ushernet Chapter 158
Chapter 158
To lure Paimon, a grand festival was needed. And to make that happen, persuading the chairman was essential.
In Korea, even the president would struggle to prepare such an event in just five weeks. Only Seol Ha-yeon, the legendary Awakener and hero of the 1980s, could pull off something like this.
However, despite her fame, I didn’t think it would be particularly hard to convince her. I had reasonable justifications, a “special mission” pretext, and the added benefit of reclaiming the top ranking by defeating my master. By presenting these arguments, I figured she would at least consider it.
And then, I’d just need to push her a little more. Maybe give her a shoulder massage, or if it came to that, even press down on her back to help her relax.
With these thoughts in mind, I headed to the chairman’s office without a hint of nervousness.
...Little did I know I’d encounter an unexpected obstacle.
---@@@@
*"Sigh..."*
I hadn't anticipated Bbo, whom I trusted, would really hit me where it hurt.
With a deep sigh, I noticed she must have sent a bill or something.
I could understand. The Awakener Association would normally cover expenses for special missions. It was only natural for Bbo to charge the Korean Association for her trip.
The reason she didn’t tell me... well, last night was a good night. We had a close, sweaty bonding moment as friends, so discussing money probably felt too trivial.
A thoughtful gesture among friends.
*‘I was planning to give her something later as thanks for doing it for free.’*
Maybe I should’ve said from the start that I'd cover the costs myself. I’d make it clear to the chairman it was a secret.
*Thunk.*
*‘Now I have to deal with the fallout of explaining this to the old lady... sigh.’*
I covered my burning face with my hand. The aftermath of my “self-destruct” technique to calm the furious chairman was lasting longer than expected.
I mean, it’s not like I want to bring up intimate matters in front of other people. I only want to do that kind of thing with someone I love. Even someone with my reputation as a “breeding guy” has a pure side.
So, I left the chairman’s office with my face still burning five minutes later, the embarrassment not fading.
*‘Well, at least I managed to settle things... Forget it, just forget it.’*
*Slap slap.*
I slapped my cheeks to pull myself together. Dwelling on past mistakes wasn’t like me – it reminded me of my awkward first life.
Instead, I’d look on the bright side. Everything had worked out well, so I was thankful for that.
---
*‘And...’*
[Chairman, I feel like a real scumbag. I love all three of them but can’t choose just one....]
[Then marry all three of them. You’re capable enough.]
[Master, Shia, and Alice all said the same thing, but still....]
[Ugh, you spineless guy. Having three wives isn’t so bad, you know? A hero should have multiple wives! You could even take on four more concubines....]
With her attitude, I knew she wouldn’t really care.
If she didn’t care about my mention of *that* in her face, I should be good.
*Step step.*
*‘I’ll cool my head in the lecture hall...’*
Shaking off my embarrassment, I headed towards the academy’s main building. There was still plenty of time before class started, which gave me a chance to sort through my thoughts.
*‘Maybe I can draft some initial ideas for the end-of-semester festival....’*
*Squeak.*
*“Ah, Yu-jin! Perfect timing!”*
*“Hey. Come here and sit down.”*
*“Yikes.”*
I had no time to think. Even 30 minutes before the lecture, my two wives were already seated, waiting for me.
Hearing the line “Come sit down” was like hearing one of the top three lines that terrify married men.
Both of their eyebrows were raised high.
---
*"So, you stayed out on Sunday? With Ninomiya?"*
*"Be honest. Did you two go to a hotel? What did you do at the hotel!?"*
*"Eek."*
*“Take me somewhere simple. Even a motel would be fine. Actually, I think I’d prefer something like that.”*
*“Shia...”*
A wave of emotion washed over me.
Isn’t my wife the sweetest person in the world? I love her more than anything—
---
*“M-motels are out of the question!! Those are for... those kinds of things!!!”*
*“...!!!?”*
The moment was shattered.
For a moment, we’d slipped into our own world, but Alice was still there, after all.
Sweat beaded on my forehead.
*‘I’m screwed...!!!’*
My relationship with Shia was a secret. My relationship with Alice was a secret. I was juggling both.
From Alice’s perspective? Her boyfriend was talking about going to a motel with another woman?
This was a slip-up stemming from my habit of having three wives in my previous life.
---
*‘I have to live. I have to survive...!!’*
---
Grabbing my courage, I thought of a way to appease both Shia and Alice.
*“I don’t mind, but if you’re worried, Alice, then... Shia?”*
*“Hm? What?”*
*“After class, should we go see your father? If Alice is this worried, I’m sure he’d want to know, too. We should tell him in advance.”*
I steered the conversation toward her father.
I could already imagine the aftermath. Her father would say, “Sure, go ahead,” in front of us, but behind the scenes, he’d probably make sure any attempts at intimacy would be thwarted.
---
*‘Shia, I’m sorry. I’ll take you somewhere really nice later...!!’*
With that, I shot a look that said, *“Look, Alice, we’re wholesome.”* And to Shia, a pleading *“We’ll go to a real hotel later, okay?”*
---
*“Hmph? Hmm. Well, if you want, I guess we could.”*
*“...?”*
Wait. She wasn’t angry.
I blinked in surprise.
---
*“Ugh!! S-Shia! You’re really going to do this!?”*
*“I didn’t say anything~ Yu-jin’s like this~.”*
*“Huh?”*
Alice’s reaction was just as confusing.
Just as I wondered what was going on...
---
*“Yu-jin, I’m going too!! I mean... I have to go too!!”*
*“...What? No, that’s...”*
*“Hehe. Isn’t that fine, Yu-jin?”*
*“Shia!?”*
*“Get ready, fox. I’ll show you what the Clan of Heavenly Flowers can do.”*
*“I won’t lose...!!”*
And so, the two of them decided to have a four-way meeting with me, Shia, her father, and Alice.
...Seol Ha-yeon, if this is what it’s like with two, how would it even be with three wives? Would I end up like a chicken, split seven ways?
---
A short while later, in the office of the Clan of Heavenly Flowers’ leader...
*“So, Dad, I’m going to a motel with Yu-jin.”*
*“Absolutely not! If you go there, Shia will end up...!!!”*
*“....”*
*“....”*
*Stare.*
*‘Yu-jin, why are you doing this to me?’*
*‘Father-in-law, I’m truly sorry. I’m sorry for even existing.’*
And I regretted ever being born as a decent young man.