Check (3)
Well, whatever—maybe it just felt like my days off were dwindling. Compared to folks sweating buckets all day at their jobs, what I handled was a drop in the bucket. Making up for it on my days off wasn't such a big deal. Plenty of people would look at me rolling around with witches and think, "Is that even work?"
So the real thing nagging at me was what Team Leader had mentioned: that other client. On par with Dorothy in difficulty—what kind of hellish conditions did that mean?
"Plus, Dorothy at least had the will to try. If this witch doesn't even have that..."
That sounded like pure hell mode. From her master's perspective, sure, she'd want it fixed—but how the hell was I supposed to manage that? And on top of it, Team Leader had poofed away without a trace. She could've at least given me the full rundown while she was here. Disappearing after burning mana like crazy because she was "tired"—total jerk move boss.
Maybe she was still salty about me hiding Dorothy that one time.
I grumbled under my breath and headed to the kitchen for a glass of ice-cold water. That's what I needed to clear this tangled mess in my head.
"Hoo..."
Let's sort this out. Same level as someone who gets nauseous and disgusted at the mere touch of a man. At that point, doesn't she basically have a semen allergy or something?
The thought popped into my head, but I dismissed it—no point dwelling on it seriously. I couldn't cure something like that anyway, so best to scrap the hypothesis.
But beyond that, nothing else came to mind...
"Maybe she was just trying to scare me? Like, when we crack it open, it's no big deal...?"
No clue. Starting down that rabbit hole would just lead nowhere. Better to shove it to the back of my mind for now and wheedle the details out of Team Leader later.
"...Please let this one be simple."
I rolled my stiff neck and headed back to the bedroom with a short sigh.
The next morning, I woke up refreshed from a solid night's sleep. Shivering in the unusually chilly weather, I was on my way to the subway when a message pinged.
You're coming today, right?
The sender was surprisingly Neria. I'd half-expected Dorothy or maybe Rin, who'd heard the gossip somehow. What was she doing messaging at this hour?
Do you need anything?
Nothing I need exactly.
But come a little late today!
Lunchtime.
Around 1 PM?
Don't ask why!
Oh, eat lunch with me when you get here!
1 PM—that was about three hours from now. Such an awkward time. I got the lunch part, but what was she doing for those three hours? If she was gonna ask this, why not say it sooner?
...Nah, maybe something came up last minute.
The subway pulled into a station midway through the commute, and I hopped off naturally while firing back a message. Promised to show up at 1 as requested. Probably some game event she had to grind. Now I had to figure out how to kill this sudden gap in my schedule...
"No helping it."
Skipping out entirely wasn't an option—weekdays meant no friends around anyway. And I wasn't the type to entertain myself solo. So my destination was set: Seoul City Hall main building, 14th floor.
Might as well give Team Leader a shoulder rub since I had time. And grill her about that apprentice witch she'd teased me with yesterday.
That's how I ended up right in front of the Rehab Support Department office door.
"—So..., ......go...,"
"...next......"
Faint voices drifted from beyond the door. Two people chatting amiably. One was definitely Team Leader. The other was a woman, but I couldn't place her. First impression? A low, sultry voice—maybe an alluring witch. That was the extent of my guesswork.
There was a small window in the door, but peeking like some elementary kid? No thanks. Even knocking felt iffy. Better to come back later so I didn't interrupt.
My loafers started edging away from the door.
"...Ow."
Something soft bumped into my back. Felt like a person. High chance a witch. My arm hairs stood on end, but luckily, it was someone I knew.
"What are you doing here this early, Dowon?"
"...Team Leader?"
She stood there, half smiling like she was glad to see me, half puzzled like why are you here? Way better than bumping into a stranger witch, but I still couldn't fully relax. I swear I heard your voice inside...
Space magic to teleport out? Fine. But did she sense me and come check?
"Well, Neria told me to come around lunchtime. Figured I'd help out with your work till then."
"My work? I'm basically slacking off here—nothing pressing."
"...Anyway, Team Leader, weren't you just talking to someone inside?"
"Yep. Guest was here, and I felt some shady presence outside the door all sudden-like. Turns out it was you, Dowon."
Shady presence? I was flustered—was I that sketchy?—when the Rehab Support Department door creaked open and another witch stepped out.
"This the kid? The staffer you mentioned?"
She said it in a calm, measured tone. Already gave off super composed vibes.
"Yeah, that's him. And get this—he rehabbed another one on the sly."
"Who?"
"Know that Kihased apprentice? Dorothy Kihased?"
"Hmm... Haven't paid much attention to the other kids' apprentices lately. But yeah, heard there's a real troublemaker."
"He fixed her up recently. Met with Rin and our Dowon separately, so I didn't know till now."
"Hmmm."
Team Leader slipped an arm around my waist, calling me "our Dowon" all affectionate-like. I stood stiff beside her, exchanging glances with this new witch.
She was dressed like Rin had been when we first met on the subway: classic witch getup, pointy hat and ornate robe screaming "I'm a witch!" All I could make out was the long white hair spilling from under the hat and those sharp yellow eyes gleaming beneath.
"......"
...Whoa, she's tiny. Guessing mid-150s cm. But with a small face, her proportions actually worked—kinda ridiculous.
"You two just met—introduce yourselves properly? Want me to do it for you, Marie?"
"Nah. I'll handle it."
"Nice to meet you, ma'am. Nam Dowon, from the Apprentice Witch Rehabilitation Support Department."
"Marie Edelweiss. Flower witch."
Her words got super curt all sudden. Shy around strangers? Or just looking down on a plain human like me? I gave a wry smile, bowed politely anyway, and mulled over her intro.
Flower witch, huh. No petals plastered on her clothes or anything. Guess that's more of a cartoon thing.
"Introductions, sure—but don't just curt-cut it like that! That's why I'm handing him off to you~ Gotta give some backstory at least."
"I'll manage."
"Manage my ass... What, embarrassed 'cause we're in the hall? No one's around."
"......"
"No helping it. Let's finish inside. Dowon."
"Got it."
Team Leader finally let go, putting a bit of space between us. She poked my back with polite insistence, shooing me into the office.
Right away, I noticed a change once inside.
"...Huh, is that flower scent?"
"Spot on. That's why hugging her like this gets you this nice smell."
"Let go."
"She gets grumpy sometimes and it turns weird."
The fragrance hit me instantly, lifting my mood. When I commented in awe, Team Leader demo'd by hugging Marie tight. Her robe wrinkled, hat wobbled, but Marie just went limp like a resigned cat.
They were clearly close—teasing like that.
...Come to think of it, Team Leader's connection with Erzel was why I'd gotten Neria first. Seeing this clicked the puzzle pieces into place.
"Heh heh. Feels good getting praised by Dowon—still smells nice."
"Let. Go."
But my real issue wasn't these witches here. It was the apprentice I hadn't even met yet.
I hesitated, shooting glances for an opening, when Marie—looking kinda sulky—finally spoke up.
"Hey, what should I call you? 'Buddy' okay?"
"Sure. Whatever's comfortable."
"Cool, buddy. Got a question."
Hmm. She eyed me up and down with a little hum, then asked:
"Ever been with a girl who can't cum?"