Paranormal Link-24: The Next-Door Woman Claims She's a Cop!
The woman next door claimed she was a cop. Of course, I was dead certain it was bullshit—I'd even choked on my food—but apparently, I was the only one at the table who didn't buy it. Since I was the only one choking, that is.
"You okay?"
At Blanca's question, I waved her off to signal I was fine and barely managed to swallow the food lodged in my throat.
"Drink some water, water."
I took the glass from Blanca, who hurriedly poured it, and downed it in one go. Only then did my chest loosen up enough for me to glance around.
Lopez Wife was still chattering away with the next-door woman, and Gustavo was quietly demolishing the food in front of him. No one was paying me any mind. As expected, I'm all alone in this world. I looked at Blanca with warm eyes, but she'd already turned her attention back to her own plate. Fine, whatever. I decided to focus on my meal while eavesdropping on Lopez Wife's gossip.
"Oh, right. There was this awful incident today, I heard. They found a body on the way to Chinatown...
That came up midway through dessert. Maybe to cut through the overly sweet treat, some gruesome topic hit the table.
"It was so horrific that the news was buzzing about it all afternoon—can you imagine, a body..."
"...We're still eating, Mom."
As I listened to Lopez Wife, I casually glanced at the next-door woman—no real intent behind it. Our eyes met, and she flashed a bright smile. It looked exactly like a murderer's grin, but no one else batted an eye. What a tragedy.
"Why are you staring like that, sis?"
"...Just wondered if she knew something, since she claims to be a cop."
"I can't say much if I didn't see it myself. And I'm on vacation right now anyway."
"Things have been getting so dangerous lately—it's worrying. It'd been quiet around here for a while, though... Blanca, you stay home starting tomorrow. No going out."
Lopez Wife turned her worried voice toward Blanca this time.
"You nearly got in big trouble the other day. What would we have done without these folks!"
"...Mom, we already talked that out."
"Bad vibes are one thing—actual incidents are another!"
Feeling awkward sandwiched in their family talk, I buried my face in my plate. But it was already spotless, reflecting my face back at me. Eat moderately, you demon-possessed glutton... With no choice, I glanced at the woman next to me. She was watching Blanca and Lopez Wife's argument with interest, ignoring me completely. Was this the loneliness of the crowd or something?
Unlike my growing sense of isolation, the mother-daughter spat dragged on.
"You've never said much before—why now...!"
"Back then, nothing like this was happening around here! Besides, you're way too oblivious to danger, Blanca! I was too complacent too! Stay home quietly before something happens!"
"Ahem."
"You say something too!"
My pointless fake cough drew attention to Gustavo this time.
"...So if safety's guaranteed, it's fine?"
"That's not the point! How do you guarantee safety? Close the shop and babysit her? What if you get shot!"
Confirmed: the wife has no idea what Gustavo did in his youth. I shot him a look promising to keep his secrets, when—
"Isan."
Gustavo suddenly called my name.
"Got a job for you. Will you take it?"
"......"
His abrupt words shifted Lopez Wife's glare from him to me.
"You've got no work lately with the gangs, right? Could you spare some time for Blanca?"
"You...!"
"The kid wants to try something—can't just shut her down flat. And holing up at home won't last. At least during the day."
"......"
Lopez Wife shut her mouth at Gustavo's calm words, but her expression stayed sour. She glanced between us before settling on me as the target.
"...Might be rude, but Isan... how good are you, exactly?"
She was more cautious than when snapping at Gustavo.
"Gustaf said..."
"He's pretty strong."
I tried to brush it off vaguely, but the woman next door jumped in.
"Strike Team level."
What's a Strike Team? Her sudden obscure reference left me staring blankly at her, but everyone else looked shocked. Lopez Wife, Blanca, and even Gustavo... Wait, why are you surprised? You're basically confirmed as one half of the legendary merc duo Los Amigos. Seeing even him react meant Strike Team must be a big deal. Like the Murim Alliance's sword squad? Why does the name alone...
"I've seen him on missions before. From that last fight, he's at that level."
"...Uh..."
Lopez Wife gaped at my arm, speechless. I knew that look all too well without her saying it.
"That arm looks outdated and clunky, but it's got high durability and grip strength—solid for close quarters. And his sword work is top-notch. Letting your daughter learn from him was a smart call."
Listening quietly, I felt weird. She can speak normally and politely? Why'd she go half-psycho on me from the jump? And straight to casual speech? Staring at her, she grinned again.
"...Stop smiling."
I whispered, and she smiled even wider. Getting attached, damn it.
Anyway, thanks to her not-defense defense, Lopez Wife seemed torn—leaning yes, maybe.
"...Still, that's..."
"No rent as payment. You're already helping at the shop for free."
I hadn't even agreed to the job, but things were progressing smoothly. Lopez Wife looked nearly convinced. Sure, I might seem like a layabout with no gigs, but that's 'cause I don't hit the Guild. Rom's the one with no jobs—not me. And the rent money thing... I don't have cash... don't have... Suddenly curious, I pulled out my terminal under the table.
I checked the balance via the program Moyosojeo installed. Just out of curiosity.
"I'll!"
Everyone's eyes snapped to me at my shout.
"Take full responsibility for her protection."
From today, I was the Lopez family's bodyguard.
"But..."
Even my resolute declaration didn't fully sway Lopez Wife.
"Mom, I'll be careful. I'm even asking Melissa sis about job stuff to learn!"
"What? ...Hmm..."
The knockout punch: neat-looking Melissa giving career advice. Lopez Wife's worries deepened.
"...But Isan's a guy... and Blanca takes after me—such a beauty, that's the issue..."
"......"
Lopez Wife, have you no shame? I barely stifled the retort with extreme silent affirmation. Shut up, inner fact-checker... Truth isn't always right.
"Ahem."
Gustavo cleared his throat awkwardly and wrapped it up.
"Alright then. Take care of her for a while."
///
"How much of that was bullshit?"
On the way back to my room after eating, I couldn't hold back the question. My voice was low since we were on the stairs—might carry upstairs—but the next-door woman heard fine and tilted her head at me.
"What?"
"What you said earlier."
"......?"
Her head tilted the other way.
"You said you're a cop."
Calling her out directly, she went "Ah" and nodded.
"Why think it's a lie?"
"......"
"Not all true, though."
Lie or truth? Half and half? I frowned at her vagueness, but instead of answering, she headed down the stairs and opened her door.
"Doing your 'workout' today too? Keep at it, bodyguard."
She was extra chatty, in a good mood.
"Had fun with Blanca. Won't interrupt since I kept you apart."
Her smiling face vanished through the crack, and the door shut.
After starving my gut a bit and circulating my energy, I headed to the rooftop. Stepping out, a familiar silhouette greeted me. The girl in shabby workout clothes, hair swept back into a tight ponytail, standing and gazing at the sky.
Blanca.