episode_0244

“You want me to believe that now? Who do you think is a fool… ”

My heart was stabbed. It was the first time in a long time that I was treated like trash.

At one time, Jinyeseo would always stare at me with those eyes. I don’t really miss those days though…

“There has to be a limit to lying! Do you think I would be fooled when I’m not someone else? Even at first glance, I look exactly like you and your sister… !”

Jin Ye-seo screams as if she can’t stand it anymore. After all, Jin Ye-seo is one of the few people who has seen both my and Yeon-i’s faces.

Since I entered the cradle school, I have never taken off my mask and revealed my face in public.

“That’s not a lie. There’s no way I would lie to you about something like that.”

Then Jin Ye-seo flinched as if she had been hit on the nail on the head.

“That’s true, but… Hey! Don’t change the subject… !”

“There really was no such relationship as you think. If it’s a lie, you can cut off my head.”

“Ugh… ”

Jinyeseo hesitated at the repeated appeals. It wasn’t exactly a lie, so there was no need to hesitate.

“I can’t, I can’t believe it. If I had thought that I would just let it slide… ”

Unlike the words, the agitation in her green eyes swelled even more. It was a gap that should not be missed. It was good evidence that she believed in my morality.

I told her again, as if reaffirming my resolve.

“I have some circumstances. It’s a bit difficult right now, but I’ll definitely explain the circumstances later. I promise.”

“… ”

Jin Ye-seo looked troubled, but the fiery energy she had just shown was nowhere to be found. Surprisingly, she seemed to be a weak person, as she acted in a humble manner.

When we see things like this, we see that we have something similar.

Anyway, since Su-ah’s identity cannot be revealed, this was the best method.

I was still struggling with how to deal with the child, but… I was certain of this much.

“What do you mean you adopted someone… ”

After a long silence, Jin Ye-seo let out a long sigh, having completely relaxed her stance. I laughed because I somehow understood the meaning of her grumbling.

For now… I mean, I’ll let it go.

“Thank you. For believing in me.”

“Totally lethal… Only at times like this should you be so cowardly and humble… Just keep your mouth shut later… ”

It was a grumbling that, as always, did not convey any resentment.

Jin Ye-seo took off the blanket covering her upper body without caution and fanned herself with a wave of her hand. Her sweaty upper body was still visible, so there was no place to look.

“But… ”

Regardless, Jinyeseo looked at me and continued asking questions.

“Then really… you and Seoyeon unnie were like that in the past… ?”

“Well, that’s right… ”

“Hmm… ”

A bitter taste lingered on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t deny it. Jin Ye-seo made a strange expression that was neither positive nor negative, and became lost in thought.

“But aren’t you and Senior Yeonmin Ha currently in the process of getting married?”

“That’s right too.”

“Then what are you going to do? You’re not thinking of reuniting, are you?”

“… ”

Calm curiosity continues to prick my conscience. Of course, it’s not that Jin Ye-seo said that on purpose to get on my nerves. It’s just a natural question for someone who knows the situation…

“And… you said Su-ah? Then what are you going to do with her? She’s still a baby. She doesn’t look like she’s even three years old. She probably still needs all her parents’ love… ”

Jin Ye-seo seemed to have taken my silence in another way, but that statement was correct.

Anyway, Su-ah is still a young girl, and is also at an age where she needs proper guidance.

Whether it was a cat or an alien.

No… rather, it had to be that way even more so because I wasn’t human.

We will have to forcefully instill in them the values and morals that are proper for humans in order for them to live together with us. Otherwise, the end will be destruction.

“Hmm… ”

Jin Ye-seo snorted again. Then, perhaps realizing that it was a sensitive topic, she calmly changed the subject.

“I guess you can figure it out yourself. But can I ask you a favor?”

“Please?”

“Yeah. Your daughter. Could you introduce her to me just once later?”

“That’s not impossible… but why all of a sudden?”

“Just curious.”

Jin Ye-seo answered with an indifferent expression as if it was nothing.

“And I like kids a little bit.”

“Really? This is unexpected.”

“What’s unexpected… Anyway, it was a promise?”

At first glance, it’s a very proactive attitude that could be mistaken for being desperate. It seems like he really likes children.

Even though it’s unexpected, it’s not a bad thing for me. If we become close like that, it won’t be as shocking when Su-ah’s true identity is revealed later.

After all that chaos, it was already dark outside. We slowly got up to head back to the dormitory.

I walked down the hallway and asked Jin Ye-seo.

“Has anything happened? Did something happen again… ”

Thanks to the return of the principal, the cradle is at peace, but that doesn’t mean we can completely relax. Those monsters have already infiltrated every corner of our society.

I wish I could predict what they’re going to do next.

“Well… I don’t think there was anything like that.”

And then I hear Jinyeseo’s voice from behind. I wonder a little bit about her intentions for walking one step apart instead of side by side. Judging from the rustling sound of her collar, I can only vaguely guess that she might be doing something.

“The internal work is more or less finished… Now, just the work in the North… ”

“If it’s north… a barrier?”

And then a familiar word came out of Jinyeseo’s mouth.

“Did something happen over there?”

“… You didn’t know?”

Jin Ye-seo asked back, as if she was surprised. Even though she had her ears open in the ward, that didn’t mean she could hear all the news.

“The scouts who went north continue to report strange signs from the demon tribe. Movement of troops, transport of supplies, even large gatherings… ”

“… Are you sure about that information?”

“I’m pretty sure of it. Everyone with relatives in the intelligence agency was saying the same thing… ”

“… ”

“Huh? What’s your reaction?”

Jin Ye-seo, who had come up to me without me noticing, raised the corners of her lips as if teasing me as she looked at me standing tall. Then she came up to me and tapped me on the shoulder.

“You’re not scared, are you? It’s not like they’re going to head south just because they found some strange signs. They’re the ones who fight each other all the time… ”

Of course, it’s not because I’m scared. I’ve already killed dozens of those beasts. Among them were high-ranking demons of the Baekdu bloodline.

Rather, it was because I suddenly remembered something I had forgotten. Among the witches I saw in my dream, there was one who said they would go beyond the barrier.

An inexplicable sense of anxiety stabbed my brain. Of course, it couldn’t be for a good reason.

“Phew.”

Suddenly, a damp wind piercing my ears awakens me. Jin Ye-seo is blowing wind into my ears with her legs raised. I don’t like the smirk on her lips.

“… Who’s scared? ”

“Hmm.”

Although the answer is late, the laughter adds more depth.

“Can you go in alone? I wonder if you’re scared and can’t sleep at night. Should I sleep with you?”

“Don’t mess with me. What are you doing, sister… ”

Jin Ye-seo, who was pretending to hug me with her arms outstretched, chuckled. Before we knew it, we were at the fork in the road near the dormitory building.

“Go in. Thank you for today… ”

Po-ok!

And as I was turning to say goodbye to Jinyeseo, a soft sensation suddenly sank into my back. There were three points. One on top, and two in a row on the bottom.

“What is this… ”

“… I’m glad you came back safely.”

The arm stretched out in front of me tightened its grip on my waist. I could hear a mumbling voice, perhaps because my face was buried in his back.

“Really, really… ”

It was the moment when the worries I had been trying to hide with my twitching attitude came to the surface. I stood frozen in place, unable to do anything.

Of course, I felt a mixture of gratitude and regret towards her… but that wasn’t the reason.

Jin Ye-seo, who had just finished the one-sided hug, came forward again. Her face was also red, perhaps because she had buried her face in it.

“Hey, you, you… ”

“Um, why?”

I asked stammeringly, but Jinyeseo just tilted her head. She had an innocent and naive attitude, like a country girl who didn’t know anything. If I ask her like this, I’ll just end up being the weird one.

“Hmm… ”

Jin Ye-seo had a strange smile on her lips. She stuck out her tongue halfway in a spiteful manner.

“Just wait and see. I’ll definitely win next time.”

And then, before I could say anything, he took quick steps and disappeared into the dark scenery. I was left standing there, dumbfounded.

A hard, heterogeneous sensation, completely different from soft flesh. And two of them at that.

It was a feeling I had never felt before during our training.

… Now that I think about it, I think I made a promise with Jinye Seo a while ago.

That was… what was it?

***

Anyway, thanks to Jinyeseo, I was able to achieve my goal of going to the training room. Even now, every muscle in my body was screaming.

Of course, there was a bit of uneasiness left… but it was just a minor thing.

The dormitory of the night tree that I returned to after a long time was pitch black without a single light. It must be because Yeonmin-ha was staying in the disciplinary room.

I have to spend the night alone. Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I’ve spent a night alone.

Behaviors that were once familiar now feel a little strange.

I entered the dormitory, chewing on the shallow loneliness, and turned on the light.

And what I immediately felt was the presence of something I had never expected.

“Mo, Mohada, come in now… !”

A small creature, not even tall enough to reach my knees, had its eyes wide open and its hands on its hips. Its puffed-out cheeks looked menacing, but I found it cute.

My impression of him was only one.

This is really the same as my mother.