This… doesn’t feel right?
I had boldly declared my ambitions while pulling Electric Scent by the wrist, but before long, I ended up being kicked out of the management room.
Come on, even if that’s true, isn’t banishing me a bit excessive? It was confusing for them as well—I’m sure they felt the same way as I did!
What exactly went wrong?
Initially, when I offered my help, everyone’s eyes sparkled with interest.
Of course, there were those who sent me incredulous looks like Kim Cheon-soo, as if to say, “You?” But for the most part, the reaction was generally positive.
Though, upon reflection, perhaps they just regarded it like watching a child’s playful antics, but all in all, it was positive.
However, as my proposal was gradually laid out through Electric Scent, the expressions on people’s faces stiffened little by little. And in the end, I got kicked out.
Is it really that games and reality are so different?
But doesn’t it make sense to stack things closely together for efficiency? In games, you get bonuses that way, right? Isn’t that why people like doing it?
Of course, too much stacking triggers a penalty, so we divided things appropriately. Let’s be clear—I wasn’t blindly thinking along the lines of a game.
I thought I had created the perfect arrangement, but since I got kicked out, I can’t help but feel deflated.
Why am I being treated so harshly when I wasn’t doing something akin to a traditional “high-stakes” game?
The more I thought about it, the more aggrieved I felt, so I moved toward the kitchen. Since I realized there was no need to care about faces I didn’t know in the management room, I walked there unconcerned.
Why did I go to the kitchen?
Of course, to ransack the refrigerator. The only “drug” allowed to me by the state (???) is Kim Cheon-soo’s pudding.
I don’t even know what drugs are really like; I never smoked before, not even cigarettes. But if I ever tried a drug, I imagine it would have the same addictive quality as pudding.
Soon, the state might start regulating Kim Cheon-soo’s pudding—yes, treating him as a drug manufacturer. Hence, the only option is for me to destroy the evidence.
If Kim Cheon-soo gets arrested, not only will I lose access to pudding, but Han Seori, who relies on him for domestic duties, will be in a difficult position as well. To be honest, not just her—many others will find themselves in a bind. I thought being a bad cook was just a joke, but it seems it isn’t.
So, if Kim Cheon-soo goes to jail, who will prepare the meals?!
Thus, eating all the pudding isn’t about revenge for being kicked out, nor is it because I want to eat it—it’s a sacrifice. A very noble one.
Mmm… delicious…
Why is it this good? Could it really be laced with something like a drug?
While savoring the pudding that would likely attract a 4,000 won tax if regulated by the state…
“Why are you doing this…?”
At the sound of the voice, I shifted my pudding-covered gaze and saw Kim Cheon-soo entering the kitchen, pressing his temples.
Ah, you’ve shown up, O Drug Dealer.
How did you know your stash is being looted? – Ack!
When Kim Cheon-soo approached, he suddenly lifted me off the ground. Since my sticky hands still clung to the pudding bowl, I thought I wasn’t a problem. Unfortunately, I lost my grip on the pudding, and it splattered all over his face.
…Uh, but it’s not like someone has any right to just lift another person at will! This feels more like me being unfairly targeted!
I bet even Jung-sik would agree that I’ve done nothing wrong… right?
Anyway, while he was eating the pudding off his face, Kim Cheon-soo began scolding me, much like Han Seori had in the management room earlier.
“What if you eat it all?! Have you even thought of others? And weren’t you already served some today!?”
I was still hungry—
Before I could think, Kim Cheon-soo prepared to drop me on the floor. Though it wouldn’t actually hurt, I bowed my head deeply to feign remorse, as befits my refined Jelly demeanor.
It’s not because I found his nagging tedious—I maintain good human-to-human communication. After all, I am Jelly with a human heart.
In any case…
As I deeply bowed my head, Kim Cheon-soo sighed softly and put me down.
“You’re capable of expressing yourself, aren’t you? If you want more, just say so. I don’t think your behavior is acceptable.”
I nodded.
Then, Kim Cheon-soo, shaking his head, cleaned up the pudding that had spilled on the floor and opened the freezer. I wondered what he was doing there until he pulled out a fresh new bowl.
“I knew this might happen, so I prepared a backup…”
Eh? You had this and still shouted at me?
Outraged, I approached him and kicked his ankle with moderate force, careful not to overdo it as that could send him spinning 360 degrees.
“Hey, are you really trying to kick me?! If you kick me, I’ll die, for real.”
He waved his stick-thin legs around. You should consider exercising, don’t you think? For his health, I kicked him a few more times, then returned to my room with the caramelized sugar pudding I’d just procured.
Savoring the lingering sweetness inside Jelly while heading back to my room, I noticed something suddenly latching onto me.
Ah, this is how Han Seori and her group must have felt at the management room. Reflecting on this, I gained a sense of repentance as I noticed who had leapt onto me—Daesik.
…Why’s he acting like this?
He couldn’t possibly be missing me just because I left for this brief moment…
In any case, I took him inside, and as I did so, I saw Sosik lying lazily on the living room couch, watching TV.
See? The only thing that kid does is sleep.
Curious about what they were actually watching, I peered closer…
I saw someone repeatedly head-butting the ground. No, to be precise, someone in a ghost costume.
…That’s why Daesik ran to me.
Well, come to think of it, Sosik isn’t the type to offer much comfort in such situations. Look at him, ignoring Daesik as he clings trembling to me, completely fixated on the TV.
Anyway.
Looking at the screen, it made sense why Daesik would get scared. It was subtly similar to Jangseung’s movements, which could definitely trigger a trauma response.
Especially when the head repeatedly hits the ground—it really does resemble that.
Why are you watching such stuff?
Holding Daesik, who trembled but kept staring at the screen, I sat on the couch. I sat with extra force, causing the lightweight Sosik to briefly float before sinking into the couch.
Judging by the somewhat irritated look on the boy’s face, I now feel quite satisfied with my earlier pudding consumption.
He should experience some hardship outside to know how nice it is here.
Anyway, separate from all that, the hopping ghost on the screen was unexpectedly entertaining. Daesik’s fear seemed almost endearing since he continued watching.
Who would’ve thought Grandma Shanghai would make such a choice…?
*
The Sea.
Indeed, the cradle of life, not a swimming pool or a lake, but the real ocean. Given the state of the world today, it wouldn’t be surprising if fish-faced people crawled onto the shore from there.
…Actually, the news mentioned something similar might happen, which is why I’m here.
Why am I here?
It seemed like I wouldn’t be sent anywhere else for a while, so why am I here?
Was it because my previous antics left a lasting impression?
I wanted to see the village ascend.
How does anyone bear real-life SimCity? Anyway, it looks like my suggestions won’t be implemented. Looks like my energy’s drained, but it’s all for the better.
That said, there’s a slight change from before.
Until now, there was always this overwhelming, stark white space, but this time, I came directly to this location.
An empty beach.
It feels oddly exhilarating, like a private beach, but something feels unsettling.
Doesn’t skipping the usual routine suggest something’s wrong?
Well, I do prefer being outside rather than in those confined spaces…
In any case.
“Just might come” means they “might not come” as well.
…Kim Cheon-soo, who came to this beach with me, was sprawled under a parasol. He even wore sunglasses, making him look like someone who came for a vacation.
My mood isn’t too bad either.
Each time I’m trapped underground watching TV, a strong desire to visit open spaces grows.
I don’t have the urge to wander aimlessly, but being confined is certainly no fun.
And one pleasant thing:
Why won’t this thing stay still?
The restless thing in question was none other than Sosik, who had burrowed into my arms, twitching in the handmade outfit made by Yang Ha-na.
I had promised myself to bring him along when coming here, so I managed to do just that. Honestly, isn’t it odd for me to come alone? Aren’t you guys grown-up Jellies who should venture outside and pull your weight?
I smiled as Sosik wriggled in my arms.
You try this for a change.
