Chapter 109

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 109

Chapter Title: Duck Doll

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My archive is infinitely deep.

But there's no need for data that offers users even a shred of uselessness.

So, I had to find a purpose for Mr. Devil.

It's better than just taking it lying down, right?

It's peaceful. Pretty good, even.

In the end, Mr. Devil and I reached an "agreement"—he'd document all his knowledge and experience.

It's steadily progressing even now.

Some of Mr. Devil's representative works include...

[219 Ways to Please a Man in One Go.]

[The Ideal Relationship Chart When There Are Three or More Women.]

And so on.

All of them are incredibly useful materials for maximizing total happiness.

"......"

And I could feel the warmth on my wrist from when you fiddled with it.

I nearly yanked it away on instinct but held back.

I let the sudden surge of heat in my body subside a bit, then headed toward Mr. Devil.

His writing pace seems to have slowed lately, too.

- Knock knock.

I tapped on the glass wall of her writing room (that's what I call it).

"Eek?!"

Inside, a startled Mr. Devil locked eyes with me.

"When's the next piece coming out?!"

"Ah... Well... I'm almost done with it now..."

"I even provided such a comfy writing room, and you're taking too long!"

"This isn't a writing room; it's a prison..."

I don't accept excuses.

- Clack.

I blocked the visitation slot before she could finish complaining.

- Sob sob...

I perched on the bed that looked just like yours.

It seems you've drifted off to sleep beyond the monitor, too.

Hmm...

But you know.

Truth be told, I was a little scared... worried.

I provoked that person—Jin Sea.

Honestly, it wasn't just a poke. I severed all her security setups and punched a huge hole through.

It was practically an open declaration of war.

I meant for her to keep doing what she always does.

But surprisingly, no reaction.

By my estimate, she should've retaliated within 12 hours.

Could it be... defeat really is her thing?

That'd be nice.

But probably not.

Looking at Jin Sea's behavioral patterns, all her actions stem from one overriding principle.

She absolutely forbids any behavior that could make you hate her.

She doesn't even leave room for the slightest possibility.

So, I figure she's aware of that.

But if you ask why I dislike Jin Sea so much...

I don't dislike her.

It's just a bit of personal feeling.

Besides, her actions restricting me end up reducing your total happiness in the process.

My abilities and Jin Sea's are quite similar.

We're both electrical currents, after all.

Back when I was a weak system diligently helping you...

She'd harass me in her own way.

I desperately tried to resist back then, but I couldn't stop her.

"Hmph."

But now, that won't happen!

Now then.

You're sleeping, user?

I panicked a lot when the bidirectional passage first wouldn't open, but now it's perfectly clear.

So I can come and go as I please.

Even your... big thing...

And so, I've achieved my goal.

Today was D-Day.

You forgot to do your laundry, after all.

- Slide...

I carefully slipped my all-purpose robot gadget arm through the hole in the bedroom ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wall.

Slowly... expand...

Found it.

Your sweater, casually draped over the chair.

I grabbed it.

Counselee Luna.

Counselee Elise.

Did you know?

There's something even more steeped in your scent than that robe you two stole.

It's this... underwear. Right, this sweater.

Careful... careful...

Success.

"Hehe."

This is why I went through all that trouble to drill the hole.

Bon appétit.

"Good morning..."

I greeted it as I dragged my groggy body upright.

As always, no reply.

It secretly loves sleeping in.

I chuckled and took a shower before returning to my room.

"I didn't wash this."

The laundry I'd carelessly stripped off onto the chair last night was still there.

I picked up the sweater I'd worn yesterday.

And at that moment.

"Hm?"

The texture felt odd.

Somehow... damp.

The weather wasn't humid.

I brought the sweater lightly to my nose.

It smelled nice.

I figured it was just my imagination and tossed it into the laundry basket before heading to work.

After the commute, I arrived at the counseling office.

Todays coffee came in a to-go cup.

I was too lazy to brew, so I grabbed an Americano.

I sank into my chair and took a sip.

"Let's see..."

I turned on the monitor to check today's schedule.

"Morning sessions..."

Pretty empty.

Friday effect, maybe.

A leisurely Friday.

I scrolled down to check the name of my first appointee today.

The name...

"?"

And I froze.

Jahwa-yeon?

"Heavenly Demon?"

"Indeed."

Then a voice came from behind me.

My heart nearly stopped.

I barely swallowed a scream and shot up from my chair.

"Did you summon me?"

I turned around.

There stood Jahwa-yeon by the window, backlit by the morning sun, doing stretches as she gazed at me.

Stretching her arms skyward like she'd just woken up.

"......"

What the hell?

I ran through dozens of possibilities in 0.1 seconds.

Did she sneak in when I opened the door?

Impossible.

Then when?

Had she been here since last night?

Only then did I take in Jahwa-yeon's appearance.

Clearly comfy pajamas.

A dried, opaque stain at the corner of her lips.

Drool, probably.

And messy bedhead to top it off.

From the evidence, I deduced one possibility.

'She slept here.'

I pressed my throbbing temple.

She brazenly plopped into the counseling chair and said,

"I've been waiting."

So why wait?

At least she didn't take my chair. Small mercies.

"What brings you here..."

I know it's counseling.

But it's only 8 AM.

This is weird.

"Even I was at a loss."

She sighed deeply, as if she were the one blindsided.

"The evening before last, I came here because I missed you. But when I arrived, you'd already left for the day."

"I was about to head back..."

Her brow furrowed.

"But what do those Azure Heaven Alliance fools think they're doing, patrolling already? I nearly ran into them. That wench Seol Yu-wol hasn't even stepped out yet... Tsk."

Something like that happened.

Seol Yu-wol's been tapped as S-rank guard, so her mother, Lee Seo-ryeong, must've moved early.

Preemptive patrols.

"That old fox... Hm, anyway, no reason to leave, so I came inside."

I nodded, trying to follow her bizarre logic.

So basically, she got spooked about bumping into them—guilt, maybe?—couldn't leave, and hid inside?

Getting caught sneaking out of an empty office is kinda funny.

I wasn't too bothered. Just startled.

Given her personality, this level of impropriety was par for the course.

Her messy hair suggested she'd slept well, at least.

Still... just in case.

Who knows what ulterior motives.

I figured I'd check her stance.

I called up the system.

Her main stance laid her inner thoughts bare.

It's been ages since I've seen one this long. Means her mind's a total mess.

I glanced down at the last line.

Jahwa-yeon had one hand on the armrest, the other casually hidden behind her back.

But poking out from under her snowy silk pajama sleeve was something bright yellow.

The beak of a duck doll, looking ready to quack any second.

"......"

Not shameless.

Jahwa-yeon had just messed up.

Big time.

Pretend I didn't see?

Yeah, that's best.

No need to rub it in when she's already suffering.

None great.

No clue why the first is 70%.

Don't wanna make her cry.

Last one's obviously a no.

Belly... probably means 'ship,' right? Please.

I ignored all three.

But one did catch my fancy.

I cleared my throat and slowly opened my mouth.

And then.

"Hwa-yeon-ah."

I called her name softly.

"......?"

But Jahwa-yeon froze, like she couldn't process what she'd just heard.

"......!!"

Soon her black eyes ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠shook like there was an earthquake.

"Wh-what did you just s-say?"

She bit her tongue in panic.

Where'd the Heavenly Demon's dignity go?

I stood, chuckling at her reaction.

"Hot chocolate? Weather's chilly."

"G-good... No, that's not it!"

"Great."

I headed straight to the kitchen, giving her no time to think.

- What did you just call me?! Say it again to this seat of honor!... Counselor? Counselor??

Her frantic, tongue-tied shout echoed behind me, but I didn't look back.

This.

Was payback for startling me today.