I’m bored….
I felt an extreme sense of boredom while riding in the carrier.
Not long ago, when I went outside, I was extremely happy to see the concrete jungle, but now it leaves me indifferent.
That’s because the concrete jungle was originally something I saw daily. Seeing it again to the point of being sick of it left no reason for me to be interested.
I’ve seen it a lot while moving in the carrier, and I was also sick of it when I returned “home” while clinging to Hwang Bo-yul. Due to those memories, it didn’t just leave me indifferent; it felt a little tiresome now.
Besides, the scenery, which lacked any particular feature, seemed annoying because we were fleeing.
Still, they say it’s dangerous to leave the comfort zone.
“It seems you’ve been doing well recently, which is a relief. You look healthier.”
“Do I?”
While feeling as though my body was melting from boredom, I heard the sound of two people having a conversation above me—or rather, outside.
On closer inspection, it wasn’t really a conversation, as Hwang Bo-yul seemed to be more on the receiving end of a one-sided story.
Not that it mattered… but the middle-aged man’s interest in a young woman seemed less romantic and more genuinely concerned about her wellbeing.
Also, as I had overheard before, they seemed to already know each other.
Still, perhaps it wasn’t appropriate of me to even think such thoughts. After all, he couldn’t hear me, and I wasn’t even human anymore. So, was it really alright?
Feeling awkward, I picked up Jelly, who was with me in the carrier, and started playing with her. Like a child engaged in sensory play, I poked and prodded her and even tossed her up and caught her.
When Jelly accidentally collided with the carrier wall and Hwang Bo-yul softly asked if anything was wrong, I felt somewhat embarrassed.
Though it may seem considerate to ask when you can’t even expect an answer, or it might show a lack of consideration, I decided to be more careful.
Moreover, as the middle-aged man’s attention seemed to shift towards me, I figured it would be best to be more restrained.
“Hoho, is something the matter?”
“It seems I’ve grown quite restless in here.”
“Hmm, that’s understandable. But we’re almost there, so if you can just bear with it a little longer… Will you understand this command?”
“I will.”
“Good.”
“We’re almost there.”
Do people still believe such words these days? Even ten, twenty minutes, or an hour from now, it wouldn’t change, and everyone knows that by now.
It was truly an elastic sort of statement. And these days, with navigation systems being so good, it probably wouldn’t even apply.
Anyway, how long had I been playing with Jelly without affecting the outer environment?
It was definitely morning when we started, but by the time we arrived, the sun was setting. It seemed we had traveled quite far without stopping.
With a “drrr” sound, we entered a regular building, took the elevator down, and ended up in a pristine white space that made me feel like I’d be upset if I didn’t see it again.
Only then was I able to leave the carrier, but as soon as I came out, I was greeted by a crowd, leaving me utterly exhausted.
Perhaps because of my previous outing with Han Seori, the people approaching me now did so without hesitation.
Thinking my upfront actions might seem threatening, I glanced at Hwang Bo-yul. She had always disliked such approaches before and used to drive people away.
However, she was different today. Noticing my gaze, Hwang Bo-yul subtly avoided it, pretending not to notice.
Exposed to the incoming hands, I was quite shocked.
Though I wanted to exclaim, “Even you, Hwang Bo-yul?” I could sense in her expression that there was no help for it. Feeling too bothered to care, I decided to humbly accept the situation.
…Well, everyone must have their reasons.
Actually, except for that initial shock, it wasn’t bad.
“Wow, your skin’s really smooth.”
“Is this edible? Oh, it eats! It eats!”
“Aww, so cute.”
Whereas before, there was always an element of fear when people approached me, now it felt like they were observing some exotic animal.
There was a subtle difference, though. Perhaps because it had been a while since I’d seen other humans, I noticed the nuances more clearly, just like how one notices changes in someone they haven’t seen in a while.
Of course, I had encountered strangers not too long ago, but they had approached with masks on, so the quality of this interaction felt slightly different.
In fact, they had made me feel uneasy when we first met.
This isn’t something I’m fabricating now—it was really unpleasant at the time!
Ahem.
Anyway, as I savor the various snacks they’re feeding me, my previous dull, uncomfortable mood starts to improve.
When someone moved closer, apparently wanting to taste my Jelly, Hwang Bo-yul, who seemed to have been given some instructions, intervened, thinking it wasn’t appropriate.
I also shared this sentiment, so I welcomed the intervention.
“We’ve been out long enough today, so let’s rest well and move tomorrow.”
By the time the uncle said this, seemingly satisfied with his mission, he had already hurried off somewhere after placing us in a somewhat comfortable room.
Though he didn’t just leave us like that; he ensured we were in a cozy space before going.
Getting on the carrier Hwang Bo-yul was pulling and entering, I felt something peculiar.
Originally, when we went somewhere else, we stayed in some strict rooms—probably quarantine rooms—but today we were in a normal room with Hwang Bo-yul. Considering she had to stay in a quarantine-like place before because of me, it seemed like perceptions were indeed changing.
The actions of Han Seori that day might not have been completely in vain.
Of course, we can’t really tell what they truly think, but this kind of change is probably a good thing, right?
Maybe.
Seeing this change reminded me of the news I had seen not too long ago. Strange movements from things that hadn’t even shown their noses before. Perhaps this change is somehow connected to them.
Maybe they’ve recognized that I’m helping to prevent the same situation from happening here, leading to the improved treatment.
Thinking this way, I briefly entertained the idea that it wouldn’t be so bad to ask for better treatment, thinking like a thief.
But reflecting further, maybe it’s simply asking for fair compensation.
They must have handed this matter over to me because it would be too troublesome and costly for them to handle with manpower.
Had I not been around, the country might have been plagued with the same issues other countries are currently reporting on the news.
Though, I may be overthinking this. The changed treatment I receive and the strange events happening in other countries might not mean much.
If I could understand their significance, I wouldn’t be here pondering this, would I?
Let those smarter than me—like Han Seori—or someone else figure it out.
While I was lost in thought, Hwang Bo-yul, sitting in a chair, looked at me and said:
“You must have been bored coming all the way here. Although… I don’t suppose there’s much to do here right now either.”
That’s true.
Though the room was nicer, it still lacked any form of entertainment.
Actually, since we didn’t come here to play, it would be silly to complain about the lack of things to do.
Still, it was a bit disappointing.
Compensating for my disappointment, I gathered the Jellies that had finally exited the carrier and attempted to juggle them—something impossible to do in the confined space of the carrier.
Even though my delicate hands juggled the Jellies, Hwang Bo-yul, who had been observing silently, softly clapped and murmured somewhat awkwardly:
“Are you thinking of joining the circus or something?”
Well, not really.
It was just amusing to see her feel awkward like this, and it made me want to do more. The dopamine release from my Jelly when she seems embarrassed is quite something!
However, I couldn’t think of anything else to make her awkward, so I stopped. One idea that came to mind was throwing Jelly at her face, but she wouldn’t be embarrassed—she’d be angry, so I dismissed that.
If it had been Kim Cheon-soo instead of Hwang Bo-yul, I might have thrown Jelly at him just for fun, but alas.
Anyway…
Hwang Bo-yul and I had the simple evening meal provided and went to sleep quietly. Lying in the bed, feeling like I’d returned to a country home, random thoughts kept popping up, but considering the lack of sleep I’d have once the work began, I soon felt sleepy.
My sleepiness seemed to be solely dictated by my mood.
Had I been human, I would have cherished the freedom to fall asleep so effortlessly.
Just as I was drifting off to sleep… I suddenly felt a chill.
If I go to sleep like this now, I have to work later, right? Once I thought about it, I could feel the incoming sleep swiftly leave.
Not that not sleeping would exempt me from work, but at least it might be delayed, right?
Anyway, sleeping or not sleeping won’t make much of a difference.
As I contemplated these foolish thoughts, Hwang Bo-yul began to breathe deeply, indicating she was asleep.
I’m not sure if I should admire or feel sad that she sleeps soundly with me right beside her.
The moment I chose to think positively about it, Hwang Bo-yul, who had been turning in her sleep, embraced me tightly like a pillow.
Her actions weren’t surprising due to the previous incident, but it felt somewhat awkward since it had been a while.
Still, feeling her warm human body, I started to feel sleepy despite not wanting to sleep.
Ah, if I sleep now, I’ll have to go to work immediately.
But I couldn’t resist Hwang Bo-yul’s warmth and soon fell asleep.
The bed and Hwang Bo-yul were simply too strong.
