Chapter 169

After parting ways with Inna, I didn’t take another route but headed straight to Han Ye-seul’s house.

Upon arriving at her house, I politely pressed the doorbell, but since there was no response, I entered using the password she had given me.

“I’m here.”

Having confirmed the homeowner’s shoes in the shoe rack, I was about to explore where the homeowner was when I stopped immediately after hearing the sound of water through my ears.

In Romantic Visual Novels, the event where you enter someone else’s house only to find them showering, leading to encountering a n*ked woman, is a common scene, but experiencing it directly was somewhat embarrassing.

Instead of looking for Han Ye-seul, I began exploring the fridge and was surprisingly met with not a single common beverage.

‘Hmm, I should go buy some.’

Deciding to go out again was quick since I hadn’t even changed clothes yet. After checking the wallet in my pocket, I went back to the shoe rack.

“I’ll be right back.”

Even though I thought I should’ve asked Han Ye-seul what was in her fridge beforehand, knowing that, I also realized that I wouldn’t have asked her casually even if I went back in time because we weren’t that close.

Letting out a phrase that the self-proclaimed good-hearing homeowner might or might not have heard, I went outside. After stocking up on groceries with both hands full, including appropriate beverages, I returned to Han Ye-seul’s house.

During the process, I didn’t encounter any of the previous stalker suspects, like the girl who presumed me to be a therapist or the woman I couldn’t distinguish as a journalist or paparazzi.

Even assuming the most likely stalker suspect was the hypnotist who attacked me the night before meeting those women.

When I entered the entranceway, the water sound I had heard earlier had stopped. Confirming that the shower event had safely passed, I tried to put the groceries away in the fridge.

Had someone not emerged from the bedroom, with their hair dripping wet from not being fully dried, possibly n*ked, it would’ve been a different scenario.

The water droplets gently flowing down hinted at their nakedness, so I quickly closed my eyes tightly.

“Ah, you arrived earlier than I thought.”

“Clothes.”

“Excuse me?”

“Put on clothes first.”

Although Inna had helped me change clothes, showing my n*ked body versus looking at someone else’s is a completely different story.

While having someone else sneak a peek at my nudity doesn’t affect me as long as I’m confident, peeking at someone else’s nudity does prick my conscience. Hence, even though Inna had seen my nudity, I still felt embarrassed about looking at others’ nakedness — something very commendable.

Although Inna had never meticulously observed my nudity.

Even though Inna always showed courteous behavior in front of me, I wasn’t sure if she had thoroughly examined this body. At least, not that I can remember.

“It’s fine, right? There’s nothing you can do about this anyway.”

The reason I kept thinking about Inna was due to Han Ye-seul allowing enough time for her to dress up properly, yet she remained before me, lingering instead of going back into her room to change.

Thinking that she might’ve put on clothes without my notice, I half-opened my eyes, but fortunately, she was covering her private parts with a white towel.

“You don’t realize how dangerous this world is.”

This world, filled with 18+ battles and same-s*x elements in Romantic Visual Novels, is a terrifying place where even same-s*x relationships must be cautious.

Because this woman wasn’t just another woman, but one who liked Kim Ha-neul, it was even more concerning that she seemed unaware of the fear of the same-s*x world, but I quickly dismissed my worries as I was in no position to comfort her.

“…Why do you fear nudity between the same s*x? Have you been through an uncomfortable experience? Is it something as basic as not being able to enter a public bath?”

She asked me with a concerned tone, but she was the one who should’ve been worried.

I knew this world was terrifying solely because it was a 19+ Romantic Visual Novel, not because of any “experience” as she presumed.

Since I couldn’t say I didn’t have any terrifying experiences in ‘this world’, I used my genial acting skills and moistened the corners of my eyes.

“I’ve been attacked a few times and had quite a hard time.”

“Didn’t something happen at school as well? I remember hearing about an attack.”

“Ah, it’s more like a greeting from that person, so it’s fine.”

Based on the system message, the incidents assumed to be orchestrated by Inna were not counted towards the terrors of this world.

In reality, even the desk incident seemed to be Inna’s peculiar welcome method and did not happen again afterward.

Other students occasionally tested my limits, but I always received help from others or handled them on my own, ensuring that I was not truly victimized.

“That’s considered a greeting?”

“Yes, your survival in the entertainment industry must have been much harder. This is just students’ antics.”

Not wanting to argue with the extent of Inna’s actions being mere greetings, I quickly changed the topic.

My basic rank is a sub-heroine.

Sub-heroines usually undergo events of similar intensity, so the degree of hardship might be comparable, but considering the trials I’ve faced in a few months versus all the hardships Han Ye-seul has encountered throughout her life, hers must have been more challenging.

The woman slightly furrowed her brows upon hearing my words but accepted what I offered and said,

“Your experiences seem more than just incidents caused by students… but there’s no need to argue further over this topic. Okay, thank you.”

Feeling grateful for her understanding, she took the banana milk I offered and quickly drank it after peeling off the plastic. Knowing how blissful milk tastes after showering, I had intentionally bought it.

Of course, banana milk contains more calories than regular milk, but in Romantic Visual Novels, heroines don’t gain weight despite consuming high-calorie foods; thus, it wouldn’t be an issue for her as an idol.

Then why does Han Ye-seul manage her diet when she doesn’t gain weight? It’s akin to how pinching my belly reveals some fat while avoiding complete obesity.

“Shall we order some food?”

Han Ye-seul handed me her phone with a delivery app open, then searched my plastic bag and took out another box of milk to drink.

…I knew she jogged, but isn’t she managing her calories a bit too loosely? Or am I overly idealizing celebrities?

“Order whatever you want.”

The woman said calmly, seemingly unaware of my complex thoughts.

*

“It’s okay if you don’t follow me.”

“My personality is such that I keep doing what I must, and I also need to train my stamina.”

After the meal, Han Ye-seul went outside to exercise to burn off today’s calorie intake. However, unlike usual, a girl was following her from behind.

Yes, not in front or beside, but at the back.

Han Ye-seul sped ahead with Erica trying to catch up from behind. Naturally, Erica wasn’t breathing heavily due to Han Ye-seul’s considerate pace adjustment.

The reason she suggested not to follow was that she feared providing too much accommodation might impede proper exercise.

Erica followed to ensure they would be detected by a stalker lurking somewhere, maintaining their presence together.

She aimed to continuously build endurance to cope with situations involving ordinary people attempting to subdue her without the use of supernatural abilities in collaboration with Han Ye-seul.

A fast-running Han Ye-seul and an Erica for whom the current pace was already sufficient. The awkward tension between the two finally led to a winner –

“Huff, shall we talk?”

Erica. To lead any stalker back to the house, avoiding separate runs to jog properly would seem suspicious.

“Let’s talk. About what?”

Realizing Han Ye-seul had given up on speeding away, Erica attempted to reciprocate her will to converse, but –

“Please listen without turning back.”

“Huh?”

“Ms. Inna is following us at the end there. Since you can’t go faster, should we just give up?”

The conversation initiated by the opponent was definitely not what Erica expected. It gave a chilling feeling rather than the expected warm summer evening.

‘How does she know when we’ll show up and then chase us? It’s a weekday tomorrow.’

“…No. If you really can’t keep up, we’ll talk while running.”

The two, who had adjusted their speed close to a walking pace for Erica’s endurance, gradually increased their pace to a slow jog along the riverbank.

“Eh? Erica, what a coincidence meeting you here.”

But within ten seconds, they were caught by Inna again.