Chapter 53 – The Aquarium

Going crazy.
Frustrated, I open the window and smoke a cigarette.

“Ha, damn…”

The Black Skull was annihilated.
No, to the point where you could say ‘missing’. Without leaving a single bone fragment anywhere. Just disappeared

Kwajik – With the sound of a head being smashed. Communication was lost.

I immediately put in ‘Red Skull’, which only kills high-risk monsters.
Couldn’t get anything Under the darkness, I searched everywhere to see if it was submerged in filth. A corpse, an arm, a leg, nothing. Didn’t find it.

After that day, the political world and the military- an emergency took place.

Medium risk monsters are easy to catch now. Because high-risk monsters are ‘still’.

Once upon a time, it was necessary to mobilize a real ‘knight’ to catch only one, but a monster that could be a group or an object was hiding under the sewer in the house. There is no horror like this.

“Mother.”

For more than 3 days.
All human beings mobilized, and tried to find that high-risk monster- somehow. Nonetheless, too. Weird. No ‘clues’ are found to the point of being suspicious.

Monsters don’t have proper ‘intelligence’.
That’s what it says, but it’s good enough to see that it’s practically non-existent. Just instinctively. It is no different from a small creature that flows and flows like water as it breathes. Such a creature. Leaving no clues. It’s weird, but it’s too weird.

“Fuck.”

No. That’s not going to happen.
Fear strikes again. It is the only known information so far, but the closer you get to the truth, the more your body rejects it. Although most monsters are not intelligent. Just one, no, three. There are monsters with ‘intelligence’.

Fenrir.

Svarozic.

And-

A ‘humanoid’ monster.

“Ha…”

I can’t hold my sigh.

What if… What if the monster hiding under the sewer is truly humanoid. It just doesn’t end in an emergency.

The worst situation equivalent to a ‘national crisis’ will come.

Right now, the monster is just being discovered.
The truth is, he wasn’t human. I wish I could clarify that. And even if it’s a real ‘humanoid’ monster-

Still, I hope it’s less form. Just.

I just beg and beg

*

*

*

On the bus going home.

My heart and body are tired.

Something… Something is going wrong.
Something is going wrong. Today Han Ye-rin is so ‘kind’ to me that I’m suspicious. Aside from playing around, it’s obvious that you’ll be looked down on and cursed at normally. It’s fucking weird.

There is nothing strangely uncomfortable about it. No, my heart is tired. There is nothing else. It’s award winningly comfortable.

Turning around, I thought we were going to have sex.
Didn’t even do that really. It’s okay to even go home alone. Let me go This feeling is like-

The feeling of being ‘cared for’.

“What…”

I get goosebumps on my arms.
He puts his hand on her forehead and ponders. What am I doing wrong? Think carefully. There’s no way people can suddenly change like that. There is something. Then.

Ugh-

Cell phone rings.

Swallow saliva
It’s coming Yes, there is no way Han Ye-rin would just let me go like this. She takes a deep breath and pulls out her phone.

– What are you going to play with tomorrow?

What…

Seol-ah sent a text message.
No, but… The tone is that, why are you like this? It’s disappointing in a different way. Momentary silence. Something, I need to reply. Hands can’t keep up with head. After a while

– (Message deleted.)

Seol-ah deleted the message.
My heart is beating fast I can imagine Seol-ah’s face. The backpacker is ashamed. What are you going to play with tomorrow? She gets into trouble Tomorrow… What are we playing with? Something really fun to do…

Shall we go to the cinema?

No funny movies

Shall we go to the amusement park?

It seems too arrogant.

Or not…

Even an aquarium… Shall we go?

“Hmm.”

It is suitable.

– Do you like fish?

Get lucky If it’s good, it’s confirmed.

Now all you have to do is read it.

All you have to do is read…

At most, 1 does not disappear.

Did you wait 10 minutes? Finally, Seol-ah read the text. Breathe a sigh of relief My heart is pounding.

– I like you.

“Whoa…!”

Done!

Type quickly

– Then, would you like to go to the aquarium together tomorrow?

Again
1 does not disappear. I tremble my legs in anxiety. Should I just go somewhere else? Ordinarily, even if it’s just not fun, a movie theater or-

– Good.

A reply came.

“Whoa…”

A smile forms on your lips.
Now that I think of playing with my friends properly, my heart beats with joy.

Just look at some fish, go to the library together and study…

The schedule for tomorrow is drawn in my head.

Even on the way back home.

Until the end, the smile did not leave his lips.

*

*

*

In front of the station.
The two met.

“Tae-ho… Are you here…?”

Seol-ah slowly waved her small hand at me.

Suspenders and jeans shorts. White t-shirt. Brown Bread Hat. White sneakers.

Half-closed eyes look at me.
I also wave my hand at the spontaneous smile. Slowly stand up and move forward.

“Let’s go now.”

“Yes…”

Seol-ah nods her head.
Seol-ah grabs my collar and slowly, the two of us. Enter the station

The inside of the station is crowded with people. I hold Seol-ah’s hand and ride the escalator first.

“Ah. Taeho… Thank you…”

Seol-ah looks up at me and smiles shyly. Thank you? No, you have to stand

I am the one to thank.
It’s the only support in the academy. This much can be done. Seol-ah turns her head and looks in front of her. A small bread hat is visible. She goes down to the basement and waits for the train.

“Where are you going to the aquarium…?”

When I stand in front of the screen door and wait, Seol-ah taps my arm.

“Starlight Aquarium.”

“What is…?”

Seol-ah looked a little surprised.
It deserves it. I’m going for the first time too. It’s an aquarium, but in reality it’s like a department store with everything you need. The entrance fee is terrifyingly expensive… But this is not even money.

Are you friends?

I chose it with great care.
Something… I don’t think I’ll be able to satisfy you. Looking for a better place and finding a better place. Gearco went all the way to the high end. But, it doesn’t matter.

“Isn’t it too expensive…?”

Okay.

“It’s okay. It didn’t cost much.”

Got a discount

It’s a lie. I actually heard a lot. Still, it’s okay.

Because it’s good… It’s good.

To be honest, I have no idea what Seol-ah likes.

No, I know a little bit.
He likes heavy metal… He’s crazy about tteokbokki… I know a little bit. Just a little bit Whenever I see Seol-ah, I keep…

Even more, I want to become friends.

The train arrived. The screen door opens and people pour out like water.

“Ah. You have to stand up.”

Tells you to be careful
Put your arm next to Seol-ah. There are too many people than you think. If you do fall, it’s a big deal. Seol-a flinched and touched my arm.

“That, ugh… Thank you…”

Seol-ah slightly blushed her cheeks and lowered her head.
I also nod. Eolchu people fall in and there is a place to enter. I take Seol-Ah’s hand and enter the train. A place to sit… Ah.

There is only one seat. I walk quickly and put Seol-ah in front of me.

“You sit down.”

“Uh, no… Taeho, you sit down…”

Seol-ah grabs my collar. No? Nope?

“Are you going to ride for more than 40 minutes?”

“40 buun…? It’s so long…”

“Yes. So you have to stand. You just sit.”

Looking at Seol-ah, she smiles.

Seol-ah lowers her head again.

“What is that, you know I like sports. It’s okay to stand still.”

Seol-ah hesitates, slowly raising her blushing face. Eyes meet each other. She nods briefly and sits down.

“That, thank you…”

The train.

It moves.

*

*

*

Did it run for about 20 minutes?

It’s a little inside the train, but it becomes quiet.

The seat next to Seol-ah was empty.

She sits down slowly.

“Tae-ho…?”

“I’m about halfway there now.”

Slowly look at Seol-ah’s expression.

“What’s wrong? Are you tired?”

It’s because her eyes are basically half-closed. It’s hard to tell them apart. You shouldn’t be tired already.

“Huh? No no no…”

Seol-ah laughs. She’s fine, she waves her hand. She looks tired too…

“If you’re tired, get some sleep.”

‘Cause I’ll see you later

Looking at Seol-ah, she smiles. Seol-ah blushes again.

“Ugh… I get it…”

No running train. Seol-ah slowly closes her eyes.

“Should I stand?”

Gently shake Seol-ah’s shoulder. Tuk-tuk Seol-ah’s face hits my shoulder.

“Yes…?”

“Now, he has arrived…”

“Yes?”

Seol Ah, I slowly took her head off her shoulder. OK.

“Ugh, Geu, Ugh… Mi, Mia An…”

She freaks out and tells me she’s sorry. Okay. Wash your hands.

“With something like this. Let’s get off now.”

It happens slowly. He takes Seol-Ah’s hand and raises her up from her seat. Get out of the train

“Thank you…”

I look at Seol-ah. If you look closely, you can see her bread hat slightly. Pressed to her side

“For a moment.”

Touch the bread cap to return it to its original shape.

“That, uh, Tae, Tae-ho?”

Seol-ah’s face turns red.

“I’m fine now.”

“Uhhhhh…”

Again, Seol-ah lowers her head. Why is that?

“Shall we go now?”

“…”

Seol-ah bowed her head and nodded briefly. Seol-ah slowly grabs her collar.

Matching her steps with Seol-ah, I slowly walk out of the station.

The scorching sun feels toxic and brighter today.

He taps Seol-ah’s arm.

“There- see that building in the distance?”

Points south with her finger. In the distance, you can see the Seonggwang Aquarium.

“…Huh.”

Weird. Seol-ah has no words. Really, why are you doing this?

“Are you okay?”

“Uh, yes… It’s okay…”

Seol-ah quickly nods her head.

“That’s the Starlight Aquarium.”

I look at Seol-ah and make her smile.

*

*

*

Stepping inside, a pleasant breeze surrounds the two of us.

“Shall we eat something first?”

“Eh… What should I eat…?”

“Let’s just eat a hamburger.”

Seol-ah nods her head.

Seol-ah grabs my collar. She slowly adjusts her pace and enters her shop.

Each of them buys a hamburger and sits side by side to eat it.

“But, you have to stand.”

“Yes?”

“You say you like fish, but what do you like more?

“Ummm…”

Seol-ah stops eating her hamburger and wiggles her hand.
A cold wind from above seeps down her collar. Outside, cicadas cry incessantly, and the scorching sun warms the asphalt.

“Tae-ho, maybe…”

Seol-ah takes her luck.

“Do you like cats…?”

Cat?

Nod.

“Naa… I really like it… Sometimes when I have nothing to do… I play a video with a cat…”

Keep watching…

It does.

“Which cat do you like?”

The conversation starts to bite the tail.

“…Russian Blue.”

Seol-ah eats a hamburger. Oh, she likes Russian Blue? Wait a minute, but come to think of it. Russian blue…

“Is it gray again?”

Seol-ah nods her head.

“Yeah… I really like gray… Looking at my room, it’s all gray…”

“All gray?”

“Ugh… The walls are gray, the bed is gray, the pillow is gray, the desk is gray…”

“No, what is that, to that extent?”

“Eh… Is there a problem? By the way, Taeho… Do you have a favorite color?”

“No, there’s no problem… Favorite color? Hmm…”

Think carefully. I’ve never thought of anything like this. Umm…

“Silver?”

“Eunsaeak…? That’s right, Taeho liked sports…”

So is that so…?

No, it’s not… Is that how it is? Nod.

“I really like exercise… But what kind of exercise do you usually do…?”

This time, Seol-ah asks me. A smile forms on your lips.

Yes, this is how it feels.

It feels different from the restaurant I went to with Han Ye-rin. I definitely feel it on this occasion.

What matters is not the place.

The important thing – people.

Conversation goes on and on.

What’s your favorite food?

What’s your favorite sport?

What’s your favorite animal?

And.

“Come to think of it, Seol-ah. Do you have a favorite person?”

Who do you like?

I’m honestly curious.
Seol-ah is pretty cute, but even in an academy with only fuckers, wouldn’t there be at least one person she likes?

“That, uh, uh huh?”

Seol-ah’s face quickly turns red. Is it real? Anticipation soars.

“There is?”

“…”

Seol-ah stops eating her hamburger and lowers her head. Then, slowly, she nods. There is!

“Are you in the academy?”

“Ugh, huh…”

Seol-ah puts down the hamburger. Why?

Seol-A slowly nods her head.

“Oh… I see. Do you know who it is-“

“Uh, uh! Tae, Taeho, I’m full. Shall we go now?!”

Seol-ah jumps up from her seat. She grabs my wrist at super speed and comes out of her shop.

“Haha…”

Seol-ah breathes heavily. Seol-ah aggressively turns her head to look at me.

“Now, let’s go see the dolphins…”

With Seol-ah holding my wrist, she drags me forward.

What?

*

*

*

Whoa… That’s weird.

Keeps on.

Her heart is pounding

Boo, I’m ashamed…

*

*

*

The sun is slowly sinking, sinking below the horizon.

Now… She has to go to the library. Uh, something is wrong

‘I-I’ll go first…’

Seol-ah went home first.
She dyed her face all red, and rushed. As soon as she reached the station, she jumped on a bus and ran away. Cold sweat runs down her head.

Have I done anything wrong?

Even if he texts me, he won’t look at me, and I’m going crazy.

No.

Why?

*

*

*

“Ha…”

My brother is in so much danger… I can’t take it anymore.

The lower body is hot.

Now…

I.

Should instead

Tomorrow.

I.

Let’s do it.

“I’m sorry…”

Moonlight slowly.

Eat into the clouds