His heart sinks rapidly in a chilling dread that feels like freezing.
If he feels even a little peace, they come and grab the nape of his neck with a chilling grip and whisper. Don’t forget us. You must never be at peace.
Corpses hung from Cheche’s shoulders. Always, constantly, even now.
***
Evil couldn’t wait until three o’clock. How could he leave work on time when the refugee had already entered his house and was waiting? He should have just gone home together with him, but he’d deliberately sent Cheche ahead first and now sat alone shitting himself, just watching the clock, until he finally decided to leave work even before three o’clock arrived.
“Wh-where are you going?”
“Home.”
James couldn’t stop Evil as he suddenly stood up and strode out of his office. All he could do was quickly call the driver to tell him the boss was coming down now.
After Cheche’s arrival, Evil’s on-time departures had become more frequent, but before that he’d set his departure time at will, so Evil’s driver always stayed nearby. This time too, thanks to staying alert, he moved the car to time it with Evil’s descent.
“Where shall I take you?”
“Home, obviously. Step on it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Befitting Evil Devil’s driver, he stepped on the accelerator while ignoring various traffic laws. Upsetting Evil was more frightening than traffic violations.
Arriving at the front gate of the central mansion, Evil was so impatient that from the moment he opened the car door to get out, he used his aura to fling open the front gate.
“…….”
Cheche had come out to the entrance to greet him.
A brief puzzlement at the suddenly opened door flickered across his indifferent face, but upon spotting Evil, it changed to an understanding look.
“You’re here.”
That series of very small emotional changes and quiet greeting made Evil’s heart surge.
It exceeded expectations.
Yes, this was why he’d sent the refugee ahead. He wanted to see the refugee waiting at home and coming out to greet him warmly.
Unlike when coming to the office, the refugee was dressed lightly. He’d worn a knit sweater in the morning, but now wore just a short-sleeved t-shirt and comfortable pants, which also pleased him greatly. He was satisfied that the refugee had changed into comfortable clothes just as people do when they return home. And also that his house was warm enough for this sickly refugee bastard.
Evil approached with a beaming smile.
“How did you know I was coming and come out?”
“Ah, that’s….”
“Don’t tell me you were waiting at the door the whole time? Idiot, you should have contacted me.”
“…….”
“If you missed me that much, you should have at least called. We should have just come together.”
Evil’s voice was very excited as he jumped to conclusions.
Actually, speaking of Cheche… he’d gotten a message from Hips. He’d be arriving soon, so come out to greet him. But if he told the truth, he knew disappointment would clearly cloud that excited face.
Cheche didn’t want disappointment to rise on Evil’s face, at least not today.
“…I thought you’d be coming around now.”
“That’s really amazing. It’s not even quitting time. Let’s go inside quickly. It’s cold.”
Pushing Cheche’s small shoulders as they entered the house, Evil immediately frowned.
“It’s fucking hot. I’m going to roast to death. Why the hell is Hips managing it like this.”
He himself had given the instruction: ‘A super sickly refugee bastard is going to live here, so turn the heating way up.’ Just moments ago he’d been proud that Cheche was wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt.
“I’ll lower the temperature.”
“Yeah, quick… Wait, no. No.”
Evil stammered, then asked Cheche.
“How… how is it for you? Aren’t you hot?”
If James and Hips had been there, they would have gasped. Evil wasn’t doing things his own way but actually asking someone else how they felt right now.
“I’m not hot.”
“Crazy, this isn’t hot? Fucking typical refugee bastard. Is this normal there? Is that why you’re so dark?”
He still had a long way to go before growing enough to stop making discriminatory remarks against the weak.
In the end, they decided to lower the temperature. Evil made his maximum compromise and lowered it by exactly 3 degrees. Still, in the house that remained hot, Evil threw off his outer garment and unbuttoned two more buttons on his shirt.
Cheche poured Evil a cup of cool water. Evil drank it in one go and habitually handed the empty cup to Cheche.
“Shall I get you more?”
“No need. More importantly, how is it? The house is nice, right? It’s got to be like a thousand times bigger than where you lived. Follow me. I’ll give you a special tour.”
“I already looked around everything.”
“This whole big place? You know where the study and dining room are?”
“Yes, the study is on the second floor, and the dining room is on the first floor. I also know there’s a hot spring bath on the second floor. The butler told me.”
“Hips….”
Having had his share of enjoyment stolen, Evil ground his teeth. At that moment, the hair on Hips’ head stood on end as he worried about what our young master might be doing with that small refugee.
“Did you eat?”
“No, are you hungry?”
“You didn’t even feed the kid?”
“It’s 3:20 right now.”
Cheche had never eaten dinner at this time. In fact, Evil also usually ate dinner after six o’clock. He just ate a regular person’s meal portion as a ‘snack’ after work. Evil ate quite large amounts of food.
“Right, 3:20. It’s snack time. Hips will bring it on a tray soon. Let’s go to the dining room. I eat five meals a day, so you can’t be lazy either.”
“Yes… Five meals a day?”
“Yeah. Breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner, late-night snack.”
“…….”
Evil was a person who lived a regular lifestyle.
Evil headed straight to the dining room, but Cheche didn’t follow. When Evil raised one eyebrow, Cheche asked quietly.
“Are you hungry right now, Director?”
“I’m not hungry, but if you’re hungry I can eat with you even though it’s a pain.”
“I don’t want to eat right now either. If it’s all right with you, I’d like us to have a conversation.”
“…A conversation?”
This time Evil’s hair stood on end. An unfamiliar emotion he’d never experienced in his life raked across the back of his head.
“If it’s all right with you.”
“I, I have nothing to say to a beggar like you.”
“Yes, then I’ll go to my room. Rest well.”
“…Hey!”
He shouted at Cheche’s small back as he turned around without hesitation.
“Fine, I’ll listen. Go ahead.”
“Thank you. Then let’s sit over there and talk.”
Cheche took the lead toward the living room. Evil followed Cheche like a malfunctioning robot, creaking along.
He had no idea what this could be about. He felt truly indescribable emotions. Like cold, sharp icicles precariously hanging overhead.
The two sat facing each other with the table between them. Evil had an expression like a sharpened blade, as if he’d never smiled.
If he says he doesn’t want to live together here,
I’ll smash that arrogant head into the wall. I’ll threaten him while choking his neck. That I know he sold the house our family provided and is living somewhere else. Does he want to be kicked back to Tar?
No.
That’s not right.
He might want to go back to Tar. If I ask if he wants to be kicked out, he’ll say yes. He’ll definitely try to return. He’s become an S-rank Souler now. It’s a total triumphant return. Even if that Karon or whatever is targeting him, he’s definitely the type to jump into danger.
Frowning deeply, Evil tapped his fingers on the armrest of the sofa. He didn’t realize it himself, but he was nervous. Very clearly so.
“What is it. Hurry up and say it. Unlike you who has nothing to do, I’m busy. I have to eat my snack.”
“I’d like you to tell me what I should be careful about.”
“You have to live with me. I told you, you’re a dud. You absolutely must not go back to your hometown. Tar, that beggar country has no aura users or adapters—can they handle a time bomb like you if you go there?”
“…No.”
“You think so too, right? It’s better to just live with me than to have an ability beyond your station and make everyone worry. Of course I really, really hate it too, but you’re my secretary so I’m going to help you. Be super grateful.”
Amazing tsundere logic