Chapter 142
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: Let's Talk It Out
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"Sea."
I crouched down in front of the sofa.
And gently patted Jin Sea's shoulder.
No response at all.
Well, she was exhausted, so it made sense that she'd pass out.
The counseling office is closing early today.
I could send her home, or wake her up enough to let her know the situation and crash a bit longer.
But I had to pass on the message, so... I needed to wake her.
"Sea, wake up. I have to head out."
I shook her a little harder, and finally got a reaction.
"Mm... tasty..."
Jin Sea mumbled and twisted her body.
She rubbed her bleary eyes and looked up at me.
"...Seon-woo?"
Her voice was hoarse.
"Sea, something urgent came up, so I have to go. Want to sleep more? I'll lock up."
"Where to...?"
How should I explain?
"Uh... house call counseling?"
"Huh...?"
Jin Sea squinted at me.
But instead of pressing, she sat up. She'd read the urgency on my face.
"Guess I should get up too..."
She yawned and picked up her hat from the floor, plopping it on.
As she headed to the bathroom, I pulled out my phone.
Seol Yu-wol's contact popped up on the screen.
I hesitated a bit.
By the rules, I should take my assigned bodyguard for any official external activities.
But this wasn't official business.
Plus, the people involved were Luna and Elise.
Would it be right to bring another S-rank hunter into their space while they're... extremely sensitive?
Right as I was mulling it over—
Strongly recommend bringing your bodyguard!
"Huh?"
I panicked, and it hammered the point home.
[Please, for real!!!!!!]
"...Fine, got it."
I nodded.
"Is something wrong? Like happiness dropping or...?"
I figured I needed to know the details, so I asked more.
[...Happiness skyrockets!]
"Huh?"
[Um... well... you see...]
[...Bring her anyway!!!]
[( ºº)]
The system window shook violently.
What the heck?
Aren't you the happiness guardian? Didn't add up, but it was pleading so hard, I nodded.
Right then, the bathroom door opened.
Jin Sea emerged with a fresh face, hat pulled low.
Droplets fell from the tips of her damp hair.
"So, where you headed?"
She asked me.
"House call counseling."
"...I see. Some special circumstances, huh."
"Yeah."
Usually clients come to me.
Me going out means it's unusual—she picked up on that. Leaning against the wall, she asked,
"You call your bodyguard? Heard you got one."
Jin Sea brought it up casually.
Felt like I'd get chewed out if I hadn't.
"Calling now."
"Good, glad to hear it. Was worried."
She nodded in relief, then paused.
Her eyes narrowed at me.
"Hmm..."
She made a subtle noise and tossed out,
"Mind if I tag along?"
"Nah. You go home and rest. I'll call her now."
The bodyguards should suffice.
Jin Sea eyed something over my shoulder intently.
"Hmmm... okay."
She opened the door and left.
No time to dawdle now.
I called Seol Yu-wol right away.
- Ring... Hello? Oppa?
She picked up instantly.
"Yu-wol, need bodyguard ASAP."
- On my way.
No questions, immediate yes.
"Sending location. Come here."
Union Guild sent me the address.
About 10 minutes from here.
By car, that is.
- See you there!
- Heading out now, right?
Mary's voice questioning Seol Yu-wol, then hang up.
I grabbed my jacket, organizing my thoughts.
Luna and Elise holed up for a week.
Normally, burnout or Luna's depression flaring up.
But the timing was too coincidental.
Right after Luna's confession to me.
First time like this, so needed to think it through.
"Let's check PIN first."
Needed confirmation.
I stepped out and requested from the system.
[My lower belly is pounding.]
"...Huh?"
My steps halted.
Lower belly pounding...
From that chat counseling last time.
"...What does this mean?"
[...Recommend referencing client Luna's racial traits.]
[( 🔞 )]
Luna's racial traits?
Luna's a rabbit beastkin. Rabbit beastkin traits...
The most... important...
And famous one.
An old paper I'd read all night before counseling Luna flashed in my mind.
'If they want, they can go 366 days straight.'
'Among beastkin, rabbits have the highest...'
High-calorie intake.
Not leaving the room.
So-called nesting.
All the pieces clicked.
"...Heat."
I realized.
"..."
But I didn't falter.
Did it change anything?
Not at all.
Her being in heat wasn't dirty or disgusting.
Just a perfectly natural racial trait for Luna and Elise.
No ulterior motives here.
As their counselor, my job was to help them regain stability and feel better.
That's it.
I stepped forward without hesitation.
[User!]
As I walked—
"Huh."
[If you deem it an emergency...]
[Quickly tug your left ear!]
"...Got it."
The system always has a reason.
I kept it in mind.
Soon, I arrived at a massive apartment complex.
Definitely upscale, wealthy vibes.
'Building 1104.'
In front of the agreed building, two women waited.
One leaning against the wall in a black coat: Mary.
The other scanning surroundings, eyes lighting up at me: Seol Yu-wol.
"Oppa!"
"Seon-woo."
They rushed to me.
"What's up? Sudden bodyguard duty?"
Seol Yu-wol looked worried too.
"Clients I counseled. Situation's not great right now. Decided to talk it out."
Kept details private.
Privacy and all.
"Could be dangerous?"
Mary tilted her head.
Dangerous?
System said happiness could rise.
So...
'No.'
But ignoring that paper wasn't wise either.
"Not sure. That's why I called you."
I admitted honestly.
Mary's expression shifted oddly.
"Seon-woo."
She leaned in close.
Lavender scent hit my nose.
"You did good."
She gently gripped my shoulders.
"If it's iffy, always call."
"Right!"
Seol Yu-wol bounced behind me, asserting presence.
The support from both eased my tension.
"Thanks."
I smiled, grasping her hand.
"Now..."
Time to head up.
I hit the lobby elevator button.
Plan was simple, no frills.
I contact Luna and Elise first; they follow.
Distance: 5 meters.
Too close, might spook; too far, slow response.
With her superhuman traits, 5m coverage is fine.
- Ding.
Doors opened.
I swallowed dryly and stepped into the hall.
Ahead, 1101 door firmly shut.
Glanced back.
Mary and Seol Yu-wol watched from elevator.
I approached carefully.
- Step... step...
Footsteps echoed.
They'd hear for sure.
At the door.
- Ding-dong.
"..."
No sound inside. Reached to ring again—
- Click.
Door slid open.
- Whoosh...
"...!"
Heat poured from the gap.
And a sickly sweet scent numbed my nose.
Just inhaling made my head spin.
"Teacher... you came?"
Messy ash-gray hair through the crack.
Elise.
She clung to the doorframe, greeting me.
"Heard... you were coming..."
Her face flushed beet red, beaming.
Unfocused red eyes glazed at me.
Sweat glistened under the light.
"Haa..."
Elise exhaled deeply.
Looking up with dazed eyes, she flung the door wide.
"Come... in."
"You okay?"
Her state was off, so I asked. She nodded, staggering.
"Fine. We're just resting... ah."
Then Elise's gaze went past my shoulder.
Spotted the two waiting in the hall.
"Bodyguard sisters."
She smirked mysteriously, staring at Seol Yu-wol and Mary a few seconds.
And then.
"Sisters come in too."
She bounced in place, beckoning.
"Is that okay?"
I asked cautiously about outsiders.
Elise shrugged nonchalantly.
"Sure. More people better."
"Then... pardon the intru—"
I stepped in carefully.
Split second.
Sweet scent surged.
- Smack.
Elise closed the gap, kissed my cheek.
"Hnn..."
She went limp, collapsing into my arms.
Buried nose in my firm chest, inhaling deeply.
"Teacher. Sorry...? I'll... explain everything."
- Thud!
Seol Yu-wol and Mary launched forward...
But I raised a hand urgently, stopping them.
[Still OK!!!!!!!!!!!]
The system flashed wildly, barely greenlighting.
"Teacher. Come on in."
I turned.
Another figure at the entryway.
Luna.
Her skin glowed with vitality.
"Making you come all this way... for us... what to do, so sorry...?"
Luna drawled, gliding toward me.
And.
- Smack.
Opposite cheek from Elise's kiss.
She planted one there.
"Teacher..."
Luna's hands slowly roamed my body.
[NOW!!!!!]
[RIGHT NOW!!!!]
Reflexively, I reached out.
- Snap.
Fluffy white tuft waving before me.
Gripped the base of her ear tight.
"Nyaa...!"
Luna's back arched like a bow.
She slid down, collapsing.
"Whoa."
Elise, who'd been slyly stroking up my thigh, froze.
Supporting the two limp bunnies, I said firmly,
"You two."
"Mm... ah... ha..."
Tightened on Luna's ear, looked down at Elise.
"Calm down first. Let's talk it out."
Not sure if they could even hear, but.