Handing Out Moving Chocolates
The morning after fleeing. I clutched a basket of chocolates and paced in front of the guild building. I'd planned to hand out rice cakes, but they were too pricey, so I'd switched to individual chocolates instead. After all, it was the thought that counted more than the material.
...But how do I even get into the building?
Han Yeoreum had left for some errand. Sophia Grandma slept in late, and En Sia and Argo were always rushing around busy with something. In the end, I had to go in alone—and that was impossible for me right now.
"Nngh."
With no other choice, I just stood there holding the basket, staring up at the guild building. Maybe it would be better to come back later with someone I knew? Just as the imposing structure started to make me shrink back, someone called out from behind me.
"Oh my, isn't that Gyeowol?"
"Y-Yes?!"
I jumped in surprise and whipped around. A familiar woman came into view—Jeong Yu-na, who had set up the barrier around my house.
"What are you doing here?"
"I-I, th-this..."
I couldn't even get the words out properly and just lifted the basket up. Why did I always stutter like this in front of people? Feeling pathetic, I stared at the ground—until she picked up a chocolate.
"Is this for me?"
"Y-Yes. A moving-in gift..."
"Oh, thank you so much."
As I watched Jeong Yu-na pocket the chocolate, I thought maybe having her with me wouldn't be so bad. To rebuild my rock-bottom social skills, I needed to strengthen ties with my neighbors.
"Um, would you like to go inside with me?"
"Sure. Happy to."
Jeong Yu-na took the lead, and I followed behind. I debated hiding myself in her shadow, but we soon reached the first-floor lobby.
"So, what are you up to here?"
"I-I'm handing out moving-in chocolates..."
As I spoke, I glanced around. Ornate decorations and expensive-looking planters everywhere. My cheap chocolates couldn't even compare to the luxury. It made me feel even smaller.
Just as the overwhelming guild building crushed me in on itself, Jeong Yu-na bent down to my eye level.
"Mind if I help?"
"Th-that would be great, but..."
Why was she offering to help me? Did she really feel guilty about something? I peeked up at her through lowered eyes, but I couldn't figure it out.
"Then let's go. Who first?"
"I was thinking that person over there..."
"The staff?"
"Yes..."
The day I woke up in this guild building. The staff had safely kept my bag and clothes. I wanted them to be the first to get my chocolates.
"Shall we?"
"Y-Yes."
And so, led by Jeong Yu-na's hand, I was able to give chocolates to a few staff members. I'd worried they might refuse, but they turned out to be kinder neighbors than I'd expected.
Yes...!
Gift exchanges with neighbors. This had to count as a tiny recovery of my social skills, right? If things kept going like this, I might live like a normal person in no time.
I'm getting better, little by little.
My hands trembled with joy as they gripped the basket. Right then, Jeong Yu-na grabbed a passing giant of a man—the one who'd once apologized to me for feeling sorry.
"Hey, Choi Jin-hyeok. Take a chocolate."
"Nah, I don't like sweets."
"You sure you won't?"
Pat pat. Jeong Yu-na tapped the man called Choi Jin-hyeok on the back. He turned around at the touch.
"No, I said I don't—"
As he grumbled and turned, our eyes met. His brows were furrowed slightly from the persistent prodding.
"Ah..."
Even though it was just light grumbling, a inexplicable fear surged through me. By the time I snapped out of it, I was running endlessly somewhere.
Human malice—I could never get used to it, no matter how many times I faced it.
I bolted out of the building and didn't stop until I reached my house. Jeong Yu-na called after me from behind, but I couldn't bring myself to look back.
"Haa..."
I sat in front of the dead campfire and rubbed my dry face. He'd probably gotten mad since we forced chocolates on him when he said no. Of course, I knew his anger wasn't aimed at me—but my long-weakened mental fortitude couldn't hold up.
I couldn't do it. I was a hopeless idiot.
As I spiraled into self-deprecation, Sophia, freshly woken, opened the container door and stepped out.
"No bugs, no drafts—a fine new home indeed."
Sophia seemed in a good mood. I wanted to tell her the bed was comfortable too, but instead, I just let out a long sigh.
"...What troubles thee?"
"Just... feeling pathetic about myself..."
"Why dost thou think so?"
Sophia plopped down beside me. We were close now—sharing a home and a bed. No reason to avoid her anymore.
"Dealing with people is so hard and exhausting."
"'Tis to be expected."
"...What do you mean by that?"
Her tone, like she knew it all, irked me. My voice came out sharper than intended.
"Who in this world finds dealing with people easy? Those who do are merely rude."
"That's..."
"The more thoughtless one is, the easier they treat others. Thy hesitation stems from knowing courtesy."
"......"
It was simple comfort. Still, it eased my heart—I knew she was right.
"What thou lackest is experience. Worry not overmuch. Time shall mend it."
"Y-Yes..."
Right. I'd spent so long isolated from people. Recovery would take just as much time. And I had plenty now.
I nodded gently toward Sophia.
First, I should apologize...?
They must have been shocked when I suddenly ran off. As I pondered how to do it, Sophia placed a hand on my head.
"In future, if a worry yields no answer, speak it to anyone."
"Anyone?"
"Aye. Yeoreum, or En Sia, perchance."
"...What about Argo?"
Sophia flinched at my question. She scratched her cheek and looked far away.
"Argo is... a bit... rather brutish, is he not?"
"He is."
Giggle. Laughter bubbled up, as if my despair had never been. I felt much lighter.
Now, I could apologize to them. With resolve, I jumped to my feet.
Barriers and signs to ensure Gyeowol's safety. A container house for better living conditions. It was much improved from before, surely. Han Yeoreum thought of Gyeowol in the mountains and smiled faintly.
She's getting better, little by little.
First, report everything to the Master. Early that morning, Han Yeoreum knocked on the guild master's office door.
Knock knock.
"Master, it's me."
"Come in."
With Kang Jin-ho's permission, Han Yeoreum opened the door and entered. Inside, Kang Jin-ho sat at his desk, sipping coffee.
"Um, I have a report about Gyeowol."
Go ahead, his gaze said. Han Yeoreum took a deep breath against the inexplicable tension.
"Lately, there've been a lot of unauthorized visitors near her house."
"That's a problem."
"Yeah. So for now, I'm prioritizing her safety."
Container house, barrier, sign—Han Yeoreum spilled everything to Kang Jin-ho. She'd expected praise for a job well done, but he only showed a cold expression.
"Han Yeoreum."
"Y-Yes?"
Her body froze at Kang Jin-ho's voice. She knew he wasn't a bad guy, but why was he so scary? She swallowed involuntarily.
"That's treating her like a monkey in a zoo."
"Huh...?"
Come to think of it, it did feel kind of like that. Han Yeoreum's mouth fell open.
Kang Jin-ho clicked his tongue at her clueless look.
"If you thought a sign would solve it easily, why'd I assign you to the kid?"
"Ah..."
True. She'd lazily blocked people with a sign instead of handling them one by one. Forgetting it turned the kid into a zoo exhibit.
"You're good at everything except using your head."
"S-Sorry. I've only swung a sword since school..."
"Who hasn't?"
Haa. Kang Jin-ho sighed and stood, walking to the window. He looked down at the container house under the tree.
"If you're short on hands, borrow from the kids—don't take the easy way out."
"Got it."
"And don't forget the goal is to bring her inside the guild."
"Got it..."
Don't take it easy—think again. Han Yeoreum vowed it over and over, bowed to Kang Jin-ho, and left the office.
I did something awful to Gyeowol.
Time to go see her quick. As Han Yeoreum headed to the first-floor lobby, she spotted her two friends: Jeong Yu-na staring blankly into space, and Choi Jin-hyeok huddled up small with his massive frame.