episode_0350

***

“Sandstorm?”

It was after dinner, when dessert was served, that Isis brought up the story of the storm.

Kang In-ho, who was eating yogurt mixed with a small amount of honey with a teaspoon, looked at Isis’ neat appearance and asked.

The reason the story about the sand storm came up was because Kang In-ho said he wanted to go to the park.

Isis explained the worsening air quality and its causes, and what the lengthy explanation meant was that it would be difficult to go out for the time being.

The various disasters that rained down when the dimensional passage opened destroyed everyone except Aaru to the point where recovery was impossible.

To put it in perspective, it could be said that Aaru was perfectly prepared to withstand that disaster.

The last bastion of humanity, the last hope of humanity that has disappeared.

If humanity were to be rebuilt again, the assessment Aaru would hear is self-explanatory.

“That’s right. Outside of Aaru is a wasteland. If it were a simple wasteland, there wouldn’t be a big problem, but the soil has been polluted for a long time, and there are many toxic substances floating in the air.”

Isis explained in detail to Kang In-ho, who was scraping up the yogurt from the cup.

“Yeah, if that’s the case, I can’t go out.”

“Still, I thought you would say you wanted to leave.”

Isis tilted her head in unexpectedly quick agreement.

“It makes sense. Do you think I’m someone who throws tantrums for no reason?”

Isis judged that there was some hidden meaning in Kang In-ho’s words, but could not accept those feelings.

It may have meant that the reason for not letting it out until now was unreasonable, but from Isis’s perspective, all decisions and control were choices made for her master.

“I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Okay. I didn’t say that because I felt bad either.”

lie. Isis didn’t bother to say it out loud.

“Do sand storms last long?”

While I was organizing the dishes, Kang In-ho asked as if he was passing by.

“The longest storm was a week. Considering that the size of the storm heading toward Aaru is similar to that time, it is expected to last for about 4 to 5 days.”

“It’s a long time. Have you ever suffered serious damage due to a storm?”

“There was no damage that caused serious disruption to the city. However, phenomena such as communication becoming unstable in some sections or communication being temporarily cut off occurred.”

“I need to prepare.”

“We plan to respond by expediting repairs. Do you have any special instructions regarding this?”

“No, you are an expert in city management. You can do whatever you want.”

“Okay.”

After putting all the dishes on the tray, Isis turned around with a small nod.

“I walk alone these days.”

Kang In-ho captured Isis with words.

He mentions the many ‘Isis’ that he used to hang around like a gang.

“I thought you were feeling burdened. No additional production was carried out except for those already produced.”

“Additional production? How many more were you planning on making?”

“We planned to produce approximately 1,232 additional units for city management and master assistance.”

“No, don’t do that. I feel sick.”

Kang In-ho’s face turned pale, as if he was thinking of the face of Isis, which can be seen wherever he goes.

“As you said, all production plans have been halted. …If you are saying that already produced objects should be discarded….”

“That’s not what I meant. There is no need to break it.”

“Okay.”

Isis left the room with a slightly raised voice.

***

As is the case with everyday life, as was the providence of nature, night came.

“Now it’s time to go to bed.”

Isis, who had already changed into pajamas of the same design as her owner, suggested that she go into bed.

“Only a glass of water.”

As soon as the words were out, a glass filled with water appeared.

Kang In-ho took it and drank it without stopping. In one gulp, the cool water went down my esophagus and wet my entire body.

Satisfied with his quenched thirst, he went to bed.

“I will turn off the light.”

It wasn’t a question asking for permission.

The lights are turned off, and natural blackout curtains surround the room.

Isis lay on her side, supporting her head with one arm, and waited until her master fell asleep.

Place your free arm on the blanket and rhythmically pat the owner’s stomach with moderate force.

If I were to give a song that goes well with that action, it would most likely have lyrics like these.

– Hush, hush, my baby. Sleep well, sleep well.

The optimal temperature, the soft feel of the blanket, and the right height of the pillow were enough to put me to sleep right away.

The period in which a man blinks his eyes becomes longer and longer. My vision darkens, and soon a feeling of drowsiness and confusion sets in.

“……”

After splashing in the sea of unconsciousness a few times, I eventually fall into sleep.

Nevertheless, his guardian pats his blanket and induces him to fall into a deeper sleep.

The cradle night had just begun.

***

“Ah… the bathroom.”

The man stood up with a deep voice.

Perhaps because of the water he drank before going to bed, he woke up mid-sleep.

Following my instincts, I go to the bathroom. My feet were bare and I wasn’t even wearing slippers.

4:12 in the morning.

I glanced at it and saw the current time while going to the bathroom.

Open the bathroom door and go in, relieving your heightened need to defecate.

The somewhat cool temperature of the bathroom makes it difficult to sleep.

After flushing the water, the man sat on the toilet and looked blankly at the ceiling, as if waking up.

A typical bathroom with an exhaust vent next to an incandescent light. The vent is slightly larger than that of a typical home.

“I am someone… Where am I….”

Mumbling white noises, he wandered at the crossroads between sleep and reality.

“I have to go out.”

After enjoying his alone time, he left the bathroom with regret behind him.

I head to bed and look at the clock.

The current time announced by the electronic clock is 4:41.

“Huh?”

It was well over 10 minutes and 23 seconds.

Feeling something strange, Kang In-ho returned to the bed.

I could vaguely see Isis lying down facing the ceiling with her eyes closed.

“…Isis?”

I called in a low voice, but Isis had no answer.

“Isis?”

I tried to raise my voice a little more, but still there was no answer.

He reaches out and touches Isis’ nose.

gulp. He swallowed and returned to his blanket.

I’m not sure, but…

I felt like I had discovered something amazing.

The window began to shake slightly in the wind.

A storm was coming.