Chapter 52
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Dragon Knight (2)
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In Yu So-jeong's hand were a rubber duck and all sorts of bath toys, and among them, one thing stood out with its unrivaled presence all on its own.
"Yongyong!"
Ever since Jang Hee-yoon had gifted it to me, Yongyong had become an essential item in my lair. Even though I carried it everywhere and stuffed it in my bag, there was one place I could never take it.
A place with water, like the bathroom. Yongyong wouldn't disappear if it got wet, but since it wasn't waterproof, the places I could bring it were limited.
But now, that was no longer an issue. Because in Yu So-jeong's hand was a soft, waterproof Yongyong.
Still, I couldn't just dash out and grab it right now. Il-ho was right beside me; I had to maintain my dignity.
Yu So-jeong first placed the toys she'd brought on the bathroom counter, then began floating them one by one in the tub. The bathtub was huge, and our bodies were small, so there was plenty of room for the toys.
Yellow rubber ducks and sea creature-shaped rubber toys bobbed on the surface. Il-ho tilted her head, seemingly sizing up their purpose.
More importantly, why wasn't she giving me the waterproof Yongyong...?
When I looked at Yu So-jeong, she was staring intently at me while holding Yongyong.
"Perhaps you need this?"
"Ah... Um... It's not exactly necessary..."
I'm not a kid anymore; I didn't need toys for bath time. It was just a slight possessiveness kicking in.
"In that case, these toys should suffice."
She turned away as if her work was done.
"W-Wait a second!"
I half-rose in the tub, calling out to Yu So-jeong.
"What's wrong?"
"Well, that... I thought Il-ho might like Yongyong."
She shifted her gaze to Il-ho and murmured softly.
"Il-ho seems disinterested, though."
"N-No, she definitely would like it! Right, Il-ho?"
I urgently sought Il-ho's agreement. I couldn't let my precious waterproof Yongyong slip away right in front of me.
But Il-ho, whether sensing my desperation or not, just tilted her head and alternated glances between me and Yu So-jeong.
Yu So-jeong's expressionless face turned back to me.
"Doesn't seem like it."
"Ugh..."
No! My waterproof Yongyong!
At a loss in this desperate situation, my wings behind me flapped wildly, mirroring my turmoil.
Splash! Splash!
The water in the tub churned with each wingbeat, my heart roiling like the waves.
Yu So-jeong stared at me intently. Her inscrutable expression felt like it was piercing right through me.
As I fidgeted, unsure where to put my hands, staring at Yu So-jeong, it took over ten seconds before she finally spoke.
"Still, considering the maker's sincerity, it would be best if Da-yun used it herself."
Yes!
"Right! We can't ignore the maker's sincerity! Hehe..."
I let out an involuntary grin as I took the waterproof Yongyong. Unlike the other toys, it was made of a special material—the texture was exceptional. Soft and squishy, with no factory mold marks like mass-produced items.
Its size was more compact than the original Yongyong, perfect for floating on water. Just the right size to cradle in two hands. Even among the other toys, Yongyong clearly stood out.
'What do they call this in idioms? A crane among chickens? A standout in the flock?'
I floated Yongyong on the water, poking it with my finger, then dunking it underwater only for it to pop back up—playing around. ...No, not playing, just inspecting it from every angle.
After a while of fussing with Yongyong, I suddenly remembered Il-ho and turned to her. She still showed no interest in the other toys, just blankly staring at the water's surface.
At that moment, Yu So-jeong spoke up.
"Il-ho, how about this one?"
She picked up a fish-shaped plastic toy from the counter and set it afloat. It looked ordinary, but the moment it touched the water, a faint motor whirred to life.
Whirr—
The fish toy began swimming around the tub, wagging its tail as if it were alive.
'Oh, there's a toy like that.'
It was intriguing, but nothing compared to Yongyong. The quality was leagues apart from the start, and fish weren't even cool.
But Il-ho thought differently.
Her eyes widened more than ever, fixated on the swimming fish toy. Her golden pupils sparkled with curiosity.
Her slender tail, submerged in the water, gave a small swish.
Il-ho cautiously moved her tail. When the fish toy swam toward her, she tapped it lightly with the tip.
As the toy veered away, Il-ho pursued it with her tail again.
Watching her was like seeing a kitten or a little kid—it made me smile. Kids were supposed to play like this, right? Did I play like that when I was little? Can't remember.
More surprisingly, she handled her tail with total freedom, like an extra hand—manipulating the toy as deftly as an elephant with its trunk.
'If Il-ho can do it, so can I.'
Anyone could see I was the superior one, so it should be easy for me.
"Hoo..."
I focused my mind on the floating Yongyong and my own tail.
Swish.
But against my will, my tail swung in the wrong direction, just splashing water.
"Hmm..."
Controlling my tail as I wished was far harder than I'd thought.
Swish, swish.
No matter how many times I tried, same result. I got annoyed at the tail that wouldn't obey.
"Ugh...! Why won't this work?!"
Il-ho glanced at me without turning her gaze away, still maneuvering her tail. Her tail wrapped skillfully around mine. Why couldn't I do that?
Yu So-jeong watched me and pulled out her phone.
"Da-yun, is it okay to film a video?"
"Sure... No, I'm naked—of course not?!"
"...Understood."
Yu So-jeong regretfully put her phone back down. What was she even trying to film?
...Actually, if it was a memory with Il-ho, I'd want to keep it.
"Hmm, on second thought, filming sounds good. I can show it to Il-ho when she grows up."
"Understood."
Yu So-jeong picked up her phone again, her expression a bit brighter. I was just fiddling with Yongyong anyway. She was filming Il-ho playing, not me, right?
As bath time stretched to nearly fifteen minutes, I spotted a golden shard glinting from the tub floor.
"Oh! It came off!"
Come to think of it, I'd bathed to shed scales, hadn't I? I'd forgotten for a bit, but the original goal was achieved.
We soaked another five minutes until the water cooled, then exited the bathroom. Il-ho seemed to have enjoyed it too—her usually blank face held a faint smile.
I could dry my own hair, so I grabbed the blow dryer alone, while Il-ho sat meekly in Miss So-jeong's lap getting hers dried.
"...Now that I think about it, Il-ho kinda resembles Miss So-jeong."
"Does she?"
"Yeah. The expressionless face, the quietness—stuff like that. Feels like a little sister?"
At my words, Yu So-jeong smiled faintly—a rare sight for her. But this smile felt different from usual. Hard to pin down, but laced with complex emotions. Something nostalgic.
After that, she complained my hair wasn't drying well and redried it, then we began preparing items for Il-ho.
"Il-ho, what kind of item do you want?"
Il-ho scribbled on the paper.
- Anything is fine
Hmm, I figured as much. But saying truly anything wouldn't do.
"Still, is there anything specific you'd like?"
Il-ho pondered deeply, then wrote as if struck by an idea.
- I want horns
"You want horns?"
- Yes. Like Owner
I see. Il-ho must want to be like me. That I could definitely make happen.
"But not 'Owner'—it's 'O... big sis'."
Though I was owner, mom, and dad all in one, outsiders might find it weird.
Il-ho looked puzzled, like 'Why can't I call Owner, Owner?', but nodded in understanding.
Now it was time to craft the real item. In my workshop room, I scouted materials. For Il-ho, I had to use the best quality!