A Growing Heart
"How about it, Luna? I put extra special care into making it today!"
Crunch. The girl took a big bite of the toast, baked with a generous heap of butter.
"Yeah... it's tasty... Si-hyun."
"Huh? That's it?"
She said it was tasty, but Luna's expression didn't change even a little.
'From the morning, I watched cooking videos and poured my heart into making this toast, and this is the evaluation I get?! How hard I worked! How could she do this to me—'
At that moment, Luna tilted her head innocently and stared right at me.
"Si-hyun...?"
'Ugh... my heart...! That cute face is against the rules! Fine... Luna's innocent. It's this blockhead's fault for not making it tastier!'
For the past few days, I'd been trying all sorts of things to help Luna rediscover her emotions.
'I've been busting my ass, but it's not easy.'
My success rate wasn't great.
'Well, it would be out of character if Luna said something like, "The butter's got a nice kick. Perfectly even."'
It had been several days since the Forgotten One incident wrapped up. The guild had publicly announced the "successful dismantling of a Catastrophe-grade ghost story," and they were pushing hard on the cleanup. In reality, Phantom had done the dismantling, but since their identity was still unknown, it was being treated as top secret for now.
"I was sweating bullets wondering if they'd figure something out, but no news so far means we're good."
I'd heard the guild and the Monster Countermeasure Headquarters were investigating everywhere for Phantom, but my identity hadn't been exposed yet. Of course, the fact that I'd been avoiding going out at night as much as possible helped.
'I said I wouldn't turn a blind eye if I encountered a ghost story's tale... but avoiding them altogether is still best.'
Still, I couldn't just sit idle. With no other ghost story incidents around right now, this was the perfect time to focus on caring for our most important mengmang-grade princess, Luna.
"Luna, you've finished eating. Anything you wanna do?"
"......"
The girl just sat quietly beside me, fiddling with a cushion with her small hands. No answer, as always. Her face was expressionless. Her eyes were clear, but those golden pupils still held no emotion.
'I thought she was starting to get it a little, but no real change.'
She was fine as is, but I couldn't give up here!
'No big progress since then. If I just leave her, she might lose the emotions she's just starting to grasp.'
A little while back, the day Luna first learned the feeling of "shyness" while stroking her fingertips. I couldn't forget that moment. When the doll-like Luna covered her face with her hands.
'Ending a mengmang-grade ghost story's tale is important, but so is helping Luna regain her emotions.'
If Luna remained as a person but couldn't feel emotions—that wouldn't be true happiness.
'Ending the tale isn't the only answer. I want Luna to be happy like a princess in a story someday.'
"Luna."
"Yeah."
"Wanna go out today?"
"......Why?"
"To have fun."
"......Fun?"
She reacted like she didn't even know the concept of "play."
"You'll see once we go."
I got up, changed into going-out clothes, and helped Luna into new ones. She stared into the mirror for a while, then tilted her head.
"Si-hyun... do you like these clothes...?"
Of course she'd answer if I asked if she liked them! ...But.
'I clearly meant to buy something like the black dress she wore when we first met!'
When I unpacked the delivered clothes, somehow I'd ended up with what looked like a maid outfit.
'Maid outfits are every guy's dream! Can't waste it now that it's bought.'
And how could I resist seeing an absolute beauty like Luna in one?! It wasn't really on purpose, but I ended up giving it to her as a gift, haha.
Her silver hair went perfectly with the black fabric.
'She really is pretty, Luna.'
"How's it look? Do you like the clothes, Luna?"
"I... don't know... but if Si-hyun likes it—"
She approached softly, looking up at me with shining golden eyes.
"Then... I think I like it too... ."
She didn't say she liked it herself, but expressing her feelings by leaning on someone else's—that was progress.
'It's her first time, so she'll learn step by step like this.'
"Ready to go? It's a special day today."
"......Special day?"
'You bet. It's an important day for you to learn emotions, Luna.'
"Alright, let's go!"
We arrived at the amusement park. The entrance buzzed with families and couples out for fun, kids screaming excitedly as they ran around.
'Not that I should complain in this situation, but why isn't there a "Solo Paradise, Couples Hell Ghost Story"?'
Music echoed everywhere, mixed with joyful laughter.
"Wow, tons of people."
I'd expected crowds since it was the weekend, but this was next level. I glanced beside me—Luna stood quietly, clutching my sleeve with one hand, looking around. But her eyes held no emotion.
"What do you think, Luna? Pretty amazing, right?"
"......Don't know."
I'd hyped it up on purpose, but as expected, deadpan response.
'Not easy. But I'm not backing down!'
No way I'd give up!
"Alright, let's walk around and find something fun."
[Operation 1: Rollercoaster]
'If anything in an amusement park will shake up emotions, it's gotta be this!'
I wasn't great with them myself 'cause they scared me... but for Luna!
"Luna, wanna ride this together?"
The thrill of plummeting at high speed, wind rushing past!
'This'll definitely get a reaction from her.'
But.
"......"
From takeoff to landing, Luna just blinked. No reaction at all.
I was the one freaking out.
"Gaaaaaah!! Air raid! Air raaaaaiiiid!! Stop this thing now! I'm losing my mind!!"
"Yes yes, sir. Safety bar's down, we're off."
"Nooooooo—!"
After what felt like eons.
"Huff huff... I survived...!"
"Si-hyun... what's wrong?"
"Haha, nothing, Luna. Urp!"
How embarrassing—getting queasy from this at my age.
"Phew, so how was it, Luna? Fun, right?"
"...Your face kept changing... it was interesting."
"Didn't feel anything?"
"Yeah. Just a lot of wind... ."
Hmm, yeah. Can't win 'em all on the first try. On to the next!
[Operation 2: Carousel]
'Not chickening out from the rollercoaster and picking something slow—nuh-uh!'
"Luna, this one's riding pretty horses that go around slowly."
"......Just going in circles?"
"Kinda like a princess from a fairy tale, right?"
"Is it...?"
I held Luna and got on a horse together, but still no reaction.
'Thought she might've ridden horses as a princess, but wrong guess.'
Other kids laughed and posed for photos with parents, but Luna just sat silently on the horse.
"This is tough."
[Operation 3: Shooting Game]
"Luna, hit those prizes over there."
"Okay."
Bang bang bang. Every shot hit dead center.
'Perfect score. Better accuracy than me, a vet. Mengmang-grade perks, huh.'
I thought I was decent at shooting, but now I felt small.
"How's it feel? Good when you hit 'em, right?"
I asked hopefully, but.
"......Just did it."
"......"
Her flat reply, as expected.
"Sigh... teaching someone something is hard."
I hadn't expected her to suddenly feel emotions just from coming here.
'But I figured there'd be at least some reaction.'
No progress despite everything—most people would quit here.
But.
"I'm not some average Joe who gives up easy!"
I never thought it'd be simple.
"Alright! Next up—"
"Si-hyun...?"
Luna sat beside me, quietly munching cotton candy.
"Oh right, you haven't finished that yet."
"Yeah... ."
"Pushed too hard from the start... let's take a break."
It was just the first step. Deeper moments would come.
"Like hell that moment's coming!"
I'd dragged her everywhere hoping for a spark, but total flop. Amusement park mission: failure.
'Heh heh, failing this perfectly is kinda funny.'
Sunset was nearing, the park bathed in soft red glow.
"Luna."
"......?"
She sat quietly beside me, holding my hand. The swaying sunset gently colored her golden eyes.
"How was today?"
Luna looked at me, then slowly shook her head.
"......Don't know."
"Nothing special?"
"Just went lots of places. Lots of people... ."
About what I expected. Rides, sights—she didn't pick up emotions easily.
'If it was that quick, I wouldn't need to bother.'
Still, zero gains felt disappointing. I scratched my head, then met her eyes again.
"Hey, Luna. Was spending the whole day hanging out with me good?"
"......With Si-hyun?"
"Yeah."
She thought a bit, then answered quietly.
"Si-hyun... is mine. Being together is natural... ."
"Natural, huh? Haha."
Felt kinda empty, but oddly amusing.
'To know someone's heart, share yours first.'
Maybe this could draw out her feelings, even a little. I decided to be brutally honest.
"Y'know... being with you makes me happy for no reason."
She blinked, staring at me.
"No parents, few friends—I'm used to being alone."
"But then you popped up outta nowhere... at first, I was like, what the heck? Kinda scared, haha. But now—"
Thinking of our days together brought a smile.
"I think I'd feel empty without you."
Luna stared silently. Then slowly, she brought both hands to her chest.
"What's up, Luna?"
"Don't... know."
"Huh?"
"Here... this feels weird... ."
She murmured softly, pressing her small hand to her chest.
'I'd be an idiot not to notice.'
I smiled faintly and gently stroked her head.
"Luna."
"......Yeah?"
I pulled out the crescent moon hairpin I'd bought at the park.
"Thought it'd suit you. It was 2-for-1, though."
Carefully, I pinned it in her silver hair. Perfect match.
"Looks great on you, Luna."
She touched it slowly with her fingers. Cold metal at her fingertips.
Yet somehow, it felt warm. A strange sensation welled in her chest.
An inexplicable coziness.
"Si-hyun... what is this?"
"A gift from me to you."
"Gift...?"
"Yeah. Thought it'd look good on you."
Luna fiddled with the hairpin, feeling the odd sensation in her chest grow.
Not bad. Her heart thumped, face warming a bit.
"Si-hyun."
"Yeah?"
"From earlier... here... feels weird."
She pressed her chest cautiously, puzzled.
"Luna, that's—"
I stroked her once more.
"That's called 'joy.'"
"......Joy?"
Luna repeated the word softly.
She didn't know what it was yet.
"I... don't know that... ."
"It's okay. You'll learn it bit by bit, Luna."
Luna toyed with the hairpin, biting her lip ever so slightly.
She couldn't grasp "joy" exactly. Like the hairpin—unfathomable, yet warm and cozy.
"Luna, wanna head home? It'll get cold after dark."
"Yeah... Si-hyun... ."
Her eyes, fixed on me, reflected the flickering sunset. The crescent pin atop her silver hair sparkled in the glow.
Just like her golden eyes.
The sky dyed gold, streets in red. A warm breeze blew.
Luna walked slowly, holding Si-hyun's hand, touching the hairpin again.
It was strange. Just an ornament—nothing compared to the treasures she'd collected.
'Why does it feel warm?'
Her chest thumped faintly. She looked at Si-hyun holding her hand.
He walked ahead but kept glancing back, worried for the small, fragile girl.
That concern felt familiar somehow.
'......Is this... joy...?'
The girl didn't know emotions. She couldn't feel human feelings yet.
But now, she wanted to know what it was.
She parted her lips quietly.
"......Si-hyun."
Calling his name made her heart thump again.
Why? Why did just saying his name feel like this?
She didn't know. She wanted the answer—someone to tell her clearly.
"That's called joy, Luna."
"This... is... joy... ."
Luna whispered, pressing her chest softly.
"......Joy... I see... ."
The girl learned joy today. Maybe not fully felt or understood.
But Si-hyun said so, so Luna could believe it was joy.
Tiny emotions began taking root in the heart of the girl who bore destruction.
What role they would play, even she didn't know.