Though awkward, hearing what might be considered my native tongue (?), was incredibly comforting.
To what extent, you ask? Even though I no longer possessed an active resident registration, I couldn’t help but feel a small surge of national pride that quickly subsided.
I’ll fill out the paperwork when I get my new resident registration card.
Anyway.
For Han Seori’s honor, I walked alongside a stereotypical blonde, blue-eyed female who speaks English and an intriguing half-Asian male with an oddly Eastern appearance.
An ancient memory surfaced: my mother once told me never to follow strangers offering candy. Yet here I was, no longer a child and certainly not tempted by sweets, walking for Han Seori’s honor.
…Mm, though I wouldn’t deny visiting the American Singularity Research Institute was slightly tempting.
Truthfully, I’d encountered many singularities over time, but this was one of the few instances I’d escaped the isolation chamber since gaining my newfound freedom. There hadn’t been much opportunity to visit other singularities.
Well… Though the isolation chamber was recently filled with various things, this marked my first visit to a foreign singularity.
Seeing the Japanese singularity submerged underwater was confusingly of questionable nationality, but since I always loved this kind of exploration, my heart was pounding a little.
There was also the pleasure of observing the attractive blonde woman…
…And the automatic comment about her explosive figure. Perhaps it was her Western heritage, but her body practically shone under the bright lights, something I hadn’t noticed on the plane.
…Of course, I strangely felt more intimacy from the half-Asian man grumbling as he trailed behind.
Still…
Am I actually allowed to be here? This late hesitation troubled my jelly-like core.
Though it didn’t matter much since I’d already boarded the plane, leaving Han Seori in the room was now nagging at me.
What would she think if she woke up and I was gone?
Not quite the feeling of losing a child, but akin to having a traveling companion suddenly vanish.
Hm.
I sneakily glanced at the woman showcasing her nice body without directly looking.
It wasn’t a kidnapping, merely an invitation to tour the laboratory and share a meal. Likely, they’d contact Han Seori… right?
Initially, if Han Seori hadn’t fallen asleep while bathing…
If she hadn’t completely disrobed and passed out, things wouldn’t have turned out this way.
…How exhausted she must’ve been.
Let her rest.
The situation would be different if this were truly a stranger trying to abduct me. However, it wasn’t, and if they intended otherwise, they’ve picked the wrong target. I’m no longer the weak jelly I once was under Kim Cheon-soo’s powerless grasp.
Determined, the jelly tightened, becoming slightly sticky.
Had they sensed my resolve? Regardless of what they read, the female who introduced herself as Agatha called out to the male following, initiating introductions.
“So, Lime. The person you’re currently holding on to is Senior Agatha, and I’m Jin.”
While laughing lightly at her stilted Korean, Agatha’s introduced self seemed displeased, frowning.
As the two bickered in what sounded like a foreign language, Han Seori and Kim Cheon-soo came to mind, transcending racial and linguistic barriers.
It felt oddly familiar.
An involuntary smile spread across my face.
They appeared bewildered by my reaction but had no particular right to know.
…Though, truthfully, I couldn’t quite communicate my thoughts anyway.
Anyway.
True to their claim of showing me around the lab, a familiar door appeared along a stark white corridor.
The impressive door seemed similar to the hangar accommodating the colossal Alice. Opening it revealed what appeared to be some kind of black helicopter.
I thought it might be a transportation vehicle, but all its propellers were removed and displayed on the wall, making it unlikely for travel.
Could this be the singularity?
The exposed knowledge pouch atop its head, twitching without its helmet, confirmed it indeed was.
So, it can detect foreign singularities too, huh?
…Yet I can’t understand foreign languages.
You’re feeling strangely distant today.
…But aren’t you part of me?
Observing the knowledge pouch sometimes reminded me of my lost partner.
Though part of my body, they often moved contrary to my intentions.
…Now that I think about it…
A peculiar sensation washed over me, followed by an explanation about this particular type of helicopter singularity that traveled the world.
I likened it to the tank in our house.
A bit of longing stirred within me. Though significantly larger, it could shrink with the right provisions, perhaps pairing well with our scale models.
Yet it remained still, its deconstructed state resembling scrap metal. Perhaps our miniature versions were superior.
Hmm. The American singularity wasn’t anything special, after all.
I felt a strange sense of smugness, evident when the two glanced down at me with curious expressions.
…Ahem.
What were they thinking?
Though Jin invited me to call him by his name, his Korean communication was still one-sided, leaving their true thoughts a mystery.
I could use jelly tendrils to express my thoughts, but… was it necessary? What if I accidentally revealed something I shouldn’t?
With Han Seori left behind, I needed to stay cautious.
The eerie mood lingered as Agatha and Jin attempted to befriend me, showing various singularities around the laboratory.
Most intriguing was the horned horse.
Ah, a unicorn, to be precise.
Amazing.
So they really do exist.
Of course, with mammals laying eggs, feeding their offspring from sweat glands instead of milk, and even glowing in the dark, a unicorn’s existence seemed reasonable.
Was its mythical status maintained solely through American foundation secrecy?
Was it necessary to conceal it?
Surely, a simple horned horse warranted no such secrecy.
Or did it genuinely stab non-virgins to death with its mighty horn?
Inadvertently, I glanced at Agatha, as did Jin nearby.
Perceiving our gazes, Agatha flushed, perhaps due to embarrassment, and burst out angrily.
Occasional “Pffk!” sounds suggested her severe irritation.
Still…
What could we do? The unicorn seemed disinclined to stab Agatha.
Watching Jin endure Agatha’s wrath instead, I wondered idly.
If unicorns truly identified non-virgins and skewered them…
Would they consider me?
Seeing my clear reflection as a girl in the mirror, curiosity sparked. This wasn’t about strange thoughts but genuine interest.
Curiosity led me to step closer, but its contained space prevented further exploration.
…No, it wasn’t about strange thoughts; it was pure curiosity.
“Now… let’s go eat…”
A visibly shaken Jin, though not terribly battered, spoke with a slightly pale face.
Agatha remained frowned, but her disapproval seemed oddly endearing.
She somehow humanized…
Unexpectedly.
Despite hearing about the casual nature of relationships in this country, Agatha seemed different.
…If I’d voiced these musings externally, would I share Jin’s fate?
Regardless, we arrived at what seemed to be the staff cafeteria alongside the fiery Agatha and the now sad Jin.
Surprisingly many people were gathered, none approaching but all intently watching with interest.
Their behavior created an odd sensation.
Had they received orders not to approach?
Unlike in Korea, where they’d mob me with food and affection.
…Not that I missed it.
Memories of prior crowd experiences surfaced, tingeing the moment with a faint melancholy.
As my jelly swirled in response, Jin pointed to what looked like a vending machine, speaking softly.
“So, Lime. What would you like to eat? Press the button and a meal will be prepared.”
Such a system, eh?
Intriguing.
Even though I don’t speak fluent English, basic words like “hamburger” or “pizza” are readable.
However, I craved something different.
Then I spotted “Bi Bim Ba.”
Seemed like bibimbap, didn’t it?
Reflecting, how long had it been since enjoying steamed rice?
Surprisingly finding bibimbap here…
Is this… K-pop?
Let’s go!
Pressing the bibimbap button three times resulted in three tickets falling.
“Wow, Lime. Sticking to one menu, huh? Tough guy.”
…Not exactly. I merely pressed it thrice intending to eat three bowls.
Nevertheless, Jin seemed relieved with the decision-making and departed to exchange the tickets.
Thought it was odd, assuming food would emerge from the vending machine-like structure.
As Jin left, I sat with Agatha while the fixed stares intensified.
…Then just come say hi.
Ah… It might be frightening though.
Being surrounded by people speaking an unfamiliar language.
Almost feels like being a caveman encountering modernity.
Soon enough, Jin returned with three bibimbap bowls placed neatly on the table.
Honestly, this might be bibimbap, but it tasted alright.
Mixing the bibimbap into my jelly induced an unexpected sense of peace.
…Rather unexpected.
Though originally invited to foster camaraderie, I remembered various experiments from my first encounters with the foundation.
Perhaps influenced by those memories, during the singularity tour, I subconsciously prepared for potential battles or strength tests with the singularity.
…Instead, a simple isolation chamber tour and a meal.
Hmm.
Am I viewing the foundation with too much cynicism?
Not sure.
Anyway, the bibimbap was delicious.
The time spent with these two was surprisingly enjoyable.
“Laime-ah!”
Returning to the room embraced by Han Seori, who woke and rushed after me.
By then, saying goodbye to them felt genuinely sad.
