Psi Hatches

Finally, after two weeks. A time that felt long if it was long, short if it was short. Ever since awakening, I'd fallen asleep every night with Psi cradled in my arms. At school, during meals, even in the shower—my attention was always drawn to her. And now, the day we would truly meet was drawing near. I'd steeled myself for it, made all the preparations, but as the moment approached and the sound rang out, my mind went blank.

Tok. A tiny sound, but enough to pierce my heart. I held my breath and opened the Status Window.

"...Almost there."

My fingertips trembled. I gently stroked the egg beside me.

"Not much longer now, Psi."

"We'll meet soon."

The surface of the egg quivered faintly. It felt like it was syncing with my heartbeat. In that moment, I couldn't tell if I was the one excited or if the egg was.

I stepped out of the room for a moment to catch my breath. It was the weekend, so Mom and Dad were in the living room.

"Sung-jun, what's hiding in your room that's kept you holed up for days?"

"You hiding something?"

I flinched for a second but shook my head.

"Nah, nothing like that."

They still looked suspicious but didn't press further.

"Just don't push yourself too hard. You get tunnel vision when you're obsessed with something."

"...Yeah, got it. Thanks."

I gave a short reply and headed back to my room. Closing the door, I sat quietly in front of the egg.

"Gonna have to introduce you someday..."

"How should I do it?"

Psi vibrated ever so slightly in response to my touch, as if saying, Don't worry.

I stroked the egg in reply.

"Yeah... it'll be fine."

I barely left my room all weekend. I spent the two days by Psi's side. And then, Sunday evening. After dinner, as I returned to my room as usual.

The room was eerily quiet. The egg on the bed was shaking faintly.

...Tok.

...Plop.

I froze. This time, it was unmistakable. A thin crack spread clearly across the eggshell.

"Psi..."

My heart pounded wildly. I scrambled to kneel beside the bed.

"You got this... come on."

The crack widened. Plop, plop. A small chunk fell away. Through the gap, the tip of a tiny beak emerged.

"Come on out, Psi... you can do it...!"

I shouted without realizing it. I could feel her desperately pushing from inside. A small head poked out, and with one more push, the shell split wide open.

Crack. The shell shattered in half, and a tiny body tumbled out.

Pale skin. A still-wet little form. The rise and fall of breathing ribs. A short but sturdy beak.

Psi lay sprawled on the floor, panting heavily. My hands shook as I grabbed a towel.

"It's okay... you're okay."

I gently wiped her down, and Psi lifted her head to look at me. For the first time. Our eyes met.

Those small, clear eyes were fixed solely on me. No fear, no wariness. Just me.

Psi wobbled to her feet on two legs and toddled toward me. She rested her chin on my knee.

That tiny weight felt unbelievably warm.

"...Yeah."

My throat tightened. I carefully scooped her up.

"Let's get along, Psi."

This time, it was our true first meeting.

Psi was about the size of a small cat. Small enough to hold in both hands, and so warm. I cradled her for a bit, rocking her gently, spending time welcoming her. After a while, I stroked her back carefully and checked her Status Window.

"...Communication?"

In that instant, faint emotions transmitted to me. Joy. Comfort. And hunger?

I chuckled and hugged Psi close.

"Got a Gacha Ticket too. Wanna try one ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠together, Psi?"

Activating my ability, a massive roulette wheel materialized in the air. I gently held Psi's tiny forelimb and pressed the button.

The wheel spun rapidly before stopping.

"...A fishing rod?"

A lightweight toy appeared in my hand, with a fake insect at the end. I gave it a little shake, and Psi's eyes ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sparkled.

"Peep!"

The next moment, her little body leaped up. I frantically waved the rod, and Psi chased after it eagerly. The room soon filled with pattering feet and excited breaths.

When I came to my senses, the sun was already setting.

"Time for bed, Psi. That was fun, huh?"

Psi blinked sleepily after all the play. I carefully picked her up and lay down on the bed. Her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠small body nestled into my arms.

"See you tomorrow, Psi."

Psi seemed to say she was happy. That night felt strangely warm.

The next morning, something soft brushed my cheek.

"...Hm?"

I opened my eyes to find Psi licking my face.

"Peep."

It felt like she was telling me she was hungry. I couldn't help but smile at how cute she was and scooped her up as I got out of bed.

"Hungry, Psi? Let's get some food."

Without thinking, I headed straight to the living room. The eyes of Mom, Dad, and Ha-rin at the table all turned to me—and to my arms.

"...Oppa?"

Ha-rin shot up from her seat, eyes wide.

"What's that?"

I instinctively hid Psi behind my back. But then—

"Peep!"

A cute cry burst from behind me.

...Busted.

I slowly brought Psi forward. The little herbivore dinosaur tilted her head, gazing at the family.

Silence.

"Explain."

Dad's low voice broke it. I swallowed hard. Right on cue, Psi chirped again, hungry.

I rushed to the fridge, grabbed a lettuce leaf, and held it to her beak. She nibbled it eagerly.

"Whoa..."

Ha-rin gasped in awe.

"Oppa, she's super cute."

But one leaf wasn't enough; she cried for more. I ended up grabbing a bunch and sitting at the table to feed her leaf by leaf. Ha-rin peeked over, saying she wanted to feed her too.

Three pairs of eyes bored into me. I took a deep breath.

"So... a few weeks ago, I picked up a fossil, and that's how I awakened."

"This is my ability."

"Pulling and raising dinosaurs."

I spilled everything, up to yesterday's hatching.

"...I know it sounds unbelievable. But it's real."

A brief silence. Dad spoke in disbelief.

"Even so, a dinosaur out of nowhere is a bit much, isn't it?"

Ha-rin shook her head.

"But... thinking about it, it was weird. You kept me out of your room, spaced out a lot."

Mom sighed.

"Why'd you carry ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠this all alone?"

Her words stung. I looked down.

"Wasn't sure... didn't want to get your hopes up for nothing."

Then Psi, belly full, rubbed her face against my hand. Warm emotions flowed through.

"Peep."

I stroked her back without thinking. Watching us, Dad muttered softly,

"Well... she is kinda cute. Honestly, really cute..."

He sighed.

"You need to register as an awakener."

"Yeah, I know."

Reality settled in. This wasn't a game anymore. Glancing at the clock, it was almost time for school.

I gently set Psi on the bed.

"Gonna head to school."

As I tried to leave, Psi bit my pant leg, refusing to let go. Her reluctance flooded me.

"Psi... just for a bit."

Forcing her off triggered a wail. Her tiny body trembled.

I stopped. Approaching slowly, I picked her up.

"Psi... sorry..."

Mom, watching quietly, spoke up.

"...Skip school today and rest. Psi, right?" She looked at us.

"Sung-jun, don't make Psi cry. She sees you as her parent—how scared and sad must she feel if you just leave her suddenly."

Mom scolded me, and it hit me hard.

"Yeah... you're right. Sorry... Psi, sorry... you were scared, huh..."

I lifted my head and stroked her gently.

"Might as well register as an awakener first. Stay and soothe Psi after lunch."

The living room air settled quietly. With those words, I felt my old daily life end. The hiding phase was over.

But I wasn't scared. With Psi by my side, it felt like I could do anything.