Chapter 173. Hospitalized (4)
"...Yeah. Handle it immediately. Send all the materials we've gathered to the reporters and tell them to publish the story."
- Yes. Understood.
"Do it as fast as you can. Got it?"
Click—
The director, having left the hospital, let out a sigh and boarded the car where his secretary was waiting.
"You're back quickly."
"The matter ended fast."
Secretary Kim, who had worked beside him for decades.
He recently got married, if I recall correctly.
"...Secretary Kim. How old is your child again?"
"My daughter? She's four this year."
"Ah... That's the cutest age."
"Well... watching her grow is what makes it worth it."
Secretary Kim smoothly drove toward the director's home.
In the back seat, the director closed his eyes and recalled Lee Hoyeon's words.
'Wife's grandfather, huh...'
Lately, his granddaughter had been treating him more coldly.
Ten years ago, she used to follow him around calling him gramps~ but now that she's an adult, she avoids even eye contact.
She used to be so adorable when she was little....
"Maybe seeing a great-grandchild wouldn't be so bad."
"Sorry, sir? Could you repeat that?"
Thinking it was directed at him, Secretary Kim looked back and asked.
"Secretary Kim. Let's say your daughter was of marrying age. What if she brought Lee Hoyeon home as her fiancé? What would you do?"
Secretary Kim knew about Lee Hoyeon's wild sex life.
So this was basically asking if he'd still accept him as a son-in-law.
"Uh... If it were me, I'd let my daughter marry whoever she wanted. Even if it ends badly, that's also experience. And bringing someone like Cadet Lee Hoyeon would still be better than some unreliable guy, right? Haha."
"Hmph..."
Now that he heard it, it made a bit of sense.
Someday she'll bring a man home, and it's better if he's capable.
If she ended up stuck with some ugly, useless guy, that would be a headache.
Even if it's his granddaughter, she wouldn't let herself be pushed around by someone like Lee Hoyeon.
"Wife's grandfather... great-grandchild, huh..."
The director furrowed his brow and started contemplating.
*
The day of the terror attack.
At Elise's mansion.
Elise, who had been resting, was startled when Sebas Chan reported that the social party had been attacked.
"...Didn't Lee Hoyeon go there too?"
"Yes, he did. After stopping the attack, he reportedly fell into a coma. They say he played a major role."
"Alright... I'll look into the details myself. You go rest."
"Understood. Please rest well."
Thud—
After the door closed and Sebas Chan left, Elise began checking various updates on her smartwatch.
She was surprised by Lee Hoyeon's feats, but what stood out most was the CCTV footage of him throwing himself in front of Baek A-Young.
"He really is good-looking."
It's annoying how disgustingly handsome he is. Tsk.
Lately, Elise had been feeling a sense of crisis.
Hidden under her desk was Lee Hoyeon's smartwatch.
She was still using it every night.
Now, just seeing that smartwatch would get her pussy wet automatically—maybe she'd been conditioned.
"Ugh... gross."
Hearing that Lee Hoyeon was in a coma, Elise thought, 'What if he dies before I get over this kink?'
It was a ridiculous concern, but Elise was dead serious.
She didn't even have proper knowledge about sex yet, and if Lee Hoyeon disappeared before she fixed this obsession with his videos and massages, there'd be no saving her.
Sure, kinks change with time, but Elise was still clueless in that area.
"...Maybe I should bring him something good for recovery."
While thinking about what to bring, she had an idea.
Set up a hidden camera in his hospital room.
Knowing pervert Lee Hoyeon, he'd definitely call girls there.
It'd be easier to sneak in and record there than the dorms.
With that footage... her nights would be even better.
"...I should contact Scarlett."
Elise started messaging Scarlett directly.
"Nurse, I'm feeling fine. Don't you think I can be discharged now?"
After the director left, I spoke to the nurse who regularly came to check on me.
I even did some stretches to show I was limber.
Though my mana circuits weren't fully healed yet.
I couldn't use magic, but still, being here was suffocating.
"Nope. It hasn't even been a full day since you woke up. You need rest."
"Then how much longer do I need to stay?"
I mean, even just being allowed visitors would be nice. I can't see any of the heroines like this.
"Hmm... Actually, until the Saint permits it, absolutely no visitors are allowed...."
"...What?"
"She said your condition's still not stable... But you seem a lot better now, so I'll talk to her about it."
"Then could you call her here? If she sees me herself, she might change her mind."
"Oh, that might work. She did say if it's about Lee Hoyeon, not to hesitate and come right away."
"Great, thank you."
After the nurse left, I lay back on the bed.
Hmmm.
'Complete rest, huh...'
I'll have to wait and see if the no-visitor policy is really for my recovery or for something else.
Knock knock.
- This is Baek A-Young. May I come in, Cadet Lee Hoyeon?
"Yes. Come in."
Click—
A moment later, Baek A-Young walked in.
She was in that sexy, yet familiar, suit she always wore.
Her forehead was damp with sweat, probably from just finishing work.
"Hoyeon, how's your body feeling?"
"Of course I'm fine."
I heard this hospital belonged to the Ironblood Guild. Apparently, Baek A-Young was working here just for me instead of staying in the infirmary.
Something about her being in charge of the academy cadets' well-being.
As soon as she closed the door, she lowered her voice and approached me.
"So, why'd you call me? The nurse said you wanted me to check in."
"Well, I'm feeling better now... Thought maybe visitors could be allowed."
I wasn't even asking to be discharged.
Just let me see some people.
"Ah... yeah, that's fair. I'm sure you've got a lot going on."
Baek A-Young looked at me with a hint of sadness.
"...Yeah. Honestly, I've got a lot to deal with. That terror attack, stuff from the Heavenly Festival... being watched by nurses 24/7 is exhausting...."
"If I allow visits, will they just be for official business?"
"Well... not just that...."
This is stressful.
The way she's looking at me is terrifying.
"You're not planning to invite other girls here... right...? sniff"
Baek A-Young hugged me and buried her face in my chest.
"...Honye. You're always number one."
"Honye... sniffle."
I had no choice but to use the ultimate word.
Snuggle—
And it worked. Baek A-Young hugged me even tighter.
I held her close too, gently comforting her.
After a few minutes of stroking her back, she looked up.
"Alright. You've got your own life too. I shouldn't be so clingy."
"Thank you, A-Young."
"Yeah. I want to be with you always, but... I still have a lot to do. I need to clean up what I started."
"It's okay. I understand."
As I listened, I opened her status window.
★ Heroine Status Window
[Baek A-Young]
- [ Affection: 100 ] (+1.0)
- [ Lust: 76 ]
- [ Appetite: 35 ]
- [ Fatigue: 55 ]
Current Status: I need to fulfill my job properly... for a stable married life with my honye.
Good.
She still has a strong sense of duty.
And that desire to save people is still there.
Shouldn't be any pregnancy worries.
"Take care of your health. And manage yourself properly."
Just to be sure, I added that.
"Yeah. Thanks. I'll tell them visits are allowed starting tomorrow. And we won't need a night nurse anymore either."
We chatted a bit more after that.
Eventually, Baek A-Young said she had work piling up and left.
Once she was gone, the room became eerily quiet.
"...Even after winning her over, she's still a handful."
Still, maybe because her affection was at 100, the jealousy wasn't that bad.
Of course, who knows if that'll stay true when I've got over five girls... I'll worry about that later.
I turned on my smartwatch to pass the time.
Nothing else to do in a room like this.
"There's nothing left to watch."
After a few dozen minutes, boredom hit me.
I was sick of checking for the academy's official statement.
Hope they lift visitation soon.
Nam Daeun, Nam Dahee, Elise, Lucy, Lumi, Im Sol, Moon Surin... too many to worry about.
Shuffle—
That's when I sensed a familiar mana signature.
I couldn't use mana, but I could still feel it.
That's a perk of [Mana Sensitivity].
"...Scarlett?"
I spoke toward something moving above the ceiling tiles. The mana presence froze, and then one of the tiles popped open.
Thud—
A familiar blonde beauty landed on the floor.
"You're amazing, sir. They said your mana circuits are a mess, yet you still sensed me."
Scarlett brushed the dust off and approached me.
"..What are you doing here? Why from the ceiling?"
"The security around your room suddenly weakened, so I slipped in. I also have a report."
"Good work."
As expected of Scarlett.
I was bored anyway—wait?
The necklace around her neck was faintly trembling.
Now that I look closer, I've seen that necklace before.
I used to carry Liliana around in that form all the time. Of course I remember.
"That's... is that Liliana?"
"Yes. Lady Liliana. It's safe now. You can come out."
Poof—
A puff of mist later, Liliana appeared beside Scarlett.
"Ahh... I was so cramped. It's been ages."
"Liliana!"
With Scarlett and Liliana around, hospital life might not be so boring.
For the first time, I felt something like affection toward Liliana.
"Told you you'd be fine. I knew it."
"You're incredible, Lady Liliana. I was worried it was dangerous... but you trusted him."
"He's not the type to die so easily. If he were, he'd be long gone."
"Um, what are you two talking about?"
I cut into their conversation, which had started without me.
"Scarlett was worried about you, so I told her not to. I know your life's too damn stubborn to end like that."
"...?"
I was about to flick Liliana on the forehead for saying weird things again... but I let it go since she came to check on me.
"Scarlett. What's going on with Nam Daeun and Nam Dahee?"
Perfect timing.
Nam Daeun was my biggest concern, and the person who knew the situation best had arrived.
"They're resting in the dorms. I made sure they were asleep, holding each other tightly, before coming here. Actually, I have a related report."
"What is it?"
"The buyer guild didn't understand why you saved Nam Dahee, so I explained it as your organization's doing. I added that you haven't given a reason yet."
"As expected of you, Scarlett. Nicely handled. I'll take care of the rest."
"Yes. I'll bring Nam Daeun and Nam Dahee tomorrow."
I already had a reason prepared.
Though who knows if Nam Daeun will buy it... Hopefully, she will.
"Anything else unusual?"
"Ah... now that you mention it, Lady Elise gave me a personal mission."
"Personal mission?"
"Yes. She ordered me to install a hidden camera in your hospital room..."