The Nature of Possession

413 – EP.15 The Happy Ending Continues

***

My eyes opened wide at the spicy smell. I sat up and saw the thick blanket wrapped around my body like a snake hunting.

As I kicked the object made of cotton and cloth, which looked like it would crack and squeak at any moment, with my foot, a dull sound was heard.

“Did you have a nightmare?”

As soon as the chaos that could not decide a winner ended, a playful voice was heard from the steps.

“Seong-ah?”

A magical girl with pigtails wearing an apron was leaning against the door.

The red seasoning on the tip of the spatula in my hand seemed to be the cause of the spicy smell.

“Sir, you must be tired. It’s rare for you to sleep in at this hour. Well, thanks to you, I was able to make breakfast.”

I raised my upper body as I looked at Seong-ah, who was making a ‘V’ sign with a proud face.

“…….”

“What, why are you spacing out? Are you half-asleep?”

“Ah… that was a really vivid dream.”

“I often have dreams like that. Sweet dreams that make me want to fall asleep again and have them again.”

Seong-ah nodded to my words.

The seasoning on the spatula fell out as it performed a precarious acrobatic trick.

“what….”

Seong-ah, who had been nodding, suddenly narrowed her eyes as if she realized something.

“But what kind of dream is it that makes you feel so sad?”

“uh?”

“As a magical girl, I have a feeling that this dream is related to a woman I’ve met in the world I’ve been to so far…!”

Seong-ah pouts and puffs out her cheeks.

You have a good instinct.

“It’s a shame, but isn’t this a rough world so far?”

“So, it looks like a woman came out?”

Seong-ah swung the spatula at me as if she was aiming a knife at me, causing the seasoning that had been hanging precariously to splash onto the blanket.

“Hey! The seasoning is dripping.”

“Does that matter now? How dare you cheat on me with another woman?”

“Even if your mouth is crooked, you have to speak straight. It’s just a dream, and it wasn’t a wish in the first place.”

“Ah! I don’t know, I don’t know. Get out of bed before you have time to talk about dreams or anything like that. Eat breakfast. I have to go to class soon.”

“What class is it?”

“It’s liberal arts. Art history.”

“Art history? I told you not to touch art. You have no talent.”

“Miss, this is called manners. Stop talking nonsense and come out quickly!”

Seong-ah, who had been firing her words like a machine gun, left the room with a thud.

“mister.”

No, I haven’t left yet.

“why?”

Seong-ah, who was about to leave, turned around. Her cool smile and the sight of her fangs were impressive.

“Come on, wake up.”

***

When I opened my eyes, I saw the ceiling. And my memories began to gradually return.

“Have you coughed?”

The sound outside the door is Chunhyang’s.

“Did you fall asleep?”

“You must be tired after carrying heavy loads all day. Even the servant is tired and is sleeping on the floor.”

Chunhyang answered my monologue.

Knock, the door opened and Chunhyang came into the room.

I felt like I had been lost in a long dream for a long time. My head was dizzy, and it was clear that my consciousness was still struggling between dream and reality.

“Haha, I guess you’re still a bit sleepy.”

Chunhyang sat down quietly next to me with a smile on her face.

Then he reached out to my arm.

Her slender hands gently wrapped around mine. Along with the soft touch, a warm sensation was transmitted.

My consciousness, which had been covered in fog, began to awaken clearly.

“They say that if you hold someone’s hand like this, they will wake up quickly. I don’t know how, but I heard that the warmth of the person helps.”

Chunhyang, who was explaining in a soft voice, seemed to realize that she had acted too boldly, so she lowered her eyes and avoided eye contact.

“Yeah, it’s effective.”

I stroked the back of Chunhyang’s hand with the hand that wasn’t mine. Chunhyang blushed even more and lowered her head.

“Hey, Hyangdan cooked noodles. You’re probably hungry, so eat some.”

I thought a spicy smell was coming from somewhere, but it was the smell of noodles.

“Okay. Let’s all eat together. Did Bangja wake up?”

“Get up and avoid the prize.”

As he stood up, leaning on his knees, Chunhyang also stood up.

“Okay, let’s fill our bellies.”

“master.”

Chunhyang’s voice stopped me from leaving the room.

She ran into my arms, jumping in.

Her red ears, pressed against his chest, were visible through his black hair.

“master.”

“Chunhyang.”

“Girl… I’m so happy.”

I stroked Chunhyang’s head silently at her free-spirited expression without any flashy words.

There was a subtle fragrance.