If We Part, We'll Meet Again (2)
Jang Gilsan finished breakfast and was reviewing his reports—or rather, receiving them.
"...We've successfully secured the budget allocation. The Spirit Stone project is now entering the operational phase."
Jang Gilsan listened while opening the window and stepping out into the courtyard. He wanted to give his lungs some fresh air. Feeling the hot breeze envelop his body, he asked, "And how's the cosmetics side progressing?"
"The researchers reported delays due to a shortage of test subjects."
"They want more Healing Water, then."
Ever since Aqua's Healing Water had proven to have remarkable effects, Jang Gilsan had immediately assembled a project team to exploit it. They handled the handicapped hunter rehabilitation program, cosmetics development, and even the Spirit Stone project. There were already over ten researchers and two-digit numbers of staff attached to it.
Aqua really is a little bundle of luck.
That came with a three-digit mouth count to feed already. And it was certain to bolster both his own standing and the guild's position even further.
"Any other reports?"
As he listened, Jang Gilsan had wandered halfway down the balcony without realizing it. Glancing back, he could see into the living room through the window. Kang Hyunwoo was holding Aqua in his arms, taking a phone call. Terra sat on the living room sofa, reading a book.
After a moment on the call, Hyunwoo shifted uncomfortably and set Aqua down on the table. Aqua perched there, her eyes tracking Hyunwoo as he paced the living room. They brimmed with affection.
[Mm...]
But it didn't take long for dissatisfaction to fill those eyes. As she glanced around, Aqua's gaze landed on the water glass on the table. A mischievous grin spread across her face.
"...And so, if we sign an industry-academia collaboration agreement with the Awakener Education University's research team, we could drastically cut down on research time..."
Jang Gilsan couldn't tear his eyes away from Aqua, even as he listened to the report.
Tap.
Aqua gave the glass a light nudge. It wobbled.
She whipped her head around to check Hyunwoo's reaction. But he was too absorbed in his call to notice.
[Mm...!]
Aqua puffed out her cheeks and kept nudging the glass little by little.
Tap. Tap.
The glass teetered on the brink of falling.
"...Vice President?"
"Ah, yeah. That..."
Jang Gilsan found it hard to focus on the call with the precarious glass. It wasn't even fragile glass—it was plastic, so cleanup would be quick. And with Aqua being a water spirit, it was even simpler. But it still bothered him. Just as he thought about knocking on the window to alert Hyunwoo—
"Whoa."
Hyunwoo finally spotted it and reached out, safely pushing the glass back. Aqua blinked up at him innocently, as if she had no idea what had happened, her eyes sparkling.
Only then did Hyunwoo seem to realize his call had dragged on. "Ah, sorry. Let's talk later."
He hung up and scooped Aqua back into his arms.
[Hee hee hee!]
A proud smile bloomed on Aqua's face—mission accomplished. Jang Gilsan chuckled softly at the sight.
Do they have to like each other that much?
As a non-spirit user, it was a feeling he'd never know until he had kids of his own.
Hyunwoo whispered something in Aqua's ear, and she burst into giggles. They looked so blissfully happy it was hard to even approach—their own little world.
Has that guy always smiled like that?
The Hyunwoo now was a far cry from the one at the academy. He had always worn a smile there too, but genuine ones like this were rare.
Much more at ease.
In an academy overflowing with awakeners, he was F-rank. No one could avoid feeling anxious in that situation. But now that he'd contracted Aqua and raised his rank, there was no trace of that old anxiety or unease on Hyunwoo's face.
His looks have improved too.
Not just his expressions—his actual appearance. Warm, handsome features were a trait of water spirit users. Being around Healing Water up close made his skin glow. Jang Gilsan knew well that better skin alone could transform how someone looked.
"Ahaha!"
[Hee hee hee!]
Watching them laugh over whatever delightful thing it was, Jang Gilsan found himself smiling softly without realizing it. At first, Hyunwoo's spirit had felt a bit awkward, but now it was like having a niece or nephew. An especially cute and endearing one. Not a bad feeling at all.
"Vice President?"
"Ah, yes. Got it. Any more reports?"
Jang Gilsan finally tore his eyes away from that happy little world.
"If not, let's wrap up. Send over the report on the industry-academia collab."
"Yes, Vice President."
As he turned to head back inside after hanging up, something caught his ear.
[Ssit?]
Mandu sat on a nearby tree branch, cocking his head at him. Jang Gilsan paused, looked at Mandu for a moment, then extended a hand. Mandu fluttered down and landed on it.
[Ssit?]
He tilted his round, adorable face up at Jang Gilsan. After a moment's contemplation at the cuteness, Jang Gilsan pulled a snack from his pocket. He didn't snack himself, but he carried them in his inner pocket just in case Mandu wanted some.
[Ssit!]
Mandu eagerly opened his mouth wide. Jang Gilsan awkwardly peeled the wrapper with one hand and his teeth, then fed him the treat.
Crunch crunch, gulp.
As Mandu munched away contentedly, Jang Gilsan put on a stern expression.
"You gotta know this about me. I'm not usually like this."
[Ssit?]
Mandu cocked his head as if to say, What're you talking about? Meeting those pure eyes, Jang Gilsan let out a small chuckle.
What was he even doing, talking to himself with a spirit around? It seemed Hyunwoo wasn't the only one who'd changed.
* * *
I headed to Phoenix Resort with the spirits to check the banners at the Water Park.
We settled into an office overlooking the park, guided by the marketing manager, Han Dong-su.
[Ooooh!]
Aqua's eyes sparkled at the banners hanging from the ceiling.
[Oh.]
[Ssit!]
Terra and Mandu let out gasps of admiration too. I was just as stunned.
There were four massive banners in the Water Park. Giant 5-meter ones dangling from the ceiling.
One solo shot each of me and Aqua, plus two of us together.
The group shots showed us riding a piggyback in the lazy river and kissing foreheads in the wave pool. Especially in the wave pool one, Aqua's joyful eye smile and innocent grin stood out vividly.
I'd love a personal copy of that.
Aqua's solo was her lounging on a sunbed under palm trees, slurping tropical fruit juice through a straw. With sunglasses perched on, she looked utterly adorable.
My solo was me in a rash guard, surfing.
Is that really me?
Aqua being cute and pretty was nothing new. But surprisingly, I looked pretty decent myself—honestly, handsome as hell. Aqua's Healing Water had improved my skin, but this was beyond that.
The power of Photoshop.
"What do you think?" Han Dong-su asked me.
"Looks great."
I answered honestly.
[You like it too!]
Aqua beamed. Han Dong-su smiled in satisfaction.
Once we'd finished admiring them, we gathered on the office sofa. He brought out coffee and drinks for us.
[Oh.]
Terra loved sweet instant coffee. Mandu ignored the drinks entirely, munching snacks. Aqua sipped soda while proudly gazing out at the banners.
"Ever thought about going pro with this?" Han Dong-su asked.
"Pro?"
"As an ad model."
I half-expected a scouting offer, but no. He nodded toward the banners outside.
"You'd know better than me, but just being the Water Spirit King guarantees ad impact."
"True enough."
Water spirits were blue chips in advertising. Not just water parks—bottled water, sodas, purifiers, even booze. They fit perfectly with anything water-related.
And spirit users have that wholesome image, so they're popular for insurance or PSAs too.
The Hunter Academy—Awakener Education University—offered plenty of courses for aspiring spirit user ad models. Despite the name, the academy focused on producing elites for all walks of life, not just hunters.
"That could be fun."
As I briefly imagined a rosy future with the spirits, Aqua shouted at Han Dong-su.
[I want that one!]
Her finger pointed at the banner outside.
[Give!]
She really seemed to love our photos.
"Haha, I prepared some for you anyway."
He pulled out a paper bag from beside the table. Inside were prints of me and Aqua's photos—not just the four banners, but even the rejected finalists—all as neat 50cm banners.
[Ooooh!]
Aqua excitedly flipped through them one by one. Terra and Mandu peeked in too.
I expressed my thanks. "Appreciate you going to the trouble."
"No trouble at all."
We sipped our coffee, watching the spirits chatter away.
[Oh, I like this one.]
[Mm! Mm! Nice!]
[Ssit!]
[Hee hee hee!]
Aqua hugged our photos tight, grinning ear to ear. Another treasure added to her collection.
* * *
The next day, I climbed the back mountain early with Terra. She wanted to go.
Crunch, crunch.
Terra ascended leisurely and steadily, neither asking for help nor hurrying her pace.
"Air's so fresh."
I enjoyed the hike too after so long. The rustle of leaves in the breeze and sunlight filtering through branches felt comforting.
The mountain wasn't tall, so we reached the summit quickly.
[Mm.]
Terra nodded in satisfaction, taking in the view. A clear panorama stretched to the horizon.
She plopped down on the ground.
[Hup.]
And started scooping dirt into her mouth.
"..."
[Nom nom.]
I glanced around, hand ready on her back just in case. Luckily, Mom wasn't nearby.
I sat beside her and patted her back. "Chew thoroughly. Don't wanna get an upset stomach."
[Upset?]
"When food doesn't digest and gets stuck."
Of course, it had nothing to do with spirits. Terra nodded slowly and kept eating dirt.
Crunch, crunch.
Her body gradually swelled a bit. Spirits wore down over time like any living being. Earth spirits replenished themselves this way.
...Huh?
Suddenly, I sensed Aqua—who'd stayed home saying she wanted watermelon—and Mandu too.
Looking around, the only spirit on the summit was Terra.
Where are they?
As I reached out for Aqua's presence again—
[Here!]
The voice came from above. Looking up, Aqua was flying.
"...Flying Aqua!"