Childhood Friend's Dream
I have a friend who's been by my side since we were kids. To everyone else, he's the diligent, polite, straight-A type. But when it's just the two of us, he's cheerful and full of mischief. How should I put it? In front of me, he drops the mask and shows his true feelings. It's not a bad thing. I know how hard it is to find even one friend you can truly trust in this world. I like that I can be completely relaxed and myself around him too.
"Mmm..."
Maeng Do-yun clings to me while mumbling in his sleep. My friend's name is Maeng Do-yun. We stuck together through elementary, middle, and high school, and even ended up at the same workplace. Except for university, we were basically together every single day. That doesn't mean he's close with my other friends, though. Maybe because we hung out with different crowds, some of them don't even remember him. And honestly, I'm not particularly close with those friends either.
"You should cover up with the blanket."
I pulled the blanket over Do-yun, who had kicked it off and was sleeping with his body exposed.
"Haaam."
I let out a short yawn and sat up. My mind felt clear now that I was awake. I looked down at Do-yun, who was still sound asleep, completely unaware of the world.
"Pfft."
What is he going to do when he gets a girlfriend? I rested my chin lightly on my hand and gazed at him. We've slept together like this since we were little. We even bathed together. Back then, I didn't think it was strange. I just assumed every kid had a friend like that. It wasn't until puberty, when I met other friends, that I realized this wasn't normal. Still, I never minded. It felt special when I was young.
"Hehe..."
A warm smile spread across my face at the childhood memories. At the same time, my cheeks flushed as the next memory surfaced. Somehow, my first time was with him too. He was always so open with me, no barriers, no filters. I was curious what it would feel like, so I let him. Since I'd gone along with all his other pranks, I figured sex wasn't any different. We were so young back then. So young.
I let go of my chin and hugged my knees. From that point on, Do-yun started clinging to me every single day.
— Let's do it, let's do it~
I refused at first, but like always, I ended up accepting. Even so, I still felt embarrassed each time. Being naked in front of someone is pretty shameful.
"You're really something."
I let out a soft laugh. He's so immature. Good thing he's only like this with me~.
We first went our separate ways in university, and that felt strange. I thought it was inevitable since we had different dreams. But who would've guessed we'd end up at the same workplace after going in circles?
"Hmm."
A sudden wave of resentment hit me. I pouted and poked Do-yun's cheek hard while he slept. He talks about dating girls and even one-night stands, yet I've never had a single relationship!
"Ah. Am I too much of a pushover?"
The thought occurred to me for the first time. Now that I think about it, he meets all kinds of women! He even said he got a married woman pregnant recently. I was completely stunned when I heard that.
— Her chest was huge. But your butt was prettier.
Instead of getting angry, I just laughed because it was funny. I even replied, "Oh really? Thanks~." Looking back now, that was so weird. Still, the resentment faded quickly. I know he treats me with genuine sincerity. Just as I cherish Do-yun as someone special, he feels the same way about me. We value each other as friends. It's not something anyone taught us; it feels like it's engraved in our hearts. Like how 1+1 equals 2, it's simply natural.
"......"
Come to think of it, he even came to me when he had a girlfriend before. Geez. I told him not to. Maybe I'm the one who's wrong for accepting. Sigh~, I don't know anymore~.
"We've always been like this, so whatever."
I know it's strange now, but what can I do? We've been this way since we were kids, so I've just gotten used to it.
"Haaam~, where are you...?"
Still half-asleep, he groped around the empty space on the bed like a mother bird searching for her chick.
"Hm? I was just going to the bathroom~. You're awake? Sorry~."
When I came back from the bathroom and lay down, he immediately nestled into my arms.
"Ugh."
I skillfully rubbed his back as he buried his face in my chest. The habit from childhood still hasn't disappeared even after growing up.
"Tsk.... When's the milk coming out?"
"You jerk."
"Want me to get you pregnant? Then the milk will come out."
That's the problem. He says things to me that he should be saying to a girlfriend. As if it's the most natural thing in the world, he squeezes my butt and sucks on my nipple.
"You should say that to your girlfriend~."
"You can just be my girlfriend."
I smiled awkwardly at Do-yun's reply as he kept his eyes closed, nipple still in his mouth.
"That's never happening~."
We've known each other since we were so young that he feels more like family than a member of the opposite sex.
"What are you going to do if you actually get me pregnant as a joke?"
"Then..."
The answer was already decided, just like always.
"I'll accept it~."
Because he's a precious friend, I can go along with even a prank like pregnancy~. I didn't realize how far this deviated from common sense. No, I knew to some extent, but it never felt wrong.
TIP: The longer a setup remains active, the more naturally memory alterations will progress.
A new tip had been added. So basically, it means to maintain one setup for a long time.
"Nice."
A short comment of appreciation. Of course. Now that I can handle three people, I can invest in one for Yoo-na's sake. The longest I've maintained so far was with Kim Na-eun. Even that was less than a month. What if I keep Yoo-na for a year or two? How would she change? Just imagining it is pretty exciting.
Vrrr—!
I looked at Yoo-na as she came out after drying her hair. Her house felt like my own now. Lying naked on the bed, I asked,
"Where are you going?"
"Hm? Seoul. I told you I was going to see my younger siblings, didn't I?"
I hadn't. It's only been a week since we became childhood friends again. She mentioned being the head of the household with two younger siblings, right? Even though I'd refined the memory alterations in detail over two sessions, three minutes wasn't enough. Still, the memory changes would automatically create the most fitting narrative.
"Have a safe trip~."
"Mm~."
After Yoo-na left, about an hour passed. I got up after sniffing her blanket and stretched widely.
"I should get moving too."
Right after downloading the app with the hypnosis code, I'd had a passing idea. My own empire. It was connected to the reason I'd come down to Hanasi from Seoul, the center of culture, economy, and transportation. A quiet, uneventful life. I wanted to escape the endless competition and compromise with reality. I was just so tired. It's not like I never tried to succeed. But there were always people more talented and more hardworking than me. The hypnosis app that suddenly appeared was enough to completely change my life plan. Ah, but wanting a quiet life isn't a lie. I still want to finish my years of service without any trouble. It's not something a guy in his twenties should say, but I threw away passion a long time ago. Even now, I just want luck to favor me. And now I have the tool to make that happen.
"I want to work quietly."
In other words: I want an easy, comfortable job where no one bothers me, but I still get paid a lot. Easy to understand, right?
Click—!
When I closed the door to Yoo-na's house and stepped outside, a warm spring breeze blew in. Perfect day to start, isn't it? The corner of my mouth curled up. Because now I could finally make that passing idea a reality.
§
Park Ha-eun
Thirty-three years old. My looks? I'm not lacking anywhere, right? I was Miss Korea, so saying I'm ugly would be weird~. In this small rural real estate market, having someone young, fresh, and pretty like me is basically a brand on its own. If I just act a little friendly, plenty of middle-aged men sign contracts on their own. Work is really easy thanks to that. Because of me, all the prime land is under contract.
"It was worth all the hard work, wasn't it?"
The moment the new city development plan was announced, I was the first to come and settle in this rural land. I'm so proud of myself~. The jealous looks from the latecomers are always entertaining, no matter how many times I see them~.
"Hehe~."
May every day from now on stay just like this~.
— Boss, the client you had an appointment with today has arrived.
"Yes~, tell them to come in~."
Normally I wouldn't take personal appointments, but they want to contract a building? Even if it costs several times more? Ha, funny. Probably just some nouveau riche showing off their money.
"Hehe."
Let's see what this nouveau riche looks like, shall we?
§
While turning Yoo-na back into my childhood friend, I did some research. I needed information first. That's when I found Park Ha-eun. Honestly, it wasn't hard to find. One search and a whole list popped up.
"If I seduce her outright, she'll go along with it."
Hana Real Estate
Representative
Park Ha-eun
There was one unusual thing in her profile.
Miss Korea Winner
I wondered why she'd put that on a real estate agent's resume, but whatever.
"You can go inside."
"Yep."
Following the staff's guidance, I entered the office. She had long wavy hair and smiled with large eyes, a high nose, and bright white teeth, clearly playing up her Miss Korea background. She had striking features. Not my usual type. I prefer the gentle, modest look of a university senior. But that doesn't mean she's unattractive. She's pretty. The fact that I'd bow if she gave me something remains unchanged.
"Oh my~? So young...?"
She clearly expected some rich middle-aged man. I smiled brightly and said,
"Everyone thinks that when I make the reservation. Especially since I'm buying a building out of nowhere."
I had enough experience as a civil servant to pull off a flawless smile.
"I see~. I must've been too obvious~?"
Park Ha-eun smiled and guided me to a seat, then brought tea. While she did that, I looked around. As expected, it was on a completely different level from Kim Na-eun's smart farm office. This was a place for people with money and power, so of course it was set up accordingly.
"I was a bit surprised~. Usually when people make reservations, they already have a specific property in mind."
There was an edge to her words. Normally, people research the building they want beforehand. I smiled faintly and replied,
"Well, it's not for me. It's a gift."
"Ah..."
Park Ha-eun's expression grew complicated. A young guy suddenly shows up saying he's buying a building as a gift? Even I wouldn't be able to hide my reaction if I were her. But I'm not an amateur. The consultation continued. I listened with a bored attitude, making it obvious I was annoyed. Eventually, she gave up trying to explain.
"Shall we go take a look then?"
"Sure."
"About parking......"
I shook my head.
"I walked here."
"Ah.... I see~."
She was clearly trying to gauge me. A car is the easiest way to judge someone's status at a glance. Not a chance. I'd left my old car parked safely at home. I casually shrugged and said,
"Let's take Representative's car and go together."
There were CCTV cameras in the office, so using hypnosis carelessly would be difficult.
"Shall we?"
We got into her car and looked at several buildings. Walking together, she was definitely tall. Even considering the heels, she was quite tall.
"Did you see everything properly?"
"Hmm. Yeah. Nothing really caught my eye."
"Ha?"
After spending two hours explaining everything so diligently, getting such a half-hearted response would piss anyone off. Still, she forced a smile and held it in. Impressive.
"......"
"Then..."
"I'll come again next week. Hopefully there'll be some interesting buildings by then."
I spoke in a languid voice, eyes fixed outside the window.
"......Yes, of course."
I could tell without looking that she was clenching her teeth.
"You look like you're having a hard time, so I'll give you a little hint."
"......What would that be?"
It had aged enough. Time to begin.
"I want a building like this."
"......?"
She looked confused for a moment when she saw the unlit candle on the screen. It was so sudden.
"If you stare at it for about three seconds, the app will recognize it and move to the next screen."
"Aah~. Okay."
Her voice had lost all energy, like she was exhausted. Whoosh! One second. Two seconds. Three seconds.
Ha-eun noona. Welcome to the world of hypnosis.