episode_0099

“Wow~! Congratulations on passing, sis! Let’s go eat something delicious for dinner!”

“I guess so…”

The day the promotion exam ended.

On the way home after taking Ban Harin’s car, Eunha ran into Eunbangul, who was shopping at the supermarket, and made a sudden dinner date.

It was so sudden that I couldn’t even think of an excuse to refuse.

Eunha, Banharin, Eunbangul…

While doing so, Kang Na-ri, who was making potions in the damp semi-basement, was also called.

The meeting place was [Euncheon Restaurant], which happened to be nearby.

As for why I’m here again… there’s no particular reason.

Because it is close to Eunha’s house.

The original restaurant closed for unknown reasons.

Therefore, [Euncheon Restaurant] was the closest family restaurant to Eunha’s apartment, and after going there a few times, I found that the food and prices were excellent.

It would be difficult to find a more suitable place to eat out.

‘… … Was the restaurant always this close?’

Eunha looked suspiciously at her apartment, which was visible from the restaurant window.

Is it roughly 2 to 3 blocks away?

I don’t know.

It’s good if it’s close.

“We’re going to have a celebration party on this day off, so clear your schedule in advance. It’s been a while since we’re having a party at Eunha’s house!”

“Eunha. Is there anything you would like to receive as a congratulatory gift? Please tell me anything.”

“Yeah… I guess…”

He answered in a weak voice.

Because I have no energy.

Kang Na-ri eating a large steak.

Banharin quietly inhales creamy pasta.

Eunha nibbling on mushroom salad and button mushroom soup.

And, Eunbangul ordered the same food as Eunha, but then got hungry and ordered extra pasta…

I wonder how long it has been since we all gathered together like this and ate together.

Before we got [The Black Book], we often went to each other’s houses… but these days, that’s really difficult.

“We’ll come out to eat often next time! It’s great here!”

“Yeah… I guess so…”

warm.

Eunha thought so as she felt the body heat of the bunny girl sitting next to her.

The long promotion exam has ended.

It finally feels real now.

It felt like I had climbed a large mountain, crossed the peak, followed the downhill road, and then returned to the parking lot.

Is it because I’m too distracted?

Unlike the E-class promotion exam, where I was so happy as if I could fly, I don’t feel any special emotions right now.

It’s true that I’m happy.

But, it’s not fun.

The expression ‘futility’ would be more relatable.

“Wow. The food here is really delicious! Is this lamb?”

“Nari Kang. Please eat politely. I’m embarrassed to be around you.”

“Hehe. Masissung.”

Nari Kang, sitting in the front seat, is cutting steak with a happy face.

There was a time when I was worried that the daughter of a wealthy family from the [Blue Dragon Family] might have picky tastes, but the semi-basement debt collector in front of me devoured the food with the ease of wiping the plate with her tongue.

Is this what makes you full just by looking at it?

Eunha watched her eat, vowing to herself that she would buy Kang Na-ri many delicious things in the future.

Nari Kang sliced the steak.

As if reminiscing about old memories, the hand gestures that were somewhat clumsy at first gradually become formal and noble-like.

I cut the meat with a knife.

Juice flows out of the thick steak.

… … I feel nauseous.

“Eunha, what’s going on?”

At that time, Eunbangul spoke.

In a voice filled with concern.

“……Yes why?”

“Because I’m not smiling.”

In response to the rabbit girl’s question, Eunha hurriedly touched the corner of her mouth.

The corners of the mouth are really lowered. Did I have a lot of random thoughts?

She made her usual smiling face and looked at Bell.

It means it’s okay.

“…….”

The girl who makes eye contact with Eunha caresses Eunha’s back with her small hand.

Why?

The girl’s eyes, filled with complex emotions, seemed uncomfortable.

Eunha turned her head and looked down at the table.

Drop… drop…

The hand holding the fork was covered in red blood.

The fishy smell of iron passes through my nose.

What was on the table was chicken salad.

Not the mushroom salad I was eating just now, but a freshly made, piping hot chicken salad.

Cut the chicken with an old jig saw and bring it to your mouth.

Chicken salad.

Startle…!

Feeling dizzy, Eunha covered her mouth with one hand and slowly caught her breath.

You can’t do this here.

There are many eyes to see.

Exhale.

So deep and slow that my vision becomes blurry.

Then, I blinked a couple of times, and my blood-covered hands regained their original cleanliness.

Okay.

You saw it wrong.

“Mmm, this is delicious.”

“Eunha. How do you like my pasta?”

“……Good. Please share a little.”

“No, I’m just asking how it is. Doesn’t it look delicious?”

“Are you crazy?”

Eunha pretended nothing was wrong and ate the salad with a smile on her face.

It’s a fun dinner.

… … .

… … .

After going through such a difficult day that I couldn’t even speak.

Sometimes, I feel like all the strength is draining from my body.

Mental exhaustion… Is it called burnout syndrome?

I don’t know who created the word, but it is a very well-made word.

Thanks to the old man in the park, I learned ‘mana’, and every evening I learned ‘body strengthening’ from Ban Harin.

I endured the stomachache that came every day, and eventually passed the promotion test.

end.

That’s it.

All motivation burned away.

Ordinary people also feel burnout, but what must it be like for Eunha, who has been experiencing constant stomach pains for several days, a terrible physical fitness test, and even sparring with an [artificial monster]?

As much as I worked hard, the feeling of disappointment that comes with it is greater than I expected.

What’s next?

Should I prepare for the exam again?

‘… … are you okay. Let’s think positively. It means I tried that hard.’

Anything, positively.

After chasing away negative emotions, Eunha gathered her strength.

Anyway, didn’t I pass the promotion test?

Even though my shoulder was bitten by an [artificial monster], it would be safe to praise myself that I passed with flying colors.

Now, when you receive a new hunter certificate, you are a D-class hunter.

Minimum level to enter the [Crack Ground] where monsters live.

Although there is a condition that you must be accompanied by a C-rank or higher hunter, you can finally enter the [Rift Field].

There is no reason not to be happy.

Later, you should lure scout Ban Harin or Jeong So-ra and enter the [Rift Field].

Thinking about that made me feel better.

After all, people must live positively.

“Actually, I felt it when I saw Eunha in front of the supermarket. If I just sent that home, she wouldn’t even be able to eat dinner…”

“So you intentionally invited me to eat out?”

“It goes without saying! I’m happy when I’m with my sister!”

After dinner, Eunha left the restaurant and talked alone with Bang Bang, who followed her to the entrance of ‘Saetbyul Apartment’.

The girl’s pure white rabbit ears are dyed in the bright yellow sunset and prick vigorously.

“How are you feeling? Are you feeling a little better? Do you want to sleep with me tonight? I get lonely when I’m alone.”

“I have a lot of questions.”

“It means that you are very interested in Eunha. Are you okay?”

The girl’s voice as she asked questions was cautious.

Like a scared rabbit.

Then, when Eunha opens her arms wide, he smiles brightly and jumps into her arms.

Eunha looked up at the sunset while patting the baby in her warm embrace.

Slowly, it is time to return home.

‘It’s been a long time… Now I have to go home, wash up, and sleep.’

Eunha, who had been holding Eunbangul for a while, let go of the girl with a short deep breath.

The bell that fell quietly looks up at the galaxy with a bright smile.

Stiff white rabbit ears.

Eyes as black as tar.

When you look at the cute-looking bunny girl, many emotions arise.

It was love for the girl,

It was a girl’s sorrow about her past,

… … I had an obsession with wanting to part that soft skin.

“See you tomorrow then, sister.”

“…….”

“Dream of me~.”

Bang Bang waves his hand and leaves.

Eunha captured the girl’s back in her eyes.

A girl leaving. Tiny body.

The shoulder joints that move smoothly with every step and the smooth skin come into view.

it’s a shame.

Something is disappointing.

“…….”

like that,

Eunha was quietly looking at Eunbang-ul’s small back,

He slowly turned around… and went back to his apartment.

With an old jigsaw in hand.

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

“Whoa. I’m tired.”

7:30 PM.

As soon as she entered the house, Eunha took a cool shower and sat on the living room sofa in a loose boxy tee.

I feel a bit strange today, but whatever.

I’m relieved that I came home safely.

‘When did you bring this up again?’

Eunha, who was lying comfortably on the sofa, was fiddling with the old jigsaw she had been holding in her hand for some time, and then put it down on the living room table.

I was thinking about it earlier… What on earth is that jigsaw?

My memories of fighting [artificial monsters] are blurry.

The only thing that came to mind was that I was very sad… I was moving around like I was drunk, but I came to my senses when I heard Ban Ha-rin’s shouts that came to the exam room.

Eunha thought of the test proctor lying blankly on the dirt floor and the [artificial monster] in disarray.

I’m not sure, but I know it was very dangerous.

After all, you should not misuse items lent to you by others.

“Let’s quickly return it to the [Red Woman]… For some reason, these guys have been quiet since then…”

Eunha is lying on the sofa and stroking her abdomen.

She rubbed her stomach clockwise, worried about ‘Fly’ who had not moved at all since the time of the practical exam.

He’s crouching down like he’s scared.

Since the intestines are not ripped out, there is no stomachache.

Is my stomach hurting because I ate too much?

I’m starting to worry about ‘Fly’, who doesn’t move, as if we’ve built up some affection for him.

‘It’s strange… the sun hasn’t set yet, so I’ll have to go ask [Bug Princess] for a moment.’

I stood up after checking the setting sun.

Since the promotion exam was over and I was planning to take the ‘Fly’ out of my body, let’s go and visit [Bug Princess].

It would be safest to ask an expert’s opinion.

“Okay. Let’s just finish this and go to sleep.”

The worry was short-lived.

Eunha left the house with a jigsaw and pesticide in the mindset that whatever would happen would happen.

Go to room 1003.

Am I really going to die?