Chapter 19: Growing heart

“How is it, Luna. I put extra effort into making it today!”

*Crunch.*

The girl took a bite of the toast, baked with plenty of butter.

“Mm. It’s delicious… Sihyun.”

“Huh. That’s it?”

Though she said it was delicious, Luna’s expression didn’t change even a little.

‘To think the evaluation of my toast, which I poured my heart into making since morning while watching cooking videos, is just this!’

How hard did I work on it! How could you do this to me—

Just then, Luna tilted her head indifferently and stared at me.

“Sihyun…?”

‘Ugh. My heart…! Such a cute expression is cheating! Right… Luna is innocent. It’s this blockhead’s fault for not making it more delicious!’

For the past few days, I had been making many attempts to help Luna find her emotions.

‘I’m trying hard with various things, but it’s really not easy.’

Somehow, my success rate wasn’t very good.

‘Indeed, it would be character breaking if Luna said, ‘The butter is a kick. It’s very even.’’

Several days had already passed since the Forgotten One incident ended.

The guild publicly announced the ‘successful dispelling of a calamity-grade urban legend’ and was accelerating cleanup efforts.

Although it was actually Phantom who dispelled it, his identity was uncertain, so it seemed to be treated as confidential for now.

“I was anxious that they might have found something, but since there’s been no news so far, it should be fine.”

I heard that the guild and the task force were investigating everywhere, looking for Phantom, but my identity hadn’t been discovered yet.

Of course, my effort to avoid moving around as much as possible at night also played a part.

‘Although I said I wouldn’t turn away if I encountered an urban legend’s story… it’s still best not to meet them.’

But I couldn’t just do nothing like this.

Rather, when there are no other urban legend incidents around, I need to diligently care for our most important princess of ruin, Luna.

“Luna. You’ve finished eating. Is there anything you want to do?”

“……”

The girl simply sat quietly beside me, idly fiddling with a cushion with her small hands. She didn’t answer.

Her usual expressionless face.

Her gaze was clear, but her golden eyes still held no emotion.

‘I thought she was starting to understand a little, but there’s still no big change.’

There wouldn’t be any major problem if things stayed as they are, but I can’t give up here!

‘There’s been no special progress since then. If I just leave her be, there’s a chance she might lose the emotions she’s managed to learn.’

A few days ago, the day Luna first learned the emotion ’embarrassment’ while touching her fingertips.

I couldn’t forget that moment. The time Luna, who had lived like a doll, covered her face with her hands.

‘Ending the story of the calamity-grade urban legend is important, but it’s also crucial for Luna to regain her emotions.’

If Luna were to remain a human, but couldn’t feel emotions—

That couldn’t be called true happiness.

‘Ending the story isn’t the only answer. I want Luna to be happy like the princess in the story someday.’

“Luna.”

“Mm.”

“Shall we go out today?”

“……Why?”

“We’re going out to play.”

“……Play?”

The girl’s reaction, as if she didn’t even know the concept of ‘play.’

“You’ll know once we go.”

I got up from my seat, changed into my going-out clothes, and then dressed Luna in new clothes.

The girl looked at herself in the mirror for a long time, then tilted her head.

“Sihyun… do you like these kinds of clothes…?”

If she asks if I like them, it’s common sense to answer! ……But.

‘I clearly intended to buy something similar to the black dress Luna was wearing when I first met her!’

When I unfolded the delivered clothes, I, of all people, somehow ended up buying something like a maid outfit.

‘A maid outfit is a man’s fantasy, after all! Since I already bought it, it’s a waste to throw it away.’

And how could I resist seeing a super beautiful girl like Luna wearing a maid outfit!

It really, really wasn’t intentional, but I couldn’t help but give it to Luna as a gift, hahahaha.

The girl’s silver hair went very well with the black clothes.

‘She really does look pretty, Luna.’

“How is it? Do you like the clothes, Luna?”

“I… don’t really know… But if Sihyun likes it—”

The girl gently approached, her golden eyes shining as she looked up.

“I… think I like it too…”

Luna didn’t say she liked the clothes herself, but she was expressing her feelings, even if it was by leaning on someone else’s emotions.

‘It’s her first time, so she’ll gradually learn this way.’

“Shall we go now? Today is a special day.”

“……A special day?”

‘Of course. It’s an important day for Luna to learn emotions.’

“Alright, let’s go!”

****

The place we arrived at was an amusement park.

The entrance was bustling with families and couples out for fun, and children were excitedly screaming and running around.

‘It’s not something to say in this situation, but… why isn’t there an urban legend like ‘Single Heaven, Couple Hell’?’

Music and joyful laughter echoed from everywhere.

“There are so many people.”

I had somewhat expected it, being the weekend, but not this many.

When I looked beside me, I saw Luna standing quietly.

The girl was looking around, holding onto my sleeve with one hand.

However, there was no emotion in her eyes.

“How is it, Luna. Isn’t it amazing?”

“……I don’t know.”

I deliberately tried to hype it up when I asked, but her reaction was still indifferent.

‘It won’t be easy. But I’m not one to be discouraged here!’

I have no intention of giving up!

“Alright, let’s take a lap first and find something fun.”

[First Strategy: Roller Coaster]

‘If there’s one thing at an amusement park that makes emotions surge, it’s definitely this!’

Actually, I’m scared and not very good at riding them… but for Luna’s sake!

“Luna. Shall we ride this together?”

The exhilaration of accelerating as you cut through the wind at the moment of high-speed descent!

‘With this, Luna will surely show some kind of reaction.’

But.

“……”

From start to finish. Luna merely blinked her eyes, showing no reaction at all.

Instead, I was the one who showed an intense reaction.

“Aaaargh!! Air raid! Air raaaid!! Stop this right now! I’m going to lose my minddddd!”

“Yes, sir. The safety bar is down, and we’re starting now.”

“Noooooooo——!”

After eons of time had passed.

“Haaah, haaah. I survived…!”

“Sihyun… what’s wrong?”

“Hahaha, it’s nothing, Luna. Ugh!”

How old am I to be dry heaving from something like this, it’s so embarrassing I could die.

“Phew, anyway, how was it, Luna? Was it fun?”

“…Sihyun’s expression kept changing… it was interesting.”

“You weren’t bothered?”

“Mm. It was just very windy…”

Hmm, right. It wouldn’t be fun if I succeeded on the first try.

Next up!

[Second Strategy: Merry-Go-Round]

‘I absolutely did not come here to ride something slow because I was scared by the roller coaster just now!’

“Luna, this is where you ride pretty horses and go around slowly.”

“……Just going around?”

“Doesn’t it feel like a fairy tale princess?”

“Is that how it is…?”

I held Luna in my arms and got on the horse with her, but she still showed no reaction.

‘I thought Luna might have ridden horses when she was a princess, but was I wrong?’

Other children were laughing and taking pictures with their parents, but Luna just sat quietly on the horse, saying nothing.

“This really isn’t easy.”

[Third Strategy: Shooting Game]

“Luna. You just need to hit the dolls over there.”

“Mm.”

—Bang —Bang —Bang

Every bullet hit its mark perfectly.

‘Perfect score. Her accuracy is better than mine, who completed military service? Is this why she’s a calamity-grade urban legend?’

I had some confidence in my shooting, but I just ended up feeling intimidated.

“How is it? Doesn’t it feel good to hit them?”

I asked, secretly hoping, but,

“……I just did it.”

“……”

The answer I got back was, as expected, just an emotionless comment.

“Haa, it really is difficult to teach someone something.”

I hadn’t expected her to suddenly feel emotions just by coming to an amusement park.

‘But I thought she’d at least show some kind of reaction.’

Since there was no sign of progress no matter what I did, most people would have given up by now.

However.

“I’m not some commoner who surrenders easily!”

I didn’t think it would be easy from the start.

“Alright! Next up—”

“Sihyun…?”

Luna was sitting quietly beside me, munching on her cotton candy.

“Oh right. You haven’t finished your cotton candy yet.”

“Mm…”

“We’ve been going too hard from the start… so let’s take a little break.”

It’s just the first step after all.

Next, there will be a moment when she can feel emotions a little more deeply.

****

“Such a moment coming, my foot!”

I diligently went around expecting Luna to show some reaction, but it was a complete bust.

Is the amusement park strategy a failure?

‘Hehehe. Failing so perfectly actually makes me laugh, doesn’t it?’

It was already almost sunset, and the park was softly bathed in the red glow of the setting sun.

“Luna.”

“……?”

Luna was still sitting quietly beside me, holding my hand.

The shimmering red sunset softly colored her golden eyes.

“How was today?”

Luna looked at me quietly, then slowly shook her head.

“……I don’t know.”

“Did you feel anything special?”

“I just went to several places. There were many people…”

It was actually the answer I had expected.

Although we rode various attractions at the amusement park and I showed her many sights, Luna didn’t easily learn emotions.

‘Indeed, if she could have understood right away, I wouldn’t have needed to bother.’

Still, it’s a bit disappointing to have no results.

Scratching my head a little, I met Luna’s eyes again.

“Hey Luna. Was it good spending the whole day playing with me?”

“……Being with Sihyun?”

“Mm.”

Luna seemed to think for a moment, then quietly answered.

“Sihyun is… mine. So it’s natural for us to be together…”

“Is it natural? Haha.”

It felt somewhat hollow, but I strangely laughed.

‘They say if you want to know someone else’s heart, you should speak your own first.’

Perhaps with this, I might be able to draw out Luna’s emotions, even if just a little.

I decided to speak my mind, very honestly.

“You know… when I’m with Luna, I feel good for no reason.”

At those words, the girl blinked and stared intently at me.

“I don’t have parents, and I don’t have many friends, so I was used to being alone.”

“But then one day Luna suddenly appeared out of nowhere… At first, I wondered what it was. It was scary too, haha. But now—”

Thinking of the days we had spent together, a smile unconsciously formed on my face.

“I think I’d feel empty without Luna.”

Luna looked at me without a word.

Then slowly, the girl brought both her hands to her chest.

“What’s wrong, Luna?”

“I… don’t know.”

“Hm?”

“Here… here, a strange feeling…”

Luna murmured softly, gently pressing her chest with her small hand.

‘I’d be an idiot if I didn’t notice this.’

Smiling slightly, I gently stroked Luna’s head.

“Luna.”

“……Mm?”

I took out the crescent moon shaped hair clip I had bought at the amusement park.

“I bought it because I thought it would suit you well. Even if it was buy one get one free.”

And then, I carefully put the hair clip in Luna’s hair.

The color scheme suited her silver hair perfectly.

“It suits you well, Luna.”

The girl slowly touched the hair clip with her hand.

Cold metal felt at her fingertips.

But strangely, a warm feeling.

A strange feeling welled up in her chest. What she felt was an unknown warmth.

“Sihyun… what is this?”

“It’s a gift from me to you, Luna.”

“A gift…?”

“Mm. Because I thought it would suit you well, Luna.”

Luna fiddled with the hair clip with her fingertips, feeling a strange sensation increasingly welling up in her chest.

It wasn’t a bad feeling.

Her heart thumped, and her face felt a little warm.

“Sihyun.”

“Mm?”

“Since a moment ago… here… feels strange.”

The girl carefully pressed her chest, expressing her confusion.

“Luna. That, you see—”

I raised my hand and stroked Luna once.

“That’s called ‘joy,’ Luna.”

“……Joy?”

Luna repeated the word in a small voice. Thinking to herself that she still didn’t know what it was.

“I… don’t know such things…”

“It’s okay. You’ll understand little by little, Luna.”

Luna fiddled with the hair clip with her fingertips, very slightly, almost imperceptibly biting her lip.

The girl couldn’t know exactly what ‘joy’ was.

She could only guess if it was a warm and inexplicable, yet comforting feeling, much like the strangely warm hair clip.

“Luna. Shall we head inside soon? It’ll get cold when it gets dark.”

“Mm. Sihyun…”

In Luna’s eyes, still staring intently at me, was the shimmering light of the sunset.

Above her silver hair, the crescent moon hair clip also glittered, reflecting the sunset.

Just like Luna’s golden eyes.

****

The sky was dyed golden, and the street was colored red.

A warm breeze blew.

Luna slowly walked, holding Sihyun’s hand, and touched the hair clip again with her fingertips.

It was strange.

This was just an ornament, nothing compared to the countless treasures Luna herself had collected.

‘Why is it warm?’

A slight thumping sensation around her chest.

Luna slowly looked at Sihyun, who was holding her hand.

Even as he walked forward, he occasionally turned his head, paying attention to her.

His appearance, worrying about the small, fragile girl.

That sight somehow didn’t feel unfamiliar.

Why did it feel like something she had experienced somewhere before?

‘……Is this, joy…?’

The girl didn’t know emotions.

She still couldn’t feel human emotions.

But now, she thought she wanted to know what it was.

Luna quietly parted her lips.

“……Sihyun.”

The moment she called his name, her heart thumped once more.

Why?

Why did she feel this way just by calling his name?

She couldn’t know.

She wanted to know the answer, she wished someone would tell her clearly.

“That’s called joy, Luna.”

“This is… joy…”

Luna very quietly pressed her chest with her hand and whispered.

“……Joy… it is…”

The girl learned joy today.

She might not have fully felt and learned that emotion.

But since Sihyun said so, Luna could believe that this was joy.

Emotions that had begun to take root, small, within the heart of the girl who harbored ruin.

Luna herself couldn’t know what role these emotions would play.