligible.

Still…

It’d be good to have one last check.

Relying on gut feelings like “This should be close enough” wasn’t ideal. Having an actual comparison would make it easier.

“Wonder if she’s awake yet.”

Creak. Leaning back in the chair, I stretched lightly before shoving my arms into the shirt I’d laid out and dialed the number.

Bbrring, bbrring. The speakerphone rang about five times before the call connected.

00:01 appeared on the screen.

“…What is it? All of a sudden.”

“Ah, did I wake you?”

“Well… I was about to get up anyway…”

“So I did wake you.”

“Whatever. Checking the time, it’s already past lunch…”

That groggy, dumb voice right after waking up.

It was a voice that suited someone like Yozora, but it felt completely out of place coming from Baek Seoyeon. Smirking, I lifted the phone.

“So, why’d you call?”

“Wanted to hear your voice.”

“…Huh?”

Lucky me. It was even closer than I’d thought.

I’d expected the differences to be obvious if I listened back-to-back, but not at all.

If even this comparison made it seem convincing, then that said it all.

Synch rate? 90%? 85%?

If you believed it was Baek Seoyeon, you’d be completely fooled.

…Especially if you were as horny as Yoo Siwoo right now.

No matter how much of a Baek Seoyeon otaku that bastard was, he wouldn’t be able to tell the difference at first listen.

This wasn’t just normal conversation—it was breathy, desperate moaning.

“Got what I needed. I’ll hang up. …Oh, anything you wanna say while I’m here?”

“…No, I… don’t think so…”

“Alright.”

“…Hang up. I’m gonna wake Yozora and get lunch.”

“Yozora? She’s still there?”

“Yeah. Sooa went back last night… …Obvious, right? She’s just here to mess with me.”

Right. Very obvious. She’s there to mess with you.

Instead of saying that outright, I settled for a “Must be tough”—which seemed to please her, as she grumbled a little more.

About how she had to sleep on the sofa even though the bed was huge.

How Yozora ended up stealing all the pillows and blankets once they fell asleep.

How she turned off the AC in frustration, only to find the blankets draped over her at some point.

And other miscellaneous things.

Before playing the fake moans for my new toy, I couldn’t help but smirk at the sight of someone who was supposed to be a thorough spy being so easily swayed by her emotions. But I kept that to myself.

After all, I was satisfied just enjoying Baek Seoyeon’s body.

As for the affairs of Most Wanted, Baek Seoyeon’s nest…

…Honestly, it wasn’t my business.

Even if Baek Seoyeon got kicked out one day.

Even if Baek Seoyeon quit being a villain first—it wouldn’t inconvenience me.

In fact, it’d be even better.

After listening to all her complaints, the words that left my mouth were simpler than expected.

“See you Monday. Get some rest over the weekend.”

“…Yeah. See you later.”

The kind of casual goodbye you’d exchange between friends.

Nothing special.

Maybe it was because I’d listened to all of Baek Seoyeon’s grumbling.

More time had passed than I’d thought.

Without enough time to properly dry off, I just roughly patted myself down and stepped out, glancing at the phone in my hand as I quickened my pace.

Meanwhile, the “1” that had been next to the message earlier was gone.

…Ah, right—the Kakao message I’d sent to Yoo Siwoo.

A chat room with nothing but a single file named “BaekSeoyeon1.mp3” sent without so much as a greeting.

I crossed the pedestrian crossing, staring at that icy-cold screen.

If Yoo Siwoo had gotten angry, I would’ve thought, “So he treats other girls like onaholes but is serious about Baek Seoyeon, huh?”

But the result was several minutes of radio silence.

What that probably meant was…

That.

He thought it was really Baek Seoyeon’s moans and was…

…busy doing something about it.

“…Hmm…”

If I left it at this, he’d eventually send something—whether it was a review or some half-baked threat.

Judging by his reaction when we ran into each other at the convenience store, the odds of him using the leak as blackmail material were pretty low.

…Well, if he behaves from now on, maybe I’ll find someone with an even closer voice next time.

If I dig deep enough into videos—especially hametori ones—I might find something even better.

Lost in trivial thoughts for my new toy, I soon found myself near Lee Hayoon’s place.

As I adjusted my clothes and stuffed my phone into my crossbody bag—

“Hey, Seo Jin!”

—I spotted Lee Jiyoon waving at me from afar, already waiting outside the house, and Lee Hayoon turning to look belatedly. I hurried over.

“Why’d you come out already? You could’ve waited inside.”

“That’s the thing. The reason’s fucking hilarious. Did you say you’d get tired going up and down the stairs?”

“Hey, Jiyoon…”

“Ah, so… You don’t have to worry. It’s just one floor, not multiple.”

“…Ugh, well… I just thought you might get tired before our walk…”

“You had sex with two girls and were still fine, but stairs are gonna tire you out? Dumb… Mmph—!”

Even if no one was around, talking like this outside must’ve been too much.

Lee Hayoon, flustered, slapped a hand over Lee Jiyoon’s mouth.

Smiling at the two, I shielded my eyes with a hand and looked up at the sky.

Despite the harsh sunlight, the clear blue was dotted with soft, ship-like cumulus clouds.

The patchy shadows along the alleyway were probably because of them.

Low humidity, too—all in all, not a bad day for a walk.

Adjusting my crossbody bag, I stepped in to mediate their squabble.

Though all that really meant was gently prying Lee Hayoon’s wrist away.

“Both of you, stop embarrassing yourselves out here… So, what’s the walking route? Jiyoon, you’re the one who wanted to go.”

“Pfft… I’ve got a rough idea. A route where we can digest, talk, and go on a date—all at once.”

“Why’d you casually slip ‘date’ in there?”

“What, you want me to go around telling everyone you had sex with my sister? If we walk like this—you between me and her—people’ll just think you’re close with the little sister too.”

“…”

“Little sister,” huh?

A few retorts came to mind, but I forgot them all while stopping Lee Hayoon from lunging again.

…Not like any of them were important anyway.

After telling Lee Jiyoon to watch her mouth, I sighed and asked,

“So. Do we just follow you?”

“…Yeah.”

How much of that I should believe,

I wasn’t sure.