Chapter 58
Two days had passed since Han Chae-yeon had fallen under my control.
And, for some reason, Kim Jin-ho and Han Chae-yeon had grown awkward with each other. For two days, they had done nothing but exchange awkward words.
On top of that, Han Chae-yeon would no longer be going to Europe with him. Now under my influence, she had decided to stay behind under some other pretext.
'Now all that's left is to deal with Baek Miho.'
Using my abilities and the Yin-Yang Step, manipulating her would be easy enough.
'But that would be boring. How should I manipulate her this time?‘
Sleep magic or hypnosis sounded fun too.
It would be amusing to record myself slowly conditioning Baek Miho while she slept.
‘Shall I head back up soon?’
I drank some water in the kitchen and went upstairs to Kim Hyun-woo's room. It was the weekend. He was playing a game in his room. Baek Miho would be coming in a few hours.
I spent time laughing and chatting with him like an ordinary friend. Playing with some male brat wasn't fun, but all of this was necessary for later.
"Hey, Hyun-woo."
"Why?"
"Things going well with Miho?"
Kim Hyun-woo's face reddened slightly. Seeing him get shy over Baek Miho made me want to smack him.
"Uh... you knew?"
"Of course. You're making it so obvious you're dating. How could I not know?"
Kim Hyun-woo laughed awkwardly. He seemed embarrassed that I'd found out about his relationship.
"Still, don't tell anyone. I haven't even told my parents yet."
"Okay. But how far have you gone with Miho?"
"Well... we're only holding hands so far?"
"What? Why's your progress so slow? You need to make a bold move, you idiot."
Kim Hyun-woo waved his hands in embarrassment.
"I want to, too... but I don't know how to take things further. I barely managed to hold her hand."
"That's when you need to take the lead like a man."
Kim Hyun-woo shook his head vehemently.
"It's not that easy. I'm worried Miho might reject me...."
"Hey, girls like it when men are assertive.“
”Really…?“
Kim Hyun-woo's eyes sparkled. The way he took my words at face value was ridiculous.
"And you're still completely inexperienced?"
"Ahem.... Yeah."
"If you want to impress Miho, you need to learn about relationships. Do you watch romantic dramas?"
Kim Hyun-woo blushed and shook his head.
"No. That sort of thing is... kind of..."
"What, a guy who doesn't even watch those? How are you going to impress a woman?"
"I want to watch them.... But I don't know where to find them...."
"At this rate, you'll freeze up when the time comes? Miho will be massively disappointed too."
"Should I watch them now, then.... But I do feel kind of uncomfortable about that stuff."
"Hey, hey, what guy doesn't watch romantic dramas? You must be interested in that kind of thing too, right? Or, fuck, are you gay?"
Kim Hyun-woo was startled and waved his hands.
"I'm not! It's just... I feel embarrassed watching those things alone!"
"Heh heh, hey. I'll show you something really good."
"Something good? What is it?"
I grinned at Kim Hyun-woo.
"This is a woman I've been working with for the past few days. Want to take a look?"
"Gulp.... Y-you can just show me something like that...?"
Kim Hyun-woo's voice trembled. His eyes held a mixture of discomfort and curiosity.
'What an innocent brat.'
I pulled out my smartphone and said,
"It's fine. She's a thrill-seeker who enjoys this sort of thing. I even blurred her face. So, are you going to watch?"
"Ugh... still, it's kind of..."
"Hey, lots of couples break up when they ignore communication and turn out to be incompatible. That's why people learn about relationships from stories."
"Really?"
"Of course, idiot. Why would I lie to you? It's perfectly normal, so don't be embarrassed and give it a look."
I played the video for him. It was footage I'd taken with Han Chae-yeon, with only her face pixelated.
"Wow...."
He exclaimed in admiration and snuck a glance at me. His expression was filled with respect.
"The man on the screen is you?"
"Yeah. Look, my face isn't pixelated."
"Gulp…."
He began staring fixedly at the screen. I could see his interest growing despite his attempts to hide it.
'Hmm, he's far less composed than I expected.'
I laughed when I remembered how his confidence had changed after eating the Sun Herb in the original story.
"Heh heh, were you just pretending not to like it? You're staring pretty damn intently."
"Ahem.... Forget that. Seo-yoon, you're amazing. Where did you meet a woman like her?"
"Well, I started by gaining her trust, and she eventually opened up on her own."
Kim Hyun-woo hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"…Seo-yoon."
"Don't give me that look. Just say it."
"Can I take you as my master?"
"Heh heh, just start by learning the basics."
"Master!!! Please pass on your ways to me!"
"Fine. From now on, I'll send videos of the women I work with to your number every day, so study them well."
Kim Hyun-woo, who had been staring fixedly at the screen, asked cautiously.
"Ahem.... Do you happen to have any other videos besides this one...?"
"You were pretending not to like it, but you're curious after all."
"I'm going to meet another woman later. I'll send you a video of her."
"R-really?"
"Yeah, there's someone new I'm going to meet today."
"I'm jealous... I want to spend time with Miho too."
"If you work hard, you'll get to someday."
"But are all women that reckless?"
"Women have desires too. You just need to lead her well."
We talked about this and that for a while as we watched the video. I could see his interest in relationships gradually growing in his eyes.
"By the way, when is Miho coming?"
"Oh, right! It's almost time for her to arrive."
Kim Hyun-woo sprang to his feet after checking the time. He seemed not to have realized how much time had passed while watching the video.
"I should stop watching and get ready."
"Then I'll step out for a while. There's something I need to buy."
I turned off the video and grinned.
'Shall I get started soon?'
I had stirred Kim Hyun-woo's curiosity with the video; all that remained was the final preparation. I was curious what expression he'd wear when he watched his own relationship fall apart.
As I left the room, I raised the corner of my mouth.
I went straight down to the first floor and looked for Han Chae-yeon.
When Han Chae-yeon, who had been watching TV in the living room, saw me, desire clouded her eyes.
"Chae-yeon. I'm going to make my move on Miho today. You'll help me, right?“
Han Chae-yeon frowned. The moment I said I was going after another woman, jealousy could be felt in her expression.
”Seo-yoon… surely I'm not enough for you?“
I reached out and took the hand of the woman questioning me with a jealous look.
”Ngh…♡“
”Chae-yeon, don't you want to stay by my side anymore?“
”Ahh♡ Don't say that while holding my hand…♡“
”So, are you going to help me or not?“
"How am I supposed to help...?"
"When I send you a signal through Messenger, call Hyun-woo downstairs and cast hypnosis magic on him. Fill his memories with memories of spending his first day with Baek Miho today."
"Hyun-woo? Even so, he's my son, and using my succubus powers on him feels a little wrong...."
I took Han Chae-yeon's hand again as she showed her reluctance.
"Ahh…♡"
"Then I won't let you stay close to me?"
"Nngh, I don't like that…♡ I'll do it…♡"
Ruled by the succubus's instincts, she could no longer refuse my words.
"But... in return, tonight... you know, right?"
"Okay. After I deal with Miho, I'll spend the whole night with you."
Her pink eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"And after casting hypnosis magic on Hyun-woo, come upstairs. Miho will be using sleep magic too."
Han Chae-yeon nodded. Having completely fallen, she no longer hesitated.
"Okay. Just send me the signal."
"Then I'll go upstairs and get ready."
I squeezed Han Chae-yeon's shoulder one more time and stood up.
I went upstairs to my room, lay down on the bed, and waited.
'Baek Miho should be arriving soon.'
Right on cue, the front doorbell rang, and I heard Baek Miho and Kim Hyun-woo's voices.
"Hello~"
It was Baek Miho's voice. I listened intently to their footsteps from inside my room.
I heard Kim Hyun-woo and Baek Miho talking downstairs. They would be coming upstairs soon.
I heard the footsteps of the two of them climbing the stairs. They passed my room and entered Kim Hyun-woo's room.
"Is Seo-yoon not home?"
"I'm not sure. He said he had somewhere to go earlier."
'Good, now it's about time....'
I took out my smartphone and sent Han Chae-yeon a message. A moment later, I heard Han Chae-yeon's voice downstairs.
"Hyun-woo! Come downstairs for a moment!"
"Huh? Okay!"
I heard Kim Hyun-woo leave the room. Baek Miho would be alone now.
I stealthily opened my door and approached Kim Hyun-woo's room. Inside, I could see Baek Miho sitting alone.
She hadn't noticed me coming yet and was sitting at the desk.
"Miho."
"Huh? Seo-yoon.... I thought you'd gone out...."
Baek Miho turned her head in surprise.
“I just got back. More importantly, where's Hyun-woo?”
“His aunt called him downstairs just now.”
“Really?”
My smartphone rang. It was Han Chae-yeon.
[The hypnosis magic is done.]
After checking the message, I replied to her.
[Good job. Now come upstairs.]
Han Chae-yeon came upstairs right after receiving my message.
"Huh? Auntie? Where's Hyun-woo?"
"Hyun-woo went out to run an errand."
"Oh, really?"
Her golden eyes, still unaware of anything, shifted back and forth between us.
"Miho, could you show me your hand?"
Han Chae-yeon stepped in front of her and raised her hand.
"Huh? Why all of a sudden?"
At that moment, pink smoke billowed from her hand, and the golden light in Baek Miho's eyes began to fade. In an instant, she fell into a deep sleep.
"Mmm...."
When Baek Miho's body began to topple forward, Han Chae-yeon quickly caught her.
"Seo-yoon, I cast sleep magic."
"Good job."
I got up from the bed and approached her.
"Just lie down for a moment."
I laid Baek Miho on the bed. Her soft silver hair spread across the pillow. Her white skin shimmered in the moonlight.
"Chae-yeon, get the camera ready."
Han Chae-yeon took out her smartphone. Her pink eyes curved into an amused smile.
“Let's have a look at Miho's belongings."
I straightened the buttons and collar of Baek Miho's school uniform. The neat fabric and silver hair gave her a surprisingly delicate appearance.
"Mmm...."
Under the sleep magic, she let out a small moan. It seemed some of her consciousness still remained.
I pulled a blanket over her and made sure she was resting comfortably.
"She looks more vulnerable than I expected."
I watched her sleeping form, already imagining how the next part of my plan would unfold.