"Hey…"
Gyeoul tugged at her clothes, and a thread from the worn fabric unraveled.
This was a garment filled with memories of her past.
But it didn’t feel precious anymore.
More valuable people had entered her life.
Her new family, who had extended a hand to her when she felt worthless.
They were infinitely more important than an old piece of clothing.
They were her sanctuary, the ones she could call her home.
Just thinking about them made her smile.
And yet, here she was, thinking of returning to her old world.
Was this really the right thing to do?
Gyeoul looked down at the torn hem of her clothes, feeling bitter.
"…Actually, I’m just like Sophia."
"Like Sophia?"
"Yes… I came here from another world…"
"Really?"
Midsummer neither gasped in surprise nor reacted with any visible shock.
She simply nodded, as if it were a matter of course.
It was all an act to reassure Gyeoul.
"You’re not surprised?"
"No. Things like that happen pretty often around here."
Of course, a survivor from a destroyed world was something unprecedented.
Midsummer gently placed her hand on Gyeoul’s head.
"I thought you might be a little surprised… or even disappointed."
"Why would I be disappointed?"
"Because… even though I became part of your family, I’m saying I want to go back home."
Ah, so that was it.
She was worried she would seem ungrateful.
That was just like Gyeoul—kind to the point of overthinking.
"Gyeoul, it’s natural to want to return to your original world."
"But…"
"You know Sophia wants to go back to her world too, right? Yet she still treats you like family."
"Yes…"
"Those are two completely separate things. You don’t need to confuse them."
How much pain had this little girl been carrying on her own?
Midsummer resolved to ease even a little of Gyeoul’s burden.
"You don’t know our rule yet, do you?"
"Rule?"
"Yeah. When someone returns to their original world, we bless them and wish them well."
Rather than dwell on the sadness of parting, they focused on the joy of having met.
It was a rule created in a world where farewells were inevitable.
"If I go back to my original world, do you think we’ll ever meet again?"
"Well… I’ll figure something out."
"Figure something out?"
"Yes. I don’t know how yet, but I’ll make it happen. You trust me, don’t you?"
"Yes, I trust you."
Ever since Gyeoul had come to trust Midsummer, she had never doubted her.
No matter what obstacles arose, Midsummer always found a way to resolve them.
Gyeoul’s drooping tail began to wag again.
"Hehe, so all your worries are gone now?"
"Yes. I’m not worried anymore."
Her tail swayed gently, tickling Midsummer’s hand as she hugged her.
That’s right.
This was how Gyeoul was meant to be.
Midsummer smiled softly.
"Someday, I’ll introduce you to my family and friends from my world."
"Uh, sure…"
Midsummer’s heart sank.
The child’s family and friends were already…
*No, we can save them.*
She decided to save that truth for later.
Gyeoul had just unburdened herself; there was no need to weigh her down again so soon.
Gyeoul had endured so much pain.
Even if only for a short while, she deserved peace of mind.
One day, Midsummer would tell her everything—about the destroyed world and the chance to save it.
Having made up her mind, Midsummer handed Gyeoul a freshly made snack.
"Gyeoul, why don’t you share this with the kids?"
"Thank you. I will."
"Good."
*Tap, tap, tap.*
Gyeoul’s light footsteps carried her toward the children.
She walked like a proud kitten, full of confidence.
---
After sharing snacks, Gyeoul and the kids went to the park.
*What should we do today?*
Sitting on a bench, Gyeoul surveyed her surroundings.
At that moment, Levinas came running toward her, waving enthusiastically.
"Wang-ieee!"
"Yes?"
"There’s something amazing over there…!"
*Thump, thump, thump.*
Levinas’ excited stomping brought a smile to Gyeoul’s face.
Carrying Saebyeok on her back, she followed Levinas to the location.
"What’s that…?"
"It’s a magician…!"
In the middle of the park, a man was performing.
He wasn’t a magician but a street performer putting on a bubble show.
*Swish!*
As he waved his wand, bubbles scattered in all directions.
Each bubble was as large as Gyeoul’s fist, with a total of forty-two floating at once.
"Wow…"
Levinas’ eyes sparkled.
Even Saebyeok, who Gyeoul thought was asleep, leapt off her back in excitement.
Kids going wild over bubbles seemed to be a universal phenomenon.
Giggling, Gyeoul watched the show unfold.
*Pop!*
Saebyeok punched a bubble that floated close to her face, mimicking the swiping motion of a cat.
*Pop!*
The bubble burst with a soft sound.
Saebyeok started a game of popping bubbles as they floated her way. Levinas quickly joined in, treating it as a fun new game.
"Hey there, little friends! Come over here for a second," the performer called out.
He seemed pleased by the children’s enjoyment and gestured for one of them to come closer.
Since he didn’t specify who, Gyeoul gently nudged Levinas forward.
"Levinas, why don’t you give it a try?"
"Can I…?"
Levinas hesitated, glancing at Saebyeok.
The usually expressionless Saebyeok wagged her tail in response, a communication more effective than words for beastfolk.
"Okay…!"
*Gulp.*
Levinas swallowed nervously, clenching her fists as she approached the performer.
She walked with a determined air, but to Gyeoul and the onlookers, she just looked adorable.
"Alright, little bunny friend, why don’t you stand here?"
"Okay…"
Levinas climbed onto a platform as big as the bubble wand.
In one swift motion, the performer raised the wand, encasing her in a giant bubble.
"Whoa…"
Levinas’ eyes widened as she curiously poked at the bubble.
It didn’t burst—it stretched instead.
*Are the bubbles in this world somehow different?*
Before Gyeoul could observe further, Levinas’ expression grew pale.
"Wang-ieeee! The bubble is eating me! Wang-ieeeee!"
*Pop, pop, pop.*
Levinas pounded on the bubble, but it only stretched further without bursting.
"Wow…"
Gyeoul marveled at the magical bubbles of this world.
Levinas’ pure and innocent expression of being “eaten by the bubble” made Gyeoul burst into laughter.
"You’re laughing…! Is that why you can’t hear Levinas anymore?!"
Levinas stomped her feet in frustration.
Gyeoul decided it was time to calm her down.
"Levinas, don’t worry. It’s just a game."
"R-really…?!"
Reassured, Levinas visibly relaxed.
Her trust in Gyeoul was evident.
"The little bunny seems pretty scared," the performer noted.
He used a needle to pop the bubble with a crisp sound, releasing Levinas.
*Clap, clap, clap.*
The audience applauded, celebrating both Levinas’ courage and the performer’s skills.
"Here, this is a participation gift," the performer said, handing Levinas a small bubble-making kit.
"What’s this?!"
"A bubble set. You can make bubbles just like these."
"Wow!"
Levinas accepted the gift with both hands, bowing deeply in gratitude.
---
Back at the bench, Gyeoul and the kids rested after the performance.
Levinas, however, couldn’t sit still.
"Hmph."
Wearing the bubble kit proudly around her neck, she paraded around the park.
"Levinas, your bubbles are amazing."
"Yep! Levinas is now a Bubble Mage…!"
"Wow, so cool."
Gyeoul showered her with praise, making Levinas puff up with pride.
"Blow a bubble for me," Saebyeok said, crouching nearby.
She must have enjoyed the earlier game and wanted to play again.
"Okay!"
Levinas opened the bubble kit and brought the wand to her lips, blowing hard.
*Pfff.*
A strange sound escaped her puffed-up cheeks, like a baby elephant trying to trumpet.
"Levinas, blow gently. Like this: *whooo.*"
"Like this…?"
Levinas blew softly, and instead of many bubbles, one massive bubble emerged.
"Huh…
?"
The bubble grew bigger and bigger, until it was several times Gyeoul’s size.
*Is this physically possible?*
As Gyeoul reached out to touch the bubble, it floated toward her and enveloped her entirely.
"Wow! Levinas made a huge one!"
Levinas jumped up and down in excitement, causing the bubble to lift off the ground—with Gyeoul still inside.
"Wait, what…?"
The bubble carried her higher and higher into the sky.
______________________
TL NOTE: Please don't skimp on the stars and likes of the translation - it inspires me and gives me the strength to write more. Thank you~!