Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Remember Me
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"Get out of here right now!"
"..."
"Don't bully my big sister and just leave!"
A little kid was standing in front of me. She was telling me to get lost immediately.
Her face was all scrunched up, but her body was trembling ever so slightly.
She must have found me unpleasant and scary at the same time. I had no idea why she was scared, though.
I hadn't done anything. I was just breathing.
It'd be a shame if even my breathing annoyed her.
So, what was going through my mind as I watched this scene unfold?
Rather than confusion or anger, I felt... nothing much at all.
How much damage could a kid's outburst really do? It didn't hurt my feelings one bit.
Besides, after a certain thought crossed my mind, I couldn't focus on the situation anymore.
The moment our eyes met, this kid hopped down from Ulpi's arms and charged straight at me.
Well, only up to a point. She came running, then slammed on the brakes like a car when she got close enough, glaring at me and spitting out her words.
Yeah, that makes sense. Getting too close can be awkward for both sides.
She'd rushed at me like she was furious, but she stopped pretty far away. Still, no big deal.
But when I absentmindedly stepped forward, she freaked out, backed away to widen the gap, and blurted out in a rush.
"Don't come any closer!"
"Uh... sorry."
For a second there, she reminded me of a small dog.
You know the type. Full of bark, scared of everything, snaps like it's gonna bite but doesn't have the size for it—just lots of yapping.
That's the vibe she was giving off right now.
Ulpi had that big-dog energy, both in size and personality. So why was this kid acting like that?
She even looked like a mini Ulpi.
Anyway, the whole thing wrapped up easier than expected.
"Rafi."
"Sis! Why'd that human follow you all the way here?!"
"Come inside."
"Wait wha— Huh?!"
Ulpi just scooped up the kid she called Rafi and carried her into the house.
So her name's Rafi. Guess I should follow them in.
I was carrying the luggage, and they didn't close the door, so that must be an invitation.
* * *
The inside was surprisingly cleaner than it looked from outside. Guess that's just how places get when people live in them.
I half-expected something to jump out dramatically, but the house was too cramped for that.
I set down everything I'd brought.
Inside, Rafi was shooting me a sullen glare, and then...
"Sorry..."
"It's fine."
Ulpi was watching me warily before finally apologizing. Must've been a tough spot for her all around.
"So... she's your little sister?"
"Yeah."
"Name's Rafi, right?"
"Yeah."
"She doesn't like strangers much, huh."
"Not exactly... It's not people in general. She hates humans."
"I see."
"And it's not just because they're strangers. She hates humans she knows too."
"Really?"
"All the humans she knows are bad ones."
"That's rough. Those bad humans... the ones from earlier?"
"...Yeah."
Things were starting to make sense. With scum like that around, no wonder she distrusts humans.
She probably lumped me in with the same type. I get it now.
At least she seemed to have dropped her suspicions for the moment. Good.
"...Don't get the wrong idea."
"?"
"Even if Sis says it's okay, I'm still gonna suspect you."
"Ah, got it."
Nope, not quite...
"Anyway, Rafi, right?"
"I never said you could use my name."
"Sure thing, kiddo."
"...Why are you calling me that, mister?!"
Ooh, that got under her skin. She fired back with "mister" right away.
Too bad for her. Stuff like that doesn't faze me.
"I'm Aren."
"I don't need to know! I'm just gonna call you mister anyway!"
"Whatever, whatever. Here, have some food."
I set the takeout in front of Rafi. That's why Ulpi had wanted so much left over to pack up.
Rafi's pupils dilated, her eyes shaking wildly.
She started rambling about how I was trying to buy her favor with food, but I ignored her on purpose. She'd sneak some bites eventually.
I had something else to do anyway.
I stepped outside briefly to talk with Ulpi alone.
I didn't usually like prying into her personal life, but things had come to this.
First question: How did she usually get by?
More precisely, how did she eat and survive?
Next: What excuse did those humans from earlier have for harassing her?
Last: Where did those humans usually hang out?
"...Why are you asking?"
"If it's too personal, just give me the rough version."
"No... more importantly, why do you even want to know...?"
"Just curious."
"...Curious."
Asking about someone else's private life out of curiosity. Worst excuse ever.
But I had to this time. There was something I needed to do.
"Can't do it? Would be nice if you told me."
"...If it's just a little."
"-Perfect. That's all I needed to know."
"Really...? What now? Coming back in?"
"Gotta head out somewhere."
"...What?"
"Got something to take care of."
Ulpi froze for a moment. Her words, her gaze, her breathing—everything stopped.
See, something came up that I have to handle, and it's gonna keep me busy as hell.
But this approach doesn't feel classy enough to brag about.
And it might even hurt your pride, sticking my nose where it doesn't belong.
I doubt I'd stop even if you said no, so it'd just end up hurting your feelings.
Hold on. Let's put some distance between us for a bit.
Silence fell, and then Ulpi spoke again. Her voice was cold, stripped of any ups and downs or emotion.
"...You told me earlier."
"?"
"Even if I told you to leave, you said you wouldn't because it was for my sake."
"This is urgent."
"More than me?"
"Sorry."
"..."
Still, she showed no emotion.
'...Why?'
I'd said it on purpose to push her away a little.
I couldn't read the feeling in those eyes.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"You can go."
"For real?"
"Yeah. It's fine."
"...You're not mad?"
"I'm not mad. Just promise me one thing."
"What?"
"Come see me again."
"...That's it?"
"Yeah."
She seemed sincere. Her eyes wouldn't shine like that if she was lying.
"Tomorrow work?"
"Probably not for a while."
"Once a week, then."
"...That's not easy to pin down."
"Once a month, then. Or once a year if not."
"..."
"Come visit when you're bored. I'll wait."
"...Alright."
She had a stronger heart than I'd thought.
Or maybe at this point, it bordered on foolish stubbornness.
And that foolishness felt a little pitiful... and endearing.
"I was gonna handle it quietly without saying anything."
"Huh...?"
"Guess I can tell you. You're tougher than you look."
"Oh ho."
"...Starting tomorrow, those humans won't come around."
"Really?"
"Yeah, you can believe it."
"I want to. I will."
"Good. Then from tomorrow... look for something better. Something that won't wear you out."
"Got it, oppa."
I turned to leave. Time to go.
"See you."
"Yeah."
"Come visit again."
"Sure."
"Remember me."
"...Yeah."
* * *
Ulpi—you know, the wolf-like puppy beastkin?
I heard her story today.
She said she owes a ton of debt here. Way more than she could ever pay off alone.
"...So?"
Humphrey, the middle-aged man puffing a cigarette in his office, responded indifferently to the sudden visitor.
He had no intention of minding his manners for this guest. He took a deep drag.
The visitor was some black-haired guy who didn't look like much.
Ugh, what a pain. Letting him in just because he offered money. Time to tighten discipline.
"So you're making her do dangerous jobs to pay off the debt?"
"Gotta make big money that way. Pay it off faster. What's so hard about that?"
"Hmm, but it didn't seem like you were paying her properly."
"That's slander."
"She said it's barely enough to feed her little sister. And you're forcing her into methods she didn't want because she's not strong enough."
"Got proof?"
"Nope? Just a joke. Trying to lighten the mood."
"Funny bastard."
One more weird comment, and he'd kick him out.
"Even if humans give her hell, she doesn't even think to hit back. Isn't that going too far? Just a thought."
"Kid? It's a dog."
"A dog?"
"Yeah, a wolf born unable to bite humans."
"Nah, she's holding back. Dogs just like humans, that's all."
"Of course she holds back. Dogs that bite humans need to die."
"Ah, that mindset."
"Truth is, I'm disappointed too."
"In what?"
"If that bitch could actually fight humans, she'd be way more useful to us. Debt paid off quicker."
"Really? How much quicker?"
"Before she died."
"Oh, now I get the full picture."
"Of what?"
"Just... everything."
...What the hell?
"Let me make a proposal."
"Shoot."
"I'll pay off her debt instead."
"You gonna work in her place?"
"No thanks, nothing dangerous for me. Just cash."
"...For real? You can handle it?"
"Here... enough to cover her through this month. Sending it over."
"...Confirmed."
"Good. So no touching Ulpi this month? Smart choice. You know the golden goose story, right?"
"Yeah, sure."
The guy turned and left without hesitation.
Smart choice. Heh, love hearing that.
Thumping sounds came from outside.
Several people climbing the stairs. Then something breaking.
Lasted longer than expected.
...And unlike expected, silence soon followed.
"Bit slow on the uptake this time!"
"..."
A voice echoed through the wall.
Footsteps descending the stairs, then quiet again.
Looked like he'd poked the wrong bear.
Humphrey took another drag. Deeper this time.
* * *
Sometimes people have those moments.
Something only they can do. So they focus solely on that, leaving other tasks to others.
For example, if there's a fire and one person has the extinguisher,
their job is to put it out.
Someone else handles alerting people.
That's me right now.
Smashing those guys to pieces, finding legal loopholes—those aren't just for me.
The one thing only I can do is write novels.
Really unpleasant ones. Uncomfortably realistic ones.