Yena's Investigation
After that day, the delinquents started cowering and running away whenever they saw Yena. That behavior spread to the other students in the class, and no one dared bother her anymore. There was never any worry that the delinquents would report it to the school or police. What could they even say? "We tried to bully Yena, but our stomachs hurt too much to do it"? The teachers or cops would just look at them like they were insane.
Having dealt with the delinquents, Yena returned to her peaceful school life from that day on.
"11.09 seconds!!"
"Whoa..."
"Haa... haa... This is nothing☆"
During PE class, in the 100-meter dash, Yena shattered the school record. She'd used her superpower for physical activation, and while she could run even faster, this was just the right speed. It was the perfect school life for her—basking in the students' admiring gazes without causing too big a stir.
Of course, she wasn't just slacking off. Yena was diligently conducting her own investigation.
Convinced that last year's incident was the key, she went around the clubs, casually asking her seniors about it and gathering info. Most said they didn't know the details because school had been closed due to the suspension, so she hadn't gotten much yet.
Then one morning, heading to school early for her investigation, Yena stepped out of the house.
"Yawn... so sleepy... Ah... where should I check out today..."
On her way to school, Yena witnessed something shocking right from the morning.
"No way, that's... Cheonga, right?"
Cheonga—the blunt, ice-cold Cheonga—was walking to school with a guy. Anyone from the agency who knew her would be stunned. 'Cheonga with a guy? No way.'
Agencies were places where people lived, after all, and dating and marriage were allowed. It just came with more procedures, things to watch out for, and the risk of isolation if secrets leaked.
"Hmm... she already got herself a boyfriend. Didn't peg her for that type. Impressive..."
Seeing Cheonga, Yena was surprised in all sorts of ways. The woman she'd known had zero interest in men or romance, like a living doll. Curiosity was inevitable.
"Shall I tail them?"
Following Cheonga and the guy, they soon split off in different directions. Yena kept after the guy and arrived at school not long after.
"Hmm... a senior from our school."
Confirming he entered a class one year above theirs, Yena got a hunch. Something intriguing and hidden was going on.
"Time to investigate?"
And so Yena began digging into Jintae, with no idea what it would lead to.
* * *
A few days later, Yena and Cheonga were in a room café downtown. It was their day to exchange info as a trio.
Sujin, the director, walked in shortly after.
"So, how have you all been?"
"Great! Right, Cheonga?"
"Yeah..."
Dressed in a casual black skirt and white blouse—like a teacher, unlike her agency days—Sujin looked every bit the part.
"I'm glad you're all adapting well to school life."
After ordering coffee at the café, Sujin dove straight into business once seated.
"Let's get to it, then. Share your investigation updates."
For agents, meeting like this to swap info wasn't ideal. Even random spots like cafés risked exposure. But that was for normal agencies. Their enemies weren't human—they were beyond human. And they themselves looked like monsters to ordinary people.
Monsters watching monsters: that's why they used these primitive regular meetups.
"I've approached Julia, the school chairwoman."
Sujin started. "The anomalous behavior from the previous chairwoman and principal started right around the day alpha waves spiked strongest here. I think she's connected. Cheonga, anything on your end?"
"...Investigating the service club. They handled the cleanup."
"Found anything?"
"Not yet..."
"Okay, let me know if you do. Yena?"
"Checking with last year's freshmen, but nothing solid yet."
"I see."
"But there's one suspicious senior I'm looking into. I'll report if anything turns up."
"Good... It's only been two weeks, so don't expect miracles. Just remember—we're not here to play. Got it?"
"Yes..."
"Got it, Director."
After some more talk and updates, Sujin said,
"See you next week, then. I'll share time and place that day—don't be late."
Wrapping up the essentials quickly, she stood.
"I'll head out first. You two leave later. Watch for tails."
"Yes..."
"Got it☆"
The meeting ended, and Yena and Cheonga left the café together, walking.
"……"
"……"
They had to go the same way until their dorm paths split. In the silence, Yena spoke first.
"Hey, Cheonga."
"What...?"
"You got a boyfriend?"
"...What are you talking about?"
Cheonga replied in her usual monotone. But Yena caught it—the faint emotional tremor in that doll-like voice.
"Saw you the other morning... walking to school all chummy with Senior Jintae."
"Not boyfriend... just club senior..."
"Hmm, just a senior, huh... So I could go for him then."
Cheonga's reaction was getting more fun. This wasn't her usual self. She wasn't a doll anymore. Teasing her on purpose, Yena watched Cheonga finally show human emotion, glaring at her.
"You... into that type?"
"Jintae-senpai's a bit skinny, but not bad-looking. Turns out he's loaded too."
"...Do what you want..."
But Cheonga desperately suppressed her feelings. One wrong word here, and it could hurt Jintae-oppa.
Seeing that, Yena figured she'd have to cross the line to push further—and she did.
"Fine, I'll play with him a bit then dump him... Oh, but if the agency finds out, might have to make it messy."
Cheonga stopped dead. Grabbing Yena's collar, she dragged her into the nearby alley in a flash.
Whoosh!
Thud!
Pinned to the wall in an instant, Yena faced Cheonga's murderous glare.
"You... wanna die...?"
Cheonga radiated pure killing intent beyond anger. Yena was shocked by this new side.
"Heh, you can make that face too."
"Don't care... how you act at school. But... if anything happens to Jintae-oppa... I'll kill you. Definitely."
A water blade formed at Yena's throat. Yena smiled lightly at her.
"Got it. I'll remember—he's precious to you."
"……"
Drop.
With that warning, Cheonga let go and walked off alone. Left behind, Yena found the situation hilarious. A guy who could rile Cheonga like that? She wanted to know more about him.
"This just got interesting. Now I'm really curious."
The next day after school, Yena approached Jintae as he was heading out.
"Hi, Senior."
"Who... are you?"
"Oh! I'm Hong Yena, the new freshman. Nice to meet you☆"
"Ah... hey, Yena. What’s up?"
"Nothing much—just something about my dear friend Cheonga. You free, Senior?"
Jintae paused at "Cheonga," but played it cool.
"If it's about Cheonga, of course."
"Then let's chat somewhere quiet, Senior☆"
They moved to a quiet room café. Seated across from Yena, Jintae got to it.
"So, what do you want to know?"
After a sip of juice, Yena went straight for it.
"You and Cheonga doing it, Senior?"
"Cough! Cough! ...Why bring that up out of nowhere?"
"Saw you two all cozy heading to school a few mornings ago."
"……"
"A guy and girl walking together like that in the morning? Not just friends☆"
Jintae took a sip of his Americano and said flatly,
"Yeah, Cheonga and I are dating."
"No way... How'd you land the ice queen?"
"Wanna know?"
"Yes☆!"
"Ear here..."
Excited, Yena leaned in. But instead of the dating story, Jintae whispered something totally random.
"[Hypnotized]"
"Ah..."
Those were the last words Yena heard before blacking out, her final sight Jintae's lecherous grin.