Chapter 14: Finding Comfort in Familiarity

3: Irresistible Instincts

It was an ordinary morning.

Sparrows chirping, sunlight streaming brightly.
No annoying demons to sour my mood—just a perfectly normal morning.

Feels good.

Right after waking, I grab a candy from the basket.
Basking in warm sunlight, glued to the bed, munching on candy—it’s practically paradise.

If I turn on the TV, would this be the perfect unemployed life?

I’m not unemployed, though.
I’m a college student.
It’s just pre-semester, so I’m chilling.
Once school starts, I’ll be busy, so I’ve got to soak up this freedom now.

Hehe.

Candy’s delicious.

“Ughhh…”

I lie on the bed, stretching my arms and legs.
Spread my wings with a bit of effort.
A refreshing stretch, then I sink back into the bed, lazy as ever.

This is happiness.
The joy of an ordinary day.

I leave the TV on some random channel and focus on savoring the candy.

Cherry flavor this time.

Nom nom.

Nothing happening feels nice.
A bit boring, maybe, but better than something like that incident with the demon.

Meeting Jisoo was kind of a shock.
I can count the times I’ve ever hit someone on one hand, so I never imagined I’d slap someone the moment we met.

Is that what instinct is?

I was so flustered when my hand just moved.
I didn’t mean to, but my body reacted the second I saw her face.

Even now, thinking of her snarky attitude makes me want to smack her again, but I can hold back if I try.
Back then, it was so unexpected it didn’t make sense.

Maybe I couldn’t stop myself because I didn’t know about this instinct.
Now that I’m aware, I can suppress it.
Though seeing her face still makes me quietly mad.

The government official’s words about knowing your traits are starting to sink in.
There’s a big difference between knowing and not knowing.

Anyway.

Candy’s delicious.

If only these peaceful days could last forever.

Becoming an angel is done, so there’s no changing it.
I just hope I can live without too many problems, I thought, burying my face in the bed.

But the world isn’t that kind.

The werewolf rampage incident.

A few nights ago, on a full moon, a werewolf transformed person lost control and brutally attacked someone nearby.

Assaults aren’t rare compared to other crimes, but this one stood out.
It was caused by a transformed person, driven by their species’ traits.
And the victim suffered severe injuries, too horrific to describe.

It was enough to capture everyone’s attention.

It also turned the slowly improving perception of transformed people to rock bottom in an instant.

“… That’ll be 2,650 won.”

“Okay.”

The fallout reached me, of course.

Look at the convenience store clerk’s eyes.
A hint of fear, mixed with a touch of disgust.
Even though I swore not to care about others’ stares, my body shrinks instinctively.

I’m harmless.
A weak angel who can’t even beat a demon.

No matter how much I appeal, it won’t get through.

Maybe this clerk, scanning my items without a word despite their fear and disgust, is one of the better ones.

At least I’m not getting kicked out.
I haven’t experienced that, but I’ve seen stories in the chat group.

The government’s working hard to improve perceptions, so maybe it’ll get better if I wait.

Until then, I might need to drag Junseo with me every time I go out.

It’s a little scary.

I got a government notice to always be mindful of our traits.

Pinned at the top of the chat group.

Hmm.

My traits?
Passing out at night, feeling great in sunlight, loving sweets.
That’s about it.

Oh, and getting annoyed at demons.

Except for that last one, none of my traits harm others, so I should be fine.
Still, just in case, I’ll stay on guard.

I send check-in messages to Jimin, who I haven’t talked to in a while, and the lizard man.
And—though I’m not thrilled about it—to Jisoo too.

While eating convenience store ramen, my phone suddenly rings.

The screen flashes [Mom] in big letters.
I tap to answer.

“Hey, Mom.
What’s up?”

– Hey, Garam.
– Just checking in, things have been rough lately.
– You okay?

“I’m fine.
No problems.”

– And call more often, will you?
– You’re making us worry.

“Haha… sorry.
I forgot.”

– Why don’t you come home for a bit?
– Your dad and I are worried sick.

“Hm…”

Her voice, dripping with concern, is obvious even over the phone.

Before, I’d have brushed it off as overreacting.
But after that big incident, I can’t ignore it.

“Okay.
I’ll come home for a few days.”

– Good, good.
– Smart choice.
– Be careful on your way.

“Got it, Mom.
See you at home.”

Click.

I pocket the phone.

No point delaying—I should head out now.
I scarf down the ramen, take care of some trash that can’t sit, and pack.

Not much to pack.
Just some clothes and underwear for home.

… Hmm.

Underwear.

Packing it so naturally now.
Sigh.

…

It’s a long trip home.

About two hours.
Not crazy long, but too long to face people’s worsened stares alone.

“… Gotta call Junseo.”

Asking him to tag along for a four-hour round trip feels a bit guilty, but I don’t have a choice.

Wah, I’m a baby angel.

I need help.

“Sorry… I’ll treat you to a meal later.”

“It’s fine.
No big deal.”

I’m on the subway with Junseo, heading home.
I feel like I keep owing him lately.

One meal?
Nah, I’ll treat him to two.

…

Normally, sunlight lifts my mood, but in the subway, there’s none, so I’m oddly clear-headed.

And that’s turning out to be a problem.

– That’s one of them, right?
A transformed person…
– Hope nothing happens.
– Ugh, why’d they have to be in our car…

People murmur.
They stare at me.

My clear mind catches every word, every emotion in their eyes.

The stares outside were nothing.
Without sunlight, my mood can’t hold up—it sinks to the floor.

My body shrinks.

My head lowers.

My face scrunches.

My mood hits rock bottom.

Swish.

Suddenly, a silhouette blocks the countless stares.

I glance up to see Junseo’s back, standing to shield me.

Such a needlessly sweet guy.

It doesn’t stop the stares or the gossip.

But at least, with them out of sight, my heart feels a little lighter.

After an uncomfortable two-hour journey, I finally arrive at my parents’ house.

Standing at the door, I turn to thank Junseo for coming with me.

“Thanks for—”

“You’re here?”

“Wah!”

My brother pops out of nowhere, startling me into jumping in place.

“Geez, you scared me…
Why’re you here?”

“Went to the convenience store and saw you.
Yo, Junseo, long time no see.”

My brother holds up a black plastic bag.
Guess he ran into us while out.
He’s in sweats, so probably just stepped out.

“Hey.”

“You escorted Garam?
That’s a long trip, man, thanks.”

“No biggie.
Just two hours.”

“Have you eaten lunch?
If not, come up.
Mom and Dad are making food.”

My brother points to the apartment above.

“Is that okay?
Showing up unannounced…”

“They’ll probably love it, remembering when you guys hung out in high school.”

My brother and Junseo wrap up their chat, leaving me out.
I pout, feeling ignored.

“Well, then, thanks…”

“No need to thank me.”

…

They’re still ignoring me.

Hmph, I’m sulking.

I’m gonna eat candy.

I pull a candy from my pocket.
Normally, I’d savor it slowly, but I’m annoyed, so I chomp it down.

Crunch, crunch.

…

Delicious!

My pouty face is gone, and I’m grinning as we pile into the elevator—me, my brother, and Junseo.

And so, I finally arrive home.