The Courage to Ask

Ever since the incident where a Witch used teleportation to kidnap Scarlet, the borderlands had been undergoing massive construction to install magic circles that would block unauthorized teleportation. Funded entirely by the Dolos family, rumored to possess the greatest wealth in the city, the project mobilized countless workers. However, the construction site was located in the borderlands—a perilous zone where demonic beasts could emerge at any moment. Consequently, the members of Astrape, including Yoon Siwoo, were kept relentlessly busy, juggling their primary duty of frontline defense with the task of guarding the construction workers.

"Whew. Vice-Captain, they say the finishing touches on the magic circle in this sector are almost complete."

"Right, good work. Apparently, we need to install another one right behind that area next."

"...There are still more places left? Those people have been working almost without rest for days now."

"It can't be helped. Now that we know there's a Witch capable of teleportation, we have to prepare as quickly as possible. It looks like the workers are taking a short break, so you should rest for a bit too. Just tag along with them when they head out later. Your day off is tomorrow, right? Hang in there just a little longer."

"......Understood."

Tomorrow. At the mention of his upcoming day off—the day he could finally return home—Yoon Siwoo felt his heart skip a beat. It wasn't out of anticipation for the rest, but rather a sudden, mounting anxiety.

"Ugh... How on earth am I supposed to say it......?"

Yoon Siwoo slumped to the ground, clutching his head in his hands as he muttered to himself. How should I say it? That very question had been looping endlessly in his mind for days. The dilemma, which had recently begun robbing him of his sleep, had all started a few days ago with a single phone call from Sylvia.

A date. What a heart-fluttering word. Of course, Yoon Siwoo had dreamed of going on a date with Scarlet. But it had always felt like a distant, impossible fantasy. After all, how could he ask her out when he didn't even know how she felt about him? But then, Sylvia had clued him in. She told him that Scarlet seemed to have feelings for him too, and suggested that he should be ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the one to take a bold first step. Even so, as he hesitated, unable to summon the courage, Sylvia had left him with one final push.

Those words had reminded Yoon Siwoo of a vow he had once made: that no matter what, he would make Scarlet happy. Recalling that resolve sent a sudden surge of courage through his veins. It was then that he made up his mind. On his next day off, he would ask Scarlet out on a date. But just as he was about to call her right after hanging up with Sylvia, a sudden, devastating realization struck him. He had never, not once in his entire life, been on a date.

Until that realization hit, his mind had been filled with grand, romantic dreams. Since it would be their very first date, he wanted to make it the most beautiful, perfect memory for Scarlet... But what did someone who had never dated before know about any of this? Sure, he could search online for standard dating itineraries, but Scarlet was hardly an ordinary person. What if he dragged her through some generic internet-recommended course and she absolutely hated it?

Having vividly imagined Scarlet looking down at him with cold, disappointed eyes and delivering those devastating words, Yoon Siwoo's hard-won courage vanished instantly, leaving his confidence in absolute tatters. If he ever actually heard those words, he felt like he wouldn't even have the strength to go on living. Let's research a bit more about dating before calling her, he had reasoned. But after putting it off day after day, he had arrived at his current predicament: his day off was tomorrow. I have to tell her today... Yet, even as the thought crossed his mind, he couldn't summon the courage to press the call button. As he sat there hesitating, Lucy finally snapped at him.

"But... I don't know anything about dating......"

Was that really true...? Yoon Siwoo searched his memories of the times he had spent with Scarlet. Running into her at the supermarket and sitting on a bench to talk... bumping into her on the street and walking around together, only to end up at a motel... No, wait, filter that last one out. Blushing furiously at the embarrassing memory that had slipped into his recollection, he nevertheless nodded slowly. It was true. Whenever she was by his side, it didn't matter where they were—it was always wonderful. Yet, a lingering hesitation remained.

"......Still, if possible, I want to take her somewhere she'll truly enjoy. Somewhere that will remain a happy memory she can look back on and smile at."

He had racked his brain over it, but he couldn't grasp even the slightest clue as to what kind of place Scarlet would like. Yoon Siwoo let out a bitter chuckle and muttered.

"I say I love her, yet I don't know a single thing about what she actually likes......"

Feeling foolish for trying to ask her out when he was so clueless, he began to wonder if it might be better to just give up. But right at that moment—

So spoke Lucy.

"......Lucy."

"......Yeah."

Bolstered by Lucy's counsel, Yoon Siwoo clenched his fists and nodded resolutely. With a look of fierce determination, he pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed her number. This time, there was no hesitation.

Hearing the now-familiar voice of the girl, Yoon Siwoo swallowed hard. Cold sweat instantly drenched his palms—he had never felt this tense, not even when facing down the most terrifying demonic beasts. Steeling his resolve, he managed to call out her name.

"Um, Scarlet......"

"Tomorrow... if you're free, that is......"

Each word felt like it was choking him, but he squeezed his eyes shut and forced the question out.

"Would you... like to go out somewhere with me?"

A brief silence stretched over the line. Then—

Her acceptance drifted softly through the speaker. Hearing her answer, Yoon Siwoo's mind went completely blank. ...Huh? Did she just agree to a date? The wave of pure, unadulterated joy hit ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠him a moment later. A triumphant shout threatened to burst from his throat, forcing him to clap a hand over his mouth. Desperate to confirm he wasn't hallucinating, he stammered out a reply.

"A-Are you really okay with that?"

"Not at all! I don't really like staying cooped up at home anyway!"

Shouting in sheer, giddy excitement, Yoon Siwoo suddenly remembered what ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he had actually intended to ask. Part of him wanted to act cool and tell her to just leave everything to him, but his desire to make their first date somewhere she would truly love won out. He tentatively posed the question.

"Um... is there anywhere in particular you'd like to go?"

Scarlet seemed to ponder the question for a moment before replying with a hint of hesitation.

"Yeah, that's perfect! So we're going to the zoo tomorrow, right? See you tomorrow!"

The call disconnected. The very next second—

"......!!!!"

Yoon Siwoo let out a silent, ecstatic scream. He pinched his cheek hard just to make sure he wasn't dreaming, but the sharp sting confirmed it: this was reality. He was actually going on a date, alone, with Scarlet. The zoo... Scarlet likes animals. It was a far cuter hobby than he had ever imagined. His mind instantly transformed into a field of blooming flowers as his imagination ran wild. Scarlet cradling a cute little animal, looking utterly flustered. Scarlet marveling at a giant beast, taking photos together with him. Scarlet wearing a pair of fuzzy animal-ear headbands. He would get to see all of that tomorrow. Just imagining it brought an unstoppable, goofy grin to his face.

"Yoon Siwoo, break time is over, so get ready to... Whoa, why are you grinning like an idiot? Did something good happen?"

"No! It's nothing at all!"

Yoon Siwoo simply could not wait for tomorrow.