A Change of Heart #3
“You didn’t have to drive me home…”
Adele’s voice came from the passenger seat. I had parked near the annex, and I answered her without missing a beat.
“You said nights are scary, remember?”
“Even so… I could have taken a taxi. You’re busy watching over the world, Jihyeok.”
Only pretending to watch.
“I’ll head back right away. Go inside and rest. You worked hard today.”
“It was truly a meaningful time. You feel the same way, don’t you, Jihyeok?”
“Of course. Thanks to you, I learned a lot today. I’m grateful.”
“It’s because of your excellent attitude that teaching you feels rewarding. I’ll be counting on you again tomorrow.”
I shook my head with a slightly awkward smile.
“Tomorrow won’t work.”
At those words, Adele’s eyes and mouth rounded into perfect circles—an expression that perfectly matched the surprised emoji she often used.
“Why not!?”
“The device production has been delayed because of our Bible studies. Now that I’ve properly realized the urgency, I need to focus on manufacturing.”
“Ah… if that’s the case, it can’t be helped…”
Adele fell into brief thought. She clearly wanted to teach me the Bible no matter what. After a moment, she raised her index finger, her face brightening.
“I just had a wonderful idea!”
“Let’s hear it.”
“What if I read the Bible aloud beside you while you work on the device?”
“I doubt I’d be able to concentrate…”
“Is that so? Then we can study in short bursts during your breaks!”
“Once I focus, I usually stay immersed for several hours. What would you even do in the lab while I’m working?”
Adele’s shoulders drooped. The sight was unbearably cute. I instinctively reached out to pinch her cheek, then froze mid-motion. It had been a momentary lapse in self-control. Fortunately, Adele hadn’t noticed. I let out a quiet sigh of relief where she couldn’t see, then spoke to her as she sat with her head lowered, idly pushing at the car’s floor mat.
“Are you disappointed?”
“Yes…”
“Why?”
“Because… you have the potential to become a wonderful believer, Jihyeok. That’s why I wanted to teach you diligently every single day…”
“It’s not as if today and tomorrow are the only days that exist. I’ll make time the day after tomorrow. I won’t be able to spare too long, though.”
“Okaaay…”
Adele drew out the end of her reply in a long, dejected tone as she unfastened her seatbelt. She fished a candy from her bag and held it out to me. When I accepted it, her face bloomed into a bright smile.
“Drive safely.”
“Hold on. Stay seated for a moment.”
Before she could give me a puzzled look, I stepped out of the car. Standing in the pouring rain, I opened the passenger door, reached inside, and pressed the button to retrieve the umbrella.
“You can get out now.”
“Ah, yes…! Please hold onto me. There’s a ditch down there.”
Adele extended one foot and her hand at the same time. I grasped her wrist and carefully guided her out, making sure no water splashed onto her, then held the umbrella over her head.
“I’ll walk you to your door.”
At my words, both corners of Adele’s mouth lifted high.
“Thank you…”
She expressed her gratitude but didn’t move. I looked at her with a puzzled expression.
“Why aren’t you going?”
“If you walk first, Jihyeok, I’ll match your stride!”
This tiny girl… My stride is far wider than yours. Where does she get the confidence?
“Understood.”
Feeling a playful urge, I took a deliberately large step. Adele panicked and hurried after me with quick, shuffling steps.
“S-slow down!”
“Weren’t you going to match my stride?”
“Your stride wasn’t that big! You can’t tease me like this!”
I smiled softly and continued walking without confirming or denying her accusation. This time I shortened my steps, moving slowly enough for her to keep pace. In that way, I savored the brief moment of closeness with Adele as we headed toward the front door. She waved both hands vigorously in farewell, and after seeing her off, I returned to the car.
While driving toward the Doctor’s house, my phone rang. It was Marcela. She wanted to meet immediately. I changed course for the laboratory instead, and once I arrived nearby, I summoned her.
Creaaaak—!
In a pitch-black, completely deserted space, the maw of a monster split open. From within it emerged Marcela, disguised as Minji. She slowly approached the passenger door. I leaned over, extending my arm to open it for her.
Click!
Marcela swiftly folded the umbrella, slipped into the passenger seat, and closed the door.
“Thank you…”
“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
“Yes…”
It was rare for Marcela to initiate a meeting. Something important must have happened. Concerned she might be cold, I turned the heater on low and waited for her to speak.
Eventually, she did.
“You seem to have changed…”
The remark came out of nowhere. I tilted my head.
“Changed? Me?”
“You’ve become gentler.”
Me, gentler? What absurd nonsense. I immediately shot down her opinion.
“You’re mistaken.”
“…..”
“What is your business?”
“The monsters are growing anxious.”
Anxious? What was this about? I narrowed my eyes and stared at her. Marcela swallowed nervously before continuing.
“The deaths of those monsters were sacrifices for Her Majesty the Queen, Lady Yuria, and the other prospective Evil Valkyries. The rest of the monsters understand this. However… they have begun to fear they are being treated as disposable consumables.”
They couldn’t run free on Earth. They could only wait quietly for the day they would die. That was essentially their current role—mere pawns. It was understandable they would feel that way. Sending the high-ranking monster Aloken merely to test Silvia and Adele’s abilities, and now this incident… Even I recognized it was harsh.
No matter how steadfast their loyalty to me, motivation was an entirely separate matter.
I nodded slowly.
“Gather those who are anxious and hear their opinions. I will accommodate them as much as possible. Provide satisfactory compensation to those close to the monsters who died this time.”
“…. Demon King… May I offer one word?”
Marcela’s voice trembled. I smiled benevolently.
“Of course.”
“In the past, Your Majesty would have immediately crushed such anxiety… It would not be excessive to return to the Magic Realm at once and execute a few as an example… Yet you say you will listen to their opinions… This is not like you.”
“Execution would be too severe, wouldn’t it? Besides, I have shown this kind of mercy from time to time, have I not?”
“In my humble opinion… living among humans appears to have greatly softened Your Majesty’s inherent nature…”
“It seems not that I have softened, but that you have grown eccentric. Humans hold no influence over me whatsoever.”
“…. But…”
I reached out and placed my hand on Marcela’s thigh as she hung her head. She flinched. Her face flushed crimson in an instant, and warm breath escaped her lips. I looked at her and asked.
“Are you sulking because I haven’t embraced you lately?”
“N-no…”
“That’s how it looks to me.”
“I am Your Majesty’s loyal subordinate…”
“I know. I would normally dismiss it as useless chatter, but since it is your counsel, I will keep it deep in my heart.”
“Thank youuu…”
I slipped my hand beneath her skirt and gently kneaded the pale flesh of her thigh. Marcela’s legs twisted together. Heat rose from her body, and her breathing grew ragged. I withdrew my hand and tidied her hair, smoothing the stray strands that had escaped to the side. With my index and middle fingers, I swept her bangs diagonally as though combing them.
“The Doctor is waiting, so we’ll stop here. I’ll visit later and hold you. Return for now.”
“Haa…♡ Yes…”
“Handle the dashcam.”
“Understood…”
With trembling arms, Marcela removed the dashcam mounted near the rearview mirror. She opened the door, stepped out, staggered slightly, bowed to me, then opened a portal and vanished through it.
Since she had arrived via portal, the car would be filled with magi. I decided I would need to use a different vehicle when meeting Adele. I cracked open all four windows and headed for the Doctor’s house.
Pitter-patter—!
The sound of rain striking the umbrella’s canopy reached my ears. After stepping out of the car, the Doctor—who had come out to greet me—held an umbrella over my head. I responded by planting a deep kiss on her forehead. Eyes closed, she savored the gesture before asking.
“Do you have to leave right away?”
“Yes. Did you pack the clothes and food?”
“They’re inside. Shall I bring them now?”
“There’s time for a cup of coffee. Let’s go in.”
“Okay.”
Once inside with the Doctor, I washed my hands and immediately dropped onto the sofa. She brought over a warm cup of coffee and set it on the table. While I savored the rich flavor, she returned with a small bag, sat beside me, and rested her head on my shoulder. Then, as if remembering something, she lifted her face and began touching my cheeks, forehead, and jaw—checking my skin condition. After a while, she let out a small sigh.
“Your skin is dry. You didn’t wash up at the lab, did you?”
“It was bothersome.”
At my curt reply, she let out a soft laugh, then suddenly buried her face against my body. She took a deep breath, inhaling my scent from every inch—starting at the hollow between my neck and collarbone, moving across my chest, under my arms, and even down to my groin. Finally she lifted her head and spoke calmly.
“You smell… of sweat… mixed with fabric softener.”
“Do you dislike it?”
“No… I like it.”
“Have you developed a fetish?”
“It’s just… because it’s your scent. That’s why I like it.”
After her shy confession, the Doctor lifted the hem of my t-shirt and tugged down the waistband of my pants. She puckered her lips and kissed my lower abdomen. Not content to stop there, she extended the tip of her tongue and began licking. The strange, ticklish sensation made me shiver briefly. I placed a hand on her head, gently stroking her soft hair while she continued licking across my skin.
“You must have been quite starved.”
She gave a single small nod. Her caresses grew bolder. She ran her fingers lightly over my groin through my pants, teasing, while her mouth sucked gently at my waist. It seemed she might begin performing fellatio at any moment, yet she did not. She simply continued the foreplay, deliberately building my arousal.
Only when my breathing grew heavy did she stop moving her tongue. With hazy eyes and a faint smile, she looked up at me and spoke.
“An email arrived… Argentina has officially lodged a protest with the World Coalition.”
So she had heard. But why bring it up now, of all times? What a shame…
“What are they protesting?”
“They handled the monsters in Israel quickly, so why were we so late?”
“What pathetic creatures. Complaining even though we’re helping them for free.”
“I agree. That’s why I believe we should issue a statement.”
A statement? I lowered my gaze, studying her.
“What kind of statement?”
“Our headquarters maintains a cooperative relationship with the World Coalition. We are not a national facility belonging to any member state. We should clearly state that we act on a strictly personal and voluntary basis, with good intentions. It would also serve to care for the mental well-being of you and the Beast Slayers.”
In other words, we would remind a country that dared protest without understanding its place of the value of our unpaid service. The subtle warning that continued attempts to lower the Beast Slayers’ morale might result in us withholding aid was woven in as well. It was an excellent suggestion. Proof that the Doctor’s heart was steadily sinking deeper into the abyss. There was no reason to refuse.
“Then do so.”
“Understood.”
With a sweet smile, the Doctor lowered her head once more toward my crotch.