AEPOB 09

Chapter 09

Was it because he had helped me from our very first meeting?

I’m not one to care much about others, but Kiki aroused my curiosity.

I reached out and grabbed Kiki.

“Why?”

“…There’s no reason.”

His expression remained calm, but anyone could tell there was a story behind those words.

“You asked what I wanted earlier, right? I’ve only seen you briefly, but I think you’re a good person. So I want to get to know you, and I want to be your friend.”

At my words, Kiki crooked one corner of his mouth in disbelief.

He let out a dry laugh and spoke coldly.

“You want to be friends with me? When your memory comes back, you’ll definitely regret it.”

“Whether I regret it or not is my right, not something for you to decide. And I’m not the kind of person who’d betray someone who helped me.”

But I didn’t back down either.

After saying that much, he should have relented, but Kiki was like an impregnable fortress.

“If you feel you owe me a favor, consider it repaid by me helping you back then.”

Kiki removed my hand that was holding his arm. Then he returned the untouched juice bottle to me.

Though his hair covered his eyes so I couldn’t see them, I felt he was meeting my gaze.

Kiki spoke calmly.

His tone was like a teacher correcting a student’s misbehavior.

“Listen carefully. If you stay with me, you’ll be in danger. So don’t come near me anymore.”

Having said his piece, he sat back down as if he had nothing more to say and resumed his work.

It was a warning that felt as if a tall, solid wall had been erected between us.

Despite my father’s efforts, after Kiki’s warning, only awkwardness remained between us.

It seemed better to watch from a distance rather than rashly approaching and making things worse.

As a result, the only conversation among the three of us was at the level of me and Kiki adding interjections to my father’s stories.

“So that time, I used this herb to…”

“Wow, Father. A.ma.zing.”

“…That’s impressive.”

Even after arriving at our house, Kiki seemed uncomfortable being with me, so he just put down the herbs he’d brought and tried to leave immediately.

Just then.

“Kiki, would you like to stay for breakfast?”

My father suggested breakfast to Kiki in front of the front door.

Even though this had been discussed beforehand, I found myself subtly checking Kiki’s reaction.

“I’m fine…”

Even seeing Kiki try to refuse, my father didn’t mind. Instead, he patted Kiki’s shoulder and said.

“I happened to buy some good meat, so I have it on hand. You helped Bell yesterday too, so I’m grateful.”

Is this why the sun won in the fable’s contest between the wind and the sun?

Unable to refuse my father’s bright smile and invitation, Kiki eventually nodded as if giving in.

As soon as the positive answer came, my father was unstoppable. He grabbed Kiki’s shoulder and guided him straight to the living room.

Then he gestured for me to follow.

When I followed and stood awkwardly behind them, my father pulled my hand and sat me and Kiki side by side on the sofa.

I felt the warmth of the child’s body through our touching shoulders.

“I’ll get breakfast ready soon, so just wait on the sofa for a moment. In the meantime, you two can talk. Okay?”

It was the moment my father patted both my and Kiki’s shoulders simultaneously, as if seeking our agreement.

Kiki’s face, which had been calm all along, suddenly flushed red.

Even his neck was red.

Soon, my father headed to the kitchen.

Even then, Kiki kept his head down, seeming flustered by his rising emotions.

‘N-no way.’

The reason he had warned me not to come near him was…!

I covered my mouth with both hands and screamed internally.

‘Because he likes my father?’

Wondering if it was a hasty deduction, I darted my eyes around.

By now, the redness on Kiki’s neck had spread to the tips of his ears.

It was too much to be from walking to the house—the chilly dawn air would have cooled him down long ago.

Though his despondent attitude that I’d seen all along bothered me, seeing his ears burning red made my guess feel quite plausible.

‘Was he jealous that I receive unconditional love from Father?’

He’s only about ten or eleven, so it’s understandable he’d miss having parents.

Or maybe he’s confusing admiration with affection in his young heart.

Just as I was continuing this chain of thoughts, I felt a tap on my arm and turned my head.

It was Kiki, surprisingly.

He had turned to face me and had moved slightly away from me at some point.

His face had returned to its normal skin tone, as if it had never been red.

I hadn’t expected him to reach out first, since he’d been so sharp with me.

Kiki spoke calmly.

“Your father called us for breakfast. He called several times, so I thought you might not have heard.”

“Uh, yeah.”

Somehow… why would he speak to me first?

See?

I knew it. He definitely likes my father.

I answered half-heartedly and stood up.

‘Maybe I should say something like “let’s go together.”‘

Fortunately, Kiki stood up following me.

Seeing no need to add anything more, I headed to the kitchen first.

The delicious smell that filled the house grew even stronger as soon as we entered the kitchen.

My mouth watered, and I swallowed and took my seat.

Soon, each person’s steak was placed on the table one by one.

At my first steak since being possessed, my eyes widened.

“Wow! Father, what’s the occasion?”

“I just received a settlement payment, so I bought it to treat ourselves. You collapsed not long ago, and Kiki has also been working hard picking herbs alone.”

My father poured the chilled fresh fruit juice into glasses and continued.

“The steak is still hot, so dip the bread in the soup first. I made plenty of food, so you both eat a lot.”

My father sat down, and the meal began in earnest.

“Thank you for the meal~!”

“Thank you for the meal, sir. Thank you for your concern.”

After my thanks, Kiki’s voice followed.

Huh?

Other than in front of the slave trader, I’d never heard him speak so gently…

I turned my head toward Kiki.

And there he was, having finished his thanks and wetting his lips with juice!

Wow, that’s really unfair.

He’s discriminating against people.

‘You wouldn’t even touch what I offered!’

With this, it was confirmed.

Kiki likes my father.

After smiling at me, my father patted Kiki’s back and encouraged him to eat a lot.

I felt a little bitter watching the heartwarming scene between the two. I quickly turned my gaze back to the meat.

‘Well, they say what you eat stays with you.’

When was the last time I had meat?

I cut the meat into bite-sized pieces and put it in my mouth. Every time I chewed, the juices burst out.

Every bite tasted as good as any restaurant, and my mood gradually improved, funnily enough.

Thanks to that, I could forget my unsettled feelings for a while and focus entirely on the meal.

I continued to chew the meat fiercely like a warrior.

After the meal, I came back to my senses. So I tried to talk to Kiki several more times.

In the end, my lips just moved without any words.

Since I’m not the type to approach someone who clearly dislikes me, I had no idea how to improve the relationship.

From breakfast to even dessert, my father had taken such good care of us that all I’d gained was a belly protruding under my dress—no other progress.

‘Besides…’

I sighed deeply, still touching my sore ears.

“Haa… isn’t there a good way?”

If only I could make it happen the way the dialogue window had said.

I glared at the source that had trapped me in my room.

**[Sub Mission!]**

Originally, I was supposed to help my father with the dishes and then sort the herbs.

So why am I in my room?

Because of the dialogue window that always shows up at the worst timing.

When the alarm sounded without warning, as if it would tear my eardrums, I covered my ears and let out a groan.

Of course, that triggered my father’s concern.

After I quickly checked the mission, I felt better.

But my father insisted I needed rest, dragged me to my bed, and only left after tucking me in.

Thanks to that, I was lying in bed recuperating.

I ground my teeth and reviewed the message the dialogue window had sent a few minutes ago.

—

**[Sub Mission!]**

**’True Friend Mission Guide’**

Possessor, it seems you’re having difficulty building social relationships. From now on, we’ll provide a ‘guide service’ related to this.