My perfect plan eventually ended up being discarded due to my own consideration.
However, it couldn’t be helped.
Summoning a group of Jellies to enlarge my body worked out well at first. It was pleasing to finally have a higher perspective after so long.
To be honest, when I grew giant-like before, it felt so unrealistic that it didn’t resonate with me much, but this time, the size increase had enough realism that it truly impacted me.
If someone were to ask if growing larger itself isn’t unrealistic, I might not have much to say in response. But if someone’s reading my thoughts and criticizing, it doesn’t really matter, does it?
Anyway.
So, the reason I ended up relinquishing that good feeling of hugging the Jellies was because my face didn’t match my body at all.
Frankly speaking, the sleek body I got, which was somewhat influenced by my taste, did appeal to me. Since I lacked self-awareness of my own body, it felt like I was seeing it from a third person’s perspective—except for the skin color, it was quite good.
But then… as I followed the curvy thighs, the slender waist, and the bountiful Jelly bosom up to the face… I still saw an overly youthful face atop that body.
The clothes Han Seori and Yang Ha-na had given me didn’t suit me before, but now, this youthful face made it evident that this well-toned body just felt excessive and awkward.
No matter how you stretch it, a perpetual youth vibe should know its limits.
Since even I could tell the combination was bizarre, I ultimately had no choice but to discharge the Jellies.
And actually… there was another reason.
The sight of me holding the Jellies beside my plump chest might have contributed to a rather feminine impression, especially when viewed without focusing on my face—it truly felt odd.
When I became a Jelly in the shape of a little girl, I hadn’t paid much attention to the appearance, to be honest.
Maybe I just didn’t have the time for it.
By the time I had a proper look at my body, I had already grown accustomed to it.
And to be honest, this Jelly body is similar to my original body, just smaller—I barely noticed any great differences.
My chest and lower half were as flat as ever—so flat, it was expected.
Even the hair’s sway felt like rubbing my arms or thighs since it was all Jelly anyway.
Not to mention, without needing a bathroom visit, even as a small girl, I struggled to perceive myself as having a woman’s body.
But the larger body was different.
A body anyone could see with wobbling br*asts, a cinched waist that accentuated them further, a widely spread pelvis, and glossy thighs.
The sense of incongruity that arose within me might have been, upon reflection, quite natural, wouldn’t you say?
In any case, I was startled and, while pretending to be calm under the gazes of those around me, I discharged the Jellies.
I’m not sure how I appeared to others, but to me, that’s how it was.
…Honestly, even if the face had suited the body, I might not have discharged the Jellies myself.
I don’t know that part for sure.
The saying “just be who you are” might not be completely without merit.
Anyway.
The group, including Hwang Bo-yul, whose presence here I still didn’t understand, left the room with various expressions.
Listening to Yang Ha-na’s ramblings as she tried to grab me felt somewhat peculiar but ultimately uneventful.
Thus, peace returned to “my room,” where the leftover sweet desserts on the tray, the Jellies, and…
…the group of Jellies I called remained absent-mindedly.
Though I had summoned those nearby, I didn’t know where they’d come from, so I’d need to go to the management room to send them back.
But that seemed… bothersome, so I decided to leave them alone for today.
No, it wasn’t just because it was troublesome…
Just… um, because Daesik seemed to like them?
As if proving that, Daesik, curious about the smaller Jellies, began poking them gently with his doll hands as he approached.
Though he was wearing a doll costume, he didn’t seem aggressive; perhaps aware of some sort of kinship, the Jelly group accepted his touch.
Daesik, evidently delighted, poked at the smaller Jellies and then turned back to me, waving his doll hands joyfully though he didn’t say a word. Somehow moved, I unknowingly nodded and gave him a small smile.
Thinking about when and how to send these back… it didn’t feel entirely necessary.
Because whenever I saw Daesik’s actions, I felt like I should keep these small Jellies here.
After poking them for a while, Daesik began crumbling the chocolates left on the tray and sprinkling them on the Jelly group.
The small Jellies, who seemed to receive his favor, excitedly bubbled.
Could it be that the sweet taste of the dessert was an unexpected delight?
Judging from how they swarmed toward Daesik as he scattered the chocolates, it seemed they quite enjoyed it.
It reminded me of feeding goldfish in a tank.
While on the outside, the image of the doll “girl” interacting with the Jellies felt a bit strange, from the Jellies’ perspective, it might be likened to an older sister (?) taking care of her younger siblings.
I wondered what expression Daesik would have if dolls could show them.
He’d probably be smiling, right?
Honestly, though, imagining a doll smiling might be… a bit unsettling.
Thinking about that made me ponder if perhaps, somewhere in this world, there might be a Singularity of humanoid dolls or something.
Would it be a good idea to give one to Daesik… or am I already entertaining the idea of something that may not even exist?
I’m not drinking kimchi soup, yet I’m drinking it in big gulps. How bizarre.
Shaking my head, I turned to look at Daesik and the Jellies, and then spotted Sosik lying on the bed.
I thought he was asleep, but on closer inspection, his eyes were open.
He seemed to be experiencing the world through something small and ordinary, like me. However, since his eyes would be closed while sleeping, he was likely awake.
The screen above his head showed an oddly shiny penguin character with a slick head on a TV set, repeating “Wow, friends, Pengpeng is here~!”
I hadn’t introduced him to such channels, so how did he find and watch these?
Strangely enough, the boy seemed to really enjoy it. He grabbed the floating Jung-sik with his tentacles, sat him beside him, and began stroking his shiny back.
Jung-sik, without resistance, seemed comfortable and settled down beside Sosik, watching the TV.
…They’re having fun.
I was relieved they weren’t fighting but also thought it was slightly odd.
Still, I didn’t feel the need to intervene.
As long as they didn’t attack others, everything should be fine, right? Within our group, as long as we don’t eat each other, things should be okay.
…Well, I might be the only one who could potentially eat them, so I’ll just be careful.
I had intended to watch the news but, instead, ended up lying on the bed watching the channel Sosik had turned on.
If I had to give an opinion…
Though the overly shiny-headed penguin didn’t sit well with me, the content itself was surprisingly entertaining.
I was reminded anew that children’s content these days isn’t carelessly made.
I hadn’t expected to feel this way since becoming a Jelly, but it was a peculiar yet not unpleasant feeling.
“Welcome aboard!”
“…To be precise, I’m the thankful one.”
“Hehe, but we’re still eating from the same bowl, right? Say, can I call you Senior?”
“Hah… do as you wish.”
“Hehe, Senior!”
Hwang Bo-yul seemed either weak to Yang Ha-na’s type or just wanted to avoid further trouble, as she sighed faintly and shook her head. Yang Ha-na, however, still seemed delighted and proceeded to fill Hwang Bo-yul’s glass enthusiastically.
As Yang Ha-na tipped the glass, a golden liquid filled Hwang Bo-yul’s cup. Unintentionally drawn by the sight, I gulped my Jelly, fixated on it.
After all, the drink filling the cups of Hwang Bo-yul and others was none other than beer.
I wasn’t unfamiliar with beer; there had been some in my room during my escape days. I didn’t drink it then because I wasn’t in the mood, but in my human days, I’d frequently return home from work with arms full of discounted beer from convenience stores.
So much so that when the event price rose above ten thousand won, it felt like the sky was falling.
But since turning into a Jelly, I hadn’t consumed alcohol.
The reason was simple.
I couldn’t ask for one.
And neither could those around me as they weren’t in a state to enjoy drinking.
We were always busy— conducting experiments, running around… and while I was preoccupied, Han Seori and Kim Cheon-soo were even busier.
But now, with Yang Ha-na and, despite some reservations, Hwang Bo-yul being present, we also had the Jelly group to help them, and even Sphere, albeit uncertainly.
So… perhaps Han Seori and Kim Cheon-soo didn’t stop Yang Ha-na’s suggestion for a welcome party for Hwang Bo-yul?
It was clearly an excuse for them to indulge in some casual drinking too.
And I…
But contrary to my wishes, there was no cup in front of me. It was an indirect message that they wouldn’t give me beer.
I felt dissatisfied. Even though I looked this way, I am an adult.
Stealthily looking around at the others, I extended a tentacle secretly to grab the beer bottle in someone’s hand.
Before anyone noticed, I was happily in possession of it.
But then…
“Uh… I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Hearing Han Seori’s voice, I looked up. She, already a bit tipsy, was shaking her slightly red face at me.
No, I can drink it.
Regardless, Han Seori aimed to take the beer bottle from my tentacles.
I couldn’t let that happen, so I gripped it tightly, and…
A staring contest between me and Han Seori began.
