Chapter 128
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: Aftermath of the Exam
-----------------------------------------------------------------
So, how much time had passed since we'd had sex again?
"Hah... hah..."
"How... how can you... be... Eastern... like that..."
Jessica and Julia, who had spent nearly half a day tangled up with me, weren't just retired—they lay sprawled on the bed, fingers twitching faintly, their stamina utterly depleted.
I watched the two of them for a moment before heading to the bathroom to wash up.
After rinsing off roughly under the hot spray, I dried my annoying long hair.
—Whirrrrr.
'I really should cut this thing.'
Normally, Mom Ayaka or Mom Yuka would dry it for me, but even so, dealing with long hair was a total pain.
I dried my hair diligently with those thoughts in mind, then slipped into the white bathrobe and slippers provided in the villa before heading to the terrace.
The reason for the terrace? Nothing special—just the great view.
For reference, this was a villa in the mountains, but still close enough to the city that the night skyline was perfectly visible from the terrace—a prime spot.
I sat in one of the chairs on the terrace, gazing at the beautiful nightscape as I thought to myself.
'You really need money to live like a human. To see views like this.'
People really do need money.
It was something I'd always felt even before possessing this body, but how did rich people always find these prime locations?
As I leisurely enjoyed the night view with those thoughts, how much time passed?
—Slide.
Someone roughly yanked open the terrace door, and that someone was none other than...
"There you are."
"Just enjoying the night view."
"Mind if I sit here?"
"Yeah, sure, whatever."
Lunako, who had passed out with my dick still buried in her and then vanished at some point.
She'd switched back to polite speech because the sex (business) was over.
I nodded toward Lunako as she entered wearing a similar bathrobe—no, more precisely, holding a beer can in her hand—and asked,
"Beer, huh?"
"Yes, it was in the fridge."
"You gonna give me one?"
"If you need it."
"Then just one can."
I took the beer and stared at the can with a somewhat pensive expression.
And for good reason.
'Man, it's been forever since I last had one of these.'
I hadn't touched alcohol since possessing this body.
No, not just alcohol—even cigarettes, I avoided.
Of course, even before possession, I wasn't much for booze or smokes.
I only did them when shit hit the fan.
'In other words, shit hit the fan a lot back then.'
Anyway, if asked why I hadn't drunk any, honestly, there weren't many major stressors here.
And even if there were, they cleared up quick or turned into good vibes.
Of course, the biggest reason was it was hard to buy booze, and with this young body, I just didn't crave it.
So why drink now?
Just seeing beer after so long made me think, 'Hmm, maybe just one?'
Plus, I was a bit curious if my tolerance differed from before possession.
I gulped it down for a bit.
"Hm, not getting drunk much."
"...Your face is pretty red, though?"
This body was surprisingly weak to alcohol.
Before possession, it took four bottles of soju to get me buzzed, but now half a beer can did it.
Damn. No more after this.
"This is my first time drinking too, so I didn't expect this."
"Hmmm..."
What was with that suspicious look? Did she doubt me?
Well, fair enough.
'Even I'd think it was a lie if I claimed I hadn't.'
Anyway, as I sipped, I felt my mood lift.
Before possession, it tanked my energy, but this was the opposite.
I mulled over the differences between pre-possession me and Takuya while sipping steadily.
Then, catching the story-laden glint in Lunako's eyes, I spoke up.
"Mind if I ask something?"
"What is it?"
"Oh, nothing big—just curious about that 'favored one' thing you mentioned earlier."
Lunako fell silent at my words.
She definitely had a backstory.
The hesitant look said it all—wondering if she should even share.
After watching her ponder for a bit...
Lunako decided it was fine and answered my question.
"First off, just to clarify, I'm not particularly favored or anything."
"Then?"
"It's just that I'm someone the family head took in, and I serve as his secretary, so that's probably why."
"So, in short, you didn't do anything special—just being by his side got you that label?"
"Exactly."
I nodded in understanding at her words.
I'd been there myself. I moved at my superior's command, but there were plenty of times I became his string-puller.
As we shared that mild empathy over drinks, a tipsy Lunako spoke in a husky voice.
"Truth is, it's not even real favor—I'm a sold girl, after all."
"Sold?"
"Yes. My parents' business tanked, they borrowed money, and they accepted Yusuke-sama's offer: give him a kid, get cash."
"..."
I had nothing to say to that.
Never imagined she'd been collateral for a loan as a child.
"Honestly, I get it up to there. Selling a kid? It happens."
Her voice cracked with tears despite saying that, but I didn't call her on it.
It was plenty reason to choke up.
"But if you're selling your daughter, at least feel some guilt—no, forget guilt. Just... love me a little."
Lunako said that, tilted her head up to the sky, and muttered with resentful eyes somewhere distant.
"But when I went home later, I was practically a ghost. They doted on my siblings—probably because my value had dropped."
She gazed at the sky a moment, then lowered her head, turned to me, and let out a hollow laugh—puh.
"Isn't it hilarious? I slaved away my whole life to pay their debt, and they didn't even see me as a daughter."
Whether from the booze or self-mockery, she trailed off weakly.
"The debt's paid now, and I'm old enough to escape their grasp."
Like she was questioning herself, not me.
"What the hell am I supposed to do now, after living half my life without freedom...?"
In that moment, the cold, rigid Lunako in my eyes transformed into a fragile girl.
One scarred, overcome, but lost on what came next.
Was that her true self?
'Probably, yeah.'
More like her act and reality had synced after years of performance.
How'd I know?
I'd been like her before possession.
A bit of backstory: Before the army, I was a wild middle schooler full of mischief.
Basically, the class clown who got along with everyone.
But war hit, and over decades, my personality flipped completely.
Not just changed—practically a new person.
By the time I entered politics post-war, I'd half-forgotten how to smile, always stone-faced.
My behavior shifted too.
I loved attention once, but later hated it and solitude most.
Unavoidable changes.
Politicians checking soldiers to protect their turf, top brass shredding my expertise once I built it, old folks distrusting the military-dominated society.
The more I worked for the nation, the more enemies checked me, forcing me to bristle like a thorned beast unknowingly.
Or they'd stab me anytime.
Politics weakening helped mellow me later, but I still preferred my room.
Long digression, but point is:
I related to her, so I felt for her.
Thus.
"Well, if you need work, how about under me?"
"Pardon?"
I meant hire her.
"I run a small business that's growing, so I need someone detail-oriented to manage it."
True story.
Miyuki's talent had unexpectedly scaled it up fast.
Fine for now, but bigger scale would strain us.
So I'd planned to hire a secretary beforehand.
'Can't let prime talent like this slip.'
She'd worked for a big family—knew dealings, temperaments, had skills.
No wasting that.
"...Just give me a little time."
Lunako pondered my offer briefly before asking for time.
"Take your time. No rush anyway."
She nodded at that, stared blankly at the cityscape again, and I followed suit.
What a beautiful view.