The Unending Drizzle
It took some effort to get my loosened expression back under control. Not that I minded. If this had been at home, I probably would’ve been rolling around on the bed, clutching a pillow or blanket, completely overwhelmed by the ticklish sensation spreading through my body in time with my pounding heart.
I rubbed my slack face and massaged the back of my neck. The heat still lingered vividly on my skin. I took a deep breath to keep it from reigniting that same ticklish feeling in my chest. Even so, the corners of my mouth kept trying to curl upward, so I headed for the nearest restroom.
Staring into the mirror above the sink, I saw a face that practically had “something good happened” written all over it. I forced my mouth back into a straight line. The moment I relaxed, it crept back up again. I shook my head.
“God, this is actually driving me crazy.”
Muttering to myself, I splashed cold water on my face to cool down. The chill gradually pulled the heat away. Leaning on the sink with both arms, I looked at my reflection until the ridiculous smile finally faded. Outwardly, I looked fine. But I knew the embers in my heart could flare up again at any moment. With a wry chuckle, I dried my face with a handkerchief and headed back toward my destination.
Emotions full, preparations complete. All that remained was to move forward for the goal. The decisive battle was today. Even if the outcome wasn’t what I hoped for, I’d already braced myself. Just as that thorny thought tried to stab into my chest, reason cut it off. Sumire’s personality meant she wouldn’t suddenly flip like that. Feeling my heart and mind align, I kept walking.
When I arrived and looked past the showroom, I saw rows of luxury cars and stepped inside without hesitation. A suited employee spotted me and approached.
“Welcome, Mr. Kim Shin.”
“Yes, Mr. Shimura. I heard the vehicle is ready?”
“This way, please.”
He led me to a car bearing the iconic three-pointed star. Noticing my gaze, the dealer continued with obvious pride.
“This is the Mercedes-Maybach S560 4MATIC. Fully optioned—panoramic sunroof, Burmester surround sound, active ambient lighting, and—”
The explanation gradually faded into background noise. I examined the car’s exterior for a moment before asking,
“So, the total price?”
“Including tax, 29.8 million yen.”
Nearly 300 million won. I never thought I’d be able to buy a Mercedes-Maybach this easily. In the future, the brand’s prestige had dropped enough that people joked about “car poor,” but even then, Maybach still carried serious weight. Still, this was an amount I’d have to work ten years for back in reality. Spending this kind of money on a car…
‘It’s an investment to win Sumire.’
The thought of people flexing luxury cars on social media with their girlfriends made me chuckle inwardly. I used to think guys who scrambled to buy nice cars for women were idiots. Now that same boomerang was coming straight for me, but it bounced off harmlessly. Maybe because it wasn’t money I’d earned through blood and sweat, I felt no hesitation at all.
‘Well, it was the only car I could buy immediately within a week, so…’
Whether it was quick intuition or just a dealer’s instinct, he spoke up urgently.
“You’re very lucky, Mr. Kim. This was the absolute last unit we had in stock with every option you requested.”
His worried tone pulled me out of my thoughts. I smiled and nodded.
“I’m satisfied. As promised, since you handled everything cleanly within a week, I’ll add a little extra. I can pay in full, but financing would be better for your incentives and performance review, right?”
The dealer bowed deeply at a perfect 90 degrees.
“Thank you very much.”
After signing the contract and taking delivery, I waved to Shimura through the open window as he bowed again, then drove home.
“Final preparations complete. Car, house, financial power—all three done.”
Now I just needed the woman to share the nest with. Feeling satisfied, I scratched my cheek at how middle-aged that thought sounded.
“It takes a big decision to throw everything away for love alone. This is just something to ease that burden.”
Sumire probably wasn’t the type to do that anyway. She’d already spent years supporting an unpopular band-member husband out of love, so this kind of preparation would be necessary. A handsome man’s interest would mostly just boost her self-esteem—it wouldn’t be enough to shake her.
“Even if it reaches excitement, something more is needed to go further.”
Tap. Tap. I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel, continuing the calculation. A handsome, fit, wealthy man with an expensive house and car. I just needed to increase the factors that could make her waver.
Materialistic? If Sumire weren’t married, love and attraction alone might’ve been enough. But right now, I was trying to steal someone else’s wife.
“I have to be careful. Showing too much difference at once would backfire. Still, why is my head working so well all of a sudden?”
As I drove, the deductions and expected outcomes, along with points to watch out for, surfaced naturally. The helper answered my question.
> Answer: This is the effect of increased intelligence. It is not just direct IQ, but an overall enhancement. Your current IQ of 10 corresponds to approximately 120–140. All cognitive functions have improved across the board.
“Ah, so that’s it?”
Chatting idly with the helper, I arrived at the underground parking lot of the luxury officetel, parked, and went up. The 15th floor. A place with a great view that had suddenly appeared as a quick sale. The ink on the contract was barely dry. Yet the final words of the previous owner, whom I’d found suspicious from the start, still left an unpleasant aftertaste.
‘It’s a nice house. Nothing bad will happen…’
The real estate agent had jumped in right after, laughing too loudly.
‘Ahaha! A 15th-floor unit with a great view and good value—it’s perfect for you, sir! Right?!’
Recalling that scene from just the other day, I narrowed my eyes.
“There really is something going on, isn’t there?”
A house worth an average of 500 million yen, sold for 230 million—less than half price. Both the owner and the agent had been hiding something. It was annoying. That guilty look on their faces…
Even so, I walked around the house I’d bought before fully moving in. It was only 3 PM. Even though no one had lived here for over a month and a cleaning company had finished yesterday, a distinct chill hung in the air with no trace of warmth.
I made a guess. My rational mind immediately rejected it as nonsense.
“I’ve already become the owner of Leisure Life. What’s the point of calling something unscientific?”
Smiling, I took out an item I’d previously dismissed as junk.
Has the effect of repelling evil. Deals continuous damage to anything belonging to the demonic realm when sprayed. Non-monster ghosts are immediately purified.
I shrugged.
“Better safe than sorry.”
I poured it all into a spray bottle from my inventory and walked around, spraying thoroughly.
Chik—! Chik—!
While meticulously covering every corner, I opened the last room. Just as I was thinking it might’ve been unnecessary worry, a bone-chilling cold far worse than the one I’d felt upon entering swept over me. The space was visibly empty, yet something in one corner—whether illusion or instinct—made my hair stand on end. Nerves on edge, I sprayed while blurting out an impromptu exorcism chant.
Chik—! Chik-chik-chik!
Aiming like a gun, I sprayed rapidly.
“Evil spirits, begone! Evil spirits, begone! Get out of my house!”
After thoroughly dousing the entire room, the chill finally receded. Just as I was wondering if I’d overreacted, a notification appeared.
You have exorcised a ghost for the first time!
“Whoa! That scared me!”
Startled, I took a step back. Calming my racing heart, I tapped the window. A new message followed.
The conditions for the skill [Exorcism] have been met.
“I’ll check that later.”
I closed the window and sank into the cozy sofa, glancing at the clock.
PM 03:50.
“About two hours until Sumire gets off work?”
Two hours felt both short and endlessly long. My heart began to race uncontrollably. Before the excitement could be reined in, I jumped up and headed for the bathroom. Just like earlier, when I’d parted with Sumire around 1 PM, my heart was trying to charge ahead of my plans. I splashed water on my face to stop it.
“Huu— calm down, heart. It’s not time ‘yet.’”
Scolding my overeager heart, I steadied myself. When I came out, I checked the clock again without thinking.
PM 3:55.
“Seriously… time’s not moving at all.”
Sighing at how only five minutes had passed when it felt like ten, I went to prepare my outfit.
“The suit I’m wearing now is too formal. If I show up like this, she’ll think I’m about to make a serious confession and get defensive…”
After some deliberation, I decided to change and headed to the dressing room. Seeing the large mirrors on the front and both sides, I nodded and took clothes out of my inventory.
“This one’s too flashy, this one’s too plain… Hmm. What do you think, Helper?”
> Recommendation: Casual attire. Clean but with a visually warm atmosphere.
Taking the helper’s advice, I picked an outfit, changed, and checked the time again.
PM 4:25.
“Haa… time really isn’t moving.”
Letting out a long sigh, I tried to soothe my impatience. The thought that I’d be seeing her soon made my chest flutter again. I ran a hand over my face.
“I never thought it would get this bad.”
Even though our compatibility had made me crush on Sumire before, seeing how deeply I’d fallen for a woman in just one month was ridiculous—yet I didn’t hate it. In fact, I was glad.
“I never thought this heart would beat like this again.”
As old memories tried to surface, I frowned.
“Focus on now. What are you doing, Kim Shin? Why are you thinking about that woman?”
Shaking off the sudden gloom, I picked up my phone, wondering when she’d contact me. I fiddled with random apps, then considered messaging first. Just as I was about to type, a notification chimed.
I stared at the message for a while before looking up at the ceiling. It was just text, but I could feel the resolve behind it. Letting out a long breath through my nose, I stood up.
“I should leave now if I don’t want to be late. I’ll leave the car here and go.”
Checking the time—PM 5:10.
“Perfect. Let’s go.”
I took a taxi to the park Sumire had mentioned. It was about a ten-minute walk from the convenience store. The park was quiet, almost empty—probably why she chose it. Checking the clock installed in the park:
PM 5:35.
“Thirty-five minutes left.”
With less than an hour remaining, my heart started acting up again. I lightly thumped my chest with a fist, then opened my palm and sighed. Noticing the slight sweat on my hand, I chuckled and wiped it with a handkerchief. Nervousness filled my chest, but I didn’t dislike it.
“This is the final step. In the end, the choice is Sumire’s.”
The words I’d spoken aloud echoed back, sharpening my focus. Even as anxiety tried to rise—
“That won’t happen. Absolutely not.”
I firmly rejected the worst-case scenario in my mind and waited for Sumire in the park.
* * *
“See you tomorrow, Sumire~ Ah… no, no~ Have a ‘good day’~”
“....”
Sumire, who had just finished her part-time shift, shot a glare at her coworker’s playful expression. The coworker quickly retreated, but the usual farewell felt different today. It lodged itself in her chest. Letting out a deep sigh, she placed a hand over her heart that was trying to race again. Then she checked the message she’d been avoiding.
Her body flinched. She bit her lower lip and muttered as if scolding herself.
“Get a grip, you crazy woman… You already decided to reject him.”
She closed her eyes tightly, forced the words out like rejecting bitter medicine, then steadied herself and headed for the park. Her steps were slower than usual. When she reached the entrance, she felt her heart pounding again and took a deep breath, hand on her chest.
“You can do this, Sumire. No matter what, ‘no’ is still ‘no’…”
Even as she said it, her expression was far from resolute. She tried to smooth away the troubled, conflicted look, unaware that it was the face of someone about to throw away her own chance.
She started walking again. As she approached the fountain, the sound of flowing water grew louder. Through the mist, she saw Kim Shin. The moment their eyes met, he stood up and walked toward her. With every step he took, the resolve she’d built while working crumbled further.
“Sumire noona.”
His pleasant voice sounded different today—more intimate. It pierced her ears. Her eyes wavered. She had expected what he would say. She had come here to reject it. Yet the words she’d rehearsed countless times wouldn’t come out. Her eyes drooped, her face turning anxious. Seeing that, Kim Shin gave a bitter smile.
Her heart sank at his expression. Before she could speak, he opened his mouth first.
“From your face, it looks like you already know what I’m going to say?”
Feeling exposed, she swallowed, then opened her tightly shut eyes.
“…Yeah. You’re right. It shows on your face, Shin-kun.”
She met his gaze as she spoke.
“So today… no matter what you say, I’m going to reject you.”
Even though her pained expression and determined eyes clearly showed her intent, Kim Shin looked at her with warmth and excitement. Her heart pounded violently.
“I know. I can tell from watching you how devoted and selfless you are.”
Her face flushed at the praise. She turned away to hide it, but her bright red ears peeked through her hair. Kim Shin gazed at her with undisguised affection and continued.
“I like you, Sumire noona.”
“…!!”
Sumire whipped her head back around. She had expected it, but the actual words hit far harder than she’d imagined. The impact was on a completely different level. For a moment, joy flashed in her eyes before she quickly hid it behind closed lids. She had to reject him—the thought filled her mind, yet her racing heart interfered.
“I know you’re married. I know having a husband already makes this rude.”
“....”
Hearing him continue so calmly made her heart drop. She opened her eyes in surprise. Was he giving up? The thought made her lips part, but she stopped herself. She mustn’t ask.
“So, please like me back. If you don’t want that, it would be a lie, but right now… I just want to say that I like you, noona. I really wanted to tell you that.”
“...”
Her lips moved, but no words came out. She was afraid that if she spoke, the longing she was barely holding back would burst forth.
Whether he knew her feelings or not, Kim Shin continued calmly.
“So don’t worry. After today, I’ll just remain your ‘close’ little brother.”
Thud! Her heart sank. His words were reasonable, pure, and natural. Yet they sent massive ripples through the lake she called her heart. Seeing her silence, a pained look crossed Kim Shin’s face before he returned to his usual gentle smile. That smile—the one hiding the desperate expression from his confession—left a stain on her heart without her realizing.
This was the outcome she had wanted. She had planned to reject his sincere confession and later tease him for avoiding her. She had wanted him to remain just a “close” little brother. It was selfish, but it was what she had desired. Yet when he smiled brightly and said,
“So don’t worry, Sumire noona. I won’t want anything more than this,”
she could only nod reluctantly.
* - * - * - *
Click!
“Huuu…”
After closing the door and setting down the groceries, Sumire leaned against it and looked up at the ceiling. Kim Shin’s words kept circling in her mind. Even in this chaotic state, she had gone to the discount mart to save a little money. She let out a sigh that sounded like a lament.
What am I doing?
She tried to calm herself, but the suffocating feeling in her chest wouldn’t go away.
“What are you doing standing there?”
“Huh?! Ah~ I was just a little tired, so I leaned here for a second.”
She answered more cheerfully than usual to hide her startled heart.
“Work is always tiring. Don’t just stand there—come in quickly. I have band practice today.”
His scolding tone, right after she got home, felt like needles in her heart.
‘Noona, you look tired? Eat this and then work~’
The memory of that face made the sting vanish. Startled, she looked ahead and saw her husband’s annoyed expression.
“Move already. I need to leave.”
“Huh? Ah, sorry.”
The needle pricked again. This was how he always was. So why did it hurt so much now?
Every word, every action stung. As that other face tried to surface again, she hurriedly asked,
“Honey, what about dinner? I can make it quickly. Today we have… the sukiyaki you like—”
She spoke in an overly bright, cutesy voice while he put on his shoes.
“It’s fine. They said to come quickly. I’m going.”
Her effort was cut short. The door slammed shut without him even looking back.
“You… you like sukiyaki, though…”
Even though no one was listening, the words she muttered sank into her chest. This was normal. It was the same as always. So why…?
She tried to deny the thought that rose. It was only because she’d been confessed to. When he came back… had he ever cared about things like this?
Then why was she noticing it now…?
‘Ah, sorry. I was cold?’
‘A woman shouldn’t walk on the roadside!’
‘Sumire noona—’
“Ah…”
A single exclamation escaped as that face pushed her husband aside and filled her mind. That one sound said everything.
She had been foolish to only realize it now. The cracks had always been there. The kindness and gentle tremors had made her guard up and push away, but the real earthquake had torn everything apart. Before she could even feel relief from the previous quake, the aftershock made her realize what she had truly been holding onto.
It was herself who had clung to a man she was already disappointed in. Pushing Kim Shin away had only been to maintain her pride and appear virtuous. The result of ignoring the massive crack that had always existed hit her all at once. She covered her face.
“What… what do I do…?”
Finally facing her true feelings, she muttered in a voice filled with sorrow and regret.