What is dependency?
People unconsciously rely on something to live.
But dependency is so excessive that it’s called a disease.
It’s a very difficult disease to treat because the dependency is so severe that one cannot live without the object of their dependency.
Simply put, there was a question, ‘Since they depend on it, why not just remove it?’
If you take away a cigarette from a smoker to make them quit, will they really quit?
On the contrary, if it’s suddenly taken away, withdrawal symptoms will appear, and the person will likely deteriorate further.
Dependency is similar to that.
If the object of dependency suddenly disappears, the direction of dependency might turn strange, or the condition might even worsen.
‘That’s why it’s difficult.’
Literally, once you start depending on something, it’s like a train running endlessly.
You can slow the train down, but trying to stop it suddenly could cause everything to crash, so you have to be careful…
–Cling.
“Mmm…”
Freyf was hugging Protagonist’s arm tightly and napping.
Seeing this, Protagonist could be sure.
From last night, her constant attempts to cling to Protagonist made it clear she was depending on Protagonist.
However, the opposite thought also crossed Protagonist’s mind.
‘Is Freyf’s dependency on me really a bad thing?’
Considering Freyf’s rebellious refusal of counseling, this might be better.
If she depended on Protagonist, Protagonist could easily handle her in the future.
‘Still, excessive dependency is dangerous.’
If dependency deepens, it could easily turn into obsession.
In fact, a contradiction might arise where she harms the object of her dependency in order to depend on them.
Just as Protagonist instilled and managed love in Ai, Protagonist would need to manage Freyf’s dependency.
Protagonist feared that if the dependency became too severe, it could become a great poison.
Protagonist also worried that if Protagonist, the object of her dependency, were to disappear, she might break, listening only to Protagonist’s words…
So.
“First, I think I need to help her resolve her family issues.”
While dependency was important, her family issues, which led to this situation, also concerned Protagonist.
Domestic violence is very difficult for outsiders to intervene in, so figuring out how to resolve it was also quite challenging.
‘Ultimately, Freyf’s will is important to break free from the cycle of domestic violence.’
“Mmm…”
“What should I really do?”
It’s like, it’s hard to get used to someone suddenly changing so drastically.
Still, Protagonist considered it fortunate.
‘Rather, if she depends on me moderately like this, she might even be more useful as a magical girl.’
Dependency itself is ultimately a desire to be loved by someone, so it would be helpful for her.
That pure desire to be loved and receive attention.
‘Should I go to the bathroom first?’
A signal rising from below.
Protagonist carefully pulled his arm from Freyf, who was sleeping in his embrace, and headed to the bathroom.
‘Since I’m up, maybe I should have a quick smoke?’
There might be a slight smell on Protagonist’s body, but ultimately, this was like a daily routine.
Something that made Protagonist’s hands tremble and things not go well if he didn’t smoke.
–Knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the bathroom door.
Freyf? Was she perhaps in a hurry to use the bathroom?
“H-Hello, is anyone inside…?”
“If you’re in a hurry, I’ll be out right away.”
“N-No, it’s not that… You suddenly disappeared, so… I’m sorry.”
‘This is severe.’
Just a brief moment, and she came looking for Protagonist?
It seemed her dependency had come on stronger than expected, so Protagonist quickly exited the bathroom.
“Ah…”
When Protagonist came out of the bathroom, he saw Freyf sitting facing the door.
She was hugging her knees, waiting quietly.
Her dark complexion gradually brightened as her eyes met Protagonist’s.
However, Freyf seemed to be gauging Protagonist’s reaction, unable to get up readily, just looking up at Protagonist.
‘Is this not just ordinary dependency, but a result combined with affection deficiency?’
Her behavior seemed to be stronger than that of typical dependency.
“Please get up for now.”
“Yes…”
–Plop.
As Protagonist extended his hand, Freyf finally crawled up from the floor.
“I thought you suddenly disappeared, and then…”
“It’s okay. More importantly, Freyf?”
“Yes, tell me.”
“I, I need to go outside for a bit, so could you wait for me?”
Protagonist asked just in case.
If she could be apart from Protagonist for a short while.
However, the answer didn’t come immediately; instead, Freyf hesitated, again gauging Protagonist’s reaction.
“I… I’m going to smoke… and Freyf doesn’t smoke.”
“Oh, no, I’m used to the smoke. I’ll go with you! It’s more comfortable to have someone to talk to than to smoke alone, isn’t it?”
“…Alright.”
For a non-smoker, cigarette smoke can be quite repulsive, but she was willing to endure it.
This was severe.
In the end, Freyf followed Protagonist outside, all the way to the smoking booth.
“Cough, cough… Ahem. Mmm.”
Freyf winced at the acrid smell.
She seemed uncomfortable and looked like she wanted to leave immediately, but she was trying hard to endure it, clutching Protagonist’s arm tightly.
‘This makes me feel like trash.’
The gazes of the men already in the smoking booth were very subtle.
It was as if they were looking at Protagonist and Freyf…
‘Is this how they look at an abused wife?’
Pitying glances focused on Freyf.
The gazes directed at Protagonist were like those reserved for the worst scumbag on Earth.
Because of their stares, Protagonist had to finish quickly and leave the smoking booth.
Unlike inside the smoking booth, fresh air greeted them.
“Phew… Hmm, hmm!”
Freyf seemed pleased by the fresh air, regaining her smile.
She linked her arm through Protagonist’s, pressing her body even closer.
‘Her physical affection is too natural.’
Unlike Ai, Freyf seemed to have no boundaries when it came to physical affection.
Even though it had progressed to kissing now, Ai had still escalated physical affection step by step.
But Freyf was something else.
As if it had been like that from the beginning.
She very naturally wrapped her arm around Protagonist’s and slept in the same bed.
In a way, it seemed she might not understand the nuances of typical physical affection due to her dependency.
‘I should probably talk to her soon.’
Protagonist had finished a cigarette, and his mind was clear enough, so it seemed like time to unravel the tangled situation.
“Freyf.”
“Yes, Counselor.”
“Freyf, how long do you plan to stay here?”
“What?”
Wasn’t that obvious?
Protagonist and Freyf were nothing to each other.
Just a client and a counselor.
Since their relationship was nothing more than that, it was strange for them to be in the same house.
Freyf was surprised even by such an obvious statement.
“Did I do something wrong…? No, if there was anything unpleasant, I’ll fix it.”
“No, it’s not that.”
“Perhaps… you didn’t like breakfast? If you just tell me what you’d like to eat…”
“Freyf.”
Freyf became even more flustered, and tears gradually welled up in her eyes.
She released her arm from Protagonist’s, then took his hand with both of hers, as if pleading desperately.
“I, I’m good at housework. I’m good at many things… So, if you don’t need that and want something else, I’ll accommodate everything.”
“Freyf.”
“If you want my body, even right now…”
‘Her mental state is too unstable.’
Dependency isn’t the only problem.
Freyf’s mental state was so unstable that it wouldn’t be strange if she suffered a mental breakdown soon.
It was to the point where Protagonist wondered, ‘How on earth has she endured until now?’
Protagonist stopped Freyf, who was about to undress, and looked into her eyes.
Her eyes were stained with tears, and the area around them was flushed with light pink.
Separately, her face was pale, and Protagonist gently wiped away the moisture, saying:
“Freyf, you don’t originally live in this house, do you? Don’t you have a home to return to?”
“Ah, th-that, I do have a home, but…”
“I know it’s a very uncomfortable situation for you to go back home. But you can’t keep staying here, can you?”
Freyf also seemed to face reality to some extent, stammering and becoming nervous.
Since she couldn’t answer, perhaps Protagonist should suggest a path first.
“If going home is uncomfortable for you, how about living independently?”
“Independently?”
“Yes, if returning home is difficult, I thought you might consider living independently. There’s a good housing-related policy among the Magical Girl Support programs that…”
“No.”
“What?”
“I don’t want to be alone again… I don’t want to be lonely at home.”
This was unexpected.
If so, there was only one conclusion left.
What Freyf wanted was not independence or escape from domestic violence after all.
Her dislike of loneliness and desire for a warm home meant she wanted to continue living with Protagonist.
‘Is there a solution to this?’
The only solution might truly be cohabitation.
If Protagonist forcibly separated them here?
There was no guarantee her dependency would improve.
Her usual mental state might even become more unstable.
“Counselor.”
Freyf looked up, her eyes brimming with tears.
Ultimately, Protagonist seemed to have no choice but to make a decision.
Either kick her out like this or accept her plea.
****
Before entering the room, Protagonist took another deep breath.
Yeonwoo, don’t be nervous.
This isn’t your first time with something like this.
If you get caught about this, you’re finished.
After organizing his thoughts, Protagonist took out perfume from his pocket.
He sprayed it on himself to erase his scent before his counseling session with Ai.
–Creak.
Only then could Protagonist open the door and enter.
“Counselor Oppa!”
“You came early again today, Ai.”
Ai smiled brightly, looking at Protagonist.
Guilt and tension began to rise on Protagonist’s face.
Protagonist absolutely couldn’t let Ai find out.
‘The moment Ai finds out about the cohabitation with Freyf, it’s over.’
Protagonist couldn’t separate himself from Freyf, who had developed dependency, so he ended up cohabiting with her.
The biggest problem was that Ai still didn’t know about this cohabitation.
‘Oh God, please help me just this once.’
Isn’t it time you answered one of my prayers?