The White Tiger Clan’s Baby Cotton Ball - Chapter 194

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Side Story 17

“Then is that also like a secret letter?”

Gayul tilted his head and asked.

“Yes, that’s right. It’s a secret letter that can only be read when childhood ends.”

Worried that everyone might think it was a bad idea, Soya quickly answered.

“That sounds fun!”

“Oh, that’s really a good idea, Young Lady?”

“Soya, that’s amazing! How did you come up with such a fun idea?”

“Then I’ll write a letter to Soya.”

“…!”

As everyone exclaimed that it was a good idea, Soya’s face also brightened cheerfully.

In a different sense than before, a blush bloomed on both her cheeks and her heart warmed.

‘It’s really amazing. The White Tiger Palace people say everything I say is good.’

Soya thought as she sat in front of a small desk writing secret letters.

In the past, it would have been difficult for her to voice her opinion in a place where everyone’s attention was focused like this.

Far from voicing opinions, she would have hidden so as not to catch people’s eyes.

Because everyone found her unpleasant just by looking at her.

‘But the White Tiger Palace people are different. Everyone is kind and warm. That’s why I keep gaining courage too.’

She no longer disliked having people’s attention focused on her.

It wasn’t difficult to express her thoughts.

Being with the White Tiger Palace people made Soya keep gaining confidence.

The children wrote letters to each other and then collected them in a small box.

Although Soya earnestly insisted that they absolutely must not open them, Gayul’s eyes kept glancing at the box containing the letters.

“Yul, you can’t…!”

“Y, yes!”

Gayul shook his head vigorously and came to his senses.

Su Ri also felt guilty for no reason and nodded along.

Soya giggled at the sight of the two curious ones.

“I know a really, really fun game.”

At that moment, Arang drew everyone’s attention and suggested a new game.

It was a pillow fight.

“But that goes against bedroom etiquette…!”

Soya was startled.

“Pillows should always be at the head of the bed.”

“What does it matter? This isn’t a bedroom, is it?”

“Is that so…?”

Listening to it, Arang’s words seemed right.

‘But what if it hurts when hit by a pillow?’

The pillow Yeonjeong had prepared was soft and fluffy, but she was still worried.

However, before Soya could worry, the game had already started.

“Good. Then I’m joining the battle! Brown tiger, let’s settle this today!”

“I’ll take you on anytime! Come on, Soya! We two are on the same team!”

“Huh? W, wait a moment, Arang! Ahhh…!”

Soya was also swept along and ended up joining the battle with a pillow.

What started as a simple pillow fight gradually turned into a melee with pillows flying in all directions.

In the midst of it, Soya clutched the pillowcase tightly with both hands, restless.

At that moment, someone’s pillow came flying toward Soya.

“Watch out, Soya!”

Seolyeo quickly hid Soya behind herself and hit the flying pillow away with her own pillow.

The pillow that flew into the air again went all the way to the cave ceiling, got caught on a protruding stalactite, and burst.

Poof―!

The pillowcase tore, and the cotton and feathers inside spilled down.

“Wh, what?!”

“What, what is it?!”

Arang, Gayul, and Su Ri, who had been engaged in fierce combat just moments before, were startled and went ‘Pop! Pop! Pop!’ into beast transformation.

Pure white cotton scattered and fluttered down over their heads.

Soon realizing it was cotton from inside the pillowcase, they all looked sheepish.

The hideout suddenly became quiet.

“A, a, a, achoo!”

When Su Ri, whose nose was tickled, sneezed, the cotton and feathers went whooshing away.

Arang and Gayul scratched their heads with their front paws for no reason.

Soya, who was watching from behind Seolyeo, found it so funny and amusing that….

“Ahaha!”

She burst into laughter without realizing it.

“Ahaha, everyone looks so funny!”

Suddenly everyone blinked and looked at Soya.

There was a slightly surprised look on their faces.

It was the first time they had seen Soya laugh out loud like this.

Soya belatedly realized that attention was focused on her and felt a bit embarrassed, but….

“The pillow fight is so fun! Let’s do it one more time!”

Soon she burst into clear laughter and shouted.

This time, Soya was the first to grab a pillow and jump into their midst.

* * *

Soya had really fun playing.

By the time the pillow fight ended, everyone was in the form of baby tigers, a wolf, and a baby bird.

Soya, who had transformed into a baby bird, could fly all the way to the cave ceiling, so she could avoid all attacks.

Moreover, since Seolyeo faithfully became Soya’s ally and protected her, no one could beat her.

All the pillows had burst, so later no one was holding pillows anymore, so I’m not sure if this could still be called a pillow fight.

“Growl, growl. (That’s cheating, Cotton Ball.)”

Gayul was fuming because he couldn’t catch Soya who had flown high to the ceiling, when suddenly Soya landed on his head.

“Cheep!”

Soya let her body droop and folded her tired wings.

“Whine? (S, Cotton Ball?)”

Gayul flinched and stiffened his body.

“Cheep, cheep. (I got out of breath from flying so much.)”

Having played so excitedly, the breathless Soya spoke while panting with her small beak.

Every time Soya exhaled, her fluffy white down feathers, resembling her, repeatedly puffed up and then became smaller.

“G, growl? (Sh, shall we rest a little?)”

“Cheep. (Yes.)”

Arang and Su Ri were already sprawled on the floor, and Seolyeo had gone outside the hideout to get water for Soya.

Gayul carefully moved his steps with Soya on his head.

In case Cotton Ball lost her balance and fell to the floor, which would be terrible, he moved stealthily. And gently.

Then he set Soya down on the fluffiest cushion.

“Chirp, chirp―! (Today was really fun!)”

Soya rolled around on the cushion excitedly.

“Chirp, chirp…. (I want to have a pillow fight tomorrow too….)”

Sleepiness gradually mixed into Soya’s voice.

“Are you sleepy? Do you want to sleep a little, Cotton Ball?”

Gayul, who had released his beast transformation at some point, crouched down in front of Soya and asked.

“Chirp? (Is that okay?)”

“Yes, yes! Of course! I, your elder brother, will watch over you from beside you, so don’t worry and sleep!”

“Peep… (Thank you, Elder Brother Yul…)”

Soya gradually fell asleep.

It seemed her stamina had drained faster from playing in her baby bird form.

Gayul quietly stayed by her side so Soya wouldn’t wake up, lost in thought.

‘Cotton Ball seems to smile more than when she first came. Her laughter earlier was so pleasant to hear.’

Soya, who always smiled silently and quietly, had laughed out loud with giggles, making his heart flutter with joy too.

‘I hope Cotton Ball continues to laugh like today, over and over again.’

Father had told him.

Before coming to the White Tiger Palace, Soya had been very sad and hurt because of bad people where she originally lived.

So she had cried a lot.

Gayul still didn’t know exactly what Soya had experienced before coming here.

The adults hadn’t explained it to him in more detail.

But thinking of that small, tiny Cotton Ball crying in pain and sadness made his heart sink and made him want to cry along with her.

He wished Soya wouldn’t be hurt.

He wished she wouldn’t have any upsetting experiences.

He wished she would always smile happily.

‘I’ll protect Cotton Ball’s smile. By playing ball together, playing hide-and-seek, and having pillow fights. I’ll make Cotton Ball laugh joyfully every single day.’

Gayul made his resolution once more while watching over the peacefully sleeping baby bird beside him.

‘Because I am… Cotton Ball’s elder brother.’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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