After coming back from the press conference, my life did a 180-degree turn—
or rather, it didn’t.
Considering my daily radius, there wasn’t really much room for change anyway.
After all, the place I live in, no, the laboratory is located deep in the back of beyond.
…Though I didn’t expect to ever use the word “back of beyond” to describe anywhere in this country, it was really true. As a matter of fact, the front-line military base was closer than the location of the press conference.
It was such a backwater that the term “countryside” didn’t do it justice. When I went to the press conference, I didn’t take the car but instead sat directly on the sheet, and Jelly seemed to fully comprehend just how remote the place was.
So, one might think I could just ask for something different, but…
“La, Lime, I’m sorry. If it’s not urgent, let’s talk about it later.”
The person who seemed most approachable—no, the leader (?) of this lab, Han Seori, looked extremely busy when I went to request internet and a computer.
In short, it wasn’t exactly the right time to make such a request.
To put it metaphorically, it felt like tugging on the apron of a busy mother while she’s overwhelmed, asking for pocket money to buy snacks.
I didn’t notice this much as a child, but even if I’ve shrunk physically, I’m still an adult by all accounts.
If there were Special Resident Identification Cards for the Singularity, Jelly would definitely be listed as an adult.
So, it felt awkward to cling to her like that.
And from snippets of their conversations, it seemed they were busy due to recent events.
Meanwhile, if the others were any better off…
“Kuhhh… Cough, Ck… Hehehe….”
Kim Cheon-soo was always busy, but whenever I stopped by to ask for anything, he was always snoring away.
Maybe he’s having good dreams; drool or pudding is trickling from the corners of his grin.
Waking him up while he’s like this is not…
Easy.
Even if I had forgotten humanity’s ways, it’d still be hard, let alone now when I still hold onto such emotions—this felt particularly awkward.
I wasn’t sure if he was asleep merely to pass the time or if he’d fallen unconscious from exhaustion, so I left him be.
What about Yang Ha-na?
Let me be honest—requesting something from her would be improper, right? If we compare the lab to a company, she’s just barely wrapping up her probation period.
Also…
“Uhh, hahaha… cute. Sooo cute… hahaha. Ow! That hurt!”
Hmm.
Is she alright?
Yang Ha-na was laughing as she made clothes for the Jellies, her eyes somewhat vacant.
Is it just me, or…
…no, it doesn’t seem like it.
But she does seem happy, so maybe it’s fine. Better than her being forced to do something she doesn’t enjoy, right?
Even without clear focus, she seems to create things easily, so that’s probably accurate.
Still, watching Yang Ha-na gives me a strange feeling, like seeing someone’s hobby become their job.
Anyway.
Because of the atmosphere whenever I approach her, it’s hard to ask for anything, and instead, she usually asks something of me.
“Ah, Lime, hi! Uh? Can you take this to the babies, please?”
Babies…?
Coupled with the slightly unsettling term, Yang Ha-na handed me a stack of tiny, cute clothes, complete with Post-It notes identifying the Isolation Room numbers.
I don’t know how she categorizes the Jellies’ preferences, but she’s truly impressive.
The other two are often out, either because of external matters or perhaps related to the bomb incident, so I rarely see them around.
If I go into the nearby town, I might find one of them, but since they are rarely in the lab, it’s evident they’re also quite busy.
And frankly, asking other individuals for help would feel a bit embarrassing.
So, the only task I can do immediately is to take Yang Ha-na’s clothes and deliver them to the Isolation Rooms.
Actually, this task is pretty enjoyable.
As Yang Ha-na calls the Jellies ‘babies’ with such dedication, when I enter the Isolation Rooms, the Jellies jump around excitedly like kids waiting for Santa.
At first, I didn’t think much of it, but seeing their excitement made me feel quite warm inside.
When I match the clothing to the correct Isolation Room number and outfit them, the Jellies seem satisfied, looking at each other or peering into small mirrors tucked in the corners of the room, giggling cheerfully as they wiggle their jelly bodies.
It’s… surprisingly adorable.
Even though their faces are quite plain compared to mine, their actions exude cuteness.
Now I understand why Yang Ha-na calls them ‘babies.’
Of course, thinking back to the fact that these creatures once viewed humans as prey is a bit unsettling, but since they’ve been under my command and haven’t shown any interest in eating humans, I think it’s okay.
Another interesting observation is that Jellies assigned to the same isolation room show similar tastes and temperaments.
If I were a Singularity researcher (?), I might wax on about Singularity Evolution Theory or Adaptation Theory, but for me, it’s just an amusing variation.
Even though the Jellies all looked similar wearing identical school uniforms in the past, now their diverse preferences add a certain charm.
Some isolation rooms feature tiny infant-like clothing where the Jellies hold hands while monitoring the Singularity.
Other rooms have Jellies wearing cute suits, standing solemnly with crossed arms as they supervise the Singularity.
In another, the Jellies dress like adventurers (?) and examine the Singularity container as if exploring uncharted territory.
…The Jellies in that room seem to put the isolated Singularity under particular stress. Every time the Singularity remains still, the Jellies press closer, probably overwhelming it.
Occasionally, I see Jellies who have seemingly adapted from the other side, interacting with their counterparts through the walls.
While it feels okay now, considering how things were during the last subjugation incident, they probably joined because they realized they couldn’t win.
Smart bunch.
This indicates humans were probably too underestimated, doesn’t it?
Anyway, unless it’s a special case like me, it’s probably too risky to release them.
While I think about the press conference, I sometimes envision a future where this gloomy lab transforms into something akin to a zoo, opening to the public.
Though, reflecting on that now, it might be a stretch, but it seems a shame to keep them locked up like this indefinitely.
Yet, if I were asked to brainstorm ways to achieve that, I’d decline—so I just indulged in fantasies.
Anyway.
After delivering all the items Yang Ha-na gave me, I sneaked a pudding from a sleeping Kim Cheon-soo and returned to the hangar.
It’s not exactly sneaking—it’s my right to take pudding whenever I want, so I’m simply claiming my fair share.
He told me the same thing last time, so there’s no problem.
Just as I lay down on the bed thinking to nap, the hangar doors opened, and Hwang Bo-yul entered.
Upon entering, she looked around and, spotting me, approached with a slightly brighter expression, calling out:
“Lime.”
Though the tone seemed to carry warmth, it felt awkwardly rigid.
It’s probably because that’s just how Hwang Bo-yul is… hopefully, she doesn’t resent me for something.
Regardless, why is she looking for me?
As I contemplate this, she picks me up gently and whispers softly:
“It seems we need to go together.”
Before I can nod, she swiftly turns and walks away.
Through her shoulder, I can see Daesik and Sosik’s blank expressions—or hey, guys, shouldn’t you show some concern for your commander being dragged away like this?
Of course, Hwang Bo-yul isn’t someone suspicious, but—
Isn’t this taking it too far!? I’m hurt!
“Is something wrong? You don’t seem to be in a good mood.”
Oddly, as she carries me, Hwang Bo-yul makes this observation, which makes me feel a bit sheepish, though I wasn’t really sulking, but apparently it showed.
“If you’re not feeling up to it, we can always turn back.”
Hmm… no, it’s not that bad.
Instead, I find myself shaking my head profusely, surprised that she took this low-key stance when it’s probably because she felt I was needed. I’m getting flustered now.
Hmm, is this approach… correct… probably?
As I shake my head, she nods and continues forward.
After reaching the control room, we board the iron snake port and ascend to the surface.
I wonder if people in town have asked to see me.
Haha… I’m such a popular Jelly! Daesik, Sosik, you should value me more!
Ah… did I forget something just now? Was it an illusion?
While pondering this, as we quickly ascend to the surface, I see familiar faces.
There’s the uncle who was whimpering like a puppy last time, and the people who always greet me enthusiastically when I ascend.
When I warmly wave at them, their fervent responses make it seem like someone might shout, “Ah, sir! That’s Lime you’re waving at!”
“W, Wow, it really is there!”
“Huhk!”
And then.
I see a group of unfamiliar people gathered together.
The strange part is that they’re looking at me with the kind of affectionate warmth reserved for long-lost acquaintances.
But I’ve never seen them before—not in my human life, nor as a Jelly.
What in the world…?
Am I losing my mind?
Looking at Hwang Bo-yul, it seems the reason she brought me here is related to these people.
Hmm.
…What could it be?
First, I wave at them just in case.
