"Grapes-ie?"
....
"Why aren't you answering? I'm so curious about the talk show your friend Braun hosts."
It feels like I'm showering in cold sweat, which shouldn't be possible in this body.
[Oh. It seems you've seen the live broadcast. It wouldn't be so bad to meet with the viewers on this occasion!]
[However, holding onto my cotton body like this feels like a bit too much contact. The passion of a fan is a destiny one must bear, but could you please tell them to let go now, friend?]
I feel like I'm going to break out in a cold sweat again.
"Ah, perhaps you do it like this? Hello, children! I am Braun!"
[My God...]
"Agent."
Agent Bronze, who stopped Agent Choi from impersonating Braun, took the rabbit doll away like one would snatch something.
However, his hands were as careful as if he were holding a bomb, and he soon placed it on the wooden floor.
[Hmm. This isn't bad!]
No, now that I look, he had laid a silk handkerchief on the floor.
And on top of that, he made a circular formation, like a protective array, with blue pebbles, placing Braun right in the center.
Anyone could see that this was a makeshift measure to appease or ward off something malevolent….
And then he looks at me.
"...."
....
His gaze felt like it could pierce right through me… no,
'How did he know?'
The agents of Team Hyumoo 1 wouldn't even know about Braun's Late-Night Talk Show.
And even if they did, connecting it to my rabbit doll, Braun, is too much of a logical leap…
Even though Section Chief Lee Jaheon hosted this live broadcast publicly!
'Is this a probe?'
For now, I'll try to play it down.
"I can hear your brain whirring all the way over here, Grapes-ie."
Damn it.
"…I should move it, at least."
Then, the Team Hyumoo 1 agents stood up without a word, their footsteps steady and purposeful, and escorted me and Braun outside.
There was a subtle sense that they intended to separate Braun from me at the Disaster Management Bureau Main Building —just in case.
No words were exchanged during the process….
Well… except for one line, when I tried to pick Braun up.
"Let go."
Yes….
The only comfort was that the agents didn't try to attack or dispose of Braun.
They just handled the doll with extreme care— almost respectfully.
Thanks to that, Braun didn't cause any disturbances.
Of course, it felt less like escorting a VIP and more like carefully transporting a cursed doll sealed away in some ancient temple….
'It feels like they're well aware of the situation's seriousness.'
My mouth was dry, but I felt like I wanted to swallow. I was being transported.
The destination for this outing was the outskirts of Seoul, near a rundown, sparsely populated alley rumored to be slated for redevelopment.
It was one of the rest stops used by the Disaster Management Bureau, a small, inconspicuous container space.
And it was there that I learned the cause of this catastrophe.
"Noruya."
Inside that container, across from a worn-out desk, sat Deputy Manager Eun Haje!
The realization hit me like lightning.
'Information flowed both ways!'
It was clear that this catastrophe occurred because Deputy Manager Eun Haje, who knew about the quiz show and the late-night talk show, had met with the agents who knew that the Good Friend doll's name was Braun.
And what that meant was….
'There's nowhere to run.'
I'm screwed.
"Sit."
....
I quietly sat at the prepared desk.
Deputy Manager Eun Haje looked at the rabbit doll on the handkerchief with a troubled expression.
"That Brau… is this Braun?"
....
Yes....
>Positive.
The Deputy Manager was glaring daggers at me.
Seeing me work in a completely contaminated state on the Late-Night Talk Show… I could only imagine what she must've thought when she saw me carrying a rabbit doll named after the show's host….
And if she had seen that a marriage reality show — one disturbingly similar to that Late-Night Talk Show — started airing right after I went to rescue Section Chief Lee Jaheon.
'...Hoo.'
[Oh dear. Mr. Roe Deer, you seem to have many worries.]
[Why not take this opportunity to introduce how beneficial and charming your Good Friend is?]
That's….
Wait.
Just a moment…!
Request: Paper and pen
Reason: Explanation of the situation
That's right. I realized it while communicating with Supervisor Baek Saheon using Paper Boats. I can talk like a person through written communication!
And a perfectly accurate explanation phrase for resolving this situation came to mind.
"…Uh, do you have paper here?"
"Hoo."
I quickly began to write on the paper Agent Bronze handed me, holding the pen Deputy Manager Eun Haje offered.
So, Braun is…!
Braun is a being like Beom Janggun.
"…???"
"What is this now?"
It means he is a supernatural entity from whom I am receiving help.
Right.
I didn't actually receive this doll from Braun; it's an item that acts as a kind of spiritual medium, which I acquired myself.
"What?"
Please continue listening!
Do you remember? When I told you I was missing for a month and was processed as having resigned due to death in a Daydream.
And do you remember when I testified in the Glass Prison that it was true…!
I earnestly looked at Agent Bronze. The other party flinched.
"…I do remember, but."
I wasn't simply missing for that month; I was working in a supernatural phenomenon called the Late-Night Talk Show.
And through that, I persuaded Braun, the host of the talk show.
As a result, Braun accepted my resignation request, and since then, he has dwelled in the doll and helps me in the process of investigating Supernatural Disasters….
Like.
Like an agent receiving help from a goblin!
"…!"
Yes. This is the strategy for dealing with the Disaster Management Bureau.
'After all, if agents can persuade and appease them, they borrow power from supernatural beings…!'
There are many powerful and dangerous beings among them. Beom Janggun, whom Agent Choi summoned, is a manifestation of White Tiger Great Killing, capable of devouring people.
'Braun is no different!'
[Hooh.]
Even if the person concerned doesn't seem to welcome it at all, if I can get by with this analogy….
"That's what he says?"
"That's all lies. He almost died on that talk show."
No!
There were many times I narrowly escaped death thanks to Braun.
Deputy Manager, do you remember that crazy exhibition ghost story? We all came out well there thanks to Braun using the megaphone…!
And it's thanks to Braun that I survived the theme park too!
"But you almost died because you used it wrong."
That was….
It's contamination, not death.
"Are you serious?"
sob
'Yeah. Even I think it sounds absurdly unbelievable….'
Deputy Manager Eun Haje, who saw my contaminated state, would think so even more.
But, you see.
Of course, it's true that supernatural beings have different emotions from humans, and that causes trouble sometimes.
But if you think about it that way, my current state is the same.
"…!!"
I felt the smoke rising beyond my gas mask.
The lush horns on my head, the amorphous lumps of flesh beneath my clothes.
Just having a being who could accompany me during my isolation was a source of strength.
…It's a bit strange.
I was clearly fabricating plausible sophistry to persuade them, but as I write it down, I find myself feeling that it's somewhat true.
It doesn't mean I can guarantee it's not dangerous, or that I completely trust Braun.
But I am confident that I am in a better state now than before.
And this was possible thanks to the Deputy Manager, Supervisor, and Manager coming to find me even with high-grade Darkness.
Thank you.
"...."
I consider Braun, who resides in this doll, to be my friend.
At least, I think it's okay to call him that for now.
I let go of the pen.
A complex, subdued atmosphere remained inside the container box.
And….
[Mr. Roe Deer.]
[Can you do me a favor? As a friend.]
....
I nodded.
After asking for permission from the people, I drew out Black Smoke and let it swirl around the desk.
A space created by smoke, a part of a supernatural entity.
In the ghost story, the rabbit doll rose.
"…!!"
The Good Friend, dwelling in the rabbit doll, looked at the Disaster Management Bureau agents and Deputy Manager Eun Haje one by one, then bowed respectfully.
A slightly exaggerated gentleman's bow.
As if introducing himself.
A respectful gesture, as if thanking the audience, taking off an imaginary hat and bringing it near his waist, came from the small plush doll.
Then he waved, and sat back down obediently on the handkerchief.
"...."
Silence followed.
And.
"Grapes-ie."
Agent Choi opened his mouth.
"So, you're saying you 'host' a talk show host and borrow power as friends?"
...!
Positive.
"How powerful is this being?"
"Powerful enough to turn a person to ashes with a snap of his fingers."
…!
"…Okay."
At Deputy Manager Eun Haje's addition, a smile appeared on Agent Choi's lips.
It wasn't a positive smile.
'That's….'
A tense smile, the kind one gets when facing a formidable Supernatural Disaster.
"Are there other conditions for hosting? You were holding your hat earlier, how about we get him a nice fedora?"
[Hooh.]
[Mr. Roe Deer. This person has some consideration. Of course, considering their financial situation, you shouldn't expect much in terms of gift quality!]
Braun is pleased.
"Really? Okay."
I looked at Agent Choi.
Agent Choi maintained a neutral expression, unreadable, and asked me.
"Then, how was it when he stayed with us for half a year? We kept him in the Team Hyumoo 1 waiting room."
....
I relayed Braun's description.
Not bad:
▶ Leaving him on a cushion and occasionally helping with his grooming.
▶ Telling him the progress of Grapes-ie's pursuit.
"Oh."
Not very pleasant:
▶ Pretending to feed him.
▶ Being referred to as pink.
"Ah."
And….
Points for improvement:
The cushion material was excessively cheap.
"...."
"...."
"Should we change it to cashmere?"
Acceptable.
"His preferences are very clear…."
It's true that he tends to be that way….
In any case, thanks to the complaint about the doll's cushion, the atmosphere, which was about to become completely tense, eased up a little.
'Perhaps it's because Braun didn't cause any commotion in the form of a Good Friend for half a year.'
That was definitely a good point.
But.
"And, you know."
The smile on Agent Choi's face faded slightly.
"…There are casualties on the talk show, right?"
....
Yes.
"And the host there isn't a cool person who practices veganism like Beom Janggun, is he?"
I responded with difficulty.
That's right.
When it came to his broadcast, he didn't yield easily.
"…You tried to persuade him, though. Okay."
And the agents sat quietly, exchanging glances.
'…Are they communicating via equipment?'
A moment later.
Agent Choi spoke again.
"Grapes-ie. We don't believe in your 'cool friend Braun' either, you know that, right?"
Of course, that would be the case.
"So, we hope you'll show us a trustworthy side from now on. Like a friend."
…!!
"We'll keep watching. Did you hear that, Mr. Braun?"
I realized.
This was definitely not a case of, 'Okay, Braun is a friend, so let's keep him around.'
'They think if they just leave him alone, something bad will happen…'
Keeping him around was more about the fact that he was 'basically' friendly, but they were worried that it could escalate into a catastrophe if things went wrong.
As proof, Agent Bronze had an expression as if he were about to stab me with a knife.
[Oh dear, it feels like I'm dealing with an outdated guest who firmly believes they have the upper hand.]
[Of course, it's unavoidable that it's hard to believe easily when you can't find a trustworthy friend like me anywhere!]
"What does Mr. Braun say?"
…Hoo.
A positive response.
"Okay~ …Of course, I trust that our Grapes isn't just making up answers for the doll, right?"
Of, of course.
"Right. Did he say anything else?"
....
Perhaps this is better.
I gave up on everything and relayed it all.
Braun's request for correction:
He stated that the talk show he hosts aims for high-quality entertainment and pursues a broader, more general audience than children.
"…Hmm. I see."
Request for correction 2:
There is no connection between veganism and being cool, and Braun is a person of generous and cheerful disposition.
"Ah, there's a second one too?"
A vow, verifiable by the fact that he did not reveal the concerns Agent Bronze voiced in the waiting room to anyone, nor would he use them as broadcast material without the party's permission in the future.
"…! Wait a moment, please."
Request for correction 3:
Do not be misled by Mr. Roe Deer's statement that attempts to place a rough, old zoo tiger and a legendary host possessing culture, eloquence, and charm on the same level.
(This description is Braun's personal opinion and does not align with 130666's sentiment.)
"No, our Beom Janggun is not that…"
Request for correction 4…
"Just tell them we understand."
That's a good judgment….
And so, I spent some time in the container box, relaying Braun's words for a while.
Fortunately, when that time ended, Braun's identity was returned to me without any bloodshed, and….
"…Right. We'll take him for now."
The atmosphere seemed a bit better than before.
Of course, this wasn't the end of it.
"Ah, it's not a fedora, but we want to give Mr. Braun a gift as a memento."
And Agent Bronze, with careful hands, offered something to Braun.
It was… a thin silk ribbon, tied into a bow, a small decoration.
It was originally shaped like something that could be tied to a person's ring finger.
"Kids these days do keychains, right? I heard they do that kind of thing. Since you're a talk show host, you must be sensitive to trends~"
I guarantee it. That's a tracking item….
[Oh, then I shall take it as a souvenir!]
Fortunately, Braun readily agreed, and the agents waited until I had fully confirmed that they had attached the decoration to the keychain attachment near Braun's head before they began to move.
"Shall we go?"
And so, the pink rabbit doll was registered with the Disaster Management Bureau as '130666's Friend Ghost Story,' something dwelling in a doll from the Pleasant Theme Park, and the incident was concluded.
The commotion of 'Braun's identity revealed' was, for the time being, resolved.
'Hoo….'
…For reference, throughout this entire process, Deputy Manager Eun Haje only responded with 'Understood,' and silently continued to stare at the Braun doll.
However, when leaving the container, she returned to her usual demeanor.
Adding just one sentence.
-Don't believe it.
....
After contemplating, I nodded.
And so, the Segwang Metropolitan City Exploration Team all became aware of the existence of their Good Friend Braun.
What impact this will have in the future remains to be seen as time passes….
·
And some time later.
"Soleum."
'Manager!'
Manager Lee Jaheon finally arrived, and preparations for entering Segwang Metropolitan City were finally complete.
…Or so I thought.
"I see. There is a recommended candidate for this exploration."
"Oh~ Who is it?"
"Supervisor Baek Saheon."
I thought my gas mask would fly off.