There were countless buildings in New Seoul. Because Korea, cramped compared to other countries, had a tradition of showing off one's power by building structures as high as possible.
And in one building, a girl with blue hair was languidly soaking her body in a bath. It might be hard to believe, but this girl, who looked to be merely in her late teens, was the owner of this entire building.
[Miss Yuna. The investigation into the Cheong-Am Office has been completed.]
"Hmm~?"
While soaking in a massive bath that was practically the size of a swimming pool, the girl examined a hologram screen floating in the air. Her gaze stopped on a picture of Alice taken by a CCTV camera.
"...I don't like it. How dare she receive more attention than me!"
The heat she emitted from momentary anger instantly evaporated all the water in the entire bath. Inside that space filled with steam, the girl named Yuna ordered her AI assistant.
"I have no choice, I'll have to visit that gutter-like Old Seoul... Adjust my schedule."
[Your previously booked schedule is...]
Being hit by the bathwater that now turned into rain pouring back down on her, she spoke arrogantly.
"Cancel all of that."
The legend says that on the floor of the bath she stepped out of, scorch marks remained centered around where she had been sitting...
***
Night, the women's sleeping quarters of the Cheong-Am Office.
Three people were gathered: Alice, Kim Ga-Eun, and Yi Rang. It was Kim Ga-Eun's proposal that they gather just the girls and have something like a pajama party. And when three girls gather, the topic of conversation inevitably drifts towards badmouthing someone.
"Seriously, that punk Yu-Han! Ain't he beatin' us up way too much usin' trainin' as an excuse!? And then what? Tellin' me, 'Live thinkin' of yourself as a combatant before bein' a woman'!"
Wearing a slightly stretched tank top and dolphin shorts for sleeping, Yi Rang was pouring out her complaints about their superior.
"Right! Yu-Han C has zero delicacy!"
Wearing pajamas appropriate for her age, Kim Ga-Eun enthusiastically agreed with Yi Rang's words.
"...But, it's infuriating, but he's not wrong. Yi Rang, what are you going to do about the fights to come?"
When Alice, who had no particular need to wear pajamas or sleep, gave her a piece of her mind, Yi Rang looked speechless. And at that moment, as if waiting for it, Kim Ga-Eun brought up a topic.
"Speaking of Yu-Han C, I have something important to say."
"What is it?"
When Yi Rang asked, Kim Ga-Eun hesitated for a few seconds before making a shocking confession.
"I... I like Yu-Han C!!"
For a moment, silence passed. However, Alice and Yi Rang's reactions were quite different from Kim Ga-Eun's expectations. Alice spoke calmly.
"Who doesn't know that?"
"Yes? How..."
Yi Rang cut in and spoke as if she knew everything.
"It's so obvious even a moron would notice! More importantly, what's so good about a crazy bastard like him? Ya get brainwashed or gaslighted? Or mentally vulnerable or somethin'?"
"Yes, if others look at it, they'd question why I like such a crazy person... But, Yu-Han C is like a savior to me!"
Alice and Yi Rang were thinking to themselves, 'She doesn't deny that he's crazy.' Then, pretending to wipe away tears, Kim Ga-Eun began her second build-up.
"But... Yu-Han C probably likes the cool and confident Alice C or Yi Rang C more than me... Even if you two curse at him with your mouths, you still... Sniff!"
"No, no, no, no. We don't need a guy like that."
"Ga-Eun. Actually, please, couldn't you take him instead? For the sake of the world?"
Seeing Alice and Yi Rang's intense reactions, Kim Ga-Eun cheered inwardly.
"To cheer for our love this much... Then, you'll help me, right?"
***
Arriving at the Cheong-Am Center after receiving a call out of the blue on a day off, Yu-Han couldn't believe his eyes. It was because Kim Ga-Eun, who usually just casually threw on a denim jacket or jeans, was wearing a rare outfit consisting of a flat cap, a knit top, and a pleated skirt.
"...What, did you get a boyfriend? Congratulations."
"That can't be true, Yu-Han C. I just want to spend my day off with you today, that's all."
Kim Ga-Eun shyly looked up at Yu-Han and smiled, and Yu-Han fell into confusion. At that moment, the accomplices who had been waiting appeared. It was Yi Rang and Alice, appearing somewhat swaggeringly.
"Wow~ Deputy, ya got some skills, huh? How'd ya make Ga-Eun fall for ya like this?"
"Come on, how long are you going to make a young girl wait! Hurry up and go!"
Seeing the two suspiciously pushing him forward, a 'social simulation' of what might have happened last night activated in Yu-Han's head.
'Damn mutts. It seems she won these two over in that short time. Women, huh...'
Yu-Han decided to play along for now.
"Is that so? Are you asking to go for a walk together? Want me to throw a frisbee for you?"
"Cut the unfunny jokes! I've planned out a date course, so just follow me!"
Grabbed by the scruff of his neck by Kim Ga-Eun's monster-strength, Yu-Han was dragged away. Yi Rang asked Alice worriedly.
"Is this gonna work out? With that personality-bankrupt punk."
Then Alice's eyes sparkled as she shouted.
"We have to make it work! With the power of love, we'll purify that bastard's twisted mind!"
"...Ain't ya been watchin' too much manga or anime?"
At Yi Rang's counter-question, Alice maintained silence 'calmly and coolly'.
***
{Date Spot No. 1: Cafe}
"Yu-Han C! Here's dessert! Say ahh~!"
"Why on earth would you pay several times the cost price to buy coffee at a place like this? And you know I don't like sweets... Mmph."
In the gap when Yu-Han opened his mouth to complain, Kim Ga-Eun sharply tossed the dessert in.
"Yu-Han C talks so much, there was no need to tell you to open your mouth! Hehe."
With his arms crossed and a face full of complaints, Yu-Han mumbled as he chewed the dessert that entered his mouth.
{Date Course No. 2: Amusement Park}
"Seriously, a bunch of masochists. What's so fun about being restrained in a chair and going up and down?"
Even while sitting on the gyro drop, Yu-Han grumbled.
"Yu-Han C! Still, this should be thrilling, right?"
"Hmph. Falling from this height is already..."
"No, look closely."
Looking at the sign, a shocking explanation was written. It said this gyro drop applied the latest magic technology to let you experience terminal velocity. According to the sign, it was 100% reliable and safe.
"Wait, maybe we should go ride the carousel..."
Before Yu-Han could finish speaking, the gyro drop went up at high speed and then fell. While Yu-Han suffered feeling the immense inertia, Kim Ga-Eun raised both hands and cheered joyfully.
{Date Spot No. 3: Zoo}
"It's Yi Rang. Did she work part-time here too?"
"Yu-Han C. That's a real tiger."
Yu-Han and Kim Ga-Eun were watching in front of the tiger enclosure. And there was also a suspicious person secretly watching them watch. It was Alice, tailing them with her face covered by sunglasses, a hat, and a mask.
[Why the hell's that punk bringin' me up even over there!]
Sharing Alice's vision through a screen, Yi Rang was comfortably enjoying the view from the office sofa.
"It's no use. That guy doesn't have a romantic DNA in his body. Also, Isn't Ga-Eun acting too coercive in the first place...?"
Meanwhile, Yu-Han had gone to the enclosure where the birds were locked up and was spouting nonsense again.
"Manager Yu Seo-Yeon! When did you change jobs to here? How is it, do you like the salary? Do you get birdseed as stock options?"
Seeing Yu-Han's state, all three women sighed simultaneously.
{Date Spot No. 4: A Deserted Observatory}
"Coming to a place like this just the two of us is usually only when secretly disposing of someone."
No matter how blinded by love Kim Ga-Eun was, she was getting annoyed, but she endured and endured. Even the tailing Alice admired that patience.
"Yu-Han C. You're acting frivolous on purpose, but let's have a serious talk now."
"...What is it."
"Please accept my love now!"
At Kim Ga-Eun's words, the smile disappeared from Yu-Han's face. He became serious, but his eyes were cold.
"Kim Ga-Eun, I should have answered that many times already. I don't love anyone."
"But..."
"And I still don't completely trust you. If I judge you to be dangerous, I'll have no choice but to dispose of you immediately. So don't expect things like human affection."
Alice was flustered when words more cruel than she imagined popped out. But what was more flustering was Kim Ga-Eun's expression. Eyes full of killing intent like never seen before, blood vessels bulging on her face... It was doubtful if she was even the same Kim Ga-Eun she had seen so far.
"Yu-Han C... After how much I've worked for you, aren't you being too harsh?"
"Ha! What's with that look? Going around blabbing to others that I'm your savior? Guess you want to kill that savior now?"
Far from being scared, Yu-Han sneered at Kim Ga-Eun with an expression that said, 'This is why you won't do.'
"In the first place, didn't I tell you you weren't suited for a euthanasia sanctioner and to back off? If you ignore my warning, I have no choice but to keep using your monster strength. If you want to play human, why don't you look somewhere else?"
"...Let's just end this."
Kim Ga-Eun spoke in a completely sunken voice. Alice became afraid to even check Kim Ga-Eun's expression. Yu-Han and Kim Ga-Eun began to walk side by side without even meeting each other's eyes.
Alice was certain that nothing worse than this could happen. That thought was shattered not long after, though.
"Hello? Are you perhaps the Deputy Director of the Cheong-Am Office, Kim Ga-Eun?"
Suddenly, two spotlights shone on the dark area, and a blue-haired twin-tail girl appeared. Her beauty was perfection itself, enough to make flying birds fall, and even other women would have to admit she was pretty.
"Now, we're live streaming, so would you like to say something?"
"What are you."
Kim Ga-Eun snapped with eyes lacking any light. The blue-haired girl slapped her forehead, looking troubled.
"Oh my. Have you been living in the mountains? There are many modifiers to introduce me... but 'Yuna', the undisputed top influencer in the country, this much introduction should be enough, right?"
"Not interested, so get lost."
Kim Ga-Eun answered briefly and continued walking with Yu-Han. Yuna seemed dumbfounded by such treatment.
"You're quite arrogant, aren't you? What's that next to you, a boyfriend? If I put my mind to it, I could steal him right now, you know? Hmm?"
"Kim Ga-Eun, ignore her."
Yu-Han commanded, but Kim Ga-Eun's patience had already reached its limit.
"Keep blabbering if you want to die, you cyber whore."
Yuna, who was momentarily dazed trying to understand the meaning of the words, immediately became furious.
"How dare you, call me, the great Yuna, a whore? I don't know... who wants to die!!"
Yuna swung her fist, and Kim Ga-Eun took it head-on. Surprisingly, a contest of strength between the two was tensely established. Veins bulged on both their arms and foreheads, and ominous cracking and popping sounds began to echo. Both girls had expressions showing they completely hadn't expected this situation.
"Oh... You're not letting go?"
"I think you'll have to leave an arm behind? I'm in a bad mood right now...!"
Unable to watch any longer, Yu-Han shouted.
"Kim Ga-Eun!! Didn't I tell you not to do anything useless!"
As if she had no choice, Kim Ga-Eun let go of Yuna's arm as if throwing it down. Full of anger, Yuna glared at Yu-Han.
"You rat-like suckers over there! The supremely lovely Yuna is in trouble, and as a man, you're not even going to help? Huh!?"
"Love? I have no reason to love you. What nonsense are you talking about."
Hearing those words from Yu-Han, Yuna's pupils expanded greatly. Of all things, those words touched a trauma in Yuna's memories.
[I have no reason to love you. Disappear from my sight forever!]
"How dare... you say there's no reason... to love me...? How dare you!? How dare you!!"
Even the flow of mana around them began to waver. Yuna barely caught her breath and spoke.
"You guys have made a very big mistake. Do you understand!?"
Yuna stumbled and tried to leave in an autonomous car.
"Then if I just make it so it wasn't a mistake..."
Transforming her hand, Kim Ga-Eun tried to kill Yuna, but Yu-Han grabbed her wrist.
"...Didn't you hear? She said it's a live stream. Things will get out of hand."
Kim Ga-Eun clicked her tongue.
Watching this, Alice screamed in despair.
'Just what kind of troublesome mess have we gotten swept up in this time!?'