A Promise Sealed and a Princess's Tears
My plan had worked perfectly—Ji-ah was collapsed just as I'd intended.
...Though the details hadn't gone quite as I'd imagined, the end result was exactly what I wanted.
I'd never even suspected she harbored thoughts like that.
And I certainly hadn't thought she'd notice me poking around investigating.
I steadied my lips, which were threatening to melt into a gooey grin.
Not yet. It's not over.
I fished the phone out from Ji-ah's discarded clothes.
This damn phone had caused me no end of trouble.
Thanks to it, I'd confirmed her feelings... but still, it was so unfair.
Give me back all my mental anguish.
I checked the phone's lock screen.
No password set.
...Isn't the security a bit too lax?
The call log showed only one number saved.
No other apps or functions had ever been used.
I dialed that lone number.
...
It didn't take long for the other side to pick up.
"What's this about? Shin Do-jun of Lee Ji-ah. The regular report isn't due yet, is it?"
Shin Do... huh.
So it was the Demon God Cult after all.
"Regular report" meant this caller was the one receiving them—the head of the covert cell.
That was all I needed.
"Hello. My phone fell out of my pocket, so I thought I'd call just in case. By any chance..."
—Beep... beep... beep...
They hung up.
I'd expected that.
And now I had confirmation.
Anticipating this exact scenario, I'd already tipped off Dean Han Myeong-sin.
I tapped my smartwatch and sent a message to Dean Han Myeong-sin.
That sealed it.
With this level of intel, no one could escape her grasp.
The head of a covert cell? They'd vanish without a trace.
"Nngh... ah..."
"Awake?"
"Where... ahh!"
Ji-ah stirred and opened her eyes.
She shook her head groggily, met my gaze, and promptly buried her face in the pillow.
Every little move she made was adorable.
"Don't look..."
The pillow mumbled.
We've already seen everything there is to see—what's the point now?
"Ugh... so embarrassing..."
Ji-ah writhed in mortification.
I wanted to watch forever, but it was time to move things along.
Time to wrap this up properly.
"You're beautiful no matter what you do. Won't you look at me?"
"Ah..."
"Pfft!"
Ji-ah's pretty face had pillow marks indented on it.
I couldn't help but laugh.
That's cheating.
My laughter made her dive back into the pillow.
"There, there. It's okay, it's okay."
"It's not okayyy..."
"More importantly, wanna see this?"
I dangled the Demon God Cult phone I'd found in her clothes.
Ji-ah, oblivious, turned her head—and her expression froze solid.
"Wha... ahh... that's..."
"This thing?"
—Crunch.
I wrapped it in Thousand Changes and shattered it.
The phone exploded into unrecognizable fragments that rained to the floor.
"Ah!!"
"It's nothing."
I pulled Ji-ah into my arms.
She stayed rigid.
"It's all over now. You don't have to worry anymore. You're safe."
"Ah..."
Only then did the tension drain from her body.
Leaning against me, she whispered,
"Thank you... thank you..."
I hugged her tight.
She trembled faintly.
I didn't loosen my arms until the shaking stopped.
"...Aren't you curious?"
"Not at all. You don't have to tell me."
I figured there was some backstory.
But the past didn't interest me much.
What mattered was what came next.
The future.
We could reminisce and laugh about the past later—when we were ready.
"Actually..."
"I said you don't have to."
"No. I want to tell you. I want you to know, Do-jun."
Her expression was dead serious.
She'd already steeled herself to confess.
If that's what she wanted, I'd listen.
I nodded, and Ji-ah began.
It was a clichéd tale.
Kidnapped by the Demon God Cult, forcibly injected with mana to become a follower, infiltrated Prism.
One line summed it up.
A staple backstory for adding heroines in mods.
Sure, in mods.
But this wasn't a game.
Hearing it straight from a living, breathing person hit different.
Lee Ji-ah was a victim sacrificed for a gamer's convenience.
It hurt my heart.
My chest felt heavy.
I couldn't lift my head.
"Sorry... I'm sorry..."
"Why are you apologizing, Do-jun? You helped me."
The words slipped out.
An apology wouldn't change anything.
But I felt like I couldn't bear it without saying something.
Flustered by my words, Ji-ah wrapped her arms around my waist.
Before I knew it, she was comforting me.
Such a good girl.
She was too good for me, no matter how I sliced it.
What could I even offer her...?
I looked her in the eyes.
Straightforward, unwavering gaze met mine.
"From now on, I'll protect you."
"Yes, Do-jun. I believe you."
I kissed her.
And with that, a new promise was etched between us.
...Awkward.
So damn awkward.
I'd let the mood carry me into saying something embarrassingly corny.
I got why Ji-ah wanted to merge with the pillow now.
"Ehehe."
Glancing back, Ji-ah wore a dopey grin.
My own lips curved involuntarily.
Whatever. It all worked out.
I'd scored an amazing girlfriend out of it.
We were heading to the classroom late.
The morning lecture had already ended.
If we hurried, we could make the Understanding Other Races class without being too late.
We slipped in just in time, and Ruphus and Latynia were waiting.
Ruphus's expression was peculiar.
"Finally done?"
"With what?"
"You've looked like shit lately, but now your face is all bright. Solved some big problem?"
"Uh... yeah, pretty much. But my face was that bad?"
"Yep. Bet Latynia noticed too."
That flower-field-brained princess?
I glanced at Latynia, who nodded vigorously.
"Yes. You've been ignoring me when I call, and even at the library, you went in alone... I thought something was up."
I'd thought I'd been subtle, but apparently not.
Come to think of it, Ji-ah had picked up on it even before I said anything.
Was I that obvious?
Or were Ruphus and Ji-ah just sharp?
Latynia... well, she's Latynia.
"Anyway, glad it's sorted."
"Thanks."
As I moved to sit, I noticed Latynia's expression darkening.
No usual bubbly cheer, and not her typical hesitant glance either.
"Latynia? Something wrong?"
"Um... are you two...?"
Her voice was barely audible, trailing off to a mumble.
You two what?
I leaned in, and she whispered again.
"Are you two... dating?"
"Ah, yeah. Kinda happened."
Her face fell at my answer.
Like her kingdom had just crumbled.
"Why... why?"
"What kinda question is that?"
"Ah... augh..."
She hung her head low.
What was with this princess now?
Ruphus just shrugged like he had no clue either.
"Sob... hic..."
Now she was outright crying.
I couldn't make sense of Latynia's reaction.
Had we built some deep bond?
We just ate lunch together, attended classes... nothing major?
Her crying was pitiful, so I tried soothing her.
"Hey, hey. Latynia, cut it out."
"Sniff."
"There. Now, what's the problem?"
"It's... Do-jun... Do-jun... uwaaaan!"
Full-on bawling now.
What the hell did I do?
I hadn't done anything.
"Ruphus, help!"
"Your mess, you fix it."
"This is my fault?"
"Anyone can see it is."
I checked with Ji-ah, just in case.
She nodded.
No... even you...?
"Hic, we said we'd have two sons and one daughter and live happily... sob sob."
I never said that.
Ji-ah startled at Latynia's outburst.
Ruphus seemed used to it, no reaction.
"No! Misunderstanding! I never said that!"
"Really?"
"Yes! You're the only one for me! For now... "
"For now...?"
Ji-ah eyed me suspiciously.
Latynia kept wailing.
Ruphus chuckled at the sight.
...Hurry up and get here, Instructor.
The chaos continued until Instructor Olivia arrived.
Why was she so late today? I stared at the clock helplessly—then our savior entered.
But unlike usual, she carried something.
"Seats are changing today. Move to these positions."
She posted a paper on the board and left.
Of course. That's Instructor Olivia for you.
I shifted to my assigned seat.
"..."
"..."
Seemed randomly assigned.
So why was Latynia next to me?
Looking around, Ji-ah and Ruphus were both far off.
No backup.
Latynia stared at me with teary eyes.
"Uh... Latynia?"
"Sniff."
"Latynia?"
"Hngh."
"You're messing with me, right?"
"I'm not!"
Definitely messing.
Still no idea what was going through her head.
What did I even do?
"Sigh... calm down first. The Imanitus Continent's polygamous anyway, right? Why so serious?"
"Ah!"
Enlightenment dawned on Latynia.
That buys time.
She'll snap out of it eventually.
Glancing over, her eyes were glazed, lost in some flowery daydream.
Who'd even take this pitiful princess...?
"Two daughters instead of sons... no, wedding first... tell Sel..."
Her brain circuits were in overdrive, but I'd ignore it.
She'd improve with time.