The escort’s steps were light and lively.
‘How did she navigate through the dense crowd so effortlessly without any trouble?’
‘Were people just moving out of her way naturally?’
‘Or was it thanks to her crazy drift-like inertia step?’
It felt almost like the miracle of Moses, parting the Red Sea.
In the midst of the chaotic crowd, Ajin’s head was spinning as her eyes darted around.
Even before being summoned to this world, such swift and nimble movements would have been overwhelming.
Maybe it felt even faster because of the surrounding people.
Sehee led the way, turning into a place off the roadside.
The two entered a building that appeared to be very clean on the outside.
As they walked through the hallway inside, a uniquely decorated shop came into view.
“Here we are.”
“Here?”
The sign read ‘Jokbal Café & Bar.’
‘Jokbal? Not bad, but… her sister? At a Jokbal place?’
‘For Sehee, I imagined something wild yet elegant.’
If Pepe had been here, he probably would have shouted, “What even is wild yet elegant, you dweeb?”
But Ajin had firmly settled on that impression of Sehee.
They opened the door and stepped inside, greeted by a warm-looking employee.
“Welcome! Two of you?”
“Yes. Are there any vacant foot bath rooms available?”
“There are still a few left. Would you like one of those?”
“Yes, please.”
Ajin tilted her head slightly as she watched Sehee converse so naturally.
‘Huh? Has she been here before?’
Following the staff down the interior hallway, they arrived at an open room.
When Ajin saw the setup, her eyes widened in surprise.
It wasn’t a traditional seating area.
The table had a large, recessed space underneath, where steaming hot water filled a basin.
“Before entering, please use this to wipe your feet. If your pants make it difficult, we have special bath pants available in the changing room over there. Would you like to place your order now?”
“We’ll order after we settle in.”
“Alright. Please enjoy your time.”
‘Wow. What is this place?’
Watching Sehee handle everything so smoothly, Ajin felt like she’d been completely outmaneuvered.
It was like being a passenger handing over all responsibility to a bus driver.
As Ajin stood there in a daze, Sehee retrieved the bath pants and headed to the changing room.
‘Oh, right. She’s wearing pants.’
‘I’m wearing a skirt, so… should I be fine?’
‘Do I just wipe my feet with this and soak them?’
Since this was her first time in a place like this, everything felt unfamiliar, making her move cautiously.
“Hmm? You haven’t soaked your feet yet?”
“Uh, no… I mean…”
Emerging from the changing room, Sehee smiled at the sight of the flustered Ajin.
She thought to herself, ‘Really, she’s one of those people you have to take care of from start to finish.’
Still, it wasn’t a bad feeling.
‘It’s like looking after a younger sibling from the same hometown.’
“Take off your socks, wipe your feet with the tissue they gave us, and dip them in the water. We’ll order food later.”
“Just wipe and soak, that’s it?”
“Exactly~. What else would you need? It’s just a foot bath place.”
When she dipped her feet into the basin after wiping them, the warmth rose from her legs and spread upward.
‘Feels nice.’
Bathhouses and saunas that heated the entire body were great, but this gentle, soothing warmth was a different kind of comfort.
Sehee couldn’t remember exactly how she’d discovered this place.
Maybe… it was during a random link-surfing session after watching a camping video.
The atmosphere and reviews had seemed promising, so she’d made a mental note to visit.
Indeed, it turned out to be quite the delightful spot.
“Ahhh.”
The warmth seemed to bring a sense of relaxation and fatigue to Ajin.
The tension in her calves and feet began to ease, and her body felt lighter.
It was still too early for spring warmth, so the lingering cold weather made this foot bath feel like a perfectly timed treat.
“What do you want to eat? They say the shabu-shabu here is pretty good.”
“Wait, what?”
‘A shabu-shabu? Isn’t this a Jokbal place?’
As Ajin blinked in confusion, Sehee explained with a gentle smile.
“I read online that it’s not a true Jokbal place. The ‘Jok’ in the name refers to the foot baths. It’s more of a café-restaurant that serves a variety of dishes, and their shabu-shabu gets good reviews.”
“I’m fine with anything. Tteokbokki would be nice too.”
Anywhere would be fine as long as I’m eating with her.
Even a server room would do.
While they waited for their food, Sehee looked at the completely relaxed Ajin with curiosity.
“You really are different.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“You’re usually so hesitant and unsure, but when you’re with me, you seem so calm.”
“Well, that’s just how it is. Being with you weakens the curse.”
‘How lively and cheerful I would be without it.’
Without this curse or the world’s oppressive restraints, I could’ve been a super editor by now.
I’d delegate all my work to clones and enjoy 365 days of vacation every year.
Letting out a small, wistful laugh, Ajin murmured, “But it’s okay.”
“I met you, didn’t I.”
Her innocent, childlike laugh filled the air, but then a strange sensation approached her toes.
“Eep?”
“Where did you learn such sly temptations, my dear Ajin?”
“Hehehe.”
The conversation paused there.
As the ordered food was served and set on the table, the two quietly stared at the dishes while savoring the warmth of the foot bath below.
Once the space was just the two of them again, the bubbling sound of the boiling broth grew more distinct.
Ajin, glancing at her companion, seemed to be gauging Sehee’s reaction.
From here on, it might require a lot of courage and determination.
This could be the most difficult and daunting moment for her.
But…
“Sehee.”
If she stayed silent, nothing would change.
Her fear of being cornered into helplessness pushed Ajin to mumble.
“Do you remember what you said before? About wanting to keep me by your side, even if I was a bit of an airhead?”
“Oh, that?”
“You mentioned moving into your house back then. Can I talk about it now?”
She finally said it.
If it were anyone other than Sehee, she wouldn’t have even dreamed of having this conversation.
Once the words left her mouth, she felt a sense of relief, clearer and fresher than ever.
‘So that’s why she wanted to meet me today.’
No wonder she suddenly sent a message.
Sehee nodded.
“I… If it’s okay, I’d like to stay at your place. You mentioned there were plenty of empty rooms downstairs. Would that… be alright?”
“Sure. As long as you come, it’s fine.”
She answered so casually.
“No, wait! It’s not something to take lightly. Your house seemed really nice, and I don’t have the kind of deposit to afford something like that. How would that even work?”
Ajin vividly remembered how spacious each room was, easily dozens of square meters.
She figured Sehee must have some kind of plan, so she decided to ask.
And the answer was surprisingly simple.
“Just bring yourself and your belongings. Don’t worry about money.”
“R-Really? Are you sure?”
“Of course. I intended it for that purpose anyway. Besides…”
Sehee scratched her cheek, a slightly awkward smile appearing on her face.
“You can leave anytime you want. There’s no need to feel obligated or worried about me.”
“W-What does that mean?”
“If you live at my place for about a year, the curse will naturally dissipate. By then, you’ll be free from it, Ajin. Whether you stay or go afterward is entirely up to you. Not that I’m asking you to leave, though. I’d actually prefer if you stayed.”
Ajin blinked, processing her words.
Dayoung had already been freed from her curse, thanks to eliminating an external source.
In contrast, Ajin’s curse was internal, embedded in her body, requiring time to neutralize and lift.
Fortunately, it didn’t require complicated rituals—just staying within the barrier Sehee had set up at her home.
Since Ajin’s primary work as an editor kept her home most of the time, a year was more than enough for her to return to normalcy.
Sehee didn’t want to hide this fact.
It would be wrong, even cruel, to deceive Ajin about her future.
“You’re amazing, Sehee.”
“Huh?”
“You’ve already prepared a solution to save me.”
That’s just how things turned out.
Ajin, pulling out a piece of cooked meat, ate it as if trying to mask her nervousness.
“To be honest, I’ve thought about a lot of things since meeting you and Dayoung and the conclusion I’ve come to is…”
“I want to stay connected to you for a long, long time.”
“Really?”
Sehee’s calm reaction made Ajin fiddle awkwardly with her chopsticks.
She hastily continued.
“So please, don’t say things like I can leave whenever or that such a day might come. To me, this bond with you is incredibly precious. Because… I’ve always been the one saving others, never the one being saved. You’re the one who truly saved me, Sehee. You’re my hero.”
Her words grew longer, and her lips dried out slightly.
She took a sip of water to moisten them.
“Dayoung… no, I mean, Dayoung too probably feels the same way I do.”
Sehee, who had been silently listening, fixed her gaze on Ajin and asked in a cool tone.
“If you understand Dayoung’s feelings, do you also understand that they won’t be reciprocated?”
Ajin nodded at Sehee’s firm demeanor.
Sehee had turned down Dayoung’s confession.
It wasn’t because of gender or anything like that.
Sehee didn’t have romantic feelings for her.
Her only desire was to gather heroes and live alongside them.
The same went for Ajin and any other heroes they might encounter in the future.
If someone’s affection for her forced them to act unnaturally, Sehee would need to reevaluate everything.
Ajin, looking directly at Sehee’s unfamiliar cold expression, nodded firmly.
And then…
“…Yeah. I like this connection we have. That’s more than enough for me.”
Ajin smiled brightly, conveying her honest feelings.
It didn’t have to be a romantic relationship.
Bonds didn’t need to take just one form.
As long as they could laugh and share happiness in the same space, that was enough.
Ajin wanted to rid herself of the curse and keep this thread of connection as a hero.
That’s what Sehee truly wanted, and Ajin thought she could contribute to it in her way.
“Alright.”
Sehee’s short reply carried the weight of understanding everything Ajin had just said.
“When will you move in?”
“I’ll contact you as soon as I have a date.”
***
The soft sensation at her toes startled Ajin.
As her feet wiggled in response, Sehee spoke gently.
“Prepare your room in advance. I’m using the top floor, but there’s enough space for six units below. Or do you want to come over and see for yourself?”
“O-Okay.”
“Good job.”
“Hehehe…”
As Sehee leaned down to pat her head, Ajin’s pink, curly hair swayed.
Despite the spring breeze leaving it slightly tousled, the traces of a carefully styled perm remained.
Even with the curse weighing on her, it was clear how much effort she had put into her appearance.