Chapter 251
"I'll turn on the AC for you. Any remote works just fine, right?"
"Ah, I'll do it."
Thankfully, my excuse that my flushed face was just from the heat seemed to fly. Aside from lacking an attic, the structure was almost identical to our place, so I grabbed the remote hanging on the living room wall and lowered the temperature a bit.
The other three headed off to the kitchen again, leaving us still planted in the living room. We both let out a soft sigh in unison, like we'd planned it.
Lee Seo-yeon already knew everything, sure, but it felt awkward with the guys around. Especially from Ro-ha unnie's perspective—it was a pretty big deal for her, even if it didn't faze me much.
"...Let's call a truce for now."
"Yeah."
The me from that other world definitely wasn't this type. I was a grand mage specialized in offense, prioritizing raw firepower... but now, attacking anyone just backfires and hurts me instead. A total pushover.
...When the hell did this start?
"So, when did you two start living together?"
"Ah, my old place was pretty spacious, so we've basically been living together right before coming here."
"Just... naturally?"
"...Pretty much. We were always hanging out as a group of four, camping and stuff, so we'd slept next to each other plenty before."
In fact, the biggest reason we ended up as close friends who feel like a married couple was all that time we'd shared through thick and thin.
I hadn't heard the full story yet, but unnie and Aisaka seemed like they hadn't snuck in from the rear lines like us.
Ro-ha unnie nodded slightly and began her tale.
"We were on monster defense duty, so we didn't stick together much normally. We'd fight side by side in battles, of course."
"...I see."
"We got way closer than before, obviously, but not to the point of living together like you guys..."
Her tone carried a hint of regret. Probably because she'd already started dating once and it fell apart—left her with more what-ifs.
"Did demons invade your side directly?"
"Ah, just one executive. The rest were low-level demons and monsters."
Executives were definitely tough, but unnie was a powerhouse herself, so no battle would've been too rough. If it had been, she wouldn't be lamenting the missed chances to live together.
"Anything else happen at the pool?"
"...Nah. She taught us, then we all played around."
"...Okay?"
A bummer that nothing wild went down, but honestly, just etching unnie's swimsuit into my memory was plenty. It was still vivid in my mind.
"But unnie, you kinda came prepared for this, right?"
"......"
This time, it wasn't teasing—just curiosity. She clamped her mouth shut. That reaction basically confirmed it.
I didn't know how long they'd be staying in Korea, but living in the same house? Total jackpot. Nothing sparks more events than sharing a roof.
"We did come partly for game stuff, yeah... but that's not all..."
Her honesty suggested she had something to get off her chest. Time to lend an ear.
"...Come here for a sec."
I pulled Ro-ha unnie into the master bedroom, half-closed the door, and plopped onto the familiar bed to spill.
"Truth is, I've got a worry too."
"...For real?"
Her tone dripped genuine shock. I shot her a side-eye.
"What, you think I live worry-free?"
"......"
"Unnie...?"
"Kidding."
That silence was awkward. ...I mean, I have been living pretty freely lately.
"Listen to mine later too."
People say worries often seem simple from an outsider's view. Sure enough, Ro-ha unnie slowly opened up—and from my angle, it was dead simple.
"How do I get closer while living together...?"
"......"
Frankly, no matter how hands-off you try to be, sharing a house makes not getting closer impossible.
"You'll get close no matter what. Eat meals together sometimes, talk work anyway?"
"Yeah. Probably chat at home."
More time together naturally builds affection. But unnie was a romcom mangaka who felt a bit clumsy at actual romance, so she needed tips.
"Okay, here's one. You'll talk work in the living room or whatever, right?"
"Yeah. Probably set up a table in the biggest room."
"Then naturally call them into your room or Aisaka's for work chats."
"...That works?"
She seemed set on separate workspaces, but inviting someone into your private space? Huge meaning. Start with pure work talk, ease into chit-chat, get comfy—that's organic.
"Super important. Wanna amp the appeal? Wear thinner pajamas..."
"S-Seol-ah...?"
...Had I ever seen such a pure unnie? Wasn't I the pervert—everyone else just too innocent? Platonic love was basically impossible here.
"Not blatant. Shoulder out is fine."
Shoulders, waist, thighs—subtle hot spots. Unnie knew this as an illustrator. Even non-glam characters get "sexy" vibes if you emphasize those.
I was one such fan.
"Point is, get comfy first."
"...Got it."
She seemed to soak it in. Among her circle, I could give the most advice, so I pulled every romance trick I had.
"Then guards drop, you head to their room for talk, bump into them fresh from a shower..."
"...No way."
She thought it straight out of manga. But cohabiting? Totally plausible.
"Why not? Easy to catch changing..."
Realized too late—that was a bad share. Luckily (or not), unnie misunderstood adorably.
"...S-Sion's peeked?"
Her eyes screamed, He's not that type, but... Dodging might clear me, but frame Baek Sion? Nah, didn't like that. He only teases because I do.
My image might tank in her head, but penalty for foot-in-mouth.
"...No, me."
"Huh?"
"Not Baek Sion. I have."
Precisely, I tried sneaking a peek once and got chewed out by Baek Sion. Dress room doors stay closed for convenience, but post-shower? Wide open vulnerability.
Bracing for her weird look, I glanced up—but unnie's reaction blindsided me.
"...Ah, yeah, figured."
"Unnie?"
Figured? What?
'Knew it' vibes... Between us two, I'm the peeker type? Baek Sion knew my bedroom self, fine, but others seeing me that way? No shot.
"Unnie? Figured what?"
"...Nothing. Joke."
Not a joke earlier, but my imagination? She chuckled and clammed up, so pushing seemed pointless.
"Anyway, my worry?"
"Ah, yeah..."
I wanna hear "I love you" before the wedding—without asking. Ro-ha unnie stared like I was nuts.
"...You're married."
"We are."
"It's been a while since you got back?"
"Yeah."
"Never said it? To each other?"
"...Well..."
Not even in my subconscious, so yeah—no memories.
"...You two are weird."
Even newbie unnie saw our dynamic as odd. But true to form, she brainstormed fixes.
"Not asking directly? Tough..."
"Right...?"
"Be extra sweet? Or initiate skinship."
"...Sweetest bet, huh?"
After touring the seven-story house and heading back, Yoo Seol-ah's personality shifted noticeably.
She always looked after me, but now her tone was off—like sudden maternal sweetness overload.
"...No, Yoo Seol-ah."
"Yeah? What?"
"Something up?"
"...Nope?"
This jarring vibe—like forced good-girl act. I grabbed her shoulders lightly.
She jolted wide-eyed, lips twitching. 'Already...?'?
Face reddening, but that wasn't the issue.
"Snap back to normal. No weird stuff."
Couldn't adapt, and it cringed me out—hands and feet curling.
My words cooled her instantly; now she raised her voice.
"W-Weird? That's what you say to your wife?"
Yeah, this Yoo Seol-ah was best. Tough holding back earlier.
No reply, she pouted outright. I decided to soothe her.
"You're cutest like this, so stay."
"...Wow, brushing off with one line? Same old one-trick..."
But she couldn't control her face—couldn't hide the upturned lips without covering her mouth with her arm.