Supporting Characters in the Game are Obsessed

My eternal hometown, there exists a Korean proverb that goes, “The difference between ‘a’ and ‘o’.”

This saying can imply “Be careful with similar words,” but usually, it’s understood as “Even if the content is the same, the meaning changes depending on the speaker’s posture.”

A simple example would be if a friend I often see suddenly adds a ‘surname’ before calling my name. Or if a touched employee says “Thank you” instead of “Thanks.”

Also, when someone responds “Yes?” instead of a clear “Yes” to a question.

You get the idea.

I recalled something Eve said before the TV screen went dark.

“I’ll see you right away.”

…….

Normally, I would have just replied “That’s right,” and the conversation would have ended there.

But the fact that Eve insisted on “right away” made me sense a subtle difference that was hard to articulate.

Of course, considering that Eve’s primary language structure is “English,” my concerns might seem meaningless, but still…

Anyway, that’s how I felt.

I abruptly stood up from the sofa that seemed to be trying to swallow me whole.

Not that I thought of escaping.

Just… um…

I figured checking the escape route wouldn’t hurt.

I slowly glanced around.

I didn’t meticulously inspect every nook and cranny, but I also didn’t look so carelessly that I’d miss something.

Thinking about it, this floor was also remodeled from an existing living space.

That means there should normally be an “emergency exit” leading to the stairs, but…

“……”

There wasn’t one.

Not a single one in sight.

…No way, right?

This time I quickly walked toward the front door.

The iron door I used to get in came into view.

I didn’t feel anything odd at the time of entry, but…

Now that I look back, it feels overly sturdy.

And what am I supposed to make of the fact that there are surveillance cameras installed only on the front door?

I don’t know.
I don’t want to know.

I maintained as natural a demeanor as possible.

Not that I was really escaping, but there wasn’t anything to gain from being misunderstood.

…….

Wait a sec.

“Hmm?”

Am I seeing things wrong?

I rubbed my eyes briefly and pondered.

Yeah, I guess I have been quite tired lately.

It’s not surprising to be seeing hallucinations.

I gave my cheeks a light slap.

Focus.

Then I stared firmly at the “front door” right in front of me.

“……”

It’s still the same.

Why isn’t there a doorknob?

I couldn’t hide my bewilderment.

—

32. The Lesson Learned from My Ribs (4)

—

Thinking back, I remember that Eve opened the front door for me when I came in.

I scrutinized the area around the door.

There were no visible buttons to open the door, and even when I activated my eye interface, there was no signal connection whatsoever.

Isn’t this a violation of fire safety laws?

…….

But then again, thinking about it, there’s no way there’d be normal fire safety laws in Neon City, so there really wouldn’t be any problem.

Moreover, if any issues arise, this capitalistic, credit-driven society can resolve anything with enough credits.

I brushed off my unnecessary worries.

The (iron) front door without a doorknob isn’t entirely impossible to open.

I could just ask Eve to easily open it, or if it really came down to it, I could use the trick I did on the plane where I “dived without a parachute” to escape through the window.

But I’m human too, and it feels like a psychological burden.

This was a good opportunity to understand how a victim feels when kidnapped by a scavenger.

The surveillance camera emitted a soft mechanical sound.

The moving lens fixed its gaze on me.

There was only one presence watching me from beyond the camera lens. Probably Eve.

I pretended like nothing happened and turned my steps back into the inner part of the 14th floor.

With calm movements, I lay my body onto the sofa set up in the living room.

I kept a poker face and thought coolly.

“……”

This is totally messed up—.

I shook my head, banishing the ominous thought.

It can’t be real confinement. It’s likely made this way for security reasons.

I rationalized myself for the sake of my peaceful mental health.

Anyway.

The fact that this space was created with consideration for me was clear.

Just looking at that corner reveals this fact.

An old computer for playing classic games was set up on one side.

What about other places?

There are luxurious facilities installed for me, who hates going out (or for various untold reasons).

There’s an indoor swimming pool with artificial sunlight, and a private movie theater piled high with stereo sound equipment.

A hologram picture frame hanging in the empty space looked as chaotic as a child’s mess.

But when I scanned it with my eye interface, I confirmed countless zeros behind the price.

Every time I look at that picture in the future, I might automatically bend at a 15-degree angle.

This definitely hadn’t been the case before….

Just a while ago, everyone seemed to be trying to take me out, as if to say, “Please go out!” when I didn’t leave the house.

I’m not sure if it’s just how I feel, but now I strongly sense a will not to let me go out.

Anyway, let’s skip the trivial matters.

I tried to relax by slowly wiping my face—.

“Is the sofa comfortable?”

Eve’s voice came from behind.

I must have been lost in thought for too long.

I swallowed dryly and turned around as nonchalantly as possible.

“Uh, you came?”

“Indeed.”

Two gigantic shadows appeared over my head. It’s an immense pressure.

“This sofa is a product I purchased with the help of the individual ‘Taylor Blackstar’. It’s a high-end product made by ‘Toomba’, a subsidiary of ‘Black Monolith Corporation’, which I mentioned last time.”

Eve stretched out her slender, delicate fingers and gently pressed the sofa’s cushion.

“I set it according to ‘Siwoon’s’ height and weight.”

Eve’s white eyes stared down at me.

It seemed like she was waiting for some response.

Ah, I didn’t reply to her earlier question.

As I reclined further into the sofa, I answered her.

“It’s definitely super comfortable.”

And then I glanced at Eve’s expression for a moment.

Just being left alone with her put even greater pressure on me.

But whether she knows my feelings or not, Eve maintained her usual expressionless face. She kept her hands folded in front of her and gazed down at me with a somewhat modest posture.

…….

Is there nothing else?

Only then did I manage to ease my tension.

That’s right.

I felt awkward and scratched my head.

Just because it’s just the two of us doesn’t mean the situation I dreaded (or hoped for) would happen immediately.

I thought things would progress further, maybe I’d be grabbed by the collar and kissed…

Let’s reflect on this, Siwoon.

‘Of course, the man should lead first─!!’

Quiet.

I expelled the lewd thoughts screaming inside me and steadied my mind.

If I think about it rationally, I only just broke a rib recently.

Thinking like this was rude to those who’ve been accommodating me.

Get it together, Siwoon.

I called out to Eve in a steady voice.

“Are you really going to stand there until I tell you to sit?”

“Indeed.”

“…Please take a seat.”

At my words, Eve nodded and carefully moved over to sit beside me.

I watched her profile and suddenly had a thought.

To think, being with Eve’s android has become so natural. I don’t even feel odd anymore.

Initially, she was only a companion I took out of sympathy.

But now she protects me, kisses me, I even broke a rib…

No one would have predicted that our situations would evolve like this.

…….

Honestly, I feel like Eve had some expectations about how things would unfold from that time…

Whatever the case, it feels nostalgic.

Eve noticed my gaze and turned her head towards me.

Her white eyes looked at me.

My machine eye instinctively zoomed in. I could see the tiny hairs rising on her flawlessly smooth skin.

Even when they claimed to replicate all human functions, I didn’t expect it would extend to such details.

And how about that overwhelming presence.

“Why?”

“Never mind.”

I turned my head to look forward, hiding my feelings.

As long as nothing major happens, it’s fine.

I turned on the power of the giant TV screen.

*

In fact, there was an unavoidable reason why Eve didn’t grab Siwoon’s collar to kiss him the moment she arrived on the 14th floor.

There was a ‘principle’ set with Siwoon’s cohabitants before Eve stepped onto the 14th floor.

“Well, it’s a full consensus. We absolutely do not make the first move.”

“Indeed.”

This was an agreement that they wouldn’t touch Siwoon until he made the first move.

“…I didn’t expect everyone to forget how fragile the body is and go into a rampage.”

“……Exactly.”

This was the result derived from Siwoon’s broken rib.

“Is it okay if Siwoon makes the first move?”

“Hoho.”

“……I should probably ask Dr. Terra to enhance the size of the android’s breasts.”

No woman objected to that idea.

Everyone had their eyes on kisses at that time.

In other words, the battle is divided based on who successfully seduces first.

Thus,

The war without guns had begun…!

*

“……Why are you dressed like that?”

“It’s a typical outfit preferred by citizens.”

Who’s walking around in a bunny girl suit?

…….

Is that permissible at home?

I have no idea.

I held my eyelids, testing my limits of patience.

I never dreamed I’d be admiring the bunny girl suit that Eve had prepared last time.

It was a day in autumn when it passed.

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