Seyeong's Day (1)

['Protection of Colors' has manifested, partially absorbing the ability of 'The World Tree of Healing'.]

[Natural regeneration drastically increases. You can now use the 'Healing' ability of the World Tree of Healing.]

It was said that after hardship comes relief, and it seemed like the Protection of Colors' hidden ability could steal the trees' abilities.

Seeing this, I felt a little of my anger subsiding. It still seemed unbelievable to be overwhelmed by a tree when I thought about it now.

"So, honestly, I still can't believe that the tree did such a thing to you… So, Shiheon, about Seyeong—"

"Keep it a secret?"

I sighed. Byeol's face turned anxious. I had no intention of talking about being assaulted, but I pretended to be slightly upset.

"So please stay with me a bit."

"I'm, I'm really sorry. Should I kneel?"

Suddenly bowing her head, Byeol placed her hand on the ground, seemingly preparing to raise her legs as if she was really going to do it.

I softened my expression and smiled warmly.

"No, it's okay. I received this, so it's fine."

Saying so, I shook the elixir in my hand.

With the elixir and the healing ability, I gained a lot in exchange for my body, so I decided to let this incident slide.

"That's a relief~ Are you not angry anymore?"

"How could I be angry at you, Byeol? The bad one is the tree."

"Thank youuu!"

Byeol hugged me tightly with a bright smile.

Her large chest pressed against my body. My dirty body seemed to melt cleanly.

How many seconds had passed?

A cold voice came from behind.

"What are you guys doing?"

"Hic!"

Hearing the voice, Byeol, who was hugging me, turned her neck to look at her.

"...Seyeong-jjang?"

"Seyeong-jjang, my ass. What are you doing to our kid?"

"I was hugging a cute comrade after a battle— Just hurt! Hurt! Don't pull my cheeks, you crazy girl!"

"What, crazy girl? You're the crazy girl! And Shiheon, if you're awake, you should let me know, okay?"

Seyeong, who was pulling Byeol's hair, glared at me. Byeol, struggling in Seyeong's arms, whined.

After a fight ensued, Seyeong sighed and asked Byeol.

"Hey, crazy Byeol, were you always this clingy to guys?"

"He's handsome, so I just hugged him."

"Handsome?"

Seyeong looked at me for a moment.

"Him?"

"Yup"

Byeol, rubbing her red and swollen cheeks with both hands, nodded.

Seyeong said sincerely.

"You have some unique taste, huh? How is he handsome?"

"Huh? No way. Our Shiheon is handsome."

"Our Shiheon? Want to die? And to be honest, his looks are a total bomb."

Seyeong naturally mixed some vulgar words and pointed to her pretty face as if showing it to me.

"The handsome and pretty one is my face."

"Really, stop talking nonsense, ma'am."

"Just agree with me."

"...Yes."

Even though I was threatened last time and thought I should treat her well, looking at her face made me want to curse again.

And I wondered when Byeol saw my face. Maybe she saw it when I was unconscious without the mask.

"Anyway, get in the car quickly. I drove for five hours because of you, jerk."

"Yes."

Since she came from far away, I didn't argue any further.

"Take care~! Let's talk about rewards or certificates by phone later!"

"Yes, understood."

Byeol waved us off until she could no longer see us, and Seyeong, staring at Byeol like she was a cat, started the car.

The luxurious imported car smoothly exited the parking lot and drove on the road.

-Bump, bump.

"Hey."

"Yes?"

"How's your body?"

I answered indifferently to her casually thrown words.

"It was rather good; I watched TV and used a laptop. I actually want to be hospitalized one more time."

"Hmm, is that so? How's the magic circuit? Oh, and could you hand me some water?"

"It's fine. Here you go."

Seyeong opened the bottle of water I handed her and drank while scanning the roads around us. A drop of water trickled down from the corner of her mouth to her collarbone. Seeing the droplet, Seyeong stealthily gave me a mischievous look, seemingly asking me to wipe it off. When I reached for the tissue, having put the bottle of water away,

"Lick it off."

Unexpected words popped out.

"...Stop talking nonsense. We're driving."

"Hehehe. Rest if you're hurt. The teacher is excellent at driving."

It was good news for me, who had been suffering from stress disorder after the threat, but sleeping while someone was driving was not polite. I had no intention to sleep. I comfortably sat in the seat and pulled out three tickets from the bag Byeol had handed me.

▶Wish to get closer(B)

[Category: Consumable]

A coupon that allowed you to receive a gift that the other person currently wanted the most. It was used immediately upon tearing.

This was the reward for overcoming this ordeal. Considering all the trouble we went through to save a friend, I was not sure whether the reward was good or bad.

The most desired gift?

I sneakily turned my head and looked at Seyeong. She had been a great help; it was the perfect time to give her a gift. With certainty, I tore the coupon.

Squeak, Flash!

A bright white light flowed from the bag, and eventually, something substantial landed in my hand.

[Tri Lady033 Ultra-thin Condom 30pcs]

What was this?

"...You beast."

Startled.

Seyeong, who had glimpsed the pink box in my hand, looked at me, her face pale and rigid. The look was one of contempt.

"Were you thinking of such things even now?"

"I… I want to explain."

"Forget it! You vulgar being. Obviously, you'll drag someone into some dark place, shut them up, and go at it like an animal."

This was what you wanted!

The words climbed up to my throat, but I swallowed them again. Imagining the flustered face of Seyeong after hearing the truth, it was better not to say it. She would likely slap me, her face red. Sometimes, telling lies was better.

I pretended to be hurt and silently looked out the window. Then, Seyeong kept attacking me with an excited tone.

"Really. How would you live without me?"

"I can live well without that woman. I've lived 20 years without a woman."

"You look like it."

"..."

I sighed shortly. I had nothing to say. It reminded me of my present self or myself a few weeks ago.

"Hey. Why are you so down again? You used to curse a lot before."

"Should I curse at you?"

"...No? It's not bad as it is now."

She stretched her words and scratched her cheek with her finger.

And then, like she had been contemplating for a long time, she said to me.

"Hey. So what's your relationship with Jin Dallae?"

I was startled by her words.

"Why bring that up all of a sudden?"

"No reason, she's just been looking for you very earnestly. Every time she visited, she asked about you, when are you coming."

"Uh.... I don't know? I can't figure it out."

Had I done anything to win Jin Dallae's favor? As I thought about it, what I had done was half insane. It was a wonder I didn't get a slap.

I should buy some premium chocolates full of my gratitude on the way.

"So, you're not in a relationship?"

"If you ask what kind of relationship, I can only say friends. But why are you digging into it so much? Are you jealous?"

"No, just… don't mess with the students at the academy. It's not strange to die anytime if you do to them what you did to me."

I had known that for a long time. My original personality was not like this. But since the training with the beasts, I have developed a quick temper, and my eyes have been drawn to the female form. It was agonizing to resist those impulses.

'I need to fix this.'

I had been reaping the fruits of patience, but I intended to shed this temperament someday.

Rattle.

The car shook over a speed bump, waking me from my reverie. I looked around through the car window.

Various neon signs. Various shops lined the alleys where Seyeong parked the car, from karaoke bars to pubs.

"Need to buy anything?"

"I don't know?"

"What do you mean, you don't know?"

Seyeong took out a black can from the back of the car and gave me a suggestive look. Something was off. Ever since the tree incident, I could feel sensitivity to a woman's gaze. To make a point, Seyeong extended the can toward me.

It was beer.

"Alcohol? Why all of a sudden?"

Snap.

"…Why are you opening it?"

Fizzle.

Thud! Seyeong, who put down the beer can, showed a triumphant smile.

"I can't drive now."

This was driving me insane.

Slightly unbuttoning her shirt to blatantly reveal her bra straps, Seyeong turned off the car and approached me with subtle glances, reminding me of the tree incident.

But it felt good.

"You called me a beast…"

"Because I'm also a beast."

Without any response, Seyeong pressed her lips against mine. Her soft pink lips, without a single flaw, intertwined with mine, gently teasing, opening up to share each other's saliva. Our tongues entwined vulgarly.

"Mmm… ah."

I embraced Seyeong tightly and pulled away from the kiss.

"Ah… yes."

Seyeong, with her eyes sparkling, seemed to crave something as she wrapped her arms around my neck, pressing her lips there.

Didn't we decide to spend the night together that day? Thinking about it, we also promised to watch a movie.

Might as well make the most of the time we have. I unbuckled Seyeong's seatbelt and opened the car door.

Thud.

"Let's do more."

Seyeong, with a face full of regret, stepped out.

There was a late-night movie.

"Hey, let's go quickly."

I led Seyeong, who was pulling my arm towards the motel, in that direction.

"…Where to?"

"I'm hungry. Let's eat and watch a movie. How about it?"

Whether she grasped the gist of my words, Seyeong approached me with quick steps, alternating her gaze between the motel and the shops.

"Well… we have plenty of time."

Yes, we had plenty of time. But I never knew when the whimsical commands of the World Tree might surprise the world again. I wanted to enjoy this time to the fullest. Seyeong's appearance was not lacking at all.

Holding Seyeong's hand, I walked into the cinema and approached the counter clerk with a smile.

I chose a movie that seemed fairly interesting. I didn't know what was interesting since there were no movies from the world I lived in.

"Couple seats, please."

"...."

I chose seats for two and bought popcorn and cola. Sitting with our hands tightly held, she mumbled.

"Bastard. You wanted to watch a movie with me that much?"

"I did."

"...."

I responded, thinking it was the right thing to say. There was no reply. When I turned my head, Seyeong's face was as red as a ripe apple.

"Cr, cr, crazy guy."

"How long will you keep saying that?"

"Oh my God… If we're on a date, why don't you take off the mask?"

Trying to make a bold statement, Seyeong reached out for my mask.

"That's true."

"Huh? Are you really going to take it off? You… you hate taking it off."

"I don't particularly hate it, but I need to wear it for certain reasons."

Initially, it was to hide my hideous appearance, but now it was for the bonus of manipulating magic. The efficiency difference between wearing it and not wearing it was severe. So, I reached out for the mask.

"Tak, taking it off? Really?"

"Will I fake taking it off?"

I took off the mask and showed my bare face.

Thud.

Then, the cinema lights turned off, and the advertisements began.

Her eyes, staring at me, were larger and rounder than any eyes I had ever seen.

"...Gasp."

I could hear Seyeong's breath catch in her throat.

The movie began.