My Strange Savior - Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Without any embellishment, a sincere voice filled the space.

“But… when sister left, I couldn’t do anything. I’m sorry, Rey, I couldn’t help despite making big promises.”

Her lips pouted, and her moist eyes seemed on the verge of tears. The vision blurred.

“Why are you saying you did well?”

Gia blinked her eyes vigorously, scolding herself.

“Why cry? Useless.”

The heavy sighs and breaths irresistibly dragged Gia down.

How could one offer comfort to a seven-year-old who had just lost his parents?

Gently, a hand rose to the belly button.

Even Gia, who lost her mother at just ten, couldn’t forget the feeling of the sky collapsing. How would Rey feel, losing the protective barrier of parents at an even younger age?

It was beyond imagination.

“Haah…”

Any words of comfort would be insufficient for Rey.

Gia bit her lower lip, pulling the corners of her mouth downward.

It seemed impossible to console Rey with any words.

Maybe Kalion could do it.

Gia stood up abruptly, as if to leave the room, but suddenly stopped.

“What would he say if he saw me like this?”

Clad only in underwear, Gia draped a white gown over herself and looked at her reflection in the mirror in the corner of the room.

“Not easy to please that stoic guy.”

Gia frowned at the only difference between swimwear and underwear being waterproofing.

There were times she trained wearing only a bra top. 

If she mentioned that, Kalion would probably give her a stern lecture on the etiquette of this place. Imagining Kalion’s expression without even looking, Gia chuckled as she looked at herself in the mirror.

“Subtle inspiration, huh.”

The old woman, the leader of the Shelter, and Kalion seemed to share similar characteristics.

“Oh, by the way, what should I wear… Oh.”

Having washed her combat uniform and hung it near the bonfire, Gia, who had nothing else to wear, frantically searched around.

Her eyes widened when she found a folded piece of white cloth on the table.

“Is this it?”

Carefully picking it up, Gia unfolded the white dress, and her eyes widened even more.

“This is it.”

Lifting it gently, she revealed a flowing white dress.

“No stretch… not at all.”

Grumbling, Gia squeezed herself into the dress, showcasing her tight curves. Despite her petite stature, she boasted a well-defined figure, with ample breasts catching the eye.

“No flexibility at all… like a corset.”

Whining, Gia pushed her chest into the dress, checking her appearance in the mirror.

“The skirt… feels awkward.”

The skirt she wore during the helicopter ride was the last one she had worn.

Feeling the wind between her legs was so awkward that Gia crossed her legs.

“Is this how it’s supposed to be?”

Sucking in the air, Gia stood in front of the mirror for a while, unable to tear herself away.

“Is it right?”

The initial momentum seemed to have disappeared, and the voice, now lacking confidence, gradually grew quieter.

“Um…”

With awkward movements, she spun around, causing the skirt to flare out widely. The white material of the dress, cinched below the chest, was so thin that it almost revealed the color of her black underwear. 

Realizing this, Gia awkwardly scratched the back of her head.

It was too late to wake people up to ask for different clothes. 

Doubting her choice, Gia rechecked her outfit.

“Well, at least… it’s not too flashy. It should be fine, I guess.”

Meeting Kalion was becoming quite challenging. As she adjusted the line below her chest, her hands rose, accentuating the deep curves of her gathered chest.

“Alright! Let’s go!”

As if determined to finish this ordeal, Gia flung open the door. Her still-dry hair soaked through her thin chemise. Her flesh peeked out from beneath the fabric, and her stride was confident.

“Where is this place again?”

Having stormed out of the room, Gia raised her eyes.

“Why do all the doors look the same? It would be so nice if they had a name or something.”

Complaining that Oscar’s annex didn’t even indicate a name, Gia seemed dissatisfied.

Her residence was on the third floor of the annex, and Kalion was said to be on the same floor. She vaguely remembered that Kalion’s assigned room was a few numbers away. Unable to recall exactly, Gia wandered through the corridors.

“Kalion.”

Late at night, Gia called out Kalion’s name in the hallway, almost like a cat’s meow. However, the darkness enveloped the corridor, and only silence echoed.

“Heh.”

Feeling awkward, Gia cleared her throat, brought her palm back to her lips, and once again called out to the empty corridor.

“Kalion, where are you?”

Hoping for a response, Gia carefully scanned the moonlit corridor.

Squeak.

Gia eagerly moved toward the opening door.

“Kalion!”

“Gi… Gia? It’s quite late… Gia!”

Kalion, opening the door after hearing the cat-like meow that seemed to carry his name, was taken aback.

“What on earth…”

Seeing Gia’s appearance, Kalion couldn’t find words and simply pulled her by the arm.

Perhaps no one had ever witnessed this scene. 

Kalion’s eyes, after glancing down the corridor, were puzzled. He abruptly closed the door and walked briskly, handing Gia the gown. 

Of course, his gaze remained fixed on the floor.

“Why? I’m already dressed.”

“Gia, that’s…”

In response to Gia proudly declaring that she had put on clothes after bringing her nightgown, Kalion murmured and supported his head with his hand.

“How does it look? The skirt, I mean.”

Excited, Gia spun around in place.

‘I can’t see. I am blind. I am a martial artist.’

The silent mantra in Kalion’s mind had no effect. His eyes simply followed Gia as if entranced. 

As Gia twirled in place, her skirt spread wide, and the lace added to the thin chemise made a crisp sound.

When Gia raised her hand in excitement, the frills fell, revealing her slender wrist.

Although Kalion’s room, which had just been prepared, was dark, the bright moonlight flooded through the large window.

Under that light, Gia, spinning around, looked truly beautiful.

As time changed from minutes to seconds, every moment was etched into Kalion’s mind like scenes from a movie.

Words didn’t flow properly. He simply stared at Gia with his mouth slightly agape. 

Suddenly, he remembered a music box he had seen in a shop with his parents when he was a child.

The fairy inside wasn’t quite like Gia, but for some reason, Kalion thought they looked similar. 

The fairy inside the spinning music box, dancing with joy. It resembled Gia.

Gazing at Gia’s sunny smile, Kalion tightly gripped the gown.

The spreading skirt, the exposed white ankles, the wet curls. 

The sparkling eyes, the lifted corners of the mouth. 

All of it excited Kalion’s heart.

Thump, thump.

With a pounding heart, Kalion gripped his robe and pressed it firmly against his chest.

‘Why am I doing this?’

Gia, who had paused, grabbed the hem of the gown.

“Ta-da! How does it look? Does it suit me well?”

Unable to tell Gia that it was actually a nightgown, Kalion merely nodded.

“Yes, it suits you well.”

“But it feels a bit small.”

Gia, feeling uncomfortable, pulled the straps of the gown that were squeezing her chest.

“Gia!”

Witnessing her bold actions, Kalion abruptly turned away.

“Oh, sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. Right, it’s uncomfortable, so I just did it without thinking.”

With Kalion turning away and pretending not to see, she continued adjusting the gown.

“That’s enough.”

Even when Gia called him, Kalion remained still.

“Why? I’m already wearing clothes.”

“Gia… hah…”

Where should he start fixing this? Not knowing where to begin, Kalion wiped his sweaty forehead with the palm of his hand.

“At least put it on.”

“I haven’t worn a skirt in a long time. Hmm.”

Despite Gia’s disappointed tone, Kalion had no intention of backing down.

“There are many prettier dresses. I’ll buy you one without a hem, so please put on the gown.”

Knowing better than anyone the significance of a man buying a dress for a woman in social circles, Kalion made a promise.

“Really?”

Upon Kalion’s words, Gia nonchalantly took the gown and put it on.

“Is it really? No going back on your word.”

“Why would I… hah… please.”

As a sign that she had put it on, Kalion, who turned around, closed his eyes tightly. 

Even though there were straps, Gia confidently placed her hands on her waist without tying them.

“I always wanted to try on a dress.”

Amid Gia’s excited demeanor, Kalion let out a deep sigh.

“Why? Is it regrettable to buy a dress? Worried about breaking your promise?”

As Gia sincerely inquired, as if ready to cancel the promise, Kalion tightly bit his lips. Holding the straps hanging loosely from Gia’s waist, Kalion firmly tied the gown.

“Not regrettable at all. Not a bit.”

“It’s not because you don’t have money, right? You’re a government official, aren’t you? I heard jobs in the country pay poorly. If that’s the case, I can earn and buy it myself…”

“Who said that?”

A passionate wind flowed from Kalion’s still stern expression.

“You, you don’t have money.”

Gia’s voice, expressing concern for him, elicited a reaction from Kalion.

“Oh. I can buy it without wanting anything in return… be it a hundred or a thousand. If you wish, I’ll even get you beautiful shoes and exquisite jewelry. So, you must never wear this white outfit outside from now on. Do you understand?”

Speaking as if consoling a child, Kalion checked the gown’s straps once again and looked down at Gia.

“Yeah… got it. Is it that bad?”

“It’s beautiful.”

“Really?”

Gia smiled brightly. The sound of Kalion’s heartbeat became even more pronounced. Why is he doing this?

“So please promise me one thing.”

“What is it?”

“Don’t wear this outfit outside.”

“But we’re not outside.”

“Hah…”

While gently stroking the straps of the white gown, Kalion bowed towards Gia. 

He intended not to speak to avoid disappointing the excited Gia, but he opened his mouth, fearing she might continue to wear it outside in front of others.

“Gia, this is sleepwear.”

“Oh… but?”

“It’s clothing only meant to be worn in the room. Ordinary women don’t show their sleepwear to other men.”

“Oh, I see.”

Even though Gia nodded in understanding, Kalion couldn’t entirely relax.

“And I didn’t tell you where my room is? I said it’s right under yours… Why were you wandering the corridor like a cat?”

“I got distracted for a moment.”

Seeing Gia, who looked irritatingly innocent despite sticking out her bright red tongue and attempting to smile, Kalion decided to let go of the reprimand he had initially planned.