TL/Editor: Raei
Schedule: 5/week, Mon-Fri
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Ti passed.
Now accustod to the labor, I rotated my arms a couple of tis, shaking off the fatigue that had accumulated in my body.
Today's exhausting loading and unloading work was over.
Unlike before, a smile was on my face.
"....Heh, are you okay?"
I asked Song Soo-yeon, who had followed , half in jest, half in laughter.
Despite my repeated requests not to follow, she stubbornly persisted to the end.
She had stubbornly insisted on joining , even though there were more comfortable sorting jobs available at the logistics center.
She had chosen to do the tough loading and unloading work just to be with .
I chuckled, recalling her expressions changing throughout the work.
Wearing comfortable sportswear, she sat crouched on the ground, waiting for the shuttle bus, too exhausted even to look up at .
"........"
She didn't respond.
It was a job that was bound to be exhausting, especially for a young woman who had just beco an adult.
But it was all over now.
Instead of scolding her for following , I should praise her for her hard work.
"....You did a great job. Really."
I leaned against a nearby stone wall and spoke.
At my words, Song Soo-yeon took a deep breath and then let it out.
She got up slowly and ca to my side, leaning against the wall like .
She wore a mask to hide her appearance, but it couldn't completely conceal her beauty.
".....Did you do this every ti?"
".....Yes."
".....For ?"
I didn't explicitly answer.
It felt awkward to say it out loud.
The sun had already set, and it was dark.
I inhaled the cold night air and quietly looked around.
I checked to see what kind of people had co to this place.
Not villains, but mbers of a society I had beco part of.
I saw various people.
Tall n.
Short n.
Big n.
Slim n.
Young n, and so on...
.....Song Soo-yeon was the only woman.
My lower lip slightly jutted out.
Even though she insisted on following , it was a scene that made feel unnecessarily guilty.
There was no need for her to do such rough work.
Especially at an age when she should be enjoying her youth.
Of course, it wasnt my responsibility to ensure that, but I couldn't help but think it.
Perhaps it's because she considers a friend.
I wanted to take care of her more than before.
Maybe it's also because of how she addresses .
Calling 'mister' makes her seem even younger, and because she seems younger, it feels more like my responsibility.
While I was caught up in these thoughts, Song Soo-yeon spoke.
".....But still, take with you next ti."
".....Huh?"
"....It's a must."
"Aren't you tired?"
"I am. But... it pays well, doesn't it?"
I quietly looked at Song Soo-yeon.
Her prickly nature might make it easy to forget, but there's no one as earnest as her.
Abandoned by her parents and bullied at school, she managed not to stray into delinquency, saved money, and even graduated.
When you think about it, her counting the days was also a part of her defense chanism.
Despite her struggles, the way she keeps getting back up is nothing short of remarkable.
I wanted to do sothing for her.
Soone should praise her and tell her she did well.
.....Just like Solace did for .
"Soo-yeon."
"Yes?"
"How about going to the amusent park tomorrow?"
Song Soo-yeon's head turns towards in surprise.
I was certain her heart was already captivated by the idea.
But then, her excited expression slowly faded.
".....Ah.....that..."
I was puzzled.
"....You don't want to?"
Song Soo-yeon hesitated for a mont, looking down and fidgeting with her fingers.
"........Isn't it too much for you, mister? After earning all this money today, itll all be gone."
I felt a pang of sympathy.
She had always dread of visiting an amusent park she'd never been to, but here she was, putting off her dream again due to money worries.
I've always thought, even though I had plenty of money, that there aren't many monts when you can buy true happiness with it.
As soone who had money to spare, I knew this best.
"You should accept a graduation gift."
"....But...still."
I scratched my head.
I was proud of her, but this wasn't the ti for it.
To provoke her, I said,
"Why have you beco so admirable?"
"......What?"
"Where did the usual foul-mouthed Soo-yeon go?"
..No..its not that-
"-Have you realized how precious I am?"
My joke made Song Soo-yeon blush.
Even though she covered her face with a mask and a hat, the redness around her eyes and ears was evident.
It was an unusually intense reaction.
I...I worry about you and you give crap...!
Seeing her familiar self brought a smile to my face.
After laughing for a while, I said to her,
"We're going tomorrow. Got it?"
"........"
"Let's pack a lunch, ride the rides, and watch the parade."
As I continued, her sharp, cold eyes slowly filled with childlike wonder.
I waited for her response.
She glanced at from the corner of her eye and then nodded.
---
---
In the morning, Song Soo-yeon ca to the restaurant.
Even though we slept in the sa room after drinking, there was still a barrier between us.
I wasn't sure if she was completely comfortable with , or if she felt safe sleeping next to .
It's a completely different story from just being friendly.
People are vulnerable when asleep.
.....And honestly, I had no more complaints about sleeping in the restaurant.
Realizing that she cared for , any slight resentnt I might have had faded away.
I could keep this up.
Moreover, she must be close to saving enough for her security deposit.
Just a little longer to endure.
Recently, Song Soo-yeon had been insistent that I stay at the apartnt, but I managed to suppress her complaints with words for the past few days.
Especially yesterday, since it was the day before going to the amusent park, I told her not to argue and just go to sleep early.
She couldn't retort to my suggestion.
".....Mister, I'm here."
"Welco."
Seeing her arrive early in the morning, earlier than the agreed ti, I could tell she was looking forward to this, perhaps more than she let on.
She was quite cute.
Combined with her appearance, it's almost destructive.
As I was thinking this, Song Soo-yeon suddenly beca restless.
She kept covering her face with her hands and fidgeting with her hair, her face growing redder.
".......What's wrong?"
".............Nothing."
After her inexplicable behavior, she ca closer to .
I closed the last lunchbox I was preparing.
Song Soo-yeon, unable to see the contents, asks,
"....What is it?"
"Yubu sushi, kimbap, and fruit."
Song Soo-yeon's eyes sparkled for a mont.
The experience of going to an amusent park with a packed lunch was probably a first for her.
Of course, it was my first ti too...but seeing her so happy made it all the more worthwhile.
"Let's have fun today, okay?"
I said to her. She nodded and then took out her phone.
"....Mister, let's take a picture before we leave."
"...Heh."
She raised her phone high.
I made a 'V' sign with my fingers.
-Click!
---
---
We boarded the subway heading to the amusent park.
Song Soo-yeon was heavily disguised again.
A hat and mask concealed her appearance.
If not, the number of n confessing to her would be more than one or two.
Yet, despite this, Song Soo-yeon still captured the attention of others.
Her eyes, visible and beautiful, along with her overwhelming proportions evident even through her clothes, shone brightly.
But this level of attention seed light to Song Soo-yeon.
She didn't seem to care at all.
Instead, she was only looking at .
".....Will it be scary?"
She asked.
".....? What will?"
"....The rides."
Every ti I heard her questions, I could only laugh.
They were the kind of questions a primary school student might ask seriously.
Of course, I understand that it can be nerve-wracking the first ti.
But to , it was just funny.
Is this really the future villain Luna?
I couldn't imagine it with that image.
Of course, the fact that she wasn't in a wheelchair but standing was a big change.
"If sothing seems scary, we'll just ride it and if not, we'll try sothing else."
I answered lightly.
Song Soo-yeon suddenly erased her expression and looked at .
It seed she had sothing to say.
".....What is it?"
"....Mister.... I just thought of sothing..."
"...Yeah?"
"....Let's drop formalities today."
I blinked in surprise at her sudden suggestion.
"......Drop formalities?"
".............Yes."
"Really out of the blue, huh?"
".........."
I continued to look at her, trying to discern whether she was serious or joking.
But still, I couldn't tell.
She was so heavily masked that it was impossible to read her expression.
All that was visible were her eyes and eyebrows.
Her proposal, popping up without any warning, only left bewildered.
No, it's not that I can't do it... but what could be her intention?
Is she trying to tease again?
".....Um....it's a bit difficult all of a sudden."
I took a step back for now.
"......Why?"
As she asked in surprise, I snorted and frowned.
"No, whats your angle? Why are you doing this all of a sudden?"
"Theres no angle. It's just...."
I kept laughing.
"Just because, what?"
".............Damn it..."
Having fun, are you?
".....It's not like that."
Believing it to be her prank, I continued to play defensively as part of the joke.
"I dont know. I dont get it, so I wont do it."
However, Song Soo-yeon didn't laugh at my response.
She turned her head away with a nonchalant reaction.
".....Suit yourself."
"......."
Her response made my laughter fade.
......Why is she acting like this?
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