episode_0357

October 1st.

A difficult day had finally ended.

A promotion exam, a kidnapping ordeal, the [Facility], and even the orphanage…

Only after burying the orphanage “director” — who had ultimately turned into a grotesque — in a sunlit place, did I barely manage to drag myself home, clinging to life by a thread.

‘The orphans seem to have blended well into the Milky Way… But what happened to the “young me” that Eunhong took and the kid who was on the blood donation bus?’

I don’t know. They’ll figure it out on their own.

Eunha gazed at the stain on the ceiling, standing behind the café counter with her usual smiling face.

“Huu…”

Her entire body felt drained.

Is this when you’d say she’d been “burned clean white”?

After losing parts of her body multiple times in a single day, after fighting grotesques alone in knee-deep pools of blood,

she didn’t want to exert herself for anything else for a while.

“Whatcha doing?”

“Thinking about you.”

“…Ha. Damn it. Grudge earned.”

Concerned by Eunha’s sigh, someone approached the counter.

But upon hearing Eunha’s exhausted, thoughtless remark, they immediately turned their back and left the café.

Had her customer service attitude been lacking?

Their face was beet red, as if they were furious down to their hairline.

‘This isn’t good…’

She needed to pull herself together.

Kim Sarang still had a long way to go before the academy ended, and Ban Harin had claimed she was feeling unwell and hadn’t come to the café.

Because of that, the café was left with only three people: Eunha, Eunbang-ul, and Kang Nari.

As for “Mouse”… where’d they go?

‘Let me rest in the break room for a bit.’

It’s fine. A little rest, and she’d be back to normal.

Eunha glanced around, looking for the rabbit girl who’d take over the counter.

“……Can’t see her.”

“Looking for me?”

Under a large shadow, a pair of pure white rabbit ears perked up.

Oh, I was using her as an armrest without realizing it. No wonder my body felt lighter.

“Stop twisting around if you’re looking for me. My neck’s gonna snap too.”

“I’ll take a quick break in the lounge. Won’t take long.”

“If you’re tired, rest at home. The café has enough hands.”

After exchanging a few light words with the rabbit ears poking out, she headed to the break room.

Click—

The break room was quiet.

A small table separating two facing sofas, the office computer Eunbang-ul used, and a cabinet for clothes and belongings.

Even a fridge stocked with all kinds of snacks…

“…….”

Eunha stepped inside.

Her eyes lingered on a bulletin board hung on one wall, densely covered with photographs.

Pictures capturing moments of herself and the rabbit girl working at the café—

memories of just the two of them.

“There aren’t any photos of others.”

The unusual part? Only pictures of Eunha and Eunbang-ul were pinned to the board.

It had already been months since Kang Nari started working here.

Recently, Kim Sarang had also dropped by for part-time work, and “Mouse” occasionally helped out too.

Yet, the “photos” on the break room board featured only two people… Eunbang-ul and Eunha.

It wasn’t just old pictures either.

There was even one of Eunha stretching carelessly a few days ago, her uniform buttons bursting off one after another—her embarrassed face now immortalized on the board.

‘There aren’t any of Ban Harin either… I thought there used to be some.’

A strange discomfort.

But not enough to dwell on.

Turning her gaze from the board, Eunha surveyed the quiet break room.

“…….”

The door closed behind her.

A confined space. Just Eunha alone.

“…….”

She wiped away cold sweat.

Unbeknownst to her, the nape of her neck was damp.

When she unconsciously clasped her hands together—the one that had just wiped sweat—she flinched at how icy they felt.

Like grabbing the hand of a corpse, frozen stiff.

Or the hand of a [Beast].

Ding—

An auditory hallucination.

The sound of an elevator arriving, its doors sliding open.

She remembered pressing the button, but the doors didn’t open—the elevator’s interior gradually shrinking narrower instead.

Eunha looked up at the break room ceiling, where she stood alone.

“…….”

Was our café’s break room

always this cramped?

(This is where you’ll live from now on.)

Drip. Drip.

The foul sound of liquid.

This time, she lowered her head.

A pool of blood, deep enough to submerge her knees, came into view.

In the stagnant blood filling the enclosed space, someone’s roughly torn limbs floated languidly.

Squelch.

A woman emerged from the pool, her warm smile spreading.

(『You’re trapped here. I won’t send you anywhere.』)

Forgotten memories.

The past she’d resolved to carry with her.

Only now did she realize—

it had hurt so much.

“…Cough.”

Nausea forced a cough out of her.

Then, like a mirage, the blood pool vanished, revealing the familiar sight of the break room.

A hallucination, it seemed.

Unfortunately.

“Ugh… Actually, good. I’ve still got so much saved up for that “director.” Next time I see a hallucination, I’ll just spit on it.”

It’s fine. It’s all over now.

The “director” disappeared without even blending into the Milky Way.

Quietly, Eunha wiped the sweat dripping down her face, opened the door, and stepped out.

Click.

And then, the restroom.

…….

About three minutes later,

she returned from the restroom to the counter.

There, Jung Sora, the scout of the [Everlasting Swordmaster] guild—now a café regular—was doting on Eunbang-ul.

“Huh? Eunha unnie. You’re back quick.”

“I’ve rested enough.”

Eunbang-ul, who’d been defending her snow-white rabbit ears from Jung Sora,

quietly studied Eunha as she returned to the counter, then stepped aside with a face full of concern.

“Tell me if you need help. I’ll do anything.”

“Sure.”

After adjusting Eunha’s disheveled apron, Eunbang-ul hopped toward the storage room.

…….

A peaceful café.

Eunha liked the café.

No manuals, no need to suffer grotesques.

The only place she could let her guard down.

That was enough.

“Hello, Eunha. I’ll have a milk coffee before I go.”

An ordinary October day.

While taking Jung Sora’s order, Eunha subtly shifted her gaze.

A mirror installed in the café reflected her face.

The same as always—a listless smile.

Her eyes met her reflection.

“…….”

What if she and her mirror self switched places?

If she lent “her spot” for a while—

maybe then she could rest easy.

The thought crossed her mind.

…….

…….

“You’ve worked hard today, miss.”

“Good evening, sir.”

Late at night.

Exchanging greetings with the apartment’s elderly janitor cleaning the parking lot.

Just a while ago, he’d barricaded himself in the guard booth at this hour, making nothing but clay dolls—

yet recently, he’d been spending more and more time outside, roaming around.

[ Hello, little star! ]

Helping the janitor with trash bags, a rabbit plushie held up a memo with greetings for Eunha.

Starlight Apartments—unchanging.

But bit by bit, shifting.

“Sir, have you stopped making clay dolls lately?”

“I still do. Occasionally.”

“……Occasionally?”

“Thanks to someone, I don’t need to shackle myself anymore.”

I see.

That’s good.

Draaaag.

Pulling her unchanged suitcase, Eunha walked on.

“…….”

First-floor hallway.

Stopping before the elevators, Eunha looked back and forth between the two options.

Thump. Thump.

Then, as if suffocating, she tugged at the loose neckline of her boxy T-shirt and took a deep breath.

“…Stairs aren’t so bad sometimes.”

Dragging her suitcase behind her, Eunha climbed the stairs.

Second floor, third floor…

Motion-sensor lights flickered on.

“Hmm?”

And when she reached the eighth-floor landing…

On the stairs leading to the ninth, she spotted the plump little rear of a buzzing baby bumblebee.

Bzzz…!

Around the time Eunha returned from work.

Waiting for the elevator—who knew when it’d arrive?

A mischievous little bumblebee hiding on the stairs, sneakily wagging its tiny behind around the corner.

Probably never expected anyone to take the stairs.

“…….”

Should I bite it?

No—ask for permission first, then bite.

Smirking, Eunha quietly descended the stairs, unnoticed by “Fly.”

Then, deliberately, she cleared her throat.

“…Ahem!”

Tap!

Skitter skitter!

Startled, “Fly” scrambled up the stairs.

Wonder whose kid they are, to be so squishy.

With a satisfied smile, Eunha absentmindedly glanced around the eighth-floor hallway.

『…….』 『…….』 『…….』 『…….』

Front doors lining the hallway.

All wide open, as if on cue—hands of something reaching out from inside.

Silently, Eunha shut her mouth and raised her suitcase—carrying the [Black Book]—like a shield.

…Must’ve been the coughing.

The apartment walls were thin—outside sounds must’ve seeped through.

“Ahem. Ahem… Ugh, my throat hurts.”

Draaaag—

Pretending not to notice anything, Eunha ascended to the ninth floor.

A yellow castanet lay abandoned on the stairs—Fly must’ve fled in a hurry.

Bzzz…

And on the landing to the tenth floor, a baby bumblebee peeked out eagerly, wiggling in anticipation.

‘Still got time… I’ll play along a bit before heading home.’

Once in a while, peaceful days like this were necessary.

With that thought, Eunha set her suitcase down in the hallway… then dashed up the stairs toward the tenth floor, scooping up the enormous chest bouncing ahead of her.

…….

Nothing much happened after that.

Chasing “Fly,” Eunha arrived on the tenth floor.

Spotting the bumblebee crouched in a corner, she crept up from behind.

Carefully extending her hand—

she pressed down on Fly’s head with that chest—bigger than their own—

covering their tiny eyes.

“Guess who~.”

Click clack! Tap!

Wriggle wriggle.

They knew who it was but couldn’t speak—frustrated, they gestured wildly.

The little one clenched their tiny fists, shaking their bottom indignantly.

A peaceful daily life.

Moments destined to become memories someday.

Click—

Just as Eunha was healing her exhausted heart by playing with Fly—

the sound of a front door opening echoed behind her.

Startled, Eunha instinctively yanked Fly into a tight hug.

Buried in softness, the baby bumblebee’s tiny lips squirmed adorably.

Skitter skitter—

The sound of insect feet.

Something emerged from the open door, approaching Eunha—

and tapped her shoulder.

Tap. Tap.

“Sorry. I won’t do it again.”

The apology slipped out reflexively.

In this apartment, only grotesques tapped her shoulder—

and she’d left her suitcase with the [Black Book] on the ninth floor.

Who lived on the tenth floor again?

What was the rule?

『What do you think you’re doing to a child who can’t even speak?』

But then, a familiar girl’s voice brushed against her shoulder—

and Eunha turned to face the grotesque behind her.

“……Lady [Princess of Insects].”

『Kehehe. What did you just say? “Sorry”?』

“Sorry won’t happen again.”

Skitter skitter—

Setting down her parasol, the [Princess of Insects] smiled bewitchingly, stroking Eunha’s shoulder.

Eyes identical to Ban Harin’s left eye—pupils like swarming grains staring down at Eunha, glittering with amusement.

“…Must be nice, not standing out when you stare at others.”

『And you—how lovely that there’s so much to stare at.』

Exchanging compliments.

Still hugging Fly, Eunha met the [Princess]’s gaze.

The “girl’s” skirt draped to the floor—black dress shoes peeking out, tapping against Eunha’s own shoes.

“Hello, La—… What’s that?”

Then, Eunha saw it.

Behind the [Princess]’s wide-open door—Unit 1003—

the flower field she’d once seen before.

『I’ve redecorated my home a little. Care to step inside?』

Yank.

And just like that, Eunha—her ample chest seized by the mischievously grinning [Princess]—was dragged into the girl’s home.

“Y-Yowch! Why’d you grab there?!”

『What else could I do? They’re just so easy to grab.』

Skitter skitter—

The cheerful sound of insect feet breathed life into the cold hallway.

…….

…….

“……Why’d you renovate without the landlord’s permission?”

Skitter skitter. Click clack.

Unit 1003.

Home of the [Princess of Insects].

Listening to the harmonious concert of insects, Eunha surveyed the lush flower field blooming inside a basin surrounded by mountains.

A ruined fortress.

Vibrant flowers sprouting from the remnants of a kingdom.

Her playful neighbor’s front door now connected to the [Sealed Crevice of the Ancient Dragons]—permanently closed off.

『Everyone else was doing it, so I followed suit.』

“Followed suit?… Everyone was doing renovations?”

Click clack!

Squirming free from Eunha’s arms, the baby bumblebee dashed into the flower field.

Rubbing her tenderized chest (after Fly had thoroughly played with it), Eunha looked back.

A makeshift gate constructed from piled rubble of the ruined fortress—

the door she’d just stepped through.

Beyond the wide-open wooden door, the tenth-floor hallway of Starlight Apartments remained visible.

“……Well, more space is nice. I can hear your property value rising.”

『As I’ve said before, it’s a leased property.』

Choosing to think positively, Eunha took in the flower field of the [Ancient Dragon’s Crevice].

Countless insects roamed amid the blossoms, their movements like a symphony—

and among them, Fly—flailing tiny limbs trying to catch bugs—was its adorable conductor.

A concert of insects.

An audience of one.

Eunha stood beside the [Princess of Insects]—who folded her arms—gazing at the dim expanse of the Ancient Dragon’s mountain.

A breeze carried scattered petals, and her weary heart felt lighter, like floating spores.

『Sometimes, outings like this aren’t so bad.』

A peaceful daily life.

The kind she’d once dreamed of—

in the orphanage’s basement.

“……Yeah.”

Because of painful memories, she could cherish the present.

That was enough for her.

『This is the kingdom you built for us. Come whenever you need rest.』

Surely Fly hadn’t been hiding on the ninth floor

just to lure Eunha here, right?

At that thought, she glanced at Fly—

just as the tiny one snatched up a giant centipede crawling toward Eunha and hurled it aside, giving a proud thumbs-up.

So I was lured.

Next time, I’ll bite their butt.

Rustle…

The sound of insects.

The scent of flowers.

The [Princess of Insects], sitting gracefully on the grass, yanked Eunha down onto her lap.

『Those who change nothing are worthier than those changed by none.』

“……?”

『I shall watch over your unchanging self—know that this heart, too, shall never waver.』

Weird talk.

Eunha closed her eyes quietly.

『The blind see by your blood—where their gaze falls, let there be light.』

“…Could you maybe say it in simpler terms?”

『Do not discard the blind’s memories. Give them your blood. It will help.』

For the first time in so long, a day of true rest.

…….

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

I wanted to become you.

Staring into the mirror, I made that wish.

…….

“Wow, they ranked first again? Seriously amazing.”

“I know… But they’re dead last again. Seriously amazing.”

“…….”

If I were you—

if that spot were mine—

would things have been different?

Would I have been happier?

It’s far too late for such regrets.

“It’s okay. 『　　』 can be first too. We’re twins, after all.”

“…….”

If I broke this mirror, could I become you?

Digging through shattered glass, hurling stones at my reflection—

if I took your place,

would I finally be you?

“So… it’s okay.”

“You,” kind to everyone.

We were like mirrors.

“…….”

But breaking the mirror would only hurt my hands—

and sick of seeing my own face,

I just looked away.

“…It’s not… okay.”

This is the world inside the mirror.

A hollow world—with no place for me.

…….

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

…….

“You called me to the café—must be important. Did you fare well today?”

“Hello, Kim Hayang, Guild Mast—”

“Honorifics.”

“Mother Kim Hayang. Hello.”

The next day. October 3rd.

Having recovered from exhaustion, Eunha sat across from [Everlasting Swordmaster]’s guild leader, Kim Hayang, on the break room sofa—summoned by a phone call.

The woman, clad in a pure white dobok, kept both eyes firmly shut.

Meeting again after nearly a day, Kim Hayang somehow seemed even wearier.

“Nothing unusual happened since?”

“No. Since I asked you not to discard memories… the grotesques hesitated to approach while Jjong-i was nearby. Sarang was there too.”

“Haha. That’s a relief. You didn’t follow Sarang to the [Euncheon Academy], right?”

“…….”

“………Right?”

Sprawled against the sofa, Eunha had left the break room window wide open.

Kim Hayang nodded faintly.

She placed a paper bag on the table—inside, the “security cap, glow vest, and flashlight” Eunha had given her during the promotion exam.

Three caps. Five vests. Two flashlights.

Way too much. Just toss it in the guard booth trash.

Stowing the bag away, Eunha continued.

“How’s guild work?”

“Swamped—nonstop with [Facility] matters.”

“Looks like it.”

“……Hm?”

Skitter skitter—

An ordinary October day.

Listening to the sound of her temporary peace ending,

Eunha pulled a potion from her chest and set it on the table.

“That is…”

“Pure potion extract.”

“……Pure extract.”

“Mother Kim Hayang… by any chance, are you free today?”

Something she’d have to do eventually.

The peaceful days continued.