Crisis Averted, Mansion Awaits
Yujia was in a tough spot. She often dropped by my apartment anyway, so that was one thing, but I hadn't expected the others to tag along. This is definitely heading toward them all crashing here for drinks. If it were just me alone like usual, I'd have said yes without hesitation... but not this week. Yuu was at my place. Anyone else, maybe fine—but I couldn't let these guys find out Yuu was staying with me.
So I called her in a panic.
"My apartment's a total mess right now. Not in any shape for guests. Probably can't."
"Then... can you come out for drinks now?"
"You know better than anyone I've got nothing going on during break."
"I'll wait outside. Get ready and come down."
"Yeah, thanks."
"Didn't really do anything worth thanking."
Yujia said that and hung up. I heard the murmur of voices and footsteps heading downstairs.
"Haa..."
That was close. Disaster narrowly avoided.
Come to think of it, Yujia didn't seem to plan on drinking here anyway. Her text earlier suggested as much, and even though she knew my passcode, she called to check first. She nagged at me plenty, but no one looked out for me more than her. Must be that sharp intuition of hers.
Still, she definitely had some ulterior motive. Even if she was considerate, Yujia was Yujia—impossible to read her true intentions. Whatever. It worked out fine in the end.
With that thought, I messaged her separately.
Part of me wanted to ask what her deal was... but I held back. No way she'd tell me straight.
Turning to Yuu, who was staring at me blankly from behind, I said, "I've got somewhere to be quick. Don't wait up—go to sleep."
"Ah..."
She seemed to think for a second, then—
"Here...!"
She pulled out her phone, typed furiously, and showed it to me.
Don't drink too much out there. Come home safe. If you're late, I'll be lonely. Worst host ever, bringing a foreigner to a strange city and ditching them...!
"...Yep."
I nodded, threw on some clothes haphazardly, and opened the door. Creak—
"I'm off."
"Take care~"
Hmm. Having someone see you off felt weirder than I expected. Not bad, though—kinda nice.
As I stepped out, greeting her back—
"Knew it. You really are living together, huh, sunbae?"
Yujia leaned against the wall, smirking faintly. What? Wasn't she heading down?
"...Who?"
"You know. The one inside."
I tried to keep a straight face as best I could, but it was Yujia—of course. And she'd just heard the goodbye exchange crystal clear. No point denying it, so I went full shameless.
"Friend from overseas visiting Korea, crashing with me for a bit."
"Which country?"
"Overseas."
No need to give her the details. I'd happily introduce anyone else, but it was Kashio Yuu in there. Absolutely could not let that slip.
...And Yujia kinda-sorta saw me with Yuu last time. Sharp as she was, no way she'd forget a glimpse. We'd wandered AnimeCon together; she'd seen Yuu up close. Hell, last time I took Yuu for samgyeopsal, we'd nearly bumped into each other.
At this point, it'd be weirder if she didn't suspect.
Yujia was super active on X-Net, so high chance she knew Kashio Yuu and Sino were buddies. Even that Sino was Korean. Still, showing up at my place? Wild.
As I mulled it over—
"Let's go, sunbae. The others are waiting. Details later."
"...Yeah?"
"Yep."
Phew. Not fully convinced yet. Good.
We headed to the first floor—
"Been a while since we hung out for real."
Lee Seungwoo greeted me warmly.
"Starving. Let's grab somewhere quick. I'm famished."
Seo Haneul said that but waved happily anyway.
Anyway—
"Great to see you all, but... where to? No one's place works."
No apartments. And Seungwoo brought fancy imported liquor—couldn't slum it in some dive, sneaking drinks.
As I pondered—
"No ideas? Come to my place."
"Didn't you say no houses?"
"Got permission."
"Ooh..."
Seungwoo looked thrilled just to have a spot for his booze. How much did he love drinking?
Wonder what that imported stuff tastes like.
Then—vroom—
"Hop in, I'll drive."
"Whoa, what is this?"
"...Fully loaded?"
"Just the ones I liked."
Yujia pulled up in her car. Boxy body, thick doors. Heavy build, high ground clearance—it oozed presence even at night.
Damn, it's huge.
As I sized it up inwardly—Seungwoo's gaze lingered a beat. He played it cool but stepped closer to the windshield.
"Hmm... well maintained."
Casual toss-off, but his eyes were busy. Wheel glance. Handle skim. Quick peek inside.
"...Gettin' in this beast."
Seungwoo grinned ear-to-ear boarding it. Me and Haneul knew zilch about cars—just thought it looked slick. Oh, wait—that three-pointed star logo meant pricey.
Like 80 grand or so? No expert, but seemed right. Not a sports car anyway.
How long did we drive?
"Here."
Yujia eased off the gas. The surroundings came into view. Garden beyond the fence—massive, meticulously tended lawn and trees. Subtle lights on paths and branches. The house inside exuded quiet dominance. Not flashy, but the upkeep screamed money.
"...This the place...?"
Even level-headed Haneul gawked around in shock. No wonder the drive felt endless... to here.
"Yep."
Screech—Yujia parked and stretched. Made sense; 30 minutes straight driving.
"Everyone free tomorrow?"
"Yep."
"Me too."
"Gotta pace myself and head out earlyish."
Yuu was waiting at home. No clue if her last message was joking, but better not push it.
"Don't overdo it then. Pace yourself—hangover tomorrow sucks."
Yujia smiled and led us in. The foyer air shifted. Open layout, soaring ceiling at a glance. Minimalist furniture in perfect order. Polished hardwood floors gleamed softly. Wall lights illuminated subtly, downplaying the scale.
"Whoa..."
Seungwoo exhaled low, eyes roaming. Tried not to show it, but couldn't stop.
"This place is insane..."
Haneul fiddled with a sofa armrest nearby.
"Like some chaebol chairman's pad."
Kitchen had marble counters, immaculate cabinets. Beyond the living room, floor-to-ceiling glass opened to the yard. Words died as we took it in. Felt wrong to speak loud. Cautious vibes all around—then Yujia reappeared.
"Don't gawk like that, you're making me awkward. Anyway, my room? Could eat here, but comfier there."
We followed, sneaking glances. Hard not to; human instinct.
...Knew she was loaded, but not this level. Way beyond expectations.
As we crept carefully—
"Huh?"
A small logo on one wall caught my eye.
[Nebula]
Hold up.
That's the company behind Ink Stage.
Nebula. As far as I knew, they focused on defense contracting. Then out of nowhere, a few years back, they launched Ink Stage—this otaku platform.
...Nah, can't be.
Some ridiculous possibility popped into my head.
Pfft. No way.