Aquarium Illusions and the Noise Complaint
A subspecies monster aquarium, huh... That was the only time I'd ever been to one, back when I was a kid with my parents.
Fish swimming peacefully beyond the transparent walls.
But I quickly realized this wasn't real.
...No way this building's layout could allow for something like this.
As I froze at the room's scenery, Elise poked me lightly.
"First time seeing something like this?"
"Ah, yeah... Never been to a place this nice before..."
"Let's sit first. I reserved the menu in advance—cool with that?"
From how the staff guided her so smoothly without a word earlier, she was clearly a regular here.
We sat at the pre-set table.
"Bet you're shocked. That scenery out there? It's an illusion from a magic tool recording ocean footage. Looks real, right?"
Figures it was magic... Yeah, no fish in the Shelter anyway.
I'd secretly hoped it was real. Coming here made me crave sashimi like crazy...
Still, one thing was for sure...
"It's a fantastic view... Gotta keep it in mind for later."
"...Keep it in mind?"
"Thinking of opening a restaurant..."
Actually, planning to stick it in Joodak bro's resort.
At my mention of a restaurant, Elise looked troubled.
"Hmm... Tools like these are pretty pricey, so yeah, reference that part. Can't go outside the Shelter, so magic tools storing scenery like this go for top dollar. And replicas are tough—most have crap quality anyway."
If Elise, who frequented places like this, called it pricey, it must be expensive...
Then how much for an empty recording tool?
Filming my own dungeon footage wouldn't be bad... Sure, only monsters for lifeforms, but that could make for decent visuals too...
I asked Elise about the cost of blank recording tools.
"Oh, recording ones are cheap. Probably snag a good one for about a month's meals here."
......Where do I even start with that.
I'd glimpsed the menu coming in—seemed like a couple extra zeros...
A month's worth...? No way that's breakfast, lunch, and dinner, right...?
Anyway, table that for now...
Money keeps piling up anyway...
"I... see... Yeah, I'll think about it."
The conversation lulled, silence settling in.
As an awkward air lingered, Elise spoke first.
"About those dungeon tickets you leave at my door every day."
Here it comes... Wonder what she'll ask. Suspect I have tickets to spare? But that's a stretch. Good timing gets you three a day easy.
"Yeah...?"
"Sorry, but I can't accept your feelings. I've got stuff I have to do."
"...I see...?"
...What?
"Of course, as the one receiving the favor, it doesn't feel bad. But since I can't reciprocate, pretending not to notice and taking the tickets forever feels wrong."
"......??"
"So... let's just be neighbors from now on."
No fucking way, is this...
"Wait! Hold on!!"
I grabbed at her, sensing the misunderstanding, but she doubled down firmly.
"Sorry. I thought it over seriously, but reclaiming my family's land is more important to me. Planning to devote my life to it, so romance is off the table."
No, fuck, that's not it!!
"Hear me out... Just once!!"
"...You're persistent, but I don't hate that you saw me purely, beyond my background. If the world hadn't ended, maybe I'd have considered it a bit."
No, fuck, all I've seen is you cursing and screaming—what lunatic falls for that!!!! I wanted to yell.
How strong was her self-love? Objectively, sure, stunning beauty, and from what she'd said, noble blood—made sense, but still...!!
"I'll compensate you monetarily for the tickets so far, so let's avoid contact as much as possible..."
"No!!! Listen!! It wasn't that—it was 'cause your daily screaming was so damn loud, I shoved tickets in to shut you up!!!!!!!"
I finally blurted it out.
Couldn't forgive her for saddling me with a "rejected without confessing" record...
At this rate, I'd just be the pathetic dumped guy.
If she'd only let me speak sooner, no misery for either side.
Now I was the guy rejected pre-confession, and Elise the nagging, screaming, delusional nuisance.
Well, she was a screaming, cursing nuisance already...
Just added delusion.
"...Huh?"
Elise stared blankly, not getting it.
"...Just 'cause it was noisy, so I gave tickets..."
"I-I was quiet..."
"Quieter than at first... but still audible..."
Realization hit; her face flushed crimson as she bowed her head, frozen.
Even in the blue lighting, her ears burned pitifully red.
Her slight tremors were downright pitiable.
But what could I do? If she kept not giving me an opening, I'd stay the pre-rejected loser.
This too shall pass... poor soul.
Black history wears away with time.
In the end, neither of us properly enjoyed the course meal the staff brought out.
Ack, correction. I ate well.
Ppang-ppang-rehu.
This place slathered on rare seasonings and spices—first truly tasty meal in ages.
Food done, no point lingering awkwardly, so I said my final piece and bailed.
"Ahem... Thanks for the meal. From now on... just watch the noise between floors... and I'll avoid contact too..."
Elise didn't reply but nodded faintly. I took that as my cue to leave.
The restaurant room after Soo-chan left.
"Gyaaaaaa!!!!!! Idiot moron!!!! What the hell made you assume that!!!! Kyaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!"
Elise screamed her lungs out, but the room's solid soundproofing kept it contained.
Her own misunderstanding?
He wasn't leaving tickets because he liked her?
In those romance novels she'd enjoyed back then, the male lead silently left his beloved female lead's favorite flowers at her door daily.
No flowers in the Shelter, so she'd figured tickets—instead of what she needed.
His silent, steadfast deliveries overlapped with the novel hero, sparking subtle fondness.
But...
- No!!! Listen!! It wasn't that—your daily screaming was so damn loud, I shoved tickets in to shut you up!!!!!!!
Okay, fine, she was noisy... she'd admit that.
But still weird!
"Handing out those precious tickets daily to someone he doesn't even like, no strings attached?"
Who wouldn't misunderstand?
For mere neighbor noise, giving out Shelter-restricted one-per-person tickets—max three daily—without fail? No way unless he liked her. Insane otherwise.
Even she, glued to the market, missed timings constantly. Yet neighbor Baek Soo-chan nailed ticketing three times daily to give to her.
Unless he's market-stalking all day, tough...
Just now was embarrassment from rejection—lying. Truth was...
"Ahem, he totally likes me, right?"
Next day, I kicked off the long-awaited dungeon update.
"Subspecies spawn rate: crank it to 10,000 for now."
I dumped all tickets on the [Market].
Gallery reactions exploded instantly.
"Hmm..."
Whoa... this okay? Subspecies reactions feel lukewarm.
To gauge info, I checked subspecies-focused posts.
"Easier to catch than I thought?"
I was checking more posts when a knock sounded. Knock knock.
"Huh...? Who?"
Opened the door to find Elise fidgeting hands clasped, looking pitiful at my entrance.
"Um... no ticket today...?"
"......"