A Reluctant Yes and Auntie’s House
"Y... yeah..."
In response to that misunderstanding, I reluctantly gave an affirmative answer.
Without even imagining what that short reply would mean to her.
"...!!!"
In that instant, strength flooded into her hands gripping my shoulders.
Grip—
"Ow... it hurts."
I winced and shrank back, and her eyes shook violently.
"……!"
She recoiled from me as if burned by hot flames, jumping back in alarm.
Her gaze mixed panic and self-reproach.
Her lost hands hovered in the air before she suddenly dropped to her knees on the floor.
Thud—
The sound of her knees hitting the cold floor echoed through the quiet room.
"S... sorry..."
She huddled in front of me, at a complete loss, her body curled tight.
Her head bowed, her trembling voice seemed ready to break at any moment.
"Um... I mean... about sucking your blood earlier, and... I'm really sorry. So sorry..."
Her rambling apologies were laced with deep self-loathing.
I looked down at her with a slightly bewildered expression.
But up close, she didn't look good at all.
Dark circles shadowed her hollow eyes, marked by red streaks.
And above all, the black mourning clothes she wore.
Suddenly, the funeral news I'd seen moments ago flashed through my mind.
Had she... stood in as chief mourner for me?
My death as her longtime friend must have hit her hard.
Seeing her worn face, dressed in mourning clothes and having cried for me, a heavy feeling settled in my chest, mingled with a twinge of guilt.
Should I tell her the truth right now?
My lips twitched, but I clamped them shut.
No.
Sorry, Jangmi...
But hunter life was truly exhausting for me.
It might be a cowardly excuse, but I couldn't give up this chance at peace.
I resolved to bury the truth deep inside.
Before that resolve could even settle, she lifted her head and asked,
"Um... little one... what's your name?"
Her voice carried caution.
A brief silence passed.
As if turning the first page of a new life, I slowly opened my mouth.
"Kim... Shina."
"Ah... Shina... Yeah. Pretty... name."
She pulled her lips into a small smile, murmuring softly.
But that smile looked pitiful, on the verge of bursting into tears.
That was when it happened.
Gurgle...
The awkward sound shattered the silence, echoing through the room.
"……?"
"……?"
Ah...
Maybe from the tension easing, my oblivious stomach let out a loud protest.
Feeling my face heat up, I quickly bowed my head.
"Ha... haha..."
A short, empty laugh slipped from her previously forlorn lips.
A laugh of disbelief, or perhaps at the absurdity of the situation.
But in that sound, faint warmth replaced the chilly sorrow from before.
She pushed herself up from the floor and gazed at me steadily.
"Hungry...? Is there anything you want to eat?"
Her eyes were still red and bloodshot, but a spark of life began to flicker in them as she asked me.
***
"Thanks for the food."
I murmured my thanks in a small voice and reached for the delivery food on the table with my chopsticks.
Maybe because my body had shrunk and my appetite changed... hunger hit me hard.
I shoved food into my mouth and started eating voraciously.
The greasy, delicious food was right there before me, but for some reason, Jangmi didn't touch a single bite.
She just propped her chin on her hand, staring blankly at me with empty eyes.
"……"
Her gaze was so intense it felt like it was choking me.
The strange pressure while eating made me stop my chopsticks and sneak a glance at her.
"Huh...? Does it not taste good...?"
She startled at my pause and asked, her worry plain.
"Ah... no, it's delicious."
"Really...? Oh... was I staring too much? Sorry..."
She panicked and hurriedly averted her eyes to the window or the wall.
But only for a moment— like a magnet, her gaze crept back to me, peeking repeatedly.
She checked on me anxiously, over and over.
I ignored her pitiful glances and silently finished my meal.
As the dishes emptied and silence fell, she cautiously spoke up.
"Shina. Do you... live here just with your dad?"
"……Yes."
Her eyes quivered at my short reply.
She seemed to want to confirm more.
"Then... what about your mom...?"
She trailed off, watching my reaction.
Ah.
Right. Mom. No such person existed for me.
The whole "Kim Shinwoo's daughter" setup was just hastily made up, after all.
But...
Didn't matter if there wasn't one, right?
And panicking here would raise suspicions.
I answered indifferently, as if it were nothing.
"Doesn't... exist."
"Yeah...? Doesn't exist? Gone?"
Her eyes widened.
She bit her lip, mumbling to herself.
"Gone...? Divorced...? Or did she... run away? Oh god, so he raised you alone...?"
As her misunderstandings piled up, she suddenly reached across the table and gripped my small hand tightly.
"Then......"
She swallowed hard, as if afraid to say it.
"Do you... know about your father's news...?"
"I heard."
Her face paled at my unhesitating answer.
"……What?"
"Saw it on the news just now."
"Uh... uh...? Oh, that... um..."
She probably thought I couldn't handle this harsh truth, her face twisting.
Yet the dead me was nonchalant, while the living her looked more tormented.
To show her it was fine, I answered even more flatly.
"So... I just became an orphan?"
"Uh... yeah......"
She groaned out the words with effort.
Her shoulders trembled faintly, head bowed like a guilty sinner.
"I see."
"Aghhh......"
She clutched her head in agony.
After a long moment with her head down, she finally lifted it, her expression resolute.
"Um... Shina."
"Yes...?"
"This... this house will be cleared out soon. We have to sort the belongings... and the legal stuff is complicated."
"Yeah......"
"So... do you have anywhere to stay? Anyone we can contact...?"
"……No."
She gulped at my indifferent reply.
Then, as if decided, she gripped my hand firmer and said,
"Th... then......"
Her voice trembled.
"W... want to come live at auntie's house?"
"……Pardon?"
***
"Got all your stuff, Shina?"
Jangmi, waiting at the front door, asked.
She was still pale, but calmer than before.
"Yes."
I adjusted my shoulder strap and stood beside her.
The bag, as big as me, was stuffed to bursting.
"Huh...?"
Her puzzled gaze at the bag's bulk suddenly fixed on one spot.
"Um... Shina...?"
"Yes?"
"Wh... what's all this?"
Her trembling finger pointed to the bag's gap.
Sticking out jaggedly from the zipper—
All the hunter gear I'd favored back in the day, crammed in tight.
"My favorite stuff."
Her face drained of color at my flat answer.
"This stuff...?"
"Yes."
"Mm... but for you to handle... isn't it a bit dangerous? Wait, no... more than that..."
Her eyes widened as realization dawned.
A flicker of suspicion—no way—crossed her gaze.
"Could it be... Shina, are you an awakener...?"
"……Yes."
"!!!"
Her eyes dilated wider than ever.
Shock, confusion, and some indefinable emotion flashed across her face.
"W... wait... then... could I ask what your ability is?"
Instead of words, I quietly held out my right palm.
Crackle—
A faint blue current sparked weakly across my small, delicate palm.
"Same as... Shinwoo's ability......"
She let out a short sigh and turned away briefly. Her shoulders trembled faintly.
After a few deep breaths, she turned back to me.
"Shina. Could auntie... hold onto this gear for now?"
"Mm......"
Well, a little girl carrying these weapons around would worry even me.
Anyway, I had no plans to hunter again, so it didn't matter.
"Yes. Go ahead."
"Okay... thanks. I'll give it back when you need it later."
She sighed in relief and opened the front door.
Before leaving, I paused and scanned the house one last time.
"……"
The first home I'd bought with money earned hunting monsters to death.
Not big or fancy, but a sanctuary where I'd rested my weary body.
Now, farewell to this place too.
I shook off the lingering attachment and turned away. Outside, Jangmi extended her hand gently.
"I didn't introduce myself properly. Auntie is Kim Jangmi. Your dad's... friend."
I stared at her offered hand for a moment, then bowed my head slightly.
"……Yes. Please take care of me."