What's in That Drink? (2)
Apple dragged over a cushion and sat down across from Club. She placed Villain No. 13's smartphone, which Club had entrusted to her, on the table.
"As you requested, I tried checking the contents of this smartphone, but it seems some highly skilled individual has put serious protections on it."
"Ah... right. I remember hearing that the villain organization 【Abyss】 has an excellent genius scientist..."
Club recalled the stories from the former Abyss remnants she'd interrogated before. Those guys had held out stubbornly until the end, and the hideout they'd finally spilled was already completely abandoned by then, so she had no idea where the remaining members were now. But at least she knew their appearances and characteristics.
There were four people left in Abyss now. The boss woman, No. 13, the Advisor, and a genius scientist named Dorothy. That woman with the thick dark circles and short curly hair whom Club had let slip away not long ago was probably that genius scientist. She'd definitely heard No. 13 call her that.
...I let an important one get away...
A pang of regret hit her anew, but there was nothing to be done about it.
"――So――for now――"
Apple continued her explanation. There were a lot of unfamiliar terms, but it wasn't as hard to follow as she'd expected. Even someone of Apple's caliber couldn't do much about the protections, and forcing data extraction might just format everything inside. So they had to proceed more cautiously, slowly... That seemed to be the gist.
......Huh...?
Why... does my head feel... a bit heavy...?
Was it because the explanation was a bit tough? Or maybe the fatigue from that chaotic day hadn't fully worn off? She knew it was rude, but she felt a little dazed... her head heavy... sleepy...
"Club, you like this drink, right? ...Feel free to have more. There's plenty."
"Ah...... Yes...."
Club nodded dazedly, and Apple took her empty cup, refilling it with fresh drink. She cleverly mixed in the ice――and some mysterious liquid――without Club noticing.
"Here, Club. There's lots, so drink as much as you want. Just gulp it down nice and cool~."
Apple smiled kindly as she handed the drink back to Club. She continued with more explanations, but for some reason, Club's head grew foggy, and she couldn't take it all in.
I have to drink... have to drink... She said to drink, so...
Ah, it tastes good...
Club shot up from her seat. The blanket draped over her body slipped off as she rose. At some point, she'd ended up lying on Apple's bed, fast asleep.
"You're awake, Club?"
"Apple... don't tell me...."
"Hehe, you must've been a little tired."
Club felt her face flush hot in an instant. Oh god. She'd fallen asleep while listening to Apple's explanation. Shame and guilt kept her from lifting her head. And Apple, smiling without a hint of annoyance in this situation, was just too gracious. It only made her embarrassment worse.
"Sorry. I don't know what happened. How did I fall asleep...? How long was I out?"
"About 30 minutes. And it seems the drink I gave you had some strong alcohol in it. If I'd known you were weak to it, I'd have been more careful."
"No, that's not... Ahhh...."
This shouldn't have happened. Club wasn't great with alcohol, but she didn't think she was that weak. But with the evidence right there—she'd gotten drunk and passed out—it was hard to argue.
".....?"
Suddenly, she felt a bit off in her body. A little feverish, like her skin had grown more sensitive. Maybe it was just waking up refreshed? She felt oddly energized... invigorated...
Why does my underwear feel... a bit stuffy...?
"Club, do you like cats?"
"Huh? Ah, yes. I do. I have four at my family home."
Apple suddenly changed the subject, pulling Club's attention from the odd sensation. Apple held a book like Cat Rearing Guide in her hand.
"Planning to get a cat? Pets are allowed in the base dorms, so that should be fine."
"Mm. Yeah. But I'm looking for a slightly bigger cat."
? Cats were all about the same size, weren't they? Though she does like big cats, apparently. Doesn't quite fit her gentle look.
"Once I tamed it a bit, it got so cute. I'll be seeing it a lot from now on, so I'm already looking forward to it."
"...? Not sure I get it, but okay."
Tamed? A stray cat, maybe? ...As always, I can never figure out what she's thinking. Anyway, things with Apple wrapped up like that. She'd fallen asleep, but there wasn't much important info anyway—just that getting data had failed. A bit disappointing, since she'd hoped for results.
"Hm...?"
After leaving Apple's room and returning to her own, Club noticed a stain on her underwear. Her privates felt a little stuffy and sticky too. She wasn't sure what had happened to her body, but it left her feeling strangely lewd. That night, for the first time in a while, she masturbated intensely. She came three times... Usually once was enough...
Squish, squish.
"Alright, time to head out."
Likewise, at the 7th Squad Base. Evening time. After finishing dinner and waiting a bit for digestion, Spade tied her shoelaces and prepared to head out.
She wore her favorite bright red sleeveless tank top and shorts training set. Not for patrol or duty—just her usual jogging, which she never skipped unless she had to.
"Ah, Senior, heading out now?"
"Yeah. Workout. Wanna come, Club?"
"I've got patrol today."
Even without patrol, she wouldn't go. Spade's "jogging" was brutally intense—not just a casual run. After joining once before, Club hadn't gone again. She was used to running alone anyway.
Spade left the base without disappointment, heading out solo.
The night air was cool and refreshing. It had felt chilly not long ago, but now short sleeves and shorts were comfortable. Perfect spring weather, though thinking it would turn full summer in a few weeks brought a touch of regret.
"Hup, hup, hup, hup...."
With steady breaths, Spade ran through the dark streets in textbook-perfect form. Each stride sent healthy sweat flying as her athletic body surged forward. Having waited post-dinner, it was already late... Few people were out.
The bustling areas would still be lively, but she had no reason to jog there for exercise.
Left here...
An Awakener's body was inherently stronger than a normal person's. Mana from their Constellation permeated it, keeping them healthier and more ideally maintained, individual differences aside. Thus, Awakeners' appearances stayed more beautiful than average.
Whether from the Awakener's own desire or the Constellation's will to keep their chosen human beautiful was hard to say.
Left again here... then right...
Through this alley...
Spade ran steadily, entering a dark alley lit only by moonlight—no streetlights. Past the bustling districts and normal city areas, into an abandoned neighborhood, remnants of the past 'Great Catastrophe.' No one should live in these ruins, but occasionally vagrants squatted secretly. Even as an A-rank hero, it wasn't ideal for a young woman to wander alone...
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap
Splash...!
Hah, hah, hah, hah, hah...
Without slowing, Spade skidded to a jaunty stop before an abandoned building. Hands on knees, catching her perfectly winded breath, she glanced up at it.
"Ar...rived?"
She mumbled unconsciously. Her oxygen-starved brain dazedly pondered.
.........Huh.
......Why did I come here?
Clunk――screeeech...
Bang
...What is this place...?
For some reason... it feels familiar...
Tense but drawn, Spade entered the abandoned building. It clearly looked deserted, yet the dust smell was fainter than expected. And with sporadic lights on, was it really abandoned...?
How do I even know about this place?
It felt off. And charging into this suspicious building so unguardedly was careless, even for an A-rank hero capable of handling surprises.
Clang, clang, clang, clang...
Feeling the strangeness, her feet naturally climbed the rusty metal stairs. No major damage despite abandonment. Windows were boarded with metal sheets, blocking wind for a cozy feel. Though dimly lit with only faint lights, making it eerie...
No... it should feel scary, normally...
Yet oddly, no fear. Just an inexplicable nostalgia and déjà vu. She thought it was her first time, but... she knew this place well.
Right, it's not my first time.
She'd been here many times. Why...? Why were the memories hazy...?
Clang, clang, clang, clang
Claaang...
"Ah......"
Reaching a floor, she faced a heavy-looking door. Unlike other open or missing doors, this one was firmly shut. And it felt oddly new.
Yes, definitely beyond this...
Staring briefly, Spade swallowed hard. As if entranced, she stepped forward... and opened the door.
Beyond it,
"Took you long enough? I was starting to think you'd never show, Spade."
In the roughly 8-pyeong space, lounging on a bed scrolling his smartphone—the utterly loathsome Villain No. 13—greeted the just-entering Spade.
