Chapter 171: Into the Dream
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...Hey."
While we were looking at the artworks in the museum, Song A-rin finally couldn't hold back and poked me in the side, whispering.
"Yes?"
"Do you have, like, an anxiety disorder or something? Why are you looking around so intently?"
Song A-rin was right.
Ever since entering the museum, I'd been so busy scrutinizing every painting and our surroundings.
Checking each painting to see if a semi-transparent window would appear over it or not.
Checking if that human-like figure in the distance was actually an isolation object.
Even before we actually came in, I'd called the other two.
I'd told Jang Chae-yeon to head out if anything happened, and Yu Daon, who said she'd set off the moment she got my call.
No matter how many times I said it might be nothing and that it was okay, there was no way to stop Yu Daon, who insisted she was already on her way and would wait outside the museum.
"Honestly, wouldn't it be weird if I wasn't feeling anxious?"
"..."
At my words, Song A-rin pouted.
"Well, that's true."
"Exactly."
"...Damn it. It's totally my fault, so I can't even say anything."
Song A-rin grumbled and tugged on my arm.
"Enough. Come on, quickly."
"Understood."
I'd done everything I could.
By now, I was somewhat prepared to handle whatever might happen.
I appreciated the art with Song A-rin.
To be honest, I didn't have much of an innate sensibility for enjoying art.
"Look at this painting."
Song A-rin held my arm and murmured in a cheerful voice.
"The background there is so detailed. And the character's clothes are painted incredibly well."
"They are."
While she was appreciating the art for what it was, she also observed,
"I think they probably dislike people."
"Pardon me?"
"It's definitely not that they lack painting skill."
"Right."
"But they deliberately messed up the faces. Look."
Song A-rin murmured, pulling my arm closer to her body.
She smelled of plums.
"They probably hate people, or hold some fear of them."
"...I see."
"And yet, they can't give up painting people. That's the ironic part."
Song A-rin murmured with a pleased smile.
"But, all things considered, it's still an outstanding painting."
"..."
And so, she led me around, happily explaining the paintings.
"Look at this. It's drawn so cutely. Right?"
"Right."
She'd look with shining eyes at paintings my sensibilities couldn't grasp.
"This is a real masterpiece."
"Is it?"
"Ah, don't you know? This painting..."
She'd explain the paintings with a bright, childlike smile.
And then, at times,
"Wow, look at this. They really drew it in a super... lewd... way..."
"..."
"...Sorry."
She'd whisper an apology in a small voice after looking at a painting in front of us.
I felt like I was seeing various sides of Song A-rin that I hadn't imagined.
"That was really fun."
After about two hours of listening to her happy chatter, Song A-rin was looking at me while sipping through a straw.
"It was."
"...You didn't have fun?"
She put down the straw she'd been sucking on and glanced up at me with just her eyes.
Seeing that look, I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.
"...What, why are you laughing?"
"Just... I was thinking that you have a lot more varied expressions than I thought, Ms. A-rin."
"..."
The expressions I usually saw were either a pout or a thoroughly annoyed look.
Hearing my words, Song A-rin rolled her eyes around and then put the straw back in her mouth.
"...So, what. Is that a bad thing?"
"What could be bad about it?"
Seeing different sides of a person is usually a good thing.
It means that person has decided to show me their other facets.
Of course, a plot where someone who seemed nice turns out to be a lunatic isn't a plot I'm particularly fond of.
"If you show me this side of yourself, of course I'm happy."
"..."
Song A-rin's mouth snapped shut.
She just sat there sucking on her straw again.
"Is the coffee here that good?"
"Uh, uh. Yeah. That's right. It has a strong acidity, totally my preference."
Song A-rin stammered in response to my question.
The beans we ordered here definitely weren't the high-acidity type, but rather had a strong body.
If she thinks this has strong acidity, maybe next time I should buy her some beans with a really deep, heavy body.
I fell into thought, watching her drink her coffee.
I still hadn't forgotten that video file either.
How did she remember that incident?
No, was it even a good idea to bring it up in the first place?
What benefit would Song A-rin gain if I mentioned that incident to her?
Profound guilt, or self-loathing.
It was probably better not to touch this subject.
As long as the Branch Chief and I kept quiet, it was an issue she could get past without problem.
So—
"...Hey."
Song A-rin's voice reached my ears.
"Yes?"
She leaned forward and placed her hand on my forehead.
I felt a cool touch.
"It's something I always notice. You're so obvious when you're thinking."
"...Is that so?"
"First, your eyes get all like this..."
She murmured, pointing to her own pupils.
"Like, they become super focused. So I can tell right away."
"...I see."
Jang Chae-yeon was like that, Yu Daon was like that too. Am I really that easy to read?
I'd never heard anyone say I was easy to read before, but in front of these three, I seem to come across as incredibly easy to decipher.
"Anyway."
She removed her hand and looked at me.
"I don't know what you're worried about, but if you're having a hard time, you can talk to me."
"..."
"I know too. It's not like I can listen quietly like White Hair, and I might not be able to empathize sincerely while listening like Black-Haired Woman."
Song A-rin avoided my gaze and murmured.
"But, I can always be by your side and worry with you so you can make the best choice from your perspective."
"...Thank you."
But how could I say to her face, 'Your past is weighing on my mind right now'?
"So, what is it?"
"It's a secret."
"So even if I say this, you're not going to tell me, huh?"
Grumbling, she put the straw back in her mouth.
*
It bothered her.
While still holding the straw in her mouth, Song A-rin sneakily lifted her head to check the man's complexion.
Lately, no. Ever since the painting incident, the man often looked at her with a very thoughtful gaze.
And he kept repeating the cycle of seeming like he was about to say something, then stopping.
It wouldn't matter if she didn't know.
But how could she not know?
Song A-rin sucked up the remaining coffee with the straw and sighed inwardly.
Whether she liked to admit it or not, her attention always went to that man, so how could she not notice and just let it be?
While she was blatantly staring at him drinking his coffee, there was no way Song A-rin wouldn't notice him making a complicated expression while looking at her.
Should she just ask?
No, what if he gets angry?
But she was curious.
What if she asked and received an irreparable wound?
She repeatedly gripped and released her cup.
"Let's go."
"Huh? Uh. Yeah."
The man's voice snapped Song A-rin back to attention.
She hurriedly got up from her seat.
"Are you sure it's really okay if we don't have dinner together?"
"Uh, yeah. It's fine."
She'd love to drag him to the museum from morning and have dinner together too, but...
Of all days, the final mental liberation procedure for the Regressor had to be today.
Gnashing her teeth inwardly, Song A-rin nodded.
"But you came early for me."
"I suppose so."
The man shrugged his shoulders, and as she screamed a silent scream of regret in her heart, Song A-rin started walking.
"What are you doing, let's go quickly."
"Ah, yes."
As they were leaving the museum, a familiar head of black hair brushed past her line of sight.
Song A-rin whipped her head around to look back.
"..."
No one was there.
She must really be losing it lately.
Sighing, Song A-rin headed towards the Management Bureau.
*
After catching my breath, I decided to go meet the person from the Gangdong Branch that Jang Chae-yeon had asked me to.
On the subway to Gangdong Branch, I opened the Manual.
[Manual for Office Workers]
"..."
It's not even showing numbers now.
"You're still looking at that?"
"Oh? You two still haven't made up?"
Jang Chae-yeon stuck her head out from beside me, and Yu Daon also leaned in from the opposite side to look at the Manual.
"It seems even more sulky now."
Even though I apologized.
"That's a bad habit, you know."
Song A-rin looked at me and sighed.
"What's the matter?"
And next to her, Park Ye-eun was looking at me with a curious expression.
This time, for the purpose of visiting another branch and inputting information, I decided to bring her along.
"Ah. Well, you see."
I slowly began to explain to Park Ye-eun.
The incident of shoving the Manual into my mouth, and the subsequent sulking situation.
"...From my perspective, I don't get why an inanimate object is sulking..."
Park Ye-eun listened to me, murmured, and then sighed.
"In this case, it's your fault, Oppa, isn't it?"
"Mine?"
"You shoved it in its mouth even though it said it didn't like it."
"What else was I supposed to do to survive?"
"That's one thing, and this is another."
Park Ye-eun said sharply, looking at me.
"Logic and emotion are different. Even if I have to suffer a bit to save others, I shouldn't consider that a given."
"...You're right."
"See?"
Park Ye-eun's words were so correct I had nothing to say.
"You're right."
"That's not something to say to me."
Park Ye-eun pointed at the Manual.
"Apologize properly."
"...Ahem."
I cleared my throat and opened my mouth to apologize, but Park Ye-eun smacked my arm.
"Do it in another car! You have no sense, absolutely no sense."
"Fine, fine."
I wondered if it was right for me to be getting told off like this by someone ten years younger than me, but what she said made the most sense, so I had no choice.
I slowly moved to another car to put some distance between us, then held the Manual with both hands.
"...I'm sorry."
What should I say?
"Even if it was necessary, it must have been really hard for you. I think I treated you too roughly."
Thinking of that child, the words flowed out more smoothly than I expected.
"But, thanks to you, I survived. I would have died for sure otherwise."
Ahem. I cleared my throat and bowed my head.
"Thank you."
After a short while,
—Shwip!
The Manual opened.
<Manual for Office Workers>
1. A warm hug is best for the finale.
"..."
It sure asks for a lot.
Do I really have to do this?
Suppressing a sigh, I held the Manual carefully in both hands.
Honestly, it wasn't much different from carrying it in my inner pocket.
"I'm sorry."
After holding the Manual for about a minute and letting go,
—Shwip!
The Manual opened.
<Manual for Office Workers!>
QD - On the way to Gangdong Branch
1. You can take the subway to get to Gangdong Branch!
2. It's shaky, so please be careful!
Why are there exclamation points?
*
"You're here."
A grizzled old man looked at Jang Chae-yeon and Song A-rin, then at me.
"Seeing you keep your sanity after putting those two on the same team, your social skills must be quite impressive."
"Grandpa!"
"..."
Song A-rin shouted, and Jang Chae-yeon glared at the man.
"Thank you for the compliment."
At my words, the man chuckled softly and opened his mouth.
"We don't have much time, so I'll be blunt."
"Yes."
"Take a little trip into the dream."
"Pardon?"
All of us could only make bewildered expressions at the man's words.