Chapter 65
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Challenge Letter (2)
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"……."
The living room was strewn with doll costumes. I sat there with my arms crossed, facing away from Miss So-jeong.
"…I'm sorry. I think my prank went too far. Please forgive me."
The reason was simple. She'd laughed upon seeing me trapped inside. In other words, Miss So-jeong knew I was stuck and still teased me for a full thirty minutes without letting me out.
And to top it off, I got out on my own by unzipping it. Why hadn't she realized I could just use my own arm instead of the doll's to open the zipper?
"No way. Hmph."
It was all Miss So-jeong's fault anyway. At times like this, it was crucial to make my sulkiness crystal clear. Sure, I was genuinely upset, but showing it would ensure she never pulled a stunt like this again and would help balance our dynamic.
"I'm truly sorry. I promise it won't happen again."
Miss So-jeong bowed her head deeply toward me. Hmm… seeing her like this made me feel a little guilty now.
She was quite a bit older than me… no, actually around my age—a talented, beautiful, and kind woman. Even I felt a pang of conscience treating her so roughly. It wasn't a huge offense; just a prank, after all.
Yeah, this should be enough for her to reflect on it. I was just about to turn back when…
"If I do anything you ask for the rest of the day, would that help ease your anger a bit?"
"…For real?"
I glanced back at Miss So-jeong. Her expression was utterly sincere.
"Yes, absolutely."
"Anything at all, for real?"
"Yes. It's a free-use pass."
An unbelievably generous offer. But I couldn't look like I was caving too easily. I pretended to mull it over for a long while before responding.
"Fine, you're forgiven."
"Thank you. Is there anything you'd like me to do?"
She asked as if she'd truly grant any wish. Hmm… what should I start with?
"Alright, let's eat first then. Something you make yourself, Miss So-jeong. Any menu's fine!"
"Understood."
Miss So-jeong headed straight to the kitchen without hesitation. That left me with some time—and exactly what to do with it.
"Il-ho! Let's play Minecraft!"
"……!"
Instead of the map I'd been working on solo for the past couple days, we started a new one for multiplayer. Il-ho had gotten pretty good with smartphones by now, and since dungeon dives meant stress from fighting, this was pure healing time.
"Today, let's finish the house at that spot we claimed. I'll mine ores, so you gather some wood."
"……."
I'd worried it might be too hard for Il-ho at first, but surprisingly, she picked up the game mechanics fast.
We gathered ores to craft copper and iron armor, finished the first floor of the house, and decorated the interior when Miss So-jeong called out from the lair, peering in on us.
"Dinner is ready."
"Yay! Il-ho, let's go eat."
I closed my phone and headed to the kitchen with Il-ho.
"Whoa!"
The kitchen table was laden with way more food than usual. Pork cutlet steaks, tteokbokki, chicken nuggets… it was practically a buffet.
"You made all this?"
"Yes. My cooking skills have improved lately."
Il-ho's eyes sparkled at the variety, different from our usual fare.
I sat at the table with Il-ho, gazing at the feast before us.
"Let's eat!"
I picked up my fork and knife, slicing into the pork cutlet steak first. Hot juices poured out from the halved meat. Dipped in plenty of sauce, one bite melted smoothly in my mouth.
"Mmm…."
No need to worry about the heat with my dragon body. The still-piping steak warmed my mouth, amplifying its flavor.
Il-ho shoveled tteokbokki with her chopsticks. We both grabbed whatever caught our fancy from the spread.
"Haa…."
After a long feast, my belly was stuffed. I patted it, slumping onto the sofa like I was lying down. Il-ho followed suit, catching her breath beside me.
'What next to make her do?'
With her free-use pass for the day, I planned to milk it for all it was worth.
"Il-ho, anything you wanna do?"
I could resume gaming, but it felt like a waste somehow….
Il-ho seemed unsure too, pondering before scribbling on her whiteboard.
- Playground?
Oh yeah—that time we went with Il-ho came to mind. She'd said swinging felt like flying through the sky.
"Yeah, let's go to the playground!"
We threw on outerwear and headed to the apartment complex's playground. It was spacious and fancy, but evening time meant no kids around. The quiet space was all ours.
Il-ho hopped onto the swing right away, kicking off and soaring high in moments.
The swing whipped back and forth like a circus act. Not content with that, she even stood up on it mid-motion.
"Having fun?"
Il-ho nodded with a joyful grin.
I'd pushed her the first time, but she'd become a swing master overnight.
My skills, by contrast, were abysmal.
I was already seated, but merely kicking the ground lightly to rock back and forth was the extent of it.
As a kid, I could swing decently solo without help, but now the swing wouldn't obey me.
Probably because my center of gravity had shifted completely with the tail—and wings now too.
"Hmm…."
Il-ho would enjoy it more if I synced swings with her.
Time to borrow Miss So-jeong's help then. Perfect timing with her all-day offer.
"Miss So-jeong!"
"Yes, you called?"
She approached from where she'd been quietly guarding us.
"Push me on the swing, please."
I wasn't used to it yet and couldn't swing right, but a good initial push should let me manage.
"Of course."
Miss So-jeong stepped behind me, giving the swing gentle pushes.
Whoosh—whoosh—
With her pushes and the pendulum motion, momentum built. Cool night breeze brushed my face.
"Hee hee!"
A thrilling rush different from flying. I closed my eyes, savoring the swing's rhythm.
After a few minutes of her pushing, I could maintain speed on my own.
Not Il-ho-level acrobatics, but high enough. Her smile deepened.
We laughed and chatted, swinging under the night sky for a good while.
Back home, we headed straight to the bathroom. Washing off sweat and dirt left me languid. Especially drying my long, fluffy tail was no small chore.
If it were scaly like Il-ho's, it'd be easier.
"Miss So-jeong…."
Emerging from the bath, I called her while gripping my damp tail with a towel barely patted dry.
"Dry my tail, please."
"Yes. Come this way."
Miss So-jeong sat on the rug with a hairdryer and comb at the ready. I sat in front of her, extending my tail.
Vrrr—
Warm air burrowed through wet fur, the soft comb gently untangling knots. Pleasant drowsiness made my eyes droop; delightful shivers ran from tail-tip to spine.
Nod, nod.
My awareness faded bit by bit.
"Mm…."
As I drifted in her soothing touch…
"Lady Dayoon. Your tail is fully dry now."
"Mm… just a bit more…."
The tail was already fluffy, but this languid bliss was fleeting.
"It's late. You should head to bed. You too, Miss Il-ho."
"…Okay."
Couldn't sleep here, though. I took Miss So-jeong's hand, stumbling sleepily to bed.
With two on the bed, it started cool but soon warmed from our body heat.
Side-sleeping for the tail was routine now. Il-ho lay facing me too, despite her slim tail allowing back-sleeping.
In my blurring mind, stray thoughts surfaced.
'What a fun day.'
Made full use of the free-use pass—packed with treats. Yummy dinner, playground, groomed tail…
…Huh?
Something felt off upon reflection.
What Miss So-jeong did today.
The food she'd make if I asked.
Errands whenever I needed help.
Always grooming my tail.
For a "free-use pass," it was all stuff she'd do anyway if I just asked.
I pried open my sleepy eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Did she trick me?