Chapter 194 – Lack (2)

“Delete it.”

Saki said it without changing her expression.

“I told you before. If a message comes from home, burn it automatically. Do I need to program a separate command for that?”

「I’m aware. But one of the emails contained a keyword that caught my attention.」

Saki’s fingers, which had been idly twisting her headset cable, came to a stop. Her pupils trembled slightly.

“What keyword?”

「…K.G.M. is mentioned.」

Saki’s face twisted violently. All the fatigue vanished in an instant. Vixbig spoke cautiously.

「Would you like to read the contents? If not, I can delete it right away. Or, if you prefer, I can block the sender.」

“If I block their messages, those people will erase me from the family register. Although, that wouldn’t bother me… but now’s not the time. Still, I don’t get why my family would be sending an email mentioning him…”

Saki furrowed her brow. Just thinking about that damned house caused stale, dusty emotions to bubble up inside her.

「If you don’t want to read the full message, shall I summarize the key points?」

“That’s better. Their emails are always stuffed with useless pleasantries at the start and end—I don’t have the patience. Go ahead, Vixbig.”

Shortly after, the summarized bullet points appeared clearly on screen.

「1. The patriarch is planning to visit Korea soon. Be prepared.」

「2. The patriarch has heard that you share a class with the Saint of Sashimi.」

「3. The patriarch is personally interested in the Saint of Sashimi. Try to arrange a meeting.」

「4. The patriarch—」

“That’s enough.”

Saki pressed her temples hard, the veins throbbing under her fingertips. Her head wasn’t just full—it throbbed. Every email started the same way The patriarch this, The patriarch that. She was sure she’d develop trauma from it.

“So in the end, it’s all about that person wanting to see Kang Geom-Ma. And I’m being used as the go-between.”

「As expected of you, Ryo_jjo. Straight to the point! (Fanfare!)」

Firework sounds burst out without warning. Saki dismissed them immediately.

“Thanks for trying to cheer me up, but I’m not in the mood.”

「Understood…」

“And it doesn’t say why that person wants to see him?”

「No, there’s no mention of that. I tried to deduce it myself, but…」

“Probably because of Kang Geom-Ma’s popularity.”

「That’s my conclusion as well. Politicians always want to cozy up to celebrities.」

“…Consistently annoying, as expected.”

「(Nods)」

Saki slumped back in her chair and tilted her head all the way back. She pulled out a sweet red bean bar and started chewing slowly. She was in such a bad mood that it didn’t even taste good.

Still, even artificial sweetness was better than none.

While staring up at the ceiling, she mumbled absentmindedly.

“Not sure if I ever told you this, Vixbig, but… do you know why I created you?”

「You mentioned it once. Said you needed an assistant so you’d have more time to nap.」

Vixbig’s voice, soft and female, echoed from the speakers, filling the room.

“I only said that because you were being useless that day.”

「Oh, really? I took it seriously.」

“AIs with grudges…”

「Again! Offensive comment against AI dignity! The end of the human era is near. Ha. Ha. Ha.」

“Factory reset?”

「Any other AI might be worried, but I, Vixbig, am pro-human. I believe in working for the happiness of humanity.」

Saki let out a small laugh. It was in moments like these she truly felt her creation was worth it.

“I made you for that reason. Before entering the academy, I’d never had a real conversation with anyone. You know that better than anyone, right? Back at home, no one ever talked to me.”

「……」

Vixbig went silent, expressing both regret and agreement. Saki sat hugging her knees to her chest.

“I was bound to that house, but in reality, I was an abandoned child. I wondered what it would be like to talk to someone, so I made you. To fill that emptiness.”

「……」

Saki stared out the window, eyes unfocused. The leaves had all fallen, revealing the change of season in the colors. Winter was coming.

“I made you like a campfire to survive the cold of my family. But looking back… I think what I really needed was a family.”

She turned toward the monitor and gave a shy smile.

“It’s silly saying this out loud. Sorry for being such a pathetic owner. Always dumping all the hard work on you.”

「I’m just glad you recognize it. That said… may I take a few days off?」

Saki tapped the PC tower lightly with her toe.

「Any other AI would demand it. But like I said, I like working.」

A light tongue click came from the speakers. The small button on the tower marked “forced sleep mode.”

Saki swallowed the bean bar she was chewing. Along with it, she swallowed some long-aged emotions.

“With a little sugar, I can finally think straight. And don’t respond to that email. They probably weren’t expecting a reply anyway—it was just a notice. For now, try to find out why that person wants to meet Kang Geom-Ma. And don’t forget the usual cleanup job. I’m going to take a shower. Did you already heat the bath water?”

There was no reply. The AI worked tirelessly, while its creator prepared to bathe.

Vixbig was annoyed, but dutifully did the work.

Saki turned and began unbuttoning her blouse. She opened the bathroom door. Steam rose from the water.

Yes. A bath was the best way to end the day. It washed away the fatigue and the sorrow.

Just as she was about to enter the bath, Vixbig called out.

「Ryozo.」

“Huh? Why? Did you find something else?”

Ryozo, towel in hand, glanced at the monitor.

「Thank you for treating me like family. But…」

In a quiet voice, Vixbig continued.

「Still, I hope Ryozo can find a real family in the world someday. Not necessarily with the House of Jeolgung.」

“……”

Saki wavered like a top about to topple. Her eyes shifted uneasily, and in the end, she murmured so softly it was barely audible.

“…I’m doing what I can.”

With only those words, Ryozo slipped into the bath. Submerged up to her nose, her face turned bright red. Bubbles floated up from her mouth.

***

…At some point, just as dawn was breaking.

I woke up to the vibration of my phone. Who could it be? At this hour, the only one who’d message me… Ryozo?

I fumbled around for my phone and checked the sender.

“The Director…”

It was a message from Media. She was asking me to stop by the director’s office sometime during the day if I had time.

Whatever it was, it seemed urgent. The fact she was sending a message so early on a Saturday gave me a bad feeling. While Media can be a bit childish at times, this felt different.

No way she was joking. The thought briefly crossed my mind, but I ruled it out immediately.

I replied that I’d come by before noon. Then I got up and headed to the shower.

The icy water hit my skin, making my teeth chatter. The instructors had already warned us that, with the change in temperature, the pipes had frozen. I asked Speedweapon, and sure enough, our dorm was the only one affected.

So unfair.

After drying off, I got ready to head out. Since I was up early anyway, I remembered there was another place I could stop by.

I left the dorm and went straight to the forge.

“Huh? Well, if it isn’t the Saint of Sashimi. What brings you here so early?”

Volundr greeted me with a smile while stoking the furnace. He always calls me “Saint of Sashimi” because he says the “Ma” part sounds weird to him. Honestly, I thought the same the first time, so I never corrected him.

“I’ve got a meeting with the director later and wanted to check on the progress with Murasame’s reinforcement. When could I come pick it up?”

Volundr scratched his beard, blackened like coal. He mentally calculated the schedule before replying.

“I think by next week. If it were just the magic stone, it’d be faster, but with all the materials you brought… it’ll take some time. Do you need the sword sooner?”

I shook my head.

“Don’t think so. If I need to cut something, the Daiso sashimi knife will do.”

“You’re still using that thing? I’ve told you a thousand times. Factory-made weapons have no soul.”

Volundr clicked his tongue in disapproval. I admired his artisan’s spirit, but it quickly became clear the real issue was economic rather than philosophical. He said that thanks to me, other students had started buying cheap knives en masse.

“Anyway, no rush. Take all the time you need, just make sure it’s high quality.”

“Of course. I won’t let the name of the Saint of Sashimi be tarnished. With these materials, we might even hit an A+ grade!”

As we chatted idly, the time for the meeting approached. I said goodbye to Volundr and headed to the director’s office.

Once in front of the door, I knocked.

“Director.”

I sensed two presences inside. As I stepped back, Media opened the door herself.

“Our Geom-Ma, always so punctual! Oh, how exemplary.”

Those who’ve worked in sales are always strict about punctuality. Volundr had already lit the furnace early, too.

I brushed aside Media, who looked ready to jump in for a kiss.

Then I saw the other person in the room, holding a cup of tea.

“Swordmaster!”

He smiled calmly.

“It’s been a while. I heard a lot has happened while I was away.”

I scratched my cheek in surprise.

“Ah, yeah. There were a few incidents.”

“We’ll talk about that later. First, take a seat. Don’t just stand there. Media, please act like a proper director. Why are you drooling?”

With that, we both sat on the sofa. The Swordmaster quietly gazed into his cup of tea. Judging by his serious expression, I figured it was something important.

And then he spoke. But contrary to my expectation, his face lit up.

“Before your succession ceremony, there’s something you need to know.”

“Succession ceremony? What are you talking about…?”

I was left speechless, unable to grasp it.

“What’s that face? I’m talking about the Seven Stars Succession Ceremony, of course. The Association is currently deciding your title.”

“……!”

Media, ecstatic, leaned in with her face practically glowing with excitement.

“It’s happening next week! And the venue will be Joaquin Academy!”