Winter’s trembling ears snapped Midsummer back to reality. She had to comfort the frightened girl immediately—there was no time for hesitation.

“Oh, it’s you, Gyeoul! I didn’t recognize you with the costume on.”

“Y-Yes… I’m sorry. I didn’t know promoting here wasn’t allowed…”

With a little struggle, Gyeoul slipped out of the costume, and her familiar face appeared, catching the curious gazes of others in the park.

“Oh, no, Gyeoul, it’s fine for you to promote here.”

“Really? But didn’t you say…”

Her wide eyes seemed to question what Midsummer had said about it being bothersome.

“Well, the park is technically guild property. Usually, selling things without permission is prohibited, but you’re part of the guild.”

“Oh…”

The word “guild” clearly gave Gyeoul a sense of pride, and her tail wagged beneath the costume.

“So, Gyeoul, as far as we’re concerned, you have permission. No need to worry about it.”

“Thank goodness! I was worried I’d caused trouble again…”

Again? Midsummer realized Gyeoul must have been thinking about her past slip-ups, like the time in the beginner dungeon.

Midsummer scratched the back of her neck as she looked down at the bulky costume. It was big and heavy—not at all suited for someone as small as Gyeoul.

“They do say that costume work can be grueling. It’s not a job meant for someone so little and delicate…”

She let out a long sigh and picked up the costume herself.

“Gyeoul, let me take over the promotion.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. You’re still little, and it looks like it would be tough for you.”

Gyeoul hesitated but ultimately agreed. The costume’s arms were positioned too high, making it awkward to hold, and she waddled with every step due to its bulk. It wasn’t exactly suitable for her smaller frame.

“Alright… then I’ll give you thirty percent of the proceeds.”

Midsummer stifled a chuckle. Though she didn’t want payment, she knew Gyeoul would insist. Gyeoul took finances seriously, handling everything with the utmost diligence. Midsummer decided she’d spend her share on something delicious for the kids.

“Okay, I’ll get changed then.”

“Go ahead.”

Gyeoul slipped out of the thick costume, and Midsummer couldn’t help but wonder how she’d even managed to move around in it. As Midsummer took hold of the suit, Gyeoul spoke up again.

“I’ll help with the promotion.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. Levinas and Saebyeok will handle the selling.”

Midsummer smiled. Gyeoul was so young but so capable and organized. She couldn’t help but ruffle the girl’s hair affectionately.

—

To promote effectively, a bit of performance would be necessary. I understood that, but the current situation was… a little confusing.

“Um…”

“Yes?”

“Is this really… promotion?”

Midsummer, now dressed in the costume, was sitting on a bench with me on her lap.

“Of course! Can’t you see everyone looking over here?”

“Hmm…”

I looked around. Sure enough, people were casting glances our way. I couldn’t quite tell if it was effective advertising or not, but since it seemed to be working, I decided to go along with it. Despite my usual discomfort with close physical contact, it was oddly comforting to be near someone like this. I hadn’t been around people for so long, so even this simple touch felt novel.

“Hehe, working here feels better than being alone at home.”

“R-Really?”

She’s a workaholic, I thought, marveling at her dedication. Just then, two familiar figures approached us.

“Gyeoul, who are you snuggled up with?”

It was Jung Yuna and Choi Jin-hyuk. My tail, already swaying, began wagging even faster at the sight of them.

“Well, I…”

Before I could respond, Midsummer suddenly stood up with me still in her arms and took off running.

“Hey, stop right there!”

Jung Yuna and Choi Jin-hyuk chased after us, their faces stern and serious, which I could see over Midsummer’s shoulder.

“Why are we running?”

“It’s just a joke.”

She whispered just loud enough for me to hear. It seemed she wanted to play a little game of chase. It was the kind of playful prank friends might pull on each other, and I decided to go along with it. I, too, wanted to experience simple, lighthearted moments like anyone else.

I gave a small wave to Jung Yuna and Choi Jin-hyuk as we ran, a gentle taunt as if to say they wouldn’t catch us.

“Hmm…”

Was this a bit too much of a prank? I began to worry as I looked back.

“Gyeoul! No waving goodbye!”

A soft glow gathered in Jung Yuna’s hand, and she cast a spell without even needing her staff.

“Oh no.”

A simple wave had led to her casting magic. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself, though I could sense everything clearly.

“Ugh.”

Midsummer’s body was lifted off the ground. Something had caught her, and she kicked her legs in mid-air.

“You… little…!”

Jung Yuna had almost cursed in anger, only to catch herself. It was a sign of just how upset she was.

How did things turn out like this? I opened my eyes, only to see Jung Yuna swoop in and scoop me up.

“I-I’m sorry…”

Dangling in her grasp, I could only apologize.

“Huh? For what…?”

“For taking things too far…”

As I muttered my apology, I looked over at Midsummer. She was standing in front of Choi Jin-hyuk, both hands raised in surrender.

“Surrender! I give up!”

She took off the costume’s head, revealing her sweat-dampened face and a mischievous smile. Seeing her playful expression, Jung Yuna’s anger started to fade.

“Oh… it was you, Midsummer?”

“Yep. You didn’t realize, did you? Just think of me as another victim in this prank.”

“Oh, you took it too far this time.”

Maybe we really had gone overboard. My ears and tail drooped in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry… I won’t prank you again…”

“Huh?”

“I haven’t played around much in my life, so I didn’t realize it was too much…”

I glanced up at Jung Yuna, who seemed taken aback, her eyes wide. Choi Jin-hyuk approached her and chimed in.

“I thought it was fun.”

“Yeah, Yuna, you’re just being a little too sensitive.”

“You’re just trying to mess with me, aren’t you?”

With a huff, Jung Yuna let out a long sigh, shaking her head before kneeling down to my level.

“Don’t worry, I wasn’t really angry.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes. I just thought you were being kidnapped when I saw you waving, like you were hypnotized by the costume or something.”

“Oh…”

I’d thought we were just having a game of chase, a lighthearted run. I waved to encourage them to chase us, but Jung Yuna had interpreted it as me being taken away. Now I understood why she’d reacted so strongly.

“So don’t worry too much. Got it?”

“Yes.”

“And feel free to play more pranks like this in the future.”

“Yes…”

I knew I was still learning to understand everyone’s perspective, bit by bit. But I’d get there in time. Patience and experience would help me catch up.

—

After finishing our sales for the day, I sat at my desk, notebook open to tally up our earnings and split the profits. Everyone was watching me as I calculated.

“Wow, Gyeoul, you’re so good at math.”

“Well, it’s just basic arithmetic.”

“Basic? For your age, this is really impressive.”

“Hmph.”

There were plenty of adults who struggled with basic arithmetic, after all. Still, it was a little embarrassing to be praised for something so simple, so I kept my head down. Suddenly, I felt a soft tug on my tail.

Squish, squish.

A small hand was playing with it. Without even looking, I knew it was Levinas. Perhaps she wanted to play with my tail, so I swished it around a little for her. The tail’s gentle movements occasionally bumped into her, bringing little giggles.

“Just a bit more like this…”

Then Levinas did something unexpected—she tied my tail to Saebyeok’s. I struggled to wiggle free, but they were tightly tangled together.

“L-Levinas tied my tail…”

“Yep! Next, I’ll tie in my own tail!”

So now we were tying tails? I wasn’t sure how to feel about this new game.

As Saebyeok wagged her tail, my own tail, still tangled, wagged right along with it.

“Wow, does Gyeoul love this too?!”

“Y-Yes…”

Levinas seemed to think it was me wagging my tail happily, and if it made her smile, then that was enough for me. I just nodded along in silence.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep