Chapter 34: Vacation

After orchestrating Black Monday, I lived a quiet life, as if nothing had happened.

Attending school, playing games after school…

A normal life.

“So, have you thought about it?”

Since I’m not busy, neither is Lee Sihyeon.

Perfect timing for a vacation.

“…Hmm. I’m not sure.”

She seems conflicted. Those used to hardship often struggle to relax… Sihyeon seems to be like that.

“How about the beach? You’ve never been to the beach, right?”

“I saw the ocean in Japan. You haven’t been to the beach, Miss. At least, not since I started working for you… maybe when you were little…”

Sihyeon trails off, realizing her mistake. I chuckle, nodding.

“Well, I haven’t either. I was confined indoors as a child.”

I felt suffocated. Even now, enclosed spaces make my heart race. The doctor says it’s claustrophobia.

…Is that why I like mirrors?

I ponder the full-length mirrors throughout my mansion. My habit of constantly looking in mirrors led me to install several.

…Hmm, it’s just narcissism.

Anyway, the claustrophobia disappears when I’m working.

“How about a winter trip, Miss? Summer is better, but winter beaches are nice too.”

I laugh.

“That’s not your vacation; you’ll be my attendant.”

My secretary is too loyal. It’s good, but it deviates from my original purpose.

“Miss, I’ve been thinking…”

Lee Sihyeon hesitates, scratching her head.

“Do I really need a vacation?”

That’s a surprising answer. Is this an 80s mindset?

I, accustomed to the 21st-century work-life balance (though I didn’t follow it myself), find this sentiment difficult to understand.

“Why do you live?”

“Why do you live, Miss? You work much harder.”

“I… enjoy wielding power. You, capable of subduing me with a finger, still obey me.”

I lightly touch Sihyeon’s abs, visible through her tank top. The feel is pleasant.

“This impudent child…”

-Thwack.

Lee Sihyeon slaps my head, staring at me. Her eyes are fierce.

What? Is she angry?

I’m slightly scared. Sihyeon could easily kill me. Immortality doesn’t grant superhuman strength.

“A-are you angry?”

“No.”

Lee Sihyeon smiles. The tense atmosphere disappears; the cheerful beauty returns.

“Look who’s actually cowering.”

She sticks out her tongue, more cunning than before.

“Haa, I was tricked.”

Lee Sihyeon laughs when I pout.

“I believe you’ll achieve great things, Miss. I don’t know much history, but I know you’re an extraordinary genius.”

“…So?”

Lee Sihyeon points to herself, smiling.

“I think… I’ve chosen wisely.”

“You’ll secure your position as my second-in-command?”

“Yes. You didn’t punish me for being impolite. If someone else had hit you, they’d be swimming in the Han River.”

…Right.

It’s like WWE. Teasing and playful retaliation.

“But you haven’t answered my question. You’re in your mid-twenties; you need a hobby.”

Lee Sihyeon tilts her head, confused.

“Hobby? Working out. You know that, right?”

“Working out is a hobby? It’s self-improvement or survival. Or to impress me.”

Hobbies include games, movies, anime…

Games…

What else? Drinking and beating up my daughter?

Ah, someone mentioned travel.

“With a peculiar person like you, whose life goals are making money and teasing others… working out seems normal.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Sihyeon touches her body. She’s a healthy woman in her mid-twenties, her well-maintained body alluring.

“I didn’t enjoy working out. It was for survival. After turning ten… I didn’t want to become a back-alley prostitute.”

Lee Sihyeon is from Seoul’s lower class. The 1970s were harsh for pretty, poor women.

“So you grew to like it.”

“Isn’t that common? Life is what you make it. I grew to like it, became ambitious… and developed another hobby.”

“What?”

“Serving a brilliant child like you? Preferably until I die.”

I tilt my head. Sihyeon is being unusually forward. I thought she was more reserved…

“I didn’t think you craved power.”

“Everyone craves power, Miss. They might lack the opportunity, it might be impossible, or simply inconvenient. I’m right next to you; power will come naturally. Why would I dislike it?”

Like me, once wanting to give up power, yet desiring it again when the opportunity arises…

It’s human nature.

“There’s a saying: men rule the world, but women rule men. That’s how I see it. The most powerful person in Korea isn’t you, but your nanny… I think.”

Lee Sihyeon laughs confidently. My pride is slightly hurt.

She wasn’t this intelligent before?

“Humph, you’re mistaken. I don’t need you. I’ll discard you when your beauty fades. Distance breeds contempt.”

It’s true. After the IMF crisis, Sihyeon will age; she’ll be less useful. By then, she should be promoted to Chief Secretary.

A beautiful secretary under my desk… haa, if only I weren’t a woman.

Tsk.

‘Where’s my hedonistic life…?’

Aware or unaware of my complex feelings, Lee Sihyeon laughs, fixing her ponytail.

“Haha, then I’ll work hard so you can’t discard me. I’ll postpone my vacation.”

“…Fine.”

***

“Ugh… ugh… Nanny, please… let go.”

I struggle, my face a mask of distress. The nanny is firm, ignoring my pleas.

She holds… underwear.

“No, Miss. It’s time for a bra. Your breasts are developing…”

“N-no! It’s fine…!”

I’m upset! If I knew, I’d have chosen male even if it meant fewer points!

“Wear it, Miss. A shirt without a bra looks strange.”

I can’t refuse. As Sihyeon said, I’m weak against her.

‘When will I get to a sci-fi world with full body modification?’

I tremble, putting on the underwear.

It feels strange.

I sense Sihyeon suppressing laughter.

“Actually, I thought of a vacation spot. Shall we go to the department store? Buy you some clothes.”

“Oh, Sihyeon, that would be great. Please.”

I see the two women chatting happily. I writhe in betrayal, shouting at my devious secretary.

“Sihyeon!! Lee Sihyeon! Come back!”

But the difference in strength is insurmountable; I remain in the nanny’s grasp. She sighs, easily subduing me.

“Oh, this is a bit tight. Try some others. Let’s check sizes first…”

Lee Sihyeon smiles deviously.

“I’ll go to the department store. Stay here, Miss.”

I’ll get revenge!

“Oh, which department store?”

“Hmm, do you know any good ones?”

“I…”

The nanny and Sihyeon chat amiably. They get along well. Then…

“Ah, that department store with the recent ad. …Sampoong.”

Sampoong Department Store.

My hair stands on end.