Chapter 31 – Our Unlovable Shiba

It has already been two weeks since I stopped attending the academy.
During that time, many things have happened.

First and foremost, I resolved Azalea’s inner turmoil under the pretext of becoming friends.
I killed Lee Seong-Han. He was taken to the hospital.
There, I encountered a star and received sexual favors.

In my heart, I wanted to disrupt the balance with sexual entertainment, but in this leaning great forest, even if I’m devoured by the World Tree, I hear, “Why are you like that if it’s so enjoyable?”

In the end, I sustained an indelible wound and poured my heart out to Se-Young for healing.

Of course, it wasn’t without its gains.

Firstly, the affinity.

【The Affinity Menu is updated.】

—
【World Tree Auction】 – 【Affinity Menu】
[World Tree (2)]
▶ The World Tree of Purity: ♥♥♥♥♥ (100/100)
▶ The World Tree of Healing: ♥♥♥♡♡ (71/100)
[Wooden (3)]
▶ Lee Se-Young: ♥♥♥♥♡ (86/100)
▶ Cornus: ♥♡♡♡♡ (38/100)

▶ Azalea: ♥♥♡♡♡ (40/100)
※ Favorability registration is available from (50→30). (Minimum favorability is reduced as a VIP1 customer privilege.)
—

【 8030p will be deposited due to the relationship with the new Sacred Tree and the World Tree of Healing. 】

There was particularly significant progress in favorability.

As for the favorability, it was expected, except for the World Tree of Healing, which had received such a ridiculous amount of affection. In the case of VIPs, the rank naturally rose due to participating in numerous lotteries. To be honest, I had given up reading whenever a new system appeared just as I was about to forget about it.

Regarding the results,
The points spent on the lottery were almost entirely recuperated with this. Now, I can play the lottery without any worry.

Additionally, I drank the elixir I received from the stars as an apology, which increased my magical power.

【 Abilities 】
– Strength 5.3
– Endurance 4.6
– Agility 4.0
– Stamina 4.7
– Magic Power 5.7

These are the exact figures. As my ability to utilize my magic power grew daily, my physical development also progressed rapidly.

Thanks to the power of magic, my previously closed growth plates opened, allowing me to grow by about 3 centimeters.
Isn’t this proof of the omnipotence of magical power?
That’s right. Those with abundant magical power tend to be strong, and to become stronger, one must consume an elixir. Cornus would be a prime example. She was born with a mana tank strapped to her.

In any case, compared to when I first arrived here, I have undergone a complete transformation, akin to an ugly duckling’s metamorphosis.

I’m no longer a mere pig. I must have some charm now.
With my newfound skills, I can live my life with a sense of pride in my appearance.

Yes, a life full of turmoil and excitement.

My abilities were proven in the last incident, so now I can truly enjoy a life worth living.

Head to the gathering and make sweet rice cakes!
Sing songs with unrivaled passion during a talent showcase!
Perhaps a girl will listen to a recording of my song and cure her insomnia!

With such wicked fantasies of becoming a social insider, I arrived at the academy.

I have returned.

* * * * *

“Shiba, have you been waiting long?”

As soon as I arrived at the academy, the first thing I did was feed Shiba.

…Rustle.

Shiba’s sprout, which I hadn’t seen in a long time, was drooping. Shiba turned the sprout toward the window, as if to let me know she was angry, making sure it was out of my sight.

“Sh-Shiba.”

Peep, squeak!

Now she even made sounds with her leaves. When did she become so clever?

As I inwardly admired her and moved my seat to the window, Shiba turned her sprout toward the door once more. If I moved to the door, she faced the window, and if I moved to the window, she faced the door.

Witnessing her behavior, I felt my heart ache.

‘…My father was cut with a knife and assaulted by a tree, but I can’t even cry on his behalf.’

All because I hadn’t fed her for a few days, she was sulking.

If Se-Young had gone without water for two weeks, he surely would have wailed and prayed, but it was evident that he hadn’t been deprived for more than a few days since he occasionally instructed someone to bring him water.

In other words, Shiba was currently indulging in a bit of pampering. Oddly enough, it seemed rather endearing.

– Beep! Beep!
– Dad, why didn’t you come!

Suddenly, Shiba’s actions began to resemble speech. Was this some form of advanced prenatal education? I gently stroked Shiba’s sprout while spraying crisp mineral water on it.

– Beep.

As I softly tapped it with my finger, it finally revealed its buds, as if its anger had subsided. Shiba’s sprouts, which I hadn’t seen in a long time, had grown considerably. Perhaps it was due to youth, but they were flourishing.

“Alright, I’ve given you water. Shall we go outside now?”

At this time, it was the students’ hour to leave school. It had been a while since I met Cornus, and I had to perform a dance. The thought of Cornus, flustered by my improved skills, brought a smirk to my face.

With that in mind, I reached for my coat.

-Thunk.

There was a sound of something toppling over on the tabletop.
Upon closer inspection, a bottle of mineral water had fallen and was spilling water everywhere.

“Ah!”

I took a short breath and immediately went over to wipe up the water.
Using a nearby towel, I wiped away the water and prepared to head out again.

-Thunk!

Then the sound came again.
Turning my head, this time a new water bottle had fallen with its cap open, spilling water on the table.

This would normally be impossible.
I wiped up the water and prepared to head out again, just in case.

-Thunk.

Water spilled once more.
Again, it happened near the table. I approached the bed with a stern expression.

– Cheep! Cheep!

When I sat on the bed, Shiba made a sound as if she were happy to see me. She was incredibly cute.
However, I couldn’t help but wonder why my little one kept knocking over the water bottles, even using an unknown force.

“Why did you do that, Shiba?”
-Cheep? Cheep?

But I am a kind-hearted adult.

It had been 10 years since I vowed to treat my child as kindly as possible, no matter what.

I knew very well that I shouldn’t scold my own child for behaving strangely.

“Shiba, why do you keep doing this? Huh? Shiba.”

I muttered, gently stroking the sprout. Then, Shiba seemed a little disheartened.

– Beep.

And she wept softly. My heart softened at the sight of her adorably pitiful expression.

Young children often act out to receive attention and love from their parents. If that’s the case, Shiba might have felt a hint of unease watching me constantly going outside.

“Shiba…”

– Beep…

I whispered softly to Shiba.

“…Why is this sprout so sensitive and melodramatic? You should become a novelist when you grow up.”

– Beep?!

Shiba seemed to wish for me to stay here.

It couldn’t be helped. They say no parent can outdo their child, so with a fire-attribute mother, I decided to become a water-attribute father.

But my counterpart is a sprout.
What should I do to play with it?

I gaze at Shiba, who tilts her head, seemingly puzzled.

-Beep?

And so I thought: could this little one learn to talk, given the right guidance? I adjusted my sitting position and looked at Shiba, enunciating every syllable.

“Repeat after me: A-I-U-E-O.”
-Beep!
“A-B-C.”
-Beep!

It seems it’s not working. I pondered with my arms crossed. It hasn’t been long since it was born, so maybe I was expecting too much.

“Let’s try something simpler, then? Left sprout.”
-Beep!

As I held out my hand and spoke, Shiba placed her left sprout on my finger.

“Right.”

-Thud.

“Both sides.”

-Thud.

It seemed as though Shiba understood everything I said, as she flawlessly completed my tasks.

I clapped and marveled repeatedly.

“Wow, our daughter is a genius! Can you do this too? Bang!”

This time, I formed a gun shape with one hand and pretended to shoot. Shiba, in response, propped herself up by her central stem with one of her leaves and–

– Beep, screeeech!

She wailed in agony and collapsed pitifully onto the ground. I gave her a standing ovation. Basking in the enthusiastic applause, Shiba gestured toward one of her other leaves with her right leaf, as if asking me to stroke it.

I petted Shiba until I grew tired of it.

– Beep, beep~♪

Shiba seemed to enjoy it immensely, swaying her head gently from side to side every time my hand touched her.

What should I teach her next? I made a ‘V’ with my fingers and placed a sprout on top. As I tried various things that came to mind, time flew by and night fell.

The problem here is that the child’s stamina seems endless.

– Beep, beep.

Even after nine o’clock, Shiba showed no signs of exhaustion. She persistently pleaded for more petting and playtime, and I could only leave after indulging her every demand.

The spring dormitory still radiated warmth.

Inside, the air was imbued with the freshness of spring, and seasonal flowers smiled from their pots in the hallway.

*Growl*

‘I’m hungry.’

Having visited both the gym and the library, my stomach grumbled, demanding sustenance. I hadn’t eaten anything, preoccupied with my daughter’s needs, which she seemed oblivious to.

With that thought, I directed my steps towards the first-floor salad bar and spotted Gu-seul entering her room. She was dressed in a suit, looking sharp and stylish. As we locked eyes and paused, Gu-seul’s expression brightened, and she waved her hand enthusiastically.

“Siha! It means ‘Hi, Si-heon!'”

Is she channeling a shepherd dog today? The black suit suits her incredibly well.

“It’s been quite some time since we last met like this. How are you feeling? I heard you went through a lot.”
“I’m alright. Being able to attend classes legally feels good.”
“Hehehe. I can imagine.”

Gu-seul chuckled heartily.

Despite her angelic appearance, she doesn’t consider me a friend. I’m not sure of the reason. All I can do is speculate that maybe there’s more to her thoughts since she’s been around me ever since I was unattractive.

I casually smiled and made a suggestion.

“Would you like to join me for a meal?”
“Ah, I just ate, actually.”
“Really? Well, that’s alright then.”
“Let’s have lunch at the academy tomorrow.”

Agreed.

I briefly nodded, waved goodbye, and headed down to the salad bar on the first floor. I submitted my academy student ID, covered in dust from disuse, entered the cafeteria, chose my food, and took a seat.

An array of Korean dishes filled my sight.
Sweet bulgogi and spicy pork greeted me.

I hastily devoured my meal, much like a crab snapping its claws shut. My stomach filled up quickly, likely due to my speedy eating.

Having eaten my fill, I stepped out of the restaurant and spotted a familiar-looking woman entering. She had pink, bobbed hair and wore a sweatshirt that matched her hair color. Upon seeing me, her eyes widened in surprise and her body tensed.

“Ah.”

Her eyes bore the weight of dark circles, and her skirt revealed her thighs. Azalea seemed at a loss for words, staring at me with my mask on.

“Um, ah, when…when did you get here?”

She stuttered, her fists clenched before she finally spoke. Her cheeks were slightly flushed.

Was she not good at talking to others? It didn’t seem that way when I thought about Si-woo. But considering she still saw me as a friend, it was obvious that her fondness for me had increased to some extent.

“I just arrived today.”

Upon hearing my casual response, Azalea lowered her head and murmured, “Oh, I see.”

The silence stretched on, making the situation awkward.

Perhaps Azalea was still dwelling on our last encounter?
Feeling apologetic? Wait, the spirited Azalea feeling sorry? It’s hard to imagine.

In the end, I was the one who broke the silence.

“Don’t worry about what happened last time.”
“…Pardon?”

Azalea’s eyes widened at my gentle yet assertive words.

“I did it because I wanted to. If you don’t like me, you can let this job pass.”
“W-What do you mean?”

Truthfully, Azalea’s affection towards me wasn’t particularly high at the moment.
So, I answered sincerely.
I told her not to worry, that it was nothing significant, and that everything was fine.

To Azalea, I might have seemed like a benefactor, but in reverse, she was also my benefactor.
To be precise, a twisted benefactor. If we had accepted each other as friends from the beginning, this situation wouldn’t have arisen, but there’s no helping it now.

Anyway, with the job finished, neither Azalea nor I had any regrets about returning to how things were before.

Ultimately, the decision to become close friends lies with Azalea.

“Then, take care.”

I ascended the stairs to my room.
Azalea, who stood in the entranceway, gazed at me with a bewildered expression.

As I returned to my room, I thought,

‘Ah, that’s right. I need to give her the chocolate.’

The chocolates I had bought on my way back were still tucked away in a corner of my dorm room.