Friends (2)
We finished our bath and stepped out into the changing room.
[I'll dry the moisture for you!]
With a wave of Aqua's hand, the water on our bodies vanished in an instant. No need for towels at all.
"Thanks, Aqua."
[Just ask!]
While I applied lotion, Aqua played with the fan.
[Whooooaaaa!]
Making voices in front of a fan seemed just as fun for spirits as it was for humans.
I left her to it and changed clothes. By the time I was dressed, Aqua approached me, dragging something along.
[Look at this!]
Aqua was hauling a massive red lizard.
A salamander?
Salamanders were fire spirits that looked like red lizards. It seemed there was another spirit contractor in the bathhouse.
Aqua had shoved her arms under the salamander's armpits to drag it, but since the thing was longer than she was tall, its body scraped along the floor. Unable to handle the length, Aqua waddled awkwardly on her legs.
So cute!
It was a shame I couldn't take a photo since she wasn't materialized. Aqua beamed with delight, like she'd found the funniest thing ever, while dragging the salamander. The salamander, on the other hand, stared at me with its usual sullen face, flicking its tongue as if to say, What are you looking at?
Aqua huffed and puffed until she reached me.
[It's a Pigmander-nya!]
"Pfft!"
I burst out laughing before I could stop myself. The salamander in Aqua's arms was bigger than most, and the way she dragged it like a sack of rice made its belly sag out, giving it a potbellied, obese look.
[Shik shik!]
Stunned by Aqua's words, the salamander gaped for a moment before hissing in fury.
Aqua blinked blankly at the sound, then replied.
[But you're fat, aren't you?]
[Shik shik!]
[Plump? Who said that?]
[Shiiik!]
[Tsk tsk tsk. The things your contractor says to you are mostly kind words meant not to hurt your feelings-nya.]
[Shaaak!]
[Average size? You? Did you come from the land of giants or something?]
[Shahaak!]
[Lose some weight. At this rate, no one would believe you're a dragon and not a crocodile.]
The salamander trembled with rage, glared at Aqua, then shook itself free and bolted on all fours back to its contractor.
"Whoa, what's wrong?"
[Shiiik! Shik!]
From the opposite wall came the contractor's voice and the salamander's indignant complaints about its ordeal.
Aqua and I exchanged glances, then quietly—but quickly—slipped out of the bathhouse.
[Hee hee hee!]
Aqua didn't cover her mouth and laugh until we were well away.
"Ahahaha!"
Childishly, I laughed right along with her.
By the time we emerged from the bathhouse, it was already time for our appointment. I headed to the resort cafe where I'd agreed to meet Jang Gilsan.
[Is the friend you're meeting also a spirit contractor?]
"No. Gilsan's an awakener from a different line."
An A-rank one, at that—the kind called a "walking corporation."
[Then I must materialize!]
Her words sparked an idea.
Gilsan doesn't even know I've contracted with Aqua yet, does he?
He thought the Healing Water was something I was selling on behalf of someone else.
A sudden mischievous urge hit me.
"Aqua. Wanna prank my friend a bit?"
I explained the setup, and Aqua's round eyes narrowed with playful glee.
[Hee hee hee! That sounds fun-nya!]
And so, plotting to mess with Gilsan, we arrived at the meeting spot. It was a cafe with a sea view through the windows. Jang Gilsan sat at the farthest table inside, with a burly man—his secretary and bodyguard—standing behind him.
"Gilsan!"
I waved, and he gave a small nod.
I sat across from him with a grin. "Never thought I'd see you here."
Gilsan nodded with his usual impassive face and sharp gaze. He might seem stiff and cold at first glance, but he was actually incredibly thoughtful and considerate.
"I already ordered coffee for you too, so no need to get up."
"Oh, yeah? How much for the coffee?"
"Forget it. Going Dutch here would just draw stares. Sit."
He had a point. I was here half on vacation, but Gilsan was on guild business, backed by the Union Guild's name.
"How's the guild summit going?"
"Not started yet. Lunch is when it kicks off."
Jang Gilsan was the heir to the Union Guild, one of the top guilds not just in Korea but worldwide. It felt surreal that the guy I'd been eating academy cafeteria food with and lounging in the clubroom with just weeks ago was now involved in a major guild summit as heir.
Gilsan asked, "Grades came out the other day, right? Top of the class again?"
"Seems like it."
"At this rate, you'll top every semester till graduation. The professors won't stand for it."
"They're already asking if I'll go to grad school."
"......Grad school? Professors?"
"Seven of them brought it up the week finals ended."
Gilsan raised an eyebrow. "You thinking of going?"
"Dunno. I said I'd consider it."
"Why not join our guild instead?"
His out-of-left-field offer surprised me.
"What's this? You bringing up guild stuff? Thought you hated that."
Gilsan didn't hide his status as Union heir, but he never talked about it much. At the academy, he'd frown if anyone brought it up.
He shrugged nonchalantly. "Think about it seriously. If you're in, we can make a spot for you."
"Appreciate the thought. Worry about the other juniors instead. They're dying to connect with you."
"I don't care about people interested in me."
"You're so weird."
The server brought our coffees, pausing the chat. Gilsan stirred his with the straw and continued.
"Sixth year means internships anyway. Do it with us."
The final year of the Awakener Academy's six-year program was internships.
"Thanks for the offer, but I can't decide alone."
"Why not?"
"I'm not single anymore."
"......What the hell does that mean?"
Right then, Aqua materialized right in front of Gilsan's nose.
[Hello there!]
"Gah!"
Startled, Gilsan let out an uncharacteristically weird yelp and jabbed a straw at Aqua's forehead like he was swatting a bug.
[Eek!]
Aqua let out a shrill scream.
"You okay?"
[It hurts!]
Aqua sniffled in my arms. I blew on her forehead and rubbed it gently.
Gilsan, still shocked, pinched his brow and stammered an apology. "S-sorry."
[......]
Aqua puffed her cheeks and pouted sulkily. It seemed less physical pain and more wounded pride. Getting skewered like a bug while screaming wasn't exactly dignified.
"I was just startled. Really sorry."
[Hmph!]
Aqua burrowed deeper into my arms.
Gilsan looked at me helplessly for help. I chuckled softly and hugged Aqua.
"Aqua, does it hurt a lot?"
[It hurts a ton! My forehead feels dead!]
"I'm sorry too. Didn't expect him to react like that."
It was partly my fault she was hurting—I'd egged her on for the prank.
[Hmph!]
Aqua snuggled even closer, as if saying she'd forgive me but not Gilsan.
Honestly, that was enough for me. But I couldn't leave my friend hanging.
I went with the surefire way to make peace with spirits: food.
"Aqua. That uncle over there says he'll buy you something yummy?"
Aqua grumbled petulantly.
[I'm not swayed by food!]
"Remember that banana milk last time? This is way tastier—chocolate milk."
[......Hmph.]
Gilsan caught the hesitation before her reply. He quickly signaled his secretary, who dashed to the counter and ordered something, slipping in a few yellow bills as tip.
Aqua still pouted, but I caught her peeking expectantly toward the back of the shop.
Heh heh heh.
Too damn cute.
Maybe it was the tip, but the cocoa arrived in under two minutes.
[Sniff sniff.]
Aqua subtly turned her head to follow the sweet scent. I exaggerated.
"Whoa, check it out—marshmallows floating on the cocoa!"
[......Marshmallows?]
Tiny marshmallows dotted the top like snowflakes.
"Those white bits like snow. They'll sink if you don't drink fast."
[They sink?]
Right on cue, one marshmallow melted and vanished into the cocoa.
"Ah! One sank!"
Intrigued by my fussing, Aqua twisted halfway around to stare at the cup. Smiling, I brought it closer.
"Looks delicious."
Aqua wrinkled her nose a few times, sniffing, then fully turned and grabbed the cup. Just then, a second marshmallow sank.
[Oh!]
Aqua's eyes sparkled at the third. Moments later, it sank too.
[It sank! Did you see?]
She looked up at me, wiggling excitedly.
"Try a sip now. It's super tasty."
[Got it!]
Aqua gulped it down eagerly. No burn worries for a water spirit. She chugged the whole thing, slammed the cup down with a clunk, and yelled.
[Delicious!]
Judging by her face, that cocoa must've been insanely sweet. The rich brown was already tinting her body fast—probably extra thick, thanks to the tip.
"Want another? Uncle's buying."
Aqua glanced at Gilsan. He looked tense, but the tasty drink had already thawed her.
[I want more!]
Gilsan signaled his secretary again, who practically sprinted to order.
"Two more cocoas!"
Only then did Gilsan relax, leaning back into the sofa. I hugged Aqua tight. She rubbed her cheek against my face.
Gilsan watched us for a moment, then shook his head.
"......Spirit contractors, huh."