Growing taller, for the sake of improvement, seemed achievable—at least in theory.  

In practice, however, the task was fraught with unexpected challenges.  

"Are you *really* sure this helps you grow taller, Sophia?" Gyeoul asked, still uncertain.  

"It does provide some benefits," Sophia replied, her brows raising slightly in surprise.  

"I never thought I’d see you doubt something twice. That’s new."  

Perhaps she found it amusing that Gyeoul, who usually accepted everything as it was, was now questioning her.  

"It’s just... it doesn’t make sense to me," Gyeoul admitted, scratching her cheek.  

"I mean, how is this supposed to work?"  

Sophia gave her a thoughtful look.  

"It’s all about stimulation. The body grows when it’s properly stimulated."  

"...Stimulation?"  

"Indeed. Physical or emotional stimulation can prompt growth in ways you may not expect."  

Gyeoul tilted her head, trying to process the explanation.  

"Don’t feel embarrassed about not knowing, Gyeoul. It’s good to ask questions."  

"Right... Okay. I’ll try it."  

Still hesitant, Gyeoul scanned the room to decide on a target.  

Her gaze landed on Saebyeok, who was sprawled out on the sofa, napping peacefully.  

Being someone who rarely showed strong reactions, Saebyeok seemed like the safest option.  

Gyeoul approached her cautiously and tapped her lightly on the back.  

"Saebyeok, I need your help."  

Saebyeok’s feline-like eyes flicked open, glinting in the dim light.  

"Sure. What do you need?"  

"Just... stay still for a moment."  

"Okay."  

Saebyeok froze in place, almost like a statue.  

Gyeoul leaned in quickly, pressing a fleeting kiss to Saebyeok’s cheek before pulling away.  

The reaction was immediate.  

Saebyeok’s ears shot up, and her tail began wagging at a speed Gyeoul had never seen before.  

"Wh-what was that?" Saebyeok stammered, blinking rapidly.  

Before Gyeoul could explain, Sophia’s voice broke the silence.  

"Gyeoul, what *exactly* was that?"  

Sophia’s eyes were wide, her usual calm demeanor replaced with a hint of alarm.  

"I heard... if you do this, it helps you grow taller..." Gyeoul mumbled.  

"Is that so? Then perhaps you should try it on me as well," Sophia said, leaning forward to offer her cheek.  

Her shark-like tail swayed enthusiastically behind her, betraying her anticipation.  

"Me too! Me too!" Levinas piped up, bouncing on his feet.  

He was so eager that the floor shook slightly beneath him.  

"Levinas, there’s an order to these things," Sophia chided gently, though her excitement was just as visible.  

"Ugh... fine..." Levinas pouted, his enthusiasm undeterred.  

Caught between Sophia’s composed insistence and Levinas’s impatient stomping, Gyeoul sighed.  

There was no way to avoid it. Using her beastfolk agility, she darted between them, planting quick kisses on both their cheeks.  

Sophia’s expression froze for a moment before softening into a dazed smile.  

Her hand rose to her cheek, as if to confirm what had just happened.  

Levinas, on the other hand, stood motionless, trembling with what could only be described as sheer joy.  

"That was... amazing!" Levinas finally exclaimed, practically glowing with happiness.  

Gyeoul couldn’t help but blush.  

Why were they so excited about this?  

"Ahem... I never thought I’d experience such luxury in my life," Sophia said, clearing her throat.  

"However, as your guardian, I must tell you the truth."  

"Truth?"  

"I think you might have misunderstood," Sophia said, her smile turning wry.  

"When Levinas said *stretch*, he meant actual stretching exercises."  

Sophia raised her hands above her head and demonstrated, stretching gracefully toward the ceiling.  

"...Wait. Levinas, you meant stretching?" Gyeoul asked, turning to the little rabbit.  

"Yep! Stretching! Hanyeoreum said it works!"  

"...!"  

It all made sense now.  

Levinas’s mispronunciation had caused a major misunderstanding.  

Mortified, Gyeoul buried her face in her hands.  

"Why is your face so red?"  

At that moment, Midsummer entered the room, carrying a tray of drinks.  

"What’s going on here?"  

The sight of Sophia holding her cheek, Levinas trembling with glee, and Saebyeok melting into the sofa seemed to clue her in immediately.  

"Did... Gyeoul...?"  

Before she could finish, Midsummer dropped the tray and grabbed Gyeoul by the shoulders.  

"Did you save one for me?! Please say you did!"  

"I-it’s over! No more!"  

"How could you!"  

Midsummer collapsed to her knees dramatically, clutching her chest as though she’d been mortally wounded.  

Gyeoul sighed in defeat.  

Fine. One last time.  

"Alright. Just one. And you’re the last one, okay?"  

The room erupted in cheers as Gyeoul steeled herself, her tail wagging despite her embarrassment.  

As the group finished their meal and ventured outside, Gyeoul joined the children in collecting empty bottles and scrap metal. It was a simple but fulfilling task to do together.  

Suddenly, Levinas darted toward Gyeoul, her hands and feet wet as if she’d been playing in water.  

"Big news, King!" Levinas shouted, her voice brimming with excitement.  

"What’s wrong?" Gyeoul asked, noticing the mischievous gleam in her eyes.  

"Look!" Levinas thrust her hands forward, revealing a pile of coins, glistening from water.  

"Levinas, where did you get all this?"  

"Someone threw it away! I picked it up from the fountain!"  

Gyeoul froze.  

"From the fountain...?"  

Levinas nodded enthusiastically and gestured for them to follow. The group arrived at a nearby park, where a small fountain stood in the center. Its basin sparkled with scattered coins, clearly the ones Levinas had been collecting.  

"Oh no," Gyeoul muttered under her breath.  

Levinas and Saebyeok, however, were oblivious. They removed their shoes, stepped into the fountain, and began scooping up the coins with fervor.  

"Look, King! So much money here! Why would anyone throw it away?"  

Saebyeok chimed in, holding a handful of coins.  

"Let’s take it all."  

Nearby, passersby began to notice the children’s antics, their voices growing into a buzz of whispers.  

"Are those beastfolk kids collecting coins from the fountain?"  

"Poor things probably don’t know it’s for making wishes."  

"Still, it’s kind of adorable."  

Feeling the weight of the gazes on her, Gyeoul hurried toward the fountain. Her instincts screamed at her to stop the children before things got out of hand.  @@novelbin@@

"Guys, wait—"  

Before she could finish, a calm yet firm voice interrupted.  

"Kids, you can’t take the coins from the fountain."  

Gyeoul spun around to find a familiar face—it was the police officer she had encountered once before. The woman smiled gently, her tone devoid of scolding.  

"I’m so sorry," Gyeoul stammered, bowing her head.  

The officer raised a hand to reassure her.  

"It’s okay. I’m sure you didn’t know."  

"Police-lady! Why can’t we take the coins?" Levinas asked, her curiosity outweighing any sense of guilt.  

"These coins are people’s wishes," the officer explained.  

"They toss them into the fountain while making a wish."  

Levinas tilted her head. "How can a coin make a wish?"  

"It’s more about the hope that the act brings."  

Realizing her mistake, Levinas gasped, clutching her pocket as if it contained the world’s treasures.  

"I took their wishes! What do I do now?"  

"It’s okay," the officer replied kindly.  

"You can put them back, and their wishes will still count."  

"Really?! Okay!" Levinas exclaimed, turning out her pockets. A cascade of coins fell back into the fountain, creating ripples in the water.  

Saebyeok followed suit, lifting her shirt to reveal an astonishing amount of coins hidden beneath. She let them fall back into the fountain, adding to the growing pile.  

"How did you even carry that much...?" Gyeoul muttered, her disbelief growing.  

The officer stepped into the fountain, lifting each child out one by one. They giggled and cheered, enjoying the ride.  

"Police-lady, can you buy hope with money?" Levinas asked as she was lifted out.  

The officer chuckled.  

"Maybe. But more often, it’s about believing in the possibility."  

"Possibility! I like possibility!" Levinas declared, her ears twitching with excitement.  

But her expression dimmed moments later. Her long ears drooped as she clutched a single coin.  

"But Levinas doesn’t have enough money to buy possibility..."  

The weight of her words hit Gyeoul hard. She had once known what it felt like to hold onto a single coin as if it were a lifeline.  

"You don’t need money to have hope," the officer said, her voice warm.  

Levinas looked up, her eyes shimmering with curiosity.  

"Really?"  

"Really."  

Gyeoul knelt beside Levinas, fishing a few coins from her pocket. She handed one to Levinas and another to Saebyeok.  

"Here. Let’s toss them together."  

Levinas’s eyes sparkled as she took the coin.  

"What about you, King?"  

"It’s okay. I’ll keep mine," Gyeoul said with a smile.  

"But you need hope too!" Levinas protested, looking heartbroken.  

Before Gyeoul could respond, a boy she didn’t recognize approached and pressed a coin into her hand.  

"Use mine," he said before running off, disappearing as quickly as he had appeared.  

Gyeoul stared at the coin in her hand, her heart swelling. Around her, the onlookers seemed to share in the quiet moment, their expressions soft.  

For the first time in a long while, Gyeoul felt the overwhelming warmth of connection.