I Became the Protagonist’s Favorite

Bloop bloop bloop!

Every time I move around, this blooping noise echoes everywhere.

I can feel every spirit and Spirit Master’s gaze fixated on me, making me want to crawl into a mouse hole and hide. Nearby spirits who were watching me suddenly start swarming towards me like I’m some kind of magnet.

“Meow~”

“Woof woof!”

“Chik chik!”

All sorts of animal-like spirits surround me, clinging onto me excitedly while chattering away in their own languages. Though I have no idea what they’re saying, it’s clear they’re happy to be near me. Before I know it, I’m wagging my tail despite myself.

The nearby Spirit Master uncle chuckles and says, “The spirits seem to like the blooping noises you’re making, Hae-un.”

Hearing this, I look down at myself blankly, blinking. While the sound is kinda cute, it’s also embarrassingly loud. I’d love to make it stop if I could…

“But if the spirits like it…”

Deciding to keep it going for the sake of the spirits while I’m here, I try to ignore my embarrassment. That’s when a puppy nearby starts enthusiastically licking my cheeks.

Warm and squishy sensations spread across my face! Startled by the suddenness, I freeze up like a statue. Just as I’m standing there stiffly, Chae-a notices my plight and quickly comes over to rescue me.

“Hae-un’s so scary!”

Apparently determined to protect me, Chae-a shooes away the dogs and cats before turning back to me.

“Thank you,” I manage to say.

“No way! I’m the older sister, so it’s only natural!” Chae-a declares proudly.

It’s hard to argue with her when she looks so pleased with herself. After a moment’s hesitation, I decide to let it slide and give her an awkward smile instead. The Spirit Master uncle watches us fondly.

“Chae-a’s really taking good care of her younger sister. Here, Chae-a, since you’ve been such a good girl…”

“Meow!” Chae-a interrupts, still upset with the uncle from earlier.

She raises both hands high above her head, looking ready to pounce like a little tiger. I gently pat her head to calm her down, and she immediately cuddles into my arms instead.

“Geez…”

Meanwhile, the other Spirit Master uncle chuckles knowingly. “Serves him right. Maybe he should give her a nice present to make up for whatever he did.”

“That might work…” the first uncle muses.

Listening to their conversation, I glance at Chae-a thoughtfully. In my opinion, the best way to cheer her up would be to talk about how cute bugs are. I briefly consider sharing this insight…

But then I remember how she destroyed my lair not once, but twice, and puff up slightly in indignation. No matter how kind they are, some things just can’t be forgiven easily.

“Hmm… If they really can’t figure it out on their own, I guess I’ll tell them eventually.”

With that decision made, I turn my attention back to a nearby cat raising its paw toward me. It repeats the motion a few times before pressing against the ground in some kind of gesture. Curious, I tilt my head until Chae-a helpfully explains:

“The kitty wants to make bloopy noises too!”

Ah, so that’s why it was doing that. Understanding now, I ask Somtul hovering above my head:

“Sommie… Can you make the spirits able to bloop too?”

After a moment’s consideration, Somtul nods and chirps “Pii!” before descending to blow some white mana into a plastic bag I had been holding.

“A plastic bag?”

While I don’t fully understand why Somtul chose this particular item, I trust there’s a method to its fluffiness. As I watch, a cat that had been eyeing me enviously dives into the bag, kicking its legs wildly inside.

Bloop bloop bloop!

The familiar sound rings out much louder than expected. Shocked, I look at Somtul for an explanation.

“Could it be… When you reinforce something, you can choose how it gets reinforced?”

At this realization, I stare in amazement as Somtul beams proudly, nudging my head with its own and chirping happily.

“You did great!”

“Pii!”

After giving Somtul a thorough head rub, I resolve to get back to work. With all these new bloopers around, surely people won’t focus on just my noises anymore. Confident in this thought, I start moving around to clean…

“Hey Hae-un, you don’t need to clean. Just relax.”

“Oh, let me do it. Here, sit down Hae-un.”

Every time I try to clean, someone finds a new way to stop me. Before I know it, I’m trapped in an endless cycle of being forced to sit down whenever I pick up trash. Determined not to give up, I struggle to stand again…

“Cleaning complete!”

Only to find the Spirit Masters have already cleaned everything, leaving me without a job. Feeling utterly useless, I slump dejectedly to the floor just as someone enters.

“Hae-un, Chae-a, I’m ba- Wait?”

Looking up, I see Han Arin’s concerned face. She must have finished her work early and come straight here. Watching me sit there glumly, she starts asking the others what’s wrong.

“Maybe because we cleaned up the trash instead?”

“Could be because she’s tired?”

Without getting any clear answers, Han Arin eventually decides to ask me directly.

“Hae-un, what’s wrong?”

Caught off guard, I struggle to respond. Embarrassed to admit it’s because someone else cleaned up my trash, I end up mumbling vaguely while curling up.

“I’m… useless…”

Han Arin freezes in shock at my words.

“What? Who said you’re useless? Was it the Spirit Master?”

Quick to clarify, I shake my head rapidly before explaining honestly.

“I… can’t do anything…”

Listening to this, Han Arin’s expression turns serious.

“Hae-un, look at me.”

Reluctantly meeting her gaze, I brace for another lecture about how I’m not useless.

“You’re completely wrong. You can do so many things – you dance well, you’re crafty, you design amazing lairs…”

Clearly trying to prove her point, Han Arin lists off various skills I have. While I appreciate the effort, hearing all these compliments delivered so earnestly only makes me more embarrassed.

My head spins from sheer mortification. Never have I felt this level of embarrassment before. As I flail about internally, Han Arin pulls me into a tight hug.

“From now on, no saying you can’t do anything or that you’re unnecessary, okay? Got it?”

Despite wanting to protest that I never said such extreme things, I nod mutely knowing she’d just repeat herself otherwise. Satisfied, Han Arin releases me with a approving nod.

*

After that, nothing particularly special happened. Except for the fact that the spirits gathered in one spot to make bloopy noises, and that the Spirit Master gave us quite a lot of furniture.

Looking at the mountain of furniture before me, I shake my head. There’s no way I can accept this much. But then the Spirit Master suggests:

“Then how about we give one piece to Hae-un and the rest to Chae-a? It’s my way of apologizing to her after all…”

“Let’s just call it a gift.”

“Ah, yes. A gift it is.”

And just like that, I end up receiving multiple pieces of furniture anyway. Among them, the smallest ones catch my eye – they must be for Somtul.

“A big desk, a whiteboard, and various wooden furnishings…”

Normally, I’d refuse such extravagant gifts after just chatting a bit, but the Spirit Master insisted it was for Chae-a. And since it was supposedly for Chae-a…

“Wow, it’s so pretty!”

Seeing Chae-a’s delighted reaction, I feel bad about returning them now. So with a deep bow, I accept the gifts.

“Thank you very much!”

“You’re welcome! Come visit often – the spirits enjoy seeing you two.”

“Okay!”

Thinking about getting to see the spirits regularly makes me smile. Now feeling motivated, I realize it’s time to start decorating our new lair.

“I should use everything we received to decorate as best as possible.”

Confident that Grandma Leseia will be pleased with our efforts, I set to work with renewed determination.

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