The Doll on Standby Mode
"Don't do it. Anyway, to sum it up—"
"Baesena, you're saying I should take one for myself?"
"Yep!"
"……."
I'd said it a million times already, but I really didn't want to add any more cute girls (and the rest is omitted).
Of course, Baesena wasn't a cute girl. She was a doll monster who could take any form, merely appearing as a cute doll girl right now….
Whatever the case. Did we really need to add another intelligent being to our office?
"Um… couldn't I just take the money?"
"Huh? Do you hate me, Yuri?"
"N-no, it's not that…! It's just… kind of overwhelming…."
"What's overwhelming about it? As you can see, I'm just a doll! I don't eat, I don't sleep, and I don't need a salary!"
That's overwhelming in its own way….
It had been quite a while since I'd come to this world. Ari and Lisa, who'd been with me from the early days, felt like family now, I suppose. We'd reached the point where I could walk past Ari naked after a bath without a hint of embarrassment.
But for example—
Imagine a happy family living together, and then you get a call asking you to look after your distant cousin for a month. Super awkward, right…?
At home, you let your hair get all messy because who cares. But with a cousin around, you have to manage your image even inside the house—it's exhausting.
That's how it felt. Having another intelligent being in my personal space was just… iffy, Baesena.
"No need to feel uncomfortable. We're in this together—we share secrets."
Poof.
A new Baesena popped out from her shadow.
"Whoa…."
"You already know, right? What kind of monster I am. Even the Special Task Force doesn't know."
"Uh, no…? I have no idea…!"
"Liar~. No need to pretend. I know your secrets too, so I have to open up about mine to put us both at ease, yeah?"
Baesena shrugged.
"I don't know what you think of me, Yuri. But please don't find me scary."
"……."
"I'm a monster, so I'm used to being hated. But I'd rather earn affection than hate. If you're curious about anything, just ask. I'll tell you whatever."
That's what Baesena said.
A monster who protects humans. Even if she inspires fear, Baesena protects them. She'd been guarding humanity for a long time, and among monsters, she might understand humans the best. Her personality was human-like, too.
"Then let me ask one thing…. What do you think of me, Sena?"
"Of course I think highly of you! You've solved so many incidents and saved people. You're like my hero!"
"H-hero…?"
"Yeah! I want to resolve Muksi Saengmyeongche like you and help people, but it never works out. So yeah, I'm pretty jealous of you!"
"……."
Even hearing that, I had no clue how to respond….
Still, I could tell Baesena was being honest.
"I even volunteered because I want to help you. So, how about it?"
"Ugh."
Don't make me soft like that….
Am I an easy girl? I thought I was a cool, rational cute girl who didn't get swayed by emotions. Was I wrong…?
It was a huge burden, sure, but I didn't hate or dislike Baesena. Part of me even wanted to get closer. She'd helped me a ton, and if I was going to act as special advisor for the Special Task Force, being on good terms with her was a plus.
"Oh, wait! How about this?"
Clap! Baesena smacked her hands together like she'd had an epiphany.
Then she said, "Watch closely, Yuri," and promptly collapsed like a doll with cut strings.
Her dark eyes lost focus. Motionless, she looked like a corpse.
Sh-she died…?
I startled back two steps before light returned to Baesena's eyes. She sat up like nothing happened.
"What do you think, Yuri?"
"Wh-what…?"
"I just turned my consciousness ON/OFF, I guess? Think of it as an empty doll state."
Baesena explained that each doll was like a terminal. They were connected to a massive server (her main body). Cut the connection, and it's like a powered-off computer.
"I'll keep the power off normally. When you need me, Yuri, just turn me on. No burden that way, right?"
"Hmm…."
That seemed fair enough—a solid compromise. I nodded.
The isolation room where we'd kept "Mary-san" was now home to a doll far larger than her, lying dormant.
About my height. Pink-blonde hair. Eyes peacefully closed. Aside from the doll joints everywhere, she looked just like a sleeping human.
"Hmm…."
I found myself staring at the powered-off Baesena.
Her hair was soft to the touch. Pinch her cheek, and it bounced back with elasticity. Everywhere I touched felt human.
But Baesena didn't wake.
We'd made a promise: her ear was the power button. Touch anywhere else, and she wouldn't turn on. Seemed legit.
Less like adding a roommate, more like buying a new decorative doll.
Tae-man said she'd never woken on her own, either.
This definitely wouldn't be awkward.
"Detective, whatcha doing?"
A voice called as I inspected her. Slightly low-toned for her looks, sleepy-sounding, but her eyes sparkled intensely—almost overwhelming.
Only one person had ever called me "Detective," and there'd only ever be one.
Sua had slipped into the isolation room at some point.
"Oh, uh…. Just checking on Sena's state."
"Detective likes dolls?"
"I don't have that kind of taste…."
What a weird misunderstanding….
Some monster game players posted stuff like "[General] Baesena is hot AF" on community sites, but not me.
I got their point, though.
"Did Watson like dolls better?"
"No, really…. Anyway, let's prep for the next request."
"A new case!"
Sua's eyes lit up at "request." So predictable.
I took her to the lobby and sat at the office manager's desk, opening the inbox.
With our office powered up, it was time for new requests. Time to clear those ending routes steadily.
'…Sometimes I think living like this isn't so bad.'
On day one, I was desperate to escape. Now, my urge to return home had faded.
It was a world people lived in, after all. Livable, even. New friends like Ryu Harin and Baesena. Living with Ari, Lisa, and Sua felt normal—hell, Sua peeking at my laptop was kinda cute.
Like how few people would move from Seoul just because housing's pricey. Leaving means cutting ties.
I wasn't immune to thoughts of skipping ending routes for easy gigs.
But this wasn't a place to kick back. Rank 6 threats would awaken eventually. Comfort now meant pain later.
Now was the time to grind.
-♩♬♪♬♪♪
As I scanned emails, my phone buzzed. I reached for it, but Sua snatched it first.
"Detective, here."
"Oh, uh…."
She handed it over politely with both hands. It was already within reach—did she need to grab it for me?
Totally inefficient, but I answered anyway.
"Hello?"
"This is Park Jong-cheol, Liriri Detective Agency."
"Ah, Deputy Park. What's up?"
"I heard from Ryu Harin about the anomaly incident. Are you okay?"
Park Jong-cheol checking in. Probably because I'd resolved "Magical Girl's Birth." He seemed more polite now.
Come to think of it, Ryu Harin got tangled with "Watson" and I ended up chauffeuring her. Maybe her superstar anchovy temper drew it.
"Oh, it all worked out. Thanks for worrying."
"Glad to hear it. Also, I got materials from Ryu Harin employee. Great investigation—should help a lot."
He meant the cult info. She'd handed it over while caught up with "Watson."
I nodded. "Happy if it helps."
"So, we should share info with you too. You were targeted by the cult before."
"Technically Harin was eyed by the 'Eight-Foot Ghost,' but yeah, I'd appreciate sharing."
"Yes, sending via email now. Oh, and just in case—steer clear of Incheon for a bit."
"Incheon?"
"One of their wanted fugitives is there. Seems like they're plotting something."
He shared a few more details, then we hung up.
Only then did I notice the weight on my shoulders.
Sua had been hugging me from behind the whole call, leaning on the chair back.
"Detective, Detective."
I was about to ask her to get off—heavy—when she called first.
Staring right in my face, up close.
"Detective, don't do it if I say don't do it, okay?"
Where'd she pick that up?
She must've overheard the call. I pinched Sua's cheek.