City of Witches Chapter 190

Siwoo usually distinguished between the Twins based on two criteria.

Their gaze and their speech patterns.

Well, if I had to add one more, it would be the sensation when thrusting into their back hole... but since that can't be immediately applied in daily life, let's set that aside.

Odil's gaze is always tightly packed with willpower.

The courage and pride stemming from strong will show no retreat in any situation, and even in daily life, a firm proactiveness is evident.

In contrast, Odette is a typical well-bred young lady—introverted and passive.

You might think, "I'm not some fortune-telling uncle, how can you distinguish people by their gaze?" but if you actually look, you can tell.

But in truth, there was no need to scrutinize things to that extent.

While both Twins call Siwoo "Assistant," Odil mixes in informal speech afterward, whereas Odette mixes in honorifics.

In other words, even though Siwoo could easily distinguish them in daily life, in a dim room where their gaze isn't clearly visible, if Odette deliberately imitates Odil, it becomes extremely difficult to tell them apart.

That was why it took time to realize the identity of the person he thought was Odil.

"Every day, you only leave me out... It's so unfair, totally..."

Odette began to complain, sniffling as if heartbroken.

"I couldn't even spend the last day with Assistant... You only play with Sister every day..."

"At that time, Lady Odette was asleep..."

"You could've woken me up and taken me along! I wanted to take a night stroll with Assistant too... I wanted to swim in the fountain and visit the windmills together..."

Oh dear.

Siwoo sighed inwardly.

On their last night together in Gehenna, in reality.

Only Odil had spent time with Siwoo when he woke up, utterly hungover.

Moreover, as soon as they returned, he got caught by Count Gemernai and was immediately placed under a no-contact order, so Odette had been holding onto that grievance.

"Assistant, you say I'm cute too, so why do you only favor Sister? You say I'm nice too, so why do you only play separately with Sister?"

"Um... Lady Odette, there were circumstances for that."

Siwoo patted Odette's shoulder, attempting to offer comfort that wasn't quite comfort.

But that level of consolation didn't seem enough to compensate for Odette's accumulated sorrow.

"That's a lie! You were really, totally mean. Doing it from behind, you did it with Sister first too, playing together, you only did it with Sister... You were mean, really!"

"Ah...."

"Sister always teases me about it... It's not like I'm blindly trying to imitate Sister. If it weren't for Assistant, I would never have done it with anyone else!"

"Lady Odette, first, please calm down..."

"Every day, you just tell me to calm down. Did you tell Sister Odil to calm down when she was like this? It's unfair, unfair, totally unfair."

Odette pounded Siwoo's chest, venting her frustration.

Being hit by those small hands wouldn't hurt.

Instead, he could feel Odette's accumulated heartache.

How excluded and hurt must she have felt to come to Siwoo even while imitating her sister?

That thought made his mouth taste bitter for no reason.

"Lady Odette."

"No, I won't listen. I'm still not done being angry!"

Odette covered her ears and curled up.

Siwoo could sense that Odette's emotions were less about passionate love for a partner and more about a sense of disappointment, like "Why don't you play with me more?"

After all, Odette hadn't particularly shown possessiveness toward Siwoo.

"I'm sorry. For not taking better care of you. Then, shall we go on a night stroll together now?"

"Really?"

"Yes, you might be a bit tired tomorrow, but I'll show you around here and there. They say there's a unique charm to seeing things at night."

"Really, really, really?"

Odette's eyes, which moments ago seemed ready to spill tears like touch-me-not seeds at the slightest touch, widened into circles.

"Yes! I want to go! I want to go now!"

Odette trembled with joy, as if she didn't know what to do with herself.

It was both cute and pitiful.

And since it had been a while since they last met, there was much to talk about.

"Yes, then I'll get dressed and ready too. I'll also find clothes for Lady Odette to wear."

Going outside without protection carried some risk, but that made him prepare even more thoroughly.

Carrying the Artifact music box to erase Odette's presence and perception.

If she went out in her original attire, it would be like advertising that she was a Witch, so to ensure no bad Witch could identify her even with the naked eye, he dressed her in Siwoo's hoodie and Sharon's shorts.

"How is it? My Mortal Realm outfit?"

"It suits you well."

Siwoo stifled a laugh as he looked at Odette wearing clothes over her drawers and inner dress.

Even after folding the sleeves three times, the hoodie was still too big and loose, and if Odette wore the hood, it would likely cover everything up to her lips.

Also, Sharon's shorts became knee-length pants on Odette, so he had to fasten them with a belt.

In short, it was an oversized fit on top of an oversized fit.

The size was already beyond comprehension as fashion, but seeing the already adorable Odette swallowed up by oversized clothes made her even cuter.

"I'm excited, Assistant. What should I do? I'm so excited."

Odette couldn't hide her joy, bouncing up and down in front of the elevator.

Siwoo stood beside her, holding an umbrella.

Even though they had only just stepped out to the front door, Odette was already looking around, searching for interesting things.

"I was curious about this on the way here—is this an ornamental flame? It seems to turn on automatically when people approach."

"It's called a sensor light. Unlike in Gehenna, which uses ornamental flames or oil lamps, here electricity is used to light bulbs. In the modern era, electricity is used a lot instead of magic power for various things."

"Electricity?"

"Hmm... It's difficult. Explaining it is tough."

If he talked about the flow of electrons, he'd have to explain electrons, and if she asked further, Siwoo, not being an expert, would be at a loss for answers.

"It's okay, Assistant! It's fine if you don't know!"

"Thank you for understanding."

Fortunately, it seemed that level of curiosity wasn't a major issue for Odette, who was in a better mood.

With her cheerful encouragement, the awaited elevator arrived, and the doors opened.

Odette focused intently, as if witnessing something rare, even though it was just automatic doors opening.

Then, like Armstrong taking his first step on the moon, she boarded the elevator with careful and meaningful deliberation.

It was so solemn that even Siwoo held his breath.

"Assistant."

"Yes."

"Is pressing the button with the number 1 on it the right thing to do?"

"Yes, that's correct.""I'll do it. Master pressed it when we came up here."

"Alright."

Odette carefully pressed the elevator button.

When the red LED lamp lit up on the square button marked '1', Odette glanced up at Siwoo with eyes that seemed to say, 'How was that? I did well, right? Praise me!'

"You're amazing, Lady Odette!"

"That's too much praise. Anyone could do it."

When Siwoo deliberately clapped and praised her, Odette couldn't hide her rising smile and feigned humility.

Her mouth formed a shape like the number 3 rotated 90 degrees to the left.

But once the elevator started moving, Odette, perhaps feeling uneasy, tightly grasped Siwoo's hand.

"M-my body feels like it's floating up."

"It's fine. It's safer than you'd think."

"You'll protect me if anything happens, right, Assistant?"

"Yes, yes."

"Are we going down now?"

"That's right."

After descending for quite a long time and arriving at the first floor, what appeared as soon as the elevator doors opened was...

-Rumble rumble BOOM!!!

...a street that seemed engulfed in a storm surge.

While a storm surge typically refers to massive waves created by wind hitting the water's surface, in this case, the metaphor was not awkward at all.

The street was already flooded enough to submerge ankles, and small waves were forming on top of it.

The news had mentioned it was the strongest typhoon in ten years.

I thought it was just the usual weather forecast scare tactics, but now I suddenly feel it.

"........"

"Wow... it's amazing...! It seems to be coming down even harder than before."

The wind was blowing so fiercely that water droplets splattered thickly all the way into the lobby.

At this point, Siwoo wondered if an umbrella would even be meaningful, staring blankly at it, while Odette's eyes sparkled as if even this was enjoyable.

Well, Gehenna is surrounded by a Hidden Boundary, so such dramatic weather is rare.

"Um, Lady Odette, I'm sorry for suggesting you go out first, but..."

"Hurry up, Assistant!"

Before Siwoo could even suggest they think about it first, Odette scurried outside.

It took less than three seconds for her gray hoodie to turn completely black.

"Pfft... pffft..."

Odette, who ended up washing her face from the rainwater pouring down more than she imagined.

Siwoo hurriedly ran out with the umbrella and held it over her.

Just from opening it, the umbrella made a crack sound and one of the ribs broke.

Perhaps a stroll really was too much on a day like this.

"What are you doing! You'll catch a cold!"

"I don't catch things like colds! It's completely refreshing and cool!"

The two practically had to shout to converse, as the wind whistling between the buildings was like a ghost's wail.

Siwoo, who had been trying to persuade Odette to go back, felt the tension leave his shoulders when he saw her beaming smile.

If she's enjoying herself, is there really a need to stubbornly stop her?

"Lady Odette! Then I'll guide you! Let's go!"

"Yes! Assistant, let's go!"

Siwoo and Odette splashed through the water as they ran down the alley.

"Hooah... hooah..... That was totally thrilling! So exciting!"

After running around the alley together for a while, splashing in what could hardly be called playful water fights, the two entered a commercial building.

The sight of rain pouring down as if a hole had been torn in the sky reminded one of a tropical squall.

Even well inside the building, the smell of rain hit them strongly.

Running blindly through the dense, indistinguishable view ahead and to the sides, they ended up in the station building of Sinchon Train Station.

It was a commercial building hosting a leasehold rights event.

For reference, the umbrella had been destroyed by the strong wind and discarded in a trash can, so the two, completely soaked, searched for a place to rest.

As soon as they entered the indoor space that shielded them from the rain and wind, they naturally sighed.

Outside, every time they breathed, water filled their noses and mouths.

While a Spirit Body shouldn't be this tired, Siwoo was mentally exhausted, while Odette's energy was heightened, as if water had been poured on a sprout.

"It feels like getting hit by raindrops! Master would never let me do something like this!"

Odette's fresh, vibrant voice resonated through the indoor space with its security shutters down.

"Shh, shh, Lady Odette, you can lower your voice now."

"Ah-ha, yes, Assistant. Shh. The sound echoing is just like a ballroom."

Odette said, slightly bending her knees like a noble young lady who had been asked for a waltz.

She had originally given off a somewhat more passive impression.

It seemed the nighttime escapade had breathed vitality into her.

Perhaps because being wet felt heavy, Odette flung off the hood of her hoodie.

Because her hair, completely soaked and plastered down even inside the hood, made Odette's already small head look almost fist-sized.

Her mysteriously glowing purple eyes, like a fairy from a myth, were filled with excitement and thrill.

"Are you feeling less disappointed now?"

"Yes! It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! So many things were amazing—the traffic lights, buildings, shops, cars, everything was amazing. Even this building is amazing!"

"You've had your fun, so we should head back soon. Let's catch our breath a bit and go."

Siwoo bowed his head and wrung out his hair.

Plop plop, water fell.

Seeing that, Odette also tidied her hair beside him, wringing it out as if squeezing a towel, and pleaded.

"Can't we look around a little more? It's so amazing here too..."

Odette pouted her lips, seeming regretful.

Truthfully, it was already very late.

"Please, Assistant. I'd be so sad to go back like this..."

If it were outdoors, there would naturally be more concern, but since it's inside a building, maybe it's okay?

Thinking that, Siwoo nodded readily.

"Hmm, alright."

"Yay!"

Finally having gained his acceptance, Odette began hopping and skipping toward the stopped escalator.

"Lady Odette! You'll fall!"

"It's fine! Hurry up and follow me!"

Seeing the most lively version of Odette he'd witnessed so far, he couldn't bring himself to stop her outright.

Siwoo obediently followed behind Odette.

A Word from the Author (Author's Note)

Once my Saturday appointment is over, I'll have some free time for a while, so I'll try to update diligently.

Thank you to all the readers who have supported me!!

-Thank you for the 50 coins, Nickname!

How did you find today's Odette punch!

-Thank you for your support, Biel!

I also think Amelia is an awkward girl! Please don't hate her too much, everyone!

-Thank you for the 150 coins, .809!It seems you're quite interested in Siwoo's size... To leave room for imagination depending on the reader, detailed descriptions beyond "well-endowed" are being omitted. Thank you!

- Thank you for the support, Jeong-sil-eun-keo-jok-tsundere-nim!

It's not Amelia's turn yet!