episode_0364

Holding onto grudges was always the burden of those left behind. We were no exception.

…….

“Unni~!” “Don’t call me unni.” “But I told you last time too—with twins, the one born later is actually the older sister.”

A nonsensical reason. Perhaps it was because she pitied “me,” who was always disregarded by others.

When we were alone, “You” would occasionally call the younger “me” unni. “……Do as you please.”

And “I,” Pretended to dislike such teasing, though I secretly welcomed it. Perhaps because I was thirsty for warmth.

I shouldn’t have.

…….

This was the world inside the mirror. A city where twins who only resembled each other on the surface lived.

“Unni… Hey, want to play a trick with me?” “What kind of trick?”

One day, “You,” returning home, spoke to “me” bathing. Your skin, as you approached saying we should bathe together for the first time in a while, was impossibly soft.

“We’re twins, right… Let’s switch roles.” “…….” “Tomorrow, you’ll be me, and I’ll be you.”

A silly prank. A conversation exchanged while embracing each other in the cramped bathtub.

Looking back, “you” were always mischievous in the strangest ways. Like calling the younger “me” unni.

Because of that, I was used to such mischief, So this time, too, I played along, pretending to fall for “your prank.”

Drip. Drip.

Identical twins. Like gazing at one’s own reflection in the bathwater.

We only looked alike on the surface.

“Ah… Hi…! Girls!” “Good morning~! I heard you aced the exam again this time? That’s amazing!”

The next day, “I” was loved by everyone from “your place.”

…….

The twins had switched places. The older sister became the younger. The younger became the older.

Occasionally, we lived each other’s lives. What we needed for the “prank,” we learned from each other.

“Here—my friends’ names and their likes! We’re going downtown tomorrow…” “There’s too much to memorize… How many friends do you have?” “Come on, teach me too, unni! Your friends!” “I don’t have any.” “……Oops.”

The younger sister learned how to socialize. She studied, too.

The “friends” who had initially eyed her skeptically, After switching roles a few times, soon approached “me” playing the role of the older sister, chattering away.

“Look. Your little sister’s walking by.” “Still dead last, huh? Why doesn’t she just drop dead somewhere?” “……Don’t say that.” “You’re too nice to your sister. It’s weird.”

Friends pointing at “you,” now playing the younger sister, quietly walking down the hallway.

It was… An odd feeling.

“Unni takes forever in the bath… My fingers are all pruny.” “It’s relaxing. Helps me clear my mind.”

The older sister learned how to rest quietly. Peacefully. Alone.

Returning home without a single promise to keep, She immersed herself in the warm bathwater.

I never realized how soothing the sound of “your” breathing seemed. “Ah… It really is warm…” “Don’t fall asleep like last time. You’ll catch a cold.”

Drip—.

Baths always lasted over 30 minutes. “You” mimicked even those trivial habits of “mine.”

Yesterday was you. Today is me. Tomorrow will be you again…

Like crossing through a mirror, Little by little, we sank into the “prank” only we—who resembled each other—could play.

No one noticed. Not even our parents.

“Here… I brought dinner.” “Thanks, unni… I’m starving. You always had it tough, huh?” “Not at all. You always brought me food too… Like I’m doing now.”

In a poor household, An unexpected pair of twins, An insufficient younger sister.

Though I said it was fine, “You” stubbornly took “my” place even at home.

Days passed, then weeks, Until months had gone by…

Pretending to be another person was exhausting, But my heart felt warm, so…

“See? No one notices.” “Right… Unni, what should we do tomorrow?” “Huh? Who’s unni?” “Well, you’re unni now, so~.”

Perfectly identical twins. Though we thought of ourselves as mirror opposites beyond appearances,

We realized just how much we shared in common. Drip. Drip.

Baths always lasted over 30 minutes.

It was blissful.

Yesterday’s “you.” Today’s “me.”

I hoped happiness would continue for days to come.

……I shouldn’t have.

…….

…….

……Click—.

“Welcome back! You’re late tod—” “……Unniii…”

One day, The “younger sister” returned home limping on one leg.

Her clothes were a mess, dirtied with blood and mud. Was that younger sister “you”?

Or was it “me”?

Why was she hurt?

I don’t remember now.

“How could this…!” “It’s okay.” “…….” “I’m… fine. This was my place to begin with.”

If I could take your place, Would we have been happy?

One thing was certain: The story of “me”… no, “us”…

Didn’t have a happy ending.

……. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ …….

Throb—.

“Haaah… My head hurts…” “Are you…?” “I’m fine.”

5:30 PM.

At [Euncheon Park]—Ban Harin… or rather, Han Eunha, who had taken on Ban Harin’s appearance through the power of a shoddy mirror.

Rubbing her throbbing temples under the barrage of “memories,” she strolled through the park with Yang So-a, a pink cotton-candy puff of a girl.

Nothing major—just looking for a sunny spot. A place to lay a corpse.

“How about here? The sunset peeks through the leaves. Perfect for corpse placement.” “……Too… open…” “Ah… You mean too exposed?”

Puff…

Yang So-a—the sleepyhead who claimed to be here to kill Ban Harin—nodded vaguely.

Ban Harin had been feeling unwell lately, and the “mouse” was strangely absent.

Coincidentally, Yang So-a belonged to the [Rare Hunter Protection-Eradication Division] Team 4, tasked with eliminating Ban Harin while Director Ko Young-in was away dealing with potion-related matters.

She was here to “take over” the “rare hunter” under their management.

Jumping straight to murder?

She must be afflicted with the “die if you negotiate” disease.

‘I’d rather the promotion exam results were announced already… With the Cat Director gone, who’s running the Association now?’

Eunha pondered optimistically.

Would it be fine to leave things as-is?

Curious about how they’d manage “us,” Concerned about Yang So-a’s claim that she’d die if she didn’t kill Ban Harin, And with Ban Harin herself giving permission over the phone…

Eunha, impersonating Ban Harin, decided to let herself be “killed” once.

‘Wait… Normally, I’d stop the spread of the [Black Book]’s specters… Why am I indifferent now?’

A faint dissonance.

Unthinkingly, she pulled out her phone.

Beyond its darkened screen, a beaming “Ban Harin” grinned back.

A smile reflected in the mirror— Nothing like Ban Harin’s usual self, Nor Eunha’s languid smile, But someone else’s face.

‘Well… Does it matter?’

The unease was fleeting.

“Ban Harin,” pocketing her phone, flashed a playful grin.

A model-like beauty with her right eye covered by an eyepatch. Slightly taller than a tiny silver bell, with long cotton-candy pink hair cascading down to her thighs.

Two women in black suits wandered the park. The gazes of park-goers flickered past them.

“How’s this spot?” “……Damp…” “Too muddy. Picky, aren’t you?”

Puff… puff…

Yang So-a’s glossy black horns itched, prompting her to rub them against Eunha’s shoulders as they walked side by side.

…….

Ring… Beep—.

“Hello?”

—『Someone said… Drop by to see your face sometime.』

“Oh? Who was it?”

—『Me, you brat.』

Stepping away from Yang So-a, Eunha made a call.

On the other end, the wise voice of [Grandpa Park] echoed through the receiver.

An eldritch being she’d occasionally consult after exchanging numbers.

Had she forgotten about visiting after promising last time?

“Ban Harin” chuckled sheepishly, feigning ignorance.

“Ahaha. Got busy and spaced out. But hey, Grandpa—know any secluded spots in this park fit for murder?”

—『…….』 “…….” —『…….』 “…I’ll come see you after this.”

—『The far corner. Where the sun sets.』

Click.

The call ended.

Grandpa was full of greed.

…….

…….

“Who… was that just now?” “Doesn’t matter.” “……Meow…” “Acting cute with that sleepy face won’t get you answers. Just an old man I know.”

By October, the sun was already setting.

An ecological park in Euncheon District—filled with trees and bushes ideal for hiding things.

At the center stood a “Blue Dragon Statue” majestically lifting one leg, surrounded by benches.

Joggers traversing the park. Grandmas walking their dogs. Students taking photos before the statue.

“……”

And on one bench— A man sat slouched, gazing blankly at the sunset.

Dressed identically to Yang So-a’s suit, he stared blankly at the autumn sky, dribbles of saliva glistening between his slightly parted lips.

‘Nice weather…’

Peaceful Euncheon Park.

A fine day to die.

“Ban Harin” stretched leisurely, nudging the drowsy Yang So-a into wakefulness.

Her voluminous pink hair fluffed like cotton candy.

‘No sign of Kang Nari. Did she leave already?’

“Yang… Meow… Yang…”

Yang So-a, stretched like taffy as “Ban Harin” lifted her arms, emitted a drowsy whimper.

So utterly unmotivated.

Eunha scoured the park with Yang So-a in tow.

Puff… puff…

Urban murder spots required specific conditions— Limited CCTV blind spots, moderate foot traffic to avoid suspicion.

“Speaking of—won’t Detective Do Jong-ha show up if someone dies in Euncheon District?” “No worries… The Association… won’t interfere…”

Soon, “Ban Harin” found a suitable spot amidst the bushes.

A secluded corner of the ecological park—yet bathed in golden sunset filtering through the leaves.

Puff…

Upon arrival, Yang So-a glanced up at “Ban Harin,” her glossy black horns scraping against a nearby tree.

“Really… going through with it?” “Let’s get it over with. Dragging it out is tedious.” “……Sorry.”

Puff…

Yang So-a bit her lip before embracing “Ban Harin.”

Cotton-candy strands coiled snugly around her.

Could hair manipulation be her skill?

“Ban Harin,” enveloped in pink fluff, lay atop the cold earth.

Above, the sky blazed with sunset hues. A fine day for a change of pace—suited for dying.

Perhaps because of the weather. Or the fear of impending death.

Pointless chatter spilled unbidden.

“……How will you handle the corpse?” “No issue… You know Ssunbae…” “……?” “We’re [Rare Hunter Protection-Eradication Division]… Already marked as deceased… Fake IDs…” “…….” “No family… Simple disposal…”

Puff…

Placing “Ban Harin” on the ground, Yang So-a draped herself atop her.

Like a plush blanket. Like a final embrace of warmth.

Soft pink hues cocooned “Ban Harin.” “Ssunbae… rare hunters… responsibility…” “…….” “So… rest easy…”

Hidden deep in the bushes, The warmth felt like sinking into bathwater.

Puff…

Questions swirled— Why did the Hunter Association have such a department? Were the “rare hunters” they managed even human?

“…….”

But the current “Ban Harin” was meant to die.

So she quietly shut her eyes and hugged Yang So-a tighter. Her fluffy hair resembled wool—soothingly soft.

“Sleep well…”

CRACK!

With those damp words, The hair coiled around “Ban Harin’s” neck twisted sharply—

Snapping her vertebrae.

Puff…

Perhaps due to the pink fluff enveloping her, The pain was startlingly absent.

…….

…….

“……Hmph…”

The deed was done.

Yang So-a sniffled in the still-warm embrace of “Ban Harin.”

With difficulty, she peeled herself from the suit-clad corpse and used [Fiber Manipulation] to upright herself.

Ban Harin was dead. To survive.

And so, she survived.

Contrary to rumors of her monstrous nature, she was strangely tender.

An absurdly hollow end.

“…….”

Yang So-a stared at the broken-necked “Ban Harin” for a long while.

Creak…

Until a sudden headache prodded her onward.

Clutching her obsidian horns, she hurried out of the park’s thicket.

…….

…….

……Rustle…

Silence reclaimed the brush.

By the time Yang So-a’s footsteps faded…

Snap—!

The corpse’s eyes flew open.

‘What? Didn’t she kill me? Why just break my neck and leave?’

Crrk.

Her neck reassembled itself.

“Ban Harin” gingerly rose, dusting dirt off her suit as she spotted Yang So-a disappearing into the distance.

Eunha couldn’t comprehend it.

Wasn’t this supposed to be a murder?

Why just snap her neck and leave?

‘People don’t die from broken necks… Was she just scaring me? Hidden cameras?’

But damn, it hurt.

Yang So-a had stared so intently at her fractured neck that Eunha had to tense her trapezius muscles to prevent it from healing on the spot.

Nearly gave herself nerve damage.

‘Keeping my neck broken hurt worse than the break… But I sold the act. Good enough.’

Silver linings.

No one died. Peaceful resolution.

“Ban Harin,” wearing a languid smile, checked her phone.

5:40 PM.

Mission accomplished, and she’d thoroughly enjoyed her time in Ban Harin’s lightweight body.

Time to head back before it got late.

‘Today’s events… Best keep them from Ban Harin. Who’d be happy hearing someone tried to die in their place?’

She stretched lightly.

The toned muscles of Ban Harin’s body brimmed with energy—she could even see her own feet when she looked down.

Humans were such light creatures.

Aside from the odd foreignness of it all, this body surpassed her original softer one.

‘Ban Harin must’ve worked out religiously.’

During her time as the F-rank Hunter stuck in exams… Her dream physique.

Hard not to envy it.

Not once had she fantasized about living in this body.

But it’s fine.

Appearances aside… She could never be Ban Harin.

No one could truly replace another.

Having spent a day as “Ban Harin,” Eunha—amidst trivial musings—brushed dirt off her suit.

Time to go home.

‘Ah, that was fun… Wait, how do I turn back?’

Plop.

Then—

“Huh?”

A sudden thought crossed her mind.

She absentmindedly touched her face—

POP!!

A stifling sensation in her chest made her straighten her shoulders instinctively—

—And with a crisp snap, her suit buttons burst off.

“…….”

A familiar heaviness settled in.

The suit pants felt slightly tighter.

Eunha looked down slowly.

The feet she’d clearly seen moments ago were gone— Blocked by a massive obstruction in her lower vision.

The all-too-familiar weight of her “Grudge Pouch.”

Panicked, “Eunha”—now clutching her ample chest—scanned her surroundings.

Luckily, no onlookers.

Pfffttt…

“Shh…! Quiet…! Who told you to come out…!”

Did thinking about reverting trigger the change? Or was it her [Auto-Heal] skill? A time limit?

Uncertain for now.

Flustered, Eunha fumbled with her suit.

No luck buttoning the now-buttonless blazer— She resorted to wearing it inside-out.

Left her spare clothes in her carrier. Any way to retrieve it?

The autumn breeze nipped at her exposed midriff as she tugged the makeshift cover down, cautiously emerging from the bushes.

‘Actually, this is better. No risk of bumping into Yang So-a while pretending to be Ban Harin.’

Things worked out.

Today was lucky.

“Mm-hmm~ Since I’m here, maybe I’ll visit Grandpa?”

Humming, Eunha exited the unnervingly quiet [Euncheon Park], Mulling over how to explain today’s events to Ban Harin.

…….

……Click-clack.

Then, a sound.

The scrape of a sharp blade against pavement.

Eunha froze, hugging her ample chest as she surveyed the park.

Deserted.

Silent.

Like stepping into a specter’s realm.

“……Ah. My carrier.”

She’d left it at the café while roleplaying as Ban Harin.

What were [Euncheon Park]’s rules again?

Breathing in the chilly air, Eunha crouched slightly.

Click-clack… Creak…

The sound grew clearer— Metal scraping concrete. Something like a kitchen knife.

Click-clack…

Simultaneously,

A spine-chilling grudge— Lighter than the specters from the apartment, But unmistakably present—

Began approaching from the park’s dark depths.

“Hello! Can’t we talk this out?”

Just in case, she called out.

Couldn’t things end peacefully?

Probably not.

A deserted park. No [Black Book].

Eunha briefly considered fleeing toward [Grandpa Park] if things went south—

As the silhouette of the approaching “specter” came into view…

Click-clack… Creak…

The blade’s rhythm matched its footsteps— Quiet as rustling leaves.

We resembled mirrors.

“……Ban Harin?”

The “specter” advancing toward Eunha— Or perhaps the “incomplete thing”—

Looked identical to the face she’d glimpsed earlier on her phone screen.