104 – Scared of Love! #3
In life, Deputy Manager Jason was a prince of some kingdom, but his place in the line of succession was shaky. So the king promised him, “Bring back the Golden Fleece from that distant land of Colchis, and I’ll hand over this throne to you!” But the Golden Fleece of Colchis was guarded by a fearsome dragon, making it impossible for anyone to approach easily. To complete his mission, Prince Jason gathered a band of special heroes—the crew of the Argo. Among them, the one who helped him the most was Princess Medea from a certain country. She was an exceptionally talented witch, the prized disciple of Hecate, goddess of crossroads and magic. She fell for Jason and would do anything for him. Anything. She even killed her own brother and mutilated his corpse.
But that brutality became the problem. Jason’s feelings cooled toward the psychopath-like Medea, and he turned his eyes to other women. Princess Medea, having her devotion and purity trampled, cursed Jason and left him. After that parting, Jason’s life plummeted, ending in a lonely and miserable death.
To think I’d run into and get tangled up with such famous figures here in Soul Society.
It was surreal having characters I’d only read about in books standing right in front of me. Of course, everyone I’d met so far had been notable figures from myth. But Jason and Medea’s story felt especially close to home—not like someone else’s tale at all. A woman with talents far exceeding the man. Brutal love. The man’s ruthless downfall after abandoning that love.
It’s no different from my life, drawing the attention of Lady Melinoë!
As I mulled that over, Medea narrowed her dazzling golden eyes and asked me, “Explain what you mean by not reporting the sheep thief Jason to security. What do you mean the case will spiral into a dead end if I lock that bastard up right now?”
“Just a moment. I’m thinking.”
“You wouldn’t spout nonsense without reason. You’ve even staked your hard-earned deputy manager position, so there must be a good explanation.”
Use your head, Jo! Keep spouting nonsense!
“Medea, this isn’t a simple theft. Why do you think Jason—your husband in life—stole your golden sheep? The reason matters.”
“Obviously because Jason loves sheep. Even in life, he was a massive sheep fanatic. He would’ve done it even without that mission to fetch the Golden Fleece.”
Jason was a sheep lover? That was news to me. Deputy Manager Jason, loving sheep too much, steals the frolicking ones from the park, then takes the CCTV footage to cover his tracks—clear cause and effect. And that was the problem. Handing Jason over to security as a sheep thief would drag me into solving the case, boosting my reputation even more. Obvious as day.
But a crisis can be an opportunity. What if I deliberately cover it up and twist it to my liking? Jo, covering up a crime—perfect picture of failure.
“Famous Jo. First time meeting like this, right? You know who I am?”
Prince Jason was a tall man with curly hair shining like golden fleece. Unlike skeleton deputies like Hector, Achilles, or Odysseus, his skin was taut and wrinkle-free—a strangely unfamiliar sight. He shrugged as if he already knew why I’d called him to the late-night park.
“Woman trouble?”
Had he seen through that I’d summoned him to persuade him about Medea? As expected of a headquarters deputy—sharp as a tack. If he already knew everything, no need for long talk. Actually, perfect.
“Woman trouble, yes. And a CCTV issue too.”
“…That far?”
Jason shuddered as if shocked. Then, calming himself, he swept back his bangs, revealing his handsome face.
“To think you even knew about the CCTV. Sharp instincts—guess there’s a reason you’re a deputy. So, what? You wanna make a deal?”
The conversation flowed smoothly. I planned to pretend ignorance and cover up this “sheep theft case.” In other words, strike a deal with Deputy Jason to bury his crime. Of course, this deal would eventually be exposed, revealing everything.
Only then could the headline read “Deputy Jo’s Downfall!”
Jason asked, “So, what do I get in return for hiding the ‘woman’ thing?”
What? I had to give him something? Ridiculous. I was the one turning a blind eye to his “Medea golden sheep theft.” We were speaking the same language, but clearly not on the same page.
“Jason, just to confirm—are we talking about Medea?”
“What? Medea? Did you just say Medea?”
“Yes. You knew the sheep you stole from the park belonged to Medea?”
“Gasp…!”
The confidence vanished from Jason’s face. The idol-like charisma gone, only despair remained.
“I did take the golden sheep frolicking in the park home. But no collar, no tag—I thought they were wild! I didn’t steal them!”
“Really?”
“And that they were Medea’s? Impossible. She’s allergic to wool. Why would she raise sheep?”
Medea allergic to wool? Another surprise.
“You really think those were Medea’s sheep?”
“I heard you took the park CCTV footage. Rewind it, and it should show who released them there.”
“I did take the park CCTV. But ghosts had been clinging to it for days, blocking the view—nothing clear. So…”
So—. Jason started to say something, then shook his head vigorously.
“Me, a headquarters deputy, charged with theft. Lucky break for you, Jo. Solving another department’s manager issue right after promotion.”
“I haven’t told security yet. I don’t want to see you jailed or demoted.”
“What? Why?”
Why? If you fall, I might rise as the guy involved. Couldn’t say that, so I spouted something cool.
“I don’t want happiness bought with another’s misfortune.”
Jason’s mouth fell open. Moved, perhaps. Perfect timing.
“Why not meet Medea yourself and talk? There’s a Greek proverb: A kind word can coax a snake from its hole.”
A single word repays a debt of gold. And so I arranged the meeting between Medea and Deputy Jason.
A café in Happy World, unusually deserted even for there. Slurp. As I sipped my Americano, a woman with sun-god blood shining in her brilliant golden eyes approached and sat across from Jason. It had been so long, the awkwardness hung heavy. Unsure what to say, Jason started with small talk.
“Medea, I heard rumors you went on a blind date with Achilles.”
“Friends set it up. We met, but tastes didn’t match—just coffee and done. No contact since.”
“Figures. You prefer propping up the flawed and lacking over men who strut on their own power.”
“Not really. You just went too far. Without me, you wouldn’t be where you are.”
Jason recalled the days he’d leaned on Medea’s help. Without her magic, his expedition might have ended in disaster. He was the textbook case of a man succeeding on a woman’s merits—always whispers followed him. That’s why he worked harder in Soul Society. To drown out the talk of riding coattails.
But…
“When I got promoted to deputy, the women’s committee gave me hell. They hated me back then. But suddenly, they started praising me.”
“What’s that out of nowhere?”
“Same when I joined headquarters. Should’ve started at affiliate Caron Transport, but someone pulled strings—I began in HR internships.”
From joining Soul Society to now, Jason had felt an invisible hand aiding him. Who? He had suspicions, but it was impossible. This conversation confirmed it.
“You said it yourself: Without your help, I wouldn’t be here. You’ve been backing me from the shadows till I made deputy. Why?”
“Are you really that dense? Took you this long? Only one reason. I wanted to. That’s it.”
Love was terrifying. Even the stupidest acts felt natural with love added. Medea, allergic to wool, raising golden sheep? Because Jason loved sheep. Maybe he’d cross paths with her that way. And he did. Why go so far for an ex? Even she didn’t know. Eros’s golden arrow curse should’ve faded long ago.
“Just a whim. Just a whim.”
Their meeting ended there. Jason went home, mulling the day.
Why didn’t Jo report me right away?
Why help instead of mocking or cursing me, Medea?
Jason wouldn’t have. Then he recalled Jo’s words.
“…I don’t want happiness from another’s misfortune.”
It had been ages since words pierced his heart like that. A small, clear guilt welled from deep within. Had he ever truly felt grateful for others’ help, or just mocked and used it?
“…Maybe I’ve been wrong from the start.”
Resolution formed slowly. Trembling fingers finally dialed the tech team.
“You have the CCTV files I gave you? Delete any recovery attempts, all of them. Turns out Jo’s secret romance was my mistake. Stirring it up will just hurt us.”
Just a whim. Everyone has the right to act on their desires.
“Jo! You helped reunite Deputy Jason and complainant Medea? Wow! Handling complaints wasn’t enough—you bridged love too? I, Marquius, truly acknowledge you!”
Morning. I got to the office and already wanted to clock out. Why reunite the worst pair, and how was it my credit? But the trouble didn’t end there.
“Deputy Jo. The Chairman wants you.”
Moros, god of doom, grabbed my shoulder. The Chairman wanted me? Curious, I hurried over. Maybe good news?
“Deputy Jo reporting to the Chairman.”
“Enough! Jo, I heard you and Melinoë strolled the park holding hands. True? That day’s CCTV is all deleted—can’t confirm. Lucky bastard!”
CCTV from the day I held Melinoë’s hand—deleted? No idea how, but lucky. If the Chairman saw…
…Saw…
….
I realized! The key to failure!
“We held hands.”
“What?!”
“I’m a deputy now—can’t I hold my lover’s hand? If it bothers you, demote me!”
Crack. The Chairman’s mouth gaped wide, frozen like stone.