Harpy's Heartfelt Wish
I stared at Harpy's profile as she clung tightly to my hand, her expression utterly dejected. The intense moments from last night flashed through my mind, making my face flush for no reason. Yet after sharing that connection, I could feel her presence in my heart had grown noticeably larger than before. Of course, last night hadn't been mere physical release. She had even confessed, with flushed cheeks, that she wanted to carry my child.
A baby... I wasn't sure if one had truly been conceived, but given how much I'd released yesterday, it would be strange if nothing came of it. That absurd volume was suspicious, but purely by quantity, it was enough to impregnate her ten times over...
♫ B49 ♫
I was lost in my own embarrassing thoughts when the elevator chimed, announcing our arrival at the President's floor. As the doors opened, I saw her standing there in a crisp office outfit, her hair dyed a striking golden yellow that clashed with the formal attire. Those sharp, trademark eyes were unmistakably...
"Field Team Leader!"
"..."
I raised my hand in greeting, genuinely glad to see her, but her expression was so grim that I quietly lowered it again. She wasn't speaking, yet her gaze was fixed on me. Was it because of me? Yeah, it probably was. Unlike during our outing, the Management Team Leader was with us now, so I couldn't hear her inner voice. That only made me more uneasy.
After staring at us for a long moment with that cold look, the Field Team Leader finally averted her eyes and gestured half-heartedly before turning to lead the way.
"Follow me. The President has summoned you."
"Y-yes, ma'am."
She checked the surveillance feeds on her terminal, guiding us through the corridors in search of the black door. So that was how it worked. Remembering how the Management Team Leader and I had wandered aimlessly last time, this felt like a remarkably convenient method.
"Having a navigator really helps."
And, as usual, the Management Team Leader voiced the thought I'd only had in my head.
"Be quiet. Ah, it moved again...!"
"That's not my fault, is it?"
The Field Team Leader shot the masked woman a sharp glare, clearly irritated by the playful jab, then turned away with a huff. She retraced the path we'd already passed before finally leading us to the black door.
I was used to this by now. Worried it might vanish like before, I grabbed the handle first and pulled it open with a tense heart.
"..."
A rich, pungent cigar smoke drifted out from the gap. Sensing Harpy's unease, I gently squeezed her hand in reassurance before stepping inside together.
Following the two team leaders into the President's office, we were greeted by a string of colorful exclamations.
"Whoa... wow... what the— hyaaah..."
"President."
She sat in her usual relaxed pose, legs elegantly crossed on the desk, holding a terminal in one hand.
"...Seriously, this is... hyaaah..."
"President?"
"Huh!? If you're here, say something!"
"..."
She wiped the drool from her lips and quickly turned off the terminal screen. A faint blush colored her usually composed face, though I wondered if I was imagining it. Just what had she been watching?
"The date... ahem, the outing seems to have gone well. You got a little hurt, but I see you received proper healing?"
After clearing her throat and regaining her usual authoritative tone, the President smiled leisurely and asked after my condition.
"Yes... I'm not in any pain anymore."
"Good, that's a relief. I sometimes find myself missing Undine's embrace for no reason. It was quite a pleasant experience, wasn't it?"
"Ah, um... yes. It was comfortable and soothing."
Even as I answered, I felt embarrassed. It wasn't just the memory of being buried naked inside Undine's body—it was the knowing looks from the team leaders that made it clear they already knew what had happened last night with Harpy.
"From now on, make sure you take good care of Harpy, Woong."
"...!"
"And... let's see, who should be next?"
Unable to stay silent any longer with Harpy right beside me, I spoke up.
"...President, if I may."
"Hm?"
I took a deep breath and met her gaze.
"If Harpy... ends up having a child..."
"Breast milk...?"
"...?"
"Hm? No, go on."
I thought I'd heard her mutter something strange, but I pressed on.
"What I mean is... Harpy and I have... been intimate."
"Ah... I see."
Her reaction was far calmer than I'd expected. For a moment, I caught quick, meaningful glances exchanged between the team leaders and the President, but I continued.
"...I want to make it clear that this wasn't something I took lightly. I hope you'll allow me to take full responsibility in every way I can."
My voice trembled at first, but the sense of duty steadied it by the end. Still, lacking courage, I squeezed my eyes shut after finishing.
"I... I also beg of you..."
Before the President could reply, a small, trembling voice reached my ears. Harpy, despite her timid nature, was supporting me.
Yet the President's answer was not what I expected.
"Well, I already said that just now. I want Woong to keep taking good care of Harpy from now on."
"Huh...?"
"I've already considered everything. Follow the team leader's instructions and do your best."
"...Is that really all right?"
"Why wouldn't it be?"
When I hesitated, unable to voice my concern about interspecies relationships, the President seemed to understand immediately.
"Ah, don't worry. As you may already know, we have no intention of reshaping the containment subjects to fit our own standards."
She lowered her legs from the desk and sat properly, taking a deep drag from the cigar resting on the ashtray before continuing.
"This facility isn't run solely for the sake of humans. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"A little... Yes, I think I do."
Harpy's case was a perfect example—our priority was protecting her from those with ill intentions rather than human safety alone.
"Humans have evolved to instinctively fear and exclude anything different in order to ensure the safety of the group. So when beings like these appear, they're either attacked outright or approached with hidden motives."
"...I suppose so."
"Naturally, some will resist such treatment, and depending on their abilities, that could lead to disasters killing thousands. But humans won't stop being troublesome until half of humanity is gone. It's almost laughable."
"..."
She was right. If an intelligent being similar or superior to humans appeared and could speak, the range of reactions from ordinary people was surprisingly limited.
"But that would be exhausting for everyone involved. That's why we're here."
"..."
"Honestly, I'm rather interested in relationships like yours. I believe someone like you, who possesses rare abilities, can understand the loneliness these beings face. That's why I have high expectations for you, Woong."
"...Thank you."
I hadn't expected the President to be so thoughtful. Because of the ability I never asked for, I'd been treated like a patient during counseling and had been unable to connect with others. I could genuinely empathize with the isolation caused by being different.
"Ah... Of course, there is a condition."
"A condition... Yes, of course."
"Talents like you aren't easy to find... Heh, so here's the thing."
Her voice suddenly took on a dangerous edge.
"I don't want you getting so absorbed in Harpy that you neglect your actual duties~ That's all."
"Pardon? My duties...?"
"Look at him, pretending not to understand."
"N-no, it's not that..."
"With your abilities, you could have multiple partners, male or female. I'd like you to set aside the moral notions humans have drilled into you while you're here. You understand what I mean now, don't you?"
"..."
Before I could respond to the blunt suggestion, the Management Team Leader stepped in.
"The President is simply laying the groundwork so she can have her turn with you eventually, even if it takes a while."
"...?"
I assumed it was another one of her cruel jokes, but when the President continued smoking without denying it, a chill ran down my spine. Was she serious?
"Anyway, do your best with the next one too."
Before I could even process the goosebumps on my arms, the President moved on to the next counseling session.
"The Management Team Leader will decide the next counseling subject. Ah, and I promised you a reward, didn't I?"
I flinched. The President's silver eyes gleamed with primal desire as she licked her lips with a vivid red tongue. Harpy's grip on my hand tightened, as if sensing the predatory pressure, and I barely managed to steady myself.
"...Gulp."
Gulp? Had she just swallowed her saliva? The President stared at me with a meaningful look before waving her hand with a bright smile, as if it had all been a joke, and returned the cigar to her mouth. She always walked right up to the line of danger, leaving me flustered, only to brush everything off as a joke. It was actually quite vicious, but with her striking beauty and the healthy, scarred physique visible even through her clothes, I couldn't bring myself to argue. As a man, it wounded my pride to admit I stood no chance against her.
Those sharp fangs visible through her slightly parted lips as she held the thick cigar really suited the word "predator."
"So, how about two days of vacation and a bonus?"
Understanding my predicament, she finally gave me something to smile about. It hadn't been harassment after all!
"Then I'd like to request this weekend, please."
I remembered my promise to the Field Team Leader and spoke up, glancing in her direction. She showed no particular reaction, but given how displeased she'd looked earlier, the fact that she didn't outright refuse was already a relief.
"That overlaps with the Field Team Leader's vacation... Well, it shouldn't matter. Go rest well. I'll make sure you have plenty of time off before the weekend. Eat something nice while you're at it."
Something nice... she meant good food, right?
"See you next time... ahem. You may all leave now."
I wasn't sure what she'd almost said she'd "see next," but her casual wave signaled that our business was done. I couldn't help feeling a twinge of envy at the superior's relaxed authority.