Chapter 91: Waiting, Yet Again

Chapter 91: Waiting, Yet Again

In accordance with my current lifestyle, I should be in my personal room at this time.

The slime creatures, Han Seori, and I were still in the management room.

Of course, the strangely floating sphere was also with us.

The reason we remained in the management room wasn’t all that grand.

It was simply because Kim Cheonsu hadn’t returned even though it was time for him to be back.

...Is it a big deal?

Honestly, Kim Cheonsu isn’t a little kid...

I thought it was a bit of an overreaction to be worried when not even a day had passed.

But Han Seori’s reaction was a bit strange.

She seemed to have an ominous feeling about Kim Cheonsu not returning on time.

Hmm.

Why is she acting like that?

After pondering for a moment, one possibility came to mind.

The possibility that Han Seori also has special feelings for Kim Cheonsu.

In other words... love between a man and a woman, not just a businesslike relationship.

If that’s the case, it would be understandable.

If that’s true, it means the two of them are in the fresh, youthful stages of a romantic relationship...

I’ve heard that at that stage, even the slightest mishap involving your partner can make your heart sink.

Like becoming anxious if they don’t answer their phone for even five minutes.

...It seems a bit different, but wouldn’t it be somewhat similar?

But...

From what I’ve observed so far, while Kim Cheonsu seems to have a huge crush on Han Seori...

Han Seori’s feelings were a bit ambiguous.

It didn’t seem like she particularly disliked Kim Cheonsu, but she also didn’t seem particularly drawn to him.

My eyes, which have witnessed office romances blossom, fall apart, and end in resignations, are certain of this.

They say even a tree will fall after a hundred strikes, but is Han Seori an ordinary person?

If she was, she wouldn’t have the title of Doctor at her age—

Come to think of it.

...I wonder how old Han Seori really is?

Suddenly, I became curious.

Actually, I had vaguely thought she was young just by looking at her face...

With this in mind, I focused my gaze on Han Seori’s face.

Smooth skin.

Beautiful eyes that seem cold but exude warmth.

Gorgeous appearance.

I could understand why Kim Cheonsu would be captivated, but I didn’t particularly think she looked old.

...She’s probably the age she looks, right?

Could it be... she’s actually much older but feels awkward about Kim Cheonsu’s affection because she’s a super youthful-looking person?

Nah, that’s unlikely.

Just look at her.

As I was absentmindedly imagining, I felt Han Seori’s gaze on me.

After looking at me for a moment, she wordlessly spread her arms out to both sides.

I wondered what she was doing, but she seemed to be asking for a hug.

See, this is what I’m talking about.

This kind of person can’t possibly be much older but just looks youthful.

Although she may appear cold and intellectual at a glance, she also has this vulnerable side.

If she were older, she would have a more... weathered feeling from the years.

Her vulnerable side was exposed, and she seemed to feel anxious and uneasy about Kim Cheonsu.

Do you know how hugging a big stuffed animal or pillow can have a calming effect?

She probably thought hugging me for a bit would have that effect.

...I didn’t particularly like being treated like a big stuffed animal or pillow, but considering our time together so far, I decided to oblige.

As I carefully approached, she pulled me into an embrace and leaned back in her chair.

Before long, she began stroking my jelly and murmured.

“Don’t worry too much. He’ll be back soon.”

...Wait, did she think I was worried about Kim Cheonsu?

...It’s a bit big to be called a kitchen, but for now, it’s the kitchen.

With an awkward smile, Han Seori, Daesik still nestled in my arms, Jungsik happily spraying jelly after finally getting what he wanted, and even the floating sphere with Sosik sleeping on top...

The somewhat boisterous procession headed to the kitchen.

Then I had this thought.

...Why isn’t the sphere, which calls Han Seori an “inferior species,” saying anything after seeing Jungsik’s behaviour?

Does it tolerate it because it knows I have a close relationship with that existence?

It’s a fact that Han Seori is smarter than Jungsik.

Perhaps the sphere’s criteria for labelling something an “inferior species” may not be intelligence.

While pondering this, we arrived at the kitchen.

I had to stop Han Seori, who was rolling up her sleeves to cook.

I couldn’t forget the scene I witnessed last time when we went camping.

Han Seori looks at me with a face that seems somehow disappointed.

“This is a chance to practice when Cheonsu isn’t here.”

Well.

This may sound rude, but... it might be better not to do it at all.

Just as I can’t speak, Han Seori can’t cook.

Well... I may learn how to speak in the future, but I don’t see any prospects in Han Seori.

Anyway.

Using the ingredients from the storage room, we cobbled together a rough meal and returned to the management room.

Even during that time, Kim Cheonsu did not return.

“...Hmm.”

With a serious expression, Han Seori began manipulating the panel to check something.

I also became a bit serious.

I prayed that nothing had happened, but why does it feel like things are getting complicated?

Placing my hand on the sphere, I asked it.

I asked if it could send repair drones outside the facility.

Not possible.

This guy just says it’s not possible without giving a reason.

A large amount of resources have been allocated to this facility, so it is not possible.

Yeah, thanks for the considerate answer.

What a strangely useful yet ambiguous fellow.

Is this the kind of thing that leads to an AI rebellion later on?

...Could it be that Sosik is keeping a close eye on him in case he develops strange intentions?

Haha.

There’s no way.

It was the funniest joke I had thought of since becoming jelly.

Sighing as there was nothing I could do at the moment.

“...What on earth is he doing here?”

Han Seori muttered with her eyes tightly furrowed.

On the screen she was looking at, a red dot was blinking.

Huh.

Why is it gradually fading?

“Where the hell is this place?”

Wearing a large backpack, Kim Cheonsu stood in a snowy field, covered in snow like a snowman.

Behind him, the footprints he had left were quickly erased by the falling snow.

“...This is crazy.”

Looking around at his unfamiliar surroundings, Kim Cheonsu thought.

‘...At least I have a lot of food.’

Why is the weather suddenly like this?

Feeling at a loss, he let out a deep sigh, and his breath rose into the air like fog.

In his eyes, an unprecedented blizzard was pouring down, the likes of which he had never experienced before.

For now,

He needed to find a place to take shelter from the snow.

Otherwise, it seemed he would be buried in it.