“This is…”
A breath escaped my lips, mixing with steam.
For a moment, the white vapor stirred in the air—then froze, unmoving.
People walking through the streets were stuck mid-step, vacant expressions on their faces. Snowflakes that had been falling from the sky floated suspended, never reaching the ground.
“…Time is frozen?”
I looked around.
One side of the special performance stage had collapsed. But due to time being stopped, the debris was simply hanging midair.
‘What in the world happened?’
I tried to approach the wreckage, but—
“Eunyul-ssi. It’s dangerous over there. Time might suddenly revert.”
Madojin’s voice came from behind.
“…That’s true.”
I turned to him.
He folded his wings as he approached me.
“Did Enoch do all this?”
I asked. Madojin nodded gravely.
Figures. Enoch is a powerful angel, after all…
I had suspected someone would be displeased about the Star joining CYB onstage. But I didn’t think an angel serving The Savior Who Is One and All would go this far…
“He considered all of this part of a divine mission.”
Madojin said.
“…I too believed it was my sacred duty. At least, until I met you, Eunyul-ssi.”
“I know.”
After all, I had experienced a piece of Madojin’s life myself.
“In any case, the priority now is figuring out what happened while we were gone—”
I was in the middle of speaking when—
<Impressive, creature.>
A voice echoed inside my mind.
‘…The Star?’
The moment I thought his name—
Srrk—
The Star descended from the rooftop of the performance stage, landing before me.
<I thought you’d be trembling in fear, but you’ve been calmly observing the situation. Not bad.>
“You…”
His grin made me sick—but my eyes were fixed on the blood covering his body.
“…Are you hurt?”
<This isn’t my blood. It’s Enoch’s. You’d best take care of these instead.>
He walked past me as he spoke.
Thud.
Three bodies fell from the sky.
It didn’t take long to realize who they were.
“Noeul…?”
Jeong Noeul, who looked like he’d aged into his mid-20s.
“Geahrzimen and…”
…Kkomuri, both unconscious, sprawled beside him.
I rushed over in a panic.
“Are you okay?! Wake up, all of you!”
“…Can’t I just stay unconscious a little longer? I’m so tired.”
Jeong Noeul murmured, his eyes half-open.
“Same here… I feel like I just served peak-season customers nonstop for a week.”
<Thank goodness you’re safe, my master….>
Geahrzimen and Kkomuri followed suit, their voices faint.
<Those weaklings fought Enoch on your behalf. Give them a pat on the head, at least.>
The Star called out from a distance.<And you.>
He looked directly at Madojin.
“…Yes, shaman.”
<…What?>
The Star raised an eyebrow.
“You’re the shaman, aren’t you? Eunyul-ssi’s friend…”
Madojin asked blankly.
Guess it’s time to face the consequences.
Didn’t he already know that I had made a contract with the Star through Enoch?
I explained the Star’s identity to him.
“Ah… I thought the Original Sinner was a fly or something…”
<Would I really be a fly…?>
The Star sighed.
<Anyway, answer my question.>
“…Yes.”
<Did you participate in this festival to harm my contractor?>
“I did.”
Madojin answered plainly.
<My fragile, feeble contractor—if you’d wanted to, you could’ve struck at any time. Why wait until Enoch had to intervene?>
“…Because I realized it was wrong.”
<Is that so?>
The Star chuckled.
<Then let me ask again. If it was truly wrong, you could’ve taken your own life to ensure my contractor’s safety. Why couldn’t you make even that small choice? You’re just a puppet—one born without knowing good or evil.>
Vwoom—
Power gathered in the Star’s hand as he glared at Madojin.
“Hey! Kim Star!”
I shouted at him.
<Don’t call me by my full name!>
The Star snapped, turning to me.
He huffed for a moment, then turned back to Madojin.
<Answer me. Why didn’t you die?>
“If I died…”
Madojin looked him straight in the eye.
Or rather—
“…Would anyone even be sad?”
It was a question, not an answer.<You feared no one would mourn you.>
“I don’t know. But…”
Madojin shared the moment when, through Enoch’s power, he glimpsed my life.
And the time when I had chosen to end it myself.
“…I think I felt sadness then. If I died and vanished from this world, and someone… anyone mourned that…”
That fleeting hope—or that selfish desire to be mourned—
“…I couldn’t bring myself to end it.”<Is that so.>
The Star clicked his tongue and released the gathered power.
<To imagine life after death is a privilege of the living. The young angel who tormented you—I punished him myself. For now, you’ve earned the right to keep living.>
He smiled faintly and looked at me.
<So for now, I’ll entrust my creature to you.>
Huh?
He spoke as if he was about to leave, wearing an uncharacteristically wistful expression.
“First of all, that face—seriously, fix that. You look ridiculous.”
I walked toward him.
“And what do you mean by that…?”<What do you think I mean.>
He shrugged.
Then looked to the sky.
<How long do you intend to hide and watch? It’s been a while. Show your face already.>
The moment he said, My adversary…
‘A butterfly…?’
A butterfly-shaped being appeared—The Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell.
<I didn’t want to face you.>
With a sigh, the Archangel revealed his true form.
“Uh…?”
I stared, stunned.<Excuse me.>
He passed me and stood beside the Star.
His appearance…
Save for his neatly arranged hair and reverent clothing, he looked exactly like the Star.<Original Sinner.>
Srrrng—
He drew a rusted sword, as if scorched by fire, and pointed it at the Star’s neck.<Let me first apologize.>
He said.
<Enoch’s actions do not reflect Heaven’s will. It was my oversight that I failed to detect his scheme. Leave the facility repairs and treatment to me.>
And then…
He added:<But your manifestation in your true form is a serious treaty violation. You will be brought to Heaven to determine whether you pose a threat.>
“What?”
I scowled.
“Wait, wasn’t your side the one who froze time, smashed the building, and tried to kill me?!”
<I’m aware. But this is the proper procedure…>
<Still so uptight. You intend to interrogate me?>
<It’s just a minor investigation. It won’t take long. In the meantime, I’ll protect your contractor. I joined this festival to rectify Enoch’s sins.>
<…Figured you’d re-contract with that bug encyclopedia creature for cleanup. Still playing the model middle manager, I see.>
The Star smirked.
<But really…>
He looked up at the sky.
<Did you think you could drag me away with this little army?>
I followed his gaze.
“What the—?!”
Countless angels floated in the air, forming a circular formation to surround us.
<…This is just procedure, sinner.>
The Archangel whispered.
<It’s not an arrest. It’s a request.>
<A request?>
The Star tilted his head.
<You’re actually capable of requesting things? Then this must be a request… from the head of the angels to the King of Hell?>
<…No.>
Grinding his teeth, the Archangel continued.
<…It’s a damned request from your little brother.>
<Phffft!>
The Star burst into laughter, covering his mouth.
The Archangel bit his lip in frustration.
<Fine, fine! If little brother asks, big brother will help!>
<The moment you rebelled, our brotherhood ended! I no longer see you as my brother! Also, what are you wearing?! I’m ashamed just looking at your exposed nipples!>
‘Wait—they’re brothers?’
A family tree I didn’t expect just planted itself in my brain.
‘This is… a full-blown family feud.’
The prodigal son seeking repentance from Father, and the little brother who can’t stand it…
<Anyway.>
The Star walked past his brother to stand beside me.
“Hey, are you…”
I wanted to ask if he was really going with them, but—<Sorry for putting you in danger.>
He said first.
<…Was it painful?>
“Not really…”
I glanced at Jeong Noeul, Geahrzimen, and Kkomuri lying nearby.
“….”
And at Madojin, who watched me silently.
“I’m fine. Weirdly, I think I’m the only one who is.”
I smiled.
“…You’re not gonna get locked in some torture chamber in Heaven, are you?”
<That wouldn’t hurt me. Torture is a sport in Hell, anyway.>
Torture is a sport?
As I pondered that, he placed a hand on my head.
<I’ll be back soon.>
“…Of course.”
No matter the rankings, we still have to perform together.
It felt too cheesy to say it aloud—so I just thought it.
<Yes, you’re right. I won’t make you wait long.>
…And he, being my Constellation, read my heart effortlessly.
With a soft smile, the Star turned his back to me.
Flap—
And soared into the sky, toward the surrounding angels.
<Now then, let’s begin cleanup, shall we?>
Standing beside me, the Archangel said.
“Hmm…”
I narrowed my eyes, looking at the ruined performance stage.
“…Can we still finish the Final Stage?”
<Of course. I’ll restore everything right away.>
He smiled gently—nothing like the fierce glare he’d given the Star moments ago.
<Heaven’s army, restore order!>
At his command, the angels began repairing the stage.
They also cast healing magic on the badly wounded Jeong Noeul, Geahrzimen, and Kkomuri.
It was as if time, long frozen, had finally begun to flow again.
In the slow-motion descent of snowflakes…
I looked up.
Now that the being who had watched over me for months was gone, a strange emptiness filled me.
I could no longer see the Star, now vanished beyond the sky.
But surely you can still see him.
So—
I simply took another step forward.
Little Pink Starfish 
Leave a comment