Chapter 149. Weekend? (3)
After a quick meal, I spent some time hanging out with Liliana until it was time for her stream, then I left the house.
Because it happened to be time for my meeting with Moon Surin.
I arrived at Pungmidang, which I had grown quite familiar with.
"Welcome."
"I have a reservation under the name Moon Surin."
"Ah, you're with Ms. Moon Surin."
I always met Moon Surin at this Pungmidang, but even though it was the same staff, they always acted like they were seeing me for the first time.
Is that some kind of high-end restaurant service?
"Right this way."
Following the staff's guidance, I headed to the second-floor room.
I've basically memorized the layout by now. It'd be better if they just told me the room number from now on.
Knock knock.
"Noona, I'm here."
"Yeah. Come in."
It had been a while since I'd seen Moon Surin, but she was still beautiful. Her platinum blonde straight hair and well-shaped hips were stunning.
As expected, she looked much better without her glasses.
Moon Surin ended the video she was watching on her smartwatch and met my gaze.
"Hi, noona. What were you watching?"
"Hm? Hehe… Just some funny videos."
"Ah. So you watch those too. Right, you really went through a lot because of that terrorist attack."
"No, thanks to you, I got through it without harm. Just thinking about what could've happened if there had been casualties is terrifying."
"Aw, I didn't do much."
I sat across from Moon Surin and we chatted.
The atmosphere was cheerful, and a bright smile bloomed on Moon Surin's face.
'Wait… why is she so cheerful?'
Of course, being cheerful is good. Seeing Lucy's mental breakdown had hurt me too.
That's why I'd been hesitant about targeting Moon Surin.
But this is just weird. Way too weird.
Judging by how often those hidden camera posts show up on EveryDay, her mental state should have been shattered by now.
Is there some reason I don't know about?
Just in case, I checked the status window.
★ Heroine Status Window
[Moon Surin]
- [ Affection: 82 ]
- [ Libido: 35 ]
- [ Appetite: 50 ]
- [ Fatigue: 33 ]
Current Status: How should I get him to say I love you?
"...Huh?"
"Hehe, hm? What is it?"
"Ah, it's nothing."
I was startled and let out a little exclamation.
Why is this noona trying to make me say 'I love you'?
Her affection is at 82.
That's an insanely high number.
Honestly, we haven't even met that often, so I don't get why it's rising by itself.
'And what's with making me say I love you?'
I'm anxious.
I don't know what it is, but something feels off.
"Hoyeon."
"… Yeah, Surin noona."
The mood at the table hadn't changed, but I was getting tense for no reason.
"What is love, really?"
"… Hmm. That's still a hard question for me."
What the hell happened to her? This is way too much pressure.
"Really? Have you ever thought about love before?"
"Uh… I've been so busy that I haven't really had time for love. Why do you ask all of a sudden?"
Let's not say 'I love you'.
Who knows what might happen.
Could it be related to her mental state?
If I say I love her, does it cheer her up enough that even stalking doesn't hurt her anymore?
'No, that can't be it.'
It can't be that simple. It shouldn't be.
"Mmm. I was just curious."
Moon Surin smiled brightly, looking relieved, and picked up her chopsticks.
"…."
Why does her smile make me feel uneasy?
Even though the food was delicious, my stomach felt queasy.
*
"Thanks for the meal."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it."
We finished eating and waited for dessert.
The mood was right—this seemed like a good time to bring it up.
"By the way, have you seen the weird posts spreading around telling me to reveal the truth?"
"Yeah. You saw those too? Actually, the Academy is still trying to figure out how to respond. Your opinion matters too."
"I think it's enough to just clarify the suspicious magic circles or whatever. Something people can accept."
"That does sound like the best way."
"Yeah. If we react too strongly, it could backfire."
Those bottom-feeders of society only get more excited when they get a reaction.
And if it's officially addressed, even people who didn't care before might take an interest. Sometimes, it's better to just ignore it.
"You must be going through a lot already, Hoyeon, and now you have more to worry about. Don't worry—I'll handle it."
"Aw, I'm fine. Are you okay though, noona? You've got tons of work, and there are even more weirdos lately."
Since Moon Surin seemed in a good mood, I carefully brought up the paparazzi issue.
"Yeah. I've decided not to care about that stuff anymore."
Wait, what?
Sure, it's a positive change, but… why is it happening?
I'm supposed to be the protagonist of this world, but there's so much I don't know.
"Right. Speaking of which, my photos have been spreading like crazy too. Who even looks at that crap."
Honestly, I don't really care if my photos are circulating.
Thanks to [Steadfast Willpower], it doesn't even bother me.
"Ah, haha… Yeah. I don't get it either."
Moon Surin let out a light chuckle and took a bite of the tangerine ice cream that came as dessert.
*
"I'm back."
When I returned to the dorm, Liliana lifted her head from her desk.
"You're back? We ordered chicken—it should be here soon."
"Chicken again?"
"I paid for it myself, so what's the problem?"
"Haah…"
What the hell is with succubi and their bodies? How can she eat chicken every day and still look like that?
Scarlett was sitting properly on the couch, watching TV.
Why is she still here?
"Scarlett. Aren't you going home?"
"Huh? Ah—right. This place is so comfy, I forgot it's not my house."
"…."
She's definitely gotten dumber hanging around Liliana.
She used to be so fierce. How did she end up like this?
Ding—
My smartwatch rang with a new message.
It was from Elise.
- Elise: So, can we meet tomorrow? I'll send you my address. I'd like it if you could come prepared for a massage.
"Hoo…"
If she's being this direct, she must've made up her mind.
- Me: I'm fine with that… Let's talk when we meet.
- Elise: Okay. I'll send the address. Oh, and make sure no one sees you when you come.
What a high-maintenance lady.
"Who was that?"
Liliana, still sprawled on the desk, clung to my waist.
"Just a friend. I've got plans tomorrow."
"Aha."
Liliana rolled onto the bed in the living room again.
Scarlett was getting dressed and sticking to the ceiling, getting ready to leave.
That shocking pose is giving me PTSD.
If I can't get turned on because of you, you better take responsibility.
Now's the perfect time to bring it up.
I stopped Scarlett as she was about to leave.
"… Scarlett."
"Yes, Master Hoyeon?"
"Sorry, but could you stop moving around on the ceiling like that?"
"Uh… That's just my most confident stealth pose. People usually don't pay attention above their heads, and sticking to the ceiling reduces air resistance…"
"No, no. I mean when you're coming to my place, there's no need for stealth. You can just walk in. I won't stop you."
"Ah! You're right!"
Scarlett thudded to the floor and opened the living room's window.
"Then, I'll visit again tomorrow."
"Yeah. See you tomorrow."
Whoosh—
Scarlett blended into the shadows and vanished.
"…Wait, why is she coming again tomorrow?"
Isn't she supposed to report back when she finds useful info?
Why does it feel like she's trying to clock in at my place?
"Uwaaaah—! I'm bored! So bored! And now there's no Scout, what am I supposed to do~?"
As soon as Scarlett left, Liliana started flailing around.
"What's with you now?"
"Play with me! I'm bored!"
"… Haah, never mind. This actually works out. Take off your clothes and lie down. I'll give you a massage."
I needed to review my massage skills before meeting Elise, and I just so happened to have the perfect test subject.
"Ooh, massage? Sounds fun."
Liliana obediently stripped and lay down as I said.
"How is this even the side of someone who eats chicken every day?"
Her soft waist connected her ample tits and her perfectly spankable hips.
I rubbed her soft side and waist, then poked at the side boob spilling out from the pressure.
"Kyaa—! That tickles."
"Time for the massage."
Elise probably won't strip naked right away. She'll probably only show her upper body, like during the survival exam.
Eventually, that day will come—but it won't be tomorrow.
So for now, I should practice with just the upper body.
I caressed Liliana's soft body.
Kneading her spotless arms and back gently, I infused her with mana.
"Ah, ah… That hurts a bit."
"It's okay. Just relax and leave it to me."
Like I did with Elise, I started stimulating Liliana's mana circuits bit by bit.
Mana circuits are pathways mana constantly flows through anyway—even I overload mine when using the skill 'Acceleration.'
They're durable organs.
Stimulating them a few times won't cause damage.
"Haa… It kind of feels good…?"
"Yeah? That's good."
I pressed firmly on her back while injecting mana.
With one hand, I stimulated her mana circuits; with the other, I pushed mana into her womb.
"H-Haa… You're doing that again… haah…"
"Pushing this much makes it obvious. Got it."
"Haaah! Hnnng… Aah…"
I was gaining experience.
While teasing Liliana's womb, I studied how to stimulate Elise without getting caught. I'll need strong stimulation to conquer her.
"How's this?"
"A-Ahh… G-Good… It feels good…!"
"Not asking if it feels good. I'm asking if you felt the stimulation."
"Hnnng! Haahh! Doing both at once is too… Hnnng♡"
"…Not helpful."
Well, I have a decent idea now.
I should be able to handle giving Elise a massage no problem.
Finally, I made my mana vibrate to heavily stimulate Liliana's erogenous zones.
"Ah! Ahhh… Haaahaaaang!"
Liliana trembled on her stomach, squirting her juices.
Watching her twitch like a freshly caught fish, I started teasing her firm ass.
"P-Please… enough, Master… Haa, haa…"
"Thanks, Liliana. You gave me confidence."
"Y-Yeah…"
"Then, should we go all the way?"
I slid my throbbing dick between Liliana's thighs.
Damp warmth wrapped around my tip, and an erotic scent filled the air.
"L-Let's rest a bit fir—Kyaa!"
I kept teasing Liliana until the chicken arrived.