episode_0401

The café is open for business as usual today.

[Rabbit Latte] has four employees.

The veteran employee and face of the café, Eunha. The café owner and Eunha’s designated chest pillow, Eunbang-ul. The youngest part-timer, Kim Sarang. The long-term contracted debt-slave employee, Kang Nari.

“There are only the four aforementioned employees. If you witness any other individuals working at this café, please exit immediately and report to the Labor Board.”

“…Is this some kind of Neapolitan horror story? Shouldn’t you be wiping tables instead of blabbering?”

“I’ve already finished cleaning.”

“Why the hell are you working so hard?”

Morning at the café.

A time when Ban Harin in uniform and the “Mouse” exchange nagging remarks.

While the two keep watch over the café, Eunha gently strokes Yang So-ah, who is curled up beside the sofa in the breakroom.

“Meow… meow…”

Scritch, scritch.

Every time Eunha scratches the coiled sheep horns with her nails, a pitiful whimpering sound escapes.

Yang So-ah lies comfortably on the plush sofa, resting her head on Eunha’s lap.

On the opposite sofa, Kim Sarang and Kang Nari sit side by side.

“…Isn’t that just a pet?”

“Tsk tsk. Nowadays, we call them companion animals.”

“You two. Refrain from referring to others as animals.”

“……Then why does the Supreme One call…”

“What brings you two here so early?”

Eunha, who was immediately dragged into the breakroom by the two upon arriving at work.

She glances at the daughters of major guilds, who seem to have something to say.

The youngest daughter of the [Blue Dragon Clan] and the only daughter of the [Crimson Sky Sword Clan].

These women are far too distinguished to be employed at such a modest café—but they are debt-slaves and blockheads, so it somewhat makes sense.

Swiftly—

Kim Sarang steps forward first.

Reaching into her black dobok, she proudly pulls out her newly issued “C-Class Hunter License” and straightens her shoulders.

“Behold. Thanks to the enlightenment gained from my duel with my Dao Companion Eunha, this Supreme One has passed the certification exam.”

“Yes, we all congratulated you yesterday.”

“It is due to you.”

Unlike Eunha, whose weak physical strength made the practical exam a hurdle,

Kim Sarang struggled with the written exam due to her abysmal intellect.

Despite being a student at the prestigious [Euncheon Academy], she had remained an E-Class Hunter for three years before barely scraping by into D-Class last time.

Rumor had it she passed by shifting the answer sheet line by line, barely squeaking through by one question.

Now, this ‘C-Class Exam’.

Kim Sarang began studying for the promotion test alongside Eunha,

passing the written exam with a comfortable margin.

With the practical being no concern once the written was cleared,

the result was the ‘C-Class Hunter License’ before her.

Perhaps it was the motivation to learn something—anything—after reflecting on her helplessness when the shaggy dog Jjongi collapsed last time.

People must learn.

Like the old man climbing the bell tower as twilight fades.

According to her mother, Kim Hayang, it seems she has even escaped the bottom ranks in [Euncheon Academy]’s mock exams.

“…I only helped with review. The practice questions were prepared by Ban Harin.”

“It is due to you. Had I not met my Dao Companion Eunha, this Supreme One would still be sitting before Jjongi’s grave, mindlessly drawing breath. Like a fool… You have changed my life.”

Kim Sarang lightly forms a fist salute.

Her expression awkward, she averts her gaze from Eunha.

“Thus, um… Do you recall? This Supreme One once said… If I passed the promotion exam in one attempt… You would grant me one wish…”

“Ah…? Oh, yes. I think we did make that promise.”

Did she agree to grant any wish?

She had been wondering what to give Kim Sarang as a congratulations gift anyway.

Squish— squish—

Absently kneading Yang So-ah’s soft belly, Eunha nods readily.

A request for a wish as a celebration gift for passing the exam.

She isn’t sure what the wish might be… but it can’t be anything major.

“Then, this Supreme One shall state her wish.”

“What is it?”

“Let us wed.”

It was major.

She really meant any wish.

Kang Nari, who had been twisting strands of her blue hair beside Kim Sarang, jolts and turns her head sharply.

“Wait, seriously? You two are getting married?”

“Hm? Is such a wish unappealing?… If it were you, Hero Kang Nari, what wish would you make?”

“Usually, people ask for investments in their business or loan guarantees.”

“Oh…”

The blockhead is swayed by the debt-slave.

At this rate, she might soon find herself stuffed into a drum.

Either wish is equally awkward.

Playing with her lips, Eunha cuts into the conversation.

“Hmm… Kim Sarang? Could you share what led to… such a wish?”

“Each evening, I deliberated with Her Majesty Mother over this matter.”

“Even Kim Hayang was involved…? What was Jjongi doing then?”

“Sighing heavily.”

Eunha sighs internally.

This proposal is entirely unexpected.

While she is happy to be loved so dearly, isn’t this a bit sudden?

‘[Beast] is like this, [Blood Donation Mom] is like that, even Guild Leader Kim Hayang…’

What does one do when each mother pushes a different marriage candidate?

Eunha thinks positively.

Who else gets to have such worries?

She is fortunate to have so many mothers.

“…Is there no other wish?”

After a brief deliberation,

Eunha eventually shakes her head with an awkward smile.

This isn’t a decision to make on the spot.

A careless nod might lure the other mothers to the café.

Frost on the café windows, a [Blood Donation Bus] parked at the entrance.

No chance of survival now.

“Then, how about this.”

Perhaps expecting refusal,

Kim Sarang flutters her black dobok and promptly voices another wish.

“I wish to host a celebration party at my residence.”

“A party?”

“Indeed. Rumor has it the [Blue Dragon Clan] is preparing a banquet for some ‘major announcement’ as well.”

A banquet.

The Blue Dragon Clan’s major announcement.

At those words, Kang Nari flinches beside them.

“I wish to celebrate with you before anyone else. Will you accept my invitation?”

“If it’s just that, you wouldn’t need a wish for me to come.”

Thus, Kim Sarang’s wish was spoken.

A party at her home, with everyone together.

A wish from a woman who spent her days waiting for her overworked mother, alongside an aging shaggy dog,

living without a single friend.

Perhaps this wish wasn’t what she truly desired after all.

“…Alright. I’ll grant that wish.”

A simple wish.

Almost obvious.

Eunha nods, mentally calculating the café’s next day off.

Kim Sarang beams like a child and nonchalantly straightens her shoulders.

“Ahem…! Then I shall inform Her Majesty Mother at once! Await my word!”

“Sure.”

“………And… after the party…… May I embrace you in bed?”

Is she asking to sleep together?

Last time, when Eunha visited the [Crimson Sky Sword Clan]’s guild hall to tutor her, they shared a bed then too.

Ever the bashful swordswoman, then and now.

“Of course. Hold me all you want. Why even ask?”

Eunha replies without much thought.

A faint gulp echoes from somewhere.

“…Th-Though lacking,… I shall entrust myself to your care henceforth…”

Kim Sarang bows, her face crimson.

Autumn had come.

…….

“Enough about Kim Sarang… What about you, Kang Nari?”

“Huh? Meowo?”

The topic shifts.

This time to Kang Nari of the [Blue Dragon Clan], sitting beside them and twisting her hair.

Rumor has it the clan’s heir selection has concluded.

“W-Well, mine isn’t as bold as Sarang’s… But I received an invitation from the clan.”

“An invitation?”

“Remember what Sarang just said? The Blue Dragons are preparing a banquet for a ‘major announcement.’ I was contacted to attend—they’ll announce the heir then.”

The Blue Dragons’ major announcement.

The heir’s reveal.

In short, a banquet will soon be held where the [Blue Dragon Clan] announces their successor.

It’s not even year-end, yet party invitations abound.

‘An heir… Come to think of it, didn’t Kang Nari leave the clan to become independent due to the succession struggle?’

Years ago, her eldest brother was devoured by a monster—only his right hand returned home.

This year, her second brother, Kang Yohan, was crushed beneath the Blue Dragon Statue.

The youngest professor at [Euncheon Academy], her third sister, Kang Do-ah.

The debt-slave and [Eun-Gang Potion] creator, the youngest Kang Nari.

And they’ve chosen an heir amidst this?

Eunha idly toys with her lip, sensing an odd dissonance.

‘Forcing their children to become independent without a cent just to pick an heir… If they planned to pass on the clan, wouldn’t keeping them close for direct mentorship be the norm?’

No clue.

They must have their reasons.

Eunha gives them the benefit of the doubt.

This isn’t her business to meddle in.

“Then, Kang Nari, are you returning to the clan?”

“Nah~ Why would I go back~? The banquet date isn’t even set yet. I just mentioned it in case.”

She doesn’t like keeping secrets from Eunha, it seems.

In any case, the [Blue Dragon Clan] is her problem to handle, so Eunha needn’t worry and should carry on as usual.

“A banquet…”

The [Blue Dragon Clan] and the [Crimson Sky Sword Clan].

Parties hosted by both.

Eunha’s ties with the [Blue Dragon Clan] are only fraught with ill will,

but Kang Nari, her [Eun-Gang Potion] business partner, might land in trouble.

The [Crimson Sky Sword Clan] is familiar, almost like family,

but aside from Scout Jeong Sora and Kim Sarang’s kin… she honestly has zero interest.

‘What’s this? Why do I feel like I’ll attend both parties?’

And nine times out of ten, nothing good awaits.

Eunha thinks positively.

Since parties are happening anyway, and she can finally eat meat now,

she might as well attend both and stuff herself full of delicious food.

“…Kang Nari. Let me know when the ‘banquet’ date is set.”

“Ah, yes! Will do!”

“If you need anything, talk to Ban Harin. You two are close, right?”

“Eek…”

For now, there’s Kim Sarang’s celebration party.

The rest of October promises to be heart-stoppingly busy.

Concluding her talk with the two, Eunha exits the breakroom.

Squish… squish…

Meanwhile, Yang So-ah, who had been thoroughly kneaded by Eunha,

sticks snugly to her side and mumbles.

“Snack…”

“Yes? Did you have something to say, Yang So-ah?”

“I…… prefer being a pet…… over a companion…”

“Huh?”

Is she the only sane one in this café?

Suppressing a sigh, Eunha pinches Yang So-ah’s soft cheeks like mochi, stretching them playfully.

She seems to enjoy it.

…….

…….

After that, nothing eventful occurs.

An ordinary day at the café.

“One milk coffee to go, please!”

jolt

Today’s top-selling item remains the milk coffee, arbitrarily dubbed “Eunha’s Milk Coffee” by Eunbang-ul.

But why is it?

Lately, her body keeps flinching at the words “milk coffee.”

“Eunha.”

“What now.”

“I have a plan to boost café sales.”

“Play with your food and you’re in trouble.”

Ding~♪

A customer enters.

A little guest with transparent footsteps.

Giggle~!

Eunha drops sugar cubes plop-plop into chocolate milk and sets it on the counter.

The toddler, clutching the chocolate milk, giggles brightly before leaving.

Ding~♪

Even as a C-Class Hunter, the scenery remains unchanged.

Other Hunters might join guilds, venture into [Rift Zones] solo, or chase such dreams,

but Eunha is oddly at peace.

As if less interested in becoming a true Hunter,

and more in simply climbing the ranks.

“…Eunha. Now that you’re C-Class, what would you like to do?”

“Hmm? What can C-Class do?”

“C-Class Hunters are permitted solo entry into [Rift Zones], guild registration procedures—”

Boring.

Guarding the café counter, she chats with Ban Harin.

(Later, ■■ grows up and becomes ■■… Everyone ■■ sees a splendid ■■ that ■■■■.)

What’s for lunch today? Maybe ‘lunchbox’?

Eunha smiles, imagining the meat lunchbox [Beast Mom] prepared.

“Eunha?”

“Yeah. I’m listening.”

A day as cozy as thick snowflakes.

…….

…….

…….

Evening thus arrives.

8 PM.

Closing the café,

Eunha sits on the plush sofa, watching TV.

A peaceful day.

Same as always.

“So this weekend, I’ll be staying over at a friend’s place. So don’t panic and come looking for me, okay?”

『Is that so?』

Hands stretch from behind, covering Eunha’s eyes.

Mother’s hands.

<>

The world viewed through a bullet hole in a palm.

“This bullet wound. It won’t heal?”

『Fufu…”

Mother’s weeping.

Eunha picks up the remote.

With busy days ahead, she decides to savor the present peace.

<>

<>

<>

The news flows on.

What gift should she bring to Kim Sarang’s celebration party?

Would a dog toy be too lame?

‘I’ll ask at the café tomorrow… Oddly, Goe-i hasn’t come looking for me today…’

Thus, Eunha,

letting the TV noise drift past one ear,

succumbs to her mother’s stroking hand,

slowly closing her eyes…

…….

…….

“…Wait, what was that news just now?”

jolt!

Right before sleep takes her,

recalling the TV news snippet, she jerks upright from the sofa.

( <> )

A strange news segment, buried quietly among others.

Neither a crime announcement nor something to dismiss lightly.

“I’ll be staying at a friend’s tonight.”

“Is that so?”

RUMBLE—

Her decision is swift.

Pulling a suitcase from the entryway, Eunha waves to [Beast Mom] and steps onto the balcony.

The dark night.

Brightly lit ‘Morning Star Apartments.’

What could be happening at [Crimson Sky Sword Clan] for such bizarre news to air out of nowhere?

She isn’t sure, but she’ll find out when she gets there.

Come to think of it, something similar happened before.

Back when she swallowed the pill containing [Park Grandpa]’s story.

She saw a news report about Kim Sarang’s corpse being found at [Euncheon Academy].

Is [Park Grandpa] warning of Kim Sarang’s death again this time?

Because she resembles his grudge-bound foolishness?

RUMBLE.

Eunha thinks positively.

Might as well ask what gift would be best while she’s there.

“Take care.”

“Yeah!”

Replying to the voice behind her,

Eunha keeps her head lowered to avoid looking up,

then—

CRASH!

From the 9th-floor balcony railing,

she kicks off with all her might.

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

4. Please respect your neighbors’ privacy.

– Have you heard that eyes are the windows to the soul?

– Everyone deserves privacy. So please refrain from peering into others’ windows.

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

A fleeting sense of weightlessness.

The world flips as gravity takes hold.

Eunha’s body begins plunging headfirst.

‘Ah. Should’ve just taken the van tomorrow.’

A moment of regret.

Did she act too rashly?

No matter. Better early than late.

Clutching her suitcase tightly,

Eunha peers through brightly lit ‘apartment windows,’ grinning.

WHOOSH—!

Immediate objective:

Prepare for Kim Sarang’s party… and exchange greetings.

Once the [Crimson Sky Sword Clan] and [Blue Dragon Clan] matters conclude,

most real-world loose ends will be tied up.

‘Kim Sarang… She isn’t eating yet, right?’

RUMBLE.

RUMBLE.

RUMBLE.

Then, the apartment windows stain red,

the silhouettes within throwing them open wide,

welcoming Eunha.

『Staying home is stifling.』

『Let’s go play.』

『Where to?』

Voices from the past.

THUD!

The next moment.

Eunha’s body, falling from the 9th floor,

lands squarely on Kim Sarang’s back.

“……….”

Kim Sarang, caught mid-bite of Jjongi’s snack, freezes solid.