It really looks like bugs!

It really looks like bugs!

 

I hesitated as I looked at Chae-a sitting next to me, blinking her eyes blankly.

Since Chae-a is in a dazed state right now, she doesn’t properly recognize the word ‘bug’ so there’s no reaction.

‘Once she comes to her senses a bit.’

I was thinking ‘what should I do’ because she might feel very hurt or even cry, but.

Contrary to my expectations, Chae-a’s eyes sparkle and she starts giggling.

“Bugs… like!”

For adults, the word ‘bug’ was a word with negative connotations.

But for Chae-a, the word ‘bug’ seemed to be a positive word.

She got up from her seat with a really bright smile, clung to Seo-rin, and started chattering.

“Chae-a worked hard drawing yesterday! Do the drawings look like bugs?”

“Huh, huh?”

“The drawings are all wriggly!”

Only after hearing what Chae-a said, Seo-rin seemed to realize why I had been so stiff, and her body flinched.

Then, quickly trying to smooth over the situation, she waved her hands and started saying words to deny it.

“No, no, Chae-a, your drawings don’t look like bugs. They’re very pretty.”

At those words, Chae-a made a strangely pouty expression and said to Seo-rin.

“Bugs… Chae-a likes bugs. The drawings are like bugs…”

Seo-rin looked bewildered at the situation that was completely opposite to common sense.

But like the protagonist of this world, she quickly assessed the situation and responded again.

“Yeah! They’re like bugs.”

At those words, Chae-a’s eyes sparkled as she hugged Seo-rin and started giggling.

“Yes! I like it!”

“Mm-hmm.”

While I was patting the heads of the drawings that were squirming and making ‘meong meong’ sounds in my arms.

Seo-rin picked up Chae-a and asked a question.

“So, what are these for our princesses?”

Hearing that, I decided to tell the truth and carefully explained what happened last night.

*

“You’re saying Chae-a’s drawings came to life when she drew them?”

After I told Seo-rin the whole truth, she was greatly surprised and looked at Chae-a.

Then she started patting Chae-a wildly while continuing to speak.

“Chae-a, you’re really amazing. How can you make drawings come to life? Isn’t our Chae-a a genius?”

“Yes! Chae-a is smart. That’s why I draw pictures too!”

“Really? That’s truly incredible!”

With endless praise, Chae-a’s mood seemed to have reached its peak.

She looks even happier than when she woke up this morning.

I was smiling, thinking that I’m happy because Chae-a is happy, when someone enters the hospital room.

“Huh? Seo-rin was here?”

I looked to the side wondering who it was, and it’s Han A-rin.

As far as I know, Han A-rin is only interested in magic research, and besides occasionally going out for desserts, she doesn’t really talk to others or have any other hobbies.

The Han A-rin I’ve experienced has shown the complete opposite of that description, to the point where it feels like a lie.

“The counselor is on a short business trip today, so I came first instead.”

“I see. By the way, what are these bugs?”

At the mention of bugs, Chae-a smiled brightly again, and as if to say she would explain, she raised her hand and ran over to Han A-rin.

“Me…! Me!”

Judging by her “Me!” it seemed she wanted to explain.

I kept my mouth shut to let Chae-a explain.

“Yes, yes, what is this, my dear?”

“It’s the picture Chae-a drew last night! Chae-a is amazing!”

At those words, Han A-rin was startled and tried to take back her comment about them looking like bugs.

“They really do look like bugs! Our Chae-a is amazing, isn’t she?”

Thanks to Seo-rin, who had experienced this before and quickly answered instead, we were able to avoid the unfortunate situation of Chae-a becoming gloomy again.

Han A-rin looked somewhat dazed, as if she couldn’t understand the situation.

Seeing this, Seo-rin quickly explained what was going on.

“Chae-a really loves bugs.”

“Ah.”

As if that alone was enough to understand the whole situation, Han A-rin nodded and smiled.

“It’s true that babies really love bugs.”

“I loved them a lot when I was young too. Now I avoid them though.”

I looked at the two of them blooming with laughter.

I approached Chae-a, who was wandering around the hospital room with the drawings, and said.

“Chae-a, what are you doing?”

“Mmm. Chae-a is going to find more treasure. Love treasure.”

Judging by the way she was rummaging under the blanket with determination.

It seemed she was looking for something to eat, like when she found chocolate last time.

I secretly put one of the snacks I received as a gift under the blanket.

‘This should do it.’

As I was thinking I hope Chae-a would be happy, trying to calm my gently swaying tail.

Han A-rin approaches me, fixing her hair.

“Ha-eun, shall we talk for a bit?”

Wondering what it was about, I tilted my head.

Han A-rin picked me up and took out her phone.

“I did some research about lairs yesterday.”

Then she showed me various colorful and fancy building designs one by one as she continued talking.

“So as I looked through them, I thought it might be nice for Ha-eun to go and see the lairs built by other dragons.”

Is that really okay?

I nodded at Han A-rin’s words, showing a positive response.

Han A-rin hugged me tightly and continued speaking.

“So, if Ha-eun is okay with it, we’re planning to go see the lairs of other dragons. Do you want to come?”

“Yes…! I’d love to.”

“Then I’ll schedule it. Can you wait for a few days?”

The lairs built by other dragons…!

I can’t even imagine how amazing they’ll be.

I tried to calm my excitement and act mature, but.

“Hehe.”

I couldn’t stop smiling.

I tried to quickly calm my wagging tail and the corners of my mouth that kept rising.

As if to say my will wasn’t that important, even when told to calm down, there was no sign of calming down.

“So Ha-eun, what are those little black things that Chae-a is carrying around?”

By “little black things,” does she mean the drawings?

I thought the name “little black things” suited them better than “drawings”.

So, deciding to call them “little black things,” I carefully explained what happened last night.

“Chae-a made the drawings come to life? Creating life?”

Han A-rin looked at Chae-a with a very shocked expression and then fell into deep thought.

I couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

But judging from her serious expression, I could tell that what Chae-a did wasn’t ordinary.

As I felt Han A-rin pinching my cheeks, I blinked blankly.

Up ahead, I see Chae-a burrowing into the blanket, soon discovering the snacks I had hidden.

“Found it…!”

She looks extremely excited.

Chae-a wriggles out of the blanket.

With a ‘Puha!’ sound, she runs over to me.

“Ha-eun eat snack!”

Then she puts the snacks in my arms and grins brightly.

She must mean for me to eat the snacks right away.

Eating snacks first thing in the morning isn’t good behavior, but seeing Chae-a’s sparkling eyes, I can’t resist and try to eat the snacks.

“… Hup.”

The snack package just won’t open.

I’m shocked, wondering if my hands have become this weak.

Han A-rin, who was hugging me, confiscates the snacks and tells us both.

“Babies, let’s eat snacks after breakfast, okay?”

“Chae-a likes breakfast! As much as bugs!”

“R-really? Then shall we eat a lot?”

“Yes!”

Although I felt a bit wronged for being scolded, I was glad that Chae-a was smiling, so I hugged my drooping tail.

* * *

In a research lab at the Hunter Association.

There, Spirit User Uncle, unlike usual, was wearing a pure white gown and looking at the little black ones.

Spirit User Uncle seems quite fascinated by the very existence of Kkamang-i, as he has been observing it for a long time.

He directed a question towards Chae-a and me, who were munching on snacks in front of him.

“So, these are the Kkamang-is that Chae-a created, right?”

“Yes.”

“Chae-a, you’re amazing…!”

“Yeah. Chae-a smart and amazing.”

“Ha-eun too!”

I wonder where the word “amazing” got stuck?

Seeing it used so often, there must be a source somewhere.

As I’m thinking about how I’m not sure, feeling the chocolate flavor spreading in my mouth, Spirit User Uncle speaks with admiration.

“The ability to create life is extremely rare. There are few related samples, and no hunters with similar abilities. It’s hard to gauge how far this ability can be expanded… but if it grows to the level I’m anticipating, Chae-a could form her own legion by herself.”

The usual warmth Spirit User Uncle shows has completely disappeared, replaced by a serious atmosphere.

It seems like I shouldn’t interrupt at times like this.

As I’m hugging Chae-a to prevent her from disturbing Spirit User Uncle, I hear Han A-rin’s voice.

“… In that case, it would be good to have protection at the association level. I think it would be good to meet Perseus and then meet the association master.”

“That would be really great. I’ll also contact some acquaintances separately.”

It seems they’re trying to prevent potential problems in advance because Chae-a’s power is so extraordinary.

I’m considering if I should run an errand for them out of gratitude.

Han A-rin lifts one Kkamang-i onto her palm and asks Chae-a a question.

“Chae-a, can you make more Kkamang-is?”

At those words, Chae-a’s eyes sparkled as she nodded her head quickly.

With a triumphant face, she tells us.

“Yeah! Chae-a can do it!”

“Really? Then can you draw a little more of Kkamang?”

Chae-a, seemingly enjoying drawing, nodded her head quickly.

Watching this, Han A-rin giggled and picked up me and Chae-a.

“Shall we go to the playroom then? I made a playroom in an empty room for our babies to play in.”

No matter how I thought about it, the playroom seemed like a place for babies to play, so I thought it wasn’t suitable for an adult like me.

Swish swish.

My tail didn’t seem to think so, as it was wagging at an incredibly fast speed.

Still, I didn’t want to show it, so I crossed my arms and put on a haughty expression.