Partner Tuning
I had a rough guess why Baek Je-in suddenly called just the two of us—until we win. It was time to try the Relationship Rank 3 reward, 'Tuning'.
"Why's Je-in sensei calling us all of a sudden?"
"She's gonna manage our condition before the spar. From her perspective, I'm the one she's most worried about outta the four, so she's helping me out."
"Oh? Then what about me?"
"She can only handle so many people, so she called you extra since you're my partner."
"Hmm..."
"We're not strangers, you and sensei."
"...And how do you know that?"
Shin Sua pondered for a moment, then nodded.
"Keep it secret from Gong In-myeong and Seol Romi."
"That was the plan from the start."
Hearing my answer, Shin Sua smiled like a queen who'd just received a loyalty oath. It wasn't my real intention, but I had to say it that way. To take her along, I needed words that perfectly matched her mindset.
Shin Sua still harbored rivalry toward Seol Romi. So.
The real stars of tomorrow's spar aren't the Gong In-myeong & Seol Romi pair—it's you and me.
Say that, and she'd follow without a peep. Gong In-myeong might grumble, but if Seol Romi found out about the tuning, she might feel left out for no reason. Better to slip away quietly.
"Je-in sensei, if you're calling her, you should've hit me up first instead."
"She probably thought you were busy. You look like you've got all the time in the world."
"A rootless delinquent like you has a pretty slick tongue. Consider this high praise for your loyalty from Shin Sua herself—be grateful."
<Whoa. Why don't you talk to me like that? You're discriminating against me right now.>
You and her aren't the same. Shin Sua was the type who took special treatment as her due. Convincing her this way kept things short and sweet—no drawn-out explanations.
"Alright. Let's move out now."
Now accomplices, we ditched the two top students right after the Grand Offering and hopped in the car.
We passed the central area, heading toward Argo's prow. The address we'd gotten was the top floor of some high-rise apartment. A penthouse.
<Pretty swanky for a school nurse's place...>
"The Baek clan of Suwon is a big name. Don't underestimate them."
Gemma looked downright thrilled during the elevator ride up in the lobby. I'd noticed it last time too—she got weirdly hyped around fancy homes. Master thief instincts, maybe.
*Ding!*
The elevator doors opened with a cheerful chime at the top floor.
"Hasn't changed a bit."
Shin Sua muttered as she pressed the intercom.
The Baek clan of Suwon was famous even in the world of my soul's other half, as the founders of Baek Hospital. In the Ancestors' Grace worldview, they were a renowned clan that produced multiple Shangju. Shangju who wielded Spirit Lord Transformations with healing and recovery were rare. That's why Baek clan members who contracted directly with Baek In-je or received her blessings got respect everywhere, directly or indirectly.
As you can see, Baek Je-in—who housed Baek In-je as her Ancestor Spirit—was no exception. In Argo, where only top-tier Shangju gathered, she kept a low profile as the school nurse, but she lived in this luxurious inherited penthouse, enjoying a fat salary and perks.
"Oh, you guys are early? Thought traffic would be nuts around quitting time."
Baek Je-in greeted us at the door in resort wear topped with a straw hat.
"It's been a while."
She eyed Shin Sua, who was politely greeting her from beside me.
"Come on in. I'll get something to drink."
Baek Je-in led us to the living room. Shopping bags strewn about, a massive suitcase.
The Lower Deck from the main Ancestors' Grace story—mentioned but never revealed. For a researcher affiliated with that place, she sure seemed disorganized.
"Sorry. I just got here five minutes ago. Haven't unpacked yet—"
Embarrassed, maybe? Baek Je-in activated her Spirit Lord Transformation, unleashing countless threads of silk to sort the mess.
That must be why she'd been surprised we arrived early.
"Sis, where've you been?"
Shin Sua asked, noting the airport-fresh vibe in the room. I'd been admiring how deftly Baek Je-in handled her threads—far more precise than Mun Hee-jeong's similar ability.
<They know each other, huh.>
"Kids from good families tend to stay in touch."
I didn't let on that I knew about Shin Sua and Baek Je-in's connection.
"Just a quick trip to Hawaii. To see Yu-min."
"For real?"
*Bang!*
Right then—as Shin Sua spoke—the bathroom door behind us flew open, and a young girl burst out.
"Kyaooo!"
"Kieeeek!!"
Was she mimicking a carnivore? Fingers hooked like claws, she charged. Shin Sua yelped in terror.
"Ahaha... surprise success!"
Baek Je-in laughed heartily at the sight.
"What the— you scared me!"
Shin Sua fussed over the girl who'd suddenly tackled her into a hug.
"Hehe. I tagged along~."
A girl my age with jet-black long hair, sporting a single white flower from the southern hemisphere. Her healthily tanned skin radiated a bright smile like sunlit energy that lifted the spirits.
<Ugh. Total airhead vibe.>
Gemma muttered at Baek Yu-min, Baek Je-in's cousin, grinning innocently.
She's got way more brains than you. I wanted to say it, but acting like I knew her could've raised suspicions, so I stayed quiet.
"School okay?"
"Got permission. I'm transferring next semester anyway."
Baek Yu-min chattered breezily.
"Heard you were sparring, Sua, so I brought a good-luck gift."
Baek Yu-min draped a huge Hawaiian lei from her arm around Shin Sua's neck.
Shin Sua, usually haughty with others, turned into your average high school girl around her old friend from childhood.
"Oh. Sorry. Should've greeted you sooner with him here."
Baek Yu-min finally turned to me and bowed politely.
Her bright yet composed movements and voice. Humble and polite—the polar opposite of Shin Sua. Not comparing to Mun Hee-jeong, but if you stripped away her delusions and rampages and added a drop of pure essence... yeah, like that.
"Kim Taeyang."
"We're same age—drop the formalities."
Baek Je-in chimed in as I answered.
"You saw her pic last time? My cousin Yu-min."
"Nice to meet you."
We shook hands briefly on her shy offer.
Honestly, I was pretty shocked too—not as much as Shin Sua, but still. Never expected her to show up on Argo at this timing. I knew Baek Je-in was on vacation, but no way did I dream she'd bring Baek Yu-min back.
Unlike canon, she hadn't been possessed by a vengeful spirit, so I'd planned to check her talents after transfer.
"I get you're excited to see Sua after so long, but it's late—let's wrap the tuning quick and save the catch-up for tomorrow."
Baek Je-in nailed the awkward timing as the vibe got weird with me as the lone guy among three girls.
"Yeah, sis. I'll take a walk nearby then. Text when you're done?"
"Thanks. See ya."
Baek Yu-min, like she'd been briefed, gave Shin Sua another tight hug, waved shyly at me, and left the penthouse.
"Shall we get started?"
Baek Je-in brewed two cups of black tea, served them, then led us to the bedroom. Gemma trailed excitedly, dying to know what was up.
*Click.*
Dark bedroom. Baek Je-in lit an aroma candle, revealing two king-sized beds. On them: men's swim trunks and a bikini.
"Sua's is one Yu-min wore, so size should be close. Oh, Taeyang's might be a bit small since I grabbed it quick. Anyway, both of you—bathroom, change."
"...Sis?"
Shin Sua muttered, flustered.
"What? We did this once as kids, right?"
Baek Je-in tilted her head, puzzled by her reaction.
"I was seven—don't remember..."
What're they talking about? Gemma whispered. Answering honestly might tip off Baek Je-in, so I ignored her and flipped the question.
"Sensei. What's the plan here?"
"Promise first? No telling anyone else."
"...Promise."
I answered, and she grinned, handing me skin-tight square-cut swim briefs.
"Good. Change first. Then I'll explain."
* * *
Five minutes later.
Shin Sua, changed into the bikini, fidgeted on the next bed.
"Bear the embarrassment. This 'Tuning' isn't just for boosting condition."
"Can't you at least blindfold that jerk?"
"Nope."
Shin Sua made a tragic face at Baek Je-in's firm, smiling headshake.
<Ooh yeah, check that ratio.>
Meanwhile, Gemma circled Shin Sua, admiring the yellow-and-blue bikini.
<Didn't notice with the baby fat on her face, but her body's pretty mature...>
Maybe Gemma poking her sides and thighs was too much.
*Whip!*
"Stay put over there."
Baek Je-in's thread lashed out, binding Gemma to a nearby chair.
<Whoa, this sis is feistier than I thought?>
Bound but still chatty and gleeful, Gemma made me want to die of embarrassment. Mostly 'cause of my too-tight swim trunks squeezing my lower half.
"Can't let the Baek clan's secret technique leak, so I called you home—but doing this at night feels kinda weird, huh?"
Baek Je-in joked, slipping on latex gloves from her family heirloom kit, now in her own tight outfit.
"Yeah, haha..."
"Landed with Yu-min earlier. No time to tune on spar day. Sorry for the late call."
The pillow on my lap kept bugging me, driving me nuts, but I endured.
"Haaah... don't look... I'll unleash Goryeo Group's entire legal team and bury you in hell... I mean it, you filthy mutt..."
"Taeyang, look away. Sua's embarrassed."
No choice—I followed Baek Je-in's order.
"Alright, both of you—slowly lie back on the beds."
Shin Sua and I flopped onto the vinyl-sheeted mattresses in sync.
"Hands down."
We'd been covering chest and crotch—had to obey.
Baek Je-in's tuning used her Spirit Lord Transformation threads to realign bones and muscles, force out toxins, etc., optimizing a Shangju's body short-term. But for pairs like us, extra 'adjustment' was needed.
"It'll hurt a bit. Endure."
*Whish...*
Thousands of threads sliced the air, invading every orifice on our bodies.
"Hngh!!"
Invisible-fine threads probed every nook—veins, nerves, all of it.
*Creak.*
"Ugh."
"Hyah!"
Sensory overload hit us both at once.
"Reflexes are faster on Taeyang. Bringing Sua up to match... and..."
Threads stirred my thigh muscles next.
"Lots of toxins in the stance muscles. Purging."
Eyes now.
"Sua's got wider vision. More fatigue too—loosening it up."
Baek Je-in was comparing our bodies, bridging gaps for perfect synergy. That's why she put us together.
"Ah, sis, hold on."
Hearing Shin Sua's skin rub the sheet kept pulling my gaze sideways—but ancestor-force threads jammed my eyes, blinding me.
<Heh. Wow... oof, dude... pity you can't see this.>
Shin Sua's voice grew softer, more endearing amid it all. Bound Gemma mocking me made it worse. Already in agony, now teased too.
"I know it hurts—hang in 20 minutes, done."
Shin Sua must've endured this before; she gritted through. I clenched too, refusing to lose, but remodeling every inch sober was brutal.
Painkillers. Need 'em. That dominated my mind as I clung to consciousness.
But what could numb this?
"Uuuugh..."
Even East Sea water and Baekdu Mountain—patriotic lyrics fled my torture-racked brain. Then, a clear answer flashed.
<What to do. Our delinquent misses the show. Heh heh heh. Aah, Shin Sua's so cute. Thrilling. Fresh.>
Gemma's taunts couldn't rile me anymore.
*Zing!*
I poured spirit force into my Soul Thread Bracelet.
<Wha—what? You don't mean—>
Visions filled my head. Sensory sharing beamed Gemma's view straight to me. I used it as anesthesia, surviving 25 hellish minutes.
Seeing our suffering through a third party's eyes achieved 'othering the pain' perfectly.
"Good job, both. Glad you didn't pass out."
"......"
Maybe 'cause I'd watched Baek Je-in's expressions via Gemma's eyes the whole time. Couldn't meet her casual gaze.
"I'm... unmarriageable now..."
Shin Sua muttered soullessly, sweat-soaking the vinyl. Small mercy: she took bigger mental damage than me. That consoled a bit.
* * *
While Shin Sua lay passed out, Gemma and I thanked Baek Je-in, showered, and left the penthouse. Her driver, pre-instructed, dropped us home with our stuff.
<......>
"......"
We rode in total silence. No words, but I could tell exactly what we were both thinking.
Once the driver vanished from sight, Gemma and I gripped hands tight without a word.
We bolted to the elevator, mashing our floor and close buttons like maniacs.
*Squeeze.*
Our hands clenched desperately—same for both.
Home. Door open, inside.
<Hey.>
"What."
<You know?>
"What."
<...I've been holding back forever?>
We dumped bags, dove into the bedroom.
*Rustle!*
Gemma's outfit shifted to a shower robe.
<Told ya? Be ready after the Grand Offering.>
Her fingers slowly untied the sash, parting the pristine white robe. Flawless pale skin emerged, wearing our Grand Offering tribute.
<Come on. Sis'll fix your habits with Swiss wrestling.>
"...How many rounds?"
Gemma licked her lower lip, tackled me down.
<Until I win.>
That started the endless match.