[No title provided]
I won't forgive eating and running! "It's been barely any time since you got discharged, and you're already back in the hospital. Where the hell is the justice in this?!"
Ayumi looked more tormented and sad than me, lying there in the hospital bed. I'd managed to make a friend who worried about me more than I worried about myself—this life was already a success.
"Don't worry. Compared to last time, this is nothing. The doctor even said my recovery is insanely fast, so I could discharge tomorrow no problem."
"That's not the point!" Ayumi snapped. Her face was tear-streaked, but her eyes locked onto mine clearly. "You were left alone in that insanely dangerous situation, right? Even if it couldn't be helped! Of course it was scary, of course it hurt. But you can't just brush it off like it's no big deal! If you do, you'll start downplaying the really important stuff later on."
"That's..."
She had a point. I apologized to Ayumi without resistance. "Sorry for worrying you."
Ayumi wiped her tears and accepted it. I was genuinely grateful to have a friend like her. No wonder Hwa Yujin went dark in the world line where Ayumi dies.
Come to think of it, where the hell is that guy?
"Where's Yujin? He's always glued to you for stuff like this."
"Eek!! Oh, that! Yujin's changed!"
"Huh? Changed how?"
"I figured I'd come visit you together, obviously? But he said he's too busy and can't make it! That's not like him at all—he's not the type to be that cold. No matter how busy you are, you can at least pop in for a quick look, right?"
"...Yeah, he's probably got something going on."
"Don't get the wrong idea, though? He seemed super worried about you. He was the one who brought up visiting first. But get this—after saying that, he tells me to go alone."
Ayumi crossed her arms, pondering her childhood friend's weird behavior. "...Maybe he's so worried about you that he's scared to see for himself. ...Hmm, doesn't really match his usual vibe, though."
Definitely. Afraid to check if his friend was hurt worse than he thought? Didn't fit Hwa Yujin's character at all.
"Anyway, I'll be discharged tomorrow and back at the academy. I'll just ask him then. Like, 'You cool with me ending up in the hospital and not even bothering to show?'"
"Haha, Yujin's gonna be in so much trouble. You totally should."
As expected, I was back at the academy the next day. The doctor recommended staying longer just in case, but with no actual pain, what was the point? Just hogging a bed. Plus, I had words for that Yujin punk.
"Oh, hey."
"......"
When I got to class, some random male cadet I couldn't even remember the name of was in the seat next to mine. There wasn't a rule about fixed seats, but people usually stuck to the same one without reason.
And that wasn't all. The second I looked like I might say something, he'd bolt like he was swamped. Eating lunch alone was standard, and he even vanished after class in a flash.
Obvious. Yujin was avoiding me.
I had no guesses why...
What a coward.
I could've grabbed him anytime if I wanted. The power gap between us was that huge. But grabbing him wouldn't solve shit. If he was locking his heart shut, no amount of forcing the door open would work.
What this needed was a pro's delicate touch.
Next day, lunchtime. I went to Ayumi. "Hey, Ayumi. I had sex with Yujin, right? But I think he's trying to eat and run on me."
It took Ayumi less than ten minutes to beat the crap out of Hwa Yujin and drag him over.
Ayu, you're the best.
※
"Um, looks like there's a misunderstanding here. It's absolutely not what you think it is! Definitely not!"
Hwa Yujin, thrashed by Ayumi and on his knees. Even using polite speech he never bothered with, trying to clear things up. It was kinda pitiful, stirring up some sympathy.
Ayumi, looking down at him, had this beaming smile. Eek, scary. I'd rather just off myself than see that face from her.
"Oh? A misunderstanding, huh? Then let's check one by one. First off, Yujin. Did you... y'know, do that with Hyowon?"
Yujin glanced at me. Like he was checking if it was okay to spill since it wasn't just his secret. I nodded in agreement. No reason to hide it from my side. Sex happens!
"Y-Yeah, we did."
"Eek... My two friends climbed the adult stairs behind my back. Together. This feels so complicated."
Ayumi yanked at her cheeks in confusion, sighing, then switched gears to grill Yujin. "So, are you two officially dating now?"
I answered this time. "Nah, not that. Our relationship is just... a partnership to make full use of Yujin's Unique Ability. Y'know?"
Friends with benefits, basically. Not the most elegant term, but whatever.
"Whoaaa, total adult stuff. Can't fully deny it, but it's hard to wrap my head around right away. Uuuh, might need some time."
Ayumi clutched her head, then lifted it. Sleeping with someone you don't love just to get stronger? Emotionally tough to swallow, but the reason was simple. And right now, there were bigger issues.
"...So, Yujin? Hyowon says you've been avoiding her ever since you two did that. She heard it straight from you. Thoughts?"
"No, I..."
He tried to make excuses, but nothing solid would come. He had been avoiding me. What came out was, "I-I was avoiding her, but it's not..."
"So you were trying to eat and run!"
Even if the victim forgives you, your childhood friend sure as hell won't! She swung down like she was shouting it. Klang! The clear metallic ring made my chest swell like a bell tolling.
"Aaaagh! W-Wait! There's a reason for this!"
"What reason!? Something that excuses trampling Hyowon's heart and purity? You didn't even visit her in the hospital after that huge incident!"
"Th-That's... not..."
"Damn right. Take your punishment first, then we'll talk."
"W-Wait! Hear me out!"
"......"
"......"
I watched with arms crossed as it unfolded. Ayumi wasn't wrong—my heart wasn't hurt. I didn't even see myself as a girl yet, so no drama over being eaten and run on. But that was that, and this was this.
You screw a hottie like me and try to ghost? Cocky bastard. Take a few more hits.
"......"
"......"
Ayumi figured she'd given enough tough love and graciously left us alone. What a thoughtful friend.
Couldn't let the awkward silence drag forever, so I spoke. "Thanks, first off."
"For what?"
"Thanks to you, I survived that fight. Your Unique Ability's effect was killer. Without it, I'd be a corpse by now."
"......"
He looked skeptical. Probably couldn't fully buy how far his Unique Ability went. Whatever, moving on.
"Anyway, to the point—why are you running from me?"
"I'm not running."
"You totally are. Think I'm a sucker? Don't lie to my face."
Just spill it quick—better for you in the long run. Yujin knew he'd fucked up, voice shrinking as he answered. "...Didn't know how to face you."
"Hmmm."
What a total nerd reason. Reeked of virgin panic.
Sex was fine and good, but since we're not dating, no clue what face to make, so avoid? ...Yeah, what I expected. Not incomprehensible.
"Did you hate having sex with me?"
"No."
"Then why's facing me so hard? Shouldn't you be dying to see me more?"
"...Dunno."
What a blockhead. I grabbed Yujin's face and yanked it up. No dodging my eyes—right up to where our corneas nearly touched.
"Listen up. I'm gonna keep having sex with you from now on. Got it?"
"Uh, uh, uh..."
"When we first did it, you felt good, right?"
"......"
"Good or bad!? Answer straight!"
"G-Good!"
"Right? And the sex I'm gonna give you is gonna rank so high on your 'best sex ever' list that it's barely on the chart."
"Uh, uhhh..."
"Gonna fuck you that much, so you can't punk out already. Right?"
"......"
"Your Unique Ability, Female Training. Name says it all, yeah? The more you train me sexually, the higher my survival odds. And that ties straight to world peace. Your dick's got that heavy~ duty responsibility. Got it?"
"......"
"No answer? Fine, whatever. Can't expect an easy reply to that."
I let go of his head. Strength drained, he flopped down on his ass pathetically.
"Punishment for making me think you were gonna eat and run. Write down every sex play you wanna do with me by tomorrow and hand it over."
"Wh-What?!"
"Don't half-ass it or skip stuff. I can check. Got it?"
Face beet red, he gritted his teeth. Natural to push back against force. I grabbed his hand and planted it on my chest. Even after touching once, it trembled like a total nerd's.
"My tits feel good, right?"
"...Y-Yeah."
"But if I die, no more touching them even if you want to."
"......"
"Sorry for treating you like an item. But I don't wanna die."
"......"
"You'll cooperate, right?"
He answered. "Not if you keep treating me like an item."
"Then what?"
"I'll work hard enough to be treated like... a lover."
I snorted. "Give it your best shot."
Won't happen, though.