"Isabella, what do you want to do?"
Team leader Isabella, whose condition was starting to improve after the surgery, asked seriously.
"This may sound ridiculous... But I've been asked to babysit a child."
Several of Isabella's colleagues looked at each other. One of them immediately spoke up. "This child is definitely no ordinary child."
"I see."
"I may be a man, but I think I know a thing or two about caring for children," Isabella's leader said thoughtfully.
"I'll take any advice."
"Good. First, you should probably avoid wearing those things."
Currently, Isabella was wearing a flexible outfit consisting of a long-sleeved shirt and pants that were slightly loose at the hips.
She also wore special gloves with arm protectors, a neck guard, and sleek boots.
And as if that weren't enough, she was also wearing a special bodysuit belonging to her friend underneath, one typically used as an undergarment for combat.
"I think these things are important."
Isabella recounted her encounter with Nadia the previous afternoon...
"I'll have someone teach you how to deal with children. This kind of thing does require a lot of training, but if it's just the basics, I'm sure we can manage."
"I understand. By the way, is there anything I should be wary of with these children?"
"She can sometimes attack suddenly, which is a bit troublesome because we don't know exactly what triggers her. But since you're an elite soldier, I'm sure something like that won't be a problem for me."
As they chatted, a woman with scratch marks on her face and neck coincidentally arrived.
"Doctor, the necessary props are ready."
"Arrange them neatly in the observation room... We're in a bit of a rush."
"Understood."
After the woman left, Isabella spoke with her hands on her hips. "What's wrong with that woman?"
"She's only the third employee to fall victim to Dahlia. You don't need to worry."
"Did you inject the monster gene into her?"
"No. We won't do it until she's completely under control."
"So you do intend to do it."
"There's no time for a lifetime of training. You've experienced it yourself... The heat of the monster's power within you."
"So, is she dangerous right now or not?"
"Children usually attack with what they have. It also depends on how you deal with her."
*****
"That's about it."
"I understand your desire to protect yourself. But I must say, within 10 seconds, the child will definitely put up a fight."
"I'm prepared for that."
That afternoon...
"Isn't even a firm grip allowed?!"
As planned, Isabella learned how to babysit from one of the employees who had passed the babysitting exam.
"You can hold their hands tightly, but please don't use force. Adults' strength is very different from children's. Especially if children are sensitive."
"I guess I'll have to come up with a new plan." Isabella muttered, realizing her personal preparations might be rejected.
"New plan?"
"Nothing! Please continue."
"Okay. Next, don't get too carried away or get carried away by personal pleasure. Sometimes when we're dealing with bad children, the urge to punish them arises. It's not that it's not permissible to punish them, but the punishment must provide sufficient benefits or education compared to the impact."
"You mean it must be equal?"
"No punishment can provide education or benefits equal to the impact. Only attention and affection can do that. Well... Excessive or misplaced affection can sometimes even hurt them."
"Hm?"
"It's like I said, don't get carried away by personal pleasure. Even now, there are still stupid women who like to pinch children's cheeks or do things to babies. In the eyes of those low-IQ creatures, they're playing with them, but from the children's perspective, they're being hurt..."
"...I mean, just imagine. What kind of person enjoys seeing a child cry?! They say things and do things to soothe the child, but their faces are laughing! If the people themselves are stupid, what will the child be like?"
Throughout every discussion, Isabella simply nodded and only occasionally responded verbally.
The teachings and doctrines of parenting were constantly being hammered into Isabella's head. And to ensure she truly understood, she was even given various examples or illustrations prepared by several caregivers who were actually scientists or laboratory workers.
Even after dinner, the lessons continued until late at night.
The next morning...
"You're late. I told you to come at 6 a.m., didn't I?"
"Sorry. Since you said I needed to look good to meet S-9, I decided to dress up a bit before coming here."
Nadia noticed Isabella's neat and quite charming appearance. "You don't need to do that. Your friend will be happy to help."
"I've always wanted to do this girl's makeup. But she always refused because she was embarrassed."
"I'm not embarrassed," Isabella immediately denied it.
"That's right. You're an adult, so you won't be embarrassed anymore."
"How long will this take?" Nadia asked, looking at the clock.
"The makeup and hair will probably take about 20 minutes or so. But the problem is, I've never seen Isabel wear anything feminine or elegant before... We'll need to try on a lot of outfits. So it'll probably take almost an hour."
Half an hour later...
Isabella emerged from the room looking alluring and captivating everyone's attention.
"It won't take as long as you said."
"Isabel didn't want any flashy makeup, so I just gave her a simple, but the best makeup I know. It still took a while to style her hair, but since I was aiming for a motherly look, I simply tied it up after giving it a fluffy effect. As for her outfit... Well, I suppose you've heard that clothes look best on a beautiful woman or a handsome man... Almost everything she tried on seemed to suit her."
Hearing the woman's envious tone, Nadia observed Isabella and acknowledged her beauty.
Isabella's sharp facial features, which were already quite beautiful to begin with, now looked softer and much more beautiful after the makeup and new hairstyle.
Isabella's youthful, curvy body looked even more mature in a light purple dress with long sleeves and a skirt.
'A raw gem transformed into jewelry' was perhaps the most fitting phrase to describe Isabella now.
Isabella, who had paid little attention to her appearance, had become a stunning woman who managed to captivate all men who saw her.
The only thing missing was the serious aura she still possessed to carry out her duties well... even if that task was to melt a child's heart with affection.