Chapter 124

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 124

Chapter Title: Lunar Eclipse

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[Luna]

I stared blankly at the red status window that floated over her face, right in front of my eyes.

It was incredibly blunt.

What exactly did this status mean?

First up, the very top one.

Submissiveness at 10/10. No way to know what that signified right now.

It could be obedience to her superior... or blind devotion to me, her counselor.

I had no idea how a beastkin's traits would manifest... but that wasn't the important part right now.

First things first.

Second, Dependency at 10/10.

Yesterday evening, when I'd checked Hunter Jeong Geun-woo's stats.

His dependency had parentheses attached.

[Dependency (Mugu)]

Something like that, clearly specifying the target of that dependency.

But Luna's dependency stat had no such target listed.

So, naturally... I concluded that the system's default was me.

They wouldn't list a dependency without a target.

Just like Seol Yu-wol's dependency pointed to me...

Luna's did too.

Which brought us back to the first one.

Submissiveness naturally targeted me as well.

It was a perfectly logical train of thought.

And third.

Boldness at nearly max, 9/10.

Luna and boldness seemed worlds apart, but I'd felt it again just moments ago.

The confidence as she handed me that photo, and the stance that drew my eyes to it.

It carried an even stronger nuance than Elise, whose boldness was undoubtedly high.

It explained everything.

So... what about that last one, Instinct Control?

1/10.

The lowest possible.

So, what instincts did beastkin have?

Yeah.

Tell me.

I clung to the system like it was a lifeline.

This one... I get it.

Luna and Elise both said they just slept all day on their days off.

Luna especially loves snacks, so that checks out too.

This one...

I'd heard beastkin sexual urges only kicked in once they had a lover.

The report I'd seen before said the same.

Luna doesn't have a lover, so maybe this doesn't apply?

The explanation droned on, but I tuned it out.

Bottom line: Luna's control over all those instincts was 1/10. Rock bottom.

But the Luna I'd seen didn't act like that at all.

Why?

The system eagerly launched into its explanation.

'Me.'

So, Luna wants to devour parfaits like a glutton in front of me.

Or catch some sleep...

But her high other emotions hold it back.

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Got it.

I finally understood, from start to finish.

Seol Yu-wol was different on the surface from her stats too.

But how long could Luna keep suppressing it?

How long could she hold out?

Was holding back even good for her?

I opened my mouth.

"Luna."

"Yes, Teacher?"

"The session... isn't over yet."

I said calmly.

"Oh... I see..."

At my declaration, Luna's eyes widened for a moment.

An unexpected expression.

Luna slowly nodded.

"Do you think I still need more sessions, Teacher?"

"Well..."

I didn't know either.

Ah.

Should I try the fragment system?

Right away, then.

The stat to check this time had to be Dependency.

Ultimately, I needed to sever her dependency on me.

Two possibilities.

End the session now.

Or start fresh, slowly building a therapeutic relationship.

I hoped it would distinguish between those two paths again.

- Whoosh...

The system window before my eyes scattered like mist, then reformed.

Ending the session played out just like continuing the relationship with Seol Yu-wol and her bodyguard.

Dependency faded gradually, just like with her.

No, even faster.

Dependency gone entirely.

Once our relationship ended and shifted to mere acquaintances, her mental state actually stabilized.

I turned to look at the second screen.

So, if we started sessions anew...

And this was even more shocking.

Dependency tripled in just three months.

Then why cap it at 10?

The window flickered, and the number adjusted.

Feedback implemented fast. Thanks a ton.

In conclusion, if I stuck to Luna again to "fix" her mental issues, it would only make things worse for her.

Meaning I wasn't helping at all.

I was just making her life harder.

What is it?

...Pull it up, then.

What was I supposed to make of this?

Nothing clear at all.

The only takeaway: restarting sessions was the worst possible move.

I had to interpret what I saw and act accordingly.

"Ah, sorry, Luna. I misspoke."

"Pardon?"

"We'll wrap up a few things and then go through the session closure procedure."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes. That's right."

Let's handle the bare minimum before ending.

To judge if she was ready to end sessions.

The core issue had been her low self-esteem. Had I raised it?

My benchmark: could Luna reveal her ears to outsiders too?

"How about now, Luna?"

I looked straight into her eyes and asked quietly.

"Do you think you could show your ears to other people now?"

At my words, Luna's eyes fluttered shut for a moment.

Then.

- Rustle... poof.

Her ears appeared before my eyes.

She'd already shown them to me, so that didn't count.

But to others too?

"Yes."

"......"

"I think... I can now."

Luna smiled.

She placed her hands flat on the desk.

"It's all thanks to you, Teacher."

I nodded slowly and stood from my seat.

This was my minimum bar for ending the session.

So...

"You've worked hard, Luna."

I extended my hand as I spoke.

Congratulations...

And a signal that our sessions were over.

Luna gazed at my hand with clear eyes for a moment...

Then lifted the hand from the desk and grasped mine.

- Squeeze.

Her warm body heat transferred through my palm.

"I was an inadequate counselor."

I felt it deeply.

I had been so lacking.

But now, she would be fine.

As the future fragments showed, she'd thrive without me.

"Thank you... so much, Teacher."

"I wish you the best in your life ahead."

I smiled and released her hand.

With that, our sessions officially ended.

I figured Luna would open the door and step into a new world.

- Thud.

But she didn't leave.

Instead, she sat back down, even more relaxed than before.

Why... isn't she leaving?

I thought she had more to say.

Then Luna looked up.

She slowly curled the corners of her mouth and met my eyes.

It resembled the look in her eyes when she'd been lying on the sofa today.

And that smile too.

"Teacher."

"Yes."

"So, what are we now? You and I?"

Our relationship...

Forgetting each other and moving on was best.

Bitter, but optimal.

"We'll probably just be a fond memory that passes through each other's lives."

I smiled as I answered.

"I see... not even acquaintances..."

Luna nodded with a smile.

"Teacher."

Luna called me again.

"I have something to tell you."

"Yes. What is it...?"

I picked up my pen to note it in the session log, then met her eyes once more.

And, still gripping the pen...

I froze.

"I..."

"......"

"...think I like you, Teacher."

As a counselor, this was absolutely,

something I must never hear, not even in death.

Luna was whispering her love to me.

Only then did Luna's stats reappear before my eyes.

"No, let me make it clear, Teacher."

Today,

"I definitely like you, Teacher."

I'd lost one client.