TIST 06

Chapter 06

A soft nose brushed against a straight bridge, and red lips collided.

The tender breath blocked Cheong-yeon’s words entirely. It was a warmth mixed with the sweet scent of alcohol and flowers.

A sensation she had never experienced before stimulated her nerves sharply. In an instant, her reason shattered into fragments.

He let go of So-ram’s wrist and took a hesitant step back.

For a moment, a cliff-like silence stretched between the two of them. So-ram didn’t miss the gap.

Now… the best strategy is to run. Bounce away like a rabbit!

She grabbed the jade pendant that had fallen and dashed out, leaving the stunned man behind.

“….”

Cheong-yeon wiped his lips with the back of his hand as he stared at the empty space where So-ram had disappeared.

Heat lingered in the place her breath had been.

He had seen countless drunk people acting disgracefully—students, teachers, everyone. But this was the first time he had experienced something like this.

Overpowered by the bold kiss of a woman, he was completely dazed.

His mind was a tangled mess, like a knotted skein of thread.

Standing there with a vacant expression for a while, he finally chased after So-ram.

His legs trembled as if they might collapse.

Staggering, he pressed himself against a wall, and the silvery moonlight poured over his entire body.

In an instant, So-ram transformed into a tiny otter.

“Hic!”

A startled hiccup escaped her. The smell of alcohol still clung to her.

This foolish drunk—or rather, otter…

She hadn’t found a proper hiding spot yet, but at least she was safe. At least, no one had seen her transform.

“Phew…”

Even the insects seemed to be sleeping; the surroundings were utterly quiet. She exhaled a sigh of relief.

Suddenly, her body was lifted.

The bitter scent of alcohol dissipated in the blowing night air, replaced by a familiar fragrance.

No!

It was him again. The ghost-like Dr. Nak appeared without a sound!

He had firmly grabbed the back of her neck.

“Eeeek!”

The despairing So-ram thrashed, screaming.

“An aquatic animal?”

Cheong-yeon was equally flustered at the unexpected otter in his grasp. His earlier embarrassment hadn’t even fully subsided.

As he chased after the vanished So-ram, he noticed her scattered clothes and the half-jade pendant lying around.

Preparing himself for the chaos of her drunken antics, he had turned the corner… only to discover a tiny creature.

The small furball had hidden absurdly among the bushes, as if just hiding its head was enough. A stray weasel, perhaps? But an unexpected aquatic animal?

Where had the one he was searching for gone, and where had this creature come from?

He stood there, utterly perplexed.

Though he always tried to maintain composure, he had never faced such an absurd situation. Everything was far beyond his expectations.

While he tried to sort through his thoughts, So-ram struggled several times before exhausting herself and giving up.

Even as a human, she had been small. Now, in this form, resistance was futile—like hitting a rock with an egg.

Her limp paws and feet dangled in the cool air. His complicated feelings were impossible to put into words.

Dr. Nak still looked at her as if she were a spectacle, making every part of her body uncomfortable.

So-ram, silent like a hidden doll, suddenly lifted her head. A wave of nausea churned violently inside her.

The dreadful queasiness was unbearable, as if the world’s storms were tossing her from head to toe.

She clamped her hands over her mouth, but it wasn’t enough.

Already weak and now immobilized by his grasp…

Ugh.

Her whole body, pushed to the limit, convulsed uncontrollably. Her face, hidden by fluffy fur, turned pale.

Finally, Cheong-yeon noticed something was wrong and turned the animal toward himself.

That’s when So-ram vomited everything inside her.

The thin slurry didn’t fall neatly to the floor.

Right before her eyes, the bright white of her clothing was revealed—even the stains she had soiled.

“B-bii…”

A crying-like sound escaped her embarrassed teeth. She shivered violently, mortified and terrified.

He wouldn’t kill her, would he?

The stinging pain below her chest was insignificant compared to his cold gaze, which made it hard to breathe.

All plans—beauty trap, escape—had failed. Only playing dead could save her. Just as predators avoid dead prey, she hoped he would do the same.

So-ram slumped like wet cotton with a tiny squeak.

“….”

Cheong-yeon did not vent his anger on the soiled otter. Nor did he release her.

Holding her in one hand, he collected her dropped clothes and the jade pendant, moving carefully.

Cheong-yeon walked silently, as if over water. The quietness reminded her of the old lady, Kum. Thinking of her made So-ram even more melancholic.

She longed for the peaceful life at the bookstore—the old lady’s nagging, endless chores, even the rude customers.

The ghost-like man eventually opened a door and stepped inside somewhere.

So-ram felt herself placed on a soft cushion. His hands were surprisingly careful, leaving her slightly bewildered.

Cheong-yeon stared intently at the creature, which closed its eyes like it was dead.

Curled into a tight ball, she looked pitiful.

Even the nearest stream was ten ri away. It was impossible to imagine how this little one had traveled alone along the rough terrain, especially to a secluded, heavily guarded academy. The more he thought, the stranger it seemed.

He silently studied the small animal, noting her vomit and a wound on one front paw, from which a trickle of blood ran.

He turned toward the cupboard, fetching ointment and bandages. The tiny otter squealed at his touch.

“Oeoooo!”

It hurt!

So-ram, pretending to be dead, could not withstand it and raised her head. Her trembling paw shook uncontrollably.

As the alcohol wore off, aches spread through her body—head pounding, stomach burning, skin shivering.

And when he touched the torn wound… she could not endure.

Upon meeting his gaze, she immediately cowered.

“Ueeng…”

She whimpered awkwardly, lowering her gaze as if nothing had happened.

Cheong-yeon’s hands grew gentler as he carefully applied ointment and wrapped her paw.

Even after treatment, the little otter trembled continuously. Perhaps the room was too chilly.

After some thought, Cheong-yeon gently covered her prickly back with a handkerchief.

The otter twitched once, then slowly regained calm.

Her even breathing suggested she soon fell asleep.

In the small, rounded creature, So-ram felt a strange sense of familiarity—and yes, perhaps a faint smell of alcohol.

Likely from her scattered belongings nearby.

“When did… it get so late at night…”

Where had she disappeared to, leaving all her things behind? Seeing her scattered clothes gave her a sharp headache.

He changed into clean clothes and stepped outside.

A gentle night breeze brushed his cheek. The vast academy was silent, as if empty.

Cheong-yeon searched for So-ram through several side gates. Though he knew she had intentionally escaped, he checked everywhere just in case.

Unable to find her, he informed the guards and returned.

Warm sunlight poured over her closed eyelids.

Her body felt limp, like freshly made rice cakes. Just a little more sleep…

Where was she? Was this the fabled paradise she had heard of? How did it look again…?

So-ram, lost in a sweet dream, was suddenly brought to awareness.

The moment she realized reality, goosebumps raced down her spine.

Yes. He was still lightly covering her back.

The cool scent of the man!