I bought all the books in e-book form. So translating is a lot easier now. This is the last part of chapter 2. Chapter 3 incoming.
I called Narae. …I was worried if she'd answer, but I was a little happy to find that she picked up after only three minutes.
[Don't call me. Pervert. Go die.]
Beep—.
No, I wasn't that happy. I had no idea what I said to deserve those words, but there was no helping it. Narae was speaking more sharply than normal because she was embarrassed.
Since, at this rate, there was no chance that she would answer the phone and if I kept calling her it'd just make her angrier, I decided to send her a text. Because I had something important to talk with her about. And so, within less than a minute, I received a call from Narae.
…This is what Narae's personality is like. So of course, there was no way anyone could dislike her.
[If it's something trivial, I'll get pissed. Now hurry up. What is it?]
I gave Narae a rough sketch of the situation I was currently facing. A young phantom named Kkachi is trying to kill me. Of course, I'm perfectly safe. The problem is that phantom named Kkachi will kill me if I leave. And after I told her what I decided to do, I said this:
"…So the thing is. I'm sorry. It seems like it'll be a while before I can go back to Seoul."
Narae, who was silently listening to me talk, spoke for the first time.
[I'm gonna get pissed.]
"…What?"
My eardrums nearly burst from the concussive sounds coming out of the phone.
[You stupid idiot! What the hell do you take me for, if you're saying stuff like that to me?!]
I think of you as the girl I like most in the world, the one I want to marry.
[Did you forget what I told you?!]
"Ah."
I had forgotten until now. Narae's words, that gave me a push when I was worried. That was when I realized why Narae was so angry at me.
"…I'm sorry."
[You're only noticing the weirdest things, you idiot. You get it? My unni said she'd help me, so don't worry about me and worry about yourself.]
"Okay."
Huh? Wait. But Narae's an only child, so she shouldn't have a big sister?
"Narae, what did you just…"
Beep—.
The phone's segmented beeps resonated in my ears. Did I mishear her? I decided to think about it later.
After I finished my call with Narae, the final person I looked for was Rangii.
Rangii was talking with Saehee about something, and the second Rangii heard me behind her, she looked behind her in surprise, her fur on edge. What the heck. Did I catch you doing something bad?
"Wh-When'd you get here?!"
"Just now. Why?"
"No, it's nothing. Saehee, leave for a bit."
"Understood, Master."
Saehee gave a slight bow and disappeared from sight.
Something smelled awfully fishy. What was going on? I was curious, but it also bothered me that Saehee used to be here. Hm. I won't ask. Because I'm not interested in sticking my hand in a snake's den.
"Really? Then are you free right now? There's something I want to talk with you about."
At those words, Rangii's tail slowly shook from side to side, then suddenly stood up straight as she looked up at me with shining eyes.
"Do you finally want to set a date for our wedding?!"
I was simply amazed at how her mind arrived at that conclusion.
"No. It's about Chii."
"Chii?"
Rangii made a question mark with her hair. Ah, that's right. She doesn't know.
"It's Kkachi's nickname."
"What's a nickname?"
Do I even have to explain something like that?
"It's like how even though your name is Ho Rangii, I call you Rangii."
Rangii nodded her head.
"Ah, so because she's a kkachi (magpie), her name is Chii."
…Was that it? I thought it was just a nickname, but is that why that's her nickname?
"That aside, she's what I want to talk with you about."
"What is it?"
Maybe it was because I was talking seriously, but Rangii suddenly stuck her arms and legs stiffly to her body and stood up straight. It seemed like she was doing that to show me that she was listening properly, but it was actually adorable so it didn't do anything to reassure me. That's why I patted Rangii's head.
"Hawoooo…"
Rangii's body relaxed. Now I was able to say what I wanted to.
After hearing what I had to say, Rangii spoke without even a note of hesitation.
"That's okay! If my husband wishes to do that, then how could I stop you?!"
"Thanks."
Now all that was left was talking with Chii herself.
Chii was sitting on the crossbeams of the ceiling. I saw Chii's bare feet with ankle bracelets naturally wrapped around them.
"…What're you doing up there?"
"Tch."
So not only are you frowning after seeing someone, you're even clicking your tongue at him.
"It seems you found me. So, what is it? Are you now planning on violating and then killing me?"
I silently motioned to her. Chii kept her skirt down with both her hands and dropped from the crossbeam to stand in front of me. I grabbed her ears that were visible in her hair and,
"Awoo?!"
I grabbed them and pulled.
"Awooooooo!!"
I felt a little bad after seeing Chii be in such terrible pain so I let her go. Chii hid her bright red ears and shouted at me.
"We phantoms have…"
"Sensitive ears when you're in human form. Right?"
"To do that even when you knew! You really are just like a human!"
"Is that a compliment or an insult?"
"I'm telling you to leave and die."
I learned that when a phantom tells you that you're just like a human, that really means she's saying leave and die.
"Where have you met a kinder person than me…sorry."
Saying that would just be a waste of energy.
"Anyway, there's something I need to tell you."
"You were wrong this time as well. So you are going to do it."
"That's right. I am."
Chii flinched. However,
"Fine. So you'll be doing it here? I have prepared myself."
I had no doubt that she meant what she said and that her resolve would never waver. I might actually enjoy trying my hardest to whittle down her hardened will, but…wait, what am I thinking right now?
"That's right. Like you said, I'm going to…"
I did what I decided to do.
I put my hand on top of Chii's head. And I gave her a soft pat on the head.
Chii looked as if she was saying, "Has this bastard gone insane?" and that told me how Chii thought of me.
"We made the promise that in this house, you won't harm me and we won't harm you, right?"
"That's right."
I told Chi my decision.
"So the thing is, I'm never going to leave the house."
"…Awoo?"
"In other words, until you fix your thinking and go back to the phantom you made the contract with and get it voided, I'm going to stay in this house even if I die of old age. I won't take even a step outside."
At first Chii looked surprised, and then the hair above her ears slapped my hand. That hurt.
"Please don't tell jokes. No matter what happens, I'm going kill you, big brother!"
"Do whatever you want as long as you're outside."
This was the birth of the cold city-boy, Kang Sunghoon.
"I'm not going to go outside. And I'll bet you're not planning gon breaking the promise you swore your heaven given name, right, Miss Magpie Phantom?"
"Awoo!!"
She was staring at me angrily, but so what?
"Why in the world are you being like this?! Why are you so concerned about my death?! Is it because you're a lolicon?!"
This, however, did matter to me. I sighed heavily and explained.
"Ha—ah. Hey, would you stop deluding yourself? I'll admit that I do like children, but that's only cute children."
Though it may be easy to misunderstand, I was talking about something other than a kid's appearance.
"I actually hate uncute, smart-mouthing kids like you. Respect the fact that even I have my preferences."
"I never asked you to like me. And I also hate big brother."
"Look. Even if I were a lolicon, do you really think I'd like you if you say things like that? Think about it. Kids your age need to be bright, energetic, and a little clueless like Rangii to be cute. But you're the exact opposite. You have a dirty mind, you talk about dark things like living and dying, and you think way too much. That's what annoys me. And it annoys me even more that you're just like me when I was a kid. It's like looking in a mirror."
"…What?"
Chii was taken aback, but I nonchalantly continued.
"I hate you, but that's why I can't leave you alone."
"You're saying some terrible things, big brother. I am nowhere near as ugly as you."
This may be true for everyone, but I think my looks are average.
"And how can someone who lived a happy life like big brother say that we are similar? That is outrageous."
"Just that?"
I stuck my tongue out at her. That was the perfect provocation. As I expected, Chii shouted at me with her hands clenched into fists.
"Please don't speak as if you know everything! It's arrogant!"
"I'm glad to hear that. Since I'm not trying to get on your good side."
You see? This is the tolerance of an adult who's been bullied by Saehee.
"Awooo!!"
"Well, anyway. You're not going to listen to anything I say, so I'll just stop talking."
I did that as well. Everything my aunt or my cousins said went in one ear and out the other. That's why I know. A kid like her needs time. Time for her to open her ears to me. That's why this was the best thing to do.
"Do whatever you want. Leave if you want, and stay here if you want. I don't care what you do in the house as long as you don't break our promise. Rangii and Saehee promised as well. They won't get you even if you leave. Now then, that's all I have to say."
"Wh-What are you saying, big brother?! You said you were keeping me alive to be your sex slave! And you were lying in wait until now for me to lower my guard!"
Ah geez. There's nothing she can't say. No, where did you learn those words in the first place, you brat?
"I told you. Those were all lies. Regardless, I'm into big-breasted, mature women. Next are innocent maidens."
Ah, this was starting to be cathartic. I smiled cheerfully and spoke.
"I have no interest in cheeky brats like you. Now shoo, shoo."
I waved my hand at her like I was shooing away a bird. After seeing that, Chii's hair rose and she was furious.
"Awoooo!! If I only had more power, then I wouldn't be in this form!"
But that shouldn't be the bit that you're mad about? Still, I continued the conversation by matching with what Chii said.
"So, you grow if you have more power?"
"Our mental maturity and power. Isn't it common knowledge that we need those two things to gain an adult's form?!"
"Phantoms sure are interesting."
After saying that, I had to laugh.
I mean, a four-thousand-year-old tiger's body grows then shrinks on its own, so what does that matter? I guess that's what phantoms are like.
"All right. I get it. Go ahead and say that when that that happens. Looks like you'll have to live for another 500 years. 500 years ~Why get made for asking to live for 500 years~." (tn: A reference to the Korean song 한오백년.)
And while I sang that folk song,
"J-Just wait and see! After harassing me like that, you'll receive divine punishment!"
After I made Chii so mad that her eyes even began tearing up, I casually left her behind and walked to my room.
I bet you're upset, you brat. Now I wasn't holding back. Uhahahaha.
…I had no idea what my provocations would result in.