Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: A Second Growth
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*THWACK!*
The sound of a flick to the forehead was surprisingly crisp.
"Ouch!"
Arban covered his reddened forehead, looking at me with a bewildered expression.
He seemed shocked by the unexpected pain.
"You... what are you?"
"How was that? Not so weak, am I?"
I puffed out my chest and flicked my fingers.
Set, too, seemed surprised, his body stiffening.
Only Kaide, who knew everything, seemed to find the situation amusing.
Even after a few minutes, Arban showed no signs of recovering.
"Bwother, does it huwt a lot?"
I started to get a little worried.
*Oh no, I must have hit him too hard. I thought this much would be okay.*
His vacant eyes showed no sign of returning to normal.
I waved my hand in front of his face, and Arban finally snapped out of it.
"...It's fine. It's not because it hurts, so just step back a bit, Aileen."
"Weally? You okay?"
"Yeah. I'm fine."
I studied Arban's complexion.
Thankfully, he didn't look upset.
Just as he'd said, he only seemed a little surprised.
It seemed the flick had been stronger than he expected, making him cry out involuntarily.
That was a relief. As I relaxed, I suddenly felt like I saw a blueish tint in Arban's black hair.
*Huh? Did I see that wrong?*
As I stared intently at his hair, Arban asked awkwardly.
"What, is there something in my hair?"
"No. That's not it."
I glanced at Kaide, then back at Arban. Comparing them like this made it clear.
Arban's hair color was slightly different.
And it wasn't just Arban.
"Huh? Set's bwother is the same?"
"What is?"
"Your haiw."
I pointed at his hair.
While it was originally pure black, now the color seemed to shift depending on the angle.
"Ah... this is a preliminary symptom."
"Pwewiminawy symptom? What's that?"
"It's a phenomenon that appears when a Black Mamba is about to shed. Sometimes their hair color changes, or even their eye color."
*Even their eye color?* I was startled. *Does that mean their appearance changes after they mature?*
As if reading my thoughts, Kaide let out a soft chuckle.
"They return to their original appearance once the shedding is complete."
"Phew. So that's how it is."
"You should prepare to shed when we return."
*I think I heard that they have to leave the manor for a while when it's time to shed.*
*So that means I won't be able to see Set and Arban for a while.*
I felt a little gloomy. *I should take lots of pictures during the trip.*
*We don't have any pictures together, aside from the family portrait.*
*Besides, once they become adults, I won't be able to see their childhood appearances anymore.*
"Bwothers, when will you be back then?"
"There's no set schedule. We'll return as soon as it's over."
"Whewe are you going? Why do you have to go?"
I gave him a look that pleaded for him not to go, and Arban, who didn't seem to mind, burst out laughing.
*He doesn't even know how I feel. Arban is a dummy. I just want us all to be together.*
As I pouted sullenly, Set said in a soothing voice.
"It will be over soon. It won't take long."
"Weally?"
"Yes. A week, perhaps?"
"A whole week?!"
*That sounds so long.* It felt like an eternity to me.
I shot to my feet, but the carriage jolted.
As my body swayed and pitched forward, Kaide quickly steadied me.
"There's no need to be sad, Aileen. You're scheduled to have an intermediate growth spurt as well."
"...Huh?"
*What does that mean? I'm going to have an intermediate growth spurt?*
I had never heard of such a thing.
Originally, Su-in only had a primary and secondary growth. Once when they humanized, and once when they became adults.
Carnivorous Su-in took on their adult forms immediately during their secondary growth, while herbivorous Su-in started from a slightly younger appearance and gradually matured.
*Then why is Kaide talking as if I have an extra growth stage?*
Set, also sensing something was off, asked with a puzzled expression.
"An intermediate growth? Are you referring to the secondary growth?"
"No. You heard correctly. Aileen will undergo an intermediate growth stage. It's a phase she'll experience before becoming a full adult."
"...Why do I have to do that?"
"To ensure you mature safely."
*So does that mean I'll have a third growth spurt? And it's coming soon?*
"We haven't been able to determine when it will happen. It's a rare case, so this was the best we could find out."
I understood. My birth itself was said to be a rare event.
Just knowing that Kaide was trying so hard for my sake made me feel grateful.
"I see. Thank you fow telling me, Fwather."
"Then you might have grown up a bit by the time we get back."
"Oh! That would be gweat!"
*I don't want to be the only one who looks like a little kid.*
I wasn't sure what this feeling was, but as my brothers grew, I felt a desire to keep up with them.
It was less about not wanting to be left behind and more a strong feeling of wanting to move forward together.
"Father, is there still no information on when Aileen might have her growth spurt?"
"I have my suspicions."
"When would that be?"
Set asked. Kaide seemed to ponder for a moment before muttering as if in disbelief.
"I never imagined we'd be having this conversation in a carriage on our way to a vacation."
I thought we'd be happily chatting about trivial things in the carriage, not discussing such a heavy topic.
But it didn't seem so bad.
In fact, it felt strangely momentous that we were all gathered together, able to have this kind of conversation.
"Set, Arban. What we are about to discuss must not be repeated."
"Understood."
"Yes."
Kaide sighed and began to speak. I had a feeling what he was about to say.
He was going to start talking about me.
It seemed better to just say it now.
If we kept hiding it, we might miss the chance to talk about it later.
"Aileen has two types of pheromones."
"Eh?"
Arban made a dumbfounded sound.
Set didn't show it as openly, but his expression revealed he was very surprised.
"One of them is said to be similar to a Black Mamba's. Now that she's recently awakened, her intermediate growth should happen soon."
"Is... is that even possible?"
Set said, looking at me with bewildered eyes.
"From what I've learned, it is. As Aileen grows, she will come to resemble the nature of a Black Mamba more than that of the Bird Clan."
"...Wow. Then does she shed when she grows, too?"
"Bwother Awban, that makes no sense. How can I shed?"
"Hey, birds can shed too. Drop the prejudice."
"What awe you talking about."
I remembered it clearly—the conversation Helena and Ian had.
They had definitely said shedding was the process of casting off one's outer skin. Getting rid of everything unnecessary.
Just hearing about it was terrifying, and they said it was painful, too.
*But I'm a bird, so I won't shed.*
*...But what if I really do have to shed, like Arban said?*
I mumbled with a tearful face.
"My skin is pwecious. I have nothing to thwow away."
Kaide, hearing my words, let out a small laugh.
Arban, who had been quiet for a moment, glanced at me again.
"Hey."
"What?"
"You have two pheromones... are you okay?"
"What about it?"
Then Set spoke up.
"He's asking if you're okay having two different energies inside your body."
*Ah, so that's what he meant.* It was unexpected. To think Arban was worried about something like that.
"I don't know yet. I've nevew twied to handle both at once. But I'm okay fow now."
"That's impressive, Aileen."
*My goodness. Who did I just hear that from?*
*I haven't lived for many months, but I guess you see all sorts of things if you live long enough.*
When I stared blankly at Set, he averted his gaze, seemingly embarrassed, and changed the subject.
"Arban."
"What?"
"Let's finish what we were doing."
"Finish what?"
Arban tilted his head at the sudden suggestion to "finish."
Set smiled sweetly.
"What do you think? I haven't delivered my penalty yet."
"...Wasn't that over?"
Arban backed away with a flustered expression.
He looked at Set, who was raising his hand, in horror.
*If that hand hits him, he won't just get a lump; he might go blind for a second.*
"You're the one who decided on the penalty. You have to take responsibility for your own words."
"Who said I wouldn't? I will! I was just about to do it anyway!"
Arban huffed and pushed his bangs aside, revealing his round forehead, which was already sporting a red bump.
*I think this every time, but Set really knows how to handle Arban.*
As if he'd been waiting, Set mercilessly flicked Arban's forehead.
And later that evening.
We arrived at the family villa near the Benea River.