If It Wasn’t Your Choice, Say It

“Doya, let’s just forget anything related to Hyeon Jaeyul again. Okay? You remember how to use your ability, right?”

“No. I don’t remember that.”

“Ah, I really hate it when you look at Jaeyul the way you used to….”

I had been quietly continuing my train of thought when Jeong Iheon called out to me.

The large hand on my shoulder began shaking me back and forth, scattering the serious reflections I’d been building.

The moment he realized my memories of him had returned, he dropped all that guarded, calculating behavior and became openly clingy.

I tried to steady my body as it flopped around like a paper doll under his grip, but that was impossible with my strength.

Grabbing his forearm, I protested,

“Wait, s-stop shaking me, Jeong Iheon.”

Hearing my voice wobble from being rattled, he burst into boyish laughter and finally stopped.

Still chuckling at the way I’d sounded, he suddenly lifted me straight out of the water.

“Kept you in too long. Let’s talk outside. You’re not even fully recovered yet—what if you get a fever again?”

“You’re the one who dragged me in.”

“I’ll take responsibility for the rest of my life.”

He set me up on the pool’s edge before climbing out himself.

Looking down at me sitting there with my legs still in the water, he scooped me up again with a teasing remark.

The cold hit quickly once I was out of the pool, so I decided to stay quietly in his comparatively warm arms.

I pretended not to hear the “rest of my life” comment.

When my body shivered, I felt his steps quicken slightly.

He wrapped a large towel around my shoulders and said, more brightly than usual,

“I’ll take you back to your room.”

I stared at him.

‘Does he think we’re automatically back together just because I got my memories back?’

That would be… inconvenient.

‘It’s true I remember loving him.’

But that was just a memory.

Right now, what I felt for him was closer to simple fondness.

It was nothing like the desperate, consuming affection my past self had felt.

‘Still… would it be weird to draw a clear line and say we’re not together?’

What do I even do with this.

While I was debating internally, he was already walking toward my room.

“How’s the system, Doya? The one you’re about to clear is Hyeon Jaeyul, right? You’re on his personal route? What’s his affection level?”

“Route? I didn’t see anything like—”

“Really? I thought it’d go straight to Jaeyul. Unexpected. How high’s the affection?”

“Wait.”

“Though honestly, clearing even one target must be hard. You’ve never even played a dating sim before. How would you clear someone easily?”

I trailed off mid-answer.

He continued talking as if nothing was odd.

“…How do you know that?”

“Hm? Oh, you didn’t remember this. I helped design this simulation system with you.”

“I get that part. But you know all these details too?”

“Of course. I know the scenario only progresses if you clear someone.”

“Clear? What do you mean personal route?”

“It’s a dating game. Obviously, the story advances only if you end up with someone. Though in some games you can date multiple people, but that’s impossible for our Doya.”

“What even is this….”

“If you get stuck, I’ll tell you how to unlock my personal route. That’ll move the scenario again.”

Why is he saying something that important so casually?

I remembered he was involved in the system, but not to this extent.

I thought at least he wouldn’t know it was a dating simulation.

‘So he actually agreed to me playing a dating sim?’

Seeing me go speechless, he explained in an intimate tone.

“I was the one who suggested the dating simulation, remember? You hated the idea. You looked like you expected me to object, which was adorable.

So we agreed on a second option—if you don’t use the system for a set period, the genre changes.

And even if you fail to clear anyone, once I regain my memories, I can guide you into my route so the scenario doesn’t stall.”

There was nostalgia in his voice, like someone retracing cherished memories.

He smiled faintly, but beneath the soft curve of his eyes was something dissatisfied.

“Oh, and the R-rated elements? That was your idea. You had this face like you thought I’d obviously oppose it. That face was really cute.”

“…Why didn’t you object?”

“Well… you can’t let your weakness look like a weakness.”

‘There he goes again, speaking in riddles.’

I narrowed my eyes at his smug smile, about to demand a clearer explanation.

Then I heard footsteps.

Hurried ones.

Ju Noeul’s.

His door flew open moments later.

“…What’s going on?”

His voice was low, still thick with sleep.

He took in the sight of me wrapped in a towel, dangling in Jeong Iheon’s arms, my face twisted in confusion.

His expression darkened immediately.

He looked around sharply, as if searching for something.

His gaze landed on the clock.

After checking the time, his face crumpled even further.

“You two, at this hour, looking like that—”

His words trailed off when his eyes settled on my face.

Instead of finishing the question, he studied my expression.

The irritation drained from his face, replaced by something colder.

It was the first time I’d seen that look on him.

An oppressive, chilling blankness.

“Go Doya. What’s with that expression?”

“…?”

“If you’re not with him by choice, say it. Now.”

…Huh?

The pressure in his voice felt familiar.

Like Won-gyeong’s expression right after we emerged from the rift.

“Why does your face look like that?”

It was anger.

I stared at him blankly.

‘Why is he like this? He just woke up.’

When I only blinked, he spoke again, voice steady but intense.

“Whatever the situation is, I’ll do what you say. So tell me.”

Strangely, that voice sounded dependable.

As if he truly would shield me from anything.

I remembered the day he’d practically shouted a confession at me not long after we met.

‘He said he’d protect me. Told me to follow him.’

Looking at him now, that hadn’t been empty words.

‘He was serious.’

His breathing slowed, waiting for me to speak.

His body was tense, ready to restrain Jeong Iheon at any moment.

The sharpness in his gaze startled me.

Then I felt Jeong Iheon lightly tap my waist.

He tilted his eyes downward and put on a wounded tone.

“Doya, am I threatening you?”

The tension snapped.

“I was just taking our Doya back before she caught a fever.”

Ju Noeul hesitated, uncertain.

“Go Doya, you say it. What’s going on?”

“What you heard. We were at the pool, I got cold, we’re heading back.”

“Why aren’t you walking on your own?”

“It’s warmer like this. I’m soaked. It’s freezing.”

Ju Noeul’s expression shifted back to his usual prickliness.

The earlier intensity vanished like an illusion.

He let out an exasperated laugh.

“Why the hell were you in the pool at this hour? If you wanted water, use the jacuzzi! Fill it with warm water! Your body’s barely healed!”

“I was going to use the sunbed too, but there wasn’t one near the jacuzzi.”

“Then move it! Does your brain not work?”

“My brain works. My body doesn’t cooperate. I can’t move heavy things.”

“What’s heavy about that? It’s not heavy at all! If you can’t move it, ask someone! You’re a hunter—why is your body so—!”

He ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

“If you need something, call me! I don’t care what time it is!”