Apocalypse’s Teacher

Chapter 91

It seemed that Juyeong was slowly adapting to the hotel life.

'She's spending a lot of time with Jinwoo.'

About three days had passed since the first external reconnaissance. Now, having somewhat composed herself, Juyeong was spending the entire day hovering around Jinwoo.

Juyeong's face was red.

Her gaze couldn't meet Jinwoo's properly, only darting around nervously.

Ah, what a delightful time.

Just seeing such innocent feelings was enough to make one smile.

Could Juyeong truly become the hero to change Jinwoo's bizarre tastes?

I chuckled like an old man, stroking Chunsik.

"Heh-heh-."

Chunsik stuck his tongue out and wagged his tail energetically.

Only now did I learn that this was Chunsik's reaction when he was hungry.

"You rascal, you're going to turn into a pig at this rate. Huh? If you get fat and the old man catches you, you'll end up as dog soup in an instant."

"Woof!"

"Ah, what am I even saying?"

Still, isn't there a certain affection that grows when you raise a pet?

I laughed as I pulled a snack out of my pocket and fed it to Chunsik, who was clinging to me, whining.

"Here, take this, you rascal."

Chunsik eagerly gobbled up the snack.

Then Hyesung held out her hand.

"Me too!"

"Hyesung too?"

"Yep!"

For Hyesung, I should give candy.

It was a piece of candy that Mr. Park had made by hardening sugar—who knows why he felt like making it.

It was too sweet for me to eat, and with only one trial piece made, I couldn't give it all to the kids either.

"What's this?"

"It's candy. Candy. Sweet and tasty. Don't chew it; just let it dissolve in your mouth, okay?"

Hyesung nodded and quickly popped the candy into her mouth.

Then she jumped up in surprise, letting out an exclamation.

"Whoa...!"

Hyesung waved her hands vigorously.

Her eyes grew large, and perhaps unable to control the saliva in her mouth, it dripped down her chin.

No, she wiped the dripping saliva with her hand and swallowed it back down.

It seemed she couldn't give up even the sweet taste remaining in the saliva.

"That's dirty. Come here, and I'll wipe it for you."

As I wiped her saliva, Hyesung's eyes welled up.

"The taste is amazing, like cake...!"

Like cake.

I figured it roughly meant it was sweeter than cake.

"Mr. Park gave it to me. Do you like it? Should I ask him to make more next time?"

"Yep!"

"Alright, alright."

I picked up Hyesung and patted her back.

Hyesung swung her legs in the air, humming a tune.

Ah, now that I think about it, it's only an hour until dinner. Eating something this sweet—will she even eat dinner?

"Hmm-hmm!"

'Well, she's cute, so it's fine.'

My worries disappeared.

Just seeing Hyesung smiling so brightly made everything feel perfect.

*

Two days later, Mr. Park came by.

This time, he had come after two weeks, citing personal reasons. Thus, today became the first meeting between Mr. Park and Juyeong.

"Uh...."

Juyeong's face was filled with surprise and shock.

The reason was obvious.

It was because of Mr. Park, who always dressed up whenever he came here.

'Damn it.'

Look at her dazed expression.

Her mouth was even slightly agape.

It wasn't a reaction of falling in love at first sight but rather the look of someone staring at a work of art.

"Who's this?"

"A new recruit I picked up. She ran away from the shelter, apparently."

"Oh dear, it must've been tough."

Mr. Park said that as he handed me a bag he was holding.

"Cola?"

"No, I made a few more candies. I improved them this time."

"What made you suddenly start making candy?"

"Lately, my taste buds have been off, and I'm quitting smoking. My mouth feels empty, so I made them."

A sigh of resignation escaped at his realistic reasoning.

Then Mr. Park asked.

"How was the candy I gave you last time? Was it good?"

"Hyesung loved it to death."

"She'll like this one even more. I made it cola-flavored."

At the mention of cola-flavored, Hyesung, who was clinging to my leg and eavesdropping, drooled.

"Co-cola...!"

"Eat a lot, you rascal."

"Yep!"

Hyesung moved over to Mr. Park's leg.

'Hyesung?'

Is she really switching allegiances over a single piece of candy?

A sudden sense of betrayal arose.

When I looked at Hyesung with a face as if I'd lost everything in the world, Mr. Park shook his head.

"Idiot."

"Idiot!"

"Don't repeat after me."

"Yep!"

Hyesung and Mr. Park were now in perfect sync.

...I started disliking Hyesung.

*

Juyeong approached Jinwoo and asked.

"W-what does that guy do?"

Her voice was full of agitation.

It was understandable. The middle-aged man called Mr. Park was such a stunningly handsome man that it was hard to believe a human could look like that.

Just as they say true beauty transcends time, even in a world like this, Juyeong couldn't help but express her shock-filled admiration at his appearance.

"Mr. Park? He's Dayoon's tutor and sometimes makes things like cola."

"Co-cola?"

Juyeong's eyes widened.

"We can drink cola?!"

Slam-!

At some point, Juyeong's hand gripped Jinwoo's collar.

Normally, Jinwoo would frown at such behavior, but for now, he could understand Juyeong's reaction.

'It can't be helped. There's no cola in the shelter.'

Foolish mortals, embrace the new era.

Jinwoo internally chanted such a prayer and nodded his head.

"Yeah, but only when Mr. Park feels like it."

Juyeong gulped down her saliva.

Cola.

A relic of the old era that she hadn't even seen since the world ended.

A treasure that, just imagining it—taking a sip, feeling the fizzy tang and sweetness stirring her stomach—brought happiness.

Juyeong recalled the taste of cola she'd once had and looked at Mr. Park with a yearning gaze.

"Y-you're amazing here...."

Juyeong thought.

She felt the hotel, which she'd assumed was just a small wandering group, was far more incredible than she'd imagined.

Wasn't it?

After all, it was a group led by the infamous Bomberman.

Moreover, there were kids her age or even younger, and no one bossed them around or bullied them.

The standard of living was much better than the shelter's.

Soft, personal beds and clothes.

Occasionally available vegetables and eggs, and canned food that filled every meal.

As she thought up to this point, Juyeong suddenly had a thought.

'If I stay here....'

Gasp-.

Juyeong, who had been continuing her thoughts, flinched and released Jinwoo's collar.

"What's wrong?"

"N-nothing!"

Though it was nonsense, she couldn't help but raise her voice, thinking her inner thoughts might have accidentally escaped.

Juyeong broke into a cold sweat as she hurriedly walked toward the room.

Watching her back, Jinwoo tilted his head in confusion, while behind him, Gihyun watched Juyeong intently from within a tightly wrapped blanket.

*

Juyeong, curled up on the bed, tried to gather her scattered thoughts.

'Can I stay here...?'

Squeeze-.

Her fist clenched.

Her face twisted this way and that, reflecting the worries that came to her mind.

Her honest feelings were this.

'...I don't want to go back.'

Dongdaemun Shelter was safe.

It was only safe.

Going back meant she would inevitably have to do what was expected of her.

Doing menial chores constantly, pleasing the adults, and enduring the uncomfortable stares whenever she made a mistake.

- Juyeong, you seem capable of doing something better.

The sound of someone laughing sarcastically echoed in her mind.

A chill began to run down her spine.

'If I stay here....'

Such things wouldn't happen.

Not only that.

Nobody had to bear all the chores alone, and laughter always echoed from some corner.

No one scolded her for eating, nor did they click their tongues, saying she was useless.

- I'm glad you're safe. You're not hurt, are you? Did you sprain or scrape anything? If you have, don't hold back—tell me.

There were people who genuinely cared for her.

Suddenly overwhelmed with emotion, Juyeong's eyes turned red.

'I don't want to go back....'

She wanted to stay here, but she was scared.

After all, the reason she'd run through a field of zombies in Seodaemun was to catch Seokho's attention, who she presumed to be here.

And because if she kept silent, she'd have nothing to say when she got caught later.

And because the people of Dongdaemun would remember her.

The shelter doesn't tolerate traitors.

This was an unshakable truth in this world.

No matter how formidable Bomberman was, it seemed unlikely that Dongdaemun, now at odds with the Eternal Pilgrimage Church, would let it slide.

Her worries deepened.

Accordingly, Juyeong's face grew increasingly filled with gloom.

Suddenly.

Knock, knock-.

Someone knocked on the door.

Startled, Juyeong quickly got up, hastily wiping away her tears, and opened her mouth.

"J-just a moment!"

Was it Jinwoo?

Did he have a task for her?

Thinking such things, she opened the door, only to see someone she hadn't expected.

"Oh, u-unnie...?"

It was Gihyun.

With her entire body wrapped in a blanket, she looked at Juyeong with a drowsy expression.

Gihyun stepped into the room.

Then, she curled up on the bed and said.

"Ah, I'm coming in?"

Only belatedly did she say such a thing.