What?

What?

 

Han A-rin couldn’t hide her bewilderment as she watched the insects enthusiastically moving in front of her.

Of course, it was strange enough that insects had mana, and it was equally strange that they could speak.

‘Well, it’s not like such cases don’t exist at all.’

Usually, such cases were classified as ‘monsters’ among creatures.

It was hard to consider them as ordinary insects.

‘Or is it…? Are they the same?’

Defining something as a monster was ultimately subjective, and objectively speaking, it might be correct to classify them in the same category.

So, are these actually the same insects and thus monsters…? Or are they ordinary insects that have evolved in a special way? Or…

All sorts of speculations came to mind, but they were all baseless conjectures, making her head spin.

While I was pondering this situation for a moment.

Perseus continues speaking with a smile beside me.

“They’re spirits in cute forms.”

… Spirits? Those insects?

I showed a puzzled expression at this unexpected answer.

Perseus picked up an ant from Chae-a’s shoulder with his finger and explained.

“To be precise, they’re spirits just before becoming proper spirits. If they were flowers, they’d be seeds, and if they were chickens, they’d be eggs.”

Not fully understanding his words, I asked a question.

“So they’re not insects?”

I spoke with multiple implications.

He chuckled and continued.

“They only look like insects, but these fellows are definitely spirits. They haven’t established their identity yet, so they’re just imitating forms they like. In reality, they’re spirits.”

“… That’s unusual, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it’s quite unusual. Spirits usually transform into animals, not insects. That’s why I think the insect forms might be influenced by Chae-a.”

Or perhaps they’re spirits created by Chae-a.

Perseus added softly before turning away.

‘So that’s why Chae-a was particularly fond of that ant.’

Just as I was about to pat Chae-a’s head, understanding the general context.

“The ant is an ant…! It’s a spirit child!”

Chae-a suddenly pouts with a very sulky expression.

Suddenly confused by what had happened.

Perseus glanced at Chae-a for a moment and asked again.

“Not a spirit?”

“Yeah! An ant is an ant!”

At those words, Perseus smiled slightly and patted Chae-a’s head while saying.

“Yes, Chae-a, as you said, this is an ant.”

Even so, it didn’t seem like that one sentence would be enough to appease Chae-a’s anger.

As I was about to take out some candy from my pocket to smooth over the situation with Chae-a’s favorite treat.

“Yeah! That’s right!”

Contrary to expectations, Chae-a instantly calmed down and grinned.

Thinking that she’s still a baby and her emotions change quickly, I was letting out a sigh of relief when.

I heard Ha-eun, who was standing next to me, mutter in a very shocked voice.

“It wasn’t an ant…?”

* * *

I was in a state of extreme confusion.

The fact that the ant clinging to Chae-a was actually not an ant but a spirit.

And the fact that this spirit could change its appearance at any time.

I was as shocked as when I first heard that strawberry milk contains insects.

I stared blankly at the ant and ladybug dancing.

‘… I’ve been fooled.’

I didn’t feel betrayed… or angry… or sad, but.

Anyway, feeling a bit sulky, I unconsciously pouted my lips,

But seeing my reflection in the marble, I realized how silly I looked and quickly covered my mouth with my palm.

 

‘This isn’t mature.’

I had just resolved to act more grown-up earlier, so why do I keep doing this?

As I was feeling dejected and disappointed in myself for being so foolish,

 

Seo-rin looked at me and giggled.

“Is Ha-eun very disappointed that the ant isn’t a real ant?”

 

Grateful for Seo-rin understanding my feelings, my tail started wagging left and right on its own.

I was about to nod in response to her question, but

 

Thinking about it, I realized it would be too childish a reaction, so I shook my head as maturely as I could.

“The world is bwoad, so… the ant might be a spiwit. I’m not disappointed at all.”

(The world is broad, so the ant might be a spirit. I’m not disappointed at all.)

 

I said this while trying my best to act aloof, but

Seo-rin smiled with an expression that showed she didn’t believe me at all.

 

“Really? Our Ha-eun has such a broad mind?”

Feeling that she didn’t really believe me but wanted to indulge me, I was about to repeat that I wasn’t disappointed, but

 

My body seemed to have taken her words as praise, as my tail was wagging wildly, expressing ‘I’m happy’.

‘Ah!’

 

Meaning to calm it down, I tried to grab my tail with my hand, but

The tail swiftly escaped as if it could now easily avoid my touch.

 

I tried to catch that tail a few times, but soon gave up with a sigh.

‘Fine, I don’t like you either. Play by yourself.’

I grumbled a bit out of spite.

Suddenly, the tail stopped moving and came to cuddle with me.

I was surprised, wondering if the tail had read my mind, when Seo-rin, who was next to me, patted my head and continued speaking.

“Ha-eun, if you really like ants, should I buy you an ant farm? Then you can see real ants crawling around!”

I shook my head and said it was okay.

The shock was just a momentary surprise.

It wasn’t because I actually liked real ants.

‘Besides, I didn’t want to cause trouble over something like this.’

I already have a lot of debt to repay, so I can’t afford to increase it any further.

So I decided to prioritize repaying rather than receiving from now on.

I also resolved to fill my future lair only with things I obtain or create myself, rather than relying on someone else’s help.

‘I feel like I’d be uneasy otherwise.’

As an adult, I steeled my resolve to do things on my own, even if it’s a bit lacking, rather than reaching out to others for help.

While I was strengthening my determination, Perseus looked at me and continued speaking.

“If there’s nothing you particularly want to take, you can choose later. After all, time is endless for dragons.”

He’s quite relaxed, befitting a dragon who lives for a long time.

Just as I was admiring what seemed to be the dignity of dragons, Perseus added one more thing.

“In that sense, I’d like you to visit my lair from time to time. No particular reason. The more you see, the wider your options become.”

Ha-eun, who was listening to those words, chuckled and immediately refuted.

“Oh, what nonsense. You just like Ha-eun coming to the lair.”

“Shut up.”

I left the two bickering and pondered how to create the lair.

‘First, let’s make it small.’

Of course, if it’s too small, Chae-a won’t be able to enter.

I decided on a size that could at least accommodate Chae-a, the ant, the ladybug, and the drawings Chae-a made.

‘No, I should also invite Seo-rin, Han A-rin, and the counselor teacher.’

Should it be a bit bigger?

I was surprised by the expected size of the lair, which was growing twice as large as I had initially anticipated.

Soon, I shook my head quickly and decided to make a realistic judgment.

‘Even if it’s that big, it’ll be hard to manage and maintain. It’s better to make it small.’

As I was deciding to make it big enough for three to four people to enter, and wondering where to build it,

Perseus gave me a piece of advice.

“By the way, if you use crystals, you can freely move the lair, so you can place it wherever you want. If you can’t find a place, you can even install it inside my lair.”

A lair inside a lair.

Thinking this would be too much of an inconvenience, I quickly shook my head.

Perseus looked very disappointed and said, “I see…” as he walked away aimlessly.

‘What’s wrong?’

I thought, not understanding why he suddenly became sad.

I started to stare at Perseus’s back and began to draft a rough plan for building the lair.

*

“Ants are super fast, and praying mantises are super tough! That’s why they’re amazing!”

Listening to Chae-a’s boasting, we immediately returned to the association.

As I was fixing Chae-a’s hair, who was extremely excited, trying to set an example as an adult.

Han A-rin cautiously called out to me.

“Ha-eun, would you make a promise with your big sister?”

My ears perk up at the mention of a promise.

As I was wondering if there was anything I could help with, my eyes sparkling.

Han A-rin speaks to me with a worried expression.

“If possible, could you build the lair inside the association?”

Since Perseus said it would be easy to move if there were crystals, I nodded, thinking it wouldn’t matter much.

Han A-rin sighs in relief and tells me.

“There are a lot of scary monsters and people outside the association. So I’d prefer if you didn’t go outside.”

Actually, building the lair inside the association would be inconsiderate, so I wanted to build it outside if possible.

But remembering the violence and cruel situations I experienced when I first came here, I had no choice but to nod.

‘The people around me are kind, but not everyone is kind.’

So rather than causing unnecessary danger, I decided to listen to Han A-rin.

‘Then where would be a good place to build it?’

The first place that comes to mind is the playroom, but… something doesn’t quite feel right, so I want to look at other places too.

After pondering for a moment, I think it might be good to get advice from the viewers.

I nodded, deciding to take another look around the association with the viewers tomorrow.

“Ant! Ant!”

And thinking that for the ant and ladybug, it would be good to have some soil-like material nearby if possible.

I was resolving to look around places with potted plants or where plants are growing.

Perseus, who brought us to the hospital room, spoke to Han A-rin nearby.

“I’ll bring the elixir as soon as the elders approve. I’d like to skip the procedures if possible, but… there would be opposition, so it can’t be helped.”

“Alright. If you need my help with anything, just let me know. I’ll help with whatever I can.”

“I don’t need… No, actually, there is one thing I need help with.”

“What is it?”

“I’d like to introduce Ha-eun to the elders in a few days, so I was hoping you could prepare for that in advance.”

“Hmm… Okay. I’ll do that. It seems like we’ll be able to get the elixir faster that way.”

Their conversation seems quite serious, making it difficult to interrupt.

As I listen to their conversation, I wonder what kind of dragons these ‘elders’ might be.

Chae-a comes to me, hugging me and saying something proudly.

“Ha-eun sleep. I’ll put you to sleep!”

Chae-a seems to find it fun to put me to sleep, so she lays me down on the bed and starts patting me.

It looks like she learned this by watching Han A-rin do it to us.

Thinking how cute Chae-a is, I decide to pretend to sleep and then put Chae-a to sleep, so I closed my eyes for a moment.

– Chirp chirp

Suddenly, it became morning.

It was summer.