People had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, much like goranis, but they didn’t feel particularly threatening.
…Well, that might have been obvious. Even if I didn’t take the lead, I was capable of nudging the gathered people to the side by myself, and since they knew me, there was no restriction for me to step forward either.
On top of that, if Lee Yoo-jin were to press the accelerator fully, perhaps she could shake them off, right?
But I don’t do that because I know it wouldn’t be right.
Thus, after a moment, I began to feel that it might simply be bothersome. The expressions of the people who had approached the window weren’t zombie-like—it was more like looking at a bunch of rain-soaked puppies, making it even more endearing.
By the time I got to this point, I started wondering why they were acting this way.
Surely, they weren’t trying to block the way just because they’re fans, right? Hmm.
While I was lost in this confusion, Lee Yoo-jin, exasperated, gave a slight sigh, then slightly rolled down the window and spoke.
“Why are you doing this?”
Her voice clearly carried an undertone of embarrassment. Even Yang Ha-na, usually known for her cheerful demeanor, was rolling her eyes anxiously. It seemed like the situation was more serious than it seemed to me. What felt trivial to me probably felt like a dire circumstance to them.
That thought struck me. I was staring blankly before realizing just how threatening this situation was to them. It was an unsettling sight to see a group of strangers blocking the front of the car. If we were in a game, this would have been a dreadful opening, where the car gets destroyed, and you’re dragged away unconscious somewhere.
That understanding left me feeling rather awkward. It felt like I’d grown distant from ordinary human standards, what with always battling creatures the size of buildings.
…And besides, what else could it be? Humans standing in your way every day can seem… rather comical, if you’re used to battling monstrosities the size of houses.
While I was grumbling internally, the voice of one person—presumably the leader of this group—who had managed to wedge their head through the gap, came through. The group blocked our car, though there was nothing particularly hostile in their demeanor. They might have jumped out like goranis, but still—they were people.
“Um, are you really going back?”
“Yes.”
Lee Yoo-jin seemed flustered, though her response was firm and cold. If I had been able to voice something at that moment, I might’ve struggled not to laugh at how resolute and unyielding she sounded in her refusal.
Then I wondered—how would these people respond to that? Given that they inquired whether we were leaving, their aim seemed to be stopping us.
Would they, perhaps, transform like the enemies in game openings, behaving more viciously?
Maybe this would be my cue to step in.
However, as Yang Ha-na and Lee Yoo-jin didn’t seem to have plans to open the trunk, I thought I’d have to act tactically. Best to be ready to leap out at a moment’s notice.
I spread Jelly out to its thinnest possible layer and slipped it through the minuscule gap of the trunk. Slowly, Jelly slid out into the open and began to creep toward the lock of the trunk.
A trunk like this would not be able to hold me in. While Han Seori perhaps knew this too, our implicit agreement was clear—until now, that is. In emergency situations like this, there was no need to adhere to any unspoken accord.
With Jelly placed on the lock, ready to burst out the moment something happened—I waited, but nothing transpired as I’d expected. Or rather, something did happen, but it was rather strange.
“Um… then, can we come with you?”
“…What?”
“We… we want to be with Lord Lime!”
“Uh… hmm…”
Lee Yoo-jin’s firm tone cracked. Even though I couldn’t see her face clearly, I could imagine the expression she was making from Yang Ha-na’s nearby reaction.
What… What’s this?
…Lord Lime?
Ahhh, hum, cough.
Strangely, I felt my shoulders puffing up. Upon reflection, it wasn’t that everyone at the Laboratory greeted me this way earlier, but the memory of those days came back vaguely.
If I had a mouth, it surely would’ve widened into the biggest grin ever right now. Though my mouth-like shape was faint, if anyone saw it, they’d probably think I looked like a fool.
Up until now, I found them bothersome, but now I inexplicably like what’s happening. They’re not trying to forcibly stop us; they’re seeking to honor me, right?
If they are giving me this recognition in place of an ID card, well, it might not be half bad. That they’re reacting this way after I merely helped them once was surprising, but even I would likely feel indebted if someone saved my life.
Still, upon observing them more closely now, their eyes appeared a bit scary. It was as if they were mesmerized, similar to being under a hypnotic app. Though their goodwill wasn’t directed at frightening me, this feeling was strange.
With me reacting this way, I wondered how Yoo-jin, who was directly handling the situation, must be feeling.
She seemed very flustered—
“I understand your feelings, but you know how impossible that is, right…?”
“But…!”
Huh?
She seemed to empathize somewhat as she carried on a conversation with the group outside before she made a call somewhere. Before long, a familiar voice came through.
“Hey, Yoo-jin? What’s up?”
“…Dr. Han, it’s a different matter, but…”
Han Seori’s voice, which felt strangely close at this moment.
Lee Yoo-jin, who contacted Dr. Han, seemed to glance at the outsiders while explaining the situation. As I followed her gaze, I noticed people who appeared to have pinned all their hopes on Lee Yoo-jin’s response.
Geez… hum. Is this really how much they want to come with me?
Phew… somehow, I feel a little shy.
I couldn’t help but think that everything I’ve done up until now wasn’t wasted. At first, I occasionally got thanked, but recently, I’ve been returning home in a hurried escape-like manner.
“Please… please…”
“We might die if we don’t…”
“Sniffle… sob…”
Oh… they’re a bit too enthusiastic, aren’t they?
But who doesn’t like being revered?
As I let Jelly ripple around, I noticed Lee Yoo-jin slightly increasing her conversation volume with Han Seori.
“…We understand your situation, but at least please follow the proper procedures. It’s inconvenient for me, and Lime would probably be uncomfortable too.”
Huh? I’m not uncomfortable at all!
Excuse me, Han Seori? I’m not uncomfortable!
“Bu-but!”
“We didn’t think about such simple things…”
“If Lord Lime is troubled, then… there’s nothing else we can do…”
“We understand.”
Wait, just like that, they’re leaving? You don’t need to join me, is that it? Is this the extent of your interest…?!
Thanks to Han Seori’s subtle threat(?), these folks who were crowding like zombies withdrew peacefully. Only then did Yoo-jin let out a sigh of relief and restarted the vehicle.
“…Gee…”
“Something feels… strange, doesn’t it?”
“How could Hana possibly feel weird?”
“Hmm… Strictly speaking, I suppose it could be considered strange… They were obsessing over Lime so much, yet they retreated so easily…”
“Perhaps they don’t want to anger Lime or Sosik?”
“Ah…!”
If that were true… While I could sort of understand it, my feelings were a bit different, so I felt a twinge of melancholy. I get why Han Seori would explain it this way, even if arbitrarily inviting people along would be absurd. Still, something didn’t sit right.
It’s not that I disliked Han Seori. I comprehended her position. But I couldn’t quite put into words this odd feeling… It wasn’t anger, but rather like jelly floating around uneasily within me.
Ah, whatever.
Lost in my musings as I grumbled about this inexplicable feeling, quite a bit of time had passed when we arrived at a rest area.
“Hana, wait here. I’ll go buy some food.”
“Roger!”
A rest area…
Can I get out here? Probably not, right? Even if I somehow squeezed through the clothes I’m inside, it wouldn’t exactly be enjoyable, so I’ll skip it.
That vague unease, however, melted away like snow under sunlight after eating the food Lee Yoo-jin brought back.
Whirl potatoes, walnut cookies, hot bars, and more—foods that top the list of oddly delicious items when eaten at a rest stop.
It made me feel as if we were truly returning from a trip.
Maybe one day I’d be able to eat these things proudly outside instead of being stuck in a cramped suitcase.
…Perhaps this was why I’ve been spending my days lying on the couch, watching TV and eating pudding. Maybe it’s because I don’t have this kind of freedom.
Is it called freedom? It feels a bit different, but…
Why am I so excited about removing anomalies when I used to love exploring? Maybe it’s because I’ve suppressed that wandering, adventurous spirit within me.
So it’s definitely not because I’ve become lazy and have been lying in bed without any energy, okay.
Hmph.
As the vehicle resumed moving after the rest stop, we drove for some time. Occasionally stopping at rest areas for a break, we arrived at a familiar place. But there were new sights that hadn’t been there before.
“…And already.”
“Wow… Amazing.”
A small village-like structure was visibly tiered upward as we approached.
Looking at it now made me feel strangely reflective.
When we first came here, we were tiptoeing around like mice, but now it seemed like we don’t even bother hiding our presence anymore. Besides, would anyone who’s interested not already know we’re here?
Something’s definitely changing.
Anyway, while I observed this strange feeling, Han Seori opened the trunk and picked me up when we got back, presumably at the Laboratory.
“Welcome back!”
I wasn’t sure if she was genuinely thrilled to see me or missed touching me. She rubbed my surface against her cheek affectionately.
Because I remembered how she sold my name not too long ago, my minor act of revenge was nudging her face slightly.
“Ah… wha?”
Her reaction was unexpectedly strong, leaving me a little flustered instead.
“L-Lime! How dare you…!”
…It was somewhat excessive, enough to leave me feeling awkward too. Anyway, that’s how it was.
Maybe I should tease her a bit more.
But I soon realized I should’ve stopped when it seemed unnecessary, after some time passed. What could I have done, knowing what I know now?
I did nothing wrong.
…Probably?
