Episode 50. Doubt and Oath 5
Episode 50. Doubt and Oath 5
[Seyeon]
As soon as that name appeared on my phone screen, I froze completely.
The message had definitely been delivered.
Meaning, my Intuition was warning me about Seyeon. Nothing else.
That alone was enough to make my head spin......
'Why is Seyeon calling me all of a sudden...?'
And at such a perfectly timed moment.
Should I answer?
The Seyeon in my mind was no longer just a devoted person.
Should I just ignore it and lie later that I was asleep if she asks why I didn't answer...
As soon as I had that thought, I shook my head.
I shouldn't run away.
If I don't answer now, it's not like I'll never see Seyeon again. We're supposed to meet at 7:00 anyway.
So it's just postponing the inevitable.
I pressed my phone to answer the call.
"......"
"......"
"...Seyeon?"
From the other end of the receiver, I heard a small *hoo* sound. It was a stuffy, muffled breathing sound, as if breathing through a straw.
"Yubin-ah."
"Y-yes."
I answered with a voice trembling with nervousness.
"Today's the last day, right."
"Wh-what, what is...?"
What? What's the last day? I was so caught up in the ominous connotation of the words "last day" that I kept repeating them in my head.
Seyeon didn't answer my question right away. She just continued her stuffy breathing for a few more seconds, just like before.
Since I had the phone pressed tightly against my face, it felt as if Seyeon was breathing right beside me.
"...The meditation, I mean."
"Ah, r-right."
Finally, Seyeon spoke in her usual gentle, measured voice. I felt like I could breathe again, and I nodded in response even though she couldn't see me.
Why am I trembling like this?
No, it's only natural to tremble.
"So, make sure to manage your condition and come prepared."
"...Is it harder than usual?"
"A little."
"Ah......"
I almost nodded again.
"Okay. I'll prepare well and come."
"Yeah. See you at 7:00."
*Click.*
"Hooooo......"
I let out a deep sigh. My breath was warm, almost hot. Had I been that tense?
'Thankfully, it ended uneventfully.'
Uneventfully?
I let out a slight, incredulous laugh.
Then what would it mean for it *not* to end uneventfully?
Seyeon, having realized I suspect her, suddenly changing and scolding or reprimanding me over the phone?
That's impossible. It's not like she can read minds or anything.
The incredibly timed phone call was probably just a coincidence. Most likely.
What was I even afraid of?
'Right, I should just focus on my condition like Seyeon said...'
My condition.
That was probably why Seyeon called.
But there's something strange about it.
The time we agreed to meet, 7:00, is only an hour or two from now.
And it's highly unlikely my condition would change drastically in that short time.
Right?
♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥
Not long after, I got a call from Eunbyeol. I don't know why everyone calls directly instead of texting.
Eunbyeol first expressed her concern as a friend, then, as the team leader, offered a solution. She said she'd gather information.
Eunbyeol... I think Father said she belongs to the Mixed Species Equality Association or something like that.
Then she might have connections with Hunters. Mixed Species do come from Gates, after all.
And it would be even better if there's a mage among those Hunters......
It felt strange. I'm the one with the problem, yet someone else is stepping up to solve it.
'I should ask the instructor tomorrow or something too...'
I walked along, thinking that.
I was on my way to school. The sky was a pale violet, with thick, cotton-like clouds scattered here and there. I've been going out at this time since March, and it feels a bit brighter now.
"Really......"
They're such kind people.
Not just my team members, but the other kids too.
Everyone treats me like I'm some five-year-old child. They smile at whatever I say, let things slide when I make mistakes, and naturally hold my hand.
Maybe it's because of my beautiful appearance. I had the exact same personality in my previous life too. Except my sensitivity has increased. Yet, my relationships were a mess in my previous life.
But regardless of the reason, the fact remains that I'm receiving the thoughtful kindness of my friends. So I wanted to repay them if I could. And, the first person to repay would naturally have to be Seyeon.
But right now... I'm so confused. What expression should I even wear when facing her?
The heart is like clean water. Just one drop of black ink is enough to dirty it instantly. The moment a tiny suspicion attached itself to Seyeon, I found myself unable to do anything but analyze her actions.
Why is she doing this? Why does she keep giving me things? What intention is she hiding behind it all......
What on earth is that intention that my Intuition and Seyeon know, but I don't?
"Hmm......"
Let's think a bit more as I walk.
The relationship between my Intuition and Seyeon.
First.
What is the scope of what my Intuition can know?
Let's make an assumption.
What if a super typhoon suddenly appears next week and strikes the country, turning everything into a wasteland?
Could my Intuition prepare for that?
'...Probably not, right?'
To prepare for a super typhoon, you'd need to build shelters, stockpile food, and do various other things. It would obviously take a very long time.
So my Intuition would have to start controlling my body weeks in advance, making me go to the store to buy food, build a shelter with a hammer... I don't think that makes any sense.
Why doesn't it make sense?
"Why......"
Moving slowly and pondering deeply, I finally realized.
Maybe it's because it's information I'm not aware of?
Let's go back to the earlier example......
No matter how much my Intuition detects dangers I've missed, can it really predict a typhoon that will just *poof* appear out of nowhere next week?
'If it could, that would be no different from foreseeing the future.'
So it's probably impossible to that extent.
Suddenly, the sparring practice I did with Seyeon came to mind.
It was that moment when I was constantly on guard.
A sensation as if time was slowing down seeped through my entire body.
And all the clues began to be input into my brain—no, my body.
Seyeon's wrist, the size and color of the orb, and the slight trembling of the corner of her eye.
That's right.
My Intuition doesn't prepare for dangers it doesn't know about at all. It recognizes the clues pouring in chaotically through the five senses, instantly compiles them, and moves the body.
In that case, the clue was Seyeon's subtle body movements, perceived visually.
Which means, if the first step—awareness—is impossible, then preparation is also impossible.
And let's flip this around.
If it *can* prepare, then it *is* aware.
My body is preparing for Seyeon. It's trying to push Seyeon away on purpose.
"So, that means it's aware......"
My body, my five senses, have already received the suspicious clues coming from Seyeon. And my Intuition, that excellent CPU, has already dissected them and is acting appropriately.
It's just that I'm the only one missing it.
In other words, to conclude...
It means I *can* know why Seyeon is a subject of caution, and what intention she's hiding. If only I can properly interpret the clues she's sending me, the clues my five senses detect.
Because Intuition isn't a skill that activates beyond my awareness.
"Gasp......"
So that's how it was!
I scolded myself for only realizing this now and mulled over the thoughts I'd had earlier.
Then I suddenly checked the time and realized I'd be late if I didn't hurry, so I quickened my pace.
"Hmm... So that means there are already clues in Seyeon's behavior."
What could they be?
What clues could there be in giving me daily necessities every day, hugging me, holding my hand...
No, come to think of it, the excessive skinship is a bit concerning.
Seyeon... well, she seems to like me anyway.
'Is her saying she likes me even real?'
This is what it meant to have no choice but to analyze Seyeon's words.
Even the warm confession of love from a classmate becomes subject to verification.
"Sigh......"
I tried to recall everything that had happened from March until now, but I couldn't really think of any particularly suspicious parts.
She was just always kind to me.
'Then......'
If I can't find any clues in the behavior she's shown so far, I have no choice but to observe Seyeon carefully from now on.
♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥
"Yubin-ah!"
In front of the Dormitory.
Seyeon sees me and immediately comes running, *dododo*, and hugs me.
"Ah, yes."
While raising my arms to hug her back, I answered in an awkward voice.
It feels like something is stabbing at my heart.
"Let's go in and eat quickly!"
Seeing Seyeon speak with a bright smile, I nodded.
We went into the cafeteria.
Another delicious menu was served today too.
I glanced at Seyeon and cautiously opened my mouth.
"...You said today's the last one, right? The meditation."
"That's right. It's finally over. Congratulations, Yubin-ah."
"Ah, no. You did all the work, what are you talking about."
"I just helped a little, that's all."
As she said that, Seyeon picked up and ate a piece of kimchi.
...It's a bit awkward. Bread would suit her more.
"Come on, let's go up."
"Huh? What about exercise?"
"Let's just do meditation today."
'Hmm......'
For some reason, I had a bad feeling, but I had no choice but to go.
I moved my stiff body and followed Seyeon.