Self-Destruction (4)

I quietly sipped my drink, watching the rather affectionate scene between my daughter and husband with a blank stare.

He had no idea how he looked—my husband, tenderly looking after his child. And Min Soyeon, completely unaware he was her father, gazing at him with eyes dripping with honeyed sweetness. The two of them might not realize it, but from the sidelines, it was comedy at its finest.

…It’s annoying.

Still, setting that aside, I felt a slight sting of irritation. I stealthily stretched out my foot and brushed it slowly up my husband’s calf. He flinched in surprise and shot me a quick glare. It was like a big puppy giving me a look that said, Don’t tease me.

…Yes, look at me.

Even if it was only a small bit of attention, it was enough to satisfy me. I returned a faint smile and slowly withdrew my gaze, then moved my fork while recalling his earlier reaction.

Right after I’d announced that I would be going to the Academy.

My husband had shown what looked like relief. Why had he reacted as if it were such a blessing? He had wanted me to return to society, but he didn’t want me back in active duty. He hated the idea of me doing anything dangerous. Until recently, he had been telling me not to work and to rest at home as much as possible. So the fact that he seemed relieved suggested he had some other thought in mind.

Then what could that other thought be…?

The first thing that came to mind was that he was glad I was returning as a teacher rather than a hunter. Working in the peaceful Academy instead of stepping into unpredictable Gates made a huge difference. That made sense.

The second possibility that occurred to me was…

The System.

It was possible that my entering the Academy was connected to a mission he had received from the System. He had said it would be good if I taught Min Soyeon swordsmanship. Wasn’t that strange? This was a man who valued his daughter far more than his own life. He knew better than anyone how dangerous it was to stand at the forefront of a battlefield, and how difficult it was to learn the sword. Yet he was suggesting I teach her directly…?

From the way he’d said it, it didn’t seem like something he’d thrown out just to change the subject. It meant there was something beyond his love for his daughter at ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠play. The only things that could exert absolute influence over him were me, his wife, and the System.

Considering the circumstances, it was highly likely he had received a mission related to raising Min Soyeon’s strength. He had mentioned training steadily, so that was probably why.

….

The puzzle pieces were slowly starting to fit together.

…In that case….

How should I move from here?

If the System wanted to raise Min Soyeon, it would inevitably use my husband. No, it was already using him. There was no way the System didn’t know how deeply Min Soyeon had fallen for him. It had probably prevented him from revealing his identity and was guiding their relationship forward.

I unconsciously clenched my teeth so hard they ground together as I looked at Min Soyeon and my husband sitting across from me.

Min Soyeon chewing with her mouth full, and my husband gazing at her as if she were the most lovable thing in the world. Just watching the two of them made my hands begin to tremble.

I had endured it all this time thinking that Min Soyeon would eventually become independent. But now they wanted me to quietly watch the two of them sticking together like this?

…Are you kidding me right now?

World or no world, I could destroy it all. All I needed was my husband. Right now I was holding back because I wanted to remain his lovely wife, but if they kept provoking me like this, I wouldn’t be able to hold back anymore.

No matter who the opponent was, the price for touching my love was nothing but destruction.

I would never let it slide.

If the System truly desired peace….

It had better prepare itself thoroughly.

After we finished the meal in a warm, harmonious atmosphere.

“Did you eat well?”

“Yeah. I’m so full…”

I patted my satisfied belly and headed to the restroom with Mom. She stood in front of the sink mirror fixing her makeup while I rinsed my mouth with the mouthwash that had been provided.

Gargle— Gargle—

The refreshing sensation spread pleasantly through my mouth. Thinking I didn’t know when or where I might need to use it, I swished it around every corner of my mouth.

“…Soyeon-ah.”

Mom, who had been holding a lipstick, spoke up softly from beside me. I glanced at her through the mirror, tilting my head in question. She slowly twisted the lipstick tube and continued.

“…Jihwan. He seems like a good kid.”

So that’s what she wanted to say. It was about Jihwan.

I spat out the mouthwash with a ptoo and answered casually, asking if that was what she thought.

…Thank goodness…!

Mom thought he was a decent guy too!!

But inside, I was so happy I could have jumped for joy. They say a mother-in-law’s love for her son-in-law runs deep, right? Since Jihwan had earned Mom’s approval, it was like gaining a powerful ally. In this era, there was no stronger backer than the name of the Sword Empress.

Now no one could touch our Jihwan. No one could even dare to covet him.

The only one allowed to stand by his side was me…!

I was touching up my makeup with a satisfied expression when Mom spoke again, her voice careful.

“…Mom is thinking of heading back home now. What about you two?”

“…Us?”

At Mom’s question about our plans, the item in my bag suddenly flashed through my mind.

The one with a hole that Midori had sent me.

…Ah, no way….

Wasn’t this too sudden?

I had brought it just ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in case, but actually thinking about using it made me incredibly embarrassed.

I stared blankly at my bag for a moment before hiding my shame and answering Mom with a straight face.

“…We’re just going to head home.”

Mom gave a faint smile and spoke in a meaningful tone.

“…Just going home? You got all dressed up nicely. Why not go out and have some fun?”

I slowly looked over my reflection in the mirror.

…I did put in a lot of effort to look good….

I casually pulled down the shoulder of my sleeve a little, revealing more of my collarbone. At that moment—

“…Here, take this.”

Mom pulled something out of her bag and casually handed it to me.

…Huh?

I froze the moment I saw what was pinched between her slender fingers.

It looked similar to the one Midori had given me. It also resembled the strawberry-flavored vitamins Dad used to secretly give Mom when I was little….

It was a condom.

“…Uh, Mom…?”

I stared at her with wide eyes, startled. Mom pushed it toward me again and said,

“…What? Were you planning not to use it?”

“N-no, I wasn’t planning to…”

At her blunt words, my face burned so hot I thought it might explode.

“…Come on, put it away quickly. What if someone sees?”

Mom pressed it firmly into my palm, then smiled softly and continued.

“…My dear daughter, Mom is always on your side.”

On my side.

Mom… was always on my side….

It was a single sentence that warmed one corner of my heart.

“…Do whatever you want. So you won’t have any regrets.”

So you won’t have any regrets.

There was something faintly wistful in the way Mom gave me that advice. Was she… thinking about Dad?

My throat tightened with emotion, so I lightly bit my lip. Mom laughed playfully and went on.

“…When I was your age, I met your father, you know? I think the current you has every right to love someone fully. …Though carrying a baby to class was a bit difficult.”

“…You carried me… to class…?”

I was slightly shocked by her words.

…She attended classes with me…?

I had never really thought about Mom and Dad’s ages before, but imagining myself attending Academy classes while carrying a child with Yu Jihwan suddenly hit me hard. I had thought of it so lightly, but pregnancy was very much a real thing.

While I stood there dazed, Mom gave me a small smile and said she would talk with Jihwan for a bit. She told me to come out in about five minutes and left first.

After Mom left the restroom.

….

I stared blankly down at the thing in my trembling hand.

…W-what should I do…?

I was already starting to worry whether I should use the one with the hole or the one without.

While my wife and Soyeon had gone to fix their makeup, I sat alone in the empty lobby with a satisfied expression.

….

Tonight’s dinner had been perfect. Even though my wife had teased me in the middle of it, that was just her way of acting cute, so I could accept it as rather adorable. From Soyeon’s reaction, she seemed quite pleased that I had grown closer to her mother. If we had a few more meals like this, even if my wife and Soyeon ended up living together, I might be able to visit comfortably.

“…Haa…”

It might have been overly optimistic ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠thinking on my part, but….

Anyway, thinking positively about everything usually made things turn out well.

Just as I was dreaming of a rosy future paved with flower petals—

Vrrr—

The phone I had tucked into my pocket vibrated briefly.

…Hm? Who could it be?

It was a new phone I had gotten with my wife, so there were almost no contacts saved. Was there anyone who would reach out?

I took out the phone and saw…

A single message had arrived from an unregistered number.

“…What is this?”

I was slightly bewildered by the incomprehensible text when another message followed right after.

Coward.

That was the nickname Chairman Jeon Nando used to call me. Jeon Nando had something to say to me?

I was pondering with slight suspicion when another message from the same number arrived—this time with an address. When I checked it, it was indeed Jeon Nando’s house from my faint memories.

….

Since I also had something to discuss regarding my wife, seeing his face after so long wouldn’t be bad. I was typing a reply saying I understood when my wife appeared in the lobby.

Alone? Soyeon was nowhere to be seen.

She naturally plopped down beside me, crossed her legs gracefully, and spoke.

“…How does it feel to eat with family after so long?”

“…Pardon?”

At her sudden remark, I played dumb for a moment. She told me there was no one around so I could speak comfortably.

Even so, I still felt a bit cautious. I glanced around carefully before answering in a low voice.

“…It was nice. I wish we could all gather like this every day.”

She smiled as if she couldn’t help it and patted my thigh comfortingly.

“…Still, you have me, don’t you?”

“…Yeah. I only have my wife.”

I grinned and took her hand firmly. She gazed at me intently, then without hesitation pulled me in and kissed me.

Our lips met softly. I unconsciously took a short breath, and her sweet scent filled my chest.

“Mmph…!”

She seemed intent on slipping her tongue in too—something soft touched my lips—but I quickly pulled away, creating distance, and glanced around nervously.

“…W-what if someone sees…!”

She gave me a seductive smile, licking her lips teasingly as if provoking me.

“…I’m just trying to taste what’s mine. Who would dare say anything?”

Then she crooked her finger, beckoning me to come closer. She really was a tempting woman.

I checked our surroundings once more before carefully leaning in toward her.

Chuu—

And a few minutes later….

“…Let’s go.”

Min Soyeon emerged from the restroom with a somewhat solemn expression. She looked like a warrior heading off to the battlefield.