Side Effect
Side Effect
"Come in. This is our home. Make yourself comfortable."
Hena led Kashi into the house with a bright expression.
'Is this a house where humans live?'
Kashi looked around the house.
Then Hena grabbed Kashi.
"Shall we wash up first? Can you wash by yourself? Should ajumma wash you?"
Her skin was covered in soot, and her hair was disheveled. Her clothes were also covered in dust and dirt, not in good condition.
"I can wash by myself."
Kashi looked serious. Wasting no time, she hurried into the bathroom, worried that the woman might follow her in. It seemed she didn't want to reveal her transformed self to a woman she had just met.
Sswaaaa.
The warm stream of water washed away her fatigue.
"Kashi, I'll leave some clothes to change into by the door. Ajumma will wash the clothes you wore."
"Okay."
When she opened the door, steam burst out. A feeling of relaxation.
"Is this the clothes to change into?"
She unfolded the neatly folded clothes by the door.
"What is this."
Kashi felt a bit annoyed. She couldn't stay naked, so she put them on anyway.
"Are there no other clothes?"
"Oh my, it suits you well! Is there any uncomfortable part?"
"Uncomfortable part? Of course there is. How am I supposed to wear such flimsy clothes!"
"Is it your first time wearing a skirt?"
"Of course!"
Whether Kashi's annoyed look was particularly cute, Hena let out a "hoho" laugh.
"Anyway, bring me other clothes!"
"I don't have other clothes right now, what to do? Then shall we go buy new clothes together tomorrow?"
"Huh?"
"Sorry~. These were clothes that ajumma's daughter used to wear, and I don't have any other clothes now."
"..."
Ggeurureuk.
Kashi's stomach growled.
"Swear that we'll go buy other clothes tomorrow?"
"Yes, yes. Are you hungry? Do you want to eat some soup first?"
Kashi grumbled and sat on a chair.
"You mentioned a daughter earlier, has she become independent now?"
The house was quiet. No other presence could be felt besides Hena and Coco.
"Ah... something like that. Here, it's hot, so blow on it before eating."
"Thanks. I'll eat well. Hoo~. Ah, hot!"
"Hohoho. You have to cool it well before eating."
Kashi gulped down water. Hena sat across and quietly watched her. She somehow had a thoughtful look.
"Hena."
"Uh? What is it, Kashi. Do you need something else?"
"The pot smells burnt."
"Oh my! What was I thinking!"
Hena hurried to the kitchen.
The next day.
"Is there nothing else besides this?"
Kashi wore a sullen expression.
"Oh my, it's incredibly pretty?"
"I don't like it."
"Don't be like that~. Won't you wear it just once?"
"I said I don't want to. I'll tear it apart."
"We're going to buy clothes anyway, right? Eh? Kashi?"
"Uugh."
Harsh words rose to the top of her head, but thinking that causing unnecessary trouble in the human world would only endanger herself, Kashi desperately kept her mouth shut. Kashi, completely dressed up like a princess.
"This is awkward."
I never thought the day would come when I'd wear such an outfit. They say you have to live as a demon to know. Terrible.
As they entered the shopping district, many people recognized Hena.
'Seems like she's a well-connected human. This will help with information gathering.'
Kashi consoled herself that she had endured well and followed along.
"Oh my, who is this pretty princess? Did you meet someone?"
"Hohoho. She's pretty, right? Kashi, want to say hello?"
Somehow, it felt like she had become a pet.
"Hello."
"Kyaa. So cute!"
The reaction was good, so for some reason, she felt proud. No, snap out of it. You are a proud demon! Cassius!
After being introduced here and there like that, they finished shopping anyway.
On the way home.
"Did you also drag your daughter around like this and show her off?"
"Well, something like that?"
"You must have had a very good relationship."
Hena looked gloomy.
"Yeah. We were very harmonious."
"Not now?"
"Certainly. She became 'independent' after all."
Looking at the sunset sky. A deep shadow fell over Hena's face.
"Did she die? Your daughter."
"..."
Their eyes met.
"Did it show... a lot?"
A stream of tears flowing down Hena's cheek.
"A little."
"She was very sick from birth. It was bad luck. But she was gradually getting better..."
She said that when they thought she had improved a lot, they went on a family picnic. And Hena's daughter caught a cold. The kind of cold that everyone catches. But her body was inherently weak. The result of gradual deterioration.
"Ah. If only I had kept her a little warmer. I shouldn't have gone on that outing together that day."
Hena was burdened with guilt.
"I'm sorry to you, Kashi. When I first saw you, I thought my daughter had come back to life."
"It's fine. You can think of me that way."
"When I first met you yesterday. It was the anniversary of my daughter's death. I was on my way back from her grave."
"These clothes. Were they your daughter's?"
"No. But if she had lived until now, she would be about your age. I bought these clothes hoping my daughter would wear them."
"How about it? Does it suit me?"
Kashi lightly spun around on the spot. Her skirt fluttered lightly. A cool breeze blew. Combined with the twilight, it created a mysterious atmosphere.
"Very much."
Hena hugged Kashi. Like her own daughter. Kashi stayed still without complaining. Had her heart changed along with her appearance? That couldn't be the only reason. No matter how demonic, they are not ignorant of the pain of loss. It was a place she would leave anyway, but staying here for a while wouldn't be bad. Very briefly. At least until she found the Demon King. Call it a demon's whim, that's fine.
"Let's go. Home."
Kashi took Hena's hand.
"Woof!"
Coco barked happily.
"I've shown you an unsightly side. Go wash up. I'll make dinner."
Hena organized the groceries after returning home. Kashi had felt something empty about this house from the first time she saw it.
"Hena. Do you want to take a picture together?"
After all, if she left, Hena might suffer even more. But even if there is pain, if something remains to remind her of happy moments. Wouldn't that become the strength to move forward nonetheless?
'Meddling unnecessarily.'
This was a thought that Cassius would never have had. Now she had to admit it. No doubt, this was a side effect of the potion.
"Did you say we'll stay in this city for about a week?"
"Yes, it's been a while since we were in a big city, and we want to restock supplies."
The hero listened to Sophia and dismounted from his horse. It seemed they had been moving the procession at a fast pace lately. Since leaving Pinmin Village, they had visited several villages and meddled in every corner, so the soldiers were likely exhausted. The hero had also dealt with all sorts of things and accumulated fatigue, so taking it easy in a big city for once was not a bad choice.
"Sophia, keep your evening free. Let's have a drink together for the first time in a while."
"Yes. I'll look forward to it."
It would be good to relieve travel fatigue before meeting Sophia. The hero was recommended a famous hot spring near the lodging. He stepped into the public bath there.
"Hah... The fatigue is completely melting away."
It felt as if his body was dissolving. Now he understood why old folks say hot water feels refreshing.
"Are you a traveler?"
The old man soaking beside him asked.
"Yes. The hot spring is amazing."
"Hehe. A young lad knows the pleasure."
After soaking, sweating, and finishing a refreshing bath. He chugged a cold milk.
"Hah. In this aspect, it's no different from Earth."
Jun felt a sense of wonder. Maybe because it's a place where people live, things are all similar. He ran into the old man he had met in the bath again.
"Did you come alone?"
"I came with acquaintances, but I entered the bath alone."
There was no reason to attract attention by saying he was the hero. He didn't want to draw unnecessary attention. It felt good to be treated as a human named Im Jun instead of the hero for a change.
"With friends? Or a lover?"
"Umm... I'd say comrades. Well, I have a lover too."
Jun smiled awkwardly.
"You're in a good time. I had such a time too. You must make the most of it when you have it. Don't you think so, young man?"
"Yes. That's right."
"When I was young, I was quite a figure like you. Seeing you brings back old memories. Just let it pass."
"You are still very impressive."
"Hehe. You flatter me."
The old man laughed heartily.
"You said you were quite a figure, sir. Then were you popular?"
"Oh, of course. So much so that my mouth hurts from talking."
"Then, can I learn a trick or two from you? Like a place with a good atmosphere."
Jun handed the old man a bottle of cold milk and asked for advice. The old man took a liking to Jun and readily recommended a restaurant.
"How did you know a place like this?"
Sophia looked into Jun's eyes and tilted her glass.
"Because I'm the hero?"
"Pfft. Did you pray to the goddess or something?"
"Let's say that."
Ching—.
The sound of glasses clinking rang cheerfully. Jun felt grateful to the old man. The restaurant had an atmosphere better than he imagined. If the day ended perfectly like this, it couldn't be better.
Wajangchang!
"Oh no."
As if out of nowhere, a commotion broke out in the restaurant.
"Hey, you bastard! Don't pull any tricks!"
A small game corner in the corner of the restaurant. It seemed they were playing a card game, and a quarrel had broken out. They were grabbing each other's collars and arguing with threats of life and death. The staff tried to intervene, but it didn't subside.
"Sir, there are other customers, so please lower your voice a bit..."
"Huh? Are you in on it too?!"
Heavily drunk, he saw nothing. It escalated to the point of threatening those around with various objects at hand. Jun couldn't just sit still any longer. It was disturbing their cozy time, and as a so-called hero, he couldn't ignore it.
Dreureuk.
He pushed his chair back and tried to stand up.
"Hey. If you step in unnecessarily, you won't end up well."
Wondering what that meant, he turned to see an elderly couple shaking their heads and continuing.
"That guy causing trouble now is a repeat offender. It's not the first time his father has thrown his weight around."
"But still, do we just leave him? We should report him."
"We've tried. But he gets released right away and comes back the next day to do the same. If you leave him, he'll make a fuss and then leave after getting paid off."
Looking around, everyone else seemed to be of the same mind. As if fed up. They were turning away.
"Thank goodness he only causes drunken trouble and not bigger incidents. Tsk tsk."
As they waited, the thug who had made a mess was told 'Please leave' by the owner and left after receiving compensation.
"There are all kinds of people."
"Indeed. Ruined our appetite for nothing."
After finishing the meal, they wiped their mouths with tissues.
"Everything was good today. It's a shame about the end."
Jun agreed with Sophia's opinion. They could have felt good till the end, but that weird guy ruined the mood. So the two left the restaurant to preserve what little good mood they had. Heading towards the city center and walking down an alley, unaware that their mood would be ruined again.
"Whee~. A hot blonde? Hey, mister, is she your girlfriend?"
A few people were snickering under a dark shadow. Looking closely, he saw the guy who had been causing trouble at the restaurant earlier. Not worth dealing with. He tried to ignore and pass by.
"Can you lend her to me for a bit? I have a lot of money. How much? It's a win-win for both, right?"
Jun's fist did not hold back.