Anomaly-36: Soccer Shenanigans with Baekgu
A quiet hush hung over Han A-young's Lab.
Today, as always, Han A-young was pumping caffeine into her system, rubbing her bleary eyes in a desperate bid to stay awake.
She had to write a report for the agency's lofty board members, after all.
Those centuries-old yokai were picky as hell, and tailoring it to their tastes meant sweating every little detail.
"Haa..."
She squinted at the report she'd drafted for submission, polishing it up.
Knock knock.
The now-familiar knock echoed through the room.
"Come in." "Yup!"
With permission granted, a tiny girl pushed the door open with her little arms straining, then stepped inside.
She craned her neck this way and that, scanning the room.
Then she toddled over on short legs, hopped onto the chair in front, and plopped down.
Impressive jump.
Those tiny wings on her back must've given her a boost.
'I wanna study that body of hers down to the atoms.'
If the chance came, she'd love to dissect every inch.
'Would one chocolate bar do the trick...?'
Her fingers twitched at the thought of the secret stash in her drawer.
"Unnie."
"Hm?"
The angel gazed at her with a resolute expression, clearly on a mission.
If any other anomaly said that, it'd be terrifying.
But this one looked so harmlessly cute?
No real worry there.
And honestly, it probably wasn't a big deal.
At most, a plea for extra strawberry pop-pop smoothie, right?
She was just playfully stringing the girl along, but smoothies were no issue—she could have as many as she wanted.
The angel never seemed to gain a pound, enviable as hell.
"Baekgu said there's a soccer field and ball in here."
"Hm?"
"Yup."
There was an anomaly tied to a soccer field and ball.
But...
"Baekgu knows about it?"
"Yup."
It was surprising that Anomaly-109 knew. As far as she knew, Baekgu had never crossed paths with it.
'Not just seeing spirits, then...?'
She pondered diving deeper into Baekgu research.
Right then—
"So, can Baekgu and I go play there?"
The angel wanted to visit Anomaly-36 with Baekgu.
Classified as Level 1 danger, it wasn't hugely risky.
But 'Should I let her meet it again?'
Exposing her to three anomalies at once felt heavy.
She had full authority on angel-related research from the board.
But if shit hit the fan, she'd take the heat.
"Hmm..."
She tapped the desk lightly, mulling it over. The angel squeezed her eyes shut, like she'd made up her mind.
"Th-then!" "Hm?" "I'll... cut smartphone time by 10 minutes!"
Han A-young blinked at the offer, then burst out laughing.
Smartphone time as her big bargaining chip.
For someone obsessed with phones and the internet, it was a huge sacrifice.
Still, from an adult's view, the trembling cuteness was priceless.
"Aigoo."
She pinched and stretched the angel's puffy cheeks playfully, then nodded.
"Alright, you can go." "Really?!" "Yup, but." "B-but?" "I'll come watch. Agents too."
The angel beamed.
"Okay!"
Hiss.
The heavy iron door slid open.
Woof!
The familiar pup bounded in with the agents.
The agents, once tense about potential disasters, now looked relaxed.
Woof~
Today was the day to escape this cramped cell for the wide soccer field.
I patted Baekgu's forehead and headed straight out.
Beep beep...
The ceiling CCTVs whirred, tracking us.
They'd felt intrusive at first, but now? Whatever.
As long as I behaved, no harm done.
"Hm-hmm~"
Humming down the hall, I sensed other anomalies in their cells eyeing us.
Big and small dark clouds wafting from them.
I wanted to rip them all off.
"Ugh... stop staring..."
Baekgu's had been a wimpy puff, but these were on high alert toward me.
Even I couldn't yank them with my current power.
I nearly ducked their prickly glares.
"Ngh..."
Straightened up proudly instead.
I'm an angel, damn it—even if it doesn't feel real yet.
Can't lose to bad vibes.
Shoulders back.
Eyes front.
Steps majestic.
Angel dignity intact.
I snuck a glance at Baekgu trotting beside me.
Expecting awe at my vibe.
Nope. Zero reaction. Just marched ahead, ignoring me.
'Cold-hearted pup.'
Maybe I'd spoiled him rotten.
Time to toughen up next time?
"Angel."
Familiar voice.
Turned to see Han A-young in her lab coat, waving cheerily.
"Ah, unnie!"
I grinned; she grinned back.
Basket in hand, like a picnic.
Gulp.
What's inside?
She always delivered tasty treats.
Eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Hmm..."
She smirked at my stare, whispering,
"No accidents today, and it's yours."
No trouble? Easy peasy.
Just play nice with Baekgu.
Studying's hard, but behaving?
World champ at that.
"Hee hee."
Before the sealed iron door.
"Whoa..."
I gawked as it slowly creaked open.
My cell was decent-sized.
But this one, labeled Anomaly-36, dwarfed it.
Thud!
Once fully open, we poured inside.
Woof woof!
Baekgu bolted first.
Big things thrill the goofball—he sprinted ahead faster than anyone.
Awoo!
That new howl? Ecstatic.
"Delta-2 Team, left flank. Delta-3, right. Support-2 backs up from rear."
The burly agents hustled, muscles rippling—opposite of joyful Baekgu.
"Doesn't seem like much..."
Anomaly-36's Containment Cell was a plain soccer field, green turf and all.
Smaller than pro size, kid-scale. Goals tinier too.
A running track encircled it.
Like a nice elementary or middle school field.
Nothing weird.
Han A-young, catching my thought, slurped her Americano and muttered,
"Wait a bit, you'll see. Wanna sit and watch?"
"Yup."
Baekgu romped wildly.
Agents kicked at air, hyper-vigilant.
I plopped on the mat she'd spread.
"Here." "Thanksies!"
Sipped hot cocoa from the thermos—mmm.
"Sweet."
Halfway through,
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Bouncy ball sounds.
"Hm?"
Tilted head toward the noise.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
A plain playground soccer ball bounced and rolled our way.
"Move!" "Move!"
Agents shouted in unison, charging after it full-tilt.
Like a horde chasing the ball in elementary girls' soccer.
"Weird..."
I tilted my head at the sight.
"Ah~ Try this." "Ah~"
Munched her marshmallow.
Crispy, chewy, sweet—roasted perfection.
Yup, delish.
Sweet tooth heaven.
