“Ah.”
Casually inserting her hand into the Jelly Girl, Han Seori seemed to realize something and checked on the Jelly Girl’s condition.
Thinking she might have discovered an item presumed to be the ‘core’ of the Singularity, her face flushed slightly from excitement.
Whereas just moments ago, she was worried if the cattle-like monster wouldn’t die, the quick shift in her attitude wasn’t anything out of the ordinary to Han Seori, who believed it entirely reasonable.
‘…Otherwise, would I be here right now?’
Probably not.
Rationalizing her actions quickly, Han Seori met the Jelly Girl’s gaze, which was intently watching her, and gave an awkward smile as she fumbled with her hand.
She had planned to withdraw her hand immediately if the Jelly Girl attempted to dissolve it, but feeling only a cool, soft texture, it seemed that the Jelly Girl was indeed friendly toward humans.
Then, suddenly.
Han Seori noticed the Jelly Girl’s lips moving as if savoring something.
Seeing the expression of tasting, she tilted her head in confusion and then felt a bit embarrassed noticing the traces of pastries on her other hand.
It appeared that the Jelly Girl was consuming the crumbs and seasonings on her hand, as if eating it all up.
If she were a dog or a Cat, one might have worried about her health, but since no such concern was necessary for the Jelly Girl, Han Seori felt relieved on this front.
As her hand swept through the soft interior of the Jelly Girl, she grasped a bead presumed to be the core of 922 – KR Creta’s Labyrinth.
Though eager to pull it out immediately, Han Seori carefully and slowly withdrew her hand, taking note of the Jelly Girl’s reactions.
With a small sound, her hand emerged, surprisingly not sticky but feeling refreshingly clean instead—a stark contrast to her other hand covered in pastry crumbs.
‘…No, I just didn’t have the time to wipe it.’
…Who am I even explaining myself to?
Still, why hasn’t the person I sent to fetch the isolation box arrived yet?
Just as Han Seori was grumbling, still grinding her teeth waiting for the late arrival:
The Jelly Girl, who had been staring blankly at her other hand, leaned in, her face approaching Han Seori’s hand.
“Eh?”
Before she could react, the Jelly Girl enveloped Han Seori’s seasoning-covered hand with her face.
Not entirely sure if ‘enveloped’ was the right word, nonetheless, her hand was once more surrounded by the soft jelly.
Glubble… Glubble…
Very faint bubbles rose around the Jelly Girl’s face.
Han Seori felt a mix of awkwardness and a tingling sensation in her heart. On one hand, she felt embarrassed for showing her imperfections, but on the other, she felt pleased that the Jelly Girl seemed to be opening up.
…Perhaps it’s just that she’s tired from running and is merely refueling her energy.
Even so, Seori decided that the Jelly Girl was indeed opening up to her. After all, it was the first time the Jelly Girl had initiated such an action.
‘…Something about this is odd.’
While contemplating the device dangling from the Jelly Girl’s neck, she shifted her gaze to the Jelly Girl’s face, pretending to check for any signs of melting, but really out of genuine concern.
And just as she was observing the Jelly Girl tenderly nudging two approaching slime trails with her foot, a voice interrupted their moment.
“…Yes, thank you for your effort.”
Despite technically being the one who requested it, Han Seori didn’t quite consider it an interruption.
Nonetheless, preparing to throw an unnecessary tantrum, Han Seori forgave the tardy individual due to the Jelly Girl’s cute and friendly demeanor and accepted the box.
Using her now refreshingly clean hand, which had benefitted from the Jelly Girl’s cleaning properties, she opened the containment box (an object also a derivative of the Singularity), and placed the bead presumed to be the core of 922 – KR inside.
“…Why did you bring such a large box?”
Her brief grumbling was interrupted as she noticed a peculiar sound emitting from the bead inside the box. In the transparent box, a miniature structure — likely a Labyrinth — began to form.
The scene resembled observing a type of bottle ship, and Han Seori blinked in awe, taking in the sight, as did the Jelly Girl.
Eventually, a small yet intricate maze resembling an ant’s nest completed its formation, prompting Han Seori to first marvel then break into a cold sweat.
‘…If I hadn’t tested it earlier, we might’ve had a serious issue.’
Unknowingly bringing it back to the Laboratory could have caused it to transform into a labyrinth, potentially affecting the facility.
After securely closing the box, Han Seori let out a breath of relief, feeling satisfied, and turned her gaze to the Jelly Girl attentively observing the box atop her hand.
‘…Thinking further about it now.’
She looked smaller than when they first met.
Seeing this, Han Seori couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for the Jelly Girl’s tribulations.
Additionally, this incident gave her something to confidently argue against those who doubted the Jelly Girl’s usefulness, improving her mood.
Gently placing a hand on the Jelly Girl’s small head, Han Seori lightly pressed the protruding jelly and tenderly patted it while speaking.
“Hmm, good job. So…”
Thinking to compliment the Jelly Girl, Han Seori recalled the assigned nickname.
‘…Melt-on-contact Jelly? That sounds awfully bleak and unsuitable.’
She certainly didn’t melt on contact; perhaps renaming her would be a good idea.
‘For instance…’
Wouldn’t something like “Slime Girl” or “Jelly Girl” sound cuter and more suitable?
Well, anyway, since it’s not set in stone, the name could evolve gradually.
While idly pondering alternative names, Han Seori noticed the Jelly Girl gently pushing her hand away.
Looking down, she saw the Jelly Girl subtly but carefully pushing her hand.
Her actions seemed shy, prompting Han Seori to respond with a warm smile and withdraw her hand.
When her hand separated from the Jelly Girl with a soft “plop!” sound, it seemed the Jelly Girl had grown uncomfortable with it.
“Ahahaha… Sorry, it must’ve been uncomfortable.”
Unaware of her ‘knowledge pouch’ having guided the Jelly Girl to the center of the Labyrinth, Seori merely found her adorable.
Passing the Jelly Girl some snacks from her pocket, Han Seori considered naming her something fresh and original once they returned, as she gently held her.
She handed the box to a nearby male, who had been ogling the Jelly Girl with an awkward expression, and said,
“…Stop staring and take care of the box.”
“Uh, yes, sir.”
While our region 7496 – KR might be a bit cute…
Watching the Jelly Girl’s antennae twitching, Han Seori thought to herself.
…The slimes below, trying to reach the Jelly Girl, and the Jelly Girl herself.
Together, they returned to the Laboratory.
As Han Seori pondered the upcoming workload, they returned.
…I ended up accidentally engulfing Han Seori’s hand.
Well, honestly, how could anyone resist?
My body was practically shrinking from exhaustion, yet the familiar taste of potatoes filled my mouth.
Anyone fasting would surely find it irresistible.
I worried what Han Seori might think of me, but judging from her expression, she seemed to view me more with a sense of affection than annoyance.
…Maybe she sees me as something like a puppy.
Given the collar-like device dangling from my neck, it was hard not to feel that way.
…It’s a rather strange feeling. Since I’m no longer human, perhaps I should embrace such treatment?
Anyway.
Seeing the bead I had been storing within me placed into some familiar box, which then formed a miniature labyrinth, was truly fascinating.
The process had an almost mystical air about it, suggesting it might be a quite enigmatic object.
I had almost forgotten about it while Han Seori was extracting it.
When being pet, I found it slightly awkward and subtly nudged her hand away, but since I couldn’t verbally explain, I let it be, accepting any misunderstandings that might have arisen.
Thus.
I was able to return to what I now naturally call “my room.”
…I can start referring to it as my room, can’t I? What else would it be?
Given no bathing is required (nor offered), I waddled inside and flung myself onto the bed.
There’s no telling what everything around me meant, but it seemed everything had worked out well enough to let me rest for a bit.
I wasn’t about to be locked away elsewhere anytime soon, was I?
Seeing Han Seori’s contented smile, it seemed I had done well.
As I lay buried in the bed, reflecting on everything, I felt a faint sense of contentment.
Maybe the life I now live, while perhaps not exactly what I envisioned, resembles the life I desired in a way that satisfies me.
Just as my consciousness sank into darkness.
The door opened, and the Man shuffled in, carrying a tray heaped with food.
As my dimming vision snapped back to clarity,
My sharpened senses quickly identified the food on the tray.
Chicken… and jelly? Why is that there?
Regardless, the chicken I couldn’t resist.
Leaving the bed, I approached the Man who shook his head saying,
“…Pig-like creature.”
Should I give him a piece of my mind?
I could probably get away with it right now.
Hesitating between teaching him the power of a tough jelly punch, I quietly sat down when the tray hit the floor.
“Keh… Is this a Singularity or a puppy?”
…Hmph.
My fists are itching.
By the way.
A Singularity?
So entities like me are apparently called Singularities.
…Well, I suppose it’s not particularly important.
What mattered more was the large chunk of jelly and the chicken right before my eyes.
Oh, there’s even some boiled pork.
Hey! Daesik! Stop hogging the food!
Don’t you know there’s a hierarchy to serving meals!?
