Senior Slayer's Gentle Senior
Harang-ah.
Superhuman Seo Harang.
Unnie is a little upset.
I am truly sorry.
If you're going to say you're sorry, why did you even start? Unnie was just teasing because Harang really got on her nerves, but after all that, you went behind her back criticizing her and... what if unnie ended up crying?
What does it have to do with you crying? You're such a crazy, troublesome troublemaker!
While I cursed inwardly with all the frustration in my heart, my head stayed bowed and my expression remained completely emotionless.
I am truly sorry.
That's what I'm saying. If you're sorry, does that mean your awakened life ends right here?
Not me! You psycho troublemaker!
I felt like I was trapped in an infinite loop. This crazy world, just like you, is cruel only to me.
Just now, when you raised your voice so loudly in front of Seung-a, what kind of feeling do you think I had?
...I was probably feeling like watching a dog of mine wag its tail in front of someone else, wasn't I?
Your words are so harsh. Where do you hear so many of those? You're so annoying.
I have never heard such words even once. If I were living as a man, hearing someone say, "You're so annoying?" would mean instant backhand.
Indeed.
But I answered anyway.
Right? You called me a dog and added the insult just to make me angry, didn't you?
That is not at all true.
I jumped in shock and shook my head vigorously. The long hair trailing behind me felt particularly bothersome right now.
Right? Unnie was about to get hurt again.
What happens if the wound exceeds the critical threshold? That question crossed my mind for a moment, but I decided not to dwell on it. I didn't want to get goosebumps for nothing.
So, the reason unnie called for our Harang... Ah, you can relax. You can sit too.
Really? Or not?
The mind that awakened after the betrayal by Kim Heejin yesterday had not been misled. Understand what I said without overthinking. Think and ponder a few more times.
I stayed quietly standing without sitting, but no bitter words came. This must be the correct answer.
I wanted to praise you.
Praise me?
Yes, when we went out on patrol today, you did well. It's best to minimize casualties. I'm glad someone as fast as you came.
Ah...
That's why sudden praise was difficult for me. The person who usually acts like a demon was praising me, and my heart was racing even more.
That's what happened, but my feelings changed.
Whoa.
Thinking about it again makes me angry. You were so attached to Seung-a? Unnie treated you well too.
Ah, that's...
I felt deeply hurt. Haa... What is the point of being kind to a junior anyway? Really...
That is truly sorry.
...Whatever. What's the difference between trying this way and just venting stress? Both of us are unhappy.
But it seemed like she had stopped at an appropriate point here. Truly, I had survived.
Simply being alone with Jihye made my nerves calm down, as if the tension was being sucked away.
So...
Buzz. Jihye's phone, which seemed completely unaware, rang in front of her.
What is it?
It's nothing.
Hey, unnie isn't the type to call something like this "nothing." Just look at it casually.
Honestly, I didn't need to look at it at all. The only thing that could come to me would be either my sister or spam.
Fortunately, there was an part-time job manager, but since I quit right after awakening, there wouldn't be any calls coming.
I sneakily pulled out my phone. The saved name was Seo Hayan.
It's your sister.
Sister? A guy?
I'm a girl.
A girl? Are you two sisters contacting each other and living together?
It seems like she's saying her allowance ran out. Bro...
Bro?
My sister treats me like a guy, that's what she says.
I almost mentioned sibling, so I quickly added an excuse.
Ah—
Jihye scanned my body from top to bottom.
Correct.
What do you mean?
Correct. It means our Harang is exactly your type.
Thank you.
Is this supposed to be praise? If I had been a man and didn't know this person, I might have cheered and confessed immediately.
But not now. I can never do anything with this damned troublemaker.
It was a joke.
I... Hero Han Jihye?
Another senior approached as if seeking understanding. Still smiling, Jihye asked.
Yeah? Why?
I'm sorry. Can I smoke just once?
Go over there and smoke.
Thank you.
She left the cigarette butt and asked to smoke somewhere else, yet thanked another living quarter senior. What on earth is this?
Your sentence got cut off. Is there something you want to ask?
...No.
No? If you say that later to someone else and get caught, I really won't let it go.
It was tough. All options felt like dead ends.
Since it seemed like she was trying to be considerate, I decided to ask what I was curious about.
...Is tomorrow a combat rest day?
That's right.
Since this is the first time I've received a combat rest day, I don't know how it feels.
Ah— really? Hmm...
What mischief is she planning again?
I had prepared my heart, but nothing good came back.
Right after tomorrow, you'll have full free time. No dispatch orders, just do whatever you want. The seniors won't touch you either.
That was all the answer to my question.
Really?!
Of course it's real.
Jihye laughed lightly and stood up from her seat, then lightly placed her hand on my shoulder.
So? Shall we go out to the city with unnie tomorrow?
Go out?
It ended with a question mark, but of course she wouldn't refuse. Is there no peace in this world of mine? What kind of incident will be waiting for me outside?
I was so excited that I probably wouldn't sleep at all tonight.
Are you going? Or not going?
Too good...
Yes.
Right?
That's good. I'm glad Harang likes it. Then, shall we have fun with unnie tomorrow?
Of course the "yes" I thought inwardly didn't reach Jihye's ears. But it was a slight comfort that the top senior's mood had eased a little.
...
Finally, after the living quarter became available, I cleaned my face roughly and entered the living quarter. Everyone was already gathered.
Seeing them talking in small groups, it seemed like they were discussing how to spend tomorrow's combat rest day.
Jihye was... just lying down watching TV.
I didn't need to say anything to her. The most bone-chilling lesson I learned living in this unit was "don't be annoying."
Harang-ah.
Superhuman Seo Harang?
While I was sitting and sorting laundry reasonably, the voice calling me came from beside me. It was Jeong Seung-a.
Ah, Superhuman Jeong Seung-a.
You got scolded because of me for nothing, right? What are you going to do...
It's fine. Now that I've gotten used to being teased...
...I'm really sorry.
Is she an angel? Receiving a sincere apology here made my eyes sting with tears.
If I could, I would have cried pitifully and hugged her in her arms. It wasn't the man's heart boiling, but a mother who was starving.
I'm too sorry, so I want to do something for you... It's combat rest tomorrow, right?
Yes.
So...
Jeong Seung-a started fiddling with her fingers. Her small stature and petite build made her act like a much younger junior rather than a senior.
Tomorrow, will you go out with me? We can wander around and relax your mood...
Ah.
I looked at Jihye. She was watching TV with no particular thought.
Turn, my gray brain cells...! If I make a mistake here, it'll really get tangled up!
...I'm sorry. Hero Han Jihye told me to go out together tomorrow.
Ah, really? Then I have no choice.
It was right! Jeong Seung-a! You are an angel!
Instead of that... is it okay?
What do you mean?
Going out with Hero Jihye. Of course, on combat rest or overnight trips, we can just talk... it would be uncomfortable.
Is there such a rule?
According to Jeong Seung-a, it might actually be more uncomfortable. What's the difference if we talk outside? It would probably just be more difficult.
That sounds like it...
My mouth closed tightly right away, recalling the incident with Kim Heejin earlier. I didn't think Jeong Seung-a would do that, but maybe I was wrong.
It's fine. I'm really, really quiet-mouthed. And even though you're my senior, we're in a similar situation.
Jeong Seung-a smiled brightly and patted my shoulder.
Harang-ah. Aren't you having a hard time? Living like this?
Hard? I couldn't not be.
She's poking and prodding everywhere, so my mind is in chaos.
Chaos? It's impossible not to be.
Anyway, I'll be stressed tomorrow too, so can you just sleep comfortably without worrying about anything tonight?
Comfortably, you say?
Yeah, you know everyone's situation here, right?
Yes. I know. Everyone, including me, with normal pasts—no, not a single one.
Even though there are various situations, there was one common point: losing our parents early.
People like us can relieve enough stress just by sharing warmth with each other. Ah! This is something I'm studying separately... psychology and mental health...
Sharing warmth, you say?
Yes.
I don't quite understand what you mean.
I asked because I really didn't understand.
Can you tell me first whether you'll do it or not?
Well... I'll try. Since you're Superhuman Jeong Seung-a.
Jeong Seung-a smiled. It was a bit different from her usual feeling.
Thank you. Then, I'll tell you before bed tonight.
...
Before bed.
After lights out for sleep, I unfolded the mat under the bunk bed.
The soft, springy mat felt full of newness. The quality and cushioning were better than the one at home, and the comfort always made my eyes shine.
Suddenly, my sister came to mind. Sleeping alone on a mat without cushioning in a musty one-room...
Hic, tears covered my vision. I hadn't even read the message my sister sent yet.
Actually, it was unavoidable. She was trying to restrict me lately? She wanted to check everything I was doing, what I was eating, and all that. Not a doctor, not anything.
That's why I was keeping some distance to calm my head a bit. For now, while enjoying the feel of the mat.
Harang-ah.
Superhuman Seo Harang, I am truly sorry. It seems I was too excited.
It's fine. No one doesn't know that your eyes shine every time you sleep.
Really?
I sneakily looked around. Some seniors were watching me. Truly embarrassing.
Anyway, about what we talked about earlier?
While shrinking my body, Jeong Seung-a continued.
Sharing warmth, you mean?
Yeah, that. That's what I wanted to say now. First, lie down... yeah, like that.
Jeong Seung-a also lay on her mat.
With the bunk bed line as a reference, she quietly and slowly crossed over to this side.
This is.
Warmth. Just comfortably, without worry. Then your heart will naturally feel better.
...I'll try.
Ah, it really feels like my heart is easing.
Jeong Seung-a's gentle voice lingered in my head. It felt like she was whispering, "Don't be tense? Go to sleep quickly."
She was coming like a succubus. It felt like she was grabbing my collar and throwing me into the depths of unconsciousness.
Through the blurry vision, I saw Jeong Seung-a smiling.
Why is she smiling?
Before I could even form the question, I fell into sleep.