I parted ways with Da-eun Nam in the lobby. There was a hint of reluctance in saying goodbye, but now that we had acknowledged our feelings, there was no need to rush. She wasn’t going anywhere, and we’d be seeing each other often.

After sending Da-eun off to the restaurant, I quickly headed up to the fourth floor.

As expected, the office door was slightly ajar. I slipped inside swiftly.

Pushing open the terrace door, I stepped out onto the balcony and found Hannah kneeling on the floor. The ground was soaked with liquid from a shattered bottle, and she was using her shirt to clean it up.

I stood there, watching her silently.

“!”

Hannah looked up at me with vacant eyes. Then, as if suddenly aware of herself, she turned away and wiped her face with the back of her hand. But I had already seen the redness in her eyes and the tears streaming down her cheeks.

‘She saw.’

The realization made me feel uneasy, a pang of guilt towards Hannah.

What should I say?

After a moment of contemplation, I calmly took off my coat and draped it over her shoulders. Then I knelt beside her and gently tugged at the shirt she was using. I remembered she seemed to like this shirt quite a bit.

“I-I’ll clean it up.”

Her voice was choked. I shook my head silently and took the shirt from her, starting to wipe the floor myself.

A few moments later, I heard her trying to clear her throat.

“I’m sorry. I just barged in… and made a mess of the room…”

“It’s fine. It’s nothing that can’t be cleaned up. I’m the one who should apologize. I said I was going to my room but ended up in the garden. Did you look for me?”

“Yeah, a little…”

Hannah smiled, but it was a forced smile, one that tried to hide her sadness. I sighed inwardly.

“Give it to me…”

Hannah tried to take the shirt back, but I gently stopped her.

I wrung out the soaked shirt and continued cleaning the floor.

“I told you it’s fine. I’ll finish up here, so you can go downstairs.”

“No, I’ll do it. You should…”

“Really, it’s okay. You didn’t get to enjoy the festival much today, did you?”

“The festival…”

We went back and forth, but eventually, Hannah seemed to give up, muttering in a defeated tone. Yet, she didn’t leave the room, still watching me from where she sat.

An awkward silence stretched between us. I knew why it felt so awkward. There was something we needed to talk about, but we were just skirting around it.

How much time passed like that?

The floor, once stained a deep purple, had almost returned to its original color. I pushed the soaked shirt aside and reached for the pile of shards.

A soft voice broke the silence.

“Now that I think about it, I was really looking forward to the festival too… but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped.”

“It’s not too late to go back. It looked like they were planning to stay up all night.”

“Everyone’s probably drunk by now… I should have just talked to you earlier.”

“Why? Was there something you wanted to talk about?”

I asked as I gathered the shards in one swift motion. I could feel the sharp edges pressing into my palm, but it didn’t hurt. My endurance was far beyond being bothered by mere glass shards.

I was about to crush them into dust with a touch of magic when her voice stopped me.

“…Yeah. I wanted to talk to you, Su-hyun. There’s something I need to tell you.”

I halted the magic coursing through me and turned to look at her. Hannah was gazing at me with a faint, wistful smile, her eyes filled with an apologetic light. What could she possibly be sorry for?

“What is it?”

“I have a confession to make.”

I held my breath.

A confession. Such a loaded word.

Suddenly, I wanted to escape. Because I had a feeling I knew what kind of confession Hannah was about to make.

After a brief pause, I spoke quietly.

“A confession? If it’s about breaking in and messing up the room, I already caught you.”

Hannah’s eyes wavered intensely. I watched her impassively.

It was a joke, but not one meant to be laughed at. More like a final notice, or a choice I was offering her.

If she took it as a joke, we could laugh it off and move on. That would be the end of it.

But if she didn’t take it as a joke… she might get hurt.

The decision came quicker than I expected.

A moment later, Hannah’s lips parted.

“There’s that, but… I saw you earlier. With Da-eun by the pond…”

And she chose the latter.

I bit my lip, then sighed and spoke.

“We ran into each other by chance.”

“I see. So, what did you two talk about?”

“How much did you see?”

“Well, actually… everything, I think.”

“You saw it all…”

“Did Da-eun confess to you? Is that why you kissed?”

If she hadn’t, we wouldn’t have kissed. I nodded instead of answering.

I had suspected she might have seen.

Seeing the clear tear tracks on her cheeks made me feel guilty. Because deep down, I had hoped Hannah would laugh it off and let it go.

But once she started talking, Hannah couldn’t stop.

“Did you accept it? Is that why you kissed?”

“Hannah.”

I called her name softly, and she immediately fell silent. She seemed to realize she had overstepped.

“This is between Da-eun and me.”

Silence fell again.

The terrace was bitterly cold, the wind biting. But the chill wasn’t just from the wind.

I suddenly craved a cigarette.

“Haha. You’re right. I guess I was prying too much.”

After a pause, Hannah quietly agreed. She tried to smile again, but it was awkward.

Yet.

Her eyes trembled incessantly, her lips quivering…

“I was just… worried…”

She looked like she was about to burst into tears.

Seeing her like that, my heart softened for a moment.

“What are you so worried about?”

“You already have two women by your side, don’t you? Ha-yeon and Yeon-joo… And now with Da-eun… Haha, being popular must be tough…”

She hit the nail on the head, even as she choked up.

I clicked my tongue.

“You’re right, but that’s my problem to deal with.”

“Yeah, but… I mean…”

Then, as if making up her mind, Hannah took a deep breath. Her lips trembled, and she looked at me with a determined expression.

Finally, she exhaled deeply.

“I’m going to confess too.”

Her sudden confession made me close my eyes tightly.

“Then… what should I do? What will you do?”

Crack!

I clenched my fist, feeling the shards crumble in my grip. I squeezed harder, thinking.

I had to say it now. I didn’t want to hurt her, but I had to.

I had a sense of how Hannah felt about me. I had sensed it during the bathhouse incident, and when she kissed me, it became clear.

But the truth was, I didn’t have any feelings for Hannah.

No, it wasn’t that I had no feelings. To be precise… I thought well of her, but I didn’t like her in that way. I certainly didn’t love her.

‘Does your heart race when you see me, Su-hyun?’

I placed a hand over my heart. Even after her confession, my heart didn’t race in front of Hannah. That was the reality.

Still, I tried to speak as gently as possible.

“Hannah, I think you’re a wonderful woman. Truly.”

“Why? Don’t you like me?”

“It’s not that. You’re beautiful and kind, anyone would fall for you.”

“But you accepted Da-eun’s feelings. You have Ha-yeon and Yeon-joo, but you accepted her. Can’t you do the same for me?”

Her words struck a chord. I had only said she was a “wonderful woman.” But she had anticipated my response, already several steps ahead.

I was momentarily at a loss for words, but I quickly composed myself.

No, there was nothing to compose. I just needed to tell the truth. Even if it was harsh.

I slowly stood up and walked to the railing, opening my clenched fist. The shattered pieces scattered in the wind, disappearing into the night.

“You can’t.”

I brushed my hands off and continued.

“Ha-yeon… our relationship started as a protection request… but it changed over time. Now, I think we’re more than just a protector and protected. I see her as my first woman.”

“Yeah.”

“With Yeon-joo? It started out of simple curiosity, for both of us. But then she showed me incredible devotion, and I think my feelings changed. Sometimes, when I look at her, I find her endearing.”

“…Yeah.”

“And as for Nam Da-eun… Honestly, I’m not sure myself. I thought having two women in my life was enough. But when she confessed earlier, my heart raced and I felt a flutter. I still don’t know why…”

”…Yeah.”

As the conversation went on, I noticed Hannah’s responses were getting slower, almost half a beat behind. I took a deep breath and turned to face her calmly. Her eyes, as if in a trance, met mine blankly.

“Like you said, there are two women, or maybe even three, by my side.”

”…”

“In this situation, I can’t hold you under the guise of protection. It wouldn’t be right, and I don’t want to do it out of mere curiosity either. Just because we’re a man and a woman, I don’t want to do that. And…”

I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should say it, but decided it was better to be honest. Leaving things unsaid would only make everything ambiguous.

“And Hannah, when I heard your confession earlier, I didn’t feel that flutter. I’m sorry.”

The moment I said it, her eyes widened briefly before she closed them. Her throat bobbed once, and she bit her lip tightly.

“I see… So I was… a step too late.”

I wanted to say it wasn’t that, but I held back. Even if Hannah had confessed before Nam Da-eun, I wasn’t sure I would have accepted it.

Time passed.

Eventually, Hannah slowly, hesitantly stood up. I watched her quietly from the terrace door.

“Thank you for being honest.”

Whether it was from shock or the cold, Hannah wrapped her arms around herself. Seeing her visibly shivering, I quietly opened the door.

“Thank you? I’m the one who should be sorry.”

Silence fell between us. I considered leaving her there, but shook my head. I approached Hannah and took her arm, pulling her gently.

“If we’re done talking, let’s go inside. It’s cold.”

“J-just a moment.”

Hannah resisted. She seemed to be trying to stay composed, but her eyes, now devoid of light, suggested she was deeply affected.

“Suhyeon, can’t you just go ahead without me?”

“Hannah, don’t do this.”

“No, it’s not that… I just want to be here for a bit. So, please…”

But she couldn’t finish her sentence and lowered her head.

”…Sob.”

Her shoulders began to tremble, as if she couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. How could I just leave her like this?

”…Let’s go inside. Don’t stay out here.”

I gently but firmly pulled her arm. She resisted slightly but eventually collapsed into my embrace.

Thud.

Once inside the office, I closed the terrace door. The cold wind was replaced by the warmth of the room.

Hannah covered her face with her hands, crying silently. Seeing her like that made my heart ache.

Hannah was undoubtedly a charming woman. Her looks, her figure, her personality, her user information—she lacked nothing. I felt a mix of emotions. I was grateful she liked me, and truly sorry.

But in the end, I knew this was the right decision. I wasn’t ready to accept Hannah. I couldn’t treat her like I did Ha-yeon or Go Yeon-ju.

I gently released her arm and tried to speak as softly as I could.

“Let’s go downstairs. Let’s head to the dining room and try to lighten the mood. You didn’t really get to enjoy yourself today.”

”…Sorry. I just want to be alone right now…”

But Hannah shook her head with difficulty, and I let out a short sigh.

“Is there anything else you want to say?”

No answer came.

I decided not to say anything more. In this situation, nothing I said would comfort her. It felt absurd for me to even try.

It was better to step aside than to stay by her side.

“Then I’ll wait for you. Come down when you’re ready.”

After a moment, I slowly turned around. I walked towards the door and opened it.

Click.

The dimly lit hallway appeared before me. Just as I was about to step out—

“Don’t go…”

A faint, tearful voice stopped me in my tracks. The sorrowful, pleading tone held me back. Unable to take another step, I turned back to her.

“Please… don’t go…”

Hannah had lowered her hands. Her chest heaved with emotion, and she took slow, deliberate steps towards me.

As if to stop me from leaving, she reached out and grabbed my arm.

I raised a hand to wipe her tears.

“Don’t cry.”

“Why, why… Why can’t it be me?”

Even as she cried, Hannah looked at me with a pained expression, her words stumbling out.

“You don’t have to feel that flutter from the start. Your heart doesn’t have to race from the beginning. Right? This is the Hall Plain… Can’t I start just like Ha-yeon or Yeon-ju?”

“Hannah, I told you before. I…”

“I know. I understand what you’re saying. I won’t ask you to share your heart. If it’s too much, you don’t have to let me in. But Suhyeon, can’t you give me just one chance? Please?”

I thought it was over. But at the last moment, the fire flared up again. I could feel Hannah’s emotions intensifying. She was truly giving up everything, clinging to me.

“Im Hannah.”

I called her name to calm her, but she shook her head vigorously.

“Just being by your side is enough. Just let me stay by your side. I’ll find my way into your heart on my own. Please?”

At this point, it was hard for me to remain passive.

“Why? Why are you so fixated on me?”

“Don’t be angry…”

“I’m not angry, I just don’t understand. I really don’t. Im Hannah, do you still think of yourself as a witch? Or do you still compare me to that person…”

“No!”

It was then that Hannah shouted for the first time. Both of us fell silent, realizing we had gone too far. I knew I had overstepped.

“No. There was a time I thought that, but… not anymore…”

Her eyes, once pained, now looked tender and earnest.

My mind was a tangled mess. I never imagined Hannah would go this far. In this situation with no clear answer, I could only sigh deeply.

“Suhyeon…”

She looked at me like that, spoke to me like that. What was I supposed to do?

‘If only there were no other women… Or if she were a complete stranger.’

Then I wouldn’t have to struggle like this. But Hannah was someone I knew, someone within my circle. She was also someone I would continue to work with.

‘My head hurts.’

Needing time to think, I spoke in a weary voice.

”…Just a moment. I need to think…”

But Hannah didn’t seem inclined to give me that time. She still held my arm, gripping it even tighter.

Then, with a sudden intensity in her eyes, she continued.

“I know. I know how pathetic this is, how selfish it is. And I understand why you said what you did. But I really don’t want to lose you. No, hearing you say that makes me want to hold on even more.”

”…As I’ve said, you’re a wonderful woman, and there are plenty of good men who would love you. So why tie yourself to me?”

At that moment, Hannah’s incessant words came to a halt. She looked at me intently.

“Because I don’t want to feel insecure anymore.”

I felt her grip on my arm loosen slightly.

Hannah continued.

“I’ve watched you since the Love House. I want to settle down, forget everything else.”

“See, you…”

“And because I like you.”

”…I can’t accept that.”

With that, I fell silent.

Hannah spoke again, her eyes still filled with sorrow.

”…Do you really need a reason? Does liking someone always have to come with a hundred percent justifiable reason?”

“It’s not that… Ugh, never mind.”

I was exhausted. Truly exhausted. I felt like I’d been through a battle, even though I hadn’t fought at all.

Sensing my weariness, Hannah lowered her head, looking dejected. Then she moved closer, gently resting herself against me. Her slender arms wrapped around my back, and her warm breath tickled my chest.

“I’m sorry for making this hard. But my feelings are genuine.”

Suddenly, the distinct scent of a woman filled my senses. I closed my eyes tightly.

’…Because of the circumstances surrounding me. My comrades died, my brother died, and I thought you had died too. At that point, it just felt like fate. Ah. I am a witch. Since then, my fate has been cursed.’

‘I don’t want to feel insecure anymore.’

Hannah had trauma from her past. She lost all her comrades during the rite of passage and experienced something similar in the Hall Plain. She blamed herself and thought it was her fate. I don’t know how she feels now, but there was a time she believed she was a witch who would bring doom to her comrades.

Even after joining the Mercenary Clan, her trauma persisted because of the circumstances. But I didn’t die. I walked a different path from her past comrades. No matter what happened, I survived and saved the clan members.

Hannah probably started seeing me as special from that point. Over time, those feelings must have grown into something more.

‘You don’t have to feel that flutter from the start.’

‘Your heart doesn’t have to race from the beginning.’

“This is the whole plane… like Hayeon and Yeonju… Can’t I start the same way as them?”

“Just being next to you is enough. Just let me stay by your side.”

As I glanced down, I saw Hannah trembling, her face buried in her hands. The usual grace and poise she carried were nowhere to be found. She looked as fragile as a sandcastle, ready to crumble at the slightest touch.

Is it really right to hold her in this state?

“I don’t know.”

If I had just left earlier, or if I hadn’t come at all, maybe things would be different.

But one thing was clear: now that I’ve turned back, I can’t just leave her like this.

I really don’t know anymore.

I slowly lowered the hand that had been brushing my forehead. Just before it touched Hannah’s head, it stopped in mid-air. Did she sense something? Her body flinched slightly.

Eventually, Hannah lifted her head slowly and looked up at me.

“Suhyeon…?”

Her eyes held a glimmer of hope, a silent plea. If I reject her now, there will be no turning back.

“Is this how it ends…?”

Still unsure, I gently stroked Hannah’s hair and closed my eyes, softly calling her name.

“Hannah.”

“Yes?”

“Are you sure? Are you really okay with this?”

Finally, Hannah stopped crying. She looked up at me with tear-filled eyes and nodded firmly.

“Yes. I’m sure.”

”…It might be hard. You might regret it.”

“If it gets hard, I’ll endure it. Even if I regret it, I won’t show it. Right now, I just want to be true to my feelings.”

Hannah didn’t say it wouldn’t be hard or that she wouldn’t regret it. Only then did I realize that her words were sincere.

“Really…?”

She nodded again, and though she didn’t speak, my heart felt a tickle.

At that moment, I moved my hand from where it had paused in the air and gently placed it on Hannah’s head. As I softly stroked her hair, she buried her face and let out a long breath. It felt like a sigh of relief.

“Ha…”

My heart warmed.

“I’m glad. I was holding on, thinking it might be the last time… I was worried you’d just leave…”

I said nothing. Instead, I continued to cradle and stroke Hannah’s hair.

After a while, I noticed Hannah’s face inching closer, as if she were standing on tiptoe.

And then.

”…”

A soft voice whispered in my ear.

On a night when the moonlight streaming into the room was unusually bright, somewhere between night and dawn.

Click, clack!

The sound of a door gently closing, followed by the click of a lock.

“Are you really okay with this?”

Still, there was no answer. As I turned quietly, I saw Hannah nodding shyly, her eyes still wet with tears.

What more needs to be said?

I gently placed a hand on Hannah’s shoulder. As I pulled her closer, she came into my arms as if she had been waiting for it. Holding each other tightly, we walked towards the desk.

As we took each step, I felt her gaze on me from below. When I glanced down, I saw Hannah’s anxious face. Her eyes were filled with uncertainty.

It felt as if Hannah could read my mind, and my heart ached. I was still unsure. I had agreed to her last plea, but I was still contemplating.

Suddenly, memories of other women flashed through my mind. Jeong Hayeon, Go Yeonju, and Nam Daeun…

“Let’s stop.”

I decided to stop thinking. Accepting Hannah’s confession was something I couldn’t take back. Instead of worrying about “what to do next,” it was better to think about “how to move forward.”

For now, focusing on Hannah seemed like the best course of action.

We reached the desk. Though there was no bed, the desk wasn’t a bad alternative. It allowed us to face each other.

No more hesitation. As I gently lifted her, she quietly perched on the desk. Hannah said nothing, simply following my lead with her eyes fixed on me.

“Do you want to prepare yourself?”

I chose my words carefully to avoid any misunderstanding.

Fortunately, the meaning seemed to get across. Hannah gave a soft smile and slowly shook her head.

“No.”

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

“No. Since we’ve come this far, I want to put a period on it today.”

Then, with a slightly embarrassed expression, she continued.

“I… was really messy today, wasn’t I? I was so stubborn… and selfish…”

“It’s okay. It’s not the first time you’ve been stubborn.”

“S-stubborn?”

“Remember when you insisted on coming to the battlefield? Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten.”

How could she forget? I thought I’d lose my mind back then.

Hannah’s cheeks flushed a deep red. She averted her gaze, clearly embarrassed.

Anyway.

I decided to stop teasing her and finally get started.

This was Hannah’s first time. As such, it seemed necessary to lead and be considerate.

“Then let’s begin, okay? Don’t be nervous, just relax.”

“I-I’m not nervous. Just… don’t talk about it, just do it… It’s embarrassing…”

The moment she gave her permission, I gently embraced Hannah. Her soft breaths tickled my ears. She said she wasn’t nervous, but she seemed tense. I chuckled inwardly and quickly moved my hands.

I undid the coat draped over her shoulders. With a flick of my fingers, I sliced through the thin shirt that remained. Then, I gently removed the last piece of clothing.

When her top was completely undone, Hannah spoke in a calm voice, her eyes closed.

“This feels nice…”

She seemed unaware that her top had been removed so quickly. Anticipating her reaction, I slowly pulled away.

Sensing the loss of warmth, Hannah looked up at me with longing eyes, licking her lips.

And then it happened.

As I removed her coat, the shirt fell away, and the fabric covering her chest fluttered down to her thighs.

Hannah’s beautiful breasts were revealed before me. The cleavage in the middle accentuated the perfectly shaped, round breasts on either side. At the peak of the white mounds, her rosy nipples stood proudly. Even though it was my second time seeing her like this, I couldn’t help but be amazed.

“Huh?”

Did she feel my gaze, or did she sense something was amiss?

Hannah blinked several times in confusion. When she finally looked down, an unexpected scream escaped her lips.

“Eek!”

“Pfft.”

As Hannah jumped in surprise, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Her reaction was so sudden and amusing.

“W-when did you take it off?”

“Haha, haha!”

“S-stop laughing!”

“Haha, haha!”

Hannah looked at me with a face full of complaints, her eyebrows raised in frustration. I tried to stifle my laughter as I held her arms, which were covering her chest.

“That scream was so unexpected. Eek.”

“Geez, you… Don’t tease me. I was really surprised. I thought you were just going to hug me, but when did my clothes…”

To prevent another surprise, I slowly released her arms, revealing her large, beautiful breasts once more.

“W-wait a minute.”

“I can’t hear you.”

I replied simply and leaned my face towards the cleavage. As soon as my nose touched the warm, soft skin, I let out a gentle breath. Hoo.

“Ah!”

Despite the light touch, she twisted her body, confirming that this was indeed her first time. But I didn’t stop and continued to nuzzle against her.

When my cheeks were softly pressed by the comforting sensation, and my nose was blocked from going further, I hugged Hannah tightly and began to rub my face against her. At the same time, a warm, cozy feeling spread throughout my body.

Hannah’s breasts were as comforting and serene as a mother’s embrace. Feeling slightly suffocated, I took a deep breath. The unique scent of a woman filled my nostrils.

“Mm. Mm. Su, Suhyeon?”

“Just a moment… Let’s stay like this for a bit.”

Whether she understood or not, Hannah said nothing more. Instead, I felt her gentle hand stroking my head. I was lost in the scent of her skin and the touch of her hand. Then, remembering her earlier scream, I chuckled again.

“Oh, come on~. Stop laughing~.”

Clearly embarrassed, Hannah began to tap my head lightly. But even she seemed to find it funny, as her voice was much brighter than before.

Finally, I lifted my head to meet Hannah’s gaze. As expected, a faint smile graced her lips.

“See? You look better when you smile like that.”

“Really?”

I slowly stood up. Supporting Hannah’s head with one hand and holding her shoulder with the other, I gently leaned her back. Her body naturally followed.

“Ah.”

I was able to lay Hannah completely on the desk. Her hair spread out around her, and the light streaming through the window began to flow through her scattered locks.

“See? You look so much better when you smile like that.”

“Do I?”

“Hannah.”

“Y-yes?”

Hanna seemed slightly startled as she hesitantly replied, her eyes wide as she looked up at me. I gently studied her face.

Eventually, my gaze settled on her smooth, unblemished forehead.

I slowly leaned down and kissed her.

A soft peck.

Then, with a gentle smile, I said, “Let’s take care of each other from now on.”

---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=

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