A Subtle Love Triangle
Buzz—! The two of us rode an unmanned flying taxi back through the night sky. Sehwa, her face etched with exhaustion, was on the phone with Yu Seunghyeon.
“Yeah… I’m on my way now. When I get there… I’ll tell you then. In a bit… What? You want me to come in to work? Do you know what time it is… Are you kidding me? A bonus? Even so…”
Her voice rose. Sitting beside her and listening, I chuckled inwardly. This was clearly Marcela’s doing—ordering Seunghyeon to report for work. As expected of Marcela. How does she read my mind so perfectly?
“…Fine. Can’t be helped. If you’re tired, at least tell the boss and rest. Yeah… No, my place is completely destroyed. I looked it up online—the government’s setting up temporary housing. Oh… you already knew? Alright. I’m hanging up.”
The bitter reality of a wage earner who had to clock in after surviving a hellish day, forced to chase money before even fixing her shattered home. I understood the feeling. Just this once, I’ll call him Seunghyeon. Work hard, Seunghyeon. You’re a vital contributor to Korea’s nightlife industry.
Sehwa ended the call and let out a long, weary sigh.
“Haa…”
How does it feel? Your life flipped upside down only to crash straight back into reality—doesn’t the emptiness hit hard? Don’t worry. You’ve got me.
Sehwa turned to me. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Just a little itchy, no real pain. It’s so weird. The lab equipment was weird too…”
“Your eyes were sparkling like crazy. Typical Future Science Department nerd.”
“There was so much stuff I’d love. But right now… it feels like waking up from a dream.”
Sehwa nodded vigorously. “I feel exactly the same. One moment I have a home, the next I’m out on the street. I could cry.”
You were renting that place. The landlord’s the one who should be shedding tears. And I’m going to fix it for you anyway, so what tears?
Recalling the temporary housing I’d seen online, I said, “It’s a container, but they’ve at least made it livable.”
“Yeah. It’s basically the same as a studio. Still, it’ll be inconvenient…”
“Want to just stay at my officetel?”
Sehwa’s eyes widened in shock. “You want me to go to your place…?”
Her Confucian DNA must be kicking in. A girl with a boyfriend letting another guy hold her? How delightfully contradictory. Humans really are selfish creatures.
“No… I phrased that wrong. The entire floor I live on is empty.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Ah, I messed up again. The officetel building is mine. The top floor where I live is completely vacant. I’ll give you one of the rooms. You can stay there.”
“What…!?”
Sehwa looked stunned—twice over. Understandable, though she really should have asked more questions at the welcome party. That’s on her.
Her voice trembled. “H-how much money do you even have?”
“Who knows… Ask the Doctor. She said she looked into my background.”
“……”
“Annoyed? Like when we went for that pork cutlet?”
My light tone made Sehwa snort with laughter. She shook her head. “No. Now I’m just… amazed.”
“How are you supposed to sleep in a container with terrible soundproofing? Just stay at my officetel. There are plenty of rooms. The interior’s already done. All you have to do is show up.”
Sehwa’s ears twitched ever so slightly. She was tempted. Her eyes cleared as she looked up at me carefully.
“…Would that really be okay?”
“I wouldn’t have offered if it wasn’t. Tell Yu Seunghyeon to come over once he’s done with work too. I’ll let the security guard know. You can stay until your studio’s fixed.”
“Thank you… really. If it weren’t for you, I…”
Her sincerity was palpable. I glanced at the Device strapped to her right wrist like a watch—currently dormant. The Doctor must have insisted she keep it close, warning her never to give it to anyone.
Side-eyeing the Device, I put on a slightly frightened expression. “If you don’t like the room… you won’t hit me or anything, right?”
Sehwa burst into laughter. “Puhaha! Idiot. Without transforming, I’m just a normal person. I tried punching the wall earlier just in case—only my wrist hurt.”
“R-right? That’s how it works?”
“Still, you never know. I could suddenly flip out…”
“……”
I swallowed hard. Sehwa giggled and scooted a little closer—not too close, just enough. “I’m joking. After everything you’ve done, why would I hit you? So stop looking at me like that, okay? You look like you’re staring at a monster.”
“S-sorry.”
Scratching my head, I apologized and changed the taxi’s destination.
**
Sehwa chose the room right next to mine without hesitation. I’d told her to pick any room, but she hadn’t even thought twice. Good… rely on me more. Let that feeling growing in your chest bloom faster.
She was visibly shocked by the spacious room—nothing like the cramped studio she’d lived in before. She seemed torn between joy and guilt at receiving such luxury for free.
While she stood awkwardly in the wide living room, I spoke. “I have a card, but you should set your own door lock password. There’s a manual, so change it when you have time… You’re going to shower first, right? I’ll grab some food and drinks from my place and leave them by your door. If you need anything else, there’s a 24-hour mart on the first floor.”
“Thanks, Jihyeok.”
“Don’t mention it. That genius lady told us to be ready to visit the lab anytime, so it makes sense to stay close. It’s convenient for everyone.”
“That’s true, but… ‘lady’?”
I shrugged. “What? She is a hysterical lady. Even if she doesn’t look like one…”
Sehwa snorted in agreement. “Pfft… Yeah, she’s definitely a hysterical lady. But if you slip up in front of the Doctor…”
“You’ll cover for me, won’t you?”
“You seem different today. Something about you feels… unfamiliar.”
But not unpleasant, right? You probably like it.
“Probably because I almost died. Anyway, I’ll bring the food over and leave it by the door. Want some water first?”
“No, I really need that shower.”
“Got it.”
I returned to my room, gathered snacks and beers, placed them in front of Sehwa’s door, and took a quick shower. Then I settled on the sofa and turned on the TV.
“Good evening, Demon King.”
Marcela smiled brightly, as if she’d known I would contact her around this time. I grinned back.
“You’re the one who sent Seunghyeon to work, aren’t you?”
“Yes. He should be running errands energetically right about now. I did well, didn’t I?”
Originally, Yu Seunghyeon was supposed to be hailed as a hero for days after being caught on camera evacuating civilians. But now he was nothing more than an errand boy working at an establishment that blurred the line between legal and illegal. He knew this, which was why he’d asked the media to hold off on coverage—keeping his heroic tale buried.
“Good job.”
“And congratulations! You’ve finally… finally begun the infiltration!”
“It’s too early to relax. I need to build more trust. Right now, to the Doctor, I’m just a clever, useful tech geek—nothing more, nothing less.”
“Understood. Also, we’ve located Rose. She’s currently going around to various labels for auditions.”
My eyes lit up at Marcela’s report. Beast Slayer Rose—real name Stella Hayley. She lived in poverty with her younger brother but held firm convictions. She was a singer. Right now she was just an aspiring one, though she would become famous later in the third installment. Even with the flow of events changed, that future remained distant. Why? Because Marcela and I would make sure of it.
“We need to recreate her original environment as closely as possible. Until she meets Seunghyeon and the Doctor in Korea. Changes are fine, but it’s better if things go the way we know and intend.”
“Wise words. I’ll keep that in mind! By the way, would you like to see her? Shall I pull up the feed?”
“Sure, let’s take a look—”
Just as I was about to nod, eager to see Rose after so long, the doorbell rang with a crisp ding-dong. The lobby phone screen showed Sehwa, fresh from her shower, smiling awkwardly at the camera.
I spoke to Marcela in a flat tone. “We’ll talk later. Ah, almost forgot. Have one of the managers at Gold Perfume Hotel tell Seunghyeon…”
I gave Marcela a brief order. She clasped her hands together and bounced excitedly.
“What a brilliant plan! Marcela offers her unwavering loyalty to the Demon King and—”
“I’m going now. Handle it without any issues.”
Cutting her off, I pressed a specific sequence of buttons on the remote. The screen went dark. From now on, even if the TV turned on, no one would see anything but regular channels. Until I changed the settings again, nothing related to the South Pole Secret Base would be accessible. A precaution against the unexpected.
Once everything was prepared, I opened the door with a bright smile. “Need something?”
“Not really… I just thought if you weren’t going to sleep yet, we could have a beer. Mind if I come in?”
Sehwa held a bag stuffed with snacks in one hand and a six-pack of beer in the other—the things I’d left for her.
“Of course. Come on in.”
Sehwa carefully removed her shoes and stepped into my secret space. She sniffed the air freshener and smiled contentedly. “Smells nice.”
Your scent is nice too. The shampoo lingering in your damp hair is drifting straight into my nose.
Hiding my racing heart, I said, “It’s black cherry. Want one for yourself?”
“I’m good.”
Her words said no, but her eyes said yes. Got it. I’ll pack one for you when you leave. Come to think of it… did I have any blankets in the room? I didn’t think so.
“Hold on… Did I leave any blankets in your room?”
Sehwa’s lips curved into a pretty smile. So there aren’t any. She could’ve just said so instead of giving that “it’s fine” smile. Then again, given her personality, she probably felt too guilty to complain after getting a free room.
I closed my eyes and lightly tapped both sides of my head. “My head’s still a mess. I’ll give you one when I head back.”
“Thanks.”
We sat on the floor, drinking beer and snacking while chatting. I deliberately avoided mentioning the Beast Slayers or the Doctor, sticking to mundane topics like how to get to school tomorrow or how I didn’t feel like doing my piled-up assignments.
Sehwa must have noticed my intent, because she suddenly asked, “Why are you doing this?”
Those few words carried so much weight. The appearance of an unheard-of monster, nearly dying, the heroic deeds of the light-wreathed warrior, the sacrificed people… She could have brought any of it up, yet I hadn’t. Because you don’t want to talk about those things. Right now, you just want to talk about ordinary things.
“I…”
Sehwa started to speak, then pressed her lips shut. Guilt filled her voice—guilt for not saving the citizens faster. Yeah… this is who Sehwa is. Hoping she would hold onto that feeling for a long time, I gently patted her back. She looked up at me, her eyes on the verge of tears.
I shook my head seriously. “Don’t say it.”
“You…”
Don’t try to say it. Just focus on me.
“If you keep talking, I’m going to go eat tteokbokki by myself. And I’ll get the creamy kind you love most.”
At my lame joke, Sehwa suddenly burst out laughing—while a single tear rolled down her cheek. I pretended to panic. “W-why? Are you sulking because I said I’d eat alone?”
“…Yeah, I’m sulking. You idiot.”
Even as she said it, her tone now carried gratitude. She forced a smile, took a swig of beer, and stared at me with an incredibly complicated expression. Her clear eyes seemed to pierce straight through mine. I gazed back steadily.
How do you see me now? The guy who’s always looked out for you and given you honest advice. Aren’t I better than Seunghyeon, who left you behind in your confusion to go to work?
Sehwa neither confirmed nor denied the question in my eyes. A strange atmosphere flowed between us. Confident, I leaned in ever so slightly. Sehwa’s eyelids lowered to match the distance.
What more was there to measure? Slowly, very slowly, I brought my face toward her crimson lips, still faintly glistening with beer foam. Just as her warm breath from her elegant nose brushed against my philtrum—
“Mmph…!”
I pressed forward and captured her lips with mine. The long-awaited kiss with Lee Sehwa—Leona. My mind filled with rose-colored light, my heart pounding. But for the sake of the future, I reined in my excitement and did what needed to be done.
I slid my hand behind her slender neck and held it gently. The soft texture of her stray hairs brushed against my fingers. When I opened my eyes a sliver, I saw her squeezing her eyes shut. Her expression was full of guilt, yet she didn’t seem to want to pull away.
I wouldn’t use my tongue today. Still, I wanted to run a little experiment—don’t resent me for it. This is all for your sake. Because I love you.
I know every one of your erogenous zones. Now, like this… if I raise my nails and press lightly around the cervical spine…
“Hah…!”
See? You’re parting your lips on your own, trembling. That’s a spot I learned from Seunghyeon—one he doesn’t even know about yet. And he never will.
Sehwa’s hot breath slipped between my closed lips, and the gust of air she exhaled tickled my nose. I desperately wanted to explore the inside of her mouth, but I held back. There would be plenty of chances later.
Hmm…
At that moment, the Device on Sehwa’s arm emitted a faint sound. With my heightened senses, I could just barely hear it—Sehwa couldn’t. It meant the Device’s energy was charging. The amount restored was minuscule, but the more her feelings toward me grew, the more excited she became, the greater the increase would be in proportion.