Chapter 243
"Are you asking me to believe that now? Do you really think I'm a fool..."
My chest was pricked sharply. It had been a long time since I'd been treated like trash.
Once upon a time, Jin Yeseo used to look at me with those kinds of eyes all the time. Not that I particularly missed those days...
"Even if you're lying, there's a limit! Do you really think I, of all people, would fall for it? It's obvious you look exactly like your sister...!"
Jin Yeseo shouted as if she couldn't take it anymore. Well, Jin Yeseo was one of the few people who had seen both Yeon's and my face.
Ever since I entered the Cradle, I had never once revealed my face in any external setting without a mask.
"It's not a lie. I wouldn't lie to you about something like this."
At that, Jin Yeseo flinched as if I'd hit the mark.
"W-Well, that's true, but... Hey! Don't change the subject...!"
"There really wasn't that kind of relationship you think there was. If I'm lying, you can cut off my neck."
"Ugh..."
At my repeated pleading, Jin Yeseo hesitated. It wasn't particularly a lie, so I had nothing to feel guilty about.
"I-I can't trust that. If you think I'll just let this slide..."
Contrary to her words, the turmoil in her green eyes grew even larger. It was an opening I couldn't overlook. It was a good sign that she believed in my morality.
I spoke to her again, as if reaffirming my resolve.
"There are some circumstances. It's a bit difficult right now, but I'll explain everything later. I promise."
"..."
Jin Yeseo seemed to be in deep thought, but the fiery momentum she had moments ago was nowhere to be found. Surprisingly, she seemed weak when others approached her submissively.
Seeing things like this, we did share some similarities.
At any rate, exposing Soo-ah's true identity wasn't an option right now, so this was the best method.
I was still deeply troubled about how to treat that child, but... That was one thing I was certain about.
"Are you saying you adopted her or something...?"
After a long silence, Jin Yeseo let out a deep sigh, her earlier intensity subdued. For some reason, I felt like I understood the meaning behind her grumbling, and it made me laugh.
For now... it meant she would let it slide.
"Thank you. For trusting me."
"So unfair... Only at times like this, you act all underhandedly submissive... Just wait and see if you keep quiet about it later..."
Her grumbling was still devoid of any real resentment.
Jin Yeseo carelessly tossed off the blanket covering her upper body and fanned herself with a lazy wave of her hand. With her sweat-soaked upper body exposed, it was hard to find a place to rest my eyes.
"By the way..."
Regardless, Jin Yeseo continued her questioning as she looked at me.
"So then, you really were in that kind of relationship with Sister Seoyeon in the past...?"
"Well, yeah..."
"Hmm..."
A bitter taste lingered on my tongue, but I couldn't deny even that. Jin Yeseo made a peculiar expression that was neither affirmation nor denial and fell into thought.
"But now you're in talks of marriage with Senior Yeon Minha, aren't you?"
"That's also... true."
"Then what are you going to do? You're not thinking of reuniting, are you?"
"..."
Her calm curiosity continued to poke at my conscience. Of course, Jin Yeseo wasn't deliberately trying to provoke me with those words. It was only natural for her to have questions as someone who had learned about the situation...
"And... Soo-ah, was it? What are you going to do about her? She's still just a child. She doesn't even look three years old yet. She probably still needs all of her parents' love."
Jin Yeseo seemed to interpret my silence differently, but that remark was undeniable truth.
Anyway, Soo-ah was still a very young girl who needed proper guidance.
Whether her true identity was a cat or an alien being.
No, rather, because she wasn't human, it was even more necessary.
By forcibly instilling appropriate human values and morals in her, she would be able to live with us. If that didn't happen, the end could only be destruction.
"Hmm..."
Jin Yeseo let out a nasal sound again. Then, as if realizing it was a sensitive topic, she casually changed the subject.
"Well, that's up to you to handle. By the way, can I ask you a favor?"
"A favor?"
"Yeah. Your daughter. Can you introduce her to me sometime?"
"That shouldn't be a problem, but... Why all of a sudden?"
"Just curious."
Jin Yeseo answered with a nonchalant expression as if it was no big deal.
"And I do like kids."
"Really? That's unexpected."
"What do you mean unexpected... Anyway, you promised, right?"
Her attitude was so enthusiastic it could almost be mistaken for desperation. She really seemed to genuinely like children.
Though unexpected, it wasn't a bad thing for me either. If she got close to Soo-ah, the shock would also be lessened when her true identity was revealed later.
After all that chaos, it was already a dark night outside. We stood up to return to the dormitories.
As I walked down the corridor, I asked Jin Yeseo,
"Has anything happened while I was gone? Any incidents?"
Thanks to the principal's return, the Cradle felt safe, but that didn't mean we could let our guard down. Those monsters had already infiltrated every corner of our society.
If only there were a way to predict what they might pull next.
"Hmm... I don't think there's been anything like that."
From behind, Jin Yeseo's voice could be heard. I was curious about her intention to walk a step behind me instead of by my side. Judging from the rustling of her clothes, I vaguely guessed she was doing something.
"Most internal affairs have been wrapped up... Now it's just the northern matters left..."
"The north... The barrier?"
A familiar term came out of Jin Yeseo's mouth.
"Did something happen there?"
"You... didn't know?"
Jin Yeseo asked back, as if it was surprising. Even in the infirmary, I had kept my ears open, but I hadn't been privy to all news.
"The scouts who crossed to the north keep reporting abnormal signs of the demons. Troop movements, food supply transports, large-scale gatherings..."
"...Is that confirmed information?"
"It's almost certain. Kids with relatives in the Intelligence Bureau all say the same thing..."
"..."
"Huh? What's with that reaction?"
By now, Jin Yeseo had moved closer beside me and smiled teasingly as she looked at my stiffened expression. Then, she moved closer and tapped my shoulder.
"Don't tell me you got scared? Just because there are signs doesn't mean they'll definitely advance south. Demons always fight among themselves anyway..."
Of course, it wasn't because I was scared. I'd already killed dozens, if not hundreds, of such beasts. Among them were High-Rank Demons of Baekdu Bloodline status.
It was more because I suddenly remembered a certain being I had forgotten. Among the witches I saw in my dreams, there was one who spoke of heading beyond the barrier.
An unidentifiable sense of unease pierced my brain. They certainly wouldn't be going there for good purposes.
"Phew."
Suddenly, a damp breeze brushing past my ears brought me back to my senses. Jin Yeseo had leaned up on her tiptoes and blown air into my ear. That mocking smile at her lips was annoyingly visible.
"...Who's scared?"
"Hehe."
I replied belatedly, but her mocking laughter only deepened.
"Can you even go in alone? You're not going to be too scared to sleep at night, are you? Should I stay with you?"
"Don't be ridiculous. Stay with me, my foot..."
Jin Yeseo, pretending as though she was going to hug me, chuckled softly. Before I knew it, we had arrived at the fork in the dormitory area.
"Go on in. Thanks for today..."
Squeeze!
And just as I was turning to bid Jin Yeseo farewell, something soft pressed against my back. Three points, to be exact. One at the top, and two aligned below.
"What the..."
"...I'm glad you're back safely."
Arms extended forward squeezed my waist tightly. Muffled words came through as she buried her face into my back.
"Really, really..."
The worry she had been trying to hide with her constant prickly attitude surfaced at last. I stood there frozen, unable to do anything.
Of course, I felt a complex mix of gratitude and guilt toward her... but that wasn't the reason.
After finishing the one-sided hug, Jin Yeseo moved back in front of me. Her face, having been buried, was flushed bright red.
"Hey, you, you..."
"Hmm, why?"
I stammered as I asked, but Jin Yeseo only tilted her head. Her behavior was as innocent and pure as a girl from the countryside who knew nothing. If I kept asking, I would only end up looking like the weird one.
"Hmm..."
Jin Yeseo had a peculiar smile on her lips. She teasingly stuck her tongue out halfway.
"Just wait. Next time, I'll definitely win."
Before I could even hold her back, she quickly walked away and disappeared beyond the dim landscape. I just stood there, dumbfounded.
It was a texture completely different from soft flesh—alien and firm. And there were two of them.
It was a sensation I hadn't noticed at all during the sparring earlier.
...Come to think of it, I think I made some kind of promise with Jin Yeseo before.
What was it again...?
***
Anyway, thanks to Jin Yeseo, the purpose of heading to the sparring room was more than achieved. Even now, all the muscles in my body were screaming.
Of course, a slight discomfort lingered... but it was just a trivial matter.
The Beech Dormitory, to which I returned after a long time, was pitch dark without a single light. It was probably because Yeon Minha was staying in the disciplinary room.
Tonight, I would inevitably spend the night alone. Come to think of it, how long had it been since I last spent a night alone?
What was once a familiar act now felt a bit unfamiliar.
Chewing on a faint sense of loneliness, I entered the dormitory and turned on the electric lamp.
And immediately, I felt an unexpected sign of presence.
"W-What are you doing, coming in now...!"
A small creature, not even reaching my knees, stood with its hands on its waist and its eyes glaring up at me. Its puffed cheeks, as if trying to look intimidating, only made it seem more adorable.
My thoughts upon seeing it were simple.
Really, this appearance... It's just like its mom.