Chapter 308: Launching Operation

“Ugh…”

The next morning I barely dragged myself out of bed, clutching my throbbing head.

“Ugh… How much did I drink last night?”

I’m dizzy, my shoulders ache, and my head throbs like crazy but I finally managed to open my eyes, and I could see myself on the bed.

“…”

I wasn’t even lying on the bed, but leaning against its back with my legs stretched out and beside me, Stardus lay with her head on my shoulder.

She was asleep with her wheezing breath against my neck…and one arm wrapped around me, hugging me tightly.

With that, I came to grips with my current state, and tried to make sense of what had happened yesterday.

…Stardus brought wine last night, so we had a drink, and we were talking about something…What did I do? She asked me to watch a movie with her, and then…

“…..”

And that’s when I realized something important.

…Shit, I don’t remember what happened after the movie.

Suddenly, a little spooked, I glanced up at the futon covering me and Stardus.

“…Phew.”

I breathe a sigh of relief when I realize that I’m still dressed exactly as I was yesterday, with my clothes still on.

…Luckily, it doesn’t look like I made any mistakes, or I’d be dead.

I was so relieved, I gave up trying to remember what the hell I did last night while holding on to my throbbing head.

…I can only assume we were just lying in bed, watching a movie, both of us leaning against each other’s backs, and we both drifted off to sleep.

But what the hell is Stardus doing?

“…..”

I look down at Stardus, who is sleeping on my right, curled up tightly against me, her blonde hair spilling over my shoulder.

…I can feel her soft flesh pressed against mine, and I’m already feeling quite a bit of trouble this morning. Her arms were wrapped around my stomach, holding me so tightly that I couldn’t even remove them.

With that, I decided to wake her first.

“Stardus, wake up.”

“Mmm…”

With that, I shook her, but she made a strange noise and buried her face deeper into my neck.

…And then she hugged me even more, which made things considerably more difficult, so I kept shaking her.

Finally,

“Mmm…Egotistic?”

Rubbing her eyes, she finally sat up.

Looking at her, still not quite awake, as she said that to me, I released her arms and said.

“Why don’t you wait here for a minute?”

“Okay…”

Leaving her still looking groggy, I got up, grabbed a glass of water from the fridge.

Then I got back into bed…

“Ugh…”

She’s sitting on the edge of the bed, blushing and covering her face with her hands.

She looks as if she’s remembering something embarrassing. When she sees me back in the room, she’s stunned, and I hand her a glass of water.

“Here. Drink.”

“Mmm…Thanks.”

She glanced at me, then gingerly took the glass, her fingers brushing against mine in the process, and I wondered what the hell was wrong with Stardus.

…A hero who pays attention to villains. Anyone would think I locked her here. In reality, it’s exactly the opposite.

Anyway, I saw her sipping the water, scratched my head, and asked.

“Stardus… No, Shin Haru, do you remember yesterday…”

“Kuluk! Ugh, what, what, what? Oh, no, no. I don’t remember anything…?”

Stardus suddenly gulps down water at my words and says so, still blushing while avoiding my eyes.

I sighed at her and said.

“No, I meant, do you remember what I said yesterday? Why I was captured and came to Carqueas.”

“Oh…”

She slapped the glass of water from her mouth, lost in thought.

“…You said there was something inside this prison that could threaten people?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

At my nod, Stardus sighed and answered me with a sigh.

“…I see. All right, I’ll help you. I can’t leave him alone.”

And she did.

I thanked her for that.

It was a natural response, as she always, always puts her citizens first, but…

In effect, by going after him, you’re saying you’re letting me go. If you catch him, do you think I’ll stay put? Of course I’ll run.

So when you say you’re going to sit on the bed and quietly help me now.

…was effectively the same as saying you’d let me go if I caught the monster.

And only on my word as the villain.

“Shall we go sometime today?”

“…Yes. The sooner the better.”

Well, whatever. It was Stardus, so I could understand it. She never forgave the slightest threat.

But

“…”

Why does she keep looking at me with a wistful expression?

And why does she keep blushing?

I couldn’t understand it at all.

…Actually, maybe I’m the only one who’s mistaken.

I decided to give up thinking about it and just enjoy the moment. I don’t know. It’s not important.

I’m just wondering.

What the hell happened yesterday?

“Stardus?”

“Uh, huh? Nothing.”

No, I know something happened because she keeps staring at my face and blushing. It’s driving me crazy that I don’t remember.

Even Stardus had already realized that I couldn’t remember yesterday, so she didn’t even bring it up.

Well, I hope I didn’t make a mistake…

“So, Egostic, shall we get ready?”

“What? Yeah, sure.”

“…But first, let’s eat.”

“Oh. Sure. Let’s cook together.”

“Sure.”

With that, Stardus and I casually headed to the kitchen.

Suddenly I realized that after this day my life in Carqueas would be over.

From now on, there would be no more times like this for me and Stardus.

When I thought of that I couldn’t help but feel a certain sadness.

“…”

‘…Hah.’

I wanted to stay in this prison.

A villain who wants to stay in prison…

“Haha.”

“…Huh? Why are you laughing all of a sudden?”

“Nothing.”

This isn’t normal.

We walked slowly to the kitchen.

…I wish this moment could go on forever.

***

And so it was that, as Egostic and Stardus were slowly spending their last morning together.

“…Something is ominous.”

~The headquarters of the Egostream~

Seo-Eun was sitting there, twisting her short hair and muttering with a serious expression.

“Seo-eun, what is it?”

Soobin replied quietly as she poured tea, and Seo-eun tapped her fingers on the desk.

“Da-in said he’d be back in a week, but he didn’t say he’d stay for a full week, did he?”

“That’s right.”

“Something must have happened!”

While Seo-eun was arguing Choi Se-hee, who had washed up in the morning, walked over with a jar of banana milk and smiled at Seo-eun.

“Hey, Seo-eun, aren’t you worrying too much? You’ve been anxious for a week now, ever since Da-in left.”

“…”

While Seo-eun was shaking with unexplained anxiety, Choi Se-hee, who was drinking a banana milk straw, looked out the window for a moment and muttered.

“…But, he’s definitely running late…”

“Right? Especially since Stardus hasn’t been making any public appearances lately, it’s suspicious. Something’s up.”

“Is he still there?”

As Lee Soo-Bin watched the two of them with, Ariel also asked, having just come from the stairs.

At that moment, even Eun-woo, one of the people who looked the worst since Da-in disappeared, came and sat in the living room, sobbing uncharacteristically.

…Seo Jae-young, who had been lying on the couch, as usual, with no presence, opened her mouth for the first time today.

“…If you’re so worried, why don’t you just go there yourself?”

“…What?”

“No, don’t.”

With that, Seo Jae-young stood up for the first time.

Stretched out in a wide hoodie, she scratched her purple bob once, looked back at everyone with her characteristic reincarnation eyes, and opened her mouth.

“We were due today anyway, so let’s go to Carqueas’ neighborhood and see what Egostic is up to.”

“…But we’re supposed to go when Da-in gives us the signal-”

“That’s right. If he gives us a signal that he’s near there, we can go right away. If he hasn’t given us a signal by today, something might have happened, so we can go right in.”

“…That makes sense!”

Seo Jae-young’s uncharacteristically logical words were filled with conviction.

“…Hmph.”

Jae-young smirked to herself, clenching her fists on top of her hood, and continued to mutter quietly.

“…And. Let’s see what the hell he’s up to.”

Oh, no, he’s not hanging out with someone, is he?

She hoped so.

Still, she was laughing quietly.

Just like that the Egostream members’ trip to Carqueas was decided.

*

“…I’m getting a chill.”

“Huh? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“Uh… No, it just happens sometimes.”

“…I’d be more worried about that.”

As Stardus and I stood together, ready to leave, I shivered at the uneasy feeling that burned down my spine.

…All this time I thought it was because of Stardus, but maybe it wasn’t…?