Meeting (2)
Was what he was seeing an illusion? A side effect of the regression? The utterly abnormal sight scrambled his thoughts with confusion and left him flustered.
But soon, the vivid sensation of snowflakes falling and the biting cold wind told him this was no dream—it was reality.
"Wh-what… did you say?"
In response to his startled exclamation, the older sister repeated herself clearly, as if confirming she'd heard right.
"Could you pick us up, please?"
Her soulless eyes, empty voice, and sad, forlorn smile were like those of someone who had given up on everything. Her beauty was so striking it blurred the line between human and doll, but it was clear her insides were hollow.
The younger sister was the same, though she clung tightly to her older sister without speaking, avoiding eye contact with him—which made her seem a little better off, at least.
But strangely, he felt a familiar aura from the sisters. The Hero and the Demon King. A sensation he'd encountered countless times on the battlefield over many long years.
Was it because the older sister had silver hair and the younger black? Was that why?
"The Hero and… the Demon King?"
"Pardon?"
"Ah. No… nothing."
He hurriedly shook his head in denial. What the hell are you doing, Lee Seojin? Projecting other people onto these poor kids? Instead of figuring out how to help them, are you just losing it to nostalgia?
He smacked himself on the head, and the sisters looked a bit startled by his sudden inexplicable action.
"…Sorry. For grabbing you out of nowhere and saying weird stuff. It was just something I said on a whim, so you can go."
"…"
Seemingly interpreting his odd behavior as a refusal, the older sister bowed her head in apology.
His heart ached, and his fists clenched involuntarily. Was it pity for their wretched state? Lingering attachment to the past he couldn't forget? They'd only exchanged a few words, but he could no longer walk past the sisters carelessly.
"…Wait a sec."
Lee Seojin walked past the sisters toward a nearby convenience store. She watched him intently for a moment before turning her head away.
A short while later, he emerged from the store with bulging plastic bags in both hands and returned to where the sisters stood.
The older sister, who had been looking down, lifted her head as his feet appeared before her and met his eyes.
"Here. Take this."
He handed over a bag stuffed full of food. He'd also slipped some money inside with instructions not to stay out in the cold but to find somewhere warm. But had kindness been a novelty for them? Or had it only brought them pain before? They just stared blankly at the bag, making no move to take it.
"What're you waiting for? I said take it. No strings attached, so don't worry."
"…Really…?"
"Yeah. And don't stay here. Go somewhere warm and rest. Not home, obviously. Try the city hall or a district office or something."
"…It won't make a difference."
"What?"
Her abrupt response hit him like a gut punch. He could instinctively sense the depth of meaning behind those words. "No difference" was something you'd say after enduring far too much hardship and sorrow.
"…Haa."
A sigh escaped him unbidden. They didn't seem inclined to accept it, nor to go anywhere. Leaving them like this in the freezing cold was a sure way for them to freeze to death. This remote street wouldn't see any officials or heroes passing by, either.
What should I do…? As he pondered, one solution came to mind. A good one, but the last thing he wanted.
…Take them to his own place.
It wasn't some perverted urge or a sleazy plan to lure in pitiful girls. The situation might look like something out of an adult novel or doujin where he takes them home for nefarious reasons, but leaving them would mean dealing with corpses come morning. He couldn't just stand by.
"…Didn't you just ask me to pick you up?"
"…?"
The older sister stared at him before nodding slightly.
Seeing that made him even more reluctant to say it, but what choice did he have? He scratched his head vigorously, let out a deep sigh, steeled himself, and looked at the sisters.
"Fine. I'll pick you up. So don't stay here—follow me."
※ The sisters seemed a little surprised by his words. They stared blankly before nodding as if understanding, standing up, and trailing after him like ducklings.
The snow was falling harder now, and their ragged thin clothes offered no protection, so he wanted to hurry inside… but they couldn't keep up if he ran. They might even think he was ditching them despite his words.
So, though worried, he walked slowly until they reached his place.
"Here we are."
Cold wind greeted him as he opened the door. Damn, ventilation. He quickly shut it. Leaving the door open had let all the warmth escape.
Fortunately, he'd paid rent and utilities religiously even while holing up at the training ground rest room, so the boiler worked fine. But it would take a while to warm up.
Hmm… what now?
"Ah."
A good idea struck him. He rushed to the bathroom and filled the small tub with water. Luckily, it heated quickly and filled right up. Tiny as it was, it should fit both sisters.
As he emerged, the sisters stood blankly in the entryway, shoes still on.
"There's a tub in there. Go warm up. I filled it with hot water, so wash up and come out."
"Wash up… Okay."
He noticed her bite her lip slightly and realized how his words could be misinterpreted. He hurriedly corrected himself to reassure her.
"Ah, no! I didn't mean it like that—nothing lewd! Just literally wash up and come out! I won't lay a finger on you afterward, I swear!"
"…Okay."
"Take off your clothes. I don't have much, but you can wear mine."
"…Okay."
"Shampoo and soap are all in there, so wash thoroughly. And no, this isn't some ulterior motive! For real!!"
"…Okay."
…God, I sound like an idiot even to myself. He half-expected them to think he was a creep and bolt for the door. But fortunately, the sisters silently entered the bathroom. He heard rustling clothes, then the splash of them getting in.
Splash— One hurdle cleared. Relieved, he hurriedly rummaged for clothes they'd fit into.
"Not this, too big… no."
He'd never had a woman over, and he rarely came home anyway, so what clothes did he have? Just casual athletic wear for men.
At least he had seasonal stuff. The first time he felt impressed by his past self.
He found suitable outfits and slipped them through a crack in the door at a safe height—without peeking. Absolutely not.
How much time passed? The sisters emerged, clean and dressed in his clothes.
"…Thank you. It was… warm."
"No big deal."
Just a plain shirt and pants. Not warm enough for this weather, though, and he inwardly cursed himself for not having better to give.
What kind of clothes are these for kids? How the hell did past-me live?
"Um… mister."
"Yeah?"
Lost in thought, he realized the older sister had approached. She seemed hesitant, like she had something to say. Finally, she spoke slowly, making one request.
"Please… don't touch my sister, no matter what. I'll do anything…"
"Sis!!"
At the sudden words, the younger sister rushed over, hugging her tightly and looking up with deep worry. Then she shot him a glare, branding him the villain without a word from him.
I'm not that bad a guy… not a perv… He wanted to protest but knew it was pointless. Instead, he slowly addressed the sisters, denying it calmly.
"…I don't know what you're imagining, but I have zero such intentions, so don't say that."
"…Pardon? What… do you mean?"
"Whatever you're picturing, I have no plans to touch you. Or your sister."
"Then why did you… bring us?"
"You asked me to pick you up. And anyone would help girls shivering in the snow. Not to do something shady—just to help."
She looked incredulous, then bowed her head slightly, her face darkening as she murmured softly.
"…There've been… a lot. People with shady intentions."
"…Uh…"
Oof. Feels like I stepped in it. He'd said the wrong thing. Should've just shut up. Worried the younger one might chime in too, he quickly defused the mood.
"Anyway! I have no plans to do anything weird, so relax and rest. It's cramped, but…"
"…Really?"
"Of course. I absolutely, absolutely won't touch you. Promise!"
He hooked his pinky in a one-sided promise, but the older sister remained gloomy, and the younger worried. Especially the younger's pitiful gaze—like a small frightened animal—tugged at him, though it also made him sad.
The older sister's face was shadowed, the younger terrified… What the hell happened to these sisters? Questions welled up. He wanted to ask one by one.
But he knew that would be prying, so he held back. Not giving up, though—just resolved to learn gradually.
Even if their connection ended here… No. He hoped it wouldn't. Hoped he could keep helping.
Nothing special about it. He'd seen plenty of pitiful kids like this during the war. And… the sisters still faintly evoked the Hero and Demon King.
"Alright, then…"
Grrrowl—
"…"
"…"
He'd hoped for a slow conversation, but their stomach growls shattered the silence. Embarrassed, both sisters flushed red.
Stumped for words, he just gaped. Desperate to break the awkwardness, he thought fast and hit on something.
"Hungry, huh? Yeah, it's dinnertime. My treat. What do you want? I'll order it!"
"…"
"…"
Some things were best settled over food. He wanted to buy them whatever, but shame held them back. They averted their eyes, peeking at him shyly.
"Come on. Here, pick something!"
Luckily, he had a delivery app on his phone. He opened it and handed it to the older sister. She hesitated before taking it and browsing.
Phew. Past me gets +10 points.
"Um… this one…"
She timidly returned the phone after choosing. A single cheap, small pizza.
"…Hoo…"
A sigh slipped out involuntarily.
"S-sorry… I… overstepped…"
"Huh? Oh… no, sorry. Not that. Just… whatever. This good?"
"…Yes."
He wanted to say something but held back. Words wouldn't help now. Instead, he cleared the menu, picked the priciest, tastiest-looking pizza and chicken, and closed the app.
"Be here soon. Hang tight."
"…Okay."
"Sit on the sofa and relax. Kinda narrow."
"…Okay. Thank you."
She thanked him and pattered over to sit. The younger hesitated before sitting right beside her, leaving a gap next to them. But the atmosphere grew even more awkward. Not fully thawed, hard to start talking.
In the end, no conversation until the food arrived.
"Delivery~"
He took the food, set up a table with newspaper on top, and unpacked the pizza and chicken. Delicious aromas wafted out.
"Smells great. Dig in."
He sat and beckoned them. They stared blankly, hesitating before sliding off the sofa to sit on the floor. Ready to eat, but they kept glancing between him and the food uncertainly.
"Go ahead—no need to hold back. Bought it for you, so eat up."
He reached out, urging them to start. But had he done something wrong?
"…Hic."
"Sniff…"
Tears welled up in both sisters' eyes—simultaneously, like they'd planned it. Flustered by the outburst, he froze with his awkward hand extended.