Seo-a

Seo-a

 

I described it as the World Tree just before blooming, but in reality, all I saw was a glowing flowerpot.

Of course, the seed was buried in the soil, and because we were short, the height difference meant we could only see the side of the flowerpot.

So to describe it accurately, it would be correct to say the flowerpot was glowing, but I instinctively realized that the World Tree was blooming.

‘I don’t know why…!’

Just as you’d say “just because?” if asked to explain something you intuitively grasped.

I similarly just realized that the seed was blooming.

Whether it was instinctive or due to the ancient dragon blood flowing in my body, I don’t know, but the important thing is.

‘The seed has now become a sprout.’

I was giggling happily, thinking about having a new friend.

Suddenly, a strange sensation came from far away.

‘What’s that?’

I tilted my head, puzzled by this indescribable feeling.

I couldn’t figure out what was happening no matter how much I looked, so I tried to walk towards it.

But Han A-rin, probably judging it dangerous, stopped me and shook her head.

“Shall we watch a bit longer?”

Since Han A-rin stopped me, there was a high chance she thought it could be dangerous.

I decided to follow her suggestion, nodding and tightly holding Chae-a and Yuna’s hands.

As we were all watching with tense faces.

The flowerpot cracked with a loud noise and then…

“… Myaa!”

A tiny girl, about the size of a cotton ball, popped out shouting “Myamya!”

It was such a surprising sight that we all froze, looking at each other uncertainly.

Then Chae-a, with sparkling eyes, exclaimed loudly to us.

“Wow! It’s a fairy!”

At the mention of a fairy, our frozen minds started to thaw.

I wasn’t sure if this newborn baby was really a fairy, but thinking it was something similar, I cautiously approached.

The fairy made a “Myamyong!” sound and clung to my face.

“Uuuup.”

I was surprised as I didn’t expect it to cling to me so suddenly.

 

Quickly regaining my composure, I gently patted its back as if soothing a fairy.

Then, slowly embracing it in my arms, I asked,

 

“What are you?”

“Myam!”

 

“…?”

I’m not sure what it’s saying.

 

It’s similar to how Somteol speaks, but a bit different, so I can’t understand. As I was pondering this with a “hmm,”

I see Somteol, seemingly upset about being left at home with the black ones, running towards me while making “ppaek ppaek” sounds.

 

I watch Somteol, who was about to headbutt me… but held back and is now licking my leg.

Then, a good idea came to me, so I sat the newly born fairy next to Somteol and said,

 

“Somteol, can you understand what this baby is saying?”

At this question, Somteol blinked and looked at me.

 

Then, glancing at the fairy, it made a “pii” sound and started to speak to it.

“Myaa…”

 

“Pii, piiii.”

“Myamya.”

 

“Pii!”

Fortunately, it seems they can communicate with each other.

 

I was waiting for the conclusion of the conversation while watching this.

Yuna, who had slowly walked up from behind, told me one fact with sparkling eyes.

“It seems like Som-teori can understand and communicate.”

Come to think of it, the World Tree had shone light on Som-teori, and a seed came out of Som-teori’s crown.

Perhaps the reason it gives off a similar feeling to Som-teori is because of that, I thought as I watched this.

The fairy looked at me with a bright smile and clung to me again.

‘It seems to really like me.’

I’m not sure why.

I couldn’t tell if it was because of the ancient dragon’s blood or if it just liked me from the first sight.

Still, it was nice that someone liked me, so I was patting its head vigorously when Som-teori said something to me.

“Pii-ii.” (It’s the World Tree!)

“…?”

It was something everyone already knew, so there was no need to say it.

But I was grateful that it was trying to say something to help me, so I was patting Som-teori when.

Han A-rin walked towards me with a somewhat contemplative look.

“First, we should give it a name, right?”

At those words, I looked at Han A-rin with a puzzled expression.

Usually, when an unknown being appears, one would check what it is, why it appeared, and its condition.

But Han A-rin had already decided to keep it and was thinking about what name to give it.

I was about to say something in response to that reaction, but.

Thinking about it, we couldn’t keep calling it “seed” or “World Tree” or “fairy,” so I nodded.

“I’ll give her a name like I did for Chae-a.”

With that thought in mind, I spoke the name that came to my head.

“Seo-a…?”

A name created by taking one part each from Seo-rin’s and Chae-a’s names.

I said it thinking it might make them feel like family and create a strong bond between them.

“Wow, that’s really pretty! Ha-eun, you’re good at naming.”

Han A-rin expressed her satisfaction with the name.

“Then from now on, your name is Seo-a.”

“Myam.”

Did she understand? Or did she not understand but just imitate the reactions around her?

I couldn’t tell what the truth was, but she didn’t seem to dislike the name Seo-a, so I decided to give her that name.

“Myaa!”

Seeing this, I decided to discuss the part I had been postponing.

First of all, Seo-a is not human, but a World Tree.

So while her appearance is similar to mine, she’s small and resembles cotton fluff, looking human-like but not actually human in form.

‘That’s why Chae-a said she looks like a fairy.’

Thinking that others would definitely call her a fairy if they saw her, I patted Seo-a’s head and continued my thoughts.

‘Is it okay for her to stay with us like this? World Trees are strictly protected, is it alright for her to be with us without saying anything?’

‘And why does she only repeat “myam-mya”? Is it because she came out through the cotton fluff? Or is it because she’s still young?’

‘Since she’s a World Tree, does she have any abilities? If so, what kind of abilities?’

All sorts of questions are popping up in my mind.

The reason why there are even more questions than with Chae-a is probably because she’s as small as a piece of fluff.

As I’m petting Seo-a’s head vigorously, feeling like I’m hugging a cat, Han A-rin says something while looking at me.

“Then shall the three… no, four of us play for a while? I’ll be back shortly, I need to go somewhere.”

Judging by her sudden announcement to go somewhere, it seems she’s rushing out to urgently check something because of Seo-a.

While I was waving my hand to gesture her to go ahead, thinking it would be good to let her go.

Chae-a, who had been quietly observing the situation, spoke to us with sparkling eyes.

“Then shall we teach Seo-a how to speak?!”

Teach her to speak? Is that even possible?

Well, her appearance isn’t different from a human, so it might be possible.

But seeing her slapping the floor with her palms while going “myam-mya!”, it doesn’t seem likely.

Still, since we don’t have anything else to do, I nod, thinking it might be good to try various things as Chae-a suggested.

Chae-a stood up triumphantly and told us.

“Then wait a moment?! Chae-a will bring it quickly?”

With those words, she hurriedly went somewhere, then came back to us with a picture book she took from the bookshelf.

As I’m giggling at Chae-a running back to us.

Unlike me, Chae-a put on a serious expression and placed the picture book in front of Seo-a, saying.

“I’ll teach you this, okay? You understand?”

“Myam?”

“Yes. That’s right, you should say it like this!”

“Meow.”

It seems like we can communicate, but also not really.

I decide to just observe for now, and as I crouch down on the floor, Yuna gestures for me to sit on the cushion she’s holding out.

 

“Good babies should sit here. Come here.”

After seating me on the cushion, she sits down right next to me, looking pleased with herself.

I think Yuna is cute as I look at her perked-up ears.

Chae-a points to the cover of the storybook and says.

“Then shall we start from here? You have to repeat after me. Bear…”

However, there was one big problem.

Since Chae-a was also originally a spirit, she had a big problem with reading.

Because of that, she was struggling to read the title “Three Bears,” only managing to read the word “Bear” and blinking her eyes in confusion at the rest.

At that point, Yuna, who was next to her, seemed to think this wouldn’t do and stepped in to read it instead.

“Three Bears.”

“Wow, Yuna is so smart.”

Yuna seems happy to be praised by Chae-a and wags her tail, tickling my face.

As I’m feeling this and staring blankly.

I hear Seo-a’s voice from the front, repeating words better than expected.

“Smart. Meow? Bear!”

Although it’s still awkward, I think with a little more practice we’ll be able to have a conversation, which makes me giggle.

I decide to teach Seo-a more words diligently so we can have conversations.

Here’s the translated text:

As I turned the page to read the next item, a heartwarming scene unfolded in the book.

It showed a bear family sitting together, sharing honey.

As I was about to open my mouth to read the part about three bears living in one house while looking at this scene.

Seo-a’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the honey.

Then she reached out for the honey, making a “nyam nyam” sound as if trying to put it in her mouth.

“?!”

It seemed she was mistaking the storybook for reality and acting accordingly.

I was flustered and tried to stop her, but Seo-a apparently interpreted my actions as “give me some too”.

She only pretended to scoop up the honey picture with her hand and then offered it to me.