Chapter 153
Chapter 153
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: Living Together
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1.
The sweet return to the present world was short-lived.
I confirmed just how quickly humans—creatures of adaptation—grow bored in an unchanging daily routine.
A dull life where the only variation was the menu.
That was, until Siwoo ran into Sharon. Lately, his mood had been great.
"Lately" only meant the past few days, but it felt like he'd finally found purpose and direction in this monotonous existence.
Farewell to the bland abundance, tough as chicken breast, with no one to confide in.
"Should I head out now?"
Lazing through a book he'd borrowed from the library, the time for Sharon's shift to end arrived before he knew it.
After encountering those three homunculi last time, they'd spent the past week plastering flyers everywhere without fail, searching for more.
"Haven't seen a single one since that day."
Well, if homunculi were that common, Sharon would've paid off more of her debt by now.
It meant no innocent lives lost to them, but after a week of determined effort with zero incidents, it felt a bit anticlimactic.
Siwoo grabbed his jacket and stepped outside.
"Someone as kind as Sharon deserves a break."
He wanted to help her badly, but to avoid overstepping like last time, he'd compromised with the excuse of food tours.
Not that he didn't love eating himself.
Their meeting spot was always in front of Siwoo's place at midnight sharp, when Sharon's shift ended.
The air felt unusually humid, and sure enough, a drizzle had started.
"What are you doing out here?"
Siwoo was startled.
As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, there was Sharon, curled up on the stairs.
"What do you think? Waiting for you."
Sharon, who'd been resting her chin on her knees looking exhausted, stood up and brushed off her backside when he spoke.
Astral bodies were far sturdier than normal ones, rarely building up fatigue.
Yet Sharon always looked utterly drained.
Especially lately.
"It's pouring out here, though? Flyer duty's off the table tonight."
"Yeah... Haah..."
Obviously, no flyer runs in this weather.
Sharon sighed deeply, as if disappointed, then trudged over to Siwoo.
"What? Were you crying?"
"N-No!"
Siwoo was shocked when he saw Sharon's face up close, emerging from the dim stairwell into the light.
Her eyes were red and puffy.
And though she looked fine on the surface, she had this aura of profound exhaustion and sadness.
Even her vibrant jade-green hair, usually fresh as wildflowers, now seemed wilted like roadside weeds.
"What happened?"
"It's nothing. With the weather like this... I'll just head home and rest tonight."
Sharon waved it off with a weak smile.
Even the oblivious Siwoo could tell it was a desperate attempt to hide her pain.
"You sure nothing's wrong?"
He hadn't known her long.
But this was the first time he'd seen her so vulnerable, so he asked in a serious tone right away.
Sharon was a friend who'd helped him out a lot.
If she was in some unspeakable bind, he wanted to help however he could.
"......"
Sharon's eyes wavered.
She clamped her lips shut and stared at Siwoo's face.
Her mystical irises welled up with moisture, spilling downward.
"Wha? Huh... uh..."
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Panicking, Sharon dabbed at them frantically.
"Ah, what's this... Weird... Nothing sad happened."
But no matter how much she wiped, more kept flowing like a dam burst.
She started hiccuping, as if something was caught in her throat.
"Hic... Ah... Just... why is this... hic..."
It had been a week since she got kicked out of her place.
After flyer runs with Siwoo, she'd snag some late-night snacks and wander parks till dawn.
Part homunculi hunt, part killing time.
She'd told herself rent was "saved," and framed it positively: bad things happen, so good ones will too.
Back then, it hadn't fazed her.
Her head felt a bit foggy, like covered in parchment, but daily life went on fine.
Yet the moment she heard his genuinely worried voice, her throat tightened like she'd swallowed something hot.
"Sob... Hic... Sob..."
Ten years.
The last time she'd heard concern instead of mockery or ridicule.
Before she could react, Sharon flung herself into Siwoo's arms.
Her sweet scent bloomed amid the humid summer air, her soft body so different from a man's.
She buried into his chest, clinging tight.
Despite her youthful looks and big-sister vibe, she felt so small right now.
"Waaah... Uwaaaah..."
Siwoo stood awkwardly, watching her bawl like a child.
But seeing her heave and burrow into him, he got emotional too.
Cautiously, he hugged her shoulders and patted her back.
What the hell happened?
2.
"Hic...! Sorry... suddenly... Hic! Surprised you, huh? Hic!"
Sharon and Siwoo sat side by side on the stairs.
Sharon clutched a banana milk Siwoo had bought from her convenience store.
Her nose red, still hiccuping uncontrollably as she gripped it like treasure.
"Take it slow and tell me."
"Yeah... Thanks, hic!"
She'd cried so pitifully that her pink lips still trembled, but sucking on the banana milk seemed to calm her a bit.
"So, gonna tell me what happened?"
Sharon hesitated a moment.
"...Yeah, I'll tell you."
Her face still tear-streaked, she recounted the past week's events as calmly as she could.
It took a while with pauses to choke back sobs, but Siwoo got the gist.
She'd been evicted from her old place and living on the streets.
"Why didn't you say anything?"
Siwoo caught the scolding edge in his voice.
Did he even have the right? Sure, but he felt miffed and angry too.
They hadn't known each other long, but he saw her as a friend.
Shouldn't she have told him about something that big?
"I just... didn't want to burden you... I wanted to handle it myself."
"Still..."
You should've said something.
Siwoo swallowed the rest.
What good would lecturing do now?
Maybe his own isolated life made him cling to her abnormally.
He didn't want to cross lines again.
"Still, thanks. Crying it out really cleared things up."
Sharon wiped her nose and flashed her old bright smile.
Nope.
How could he see that and just say, "I won't interfere if it makes you uncomfortable~"? Do nothing?
"How about crashing at my place temporarily?"
"What? No! No way!"
Sharon jerked her head up and shook it furiously.
She worried her sudden venting and hug looked like begging.
She always insisted on handling everything alone.
"I know you're not the calculating type. But don't you need help right now?"
"...Still..."
"It's a two-room anyway, so two bedrooms."
Truth be told, suggesting cohabitation to a female friend at his guy-only place wasn't something normal Siwoo would do.
But offering a new place or helping her find one? She'd refuse flat-out.
This was the compromise.
"In return, help with my studies a bit. You offered before, but we never had time. Win-win, like you said, right?"
"...You sure it's okay?"
Sharon looked up at him, eyes sparkling like a hungry pup eyeing a sausage.
Her gaze lit up the dim stairs.
"Of course! No pressure."
"R-Really...? Maybe not..."
"I could get jumped by witches or homunculi anytime. Having you as a bodyguard? Perfect."
Siwoo listed perks for the reluctant Sharon.
Assist with magic research instead of rent to save faster.
Protection from attacks benefits him too.
Short commute.
If it bugged her, she could pay rent later.
"And I'll buy tasty meals daily. Eating alone's boring."
"M-Meals?"
Sharon froze mid-waffle between yes and no.
Her minty eyes glazed over at "meals," hypnotized.
After agonizing, she nodded reluctantly.
"Okay. Want me to grab my stuff now?"
"Yeah."
"Left it at the store, so gimme a sec for the carry-on."
"Got it."
And so, Siwoo and Sharon's cohabitation agreement was sealed.
3.
"Wow..."
"Come on in."
Sharon hauled her bag into Siwoo's place.
The new officetel was spotlessly laid out.
Just two rooms, but to her—fresh from homelessness, basement singles, and rooftops—it looked like a luxury villa.
"Then, pardon the intrusion..."
Sharon propped her carry-on by the shoe rack and tiptoed into the living room.
Her hunched shoulders relaxed as she took it in.
Balcony overlooking the bustling streets, huge TV and sofa in the living room.
Not even that tidy, yet worlds cleaner than her old rooftop.
Siwoo led her to what'd be her room.
"This should work. Smaller than mine, but fine for living. No bed yet, so use mine tonight. We'll order one tomorrow."
"N-No! I won't sleep tonight."
"Yeah? Me neither, honestly."
Sharon trailed Siwoo everywhere, inspecting nooks and crannies, then bit her lip.
Above all, she felt grateful.
"Siwoo."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks... really, thank you..."
Sharon squeezed and stroked his hand.
Her teary eyes gauged her gratitude.
Seeing her pleased made Siwoo happy too.
"No biggie. Rest up—you wandered all night for days."
"Yeah... I'll never forget this. I'll repay you! Oh, hot shower okay?"
"Now?"
"Yeah! Been magic-cleaning too long."
"Sure."
With permission, Sharon bolted to the bathroom, stripped, and cranked the shower.
-Splashhhh
"Ahh... Sniff..."
As hot water roared, filling the tiny bathroom, Sharon huddled in the shower corner, sobbing quietly.
Ten years since anyone's kindness.
Gratitude? Emotion? It kept pricking her tear ducts; she couldn't hold back.
Too embarrassing to cry in front of him, so she masked it with the water.
But on Sharon's face, warmed by the spray as she sniffled, a small smile bloomed.