episode_0004

When a person is deprived of proper sleep, meals, and the fulfillment of their basic needs, they quickly deteriorate.

A more accurate way to put it would be that if all three fundamental desires are controlled, one’s humanity rapidly erodes.

Is this what it means to live a life worse than that of a human—being denied the things one should rightfully enjoy as a person?

“I’m going insane.”

“Yeonwoo-ssi, is something wrong?”

“Lately, I’ve been feeling strange eyes on me. I can’t sleep, and even at home, I can’t relax while eating.”

People need rest to recover their stamina, but since I can’t even rest properly, it feels like I’m slowly being drained.

The faces of the other counselors listening to me gradually hardened.

The silence of those who had just been complaining about their damn jobs, exhausted, was now being replaced by a creeping unease.

One might assume they know themselves best.

But the information about oneself gained through others is always valuable and objective.

I waited for their response in the silence.

What kind of answer would come?

The other counselors must have noticed something.

“Have you checked if it’s the doing of your assigned magical girl?”

“Right. From what I know, Yeonwoo-ssi’s charge has made quite a bit of progress.”

“If it’s Ai-chan…”

Being stalked by one’s charge.

It’s not an uncommon occurrence among counselors.

Since it often involves primal emotions like love, there are many variables.

Among them, crimes like stalking can easily arise.

If one fails to maintain boundaries and lets emotions take over…

“You could end up graduating like our senior. Keep a close eye on her. If it gets too severe, she might have to retire.”

“I hope it doesn’t come to that worst-case scenario.”

Retirement is just a euphemism—it’s no different from being forced to graduate.

‘Maybe I should raise my guard around Ai a little.’

For now, I might have to create some distance or postpone counseling sessions.

I hope it doesn’t come to that.

The fear of something happening that I can’t handle alone is slowly eating me up inside.

“I’m going insane, damn it.”

When was the last time I slept properly?

What did I even eat yesterday?

And when was the last time I rested comfortably?

Unable to sleep properly, I could feel cracks forming in my mind.

—Tsk.

I clicked my tongue and stared at the camera.

To identify the source of the gaze I’d been feeling, I installed cameras around my house.

Though the unseen eyes kept me awake all night, the cameras captured nothing.

“Damn it.”

The longer the culprit remained at large, the more my insides burned endlessly, like a cigarette.

The anxiety clung to me like sticky tar, refusing to let go.

The police?

I’ve already called them dozens of times.

But without concrete evidence, and given that male stalking victims are often dismissed, it was all a waste of time.

I couldn’t expect anything from those who’d only listen if I had proof.

And then.

“Ah, Oppa! Oh… what a coincidence seeing you in the morning.”

“Ai?”

It was a coincidental encounter with Ai on my way to work.

Dressed in her usual magical girl outfit, Ai stood there.

Beside her, Ruby, her mascot, floated drowsily, still half-asleep from the early hour.

Meanwhile, my body was slowly breaking down from sleep deprivation.

In stark contrast, Ai looked brighter and healthier than ever.

As a counselor, I wanted to respond with a smile, but I couldn’t muster one.

Even when I forced a smile, her reaction wasn’t what I expected.

“Oppa… are you sick?”

So it didn’t work.

It was impossible to deceive Ai, who had talked with me so often.

I gave up and offered a hollow, exhausted smile.

This was the best I could do.

“Your dark circles… and your face is so pale. Are you really okay? Should I cast a spell on you?”

—Squeeze.

Holding my hand worriedly, she looked up at me.

I fought back the urge to lean into her warmth.

No.

If I give in now, I won’t be able to handle what comes next.

The sweet temptation before me was growing harder to resist.

—Tap.

“Ah, sorry. I was too sudden…”

“No, Ai. It’s just… we’re outside, and someone might see.”

“Ah! Right… I’m sorry. I wasn’t being careful.”

“Well, it happens.”

“So, what’s wrong? Are you really sick, Oppa?”

Staring at Ai, who was demanding an answer, I fell into deep thought.

Should I really tell her?

Even though she’s my charge, there were reservations about bluntly explaining what was happening to me.

What if Ai really was the stalker?

The recent graduation of my senior. The cases I’d reviewed before becoming a counselor.

Suspicion took root, filling my mind despite my reluctance.

“Oppa… you’ve always helped me. I want to listen to your worries too. Is that… not okay?”

Her amethyst eyes, clear and pure, felt hypnotic.

Even as I clenched my lips shut, something compelled them to part.

Right.

For a moment, I was enchanted by the purity of a magical girl.

So I told her everything—about the stalking and how it was affecting my life, leaving out any mention of her.

Ai’s expression upon hearing this was something else.

“You’re being… stalked?”

Anger.

For the first time, I saw anger flicker across Ai’s face.

The unfamiliar emotion from my charge left me stunned.

Then, the anger subsided, replaced by pity as her small white hand rested against my chest.

Warm. Comforting.

For a brief moment, my tormented mind felt clear.

‘It’s magic.’

I realized Ai was using magic as my fatigue gradually faded.

“You’ve been through a lot, Counselor Oppa. And… I’ll catch that stalker for you. No matter what.”

“Thank you, Ai.”

And just like that, some of my suspicions eased.

Her genuine emotions, the worry in her eyes, and her anger at the idea of stalking—

If this was all an act, no one could rival her skill in emotional manipulation.

‘Right, there’s no way Ai would stalk me. I’ve been so careful with boundaries.’

I felt relieved.

The thought that I might have avoided the worst made my legs feel weak.

“Ah, it’s already time. Oppa, I’ll get going now!”

“Yeah, see you at the next session, Ai.”

Parting ways with Ai, I headed to work feeling slightly lighter.

‘Maybe Ai will solve this for me.’

I didn’t need to find the culprit myself.

If Ai really was the stalker, she’d stop after hearing this. If not, she might catch them for me.

About two weeks had passed since I realized I was being stalked.

I was slowly getting used to the gaze.

But maintaining a life with even basic human dignity was still exhausting.

The biggest difference from last week? A change in routine.

“Ah, Oppa! We met again this morning.”

“Oppa, do you always leave work at this time? I’m heading home too—want to go together? I’ll escort you.”

“Hmm? Ahem. Oppa, you’re a regular here too? W-want to grab a meal together?”

“Counselor Oppa~!”

The coincidental encounters with Ai had increased at an abnormal rate.

These chance meetings grew more frequent, and the distance between us closed in an instant.

At this rate, the control I’d maintained would vanish in no time.

Exhausted in body and mind, I kept leaning into the warmth of the pure white girl.

Her constant kindness was driving me insane.

“Oppa? Counselor Oppa?”

“Ah… Ai. Sorry, where were we?”

“Oppa… you look terrible. If this keeps up, you might collapse.”

“I’m fine.”

“No, I’m not fine. Today, I’m taking you home. The session ends here.”

“But—”

—Squeeze.

Before I could protest, Ai pressed a finger to my lips, silencing me.

Too drained to argue, I leaned against her like a withered flower.

Maybe a full day of rest would help.

“Oppa! Feels nice, right? Flying like this is my favorite.”

“Yeah… it’s nice, Ai.”

Being carried through the sky by a girl smaller than me was an experience I’d remember forever.

Was it because we were flying?

We reached my place in no time.

‘Did I ever give her my address?’

I remembered always refusing her offers to escort me home.

Maybe I’d let it slip in my exhausted state.

Honestly, I was too out of it to think straight.

“Tonight, I’ll patrol around your place, so don’t worry too much.”

“Okay… thank you, Ai.”

“Hmm~ See you later.”

Somehow, returning home felt cozier than usual.

And that night—

I didn’t feel any eyes watching me.