Black Badger

Kairos stared blankly at the doll for a long time.

I was busy watching his expression. Igor, who had also noticed that something seemed off with his contractor, quietly approached and observed the situation.

The spacious house fell silent.

Had I made a mistake... digging up old wounds while pretending I was being thoughtful?

That thought alone left me uneasy. To be honest, even before handing it over, I wasn’t completely sure. If my body had been in proper condition, I would’ve just asked a senior like Personnel Director Ju and gone out to do reclamation work together. But right now, I couldn’t even properly swing a sword, let alone handle fieldwork.

So this was what I came up with—a red dragon doll.

Trying to pick a gift for the most famous former driver in Center Core had been absurdly difficult. A man with more money than he could spend and no particular desires—I'd practically smashed my head against the problem trying to think of something.

And this was the result.

...Why is he frozen like that?

Did I mess up after all?

I felt my heart sink coldly as I studied his face.

Beside me, Igor bent down as well, examining Kairos closely.

The knight under my command furrowed his brows, about to say something.

But before any words came out, Kairos lifted his head.

“Thank you.”

He looked at me and smiled.

“I’ll treasure it.”

For a moment, I couldn’t respond.

Because his orange eyes were slightly wet. And the smile—wasn’t as bright as usual. The light pouring in through the wide windows reflected in the tears gathering in his eyes, stabbing into mine.

Still wearing that unfamiliar smile, he gently stroked the doll’s round head.

Back then... I’d been too indifferent.

When Noya died and we first came to Earth, I knew Kairos was struggling—but I hadn’t paid him much attention. It had been a chaotic time. Even if I could go back, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to look after him properly.

And maybe... because Noya had been a dragon, I’d neglected him even more.

The emptiness left by people had felt larger to me. Among the countless absences—Grand Duke Jacques, Kysis, and so many others—Noya’s absence hadn’t stood out as much.

I knew Kairos had sunk just like everyone else.

I’d been shocked that he had sunk—but at the same time, I think I assumed he’d eventually shake it off like he always did.

“It does resemble him.”

Igor’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

The tall swordsman was smiling faintly as he examined the dragon doll I’d given Kairos.

“I only saw him a few times. But every time, I thought—I’d like to ride him someday.”

“Did you now?”

Kairos chuckled as he replied.

“If you’d said so, I would’ve let you. You could’ve gone as high as you wanted without any trouble.”

“Yeah, right.”

Igor snorted.

“Do you have any idea how big the gap between us was back then? I couldn’t even approach you, let alone talk to you.”

I quietly watched the two of them talking in the living room.

Kairos’s gaze was still fixed on the red dragon doll.

Regret, joy, sorrow—all of it filled his orange eyes.

With his rough hands, he carefully stroked the dragon’s cute, rounded head.

“So what’s with the sudden gift, Captain?”

Igor straightened and turned to me.

“Is it your contractor’s birthday or something?”

I awkwardly rubbed the back of my neck with a small smile.

It was embarrassing to explain honestly. Compared to what Kairos had done for me, this was pitifully small. And even if it was unlikely, I didn’t want Igor to feel burdened by it either.

Sensing my hesitation instantly, Kairos smiled and changed the subject.

“Since you’re here, why not stay for dinner, Hilde? You need to put on some weight.”

“Should I grill some meat?”

Igor added, suddenly scanning me up and down.

“You look like you need more protein.”

That night, I ended up eating dinner at Kairos’s house.

I even stayed the night there. It hadn’t been my intention, «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» but after eating and taking my medication, I must’ve lingered too long and fallen asleep without realizing it.

When I woke up in the morning, I was lying in one of Kairos’s many guest rooms.

From far away, I could hear Igor skillfully coaxing and chasing off Kairos’s stalker. The neighborhood was unusually quiet, so even though their voices weren’t loud, I could make out what they were saying.

Unlike Yoow’s sharp criticism, it seemed Igor was actually doing a decent job as a guard dog.

Listening to the knight—who resembled a black hound—handle the situation with practiced ease, I let out a quiet laugh.

Days without schedules, stretching on since I woke up, still felt unfamiliar.

To be precise, these were days focused entirely on recovery, with everything else set aside.

The warmth poured onto me by those who had waited for me... and the sudden, heavy waves of loss that struck without warning.

I was still trying to get used to both.

I should head back to the cabin by evening...

Silencing my footsteps, I slowly stepped out of the guest room.

The red dragon doll I had given Kairos yesterday sat in the middle of an ivory-colored sofa.

Curled up and sleeping to its right was Milk.

To its left lay the orange string bracelet Kairos used to wear back in the Empire—the one I hadn’t seen him wear since coming to Earth.

...Good.

It really wasn’t a mistake.

“Who is that woman?!”

The moment relief settled in, a sharp voice tore through the calm air.

“Who is she, walking into Jack’s house like that?!”

“Calm down, calm down.”

What?

I widened my eyes and turned toward the entrance.

“She’s someone Black knows. They’re not involved, so put your phone down. Hey—relax a little. And stop coming here already.”

“A model, right?!”

Deltei?

“You run off to the Badgers, and now you’re playing around with a model?!”

Is she going to trip running in like that?

Peeking out, I saw a woman being ushered inside with Igor’s help.

She was taller and thinner than Deltei.

“Rose.”

I smiled at my red-eyed subordinate.

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

Thud!

Rose suddenly dropped to her knees on the floor.

...Are her kneecaps okay?

Startled, I moved toward her—but the noise outside abruptly cut off. Igor must have closed the door. From deeper inside, Kairos blinked and walked over.

“C-Captain...”

Inside the house, which had suddenly become crowded, Rose stared down at the floor and muttered.

“The Captain... is...”

What is she doing now?

“The Captain... is walking on both legs...!”

I buried my face in my hands and let out a sigh.

Thank god Igor closed the door.

If anyone outside our kind had seen this, it would’ve been incredibly awkward. Even the seniors close to me still weren’t used to Rose acting like this.

Kairos chuckled lightly.

“She hasn’t changed at all.”

“Of course not. A few weeks ago, when you were discharged, she made a huge scene because she couldn’t come.”

“Rose.”

As Igor spoke, I approached her.

“The floor’s cold. Get up. Are your knees alright? That was a pretty loud impact.”

“Captain!”

Rose sprang up from the ground at terrifying speed.

If I hadn’t instinctively stepped back, her head would’ve slammed straight into my chin.

“Captain! Thank you for your concern! I’m fine... but why have you gotten so thin...? How could this happen... your body is precious... Captain...”

“Contractor. The stalker’s been sent away.”

“Much appreciated.”

“Let’s calm down and sit.”

It was always difficult to have a normal conversation with her.

Even when I asked, she rarely answered properly like this.

I slowly walked to the sofa and glanced at her.

“When did you come to Center Core? I heard you went back to Core 2 last time.”

“Ah, I got divorced.”

I stopped in place.

But Rose continued as if it were nothing, explaining in a detached, polite tone.

“All the procedures were finalized five months ago. Heath suggested we remain business partners, and we still contact each other occasionally. So if you ever need to reach him—”

“No...”

It sounded like Heath still had feelings for her.

I almost said it—but stopped. Rose wouldn’t care anyway.

I felt both satisfaction and pity hearing about him.

Rose might be a criminal—but she’s a criminal with principles.

Unlike Lin, who’s a petty criminal with no philosophy.

Which means—she probably chose Heath as a victim the moment she saw a man dating with the intention of marriage.

If Heath hadn’t acted like that in the first place, he wouldn’t have had to go through heartbreak.

Still... he’s probably doing fine.

I pushed thoughts of the pharmaceutical CEO aside and sat down.

“You’ve been through a lot. Congratulations.”

“Thank you!”

Rose replied, beaming.

As always, she stared at my golden eyes with unsettling intensity—then noticed Kairos approaching and turned her head.

“Contractor, I’m sorry for causing a disturbance outside. If any issues arise, I’ll step in and clarify.”

“No need.”

Kairos replied smoothly.

“This sort of thing isn’t new. Even if strange rumors spread, I can clear them up myself.”

“I did try to come at a time when no one would be around... but celebrities really are different. Still, since I’m divorced, even if rumors spread, it shouldn’t cause much trouble.”

“It was never something that would cause trouble in the first place.”

Kairos smiled gently.

“I should apologize instead for not giving you advance notice. I had seen your message about visiting today.”

“I’m already grateful you welcomed me.”

Why is she so normal when talking to someone who isn’t me?

I stared blankly as I watched the perfectly reasonable conversation between Kairos and Rose.

I’d barely ever had a normal conversation with her outside of work.

Not because I refused—she just never allowed it.

Every time I say something, she reacts like that.

So whenever I see her acting like a normal person, it feels strange.

...A little enviable.

I’d like to have a calm conversation like that too—

“Ah, Captain...”

...Yeah. Impossible.

“You look beautiful today as well...”

“This kid is really something.”

Igor muttered in disbelief.

“How does she turn like this every single time she stands in front of you?”

“Captain... are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

Rose sat across from me, fingers interlaced, gazing at me with longing eyes.

“I’ve moved to Center Core now. I wanted to be close enough to assist you. I even considered moving into this neighborhood—but that would be inconvenient for you, right? I’d like to stay near your cabin and take care of your daily needs... though that might be inconvenient too. What do you think about me occasionally coming by to clean your cabin? I’m very good at cleaning. I’ve never once been caught infiltrating and leaving a place, which proves—”

“Rose. Breathe.”

She breathed.

Watching my subordinate faithfully obey, I spoke quietly.

“Why would you clean my cabin?”

“Because I want to.”

“No. Tig and I can handle that. You don’t need to worry about it. Now that there aren’t any urgent issues, why don’t you just take it easy for a while?”

“I’ve had some free time lately, so I’ve been working on a fan page.”

...My fan page?

I almost asked—but stopped. It felt like knowing the details would be bad for my mental health.

If she’s happy, I’ll leave it alone.

I nodded, slightly tired.

Then Rose added calmly,

“And I’ve compiled information on the new Elders showing suspicious movements. If it’s too bothersome for you, would you like me to take care of it?”

“Elders?”

I had just decided not to think about them.

Wouldn’t it be better for everyone if we simply lived without getting involved with each other?

As if reading my thoughts, Rose continued in a composed, report-like tone.

“There’s been a major reshuffle. One of the individuals I knew—indirectly—while operating as Lacy has likely risen to rank three. He seems to lack awareness of his place and has been... aggressively visible.”

Her sharp red eyes curved dangerously.

“He’s a child born after the war—knows nothing. I’ve heard he’s been saying that you’ve grown weak. If you wish, I can give him a suitable warning.”

Rose’s “suitable warning” usually meant gouging out an eye.