Chapter 56
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: A Naughty Habit
After the festival, my life at the orphanage changed a little.
Right now, I’m hiding and resting.
Because if the kids spot me, they’re incredibly bothersome.
I found this place by venturing deeper into the children’s secret base. It was a beautiful room filled with pure white flowers, a stark contrast to the cold, abandoned building.
I’ve claimed this spot as my own secret base, and I’m using the flowers as a bed, lying comfortably on them with my eyes closed.
The children shouldn’t be able to find me here easily.
Hehe.
The only problem is the chill from the cold wind blowing into the building, but I’m used to this level of cold, so it’s bearable. More importantly, sunlight streams down through the gaping hole in the ceiling, warming my body and making me feel strangely good.
But still!
If I had my way, I’d just rest comfortably inside!
Honestly, why do I have to hide from the kids in a place like this just to get some peace?
It’s all because of that play!
As if revealing my face in front of a crowd wasn’t enough, my surprise appearance, singing a song, must have been a huge shock to the children.
Ever since the play ended, the kids have been following me around, pestering me.
─Was that your voice?! For real? I was so surprised.
─You can talk? This isn't a dream, right? Congratulations! I'm so, so happy for you!
─Your voice is as pretty as your face…
The children started coming up to me, begging to hear my voice again.
They started pleading.
Of course, they’re different from those nasty adults with their hidden, sinister intentions.
The children's requests are filled with pure innocence.
It’s not a difficult request. But I don’t want to grant it.
After keeping my mouth shut for years, using my voice is incredibly exhausting.
And it doesn’t come out as naturally as it did during the play.
Even when I refuse.
They say I need to talk often to get used to it, that I need to practice speaking consistently.
They keep pestering me with all sorts of reasons, and it became too much of a hassle to argue back, so I started running away.
‘Ugh, that was Lena's part in that scene. I didn't even need to sing. I just got caught up in the moment and... Damn it. What an idiot. I'm such an idiot.’
At that moment, my desire to make the children happy outweighed any thoughts about my uncertain future or my own safety.
I’ve heard that people can draw out great strength when they do something for someone else.
Just as the saying goes, I ended up doing far better than I expected.
Looking back now, I kind of regret what I did.
Remembering what happened after the performance makes me frown instinctively.
─Hey, are you a singer? What's your stage name? What's your most famous song? Tell me. I've never heard anyone sing so fantastically.
─You were the best! The best! I'm a fan from now on.
─I thought an angel or a fairy had appeared to sing for us.
─Can I have your autograph, please?
─I've been feeling down lately, but watching your play gave me hope.
─One more time, one more time!
People making a fuss over my face and voice.
I know full well the repercussions my actions will bring.
Because I knew, I kept myself hidden. Thinking about the future, it would have been better to stay quiet.
But.
In the end, I stirred up a new wind in our peaceful orphanage.
Whether that wind will return someday as a pleasant breeze to refresh the children, or as a typhoon that blows everything away…
No one knows until that day comes.
I really am an idiot. It’s too late for regrets.
Well, still.
I got to see the children's bright smiles, so in a way, I suppose it wasn't all bad.
‘Human emotions are so contradictory.’
Even when you rationally know something isn’t right, you let your emotions take over and create chaos. Or, sometimes, emotions that are about to explode can turn cold, leading you to act rationally.
What is it that makes people that way?
At the same time, I don't know what I truly want, which is why I'm so lost in this contradiction.
I slowly closed my eyes.
My consciousness, having drifted off to sleep, sank into darkness as it always had.
The world, which should have been pitch-black and invisible, was painfully clear.
It was as if it were firmly embedded in my eyes, in my consciousness, telling me not to look away.
With a detached expression, I silently surveyed the world.
Mountains of corpses, made by my own hands, were burning fiercely in bluish-black flames everywhere.
The nauseating smell of burning flesh from the fiery mountains pricked my nose and seeped into my chest, making it feel heavy.
The billowing smoke covered the sky, blocking out even the smallest glimmer of light.
Blood flowing from the mountains formed rivers, staining the ground red.
The crackling of fire, the flowing of the river, the blowing of the wind.
Every single sound was a shriek filled with deep resentment.
‘…….’
I remember those faces.
Some of them might have been innocent, but the majority were villains who had stabbed and trampled on my heart.
I can ignore them. I can get rid of them right now.
I can throw their resentment back at them, protest my own injustice even here, and make them suffer.
My sin was simply that I had to do it to survive.
Self-defense.
I just need to repeat that word and feel relieved.
But I can’t bring myself to do it.
This dream is a prison built from the guilt and remorse of taking lives.
Naturally, this place is neither warm nor kind like the orphanage.
I want to escape this place, yet I also want to be trapped here forever.
I’m such an idiot.
I was about to wander through this world in silence, as I always had.
Just then, familiar voices from somewhere began to shatter the world.
My eyes opened.
I sat up and turned my head toward the rustling sound.
I frowned.
In contrast, the intruders who had entered and disturbed my sleep had eyes sparkling as if they had found treasure.
“Found her!”
“Lily, there you are!”
“Whoa! I never knew a place like this existed. You found a good hiding spot.”
The children scrambled toward me, clinging to me so I couldn’t escape.
Ugh.
Let go of me.
This is uncomfortable.
“You can’t run away.”
“Even if you do, we’ll find you again, just like now.”
Their small hands gripped my clothes so tightly that they wouldn't let go.
Honestly, I can’t get any sleep because of you guys.
I nodded my head repeatedly, admitting defeat.
But strangely, they didn’t let go.
Why? What’s the problem?
Ah… could it be?!
Their eyes were demanding something. I knew what they wanted.
*Gulp*. A troubled expression crossed my face.
The children’s stubbornness is hard to break.
I guess I have no choice but to give in if I want some peace.
With a sleepy, bitter smile, I muttered softly.
“Alright… I won’t… run away…”
Thinking they had won, the children giggled.
Seeing their triumphant faces was somehow infuriating.
As the arms holding me loosened one by one and the children let their guard down…
I shot to my feet and quickly fled the scene.
“Aah! She’s running away again!”
“Liar!”
“Get back here!”
Catch me if you can.
I stuck my tongue out at the kids chasing me and ran faster.
I could hear their frustrated cries from behind me.
Hehe.
*
In the orphanage kitchen.
The room was filled with cheerful sounds.
Lena was humming as she made snacks.
She seemed to be in a very good mood, smiling brightly, and her hands moved with joyful energy.
Clatter. Clatter.
Today’s snack was a special pudding she only made on rare occasions.
True to its name, it contained special ingredients that gave it a fantastic taste. The problem was that the ingredients were hard to come by, so she only made it a few times a year.
But since the children had worked so hard this time, she had decided to go all out and make it.
The thought of the children’s happy laughter filled her with energy.
As she worked with deft, practiced movements…
‘Hm…?’
She felt a strange gaze on her back.
Lena slowed down and glanced toward the entrance.
Lily was peeking her head out from the doorway. Her eyes sparkled as she watched Lena with bated breath.
‘I knew she’d show up again.’
Her eyes weren’t their usual listless self.
They were like those of a master thief who had just discovered a new jewel.
While the other children were fond of snacks, Lily had a particular obsession and had a history of sneaking in to steal them before snack time.
Despite receiving several warnings, the little thief had appeared once more.
She must have been drawn by the sweet smell this time, too.
Lena decided to pretend she hadn't noticed and kept her hands busy.
Once she placed the finished snacks on the table, a mischievous grin spread across Lily’s face, like a child about to pull a prank, as she waited for her chance.
At first, Lena planned to let her know she'd been spotted, just like usual, to stop the theft.
But a fun idea suddenly popped into her head, and the corners of Lena’s mouth lifted.
A naughty child who plays pranks deserves to have a naughty prank played back on them!
Lena spread a certain sauce on the bread that would be served with the pudding.
It was a sauce as red as strawberries. Then she placed the sauced bread in a spot where a certain naughty child could easily grab it.
Lena pretended not to notice and moved to work on something else.
Stealthily.
The little thief who had snuck into the kitchen without a sound stole the treasure and fled. Lena was inwardly impressed by her remarkable skill.
At the same time, she let out a soft chuckle.
‘I feel a little bad, but you shouldn't have tried to steal it.’
It was a punishment prepared to teach her a lesson about her naughty habit.
If she were a good girl, nothing would have happened.
CRASH!
‘I guess there was no chance of that.’
A loud noise came from near the entrance.
Lena filled a glass cup with milk and walked over.
Outside the entrance, Lily was sitting on the floor.
Her face was flushed red, and she was frantically fanning her slightly stuck-out tongue with her hand to cool it down.
Her blue eyes, like melting ice, were welling up with tears.
Lily looked up at Lena. Her gaze was somewhat resentful.
It was as if she were asking, "How could you do this to me?"
Lena flicked Lily on the forehead.
“See, this is why you shouldn’t steal food.”
“…”
Lily winced with a *hmph*.
Even she knew it was her own fault, so she had nothing to say.
To think she’d end up like this after trying to recharge from running away from the other kids.
Lily suddenly felt like crying.
“Don’t do it again. Got it?”
Nod, nod.
Lena handed the cup to Lily.
Lily took the cup and gulped down the milk.
She downed it in one go, her face finally showing signs of life.
Normally, one would give up after tasting the hellish spice.
But she was a wicked girl who only inwardly resolved to be more careful next time.
Thud, thud. Thud, thud.
‘Gasp! Are they here already?’
Hearing the children's footsteps, Lily quickly got up and ran away.