"Se-hwa."
A female classmate waved her hand in front of Se-hwa's face.
"….."
There was no reaction from her.
The female classmate raised her voice.
"Se-hwa!"
"Huh…? Yeah? Why?"
She was startled.
The classmate asked with worried eyes.
"Are you really okay? Shouldn't you go to the hospital or something?"
"I… I'm okay."
"I was so worried when you didn't answer your phone yesterday. That horse-headed monster…"
"Sorry… I was just completely out of it…"
Saying that, Se-hwa stealthily glanced at me, who was sitting behind her.
She wasn't spacing out right now because of the near-death experience.
The immoral act she had committed with me at dawn was weighing on her mind.
The matter of having a long, long kiss with another man despite having a boyfriend.
Right after letting out a shallow moan, Se-hwa had pulled her face away, apologized to me several times saying she was sorry, and said she would be leaving.
And I, with an expression of not knowing what to do with myself, had packed a blanket, pillow, and air freshener for her.
And when we came to school together this morning, she didn't say a single word to me.
I was the same, I didn't say much either, other than what was necessary.
'It's complicated, isn't it? It must be.'
Se-hwa was an upright person.
She had never done or even thought of doing something like this before.
She must be experiencing an immense sense of betrayal right now… well, later on, Se-hwa will come to enjoy this act of betrayal too.
Also, Se-hwa didn't particularly blame me.
Because the kiss with me was something she had wanted.
The female classmate said with a pitiful expression.
"It's understandable… so are you living in the temporary shelter now?"
"Huh…? No, that's…"
Se-hwa made a troubled expression.
She probably couldn't say that I had given her an officetel for free.
The female classmate misunderstood her reaction on her own.
She, who said it was fine, not to say it, and that she was sorry, returned to her seat.
I, who was watching the fidgety Se-hwa, thought of the naive Yoo Seung-hyun.
In the end, he didn't come to my officetel.
Why? Because Marcella had the manager give him a hotel room.
This was the order I had given Marcella yesterday.
To raise Yoo Seung-hyun's salary, increase his working hours, and let him rot there.
The incredibly foolish Yoo Seung-hyun said he was truly grateful, and in the end, he ended up staying at the hotel until his house was repaired.
Of course, I did personally tell Yoo Seung-hyun to come to my place, but was I crazy enough to throw away the chance to be alone with Se-hwa?
It was just something I said out of courtesy in the first place.
Now, it would be even harder for Yoo Seung-hyun to see Se-hwa than before.
Because I had greatly increased the operating hours of the entertainment bar.
Currently, the university was filled with talk of yesterday's incident.
Was it just the university? Korea, East Asia, and of course, the entire world was filled with talk of the monster and the sky-blue flash.
All sorts of scholars came out to discuss it, but no conclusion was reached.
They just repeated guess after guess.
With their level of technology, they would not be able to find out about my Antarctic base, nor the portal that appeared in the sky, nor the identity of the monsters that would begin to appear now.
'Anyway, this is cruel. To not even cancel classes.'
It was possible because among the Hankook University students living in that neighborhood, there were injured people, but no one had died.
If even one person had died, they would have canceled classes in mourning.
In any case, whatever happened yesterday, the world's time flows on.
People still live their busy daily lives.
I just have to live my own time.
As the professor with a complicated expression entered the lecture hall, I opened my book.
"There aren't any injured people among the Future Science Department students, right? Seeing that everyone's attendance is marked, it seems you're all okay?"
– Yeeees…
The students answered weakly.
The professor let out a small sigh and said.
"I know it's a chaotic atmosphere… but let's begin the class. There are no clear answers out yet, so let's just wait quietly. Now, page 126…"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The school after the afternoon classes ended.
Se-hwa had left a text saying she was leaving first and had gone back.
It seemed she still hadn't collected her thoughts.
I answered my classmates, who suggested we have a drink and talk about yesterday's events, that I was sorry, then stopped by a snack bar, got tteokbokki to-go, and returned to the officetel.
After that, I met Se-hwa on the top floor, the 25th floor.
It wasn't an intentional meeting.
It was just that Se-hwa was on the phone with Yoo Seung-hyun in the hallway.
She, who had spotted me, said to Yoo Seung-hyun.
"Ah, something just came up… I'll call you later. Work hard."
– Okay. It's about to get busy soon, so I'll probably only be able to talk in the morning.
Yoo Seung-hyun's voice was heard from over the receiver.
How foolish… can you call yourself Se-hwa's partner when you're that naive?
Anyway, listening to Yoo Seung-hyun's calm tone, it seemed Se-hwa hadn't mentioned the kiss incident at dawn.
"Okay. Then tomorrow morning… call me when you have time. Yeah… I lo… ve you too."
A person's feelings are well embedded in their words.
It was the same for Se-hwa now.
In the past, she would have said she loved Yoo Seung-hyun without hesitation, but now she stuttered.
Of course, that absolutely did not mean she loved me.
It was just that she remembered the events of dawn, and she was being self-conscious because I was nearby.
However, the fact that Se-hwa liked me remained unchanged.
Because the device had proven it.
Se-hwa, who had hung up the phone with a troubled expression, approached me.
And then, she asked.
"Did you hear from Dr.-nim by any chance?"
"No. You?"
"I tried contacting her, but she told me to rest well today. She said she'd come pick us up soon. She told you to be on standby too. And… since a monster might appear… that… no, it's nothing."
The rest of her words were easy to guess.
She probably told you to sleep with Yoo Seung-hyun and charge the device's energy, right?
That's impossible.
"I see… I'm looking forward to that."
"Because you can see all that latest equipment?"
"Yeah."
"Just like a machine maniac. What's that in your hand?"
"This… tteokbokki. For you to eat…"
Se-hwa let out a weak laugh.
A complicated laugh that was part dumbfounded, part grateful, and part sorry.
I just rolled my lips around.
Then, as Se-hwa's laughter subsided, I apologized.
"I'm sorry."
Se-hwa had a puzzled look in her eyes.
"Huh? For what…?"
"At dawn, to you…"
"Wait… just a minute! Let's go inside and talk first. I was waiting for you for that."
"Then you could have just stayed in your room… we could have met after you called."
Surely she's not going to say she's leaving?
Fortunately, Se-hwa's following words confirmed that my worry was just groundless.
"Because I wanted to talk face to face. At your place… no, do you want to talk at my place? Do you have time?"
I had checked on the hard-working Rosé before going to bed yesterday, and Yuria didn't show any strange behavior either.
Since now was the time to focus on Se-hwa… of course, it was right to give her my time.
Even if I didn't have time, I had to make it for her.
"Okay. But right now?"
"When you put your bag down… no, let's just talk at your place."
Are you sure? The incident from yesterday will just come to mind, won't it?
Well, if that's what you want, it's good for me.
"Alright."
I, who had nodded, opened the door with my card and let Se-hwa in first.
While I put my bag on the sofa, she took the tteokbokki and naturally went to the kitchen.
"It's okay to take out a plate, right?"
"Of course. Take a few when you leave."
"No, I bought some on my way here today."
Se-hwa skillfully set the table with her experience of having lived alone for a long time.
Well, skillful was just that she put the tteokbokki on a plate and placed forks on both sides, but she was just fast.
I, who had taken out a soda and handed it to her, sat down.
At that, Se-hwa picked up a fork and tapped it cutely.
I, who took that opportunity, said.
"Sorry it's not cream. They were all out."
"It doesn't matter at all. We can go eat it together later. Here, you eat first."
Together… yes, together is good.
Se-hwa speared a piece of tteokbokki and held it out to me.
Meaning for me to eat.
I hesitated for a moment, then took it and ate it.
At that, Se-hwa, who had smiled brightly, brought the tteokbokki to her mouth.
The way she nibbled was truly pretty.
We focused only on eating without a word.
Since I had only bought one serving, the tteokbokki was gone quickly.
Se-hwa, who had drunk the soda, made a 'kya!' sound at the sharp fizziness that rose from her throat.
Then, she stared intently at me.
And I lowered my gaze.
Se-hwa, who was silent for a moment, called my name.
"Ji-hyuk."
I couldn't help but raise my head in surprise.
Because she had spoken in a tearful voice.
Se-hwa was crying.
And quite a lot at that.
"I don't… I don't have the courage… I'm sorry… Heuk!"
Courage…
Did she mean she didn't have the courage to coldly push me away?
Or did she mean she didn't have the courage to mention the events of dawn?
First, the former had a low possibility.
Then it must be the latter… but just in case, let's test the waters.
"If you're okay with it, you don't have to talk about it. I mean, we can just ignore it and act as usual."
"Is that… okay…?"
Seeing her say that, it was the latter.
She was afraid of our relationship becoming distant.
I showed Se-hwa a warm smile.
"Of course. I'll follow your wishes. If you get the courage later, you can talk about it then."
At those words, Se-hwa made a relieved expression.
I brought my hand to her pretty hand on her knee and covered it.
A skinship that only couples would do.
But Se-hwa remained still.
No, rather, she turned her palm over on her own and held my hand.
She even intertwined our fingers.
In that moment, I felt an immense sense of ecstasy coursing through my entire body.
An electrifying feeling.
It was to the point where I couldn't stop a smile from breaking out.
The corners of my mouth rose slightly.
I barely managed to package it as a benevolent smile.
"Shall we talk about something else?"
Se-hwa, who was looking at me like a gentle, gentle lamb, nodded her head frantically.
Her puffy eyes were so cute.
"Yeah."
If the me until now had been diligently climbing up from the bottom of a distant cliff, the current me was on a scale.
A scale with Yoo Seung-hyun on the other side.
Of course, the weight difference would be enormous right now, but as my weight gradually increased, it would become balanced.
You love Yoo Seung-hyun so much, but you don't want to lose me either, right?
You're so selfish, Se-hwa.
Can you really call yourself a hero of justice, Beast Slayer Leona, like that?
You said we should act as usual, but I have no intention of doing so.
I've successfully entered Dr. Cash's lab, so there are no hitches in my plan.
Now, I'm going to start making a thread with you that will never, ever be broken.
No one can forget their first experience.
I'll be starting soon, so look forward to it.
After agonizing deeply between morality and immorality, you will come to me of your own will.
You have no other choice.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The next day, Dr. Cash took Se-hwa and me to the lab in the transport she had used during the Amdusias incident.
And she threw a moderately sized machine at me.
"Disassemble this too, and reassemble it."
This time, it was an unmanned reconnaissance drone that could monitor the locations of humans in real-time.
Right, the fact that it wasn't a dangerous object like last time must be proof that I've built some trust, right?
I decided to think of it positively.
As I started to concentrate, the doctor took Se-hwa and went into that room from last time.
It seemed they were going to have a secret talk.
Well, such efforts were useless.
Because I could hear everything.
– Wait a minute.
As the doctor said that, silence fell in the room.
At the same time, a clicking sound was heard.
A little later, the doctor asked Se-hwa in a slightly flustered tone.
– Did you by any chance… do something with your boyfriend? Like sleep with him… no, looking at the charge level, I don't think that's it… did you have any physical contact?
– Pardon? What are you talking about?
– The energy has been charged by about 1%.
Se-hwa was silent.
At that, Dr. Cash, as if frustrated, said this.
– This is a very important matter. It's okay, so tell me. I pride myself on being tight-lipped. I will absolutely never tell anyone.
– Well… yes, I did.
– Were you a little excited then? You felt sexual desire, right?
– Dr.-nim!
– Shh… lower your voice. That eccentric will get curious.
– Do I have to answer…?
Se-hwa hesitated.
Hehe… I can almost see Se-hwa's eyes, unable to do either this or that.
The doctor said,
– You don't have to. The answer is already out. But we might have to work together for a long time. So I'd be grateful if you could tell me honestly, okay? As I just said, I will absolutely not tell anyone.
– …. Yes. That's right.
– You mean you were excited?
– J-just a little… without realizing it…
Se-hwa's trailing voice was very cute.
Anyway, you lied, didn't you? A very big lie at that.
Right, you'll be doing it like it's a daily meal from now on, so it would be good to get used to it in advance.
I want to say thank you to Dr. Cash.
For confirming the facts for Se-hwa, who had been doubting the device's energy charging method.
– Alright. The energy is at 13% now, so charge it whenever you have a chance. Otherwise, innocent people could be sacrificed again. The time you can transform is extremely short. It's a mistake to think you can do anything with this amount of energy.
– Haaa…
With the sense of justice that had awakened before she transformed into Leona still alive, she couldn't help but agree.
For the sake of innocent people.
Se-hwa, who let out a long sigh, answered.
– Yes, I will. But I can't see my boyfriend much these days. He works all night and sleeps in the morning.
– Wake him up and do it. If you really don't think you can, then with someone you get along with…
That bitch…
Don't ruin it, let me handle it myself.
Click!
I, who had inserted the last part of the drone, shouted loudly, cutting off the doctor's words.
"Dr.-nim! I'm done with the assembly! Is there anything else?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Read the rest of the novel at: https://arcanetranslations.com/series/became-the-final-boss-in-a-magical-girl-game/
Or search by the title:Became the Final Boss in a Magical Girl Game at https://arcanetranslations.com