Taking Down the Pervert (3)
We placed our main orders for drinks and snacks.
"Boss! Seven mugs of draft beer, two squid fritters, and two colas!"
I added one more item. "Boss, make it a Hwangdo too."
The mood chilled at my words.
"Hwangdo?"
"Who eats Hwangdo?"
"Whoa... Didn't peg you for the Hwangdo type at a bar, Hyunwoo hyung."
Not just the patrol members, but even the sisters whispered, eyeing me like I'd lost it.
I grinned and explained. "Water spirits can't eat solids."
The atmosphere flipped instantly.
"Honestly, Hwangdo is the best side dish."
"I've always loved the canned sugar taste."
"Water spirits really know their flavors."
Aqua, suddenly hailed as a gourmet spirit, tilted her head in confusion.
"It's fine. Don't worry about it."
I handed her the cola that had just arrived.
[Cola!]
We all clinked glasses. "To the peace and prosperity of Samcheok Beach!"
"Cheers!"
Everyone downed their beer refreshingly. Aqua chugged her cola just as eagerly.
[Kyaah!]
The fizzy bubbles made her whole body shudder. We all burst out laughing.
"Gotta capture this!"
"A spirit drinking cola—such a rare sight."
"Can we take pics?"
Aqua sat on the table near my right hand, plump bottom planted firmly—a spot that let everyone share in her cuteness equally.
[Of course!]
Phones came out in a flash. Aqua hoisting a mug bigger than both her arms combined was too precious not to snapshot.
"Um..."
The pub owner approached. "Mind if I snap one too and hang it up there?"
He pointed to the wall of celebrity visit snapshots.
"Of course!"
[Of course!]
Aqua beamed. Her smile tugged one onto my lips too.
With Aqua here, surrounded by people who adored her—what more could I need? It was an ideal, happy bubble.
Then the pub's signature snack arrived. "Squid fritters up!"
The owner set down a huge bowl of whole squid rings, steam rising invitingly. Dipped in mayo, the savory crunch and chewy texture paired perfectly with the carbonation.
"Whoa, this squid is amazing!"
"Melts in your mouth! Wow!"
The rash guard sisters' reactions brought smiles to the patrol members' faces. They volunteered out of pure love for their hometown, after all.
[Oh! This is delicious!]
Aqua nodded, sipping Hwangdo syrup.
[Fruit, sugar, and carbonation—a brilliant human combo! Your cooking is impressive!]
After cola turned her black, slurping Hwangdo turned her white from the mouth down.
"Kukukuk!"
"Too much."
"What is that? Way too cute!"
Everyone gazed at her dye job with overflowing affection. Aqua cocked her head at the sudden stares, then flashed a sunny grin.
[Heeheehee!]
That radiant smile melted us all.
"We're definitely starting an Aqua fan club!"
The rash guard sisters clenched their fists with renewed resolve.
The next day, we returned to routine. After cleaning and laundry from checkout rooms, we lounged in the master bedroom on a lazy summer afternoon.
~Let it go~ Let it go~
Aqua watched a clip from Summer Kingdom on the laptop.
[Hum hum hum~ Hum hum hum~]
She even hummed along softly. Belly-down on the floor, legs kicking alternately as she watched—she looked every bit the kid her age.
"Heh heh heh..."
I chuckled, stroking her back. Her humming pitched up, legs kicking faster.
A spirit on a laptop.
After bingeing dramas, she'd mastered it. OTT apps, NutTube—piece of cake. Ever since I showed her the Summer Kingdom song site last night.
Give it days, she'll tackle subtitled foreign dramas.
I mentally queued foreign shows for her, glancing at my phone. The water spirit user community app popped up—Korea's biggest.
Over five years lurking here.
Full of tips and stories for water spirit users. Pre-Aqua, I'd come for Spirit Affinity upgrades and undine pics.
Feels more relaxed now.
No envy or impatience anymore. I was one of them now.
I smiled faintly, refreshing. 'HOT Posts' loaded at the bottom—top views/comments last few hours.
I scanned habitually. A few caught my eye.
Water Spirit User Community Regular Meeting Notice
Have you seen this baby spirit, guardians?
One was the spirit users' regular meetup notice.
Meetup time already?
Among awakeners, spirit users held them most—devoted to spirits who loved group play.
I opened it.
Water Spirit User Community Regular Meeting Notice
Due to guild harmony events, your community admin is in Samcheok, Gangwon-do.
This month's meetup: Phoenix Resort, Samcheok, Gangwon-do.
Staying days for guild stuff, so multi-day event—not day trip.
Local Gangwon spirit users who skipped Seoul ones: Swing by anytime this week!
Oh? Jang Gilsan's resort.
Great news.
A meetup...
Never joined one—no spirit back then.
Just envied the pics.
Now I qualified.
Should I go?
Tons of undines—Aqua'd love it.
While pondering, another HOT post grabbed me.
Curious, I clicked. My jaw dropped.
Aqua's photo. Sunny beach, playing with undines.
One of their contractors snapped it.
I downloaded them all. Rare shots needed pricey gear for non-manifested spirits.
Sharing these gems.
Aqua's cuteness shone through. Sparkly-eyed chase, [Eek!] wave-swept scream, group hug nuzzles—perfection.
They say photos flatter less than real life, but Aqua slays pics too.
Mischievous face, starry eyes—nailed. Her cheeky laugh echoed in my head.
Saved, I scrolled to the body.
Spotted this baby strolling Samcheok Beach daytime.
Longtime lurker, but first time seeing one like this.
Any guardians seen her?
'Baby' for spirits, 'guardian' for contractors.
Comments:
Such gentle, warm comments befitting water spirit users.
All first-timers.
This community saw daily spirit pics and chit-chat, frequented by most Korean water spirit users—even academy profs mentioned it.
No recognition meant Aqua was truly unprecedented.
The first supreme-grade spirit.
Aqua was special. The world's cutest, most unique spirit—mine.
"Heh heh heh."
I stroked her back with a dopey grin. She was glued to a spirit NutTuber mukbang. Midway, undine cracking her third cola can—knock at the door.
"Hello? Anyone there?"
Guest. I hopped up, opened it. Tourist couple.
"Hi. Room number?"
"201."
"This way. Oh, let me grab your bags."
As I took them, Aqua popped out.
[I'll carry them!]
She elongated her hair to hoist a bag.
"Whoa!"
"A spirit?"
They gawked, startled. I smiled, scooped her up, led them.
"Key's inside. BBQ booking, breakfast, sorting trash, checkout info—on the door, please read."
They ignored me, staring at Aqua.
"Whoa... so cute."
"Cuter than our Ppobi. What now."
Bags down, Aqua waved cheekily at them. They clutched hearts.
"Eek!"
I chuckled, turning. "Call if you need anything."
"Ah..."
"Y-yeah, got it."
Their longing stares followed me. Foolishly, it felt great.