Chapter 91
The first thing I did as the sun rose was to go for a walk with Yeoreum.
I had a lot to do in the morning and was about to refuse, but Yeoreum earnestly begged, so I just went along with it.
"Gyeoul, thanks for walking with me. I'll help you catch up on your work later."
"It's okay. I can do it myself."
"No, since I asked, I'll help you this time."
"Um..."
I was fine, really, but I had no intention of refusing her help.
So, I roamed around the neighborhood with Yeoreum.
'It makes her seem so ordinary.'
What do ordinary people talk about while walking? It's been so long that I can't remember.
I guess I'll need Yeoreum's help after all.
"Um..."
"Yes?"
"Let's talk like ordinary people."
My comment seemed odd to Yeoreum, making her pause momentarily.
However, she was kind and quickly flashed a warm smile as if nothing had happened.
"Sure. What shall we talk about?"
I wanted to have an ordinary conversation.
After pondering for a moment, I decided to talk about anything that came to mind.
"They sell fish over there..."
Pointing towards a fish store, I looked up at Yeoreum.
I liked the distinctive smell of fish, so I often passed by this place when I went out.
Was this the right way to have a conversation?
I looked up at Yeoreum, a bit nervous.
"Wow, do they sell a lot of fish?"
"Yes. I saw more there than in the pond."
"Wow, and we have so many fish in our pond."
Yeoreum laughed, amazed.
Is this what ordinary people talk about?
Feeling better, my tail wagged lightly and we walked towards the fish store.
Fish, clams, shrimp, and various other seafood were on display.
As Yeoreum and I looked around, the owner of the store grumbled,
"Ah, that damn cat stole something again."
"What did it steal this time?"
"Mackerel!"
Again?
Do cats often steal fish here?
I was examining the mackerel when the store owner approached and our eyes met.
"..."
The owner froze upon seeing me.
Realizing his discomfort, I understood.
He must hate cats, and he thinks I'm one of them.
'Ah.'
It dawned on me that people working in fish stores must really dislike cats.
My ears and tail drooped in realization of the unfairness.
I wasn't even a real cat, but to receive such a look...
I hurriedly waved my hands at the owner.
"Sorry... But it wasn't me..."
"Right, a kid like you wouldn't steal mackerel. I spoke without thinking, sorry..."
"Yes..."
It wasn't my fault, and I wasn't the one scolded, but I felt oddly disheartened.
As I was about to leave the store with drooped shoulders, the owner placed his hand on my shoulder.
"Ah, wait a moment, kid."
He then bagged a few shrimp from the store.
Without hesitation, he handed me the bag containing the precious shrimp.
"I'm giving this to you because I feel sorry. These are tiger shrimp, go and enjoy them."
"It's, it's okay. You don't have to give me anything."
"Ah, don't make me out to be a bad person, just take it."
He forcefully placed the bag in my hand.
Looking up at Yeoreum, confused, she was just laughing.
"Th, thank you..."
"Yep. I'm really sorry for what I said earlier."
"Yes..."
He was a kind person.
I would have to buy some fish after all.
<+>
Yeoreum and I walked along the road, holding a bag filled with seafood.
We bought fish that were not in our pond, and Yeoreum was the one who paid for them.
"Gyeoul, would you mind eating with me?"
"Me...?"
"Yes. It makes it a hundred times happier for me if I eat with Gyeoul."
"Ah..."
I see.
Eating together was indeed a joyous occasion.
I felt like I understood why she was willing to spend her precious money to eat something together.
"Yes. Let's eat together."
"Thanks. Oh? Isn't that Yu-na and Jinhyuk?"
Yeoreum turned her head to the side.
I followed her gaze.
But all I could see was a high wall.
Even on my tiptoes, the wall was all I could see.
Being short was quite inconvenient at times like this.
With a sense of disappointment, I perked up my ears.
The sound of footsteps approached, one light and the other heavy.
It was indeed the footsteps of two people I knew.
"Gyeoul, there's my friends over there."
"Yes. But I can't see them."
"Oh, sorry. Just a moment."
Yeoreum slipped her hand under my arm and lifted me up high enough to see over the wall.
Finally seeing the two people, my tail wagged back and forth.
My vigorously wagging tail attacked Yeoreum's face from behind.
I wanted to stop, but I just couldn't control it.
"Oh, looks like Yeoreum is jealous?"
"I'm not jealous, are you?"
"Huhu, I don't know about that."
Jung Yu-na approached us with a smile.
Yeoreum then handed me over to her.
Because of the high wall, we had to pass me back and forth.
I wasn't sure why they insisted on passing me over like this.
"Hello, Gyeoul?"
"Hello."
Despite my greeting, Yu-na didn't put me down.
I decided not to ask to be put down.
There was no need to make Yu-na go out of her way.
"What were you and Yeoreum doing?"
"We were just walking."
"Really? Can I join the walk?"
The more, the merrier for a walk.
There was no reason to refuse.
"Yes. Let's all walk together."
Walking together with everyone.
It's something ordinary people would do.
The thought that I was making progress made me smile involuntarily.
<+>
We wandered around the neighborhood, walking here and there without any particular destination in mind.
"We met some people with carp and dragon tattoos in that alley over there."
"Are they scary people?"
Choi Jinhyuk cracked his neck with a sound loud enough to be heard, ready to confront the tattooed men as if he would rush to fight them at any moment.
"No, they were really kind and nice people. I got lost while playing with Levinas and they helped me find my way."
"Oh, I see."
Realizing they were good people from my explanation, Choi Jinhyuk eased his stance.
Only Yeoreum poked my cheek beside me.
"Gyeoul, didn't I tell you not to follow strangers?"
"Ah."
Right, I was supposed to keep that a secret.
I awkwardly avoided Yeoreum's gaze.
"Should I call you first if I get lost again?"
"Yes..."
It was clearly my mistake.
I had almost put young Levinas in a dangerous situation.
Without making excuses, I just nodded at Yeoreum.
"It's a relief you didn't meet any dangerous people."
"Yes. I deliberately avoided places where dangerous people might appear."
"Are there places where dangerous people appear?"
Yeoreum looked down at me puzzledly.
The concept of 'danger' is only known to the vulnerable, so it was natural that Yeoreum didn't understand.
Jung Yu-na and Choi Jinhyuk surely didn't know either.
"You know where I used to live, right?"
"Yes. You mean near the valley?"
"Yes. That area tends to have many dangerous people around."
"Like who, for example?"
What should I say? There were too many examples to consider.
"Well... some would curse at me or throw water."
"They sound like really bad people."
"I don't think they're bad people."
"Really?"
Was my response unexpected?
Yeoreum's eyes widened in surprise.
"A lot of people cursed at me. Maybe I did something bad first."
"No, how could that be? Gyeoul is so kind."
"Me...?"
"Yes. If Gyeoul were a bad person, I wouldn't have approached you first, would I?"
That makes sense.
The Daybreak Guild was a place filled with better people than I thought.
Holding my mouth shut in agreement, Jung Yu-na placed her hand over my head, precisely where my ears were.
"Gyeoul just had bad luck."
"That's not true. I'm not that unlucky."
"Really?"
"Yes. Because now I can meet all of you."
If I were truly unlucky, I'd still be alone, enduring a miserable and lonely life.
My bad luck seemed to disappear the moment I met Yeoreum.
She became my Goddess of Luck.
"Gyeoul, thank you for saying that."
"For what...?"
Is being lucky something to thank me for?
Although I expressed my confusion, Yeoreum simply shook her head.
"Uh, never mind."
I couldn't tell exactly why, but Yeoreum was in a good mood.
That's how we were able to finish our walk in high spirits.
"I said I'd help you with work when we get back, right? What are we going to do?"
"Today, we're going to expand the tunnel. Is it okay if you get dirty?"
"Yes. I'll dig really deep for you."
"Deep...?"
"Yes! All the way to the other side of the Earth!"
Yeoreum said it teasingly.
I knew she was joking.
"Then let's go for a walk on the other side of the Earth too."
"Shall we?"
"Yes."
By the way, which country is on the opposite side of the Earth?
I guess I'll have to look it up when I get home.
<+>
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