Chapter 125
Chapter 125
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: 41. Etiquette Education
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"Kyaaah!"
Gaeul burst into laughter like she was dying.
Because Yeoreum, having checked Petrović's SNS and public reactions, was scowling furiously.
On top of that, news of the 'Crazy for Yeoreum' donation to the foundation was spreading in real-time articles. There were some hate comments, but opinions like "cool" or "awesome" far outnumbered them.
"What the fuck, seriously..."
"Haha, too funny! Unni, you were such a good person?!"
"You think so?"
I sighed and shook my head. Muttering that Earth was utterly incomprehensible, Yeoreum grumbled as she grabbed her clothes and got dressed.
"They've got nothing better to do, huh."
"Here, we need to focus on 'nothing better to do'..."
"What?"
"Isn't she praising the arrival of a peaceful era after the war?"
"...Hey. Yoo Gaeul."
"She's warm-hearted... Kyahahaha!"
Gaeul teased until Yeoreum grabbed her arm and put her in an armbar. "Euaang! S-sorry! My arm's breaking!" Non-scream screams echoed through Room 301. The armbar continued until Winter, who had come over because it was getting cold on the floor, tapped out tap tap tap!
"Ugh..."
Finally freed, Gaeul rubbed her shoulder. Yeoreum was changing clothes, from cadet uniform to a tracksuit.
Gaeul's dazed golden gaze trailed from Yeoreum's bobbed hair down her slender but angular shoulders to her balanced figure. That back view brimmed with confidence.
"Still, Unni must be happy about it?"
"Happy my ass. I'm heading out."
"Where to?"
"To shoot a promo video for the PR Bureau."
"Ah, okay."
Gaeul kept staring at Yeoreum's back as she left the house. Once the door closed, a hint of melancholy crossed her face as she turned to her watch.
And she couldn't tear her eyes away for a long time.
Today was the weekend.
"Mister. Need anything?"
"No."
Bom approached him. The flower-thaw chill had broken. She wore a sleeveless top, revealing her white arms. She grabbed the hem of Yoo Ji-tae's sleeve.
"Maybe."
"Yeah."
"Wanna come with?"
He shook his head. He had things to do at home.
"Then I'll be back."
"Take care!"
Bom, Gaeul, and Winter headed out. Left alone, Yoo Ji-tae lay on the living room sofa reading a book.
It was horror genre. Bom said she was writing, so to give advice, he needed to know it. Thus, the regressor ended up reading a horror novel in his 7th loop.
"..."
But no matter how much he read, he didn't get it.
What was scary about it.
"..."
The story was written to instill fear in the reader. Yet as he read, no thoughts came to mind.
Dark alley. If some stranger touches your back, just grab and rip them apart, right? He couldn't even immerse in a situation where someone touched his back. Such thoughts intruded. The regressor closed the book.
Across the living room, the chick was devouring a mountain of food, while the Guardian was on the computer.
Looking closely, the Guardian was browsing internet malls for cauldrons and such.
"Whatcha doing."
"...!"
Not just any cauldron—a massive deep-fryer one.
"Cauldron?"
"Ah, no. Just looked like good iron quality... Heh heh."
He just said okay.
The chick, now bigger than a basketball, pecked at Yoo Ji-tae's feet when he appeared, then chirped.
"Peep. (Nice day.)"
Lately, it still ran off sometimes, coming back injured. But the injuries were decreasing. Probably as its size grew, fights with neighborhood spirit cats got easier.
What was it fighting for anyway. What for. It seemed to have its own circumstances, but the regressor hadn't paid much attention.
"..."
Yoo Ji-tae stood silently watching the chick eat.
Tiny grains vanished one by one with each peck. It ate diligently. Sensing his gaze, it peeped peep peep.
How long would it stay here. Spirits fundamentally had homing instincts regardless of species.
"Peep. (Fodder's amazing.)"
"Peep. (Boring, but gotta fill up.)"
"Pip. (Is this life?)"
If it accepted this as home, would it need to go out fighting? Maybe it fought cats to find its way back home.
But just because Gaeul liked it was reason enough for the chick to stay.
Afternoon.
Gaeul, back from outing, hugged the chick and napped on the living room sofa.
In her sleep-talk, she scratched its belly. The regressor covered the belly-exposed Gaeul with a thin blanket.
The yellow one hugging a yellow fluffball looked nice.
Displaced, the regressor returned to the study to write the guardian log.
Peaceful days. Flowing routine.
Far more plausible than he'd expected at the end of the 6th loop.
Dangers distanced. Kids happy. Good memories and experiences repeating in peaceful time.
The regressor felt satisfied.
The unusually long winter had passed.
Full spring had arrived before he knew it.
"Winter. Use polite speech."
"...Ying."
"Polite speech."
"...Polite speech."
"Good. Don't know polite speech?"
"......Ying."
"Hmm... Seems like she knows but doesn't always follow."
Wouldn't people think you're like Yeoreum? At that, Winter looked serious. While listening quietly, something happened outside.
That evening, Bom took Winter to her room to teach her something.
"Now, slowly follow Unni."
"...Okay."
Hours later, Bom peeked out.
"Mister. Can you help?"
"With what?"
"Tried etiquette training with Winter. Wanna test it."
Did dragons need etiquette? The regressor didn't get it. Come to think, he maintained manners to fit society's frame.
Apparently, non-Red dragons got 'Ascalifa-style etiquette training' young. Dragons often mingled with nobles, rulers, etc.
Bom was always right, so he entered her room and sat facing the kid on the bed.
Suddenly, Winter sat facing Yoo Ji-tae and Bom.
"Ready, Winter?"
"......"
For some reason, Winter nodded excitedly.
"Okay. An adult's here. What do you do first meeting?"
Winter bowed at right angles, navel-bow.
"...Hello, sir."
Still slow speech, delayed reaction. As always, she thought a lot before speaking.
"Good. Now Mister will give you something."
Bom eyed him. Give something.
You didn't say that.
Still, feeling he should, Yoo Ji-tae reached into his pocket. His ever-present pocket watch touched his hand. The regressor offered it to Winter.
Why's it happy.
"Mister lends the watch briefly... What do you say?"
"...Yes. Thank, you."
"Good. And when you're done borrowing?"
Winter glanced between Bom and Yoo Ji-tae, then grinned.
And tucked the pocket watch into her chest pocket.
"You're just gonna keep it like that?"
"...Yes."
"Whose watch is it?"
"...Mine?"
She grinned knowing it wasn't. Basically, she wanted it.
"No. Winter. That's Mister's. Give it back."
"...Must I?"
"Yes. Don't covet others' things, no matter how much you want. Unni will buy Winter one."
"...Ying."
Winter reluctantly pulled out the watch carefully with both hands.
And slyly offered it to Yoo Ji-tae.
As he reached, her tiny hands gripped tight. She hated to let go. Still, he took it.
"Now, say Mister's leaving. Has errands, stops at mart. What do you do?"
"...Huh?"
"Greet and ask if you want anything."
"...Ah, yes."
Winter stood from bed. Waved her hand.
Yoo Ji-tae, silently watching those water-blue eyes, raised his hand half a beat late. Awkwardly waved back.
But no words yet.
Say what you want. Then I'll get it.
Mumbling, carefully pondering words as usual, Winter finally voiced her wish.
"...If you don't go, no need?"
From that day, Winter's speech added polite endings.
After one etiquette lesson, she voiced wants more. Especially greeting those leaving became routine.
For example, when the Guardian stepped out briefly, donning huge padding, rubber gloves, mask, hat, etc., Winter brightly came out waving.
"Pardon? Me, little miss?"
Months of indifference, now greeting Winter coming/going?
The Guardian was moved.
"...Yes. Goodbye, sir."
But after a few greetings, it felt odd.
Winter always said goodbye. The Guardian wanted "be safe" instead.
"I'll be right back, miss. Spirit cats nearby, so not far, just 'coming right back.' Coming back. Ahem..."
Red eyes flashing, he awaited reply.
Waited more.
Winter stared blankly, then asked.
"...Not going?"
The Guardian was hurt.