Thud.  
Midsummer collapsed onto the sofa. Her chest rose and fell steadily, showing she was still breathing.  

“Uh… are you okay?”  

I climbed down from the sofa, worried, and moved closer to check on her. She had both hands covering her face, making it impossible to see her expression. Not wanting to invade her personal space, I gently tapped her arm with a finger.  

“Are you feeling all right?”  

“Ugh… uuugh…!”  

“Does something hurt?”  

“Ugh…! I can’t take it anymore!”  

Suddenly, Hanyeoreum reached out. I could’ve dodged easily with my beastfolk reflexes, but I stayed still. I trusted her completely.  

A moment later, I felt myself being pulled forward. She hugged me tightly, as if holding a precious doll.  

“…”  

With my face buried in her arms, I couldn’t see her expression, but I could tell from the swaying and the rhythmic tapping of her feet that she was overwhelmed with joy.  

Why was she acting like this? I wanted to ask, but her embrace muffled my words.  

I tapped her cheek lightly, signaling her to let go.  

“Oh, sorry. Was I suffocating you?”  

“No, I was fine.”  

“Good.”  

She patted my back softly, but she didn’t loosen her hold.  

The hug was a bit embarrassing, but I didn’t dislike it. After spending so much time alone, I was starved for human affection.  

I probably had less resistance to warmth than even a newborn. Just a kind smile was enough to make my tail wag, so rejecting a hug seemed impossible.  

Though it felt odd, I decided to just enjoy the moment. Affection wasn’t something to shy away from, even if her hug was a bit excessive.  

“Did I surprise you by grabbing you like that?”  

“No, it was just… awkward.”  

“Awkward?”  

“Yes. I’m not used to being touched by others.”  

Hearing that, her hand stopped patting my back, pulling away hesitantly. She looked flustered, realizing she might have made me uncomfortable.  

“Sorry… I just like you so much, Gyeoul. Was it too much?”  

“No, it wasn’t bad. I know you didn’t mean any harm.”  

“Oh…”  

Relieved, she hugged me even tighter.  

This time, it was a bit too much. Breathing became a challenge, and though I wanted to protest, my tail betrayed me by wagging happily.  

“Uh…”  

I decided to stay still. Fighting it would only tire me out. Instead, I changed the subject.  

“Can I ask you something?”  

“Sure. What is it?”  

“Why did you collapse just now?”  

“Oh, that?”  

She laughed softly, the warm air brushing against my ear and making me shiver.  

“It’s a secret.”  

“Huh?”  

Was it something she couldn’t share? I decided not to press further, as the children suddenly ran toward us, their playful cries filling the room.  

“That’s cheating! You hugged Gyeoul without Levinas! I want a hug too!”  

Levinas stomped her feet before leaping onto my back. Saebyeok followed, piling on top of her.  

“Ugh…”  

One was manageable, but two were heavy. I felt like a human sandwich.  

“Are you okay?” I asked, looking at Hanyeoreum, but she didn’t seem bothered at all.  

So it was just me struggling.  

Even though my tail was pinned under Levinas, it still tried to wag.  

“T-Too heavy…”  

“Hey, kids! Gyeoul’s getting squished!”  

Midsummer flailed her arms, hesitant to get up for fear of hurting the kids.  

“Mya?”  

Seol padded into the room, tilting her head at the scene before jumping onto Saebyeok’s back.  

“Ugh…”  

Even Seol, despite weighing just a few pounds, added to the weight. I considered using mana to move everyone, but Seol started tugging at the children’s clothes with her teeth.  

“Mya! Mya!”  

She seemed to be telling them to get off.  

Surprisingly, Saebyeok and Levinas listened, climbing down one by one. Seol truly was a genius cat.  

“Sorry, I didn’t think it’d be this hard for you,” Saebyeok said, her expression unusually apologetic.  

“I’m fine. I’m just tired today, so it felt heavier than usual,” I reassured her.  

“Really?”  

“Yeah. I think I’ll head to bed early tonight.”  

I yawned, and Levinas hesitated before approaching me.  

“King, can we brush our teeth together?”  

“Sure, let’s do that.”  

“Yes! I’ll squeeze the toothpaste!”  

Levinas bolted toward the bathroom, and I followed her leisurely.  

Tonight, I just needed to wash up and rest.  

—

After my shower, I staggered out of the bathroom, my eyelids drooping. I kept nodding off as I walked.  

“She must be exhausted today,” Midsummer murmured, watching me intently.  

Even though I swayed dangerously, my beastfolk instincts kept me from falling.  

“She can keep her balance even when half-asleep? Amazing…”  

Just as she marveled at my coordination, I veered off course and stumbled toward her instead of my room.  

“Gyeoul, your room is that way,” she said, pointing, but I was already too far gone. My only focus was reaching her.  

“Oh dear.”  

She sighed. For me to miss my room, I must’ve been completely out of it.  

Midsummer decided to carry me, but before she could act, I flopped onto the sofa. Using her lap as a pillow, I drifted off immediately.  

“Huh…?”  

It was such an ordinary action for a child, but somehow, when I did it, it felt different.  

Had I chosen her lap because it felt comfortable? Safe? Whatever the reason, it was a sign of trust.  

Thump-thump.  
Midsummer’s heart raced, but she forced herself to stay still, not wanting to disturb me.  

In her half-asleep state, Gyeoul must’ve instinctively sought someone she trusted.  

“How can she be this precious?”  

Midsummer gently stroked my cheek and hair.  

Purring softly, I wagged my tail even in sleep.  

“Even in her sleep, she likes being petted…”  

The thought brought a bittersweet smile to Midsummer’s face.  

Most of the hands that had reached out to me in the past had been harsh, delivering blows instead of kindness. Knowing this, her heart ached.  

Even so, I had forgiven everyone. Not after finding happiness, but during the harshest moments of my life.  

“She’s just so loveable…”  

Her respect for me grew, not just as a child, but as a person.  

“Let’s make sure she’s only happy from now on,” she murmured to herself, smiling softly.  

The clock read 10 p.m.—bedtime for children, but not adults. She considered heading out to train for a couple of hours, but she couldn’t bring herself to move.  

I was too adorable, sleeping peacefully on her lap.  

“Maybe… just ten more minutes…”  

Those ten minutes turned into hours. Midsummer stayed up all night, unable to disturb me.  

—

The next morning, I woke up and went to the living room, only to find Midsummer looking utterly exhausted.  

“Are you okay…?”  

“Huh…? Oh, yeah… I’m… totally fine. Enlightened, even…”  

What on earth was she talking about?  

Scratching my cheek, I sat beside her.  

“Did you not sleep?”  

“Nope… stayed up all night.”  

“Why don’t you go rest? Isn’t today your day off?”  

“Yeah… I think I’ll do that…”  

She trudged off to her room, and I watched her go, concerned.  

From the massage chair, Sophia chuckled.  

“She’s a child true to her desires.”  

“Desires?”  

“Yes, but they’re positive desires. That’s how she’s become so strong.”  

“I… don’t get it.”  

My tail curled into a question mark.  

“Why are you up so early, Sophia?”  

“There’s something important today. A broadcasting crew is coming to film.”  

“Broadcasting? Wow…”  

The Yeomyeong Guild truly was incredible. Curious, I peeked out the window toward the guild entrance.  

“Would you like to watch with me?” Sophia asked.  

“Can I?”  

“Of course. You’re no nuisance.”  

With her reassurance, I nodded.  

“All right. Let’s go!”  

Today, I’d get a glimpse of how broadcasting worked in this world.  

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep