40-55

Chapter 55: Chapter 18: Confession (1) 

Sunhwa couldn’t say a word, just glancing nervously between me and Sua. After a long silence, I let out a deep sigh and spoke. 

“...Yeah, that’s right.” 

There was no need for further explanation. Both Sua and Sunhwa deserved to hear this. 

“I have an ability that other people don’t. You’ve both experienced it several times already.” 

Sua nodded slightly, as if she’d expected this. She’d felt something off while using skills herself, and she’d even experienced the ‘Climax Restraint’ before, so it would be stranger if she hadn’t noticed. But Sunhwa just stared, dumbfounded. 

“What...?” 

“Sunhwa, haven’t you ever noticed? That there was something different about me compared to others? That you experienced things for the first time?” 

“That’s...” 

Sunhwa started to object to Sua’s words, but then she fell silent, looking at me with a shocked expression. 

“Th-then, when we first met...” 

“That’s right.” 

There was no point hiding it now. It wouldn’t be fair to Sunhwa. Sure, at the very beginning I hadn’t had good feelings toward her, but now she’d become someone precious to me. She deserved to know the truth. 

“I used my ability then. Like this.” 

[System: Using skill ‘Pheromone (Lv. 3)’] 

As the energy in my core vanished, both Sua and Sunhwa shuddered slightly. It had been a long time since they’d been hit with the pheromone skill in such a confined space. Sunhwa’s reaction was even stronger than Sua’s, as if the memory of that moment came rushing back. 

“This is...!” 

“That’s right. Back then, it was this skill that aroused you.” 

“How... is this possible...?” 

Sunhwa seemed to be in a panic, unable to process what was happening. I ended the skill and gently held both of their hands to ease the tension. Sunhwa finally seemed to understand. 

I waited silently for her reaction. After a moment, Sunhwa gulped down her water and asked in a trembling voice: 

“So, is that why I ended up like that? After you no, after Mr. Kim came, is that why I became so crazy?” 

“I can’t say it wasn’t.” 

Strictly speaking, my skill was what sparked it. Of course, if Sunhwa hadn’t been so frustrated to begin with, things wouldn’t have escalated the way they did, but the fact remains that I started it. I waited for her response. 

“...So, is that why I fell for you? Is that why I... why I did all that, on the first day?” 

“...” 

“...Answer me. Why did you seduce me? Why did you sleep with me that first day?” 

Sunhwa grabbed my hand, her voice desperate, her eyes filling with tears. Before I could answer, she continued: 

“Was it not because you liked me? Was it just a game? Why won’t you say anything? Was it all just for fun? It wasn’t, right? It wasn’t, it wasn’t, it wasn’t ” 

Sunhwa’s words spilled out like a torrent, her mood spiraling out of control. Even Sua flinched at her outburst. 

“S-Sunhwa.” 

“Liar, liar. It’s a lie. I won’t believe it. I can’t accept it. I don’t want to be abandoned again. I don’t want to be alone again. No, no, no, no, no!” 

[System: Warning. ‘Jin Sunhwa’s’ madness is reaching its limit. Prolonged state may lead to permanent mental damage.] 

“Damn...!” 

Seeing the message, my mind went blank. Sunhwa kept clutching my hand, her eyes unfocused, muttering over and over that she didn’t want to be abandoned, to be alone, that she wanted to live as a woman. 

It was clear what kind of life Sunhwa had led before meeting me. 

“Jin Sunhwa!” 

“No, no, no ” 

I quickly cupped her cheeks and kissed her. 

“Mmph...” 

As our lips met, Sunhwa’s eyelids trembled. Even as we kissed, tears streamed from her eyes. 

“Hic... hnn...” 

She finally let herself cry, and I relaxed only after I saw a message appear above my vision and gently stroked her back. 

[System: ‘Jin Sunhwa’s’ affection is moving in a positive direction. However, this event will remain a vivid memory. ‘Jin Sunhwa’ has temporarily acquired the status ‘Obsessed.’] 

Well, it could be worse. At least it wasn’t permanent damage. 

As I patted Sunhwa’s back while she sobbed against my chest, I spoke gently. 

“Are you calm now?” 

“Hic... I don’t know...” 

“Really, just because you look like you’re in your twenties doesn’t mean you have to act like it.” 

“Don’t talk about age... seriously...” 

Sunhwa showed no sign of wanting to leave my arms. Finally, I turned to Sua and asked quietly: 

“...Are you okay?” 

Sua smiled softly and nodded. 

“I’m fine. I’d already suspected most of it... and I trust you. Not that I mean Sunhwa doesn’t trust you.” 

“Sunhwa will feel the same way. But you really did notice, huh?” 

Sua rubbed the back of her neck, embarrassed. 

“Well... my shoulders stopped hurting, my stamina improved, and my skin is super firm now. Yerin even said she was jealous of how good my skin looked when we bathed together.” 

“...” 

“And you’ve tried all sorts of things on me, haven’t you?” 

Ouch. There was a sting to her words. She must have been referring to when I used the ‘Climax Restraint’ skill on her. Honestly, I was pretty shocked that time too, and it’s a little unfair that I’m the only one being blamed. 

I didn’t expect it to turn out that way either. 

“Ahem, anyway... Both you and Sunhwa are important to me. To be honest, I was attracted to you from the start, and I did want to use my ability to make you mine.” 

Damn, saying something so embarrassing made my face flush. I steadied myself by stroking Sunhwa’s hair and continued. 

“So don’t worry. Don’t think I’ll abandon you or that I was just playing around. I do have some sense of responsibility, you know.” 

“...Really?” 

Sunhwa looked up at me from my arms. Her daughter might be twenty, but she acted like she was twenty herself. Good thing her face and figure matched, or it would have been pretty jarring. 

“Yeah, so stop crying. Enough.” 

“I’m not crying, dummy...” 

“Say that after you wipe your face.” 

As I teased Sunhwa, Sua giggled and said, 

“That’s true. Nothing’s really changed. But... now that we both know your secret, I think we’re closer than before, right?” 

“Thank you.” 

“No, thank you, master. I’m grateful you answered, even though it was a presumptuous question.” 

Sua bowed her head again. Today’s Sua was completely different from before. Where there used to be a playful air, now she seemed to have fully accepted everything. In other words, now  

“You’re like a wife.” 

“Oh my, is that a problem?” 

She really felt like my wife. I’d never been married, but she was more relaxed, not just endlessly accommodating but able to ask for what she wanted and correct me when I was wrong. 

It made me wonder what it would be like to have a wife like her. 

“Whew, but I’m glad.” 

Now that she was finally relaxed, Sua slumped against the wall. Sunhwa, meanwhile, had dozed off against my chest, and I gently stroked her hair. 

“What happened to you?” 

“I’m not sure myself... But I do know one thing.” 

Sua smiled a little sadly. 

“I love you very, very much, master. And I know you love me very, very much too.” 

Hearing those words, I felt my heart pounding in my ears.