episode_0004

Munch, munch.

The piquant and sweet sauce stimulates my taste buds, while the juicy chicken bursts in my mouth.

It’s not as satisfying as a waffle, but this chicken skewer suits my palate quite well. It would be nice to have it once in a while when I’m tired of waffles.

Lately, I’ve developed a hobby of indulging in snacks. Back on the battlefield, it was common to eat combat rations or even resort to grazing on grass.

Occasionally, there was a special meal available once a year. But here, there are plenty of things much tastier than that. No wonder I’ve developed this hobby.

“Plus, my tastes have changed.”

My palate has changed significantly from my past life. I used to be picky and avoid certain foods, but now I’m confident I can eat just about anything.

Of course, my taste was somewhat childlike… Perhaps it’s because of the times I had to eat tree bark or wild game on the battlefield that I got used to strange flavors.

Naturally, I have no intention of seeking out strange foods now. I’ll continue living by eating only delicious things.

But why does my chicken skewer look so appealing?

Everyone passing by steals glances at me, as if they’re observing some strange creature.

Some even stop in their tracks or sit nearby to watch me eat my chicken skewer.

It reminds me of those kids who imitated me and followed me around last time.

“Hey, miss. Is that tasty?”

“Yeah.”

“Sis, is that knife real?”

“Yeah.”

“Sis, won’t you get full if you eat that much?”

“…Not really.”

I did eat quite a bit. There were already five empty skewers in my hand.

Now, only one skewer remains.

Without thinking, I take a bite of the skewer and glance at the kids for a moment.

…My precious skewer. I absolutely cannot give it up.

As I discreetly hide the skewer behind me, the apparent leader of the kids, who looks no more than 9 years old, incredulously says, “She’s not giving it up.”

It felt a bit unfair to hear such words from someone so young, but deep down, I felt relieved. It’s good to know they don’t intend to take it away.

The girl and the boy nearby nodded along with the little boss’s words, chiming in.

“Yeah, just watching unni eat makes me full.”

“Silly, how can that be?”

“I don’t know. Our mom always says that.”

“I have a mom too.”

“So what?”

Carefully picking at the last remaining skewer, I watched the girl and the boy chattering away.

It was quite entertaining to watch, as it had become a daily sight for me.

Lately, my routine had been rather monotonous.

In the morning, I’d go out for a light walk, exchanging greetings with the elderly folks who were out for their early morning exercises.

After the walk, I’d have breakfast, then wander around to see if there were any new wanted posters in the neighborhood.

Following that, I’d have lunch and continue patrolling until dinnertime. It was during these times that the kids would usually spot me and tag along.

After seeing them every day for the past few days, I had a rough idea of their names.

First, there was Jaemin, who seemed very arrogant and high-handed. I didn’t know his last name. He was around 9 years old, I guess?

Then there was Chaeyeon, the girl who seemed to have a crush on Jaemin. Seungwoo always called her with her full name, so I remembered it. I knew she was 6 years old.

Lastly, there was Jaemin’s younger brother, Seungwoo. Again, I didn’t know his last name.

But here’s the really interesting part…

“Seungwoo likes Chaeyeon.”

But Chaeyeon has a crush on Jaemin, Seungwoo’s older brother! It couldn’t be more tragic….

But isn’t it said that from afar it’s comedy, but up close it’s tragedy?

From my perspective as an outsider, this love triangle was nothing more than an interesting spectacle.

It felt like watching a morning drama series every day, with the added innocence of children making it quite captivating.

The moment Chaeyeon realized she only had eyes for Jaemin, and the lonely look in Seungwoo’s eyes, realizing the fleeting nature of life at such a young age, still lingers in my memory.

So, without even realizing it, I offered some advice.

“[Having a goalkeeper won’t stop goals from going in.]”

“Of course, even though it’s not like changing goalkeepers when the game gets tough.

I couldn’t help but intervene when I heard that my favorite morning drama was ending like this.

Sorry for being a nosy adult.

Fortunately, Seungwoo, who took my advice, is now grabbing onto hope again and is currently flooding to get Chaeyeon’s attention.

He’s spouting unfiltered flattery with the innocence of a child. It’s quite a sight to see.

As I handed over the half-eaten skewer to Jaemin, who looked puzzled, I suddenly caught sight of something.

In the distance, a woman seemed to be searching for something. She looked familiar—it was the woman who had fainted last time.

‘Did she drop something?’

I’d like to go help, but unfortunately, I have other plans.

Patrol duty. A very, very important task.

To make sure nothing unusual is happening in the neighborhood, to check for any signs of criminals or troublemakers. If someone needs help, I assist them.

Most importantly, I just ate the skewer, so I needed photosynthesis.

If I help that woman, I’ll have to give up all these things, and I wasn’t confident enough to do that.

…Honestly, I didn’t feel particularly sorry.”

* * *

Hansu-a, who had come back to the neighborhood to catch a wanted criminal, was currently regretting his decision.

“I should have just left the TV on and come back.”

Not long ago, Hansu-a had almost died at the hands of a wanted criminal, only to be saved by someone known as ‘Cat Eyes.’

Upon regaining consciousness, Hansu-a learned about this and came back here to express gratitude.

But there was one big problem….

“I have no idea who they are!”

Thinking that Cat Eyes would be an avatar, Hansu-a was aimlessly looking for someone who seemed strong…

How could he find someone whose face, voice, and even gender he didn’t know?

“I should have brought a camera; it would have made finding them easier!”

Despite thinking that broadcasting wouldn’t be ethical, coming to repay the debt for saving his life, it seems it was a mistake.

“Well, I can’t help it…. I guess I’ll have to come back with a camera next time….”

Turning her body, Hansua’s eyes caught something unbelievable.

“A tail…?”

A tail swaying happily, resembling that of a cat, yet slightly larger in size. Following the tail upward revealed a fluffy, unmistakably human-like bottom.

“It wasn’t an avatar?!”

“Ah, oh!”

Startled, Hansua let out a loud exclamation right there.

The cat-eyed Nuna’s tail shot up as if surprised, and her fur bristled.

“Meow…?”

Nuna, in a crouched position, slowly turned to look at herself. Apart from her dilated pupils due to surprise, she looked exactly like the girl in the video.

“Hey, over here!”

However, as Hansua tried to approach and call out, Nuna, as if truly a cat, leaped lightly in place and then dashed away.

Hesitating, Hansua belatedly thought as she chased after her.

Ah, I should have brought a camera.

While Hansua believed it was common courtesy not to turn on the broadcast when giving thanks, she couldn’t resist capturing a real-life cat-girl making meowing sounds with her mouth.

At the same time, she couldn’t resist chasing after the cat-girl at a speed almost unheard of in her life.

Nevertheless, the insurmountable difference in their abilities meant she lost Nuna.

“Pant, pant… Why is she so fast…?”

Having lost sight of Nuna, Hansua sat on the ground, breathing heavily.

“Why did she run away?”

Perhaps receiving thanks made her uncomfortable. Or maybe she was committed to a reclusive concept?

Maybe until they became close, she couldn’t get too close.

“Since she made meowing sounds with her mouth, maybe she really has cat-like traits…!”

Perhaps starting with enticing treats would be the way to go!

…Hansua didn’t know.

The biggest reason Nuna ran away was simply because her expression was frightening.

Upon realizing that Goyangi Nunna wasn’t an avatar but a real cat, her eyes sparkled as if she had caught a scoop, and they were truly predatory.

* * *

“Huh? What are you doing there?”

“Shh!”

People usually consider their homes the safest place, but it seemed not to be the case for me.

I had fled from a terrifying person, and where did I end up? A waffle shop.

With my tail standing straight, I cautiously peered out the window. The waffle shop owner once again took interest in my tail.

“Your tail fur is all puffed up.”

“……”

“Can I touch it?”

Wag, wag.

As I nodded, the owner seemed disappointed, as if his curiosity hadn’t been satisfied.

“Oh. It must be expensive…”