Confusing Resemblances
My heart grew troubled. Click!Vrrrr! The movement of the rainbow-colored energy intensified.
Yuria, who had been watching the scene of the Aether on an enlarged screen, let out a gasp of admiration.
“Wow… It’s really fascinating…”
“Shh… Please stay quiet.”
“Ah, yes…!”
At my words, spoken while I broke out in a cold sweat from concentrating so hard, Yuria immediately pressed her lips together. She was even trying not to make a single sound. It was honestly hilarious that someone like her turned into a haughty queen at night. Well, it didn’t matter since I wasn’t the one who had to deal with that pride of hers anyway.
After spending a long time increasing the capacity, I finished the final adjustment and closed the Device again. Then I picked up the handkerchief beside me and wiped away my sweat.
“For now, let’s stop here. We have to increase the capacity gradually. Aether is a sensitive friend… If you keep poking at it, it gets angry.”
“It really seems like a living creature. Thank you for your hard work.”
“Not at all. But…”
I trailed off and glanced around the lab, trying to look like I was worried the Doctor might be there. Seeing me like that, Yuria tilted her head with a puzzled expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“Well… Did you charge the Device by any chance? Last time the Doctor said your charge was only at three percent… but now it’s at five percent? The Doctor wouldn’t make a mistake like that…”
“…..”
Yuria swallowed hard. She seemed embarrassed as memories of yesterday came flooding back. I apologized to her.
“Ah… I should have respected your privacy… If you’re upset, I’m truly sorry. I just wanted to tell you that you did well.”
At those words, Yuria waved her hands frantically.
“I’m not angry… But could you explain in more detail how Aether gains power? You said it was through sexual acts with someone you like…”
“You already know it accurately, don’t you?”
“No, what I mean is… Does it work with any ‘person’ you like?”
“Is there a reason you’re emphasizing the word ‘person’?”
“Ah… Um… How should I put this…”
Her face turned bright red as she began to ramble incoherently. That look wasn’t bad either.
“If it’s sexual activity with an animal or some other creature, then I also…”
Yuria cut me off, her voice rising in anger.
“Wh-who said anything about doing that with an animal!?”
I covered my ears and frowned.
“I was just explaining. I never said you did anything like that with an animal.”
“But you phrased it in a way that could be misunderstood!”
“I’ll admit that. I’m sorry.”
“Haa… No, it’s my fault. I should have asked more clearly… My question is exactly what it sounds like. I’m asking if it charges as long as you like the person.”
It already charged yesterday. Why do you keep trying to confirm it? Just accept it and stop annoying me.
“The confirmed method is exactly that.”
“Are there no other methods?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve tried various experiments, but none of them worked.”
“I see… So the capacity modification is finished for today?”
“Yes, we’re done for today. You can wear it now.”
Yuria nodded weakly and picked up the Device, bringing it to her wrist. It transformed into a watch and wrapped snugly around her arm.
“Thank you.”
“Not at all. But you don’t look very happy. Is something wrong?”
“It’s just… I have a lot on my mind.”
“If you’re okay with me, I can listen anytime.”
“No, it’s fine—”
Yuria stopped mid-sentence and stared at me. She had caught a glimpse of Aaron in my expression. The clear eyes unique to Aaron and his asymmetrical smile. That was exactly what my face looked like right now.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
Confusing, isn’t it? Because I’m showing you the kind of smile the reincarnated Aaron would make. I stood up from my seat and stretched.
“Shall we head back? It’s already three in the afternoon.”
“Huh…? Yes…! Let’s go back. We should…”
“I’m feeling a bit hungry. Would you like to grab a meal nearby before we go? It’ll be a while before Sehwa arrives… and that acquaintance of yours won’t start work until evening…”
“Hmm…”
Yuria hesitated. It seemed a little awkward for her to have a meal alone with me while leaving Sehwa behind. But she wouldn’t be able to refuse, would she? After all, she had just seen Aaron’s smile on my face.
After thinking for a moment, Yuria finally agreed.
“Yes… Then just something simple…”
“Understood. Let’s go.”
It was six o’clock in the evening. As Yuria slowly crossed Handae Street, she fell deep into thought.
‘What on earth is going on…?’
The meal with Jihyeok had been surprisingly enjoyable. Their hobbies seemed to match well, and while talking with him, she could faintly see traces of Aaron. Come to think of it, even at the café before going to the lab, she had caught glimpses of Aaron in Jihyeok. The way he tapped his lips when silent, or his gestures when complaining… She had never felt this way even when she met the person who claimed to be Aaron’s reincarnation. It was strange.
At the same time, she felt incredibly guilty toward Sehwa. She had gone to eat with Jihyeok without saying a word to her.
‘Haa… I’m going crazy.’
Pushing her complicated feelings aside, she arrived at Synope and saw Seunghyeon coming out of the store wearing a white shirt and dress pants. It was definitely the same person she had seen yesterday. She hurriedly called out to him.
“W-wait a moment!”
“Hm?”
Seunghyeon turned his head, stared at Yuria, and looked surprised.
“Ah…! Aren’t you the one who was with that man yesterday…!”
“Y-yes, that’s right. My name is Yuria Elenar.”
“I’m Yu Seunghyeon. Nice to meet you. Do you live around here?”
“Not exactly… Are you heading to work?”
“Actually, I’m getting off. I’m the manager, so I work in the mornings.”
“Ah…”
If she had known, she would have knocked on the door. Going to the lab had been pointless.
‘No. The capacity modification was necessary.’
And if Seunghyeon was on his way home from work, this was actually better. The thought of being able to talk with him for a long time made her feel better. With that in mind, Yuria stared intently at Seunghyeon.
He was incomparably uglier than Aaron. His body was the same—unlike Aaron, who trained every day, he had gained weight. Still, his innocent face was somewhat similar. His face and body didn’t matter, but… the most important thing was that she couldn’t feel Aaron from him at all.
“Why… are you looking at me like that?”
Seunghyeon’s bewildered voice snapped her out of it. Yuria shook her head and noticed the ring on his left ring finger.
“That ring… Is it from your girlfriend?”
“Yes, it is. But… haa…”
He suddenly let out a troubled sigh. Yuria was convinced there was some problem between Seunghyeon and his girlfriend. If this man really was Aaron’s reincarnation, she had to hold onto him somehow. Thinking it was good that he had fought with his girlfriend, Yuria gathered her courage and asked.
“Could I… have your contact information?”
“My… contact…? Ah, are you interested in this line of work?”
Yuria frowned at his words. Was he seriously mistaking her for a bar girl right now? She felt quite offended.
“No.”
“Then why…”
“Your name is Yu Seunghyeon, right? I like you.”
“…..”
Seunghyeon’s neck jutted forward like a turtle’s. His face showed pure disbelief. After a moment, he spoke.
“Did you lose some kind of bet?”
“What are you talking about?”
“No… Someone like you, why would you…”
He was completely lacking in confidence. It was the complete opposite of Aaron, who had always been so confident. Yuria gradually began to feel skeptical. Was this man really Aaron’s reincarnation?
But her father wouldn’t have lied. Could it be someone else? No. Her father had clearly said he felt Aaron strongly from this person. Even if nothing was certain yet… since it was a feeling received by her father who had even reincarnated, it had to be right… She didn’t understand, but she had to hold onto him for now.
“Is that not possible?”
“…. I’m sorry, but I don’t think that’s possible.”
If it wasn’t possible, just say it wasn’t. What did “I don’t think that’s possible” even mean? Aaron had never been this indecisive… At this point, it would be more believable if Song Jihyeok was Aaron’s reincarnation. Yuria clenched her fist tightly and spoke.
“I’m sorry for being so forward. I’ll come again tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow…?”
“Yes. See you tomorrow.”
With those words, Yuria turned away without hesitation. The idea of having a long conversation with Seunghyeon had already vanished. Her first conversation score with Seunghyeon was fifty points or lower. If he hadn’t been thought to be Aaron’s reincarnation, it would have been a zero.
I watched the conversation between Yuria and Yu Seunghyeon through a tracking monster and chuckled softly. Yuria’s mind must be a complete mess right now with three things.
First, the fact that her Device had charged because she got excited from her father’s touch. Second, the fact that she had faintly seen Aaron in Song Jihyeok. Third, the fact that Yu Seunghyeon, whom she believed to be Aaron’s reincarnation, had shown a disappointing side.
Even I would have felt complicated if I were in Yuria’s position.
As I kept snickering, Sehwa, who had been lying beside me asleep, rubbed her eyes and sat up.
“Mmm… Why are you laughing…?”
“There’s something funny. Go back to sleep.”
“Aren’t you going to sleep, Master…?”
Oh? Talking down to me now? How dare you? But it’s cute, so I’ll let it slide.
“It’s not time to sleep yet. Hand me the phone. The one for Kim Taegon.”
At my words, Sehwa reached out, levitated the phone on the table into the air, and moved it to my hand. It would have been faster to just hand it to me normally. She must be too lazy for everything these days… Tsk tsk… Maybe I corrupted her too late.
I sent a text to Yuria, who was staring out the taxi window.
[Yuria. Dad probably won’t be home until dawn.]
Yuria looked at the phone in her hand and jumped in surprise. She hurriedly tapped the screen.
[Okay. Come home safely. But… Yuria…? Did you make a typo?]
I was about to reply when I thought it felt too plain, so I added an emoticon.
[No, it’s not a typo. Dad meant it. ^^]
This should look appropriately old-fashioned and show that I’m trying to approach her warmly. When Yuria saw my reply, a smile bloomed on her face. The emoticon must have been funny. Operation successful.
[Everything else is fine, but calling me Yuria… feels a bit… It makes me sound like a Korean girl.]
[What’s wrong with the name Yuria? It’s pretty and nice.]
[I understand. Call me whatever you want, Father.]
[Father?]
[Dad.]
[Thank you~ Thanks to you, I feel energized! ^^]
Fuck this. I can’t take it anymore. I tossed Kim Taegon’s phone aside and reached over Sehwa’s body to grab Song Jihyeok’s phone.
[Did you meet your acquaintance?]
After reading the message, Yuria banged her head against the headrest of the front seat. Then she let out a sigh. She must have been thinking about Sehwa. Feeling guilty toward her? We only ate a meal together. Why is she acting like this? If it bothers her so much, she should draw a clear line. Of course, she won’t be able to.
A reply came shortly after.
[I did meet him, but I’m not sure if I can say it went well.]
[I see. Sorry for bringing it up.]
[It’s okay. Have you made up with Sehwa?]
[No. She still hasn’t come home, and she won’t answer my calls.]
[Should I try contacting her?]
[It’s fine. That would probably make her even angrier.]
[Ah, that makes sense. You’re surprisingly delicate, aren’t you?]
[You called me an idiot this morning and now I’m delicate…? What is it?]
[Sorry lol]
A faint smile appeared on Yuria’s lips. Look at her. At this rate, she might fall for me before she does for Yu Seunghyeon. But I really don’t want to accommodate your tastes.
[Would you like to have another meal together next time?]
She looked at the screen and let out another sigh. She must be losing her mind. Her worries were only getting deeper with each passing day. After fidgeting restlessly for nearly five minutes, alternating between looking out the window and at her phone, she finally replied.
[I’m fine with it.]
She says she’s fine without even asking for a reason. This girl has no principles at all. Once she falls, Sehwa is going to have a hard time with her.