I Became a Raid Boss-Chapter 150: Let’s Go Have Fun! (1)

After that little incident, time flew by.

“Wah, Kana’s already taking her first steps? This big sister can die happy now...”

“Do you want to die for real?”

My body, which had been groaning like I’d been beaten to a pulp, had recovered significantly. Not only could I walk around just fine, but I could even handle strenuous activities without any problems.

“Ugh, I liked being able to carry you around.”

Daeun pouted, her lips protruding dramatically, but I brushed her off.

Do you know how frustrating it is to not have full control of your own body?

But now, those days are behind me. At first, I thought, At this rate, I’ll die of old age before I recover, but my recovery gained momentum and sped up unexpectedly.

When Daeun saw my progress, she said:

“It must be thanks to my diligent nursing!”

Well... she’s not entirely wrong.

Though my injuries weren’t typical, the principle of recovery being aided by rest and proper nutrition still applied. Daeun ensured I ate well and often, sometimes going out of her way to bring me unfamiliar but delicious foods without me even asking. She really took good care of me.

Now that I think about it, most of what I just listed involves food... But beyond that, Daeun helped me in countless ways. For example, she supported me whenever I was unsteady on my feet. Considering our size difference, that must’ve been tough for her, but she never complained or showed any signs of discomfort.

If you have a conscience, you’d naturally feel grateful for all that effort.

I was ready to acknowledge her contributions until...

“So, as a token of gratitude, how about a kiss on the cheek?”

When she said that, her expectant eyes made my gratitude vanish instantly. A kiss on the cheek? Unless I was under a magic spell, that was never going to happen.

“Daeun, are you crazy?”

“What’s wrong with a kiss on the cheek?!”

“I’m not a kid. Why would I do that?”

“Kisses aren’t just for kids! It’s a natural way to show affection between close people!”

“Great. Then go kiss someone else. Have fun.”

“Really? So you’re saying I can? Hehe, Kana’s soft, squishy cheeks... come here!”

“...Ugh. That’s not what I meant!”

...Anyway. After many twists and turns, I regained most of my health. While I wasn’t at 100%, I was well enough to bid farewell to the frustrating confinement I’d endured.

Or so I thought.

“...So, what do I do now?”

I had declared my freedom enthusiastically, but in truth, I had no plans, no ambitions, and nothing I particularly wanted to do.

“What are you up to?”

“Breathing.”

“...?”

I lay sprawled in my room, doing nothing, much like I had during my recovery.

Honestly, isn’t this the “different life” I wanted? And now I even have someone to provide for me...

When I was unwell, it felt suffocating, but now it doesn’t seem so bad. Maybe my change in mindset is making all the difference.

Life really is all about perspective.

“Kana, have you achieved enlightenment?!”

Daeun, watching me roll around on the floor, suddenly pounced on me, hugging me tightly.

“Ahhh! Don’t leave me behind!”

“...Ack. What’s with the drama?”

“You’re not going to ascend or something, are you?”

Ascend? What nonsense.

I squirmed out of her arms with ease. Daeun tried to hold on, but now that I was recovered, she was no match for me.

Smirking at her dejected expression, I teased, “Pathetic.”

“Grr... You cheeky little brat!”

“Bleh—”

Sticking out my tongue, I taunted her further. Daeun trembled with frustration.

“My pure, innocent Kana has been corrupted...”

“I was never yours, nor was I ever pure.”

“It’s the internet’s fault!”

...Says the one who’s benefited the most from it.

Yelling dramatically, Daeun stormed off somewhere.

“...What was that about?”

She came in, caused a scene, and left just as noisily. I buried my face back into my pillow.

Honestly, this wasn’t unusual for Daeun. If she didn’t act like this, it would be stranger. A calm and quiet Daeun? Now that’s a real urban legend.

“Hoo...”

Suddenly—

“...”

“Hi!”

Daeun popped her head back into the room as I stared blankly at the ceiling.

She’s back already? That was fast.

Usually, after being brushed off, she stays quiet for a while. Why’s she back so soon today?

“Why are you back already?”

“Hehe, I’m not the Daeun you know. I’m future Daeun, who secretly slipped into the present while current Daeun was away!”

“....”

How am I supposed to respond to that?

Staring at her in disbelief, I watched as she plopped down beside me with a mischievous grin.

“Kana, do you like mountains or the sea?”

“...? What kind of question is that—”

“Ah-ah! Answer seriously! This is a timeless question, like mom vs. dad, black bean noodles vs. spicy seafood noodles, or bibim naengmyeon vs. mul naengmyeon!”

For the record, I like mom more.

Completely unbothered by the thought of her dad hearing that, Daeun pressed me for an answer. Setting aside my confusion, I stopped rolling around and gave it some thought.

Mountains or the sea? Hmm...

“Neither, really.”

“...What?”

“But if I had to choose... I guess I like mountains better.”

I’ve had my fair share of hardships in the mountains, but they also hold many memorable experiences. My father’s grave is in the mountains, after all.

“So, why the sudden question?”

“Like I said, it’s one of those timeless questions. It’s great for breaking the ice with people you’re not close to yet. It’s light, easy to answer, and can segue into other topics naturally.”

“Other topics?”

“Yeah, like if someone says they like black bean noodles, you could ask if they’ve tried some specific chef’s restaurant. Something like, ‘Oh, have you been to Chef So-and-So’s place? It’s amazing!’ You know, stuff like that.”

“Ooh.”

Clap, clap.

Her explanation was smooth and convincing. I gave a small round of applause, and Daeun responded with an exaggerated bow.

“Of course, since we’re super close, I don’t need these questions to bond with you!”

“You could still use them, though.”

“...That’s harsh.”

Daeun mimed a tearful sniffle at my blunt reply.

“Anyway, I’ve made up my mind!”

Her pout was short-lived as she stood up with sudden determination. I looked up at her with a blank expression.

“Let’s go on a trip! To the mountains!”

“...Huh?”

“It’s boring to just stay home every day, isn’t it?”

...Boring?

Sure, there are occasional lulls, but I’m not clawing at the walls out of boredom or anything.

“Ugh, come on!”

Seeing my lack of interest, Daeun wedged her hands under my arms and hoisted me upright. Of course, that didn’t magically make me any more enthusiastic, and I let my legs drag lifelessly, slumping like a rag doll.

“You’re acting like a cat! If someone didn’t know better, they’d think you really are Kana-nyang!”

“Ugh...”

Before I realized it, Daeun’s efforts had lifted me completely off the ground. I blinked, only to find myself cradled in her arms.

Sitting down on the couch with me in her lap, she began gently stroking my hair.

“Except for that one shopping trip, you’ve been cooped up at home the whole time. I just thought it’d be nice to get you out and about.”

“I don’t think there’s any need to feel sorry for me. Thanks to you, I’m living comfortably.”

“Oh... R-really? Hehe... That’s good to hear.”

At my honest words, Daeun’s hand paused for a moment before resuming its soft, soothing motions. Her touch felt gentler than before.

Hmm...

I closed my eyes halfway, letting myself sink into the comforting sensation as I thought it over.

While I’d been content lazing around, her suggestion wasn’t a bad one. I did feel bored from time to time. It wasn’t as if anything remarkable would happen on a mountain trip, but it could still be a refreshing change of pace.

The decision wasn’t hard to make.

“It’s not like I’m forcing you. If you don’t want to, you can say no. What matters is how you feel, Kana.”

“Alright. Let’s go.”

“Well, if you don’t want to— Wait, what?”

Daeun’s voice rose an octave, disbelief coloring her tone.

“Do you not want to?”

“No! I mean, do you want to leave right now?”

“...Without any preparation?”

“To embrace the sky as our companion and clouds as our blanket—that’s the charm of a spontaneous trip!”

I quickly reeled her in before her enthusiasm got out of hand.

“Ack!”

A small application of physical force later, I’d successfully curbed her excitement. Results are what matter, right?

Once I agreed to Daeun’s proposal, everything moved quickly.

“Leave all the preparations to me!”

True to her confident declaration, she handled the planning and packed everything up herself.

...Well, mostly herself.

“Huff... Huff...! Kana... Could you give me a hand with this stuff?”

Ah, so not entirely on her own. Drenched in sweat from loading the trunk to the brim, Daeun wiped her brow and called for backup.

“Alright, troops! Are you ready?”

“Didn’t you say to leave everything to you?”

“I meant the mental preparation, of course. Unless... you’ve left your heart in my care too? That wouldn’t be so bad!”

“Not a chance.”

Ignoring her playful chatter, I climbed into the car. With the trunk stuffed full and the back seat similarly packed, my only option was the front passenger seat. Not that I would’ve sat anywhere else anyway.

“Kana, it’s good manners to sit in the front when someone else is driving.”

“Why?”

“Because the back seat is the place of honor.”

“Oh, I see.”

That sounded vaguely familiar. In any case, I didn’t have a reason to insist on sitting in the back.

Once Daeun settled into the driver’s seat and fastened her seatbelt, she began explaining.

“We’re headed to a campsite halfway up the mountain. I made sure no one else booked it, so we can relax without worrying about being spotted.”

“Got it.”

Having already heard this earlier, I simply nodded in agreement.

As Daeun gripped the steering wheel, she suddenly chuckled.

“This reminds me of the first trip we took together. Back then, we were coming down the mountain. Now, we’re going up. Isn’t that funny?”

Our first trip together... Ah, that time.

When I decided to head to Sedes.

A lot had changed since then—our destination, mode of travel, purpose, even our relationship. Yet...

“Yeah.”

Some things hadn’t changed.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

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I smiled softly at Daeun, feeling optimistic about the trip.