Chapter 40 – The Serial Runaway Incident (3)
It’s not strange. But one should ask for permission. I slightly furrowed my brow, signaling my disapproval. Rossi, who was sitting in the seat in front of me, gave P a look.
“P, why don’t you just be honest? You’re thinking of snagging a good-looking junior, aren’t you?”
“Really? Well, then let me be honest. Hey, what do you think of me?”
P said that and pressed her large breasts close to me. As her elbow wedged between her chest bones, Rossi’s eyes narrowed.
What on earth is she trying to do? We just met, and now she’s asking me what I think of her.
He gave a wry smile and signaled to White Peach. She cleared her throat several times before opening her mouth.
“Enough about your disciple, let’s get down to the main topic.”
Upon hearing White Peach’s words, Rossi and P resumed their professional demeanor as if they had never been at odds. It was fortunate that they remained professional when it came to work.
White Peach glanced at me as she asked,
“Do we need any special explanation for the Ent we’re targeting?”
“There’s no need for a detailed explanation about the Ent. However, it seems like you should tell us your objective first.”
I had traveled all the way from Jirisan Mountain to Seoul to solve a case. I had to accomplish something.
White Peach placed her index finger on her lips, pondered for a moment, and then offered her response.
“Right now, we have only one task at hand. To find clues.”
“Clues?”
In response to my question, P playfully poked my cheek with his index finger and answered on her behalf.
“Junior, in a nutshell, you just need to go around this area and root out the reactionary elements.”
“Ah, so I just need to report anything that seems suspicious, right?”
“Exactly. Our good-looking junior communicates so well~”
Rossi emerges and glares at P, seemingly annoyed. Then, she asks White Peach with an envious look in her eyes.
“So, once we find them, can we kill them on the spot?”
“No. It would be better to capture them alive and learn about their hideout.”
With White Peach’s words, a rough plan of action is established. Essentially, they must patrol this area, and if they find anyone acting suspiciously, subdue them by any means necessary and interrogate them about the current situation.
“You’ll be working with Cornus. We also need to find a place to stay. As for the rest, just do what you usually do. Understood?”
Yes. Everyone responds in agreement and stands up from their seats.
I wasn’t sure exactly what “doing as I’m used to” meant, but as a professional, things would probably work out even if I didn’t take the lead.
With that thought in mind, I was about to leave the café when P called out from behind in a sly tone.
“Is the junior picking up the tab for the café?”
“P, seriously. Quit the nonsense.”
I chuckled bitterly and pulled out my card. P laughed with satisfaction, and Rossi sighed. Baekdo observed us, then stood up and said:
“Let it be.”
Baekdo produced a black card from a luxury wallet of unknown origin. The flowing opulence was momentarily disrupted, and Baekdo seemed to disappear.
“Hey, having a good-looking junior treat you is a bonus.”
“Do your job properly.”
“Roger that~”
Baekdo, who effortlessly brushed off P’s teasing, settled the bill at the counter. We exited the café and faced each other for a moment.
Now I just need to work, but truthfully, the task I received was quite abstract, so I haven’t grasped it yet.
Bob simply stood there in silence.
“What’s up?”
“Huh? No, I just thought he was quite tall.”
Bob’s height was definitely beyond my imagination. 2 meters 10 centimeters? It seemed to easily surpass that. P chuckled as I internally admired his height.
“Bob is certainly tall, but I’m not sure about his other attributes.”
“Oh. I’m like the African baobab tree.”
“Are you confident?”
While I was listening to their playful banter, Rossi approached me without me realizing, sighed, and explained.
“P, he’s always like that. If you’re considering joining Dowonhyang, you might want to think twice. The work is tough, and more importantly, the sexual harassment in the workplace is no joke.”
“Do men typically experience harassment?”
“In today’s world, anything is possible. P, that woman mentioned how amazing it feels and went on and on about it. She’s like a prostitute.”
P, who was laughing with Bob, suddenly furrowed his brow upon hearing Rossi’s words.
“Are you done talking, Gorothy? Honestly, what would a woman who’s never had sex at that age know?”
“My family values premarital chastity! What do you expect me to do?”
“You’re just the next girl selling love juice.”
“Ahhhh!”
Sansuyu, who had been observing the scene, tugged at my collar. I lowered my head to listen, and she whispered a question.
“What is this love juice, and why is it being sold?”
“…You don’t need to know.”
Frankly, I can’t comprehend the thoughts of those women. Even if I were to die soon, I doubt I’d have anything to do with office romance. Sansuyu pouted with her question still unanswered. Soon, Baekdo finished settling the bill and stepped out of the café.
“Are you all fighting again?”
First, she sighed while looking at P and Rossi, and then she turned to me and began to explain.
“Lee Si-heon. P will handle nearly all aspects of the exploration. Although we were told to investigate, you can just enjoy two days of outdoor life.”
“Mr. P?”
“There’s no one who can match him in support and exploration abilities.”
Upon hearing this, P ceased his verbal sparring and patted his chest with bravado.
“I’ll take care of this! Don’t go falling for me, juniors. I’ll show you the power of the National Emergency Search Team.”
“Tsk.”
Rossi clicked his tongue disapprovingly. It seemed as if P was about to do something impressive, so he decided to applaud.
– Clap clap clap.
“Amazing.”
“Haha!”
P smiled brightly, seemingly overjoyed by the recognition.
* * * * *
– Secure a room with Sansuyu, and check the surrounding area. If you find anything suspicious, give me a call.
Unsure of what life had in store, I came for training and found myself collaborating with a globally renowned organization.
Placing Shiba on the table, I gazed at Cornus.
“Is it alright, having just one room?”
In response, Cornus gave me a puzzled look, as if questioning what I was talking about.
“What wouldn’t be alright?”
Ah, so that’s how she sees it. Since coming here, I’ve only encountered people who are far from ordinary, so now I think it must be normal for them.
Well, a man and a woman can sleep in the same room in a motel-like setting, right? …Why is it that it took me two whole months before I could share a room with my ex-girlfriend? Is there a unique culture specific to Mokin? That’s why I can’t comprehend their thought process. Honestly, it was exhausting trying to understand something that wasn’t entirely implausible.
– Beep, beep.
“You’re the only one who understands me, Shiba…”
I gently stroked Shiba’s sprout. Shiba quivered, seemingly enjoying the touch. Cornus, who had been closely observing the scene, discreetly revealed her interest.
“Sieon.”
“It’s not Sieon, it’s Siheon.”
“Siheon.”
“Why?”
“…May I touch it as well?”
It seemed she had been eager to do so. Her fingers trembled as if her hands were itching with anticipation.
Without a word, I nodded and stepped aside, and Sansuyu stretched out her hand to the sprout, her eyes sparkling.
-Beep?
Upon discovering the hand of a woman it had never seen before, Shiba tilted the sprout.
-Tap.
-Beep beep beep!!!!!
The moment her delicate fingers touched it, she shrieked in surprise. The sound was almost akin to a fire engine siren.
-Beep, beep, beep.
Sansuyu was flustered and at a loss for what to do upon witnessing Shiba’s cries. She stomped her feet and looked at me with a tearful expression.
“Si, Siheon… I think I touched it too hard.”
“Maybe it’s because Shiba hasn’t encountered any strangers before?”
I replied lightheartedly and began to stroke Shiba. Recognizing the familiar touch, Shiba stopped crying and nuzzled the sprout against my hand.
It seemed like the expression was pleading to wash away some filth, and my heart inexplicably warmed.
“…Huh.”
Captivated by Shiba’s charm, Sansuyu reached out with a hand itching to touch, but she withdrew it, perhaps recalling the recent event. Evidently, she was disappointed that she couldn’t touch Shiba.
“Would you like something to eat then?”
I took out a bottle of mineral water from the bag I had brought and handed it to Sansuyu.
-Beep, beep!
Seeing the water bottle in my hand, Shiba let out a cheerful cry. Sansuyu spread her hands wide to accept the bottle, and Shiba made a flustered, clumsy sound.
-…What?
Sansuyu removed the cap from the water bottle and cautiously poured water onto the soil near Shiba.
-Beep! Beep, beep!
Startled, Shiba let out an urgent cry, then suddenly summoned magical energy from somewhere, creating a protective barrier. Water trickled down the transparent barrier, drenching the ground below.
Sansuyu sobbed.
“…Huh.”
“He really likes me a lot.”
Even though I should scold him for being unruly, why does it make me feel so good? A child that will only drink the water I provide. She’s so adorable, I want to give her a little nibble.
Wait a moment, didn’t Lee Se-Young give her water before? I gently stroked Shiba’s sprout and spoke to her.
“Our Shiba, be thankful and accept it.”
– Beep.
Shiba sullenly turned the sprout towards me and shook her head as if to say, “Really?” As I nodded, Shiba reluctantly chirped and extended her head towards Sansuyu.
“Um, can I give her some water?”
“It seems like it.”
As Sansuyu carefully tilted the water bottle, a few drops of water fell near Shiba.
– Beep. Beep.
Shiba soon began to absorb the water. Instead of the usual delightful cry, her voice was slightly disapproving.
“…So cute.”
Sansuyu, while watering Shiba, unknowingly reaches out her hand.
-Beep?
Upon seeing this, Shiba suddenly stiffens the sprouts.
-Beep!
Angrily, she conjures up her magical power. Startled, Sansuyu pulls her finger back, and a wisp of smoke rises from it.
“No… are you okay? Doesn’t it hurt?”
Shiba, with a determination to fight whenever her boundaries are crossed, assumes a boxing stance, her two sprouts clenched like fists. Observing this, Sansuyu alternates glances between her finger and Shiba.
“My heart hurts.”
Sansuyu murmurs sadly while looking at Shiba.
“…Ah, I see.”
It seems their Shiba is even more captivating than they had imagined.