Chapter 25: Growing doubts (2)

“This one’s my favorite.”

While I was drowning in the questions swirling inside my head, Happy was busy inspecting a 2.8 million won twin bed.

After making her decision, she didn’t hesitate for a second before moving her finger toward the purchase button.

Even if she had saved up a lot, wasn’t this kind of reckless spending a bit much for a high schooler?

“We also need pillows! And a new blanket too!”

Apparently, her shopping spree wasn’t over yet.

I glanced down at the bedding we were already sitting on and gave it a light tap.

“We already have everything here.

Do we really need to buy new ones?”

I wasn’t criticizing her for overspending.

It was her money, after all.

There was no reason for me to interfere.

Besides—

Happy was my enemy.

Or rather—

She was my enemy.

This wasn’t love.

It was just punishment from the Quest Jewel, making me feel temporary affection.

But no matter how I looked at her,

Happy was still the enemy I needed to kill.

And yet, despite all that—

I was nagging her about her spending habits.

Not because I actually cared.

But because I needed to know—

where exactly was she getting this money from?

When I glanced at her phone earlier,

the time displayed in the top corner was 9:20 PM.

That meant there were only 2 hours and 40 minutes left before tomorrow arrived.

There wasn’t enough time for small talk.

Unfortunately—

Happy valued those small, pointless conversations.

She beamed, smiling so brightly it almost seemed fake,

then placed her phone on her stomach and reached out to cup my cheeks.

I could feel her body heat radiating through her palms.

It was so hot that I worried it might burn me.

Wait…

Didn’t she heat up frozen fried rice with her bare hands earlier?

Her body temperature was probably still high from that.

My cheeks flushed red from the lingering warmth.

“The blankets we have now are all for one person.

Wouldn’t it be better to have a bigger blanket to share?

What do you think, Unnie?”

“And the pillows?”

“You don’t know how annoying it is when the pillows don’t match!”

And that—

was where it all started.

I had promised myself to be careful.

But the warmth of her touch was making my body heat up as well.

Forgetting the questions I needed to answer,

I started thinking about the minor inconveniences Happy had mentioned.

Would mismatched pillows really be that bad?

Would different blankets really be a problem?

“I don’t know.

I’ve never slept with someone before.”

“Then trust me!

I’ll show you just how amazing matching pillows can be!”

If I had been thinking clearly,

I should have ended the conversation there.

I shouldn’t have let myself get caught up in the sweetness of our small talk.

But under the Quest Jewel’s punishment,

I couldn’t resist the temptation.

Just a little longer.

Just a little longer.

I wanted this moment to last.

And then—

I had a thought.

A ridiculous, childish desire.

I wanted to see Happy get flustered.

For once—

I wanted to see her embarrassed.

“Wait a second.”

“Hm? What’s wrong, Unnie?”

“How do you know about this stuff?”

“…Huh?”

“You’re suspicious.”

“Wait, wait, wait!

It’s not like that! I swear!!”

For the first time,

I threw out a teasing comment.

And Happy’s reaction was priceless.

Her face turned red,

and she started stammering,

frantically waving her hands in denial.

She was so cute that I almost laughed out loud.

I gently grabbed her flailing hands,

pulling her closer as I whispered—

“You’re right.

It would be weird to sleep together in a twin bed with mismatched pillows and separate blankets.”

The sweet scent of her grew stronger.

My lips twitched, tempted to close the distance.

And that was when—

Happy, still flustered,

quickly turned away.

“You pick the pillows and blankets, Unnie!

I chose the bed, so you should choose these!”

Then, without waiting for my response,

she snuggled into my chest.

She was hiding her face.

I didn’t let go.

Instead, I tightened my arms around her,

pulling her even closer.

And then—

I reached out—

and gently poked her chest.

“Unnie… what are you doing?”

Nothing.

Nothing happened.

She didn’t get flustered.

She just calmly held up her phone,

showing me a catalog of blankets.

“Which one do you like?”

Disappointed,

I swallowed the feeling of defeat.

And then, pretending like I wasn’t bothered,

I replied.

“Red is too flashy.

Let’s go with a lighter color.”

“How about sky blue?

Or maybe yellow?”

“How about this one?”

“Oh… a soft green?

I like it.”

“Right?”

“This one, then!

Now, pick a pillow, Unnie.

Here, take my phone.”

“Are you sure you want me to choose?”

“Of course! While you pick, I’ll be punishing these bad hands of mine.”

She noticed.

But thankfully, she didn’t lash out with the same madness as before.

Ever since I submitted to the Quest Jewel’s punishment,

Happy hadn’t shown a single trace of her usual insanity.

Instead, the love she had for me had only intensified.

Happy handed me her smartphone,

then gently took both of my hands into hers.

She was allowing me to touch her freely.

Her boldness made my heart pound.

How could someone younger than me feel so… reliable?

Was this… the charm of youth?

“This one’s better than the others.”

“Okay! I’ll buy whatever you pick!”

After choosing a pink pillow to match the twin bed and light green blanket,

I tapped the purchase button.

That’s when I noticed something strange.

The delivery address was wrong.

This place was in the outskirts of Seoul,

but the address was somewhere in Gangwon Province.

“And also—there’s something I’ve been wanting to try!”

Before I could think any further,

Happy grabbed the phone back.

I caught a quick glimpse of the time.

9:40 PM.

I had wasted twenty minutes doing nothing.

I needed to change the subject and get some answers.

But—

Happy’s shopping spree wasn’t over yet.

“What is it?”

“Wouldn’t a lamp be nice next to the bed?

I already have one I’ve been eyeing for a while!”

Thank god.

Finally—

It was my turn to get some answers.

“Hold on.

Be quiet for a second.”

Or not.

She turned away, so she couldn’t see me frowning.

Now she was making a call.

“Hello, this is Happy.”

[Yes, Magical Girl Happy. What can we do for you?]

“I had some furniture delivered to the Management Bureau.

Can you receive it for me?”

I didn’t even have to ask—

She gave me the answer on her own.

She sent everything to the Magical Girl Management Bureau.

Good thing I memorized that address just in case.

[Is the furniture assembly required?]

“Yes! Just set it up for me, and I’ll pick it up later.”

[Understood, Happy. We’ll have it ready for you.]

“Thank you!”

Now, all I needed to find out—

was who was supporting Happy financially.

As soon as she hung up, I asked.

“Happy.

Do you know how much you just spent today?”

“Hmm… Over 3.5 million won.

But don’t worry about it!

I wanted to buy these things for you!”

“Because that Magical Girl is going to cover it?”

“No, no!

It’s just that I never spend my allowance,

so it all just piles up!”

“Who gives you that money?”

“…”

Happy paused.

I couldn’t see her expression,

but was she hesitating?

Would she get suspicious of me?

“…Joy.

Do you know her?”

So that’s who it was.

I knew exactly who Joy was.

I didn’t know she was wealthy,

but I did remember her.

A blue-themed Magical Girl with no skill,

who bragged about beating me—

only to get annihilated by Alpha.

So she’s still alive, huh?

Well, of course she is.

Darkmoon hasn’t officially started its attack yet.

“Oh, I remember her.

How much does she give you?”

“4 million won a month!”

“That’s… a lot.

Does she support other Magical Girls, too?”

“Nope!

Just me!

Maybe because we’re the only Koreans?”

That was something I already knew.

I tried to think of another question to dig deeper.

Oh, right.

That.

“Then what about the bank card and ID you gave me?

Did Joy get those for you?”

“Half right, half wrong.”

“…Huh?”

“The card came from Joy.

But the ID…”

Happy suddenly stopped talking.

She turned around—

and looked me straight in the eyes.

“That’s a secret.”

She pressed a single finger to my lips—

silencing me before I could ask more.