A Familiar, Longed-For Face
The familiar, longed-for face soon stirred a sense of closeness. Yuria had said my face resembled her late father and begged for just a moment of conversation. Since my goal was to dig into her, I naturally accepted. That was how we introduced ourselves and sat down in a café to talk.
My current name was Kim Taegon, an unmarried, fairly successful real estate businessman.
To the visibly apologetic Yuria, I offered a kindly smile.
"Yes."
Yuria had returned to her usual haughty demeanor. Yet every time she sipped her coffee, she would steal a glance at my face. It was obvious she was paying close attention to me.
I was referring to the moment she had unconsciously used the common tongue of Erandel. Of course, as the modified Tyrat, I understood every word of that language. But showing that I understood would only raise suspicion, so pretending ignorance was the correct choice.
What a convenient excuse. At least make it sound believable.
"I was surprised too. You look so much like him... I grabbed you out of nowhere. You must have been startled?"
Yuria hastily waved her hands in denial.
She swallowed the rest of her words. It seemed she had wanted to say she was happy to be called daughter-like. The previous Tyrat—no, in front of me she had always worn a cold, disgusted expression... yet that favorable gaze was incredibly beautiful. Show it to me often from now on.
"I immigrated a year ago. I've been studying Korean since ten years back."
"That too... and there's someone I absolutely must find..."
Someone she absolutely must find? That would be me, then. Just to be sure, I should probe a little.
"No. Not yet. But I recently got a hint."
A hint... she must have noticed something after seeing Amducias and Aktoa. Still, what could she accomplish alone? Even if thousands or tens of thousands helped her, they would never find my true appearance or base.
"He's not precious. There's a score to settle."
She had softened her words, but it was clear she had come to kill me. If so, aside from arriving here early, the flow of the second round hadn't changed much... which meant things would be incredibly easy. Or perhaps I should change everything myself? Maybe coax The Doctor into making another Device and accelerate her transformation? Leona and Yuria... the two of them operating at the same time didn't sound bad at all...
All sorts of thoughts filled my head.
I, who had been sipping my coffee, snapped back to attention.
If I kept prying here, Yuria might grow suspicious. No matter how much I resembled her father, we were still complete strangers. Besides, judging by how she kept spinning lies to cover herself, I wouldn't learn anything more right now.
I spent quite a long time with Yuria, exchanging trivial conversation. She mostly talked about her father, and every time she spoke, her voice was thick with longing. She must have missed him terribly. I acted as if I truly were her father, steadily building her favor toward me.
When it grew late, I checked my watch.
"What? Already?"
"Ah... right. Then let me treat you to a meal. Since you bought the coffee..."
"Th-then at least give me your contact information. If that's too much, even your company name..."
Yuria hung her head. She clearly wanted to leave some way to meet again, but didn't know what to do after I said it made me uncomfortable. Soon she looked straight at me.
What a sudden question. Reincarnation... did she think I was her father's reincarnation? Well, the planet Erandel did place great faith in such things...
"You feel so familiar to me, sir. Don't you feel the same?"
Still so bold. I hardened my expression and shook my head.
"...Even so..."
After I finished speaking, I pushed my chair back and stood. Yuria rose as well. Her expression was desperately earnest; she clearly wanted to keep in touch with me no matter what.
She took a ballpoint pen from her pocket, wrote something on a napkin, and held it out to me.
"Hmm..."
I pretended to hesitate for a moment before taking it, then calmly extended my hand.
Yuria, gripping my hand, emphasized once more.
After the handshake, I simply gave her a faint smile without answering and left the café. Don't worry. I will come find you again.
A box of chicken sat in front of the apartment door. It was from a popular pub in Handaegeori. It looked like Sehwa had bought it while having drinks with her friends.
I let out a small chuckle, picked up the chicken, and went inside. While reheating it in the microwave, I watched the video Marcela had sent. The footage showed Yu Seunghyeon in a waiter's uniform talking with Sehwa.
Sehwa's hairstyle has changed.
Her hair was now in a ponytail with a few strands falling to her chin. Neat bangs covered her forehead, and the tied-back hair formed a gentle S-curve. The slightly messy look of the back pleased me greatly. I especially liked how it revealed her delicate nape.
—Did you change your hair?
At Yu Seunghyeon's surprised tone, Sehwa gently touched the tied-back section.
—Yeah. I just trimmed the bangs a bit and tried something new. What do you think?
—Hmm... it's pretty, but I liked the old one better. And you always hated showing your ears.
—Summer's almost here. It felt stuffy, so I changed it.
—Looks like being a hero puts a lot of stress on you. Enough to change a hairstyle you've kept for so long. About what happened in Incheon... you worked hard. I'm proud of y—
Sehwa's eyebrows twitched as she cut him off.
—I told you not to mention that. I'm already getting side-eyed by people, and now you too? Just say it's pretty. Why do you always have to add something extra?
—Ah... right. I'm really sorry.
—You're working late again today?
—Probably.
—Can't you ask for a day off?
—Sehwa, you know I have to make money... and things are so busy that if I step away, the place falls apart. I'll ask once it calms down a bit.
In front of the flustered Yu Seunghyeon, Sehwa let out a deep sigh.
—Haa... fine. There's nothing we can do...
—I have to get back now. I'm always on your side, so hang in there. Seeing your face like this really makes me happy. Let's hug for the first time in a while.
—H-here? On the street?
—You never used to care about that before.
At those words, Sehwa reluctantly stepped closer. Yu Seunghyeon hugged her so tightly it seemed she might break, then gazed at her with deep, affectionate eyes.
—I love you, Sehwa. You're the only one for me.
Yu Seunghyeon suddenly pressed his lips to hers. Caught off guard by the kiss, Sehwa showed no reaction. She simply said:
—Work hard. Call me if anything happens.
—You're not going to say you love me?
—People are watching. I'll say it later on the phone.
—Say it now. It'll give me strength.
—Ah... fine. I love you.
—It sounded forced, but... still, it gives me energy. I'm off to work. Get home safe.
—Okay.
The video ended there. With one corner of my mouth slightly raised, I picked up a piece of the reheated chicken and brought it to my lips.
At that moment, a soft knock came from the front door.
It's Sehwa. Perfect timing.
It must have been too late to ring the doorbell, so she felt bad. Beep.Click. I remotely unlocked the door and continued eating the chicken. Then my eyes met Sehwa's as she crept inside. She smiled brightly.
Sehwa's mouth stretched into a wide grin. Even though no one had said anything, she sat down across from me and asked.
"I'm fine. I ate a lot earlier. Oh, I left the card at home... I'll give it back tomorrow. Or should I go get it right now?"
Sehwa's pretty eyes blinked rapidly. She seemed surprised that I was telling her to keep it. I shrugged.
"That's not..."
"...I just felt bad spending freely..."
"Like this?"
She turned her head to the side and stayed still. I slowly admired the hairstyle, then, satisfied, patted the chair beside me. Sehwa slowly stood and came over to sit next to me. I put my arm around her shoulder and said.
"I went to karaoke... got my hair trimmed a little at the salon, then had chicken and beer with my friends. I also met Seunghyeon."
"Just... we met for a little while. We talked about this and that, then parted ways."
I put on a face full of jealousy. Seeing my expression, Sehwa gave a small laugh. Thinking she had the upper hand, she dragged it out a bit.
"Where did you go and what did you do?"
Aha. So it's tit for tat? If I tell you who I met, you'll answer too? What a sly little fox.
"What friend?"
"I wasn't worried? Why are you assuming things?"
Her flustered reaction was adorable.
"I'm not?"
Anyone could see she was bothered. Saying she wasn't was ridiculous.
Sehwa hesitated for a moment, gauging my reaction.
"This and that..."
"Well... I threw a tantrum, Seunghyeon apologized... we hugged... mmmph!"
Sehwa panicked as something salty and savory entered her mouth. It was my finger coated in chicken seasoning. She widened her large eyes and stared at me, then began sucking and rolling my finger like candy.
Sehwa slowly nodded. Her face was full of laughter, and even her eyes curved into crescents. She seemed to think her plan to provoke my jealousy had succeeded. She clearly hadn't considered what would follow that action.
At my low, seemingly angry voice, Sehwa flinched in fear. But only for a moment. Thinking her plan had worked, the corner of her mouth lifted slightly and her eyes grew hazy. She must have remembered the caresses she received at the hotel.
I need to charge the Device... so this can't be helped. That was probably what she was thinking.
Fine. I'll give you exactly what you want. While I'm at it, I'll finish what I couldn't finish last time. Whether she struggles or not.