Chapter 35: Sulky Angels and Sweet Temptations

6: Cats Go Meow

My friends dive into lively chatter with Jimin-unnie.

“Can I touch your horns?”

“Go ahead.”

Unlike his usual mature demeanor, Junseo’s eyes sparkle like a kid’s, his cheeks slightly flushed.

“Wow…!”

He strokes Jimin-unnie’s horns like they’re a fascinating toy, rubbing and fidgeting with them, letting out awed gasps.

The others are distracted by Jimin-unnie’s… generous upper body swaying with her movements.

“What’s it like being a dragon? Do you have, like, a breath weapon…?”

“I told you, I don’t have that,” she laughs.

He mumbles something about missing wings while touching her horns.

In all the years since we met in high school, I’ve never seen Junseo this excited. He’s always so calm.

My face pouts for some reason.

Why do I care that Junseo’s touching her horns? Maybe I’m just annoyed they’re all talking without me.

Probably.

Watching Junseo eagerly rub her horns stirs something weird in me. I could let him touch my wings, you know.

I twitch my wings. My small, cute wings pop out, fluttering. I touch them.

Rub rub.

Soft. Thanks to daily washing and drying, the fluffy, silky feathers tickle my hand.

When I wrap myself in them at night, they’re warm and cozy, lulling me to sleep. So soft and fine, they rival a goose-down parka for warmth.

If angels were animals, wouldn’t people pluck our feathers for “angel-down” parkas? The thought sends shivers down my spine.

Stop, scary thoughts!

Anyway.

“Can I touch your tail too…?”

“The upper part’s fine.”

Seeing Junseo move from horns to tail makes me oddly uneasy. Does he like hard things? Are my soft wings not good enough?

Disappointment hits. My proud wings feel ignored. My halo dims.

“Wow… dragon scales…!”

…

Junseo and the others don’t even glance my way.

“Meow…”

The small cat I’d placed on my head earlier returns, tapping my leg. It must’ve fled from Jimin-unnie and crept back.

“Kitty… you’re the only one who cares about me…”

I pick it up.

Hmph! Angel’s sulking. You guys fend for yourselves. I’m living with this tiny cat.

I head to the counter and buy a treat tube. It’s pricey, but my variant stipend’s barely touched, so my bank account’s flush.

I rip open the tube. The cat’s tail swishes at the scent. Oddly, the owner’s tail starts swishing too, but I ignore it and offer the treat to the cat.

Lick lick.

The cat happily laps it up. As it eats, the owner looks increasingly glum.

… Why’s the owner sad?

Unlike the owner, the cat savors the treat, snuggling in my arms, its tail swaying lazily. Its relaxed vibe soothes my soul.

Perfect. I may be abandoned by my friends, but you, little cat, be happy.

I return to my seat. Junseo’s passionately lecturing Jimin-unnie about dragons. His high energy feels so unfamiliar.

Whimper.

I’m not happy.

“I’m going to the restroom.”

“Okay!”

After enduring ten minutes of Kim Junseo’s dragon rant, Seo Jimin stands. Her eyes land on a sulky white angel, halo flickering dimly.

Even her sulky face is cute. I wanna hug her so bad.

… Pushing those thoughts aside, Jimin ponders.

Why’s Garam, who was sparkling brightly earlier, suddenly so glum?

The answer comes quickly. Following Garam’s gaze, it lands on Junseo, who was passionately talking dragons with her.

Oh my gosh, so wholesome. How can she be this cute?

Jimin, clueless about fantasy, doesn’t know that in fantasy settings, dragons—living near-eternally—often find joy in observing other species (mostly humans). This trait carries over to variants…

In short, dragons are voyeurs. And their favorite stories? Love stories.

Add their impulsive nature, and it’s no surprise Jimin assumes Garam’s feelings. Whether it’s an assumption or an unpolished gem of emotion, no one knows.

Should I give them some space? Hehe.

So Jimin steps away, thinking of ways to nudge the two together.

On her way to the restroom, she feels a pang as cats scatter from her.

… Meanwhile, Junseo sips his Americano, cooling his excitement. A real dragon! He couldn’t help but geek out.

Guys love dinosaurs, dinosaurs lead to T-Rex, and T-Rex leads to dragons. His secret hobby—never shared with friends—is devouring dragon-themed stories.

Meeting Jimin, he couldn’t resist diving into dragon talk. Only when she leaves does his fervor cool.

Finally, he notices his surroundings. Specifically, Garam in front of him.

Her wings droop, her halo’s dim, and her face screams I’m depressed.

Did something happen while he wasn’t looking? Her sudden gloom worries him.

Since becoming an angel, Garam’s personality has turned almost childlike—innocent, if you’re being polite. She doesn’t seem to notice.

Watching her often feels like watching a kid near water—always on the verge of trouble. Especially after that bad incident last time.

Seeing her so down after he looked away for a moment, he can’t help but worry. He doesn’t realize he’s the cause.

“G-Garam?”

“Hm…?”

“Want a candy?”

“….”

Garam, radiating dark vibes, stares at the grape candy in Junseo’s hand, then turns away.

Hmph. Think I’ll fall for a candy?

Her childish defiance shocks Junseo.

Garam… rejecting candy?

Something’s seriously wrong. What happened in that short time to hurt her so much?

Misunderstanding, Junseo frets that something bad might happen to his friend again. He resolves to stick close and keep his eyes on her.

Not the gaze of a same-gender friend, nor a rational one—just the protective worry for a reckless kid.

First, he’ll cheer her up. He pulls more candies from his pocket, shaking them near her ear.

Rustle, rustle.

The sound of candy wrappers.

Rustle, rustle, rustle.

More wrappers.

Garam turns away primly, but her wings twitch with each rustle, betraying her attention.

Almost there. Junseo gently opens a wrapper. A green candy emerges, its sweet, tart grape scent wafting free.

The aroma reaches Garam. Her wings quiver.

Twitching lips, a halo ready to burst with light. Yet she keeps her head turned.

But Junseo knows she’s close to breaking.

He waves the candy slowly, bringing it to her nose, letting the scent sink in. When he opens another—

Chomp!*

Garam snatches the candy, gobbling it up, getting Junseo’s fingers wet in the process. She’s too candy-crazed to notice.

“Hehe…”

Her wings flap, her halo blazes, and her legs bounce with joy.

As Junseo watches, a voice pipes up behind him.

“Junseo-ssi, isn’t Garam-ssi adorable?”

It’s the dragon, who’d been plotting ways to bring the two closer during her absence.