The Roulette of Truth
"Then I'll spin it first."
With a one-in-four chance, if the Field Team Leader lands on herself, she'll have to answer a question from everyone here. It probably won't happen that easily, but the odds aren't low enough to ignore, so a little hesitation when spinning would be understandable. Yet she turns the roulette wheel without the slightest pause, as if this were just another practice round. Torrrrrrrrrr...!
The red arrow begins spinning furiously to pick its first victim, and everyone's eyes naturally follow it.
"...Hmph."
Even though the wheel hasn't slowed at all, the Field Team Leader tilts her head back and casually starts pouring herself another drink, as if she's already certain it won't land on her. Only I and the Response Team Leader are watching the slowing arrow with real focus.
Tok-tok-tok.Click.
"...Ugh."
"Yes!"
The Response Team Leader clenches her fist and lets out a joyful shout, while the arrow stops squarely in front of me. My head is already spinning from the Field Team Leader's earlier relaxed attitude. Amid the clash of joy and despair, that familiar, eerie voice rings out.
"I actually had something I wanted to ask. How convenient that it landed on you, Woong-ssi."
Of all people, it had to be the Team Leader. Anxiety coils in my gut, but I force a crooked smile and wait quietly like a docile lamb.
"...Please go ahead."
So... what exactly did she want to ask? I hope she doesn't start too aggressively. In drinking games like this, people usually keep the questions light until everyone loosens up with a few drinks, then gradually raise the stakes to keep the mood lively.
"I'm curious how many times you sent Harpy away on the day you lost your virginity."
"...Pfft—! Cough, cough!"
"..."
The Field Team Leader, who had just brought her glass to her lips, chokes lightly. My own face freezes mid-smile, and my mind goes completely blank.
"If it's too hard to answer, you can take something off instead."
There's no way I can proudly answer something like that in front of the Team Leaders. And the fact that the very person who watched us through the security cameras is asking this... what kind of twisted mind does she have? I can't give some vague "I don't remember" excuse either. The truth is... I do remember. It was one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. Still, saying it out loud would be incredibly disrespectful to Harpy.
"..."
I've already taken off my coat, but plenty of layers remain. Besides my shirt and pants, I'm still wearing socks... and a belt. Clink. Clack.
"You must really love Harpy, huh?"
"...It's my turn to spin now, right?"
Yeah. I already knew the Team Leader wasn't the type to go easy on me. As long as it doesn't land on me... that's all that matters.
While I hesitate with my hand on the wheel, the others have shaken off the shock of the first question and are refilling their glasses.
"If you're nervous, have a drink first before you spin."
"Thank you... Response Team Leader."
"Don't mention it. And since there aren't any prying ears around right now, you can just call me by name."
"...Yes, Yerin-ssi."
The Response Team Leader—Yerin—poured the drink into my glass herself. She's the most reliable of the three, so even though we're not alone, calling her by name doesn't feel strange. I down the strong, clear liquid in one go, washing away the earlier embarrassment, then spin the wheel with force.
Torrrrrrrrrr...!
"...Pfft. This is fun."
The Field Team Leader is already smirking and popping snacks into her mouth like she knows the result before the wheel even stops. A flicker of unease runs through me. Why does she look so amused? And why is she staring straight at me while saying it?
Torrr... tok. Click...
I'd been anxious, but I kept denying it, putting off the inevitable. The result is shoved right in front of my face.
"This... isn't broken, is it?"
"Hmm, who knows?"
The arrow has landed on me again. How is that even possible?! Well, technically it is, but still—
"Alright, one question each."
She generously offers the others the chance to ask first.
"Ah, then me first."
Yerin raises her hand immediately and turns her gaze toward me. Yerin... I trust you. She saved me from the President's clutches and even poured me a drink earlier. I haven't forgotten that kindness.
"...Between me and Nine Tail, which one is more your type? And... what was that princess carry earlier all about?"
Her face, already flushed from the first round of drinks, leans closer as she fires the questions like an interrogation. The Team Leader gently grabs her shoulder and pulls her back into her seat.
"Now, now, Seo Yerin. One question at a time, remember?"
"Ah... right. Then the first one. Nine Tail? Or me?"
I'm an idiot for trusting her. Of course she's aiming for victory too.
"I think... both of you have your own unique charms..."
I have to answer without offending either of them, but—
"Obviously my side is more to your taste than that flat chest."
"What did you just say?!"
Why are you doing this? Fighting with the Team Leader is more than enough.
"If you're a real man, answer properly. This is a matter of pride."
"Yeah, Woong, answer clearly. You wouldn't say you like those stupidly huge breasts, would you?"
She specifically called them "stupidly huge breasts"... but I do like them.
"Mine are pretty big too. They don't make me look dull like Harpy's, and I dress well enough to show them off."
"Ugh... just answer already."
The Field Team Leader is convinced she'll be chosen. If she's not, the living room windows might all shatter from the force of her rage. Meanwhile, the petite Yerin bites her lower lip, her delicate eyes narrowing as she glares at me with clear frustration.
Whichever way I answer, it won't end pleasantly. Maybe I should just give up one sock and be done with it... but if I don't answer now, the Field Team Leader will probably ask something similar later anyway.
So... what should I do? The alcohol I drank earlier is finally kicking in, loosening my hesitation.
"I've often thought the Field Team Leader looks like a model... and I can't deny how attractive she is. But you asked about my type, Yerin-ssi. We've gone out together twice already, and we've talked a lot. Even though you're always busy, you've helped me whenever I was in trouble. I rely on you now... and I admire you."
It feels like a continuation of what I told her in the car this morning, so it isn't too embarrassing to say.
"When it comes to the opposite sex, people usually notice appearance first. But I've heard enough pretty faces with ugly hearts that I've come to value kindness more."
"So?"
"So... right now, my answer is that you're more my type, Yerin-ssi."
I can already feel the Field Team Leader's mood souring from her tone, but this is the best answer I can give.
"Pfft. 'Pretty faces with ugly hearts'... Ahem, excuse me. That was a bit wordy, but I'll accept it as an answer."
"That wasn't about the Field Team Leader! It's a misunderstanding...!"
I thought I'd dodged it, but the Team Leader's casual remark makes the Field Team Leader's sharp gaze even more threatening.
"Shut up, you worthless male..."
"..."
Her words hit like a beast's growl, but at least nothing actually broke. I feel a small wave of relief.
"Haa..."
Comforting myself with the fact that the house is still intact, I brace for the next question. But then Yerin pours more fuel on the fire.
"Ehh... so I'm more your type after all? I guess stupidly huge breasts really don't mean anything."
Grind...!
I thought we'd moved past it, but the sound of the Field Team Leader's molars grinding sends a chill down my spine. I silently beg her with my eyes to stop, but Yerin, grinning drunkenly, doesn't notice my desperate look at all.
"No matter how big they are, they just make your shoulders hurt, make buying underwear a pain, and make you sweat like crazy in summer. If you can't even seduce one man with them, they lose all reason to exist~"
Stop... at this point, the one talking is starting to sound more pathetic.
"Ha. You little..."
"Little...! Who are you calling little?!"
See? Just the word "little" gets that reaction. She's already lost big time.
"Alright, there are still questions left. Stop fighting and ask yours, Nine Tail."
"Tch."
The Field Team Leader clicks her tongue in annoyance and turns her head toward the window, then throws her question at me without even looking.
I wonder what kind of ordeal her question will bring... I expected something meant to restore her pride, but surprisingly... it isn't.
"...If you and that Harpy had to choose one of you to die, what would you do?"
"Huh?"
The sudden shift in tone makes me blurt out a question of my own. Annoyed by my dazed reaction, she whips her head back and glares at me.
"Could you die for her?"
"For Harpy... yes."
But this answer isn't difficult for me at all. For the lovely Harpy, I would do my absolute best. Of course, anyone can say they'd die for love. What I mean by doing my best is that I won't die easily either. Just as Harpy would be devastated if we parted, I know she would be too. I'll do everything I can to avoid that outcome, and only when there's truly no other way... would I gladly die in her place. That's what my heart is saying right now.
But such a situation won't come easily, so in the end, this is just talk. Still, it shows how much I cherish her.
"...You answered that pretty easily."
"Well, that's because— Urk?"
The moment I lift my gaze to meet hers, I see her golden eyes have turned blood-red.
"Urk, hah...?"
Those vertically slit pupils burn with an ominous crimson glow, and the prickling sensation on my skin from earlier returns—except this time it's dozens of times stronger, like dozens of people surrounding me and stabbing me with needles. My breath catches in my throat.
"You'd really throw away your pathetic life just to save some containment subject?"
Her face twists like a demon's, and her chilling voice feels like it's slicing into my ears. I feel my throat being squeezed tighter and tighter.
At the same time, I realize: the thing in front of me isn't human. It's something that could tear a person apart with its bare hands and turn them into minced meat. Every instinct in my body is screaming that I'm in mortal danger. If I stay still, I'll definitely die.
Tears threaten to spill, but I hold them back and force my eyes open. Suddenly, a vision flashes before me—Harpy smiling gently while cradling the egg where our child sleeps.
Something surges up from deep inside, overpowering even my survival instincts.
"I... already answered... I'm... urk... serious!"
"..."
Thud...!Plop!
Only then do I hear the sound of my clenched fists finally loosening and falling limply to the floor. My palms are numb from how tightly I'd been gripping them.
"Hah... hah, hah... cough, cough... What the..."
My vision is strangely blurry.
"That's enough. His answer was sufficient, wasn't it?"
"...Yeah, seems like it."
I can't even tell who's speaking beside me. My eyes feel hot... stinging... and wet. Wet...? Are these... tears? I actually cried just now. How pathetic.
"Calm down and take deep breaths. Hoo... ha... follow me."
Someone grabs my shoulders with a familiar voice. I manage to follow her breathing, and it takes a little longer for my heart, which had been pounding like it wanted to burst out of my ribs, to settle.
"What... exactly just happened?"
The Field Team Leader avoids my gaze, pretending to look elsewhere. The Team Leader answers cheerfully in her place.
"I was just playing around a little. If I'd been serious, your pants would've been wet by now."
"Playing around...?"
"If you want details, ask Nine Tail when it's her turn to answer a question."
Ah, right... we were still in the middle of the truth game. For a moment, my mind had completely blanked out. I can't even remember what I was thinking during that time.
"Seeing you look so haggard after just one question, even I feel a little bad."
"...You're still going to ask, though?"
"Of course. The game is merciless, after all."
That damn clown...
"Let's heat things up a bit more. The last question was too boring."
"...Do whatever you want."
No, Field Team Leader. I'm the one getting questioned, so I'm the only one who can say that...
"Woong-ssi, if you could make a baby with one of us three tonight, who would you choose?"
"..."
I want to smash that clown's head in... No, wait. Instead, I quietly take off my sock.