# Chapter 137
## 12. Between Mirae and Mirae (Part 2)
[So, I’ve confirmed that they were planning experiments targeting Mirae from the beginning. What happened next?]
“…”
“…”
The gazes of all three people turned toward what Iyeon was holding. No matter how urgent the situation, it was impossible to ignore the sight of a short-armed rabbit doll trying hard to cross its arms while reciting in a flat, mechanical voice.
“I’ve been wondering… what are you holding?”
Even Seeun couldn’t resist Chilchil’s provocative presence. In response to her dubious question, Iyeon casually unfolded his arms that had been cradling Chilchil and loosely dropped it down to create some distance.
“Oh, this. It’s Mirae’s doll… I found it when I went to Mirae’s room.”
[My nickname is Chilchil. You can call me Chilchil.]
Chilchil bowed its head. Its long rabbit ears flopped with the movement. Seeun stared in confusion at Chilchil, which was cheerfully introducing itself while dangling from Iyeon’s hand.
“Is it… a robot?”
“Well, yes… it seems to have some functions like that.”
Regardless of whether Iyeon was vaguely glossing over its identity, Chilchil focused solely on what it wanted to say. The previous question was repeated.
[What happened next?]
“Ah, so I was shocked by those words and frantically trying to leave the basement to go to the guest house. I wanted to ask Heesu oppa for help…”
“What if Director Jin isn’t there?”
“…Well…”
Seeun mumbled hesitantly. Iyeon asked again.
“Don’t you know anyone else who could help?”
“…No.”
Though she confirmed this with a tiny voice, she seemed quite embarrassed by the fact and lowered her gaze to the floor. Just as Iyeon was about to open his mouth to ask more, D.S’s voice came through the communicator.
– I’ve checked all the videos. Her daily pattern is quite consistent.
Iyeon deliberately didn’t answer. There was no need to let Seeun know he was communicating with someone.
– Mirae comes back from school and academies around 5:30 PM. She eats dinner at 6. It takes about an hour at most.
According to D.S, there would be about two hours free until her bedtime at 9. Somehow, Iyeon had an ominous feeling. He waited for D.S’s next words with an uneasy expression.
– But Mirae never called me between 7 and 8 PM.
A short breath followed, and then:
– Today was the first time.
Bad premonitions never fail to come true.
This meant that Seeun’s story wasn’t completely made up. Mirae had been visiting the basement of the main building to meet Seeun between 7 and 8 PM, and today was the first time she broke schedule and didn’t go at all.
But Seeun said she hadn’t seen Mirae for several days. She must have been meeting Semi instead during that time.
Then, by chance, Mirae discovered Semi’s true intentions, stopped going to the basement, and the panicked Semi kidnapped her – this hypothesis seemed likely. That would explain why Semi had been lingering in front of Mirae’s room during that time.
– How did you figure this out?
D.S marveled in amazement. Iyeon replied, pretending to be talking to himself.
“I guess experiencing things firsthand is really important after all…”
“Pardon?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
When Iyeon smiled casually at Seeun, who looked back questioningly, she didn’t seem to suspect anything. He didn’t give any further response to D.S, who was grumbling, “What are you talking about?”
Iyeon had his own experience. A time when he had promised not to tell anyone, anything.
‘But…’
Iyeon secretly furrowed his brow slightly. There were parts of Seeun’s story that felt slightly off. He couldn’t pinpoint exactly what, but somehow…
[I understand. So Mirae is trapped in the basement.]
“I… suppose so.”
Although Seeun answered readily, her expression clearly showed she didn’t understand why she was conversing with this robot. If Chilchil had the ability to read such context, it would be human, not a robot. The machine, limited in recognizing non-verbal cues, persisted in pursuing its curiosity.
[Is there a bed in the basement?]
It was too much of a curiosity paradise.
“…What?”
[It’s well past Mirae’s bedtime.]
Seeun’s lost gaze darted around before settling on Iyeon. In response to her questioning look, Iyeon subtly averted his eyes.
[So when you find Mirae, you’ll need to put her to bed.]
“…Is it malfunctioning?”
When Iyeon muttered as if talking to himself but loud enough for the communicator to pick up, he received an immediate rebuttal.
– It’s working fine. It’s saying something important right now.
[I am functioning properly.]
The voices of one person and one machine overlapped like a chorus. But it wasn’t very convincing. So D.S can slip up too. Iyeon realized she was human after all.
“No, Mirae is in danger right now. Her bedtime isn’t the issue.”
[I disagree. Sleep time is very important for an eight-year-old. She needs proper sleep at the right time to grow well.]
Strangely resolute, Chilchil suddenly verbally lashed out at Iyeon.
[Is it because you’re lacking in height that you don’t understand?]
Ah, no. What’s wrong with my height? Iyeon blurted out in irritation.
“…It’s not that bad, is it?”
[Mirae’s friend’s height is approximately 173cm. Below average for your age group.]
“…”
You can measure height too? It had unnecessary life functions installed.
[I estimate you didn’t get enough sleep during your growth period.]
Iyeon wanted to reveal his tragic past where he had wasted a full 2 years of his adolescence sleeping, but maturely held back. While he suppressed his inexplicable sense of injustice and anger, Chilchil chattered on tirelessly.
[Mirae said she wants to grow up quickly, so she should go to bed soon. When putting Mirae to bed, please give me to her. Mirae sleeps while hugging me. Mirae rocks me to sleep, but she’s the one who falls asleep first. Sometimes she sings lullabies too, though she doesn’t seem to have talent for singing.]
This parade of useless information exhausted the patience of Sano, who was walking beside them.
“You’re noisy.”
Even at this intimidating voice, Chilchil didn’t flinch. Being a robot, it lacked tact.
[You’re responding to the fact that she has no singing talent. Is that your complex?]
“Do you want to die?”
[It’s okay. Even without natural talent, singing can be achieved to some extent with effort…]
Sano’s spikes extending from the back of his hand and Iyeon grabbing his wrist happened almost simultaneously. Instinctively, Iyeon also pulled the doll body, which he had been loosely holding, back into his arms.
No matter what, he couldn’t face Mirae if someone else’s doll was torn to shreds. And the price of this impertinent doll was frightening… D.S had offered the exceptional condition of debt repayment, so there was no need to create new debt.
“Hey, just bear with it. …By the way, are you really bad at singing?”
The murderous gaze shifted from Chilchil to Iyeon. Why is he getting angry… Did I hit a nerve? Iyeon inwardly grumbled as he adjusted his hold on Chilchil. Sano’s eyes became even more displeased at the respectful handling, as if Iyeon was holding a sacred object.
“Um, I’m not sure about a bed… but this is the entrance to the basement.”
Seeun, who had been watching the squabble between the two men and one machine, cautiously intervened. The atmosphere, which had lightened slightly due to Chilchil’s nonsense, instantly darkened with tension again.
The place the three arrived at was an ordinary wall at the dead end of a corridor. In the space where darkness had settled, there was no one but them. The atmosphere felt even desolate.
But Seeun’s movements were confident. The cautious demeanor she had shown when moving toward the guest house, looking around nervously, was nowhere to be seen. When she reached out and pressed somewhere firmly, a space opened up. The square door didn’t make any sound as it opened.
The corridor was already dark, but beyond the door, there wasn’t even a hint of light coming from inside. It looked like a pit falling into hell. As Seeun stepped forward, faint lights turned on following her footsteps. They were just bright enough to illuminate the ground right beneath them.
Fortunately, Iyeon, wearing goggles, had a clear view whether there was light or not. The path seemed to pose no major issues for Seeun, who was familiar with it, or for Sano either. Still, it must have been quite scary for a small child – Iyeon thought it remarkable that Mirae had frequented this place so often.
