22. Intention
22. Intention
Whether it was misfortune or good fortune.
Asking Eunji to go have sex with Matthew-ssi definitely had an effect.
Even though scenes from the moment the delusions start pop into my head out of nowhere, I'm succeeding in enduring and suppressing them.
"Hmm... cleaned the place, finished the laundry..."
Today, Eunji went to work early in the morning as well to live her life as a hero.
I, of course, stay home almost all day.
Since Matthew-ssi contacted me directly to warn me that Mastermind's recent movements couldn't be tracked... it'd be best not to act recklessly for no reason.
I'm trying to pass the time reading books or watching movies, but even so, spare moments pop up here and there.
During those times, I look up news or videos featuring Eunji.
It's quite fun to keep track of Eunji's accumulating accomplishments as the missions she participates in steadily increase.
However, the comments... I rarely read them.
The reason is simple.
'Every time I see Hayes, I swear her tits are fucking huge.'
'Boooiiiiing hahahaha'
'Please let me grope them just once...'
"..."
...Because comments like these make up more than half of them.
Anyway, in my other remaining free time, I'm also agonizing over a gift for my upcoming anniversary with Eunji.
2000 days. Even though Eunji isn't really the type to make a big deal out of anniversaries, it's a number too significant to just brush past.
"A gift... But I've already given her almost every typical gift, so picking one out now is tough."
Besides, now that Eunji has become an S-Class hero, her earnings are beyond imagination, so something meaningful would be better than an expensive gift.
Just as I was agonizing without any decent candidates coming to mind, my phone rang, letting me know an incoming call had arrived.
"...Matthew-ssi?"
If I said talking to Matthew-ssi wasn't awkward, it would definitely be a lie.
After all, the possibility that they might have done even more than what Eunji told me still remains.
It's not that I don't trust the two of them, but there's no guarantee... that the two of them didn't go to a hotel even today.
"Hello?"
'Seungyoon-ssi. I am calling because I have an announcement to deliver. Is it convenient for you to talk?'
"Yes, of course. Please go ahead."
Rather, now that I know his circumstances, I kind of want to help him out a bit...
Of course, I have my own hands full. I'm in no position to be sticking my nose into helping anyone else.
'The attending physician in charge of Seungyoon-ssi at the Association's treatment center was involved in a terrorist attack and suffered a minor accident.'
"An accident?"
'Yes. It is not a major injury, but normal duty is impossible, so we found a replacement, but...'
"Is there a problem?"
'Her identity is clear. There is a gap in her records over the last few months, but she possesses top-tier skill in her field.'
"Then, um... isn't that okay?"
'If you feel anything suspicious during the consultation or treatment process, you must tell me or Hayes immediately.'
So he means since she's an abruptly hired replacement, she can't be completely trusted.
But honestly, since I'm delaying the treatment by asking Eunji and Matthew-ssi... I don't think there's anything major I'd need from her.
"Understood. Then I'll get an appointment this afternoon and let you know."
'Understood.'
"Then..."
'Ah, Hayes is beside me right now... Would you like to speak with her for a moment?'
Eunji?
No, it's not like it's hugely strange, but...
"Uh... yes."
'...Oppa! What were you doing?'
It's Eunji's voice, bright and full of laughter as usual.
...There is no sign of shortness of breath following rough movements whatsoever. Not a bit.
"Just cleaning up, and now I'm about to head to the treatment center. What about you, Eunji?"
'I just arrived at the terror scene the Branch Manager mentioned earlier. Together with him. There are a lot of rumors that Mastermind was behind it.'
"Really?"
...Whew.
I try to hold it back. The wild delusion that's threatening to start on its own.
For a moment, just a split second, the moment of Matthew-ssi grabbing and kneading Eunji's butt amidst the crowd crossed my mind, but...
The scene of a large hand roughly grabbing her butt over the suit, distorting the soft flesh as he pleases, is relatively bearable.
Even if he takes off the hand that had been kneading it for a long time, it wouldn't end there; rather, he'd surely grab the opposite buttock firmly as well.
The Eunji in that fleeting scene doesn't panic, but rather arching her waist back slightly, pushes her plump skin right into his grip.
That was all. Suppressing ridiculous delusions like this... I can do it on my own now.
'Ah, we have to go now! I'll call you later, Oppa!'
"Yeah. Good luck. Be careful."
Call ended.
Even if delusions pop up impulsively out of nowhere like right now... it's to an extent where I can suppress them through willpower.
It's all thanks to Eunji and Matthew-ssi.
...So around the time the effect wears off, I'll have no choice but to ask them again.
Or find another method.
"...Let's just go get examined."
A person's first impression is very important.
That's why I always try to choose my words carefully when meeting someone for the first time.
However, it seems not everyone pays as much attention as I do.
"Mazo?"
"...Pardon?"
"Because your medical record states a negative trait called Delusion - Masochism."
"Uh... yes."
"So you are a mazo."
...What's up with this doctor calling someone a masochist straight off the bat when meeting them for the first time?
Since Matthew-ssi said her skill was definitely outstanding, should I endure it a little bit for now...?
"Hmm... There aren't any medicines I particularly need to prescribe right now."
"..."
"Ah, I heard you found a method to delay the mental contamination yourself?"
"That's right."
"What is it? Tell me."
"D-Do I really have to say it? The previous doctor said as long as it's effective, it's fine."
"Because I need to verify whether it's a wrong method or not."
...She's technically right, but do I really have to say this?
This doctor... I kind of dislike her for some reason.
"..."
"If you don't want to talk, fine. Whatever method a masochist found is obvious anyway."
"...Excuse me?"
"What... Is it a method like asking your girlfriend to step on you, or hurl abuse at you?"
"Th-That's totally not it?"
If anything, it's a far more extreme method than that.
And it's not like I haven't had delusions like that at all either...
"Hmm... If it's the Delusion category, a tendency to amplify distress through imagination rather than direct pain would have developed."
"..."
"Right?"
"...Yes."
"It's not the worst, but, hmmm..."
She definitely seems skilled. Just like Matthew-ssi said.
But... how should I put it, she seems lacking a bit of a human touch.
"Bring your girlfriend along next time."
"...Why?"
"To alter the method of delaying your delusions a bit."
"She's busy. My girlfriend."
"I know she works here at the Association anyway. Is she so busy she can't even swing by for a moment?"
"..."
"Ah, could it be... she's too busy getting fucked by another man?"
"...What?"
I guess I lowered my guard a bit.
The moment the doctor finished her sentence... a moment of Eunji and Matthew-ssi at the scene of the attack is depicted in my mind.
In an alley slightly away from the crowd, Eunji standing on tiptoes struggling to adjust the height of her waist, and—
"How was it? The stimulation just now. Did your delusion react to it?"
"..."
For a moment, I thought... isn't this person crazy?
However, the doctor, with a very serene and nonchalant expression, twirls the pen in her hand around and around as she continues speaking.
"Hmm... You control it better than I thought. But holding it in continuously might actually have an adverse effect, so next time..."
"Hah... N-No, just now..."
"Take this, check off the applicable items by your next appointment, and bring it back. Next time, come with your girlfriend."
She hands over a fairly thick stack of papers to me.
Glancing at it, it's a questionnaire where I check questions and answers suited to me.
"Then, goodbye."
"I-Is that it?"
"Why? If you want to hear more statements like the one just now..."
"Huh? Wh-What are you...!"
"If not, whatever."
With those final words, she waves her hand lazily and turns her head toward the monitor on her desk.
Baffled, I stand there blankly for a moment before finally turning around to walk out of the consultation room.
The name written on the nameplate hanging on the door... Lena Ivanov.
This doctor is a weird person. A very weird one at that.
"What a strange person. Well! There are all kinds of people in the world~"
"Still, she definitely... seemed to have skill."
"Really?"
"That's why it's even more annoying."
Eunji smiles softly.
After listening to my story, Eunji readily agreed when I mentioned going to the treatment center together next time.
Eunji is getting busier day by day, so I just feel sorry for making her use her time like this.
"By the way... Eunji."
"Hmm?"
"Is there anything you want?"
"Huh? All of a sudden?"
"Our 2000th day is coming up soon. We haven't been able to go on dates much lately either."
Eunji blinks her large eyes as if she hadn't thought of it at all, and then gasps in surprise a beat late.
"R-Right! Has it already been that long...?"
"Haha... So, is there anything?"
"Mmm... A gift? Th-Then..."
Eunji ponders for a moment.
At first, she is lost in deep thought, but then a faint blush spreads across her cheeks as she opens her mouth again in a slightly lowered voice.
"I... I think there's one thing."
"What is it?"
"L-Lingerie... Chosen by Oppa."
"Lingerie? Uh... but when you wear the suit, you can't wear underwear under it."
"That's why! On the flip side, I can wear it when I'm with Oppa."
True. When Eunji is out active in her suit, it's hard for me to be with her anyway.
Lingerie... I don't really have a preference, but still, should I pick something that would suit Eunji?
Since Eunji's skin is on the fair side, black would probably look good on her, but...
Black... Eunji wearing black lingerie. And the man beside her is...
"What about Oppa? Don't you have anything?"
"...Huh?"
"A gift!"
"I'll... tell you when I think of something."
"You have to tell me! Got it?"
"Of course."
For a moment, another delusion popped out... but I was able to end it with just seeing a short scene this time as well.
Still, while talking with Eunji, I've already almost finished my cup of coffee.
Suddenly, the stack of questionnaires I received earlier from the doctor placed on the table catches my eye, so I pull it in front of me.
"What's that?"
"The doctor told me to check off the answers and bring it back by the next appointment."
"Me too! I want to look at it together too."
Moving from across me to sit beside me, I read the first question of the questionnaire together with Eunji.
'I have masturbated while imagining being sexually mocked by my girlfriend (or boyfriend). [ Y / N ]'
"..."
"...I told you she was a weird person, right?"
"Th-That... That's true..."
Checking N, obviously.
...I should check off the other questions when I'm alone.