Chapter 119

“Um…”

I rolled around in the bed after Hana left the room.

This is the best, right???

I didn’t have to move and food was brought to me. While eating the snacks I had hidden under the bed, I thought to myself.

‘It’s almost worth being unemployed…?’

The anger had subsided somewhat. That’s how I felt now. The anger had dissipated, but it wasn’t quite enough to say that everything was resolved, so I couldn’t bring myself to speak.

I really felt like a child. When children argue with adults, they often act like this, right? Of course, I didn’t intend to act like a child. If I approached first, the situation might be resolved neatly. I was a man who was ready to take the initiative.

Still, could I afford to rest for a day or two? It seemed like a good choice to spend just one more day like this. It was nice that Hana and Bora were being even more affectionate towards me after knowing that I was angry. They were usually kind, but being treated even more kindly made me feel special.

With my indecisive feelings settled, I decided to roll around in bed for just one more day today.

There was no reason to be angry over a pointless argument. In fact, I was eager to get up soon, to play with Hana and Bora. I lay on the bed with a happy heart. This soft bed felt like it was part of me now.

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“Hana, Bora…?”

I woke up to a hard floor. It was so cold that it felt like the boiler wasn’t working. I thought I had been sleeping on a soft bed…

When I looked around, it was an incredibly small room. Could this even be called a studio apartment? How could a house be much smaller than the room I originally stayed in?

Confused, I got up from my seat. The narrow space made movement difficult. The clothes I was wearing were tattered, with patches sewn over the holes.

My dinosaur pajamas were gone. I felt something was off. Where did the room I was in go? My mind felt muddled. It felt like common sense was telling me that this place where I was now must be the original place.

I hurriedly opened the door. It was a cramped place with only one room and a living room. Inside the living room, Bora and Hana were sitting. Despite the cold, they were wearing down jackets. Even with the windows closed, the chilly winter wind couldn’t be blocked.

“Hana… Bora… Why are we here?”

Suddenly, I realized I wasn’t supposed to be here. It felt like I was dreaming.

Bora and Hana seemed suddenly familiar with my speaking.

“Hana, we’ve been here for over a year, it’s time to get used to it, right?”

Hana said while rubbing her arms to keep warm.

“Hana, it looks like we should eat ramen today… Let’s save the pork cutlet for another time?”

I couldn’t understand why we were here at all. So, I jumped around, unable to help but speak. Rapid environmental changes can alter people.

“Why are we here?”

“Hana…”

Bora and Hana looked at me as if they were seeing something pitiful, with a gaze like they were denying reality.

The reason I was here was because the research institute, which had expanded its business by using hair, suddenly found that the effectiveness of hair vanished.

Of course, it was a temporary issue, so the institute didn’t react hastily and spent their time calmly. But my hair’s effectiveness didn’t return, and they started to clean up the mess, but there were too many things already done.

So, they had to pay astronomical compensation, and Bora and Hana had to come out of the research institute to take care of me. They couldn’t leave me alone on the street, they said.

Without any abilities, I was nothing. I couldn’t go to school due to lack of money, and became someone who just consumed food at home. All the money I earned was gone. Most of the compensation was paid by the company, but I also contributed some.

“That’s impossible!”

Hearing Hana’s words, I couldn’t deny the reality. She said the house I was in was bought with money from selling game items. The research institute had dissolved, and everyone who worked there had become unemployed.

“Hana, your sisters will go to work, so you need to stay at home quietly, right?”

As they said this, Bora and Hana left the room. I could only watch them go.

“This is just a dream…”

Where was my comfortable home? How could I live in such a shabby place?

But until Bora and Hana returned from work, I felt it vividly. I had to eat ramen while crying. The house was cold, there was no delicious food, and I couldn’t help but cry.

“I want to go to school… I want to live in a warm room…”

All the privileges I had enjoyed were suddenly gone, and the sense of loss was overwhelming. It felt like a politician entering a tiny dormitory without space to stretch out.

“Hana… Bora…”

I couldn’t help but call out their names, sobbing. They stayed by my side until the end, caring for me…

I hated myself for being so stubborn. Everything they said was for me, yet I lashed out. I wished I could turn back time to when I was at the research institute.

Cold wind rushed through the patched window gaps. Shivering, I had to crawl into bed. Even the blanket wasn’t warm. I wanted desperately to escape this hell.

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“Hot!”

I sat up in bed, drenched in cold sweat. My head felt numb from the sudden change. Stunned, I regained my senses and looked around.

It was just starting to dawn outside. I checked the clothes I was wearing. Unlike the dream, they weren’t tattered. My beloved dinosaur pajamas were still there, providing warmth. The floor wasn’t hard and cold, but soft and plush.

In fact, half of my body sank into the soft bed. The room was filled with a cozy warmth. The boiler was working. Coming from a cold, windy house to such a warm room was disorienting.

Gently getting out of bed, I hoped this wasn’t a dream by stretching my face. Fortunately, I felt pain. This situation was real, not a dream. The vividness of the dream made my heart race.

I slowly put on my slippers and headed out. Walking to the office was unfamiliar. Something felt strange. I slowly walked down the hallway, which was empty, and arrived at the office. Only Bora was there. Probably because it was 6 AM, and she was on duty.

Bora was lying on her desk, a book in front of her. I didn’t know what book it was, but it didn’t matter.

I wanted to rush into Bora’s arms right now. Being comforted would help me forget the bad dream. I shook Bora’s thigh gently.

After a few shakes, Bora woke up. Seeing my state, she exclaimed in surprise.

“Hana! Are you going to forgive us now?”

I nodded. I had to show mercy; this research institute depended on me for sustenance, so I had to make this decision.

I extended my hand to Bora, signaling for a hug.

“Hehe.”

Bora smiled, understanding my action, and got up from her chair to hug me. As always, Bora’s embrace was the best. Her warmth made me forget the bad dream instantly. I leaned against her chest.

“Hana, did you have a nightmare? Why are you sweating so much?”

Bora said, looking at my damp forehead. The sweat hadn’t dried yet.

“Bora, I had a scary dream…”

“Really? What kind of dream?”

“The research institute went bankrupt, and Bora, Hana, and I were living in a single room.”

“R-Really? That must have been tough.”

“Yeah. I never want to experience that again.”

Bora looked surprised. Probably because I had never lived in a single room before.

“Bora, let’s go eat!”

Bora checked the clock when I said this.

“If we go now, we’ll be the first ones.”

Since the Starlight Research Institute provides three meals a day, even early in the morning, it was open. I was very excited at the thought of eating delicious food, shaking my arms.

I need to eat until my stomach is full!

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