Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Interlude (2)
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What should I do with this?
Seo Ji-hyun's mood soured the moment she picked up Lee Seo-woo's call.
-[So, no real reason to turn her down, and it looks like I'll end up bringing her along anyway.]
"...Got it. You're saying I should hide so no one spots me, right?"
-[Yeah. I'll text you when we head out, so I'm counting on you.]
"Don't worry about that much. Just keep her out of my room."
-[Thanks. See you later.]
"Yeah. See you soon, Oppa."
She ended the call and let out a deep sigh, leaning back against the sofa.
Hiding herself wasn't a big deal, really. She had a method that had even fooled Lee Seo-woo before. Worst case, if she got caught, she could just wipe their memories. If she really committed to staying hidden, she could make herself unnoticeable from the start—no problem at all.
But that didn't change how infuriating it was.
How dare she try to set foot in our house? This is me and Oppa's space.
She couldn't make a real move yet. Yoo Soo-jung hadn't fully stepped into the field, and Lee Seo-woo still needed her for now. Honestly, if it didn't involve him, Ji-hyun wouldn't hold much grudge. But this woman had wrecked her entire previous life, and now she was trying to steal her happiness again? No way she could stomach that.
So, what to do? Options popped into her head right away.
Make her think I'm someone else entirely and act naturally? No, that would require hypnotizing Lee Seo-woo too, forcing me to become a completely different person. Rejected. Losing her connection to him as Seo Ji-hyun? Unbearable.
What if I tell her I'm not kicked out of the guild, just taking a break?
I could show her the relationship I'm building while living with Lee Seo-woo, but she'd notice something off eventually. I'd have to keep hypnotizing her repeatedly to cover the gaps. Pass. Even if I could handle Yoo Soo-jung alone, it wouldn't end there. Lee Seo-woo mentioned a guild purge soon—better to hold out until then.
Still, giving up felt like a waste. Imagine hypnotizing her to think it's fine to have sex with your lover even if someone's watching... then doing it right in front of her. Just picturing it made her lower belly tingle.
"Ah."
Even under hypnosis, she won't have sex... Rotten jerk. Let's see how long you hold out. Once I start, I won't let you go for at least two days.
Her mood soured briefly, but it was fine. Sex wasn't necessary—similar acts would do. Or showing her how much more he cherishes me, right in front of her eyes. Maybe have him do that greeting I ordered last time. The person he slept with turns out to be his girlfriend, and the moment he gets home, he greets her with a kiss on the pussy?
"Hngh."
Before she knew it, her hand had slipped down there. She pulled it away. She had to hold back for now.
It felt good imagining it, but she'd still need to hypnotize Lee Seo-woo. Casual hypnosis for stuff like that was fine, but for some reason, messing with emotions felt off-limits.
Come to think of it, she'd have to tell him about their relationship eventually. What if she laid everything bare, released all the hypnosis? What reaction would he have? So far, she'd tweaked memories bit by bit when lifting it, but if she undid all restrictions completely? Would he despise her? Fear her? Avoid her?
"No..."
I hate that. Don't. Don't leave me.
For some reason, a vision of his retreating back flickered before her eyes, making her want to cry. Quick, her phone. Where was it? Desperate to hear his voice, she grabbed the phone beside her with trembling hands and dialed Lee Seo-woo.
-[Hey, what's up?]
"Oppa..."
-[What's wrong? Something happen?]
"......"
-[Ji-hyun? You okay? What's going on? Should I come home now?]
His warm voice, laced with worry, finally calmed her a bit. Not just the concern—he'd rush right over. Unlike moments ago, this time gratitude nearly brought tears.
"Nng... No. I must've butt-dialed."
-[Really? Nothing's wrong?]
"Yeah. All good. Sorry for interrupting your work."
-[What're you apologizing for? It's fine. Glad it's nothing.]
"Hanging up."
-[Okay.]
"...I love you, Oppa."
She'd said it too late—the last words probably didn't go through.
Even after hanging up, it took a while to fully calm down. But thanks to that, she had an idea for today. She'd make sure Yoo Soo-jung never sets foot in this house again. At least not until she forgave her.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "It's been a while since I've been to your place~"
I'd deliberately texted that we'd eat dinner out first, so she should be in her room by now. I timed a final text as we arrived and brought Yoo Soo-jung inside.
"Huh?"
"What's up, Noona?"
"I thought I heard something."
"Probably nothing."
"Maybe?"
Seo Ji-hyun should be holed up in her room. Did something fall? Hope she's being careful. At least her shoes were put away—no sign of them in plain sight, which was a relief.
"Alright~ Let's see, let's see... Eek!"
"What? You okay?"
"No, something just tripped me up."
As she slipped off her shoes and stepped in, she suddenly tumbled forward. I caught her by the waist. So careless.
"Probably just caught your foot on the shoe rack threshold. Not hurt, right?"
"No, it felt like something definite..."
"Nothing to trip on anywhere. Be more careful."
"Hing..."
She seemed to forget it quick once inside, darting to the dining table with expectant eyes.
"Want me to make some coffee?"
"Yeah!"
"Hold on a sec."
"Got it—ow!"
Since she was a guest, I figured I'd grab something. As I brewed coffee by the sink, Yoo Soo-jung suddenly yelped, rubbing her pink hair and glancing around.
"What now?"
"What'd you just do?"
"What're you talking about? I was just quietly making coffee."
"Someone hit my head."
"Who'd hit you?"
"Ugh..."
She'd seemed fine earlier—what was with her now?
"Maybe you're feeling a bit chilly."
"Chilly? Should I crank the heat?"
"Nah, I'm heading up soon anyway. No, really—someone smacked my head..."
"Probably a headache."
"Hey, does a headache make your scalp hurt?"
"Happens sometimes."
"Oh, yeah. Kinda."
She grumbled that it wasn't that, looking sulky. Could be a headache, whatever. I ignored it to finish the coffee, turning back—then felt something fiddling with my lower half.
"Noona, what're you..."
"Huh?"
"Uh?"
Thinking she'd snuck up and grabbed me, I turned—there she sat primly at the table. Her headache must've been bad; she was frozen in that head-rubbing pose. No mana use or movement either.
-Snap!
"Why?"
"Uh, no. Just checking if your head's okay."
"Still hurts! Blow on it!"
"Looks fine now. Ugh!"
Suddenly, a pleasant suction pulled at my dick, and I couldn't hold back—felt like I came. What the hell? I looked down in panic: pants fine, no wet spot in my underwear.
Flustered, but hey, happens at home sometimes. Must've built up from Yoo Soo-jung this morning.
The post-orgasm bliss was real—soft something enveloping me, sucking up the remnants on my shaft. Felt amazing. Whatever it was, it lifted my mood as I finished the coffee.
"Seo-woo, coffee?"
"Done. Here."
"Then let's head up!"
Up top, unexpected darkness greeted us. Not urban, no cars around. Just the black sea. But I was a fire mage.
"Ooh, so atmospheric. Pretty."
"Yeah. First time trying it myself."
Scattering and fixing tiny embers around made it feel like stargazing. Nice brightness, beautiful. For a city boy like me, this view was new—only seen in photos or paintings, but it worked.
"Crunch."
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
"Heard a grinding sound."
"Wasn't me dragging the chair?"
"No, different sound. When'd you even pull the chair out, Noona?"
"Just now? Sit down quick!"
And so, under the glow of my embers, we sipped coffee while gazing at the night sea.
...But kinda cold. Wind hadn't picked up, not chilly weather. Still, chills for some reason.