A Basement-Dwelling Loser, the Inquisitor – Chapter 52

“Please turn on the broadcast!!!”

Kkang!

“Tenryun!!!”

Kkang!

“No, if you don’t turn on the broadcast now, then when will you?…”

Kkang!

…This is strange.

I’m clearly more active in writing posts in Remagal right now, so why are there even more heretics among the Rebongi?

【Rene Galleryⓜ】

【Title: I just came back from a fan meeting with the Gallery Master ㅇㅇ】(3)

【Title: Proving the fan meeting with the Gallery Master】(8)

【Title: Malicious fan meeting with the Gallery Master】(7)

【Title: They said they’d send me a post after the fan meeting】(11)

【Title: If I come back from the fan meeting smiling, it’s a must-upvote haha】(10)

Even the increased heretics were disguising their actions as a fan meeting.

It’s ridiculous terrorist acts.

Even if I want to delete the posts, my past statements about not managing the gallery personally hold me back.

The Paddaks are using that excuse to leave it alone.

…No.

Thinking about how one of the Paddak was the origin of this terror, they might not be leaving it alone because they have no justification after all.

In fact, if we look at it, it’s highly likely that the Paddaks are the main culprits.

What on earth do these guys have to complain about?

Anyway, what should I do about this….

The terrorists keep demanding me to turn on the broadcast.

Of course, I have no intention of accepting that demand.

If I waver and turn on the broadcast due to a moment of intimidation, I’ll lose the trust of the other Rebongi.

I will absolutely not respond to the terrorists’ disguised threats disguised as negotiations…!

I hope the other Rebongi acknowledge the effort I’m putting in, so let’s write about this in the evening.

“Rene unnie~! I’m here!”

As I swallowed that resolve, I heard Bora’s voice outside.

It’s already time for Bora to come.

Realizing that fact, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

Spending time with Bora requires enormous energy, so gathering my mind and body like this before we meet was very important.

After completing my very brief meditation, I went to the entrance to welcome Bora as I opened the door.

“W-welcome, Bora-ya….”

“When will you ever call me Bora?”

Although I’ve gotten used to Bora’s words, it still almost made me tear up.

The pure and straightforward way of speaking from a child is so powerful….

“So? What were you doing, Rene unnie?”

“The terrorists are threatening me, and I was thinking about what to do about that.”

“Terrorist? Threats? Hmm…. Do you want me to help?”

“I-I’ll gratefully accept your kindness….”

At my response, Bora pouted as if something displeased her.

How can she say she wants to help without even knowing what a terrorist or threat means….

Honestly, I was a bit curious, but I hesitated to answer, thinking that it might blow up into something bigger.

Well, I really appreciate the thought of wanting to help.

“Oh, by the way, Rene unnie!”

“Yes?”

“Let’s have dinner together at my house tonight!”

“…What?”

“Mom told me to bring you over for dinner!”

And with that, a terrorist was now beside me.

★

Of course, I was going to refuse.

I definitely wanted to refuse.

But there was no way to turn down Bora’s tearful “No…?” at least in my head.

Even now, she charms people like that, how many men will she make cry when she gets older….

Of course, it’s not particularly relevant to me, but it feels a bit scary.

Anyway, the conclusion was that I would have dinner with Bora’s family tonight.

“Hah….”

A pointless sigh escaped me.

I sat there with my head bowed down, just eating.

And the awkward atmosphere at the dining table as they looked at me.

The reputation I had in Bora’s family starting to crumble….

I could already see the future clearly.

Someone might ask if I’m thinking too negatively, but I’m basically a negative person from the start….

What on earth could be the reason for Bora to invite me to dinner?

It’s a pretty important day, but… I’ve never told Bora that.

“…Sigh.”

What’s the point of worrying about it?

The highest probability is that she just wanted to eat together.

She’s still a child, so there’s no need to attach too much meaning to it.

That said, it doesn’t change my desire to run away.

Soon enough, it was 7 PM.

Bora had already gone back home, and the meeting time was until 7:30 PM.

30 minutes left.

I wonder if time will just stop here or something…?

Yeah.

That wouldn’t happen….

…Right.

Either way, time flows, and I have to have dinner at Bora’s house.

This sad fact won’t change no matter what.

So it might be better to think a little more positively, right?

For example, ‘If I have dinner at Bora’s house, I’ll have something to write about for the gallery?’

Nah.

That’s a genuine plus.

Since I’m barely ever out of the house, the stories I can share for the gallery are limited.

These distinct episodes will definitely be liked by many Rebongi.

Thinking that, it was already 7:20 PM.

Now, it was truly time to head to the battlefield.

★

Ding-dong~.

The familiar doorbell rang.

I was always the one to open the door, but being on the receiving end of a guest felt strangely refreshing.

[Who is it?]

I heard Bora’s familiar voice beyond the doorbell.

“It’s me….”

As I thought about what was to come, a slight shiver ran through me, but I held my arms tightly and slowly spoke.

[Please give your name~!]

In response, I received Bora’s playful voice.

A pointless little joke without any meaning.

“R-Rene unnie….”

[…Yes! Rene unnie loves Bora so much! What can we do? I’ll open the door! ]

I could hear footsteps beyond the front door along with a humming.

…What can’t be helped?

It was you who invited me, Bora.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think that, but it was just so typical of her.

And a moment later.

Click, the sound of a lock turning, and Bora in her pajamas welcomed me.

“Welcome, Rene unnie!”

“Y-yeah….”

My heart began to race.

Since returning to Earth, my only territory has always been home.

The most I’ve done is go out to fetch food or water, but I’ve never left the house to meet someone like this before.

Of course, I know I don’t have to think that way, but… I can’t stop the trembling in my whole body.

“Welcome, Rene-ya.”

“A-a, hello….”

As Bora led me towards the kitchen, her mother, who was busy cooking, warmly smiled and welcomed me.

“They said they’d arrive around 8, so make yourself comfortable and relax.”

“Yes….”

Will I really be able to relax here…?

“Hehe. How do you like our house, Rene unnie?”

“U-um. I think it’s g-good….”

My answer to Bora’s question wasn’t just to go along; I genuinely meant it.

Even though the structure is the same as my house since we live in the same apartment.

The family photos on the walls and the toys organized in the corner of the living room.

The smell of seaweed soup tickling my nose was entirely different from my house.

I was aware, yet still amazed at how warm of a family it was.

Almost to the point of feeling slightly envious.

“If you like it, feel free to come over often!”

Please…please don’t say that….

★

The meal served was the sort that was best described as a feast.

Starting with white rice and seaweed soup full of beef, followed by bulgogi, japchae, and fried mackerel.

No matter how you look at it, it was hard to call this a typical home-cooked meal.

To eat this kind of food every day.

Could it be that Bora was a rich girl after all?

“Rene unnie! What day is it today~?”

As I was lost in those thoughts, Bora smiled and asked me, and the answer to that question had already been set from the start.

“Um, it’s the anniversary of Bora-ya inviting me to her house…?”

“Puhaha!”

At my answer, Bora’s mom and dad burst into laughter.

“Wrong!”

Bora, who had posed the question, made an ‘X’ with her hands and puffed her cheeks.

What.

What is it?

What kind of answer are you looking for from me…?

“Today is December 21st! Exactly… my birthday!!!”

…Huh?

“Happy birthday, our daughter.”

“Yup!”

“I’m really sorry for bringing it up suddenly, Rene-ya. Bora insisted no matter what that she wanted to spend time with you….”

“Exactly!”

“I look forward to your continued support of our Bora. Thank you so much, always.”

“If you need anything, don’t hesitate to let me know. I’ll help you however I can.”

It’s so warm.

With her silvery-white hair and red eyes.

Bora’s family, who treated me with such kindness without making me feel like an outsider despite my appearance that’s hard to find in Korea, was incredibly lovely.

If it had been any other time, I could’ve cried at that warmth without realizing it.

…If it had been a usual time.

“U-um… today is December 21st, right…?”

“Yup! My birthday!”

“Bora-ya’s b-birthday….”

“I told you to call me Bora comfortably!”

“U-um….”

Even while bowing my head, I could feel eyes on me, and slowly I began to speak.

“I-I also have a birthday today….”

“…Huh?!”

“Oh my.”

“Really?!”

Three different responses echoed back.

Oh no, did I say something too oblivious?

Bora must have wanted to be the center of attention today….