Chapter 543 – Shiba Has Few Friends (6)

-Tok.

The flavor of a beer drunk in thirst holds a distinct character, just like its name.

-Klok-klok!

A refreshing chill cascading down the throat!

“Bee-heh…!!”

Shiba, releasing a cool belch, struck her beer can in a choked sob.
Her demeanor suggested she was under considerable stress. The spread of food before her was beyond mere accompaniments.
With a determined air, she took another swig, her nose sniffling, while the King looked on, unable to react or intervene.

“That’s not good for your health. Stop drinking.”
“Ugh, what do you know!!”

A pang! Her words pierced his heart like barbed wire.

“Bee-hing, hinghing…. I’m done for.”

Why on earth would she say that?
Moreover, is she even of an age to consume alcohol?

The King, now timid, shrank back, waiting for Shiba’s explanation. Fortunately, after a brief pause, Shiba shared the turmoil in her heart.

“…So.”

The plan to watch a movie was alright, but everything after didn’t pan out as she’d hoped.

“Beep!”

Shiba, her cheeks inflated, let out a loud cry, fuelled by her drunkenness.
Though her behavior could have been deemed disruptive, no one attempted to stop her, charmed by her unique adorable voice and facial expressions.

– She’s cute.
– Huh? Who? Oh… .

A group of college students who had just walked into the convenience store started to chuckle, their gazes fixed on Shiba.

– Should we ask her to join us for a drink?
– …Ah, screw it. Your face, those kids, they live in a different world.

Usually, if a girl is pretty, one would at least strike up a conversation, but Shiba is inherently beautiful.
When men sense that someone’s world is different from theirs, they tend to become disheartened.

However, even this sentiment felt offensive to the King, and he turned, shooting a stern glance at them.

-…Eek!

A student had shown interest but quickly retreated sensing the intimidating aura.
The others followed suit, scattering in the face of the King’s resolve.

Internally, the King sighed, his eyes returning to Shiba.

“What happened?”

He asked, attempting to soften his tone as much as possible. Shiba responded:

“Beep. The movie was fine, but….”
“Mm-hmm.”
“I wanted to treat them like a friend… After watching a movie, people usually visit a cafe to chat….”
“I see.”
“But what if they say they can’t make it…? Bee-hee-ing.”

So, she didn’t manage to secure an ‘After’.

Shiba, much like a typical man whose blind date didn’t go well, was deeply frustrated.

“The reason?”
“They didn’t explain… They don’t like me!”
“Did they really reject you without saying a word?”

Could that really be?
It seemed improbable that someone could harshly rebuff such a beautiful girl.

A person who would ignore Shiba’s pleas would be more believable if they claimed to be a deity.
In a huff, Shiba vented, her cheeks puffing up in anger.

“They claim they lack funds… Money… Surely that can’t be.”
“What?”
“Just a cup of coffee, 4,000 won! If they claim they can’t afford that, it means they don’t want to be with me!”

Could it be that such a feeling arises based on interpretation?

Shiba, who has never known a life without money.
Perhaps she didn’t comprehend that her companion is someone of sparse financial means.

“Beep, release me!”
“It’s not because I detest you.”
“…Is that so?”

She reacts to the King’s soothing words.
Shiba’s dewy eyes struck the King’s heart.

– Thump.

… Did his heartbeat just quicken again?
It couldn’t have. The King expelled the breath he’d been holding, in order to relay the truth to Shiba.

“The plea of lacking money is too clumsy to be an excuse. Commonly, one would claim to have a different engagement.”
“What are you saying? Beep. So, they truly are without money?”
“Likely, they responded genuinely.”
“Who in this world cannot afford a single cup of coffee?”

Of course, such individuals exist.

In the face of the King’s silence, Shiba’s complexion turned a ghastly pale, as she finally grasped reality.

“Beep… That’s impossible.”

It seems she wants to express something inconceivable.

“Then, how do they sustain themselves?”
“Coffee is expensive.”

Recently, due to factors like fuel prices and the aftermath of war, the cost of living has dramatically increased.
Even substituting with magic has its limit, and currently, a great number of people are struggling to survive.

To be blunt, it’s as if they are barely surviving in Korea.
In other countries, there are even attempts by the public to overthrow the government because life has become unbearable.

Even Lee Shiba?

A child loved by a wealthy mother, a wealthy second mother, a wealthy aunt, and even the strongest hunter of all time.

“Perhaps they agreed to this rendezvous because…”
“…the remaining tickets were free?”

The King nods. Shiba finally grasps a piece of the truth.

“Come to think of it, they mentioned disliking popcorn and coke…”
“It might be better to verify.”
“By offering them a coke?”
“Yes.”
“Beep!”

Eureka!

Bam was a woman without money!
Shiba giggled, realizing a fact that would greatly wound Bam, if she were to hear it.

“So, I should buy for her?”
“…That could work. But the solution would likely be to find entertainment that doesn’t require much spending.”

The King’s words don’t reach Shiba. The crucial fact is money. Because Bam lacked money.
Shiba, elated, sways her hips joyfully.

“You are quite the item! How do you understand a woman’s heart so well? Beep! But… What about your clothes?”

Has she finally managed to see the King properly?
Shiba’s eyes widen at the sight of the King’s tattered clothes.

“What happened to the clothes I bought you?”

How can one wear such a dress.

The attire was a gift from Shiba, garments that should never be tainted even by dust. Despite the reversal of roles, it held immense value to him.

“I cherished it.”

“What are you cherishing, dear? You’re no poorer than I am.”

“…”

“Make sure to wear it next time, okay? Oh, I didn’t know.”

“I understand.”

Make sure to wear it next time. This implied there would be a next time. The ‘branches’ that sprouted from the King’s back writhed, going in and out repeatedly.

He could kill at any time… Just a bit more.

“Sigh, I’m glad you’re here. I almost got the wrong idea.”

“Then it’s a relief.”

“Hehe. I didn’t expect to meet again. By the way, should we exchange numbers?”

“…Numbers.”

“Your number.”

“I don’t have a number.”

From the beginning, the King of this world wouldn’t have a mobile phone. Shiba widened her eyes and pouted her lips.

“Hmm, then… Oh! I’ll buy one for you.”

“There’s no need to—”

“Beep, hurry up! It’s because you’re like a dad, like a dad!”

Startled. Shiba’s playful words caused the King’s hand to tremble. He’s like a father. That must be the truth. Shiba tilted her head at the sight of the King, as rigid as a tree trunk.

“What’s wrong, uncle?”

“…Nothing.”

“Oh, is it too much to say you’re like my dad? Are you a bit young?”

“No, it’s not that either. Do I really seem like a dad?”

Actually, she was just saying…. Shiba, with her words trailing off, scrutinized the King’s features. The atmosphere was certainly nostalgic, but it was difficult to match it with her vague memories.

“Hmm, to tell the truth… Beep. I don’t remember my dad very well. He passed away when I was young.”

“?”

It was now the King’s turn to be surprised. Shiba cleared up the food she was eating and subtly said to the King.

“I know I loved him, I miss him, but I can’t remember his face. Hehe. So, I have nothing to say in response.”

I see. Shiba doesn’t remember her father. The Lee Si-heon of this world left his daughter’s side for her safety.

That’s the decisive difference between the King of Trees and Lee Si-heon. Shiba scratched her cheek awkwardly, a slight sadness in her smile as she admitted she didn’t remember her father’s face very well. Shiba was certainly missing her father.

“I apologize for my words.”

“No. Oh, this. Isn’t it similar to our previous conversation? That one.”

“About my daughter?”

“Yes. The situation is reversed, and I can feel it. I couldn’t believe when you said it was okay… Now I think I understand.”

“Ha.”

A hollow laugh. But it was a laugh with meaning.

The corners of Ent’s mouth split into a giggle. Shiba didn’t seem too shocked at the sight. As pure as she was unbiased. Even on the way to the mobile store, Shiba stuck closely to the King.

“What was your daughter like?”

“…She was as cute as you.”

“Hmm. I don’t quite understand.”

“She was the cutest in the world.”

“Beep?”

“So, I’m like that too?”
Shiba blinked her eyes, a tinge of indifference in them. Because Shiba had always thought of her appearance as ordinary.

“So, we are in the same boat, aren’t we?”
“In the same boat?”
“I’m a daughter without a father, and you’re a father who lost a daughter. Right?”
“……”

Words that should be unpleasant to hear, yet they are not offensive at all.
No, they even evoke a chuckle.

“Huh, is that so?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”

People in the same predicament tend not to get much hurt, even when they criticize each other.
Perhaps that’s the sort of feeling that’s invoked when the two of them have these exchanges?

But it’s different.
Shiba just didn’t know yet, her father was still very much alive.

“…If your father was alive. What would you do?”
“Beep?”

Shiba cupped her chin in contemplation.
Soon, a bashful smile bloomed on her tender face.

“Well, I must find him. He’s my father, after all.”
“Indeed.”
“My mum always boasted about my dad a lot. He was cool, handsome…. Kind and tender, and he knew how to fight. So perfect in every sense of the word, I naturally want to see him. And.”
“And?”
“I have a faint memory of him. My dad… He loved me so much.”

Shiba’s childhood,
From the time she was a bud to her muddy childhood and kindergarten years.
Shiba was so smitten with Lee Si-heon that she couldn’t live without her father.
Perhaps she loved him even more than her lover, Se-Young, or Dallae.

The unconditional love that a family gives isn’t necessarily one-sided.

“Beep. I meant when he was alive.”
“……”

The king said nothing.

“What do you think it would be like if your daughter was alive?”

The king briefly looked back at the past days.
His contract with the ‘origin’. The only way to save Shiba. But even that was nothing more than a gamble.

‘Even if I were to destroy this world.’

The chances of Shiba surviving are slim.
No one knows whether the ‘origin’ would fulfill the contract, and that faint glimmer of hope could betray him at any moment.

Thus, the king had no choice but to contemplate.
After a long moment of thought, the king casually said,

“She’s not alive.”
“Beep?”
“She won’t return. It’s different from you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Did you witness your father’s death?”
“That’s not the case, but… what about you?”

The king just laughed. It was a bitter, lonely laugh.
Shiba sensed a certain emotion in his expression. His empty eyes. Her eyes moistened at the sight of his gaze, filled with such emptiness.

“…beep.”
“Why are you crying?”
“I feel sorry for you, sir. Beep.”
“It is pitiful.”
“…I’ll be your daughter.”

She was drunk, and it was just a careless remark.
But the king couldn’t take those words as lightly as Shiba had said them.

“Perhaps, that can’t be realized.”

It’s an obvious thing to say, but somehow, there’s a hint of bitterness in his voice.
Shiba patted the king on the back, wiping away the tears that had started to well up in her eyes.

The king attentively observed each of Shiva’s adorable movements.

“Beep, so then, let’s be friends… friends.”
“Friends?”
“I’ll buy you a mobile phone, so we are friends starting today.”

A mobile phone as a friendship token.

That is indeed a proposition befitting Shiva.
The king blankly stared at Shiva, then veiled his smile with his hand.
The corners of his mouth were quivering.

“…Friendship is not something resolved with money or the like.”
“I understand that. But wouldn’t it be okay to offer a favor within my capabilities?”
“Yes. But, there might be those who seek to exploit you. Not everyone in this world is as endearing and good-hearted as you are.”
“Then, you’re safe, aren’t you?”
“…Perhaps.”

Shiva, chuckling softly.
Suddenly, Shiva’s eyes glistened.

“Eh? What?”

A quest window unfolded before Shiva’s eyes. Could it be that she managed to increase her count of friends as she desired?

“Beep, beep!?”

Shiva, filled with elation, gripped the king’s arm and gave it a vigorous shake.

“Friend, we are friends, right? Sir!”
“…If you say so.”
“Kyaaah! Sir! Bing! It’s Bing!”

Could she be trying to say ‘great’?

The more the king witnessed Shiva’s joy, the more his facial expression contorted.

-Thump.

And from Shiva’s embrace, a tiny sprite, in the shape of a bird, was covertly observing the king’s face.