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T/N: Ha-Yeon is truly unhinged at this point
Ed: She moved in next door to Ms. Hye-Rim’s apartment because she was jealous. The girl is more than unhinged.
After leaving Shin Yu-Sung in charge of the patrol, Yoo Seo-Eun and I happily headed home.
Even though Shin Yu-Sung kept casting suspicious glances at me until I left the association, I shrugged it off and pretended not to notice.
It's a bit petty, but what can you do? Psychological warfare is not usually for people who aren't good at mafia games. Those who are great at it know how to use subtlety and intuition.
Mafia games aren't supposed to be played like this? So what? This is how I’ve been doing it.
"What should we have for dinner tonight? There are so many delicious ingredients in your fridge, Hye-Rim, that I don’t know what to make."
"How about a steak rice bowl? It came up on my YouTube recommendation yesterday."
"Sounds good. I'll make that for dinner then."
We happily discussed our dinner options. Once we arrived home, I began to worry about the heroes. Normally, nothing special happens in this episode. The main story revolves around the protagonists investigating anomalies in the gate, with fighting monsters being the main focus. I don’t think the monsters will overpower our protagonists, especially Ha-Yeon. Ha-Yeon seems even stronger than in the original work.
But there are always variables in any world. The reason I’m worried about Jung Ha-Yeon isn’t just because I like her, and am more concerned about her. There’s actually something bothering me.
Sitting on the sofa, I slowly patted my stomach. It wasn’t in the original work, but you never know. No one knows if that damn bastard will appear in front of the heroes.
“Hye-Rim, dinner is ready!”
While I was thinking about how the heroes were doing, dinner was complete. Yoo Seo-Eun’s cooking was once again delicious. If Yoo Seo-Eun eventually moves out and lives separately, I should ask her to cook for me occasionally. If I offered money like an invited chef, Yoo Seo-Eun might be happy about it.
After eating, while Yoo Seo-Eun went to wash up first, I examined the necklace I was wearing. The same kind of necklace I gave to Jung Ha-Yeon. I had looked at this necklace many times while working today, wondering when Ha-Yeon might contact me through it.
Shin Yu-Sung had asked why I was wearing a necklace I usually don’t wear and even made strange comments. It was quite annoying.
“Hm, our team leader wouldn’t have bought the necklace on a whim… Could it be that you have a new romantic interest?”
“What?”
“Seeing you carefully examining the necklace with such a tender gaze makes me think you might be in love. It’s touching to see you finally understand love, Team Leader.”
“……”
I was at a loss for words and chose not to respond to the ridiculous comments. It will become a hassle if Team Leader 1 accidentally overheard it.
To be honest, I called out Shin Yu-Sung as the mafia as soon as the game started because of that. If it had been someone else, I might have let it slide. But the cost of annoying me was high.
Anyway, no news is good news. No signal means things are going well. It means they’re managing fine on their own. Although it might be a bit overbearing, I’m keeping an eye on them in case something happens to the protagonists. If something goes wrong, my reputation and assets will be at stake.
Just as I was feeling relief that Jung Ha-Yeon would do well as per the original work...
A light began to shine from the necklace hanging around my neck. This meant that Jung Ha-Yeon was sending me a signal. Normally, this necklace wouldn’t react. It was given to her for emergencies, to contact me if something unusual happened.
So for Jung-Ha-Yeon to be the one to send me a signal, this definitely meant something had happened. I quickly infused magical power into the necklace to receive the signal.
"Ha-Yeon, what’s going on?!"
[...Ah, Ms. Hye-Rim. Can you hear me?]
Jung-Ha-Yeon’s voice flowed from the necklace, almost like a phone call. I tried to calm my pounding heart and continued speaking.
"What’s the matter? Did something happen?"
[Oh, no! It’s not like that. I just... wanted to hear your voice, Ms. Hye-Rim.]
"......Huh?"
The night of the demon realm came quickly. It was soon pitch black, almost like midnight, a short time after dinner.
The heroes, having fought all day, quickly went to sleep to preserve their energy, which was good judgment. I, too, was about to close my eyes and fall asleep, but I couldn’t. Alice’s words kept swirling in my mind. She had declared with determination to claim Ms. Hye-Rim for herself, and I couldn’t respond to her words.
“My head is spinning.”
Both my mind and head felt dizzy. I thought I wouldn’t be able to sleep like this, so I stepped outside the tent and took deep breaths, looking around the demon realm. The desolate landscape seemed incapable of sustaining life. I’d probably need to stay here a few more days.
The thought of not seeing Ms. Hye-Rim made my heart ache. I hadn’t thought about her this obsessively before. Perhaps the series of recent events had made me this way.
“I want to hear Ms. Hye-Rim’s voice.”
If I can’t see her face, I at least want to hear her voice. With that thought, I looked down at the necklace around my neck. I had been told that if I infused magic into it, I could contact Ms. Hye-Rim. So, should I give it a try?
Although Ms. Hye-Rim gave it to me for emergencies, I didn’t have the luxury to worry about that now. I just wanted to hear her voice and have a conversation, even if just a little bit longer. And I wanted to prove that I am the one closest to Ms. Hye-Rim right now, even more so than Alice.
Whoooosh!
It began to glow brightly as I infused magic into the necklace. Was this sending a signal to Ms. Hye-Rim?
At that moment, Hye-Rim’s voice came through the necklace.
[Ha-Yeon, what’s going on?!]
Her voice sounded urgent. Was she worried that something might have happened to me?
I don’t think I’ve heard Ms. Hye-Rim’s voice like this before. She always seemed calm and relaxed. So hearing her speak like this felt somewhat endearing.
[What’s the matter? Did something happen?]
“Oh, no! It’s not like that. I just... wanted to hear your voice, Ms. Hye-Rim.”
[......Huh?]
Even as I said it, it felt a bit embarrassing, but it was truly just a simple reason.
But I wasn’t lying. I genuinely just wanted to hear her voice.
“I was about to go to sleep, but I couldn’t. I felt bored and lonely. I just contacted you because I was thinking of you. I’m sorry if I surprised you.”
[No, it’s fine. I’m glad you’re okay. But you should try to sleep even if it is forced. You’ll have a hard time tomorrow if you don’t get enough rest.]
“I’m worried about that too. But since I can’t sleep, there’s nothing I can do.”
I wondered if she knew that the reason I was having trouble falling asleep was technically Ms. Hye-Rim’s fault.
Ms. Hye-Rim probably doesn’t know that Alice likes her. What if, by any chance, Ms. Hye-Rim’s preference is someone like Alice?
With that thought in mind, I tentatively asked Ms. Hye-Rim a question.
“Ms. Hye-Rim, sorry to ask this suddenly, but do you like magical girls?”
[Huh?]
Ah, now that I say it, the question seems a bit strange.
Hye-Rim is a magical girl just like Alice and me. So, I guess it might sound odd to ask that.
Just as I was about to rephrase the question, Hye-Rim answered with a firm tone.
[I really like them a lot.]
“Really?!”
[You surprised me with that shout. Why all of a sudden?]
Ms. Hye-Rim saying she likes magical girls more made my voice rise without me realizing it.
Jung Ha-Yeon, calm down. No matter how happy you are, it’s not the time to be relieved yet. This is just a preference survey, not a matter of romantic taste.
But my heart was racing regardless.
“Nothing. Just ignore the meaningless question.”
[Hmm, okay?]
I felt as if a burden was lifted from my heart. It seemed like I could finally sleep comfortably.
Just as I thought I should stop bothering Ms. Hye-Rim, she spoke up again.
[Oh, by the way, Ha-Yeon. I have a question.]
“Yes, go ahead.”
[Did you happen to see a strange girl in the demon realm?]