episode_0039

[Save me]

[Ugh]

[Help]

[SOS]

[Sigh]_10:15 AM

[…What the hell happened in the morning]_4:30 PM

“…What on earth happened this morning?”

Early evening with the sun yet to set.

Waking up from sleep and checking my phone, I found several missed calls along with urgent messages from Junghyun in the group chat.

…Did something bad happen while I was asleep?

Anxiously, I calmly examined the conversation, but contrary to my worries, all that was written in the group chat was about Hyeeun and their intimate volunteer date.

Just by looking at the photo on Hyeeun’s profile, it seemed like they had a good time. Why is she being so affectionate though?

Leaving a message of well wishes in the group chat, I slowly got up from the cozy bed.

“…Ugh, getting more sluggish as time goes by. Should I keep going like this until then?”

As summer approached, the sunset grew later.

Due to the nature of vampires needing the sun to be close to the horizon to wake up, my waking time was also getting delayed.

Of course, setting an alarm would allow me to wake up at the usual time, but that meant enduring discomfort until the sun touched the horizon.

It wasn’t easy to see early preparation as always beneficial. Besides, vampires waking up early also became more vulnerable to weaknesses.

Exactly like now.

“Why, why, why is there a cockroach in the bathroom…!”

While brushing my teeth with a dazed face, I suddenly spotted a cockroach on the sink, also known as a money beetle.

Backing away in horror at its slow crawling movements, I screamed.

I wondered when and how it got in, but that wasn’t important right now.

…From now on, I had to do something repulsive and dreadful.

As I mentioned, due to waking up earlier than usual, I was in a more vulnerable state than usual.

In other words.

I had to catch that damn cockroach right away and count its legs.

“Oh, my goodness.”

Counting the legs of that creature known for being particularly disgusting among bugs.

I sighed at the thought of having to do such a pointless thing but there was no time to waste.

If I didn’t catch it and relieve my OCD, I’d be plagued by an uncomfortable feeling all day long.

“Eek… So, so gross…”

I grabbed a nearby pair of tweezers and carefully captured the cockroach to prevent it from bursting.

As I did, it started wriggling vigorously as if telling me to let go.

Despite shuddering at the sight, I began meticulously counting its legs.

“One, two, three, four… twenty-nine, thirty.”

The legs of this disgustingly creepy creature totaled thirty.

After confirming, I promptly killed it and neatly buried its body in the trash can.

“…Does it make sense to become vulnerable by waking up early?”

They say the early bird catches the worm, but it seems the early-rising vampire becomes a fool.

Perhaps the only species satisfied with waking up early to take a bath, count cockroach legs, and laugh contentedly might be vampires.

Reflecting again, I lamented the pitiful nature of my kind and sank into the bathtub filled with water.

“…Let’s get ready for work first. What difference will it make to complain here?”

Continuing to whine will only lower self-esteem and lead to depression. So, let’s think positive thoughts.

See, since there’s nowhere to go but up, there are plenty of opportunities ahead, right? Isn’t that so?

After lightly dispelling the awkward feeling, I finished the half-bath and stepped out of the bathroom.

With the delayed sunset, came the delayed time for work.

Finishing my half-bath left me with plenty of time, so I began preparing for work slowly and leisurely.

Makeup, well, not necessary since you’re naturally pretty—just a quick application of lotion and sunscreen.

Wearing comfortable clothes as I need to change into formal attire for work.

As dusk approached, all set to leave, I headed out to my place with Jaehyuk without delay.

The sky painted in a navy blue hue after the sun had set.

Strolling down the street, admiring buildings bathed in bright light, Jaehyuk fished something out of his pocket and handed it to me.

“Here, take this.”

“What’s this?”

“A hair tie. Saw you getting a bit flustered shaking that shaker yesterday, hair flying everywhere.”

Probably bothered by your absent-minded shaking during peak hours when orders were piling up.

I accepted the hair tie he offered, tucked it into my pocket, and expressed gratitude with a faint smile.

“My hair was bothering me a bit already. Thanks, I’ll make good use of it.”

“Thank Youngjae for that. He asked me to pass it on.”

“Giving gifts even when it’s not your birthday? Was there an ulterior motive behind it? No wonder he’s surprisingly thoughtful for a grumbler!”

“…Quiet down. Make sure to wear the hair tie once we reach the bar.”

“Sure thing~”

Responding playfully, I chuckled softly, prompting him to sigh deeply, tilting his head.

Seemingly struck by curiosity, he turned back to me, throwing a question my way.

“Oh, right. It’s a holiday from May 4th to the 7th. What are your plans during that time?”

“Well, I might visit my hometown. It’s Family Month, and my parents have been asking to see me since I haven’t visited in two months.”

“…Are you sure it’s okay? The countryside can be tough on vampires, right?”

“Tough how? Just staying at home, nothing more.”

Unless I venture into fields or rice paddies, there shouldn’t be any issues if I stay put at home or wander around the yard.

Moreover, being a vampire who can’t go out during the day, there’s even less reason to roam near fields or paddies.

Unless something provoking my weaknesses comes my way, there’s really nothing that would make me feel strained.

“Just a few days lounging on the bed. Well… I’ll probably hear a lot of nagging.”

I’m not one to suffer needlessly, am I?

With those words added, Jaehyuk finally nodded in relief, and as our conversation neared its end, as always, we arrived at the cocktail bar.

“…Today won’t be easy either.”

“…Indeed.”

The line much longer than yesterday.

Thinking it might be a challenging night ahead.

We entered the cocktail bar with determined faces.

—–

“…Thank you for your hard work these past two days, boss.”

“Yeah, you guys worked hard too. Rest well for four days, see you on the 8th.”

“Yes, have a good morning.”

“…I hope so.”

Time, as it is, always seems to flow faster the more you chase after it.

Dealing tirelessly with the never-ending stream of customers and occasional difficult ones, time flew by swiftly, and before we knew it, the long weekend was just around the corner.

“It was truly a filthy two days.”

Two days so exhausting that I learned every nuance of the word ‘filthy.’

Completely drained, Jaehyuk and I didn’t exchange a single word on our way back to the apartment for the first time.

Despite the awkward atmosphere making our bodies more tense, what could we do? There wasn’t even the strength left to move our lips.

Arriving in the silence of our shared apartment.

After exchanging brief wishes for a good night, we fell asleep, and when we woke up, the evening of our first vacation day greeted us.

“…I really fell asleep without a care. How did I not hear the alarm?”

Pulling back the blackout curtains slightly and looking outside, what caught my eye was the already darkening sky.

Self-reproachfully checking the time, I realized there was only an hour left until I had to board the train I had reserved.

If I showered here, I would definitely end up missing the train.

I reluctantly brushed off just the dust in my eyes, didn’t even say goodbye to Jaehyuk, and immediately headed out of the studio apartment.

“It’s a mess in many ways, not a great start…”

A sloppy, creaking, uncomfortable sensation as if something wasn’t quite right.

Despite the ominous feeling creeping in, I ignored it and boarded the train.

“…I hope nothing happens.”

If the beginning is bad, it often leads to a bad ending.

Resolving to stay alert as much as possible, contrary to my concerns, things went smoothly from the train onwards.

There were no strange encounters.

Upon getting off the train and arriving in the countryside without any issues, I was warmly welcomed by my family, unlike the cold reception last time.

The first day of vacation was unexpectedly peaceful, considering my worries.

At this point, I started to feel like I worried for nothing.

“It’s not bad to worry, but this feels a bit anticlimactic.”

…Well, isn’t it better to have good things happen than nothing at all?

Anyway.

I guess there’s nothing more to worry about now. I relaxed my guard and planned to enjoy a leisurely vacation life from the comfort of my bed corner.

“Yaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!”

In a moment of carelessness, I found myself screaming and falling to the floor due to the terrifying beast that had revealed itself.

Armed with dozens of sharp thorns.

A creature that could be nothing short of a disaster when encountered by a vampire.

Its true identity was none other than…

“Kyuoo?”

…a hedgehog.

Why on earth was that monster in my room…?

No, more importantly.

Could someone please do something about that thing first?

“D-don’t come any closer… Eeek?!!”

It’s coming closer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!