2. Delusion
2. Delusion
Matthew-ssi said he had a schedule, left us his business card, and left.
And I'm still just sitting on the bed, unable to shake the suspicion that this might be a dream.
There's no way to know exactly what I just saw, but... that the villain did something to me, that much was certain.
"Oppa... are you okay?"
"...Yeah. I'm fine."
"What about just now? If you're hurting anywhere, don't hold it in and tell me, Oppa. Got it?"
"Sure."
Eunji is... someone who worries about me more than I do myself.
Perhaps it's thanks to that altruistic nature that she awakened as a hero.
And an S-rank one at that.
"I talked to the Branch Manager earlier, and he said you can be discharged whenever you want, as long as you're okay, Oppa."
"Really? Then let's go. I'm perfectly fine."
"R-right now? Will you be okay, Oppa?"
"I'm fine. Should we just go straight back to our date? A lot... happened earlier, after all."
Eunji smiles softly at my light joke, which I made to ease her worries; she really is lovely.
The fact that such an Eunji just now, in the strange... imagination that popped into my head, had her chest touched by another man...
...It's a bit unsettling, and it bothers me. It's unpleasant... it's something that should be unpleasant, but I keep thinking about it.
Is this also because of that Delusion trait?
"Let's go home first, Oppa."
"Yeah. Let's go."
Eunji and I are living together.
We've been dating for 5 years without any major conflicts, so there's almost no awkwardness.
I never expected that we would end up returning home like this, when just this morning we were walking out holding hands....
"People kept staring at us."
"Who? Me? Or you, Oppa?"
"You, Eunji. I think it's because of your hair color."
I felt people's gazes little by little the whole way home.
It's common knowledge that hair or eye color changes when you awaken as a hero.
Maybe they were staring because Eunji is a hero, or maybe just... because she's pretty.
"Hmm... what do you think, Oppa? My hair."
"It's pretty. Just like before."
"Doesn't it look awkward? Or should I dye it back to my old color?"
"It's fine. It looks good as it is."
It would be a shame for her to give up such a unique hair color just because of me.
Anyway, we've returned home. Our home, our space, our nest. Home.
Actually, I had been a bit tense until just now, but as I opened the front door and stepped inside, I felt a little relieved.
Maybe that's why I noticed a bit late that Eunji's phone kept vibrating—vrrr-vrrr—signaling something.
"Eunji-ya. Looks like you got a text?"
"Huh? Ah, this... things have been coming in since earlier. I took a peek, and it looks like it's from the Hero Branch."
"Then you should check it quickly. Go ahead and read it."
I'm not used to it yet, but Eunji is an S-rank hero now.
I don't want to be a hindrance to her work as a hero.
While Eunji checks her phone, which is already piling up with texts, I sit next to her and take out the document I received from Matthew-ssi.
'Rank: F / Trait: Delusion - Masochism'
"......."
"Ugh... Oppa, there are so many difficult words in these texts...?"
"Read it slowly. One by one."
"Then first... it says I have to complete new hero training. Since I'm S-rank, there's additional training, sch-scheduled... ugh."
"You don't have to read it out loud, do you?"
"No! You need to know too, Oppa."
"Me too?"
"Yup. You're my boyfriend."
Eunji sticks right next to me, leaning her head on my shoulder as she continues to read the texts.
"And... a suit. They said I need to get measured for a custom suit."
"I suppose so."
"Also, basic physical training... partner hero assignment... mock combat simulation... ughhh! Th-there's so many..."
Eunji presses the button on her phone to turn off the screen and flops it face-down on the table in front of us.
Then, she suddenly throws herself into my arms, wraps her arms around my neck, and hugs me tight.
I don't seem that surprised, and I naturally hug her back gently as I ask.
"What's wrong?"
"Just... because I think I'll be a bit busy from now on, so, in advance."
"You'll be busy. And you'll have a hard time, too."
"...Still, I'm glad I awakened. Because that meant I could save you, Oppa."
Vrrr- Vrrr-
__
Just then, Eunji's phone, which she had left on the table, vibrates again.
Seeing it ring continuously in a regular pattern, it's a call, not a text.
"You got a call?"
"Just a little more, just a little more."
"Haha... go ahead and answer it."
Eunji, who had been clinging to me, reluctantly lifts her head and picks up the phone.
The number displayed on the screen is an unfamiliar one that isn't saved.
"Hello? Who is this?"
The moment she answers the phone, her eyes widen, and she is startled.
"Br-Branch Manager? Ah... I haven't saved your number yet, yes, yes... heh, hehe...."
I got a business card too, didn't I?
I probably won't have much reason to contact him... but I should save it anyway.
"Yes... ah, is that so? Yes. Yes... today, um... yes!"
The call ended quickly, in about 5 minutes.
After finishing the call, Eunji puts the phone back down and lets out a light sigh.
"Phew-ooo."
"Why? What's up?"
"They said I need to come to the branch to register my hero ID."
"Really? But the Branch Manager, I mean, Matthew-ssi called you himself?"
"Yup. Apparently, for S-rank heroes, the Branch Manager handles them personally at each branch."
"Oh... special treatment."
"Anyway, so, I have to go there for a bit today... and while I'm at it, I have to get measured for the suit and do a few minor check-ups."
Busy from the very first day of awakening.
Then I shouldn't be a stumbling block.
"Go ahead. I'll have dinner ready. Is there anything you want to eat?"
"Let's eat something delicious today! Even if it was for a short time, you were discharged, Oppa, and I became a hero!"
"Sure. Of course we should."
We stand up together.
I follow Eunji to the front door as she gets ready to go out, and then,
Chu. I lightly bump my lips against hers.
"I'll be back soon!"
"Take your time. Watch out for cars."
Eunji waves through the gap until the door closes.
Thud, once the door closes, I'm left alone in the house.
"......."
I sit back down at the table where I was sitting with Eunji just a moment ago.
I pick up the paper I had put down and read the explanation I hadn't paid much attention to before.
'Trait: Delusion - Masochism is a debuff-type variant trait for which there is currently no clear removal method.
The characteristic is that it is a growth-type trait, a structure that allows for stronger output when conditions are met.
A precise examination is strongly recommended to understand how it operates and how it grows.
Basically, masochistic delusion forces a delusion that exaggerates a painful situation, making the trait holder desire it.
Unresolved delusions work by applying additional debuffs and....'
"...Okay. I don't know what that means."
Should I study up on heroes and traits, too?
Eunji will get used to these things.
Eunji... right, Eunji.
...Has Eunji arrived yet? The Hero Association Seoul Branch, it's not far from here.
My head started throbbing, so I gave up on reading the rest of the explanation.
For dinner... should I make the Dakgalbi that Eunji likes?
Or....
"......."
Normal thoughts or worries keep hitting the ceiling, feeling blocked.
Instead, one thought flows forward, straight and smooth.
They said S-rank heroes are managed directly by the Branch Manager, right?
Then that means Eunji is also being managed by Matthew-ssi.
And since she's going to get measured for a custom suit today....
I can picture it.
Beyond the dark vision behind my closed eyes, Eunji is standing alone with Matthew-ssi.
To make a tight-fitting hero suit, she obviously has to... take off her clothes, right?
"......."
"......."
The image of my girlfriend standing in front of another man, taking off her coat, shirt, and pants.
The vivid imagination keeps branching out, trying to go further.
I know that people usually don't wear underwear under hero suits.
If so, even when getting measured....
"......."
Eunji reaches her hands behind her back.
Click, the sound of the hook coming undone, and her underwear falling.
And her bare chest revealed.
My lover standing there, unable to even cover herself in front of Matthew-ssi, who looks on with a blank expression.
"......."
"......."
The sound is muffled, like a speaker submerged in water, so I can't make it out.
But human imagination is truly amazing. It fills in the areas I don't know on its own.
'You need to take off the bottom, too.'
'Ah... the bottom too?'
'Yes. You don't wear anything under the suit.'
"Ha... haa. Ha, ah...."
I let out a rough breath with my eyes squeezed shut.
Eunji hooks her fingers into the band around her waist and slowly pulls it down.
'Next, please raise your arms. You can't cover yourself.'
'Ah, yes....'
Matthew-ssi, standing right next to Eunji, starts the measurements with the tape measure in his hand, slowly over her thighs, waist... and then her chest.
Every time his large, firm hands brush over Eunji's smooth skin, she flinches and shivers... but....
...She just stands there quietly, letting him see her body.
Then, suddenly, at one moment.
The tape measure is gone, and one of Matthew-ssi's hands is on Eunji's chest... and the other is moving from her stomach further down-
"H-huff...! Huff, h-huff...."
Thud. I heard a sound like the branch of my imagination hitting something, and my eyes snapped open.
The first thing I saw in my returned vision was my trembling hands.
And... between my legs, the silhouette of something bulging, stretching my pants tight.
"...Huh."
No way.
Me, right now.... getting an erection while imagining my girlfriend showing her body to another man....
Vrrr-
__
The phone I had in my pocket vibrates.
I take out the phone with trembling hands to check it.
It's a text from Eunji.
'I just arrived! How about Dakgalbi for dinner? The Branch Manager said it'll be over soon.'
'Got it. I'll have it ready.'
'Great~ And Oppa, they said you need to come in for a detailed check-up tomorrow! Let's go together.'
'Sure.'
I replied as casually as possible, but the tension under my pants still hasn't gone away.
Besides, why... I don't even know why I had such an imagination, or why I got an erection.
I might calm down if I at least jerked off once....
But to use such trashy delusions as material to masturbate, that's... that's just not right.
"Phew...."
As I repeat slow, deep breaths, I feel like I'm calming down a little.
Let's make Dakgalbi. The Dakgalbi that Eunji likes.
And everything about having had such an imagination... let's just forget it.
Maybe the check-up tomorrow will provide a solution.