Jealousy
I explained the situation to the kids.
"So... you pretended to be my girlfriend under duress?"
"Yes, that's right. I wanted to be close to Master like all of you..."
"Hwanhyeon, you were forced into this, weren't you? That pervert threatened you and dragged you around? Right?"
Naturally, the reaction wasn't good. These were kids who followed and cared about me. Hearing that I'd been coerced, their faces twisted with displeasure.
"So I just wanted to live with Master..."
"You think I'd pull you in after hearing what you did?"
"Master told me to get everyone's permission..."
"Saintess, what exactly are we supposed to trust and let you in for?"
"..."
Cheonghwa and Seolhye bristled, standing guard over Il Lena.
To be honest, from their perspective, it was pretty obvious there wasn't much to be pleased about.
"I-I don't really mind, but..."
"Then stay quiet, Jinyul."
"Y-yes, yes..."
At least Jinyul, who was the most awkward around me, said it was fine. But Yu-ryeon's reaction was by far the strongest.
"Hey. What the hell do you think you're doing, getting all up in Hwanhyeon's space?"
"Huh? I just like Master..."
"Shut the fuck up with that Master crap. What's your real motive?"
"...Do you dislike me, Yu-ryeon-ssi?"
"How the hell could I like you? I'll never accept it. Don't you dare come near our Hwanhyeon."
"Ahh..."
More than anyone else, Yu-ryeon seemed to hate Il Lena the most.
"Then... could the two of us talk for a moment?"
"Nothing to say to you. Go back."
"Just a second, please. I helped you out last time. Really not even a little bit okay?"
"...What?"
Yu-ryeon froze. What was that? Was there something I didn't know about?
"...Hwanhyeon-ah, I'll be right back. Just need to talk to her for a sec."
"It's fine! Won't take long."
And so Yu-ryeon and Il Lena wandered off to a spot a little ways away.
"Cheonghwa-ya, can you hear what they're saying?"
"No, they're too far to hear clearly..."
"What? Yu-ryeon's even showing her phone..."
"There's no way the two of them had any prior contact. What exactly happened..."
I couldn't make out what they were saying. But it seemed like Yu-ryeon kept getting flustered during the conversation.
"Master, what are your thoughts on Il Lena joining us?"
"Hm? Sure, why not."
"...Is that so."
A moment later, Yu-ryeon and Il Lena returned.
"So... I think it'd be okay to live together."
"Yu-ryeon, what are you even saying? You want to bring that woman in? Weren't you the one who opposed it the most?"
"No, I just... she doesn't seem like a bad person, you know. And since she's someone Hwanhyeon likes, there can't be anyone bad among them."
"..."
"Anyway, I'm fine with it. Is there anyone else who objects more?"
The answer was decided the moment Yu-ryeon turned around.
"So now we can live with Master, right? That's the deal?"
"Sigh... Yes. The dormitory is Master's property, so if Master permits it, you can use it right away."
"Kyaa... Master! Now we can keep living together!"
"...However, room management falls under my responsibility. Saintess, you'll need to respect my words to some degree."
"That's whatever. Everyone, please take care of me going forward?"
And just like that, one more family member was added.
Perhaps the strongest person among the freshmen.
Earlier, when only Il Lena and Yu-ryeon were talking—
"What are you?"
"Oh my... Don't you remember? I thought you'd recognize my voice."
"Your voice? What...?!"
Yu-ryeon's mind snapped awake. Now that she thought about it, that voice was definitely the one from when she'd been kidnapped...
"What did I say back then? Hmmm..."
"I'm sorry. I didn't put you in this situation, but if I just go and rescue you on my own, that won't work."
"I'll get in touch with you. Please hold on for a bit. And then... I wish you good luck."
"I definitely said something like that. Don't you remember at all?"
She was right. It matched the voice I'd heard a few days ago perfectly.
"...The woman who was in front of me back then was you? Why were you there?"
Yu-ryeon asked, trying to calm her anger. The other person was the Saintess, and it was entirely possible she'd only helped out as she'd claimed.
"I already told you, I wasn't involved in why you were kidnapped. I just... happened to be taking a walk and rescued a pathetic bitch, I guess."
"Speak clearly. What connection does that bitch have to you?"
"...Are you threatening me right now? For real?"
"Answer the question I'm asking."
But despite the probing, Il Lena pulled out her phone and started showing it.
"What do you think of these photos?"
The photos Il Lena showed contained—
"W-What the hell are these..."
Women in various states of rough treatment.
"What do you think?"
"...Why are you showing me this?"
"If I hadn't found them, Yu-ryeon, this is what you'd have been doing."
"...What?"
The fact that Il Lena dropped her formal speech wasn't the real problem.
The content was too shocking. There was no room to worry about something like that.
"What that scum gang did most was pick out a woman they liked and beat her to death."
"..."
"That necklace you always carried around isn't just some trinket. Aside from the downside that you have to stay still and not resist until they take the necklace, any decent awakened person can be subdued."
"So what? What am I supposed to do about it?"
"There was even an A-rank villain who'd been put on the wanted list. When she got spotted by me, she suddenly tried to hide her body in the shadows."
"..."
That was probably the one who'd kidnapped her—the one whose face couldn't be clearly seen.
"Even if Seolhye-ssi had shown up, you would've been done for. Do you really think the person who saved you would still be someone capable of harming Master? Aren't you at least a little grateful?"
A lot of thoughts swirled through Yu-ryeon's head. She didn't particularly like this woman, and she didn't know what her purpose was. But thinking rationally, there was no reason to refuse. In fact, compared to the hassle of being kidnapped on a whim, this trustworthy Saintess might be more helpful to her.
"Fuck it... Just say yes then. We'll live together."
"Good. That's the way to go."
"..."
"A thank-you would be nice."
"...Thanks."
"Thank you too, Yu-ryeon-ssi?"
"..."
Yu-ryeon thought.
That the person in front of her was someone whose nature couldn't be pinned down.
The short conversation between the two ended here.
While Il Lena went to shower, Yu-ryeon asked me.
"Master, are you really going to bring that woman in?"
"She doesn't seem like a bad person. She said she had things to do, and I figured it'd be good to get on her good side for now."
"You don't actually like her, do you..."
"...That's not it."
...Probably not? Maybe?
"It's fine. If Master says you have someone you truly love, then... we'll just follow your will."
"Thanks for that."
"But she's strange. She might do something sneaky while being near you, and above all, we don't have the power to stop that woman."
That was true. From the perspective of the kids who were supposed to protect me, it made sense that they'd be worried about this completed hunter being glued to my side.
"That's why you keep her close. If Il Lena had tried to harm me, she wouldn't have done it last night."
"...That's true."
"At least for now, there's no need to keep her at arm's length. Besides, she's being friendly toward me, so that's even better, right?"
"..."
I'd beaten Cheonghwa with pure logic. Maybe that would be a rare opportunity going forward, too.
Feeling frustrated, Cheonghwa's face turned red.
And because of that, I wanted to tease her a little.
"Are you jealous?"
"...!"
"Kidding. You know I always put you guys first."
Her reaction was refreshing. She was more startled than I expected, and I was a little surprised myself.
"How shameless of you."
"Haha..."
"Don't even say empty words like that."
Her reaction was too delicious. It was more fun to tease than I'd expected.
"Master, from now on you'll be living with the Saintess. She might come asking for affection like she did today."
"Mm."
"Then... can you still look at me? Can you promise that you won't cast me out, even though I'm the only one who knows you?"
"..."
"The Saintess who shouts 'I love you' even on the surface surpasses me. I'm weaker than her, and I don't have a worldly backing."
I realized my stupid words had hit the mark.
Cheonghwa's voice sank deep, and she brought up something heavier than anything about Il Lena.
"That's why I'm afraid. Even without me, Master will live just fine. Because that superior Il Lena will be by your side."
"...Don't say stuff like that."
"My short life... I lived it all for you, for you alone. I lived to serve Master more perfectly than anyone else."
"..."
"Even if I can't help from your side, it's okay. Even if you don't love us, it doesn't matter. If you just need me, you can demand me for sexual relief. Even just that much would make life worth living."
"That last part was a bit..."
"So please... don't abandon us. Don't abandon me."
Speaking like that, Cheonghwa looked as if tears were about to spill. Her voice was layered with a slight tremble.
I'd touched a sore spot I shouldn't have. Cheonghwa had always said she was made for me, but it seemed she was very uneasy about someone she considered superior to herself being by my side.
"Cheonghwa-ya."
"..."
"I still don't know you well. I don't know how you grew up, what you like—there's barely anything I know."
—flinch.
"But one thing I'm certain of is that if I hadn't met you that first time, I would've died."
"..."
"I'm late with my thank-you. Back then... thank you for saving me."
"It's nothing. It was my duty..."
"It's fine. I'll need you to keep saving me a lot from now on too."
"...Huh?"
"Why would I ever leave you? Even if you begged me to cut the ties, even if you told me to cast you away, I wouldn't do it."
"..."
"You're mine. Do you really think you can just walk away?"
"...Thank... you..."
"Stop with the nonsense. Just think about staying by my side for life."
Cheonghwa's breathing became slightly ragged.
Who said anything about abandoning? That would never happen. It was a short time, but we'd built enough bonds, and now it would feel empty without her.
"Master... that... even though it's embarrassing..."
"Mm. Why?"
"...I've gone into heat."
"..."
"It's because Master is bad."
What the hell.
Was that last thing the problem?
"If it's not an inconvenience... would it be okay if we spend tonight together?"
"Um... hmm..."
I didn't say it, but I liked seeing Cheonghwa like this too. A beautiful woman who obeys me well. Absolutely not something I could ever let out into the world.
Then, the sound of the shower door opening.
-Blerk.
"Phew, I'm all clean! Master, let's sleep together tonight too!"
"...Shut up."
Cheonghwa, the slurping sound? That's audible from over here.