Mascot Mischief
"Tie it up!" Han Yeoreum snapped back to her senses at the sight of Saebyeok's trembling ears. She had to calm the frightened girl—panicking now would be an unforgivable luxury.
"Saebyeok? I didn't recognize you with that mascot costume on."
"Y-yes... I'm sorry. I didn't know I wasn't supposed to promote..." Saebyeok wriggled out of the bulky headpiece, revealing her familiar face. The park visitors immediately turned to stare.
"No, no, it's fine if it's you. The park belongs to the guild, so unauthorized sales are banned—but you're a guild member."
"Ah..." The word guild member made Saebyeok's tail flick happily beneath the costume, though no one could see it.
"You've got permission. Sell as much as you want."
"That's a relief. I thought I'd caused trouble again..."
Again. She must have been thinking of that time in the beginner dungeon. Han Yeoreum scratched the back of her neck and looked down at the oversized costume. It was far too big and heavy for a child Saebyeok's size. Working in it had to be exhausting.
Still, I can't just tell her to stop...
With a long sigh, Han Yeoreum picked up the mascot head. "Saebyeok, I'll handle the promotion."
"You will?"
"Yeah. You're still small. It looks tiring."
Saebyeok hesitated, then nodded. The armholes were too high, forcing her to keep her arms raised, and the bulky body made her waddle with every step. It was physically impossible for someone her size.
"Then... I'll give you thirty percent of the sales."
"No, that's—well, sure. If you insist."
Han Yeoreum would have preferred not to take any money, but she knew Saebyeok would never accept a flat refusal. The girl was scrupulously fair when it came to money. I'll just spend my share on treats for the kids, she decided.
"Can I take the costume off now?"
"Go ahead."
Saebyeok slipped out of the thick outfit. Han Yeoreum still couldn't believe such a tiny body had managed to move it at all. She gathered up the discarded costume while Saebyeok steadied herself.
"I'll help you," Saebyeok offered.
"Oh? You will?"
"Yes. Levinas and I already decided to handle the sales."
"Oh my." So they'd divided the work already. Han Yeoreum smiled, ruffling Saebyeok's hair. The girl really was far too clever for her age.
Effective promotion required eye-catching performances. Han Yeoreum agreed in principle, but the current situation was... questionable.
"Um..."
"Hm?"
"Is this actually working as promotion...?"
Han Yeoreum sat on the bench wearing the mascot costume, with Saebyeok perched on her lap.
"Of course. Look how many people are staring."
Saebyeok glanced around. People were indeed sneaking glances their way, though she couldn't tell why.
"See? We're getting tons of attention."
"...Yes."
Do people in this world just like mascots? Whatever the reason, the promotion seemed to be working, so Saebyeok stayed put. She didn't mind the closeness, either. After going so long without human contact, she was surprisingly weak to this kind of skinship—though the thick costume kept her from feeling Han Yeoreum's warmth properly.
"Hehe, working is way more fun than sitting at home."
"R-really...?"
Saebyeok felt a twinge of awe at such a severe workaholic mindset. Just then, two familiar figures approached.
"Saebyeok, whose lap are you sitting on?"
It was Yuna and Jinhyuk. Saebyeok's tail began to wag faster beneath the costume.
Before she could answer, Han Yeoreum shot to her feet and bolted, still carrying Saebyeok in her arms.
"Hey! Stop right there!"
Yuna and Jinhyuk gave chase, their expressions darkening.
"...Why are we running?"
"It's a game," Han Yeoreum whispered, just loud enough for Saebyeok to hear.
A simple, ordinary game between friends. Saebyeok decided to play along. She wanted to act like a normal person, too.
She waved at Yuna and Jinhyuk like she was saying goodbye—a small provocation, as if to say they would never catch them.
A moment later she regretted it. Was that too much?
She glanced back nervously.
"Saebyeok! That's not a wave!"
Mana flared around Yuna's hand. She cast a spell without even using a staff.
"Hup!"
Han Yeoreum's body lifted off the ground. Her legs kicked helplessly in the air.
"You little—!" Yuna started to swear, then caught herself. She was furious enough to lose control.
Saebyeok opened her eyes just in time to see Yuna snatch her away at lightning speed.
"I-I'm sorry..."
She hung limply in Yuna's grip like a fish on a hook. All she could do was apologize.
Han Yeoreum had already surrendered to Jinhyuk, both hands raised. "I give up! I give up!"
She pulled off the mascot head, revealing her sweat-dampened face. The mischievous grin made Yuna's anger drain away.
"Yeoreum...?"
"Surprised? I got caught too, so don't feel too bad."
"Augh, that prank was way too much."
Saebyeok's ears and tail drooped. "I'm sorry... I won't play pranks again..."
Yuna's eyes widened. "H-huh...?"
"I haven't played many pranks in my life, so I didn't realize it was too much..."
She peeked up at Yuna, only to find the older girl staring at her with trembling pupils. Jinhyuk walked over and spoke calmly.
"I thought it was funny."
"Right? Yuna's the one who overreacted."
"Was that a pun...?"
Yuna shot Han Yeoreum a glare, then sighed and knelt in front of Saebyeok.
"Don't worry. It wasn't bad enough to make me angry."
"R-really?"
"Yeah. I just panicked because I thought you were being kidnapped. When you waved so casually, I figured the mascot had brainwashed you or something."
"Ah..."
Saebyeok had only been playing tag. She hadn't expected it to look like a kidnapping from the outside.
"I wasn't mad at you, okay? So stop worrying. And from now on, play as many pranks as you want."
"...Okay."
Her common sense was still lacking, but she would learn bit by bit. There was no need to rush.
After finishing the sales, they returned home. Saebyeok sat at the desk with a notebook open, calculating the day's earnings and how to split them. Everyone watched her work.
"My, you're quite good at arithmetic, Saebyeok."
"Yes. It's basic."
"Basic? Even knowing arithmetic is impressive at your age."
Saebyeok felt her cheeks warm. Being praised for something so simple was embarrassing, so she kept her eyes on the notebook.
Then she felt small hands playing with her tail.
Squish, squish.
Levinas was kneading it with both hands. Saebyeok wiggled her tail helpfully so the younger girl could play with it more easily. The fluffy tip brushed against Levinas's body here and there.
"Like this..."
Levinas grabbed the tail firmly with both hands and began tying it into knots. Saebyeok turned around in confusion—only to gape.
"M-my tail..."
Her tail and Saebyeok's tail were now knotted together. She tried to pull them apart, but the knot held fast.
"Levinas tied the tails together...?"
"Yep! Now Levinas is going to tie her tail too!"
First glue, now tails. Saebyeok was still wondering what to do when her own tail suddenly started wagging on its own. Saebyeok was moving her tail, making the tied pair swing back and forth together.
"You like it that much?!"
"Y-yeah..."
Levinas looked so delighted that Saebyeok simply nodded.