Heading Home
"Gotta head home."
I'm exhausted. My body's aching all over. Massages demand insane focus in a short time, and they leave me utterly drained afterward. Still, seeing Ellis's face at the end made it all worthwhile—things went exactly as I'd planned. And soon, with the field training starting, we'll have way more time together. That's when I can push things further.
Walking along, I idly turned on my smartwatch, and Sulin noona popped into my head.
"…Better send her something."
If I don't, she might show up in my A-class tomorrow. And that's terrifying.
Hmm. After she told me to report everything, using polite speech feels oddly natural. I could force casual, but this seems fine for now. I didn't go into details in the message. No way am I saying I went to visit and ended up caressing Ellis's pussy.
Investigation. Probably about her dad, Moon Sungmin. I don't know much about his movements either. His identity hasn't been revealed, and all I know from the game is that his revenge fails.
"…This noona's got it rough."
I can help with anything, so I just hope she doesn't push herself too hard alone.
Lost in various thoughts, I headed toward the dorms—then remembered it's not my home anymore.
"Oh, right. I moved today."
It's close enough to the commercial district if you want it to be, far if you don't. Walkable, but since it's late, I grabbed a taxi back.
It's nearly midnight. The other heroines might be up waiting for me. Gotta get back quick.
The academy streets were quiet yet glamorous, blending beauty and neatness. Towering skyscrapers, massive engines, factories humming on magic stones. They felt so alien at first, but now they're just normal.
Paid the fare and stepped out. The house was deserted at this hour.
"Moved in and all… but don't I still need Rune Barrier every time I come or go?"
Tsk. No helping it. That's the price for living with women. Still awkward with the new place, I opened the front gate and stepped in.
Through the yard into the house, the huge living room felt different yet familiar faces greeted me. But amid them, red hair caught my eye.
"Rebecca. What're you doing here?"
I hung my jacket on the rack nearby and walked in. Rebecca, mid-laugh in conversation, turned at my voice.
"Oh, baby daddy's back? Been waiting for you. Bonding with your girlfriends in the meantime."
"Bonding?"
Glancing back, Liliana and Nam Da-hee were devouring chicken like maniacs.
This woman already figured out how to handle Liliana…!
Nam Da-eun sipped coffee with a smile, Scarlett nowhere in sight. I sat on the sofa next to them and continued.
"…But how'd you find the place? I never told you the address."
"I have my ways."
Rebecca crossed her legs, eyeing me intently—the pose right before big news.
"It's the day after tomorrow, right? Time to meet the centaur."
"Yeah. Goal's within the week."
"All prepped?"
"Liliana and I roughed out a plan. We'll see how it goes once we clash."
Always the same. Even impossible stuff opens up if you smash your head against it first.
"No worries. I came prepared too."
"Really?"
Rebecca pulled papers from her bosom—intricate magic circles, data comparing Liliana's mana to the centaur's. Overwhelmed by the info dump at first, my magic talent instantly grasped the connections.
"Analyzing hell's mana for tracking… Rune Barrier to break brainwashing… You prepped all this, Rebecca?"
"You're scarier, baby daddy, seeing through it that fast. Hehe."
She grinned playfully, coquettish. But right now, I could call her baby mama too. With Liliana's issue, we had to catch that centaur.
"Wow… Thanks so much, Rebecca. Must've taken ages."
"Don't sweat it. We gotta nail this. I'll tag along just in case, so relax."
"You're coming too?"
Surprised again. Can someone of her rank just drop everything?
"Duh. Gotta wrap this up clean so you'll impregnate me."
"…Ah. Right. Of course."
Her bluntness made me glance at Nam Da-eun, but she just sipped her coffee nonchalantly.
"What's with that reaction? After all my prep? I'll take it all then?"
"No, no. Just pondering the best way for implantation."
"Pfft, what're you on about."
We dove into details after. Confirming I got everything, to ensure we handle the centaur perfectly. The plan was flawless. I understood the circles instantly—no explanations needed.
"Okay, baby daddy. See you then?"
"Yeah. Thank you, Rebecca."
I bowed as I saw her off. What a good person. Looks like a thug, though.
Clunk—the door shut behind her, and my bedroom door creaked open on its own. Scarlett burst out.
"…Why're you coming out of my room?"
"Sorry."
Scarlett looked pale. Not sick, is she?
"You look rough. You okay?"
"Her vibe doesn't mesh with mine… Urp, sorry."
"No need to apologize."
How bad was it? She's dry-heaving.
"Mm? Rebecca left already?"
Liliana, having demolished the chicken, stood up.
"Liliana. Last time you said she scared you."
"Yeah. But she brought chicken, so she's cool."
"…Good for you. You won't follow random strangers offering chicken on the street, right?"
"You think I'm an idiot?"
She glared, hands on hips. Yeah, her positivity's better this way. Heroines getting along is a win.
Scarlett headed upstairs, head pounding. "Then sis taking my drumstick makes sense?"
"Gah! How'd you know?!"
Nam Da-hee and Liliana bickered as usual. Fighting over the last drumstick—mine, apparently—but Liliana always yields at the end. She's no bully picking on kids.
"It's mine! Mine!"
"Waaah… Sis, Liliana stole it…"
"…."
Nope. I snatched the drumstick from Liliana and handed it to Da-hee, then sat back.
"Hehe, thanks oppa!"
"Hmph. Was gonna play and give it back. Now I'm the bad guy."
"Just give it if the kid cries. Geez."
Liliana grumbled, nudging my arm. I chuckled. Home really is comfy.
They say marriage's best perk is the security of someone waiting at home. This qualifies.
Smartwatch said bedtime. "Ahh, beat. Time to crash…"
Squeeze—turning at the sensation on my right arm, Nam Da-eun had grabbed it while sipping coffee.
"Forgot?"
"…No. Meant sleep together in your room."
"Right?"
She beamed. Close call. Almost wandered in clueless.
"…Da-eun. Sorry, but first night in the new house? Can't yield it. Big EXP for succubi."
Suddenly, Liliana bolted up beside me. Total bullshit, obviously.
"Hey. Hospital too— what's so great about EXP?"
"Become elite succubus."
"…."
Pure nonsense. But she seemed dead serious, chest puffed at Da-eun. Who promptly wilted.
"Liliana… you're going to France with Hoyeon. Taking Scarlett too. I'll be home alone with Da-hee, all lonely."
"……Succubi don't fall for sob stories."
"Got it. Then we'll split chores evenly from now on."
Da-eun crossed her arms, turning away like no dice. Liliana deflated a bit.
"Wait. Da-eun. Why bring up chores?"
"'Cause you don't do any, Liliana."
"I did plenty in the dorm before you came! And I support us with streams!"
"Streams… Liliana, dorm's tiny—this house is huge. You'll dump it all on Scarlett, obviously."
"S-Scarlett's my slave! It's fine!"
"Still, water cooler's three steps away and ordering fetches? Overkill."
"That was a joke! Know hell humor? And we agreed not to tell Hoyeon! Mean!"
"Girls… enough."
I rubbed my forehead, shaking my head. Fighting over this?
Liliana wailed at me. "What else?!"
"What else? Yield. You're coming to France with me."
"Ughhh…."
She clenched her fists, so earnest it cracked me up. But I had to side with Da-eun. Time apart starts now.
"…Liliana. Then join us."
"What?"
My turn to blink. Da-eun scooted close post-declaration.
And.
Smack—a quick kiss. Lips brushing lightly, she blushed faintly.
"…Been ages since Master taught me. Might be nice to learn again."
"Hmph. Won't chase a guy who says no. But if Da-eun insists, I can help a little."
As Da-eun and I locked eyes, Liliana hugged me from behind, stripping my shirt.
"Hey. Hey…."
I tried intervening amid the whirlwind.
"Hoyeon."
But Da-eun cut me off, smiling softly. That look silenced me.
"…Yeah. Da-eun."
"Thanks."
"…Hah. Thank you. For not fighting Liliana."
I remembered their spat. Liliana's weirdly proud of her streams—'supporting the household.' Used to be true, not now. Raiding Buyer Guild with Da-eun filled our coffers. She knew, could've argued, but held back. Grateful for that kindness.
"Grateful? Prove it with actions… Mm. Chu."
Hand on Da-eun's nape, feeling Liliana's slender fingers on my bare skin, I kissed Da-eun.