Chapter 48 : Chapter 48

"Uh, uh, sob, but, the only underwear here is mine…."

The first words I uttered in my brain freeze were those.

It was such an absurd statement that even the bodyguard listening was stunned, and right after, I felt like I wanted to dig a hole and disappear.

"I bought some from the convenience store earlier."

Shin So-hee rummaged through her bag and pulled out a box.

On the box was a bold photo of a woman's lower body in black panties.

So that's why she stopped by the convenience store!

The large bodyguard took a step back.

He looked visibly flustered, anyone could see it.

Of course, those panties were from the convenience store, and anyone who's ever been to one wouldn't be surprised by such packaging, but…

She was holding it with the clear intention of saying, 'I'll be wearing these today.'

If something went wrong, it could become an extremely embarrassing situation.

…So, in the first place, she was planning to stay the night here.

I have no idea what led her to that conclusion.

"I only have my toothbrush…."

"Do you really think there's only your toothbrush in such a large house? Well, I bought one just in case anyway."

Shin So-hee tapped the side of her bag as she said this.

She seemed to be much more prepared than I had thought.

"And clothes…?"

"I'll just borrow one of yours."

There's no way our sizes would match.

Well, pajamas are usually a bit roomy, so maybe it'll fit.

No, no, that's not the issue.

"Ah… do your parents know?"

I almost asked if her father knew, but quickly changed my words.

I knew Shin So-hee's family situation from the game's setting, but I hadn't heard it directly from her yet.

So, I had to act as if I didn't know.

Thank goodness.

At least I had enough presence of mind to think that far.

"I often stay over at friends' houses. I'll just give them a call."

But still, on a weekday?

We have school tomorrow, don't we?

Though, it didn't seem to bother Shin So-hee at all.

…Wasn't she pretty diligent about attending school until she decided to hang out with Ha-neul in the original story?

…Now that I think about it, she was the type of character who would boldly skip school to go have fun once she made up her mind.

"So, is it okay?"

Shin So-hee tilted her head and looked at me.

This time, too, her expression was hard to read, like the one I saw at the café earlier.

But now, the atmosphere felt a little different.

Earlier, it seemed like she was angry or irritated, but now it seemed like she was hiding some anxiety.

…It's not that I'm particularly good at reading people's emotions or expressions, but Shin So-hee had been shaking one leg since earlier.

It was as if she was feeling nervous.

"…Well… I guess there's no reason why it wouldn't be okay?"

When I answered hesitantly, Shin So-hee's face immediately lit up.

Well, her face was always radiant, but still.

But does this have anything to do with that plan I mentioned?

She's just saying she'll stay over, though?

"Great, then."

Shin So-hee said, giving the bodyguard a sharp glare before quickly walking past him to stand beside me.

The bodyguard looked like he had plenty to say but closed his mouth the moment he made eye contact with me.

He didn't seem to know how to persuade someone acting the way I was.

"Well then, since that's settled."

Shin So-hee, now beside me, naturally wrapped her arms around my right arm.

It was where Ha-neul had been holding on earlier.

Something large, soft, and squishy pressed against my arm.

Even though she was wearing a bra under her shirt, I could feel the shape clearly.

She might even be bigger than Lee Soo-ah…?

"Aaah!"

And just then, Ha-neul, who had been silently watching me and Shin So-hee converse, suddenly shouted.

"Me too!"

Ha-neul raised one hand excitedly, like an elementary schooler volunteering to answer a question in class.

"I want to stay over too!"

"Do you have a change of underwear?"

Shin So-hee asked with an oddly triumphant expression.

"I'll just borrow Sara's!"

"…Huh?"

"…Huh?"

Simultaneously, both Shin So-hee and I made the same sound.

…What?

Do girls normally lend each other underwear like that?

Is it like how some guys in the army wear someone else's underwear if they don't have their own?

Does it not bother them at all?

No, even if that's the case, the thought of it made me incredibly uncomfortable.

The problem wasn't me lending my underwear to a girl, but the idea of wearing a girl's underwear myself.

I mean, I'm still a grown man inside, after all.

Physical contact with female friends is one thing, but wearing a high school girl's underwear?

It felt like I was giving up on something fundamental as a human being.

While I stood frozen in shock, Ha-neul's arm drooped down weakly.

She clasped her hands behind her back, tilted her head down, and tapped the ground with one foot.

Her previous energy had vanished, and she now looked like a pitiful girl standing there.

She reminded me of a drenched kitten.

I swallowed that thought, knowing she'd probably be offended if she heard it, and let out a small sigh.

Right, it would be weird if I only brought in Shin So-hee.

…And who knows if there's a reporter lurking around here again.

Don't you think?

Was it really a coincidence that the reporter who took my photo over the weekend just happened to catch me?

It seemed more likely that they were waiting for me from the start.

Though, to be fair, it would take quite a bit of patience to wait outside, not knowing when I'd come out.

You'd think that stalking celebrities for photos would be more profitable for them.

"Okay, you can stay."

When I nodded, Ha-neul's face brightened immediately.

She almost ran toward me but then,

She looked back at Lee Soo-ah, who was still standing frozen in place.

As expected of the protagonist.

While Shin So-hee and Ha-neul might be able to get permission just by calling home, that likely wouldn't be the case for Lee Soo-ah.

She came from a wealthy family.

There was a good chance she wouldn't be allowed to stay over somewhere else, especially at someone like Ye Sara's house.

After all, the chairman has completely blocked Ye Sara's path.

Lee Soo-ah probably hadn't spoken to Ye Sara back in middle school either, like everyone else.

So, her parents might still be under the impression that Ye Sara was bad news.

Would her parents let her stay at Ye Sara's place?

"…Maybe—"

But still.

The thought of sending one of my newly made friends home alone didn't sit well with me.

Right?

I'm in the middle of exacting revenge on those who ignored Ye Sara, but I didn't want to use the same reasoning to ignore someone in this group myself.

Even if Lee Soo-ah said she had no choice but to leave, I had to at least show sincerity.

I couldn't imagine how much courage it must have taken for her to approach Ye Sara for the first time.

So, I opened my mouth to suggest she stay, but,

"Me too."

Before I could finish, Lee Soo-ah had already spoken.

Her fists were clenched tightly, and though her shoulders trembled slightly, her eyes stared straight at me.

Her face was stiff, but her expression was filled with determination.

"Can I stay too?"

Lee Soo-ah asked me.

"Are you sure it's okay?"

I asked, genuinely concerned, and Lee Soo-ah nodded silently.

"…."

Seeing this, Ha-neul looked back and forth between me and Lee Soo-ah with a worried expression.

Shin So-hee, too, had a somewhat conflicted look on her face.

Both of them had heard about my situation at the café earlier.

It wouldn't have been hard to guess that Lee Soo-ah was involved somehow.

"Alright, then. Welcome. This is 'my home' after all."

I said, looking directly at the bodyguard.

He flinched when he met my gaze.

Well, even if my body was weak, Ye Sara's face was well-suited for making fierce expressions.

Plus, I had full authority over this mansion.

If I wanted to—if I were determined enough to fight the chairman head-on—I could even fire him.

Of course, doing that would lead to a bloody battle with the chairman, putting me in a tough spot, but honestly, for an employee like him, the fear of losing his job would probably be more terrifying.

Not to mention, this job pays a lot for the work they do.

Even Yang Hye-in gets paid 500 million won.

They probably want to work here as long as possible.

In response to my answer, Lee Soo-ah nodded with a stiff expression.

Then, slowly, she began walking toward me, one step at a time.

After hesitating for a moment at the entrance, Lee Soo-ah finally jumped into the mansion's grounds.

As if she had crossed a massive wall, her previously rigid expression softened.

She smiled brightly at me and—

Dodododo, she ran up and grabbed my left arm.

"Aah!"

And just then, Ha-neul, who had been watching the scene with a mix of anxiety and satisfaction, shouted again.

Ha-neul, now looking somewhat indignant, dashed toward me at full speed and threw herself into my arms.

"Hee!"

At the sensation of Ha-neul's hand slipping between my side and my arm, I let out a strange noise.

!!!

Invisible exclamation marks seemed to appear above Shin So-hee and Lee Soo-ah's heads.

W-why are they doing this?

As I stood frozen, tense from the physical contact with the girls surrounding me,

"Hehe."

Ha-neul laughed playfully and rested her chin on my shoulder.

"…Ah."

Then she suddenly made a noise and hastily pulled herself away from me.

"…."

Why?

Ha-neul's face turned bright red as she moved away.

"…?"

What on earth did she see?

Apparently, Shin So-hee and Lee Soo-ah were just as curious.

The three of us turned slightly to see what was behind us.

…Standing there, having arrived at some point, was Yang Hye-in.

As always, she stood expressionless, with a somewhat businesslike demeanor.

"…."

How long has she been standing there?

I suddenly felt a wave of embarrassment.

It wasn't like we had any right to talk after what we'd just done in front of the bodyguard, but seeing Yang Hye-in standing there like that made me feel like this wasn't okay.

I mean…

It's like when you make a joke and the other person doesn't laugh.

If that had happened at school, I probably would have felt the same way I do now.

"…."

"…."

Shin So-hee and Lee Soo-ah, who had been hanging onto me, also awkwardly pulled away.

"Welcome back, miss."

Yang Hye-in asked with a polite bow.

"Ah, yes…."

My face was burning.

"I'll prepare dinner for four."

"Y-yes…."

I nodded with my head lowered.

Yang Hye-in silently bowed her head again.

As I began walking with my head still lowered, the three followed closely behind.

…For some reason, I had a feeling that this meal would be just as awkwardly quiet as the last one.

Though for a completely different reason.