Twins (2)
Lucy hurried toward the academy's shopping district. 'Academy Street 3…'
Academy Street 3 was the spot where the wide boulevard narrowed into an alley. From outside, the alley looked dark and dingy, exuding a shady vibe. It was Lucy's first time here, and she cautiously scanned her surroundings before stepping into the pitch-black passage.
Red neon lights and flashy signs flickered intermittently, and Lucy couldn't hide her embarrassment. This was what people commonly called a motel district.
Her friend who sent the message had clearly said they'd seen Lee Ho-yeon and Lumi. As classmates in the same A-class all this time, there was no way they'd mistaken them. But there was no reason for Lumi and Ho-yeon to be in a place like this. An uneasy feeling gnawed at Lucy.
'Should I look around more… or wait a bit? No, I should message Lumi first.'
Shocked by the initial message, she hadn't even confirmed with Lumi or Ho-yeon. Now that she'd snapped out of it upon arriving at the motel district, Lucy sent messages to both. But as expected, no replies came.
'…No response.'
Ho-yeon might ignore it, but Lumi always replied right away—and now even she wasn't responding.
"Just… a little longer. I'll check a bit more and go."
Lucy wandered aimlessly around Academy Street 3. Thirty minutes passed, then an hour. She checked every nearby restaurant, cafe, and karaoke bar, but Lumi and Ho-yeon were nowhere to be seen.
It's fine to head back now. My friend must've been wrong. She tried to convince herself, but staring at her unresponsive smartwatch made her chest ache strangely.
After two hours of circling, Lucy returned to the original dark alley with a deep sigh.
"What am I even doing… I'm such an idiot."
Time to go. Maybe she just didn't reply. She felt pathetic for wasting two hours wandering over something so trivial.
The moment she decided to return to the dorm, her smartwatch chimed.
'Good. It was just my misunderstanding.'
"Phew…"
Relief washed over her, and Lucy smiled as she typed a reply.
But right after, another message from Lumi arrived.
"Huh?"
Something important? Lucy tilted her head, then nodded. Lumi would explain tomorrow. In a good mood, she sent back an "Got it" and turned to leave the alley.
That's when, from a motel far down the way, a familiar man and woman emerged. A petite black-haired woman and a tall man wearing a mask. Even from a distance, it was unmistakably Lumi and Ho-yeon. Lumi had her arm linked through one of his, acting all cute and clingy.
"Wha…?"
A short gasp escaped Lucy's lips.
No way. It can't be.
Her eyes trembled wildly. Clutching her chest, Lucy closed her eyes. I must've seen wrong. Lumi said she's heading to the dorm. She wouldn't lie to me.
After a deep breath, she opened her eyes. There they still stood in front of the motel—Lumi and Ho-yeon. Lumi still clung to his arm. Then the man's hand rose, pulling down the mask to reveal his profile. That face… it was undeniably Ho-yeon.
And slowly, the two leaned in for a kiss.
"What… the…"
Lucy stared blankly at their kiss before backing away step by step. This wasn't a place for her to be. She should've gone back sooner. If she hadn't stupidly wandered for two hours and just returned to the dorm… she wouldn't have to feel this.
Regret hit her late as she walked the streets. Her head throbbed. It felt like every brain cell was stabbing her skull with spears.
"…"
Lost in thoughtless steps, she somehow arrived back at the dorm.
Her smartwatch chimed again, but she had no desire to check it. Entering the dorm, Lucy shed her outer clothes. Suddenly, her whole body felt ice-cold, and only then did she realize she was drenched in sweat. But the sticky sensation didn't matter now. Her head spun as she collapsed onto the bed.
"Ah… ugh… sob…"
Finally alone in the quiet dorm bed, away from the noisy streets, the suppressed emotions crashed over her. Tears welled up in Lucy's eyes in an instant. Clutching the soft blanket tightly, she sobbed quietly.
"Why… why them of all people… why…"
Lucy and Lumi had lost their parents young and grown up in an orphanage. But Lumi couldn't adapt and faced bullying, so at a tender age, the two left. From then on, they fought the world together.
Life was tough for two young girls. But Lucy didn't want Lumi enduring hardships. She was the big sister. With no parents, it was her job to protect her little sister.
After middle school classes, Lucy worked part-time alone. When Lumi struggled at her job and caused trouble, Lucy apologized and bowed her head instead. When Lumi cried and clung to her saying sorry, Lucy comforted her. Somehow, they endured.
All for the single wish to live happily with Lumi—that gave her strength. Even when the support center director who offered aid demanded Lucy's body in exchange, she refused the temptation. She had to be a proud big sister for her sibling.
Rejecting the aid, Lucy ramped up her part-time jobs. She had to cover Lumi's share too, so she cut back on sleep. At the same time, she worked harder to shield Lumi from shady people. Innocent Lumi might fall for them easily.
Fortunately, they entered high school, both passed the awakener aptitude test, and received academy scholarships. Only then could Lucy quit her jobs and live comfortably with Lumi.
That's why Lucy and Lumi were inseparable. They understood each other completely. That's why… Lucy could never come between them.
She knew Lumi liked Ho-yeon.
"Lumi…"
Lucy sobbed her sister's name. The most precious little sister in the world. Family she loved beyond words. They bickered sometimes, but deep down, no one was loved more.
And Ho-yeon. The man who saved her life. Who always took her side, no matter how foolishly she acted. Who proved her wrong about all men being dirty and vile.
And… the man she liked.
If only it were someone else. If Ho-yeon had paired with another… Lumi would still be hers. But if those two got together, Lucy would have no one.
"Ah… ugh, haaack…"
Breathing raggedly, Lucy pressed her hand to her chest. Her head hurt so much she entertained forbidden thoughts. Lumi and Ho-yeon. Loving them both made it hurt even more.
Suddenly, things that didn't make sense clicked. The subtle alienation when the three were together. Ho-yeon and Lumi's lies. Lumi's sudden image change. Their habit of vanishing together during hangouts. What had they been doing each time?
"Eek…"
Grasping her increasingly pounding head, Lucy closed her eyes. Right now, she just wanted to shut everything out. Thoughtlessly.
*
Arriving at the hospital room, I washed my hands and lay on the bed.
"Man, I'm beat."
Lumi had been so clingy the whole time—it was exhausting. Telling Lucy the truth must've relieved me. She stuck to me until the end, so I barely peeled her off with a kiss.
I wanted to play longer too, but time was tight. In the meantime, a message from Lucy came, so I replied before heading back.
As I activated the smartwatch hologram to kill time before sleep, I sensed mana from the ceiling.
Swish—
"…Scarlett?"
"Even with your mana circuits injured, you noticed. How disappointing."
Thud—
The moment I called her name, Scarlett landed from the ceiling.
"What's up? Sneaking into my room at night… assassination?"
"Sadly, the contract prevents that. Instead, I came to relay urgent information."
"What is it?"
Her serious expression made me sit up, ready to listen.
"Ultra-secret info has leaked to Korea's informants. A request to find Nam Da-eun and Nam Da-hee."
"…Buyer Guild finally caught on."
Honestly, it was too late. Thanks to thorough countermeasures, we'd bought time—and that suited me fine.
"Yes. The second I learned, I rushed to you, Ho-yeon."
"Scarlett… thank you. I'll pay you separately for this."
Before pondering Nam Da-eun's situation, I thanked Scarlett first. Counting this, how many times had she helped me? The contract bound her from hostility and compelled obedience, but she had no duty to act unprompted like this. She chose to help voluntarily. Of course I was grateful.
I was about to offer her a bonus to show it, but she shook her head.
"No need. It's fine."
"It's not fine for me."
"…Ho-yeon. Then, may I ask a favor?"
"Shoot."
Was the contract too restrictive? Was Liliana bullying her too much? I ran through possibilities as I watched her.
"…Could you let me spend time with Liliana? With Nam Da-eun and Nam Da-hee in the dorm…"
"Ah…"
Scarlett bowed her head deeply. Only then did I recall our first meeting.
'The reason Scarlett became so compliant was Liliana.'
I pictured Liliana's thrilled face, calling herself a torture master. No wonder. What good was money when you couldn't buy a succubus's tail?
"S-sorry…"
"…No, I'm the one who's sorry. I'll arrange it ASAP."
I should've noticed sooner. How humiliating must it have been to say it herself? Scarlett's face was the reddest I'd ever seen.