Friends (3)
[……Uh?]
Aqua's eyes went wide round. In the meantime, another comment popped up. Same nickname.
[Impostor? Who is this rude human?!]
Aqua puffed out her cheeks and tapped away furiously on the phone.
[Hmph……!]
Aqua's cheeks puffed up even more, and she launched into furious typing.
A response came right away.
[Huh?]
Aqua tilted her head in confusion. She clearly hadn't caught on.
"Hahaha."
I laughed and pulled her into a tight hug.
[Huh……?]
Aqua cocked her head but kept chatting with her fans via comments.
Aqua turned to me. I nodded. Keeping the firewood burning steadily was common courtesy to fans, or so I'd learned.
"Shall we pick a photo to share?"
[Let's!]
We scrolled through the phone album together and found one. It was from a rainy day at the park—Aqua crouched in front of Mandu under a red umbrella matching her boots, raindrops beaded on Mandu's snout as they gazed at each other with smiles. The spirits sharing a moment amid the wet greenery looked like a work of art.
We posted it with a new message.
Comments flooded in immediately.
[Hee hee hee!]
Aqua beamed at the comment.
Other nicknames joined in. Aqua chatted excitedly with her fans.
I smiled, watching her.
I stepped out for water, with Aqua and Mandu toddling after me.
Jang Gilsan sat at the dining table. I took the seat across from him, poured water, and asked, "You sticking around Samcheok for the rest of break?"
After a sip, Aqua reached up with both arms. I scooped her onto my lap. Mandu scurried up my leg. They eyed the table curiously.
Jang Gilsan glanced at them and replied slowly, "Remote work's fine from here. Someone's gotta stick close to buy Aqua's Healing Water anyway."
I held back the corny remark that he was too big a deal to babysit for one potion. Aqua was just as huge a deal.
"Sunbae, sunbae."
Han Areum, lounging on the sofa fiddling with her phone, came over. "Check this out."
She plopped down beside me and showed her screen. An internet news article.
It featured interviews with Academy professors—unlike other articles.
"……Kang Hyunwoo has always stood out as a student. Never lost top spot once, and his character is impeccable. One anecdote comes to mind……"
"……For such a student to become the Spirit King's contractor is cause for joy not just at our Academy or in Korea, but for spirit users worldwide……"
"……Research is needed on how an F-rank like Kang Hyunwoo maintains a contract with a Spirit King……"
Pure praise that made my face burn.
"Ooh, perfect grades and impeccable character? Top-tier spirit user?"
Han Areum teased with a mischievous grin as we read together. I coughed awkwardly and looked away.
"Ahem, ahem."
[Hyunwoo is an excellent spirit user!]
With Aqua backing me up, my face heated even more. Han Areum chuckled softly and opened her messenger app. It was her Academy group chat.
"It's blowing up here too."
"Sunbae's a total superstar!"
Han Areum beamed like it was her own win. Her kind smile made me grin too.
"Thanks."
"What for? I didn't do anything."
She smiled softly.
[You are the superstar!]
Aqua giggled, liking the vibe.
After lunch, Aqua, Mandu, and I lounged in the room, chatting or watching Nutube videos. Mandu wagged his tail, content just listening.
"What's the Spirit Realm like?" I asked lazily, pillow under my head. It came up while talking about the Spirit Shop.
Aqua, fiddling with a trident gem from the Spirit Realm, answered.
[A beautiful place!]
"More than Himalaya or Amazon on Nutube?"
[Sorry, can't even compare.]
She beamed with pride.
[You humans call our songs 'spirit songs' or 'songs of joy,' but the truly beautiful songs are in the Spirit Realm!]
Mandu perked up his ears.
[The sound of flowing water, birds chirping, spirits laughing—that's true beauty!]
Aqua turned to me, eyes full of love and pride for her home and kin.
[I'm happy to be born a spirit! Especially as Spirit King's heir—I'm always grateful! I came to the human world for you, but the Spirit Realm is forever my home!]
I let her words sink in. Home, hometown—words that always tugged at the heart. And for someone as lovable as Aqua to hold such pride in it... Just imagining made me itch to go.
"Aqua, other Spirit Kings have heirs too, right?"
[Uluru has one! My best friend!]
She lit up at the thought.
[When we visit, I'll introduce you!]
Aqua's friend. The idea alone brought a smile.
"Think Uluru will let me in?"
Uluru had summoned Aqua for Spirit King qualification review. Aqua refused without me.
[Hmm…….]
Aqua got serious, like sharing a secret.
[Actually, only Pompeii opposes humans entering the Spirit Realm.]
"Pompeii? The Fire Spirit King?"
Among Spirit Kings, Pompeii had the least info. No human contracts or displays.
"Why oppose?"
[Haven't seen him lately, but Niagara once said...]
Her face hardened a bit.
[Pompeii has strange ideas.]
"Strange how?"
[That humans are poison to spirits...]
Words Niagara had spat during our duel.
Next day, Aqua, Mandu, and I headed to the Phoenix Resort VIP building cafe for the ad contract signing.
"Hello."
[Greetings!]
[Chit!]
We entered the second-floor seminar room with hellos.
"You've arrived."
A man sat inside.
"Phoenix Guild Marketing Team Leader Han Dong-su. We met before—hope you remember."
"How could I forget? This deal's thanks to you."
He was the original ad pitch guy. I sat, placing Aqua by my right hand—her usual spot. Mandu hopped from my shoulder to my left.
"Spirits look as lively as ever."
"Healthier and more energetic."
"Congrats on beating Niagara."
"Thanks. All due to Phoenix Resort and Guild."
"Haha, humble as they say. Congrats on becoming Spirit King too, Aqua."
[Hee hee! Thanks!]
After chit-chat, Han Dong-su pulled out the contract from his briefcase.
"Ad model contract."
I read carefully. Aqua lost interest fast, leaning on me to play with Mandu.
Among dozens of clauses, the shocker was the pay.
This is how much?.
I swallowed, recounting zeros.
300 million won.
The huge sum gave me pause.
Han Dong-su clocked it. "First ad for a Spirit King. We get that honor—we pay accordingly."
Spirit King was no light title. This ad would make their water park the world's only one with a Water Spirit King model.
I finished reading. No legal red flags, despite my limited knowledge.
"Any clauses to add?"
"None."
"Sign here, here, and here."
I signed as instructed. Spirit guardians signed for their charges.
300 million contract...
I swallowed again, breathing deep before finishing.
"Contract complete."
He took his copy and offered a hand. "Looking forward to it."
"Same here."
He extended to Aqua too. "Take care of us, Aqua."
[Leave it to me!]
Full of confidence and pride, as always.
15 minutes later, two more arrived.
"Hello. Creative Director, ad production lead."
"PD here. Call me that."
Contract and planning meeting today. We warmed up with small talk.
"Spirit King or cuteness king—promo's set either way."
PD eyed Aqua. She grinned.
[Thanks!]
Her pure smile melted his. Talk Aqua, and moods loosened inevitably.
Coffee came; we got down to business.
"Models: just Hyunwoo and Aqua."
"Theme's 'Water Park Chosen by Spirit King.' Others would distract."
"Five versions for Nutube, staggered release. One for TV."
"On concepts and scenes..."
I listened quietly. Aqua watched intently. Mandu snuck cake bites.
"That's the plan. Questions?"
I nodded, organizing thoughts, then turned to Aqua.
"Bored? Wanna go play?"
[You sure?]
"Yeah. With Mandu."
[Got it! Let's go, Mandu!]
Clearly bored stiff, she bolted without looking back. No manifestation, no scout run-ins.
Confirming she was gone, I told the director and PD, "Sorry, but one issue with the plan."
"What?"
"Aqua has severe camera shyness."
"Ah......"
They exchanged looks.
"Stiff acting."
I pulled up her guesthouse promo fails—my collection of her awkward takes.
"Uh, h-hello! No, hello? I am Aqua!"
Cute, but their brows furrowed deeply.
"Hmmm... Problem."
Most ads needed acting before camera. Floating in the lazy river pretending post-ride daze. Thrilled before a wave. Too much for Aqua.
"These plans won't work."
"Agreed."
They scrapped cleanly. Poor acting could void contracts. But Aqua was too valuable to drop.
"I have an idea."
All eyes on me.
Fix was simple: Make her forget the camera. Like guesthouse promo—lost in fun, natural footage flowed.
"On set..."
I pitched carefully. Their faces relaxed.
Back in the room, Uluru's reply waited.
She accepted. I was cleared to visit with Aqua. Date: Ten days later, August 1st.