episode_0061

“I almost died at the department store! Even in front of our bell!!”

A small fortune telling shop I once saw.

A transparent glass bead placed on a round table reflects Eunha’s face like a mirror.

In this place, where numerous ghostly lights flow like a huge river beyond the square wooden windows,

Eunha, who arrived here with the help of the [Red Woman], is glaring at the [Black Person] sitting across the table with a fresh look in her eyes.

『… … Um, yeah… I almost died.』

[The person in black] answered politely.

A jet-black suit, jet-black tie, jet-black hat… a man where everything is black.

The edge of the hat hangs like a pure white inverted cross decoration. The shadow is strangely dark under the hat, so you can’t even see the facial features of ‘that’.

But somehow, this face looks like it has a lot to say.

『I just ask one question. How did you get here?』

“[The Red Lady] helped me.”

『… … Why did you come here?』

“I almost died at the department store.”

『… … Hmm.』

He rubs his chin as if he is having a hard time understanding.

Is there something wrong? I don’t know.

“Anyway! I have a lot to say, but let me ask you this first. Why did ‘those’ suddenly change to something only I can see?”

Eunha expressed her dissatisfaction by tapping the table with both hands towards the [Black Person] who was thinking a lot.

The reason why I came to [the black person] tonight.

Actually, there is nothing special. Although I want to quickly punish the [department store employee] who interrupted my time with Bell, the biggest problem is the ‘rules’ in the newly added guide.

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0. Our department store is trying new changes!

– Because there are a lot of customers! [Blind people] are interrupting our meeting!

– So, we’ll be there for your eyes only!

– but! We can’t open other people’s eyes!

– It’s choice and focus!

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They don’t know anything… So even if they are with the [blind people], they are the monsters in the department store that come out in the galaxy, claiming that they can only see with their eyes.

It doesn’t really matter at the moment as it’s only a rule in the department store guidebook, but it’s a problem for the future.

New guides will continue to be added.

But what if all of those guides came out with the same rules as above?

What if it’s called a ‘cafe guide’ and it pops up at the cafe where Eunha works?

Eunha becomes a madman who does strange things in front of everyone.

Let alone everyday life, the stress would make you feel like you were dying.

I don’t want to live like that.

At the very least, I hope they only harass me when I’m alone.

『It was our first time writing a guide, so we needed to experiment. I thought it was appropriate since you were going to a crowded department store.』

“Don’t do that again. I’ll be mad.”

『For example, how are you going to get angry?』

“I’m going to die.”

『… … Are you sincere?』

“Do you think I can’t die?… Ah, don’t tell Bang-Bul-i that I said this. Who is Bang-Bul-i, he’s so cute with white rabbit ears…”

widely!

[The person in black] touched his forehead.

I couldn’t see the [person in black]’s expression because of the shadow of the hat, but for some reason, he had a face that made me want to sigh.

Isn’t this why you’re so angry?

I don’t know.

『… … okay. i get it. I won’t use that rule in the future. Let’s revise the department store guide as well.』

“Oops.”

A [black person] who surprisingly accepts the galaxy’s demands with ease.

Of course, it can be resolved by going to the person in charge and talking to them directly.

These things seem to be no different from humans or monsters.

The back of my neck still hurts when I think about the humiliation I suffered at the department store, but it’s still good.

Eunha smiled languidly and rubbed her chest.

Now you only have to be careful when you’re alone.

『Hey, try this too.』

“Wow, thank you.”

At that time, the [Beast] who was hugging her from behind picked up a handful of cookies placed on the table and shoved them into Eunha’s mouth.

The cry of an animal wearing a human shell. A touch as cold as winter.

The [Beast’s] numerous hands moved back and forth across Eunha’s field of vision, kneading and groping her entire body as if giving a massage.

I always think about this, but how many arms does the [Beast] have?

『I know how you feel, but don’t say that you’re going to die. The family is sad.』

“I don’t have a family?”

『… … … … I am?”

“Uh… do you want to join my family?”

Eat the snacks handed to you by the [Beast].

The food I was served last time was fried food made with honey and buckwheat flour.

It’s not particularly delicious. It just tastes like the old days.

Chewing on the snacks, which are more like a meal than a snack, I surrender myself to the [beast]’s hands groping my whole body.

It feels like my naked body is being massaged, making my back tingle.

『Do the snacks fit your taste?』

“Hmm… it’s okay, but I wish it was a little sweeter.”

『I added honey?』

“You only put honey in it.”

『… … Is there any other nectar besides honey?

“How old are these people?”

We had a conversation.

It’s like checking on each other’s well-being at a relative’s house after a long absence.

A familiar and friendly atmosphere that breaks down any remaining wariness,

It makes the view of the galaxy hazy like fog.

‘Ah… it’s comfortable.’

It is similar to the elderly security guard who brushed clay dolls in the apartment security office.

They do not intend to harm the galaxy, but reveal unknown favors… which makes them even more unpleasant.

It’s as if you can kill someone like Eunha with your fingers, even if they don’t show their murderous intent like other ‘things’.

As if they were going to fatten it up and eat it.

It breaks down the galaxy’s vigilance and comes closer little by little.

Is that why?

Eunha did not notice that the [Beast] behind her was mumbling with her head in its mouth.

『Hey. You look more delicious every day.』

“I hear that often.”

He answered by sitting on the [Beast]’s lap.

A hand covered in human skin, yet with the scent of an animal, gropes her.

It was a peaceful time.

… … .

… … .

“Oh right.”

How much time has passed?

Suddenly, Eunha remembered the real reason she came here and looked at the [black person].

All the snacks on the table had been eaten.

“Hey, Mr. [Black Person]. I have a favor to ask you.”

『… Black person?』

“Why? What, can I call you something else?”

『… … no. Keep talking.』

[The person in black] said, tapping the crystal ball on the table.

Now comes the main point.

Eunha placed her hands, stiffened from tension, on her knees.

she said

What happened at the department store today.

A guide with a different writing style than usual.

[Department store employee] who behaved a little differently from the rules.

Thanks to this, he even complained that he almost fell to his death right in front of his eyes…

As Eunha’s emotions grew stronger as the injustice of that time came back to her, the [Beast] behind her patted her on the shoulder.

My head gets cold from the cold, hard touch.

“Regardless of the guide, I can’t forgive that [department store employee].”

『… … .』

“Please do me one favor. Please let me touch him. I will crush him with my own hands.”

The complaints are over.

[Black Man] heard the whole story of the galaxy.

The [Black Person], who was pondering her words for a while, glanced at the [Beast] holding Eunha in his arms.

Then he opened his mouth.

However, it was not the answer Eunha was hoping for.

『… … The deep-seated resentment reaches the sky… There are things that awaken in the darkness.』

“What do you mean?”

『This is our story.』

Eunha frowned at the story told by the [Black Person].

Because it wasn’t the answer I wanted.

『Those who fell without being able to move forward. Those who disappeared after being trampled by others… They came up with a trick and compiled a book.』

“…Are there a lot of people like that?”

“no. And it’s not just people.』

Nevertheless, Eunha was held in the arms of the [Beast] and focused on its words.

The intuition that this is the information you absolutely need.

A clue to the identity of the [Black Book].

It wasn’t the answer I wanted, but I think it’s a more important story.

『Look at the department store guide. Were there any rules mixed with other items and different writing styles?』

“I… I don’t remember.”

『If there are any signs of damage to the guide, go to the apartment security office. It will help.』

With those words, the [Black Man] closed his mouth.

As if I had said everything I wanted to say.

“…….”

『… … .』

『Ah, my child. A really good kid.』

A fortune telling house where silence has come.

Eunha’s expression crumpled as she clasped her hands against the [Beast’s] hand that was stroking her thighs.

So… is that the end?

[Department store employee]?

What is her request?

What should I do?

『Aaaah!!!!!』

That moment,

A horrifying scream was heard from outside the fortune telling shop.

『Aaaah!!!!!! Argh!!!!!』

『This is what happens if you don’t suppress your resentment properly.』

A voice full of pain.

It feels like the nerves in my entire body have been removed and ground in a blender.

The scream of someone whose soul itself is being torn apart.

At the eerie scream she had never heard before in her life, Eunha trembled like an herbivore and hugged the [Beast]’s arms.

『Aaaah!!!!』

It was a familiar voice.

I met him at a department store… his whole body was twisted like a corpse that fell to his death.

This is the voice of a [department store employee].

『Rules are important.』

『Because it’s a guide for that.』

Eunha trembled in fear at the soul-shaking scream.

He grabs the [animal]’s arms as they move around and embraces four or five cold arms at once.

Eunha looked out the window.

Square wooden window.

Beyond a landscape as black as the night sky… countless ghostly lights flow like a river.

And, among the will-o’-the-wisp lights shining as white as the Milky Way,

One ghost, larger than the others, is shaking its body here and there and screaming.

It disappears.

Without a trace.

The sight of it slowly getting smaller with its long tail like a comet…

The soul of the galaxy cries out to escape from this place.

『And, even if one of us ignores the rules and approaches you.』

『He will never appear before your eyes again… so don’t worry about it.』

[The black person] says.

You can’t see his face because of the shadow of the hat… but he was smiling.

That thing smiled.

Looking at the galaxy.

Like a friendly neighbor.

Don’t be afraid.

Eunha felt fear.

widely…

As she became frightened and snuggled further into the arms of the [Beast], the [Black Man] took something out of the inside pocket of his pitch-black suit and placed it on the plate of snacks.

One pure white pill.

What is it this time?

Eunha, who was looking at the pills on the snack plate, stuttered and asked.

“W-what is this?”

『Swallow it before you sleep. I guess I can show it now.』

“Can I eat now?”

『I won’t stop you.』

Suddenly.

Eunha swallowed the pill right away.

I don’t know what it is, but I want to get out of here quickly.

Suddenly, I became scared of this little fortune teller. Did you come here for no reason?

The ghost fire flowing by, the [black person] in front of me, and the [beast] behind my back… I’m scared now.

It’s scary that they don’t even blink at the desperate screams coming from outside the window.

It’s hard to even talk now.

I want to go home quickly.

“…I’m just looking at you this once.”

However, I felt like I had to say something to calm my nerves, so I made a threat in a trembling voice.

『Keep this in mind. Are you done with your business now? Go and see.』

『Take care of yourself, child… In just a little while, I will be going to see you in person.』

They say

Eunha just closed her mouth and nodded.

Just like that, the cold hands of the [Beast] covered Eunha’s eyes,

Darkness is coming.

Darkness as always.

there was nothing.

… … .

… … .

and.

Is it because I picked up a strange pill and took it?

I had a dream.

… … .

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… … .

​

There was someone I loved.

​

… … .

​

Although he was not the coolest person in the world,

He was the most comfortable person in the world.

… … .

​

​

“It’s dyed yellow, yellow~”

“Hahaha~. Why are you suddenly shaking?”

“That’s right, I’m a teacher. If I don’t want to be embarrassed in front of the kids, I have to practice in advance.”

​

​

A person who is always positive and smiles a lot.

A person with two attractive moles under his left eye.

​

​

We were a couple who got along well even with the little things,

It was as if fate had chosen them both.

​

​

So obviously, on our little finger,

There is an invisible ‘thread of fate’ tied to it.

I believed that without a doubt.

​

“It’s dyed blue, blue~”

sang a nursery rhyme

I will become a school teacher next spring.

Although I have enough money at home, this is the job I have dreamed of since I was young.

How do we teach children?

Should I draw a picture? Can everyone read text?

Joyful thoughts overflow.

“It’s dyed yellow, yellow~”

Sing a nursery rhyme.

Because I like it.

This is because the warm and cozy lyrics and hopeful melody seep into your heart.

I put on the shoes that person gave me as a gift, and let my dress flutter in the warm spring breeze.

I believe this is fate,

It’s so fun to imagine yourself as a teacher.

It’s a happy life.

It’s a fateful meeting.

“Well… have you ever thought about it? What I said last time.”

“Huh~? Oh, that? I’ve thought about it, but I’m thinking about quitting. I’m busy preparing for school next year, so what kind of investment is that? Isn’t the money I have now enough?”

​

… … but,

As fateful love always does,

It ended in sudden tragedy.

… … .

​

​

Okay!

​

Early evening, while I was cooking in the kitchen,

Someone hit the back of the head with a hard object.

The sound of flesh hitting flesh is heard several times,

Covered in blood, she was dragged to the bathroom.

​

​

That’s it.

​

Women and love.

It ended in vain.

​

​

… … .

​

What was the problem?

​

When your parents passed away, did you save too much of the inheritance?

By coldly ignoring calls from relatives you didn’t even know existed?

Are you constantly hearing negative rumors about the school you will be attending starting next year?

Because you refused your friend’s advice to get an investment?

Did you get deceived by a lease scam and lose almost all of your parents’ inheritance?

Do you have debts from relatives you don’t know coming back to you?

​

Either that… What was visible through the mask of the assailant who hit the back of the head,

Was it because of the two attractive dots under the eyes?

​

​

I don’t know.

I was just sad.

​

​

The thread of fate that was everything in the world was so thin and easy to break,

The woman envied the jigsaw that cut her into small pieces.

​

My ‘thread of destiny’ could have been like that… if it had not been broken by any hardships and adversities, but could have cut through all obstacles.

I wish I could cut off all regrets and resentments and meet the true ‘person of destiny’.

​

​

Would it have been different then?

​

​

… … .

​

​

… like that,

The sorrow of a woman who longed for a happier love more than anyone else finally reached the sky,

The bloody ‘it’ stood up holding a jigsaw.

​

​

『… … It was stained red, red~.』

​

​

The bloody ‘it’ walks.

Endlessly.

​

Following the lead of fate.

Following the newly connected ‘Thread of Destiny’.

​

​

​

Toward you who will blush together.

​

​

​

… … .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“……whamma.”

Eunha woke up and opened her heavy eyes.

Bloody bathroom.

Wounds all over my body still throbbing.

and,

On her left little finger,

The plump blood vessels that were carefully carved out of the flesh,

They were tied together like the ‘red thread of fate.’

What is this?