Your Commander-in-Chief – Chapter 184

Ellie stepped out of the testing machine an hour later.

As before, her body was all heated up.

Sweat trickled down her cheeks, and a thick steam rose in the air.

The strong body odor wafting from inside the capsule was making my head spin.

Ellie stumbled out, gasping for breath, looking completely worn-out.

It was a scene I had seen just last week.

“Is it all over?”

“Ugh, heh…”

Was she too exhausted to answer?

Ellie merely nodded her head as she hung limply.

The shirt she wore clinged to her body, revealing her soft curves.

1:20 PM.

A perfect time for lunch.

I smiled, recalling the lunch menu I had thought of while Ellie was inside the capsule.

“Are you really that hungry?”

I spoke to Ellie and glanced at the spot where Sohee was sitting.

She was pulling something out in front of a giant print.

Why was she still using such an analog method to store materials in this day and age?

I couldn’t wrap my head around it.

“Ha… I’m going to wash up.”

Had she rested for about 5 minutes?

Ellie shook off the sweat and stepped out of the testing device.

I gave Ellie’s empty seat a curious look.

The floor was drenched with sweat, clearly marking Ellie’s shape.

“Hayun, have you decided what you want to eat?”

“Oh, Sohee.”

As I blankly gazed at the round, damp mark, Sohee approached and spoke.

I nodded. I had waited a whole hour. That was more than enough time to decide on a meal.

Food that everyone would be satisfied with, without too many preferences.

Something hearty and warm enough for lunch.

I selected a menu that wouldn’t break the bank.

“Please don’t tell me it’s that bone soup again?”

“No way!”

I firmly denied it.

That was my mistake. I had taken a current middle school girl to have that bone soup together, which must have been a huge disappointment for her.

It would have been better to just go to a nearby snack shop and order tteokbokki.

“So, what do we eat then?”

“Pizza!”

“Pizza…?”

“Yeah.”

Pizza.

Isn’t that a good idea? It’s pretty standard, filling, and warm.

And if she didn’t like pizza, we could always order pasta.

These days, pizza places don’t just sell pizza anymore.

Such a typical middle school girl’s choice.

I couldn’t help but smile, admiring my decision.

“Hayun, who did you consult to choose this?”

“Not anyone.”

“Really…?”

So, our lunch menu was decided on pizza.

Given how vast the digital center was, it was hard to find a fast-food chain that wasn’t here.

Ellie returned after about 20 minutes.

Gone was the sweaty mess, and in came Ellie in a fresh outfit looking all cute and tidy.

As I got closer, an enjoyable scent of shampoo wafted over.

She must have washed up nicely.

I moved closer to Ellie and took a sniff.

The mix of the fragrance from the small girl and the shampoo had a strangely addictive quality.

It was different from the scent Sohee carried.

“Uh, um…?”

“Oh, sorry. Shall we go eat?”

“… Yeah!”

Ellie, Sohee, and I.

We started walking side by side, stepping out of the reaction speed testing device and onto the wide-open path.

“Uh, um… what are we having for lunch?”

“Pizza. Is that okay?”

“Sounds good! Not a bad choice.”

As far as I knew, pizza was one of those foods that didn’t have many haters.

Fortunately, it seemed Ellie liked pizza.

We arrived at the pizza chain restaurant.

Even though it was lunchtime and the place was crowded, the spacious interior meant there were plenty of seats available.

I led the two of them deeper into the restaurant to find a spot.

I was quite sensitive to the many stares we were getting.

“Choose whatever you’d like.”

Pizza is something I could afford to pay for.

I said, trying to be generous.

Honestly, I had come to eat pizza, but since I didn’t know what was good, I passed the decision onto the two of them.

Ellie glanced at me, then quickly scooted next to me.

What’s gotten into her today?

Sohee, sitting across, suddenly stared at us with a peculiar glance in her eyes while picking out a pizza.

“Aren’t you two gonna choose a pizza?”

Ellie and Sohee finally lowered their heads and started picking a menu after hearing my comment.

The large hologram displayed mouthwatering images of the yummy pizzas.

“How about this one…?”

Ellie pointed at a menu with her finger and asked.

As she did, the hologram responded by presenting a large pizza right before our eyes.

A steaming hot pineapple pizza.

I frowned.

Pineapple pizza – they are flavors that should ideally be enjoyed separately.

“Not bad.”

Sohee nodded at Ellie’s choice.

But I wasn’t happy about it.

I picked the pizza next to it instead.

It was a sausage and bacon-loaded pizza that looked super delicious.

The massive pizza faded out the hologram of the pineapple pizza and appeared right in front of me.

“What about this?”

It was called the [Sausage Bacon Roll].

I’d never seen this pizza before but knew it wouldn’t taste bad.

“I’m good with this.”

“Oh, yeah, I am too!”

Of course, they’d follow my choice.

I nodded and pressed the button near the table, pulling out my wallet.

It was a cute little pig wallet with a big pig nose.

“I’ll cover the bill.”

From ordering the pizza to paying, everything went smoothly.

I asked if they needed anything else, but both shook their heads.

Finally, I added drinks, slipping the pig wallet back into my pocket.

“Hold on, I’ll be right back!”

Was I nervous? Ellie abruptly stood up and said.

The small girl dashed off to the restroom.

Now left alone with Sohee.

Her strange gaze bore into my face.

Just then, my phone lit up.

A message arrived from my secret friend.

Guide of Light – [Soft & Chewy Raccoon. I’ve just arrived at a crucial spot. What should I do now?]

Looks like they arrived at that lunch spot.

I racked my brain to recall the message.

Soft & Chewy Raccoon – [Can I write a message like this now? What about the opponent?]

Guide of Light – [Just a moment… I stepped away for a bit.]

Hmm…

Guess they got up to smoke for a moment.

I smiled faintly and typed back.

Soft & Chewy Raccoon – [Are you fond of the opponent?]

Guide of Light – [Hmm… I like them. I wanna get to know them better.]

Soft & Chewy Raccoon – [Then when you go back, try to talk to them naturally. Remember, if you share the same interests, it’ll be easier to keep the conversation going.]

Guide of Light – [Got it. I’ll do as you advised. I even sat closest to them earlier, and their reaction was pretty good.]

Soft & Chewy Raccoon – [If the opponent doesn’t reject you, they probably share similar thoughts. Then try to initiate some light physical contact.]

Guide of Light – [L-Light physical contact?]

Soft & Chewy Raccoon – [Yeah, something like holding hands…?]

“What’s got you so focused?”

“Oh, just chatting with a friend.”

“A friend…?”

“Yeah, I think they might’ve gone to a matchmaking event. So I’m giving them advice.”

“Matchmaking…? I see… that’s a relief.”

What does she find reassuring about that?

Sohee sighed a breath of relief at my response.

At that moment, Ellie returned from the restroom, just as the ordered pizza arrived at our table.

Ellie checked to see and immediately stuck to my side.

Closer than before.

With a warm, steaming pizza between us, Sohee’s peculiar gaze was back on me.

Then, Sohee slowly opened her mouth.

“Ellie.”

“Uh, uh-huh…?”

“Isn’t it a bit too close? Won’t it be uncomfortable for Hayun to eat?”

Uncomfortable? Not at all.

I shook my head and answered.

“No, it’s fine. Ellie is small, so being closer doesn’t bother her at all.”

“R-Really? Can I get even closer?”

Ellie followed my words, casting a glance before subtly shifting her bum closer.

Our arms brushed against each other.

“…”

Sohee watched the scene, mumbling her lips.

Enough chit-chat. Let’s eat.

I stretched out my hand and began to serve pizza onto our plates.

The pizza slice was perfectly cut, with cheese stretching down as it slid onto the plate.

The first piece was served to Sohee, the second to myself, and the last to Ellie.

Just as I was about to take a huge bite of the mouth-watering pizza, Ellie beside me turned to look.

“Um, um!”

“Yeah…?”

“C-Can I hold your hand?”

Out of the blue, holding hands?

After asking me, Ellie hesitated, wiggling her fingers.

What’s the meaning behind holding hands?

But there was nothing wrong with it.

I reached out and held Ellie’s small hand tightly.

“Whoa…”

Ellie seemed surprised by my sudden action and opened her mouth wide.

I gently held her hand.

Her skin felt soft and smooth.

“Is this okay?”

“Uh, yeah…”

Now it was time to eat the pizza for real.

With that thought, I raised the pizza slice to my mouth.

At that moment, Sohee, sitting opposite, was staring at me while wiggling her own hand.

“Oh…”

I knew I wasn’t completely clueless.

In fact, I was quite quick-witted.

Is holding hands trending among middle school girls these days?

I set the pizza down and reached out.

“Sohee, hand please.”

For some reason, I needed to touch hers too.

“Okay!”

Sohee’s bright smile emerged as she reached out her hand.

Sohee’s hand felt just as soft and smooth.

Having touched both girls’ hands, it was finally time to eat the pizza for real.

I opened my mouth widely and stuffed a slice in.

The hot cheese and toppings flooded my mouth.

It felt as if the gooey cheese was slapping my tongue.

While I indulged in the pizza, Ellie spoke up.

“Did you see that?”

An unexpected comment.

Sohee and I tilted our heads, looking at Ellie.

With a slightly nervous expression, Ellie collected herself, and began.

“Hayun, I saw the Blood Demon King take down the heads of the Exorcist Guild…!”

“Oh… that.”

“It was so cool! Incredible.”

This girl sure knows how to make someone feel good.

I’d only experienced annoyance when I met Jupiter, so it seemed I misunderstood her.

I chuckled lightly and replied.

“Of course. Who do you think I am?”

“My rival…!”

Isn’t there way too big of a skill gap to claim that?

But since I was feeling good, I didn’t point it out.

Starting with Ellie’s words, the three of us began to chat.

Since we were all players of Deron, it was only natural for our conversations to revolve around the game.

We discussed quests we were progressing through and shared memorable stories.

That was when a signal rang out.

A call to visit the restroom.

I swiftly jumped from my seat.

“Hayun?”

“Blood Demon King…?”

“J-Just a quick trip to the restroom…!”

I hurriedly dashed off to the restroom.

*

Right after Hayun vacated the table, uncomfortable silence fell between Ellie and Sohee.

Ellie, glancing at Sohee, took out her phone.

The freedom to talk comfortably came thanks to the soft and cuddly Hayun sitting beside her.

Left alone, Ellie turned back into the sickly, weak girl she once was.

It was time to borrow some strength from a friend.

Ellie typed a message to her secret friend on her phone.

Guide of Light – [Soft & Chewy Raccoon. Help me out. It’s so awkward here; I feel like I can’t breathe.]

But no response came.

It seemed her friend was busy elsewhere.

Ellie continued to type more messages.

Yet, no matter how long she waited, there was no reply.

Then, Ellie’s gaze fell on the phone sitting beside her.

The Blood Demon King, Hayun’s phone, left behind when they went to the restroom.

Ellie tilted her head and typed a message to her secret friend.

When she did, an alarm message from the chat room popped up on the phone’s screen.

“Gosh…!”

No way, no way that could be true.

Ellie shook her head, staring at the screen with disbelief.

It couldn’t be. No way Blood Demon King would…

But…

Ellie typed another message.

Once again, Hayun’s phone screen lit up, and another alarm message appeared.