Chapter 198
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 198
Chapter Title: Back to the Inventory
"Then, if you'll excuse me for a moment."
"Ah. Yes. Go ahead."
I flung open the front door and let the person outside in. It was the dorm manager hired by Justitia.
"I heard some weird noises. Everything okay?"
"Ah. Yeah. Haha. Of course. Just had a bit of cleaning up to do."
"I understand."
Everyone's got a few things they can't let others see. Thankfully, the understanding manager smiled warmly and stepped inside, saying she got it.
It felt a little like lying, but my life was on the line. Couldn't be helped.
"You keep the place awfully tidy."
"It's just me living here, and the place is ridiculously huge. I clean every day."
Lily does, anyway.
"Can't blame you. Classic dean flex."
"Seems like he likes that kind of thing."
I kept the awkward conversation going with a forced smile. The manager glanced here and there.
She poked around everywhere, but nothing suspicious. Of course not.
The spot that should've had kid cushions? Empty.
Kid dishes, kid blankets, kid clothes. Not a single one in sight.
I'd sucked them all in the moment I saw them. Obviously.
But one thing I couldn't suck in remained. Naturally—
"Hm. Must've been rumors. Got a lot of complaints about this room being noisy."
"Ah, sorry. Probably me chatting with a friend on speaker. I'll be careful."
"Appreciate it."
"Yes. Haha. Ha."
My laugh cut off abruptly. Simple reason. I locked eyes with the one thing that wouldn't fit in the [Inventory].
A woman with a cat draped over one shoulder. Golden hair swaying, face so captivating that anyone unaware of her personality would fall at first sight.
Her blue eyes drew you in like an abyss. And that creature was...
Grinning ear to ear. Right in front of the manager.
"Something wrong?"
"Ah. Nothing at all."
I whipped my head around wildly. Two meanings there. One for the manager. The other a warning to the breathing intruder who dodged the airless [Inventory].
Don't try anything stupid. But she ignored me, prancing past the manager to plop on the sofa.
Then kicked her legs like some tomboy girl, smiling all the while.
Nothing I could do but pray she stayed put and trailed after the manager.
"Lots of dishes."
"I didn't touch anything. Just used what was already here."
"Hm. Previous tenant must've left them."
"Guess so. I mostly just sleep here. Gets lonely, so I call friends on speaker every day."
"Fair enough. Living alone in a place this big would be lonely. Girlfriend?"
Girlfriend? The rude question right off the bat nearly made me grimace.
A 25-year-old eternal singleton like me was about to say, "No, just a friend," when our eyes met.
The one on the sofa crossing her arms in an X, lips pursed, eyes glaring.
Playful impulse hit. I said yes instead. The manager looked shocked, and Raphael popped an exclamation mark over her head.
"Impressive."
"Yeah. I'll use earphones from now on. How much longer?"
"Almost done. Nothing weird, just the bathroom left—why the face?"
"Ah, nothing."
Blonde in my sightline, but nothing. Glaring, cat in hand, throwing me kitty punches.
Nothing, so please continue.
I took the full-force kitty punches while following the manager. Raphael looked like she wanted to say something.
At least she had a conscience and stayed quiet.
"Sorry to bother you when you need rest, but complaints mean we have to check."
"I get it."
Yeah. I get the hassle. Can't be helped. So hurry up and leave so the kitty punches stop. Ow.
"Yes. Bathroom's fine too—"
Fine, right? Why the face. I cleared all the kid bath sets.
What the hell's the issue. Same thought as I entered, but then I spotted it too.
"Two toothbrushes."
"Ah."
The sound slipped out. Didn't think of that. Raphael's usual pink one and my blue one.
Both jammed in the holder.
"Ah. That’s..."
How to explain this? Glancing aside...
The blonde was covering her mouth, laughing. Serves you right face. Whose side are you on?
—Pffft.
Guess not mine.
Luckily, my brain freeze ended when Benia supplied the answer. [Say you lost one and pulled out a spare. Idiot?]
Hm. Genius idea. Said I found the spare later and stuck it back. She bought it, more or less.
Manager left, and I collapsed on the floor, exhausted. Mental drain was no joke.
Needed to let Benia and the kids out, but first, just a bit of rest.
Lying there recovering, naturally, the blonde poked my body.
"Still alive? Lee Seong-hoon, escapee from eternal singletonhood?"
"Why the sudden family name."
"My whim. Must be nice having a girlfriend."
"If I did, would I be here? More importantly, you. Benia cast perception lowering. Stay put. Why wander?"
Her pouty face switched to a grin. Like it was hilarious, looking down at me laughing.
"It was fun."
"Fun? Thought my heart would explode."
"So what. It's our little memory. Nice, right?"
Is it. I pressed down on the giggling blonde's head. It went smoothly.
Habitually stroked a few times, then got up.
"Should I ask Benia for soundproofing magic?"
"For real?"
"Yeah."
"Yesss!! Let's finish that game!! Show 'em Eight Gates Open (True) Lee Seong-hoon!!"
"Let's do it."
Raphael's excitement made me smile unwittingly.
Convincing. Ignored the ensuing cat kneading sounds.
"Levatein."
"This house too small?"
"Meaning, uncomfortable?"
"Ah. Um."
Conversation stalled. I stroked Levatein's head, back in my arms, pondering how to keep it going.
Explained that way, she lit up again. Rubbed her head vigorously with both hands, and she clung harder, saying stuff like [Tickles~].
"But why ask?"
"Ah."
Simple. So many family members, regular house too small. Can't afford a new one either.
So what I'm saying is—
"Ranking matches soon. Thinking of climbing a bit."
"If Levatein wants, you'll do it? Total daughter spoiler."
Teasing me? Family move won't hinge on Levatein alone. I'm not that much of a pushover dad.
Obviously—
"Gotta hear Sion's opinion too."
"What about mine?!"
No answer. Common sense gets no reply.
Sion, sparkling-eyed in Benia's arms, finally noticed my gaze and responded.
"Anywhere's fine!! Benia's lair from earlier seemed nice!!"
Not that. Still a bit timid, so I petted her head.
"Good. Then I'll push hard? For my daughter, I'll climb the ranks."
Top 500 gets better than this place. Rosaline's a cheapskate but loves showing off—builds these spots well.
Definitely better views, bigger, nicer facilities.
"But you hate attention. High rank means stares... Eek!!"
"Me too. 700s perfect, but oh well."
So many people. I chuckled, ducking my head, and Levatein looked up.
Eye contact, big grin.
"Jeez. Who'd she get this cuteness from."
"Me."
Ignore. Nonsense gets ignored. Finished the puzzle with Levatein instead.
"Seong-hoon."
"..."
"Ten seconds. Answer."
Lee-Seong-hoooooon—!!! The roar echoed, living room turned chaos.
Noisy? Manager just left, but our home stayed the same.
On the sofa, Benia and Sion chatted, ignoring our fight.
At the table, Lachesis and Levatein puzzled away.
Not a bad family.
"Answer!! Lee Seong-hoon!!"
Minus the violent blonde.
"Won't answer to the end!!!"
Next morning.
Justitia gave a holiday to investigate yesterday's incident. Day off after two days of school—who knows.
Given, so taken. Stayed up late, planned to sleep in.
Like always, around 10? Yeah. Yawn lazily, munch Lily's bread, start the day.
But...
"..."
"Please."
"Ah..."
Irritated. Hoarse voice up at the purple-haired maid yanking my blanket.
"You my mom or something?"
Honest. Good. Damn. No blanket, can't sleep, her brazenness forces me up.
"Benia..."
"This every day from now...?"
Really. Please.
More desperate than yesterday.