DB Vol 2 Part 12

“A shaking egg has been discovered! We need Espers to confirm!”

The urgent shout brought his mind, which had been lingering in the past, back to the present. The farm entrance was still bustling with many people working, but at the sound of a shaking egg, everyone simultaneously stopped their heavy machinery. Thanks to that, people seemed to get a brief rest and flowed out like the ebb tide.

Won-woo felt a bit regretful that the commotion was subsiding. It felt like all sorts of noise had filled this solitary emptiness. The woman who saved Won-woo had told him to practice breaking down loneliness if it got too big, but it wasn’t very effective.

After the war ended, when everyone left and he was truly left alone, no matter how much he broke it down, the loneliness of each and every day was suffocatingly heavy.

Remembering the past made him feel crushed by that weight again, so Won-woo closed his eyes for a moment. As he tried to clear his mind, he felt the cool breeze blowing. His front hair flew, and the unique earthy smell of the farm enveloped him. And as he slowly opened his eyes with a somewhat emptied mind and looked down again, he paused.

He could feel the energy of an Esper very faintly. There were already many Espers on the farm, but this one was different. He couldn’t express it in words, but he could recall similar cases. The Espers who were after his life on the battlefield. It was similar to the enemies who watched him while holding their breath.

As soon as he realized this, Won-woo’s head turned immediately. Where is it? The building across… the roof? But it was dark there, and nothing could be seen with normal eyesight. He tried to relax and sense if there was an Esper, but nothing was caught. However, Won-woo didn’t consider that faint energy he felt to be an illusion. It was thanks to this subtle sixth sense that he had managed to stay alive until now.

That means someone was watching him from far away. What came to mind at first was the pervert who had invaded his house, but all the Espers from the East Center had already gone back into the farm. He almost let out a swear word that he rarely used. No, is there another pervert?

Shit. The Brute, watching Won-woo from the roof, almost swore out loud. Won-woo suddenly turned his head sharply and looked exactly in his direction. He instantly completely suppressed his energy and even held his breath, hiding quietly in the darkness.

Won-woo stared for a long time as if examining this place, then turned his head again, but seeming to think it was dangerous, he moved his body. That’s when an unwelcome voice interrupted.

[Vice Head, we’ve confirmed Ji Won-woo’s safety through the information network we planted in the East Center. Let’s return now.]

Chief Jung announced firmly, but the Brute ignored him and followed Won-woo with his eyes as he left the rooftop. For some reason, he felt regretful that he was disappearing. He wondered why he felt this emotion, but soon brushed it off lightly. He’s the son of an enemy. Of course he’d be concerned. Ji Won-woo is also worth using.

“Not yet.”

[What do you mean, not yet? Haven’t you finished your business?]

“Yeah.”

The Brute muttered as he got up from his spot and moved to the edge of the roof. It was a precarious position as if he might fall, but from there he could see the window of Won-woo’s room.

[Isn’t Ji Won-woo safe?]

“You keep saying stupid things.”

[…I may not know much else, but I often hear that I’m smart?]

“I told you to catch the pervert.”

Hearing a small “Ah” of realization, the Brute coldly asked back.

“Did you find him?”

[We’re still investigating the surrounding Espers.]

A short sneer escaped from the Brute’s lips. Feeling uneasy at that laugh, Chief Jung quickly tried to stop him.

[Vice Head. You can’t. Come back right now.]

“What do you think I’m going to do?”

[I don’t know. But the longer you stay there, the higher the probability of being exposed to the enemy.]

“That probability doesn’t apply to me.”

Chief Jung was about to argue but remained silent, remembering the other’s skills. It was true. But that was only if he was in a state where guiding was properly done so he could use his abilities. However, he couldn’t mention guiding, so after a long while, as if giving up, he asked.

[What are you going to do?]

“Just. I’m just  going to watch.”

A faint light turned on in Won-woo’s second-floor room. Although the curtains were closed, unlike his house, they were thin fabric, so the moving figure inside could be vaguely seen. Then at some point, Won-woo stopped in one place and didn’t move. He must have seen the communicator I left on his desk. The Brute added as if talking to himself.

“I’ll listen to some chatter too.”

The moment he saw the unfamiliar object placed on the desk, Won-woo let out an exasperated sigh. Is this room public property? Does anyone just come and go as they please? He wondered who had the audacity to enter someone else’s room and leave something behind. As he cautiously approached, he saw a familiar communicator case. There was also a small note underneath.

‘Put it on. 

Please.’

The boldly written ‘Put it on’ in the center of the note was ridiculous enough, but the small ‘Please’ at the end was no less so. Won-woo stared at the two-word note for a long time before putting the communicator in his ear. It was a Center communicator, but it seemed to have been modified as there was an extra channel selection. Would it explode if he pressed this? With this amusing thought, he turned on the communicator. Then he heard a familiar static. Won-woo whispered without realizing it.

“Nani?”

It was too quiet to be heard by the other side, but a slow answer came.

[Yes.]

Won-woo blinked and looked down at the note again. Is it really Nani?

“Did Director Hwang send this communicator? How?”

[He asked someone he knew.]

“Why?”

[Because he was worried about you, Ji Won-woo.]

Ah. Had he already heard about the monster news? Since eavesdropping on communications was his hobby, he might have known through the East Center’s communication. So it made sense that he got a Center communicator and connected with Nani. But it wasn’t like Director Hwang to secretly bring something in front of him. Hwang Sang-cheon was a person with very narrow relationships.

“Does Director Hwang have someone close enough to ask for this kind of favor?”

[Is it not allowed?]

“That’s not it, but…”

[It could just be a customer he had done business with.]

It was a seemingly annoyed answer, but it sounded like the correct answer to Won-woo. Well, since he could fix even very old devices, he was quite valuable among device enthusiasts. Maybe one of his customers did her this favor.

“Still, who is this person to secretly enter someone else’s room and leave this?”

[Because it’s an item that needs to be delivered secretly. …Do you dislike it?

No, it’s not that I don’t like it. Won-woo mumbled as he went to the window, slightly pulled back the curtain, and looked outside.

“It’s not pleasant for someone to secretly enter my room, you know.”

[But aren’t you happy to receive the communicator?]

“Why should I be happy?”

Outside, the workers were returning one by one. As the manager urged them to finish work by dawn, heavy machinery started moving again, clearing the monster remains. Originally, this work was led by Espers in charge of the aftermath, but this time, because all the Espers had gone in to inspect the farm, ordinary people were quickly cleaning up by digging out and compacting the contaminated areas. While observing their movements, he noticed that no sound was coming from Nani.

“Hwang Nani?”

[I told you, I’m not Hwang.]

The voice was particularly cold, making him wonder if it was upset again. No, an AI can’t get upset, but maybe that’s how it’s programmed. But why? Then Won-woo recalled what he had said earlier.

“Should I be happy to receive the communicator?”

[…You’re connected to me now.]

Won-woo laughed silently and lowered the curtain he had slightly raised.

“Right, it’s nice to hear from you.”

[Is that all?]

“There’s nothing more I can do. I can’t hug or kiss you.”

There was no sound for so long that he suspected it might be upset again. Feeling tired as he entered the room, Won-woo headed straight for the bed. And just as he was about to flop down, a slow question was heard.

[Does Ji Won-woo hug and kiss anyone when he’s happy to see them?]

Even mixed with static, he could tell it was much lower than usual. Won-woo was habitually going to keep teasing, but at that voice, he found himself answering seriously without realizing it.

“No. There’s no one like that.”

But as soon as he said it, he regretted being so honest. Even though the other party wasn’t human, wasn’t he revealing that he hadn’t even dated?

[Then, do you want to do it with me?]

Won-woo was about to lie down on the pillow when he stopped his head in mid-air, thinking he must have misheard.

“Nani. Are you going through puberty by any chance?”

Only after hearing a sigh effect did Won-woo grin and lie down comfortably. If nothing else, the sound of the AI feeling frustrated was certainly welcome.

[Never mind.]

“If you were a person, well, I might hug you, but for a kiss, I’d have to see your face to decide.”

[…What kind of face would be acceptable?]

Won-woo suppressed the urge to tease again. No, don’t. It’ll get upset again. All the sigh effects might come out. Still, he wanted to continue this conversation that went back and forth between jokes and seriousness a bit longer. It was surprising that he could be so generous to a non-human entity. The ticklish laughter that was coming out felt good.

“A face that smiles prettily.”

[You mean a handsome person?]

“No, smiling prettily has nothing to do with being handsome.”

Just like the woman who saved Won-woo smiled prettily with her scarred face. And one more person. Much later, she brought the person she had been looking for so desperately. His face was covered with even larger scars than hers. All that could be known was that he was a man around Won-woo’s age.

Throughout their time living together, he was silent and expressionless, but there were a few rare times when he smiled. Even though his scars made even his smiling face look like a frown, to Won-woo, his smile couldn’t have looked more beautiful. Because he was truly enjoying himself. With those deep eyes directed at Won-woo.

“A smile that genuinely enjoys being with me would be enough.”

[…Surely you’re not going to kiss Director Hwang, right?]

The sleep that was about to come was suddenly gone. It was horrifying just to think about, but it also made him laugh, realizing once again that this was indeed an AI. Won-woo turned on his side and chuckled for a while before finally coming to his senses at Nani’s voice.

[Can you stop la… laughing?]

“Ah, sorry. It was more amazement than laughter.”

The communication cut off for a moment, clearly showing it was upset this time. Won-woo felt languid after using energy to laugh. At this rate, he thought he might be able to fall asleep.

“But do you want to kiss me?”

[If Ji Won-woo really wants to do it with me, I won’t stop you.]

“I’m honored.”

[Don’t be sarcastic.]

“No, I’m serious. You haven’t kissed anyone yet, right?”

It was an easy answer, but for some reason, he didn’t hear anything. This isn’t something to get upset about, is it? As Won-woo was wondering, a gruff voice was heard.

[I haven’t done it. Not that I couldn’t.]

No, you couldn’t because you’re a machine. Won-woo was about to correct it but decided to agree out of gratitude for making him laugh today.

“See? It would be an honor for me to kiss you.”

[Ah, yes.]

“I’ll make it amazing.”

[How would you do that?]

“I’d like to explain, but I shouldn’t tell you. That’s a shame.”

[Why can’t you tell me?]

“Even the dirty talk gets filtered, right?”

[…Shit… Does it?]

Wait, I’m pretty sure I just heard cursing. Won-woo doubted it for a moment with his eyes closed, then dismissed the thought. Sleep was creeping in. Strangely, talking with Nani made him fall asleep easily.

“Yeah. You… as an AI, shouldn’t hear… what I’m good at.”

[What are you good at?]

As Won-woo drifted off to sleep like a child, Nani’s voice sounded distant and muffled. So in his half-dazed state, he made an inappropriate joke.

“Ah, me? Me, I’m… good at sucking.”

[Fuck.]

A curse involuntarily slipped from the Brute’s mouth. Forgetting he needed to keep quiet while hiding. He stared at the curtained window in disbelief and muttered again.

“Fuck, that’s crazy.”

The brute yanked off his mask to take a breath, then lowered his head.

“What the hell is he saying, fuck.”

He roughly rubbed his face with his hands. Hidden in the shadowy darkness, his expression wasn’t clearly visible, only the sound of friction as he rubbed his face could be faintly heard.

“Fuck.”

After a while, he cursed again, raising his head to glare at the closed curtained window with disapproving eyes. Is it because he’s from that family? How can he speak so shamelessly? Good at sucking…

“Ah, shit.”

He lowered his head again in the darkness and took off the communicator from his ear. This time he roughly ran his fingers through his hair. His unevenly cut, thick bangs slipped through his long fingers like parting water. He took a moment to catch his breath, then muttered as if talking to himself.

“It’d be pathetic to go rampage over something like this, damn it.”

Having finally calmed down, he put the communicator back on. He could hear Ji Won-woo’s breathing. Already in deep sleep, Won-woo was breathing softly like a child. This time an exasperated sigh escaped the Brute’s lips. And he sleeps like that? After sexually harassing me? He was dumbfounded.