23 – Joo In-nim…! Where did you go?!

[ What -.. ]

Just as she was about to ask again because she didn’t understand Lian’s question, her view suddenly changed.

[ What is this -… Kyaaah! ]

The view began to change instantly. Not affected by gravity, she started flying at an incredible speed.

When Giuliana disappeared in front of her eyes as if erased, Lian spoke in a cheerful voice, as if he had wiped away the dust of a long time.

“Phew, dealt with it without any problems.”

The question “How do you fix the horizon coordinates?” was a more certain exorcism method than any other. Asking such a question to a ghost in the world of comedy could be a dangerous statement that might lead to being dragged to the police station.

“L-Lian, what did you just do?”

“Oh, I blew away that ghost like an evil spirit.”

“Bl..blew it away?”

All sorts of question marks filled Noah’s mind at the unheard-of situation. Soon, all those questions were overshadowed by ‘regret.’

‘If… if I had taken that hand, could I have become stronger?’

When he tried to grab the hand as if possessed by a spell, he couldn’t easily believe it. All the power easily obtained from every book he read before finding the white book demanded a significant price. Whether Noah refused the power by his own choice or the opportunity was forcibly taken away, the desire for strength became stronger.

“Let’s look for another book,” Noah said as he rose from his seat and reached for the bookshelf.

Thunk.

“Huh?!”

Lianne firmly grabbed Noah’s hand.

“Noah, I’ve told you before, this is the place Mia said not to enter. Besides, I’ve heard separately that there are incredibly dangerous books here. Just opening them could lead to bones and flesh separating,” Lianne cautioned.

“Uh, um…”

“Today hasn’t been good for you, seeking solitude, but being here isn’t the answer. Let’s go get something sweet together. It might lift your spirits. If you need to vent, I’m here to listen!” Lianne spoke eloquently and enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling.

“Ah -! So, this is what friendship is all about!”

In the world of comedy, friends stick together for pranks but swiftly detach for serious conversations. Comedy world inhabitants can’t endure dull stories for even five minutes.

Finally, the prospect of a “friendly” conversation made Lianne happier than ever before.

“Uh, um…”

Noah could only stare at the hand held by Lianne, uttering foolish words.

“Then, let’s go out!”

As Lianne pulled, Noah followed.

***

“Did you have a proper meal?”

“…No.”

“Then, let’s eat first—”

Swoosh—!

Before I finished speaking, something rushed like the wind and landed on my face.

“Juin-nim…! Where did you go?”

It was Jest’s voice. I reflexively tried to remove Jest from my face, but Jest wouldn’t budge easily.

“Jest… I’m suffocating.”

“..!”

At my words, Jest let go. There was a thud, and Jest fell, sounding like an echo. Tears welled up in Jest’s eyes instantly. An emergency bell rang in my mind. I lifted and lowered Jest, repeatedly trying to console.

“Why… Why do you think our Jest is crying? Is it because they’re hungry, maybe?”

Then, Jess, who had been sniffling, spread his arms and said,

“Hug me…”

“Y-Yeah!”

I immediately embraced the sobbing Jess. I patted Noah on the back, attached to my stomach like a koala, and looked at him.

“Let’s go then.”

“…Okay.”

It seemed like we needed to hurry. Noah’s expression wasn’t too good! Holding Jess in my arms, I headed to the kitchen.

“Did Jess eat?”

Jess nodded sniffling. It seemed like he was saying he had starved because I wasn’t there.

“You shouldn’t do that in the future. If you starve, you might not grow tall.”

“…!”

Jess raised his head as if in agreement and made a shocked expression.

“Afro, I’ll eat well!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Fortunately, there was leftover food in the kitchen that could be easily reheated. Since I had taken care of my meal before heading out for the experiment, I only prepared meals for Jess and Noah.

Originally, the plan was to listen to Noah’s complaints by his side while he ate his meal or snack, but it seemed difficult with Jess around. However, it wasn’t something I could just dismiss Jess for.

Unable to help it, I decided to examine the kitchen while the two of them had their meal. Whether Pia had already cleaned up or not, I didn’t have to worry about additional cleaning.

Drip, drip.

Listening to the sound of the two of them eating, I took out the remaining fruits and cut them all. I planned to give them as snacks for the kids.

Cut into bite-sized pieces and piled on a plate, I tidied up the surroundings while Jess and Noah finished their meal.

“I’ll do the dishes.”

“I want to help too!”

Jess raised his plate high, showing it off, but Noah shook his head and said,

“Jess, you’re still small, it’ll be tough for you.”

…!!

Jess made a shocked expression at Noah’s words. The kitchen they were using had been adjusted to my height, thanks to Mia, so Pia, Noah, and I could comfortably use it. However, for kids like Jess, who were only half my height, it wasn’t accessible.

From Noble mtl dot com

As if unable to believe reality, Jess looked at the sink that was higher than his height, ears and tail drooping.

After transferring the plate full of fruit to a tray, I handed it to Jess and said,

“We’ll take care of the dishes, so could you take this to the dining room? Call the others too; we’re all going to eat together.”

“…! Okay!”

Jess perked up her ears and nodded, holding a tray and taking careful steps.

“Noah, would you follow Jess? I’ll do the dishes.”

“But-…”

“It’s alright. I’ll need to wash the knife and cutting board used for the fruits anyway.”

“Okay… But I’ll prepare tomorrow’s meal instead.”

“Thank you then.”

When the children were learning how to cook simple dishes, Noah also learned how to cook alongside them. Thanks to that, Noah became capable of preparing simple meals.

Since they were out of meat and fruits, there wasn’t much they could prepare for a meal, so Noah gladly agreed with Noah’s suggestion.

“Heehee, nyooheehee.”

As Jess hummed a tune and moved further away, Noah quickly left the kitchen.

“Now, I should check the ingredients.”

To make sure to check the supplies before they completely ran out, Noah could ask Mia in advance for what was missing. Just as Noah was about to head towards the refrigerator…

[You there!]

“…!”

With a rough thud, a white book fell right in front of me. As the book opened on its own, a new white woman popped out from within.

“Ah, it’s a ghost.”

[No fair…!]

The ghost trembled, clenching her fist. How did she return? I had used a terrifying exorcism spell on her.

“Hmm, one attempt wasn’t enough? Jiphyeon-…”

[S-stop it!]

Trying to ask how she was still fixed in the coordinate system, the woman screamed and thrust her arms forward.

Clank, clang-

Objects in the kitchen began to levitate. It was a poltergeist phenomenon that occurred when the ghost’s mood was heightened.

“Huh? W-what’s this?”

The ghost looked at the levitating objects in confusion, then quickly turned her frozen face towards me and swung both her hands.

[Die!]

Then, the objects that were floating in the air began to fly towards me.

Whoosh! Swish!

Forks and all sorts of objects started flying towards me. I laughed lightly and effortlessly twisted my body, avoiding the things flying at me in various postures, as if I were performing in a circus.

And it didn’t stop there; I even caught items that were about to break as they landed on the floor with my mouth or hand.

[What is that?]

In the moment the ghost’s anger turned into bewilderment, objects floating in the air lost their power and began to fall to the ground. I swiftly ran out and skillfully caught a plate that seemed about to shatter.

[Oh…]

Clap, clap.

Seeing the ghost unknowingly applauding, I smiled proudly. Don’t underestimate my experience in the world of comedy!

“Phew… are you calm now?”

[…!]

Looking at the ghost, who seemed to belatedly come to his senses with wide eyes, I let out a sigh. I immediately opened the cupboard, and a steaming cup of tea appeared.

It wasn’t tea leaves or a dish; it was genuinely just brewed tea. I placed the tea in front of the ghost on the kitchen table and said,

“Come here and talk. What’s this lingering attachment you’re holding on to?”

[Uh…?]

“Is it because of some lingering attachment?”

[Well… yeah.]

“After you spill everything, you’ll feel a bit better. Go ahead, tell me everything. And have some tea.”

[No, I can’t drink tea… okay.]

The ghost picked up the tea cup with an expression that said, ‘Isn’t this weird?’ Then, naturally, the tea cup ended up in the ghost’s hand.

[Oops, it’s hot!]

“It’s hot, so let it cool down before drinking.”

The ghost’s expression changed into an indescribable one.

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