Chapter 120.2 |
The image on the TV is not me.
I am not smiling.
You will be happy.
In your new home.
I won’t be confused.
I’m going back to my original home.
That’s not home.
I am working to return home, and that purpose will never be reversed.
In your new home.
This insane talk show is not my home.
THIS INSANE TALK SHOW IS NOT MY HOME!!
[Hmm.]
Brief
technical adjustments
ongoing…
The TV screen shattered.
“Hah…”
I exhaled, collapsing onto the floor.
The cold tiles of the cramped train bathroom grounded me back in reality.
Or at least, I thought they did.
[Understood, Mr. Soleum.]
In the next moment, I was standing in a cozy studio.
No, this place had always been a studio.
But this small, cozy space had no audience yet. Only two comfortable armchairs faced each other.
And standing before me, extending a hand with a solemn air, was the TV-headed host.
[Oh dear, you seem quite tense… Why don’t we sit down first? Fix your clothes, wipe away the blood, and let’s have a calmer conversation.]
[It seems the advertisement message was a bit too physically and mentally stimulating for my friend.]
Soft piano music drifted through the room.
[I overdid it, didn’t I? After all, you don’t have media experience. Let’s take a moment to breathe.]
With a wave of the host’s hand, a steaming cup appeared on the table between the two chairs.
…Hot chocolate.
[Ah, do you remember? It’s the drink I always recommended to you whenever you felt worn out, Mr. Roe Deer. Chocolate! Nothing beats something warm and comforting for a tired body…]
A smiling emoticon filled the TV screen, and its antenna perked up slightly, as if excited.
It busily stirred in some marshmallows.
[This is the first time I’m serving it directly, though. When I was just a stuffed body, I always had to rely on others for things like this.]
“……”
[There were so many things I couldn’t do in that form. Now, come on. Let’s take a break.]
Following the gentle guidance, I found myself naturally sinking into the chair.
…Because there was no other choice.
But surprisingly, the host didn’t push me further. It didn’t force the hot chocolate on me or make any sudden moves.
While I bandaged my arm and stopped the bleeding on my own, the host simply waited—silent, patient.
It waited like a thoughtful interviewer, saying nothing, letting me regain my composure.
Gradually, my scattered thoughts began to clear.
[Feeling a bit calmer, Mr. Roe Deer? Take a deep breath, yes… Let’s have a proper talk.]
The host clasped its hands together and leaned forward politely from the opposite chair.
[You’ve made it clear—you absolutely do not want to quit your current job. Am I right?]
“……”
I nodded slowly, cold sweat trickling down my back.
The antenna on the TV head tilted slightly, as if curious.
[That’s strange, so strange… You loathe this job, Mr. Roe Deer!]
“…!”
[We’ve had so many conversations about it. I’ve listened to the countless complaints of how much you despise this job and how you never want to do it again once your goal is achieved.]
But that was only because I had to keep going until my goal was reached.
To use the wish ticket and go home, I had no other choice but to stick with it.
[Just a moment.]
[Yes, Mr. Roe Deer, this is exactly what I wanted to focus on!]
[My friend—you’re saying you desperately want to go home. And, in fact…]
The host leaned in and whispered.
[I know why you’re saying you want to go home, Mr. Roe Deer.]
Why would there need to be a reason for someone to want to go home?
I tensed, preparing for whatever nonsensical argument it was about to make.
I had to let it talk and let it pass.
[Oh, this may be shocking, but please keep calm.]
But the host’s voice lowered further, turning into a soft whisper, compelling me to listen.
[It’s because…]
I couldn’t help but lean in, ears straining to hear.
[You actually don’t want to go home.]
……
What?
[Deep down, you already know this, don’t you?]
[You’re confusing yourself, misunderstanding things, and building biases because of two intense emotions.]
[Fear and desire.]
What are you saying right now…?
[Oh, Mr. Roe Deer… You don’t miss home, and you don’t think that being home is good. You’re just scared and miserable with what you’re doing right now.]
“……!”
[Now, Mr. Roe Deer, do you truly hate the fact that the stories you enjoyed have become reality?]
[Didn’t you feel even a little thrill or excitement seeing how the things you imagined were brought to life? Are you really telling the truth when you say you only hate it?]
I don’t…
I don’t hate it as much as I fear it because it’s too dangerous.
[Danger! Ah, yes, a classic and respectable excuse. But let’s think about this, Mr. Roe Deer.]
The old TV set, replacing the host’s head, crackled faintly.
[Is the ‘home’ you wish to return to truly safe?]
T/N:
Sorry about this, but I need to adjust the release schedule 🥲 The chapters have been getting long in this arc and it’s a bit difficult to do full daily updates now 🥲 🥲
New release schedule until further notice:
– 8AM & 6PM (EST), even if the chapter has three parts
I’ll try to return to the old daily sched in the future if I can! Thank you everyone, as always, for your understanding
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