Chapter 8

I’m translating the chapter into HTML-formatted prose and keeping the in-universe system lines and the ending scene distinct so the chapter reads naturally in English.CHAPTER_TITLE: Episode 8

But they only smiled softly. I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠flapped around with all my heart and soul.

"Ppu-bae-bya-bya-bya! Ppa-ju-dyu-ju!"

No, that’s not it! Change it for me!

No matter what I did, they didn’t pay me any mind. That was when I was writhing all over the place, resisting with every inch of my body.

Tak-

I heard a door open. I stopped flailing and turned my head.

Ah, it’s you.

Was his name Noah? One of my precious customers who sometimes came by to pat me on the head had arrived.

He was that pitiful customer with atopic dermatitis.

I looked at his pale, cracked cheeks and said, "Ppya, ppupppya, pya, puppanya."

Hey, good to see you. But what can I do?

I’m leaving here now.

Noah looked back and forth between Ma Soo-jung and the nun, then seemed to realize something and ran straight toward where I was.

"No! You said he was my little brother!"

Oh, dear...

I reached out my tiny hand and patted Noah on the head.

Sorry.

"Ppujijjo, pajjajapava, pyappujijja jua...."

That’s just how life ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠is, child. Meeting and parting come as a pair.

The nun touched Noah’s cheek and said, "Noah."

"But he’s my little brother, so why does he have to go away! He’s Noah’s little brother!"

Tears welled all the way up to the child’s eyes. Before long, rainlike tears were streaming down his face.

"Ppu-a...."

Goodness.

The nun immediately gathered Noah into her arms and tried to soothe him. But he wouldn’t stop crying.

"You lied, Sister!"

"Yes. Noah, I was the bad one."

"I was going to be nice to him!"

Noah grabbed at Ma Soo-jung’s skirt.

"Don’t take him away!"

"Uh..."

"He’s my little brother!"

Ma Soo-jung looked helpless. The nun soothed Noah again.

"Noah. Gongza has met a good mother."

"I still don’t like it! We won’t be able to see each other anymore!"

Wow. He really liked me that much?

What do I do? I’m touched.

Come to think of it, he’d saved my life.

There’s nothing I can really give my lifesaver...

"Ppu-bya...."

Haah.

Does a baby have money, or rice? A sigh slipped out on its own.

Ah, right, this existed!

"Ppube!"

Use it!

"Ppupai, ppuppu, ppyapipipi!"

I want Noah to stay healthy for life!

"Ppipi!"

Proceed!

Huh, that side effect is kind of fascinating.

I didn’t even have time to marvel before hot tears, like a chick’s droppings, spilled down the baby’s delicate skin.

"Gongza?"

"Ppuppapa, ppu, nyappapiya...."

The tears won’t stop.

"Why’s the kid crying all of a sudden?"

Ma Soo-jung sniffed at my diaper.

"I didn’t do anything rude."

"Our Gongza isn’t the kind of kid who cries easily...."

Three minutes is all it needs. I’ll stop then.

Come to think of it, that’s really strange.

I stared at Noah.

Did he inherit a naturally healthy constitution? I thought the atopic dermatitis meant that wasn’t the case....

Health was an incredibly difficult and important thing, and yet it only cost 30 coins?

Noah was still sobbing, tears dripping down in a steady stream.

Noah, crying is not really the point when you’re parting from someone.

I gave you health because, after living a bit, I learned that health is everything. Is that not enough for you?

What, do I have anything else to give?

Should I raise his intelligence or something?

I decided to try it first.

"Ppupapa, ppappu, pijju, jjappu!"

"Pipu, ppupi, ppappu!"

Raise Noah’s intelligence!

Wow.

I looked at Noah with tearful eyes.

You’re not especially bright, are you?

What in the world is this difference? Health only cost 30!

You should definitely go into athletics. You.

That must be fate.

While I worried about my lifesaver’s future, the three minutes passed in a flash. Noah, seeing that I’d stopped crying, said, "Are you sad because you’re parting with me too?"

"Ppu! Ppuya."

Yeah. Sure.

Well, honestly, it wasn’t exactly sadness, but let’s say it was.

"I, I’m Noah. You have to remember. I’m your big brother."

"Ppuya."

Right.

"Hehe. Even if we’re far apart, we’re still brothers!"

Wow.

You really meant that for me.

Noah’s innocence made it feel as though the scum in my heart was melting away. Panting a little, I made up my mind.

Health alone isn’t enough, apparently.

He saved my life. I should do more.

The child wiped at his tears and scratched his cheeks hard. The pale, cracked skin looked awfully painful.

For now, that’s been taken care of.

What else could I do for my lifesaver?

What did he need most?

Hmm, if he isn’t very bright, then his hands and feet will suffer for it.

That was it.

I immediately called out the coin.

"Ppupappappa, parapapapa!"

"Ppya, ppyaaa, ppayu, appu!"

Make Noah stronger!

That was a reasonable number of coins too.

"Kyupa!"

Proceed!

Tears spilled down in a steady stream. Sniffling, I patted Noah’s cheek. The cracked skin hadn’t vanished ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠yet, but if I looked closely, I could feel it.

The kid isn’t scratching anymore.

Those white cracks would probably disappear soon too.

Good.

Now that his strength had been improved too, you’d be able to live a decent life from here on out.

And, Noah, do you know this?

You might forget me, but I won’t forget you.

You’re four years old... probably everyone forgets things by the time they grow up later.

Still, I won’t forget.

"Ppuya, ppujjapuyajupyappu!"

Because you’re my lifesaver.

"Ppupppu, ppya! Ppupppu, ppyayaa!"

When I become a top star, I’ll find you and help you!

Whether Noah knew how I felt or not, he beamed brightly.

"Gongza, are you sad too because you’re parting? You keep crying."

"Pppu-pau!"

Let’s say I am.

"It’s a promise! Don’t forget me, okay?"

"Ppupya, ppppyapyaya! Ppyuung!"

Yeah. But you can just forget me if you want. I’ll be fine.

Noah wiped his tears and smiled widely. Seeing that, Sister Theresa drew in a small breath.

She’s holding back her tears, Sister.

Sister Theresa held Noah in her arms and said, "Noah found Gongza, after all."

Ma Soo-jung was startled and hugged me again.

"...I see."

"So I think he got attached. Noah, let’s say goodbye now."

The four-year-old came up to me and waved.

"Bye, Gongza."

"Ppuya, papa."

Yes. Goodbye.

I waved back and patted Noah’s face. The child smiled a little even while crying.

Be happy, lifesaver.

Oho, my lifesaver even boosted my coins right at the end.

I flapped my legs, and the tears that had pooled there spilled down in drops. Sister Theresa gently wiped them away with her hand.

"Gongza."

Sister Theresa brushed away my tears.

"Our Gongza must be happy."

Her low voice whispered by my ear.

"Lord, please bless these beautiful little lambs."

Her touch was very soft. I looked at the nun with eyes still wet with tears.

The corners of her eyes were deeply lined. I understood at once. Those wrinkles had surely come from caring for orphans all these years.

There isn’t a single shred of falsehood in this person.

The nun’s prayer went on.

"Lord. This flesh grows weary. The way it breaks down one piece at a time is your providence, so I am not afraid. I only worry that these little lambs may suffer in the world."

I blinked. I couldn’t say anything.

Sister, I know.

A little laugh rose in me.

There aren’t many truly good people in this world.

At least, not in the life I had lived.

I kept volunteering and donating, but the people caring for children were not always good, either.

I looked at the nun again. Her earnest prayer continued on and on.

"...Please keep these little lambs from harm."

Sister.

You are a truly good person.

If there were many people like you, how many children would be happy?

But I knew such people were few and far between.

So you need to stay healthy for a very long time.

I immediately shouted, "Ppupappappa, parappa!"

"Ppuyayaya, ppyayaa, ppayuyayang!"

Make Sister Theresa healthy!

"Kyupa!"

Proceed!

Huh.

You’ll trip once every ten steps?

I protested to the subtitles.

"Ppuppa, pappa ppupappapapapa!"

Hey now. Isn’t that a bit much?

The subtitle that had been at the top moved down.

All things come with a price.

Good grief. No flexibility at all.

Still, that’s just how babies are, isn’t it.

Keeping Sister Theresa healthy, the one who had given life to a tiny child, mattered more.

Well, it’s only for a year.

I clenched and uncurled my tiny fingers.

A year passes quickly for a baby.

A sigh slipped out again.

"Ppupa...."

Haah.

Now I’d have to practice walking, and what was I supposed to do if I staggered every time?

Would strengthening my leg muscles help?

I wriggled my legs.

Still, let’s just be careful for one year.

The nun finished her prayer and held me tightly once.

Formula milk smell....

Sister Theresa patted my back, then handed me over to the actor.

"Let’s go now."

"Yes."

I was carried by Ma Soo-jung and taken out of the nursery.

Come to think of it, this was the first and last time I ever went out from here.

Thank you.

Sister Theresa even came out to the car to see me off. I bowed my small head in greeting.

"Pappa!"

Bye-bye, Sister.

Even though I’m not religious, it seems like the gods are able to make a living thanks to people like you, Sister.

Please stay healthy.

"Our Gongza, are you sad?"

"Pappau."

A little.

"Good. Gongza, look here."

Ma Soo-jung lifted me up and pointed at the car with a finger.

Wow!

Honestly, I was a little surprised.

So you really are rich.

Was it because she was the third daughter of the Sungjin Group? Or because she was a successful actress?

"Ppupppyyapuppyppu."

Impressive.

I flapped my arms and legs.

How much does this cost?

It was an imported car that looked expensive at a glance. Shiny as anything. But the truly amazing thing was something else entirely. There was a car seat in the back.

Actress Ma really came prepared.

Ah, I can’t call her actress anymore.

Mom, or should I say Mother...

A bitter smile crossed my face for a moment.

What is it like to have a mother?

I had no experience with that, even in my previous life, so I still wasn’t used to it.

Ma Soo-jung, or rather Mom, placed me into the car seat. Then, as she gripped the steering wheel, she said, "Gongza, does Mom have a lot of money?"

"Ppyappu, ppupaa. Ppuappu."

Looks like it, Mother.

"I’ll always make sure our Gongza eats and sleeps with the best of everything. I’ll be a good mother."

I laughed at that.

You already are a good mother.

Then the subtitles appeared.

Because of me, she’s happy...

Is that what a mother’s love is like?

It feels a little heavy, even as it makes me happy.

Was this what unconditional love was? A mother’s love.

I’ve never experienced it, so I wouldn’t know....

I looked at the actress, or rather my mother, from behind. Even her back was beautiful.

Filial piety.

How exactly are you supposed to do that?

I remembered that photograph. I absolutely wanted to stop that from happening.

First, I need to be healthy.

That was where it began.

What about our mother’s body? Is it really that bad? Surely not worse than the nun’s?

I’d have to use a coin and find out.

"Ppussu ppyappya ppyapppyaa!"

"Ppu ppyappyaapyu!"

Make Mom healthy!

A groan escaped me.

"Ppu-a...."

Mom, what happened to your body? What have you been doing with yourself?

No, 30,000 coins? And she’s rich too, so she’s lived without even getting regular checkups?

What exactly is wrong, and where is it going to hurt?

This seems serious.

If Mom disappeared, how was I supposed to live!

We’re family now!

The sighing just wouldn’t stop.

"Ppuaaa."

What do I do?

I wriggled in the car seat, desperately searching for a solution.

The answer is simple enough.

Let’s gather coins!

But how?

I looked out the window. The way to earn coins was, of course, through cuteness.

We need an audience first.

I needed people who could appreciate my adorableness.

Mom, are there a lot of spectators at the house we’re going to?

I’d heard the house was big. If there were a lot of maids, that would help.

This is complicated.

I flapped my limbs and stared outside. Maybe because it was such an expensive car, it moved along very smoothly.

* * *

"Young lady, so you really are bringing him home after all?"

The second daughter-in-law of the Sungjin Group chairman’s house held out a coffee.

Lady Na Hwa-jin took a sip of the coffee her daughter-in-law offered and frowned.

"Child. You remain exactly the same, as always."

Lee Yu-kyeong, the second daughter-in-law, shrank back. Watching her mother-in-law’s mood, she tried again.

"The young lady is really something else. I mean, adopting some kid who isn’t even blood-related just because she liked him..."

Lady Na Hwa-jin said nothing. She read through an English newspaper on her tablet PC, eyes moving briskly across the lines.

"It’s far too impulsive. When Mari finds out later, how sad will she be? Truly, the third young lady really does seem thoughtless. What kind of family are we, anyway? We’re Sungjin Group’s owners."

Lady Na Hwa-jin let out a sigh.

"Yu-kyeong."

"Yes, Mother."

"You are truly noisy."

Lady Na Hwa-jin did not drink the coffee.

"Mother. Even if I’m noisy, I still need to say something about the third young lady. What exactly is she thinking, doing something like this? I heard that if things go wrong, even the child’s stock could be at stake."

Lady Na Hwa-jin narrowed her eyes.

"So that’s what you really wanted to say. The shares?"

"Mother!"

"Well, that is important, too."

As she skimmed the screen, Lady Na Hwa-jin said, "The stock I gave to Soo-jung is Mari’s. Well, if she gets married and has a child, then it might belong to that child instead."

"There’s already another mouth to feed. How could the young lady even think about marriage again? She ought to go one more round while she’s still fresh, you know."

At that, Lady Na Hwa-jin closed the tablet PC. There was nothing worth seeing anyway.

"Your second daughter-in-law’s one strength is her consistency."

"Oh my, Mother."

"And your stupidity is just as consistent."

Lady Na Hwa-jin stood up.

"How you ever ended up coming into this family..."

Shaking her head, she turned and left.

Once she was out of the second daughter-in-law’s sight, Lady Na Hwa-jin tapped at her leg.

This damned leg.

There were chairs scattered throughout the house for her weak legs. She sat down in a nearby chair and sank into thought.

I didn’t think she’d really bring him home.

The third daughter, Ma Soo-jung, could be reckless, but she was not fickle.

Still, this was unexpected even to Lady Na Hwa-jin.

This is probably the third time she’s charged ahead like a bulldozer.

Up to now, Ma Soo-jung had gone forward without looking back exactly three times.

The first was deciding to become an actress, and the second was marriage.

The first had been a great success, and the second a colossal failure. A cold score.

So what is the third?

Ma Soo-jung had said she’d felt fate, and then gone off to pursue the adoption process on her own. Honestly, I thought she’d stop at some point.

What kind of filthy bloodline did she bring home?