episode_0384

“Since it’s late today, stay over. Should I draw you a bath?”

“……Together…”

“Eh… You mean bathe together? With me?”

Squish.

“Ngmm… Where’d my clothes go?”

“Together…?”

“Alright alright, so stroke me gently. You can’t squeeze anything out of a person no matter how hard you try.”

Like ripe fruit falling to the ground.

Like towering resentment reaching the heavens.

The crimson hue ripening at the tip of the jujube tree reached you.

It was ‘my’ heart.

…….

Diiiing—.

Morning.

The tolling of a ‘bell,’ chasing after the departed years and spreading to the ends of the world, echoes in the distance.

The sound heralding the dawn is the color of twilight.

Monsters and humans alike finish their tasks and begin a new day.

“……Yaahng…”

[Team 4 – Rare Hunter Protection: Strike Division]. A-Rank Hunter, Yang So-ah.

She lifted her drowsy eyelids, intoxicated by the warmth enveloping her entire body.

Squish.

As she opened her eyes, what greeted her was someone’s large, soft embrace.

No words came to mind except for, How incredible.

“…….”

If she peeked her head up just slightly from the cozy comfort pressing against her face,

her eyes would meet the galaxy—Unha—smiling with a languid glow.

“Sleep well? Anywhere sore?”

The one warmly embracing Yang So-ah, nestled against their chest—

Through their touching skin, the sound of the other’s heartbeat could be heard.

Thump. Thump.

A slow, steady rhythm.

Squish.

Yang So-ah, clutching Unha tightly, buried her face deeper into their ample bosom.

Because Unha’s heartbeat was far calmer than she had imagined.

Afraid her flushed cheeks and wildly racing heartbeat might give her away,

she timidly hid her face and fidgeted with her lips.

Shuffle…

Then, just like a mother’s heart nursing her child,

Unha accepted Yang So-ah’s clinginess without a word.

“Good morning.”

“……Morning… Unha… sunbae…”

How long had it been since she woke in someone’s arms?

The gentle touch running through her fluffy pink hair was comforting.

Yang So-ah, wearing a blissful smile, lay in the same bed as this precious person, exchanging morning greetings.

Diiiing—.

Beyond the farthest edge,

emerging from the frigid darkness—

a new morning.

…….

Swoosh—.

Her mind felt refreshed.

The pain of the past, the worries of the future.

All swept away by a pristine white wave washing over a sandcastle,

leaving behind nothing but clarity.

“Everything’s great except Gramps won’t let me sleep in… I’ll stay in bed a little longer.”

“So-ah…’”

“……Want me to… tug-tug?”

“Yang. Yang.”

Awoken.

Yang So-ah, whose arms were playfully stretched by Unha, squishly wriggled out of bed.

Then, she plunged her hands into Unha’s luxuriously thick hair cascading down to their thighs and pulled out a ‘cross-patterned hairband’ to wear.

A hairband that fit just right.

Marveling at it, Yang So-ah tapped it lightly before dragging her sheep horns along the edges of the bed.

Scritch scritch.

Marking her territory like a territorial animal, she glanced around Unha’s bedroom.

The morning sun streaming through the window was dazzling.

‘……Unha sunbae’s… home…’

Unit 904 of the ‘Morning Star Apartments.’

Too distracted by Unha yesterday to pay attention, but this was their home.

Would it be okay… to look around a little?

Clasping her hands as if in prayer, Yang So-ah surveyed the bedroom.

The room was steeped in warmth.

Beside Unha’s bed stood a full-length mirror, next to a wardrobe.

At the head of the bed lay an ‘oldt saw,’ a ‘bone flute,’ and a ‘car smart key.’

And—one glass bottle.

“……Weird stuff.”

Yang So-ah inspected the ‘glass bottle’ resting by the bed.

Inside were four things:

A gold molar pried from a shadow-like aberration during Unha’s night watch.

An ‘elevator button (No. 4)’ retrieved from a crumbling elevator after a wrong turn (“For keepsakes,” Unha said).

A clump of hair scooped from a water fountain with a gourd ladle.

A blood donation card with 26 stickers.

Tangible remnants of hardened grudges.

Even just glimpsing them left her breathless.

The glass bottle felt ice-cold when touched on impulse.

‘……A curse?’

Why would these be kept beside the bed?

Wiping away sweat, Yang So-ah peered into the bottle again.

Could it be that Unha yanked a trophy from every aberration they fought and stored them here?

Like scattering tiger dung to scare off wild boars in the countryside?

Only difference was, Unha personally went to the tiger’s den to retrieve it.

If wild boars ever fled upon seeing Unha,

it wouldn’t be because of the dung—it’d be because Unha came back smiling even after being mauled by the tiger.

Yang So-ah pondered carefully.

‘Unha sunbae… human?’

Squish.

She adjusted the ‘cross hairband’ on her head.

She’d heard tales of aberrations from Unha while bathing last night, but this ‘glass bottle’… Hmm. Not sure.

‘……Doesn’t matter…’

But it didn’t matter.

If Unha did it, it must be right.

There must be some profound reason others couldn’t grasp.

Yang So-ah decided she’d buy a pretty glass bottle for herself when she got home.

Squish.

Averting her gaze from the bottle, she spotted one ‘metal door’ on the bedroom wall, connected to the neighboring unit.

A door of unknown purpose.

Bearing lingering confusion, Yang So-ah stepped out of the bedroom.

Rustle—

A hand—belonging to something stretching from beneath the bed—tried to grab her hair but missed.

Clutching at air, the hand quietly retreated into the darkness under the bed.

“…….”

Now in the living room,

Yang So-ah exhaled into the unseasonably chilly October air.

Was the puff of white breath just her imagination?

Thud.

On the living room table sat a raw chunk of meat.

A thick slab of something’s flesh lay bare on the table.

Beside it, dripping fresh red blood,

the words [Your Meat] were crudely carved into the wooden surface.

Like a massive beast clumsily imitating human handwriting—

deep scratch marks from sharp claws.

“Yaahng…”

The cold atmosphere stifled her breath.

Yang So-ah glanced back at Unha, still lying in bed.

Like starlight shimmering in the night sky,

Unha was warm—but their surroundings were dark and eerie.

Yang So-ah clasped her hands as if praying to the stars.

……Creak…

Creak… creak.

Then, a sound from the kitchen.

Knocking, like palms tapping against metal.

Startled, Yang So-ah buried herself in her own wool-like hair.

Creak. Creak.

The noise came from the fridge.

Or rather, inside the freezer.

“…….”

Creak…

Soon, the freezer door swung open on its own—

and Yang So-ah saw it.

Creak. Creak.

Black plastic bags piled high inside the freezer.

And—

limbs, countless limbs writhing out of those bags, tapping blindly in all directions.

『Shhh.』

A whisper slithered into her ears.

Startled, she whipped her head around.

Behind her,

there was nothing.

“…….”

『Giggle.』

The whispers persisted.

Not from behind—they came from within her own cloud-like hair.

She couldn’t comprehend it.

Squish…

When Yang So-ah turned back to the fridge,

the squirming limbs that had threatened to spill out moments ago had vanished without a trace.

Only black plastic bags remained, stacked inside.

“…….”

Rustle—

With trembling hands, she carefully opened one of the freezer bags.

“…….”

Rustle—

Silently, but hastily, she tightened the bag again.

Then quietly shut the freezer door before—scurry—dashing back into the bedroom.

‘Freaky… Freaky…!’

Something eerie was in the freezer.

Severed corpses.

Clearly the work of aberrations.

Glomp!

Yang So-ah crumpled into Unha’s embrace, face twisted in distress.

“So-ah?”

“Ya-ang… Ya-ang…”

She didn’t want to leave Unha’s side.

Wasn’t this too much for an initiation?

Clutching Unha, Yang So-ah vented her grievances.

“Wait, what happened in just that sho—Fine, stay here. We’ve got time.”

“Ya-ang… Ya-ang…”

“It’s fine, chew on this for now… Good. Settled down now?”

Squish… squish…

From the early morning—

the moment she realized the world she now lived in was different.

The pink fluffball of doom, still trembling, stayed nestled in Unha’s ample bosom for a long while.

Squish… squish…

Will I be okay from now on…?

The worry had already begun.

…….

…….

Though the morning was chaotic, nothing major happened.

Unha calmed So-ah down.

Then headed to work at the café, their clingy cotton candy in tow.

“Wow, the fluffball from last time!”

“Hello, Kang Nari. Really appreciate the help last time.”

Holding the plush fluffball, they stepped inside.

Kang Nari, debt collector of the Azure Dragon Clan, quietly approached and showered Yang So-ah with affection.

Perhaps recognizing the one who removed her horns, Yang So-ah shyly peeked out from her fluff to greet her.

Yet she clung to Unha, fluffy arms locked tight.

……Was this how people felt bringing pets to work?

“Ehh… You asked me to, Unha. I’d rather not end up stuffed in a barrel.”

“Drop the ‘I only helped cause I owed you’ act.”

“But the boss—”

“Me~?”

“Ahaha~ Mind blanked. Lemme go make coffee!”

Mid-cheek pokes and giggles, Kang Nari hurried back to the kitchen.

Glomp!

Because café owner Silver Bell (Eun Bang Wool) had already skipped over and glomped Unha.

“Welcome back, Unha! What’d you bring this time?”

“Ya-ang…”

Wedge between Unha and Bang Wool, Yang So-ah whimpered pathetically.

Amused, the white-eared rabbit perked up and began ruffling the cloud-like hair.

“Ya-ang… Ya-ang…”

“I’m Eun Bang Wool! Let’s be friends!”

“Yea…”

Halt.

The name ‘Bang Wool’ made Yang So-ah freeze mid-movement.

Bang Wool.

An unforgettable word.

Squish. Squish.

Her scalp flattened under relentless headpats,

before she slowly turned to face Bang Wool.

“…….”

“What? Something on my face?”

Two smol beans in Unha’s arms stared at each other.

Ban Ha-rin, back at the café after a while, observed them with a blank expression.

“Yang, rabbit, dairy cow… Starting a farm?”

“Ban Ha-rin.”

“Yeah, Unha— oh wait, can’t see you past the two people glued to your chest. What is it?”

Her soft-spoken sarcasm left Unha speechless.

Classic Ban Ha-rin.

Unha patted whatever heads they could reach through the fluff.

Yang So-ah’s horns poking their ribs served as a handy locator.

“……So-ah. Let’s get along.”

“…….”

“I’ll do my best.”

Did they tell Bang Wool So-ah’s name earlier?

Uncertain.

Squish…

Bang Wool smiled brightly.

Yang So-ah studied the rabbit girl quietly.

Blocked by Unha’s ample chest, Unha couldn’t see their expressions.

“……Yang.”

Only the faint nudging of Yang So-ah’s horns signaled her silent nod—

hoping they’d become good friends.

Snap!

Somewhere, Bang Wool produced two tennis balls and slipped them onto Yang So-ah’s horns, grinning goofily.

“…….”

Staring at Bang Wool, Yang So-ah pondered.

This café where Unha worked.

The people gathering around them.

……Weird,

but warm.

Squish.

She looked up at Unha.

Their face was hidden behind that generous chest.

Unha.

The one who gave her light.

The weirdest,

and warmest person.

Squish…

Clasping her hands like a prayer, Yang So-ah spoke.

“Ask if you need anything! Got cash to spare.”

“Yang…”

Not a bad first meeting.

…….

…….

Excluding Kim Sa-rang, the swordswoman ‘fighting sleep’ as usual during academy classes,

the café’s first greetings were done.

Time passed, customers slowly filling the tables.

Ban Ha-rin tapping away at her laptop in her usual seat—

and Eun Hong (紅), watching Unha from a corner booth all day.

Squish…

Yang So-ah, clingy since morning, received endless affection from café patrons.

But soon, she untangled herself from Unha.

No more dawdling.

This much information was enough.

Enough to cradle Unha’s warmth in her heart.

“So-ah?”

“……Work…”

“Something to do, so you’re leaving?”

Nod.

Squish Yang nodded.

Things to do.

She remembered the bright red jujubes handed to Unha.

“Grandfather… funeral…”

“…….”

“I’ll go… alone…”

Softly,

she bowed her head in silent thanks.

A rural abandoned house’s garden.

A single jujube tree grew there.

Yang So-ah’s faint smile held many things.

“……Call if you need me.”

Unha said.

Already knowing her answer.

Glomp.

Wordless, So-ah hugged them tighter.

This was enough.

Any longer, and she’d never let go—too happy to leave.

Before becoming a moth circling flames,

she took a step back.

“Three days… see you… Unha sunbae…”

Forcing a bright smile,

she turned, scampering away with quick little steps.

Ding-dong~♪

The clear chime saw her off.

“…….”

“Call it a hunch, but I advise against following.”

“I know.”

Ban Ha-rin approached and hugged Unha.

Recent affection from others felt sticky—or was that just imagination?

Unha thought positively.

A family funeral. If she followed, the swarm of aberrant stalkers would ruin it.

Or worse—maybe she was precisely the kind of human banned from funerals.

“One of two things.”

“Which are?”

“Coffin lid opens, something jumps out—or the lid opens, nothing inside.”

“Both sound awful.”

Yang So-ah had the cross hairband—no new aberrants would approach in Unha’s absence.

She hoped So-ah would unburden her unsaid words and return safely.

Mentally cheering Yang on, Unha turned away.

“…….”

Silent kitchen.

Kang Nari, arranging mugs,

watched Yang So-ah leave with sorrow.

Reminded of her older brother.

Crushed under an Azure Dragon statue at Euncheon Park last summer.

‘Kang Yo-han’—was his name?

Despite their strained relationship, she had stayed till the funeral ended.

‘……Come to think of it.’

Family funerals.

What an unfamiliar concept.

Unha closed her eyes.

‘I’ve… never once attended one.’

Yeah,

best not to follow.

“Ban Ha-rin.”

“Yes, Unha.”

“Watch over her for me. The detective’s cats too—if they hear, they’ll rush over immediately.”

“They surely will.”

“Sorry to ask.”

“I was going anyway. See you in three days.”

Rustle—

Without a sound, Ban Ha-rin vanished.

Would this be enough?

Smiling faintly, Unha focused on work.

Ding-dong~♬

Same café as always.

Where the left-behind gather.

Warm coffee scent brushing the nose.

Humhum~

Today too,

let it be an ordinary day.

…….

…….

—Unha dear. Got a moment?

The call came just as they were returning to the apartment after closing.

“Guildmaster Kim Ha-yang?”

—Title.

“Yeah, Mom. You doing well?”

—I am. You alright?

Inside Unit 904, shoes off.

Stepping past the carrier in the entryway, Unha walked to the living room.

Red sunset streamed through the window.

The phone in hand, crimson light stretching behind them.

“What’s up—”

—October 1st. We captured the [Facility]’s Potion Workshop Director. Recall?

“Uh… Yeah.”

Backlit.

Shadows draped across Unha’s face.

—They demanded to see you.

“…….”

—Or else, threatened to leak [Galaxy Potion]’s recipe.

A tiresome bond.

Silhouetted darkness hid Unha’s expression—

likely smiling as usual.

“…….”

—Mouths stay shut, but I felt you should know.

“No.”

—Hm?

“I’ll go. Should wrap things up. Got questions too.”

Creak—

A worn handsaw was now in their grip.

—Alright. Call anytime. I’ll fetch you myself.

“Ooh. Driving now?”

—No.

“Ooh?”

—Walking.

“Ooh…”

And so, a call brimming with parental worry ended as Unha set the phone down.

“Phew…”

Collapsing onto the sofa, Unha sighed.

Just when they thought they could rest—guess not.

“Right… better sooner than later… Guild’s been noisy. Rank results still pending…”

Might as well visit that Workshop Director.

Was Go Yeong-in (HQ Chief) around too?

Dunno.

Things’ll work out.

Planning ahead, Unha weakly smirked.

……Tap. Tap.

Then, someone knocked.

Another guest?

Rising from the sofa, Unha headed to the door.

“Who is it?”

Tap… tap…

No answer—just faint tapping.

A petty guest?

The knocks came from knee-height.

“…….”

Unha quietly opened the door.

Rolling~

And a lil’ gremlin tumbled inside headfirst.

Clatter—

Dressed clumsily in the box-tee Unha once gifted them like a dress,

long bangs covering their eyes—gremlin ‘Fly,’ the bumblebee.

“Fly…?”

In their tiny hands, Fly clutched castanets—each sandwiching a canned beer.

( Beer molds people. )

( Such is alcohol’s power. )

A gift from Ban Ha-rin, who’d been drinking outside earlier with a ‘friend.’

But oddly—

Fly’s beer cans were completely empty.

“Fly… Who gave you these?”

Bleeeh~

Wobbling, the gremlin flopped against Unha’s legs.

No clue.

What’s happening?

Shrugging, Unha scooped Fly up and gave their squishy cheeks a squish.

Bleeeeeh~

Happy gremlin. Cute.

Giggling, Fly hugged Unha tight.

‘Did they drink? Gonna have words with [Bug Princess]. How dare she…’

A fleeting slice of normalcy after a long day.

Unha carried Fly—sucking their lips nom nom—back inside.

Another peaceful evening—

after the holiday’s end.