Late in the afternoon in the Neutral Zone.
Claire was out patrolling the various facilities making sure that none of the new Earthlings were causing trouble.
It was fine though. Apparently, due to the modified tutorial because of Jinhee's presence, the ones who would have been troublesome had already filtered themselves out.
That just left the people who were enjoying training and grinding points before entering Paradise.
Watching it all, Claire couldn't help but feel nostalgic for the time she met Jihu.
'Although this is was what it should be like...'
A peaceful atmosphere, everyone cooperating and working together... that had NOT been the case for the Neutral Zone earlier that year.
And even more than that, Jihu had been a catalyst to make it even more extreme. Between him, Hao, and the others who were at the top of the rankings, as well as Cinzia placing that artificial deadline, everything had been hectic.
'Even so, it had been necessary at the time.'
Six months in reality, but over a year in Paradise.
During that time... since that time Jihu arrived, everything had changed.
Sinyoung was toppled and removed. Paradise's kingdoms had regained their prestige. The Parasite Queen and her ranks were effectively a nonissue...
The words Cinzia said that day as the Neutral Zone concluded... that it was a 'Lost Paradise' the Earthlings were entering.
'It's no longer true.'
That much could be seen in how everyone was milling about, sharing tips, and discussing how to accumulate enough points to get useful items from the various shops.
Although there would likely still be Parasites and other monsters around in the world beyond the Neutral Zone... the desperation was gone now. Not just hope, but certainty had taken a hold of Paradise.
The certainty that the long war was over. That peace was around the corner.
Thinking that, Claire subconsciously fiddled with the ruby ring on her left hand. "...You shameless man."
Claire could still remember it.
What began as interest turned into admiration. What became admiration simmered into affection. And how that affection turned into love and devotion after Jihu saved her with this ring and the stiletto he gave her on that mission.
It wasn't to gain her affection. It wasn't to seduce her. And it wasn't for gratitude.
No.
Jihu had simply done it because he didn't want Claire to disappear. Not love, not affection, not any ulterior motive. Just simply a refusal to let her go as she had always done, expecting to end up in an unmarked grave, lost and forgotten after completing her duties.
Lost in her thoughts, Claire realized that she was back at the gym where she had first trained Jihu.
No one was inside it right now. Odelette was supposed to be the one hosting it, but it seemed that she had chosen to neglect her duties a bit and close up early.
Claire hummed and walked inside. As she did, she took a look around, reflecting on the past.
"...I've changed quite a bit, haven't I?"
Claire could still vividly remember those days. How she had simply been moving on autopilot, focused on her duties. Acting as Cinzia's enforcer, cleaning up what needed to be cleaned...
And then Jihu had entered her life.
From that point, bit by bit, she had changed.
Subconsciously refusing to use her first name, Agnes, which sounded a bit too old and formal. Going by Claire instead because it sounded better to her ears when Jihu said it.
After that, doing her duties but steadily getting a bit sloppier. Distracted.
Then, that fateful mission, missing a key detail.
...Claire hadn't lied to Jihu. Cinzia HAD thrown her out from Sicilia. But not because Cinzia thought Claire was useless. Instead...
*At this rate, you're going to get yourself killed. A woman in love with a man can't fight in a place he isn't. Go to him, Claire. You've done enough, so this once, be happy.*
"...That was the first time I heard Boss be sentimental." Claire let out a soft chuckled, fiddling with her ring.
It was true though.
Whenever Claire wasn't with Jihu... especially after he completed the mission she failed.
Claire couldn't think straight. The focused blade that Sicilia had honed to a razor edge had been dulled by love...
No.
It had been plucked by another wielder, the balance shifting to fit that one's hands.
And since then, Claire's world had been offkilter.
A woman who turned herself to a steel blade had reclaimed her heart. But since she had, she was unfamiliar with what to do with it.
And the man she awkwardly gave her heart to...
Claire let out an amused laugh. "Well. He's not quite the ideal man to love, is he...?"
An outstanding man surrounded by outstanding beauties.
Although Claire didn't think she lost out much... she did lack a certain presence the others had.
Even so, she was content.
This peace she had acquired, the soft bit of warmth from his love.
Placing her left hand over her heart and feeling the faint mana radiating from the ring, Claire smiled and said, "I don't mind it."
"But I do, Claire."
Claire flinched and spun around just in time to see Jihu standing there, leaning against the wall.
His clothes looked freshly laundered... and it seemed he had just finished showering.
Claire smiled and said, "Did you just return from spending time with one of the other women in your life?"
"Since you asked, yes. But that's not why I'm here." Jihu walked over and said, "Come sit and talk with me a bit." After that, he headed towards the office in the back.
Claire followed.
Jihu sat down at a chair in the back and gestured for Claire to sit beside him.
She did. When she did, she said, "What did you want to discuss, Jihu?"
"Us."
Claire instinctively tensed.
"Relax." Jihu let out a warm smile. "I'm not calling it off or anything like that. I want you in my life, Claire."
Claire slowly relaxed after hearing those words. "...Understood. But..." She tilted her head, confused. "...What do you want to talk about then? Is this logistics?"
Considering the number of women in Jihu's life, she supposed it DID make sense to discuss that...
"Oh. Or is this in regards to Paradise itself? Is there a mission you would like me to perform?"
"Not that. I just wanted to know something, Claire."
Claire blinked. Then she nodded. "Ask me anything, Jihu. You know that I will always answer."
"How do you feel loved? You in particular."
Claire froze.
Jihu shifted in his seat to look at Claire and said, "It's easy for me to feel loved. But I know that it might not be for you to feel loved. And I know that I've already made missteps and hurt you. So I wanted to know explicitly. Claire." He reached out and gently held her hand. "How can I make you feel loved? Properly?"
Claire blinked. Then her gaze softened as she looked into Jihu's eyes. "...You already do, Jihu." She placed her other hand over Jihu's and said, "Moments like this. Where you look at me and speak to me as a person. Where you are considerate and listen to me. Where you take the time to check in on me... I cannot speak for other women, but this is more than enough."
Jihu shook his head. "You say that, but... is it really true?" He looked into her eyes. "I don't want to hurt you. Like you said, you don't have a place to return to. Just me. So I want to make sure you feel properly loved. Valued."
Claire gently massaged the back of Jihu's hand and said, "I'm grateful, Jihu. But I'm also being serious." She let out a soft chuckle. "I tease you about it... but truly."
As a woman who had discarded her emotions long ago just to survive. As an enforcer who had to become steel to live. As a girl who realized from a young age that beauty was better used as a weapon...
Claire let out a warm smile and said, "I feel at peace around you. I don't know if this is love... I've never felt it before. But I want to call it love. And..." She pulled Jihu's hand up, resting her head against it. "...It's worth more to me than anything I could have."
No treasure, no accolade, no accomplishment could match up to simply being with Jihu.
Jihu hesitated. Then he said, "...Does it not bother you then? The other women in my life? And what about your own life? Just living for my sake..."
Claire chuckled. "Jihu." She let go of his hands and then cupped Jihu's face. "Listen to me carefully." Gently caressing his cheeks, she said, "I am a woman who only knows how to be kept and used. And I'm far past the point to learn how to be anything else. So long as you treat me with respect, don't throw me away, and appreciate me every now and then... I am more than fine."
"...Man." Jihu let out a helpless chuckle, placing his forehead against Claire's. "I have the misfortune of having such wonderful women in my life. I want to give you the world, but you say that a small corner is enough. That's a bit annoying, you know?"
Claire laughed. Then she gave Jihu a soft kiss. "Well, some women like me don't know what to do with the world." She leaned against Jihu and said, "All I want is to be held and cherished. Not all the time. Just every now and then. To know that you care."
"That's hard." Jihu rubbed his hand down her back. "It's a slippery slope, giving me that much freedom."
"Mm. But you're Jihu. The man I chose to love wouldn't take advantage of me like that."
"...You're cruel. But." Jihu gently kissed Claire again. "That's true."
Claire smiled. "...There is one thing I would ask you."
"What is it?"
Claire laughed. "Well..." She let out a teasing smile and said, "...It's been amusing seeing your parents' reaction to me. Would you properly introduce me as your mistress to them?"
"...Are you serious?"
"Deadly." Claire nodded. Then she felt her face heat up as she fidgeted. "I-It is a bit embarrassing to admit. But... I have always enjoyed that fantasy. Of being a kept woman hidden in private... O-Or being owned a bit like... that. You know?"
Jihu blinked. Then he let out another helpless laugh. "Well. If that's what you want." He gently kissed her neck. "Then that's what you'll have."
"Mm... one last thing. Then I'll let you continue placating the rest of your women."
"Ah, you realized that, huh?"
Claire laughed. "You don't smell like any other women, but I can read between the lines. It's fine though. The fact that you were considerate enough to clean yourself up first is enough. But as for my favor..." She bared her neck. "Mark me. Properly."
"W-What? Seriously?"
"Seriously." Claire nodded. "...You're likely going to be drained dry today, so I'll pass on that. Also, I anticipate quite a few babies in the future, so I want to delay that so I can help handle them. But at least this." She tapped her neck. "Lay your claim properly on my body. You've already healed it of all its previous scars, remember? So... leave your marks on me instead."
Jihu blinked. Then he chuckled. "Alright. If that's what you want. Then..." He leaned in and breathed against Claire's ear. "As you wish." After that, he sank his teeth into her neck.
"Hn...?!"
Jihu gently kissed the red teethmarks there and then pulled her in for a proper kiss. "Satisfied?"
Claire let out a content sigh. "More than satisfied. Now." She chuckled. "Go on. I'm sure there are plenty of other women you need to placate before things spiral out of control, yes? After all, Hannah is pregnant."
Jihu's eyes widened. "Did she tell people already?"
"No. But I've been observant and have experience as a midwife. I don't believe the others have noticed quite yet... But I do anticipate quite the chaotic scramble if they do before you've ensured the others are loved."
"Thanks, Claire. Appreciate you." Jihu kissed her cheek and said, "I'm off-"
"Shower again first."
Jihu blinked. Then he smiled. "Thanks. Bye for now. Love you."
Claire chuckled and waved as Jihu vanished.
After he did, and after sitting alone in the empty room, Claire shook her head and said, "Well... At least life will never be boring around that man."