39 – 39.
A strange atmosphere filled the cafe, where calm classical music played.
As I blinked my eyes absentmindedly, I asked Hanyeorwon across from me.
“Um… So, you and me… just the two of us, are going?”
In response, she replied with a stern tone.
“Yes, that’s right. If Mayeonseo isn’t joining us.”
Why could that be?
For some reason, it sounded like Hanyeorwon was emphasizing the fact that Mayeonseo wouldn’t be there.
It was as if she was saying that she wanted to go with just me.
“…This is an opportunity.”
Regardless of her intentions, it was an opportunity that I couldn’t miss.
Seoul to Busan is a distance that takes at least two hours round trip.
Of course, there would be plenty of time together besides that.
It was a perfect chance to have the sincere conversation we hadn’t been able to have before.
“…Alright. If it’s necessary, let’s do it.”
After coordinating a few explanations and schedules, we finished the meeting.
Returning to our accommodations, I subtly hinted at Mayeonseo, who would be busy with her schedule.
[They say I need to undergo additional testing at the Association?]
And that evening.
Ma Yeon-seo, who had returned to the hotel, brought up the topic of the examination.
“I received a call from the Association earlier. What exactly did they say?”
“I’m not sure about the details. They said my constitution seems a bit unusual and that I should undergo a thorough examination in Busan.”
“Busan? Do we have to go all the way there?”
“They say the facilities there are the only ones available. They said it would probably take about two days.”
“…What?”
Listening to the story, Ma Yeon-seo furrowed her brows slightly.
The part about having to sleep in Busan didn’t sit well with her.
“So, I’ll go alone.”
Not missing a chance, I naturally excluded Ma Yeon-seo from accompanying me.
“You won’t be able to keep up.”
“……”
Although she had an unsatisfied look in her eyes, she didn’t argue back.
Well, she is one of the busiest people in the country right now.
Even if she wanted to come along, it would be difficult for her.
And if it was the ‘changed her’, it would be even more so.
“…When are you leaving?”
“The day after tomorrow. I’ll go and come back the next evening.”
No different from usual. Mayeonseo let out a sigh mixed with irritation as our schedules overlapped.
“…Alright. Go and come back.”
Even so, she willingly allowed me to go about my schedule.
“This is it.”
It was all just as I expected.
*
The day of my business trip to Busan.
I left the hotel early in the morning and headed to Seoul Station.
This time, I was planning to take a train to Busan for the business trip.
“I arrived a little early.”
Excited at the thought of going on a business trip with Hanyeo-won, I arrived about 30 minutes earlier than the scheduled time.
[I’ve arrived.]
I immediately informed her of my arrival through our work contact.
[Come to the cafe on the second floor.]
Oddly enough, Hanyeo-won had arrived much earlier than me.
“Could it be that she had secretly been looking forward to this too?”
With a subtle anticipation, I pulled my hat down low and quickly made my way to the cafe on the second floor.
“You came early? When did you arrive?”
“……”
“Did you miss me that much?”
She sat in the cafe, dressed in her usual suit, and quietly glanced at me, shooting me a harsh look.
…It seemed that I had expected too much from her.
“Hmm. Should I order something too?”
From Noble mtl dot com
Unintentionally, I joined her earlier than planned and wanted to order something to drink, following her lead.
But then.
“Since I already ordered, why don’t you go and get it?”
She swiftly handed me a vibrating pager.
It seemed she had already ordered our drinks, knowing that I would come.
“Oh. Thanks. What did you order?”
“…It’s something you used to often have here.”
Hanryeowon didn’t mention the menu, but I could guess what she had ordered.
“Mint chocolate, huh.”
As expected, she knew me too well.
“4F…Here it is. Do you want to sit by the window?”
“…Do as you please.”
Eventually, we finished our simple meal and got on the train side by side.
Perhaps because it was a pricey first-class cabin on a weekday, there were many empty seats, so we could comfortably board without worrying about being noticed.
“By the way, this is the first time we’re going to Busan together.”
“……”
I glanced at Hanryeowon, who was sitting by the window, and spoke in a subtle voice.
“If we finish the investigation early today, shall we go see the sea in the evening?”
As she said that, she closed her eyes slightly and tapped her fingers on the table with a soft voice.
“Please refrain from personal conversations outside.”
Now it had reached the point where we couldn’t even talk.
“Tsk…”
Helplessly, I lowered my tail and closed my eyes, following her lead.
“…”
After glancing around to check if anyone was watching, I quietly moved my hand and firmly held her hand.
She flinched. The wavering sensation was fully conveyed through her soft hand.
“Excuse me.”
“Just a little longer.”
“…Can you hurry up and let go?”
“I’ll let go when we depart. Just until then.”
I felt a sharp gaze from the adjacent seat.
Ignoring the gaze shamelessly with my eyes closed, I lightly played with her hand, which I hadn’t held in a long time.
“…Sigh…”
Eventually, she also seemed to give up and obediently handed me her hand.
We held hands like that until we left Seoul.
*
Upon arriving in Busan, we got into the car prepared by the association and headed straight to the research institute.
From the name itself, I had a feeling, but when I arrived, it felt like a huge factory.
“Ah, Mr. Kang Yuchan! Nice to meet you.”
“Hello.”
Upon arriving at the research institute, the director of the institute greeted us.
He appeared to be in his thirties, but I later found out he had crossed over into his forties.
“Oh… you’ve been here for a long time.”
“hahahaha. I hear that a lot. Anyway, let’s go inside and talk.”
The director briefly introduced us to the inside of the research institute.
“Our research institute is one of the largest in East Asia. We have solid equipment and security facilities, and many smart colleagues.”
The director proudly mentioned that their research institute was not far behind other top countries.
“If only we had the Philosopher’s Stone… I would have been even happier. I have regrets.”
So he was more delighted about the return of the Ma-yeon Book than any support or policy.
Because her return brought vitality to the entire domestic top business.
“Could our country become a leading country in the future?”
He was truly a passionate person in many ways…
“Anyway! Today, we will only conduct simple tests like blood tests and magical power measurements. We still have plenty of time, so we’ll take it step by step from next week…”
“…Huh?”
While obediently listening to his explanation, I noticed something strange mixed in.
“Um… I’m sorry to interrupt.”
“It’s okay. Go ahead and speak.”
“Wasn’t the investigation supposed to be over today…?”
“Oh, I see. Didn’t you hear the explanation?”
The director of the research institute looked at Hanyeo-won, who was following behind with a slightly puzzled expression.
“I only received information about this investigation from headquarters.”
“Oh, it seems there was a misunderstanding. Yu-chan’s investigation is scheduled to take a total of two months.”
“T-Two months…?”
He nodded as if it was obvious and began to explain.
“As you may already know, Yu-chan is a very unique case. He is human but also a summon, and he possesses the qualities of an Awakened individual without being an Awakened.”
In conclusion, it was deemed worthy of research, so they would be conducting a detailed examination every week.
“Is it really necessary…?”
Honestly, as someone who couldn’t feel anything about themselves, it was difficult for me to understand.
If I were such an amazing person, I wouldn’t have to go through all this suffering.
I could firmly grasp the reins of the Abyss and stand tall before Hanyeo-won…!
…It felt like a dream.
“I’ll administer the injection.”
“Please be gentle.”
“I’ll try to make it as painless as possible.”
While Hanyeo-won was discussing the investigation schedule with headquarters, I began to receive the examination in earnest.
“Wait, how many times are they going to draw blood?”
The blood collection for the blood test was carried out.
“You can come over here.”
After taking a short break, the urine test was conducted.
And then…
“…Um, what are you doing?”
“Depending on the type of bodily fluid, different magical powers are contained.”
They even encountered an unexpected male potency test.
“Have you had any s*xual encounters in the past four days?”
“Do I have to say that too…?”
“Yes. It can affect the test results.”
“Well… I did…”
“How many times?”
“…26 times.”
“…Excuse me?”
In an instant, the female researcher who was jotting down the question and answer looked at me with a face that said she had misheard.
“Um, you need to be precise about the number…”
In a hurry, she awkwardly smiled and asked for a correction.
“…26 times, right.”
“…Ah.”
As if realizing something belatedly, she blushed slightly and began entering the information absentmindedly.
“…Wow….”
Feeling embarrassed, I pretended not to notice her exclamation of admiration.
“Um, um. The instructions are in that room over there, so don’t worry about the time and try to get as many as possible.”
Soon after, the researcher nonchalantly handed me a cup.
Maybe it was my imagination, but it felt like she was glancing at my lower body.
“I can’t believe it, living until now…”
Muttering to myself, I was about to enter the “Men’s Special Examination Room”.
“Mr. Kang Yoochan.”
Just then, Hanyeo-won, who had just finished a call with headquarters, came back and we faced each other.
“How far have you progressed?”
“…I’ve almost finished.”
“…?”
Hanyeo-won looked at me strangely, then glanced at the cup in her hand and the half-opened “Men’s Special Examination Room”.
“!”
Finally, she seemed to understand the situation and her expression showed surprise.
Seeing her go from being cold towards me to being uncertain, it felt like something had changed.
I felt like playing a prank.
“…Do you need help?”
“Are you crazy?”
“hehehe.”
I entered the laboratory, satisfied with her cute reaction.
*
After finishing the investigation and returning to the lodging, the sun had already set.
Hanryeowon and I decided to stay overnight at the hotel arranged by the association.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t the same room, but right next door.
“What a lack of sense.”
Feeling a slight disappointment, I swallowed it and, as I mentioned earlier, planned to go see the sea with Hanryeowon.
“Let’s go see the ocean.”
“…Go alone.”
But I was politely rejected.
“…Is there no other way…”
As I racked my brain, I unfolded the ‘User Manual for Hanryeowon’ that I had painstakingly written.
Knock, knock.
After purchasing a bunch of “bait” nearby, I went to her room.
“Can you open the door for a moment?”
A serene silence filled the hotel corridor.
I listened carefully beyond the door, but no matter how long I waited, there was no response.
“Is she taking a shower?”
And at that moment.
Click. The door finally opened slightly, and Hanryeowon’s eyes met mine.
Did she wash up? Her makeup seemed faint on her face.
“…Why.”
I showed her my hands full of alcohol and snacks.
“Shall we have a drink together after a long time?”
“…….”.
A heavy silence flowed for a moment.
Click-.
Then the door began to close.
“Wait, just a moment!”
I barely managed to push my foot in to stop the door from closing, and then I opened it again, appealing to her with desperation.
“I just want to talk, really. We’ve come this far!”
“……”
“Can’t you just indulge me a little…?”
As she looked at me with a significant expression on her face…
Sighing shortly, she turned her body around.
“Come in.”
It was the first checkpoint.