The Girl's Revenge
After parting ways with Lee Ho-yeon, Lucy stopped by a hair salon before heading to Lumi. There was no longer any need to keep her hair the same black as her twin's.
"Aren't you the customer from earlier?"
"Ahaha... yeah."
The stylist gave Lucy a strange look for returning just a few hours later, but Lucy just smiled and averted her eyes.
"...It feels kinda weird."
Blue hair in a bob cut—it was a bit awkward. As she left the salon, Lucy kept mulling it over. How should she break the news to Lumi? No matter how much she thought, there was no perfect solution to untangle everything at once. Things had gotten way too messy from the start. On top of that, explaining why she'd cut her hair short, all the way up to what happened with Lee Ho-yeon, would take forever.
But she didn't want to drag it out any longer. She wanted to tell Lumi the truth as soon as possible, even if just a little. In the end, Lucy headed straight to Lumi's dorm without a plan.
Ding-
As twins who shared each other's room passwords, she was able to walk right in. Inside, Lumi was lying on her bed watching TV.
"Lucy?"
"Yeah. It's me."
"You changed your hairstyle...? It looks pretty."
"...Thanks."
Lucy fidgeted, unsure how to start. She had so much to say bottled up inside, but the words just swirled around in her mouth without forming properly.
"Hey, Lumi..."
Finally, after agonizing, Lucy spoke up. Lumi gave a slight smile.
"It's about Ho-yeon, right?"
"Huh, how'd you know?"
"Whenever you make that face, it's always about Ho-yeon."
"...Actually."
Lucy slowly began her story. The sense of exclusion she'd felt for so long. Spotting the two of them coming out of the motel. Not trusting them even when he suggested they all date together. Disguising herself as Lumi and going to see Lee Ho-yeon. Confessing to him and confirming each other's feelings. Lucy poured out all her pent-up emotions and words honestly.
She was worried about Lumi's reaction, but it had to be said eventually.
"I'm sorry. I won't doubt you guys ever again. I like both you and Ho-yeon..."
But contrary to Lucy's fears, Lumi didn't get angry.
"You did well, Lucy."
"...No. I'm sorry. Wrong is wrong."
"Yeah. It's okay, Lucy. I'm just happy you two confirmed your feelings."
"Lumi..."
The twins gripped each other's hands tightly. The trust built between them couldn't be shattered by something like this. That's why Lumi wasn't mad.
"Lucy, was it... good with Ho-yeon?"
"W-what are you talking about?!"
Lumi looked at Lucy with a smile. She'd made the exact same face when she'd first experienced it herself. For today, at least, she felt like the older sister.
"Next time, let's do it all three together."
"L-Lumi..."
Lucy couldn't hide her shock at her pure little sister's words.
"Don't you think Ho-yeon would like that...? To beat the competition, we have to try harder too..."
"...Yeah. You're right, Lumi."
But Lucy had to nod at Lumi's follow-up. All those beauties around Lee Ho-yeon kept flashing in her mind. To win against the rivals, they needed their own weapons.
"Yeah, let's do our best, Lucy...!"
"We're gonna win this, Lumi."
The two met eyes and smiled faintly. It was funny how serious they were getting. Today, the twins steeled their resolve to seduce one man.
"Exposés and whistleblowing against Shinyoung Guild continue. Among them, an interview with Buyer Guild's Park Min-gyu, who recently came forward with courage, is prepared. Let's watch."
"Hello. I'm Park Min-gyu of Buyer Guild..."
"Huh, sis? Isn't that Uncle Min-gyu?"
"..."
Nam Da-hee couldn't hide her shock at the familiar face. Park Min-gyu's face was on the TV. Nam Da-eun knew the rough details of Buyer Guild's inner workings. They handled the dirty jobs for major guilds, covering their dark sides. And their biggest client had been Shinyoung Guild.
"Were you not worried at all before this exposé?"
"Of course I was. Turning a major guild into an enemy isn't easy. But I wanted to let the public know about these dark dealings."
"The association has also expressed intent to protect the whistleblower, Buyer Guild. Our station too..."
He's probably using this chance to come into the light. The guy had always wanted to quit the sleazy jobs for fame and fortune. The association was reacting fast too, pretending to be uninvolved.
"Da-hee, wanna watch something else?"
"Yeah, sis."
Just before Nam Da-eun changed the channel, Park Min-gyu's voice rang out.
"I don't know how to put it. But I hope the world is filled with goodwill and good deeds..."
Click-
Haha hoho-
"Gonna use the bathroom, sis."
"Okay."
Watching the comedy show full of laughter, Nam Da-eun felt nothing. At some point, her heart had become empty. Like a broken bottle, no matter how much she filled it, emotions drained away somewhere. The only piece left of that broken bottle was her sister, Nam Da-hee. Being with Da-hee let her feel normal again, if only a little. And her new connection, Lee Ho-yeon. Being with him revived her feelings bit by bit.
Thanks to him, she'd escaped Park Min-gyu's clutches, but she was still stuck in the dorm like this. She and Da-hee were being hunted.
Goodwill. Good deeds. Help. Contribution. Service. Words Park Min-gyu spewed. Nam Da-eun didn't believe in such delusions. If those fine words had spread long ago, she and her sister wouldn't have suffered like that. Da-hee could've had a normal school life, and Nam Da-eun could've attended the academy ordinarily without staking her life on grades.
"Argh~ Those fucking bastards! Why do I have to lose?! Why?!"
A cute voice from the room. It was Liliana the succubus.
"..."
Nam Da-eun had always lived emotionlessly before, but strangely, being around these people lifted her mood. They'd taught her so much good and let her repay Lee Ho-yeon. Still, the stuffiness lingering in her chest remained.
Swish-
Then, she sensed movement from the ceiling.
Thud-
The moment Nam Da-eun noticed, Scarlett was standing before her. Her skills were always astonishing.
Scarlett straightened her hair and spoke to Nam Da-eun.
"Miss Da-eun. Resting well?"
"Yes. What is it?"
"You said you wanted revenge on Park Min-gyu, right?"
"...Pardon?"
"Follow me, Miss Da-eun."
Hearing Park Min-gyu's name from Scarlett's lips made Nam Da-eun's heart race. At the same time, the stones buried deep in her chest began to stir.
*
"Hoo... ngh."
I was meditating alone in the quiet hospital room. After hearing Baek A-young's cryptic words yesterday, I'd racked my brain recalling the original story, but nothing clicked.
"Past clan... past clan?"
I'd brushed it off then, but glossing over it didn't solve anything. I was seriously considering having Scarlett investigate my background. But ordering a probe on myself would make her super suspicious, so I dropped it. This could wait.
Baek A-young was already conquered, and she'd said she'd understand anyway, so no need to worry. Plus, she'd come find me herself if needed. It didn't seem like it'd harm me, calling it a "past clan" and all.
Anyway, my mana circuits were mostly healed, and discharge was near. Time to handle backlog, starting with Nam Da-eun. Other heroines mattered too, but Park Min-gyu needed dealing with fast. Leave Buyer Guild alone, and who'd know what annoying crap they'd pull? Only then could Da-eun and Da-hee move freely.
Swish-
I sensed a familiar mana flow. Scarlett, as summoned.
"Ho-yeon-nim. What is it... Hm? You can use mana now?"
"Yeah. Treatment's almost done. What're the others up to?"
"Miss Da-eun and Da-hee are resting in the dorm. Lady Liliana's streaming."
"Got it..."
I'd tipped Scarlett off before. Spread rumors I had Da-eun and Da-hee, and deliver a personal letter to Buyer Guild's master. So she'd be ready to move on my command anytime.
"If it's about Miss Da-eun, preparations are complete."
As expected of the ace.
"Time to move."
Handling it post-discharge was fine, but I'd gotten too famous. Attention was low now since I was hospitalized. After discharge, it'd explode. Better finish before then.
"Shall we move now?"
"Hm... No. Wait. Let's ask Da-eun directly."
"Miss Da-eun?"
"Yeah. Don't wanna decide alone and mess up."
I'm the type who asks before giving birthday gifts too. Better confirm her will. Revenge varies—some just want ruin, others to end it personally. Awkward to ask outright, but I have the status window. Guiding questions would reveal enough.
"Then I'll fetch Miss Da-eun right away."
"Yeah. Can't go out yet anyway."
I watched Scarlett slip out the window and began meditating. Needed to think up questions for Da-eun.