Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Until Calling Her 'Unnie'
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The sound of the shampoo bubbles popping echoed unusually loudly.
Jin Su-bin's fingers seemed to weave magic.
Each time her slender, long ten fingers delved between the strands of scalp, a suppressed moan slipped from Han Seo-ah's lips.
"Huuu... Nooo..."
It wasn't a refusal.
If anything, it felt like a defeated plea for more.
Warm steam laced with lavender scent filled the bathroom ceiling.
Han Seo-ah had her eyes squeezed shut, obediently resting her head between Jin Su-bin's knees.
"So cute... You really worked hard today, didn't you?"
"Huu..."
"I'll wash every nook and cranny spotless for you."
"Yeees..."
She looked just like a stray cat drenched in rain, meekly accepting the touch.
No matter how much a stray cat bristles, it always waits for its owner's hand.
Jin Su-bin didn't hide the smile tugging at her lips.
Her gaze fixed on the silver hair rippling from her fingertips.
'How can her hair be this silky?'
Maybe it was infused with gate mana.
She imagined one of Han Seo-ah's ancestors must have been an Ain tribesman with a silver mane.
No artificial dye or bleach could mimic that luster.
'Her face is so cute... and her hair too. Why does she do this tough hunter job?'
The texture wrapping around her fingers was softer than the finest silk.
Even the heavy drape when wet felt endearing.
'I just don't get it.'
She was far too small and precious for such a scary hunter life.
"Seo-ah Hunter."
Jin Su-bin called her softly.
Her voice blended dreamily with the sound of the showerhead rinsing the foam.
"...Yes?"
"Stay still. There's some foam behind your ear. Your ear might feel numb for a bit."
Shwaaa—.
Water streamed down from the crown of her head.
Han Seo-ah's small shoulders twitched.
This situation embarrassed her to no end.
A man's soul in a woman's body, getting her hair washed by a woman she wasn't that close to.
'We've only exchanged a few official words...'
This development wouldn't appear in any novel genre she'd read.
But comfort outweighed the shame.
Today, Han Seo-ah's nerves had been taut like a drawn bowstring.
Goblin chase, decapitated corpse, the association's rigid investigation.
Muscles locked in constant tension now melted powerlessly under Jin Su-bin's touch.
"All done."
Jin Su-bin gently pressed out the water from her hair with her hands.
Her touch was careful.
Like a craftsman handling fragile glasswork.
"Shall we head back to the tub?"
Su-bin took Seo-ah's hand and led her to the hot bath.
Seo-ah followed with unsteady steps, dipping her legs into the water.
Splash.
Hot water rose to her neck.
Han Seo-ah rested her chin on the tub's edge, staring blankly at her legs floating on the surface.
They were too thin.
Her thighs were so scrawny they barely deserved the name, covered in red, swollen scrapes here and there.
Traces from branches while fleeing through the woods earlier.
Splash—.
Ripples spread.
Jin Su-bin slipped naturally into the tub behind her.
She claimed the spot right next to Seo-ah.
Too close.
Shoulders almost brushing.
Han Seo-ah tried to scoot her hips away subtly, but the buoyancy kept her body from obeying.
'Feels like I've melted into the bath...'
Maybe she didn't mind her warmth, Seo-ah thought.
"Those scratches hurt, don't they?"
Jin Su-bin's eyes lingered on the red mark on Seo-ah's shoulder.
"Not really. Just stings a bit from the water."
"Liar."
Jin Su-bin reached out underwater and grasped Seo-ah's submerged wrist.
With her other hand, she fetched a wet towel and draped it over the shoulder wound.
Warmth blanketed the stinging burn.
"I saw your hands shaking during the interview. Even holding the cup."
"That was... just exhaustion."
"That's part of it, but mostly tension releasing."
Jin Su-bin didn't let go of Seo-ah's hand underwater.
Her thumb gently stroked the back of it.
Smooth fingers without a single callus, typical of an administrator.
"Thank you."
It came out sudden.
Han Seo-ah's eyes widened as she turned her head.
Without glasses, Jin Su-bin's eyes looked deeper and clearer than usual.
Her own dazed face reflected in them.
"For what? Uh... washing my hair?"
"Kuku... Your hair felt nice to touch, but that's not it."
Jin Su-bin pursed her lips as if choosing her words.
She looked up at the ceiling.
Water droplets clung precariously between marble tiles, ready to fall.
"Thanks for reporting it. That couldn't have been an easy choice."
"...You offered 500,000 won."
Han Seo-ah replied curtly on purpose.
She splashed deliberately to make noise.
She wanted to wrap it up as something she did for money, painting herself as materialistic.
But Jin Su-bin saw through it.
She let out a soft, deflating chuckle.
"Most people don't. Especially newbie hunters."
"Why not? Free money."
"Too much hassle. And scary."
Jin Su-bin's voice dropped a notch.
The air in the tub grew heavier.
"Witnesses can get suspected as suspects too. Grilled with questions like today, proving alibis. Worst case, you take the fall."
"..."
"Above all, you don't want to relive it. That horrific memory."
It hit the nail on the head.
Han Seo-ah fell silent.
She'd agonized over it dozens of times riding back on the bike.
Should've just played dumb.
Should've gone home, washed up, and slept.
But she'd turned the handlebars because those dead woman's eyes wouldn't leave her mind.
"You didn't, Seo-ah Hunter."
Jin Su-bin leaned in, closing the distance.
Her wet hair trailed down her collarbone, spreading on the water.
"Must've been scary. Wanted to run. But you came to the association. Forced yourself to remember."
"...Just felt sticky. Worried it'd haunt my dreams."
"We call that 'courage.' Or 'kindness.'"
Jin Su-bin's finger poked Seo-ah's cheek lightly.
Steam gathered thick.
A droplet trailed down her cheek.
"I think you're a really good person, Seo-ah Hunter."
"Good? I love money like crazy. Back there picking mana herbs, I groveled like mad to not damage even one root."
"Then you're good and thrifty."
"It was for the reward money. For real!"
"Then... good, thrifty, and money-loving?"
No reasoning with her.
This woman was already head over heels.
Han Seo-ah gave up with a sigh.
"Huu..."
Exhaling hot steam made her body even more languid.
Jin Su-bin narrowed her eyes warmly at her.
Her gaze brushed below Seo-ah's collarbone, to the starkly visible ribs.
"But you need to eat more. You're too skinny."
"I just don't gain weight."
"Liar. I know it's all convenience store food. You like triangle kimbap, right?"
"Huh...? How?!"
Han Seo-ah shuddered.
Stalker!
How did she know?!
"Pfft, why so surprised?"
"...Are you stalking me?"
"I saw you. After association business, always eating triangle kimbap at the convenience store across the street."
Long tails get caught.
She'd grab one each time she came for income reports or admin work.
Embarrassed, Han Seo-ah ducked her head.
"No need to be shy. It's interest. Care from your assigned administrator?"
Jin Su-bin giggled.
She swirled her hand underwater, sending warm waves lapping at Seo-ah's chest.
"Eating that won't make you gain weight?"
"It's tasty... Can't help it."
Three or four bites fills her up.
She wanted to fill it with the tastiest!
"Still no. Hmm... Since it came up. Dinner's on me tonight. What do you want? Meat? Sashimi? Or... chicken?"
Her ears perked at 'chicken'.
Instinctive.
Chicken mayo was staple, but fresh crispy fried chicken was sacred.
'She definitely said it on purpose.'
And the timed 'chicken' mention.
Instinct told her Jin Su-bin had peeked at the discarded kimbap wrapper.
"No thanks. Feels like debt if I accept free food."
"No, this is a bribe."
"Bribe...?"
"Yes. A bribe to keep using our branch. And..."
Jin Su-bin paused.
She reached out of the tub and grabbed a banana milk from the basket.
"When did you bring this?"
"A prepared woman is unstoppable? Hehe."
She poked in a straw and held it to Seo-ah's lips.
"Drink up. Banana milk after bath is the rule."
Han Seo-ah suckled the straw reflexively.
Sweet, cool liquid slid down her throat.
'Haa... Hot bath and banana milk...'
Felt like being tamed.
She pondered seriously if she'd succumb to 'female corruption' via food.
Jin Su-bin watched her slurping lips and continued.
"And you worked so hard today. Someone should tell you 'good job,' 'well done.'"
"..."
"If no one does, you'd feel slighted. I'll do it for them."
Han Seo-ah crunched the straw.
Plastic crumpled.
Her throat clogged tight.
Why was this woman so good to her?
Just because she was cute?
Or pure kindness?
It was a type of kindness she'd never known in her past life's cutthroat work life.
She'd learned favors without strings came with suspicion first.
But now, Jin Su-bin's eyes held no calculations.
Just worry, affection, and a hint of obsession(?).
"Tasty, right?"
"...Yeah, tasty."
Han Seo-ah mumbled.
Her utmost thanks.
Jin Su-bin beamed satisfied.
"Right? And dinner on me will taste even better. Food always does when someone else pays."
She fiddled with Seo-ah's floating silver hair again.
Twirling and untwirling strands like a game.
"Seo-ah Hunter."
"Yes."
"If something dangerous happens again, running away is priority one. Got it?"
"Obviously. How many lives do I have?"
"No, seriously. Forget money, ditch everything and bolt. Backpack too if it's heavy."
Jin Su-bin's fingers stopped.
She gripped Seo-ah's hand tight.
The firm grasp hurt a little.
"Checked those guys' records today. All early twenties. Your age."
"..."
"Working here, death notices get familiar... but it still doesn't sit right. Especially young ones like that."
Jin Su-bin's voice quivered faintly.
She swept her bare face with her palm.
A glimpse of the soft vulnerability behind the senior administrator's thorough, perfect mask.
"..."
'She has this side too.'
As an official, Jin Su-bin was sharp and professional.
She could act childish fawning over cute things.
But now, she seemed just like anyone.
A wounded heart, aching.
'What should I say?'
Han Seo-ah hesitated, then patted the back of Jin Su-bin's hand with her free one.
A small white hand covered hers.
She wanted to say something.
That she wouldn't die.
Don't worry.
"I'm... super fast at running. Told you today. Ditched the goblin."
"Ran for 30 minutes."
"That goblin... was fast. Really."
"Liar."
"Anyway! I'll survive like a cockroach. No worries!"
"Cockroach? Bad analogy..."
Jin Su-bin frowned, then burst out laughing.
The tension-melting laughter rang clear through the bathroom.
"Fine. Do that. But don't get hurt."
"I'll try."
The two sat wordlessly in the tub for a while.
Only lapping water and occasional droplets filled the space.
A comfortable silence.
Warm, cozy air enveloped them.
Han Seo-ah felt her body's fatigue fully dissolve.
And the lingering terror in her heart's corner,
diluted hazy by this warm water and the person beside her.
Game world or reality, it was cold and cruel either way.
But at least this moment, not being alone brought strange relief.
"Shall we get out? Dizziness from too long."
Jin Su-bin stood first.
Water cascaded like a waterfall from her body.
Han Seo-ah gazed blankly at her back.
Definitely an adult's figure.
Curves incomparable to her own flat, scrawny build.
Unsure where to look, she whipped her head away.
'Nowhere safe to look.'
Han Seo-ah stumbled out of the tub.
Cold air prickled her wet skin.
"Here, wrap this."
Jin Su-bin unfurled a large bath towel around Seo-ah's body.
Soft cotton enveloped her entirely.
Like being inside a giant silkworm cocoon.
As she toweled Seo-ah's hair, Jin Su-bin said,
"Want me to dry your hair too?"
"No! I'll do that myself!"
Han Seo-ah shook her head in horror.
Hair washing was one thing, but dryer too? She'd become a full pet.
"Too bad. Your hair's so nice."
Su-bin smacked her lips regretfully.
Her eyes still glued to the silver strands.
Like a collector eyeing a limited-edition doll they couldn't touch.
'Dangerous... Almost got tamed!'
Han Seo-ah fled her embrace in haste.
The hairdryer roared.
The girl with wet silver hair in the mirror looked far healthier than when she entered.
Cheeks rosy, dull dead-fish eyes now lively.
'Feels like I can live.'
Han Seo-ah met her reflection's eyes.
Today had been so long.
But not the worst.
And—
-[Still no. Hmm... Since it came up. Dinner's on me tonight. What do you want? Meat? Sashimi? Or... chicken?]-
Gulp.
Maybe... a little aegyo toward Jin Su-bin wouldn't hurt.
Definitely not swayed by chicken talk.
Nor starving stomach growls!
Her hands busied drying her hair.