The Team Leader's Gentle Trap
Clinging tightly to the Team Leader's hand feels less like we're lovers and more like a parent and child out for a day at an amusement park. Of course, in this scenario, I'm the child. The hand I'm holding is unmistakably that of a slender woman, yet the fact that it gives me this impression only proves how psychologically cornered I feel right now. As evidence, we've only skipped through about ten rooms so far, but with my ears straining for every sound and my nerves on edge over what might leap out from the next room, I'm already exhausted despite how little time we've spent walking.
"If you're tired, shall we rest for a moment?"
"...No, I'm fine."
Even if I was dragged here, there are others trembling in fear somewhere beyond these walls. I don't want to waste time because of me. I answered with as much strength in my voice as I could muster, trying to sound unaffected, but—
Whoosh!
Thud!
The Team Leader yanked me by the hand and plopped me down onto a dusty plastic chair. The force was so overwhelming that I couldn't even think of resisting. My hands instinctively folded neatly in my lap.
"Rest is important. You should take proper breaks whenever possible. Are you hungry?"
"...I'm not hungry."
"Then how about we chat for a bit?"
"...?"
A chat? I have no idea what she wants to talk about, but unease is the only thing I feel. When I turn my gaze, her blue eyes meet mine. Without the usual unsettling clown mask, her angelic face is right in front of me, and despite my anxiety, a different kind of tension begins to rise.
"Don't be so nervous. I won't bring up anything difficult."
"..."
It's an angel's promise, no less, yet the suspicion that the Team Leader might still put me in an awkward spot rises naturally. I clearly remember how many sexual remarks and mischievous jokes have spilled from those pretty lips.
Realizing my childish distrust toward her, I don't feel particularly guilty. After all, it's her own fault.
"A little hurt, aren't you? You don't look like you believe me at all."
"Th-that's not true."
"Hmm?"
Should I just leave him here...
She shoots me a strange look and mutters the thought aloud. It's not something I can ignore.
"That was a joke, right...?"
"Yes, it was a joke."
Was it really?
She's already teasing me. How am I supposed to believe her?
"...So, what did you want to talk about?"
"It's just simple curiosity. Woong-ssi, if both the Field Team Leader and I were in danger, who would you save?"
Wanting to end this, I gather my courage and cut straight to the point, but what exactly is she aiming for with this question? It feels like a troublesome girlfriend asking which one I'd save first if she and my family fell into water—except in this case, it's two champion swimmers flailing in a shallow stream that barely reaches their knees.
"...If that situation really happened, shouldn't I prioritize my own safety first? Unless some major disaster occurs, neither of you would ever be in real danger anyway."
"..."
...That's true.
She accepts it so easily that I'm reminded once again of how she sees me. It's humiliating, but what can I do? It's the truth.
"Still, you know what kind of answer I actually want to hear, don't you?"
"No, I have no idea."
"Which one of us would you save?"
"..."
She doesn't even pretend to listen. She's gripping my hand tightly, refusing to let me escape, demanding an answer.
"...Didn't you promise you wouldn't bring up anything difficult?"
"Would it have been better if I asked which one of us is more to your taste?"
"..."
It's certainly less awkward than the first question, but that doesn't mean this one isn't awkward.
"And is this really such a difficult question? I thought you'd answer without hesitation that you'd save your superior—me. I'm a little disappointed."
...As expected, she only asked to corner me. What other meaning could this question possibly have? Even in this situation, the Team Leader's consistency in teasing me deserves applause, but given where we are, I'll hold off.
"Is there no option to save both?"
"Do you have the ability to do that?"
"...Let's get moving. We've rested enough—"
Seeing no way out, I try to stand and brush off the dust, but the Team Leader grabs my other hand as well and forces me back into the chair.
Her overbearing attitude makes heat rise in me. I lift my head to protest, but—
"..."
Her blue eyes sparkle intensely right in front of mine, and the words die in my throat. Overwhelmed by the atmosphere and gaze I've never seen from her before, I can only stare back and eventually think of an answer.
Really, what if—truly, what if—the Team Leader and the Field Team Leader were in a situation they couldn't escape without my help? The premise itself is flawed, but let's think about it anyway.
Given my lack of ability, if I could only help one of them, who would I reach out to?
Honestly, no matter who I choose, it'll be troublesome either way... Is there no way around this?
I don't want to just sit here and take it...
"...Have you decided?"
...Right.
"It would be the Field Team Leader, of course."
"..."
Did she really not expect me to pick someone? And that it wasn't her? The Team Leader presses her lips together for a moment and stares at me. Then she smiles softly and begins poking at me again in a relaxed voice.
"I see. Well... I suppose I've done plenty of things to earn your dislike."
"You were aware of that, then."
It's infuriating that she knows it so well, but I can't hold back the words I've prepared.
"I'd save the Field Team Leader... and then save you together with her. When I thought about which of you could endure longer in a dangerous situation, it seemed like you wouldn't go down easily."
She doesn't seem to understand at first, but soon realizes what I mean and repeats it back.
"So... in the end, you'd save both of us?"
For now, yes. But the Team Leader had already declared I didn't have the ability to save both, so I'd have to borrow the Field Team Leader's strength.
"That's how it would go. You said I might not have that kind of ability, but I think the Field Team Leader does, to some extent."
"Hmm..."
If I say no here, it'll be like admitting I'm inferior to that vixen...
But agreeing feels like I haven't teased him enough yet...
...And I can't exactly tell him it's a pitiful choice either...
I don't know why saving both would be a pitiful choice, but her true feelings just slipped out.
"Now you're just openly saying you want to tease me."
"The block's already been lifted anyway. What's the difference?"
"...That's true, but still."
...When she comes out so boldly, I have nothing to say.
"Woong-ssi, you're quite greedy. You're a married man with a child, and you're already trying to drag both me and the Field Team Leader into your bed?"
"I never said that."
"But you wouldn't mind, would you?"
"That's...?"
Hah...
"I never said I wouldn't mind either...!"
I hurry to make excuses, but I've already been caught. The topic she casually redirected has pulled me in completely. Maybe because I've seen both of them in their excellent underwear before, a happy fantasy instantly forms in my mind, painting an ideal scene.
"I could tell from the moment you laid hands on the Response Team Leader. Is the President next?"
"...I give up. Let's just go. I've rested enough."
If anything, my head feels even hotter now. Even though I haven't rested properly at all, the urge to escape makes me try to stand again, but—
Thud!
"...Let's rest a little longer. I won't say anything this time."
Once again, the Team Leader's hand pulls me back into the chair. Still, maybe she really does intend to let me rest this time.
"..."
"...If you get bored, just say so."
"No, I'm fine."
Her silence makes me even more conscious of her. Our eyes meet when I glance over, and I quickly look away. Even with my ability to hear her inner thoughts, I can't tell what the Team Leader is thinking right now.
"...Well, if it really comes to that, I'll be counting on you then."
"Huh?"
I'm sure I heard something, but when I react, the Team Leader simply turns her gaze elsewhere as if it was nothing and gives no answer.
After about ten more minutes—though the darkness makes my sense of time feel off—we finally move again. The Team Leader rises smoothly and pulls me by the arm.
"Shall we start moving again?"
With that, it seems like she only teased me a little here and nothing more happened.
...I don't understand it, but I guess that's that.