YDPTB Chapter 42

In short, I have to go in bird form? However, since transforming into a human, I haven’t tried taking on my bird appearance. As I instantly froze, Karhan raised his hand, brushing back his navy-blue hair, and said, “It’s best not to spread the fact that you’re a shapeshifter. There’s ample time until the social gathering, so it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try.”

Time… Yes, time will solve it. When I first became human, even standing was difficult, but haven’t I already become able to run lightly? Surely, with time and hard work, transforming back into a bird will be a piece of cake.

Collapsed on the sofa, I gathered my wits and sat up straight. Then, with a determined look in my eyes, I gazed at Karhan. Furrowing my brows, I declared, “Karhan, I’ll do my best! Let’s go and win first place!”

“No, it’s not that kind of event where they choose a winner.”

“No! We’re going to win first place. Let’s make the most beautiful exit, surpassing everyone.”

My ears no longer registered Karhan’s voice. Only my burning passion to attend the social gathering resonated within me. A sense of mission to unleash the spirit of the three-day festival in Atlena, which I couldn’t enjoy, at the social gathering fiercely ignited in my heart.

Ignoring Karhan’s words, I closed my eyes while seated on the sofa. Thinking that starting practice now would yield faster results, I relaxed my body as if meditating, naturally placing my hands on my knees. How can I transform back into a bird?

Should I try flapping my wings like a bird? The only hint revealing my past as a bird was the small wings on my back. I thought these wings might be the key. Closing my eyes, I focused on my wings. Muttering “Move” to myself, I tried shaking my back, but the small wings remained stiff, not budging an inch.

I vigorously shook my back, but when it seemed hopeless, I stopped. Should I try a Spartan method?

Wondering if I needed to fall from a high place, I looked around, but no suitable spot caught my eye. After much contemplation, I finally mustered the courage to stand on the sofa. Focusing my gaze on the hard floor, I cautiously hopped. I wanted to jump from a high place, but it was too scary.

Thinking of myself as a bird, I ran in the corridor until I was out of breath. I also tried flapping my arms like wings. However, I failed to transform. In the end, I exhausted my energy and returned to the office.

Overwhelmed with disappointment, I lay on the sofa. Intending to rest for a bit before practicing again, I closed my eyes.

“Seol, wake up now.”

Huh? Feeling a gentle shake on my shoulder, I lifted my heavy eyelids. It seemed like only a few seconds had passed since I closed my eyes, but the sunlight streaming through the window had vanished, and a yellow blanket covered my body. With a puzzled expression, I blinked my eyes wide.

Karhan was looking down at me, one hand grasping the sofa to support himself. Captivated by his shadowed face, I stared blankly. My eyes, blinking drowsily, were reflected in his kind, silvery-gray eyes.

“…What is it?”

“You should go to your room and sleep.”

With those words, he grasped my arm with his hand and lifted my upper body. Following his gentle touch in a dazed state, I sat up and eventually stood up from my seat.

Karhan diligently guided me, who was still unable to grasp the situation. Moving and walking as his hand directed, I found myself standing in front of my bedroom door before I knew it.

Ah.

“Ah!”

I shouted, opening my mouth wide. Karhan looked at me, who had been following obediently but suddenly cried out. Finally comprehending the situation, I mumbled in a daze, “Lying down for a moment…”

The sofa where I had been lying must have been a time machine. Karhan paid no heed to me, who was merely blinking my eyes, and led me to the bed. He pulled back the thick blanket, making it comfortable for me to lie down. Although I felt deflated, my body honestly crawled into the bed. As I lay down obediently, Karhan pulled the fluffy blanket up to my shoulders.

“I was too busy with work to help you. How about we try together tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow…? You’ll help me?”

Grasping the blanket pulled up to my chin, I asked with both hands. Karhan’s large hand enveloped my clenched hands. His hands, appearing twice as large as mine, easily enclosed my hands, trapping them.

“Yes, I’ll be by your side to help. Just like when you practiced walking.”

I nodded at his words. Wriggling my two hands free from Karhan’s grasp, I extended my pinky and thumb while curling the remaining fingers. It was a promise signal I used with my family when I was young. Seeing my hand gesture, Karhan looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“Try doing it the same way!”

Following my words, Karhan awkwardly folded his fingers, mimicking my gesture. There’s something else he’s not good at besides naming things.

Seeing his clumsy hand shape, I grinned and hooked my pinky with his. Then, I tried to touch our thumbs together, but it wasn’t easy since his hand was much larger than mine. Reaching out with my left hand, which was still holding the blanket, I grabbed Karhan’s thumb and lowered it.

“Ta-da!”

As our thumbs touched, it felt as if someone was tickling my chest. It was oddly thrilling and made my heart race. Perhaps it was because I was doing something I only did as a child, now that I was an adult. Internally laughing mischievously, I looked at Karhan.

“This is a sign of our promise. Tomorrow, we’ll practice together and definitely go to the social gathering!”

I snuck in another promise. However, Karhan pretended not to notice and nodded, accepting it.

“Alright, I understand.”

A faint smile appeared on my lips. Satisfied with his response, I gently swayed our linked hands up and down.

Karhan bid me goodnight and patted the blanket covering my chest before getting up from his seat. Karhan was already tall, but lying down, he looked even more enormous.

As the lights illuminating the room were extinguished one by one, my eyelids also descended, bringing the day to a close.

🐤

The very next day, we gathered in Karhan’s room to practice what we called “transforming back into a bird.” Contrary to my optimistic belief that I could succeed quickly, no noticeable progress was made. The only achievement, if any, was that my wings slightly fluttered.

After hours of trying to recall the sensation of being a bird and putting in effort, my wings began to move back and forth. Moving a part that wasn’t originally part of my human body felt both awkward and exciting.

In the following days, I worked together with Karhan and also tried on my own, but there was no significant change. Returning to being a bird was no easy feat.

As I sat crouched on the floor, deep in thought, Karhan suggested we call Lyras. When I made a slightly reluctant expression, Karhan raised his eyebrows and gave a troubled smile.

“He’s just a bit playful, but he won’t cause any harm.”

He added that Lyras was simply bored.

With the social gathering approaching soon, time was running out. I gnawed on my lower lip with my white teeth. At this rate, I wouldn’t be able to attend. With the corners of my mouth drooping, I reluctantly nodded, signaling that it was okay to call Lyras. Receiving help was necessary.

Karhan patted my head, knowing I had granted permission reluctantly. I closed my eyes tightly, feeling my hair scatter as he stroked it. Although we were friends, the way he treated me still felt like he was addressing someone a step below him rather than an equal. However, it didn’t feel unpleasant.

“Will I be able to change?”

Worried that I might not be able to go to the social gathering if I couldn’t transform back into a bird, I lowered my eyebrows and made a whimpering sound, “Heung.”

“If you keep trying, you’ll be able to do it. I’ll ask Lyras about the time. Don’t worry.”

His thick fingers lightly pinched my cheek. With a sulky expression, I puffed out my cheeks.

Even though I couldn’t transform back into a bird, Karhan didn’t seem too concerned. He didn’t want to attend the social gathering in the first place, so my failure to transform wasn’t a significant problem for him. Slightly squinting my eyes, I glared at Karhan.

“I feel like I’m the only one desperate here.”

You should show some sincerity too!

I narrowed my eyes and gave him a sharp look. Under my fierce gaze, he subtly lowered his eyes. Moving his hand that was caressing my cheek, he grabbed my arm and lifted me from the floor where I was sitting.

“You’ve worked hard today, so take a rest now. I’ll contact Lyras separately.”

“Hmm, if he says he can’t, well… you don’t have to call him.”

Hearing my unenthusiastic response, a small chuckle came from above my head. Although I had only seen him briefly, Lyras seemed like someone I couldn’t handle. If he came here to help me, I had a strong feeling I would be teased rather than assisted. I should find out in advance if there’s any stress medication in this world.

Karhan made me sit on a chair, praising me for my hard work today. Then, he called a servant waiting outside the door and ordered them to prepare a sweet snack. Whenever we finish practice, he rewards me with a snack for my efforts.

I was being thoroughly trained. Is this okay…? I felt a strange sense of crisis as a human being.

After Karhan, who had taken time to help me, left the room to catch up on his delayed work, I was left alone in this spacious room. With my mood slightly improved, I patiently waited for the snack.

I playfully swung my legs, which could now move with ease, and tapped my fingers on the table, keeping a slight rhythm. What would today’s snack be? Last time, it was something sweet like chocolate. With my heart pounding in anticipation, I waited for the door to open.

After waiting for a few minutes, I finally heard a knock on the door. It’s here! With wide eyes, I answered, “Yes!”

My voice came out bright, perhaps due to the slight upward curve of my lips. However, contrary to my expectations, the door didn’t open immediately.

What’s going on? I tilted my head, puzzled. Normally, the door would have opened right away.