What Are You Guys Doing? (2)

"……"

"……"

"……"

This is awkward as hell.

I scratched my cheek in embarrassment. An uncomfortable tension filled the hospital room. We just kept stealing glances at each other, not saying a word.

So damn cringey.

Ohana and Erina sat apart from each other. They weren't fighting or anything... they were just too shocked to hide it.

Ohana's face screamed, Why is the Hero here!? her eyes sparkling. Meanwhile, Erina was frozen with a What the hell just happened? expression.

That's when it happened.

A small pop! echoed in my head, followed by the sensation of something crunching in my mouth.

...What the hell are you doing, Kay?

Tsk.

I ignored Kay's nonsense and cleared my throat. First things first, I needed to break this frozen atmosphere.

"Long time no see. Well, actually, we saw each other at the well a few days ago, so maybe not."

"Uh?! Oh, no!"

Erina, caught off guard by my sudden words, waved her hands frantically.

"I-I-I... came to visit you in the hospital. Sorry I'm late. I should've come sooner, but the aftermath stuff took forever."

"Aftermath? You mean... the Association?"

"Yeah. Had to explain everything to the inspectors... write statements... and do a bunch of interviews... it dragged on."

Explanations, huh.

Erina wasn't even directly involved, so she didn't have to step up for that. Plus, as the Hero and heir to the Yulis family, the Association's arrogant dogs wouldn't dare pick a fight with her.

It all made sense.

She stepped in for me.

Nine times out of ten, she handled what was supposed to be my job. I'd been wondering while stuck in the hospital—no investigators, no statements, nothing. Hell, I even thought maybe they'd processed me as dead.

I looked calmly at Erina. About to speak, I hesitated.

For a split second, my conversation with Yurika flashed in my mind.

If it wouldn't be awkward... it'd be a lie.

That was that, and this was this. Now was the time to give thanks.

"Thanks."

"...Yeah... yeah?... Huh? What!?!?"

She nodded unconsciously at first, then jolted and stared at me.

"W-What did you just say?"

"Thanks. For handling all that stuff."

"N-No! It looked like it'd cause you trouble... that mustached jerk even tried to barge into the room... talking all rude. So, uh... I just threatened him a little..."

"Yeah, yeah. And thanks for that time too. If you hadn't shown up above the well, I really would've been in danger."

"……"

"Oh, right. Yurika told me. You used some expensive elixir after I collapsed."

"Oh. That was..."

Erina waved it off like it was nothing, but I knew better. How precious that thing was.

I never dreamed she'd feed me this.

When the first log popped up, I couldn't believe my eyes. I figured it'd be something like the Church's Holy War Grace at best, but she went leagues beyond.

Thanks to that, I now had the elixir's effects plus the ultra-rare Elemental Affinity talent that almost no Awakener possesses.

A trait so precious, mages would sell their souls for it.

It influences resistance and understanding of elements, even spirit contracts. I'd wanted it, but never imagined getting it like this.

Fucking expensive.

I clenched and unclenched my fist. The blood circulating through my body carried an extraordinary energy.

This might be good enough to give to Jeon Eunbyeol if we meet.

...Kay. Please, for the love of god, stop mimicking voices. Gives me chills.

She did the same with Cecilia—picks up all the bad habits to freak out her master.

......

Why is this girl like this? She wasn't in my past life... puberty hitting late?

As I pondered, Erina's voice came.

"No. I don't deserve thanks. I'm the Hero, but I couldn't even respond to the attack... and ended up getting you hurt like this..."

Her expression darkened more with each word. Soon she was self-flagellating: I'm useless... just trash that should hide in a corner.

Her face pale and crumpled, she looked like street dust. No joke.

Here she goes again.

If she spent that time swinging a sword instead, she'd have beheaded the demon by now.

Then Ohana, next ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to her, groaned nggh in agony. After ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a moment, she ruffled her hair and shot up.

"I can't take it anymore!"

"...Ohana?"

She grabbed Erina's shoulders, shoving her face close until their noses nearly touched.

"Hero!!!"

"E-Eh?... What?"

"Nice to meet you! I'm Ohana, attendance number 17 from B-Class!"

"Uh, uh, yeah... wha-what..."

"Even if you're shocked, you gotta talk to people!"

"N-Nice to meet you. I'm Erina Yulis, S-Class number 1..."

"I'm overstepping, but let me say this! Don't beat yourself up! It drags everyone down. Look at Siwoo! He's making a face like, This girl's annoying. What to do? Shove her in the corner trash can?"

"...Ohana. I've never thought that... and you were just moping too-"

"-Try it. Smile!"

"...S-Smile..."

Ohana snorted, eyes gleaming.

"You did your best, Hero. Right? Tell me I'm right! Proof right here—look at your hands! How hard did you pound that barrier to swell up like this?"

"Th-That's obvious..."

"It's not obvious! You should be prouder of yourself. So accept Siwoo's thanks."

Ohana shoved Erina right in front of me. Our faces were so close they almost touched. Our eyes met.

Her starry eyes reflected me like a mirror.

"...!!!"

Erina's face turned beet red. She floundered uh-uh for a moment, then fidgeted with her fingers and mumbled.

"...I helped this time, right, Siwoo?"

"Yeah, a lot."

"...Yeah... good."

I gave a soft smile back as she beamed.

Ten minutes later, the two girls stepped out. Erina had something to say.

Ohana stared at the girl before her, heart pounding.

She was stunning. Almost unreal.

Saintess Yurika's pretty, but no match.

Her heart raced. The Hero had something to say to her! The idol she'd admired from afar was now real, making her heart thump wildly.

So glad I became friends with Siwoo!

How did Choi Siwoo know such a Hero? Childhood friends? They seemed like old pals.

Siwoo's reaction was weird too.

No emotional ripple facing such a beauty. Just thanks. Why? If I were a guy, I'd be drooling.

A flicker of doubt: W-Wait... his type?

Instructor Kang Hanseong was popular with guys too...

No, no way.

His attitude toward Song Junho and Cheolwangguk said otherwise. He'd never shown interest first.

Maybe Saintess type?

Her holy pouch was huge. At least twice mine and the Hero's...

She touched her flat chest; her clothes deflated with a sad whoosh.

Men always prefer big ones? Thicc thighs? Younger? Cute style? Wait, aren't I the classic little sister type?

Ohana's thoughts spiraled into mindless delusion, far from the original topic. The root of her chattiness revealed.

"Um."

"Ack, yes!"

She'd been deep in thought. Erina ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was looking at her.

"Y-You're Ohana, right?"

"Yes! Just Ohana is fine! Let's drop formalities. We're the same age."

"Oh, thanks. Just Erina then."

"Yeah! Nice to meet you, Erina."

She smiled, but her heart hammered. Casual with the Hero! Like regular girl friends! Her brain exploded in cheers, cells samba-dancing with shaken champagne.

She thought: Today's a historic event for Ohana Chronicles! Gotta pass it to future generations.

"I have something to ask..."

"Yes, yes! Uh, no! Yeah, shoot! Ahem!!! What is it?"

What could the Hero want? Monster details from the attack? Demon traces? Hero party invite? Nah.

"What were you doing with Siwoo?"

"...Huh?"

"Unless I saw wrong, you were stroking his hair... and rubbing your cheek on his hand?"

"Uh... eh?"

"Full of affection... yeah. Gently, like it was familiar, not amateur... bluntly put... like lovers..."

Ohana thought: Something's off. The vibe's different. Hard to pin, but something.

Erina smiled innocently. But it wasn't. Couldn't say how, but different.

Why ask this?

Flustered but honest: "Well... he spilled food like a slob, so I fed him?"

"Yeah, like a baby... couldn't just watch... hehe."

"I see. You're using formal speech now."

"Ah! Sorry. Ahem! Anyway, she suddenly petted me like a girl... felt kinda good, so a bit more-"

"-Felt good, huh."

"...Y-Yeah."

What was this prickly, sticky feeling? Erina's shoulder trembled faintly. She stared, lips pursed like bread buns, on the verge of tears.

"Just maybe, hypothetically..."

"Uh... yeah."

"Are you dating?"

"...Pardon?"

"Like his girlfriend... yeah. Siwoo's grown up. Makes sense. You know our Siwoo's no ordinary guy, right?"

"Uh..."

"Handsome face, great body... personality changed lately, but that warm heart's still there."

"Uh... eh?"

"Still, you should've told your big sis... family's family... future sister-in-law... wait, why someone else when I'm right here..."

Big sis...? Family...? Sister-in-law...?

What the hell is she saying?

"Um..."

She grabbed my shoulders. Normally it'd be The Hero touched me! joy, but Ohana felt chills.

"Siwoo's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a really good kid."

"......"

"But picky eater. Used to chop bell peppers and carrots fine, but he'd pick 'em out. Recommend grinding into seasoning paste."

"...Um..."

"Weak digestion too. Korean rice meals over bread."

"Wait..."

"I know him best... why, why!"

No good. She's lost it. Cuts me off, doesn't listen. Lost in her fantasy.

Ohana took a deep breath and yelled in her ear.

"Friends!!"

"...Huh?"

"We're friends. Just friends. Nothing more! For real!"

"...Really?"

Ohana did the classic Korean pinky swear: thumb on tongue, pinky on forehead.

Erina's eyes lit up, face brightening. Flowers seemed to bloom around her. Ohana's Hero illusion shattered.

"I see. Friends. Even if you gaze lovingly, stroke hair, laugh haha-hoho, thankfully just friends?"

"...Yeah."

"Super close, but friends. Yeah... different genders, but... good... uh, anyway, thanks for today. For looking after Siwoo."

"Uh-huh..."

After that, Erina sat and rambled about Choi Siwoo trivia. Creepy detailed. Ohana got chills, unconsciously tsking like Siwoo.

...Real people like this exist.

After 30 minutes of machine-gun chatter, she was finally free.