“I’m the guardian who taught Sihyeon how to communicate with the world.”
“By that logic, I’m the benefactor who saved his life. Don’t you know he survived because I protected him instead of attacking him?”
“Anyone would have made the same choice, not just you. You know why Sihyeon was classified as a test subject among monsters despite being human, and why we feel so much affection for him. No, you understand it better than anyone, so why are you acting like this?”
“You’re desperate to monopolize him somehow. How pathetic.”
“That is exactly what I should be saying to you.”
The argument that seemed as though it might continue forever came to a halt when a cute peep-! sounded from inside the dining area. Both of them froze at once, their reactions starkly opposed.
Moon Seyoung immediately realized what it was. She gave a smug little hum, grinned, and turned toward the dining area, only for Baek Hyeonwoo to hurriedly block her path.
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Aren’t you about to go in there and say something unnecessary?”
“Something unnecessary? I only want to share some memories with Sihyeon.”
Fuck, that was exactly something unnecessary.
Baek Hyeonwoo clenched his teeth and forced the corners of his mouth upward.
“Sihyeon doesn’t know anything.”
“Which is precisely why I think we should tell him.”
“Ms. Moon Seyoung.”
“What, so I finally meet Sihyeon again after all this time, and now I’m not allowed to talk to him or come with you? That’s really hurtful.”
In other words, he had to give up one of the two. Baek Hyeonwoo clenched his fists. He did not want Moon Seyoung to come with them. But he wanted her to reveal everything even less. If Baek Sihyeon cried and told him he hated him, it felt as though his heart would not merely break—he would lose his very reason to live.
“Decide quickly. What are you going to do?”
“Haa…….”
“Seriously, is this really something you need to agonize over? You created an environment where Sihyeon had no choice but to take an interest in me in the first place.”
Yes, he had expected Sihyeon to be interested. Of course he had. But taking an interest in someone and falling in love at first sight were two entirely different matters. If Sihyeon ever confessed to Moon Seyoung…… Fuck, he did not even want to imagine it.
“Am I coming?”
“Fine! Fine, I understand. Haa……. Come with us. But I have a condition.”
“What is it?”
“Never. No matter what happens, do not tell him anything about the past or the present situation.”
Moon Seyoung nodded at Baek Hyeonwoo’s words, though she looked somewhat taken aback.
“Nothing at all?”
“Yes. Nothing. Whether it concerns the laboratory, the zombies, or anything else.”
“……Aren’t you being far too overprotective? I could understand before, but there is no reason for it now.”
“I prepared everything specifically so he could be raised that way. If you don’t like it, then you can—”
“Who said I didn’t like it?”
Moon Seyoung answered quickly, as though afraid he might change his mind, then grinned and gave him a light wink. Baek Hyeonwoo’s expression twisted sharply, but relieved that the immediate crisis had been extinguished, he strode toward the dining area.
Even though they had not deliberately concealed their presence, Sihyeon was completely absorbed in the creature lying on its back and soaking up all his affection. The sight made the furrow that had remained between Baek Hyeonwoo’s brows until moments ago soften.
“……I miss them.”
“What do you miss?”
He had merely responded to Sihyeon’s mutter, yet Sihyeon sprang to his feet without even trying to hide his surprise. He desperately shielded the young monster with his body, as though protecting it. He truly had never once considered the possibility that Baek Hyeonwoo and the creature might have some connection.
“Ah, no, nothing. Did your conversation go well?”
“More or less.”
When Baek Hyeonwoo took a step forward as he answered, Sihyeon hurriedly blocked his path. Of course, Baek Hyeonwoo knew exactly what was behind him, but he looked down at Sihyeon with the expression of someone who knew nothing. He was intensely curious whether the child would lie or tell him the truth.
“Just a moment. Just a moment.”
His voice trembled openly as he repeated the same words, yet even then, Sihyeon refused to step aside.
He was so adorable Baek Hyeonwoo could die.
Just as the corners of Baek Hyeonwoo’s mouth began to rise, the small monster climbed onto Sihyeon’s shoulder, making a surprisingly cute sound despite its appearance. It had come to meet Baek Hyeonwoo in the first place, so naturally it would reveal itself before him. But Sihyeon, who knew nothing, hurriedly seized it.
“You can’t kill it!”
Instead of answering, Baek Hyeonwoo wrapped an arm around Sihyeon’s waist as he tipped backward. Seeing him squeeze his eyes shut, he had clearly realized he was falling, yet rather than reaching down to brace himself against the floor, he stubbornly held on to the baby monster. Baek Hyeonwoo found it foolish and endearing at once—and was jealous that the thing being protected by those hands was not him.
“Haa, Sihyeon. I don’t know what that is, but you mustn’t do anything dangerous. You almost seriously hurt yourself.”
Baek Hyeonwoo let out a deep sigh without realizing it. He was about to scold him, but the instant he saw Sihyeon staring up at him with wide eyes and giving him a sheepish grin, all his resolve drained away. Instead, he arched one eyebrow to express the dissatisfaction that remained. Sihyeon reluctantly opened his hands and answered in a shrinking voice.
“S-say hello. This is Silly…… my friend.”
Peeep!
As though lifting one leg in greeting were not enough, the creature repeatedly spread and closed its tentacles. Look at how proud it was merely because it had been given a name. Baek Hyeonwoo restrained the urge to thoroughly smack its rear and opened his mouth.
“Let’s sit down and talk first.”
Was Silly fearless, or did it simply fail to understand the atmosphere? Either way, it seemed natural to conclude that it was because the creature was young. Otherwise, it could not have wandered around the table making cheerful little popping noises as though nothing were wrong in such a suffocating atmosphere.
Every time Silly approached Baek Hyeonwoo, I felt as though I might die from anxiety, terrified that he would crush it in his hand. I had subtly pulled it back three times already, yet it kept clinging to Baek Hyeonwoo again. It was driving me insane.
“Silly…… please, just behave.”
Peeep.
Eventually, unable to bear it any longer, I spoke in a shrinking voice and picked Silly up. It instead cried out proudly as though telling me everything was fine, spreading its tentacles wide to both sides. You’re driving me crazy. What do you know that makes you act so confidently? Huh?
“Why Silly?”
Moon Seyoung, who had somehow taken a seat beside Baek Hyeonwoo and was watching with her chin propped on one hand, widened her eyes as she asked. Whether or not Silly understood my desperation, the moment it heard its name, it leaped in front of Moon Seyoung and proudly stretched out its legs. I knew what that meant. If it were human, it would be throwing its shoulders back, puffing out its chest, and preening with pride. Please stay still. Your life is at stake right now. Huh? This is not the time for that.
“Because it’s really soft…….”
“Really? Can I touch it too?”
Moon Seyoung’s eyes sparkled as she carefully reached out. Baek Hyeonwoo folded his arms and said with obvious displeasure, “Don’t touch it,” but she pretended not to hear him.
“Wow, wow.”
Her pale finger touched Silly’s back. She merely stroked the edge lightly to avoid the blinking eyes, but even that seemed enough for her to feel how soft it was.
“It feels like a toy. Why is it so squishy? There, there. Come here.”
Silly happily waved its tentacles at the gesture she used as though calling a puppy, then hopped into her palm. Seeing Moon Seyoung’s eyes soften, I thought things might be going reasonably well and glanced at Baek Hyeonwoo.
But there was no sign of my brother’s expression easing. If anything, his eyes narrowed further each time Silly acted cute toward Moon Seyoung.
……Huh?
Even as I thought this could not continue, a doubtful suspicion arose in me. Come to think of it, he had told Moon Seyoung not to touch it earlier too. Was she already starting to bother him? Had love begun to bloom this quickly? I forcibly suppressed the corners of my mouth as they reflexively twitched upward and quietly lifted Silly from her hand.
But that was one thing, and this was another. I could not sacrifice Silly just to watch their romance unfold.
“I know some people might dislike the way it looks…… but it’s genuinely kind and gentle, just like it seems.”
“…….”
“And it’s incredibly smart. Look. Silly, you’ll stay quietly beside me without causing trouble, right?”
Peeep!
The moment I finished speaking, it leaped onto my shoulder as though that were obvious. I could not see it, but I was sure it was stretching its legs out proudly again. Perhaps everything would be fine as long as I kept it away from the female protagonist.
“All right. I won’t hurt it, so you don’t have to try so hard.”
“I want to take it with us…….”
At the words take it with us, Baek Hyeonwoo’s expression hardened even further. He always smiled gently and took my side no matter what I did, telling me I was right. Seeing him become so stern made me shrink instinctively.
“Please, okay?”
Even so, I clasped my hands tightly and looked up at him desperately. After a long silence, he released an extended sigh as though he had no choice and asked,
“……Do you really want to take it that badly?”
“Mm-hm.”
Pee-kyoo.
The instant I answered, Silly slapped itself against my cheek and clung there. Baek Hyeonwoo’s eyelids seemed to tremble, and then he rubbed his face roughly and nodded.
“Fine. Do whatever you want. Whatever you want.”
“Wow!”
He gave me permission!