Chapter 187

EP.187 Soft and Fluffy

The next afternoon.

I was engrossed in creating a device in the laboratory under the pretext of world surveillance when I received a message from Adeline and chuckled.

[Bored… (๑-﹏-๑)]

Is Silvia not home?

Why don’t you play a game you like?

After ignoring her message for 10 minutes, my phone rang again.

[Why are you ignoring me? (๑❛ᴗ❛๑) By the way, I can tell if Mr. Jihyuk has read my message or not. If the star disappears, it means you’ve read it! Just letting you know in case you didn’t!]

I know that. I’m just ignoring you.

Why does that bright emoji look angry?

I tapped on the keypad and sent a reply.

[Sorry. I’m busy…]

[You’re making a device, right? Since Silvia isn’t here, can I come to the lab?]

[You’ll have nothing to do if you come.]

[Still, it’s better than being alone. I won’t disturb you, I’ll just watch.]

[Then come.]

[٩( ᐛ )و]

After finishing the text, I resumed my work. When it was about time for Adeline to arrive, I took out the sandwich I brought from the doctor’s house yesterday.

A little later,

Pushik-!

The lab door opened, revealing Adeline with a bright smile.

Today’s fashion… a white flare dress with fluttery long sleeves.

The hemline is just above the knee. The sandals with ribbons suit her well.

The bulky black backpack is a bit of an eyesore, though.

“Mr. Jihyuk! Hello!”

Adeline’s cheerful greeting as she changed into indoor shoes.

I stood up with a fatherly smile and pointed to the lounge.

“Have a sandwich. I left it on the lounge table.”

“I already ate!”

“Then have it when you’re hungry.”

“Okay. By the way, don’t mind me and focus on your work. Got it?”

“Yes. I will.”

Adeline went straight to the lounge, sat on the chair, and reached for the sandwich.

She then started watching TV comfortably while munching on the sandwich.

She said she already ate… unbelievable. Well, that’s Adeline for you.

I shrugged and sat at the workbench, picking up the welder.

While making the device, I occasionally checked on Adeline. She finished the sandwich and even started snacking on the treats in the lounge, opening the fridge to grab a drink.

Such natural actions. A smile naturally crept onto my face.

Soon, she seemed to have fallen asleep, perhaps from food coma.

Lying straight on the sofa, snoring softly, she looked so cute. I wanted to hug her tightly.

I quietly entered the lounge and covered her with a thin blanket.

As I was about to leave,

“Mr. Jihyuk.”

Adeline called out in a soft voice, making me pause.

“Sorry. Did I wake you?”

“I wasn’t asleep in the first place. I just closed my eyes.”

Really…? She looked like she was sleeping to anyone who saw her.

“I see.”

Adeline giggled and pulled the blanket up to her chin.

Feeling the texture of the blanket, her lips curved into a crescent moon.

“It’s so soft. Can I take this?”

“Sure. By the way, where’s Silvia?”

“She’s always exercising. Today, she said she’s registering at a martial arts dojo.”

“Typical of her. Don’t you have anything you want to do, Adeline?”

“I want to watch a movie at the cinema, go on a picnic, and see Earth’s oceans. But it’s lonely alone.”

“If you tell Silvia, she’ll go with you.”

“She’s enjoying life on Earth. I don’t want to bother her.”

So, you want to bother me? Such a cheeky and sharp girl.

That’s why I like her more…

“You must be alone at home a lot these days?”

“Lately, yes.”

“Then, how about watching a movie with me today?”

Adeline sat up abruptly.

A happy expression. But thinking I was just being considerate, she soon looked sullen.

“No. You said you’d be making the device all day today. I won’t disturb you.”

“I didn’t say I’d be making it without breaks. Let’s watch the earliest movie at the nearby cinema and come back.”

“What about world surveillance?”

“It’s all synced to my and the doctor’s phones. If something happens, we’ll get a notification right away. What do you say?”

I could almost see Adeline’s ears twitching.

She’s hesitating. Just agree already.

I’m dying to watch a movie with you too.

“I-I’ll watch it…!”

Adeline quickly got up from the sofa, put on her indoor shoes the wrong way, and beamed.

Seeing her face, looking like she might bounce around, I smirked.

“You’re wearing your indoor shoes the wrong way.”

“It’s fine! I’m going out anyway!”

“True. Let’s go.”

“Yes!”

**

“Wow… this is really delicious…!”

Adeline munching on buttered squid.

She glanced at me checking the tickets and offered me a piece.

“Mr. Jihyuk, try this. It’s really good.”

I naturally opened my mouth slightly.

Adeline then tried to feed me the squid but accidentally poked my throat.

“Cough! Cough!”

My face turned bright red as I coughed.

Adeline panicked and apologized.

“S-Sorry…! Are you okay?”

After a few coughs, I cleared my throat and shook my head.

“Yes. I’m fine.”

“What should I do…? Did it hurt?”

“It was just a cough. It’s my fault too, so don’t worry. It’s time, let’s go in.”

“Okay…”

Adeline’s antics continued inside the theater.

She screamed at a loud commercial, crossed her legs and accidentally kicked the seat in front, tried to put her phone and cola in the cup holder and almost spilled it…

She showed many clumsy actions, and I had to clean up after her.

After a few mistakes, Adeline finally grasped theater etiquette as the surroundings darkened and the movie started. She whispered to me.

“Sorry… because of me…”

A strange sensation in my ear.

Her breath is warm. It’s turning me on.

I brought my mouth close to her ear and comforted her.

“You’re learning. It’s okay.”

Adeline’s ears seemed itchy as she shrugged.

Then she accidentally hit my chin.

Adeline, who unintentionally committed violence, panicked and bowed her head.

“S-Sorry…”

Thud!

Then she headbutted my nose… what a mess.

Her head is really hard. My nose hurts.

“Haaa… what should I do… I’m so sorry…”

Adeline’s face almost on the verge of tears.

Enduring the stinging pain in my nose, I smiled without making a sound.

“It’s okay. The movie’s starting, let’s focus.”

“Okay…”

Boom-!

The distributor’s BGM played at the perfect timing.

Adeline, startled, raised her arm, scattering popcorn.

“Oh my…!”

Popcorn flying everywhere.

I caught a few pieces mid-air and naturally brought them to my mouth as I stood up.

Then I apologized to the audience members who got hit by the popcorn.

Adeline also stood up and started bowing her head.

“Sorry, sorry…”

How many times has she apologized…? Today was really an unlucky day for Adeline.

**

Adeline dragging her feet behind me.

She didn’t say a word until we reached the parking lot.

The disturbance in the theater must have really bothered her.

She couldn’t even focus on the movie she wanted to watch.

She’s too kind. That’s why I want to make her a bit wicked.

As I got in the car, Adeline slowly reached for the seatbelt and made me laugh.

“I caused too much trouble, didn’t I…?”

Trouble… such an old-fashioned word.

I silently shook my head, and she continued.

“I’m really foolish. Getting startled by trivial things… causing trouble to everyone around me.”

She’s scolding herself.

This dejected look isn’t bad either. It’s cute.

“Everyone makes mistakes. I’ve made plenty too.”

“Don’t lie.”

“You think so?”

“Yes. You’re not the type to make mistakes like me. You’re always calm.”

“I’m human too, so I get startled often. Especially in horror movies. I once spilled popcorn all over the lap of the person next to me. They got free popcorn because of it.”

A silly joke. Adeline let out a weak smile.

Judging that she had calmed down, I drove out.

Adeline, thinking I was going to the lab, stayed quiet until the car entered a certain place.

“Where is this…?”

“A drive-in theater.”

“Huh…? A drive-in theater?”

“A place where you can watch movies in your car. They’ve mostly disappeared these days, but there’s still one in each district. It’s dark enough now, so it’s fine.”

Adeline didn’t say anything.

She just watched me pick an interesting movie from the list and get tickets with a bewildered expression.

I bought various snacks from the concession stand, parked in a good spot in the lot, and turned off the lights.

After tuning the radio to the frequency on the ticket, I handed Adeline the popcorn and reclined the seat slightly.

“Good timing. It’s about to start. There aren’t many people, which is nice.”

Adeline, who had been dazed until then, shook her head and came to her senses.

“Why did you come here…? We already watched the movie…”

“You couldn’t focus properly because you felt sorry for the other audience members.”

“B-But…”

As Adeline was about to say something,

Boom-!

A majestic sound came from the speakers installed throughout the car.

“Ahhh!”

Adeline, startled, spilled the popcorn just like in the theater.

Adeline, despairing, spoke to me in a tearful tone.

“What should I do…? I spilled it again… the car’s dirty…”

What a suggestive remark.

I chuckled and comforted her.

“It’s okay. We can just clean it.”

“Sorry… really…”

Adeline hung her head as if ashamed.

Observing her expression, I turned down the radio volume.

“Adeline.”

“Yes…?”

“Do you remember the advice I gave you in the lab hallway before? About character.”

“Y-Yes, I remember…”

“When you made several mistakes today, did anyone glare at you or say anything? No, right?”

Adeline thought for a moment and shook her head.

“I guess not… but some people laughed at me…”

“They weren’t laughing at you. They were smiling because they found your pure and kind nature endearing. Others felt the same. That’s why they let it slide.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. I also know very well that you have no malice, so I don’t mind at all. Apologizing for mistakes is natural, but don’t let it get you down.”

“…..”

Adeline stared at me, dumbfounded.

She seemed quite moved by my words.

I added one last thing and turned the radio volume back up.

“You’re a much more amazing person than you think. People who can spread positive energy to those around them are rare worldwide. Be proud of yourself. Like the Adeline who respects Rosario.”

I turned my eyes to the screen, hearing the sounds of popcorn munching, snack bags rustling, and soda cans opening.

I couldn’t help but smile at Adeline’s cute actions, but I couldn’t laugh.

I noticed she was staring at me while eating.

Pretend to focus on the movie.

Just as I thought that, Adeline placed five popcorn pieces on her palm and brought them to my mouth, making me bite my lower lip.

I’m about to burst out laughing… hold it in… I must hold it in.

After barely composing myself, I spoke softly.

“I’m fine.”

“This is delicious. Have some.”

“I said I’m fine.”

“I’ll keep doing this until you eat. If you don’t want me to watch the movie, you can stay still.”

Even her threats are cute…

I let out a forced laugh after holding it in for so long, hesitating before opening my mouth.

Adeline then showed her white, even teeth, raised the corners of her mouth, and fed me the popcorn.

“How is it? Delicious, right?”

I chewed and swallowed the popcorn, nodding.

“It’s good.”

“It’s caramel popcorn.”

I know. I bought it.

“I see.”

“You must be thirsty, so here’s some cola. Just a moment…”

“Adeline, the movie’s already started… If I’m thirsty, I’ll drink on my own. Don’t miss the movie.”

Ignoring my words, Adeline struggled to open the cola and handed it to me.

After confirming I drank the cola, she started watching the movie with a beaming smile.

She seems to have regained her energy. That’s good.

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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