Mixed-Blood in a Gender Role Reversed World - Chapter 46

 Chapter 46 : Contract (2)

"Can I sit down, Team Leader?"  

"..."  

At Sehwa’s voice, tinged with a hint of dissatisfaction, Sia covered her face with her hands and squeezed her eyes shut. She knew hiding like this wouldn’t change anything, but with no better ideas coming to mind, she resorted to this foolish avoidance.  

"Sigh..."  

"Sit down!"  

Sehwa’s exasperated sigh, as if his patience had run dry, prompted Sia to reflexively gesture toward a chair. Only then did Sehwa brush back his bangs and sit down across from her, speaking with a slightly hurt tone.  

"You could’ve at least sent me a text."  

"...I’m really sorry. I forgot."  

It was a lie. Sia still couldn’t meet Sehwa’s eyes directly. The memory was still vivid   her pathetic self pacing back and forth in the room, fiddling with her phone.  

"It’s fine. So, we’re signing the contract now, right?" 

"Just... hold on a second."  

Sehwa looked at Sia as if one apology had washed away all her resentment. Sia met his gaze, imprinting Sehwa’s image onto her retina. A face that practically screamed, (I’m mixed-race) Russian, no less. What kind of cruel twist of fate was this?  

The first time, nameless Russian women had killed her friend. The second time, she had wronged Mina.  

And now, the third time, with Sehwa... If that wretched Yu jin showed up, who knows what would happen? She might barge in and force some disgusting drugs on men, as she always did. When that time came, Sehwa might end up despising her.  

(Should I just send him away?)

Sia shook her head. She’d already submitted his report. Sending away a mere boy might seem simple, but that woman would undoubtedly cause a scene and wreak havoc. Sia couldn’t bear to see the club fall apart the only place left that held memories of her friend.  

Her mind was flooded with thoughts. Filtering out the unnecessary ones and trying to focus on something positive, a vague solution began to form. Yujin hated men with tattoos, so maybe it would be fine. If she could send Sehwa somewhere before Yujin showed up...  

(Damn it.)

(It would’ve been better if I didn’t know anything.)

She didn’t want anyone to get hurt because of her. Sehwa’s expression, saying those words, lingered in her mind. It was probably the same expression she herself had worn. If she hadn’t dragged her friend into this world, she wouldn’t have had to offer chrysanthemums at her grave.  

Sia gripped her sinking mood tightly. Did she even have the right to worry like this? Her hands were already stained with blood, and now she was playing at being a saint?  

*Clench.*  

Sia gritted her teeth, a resolve born from the realization that it was already too late. She smoothed out her distorted expression, lifted her head, and stared into Sehwa’s brilliantly colored eyes.  

"Let’s sign the contract."  

___

"So, this is..."  

Sia was explaining something earnestly, spreading out papers in front of her. I listened to her delicate voice with one ear and let it slip out the other, propping my chin up and studying her face.  

kWhy are all the women around me like this? Hayul, Mina, and now the Team Leader every single one of them.)

Was it because of this gender role reversed world? The thought crossed my mind. Even in my past life, beauties like these were rare, even online strange, to say the least. But that was just a fleeting, meaningless thought. The real reason I was staring at Sia’s face was something else.  

She’d looked upset ever since she saw me.  

She was trying to act like everything was fine now, but I could tell it wasn’t. Her pupils trembled behind her long lashes. Even the mole under her eye seemed pitiful, reminding me of a sad, wet kitten shivering in the rain.  

How would you feel seeing a kitten like that? I couldn’t help but feel down too. Was my presence here that unwelcome?  

"So, basically..."  

"You don’t seem to like me very much."  

My calm tone hit harder than expected, and Sia froze mid-sentence, her hand on the contract.  

"...That’s not it."  

"It’s written all over your face. If you changed your mind, you could’ve just told me earlier. Before I got hurt. Excuse me."  

I gave a wry smile, half-joking, and stood up as if to leave. Sia, visibly flustered, grabbed my arm.  

*Thud.*  

"Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I was just worried... Don’t feel hurt."  

Did she take my joke as serious? I’d only teased her because I felt a bit slighted, but now she was apologizing profusely, looking guilty. I felt bad for making her feel that way.  

"I was kidding. You just looked so upset. You seem like a really good person, Team Leader. We’ve only just met, and you’re already worried about me."  

"...Thanks."  

Despite the compliment, Sia’s expression grew even more pained. I looked at her, puzzled, but her face quickly turned blank, revealing nothing.  

After that, the contract went smoothly, and we signed it. When Sia stood up to guide me, I grabbed her arm.  

"Why? Are you having second thoughts now...?"  

"..."  

Her words, almost urging me to give up, made me narrow my eyes slightly. (Enough already.) To a third party, it might’ve looked absurd a mere part-timer defying their employer.  

But Sia didn’t seem to care, tilting her head as she asked,

 "Then why...?"  

"I have a favor to ask. Could you introduce me to the team as 20 years old?"  

"Hmm..."  

Sia held her chin, pretending to think it over, though it was obvious she was just going through the motions.  

"...Alright."  

"Thank you."  

As Sia turned and walked away, I smiled, feeling a sense of relief.  

_____

"I’m Ryu Sehwa. Nice to meet you all."  

"Everyone heard that? Teach him well... and try not to let him get hurt."  

"I’m fine. You know I’m used to this."  

"Still, be careful. I have some work to finish..."  

Thanks to Sia bursting into the break room, my introduction was over in a flash. After she left, I was left to deal with the awkwardness alone.  

"Hey, welcome! Yo, open a window!"  

"I thought Yoo Yeri was just joking, but... wow."  

A girl who’d been gaping at me since I walked in and a burly guy who looked like he’d earned the nickname "Tank" took turns speaking. Others were there too, all staring at me, lost in their own thoughts.  

"Sehwa! You remember me, right? Yoo Yeri!"  

Someone who’d been sprawled on the sofa jumped up, speaking excitedly. Her familiar face made me smile.  

"Good to see you again, senior. When do we start work?"

"Oh, right. Everyone, get ready. Let’s go."  

The clock showed it was getting dark outside, meaning the club’s opening time was near. At Yeri’s call, the team members began preparing.  

As if they’d already decided who’d train me, Yeri approached and started explaining.  

"This is the walkie-talkie. We use it to report situations like if something’s happening on the first floor or inside. I’ll teach you slowly, so don’t worry."  

She handed me an earpiece, the kind you’d see in movies. Putting it on felt oddly familiar and kind of cool. I wasn’t the only one who thought so Ye-ri looked at me with an impressed expression.  

"It suits you. Since it’s your first day, just handle inspections at the entrance. Stop minors and do entry checks."  

"Entry checks?"  

At my question, Ye-ri pulled out her phone. Soon, mine buzzed with a notification a photo she’d sent to the guard team’s group chat.  

"Level 1: No overweight guys or ‘auntie-style’ women. Just follow this, got it?"  

"So, it’s just a reference?"  

I glanced at the photo again, barely suppressing a grin.  

"Well, it doesn’t really matter how they dress. If they’ve got the face, let them in. Just watch what I do."  

Yeri glanced at my face, her words carrying a subtle implication. I shrugged slightly, catching her drift.  

____

_

(Why are there so many people?)

At the club entrance, a massive crowd of men and women waited, the line stretching endlessly. A parade of revealing outfits and eager faces filled the scene, some women wearing clothes so tight they barely fit, brimming with confidence.  

Confidence was nice, but the sight was a bit hard on the eyes. Narrowing my gaze, Yeri leaned in and whispered.  

"Sehwa, those are the kind of guests I meant. You’ve got to turn them  away. No choice."  

"Got it."  

As we whispered close to each other before opening the doors, I felt the team’s eyes on us and cut the chatter.  

"Time to get serious, huh? Maybe it’s because I’m the newbie, but those looks aren’t exactly friendly."  

"Those guys? Pfft, Sehwa, you’re too innocent. They’re just jealous."  

Yeri waved it off, assuring me not to worry. Then, a call came through the walkie-talkie to start operations, and the doors swung open.  

___

"Can I see your ID?"  

Yeri, true to her senior status, transformed the moment work began. With a commanding tone, she checked IDs and scanned them with a device.  

I watched her closely, learning the ropes. Once I got the hang of it, I stepped out from the corner and approached her.  

"Senior, can I try now?"  

"Already? You’re eager."  

Grinning as if impressed, Yeri stepped aside without a fuss. Standing in the center of the entrance with teammates on either side, I started handling guests.  

"Could you show me your ID, please?"  

"Y-Yes, sure!"  

The first person was a woman with a short bob and a disciplined tone. Something about her felt different from a typical civilian, so I asked casually.  

"Are you in the military?"  

"Uh... yes. I’m on leave as a new recruit."  

I’d half-guessed, but she was really a soldier. Seeing a female soldier from this world in person felt oddly fascinating, but also a bit sad. Even with reverse genders role, there was a sense of camaraderie. I hadn’t served, but still.  

*She’s on leave, so she should enjoy herself. Must be tough.*  

Her shy gaze, cautiously scanning me, only added to the pity I felt. But before I could dwell on it, Yeri approached with a stern look, ready to warn her.  

"Ma’am, you’re..."  

"You must work hard protecting the country. Have fun tonight."  

I grabbed Yeri’s arm to stop her, offering the woman sincere words of encouragement. Her expression brightened, and she looked touched as she returned my gaze.  

After scanning her ID, I patted her shoulder and smiled. She mumbled a thank-you, blushing, and hurried inside.  

"Sehwa, did you really mean that? About her working hard for the country?"  

Yeri asked with an intense look. I smiled lightly, as if it were obvious.  

"Of course. We sleep soundly because of people like her."  

Man or woman, duty deserves respect. My heartfelt words seemed to resonate, as the eyes of Yeri and the other female team members blazed with warmth.  

_______________________________________

Translated by Reversalmanhwa.web.id  

/ Reversalnovel.web.id