Chapter 61: When the Time Comes

“…”

Can’t sleep. Well, I did sleep way longer than usual today. When I first opened my eyes it was already afternoon.

…Actually, it’s probably more because complicated thoughts keep swirling around in my head.

‘…I never thought Jihyeok would come looking for me every single month.’

Three years have already passed since that incident.

During that time, it seems Jihyeok stopped by the lodging without fail to check on me, except for the last few months.

I told Mr. Luca earlier that I’d hide my identity from him, but I do feel a little sorry about it.

Like I abandoned someone who waited for me with such devotion.

Brrr.

‘Well, since I can’t sleep anyway…’

A signal came from downstairs. I finally got up and headed to the bathroom.

And just as I sat down on the toilet, pulled down my pajamas, and was about to do my business—

THUD!

…? What was that, an earthquake?

I turned my head toward the bathroom doorway, thinking that.

Suddenly, I locked eyes with someone. A young man with black hair tied back in a ponytail, wearing a martial arts uniform.

A familiar and nostalgic face. Even though I hadn’t seen him in three years, I’d never once forgotten him—my only partner from the past.

Kim Jihyeok.

For some reason, the bastard had shown up in my room.

“…Huh?”

Wait, wait, wait… Why did he suddenly appear?

My mind was filled with confusion for a moment.

“I-I’m sorry.”

Jihyeok’s voice reached my ears.

That guy, whom I was seeing after so long, closed the door in a fluster with a face I found utterly ridiculous.

‘…He hasn’t changed.’

It was only a moment, but seeing him looking just the same as before even after three years, I almost let out a laugh.

‘Oh, wait? Come to think of it, I…’

I realized I’d overlooked one fact.

That I, now a girl, had been doing my business with the bathroom door wide open, completely unguarded, just like I used to.

‘…!!’

The moment I recognized that, I could see my face in the mirror flush bright red like an apple.

‘W-Well…!’

This isn’t a public place—it’s my room! Who would just barge in? Besides, when I was a man, I never cared about that! If you think about it, I’m not the one who should be embarrassed—Jihyeok is!

The shame hit me late, but I’d already exposed everything.

And of all times, while I was in the middle of doing my business…!

‘Kim Jihyeok, you fucking bastard…!’

How dare you see my, my, my… fuck…!!

Even if I used to be a man…!

This is ridiculous. Shouldn’t you knock before coming in?

‘No, wait. How did that bastard even get in here in the first place?’

The door was locked. And if Jihyeok came despite Mr. Luca’s objections, there should have been a message.

Since I’d had the habit of carrying a phone even before the possession, I always wear an Artifact that serves a similar role in this world. I’m still wearing it now. I checked—no message from Mr. Luca.

Which means.

‘Did that bastard just break in illegally?’

Kim Jihyeok, you’ve finally gone completely insane. You used to cross the line sometimes back then too…!

This won’t do—as soon as I get out, I need to educate him right away—

‘Ah, I can’t.’

I haven’t revealed my identity.

…No choice. I’ll have to let it slide just this once.

I finished my business and carefully opened the bathroom door.

What came into view was the shamelessly standing bastard’s back.

‘Was he always that tall?’

He was already big enough in height and build that I used to have to look up at him, but now he looks enormous. It’s partly because my body is smaller, but I swear he’s gotten even bigger than before.

“…”

Whether he noticed my gaze or not, Jihyeok turned around.

We met each other’s eyes, but for a while, neither of us spoke, as if we were in an awkward relationship.

In that atmosphere, I studied Jihyeok’s appearance.

It really has been a long time. Three years is certainly not short. He used to look noticeably younger than me, but now I guess you could say he’s become more mature.

—How about we stop here?

—…Are you serious?

Even now, there are times I regret saying that. If I hadn’t brought it up, Jihyeok would have stayed by my side helping me until the end. The fact that Mr. Luca said he kept coming for three years proves it.

But if we hadn’t parted ways like that back then, Jihyeok would have suffered considerable damage too. There was a chance it would have gotten to the point where he couldn’t properly work as a Hunter, branded as someone who defended a murderer. So I said we should break it off.

‘…Still, it’s nice to see him again like this.’

Seeing that he looked well enough, he seemed to have been getting by without any major problems. That put me a bit at ease.

“…I apologize for earlier.”

It was Jihyeok who broke the silence first. His awkward attitude made it feel like he was feeling guilty about what happened earlier.

I chose silence instead of answering. I don’t know how I’m supposed to talk in a situation like this.

Should I just start cussing him out? Or should I go find the innkeeper, Mr. Luca? Shout that a pervert showed up?

“But, as far as I know, this room…has a separate owner.”

Jihyeok muttered quietly. I let out a small cough to put on an act, then hardened my expression. Because if I didn’t, I felt like I’d start crying from how happy I was to see him.

Slowly, carefully, so the act wouldn’t be found out.

And then, struggling to keep the emotions that were rising up from showing, I spoke.

“…My master, she left.”

“Master? And left, what do you mean by that?!”

At my words, Jihyeok suddenly approached and grabbed me by the shoulders.

“Ugh…”

He grabbed me so hard that a groan slipped out.

“Ah, I’m sorry…”

Jihyeok backed off. I almost lost the expression I was forcing onto my face.

If I had lost it, what expression would I have been making? A sad one? Or a happy one?

I don’t know. Anyway, the important thing was that if I let my mind wander in this situation, I felt like my identity would be exposed.

“Excuse me?”

“Y-yes?”

That was when I saw Jihyeok’s face right up in front of mine.

“Did you not hear me?”

“Hear, hear what?”

What did he just say?

“…Then I’ll say it once more.”

Jihyeok let out a shallow sigh, then straightened up and stepped back slightly.

“My name is Kim Jihyeok. I suppose you could call me the…previous owner of this room. I was a former colleague of that person.”

An introduction, huh.

“I am, haah.”

Even as I spoke, I kept getting nervous, so I let out a big sigh.

“Yoschua Verdi. I am the disciple of the previous owner of this room, Yoschuko Verdiol.”

“Dis…ciple? I’ve never heard of Mr. Verdiol taking on a disciple…”

“He kept it a secret from everyone. He was worried I might get hurt by the rumors.”

Hah, for something I came up with on the spot, it was a pretty decent excuse. I was almost impressed with myself for saying it.

“…I see, that does sound like my meticulous senior.”

“Pfft.”

I tried my best to hold it in, but a laugh slipped out anyway.

“…?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. It’s just that it was exactly what my master used to say…”

Jihyeok tilted his head, so I quickly said that.

‘Man, this bastard. He really hasn’t changed.’

Jihyeok has a tendency to…well, praise me even without any particular reason. Even when I told him to cut it out, he never got tired of it and kept doing it. And the funny thing is, it’s not even an act. That guy always says those things sincerely.

…Crazy bastard.

“Did my master…my senior, talk about me?”

“…A lot.”

“…May I hear it? What he said.”

Jihyeok’s face was earnest.

Well, what should I say he said…

Ah, right.

“He said you were a good friend, second to none in this world.”

Now that he doesn’t know who I am, I can say it honestly. Even if it’s a bit cringey.

“A precious colleague he could never meet again. And…”

This was something I was planning to say when I revealed my identity, but.

“He said he was sorry for disappearing and leaving you alone. He asked me to tell you that if I could.”

Now that he’s right here in front of me, I felt like I wouldn’t be able to hold it in if I didn’t say it this way.

“My senior said that… Do you happen to know where my senior is now?”

“I don’t know either. He disappeared without saying a word to me. He left me this room when I had nowhere else to go.”

“Is that so…”

Regret showed in Jihyeok’s voice and expression.

*I’m right here. Right in front of you.*

…I can’t say that.

Of course, if I revealed my identity, Jihyeok would become a solid ally.

But if I did that, there’s a high chance my identity would be exposed.

Jihyeok is an S-Rank Hunter.

Unlike me, who quit of my own accord when the incident happened, he probably didn’t quit, so he’s still a Hunter.

I know Jihyeok’s personality well. If I reveal who I am, he’ll say he’ll help me no matter what.

But having Jihyeok, an S-Rank Hunter, by my side would draw too much attention. Didn’t Marcel get enormous attention at the Association office just now?

A D-Rank Hunter partnered with an S-Rank Hunter. If I attract that kind of public scrutiny, my identity might be discovered.

That’s why I’ll reveal myself on the day when it’s natural for me to be by his side.

In other words, the day I, as I am now, rise to the position of an S-Rank Hunter.

When that moment comes, I’ll tell Jihyeok who I am.

So.

“Instead, there’s a final message my master left behind.”

*Just wait until then, Jihyeok.*

“He said he’d come back when the time comes… that he’d definitely come back.”

*You know I don’t lie, better than anyone — you’ve been with me the longest, haven’t you?*