A Plea for Help
"My clothes!"
Sofia stroked Saebyeok's hair for a long while. She also pulled the girl close, wrapping her arms around Saebyeok's upper body as she lay across Sofia's lap. This is all the adults' fault. How could it be the child's fault that she didn't understand the world? Sofia poured out her affection until Saebyeok felt at ease. Saebyeok didn't seem to mind, simply lying still.
"Hmm..."
Their eyes met, and the child's bright smile made Sofia's own lips curve upward. Saebyeok's innocent, sparkling eyes were enough to stir the heart of even someone whose emotions had long since dried up. It was a pity that Saebyeok herself didn't realize how lovable she was. She has never been loved for a long time.
The child would act in ways to earn more affection when someone doted on her. But because Saebyeok had never experienced love, her personality was surprisingly tough. She could end a life without hesitation and paid no mind to her own body breaking down. She tried to solve most hardships on her own. Only after her stomach was pierced did she finally ask for help. She has little experience receiving help...
The child found relying on others awkward. It was natural for her to try to handle everything alone. The other children had severe dependency issues, but our child didn't even have the minimum amount of dependence. After some thought, Sofia decided to teach Saebyeok how to depend on people.
"Saebyeok, you did very well last night."
"Last night?"
"Yes. You woke everyone up to ask for help saving Levinas."
"Yes. I couldn't do it alone."
There had been no other way to save Levinas. It wasn't something that particularly deserved praise. Saebyeok fiddled with her tail, looking awkward.
"From now on, if there's something you can't handle alone, try asking those around you for help."
"You mean family?"
"No, it doesn't have to be family. You can ask the adults around you for help too."
Help requested by a child like Saebyeok carried great impact. She was the kind of child who stirred an adult's protective instincts.
"Strangers... probably won't help me..."
"Of course they would. Someone will surely try to help."
"But they're strangers..."
Helping a stranger wouldn't be easy. As Saebyeok tilted her head in confusion, Sofia gently pressed her nose.
"The words 'please help me' are more powerful than you can imagine."
"Hmm... Okay."
It was true. The Yeomyeong Guild had helped her, after all. Maybe one person would be willing to lend a hand. Saebyeok decided to trust Sofia.
"Now, try saying it. Please help me."
"P-Please help me?"
"Well done."
Sofia stroked Saebyeok's head. The girl's white ears twitched lively.
"Oh my, I must help you too."
Han Yeoreum appeared from the kitchen with a bright laugh. Saebyeok's tail swayed gently, showing her delight.
"I'll help you too if anything happens."
"Hehe, thanks."
Han Yeoreum sat on the sofa and lifted Saebyeok's ankle onto her thigh. The girl's small, pale toes wiggled.
"I'll ask for help if something happens, but... honestly, helping people isn't easy, is it?"
You've been doing that difficult thing every single time. Sofia murmured the thought to herself and offered a faint smile.
"...Still, you must try asking for help."
"Okay..."
Since no one knew what might happen, it was good to practice asking. Saebyeok nodded, understanding.
For now, Saebyeok decided to stay lying down until it was time to eat. The warmth she felt from above and below was simply too comforting.
**
The children woke up, and we ate breakfast together. Once we'd digested a bit, we went out to the park to play. Following Levinas's wishes, we dug in the dirt and rode on carrot boats. Even though it was the same game as always, Levinas bounced with excitement.
"King! Fun!"
"Yeah. Was riding the boat fun?"
"No! Playing with King and Shadow King was fun!"
"Ah..."
It wasn't the game itself, but playing with us that she enjoyed. The realization hit me like a blow to the head.
"King, you know what? Levinas likes playing with Kings the most!"
"Yeah. I like playing with Levinas the most too."
I reached out and patted Levinas's head. I didn't know why, but beastkin seemed to feel happy when their heads were stroked. Was it something unique to beastkin? I'd have to ask Sofia later.
Just as the thought crossed my mind, Saebyeok poked my waist.
"......"
She didn't speak, but I knew what she wanted. I reached out with my free hand and stroked Saebyeok's head.
"Of course I like Saebyeok the most too."
Purrr.
A sound like that escaped from Saebyeok's throat despite her blank expression. I knew it was the sound cats made when they were content.
"I always say this, but Saebyeok is really like a cat. She even makes cat sounds."
"Yeah. But you make cat sounds too, Winter."
"Uh, yeah..."
They all said they'd heard me make cat sounds before. When had I ever done that? Purrr. On a whim, I tried imitating Saebyeok's sound. It didn't sound very cat-like at all. Maybe the kids were mistaken?
Just as doubt crept in, Levinas waved her hands wildly.
"Can't see ahead...!"
Levinas's long rabbit ears had been pressed down over her eyes. It was because I'd been resting my hand on her head.
"S-Sorry."
The moment I pulled my hand away, Levinas quickly grabbed my wrist and placed my hand back on her head.
"King! Don't take it off!"
"Uh, okay..."
Having her head stroked was better than not being able to see ahead. At least, that seemed true for Levinas. I spent about two hours just patting the children's heads. Thanks to all the archery practice, my arms didn't hurt.
"This time Levinas will do it... King, something came out of your clothes."
Levinas reached toward my shoulder. Because the clothes were so worn, the stitches on the patched fabric had come undone.
"The stitches must have torn."
"Hek! Do we have to sew it again?!"
Levinas grabbed the thread and started pulling. She was so dexterous that the thread kept coming out without breaking.
"Levinas, don't pull. You have to grab it firmly and snap it."
"Okay! Like this?!"
Pop!
Levinas yanked the thread hard. Since her hands were dirty from digging, the force was tremendous. The entire left side of the shirt came apart.
"......!"
From my left shoulder down to my thigh, the separated shirt naturally slid downward. Because I was wearing an adult man's shirt like a single garment, it slipped off all at once.
"Eek!"
With quick reflexes, I caught the clothes before they could expose me. The side was completely open, like a long slit in a cheongsam.
"S-Sorry..."
"It's okay. I was going to sew it again anyway."
"Really...?"
"Yeah. Can you two play by yourselves for a bit? I'll sew this quickly and come back."
I'd just need to fix the side and shoulder. I estimated the amount of work needed.
"Levinas did something wrong, so shouldn't we go together...?"
"It's fine. It's really nothing. I'll be right back, so can you two play together?"
"Hmm... Okay! Levinas will listen to King!"
"Yeah."
Pat pat. I stroked Levinas's head and headed home, holding the clothes tightly so they wouldn't slip off. One step. Then two. Once the children were out of sight, the clothes started to give way.
Pop pop pop!
The remaining stitches tore one by one. Like a building collapsing once a single pillar falls, the clothes began to fall apart.
"Oh..."
This couldn't come apart here. I had to make it home first. Cold sweat ran down my back as the front and back started separating. I couldn't move. I instinctively knew that if I took even a few more steps, the clothes would completely disintegrate. What should I do in this situation? Sofia had told me to ask people around me for help. I hid in the nearby bushes and looked around. It was after lunchtime, so there weren't many people, but there were some. An adventurer whose face I recognized was passing by. From within the bushes, I carefully called his name.
**
I should rest in the park for a bit. It was then, as the adventurer Gu Ja-seong was heading toward the park, that it happened.
"E-Excuse me..."
A child's voice came from inside the bushes. The frail, tearful voice somehow sounded familiar.
"Huh?"
Gu Ja-seong looked toward the source of the voice. A famous child was crouched in the bushes, gazing at him with pitiful eyes. What on earth had happened? As he approached, Gu Ja-seong's mouth fell open in shock.
"P-Please help me..."
Saebyeok, wearing completely torn clothes, was pleading for help while sniffling. She wasn't actually crying, but to Gu Ja-seong's eyes, it looked as though she were.
"What the..."
Had someone done something terrible to Saebyeok? That shouldn't have been possible in this park. Gu Ja-seong's eyes widened so much they looked ready to pop out.
"Y-Your clothes..."
"Wh-What! Which bastard—"
"......!"
Perhaps it was because of the sudden loud voice. The child trembled violently. Ah. He'd made a mistake. Gu Ja-seong felt his mind go blank.