Chapter 27

“Ugh… me? This is so embarrassing!”

“Ho ho, you’re doing splendidly.”

I fidgeted as I watched Han Arin recklessly praising me from in front.

Though it felt good to be praised, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was really appropriate to be commended for something like this.

‘Something feels off about this…’

While I had no idea what these words meant in this world,

back where I came from, they carried quite negative connotations, making me cautious about using them.

Thus, I tried to tell her that I shouldn’t say such things, but found it hard to utter harsh words to someone who’d been nothing but kind and helpful to me, so I clamped my mouth shut.

I stood there confused by the conflicting thoughts swirling in my head.

Han Arin then gently patted my head and continued speaking.

“So from now on, if Hae-un tries to bother you or forces you to do something you don’t want to, you should refuse bravely, right?”

Ah, so that’s why she taught me those phrases.

Feeling grateful towards Han Arin for teaching me all this, I smiled brightly and nodded in response.

“Y-Yes!”

Seeing my reaction, Han Arin sighed deeply while fondly messing with my cheeks.

“No matter how I think about it, I’m still worried. Hae-un is just too cute and kind, I feel like someone might snatch you away.”

“…”

“That’s why, Hae-un, if a stranger tells you to follow them or offers you something tasty, you mustn’t go along, okay?”

Even though I am an adult…

I thought her worry was a bit excessive, but then I remembered being lured by food last time and losing consciousness, which made me hesitate.

‘…Maybe I really should be careful!’

Being an adult also means taking responsibility for your actions.

Realizing this, I decided to admit and reflect on my mistakes, vowing not to fall for temptations again.

Just then, a distant voice reached my ears.

“Churros for sale!”

Remembering the churros I missed out on earlier, I unconsciously turned my gaze behind me.

Spotting the displayed churros, I stared longingly at the shop, imagining how delicious they must taste.

Han Arin, noticing my expression, chuckled softly and spoke to me.

“Hae-un, if a shopkeeper says he has something tasty and invites you over, you shouldn’t go, right?”

Oh…

Realizing I had repeated the same mistake, I felt immensely embarrassed and covered my face with my palms.

‘What a fool…’

Thinking about how I kept making the same errors despite knowing better, I hugged my tail consolingly, feeling frustrated.

At that moment, Chae-a approached us confidently and reassured Han Arin.

“Don’t worry, I’ll protect Hae-un!”

“Chae-a really does seem reliable as an older sister, doesn’t she?”

“Yeah!”

Hearing this, I wanted to protest, but knowing it would only backfire in this situation,

I simply stayed quiet and pouted instead.

‘Damn, I need to act more mature next time.’

Taking care of Chae-a, Seorin, Han Arin, the Spirit Master, and even the counselor—

if I contribute more, they’ll surely notice how responsible I’ve become.

Deciding to step up, I was interrupted when Han Arin suddenly picked both Chae-a and me up.

“Shall we go?”

“Y-Yes!”

Determined to show everyone how much I’ve grown, I nodded enthusiastically.

*

Interview requests for Seorin seemed endless, and judging by the energy, it looked like they could continue all day.

But after about an hour, thanks to the staff from the Hunter Association stepping in, we finally managed to approach Seorin.

“Hae-un! Chae-a!”

As we got closer, Seorin greeted us with excited squeals, hugging Chae-a and me tightly as if we hadn’t seen each other in years.

“I’ve really missed you guys.”

I was about to reply “Me too,” but remembering my resolution to act more mature, I simply nodded coolly instead.

“Huh? Hae-un, your tail’s wagging so fast I couldn’t hear what you said. Could you repeat it?”

Wait… I didn’t say anything!

Confused, I tried to explain to Seorin, but my overly enthusiastic tail made it awkward.

‘You troublesome tail!’

Why does it keep ruining my attempts?

Trying to discipline my tail, I scolded it while holding it close, when Seorin pulled out her phone and grinned happily.

“Oh… I get it. You were missing something, weren’t you, Hae-un?”

This sounded vaguely familiar, like something the counselor mentioned before. Maybe I’m out of touch with some trend?

While I pondered this, Han Arin spoke to Seorin nearby.

“Can you watch the kids for a bit? I have something I need to do.”

“Ah, sure!”

“The big sister will be back soon, okay? Just wait a little.”

Upon hearing this, Chae-a, reluctant to let Han Arin leave, clung onto her leg.

I told Chae-a not to do that, and after hesitating for a moment, she reluctantly listened, looking slightly downcast.

“You’re such a good girl, Chae-a.”

Patting her head approvingly, Chae-a giggled and hugged me.

As I comforted her, Seorin eagerly snapped photos of us.

Though posing for pictures felt a bit embarrassing, knowing Seorin would be the only one seeing them, I subtly gave a ‘V’ sign with my fingers.

*

Anyway, since today’s star was Seorin,

wherever we went, countless people surrounded her, bombarding her with questions and proposals.

Watching this unfold beside me, I found myself zoning out in awe.

Seorin, noticing my dazed expression, assumed I was tired and quickly dismissed the crowd with a stern tone.

“That’s all for interviews and contract-related discussions.”

Her cold, decisive voice contrasted sharply with the usual warmth she showed me, making me question if it was really the same person.

‘In the original story, this was actually described as her normal demeanor.’

If anything, Seorin’s usual behavior around me was more of an exception rather than the norm.

Still feeling a bit strange, I hesitated, when Seorin whispered to me.

“Hae-un, shall we go look at furniture for the lair later? It might be good to check things out ahead of time, don’t you think?”

Excited by the suggestion, I quickly nodded, eager to find proper furniture for our new lair.

Last time, all we had were dolls, so I filled the space with them. This time, I wanted real furniture.

‘A desk would be nice… and maybe a bed too…!’

Of course, desks and beds are expensive, so perhaps settling for cardboard boxes and blankets would suffice.

As long as I could complete the setup somehow, it would be fine, I thought with a smile.

Noticing this, Seorin continued.

“Let’s rest for a bit and then visit the furniture store.”

Happy with the plan, I nodded quickly and anticipated what treasures awaited us at the store.

Or rather… I *was* anticipating.

That is, until the Hunter Association called Seorin.

Due to some emergency, all plans were canceled, leaving me stunned, like someone who invested all their savings in coins that vanished overnight.

Sitting there dumbfounded, Chae-a cheerfully handed me a snack.

“I’m the older sister, so I’ll share with Hae-un!”

She seemed fixated on the title of “older sister.”

Finding her adorable, I smiled briefly before shaking my head and asking,

“Hey, Chae-a, where are the Kamangis?”

Neither the Kamangis I drew during exams nor the ones I created before were anywhere to be seen.

When I asked Chae-a about them, she shrugged, clearly unaware.

“Don’t know!”

Since there was still no contact, I began to worry, but recalling how strong the Kamangis were, I decided to trust and wait patiently.

‘I hope nothing bad happens to them…’

Clinging to my tail for comfort, the counselor then asked me a question.

“Hae-un, aren’t you going to stream today? Your viewers seem to be waiting eagerly.”

Realizing I had forgotten due to the busy schedule, I blinked in surprise.

‘That’s right…’

Though I never promised when I’d stream, considering how much support I received from my viewers regularly,

I felt it was only fair to occasionally broadcast—not just when needed—as a way to express gratitude.

‘Double-check the lair details while I’m at it.’

My tail, seemingly excited about interacting with the audience, wagged faster than usual, urging me to start the stream.

Without hesitation, I pressed the “Start Broadcast” button and gazed at the chat window.

[WeirdRichGuy – Hello there, Hae-un.]

[SeolinLover – Sneaked in a bit late ㅠㅠ]

[LeftoverChocolate – HAE-UN!!! You’re so cute!!]

The moment the stream started, many viewers rushed in.

Noticing Seorin among them was a bit surprising, but assuming she could handle herself well, I chuckled happily.

“Hello everyone…! How are you all doing?”

Normally, I’d just say “hello,” but having decided to act more mature,

I added the extra phrase, something I rarely did before.

Of course, such subtle changes might go unnoticed by most.

‘These small actions will accumulate…’

They’ll form the basis for others to see me as more responsible.

Feeling quite proud of myself, I basked in the moment, when…

[RollerCoasterFan – HAHAHAHA!! Hae-un trying to act like an adult is absolutely adorable!! I can’t stop laughing.]

A single comment shattered all my plans into pieces.

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