The steel snake that had carried us outside disappeared back into the ground as if nothing had happened.
I had worried that the hole might expose us, but as the silhouette of the steel snake vanished, the earth began to rise up and fill the void.
Hwang Bo-yul, seemingly intrigued by this phenomenon, poked at the spot with her foot, which now looked like ordinary soil.
Though it was reassuring to see her test it, I worried the ground might suddenly collapse. However, it seemed my fears were unfounded, as the patch she stepped on behaved no differently than the surrounding soil. Even when she stood confidently atop it, there was no change.
How is this possible? my thoughts were resolved when Sphere offered an answer: “Singularity.”
Well, in any case, it didn’t much matter to me.
The hole was filled, so there was no longer anything to worry about. Why bother pondering its principle when I’m neither a scientist nor someone who studies singularities?
Even if I did understand, what would I do with the knowledge? The most I could probably manage is to think that if I can dig holes, I might as well fill them with jelly.
Thus, what I couldn’t understand paled in comparison to what I could clearly see right in front of me.
As I mentioned earlier, I had to climb into the suitcase Hwang Bo-yul had brought. Given that, it was only natural that I wouldn’t see the steel snake returning to seal the ground.
But as I was, against expectation, I could see everything from the steel snake retreating and the ground filling itself to Hwang Bo-yul investigating the area with a curious expression.
At first, things went as I’d imagined: I entered the cold suitcase, and with a click, click sound, darkness enveloped me.
When would this seemingly endless darkness end?
Honestly, it wasn’t that I was afraid of the dark—children weren’t the issue. After all, I’d had my fill of darkness in the sewers. But… being immersed in such darkness made me feel as though I had returned to that time.
Back when my body had flipped, and I could see nothing… when no one came looking for me, and no sound reached my ears.
No matter who I was, feeling a little disheartened was unavoidable. That I didn’t shake and pound on the suitcase out of fear deserved some acknowledgment, didn’t it?
As I grumbled to myself and fidgeted with the jelly, a faint sound reached my ears.
Dr-r-r…
A small noise, and then the sunlight that had lit my vision just a moment ago started to reappear.
Following the light while blinking the jelly, I noticed a transparent pane in the middle of the suitcase where light was shining through.
Touching this area with a slightly dazed feeling, I found the cold touch of glass, which chilled the jelly slightly.
Before I could comprehend what was happening, a hand—presumably Hwang Bo-yul’s—approached and wiped the glass clean.
Puck-puck.
With the sound, the view began to clear up.
When the hand finally withdrew, Hwang Bo-yul’s pretty face appeared suddenly, gazing through the glass at me pensively and muttering,
“Definitely can’t see it from the outside,” she said.
Though I lacked a heart to be affected, I realized the glass could only be seen from the inside.
Jackpot.
This place sure had top-notch employee welfare.
Even though I don’t think I’d ever specifically asked for anything like this… how did they prepare something so thoughtful?
On this trip to the designated location, we must pass through the city, right? I would finally be able to see a normal landscape.
It was funny to think that I’d once taken for granted the world I only ever saw on the news now felt distant and novel.
They say you only realize how precious something is after you’ve lost it.
At first, I was sick of the concrete jungle and wandered around to find unfamiliar scenery. Now? I can hardly wait to see that concrete jungle again.
Who knows how life will turn out?
Technically, I’m not human anymore, but…
Anyway.
With the ground now restored, we started the journey toward our next destination.
“Started” might not be the most appropriate word. The only one actually walking was Hwang Bo-yul. I was being carried inside the suitcase.
Still, this felt oddly unusual.
Before, the darkness prevented me from seeing anything, so I didn’t think much of the swaying. But now things were different.
Of course, being able to see outside was a huge advantage.
But that also made it feel like I was riding in something akin to a stroller. Or maybe like sitting in the front seat of a shopping cart.
I never imagined I’d feel this way at my age.
Looks-wise, it might fit, but my mental age is pretty high, you know?
Still, it was comfortable.
As we swayed along, the scenery outside continuously changed, which helped me forget about the stroller or cart comparison.
After enjoying this ever-changing view of nature for a while, around the time I began to think that Hwang Bo-yul might want to rest, the concrete jungle I’d been longing to see appeared on the horizon.
It wasn’t much of a “forest” in its proper sense—more like a meager collection of buildings—but after spending time in such pristine nature, it felt like a dense forest to me.
And there were quite a few pedestrians, which would’ve gone unnoticed in my previous state.
Watching them pass by, I noticed something.
I used to think that everyone’s faces were filled with fatigue, but now, observing from this perspective, I could see that every face carried different emotions.
This sensation grew stronger as we approached a larger concrete jungle.
Each face I had overlooked before now seemed distinct, making it unexpectedly interesting to observe.
I was so absorbed in the view outside that I didn’t realize the sun had set until Hwang Bo-yul entered a building.
Judging by her actions, it appeared to be our lodging. With a calm expression, she checked in and then entered our room.
Inside, she changed into regular street clothes—clothes she had prepared when we first arrived in this concrete jungle—and started unpacking items from her bag.
Then she carefully checked every corner, including the mirror, and arranged the curtains meticulously.
Afterward, she opened the suitcase and took me out.
As the incandescent light poured into the suitcase, a glaring distinction between an ordinary person and Hwang Bo-yul became apparent.
That guy.
Back when we went to [the specific place], he never once took me out of the suitcase.
But Hwang Bo-yul, considering she’s taken me out now… maybe she simply found it cumbersome to keep me inside.
I felt a little sorry when she hit the back of her head after slipping in the bathroom, but I can’t help but feel a sense of vindication now.
It would’ve been better if he bled a little from the nose.
That aside…
Having come out unexpectedly, I felt…awkward. Had it been Jin Cheon-soo, I might’ve comfortably explored the surroundings. He wouldn’t shower me with excessive attention, so we’d both feel at ease.
On the contrary, Hwang Bo-yul seemed overly fixated on me.
While I fidgeted inside the suitcase, she kept her gaze fixed on me, clearly intrigued by my refusal to emerge.
If a beautiful older sister looked at me like this, I normally would’ve taken it as a green light and gotten thrilled. But right now, I was acutely aware of my current form.
So, this gaze… Hmm… What exactly is it?
Hardly surveillance—too inefficient. Judging by some of her actions, it might make more sense for her to lock me inside the suitcase.
Maybe Kim Cheon-soo didn’t take me out for similar reasons.
Ah, no nosebleed.
Anyway…
That’s why her decision to take me out here seems a bit odd.
Since she kept her mouth tightly shut… it only added to the frustration and slight, faint sense of unease.
Not to harp on it, but Hwang Bo-yul’s face was both beautiful and sharp, which didn’t help.
At any rate, staying cooped inside the suitcase would irritate my jelly, so I found myself awkwardly moving out, adjusting my jelly form as if I had joints or bones to stretch.
Throughout the process, she kept her steady gaze on me.
Please, just say something.
I didn’t think I’d miss Yang Ha-na like this.
Just as I considered letting out some jelly to play with, her lips, so far firmly sealed, finally parted.
“…Are you hungry?”
Even if jelly isn’t the correct context, I’d probably overload if I were to eat at this moment.
Still, I couldn’t refuse. If we were in the concrete jungle, naturally we’d order delivery food, right?
Though Kim Cheon-soo’s cooking was good, I’d found myself craving the sharp flavor of MSG.
Given her suggestion was impossible to reject, I nodded my head briskly. Hwang Bo-yul smirked and began rummaging through her bag.
Is she looking for her smartphone? Is that right?
With bright jelly eyes, I eagerly awaited her next move, and from the bag she retrieved…
Hold on.
She pulled out the notorious snack infamous for its high calorie count—something meant to be eaten in one small piece at most.
The infamous CalorieMate.
With a crinkling sound, she tore open the packaging and presented the uncut CalorieMate to me.
As if to say, “Here, eat all of this since you’re jelly.”
“Why?”
…You’re crushing my expectations.
But since I lack the courage to throw a tantrum with Hwang Bo-yul when I could with Kim Cheon-soo, I reluctantly inserted the CalorieMate into my body.
…It still tastes bland.
Meanwhile, Hwang Bo-yul popped a single piece into her mouth and continued to watch me attentively.
Somehow, the CalorieMate felt like it was melting slower than usual.
