Chapter 1: A Morning Out of Place

A cozy sensation wrapped around my whole body.

The bedding, warmed to just the right temperature, felt so soft that every brush of fabric made me smile.

Bright light seeped through my eyelids — it must already be morning — but unwilling to lose the warmth embracing me, I pulled the blanket up to my face.

Just ten more minutes… no, five.

I just want to lie here like this a little longer.

It feels like all the exhaustion in my body is melting away.

Wait… hold on.

Bright light, morning…?

“Jaeyul, Seon Jaeyul!”

My mind snapped awake.

The sunlight pouring through the window made it obvious I’d overslept — I didn’t even need to check the clock.

Just in case, I did.

As expected — completely late.

“Jaeyul, wake up already!”

Even with my voice echoing from the living room as I shoved the blanket aside, there was no response from the bedroom.

With no choice, I went in and turned on the light.

There, a small child slept with one leg dangling out of bed, and beside him, a puppy lay sprawled on its back, belly exposed.

While I was busy panicking, they were still deep in a peaceful dream.

But the sleeping kid had to wake up.

“Up you go! We’re late!”

“…Hyeong…”

Still half-asleep, Jaeyul wrapped his arms around my neck as I lifted him.

That was his version of a morning greeting.

Normally he was a diligent child for his age, but getting him up in the morning was a nightmare.

There was no time to chat today — I supported his little bottom and carried him straight into the bathroom.

Even then, he clung to me like a koala, arms tight around my neck, face buried in my chest.

“We’re late. If you’re late again, your teacher’s going to yell at me.”

Funny how you get used to things.

With one hand, I squeezed toothpaste onto his teddy bear–shaped toothbrush like a pro.

“Ah.”

“Ahhh.”

He opened his mouth while still in my arms, and I popped the toothbrush in.

While he brushed, I splashed water on my face, wiping the sleep from my eyes and finishing my own rushed prep.

I didn’t have the luxury of a full routine — if I did, we wouldn’t make it until the first period was over.

“Wash up quickly. Five minutes, okay?”

“…Ten…”

“Seven.”

At least he was alert enough to argue.

Leaving him to wash up, I headed out to prepare.

Jaeyul was quick, so he’d make it in time.

Seven minutes… tight.

I mapped the fastest route in my head and moved.

While he washed, I reheated last night’s sandwich and cut up an apple, packing both neatly into a small lunchbox.

No matter how busy I was, I couldn’t let the kid skip breakfast.

I’d tell him to eat it during recess.

I turned to pick out his clothes — and froze.

This one was from yesterday, that one was too small, and this… way too thin for today’s weather.

How does a kid grow this fast?

I swear, blink once and he’s taller.

Guess I’ll have to buy new clothes again.

With no choice, I settled on the outfit from two days ago and double-checked his backpack.

Jaeyul was good about packing, but still — just in case.

“Hyeong! I’m ready!”

He came out right on time — amazing.

Sometimes he’s too cute for his own good.

I dried his hair, helped him change, slung his bag with the lunchbox over my shoulder, and lifted him up.

Even after all that rushing, we were still behind schedule.

“Yip!”

“Ppoppi, stay. We’ll be right back.”

Our little gray puffball of a puppy had just woken up, whining to come along.

“Shh!”

I gave a sharp warning.

That’s enough, you manipulative furball.

Seeing my glare, Ppoppi realized the gravity of the situation and retreated to the room — slowly, pitifully, like he wanted to make me feel guilty.

Sigh… I’ll have to spoil him later.

But for now, Jaeyul comes first.

Time to sprint.

“Hyeong… are we late again?”

“Yeah. Hold tight, don’t let go.

And why ‘we’? You’re the one going to school, so you’re the one late.”

“Jaeyul’s a kid! You said adults have to take care of kids!”

If only he couldn’t talk.

Honestly, he was right — I had no excuse.

8:40.

Even if I ran full speed, we’d still be late.

Should I just give up…?

Normally, I would have.

But today, I couldn’t.

“Then should I pretend to be sick again when I get to class?”

“…No.

They won’t fall for it anymore.

You’ve used that one too many times.”

His teacher had begged me not to let him be late again.

Especially not to make him lie.

After an hour of polite but relentless scolding, I swore never to cross her again.

Just remembering it gave me chills.

Ugh, that teacher… nightmare fuel.

Running full tilt, I forgot how cold the morning was.

Sweat streamed down my back and forehead, my legs shaking, lungs burning.

“Hyeong, you’re so fast! Faster than a bike!”

Yeah, because I’m desperate.

By the time the school gate came into view, my vision was turning yellow.

Ten steps.

Five.

Three—

And there she was.

The one person I didn’t want to see.

I considered turning around, but too late — she’d already spotted me.

“Oh my, Jaeyul’s here!

Your first class is art, so hurry inside.

And you, older brother — may I have a word? You don’t mind, do you?”

The teacher stood by the gate, voice as polite and gentle as ever.

But that’s just it — behind those kind eyes was pure terror.

Honestly, she was scarier than any monster I’d ever fought.

Under her “command,” I set Jaeyul down.

“Hyeong, see you later! Don’t get hurt again, okay?!”

He hugged me once and ran off inside.

Only then did her expression grow serious.

“This way, please, Mr. Jaeyul’s Brother.”

“I-I actually have something urgent—”

“More urgent than Jaeyul? Surely not… right?”

Damn.

She wasn’t letting me go.

So I followed her inside, resigned to another hour of lecture hell.

God, just kill me.

And I’ve already died once before.

“Haa…”

Honestly, the old me could never have imagined this.

Korea’s first SS-rank Esper.

The only person in the world who could wield black flame.

That was me.

Once.

Now?

I was a glorified babysitter.

Not that I was the only strange one in this house.

That “puppy” of ours — actually a vicious beast capable of swallowing humans whole.

And that “child” I just dropped off — the very same villain who once brought the world to ruin.

The same brat who… had run me through and killed me.

Sounds insane, right?

How did I end up with a family like this?

Simple — it was a cruel joke played by some twisted god.

I swear, I never wanted to come back to life.

And I definitely never wanted to do childcare.

Everything started a few months ago.