episode_0078

… … … … …

“As two people get closer, they share each other’s energy and in the process, they purify bad energy.”

“Oh, that’s… … .”

After hearing her explanation directly, there were many things that were bothersome.

Two people sharing energy so close together. Surely that’s not what I’m thinking of, is it…?

“So, how exactly do you do that ritual?”

“Well, first, the two people sit facing each other in a comfortable space.

And as we touch each other’s bodies gently, our skins touch each other, our sensitive and precious places――”

“Sorry, sorry! That’s, uh, um… I don’t think I can do it.”

I hastily cut off Sister Ayoung. The sister seemed quite disappointed by my response.

“Oh my… …Do you happen to not like my body?

If that’s the case, I’m really sorry, but I can replace you with another sister… … .”

“Oh, no! That’s not what I meant. The nun is really beautiful. But I think it’s a bit… … .”

There were several more conversations after that. Sister Ayoung seemed a little disappointed when the misunderstanding was resolved, but smiled slightly as if she understood.

“I see. I’m glad to hear that it’s not me that you don’t like.

Brother… … you seem uncomfortable with such things. It’s okay. You don’t have to force yourself.

However, if you change your mind at any time, please contact us.”

She smiled gently and handed me her business card. I smiled awkwardly and took it.

“Yes, I understand. Thank you, Sister.”

As I left the cafe, I started to pull the shopping cart with mixed feelings. The nun’s words kept lingering in my head. I knew she was really trying to help me, but the way she did it was a little… so strange.

“Yeong-cha… … .”

On the way home, a gentle uphill slope blocked my path. It wasn’t a problem when I was walking without anything, but it was a bit difficult when I was pulling a shopping cart full of things.

As I was somehow pulling the cart up, I suddenly felt the cart become lighter. I turned my head in surprise, and saw someone’s hand holding the cart’s handle.

“Brother, I will help you.”

The owner of that voice was none other than Sister Ayoung. Her mint-colored hair swayed in the wind.

“Sister, how did you get here… … .”

“I was worried. My brother… … I felt uneasy seeing him pulling a heavy cart all by himself with his frail body.”

Her smile left me speechless. The image of her genuinely worrying about me just a moment ago flashed through my mind.

“It’s okay, Sister. I can do it.”

“Yes, I know. But I just want to help out with something that needs help, and I want to help you, brother. Just as a friend.”

I felt a little embarrassed by her sudden declaration of friendship, so I just nodded. We walked side by side, pulling the cart.

“Um, um… …you said you came from an external dimension, what kind of place is that?”

She thought for a moment and then answered.

“It’s similar to this place, but different. The way people live is similar, but the difference is that they don’t use electricity and they use magic――”

I listened to her story. Her story was strange and interesting. Her world, as I heard through the explanation, was a world where numerous religions coexisted and formed a de facto theocratic system. It seemed quite different from the world of Ms. Wol-hee, ruled by vampires, or the world of Mr. Sun, reminiscent of the West in the Middle Ages.

So we walked to my house while talking, and after a while we arrived.

“This is my home. Thank you so much for your help, Sister.”

Sister Ayoung smiled at my thanks.

“No way, brother. I just did what I could.”

As I watched her leave the front door, I suddenly felt guilty. Although her attire was terrifyingly bold, she was actually a good person, and I felt bad about ending up receiving help from her.

“Excuse me, Sister. Would you like… … to have a drink before you go? I feel a bit bad about sending you away after receiving help like this.”

As I began to speak hesitantly, Sister Ayoung’s eyes widened slightly.

“Are you sure you’re okay? Am I bothering you?”

“No, not at all! I’m the one who caused trouble. Please come in.”

“Then… … I will gratefully accept it.”

I opened the door and ushered the nun in. As I watched her enter the house, I felt strangely at peace.

After guiding the nun to the living room, I headed to the kitchen.

“Just a moment. I’ll bring you something to drink right away.”

I looked through the fridge for something I could give to the nun. Hmm, maybe a zero carbonated drink? Surely since she’s religious, I can’t have something sweet?

… … … … …

Meanwhile, Park Ah-young, left alone in the living room, began to carefully look around. Her green eyes slowly scanned every corner of the room.

A shoe rack on one side of the living room caught her eye. Several pairs of shoes were neatly arranged there.

Shoes of various types and sizes, including high heels, flats, and sneakers, were neatly arranged next to the boy’s sneakers.

On the sofa were cushions of various colors, one of which had long purple hair attached to it. On the table were several mugs, each with a different design.

The shelf in front of the mirror on the wall was filled with cosmetics. Various products, such as lipstick, mascara, and foundation, were organized by color.

And the bathroom door was open, so she could look inside. There were several toothbrushes in cups, each in a different color. There were more than one or two kinds of shampoo and conditioner, and women’s skin care products were also visible.

The same goes for the hangers. There were women’s gowns hanging there that were completely the wrong size for a boy.

Park A-young’s expression changed subtly. Does the boy who is currently struggling in front of the refrigerator realize that he is walking on a blade? Complex emotions appeared in her eyes, but she soon regained her calm expression.

The boy returned to the living room holding a drink. A pure smile appeared on his cute face.

“Here it is, Sister. Orange juice.”

Park A-young accepted the juice with a smile.

“Thank you, brother.”

They sat side by side on the sofa and began to talk. Park A-young deliberately avoided talking about the ‘bad energy’ or religion she had mentioned. Instead, she asked about the boy’s daily life, hobbies, and dreams.

“I, I… … I want to be someone who can help many people. But first, I need to repay the people who helped me… … .”

Park Ah-young felt her heart warm as she listened to the boy’s words, his cheeks flushed red. The boy’s innocence and goodness lit a fire in her heart.

As the conversation progressed, Park A-young became more and more convinced that this boy was a really good kid. His innocence, consideration for others, and positive energy captivated her.

‘I want to protect this child… … I need to preserve his innocence and protect him from anything that threatens him.’

At that moment, a sudden realization came to Park Ah-young’s mind. Because she had lived as a priest for many years, she was able to attain realization much faster and more accurately than others.

She could understand why the six ‘bad energies’ she had mentioned were so tied up with this boy.

The boy, completely unaware of it, was tremendously stimulating the other person’s desire for protection with just his pure actions, speech, and innocent appearance.

Park Ah-young could feel the innocence of a child and the unique charm of a boy in the boy’s eyes. Every word and action of the boy was more than enough to capture the hearts of others.

It didn’t matter that he was actually twenty-one years old and not strictly speaking a ‘boy’.

‘This child’s innocence and charm… … is threatening the sanity of those around him and even his own safety.’

Park A-young looked at the boy and began to understand his true nature more deeply. The boy’s pure charm was as beautiful as a flower in full bloom, and his fragrance attracted everyone around him… or rather, beings with very strong power.

Every time the boy smiled, the lights that sparkled in his eyes were like starlight, and his soft voice, his often shy gestures, and his consideration for others all made the boy more attractive.

Park A-young thought that the boy was like a flower that attracts bees. But that was not the boy’s intention. It was just his nature. There was nothing wrong with him.