Sungjin changed into his bathing suit before getting into the tub. Next to him, Rachel was also getting changed.
I end up wearing this here.
Although Rachel was an innocent child, she was still a girl, and he didn’t want to get naked with her in the bath.
She had slender arms and legs with fair, soft skin that was almost pale. Her delicate hair reminded him of a kitten’s fur. She was still a baby without any curves, but her slender and beautiful shape displayed her purity and innocence. She looked like a flower that had not yet bloomed, and that was just the front of her body.
Her back housed hideous scars. Her bloody, black tattoos were proof of the darkness and cruelty of this world. Her laughter and innocence still shone through the darkness, however. This was something that lived on inside her despite her ordeal; her loveliness made him feel both empathy and pride.
Sungjin Oppa…my back…it’s really awful, isn’t it?
Sungjin stroked her hair; he knew that if he lied she would see through it. But he still wanted to make her feel better.
It’s okay, Rachel. That scar can’t change your real value.
But…
Rachel had tears in her eyes.
She is very sensitive to this kind of thing.
And I will find a way to remove it.
Really?
Yes, I will find a way, just wait and see.
Thank you, Sungjin Oppa! You’re the best!
Rachel jumped into his arms with excitement.
Wait,
Sungjin grabbed her shoulders and stopped her.
Why?
We can’t have such close contact while undressed.
Why?
…hmm…when a guy and a girl are just friends, it’s not appropriate to get too close while naked,
Sungjin couldn’t explain in much detail..
Oh. What is it?
Rachel was a bit confused and still wanted to hug him.
Sungjin decided to change the subject.
Now let’s clean up. I’ll help you with your back, and I’m sure you can do the rest, right?
He decided a bit of distance was best.
Okay, Sungjin Oppa. Huh, what are you hiding here?
Rachel asked as she pointed between his legs.
Sungjin, usually quick with logic, didn’t know how to answer Rachel’s question.
Oh…this…hmm…this…well, I just have a different physical shape from you.
That’s right…she never even had a chance to learn basic things like this.
She was able to listen to the voice of the goddess and stop the epidemic, but God didn’t tell her the difference between guys and girls.
Huh? Because you’re an adult? Will I have that when I grow up?
No…you wouldn’t because you’re a girl.
Girls don’t have it?
Only guys have it.
Wow! That sounds interesting!
Wait! Let’s have some space between us,
said Sungjin stepping back to stop approaching Rachel. He was able to fight against the Blood Ruler and the Hydra, but he seemed to be having difficulty with Rachel in the nude.
Why?
It’s not why but…hmm…I mean…
Sungjin developed a headache. On the battlefield, he was able to make a plan to fight against enemies having ten times more force than his army, but this little girl was a challenge. He didn’t know how to teach her the differences between guys and girls.
It wouldn’t be this uncomfortable if she were a boy.
But he still had to teach her.
Guys and girls are not supposed to have close contact, especially the part that we usually cover with clothes.
Shouldn’t they?
That’s the rule.
Why?
She didn’t understand, and Sungjin found it difficult to explain.
Because that’s only allowed for a lover.
Only lovers?
Yes. It’s the same for guys, but girls shouldn’t let others touch them for no reason.
Okay.
When Rachel answered, Sungjin felt relieved; but it was short-lived.
Then Sungjin Oppa! I will be your lover! Then I can touch you, right?
Rachel approached him with excitement.
No!
Sungjin quickly stepped back.
Why?
Becoming a lover has to be consensual. I didn’t consent. So the answer is no.
Huh…I…can’t?
Rachel lowered her head with disappointment. With that look, Sungjin almost changed his mind, but he knew he couldn’t.
Because you’re too young.
Young…I have to be older?
Yes, you need to grow up.
…can I just be your lover now?
No.
But growing up takes too long!
You need to learn how to wait.
Okay.
Rachel lowered her head with disappointment again.
Huh, this is not easy…
Sungjin now understood why people said it was difficult for a father to raise a daughter alone.
Rachel.
Yes, Sungjin Oppa.
Since we’re on the topic, you should know that you should be careful with guys.
Why?
Because there are some guys who will want to touch your body and have nothing more to do with you.
They shouldn’t?
Definitely not. It’s only allowed for lovers. If random guys try to touch you, you should scream for help. Okay?
Okay.
Good. Be careful with guys; some can be like wolves.
I am more of a lion than a wolf but still dangerous.
Guys are like wolves,
Rachel repeated Sungjin’s words only to ask him again:
Hmm… but, then, you are a guy as well.
Correct.
But I don’t have to be careful with Sungjin Oppa!
No, I mean…yes…I wouldn’t do anything bad to you…
Sungjin Oppa is okay! I like Sungjin Oppa, so you can touch me even if we aren’t lovers!
Rachel’s smile was like sunshine, a pure invitation; she opened her arms and showed her body to him telling him he could touch whatever he wanted.
…no, I shouldn’t.
Sungjin almost fell to his knees with such a request.
Sungjin was mistaken to think that it was just a bath with a child. She was not a baby anymore; her body was not that of an infant. Helping her wash herself would have been okay, but he wasn’t expecting all of her difficult questions.
This is out of my league.
She was pure and lovely, but it was too much for him to teach her all those things.
Rachel.
Huh?
I was thinking since we’re all a team now, we shouldn’t keep your scars a secret anymore.
But…
I understand it’s embarrassing for you, but everyone on the team is kind.
Do you think so?
I promise you.
If you say so…
Rachel hesitated but ended up nodding to agree with Sungjin.
Thank you, Rachel.
Sungjin covered himself up, led Rachel to the girl’s bathroom, and knocked on the door.
It’s me.
A voice responded right away.
Sungjin? I’m not mentally ready…not that I’m not ready…
Okay, come in.
Hurray! It’s Sungjin Oppa.
Hearing three different responses from three different people made Sungjin dizzy. They were amazing team members, but it was still a shock to deal with such intimate matters.
Valhalla really is a different planet.
It was hard to cope with Rachel’s innocent questions, and the older girls were even more difficult to handle.
When Rachel is asking embarrassing questions, it’s cute, but when Ereka and Eustasia interrogate… I want to have them.
Now they’re in the bathtub, probably wanting to show off their beautiful naked bodies, telling him to come and join…
I should stop.
Sungjin fixed his clothes to cover himself up properly. He didn’t want Rachel to see what he was hiding. She was too young.
Let’s deal with this.
Rachel wants to take her bath with the girls.
Oh…I see,
Ereka said slightly disappointed.
One more thing…
Tell me.
What’s that?
…can you teach her the differences between guys and girls? She was caged for a long time and has no idea.
In the past, Sungjin never tried to avoid or run away from problems. But sexual education for a girl was not a task he could carry out easily.
Oh… Okay. Sure. I’ll try my best.
I’m counting on you. Now, Rachel, get in and ask your questions to them.
Sungjin pushed Rachel into the bathroom and ran away before the others could see him.
It was the 36th strategy from Sun Tzu’s Art of War: if it becomes obvious that your current course of action will lead to defeat then retreat and regroup. As long as you are not defeated, you still have a chance.
They are girls, so they would be better teachers.
That was Sungjin’s line of reasoning, but…
The girls were furious when they saw Rachel’s back, but soon, Rachel felt comfortable and asked them the questions she had posed earlier to Sungjin.
You see, we’re all women, so we can’t have things like Sungjin Oppa.
Yes, Rachel. Guys and girls are different.
What’s the benefit of being a girl?
Rachel asked.
Ereka hesitated a bit before answering.
Hmm…well…we’re more flexible.
Flexible?
Yes, we have more flexible bodies.
What’s so good about being flexible?
Oh…well…
Ereka wasn’t sure how to best answer.
Girls are more flexible, but guys have more strength.
What else…oh…yes! We can wear pretty things.
Pretty things?
Yes, for example, a dress like this.
Ereka used her heroic power to conjure up an elegant gown.
Wow!
Rachel didn’t ask the benefit of wearing nice dresses. She loved what she saw.
What else…
Eustasia cut in.
Stop beating around the bush! You know the best thing about being a girl.
What’s that?
What’s that?
Even Ereka asked her.
We can be lovers with Sungjin.
Ereka agreed with claps.
Right. That’s the most important thing to keep in mind.
Oh!
Rachel responded with shiny eyes.
When I tried to touch Sungjin Oppa’s body, he said I couldn’t because we weren’t lovers. So when we become lovers, I can touch him as much as I want?
That’s what happens; when you’re lovers and no one is watching, you can touch him as much as you want.
Wow! I get excited when Sungjin Oppa simply strokes down my hair.
When you’re lovers, you can have close body contact, not just head or hands,
Ereka explained with blushing cheeks
I would love it if Sungjin hugged me with his fit body…
Watching Ereka’s enamored expression, Rachel’s eyes started to shine even more.
I just want to hug him so tight…
I decided.
What?
I will become Sungjin Oppa’s lover!
Oh my, Rachel…Sungjin is such a charming guy,
Ereka nodded.
It was so easy to fall in love with Sungjin, and Rachel had done just that. Since he had been her savior against Rupellion, it was natural that she would fall for him.
Sungjin decided to keep Rachel, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
Do you think it’s a good thing? We didn’t even get a chance, and now she wants to snatch him?
When Eustasia asked her sharply, Ereka just smiled.
What can I do? That’s on Sungjin.
Is that your confidence speaking or have you given up hope?
Let’s call it faith,
said Ereka making Jenna anxious.
Your Highness…it’s not the time to be generous…
She felt it was quite risky as well.
Ugh. She is a lolita like me…
But the bigger problem was Rachel was a better lolita. She was innocent, uneducated, cursed like a tragic heroine, and took care of people like a saint. Rachel even had a higher level.
Ahhhhh. My position is at risk…
Unable to access Jenna’s thoughts, Rachel kept talking with a smile.
Hehehe. I will become Sungjin Oppa’s lover and hug him all night.
She’s just a child, but she knows her goal. We’re going to have to work harder.
But…Sungjin is really busy…
The girls continued their chat, perhaps not as educational of a talk as Sungjin had expected.
