NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23
[ 22nd Chapter ]
One of the things I felt while traveling through many galaxies and planets, and meeting many people, is that there is no one who is strong in this world. While one can be physically strong, it’s impossible to have an inner self that is unwavering and solid.
Any being with intellect and emotion can be hurt. Even if someone is mentally strong, it’s inevitable to have people they dislike or find unpleasant due to the way life is sometimes dictated by emotions.
Pink was ignored by long-time friends today. She didn’t do anything wrong. She probably acted as she usually does. The difference today was that she told her friends about being a hyper-human, something she hadn’t done before.
I couldn’t understand. Can a friend really be dismissed just because they have flaws slightly different from ordinary people? Moreover, these aren’t even flaws. If the only difference between humans and hyper-humans is physical, why do Earthlings dislike hyper-humans so much?
“Ugh…”
Looking back at Pink, who was groaning while being carried, I continued walking forward. I could only focus on the direction I was heading when leaving work, so if I lost my concentration, I’d be in trouble since I didn’t know where her house was.
“Is this the right place?”
Still groaning, Pink raised her hand slightly to point in one direction. Thinking it was the right direction, I started walking according to what she had told me. Actually, it wouldn’t matter if I left her at the convenience store, but since she’s a woman, even if she’s a hyper-human, I couldn’t just leave her.
More importantly, I couldn’t leave her alone after she was hurt and acting differently than usual.
“Haa…”
She seemed to regain some consciousness, as her body leaned less heavily on me and she tilted her head to check the direction.
“Are you feeling better?”
“No.”
Her honest answer felt like a clear message that she wasn’t truly herself, rather than a joke.
“Just hold on until we get home.”
If she falls asleep again, I won’t be able to find her house. At that point, I might have to leave her on the street.
“…What do you think about hyper-humans?”
Though slightly slurred from alcohol, Pink’s words were clearly heard. I took a moment to think about how to respond to her question.
“I’ve said this before. It’s not my business whether you’re a hyper-human. Hyper-humans are still human, so what’s there to think about?”
“It would be nice if everyone thought that way.”
To comfortably lean on me, she leaned against me and followed her gesture to indicate the direction of her house as we continued moving.
“People’s thoughts are all different.”
“That’s true…”
Her brief response contained a lot of emotion, which I could sense but couldn’t fully comprehend.
“Hey~”
A muffled voice, full of alcohol, reached me. Usually, I’d frown and respond, but today, I decided to just let it go.
“Why?”
“Do you think I’m pretty?”
It seemed she was genuinely drunk, as she suddenly began showing narcissism she usually kept hidden.
“Yes, you are.”
Deciding to accept her playful behavior, I responded casually.
“Do you want to hear that often?”
I expected an immediate affirmation, but Pink stayed silent for a moment, gently pulling on my neck and putting more pressure on me.
“There’s nothing else.”
The sadness in her small voice was palpable. As a hyper-human, limited in many ways, the only thing to boast about was their looks, which felt sadly limiting.
Beautiful looks can certainly be an advantage. Throughout the history of the universe, many events have been triggered by beautiful women. But Pink needed more options besides that. She felt she had nothing else.
Probably, under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t show such a side to me. To her, I was just another ordinary man, easily replaceable. But hurt and drunk, the strong image she usually portrayed was completely gone.
“When did you first notice I was pretty?”
Today, I’ll accept her self-indulgence and play along.
“In high school. I was popular.”
That makes sense. With a beautiful appearance, a figure that captivated men, and a bright personality, it’s no wonder she was popular.
“At my first job after turning eighteen, everyone liked me too.”
As she spoke with a hint of a smile, she fell silent again. I waited quietly for her to continue.
“But when I first said I was a hyper-human, everyone hated it.”
She believed everyone would accept her entirely because they liked her purely, but what she got was a cold reaction.
“At first, men approached me saying they liked me, but once they found out I was a hyper-human, they backed off immediately.”
Hearing her speak with a hollow laugh about past experiences, though they were painful, didn’t feel joyful or interesting. All I felt was disdain for those who easily hurt others.
“You know, when men first approached me based on my looks, I could tell from their eyes they were just testing their luck.”
Being a man, I couldn’t fully understand, but I couldn’t condone indiscriminate actions driven by such intentions.
“But I suspect that once they hear I’m a hyper-human, they run away.”
They probably gave up quickly, realizing they couldn’t physically confront such beings. Or maybe it’s because they are truly hyper-humans.
“What did I do wrong? I’ve only fought for people and Earth.”
I know. Despite being enemies and always losing, I know how desperate the HunterKiller members fight. It’s sad and infuriating when someone’s efforts are ignored or unappreciated, even if they are the enemy.
But even with these thoughts, I couldn’t respond to her. I am a Spacystro soldier.
“Our team members must also be struggling.”
Not just Pink, but other HunterKiller members too. On a larger scale, hyper-humans as a whole are treated poorly.
Having lived on Earth for 20 years and witnessed the emergence of hyper-humans, I’ve always collected information while fighting them. The improvement in Earthlings’ perception of hyper-humans, based on media, was only superficial.
I believed what I saw without considering the broader context.
Or perhaps this is a special case. Somewhere, hyper-humans might be treated respectfully and working with Earthlings to protect the planet, but I can’t confirm it based on Pink’s words alone.
“Our team members are really struggling.”
Recently, Pink had a fight with Yubin and made up, and the atmosphere seems good now. From what Pink said, communication within the HunterKiller team is almost non-existent, yet after three years, they surely know each other’s backgrounds.
“Some were abandoned by their parents, others have debts…”
Pink fell silent again, resting on my shoulder.
“But it’s okay. There are people at the cafe now.”
At the cafe, they didn’t discriminate against her being a hyper-human. I likely included among the “people at the cafe” she mentioned. For her, working at the cafe was a good refuge.
“Yes. Not everyone sees hyper-humans negatively.”
I couldn’t offer comforting words. I lacked the skills and reasons to do so thoroughly. But I wanted to tell her that she had a place to rely on.
“Yeah. At first, I tried hiding it, but when the truth came out, the boss said it was fine. Others thanked me too.”
Pink told her high school classmates about being a hyper-human today and was ignored and hurt. Ironically, the people at her workplace, not old friends, understood and accepted her.
“Here!”
After a long walk, Pink raised her voice and pointed to an office building nearby.
“What floor?”
“702.”
At the entrance, Pink entered the password and the door opened. We entered, took the elevator to the 7th floor, and stood in front of 702. Pink, still carried, entered the password for the door lock.
“Now put me down.”
“Please, just wait a bit!”
Drunk, her voice was loud, so entering the apartment would cause a disturbance. So, I went inside.
The two-bedroom apartment was noticeably larger than my studio.
“What a nice place.”
Impressed by the size, I took off my shoes and laid her on the bed, then removed her shoes.
“You need a lot of help.”
“Hehe!”
Despite the reluctant tone, Pink just laughed. When I returned from putting her shoes in the hallway, she was still lying on the bed.
“Are you asleep?”
“Not yet.”
Her strained voice indicated she was still drunk. It was surprising she could talk after drinking five bottles, but seeing her sprawled out, I couldn’t help but shake my head.
“I’ll go now. Take care of yourself.”
“Hey~”
Just as I turned to leave, her voice called me back, and she remained motionless.
“Why?”
I answered but paused, seeming to think.
“…Are we friends?”
For me, it was a tricky question. Only I knew our positions, and she asked because she considered me a friend. In this situation, I couldn’t honestly say no.
“So, are we friends?”
“Hehe! Okay~”
Lying down, she waved her hand as if bidding farewell, then I checked Yura’s condition and left.
On the way home, I couldn’t calm my chaotic thoughts. Though I heard many stories, they felt too personal to use as mere information.
“What a mess.”
The next morning, I couldn’t wake up immediately.
While pretending to be fine taking Yura home, the delayed effects of alcohol made me collapse upon returning. I woke up in the afternoon.
Feeling parched, I drank water to soothe my stomach when my smartphone rang.
Seeing it was Yubin calling, I answered with a still-drowsy voice.
“Hello?”
Yubin’s voice came through the phone.
“Brother, did you drink last night?”
“Yeah, with a company person.”
“Why didn’t you text when you got home? Do you know how worried I was?”
“Sorry. I collapsed as soon as I got home. Is everything done?”
As we talked normally, I regained my senses and remembered the first time we went to a motel together. She clung to me, pleading desperately not to be left alone.
Her past isn’t likely normal either. Though I don’t know what it is yet, someday I might find out.
“Red!”
During the call, I heard Yubin calling someone far away, and I instantly recognized the voice as Yura.
“Brother, sorry. I’ll call back in a bit.”
Yubin hung up hastily. Somehow, the atmosphere between them felt more peaceful, so I couldn’t help smiling.