Standing Tall
Molrangkau's hand froze mid-drawing as she traced the magic circle. Srrrk— the gray powder continued to spill relentlessly from between her fingers, piling up in one spot alone.
Tteoksoon-i and Besta, who had sidled up beside her at some point, widened their eyes and clapped hands over their mouths.
“……”
Dahyun watched Molrangkau quietly. The reason she'd stuck around, ignoring her colleague Min Jaehong's urgings to leave, waiting until the very end for Molrangkau, included this very question.
Molrangkau stood frozen like a broken doll for a moment, then scooped up a handful of the piled gray powder and resumed drawing the magic circle. As she worked in silence, she suddenly murmured— so softly it might have gone unheard if Dahyun hadn't been paying close attention.
“…And you, unnie?”
Dahun answered without hesitation. Loud and clear. Proudly. With a small smile.
“I like him.”
Molrangkau paused again in her drawing. But this time, she resumed almost immediately.
“…How much?”
“A lot.”
“……”
After that, she drew in silence.
Soon, having finished the circle, Molrangkau dusted off her hands and stepped out. She gathered her mana, forming red energy in her palms, and poured it into the magic circle.
Kiiing— With a startup hum, the circle began glowing red, just like Molrangkau's eyes.
Dahyun gazed steadily at her.
“And you?”
“I…”
Molrangkau's lips twitched. Then, in a tiny voice, like a stream trickling into a river, she said,
“…I like him.”
Dahyun smiled as if she'd known it all along. But Molrangkau didn't stop there— she lifted her head and met Dahyun's eyes directly.
“More than you, unnie.”
“……!”
Dahyun's eyes widened slightly.
Kiiing— The magic circle erupted in a ruby-like intense red glow.
Dahyun, standing at its center, looked across at Molrangkau. The smile had long faded from her lips.
“Seo Ji-hyun. Ji-hyun, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Even if I tell you to give up, you won't, will you?”
“Nope.”
“Give up.”
“No way.”
“Same here.”
Kiiiiiing— Just before the circle activated, Dahyun stuck out her tongue.
“Sorry, but Customer-nim is mine.”
“……!”
As Dahyun taunted with a bleh, the magic circle triggered.
Fwaaah— Red light surged like lava, and Dahyun vanished along with the circle.
Molrangkau's fists clenched tight as she watched. Her white teeth bit into pomegranate-red lips.
Thoroughly pissed, Molrangkau whipped her head around. There sat Besta and Tteoksoon-i, munching popcorn.
“Lady Besta.”
“Yes?”
“Start it. Right now.”
“Start what?”
“What else? That weird lecture.”
“Ahh~”
Besta's seductive lips curved into a crescent moon. She turned to Tteoksoon-i beside her.
“Tteoksoon-i.”
“Yes.”
“Call Geum Taeyang.”
The smile on Besta's lips deepened.
“It's time to properly begin the 'Saving as Lovers Instead of Friends' lecture.”
* * *
Vrooom— On the way to Grandma's house.
I sat in the passenger seat, sneaking a glance at Eunhui in the rearview mirror. Just then, she turned and our eyes met.
“Hmph!”
But she immediately snorted and whipped her head away.
“……”
Right now, Eunhui and I were in full cold war mode. My sister, driving, glanced at us and chuckled.
“Oppa only said that for your sake, Eunhui. Cheer up~”
“Hmph! I hate Oppa!”
“……”
My heart was breaking. At least the three green bills in my pocket were patching things up a bit.
Auntie was in the back seat, patting Eunhui and soothing her, while secretly thumbs-upping me when Eunhui wasn't looking.
Thankfully, her persuasion had worked— Eunhui seemed to have decided she didn't need that Elsa dress after all.
I turned my gaze out the window and gave a wry smile. Unlike my mood, the weather was brilliantly sunny.
Heh heh… Yeah. The villain's seat is a heavy one. Not just anyone can pull it off.
I clearly didn't suit the role. My heart felt this uneasy.
The road narrowed, tall buildings fading away. The path wound into the outskirts, lined with trees and rice fields.
Soon, peaceful countryside scenery filled the window. Cherry trees by the road swayed in the breeze, scattering petals lazily. A clear stream beside it hosted a family of ducks bobbing along, the sky reflected so perfectly they seemed to swim through the heavens.
Ziiing— I rolled down the window, stuck my head out, and breathed in the fresh air. A delightful breeze tousled my hair.
“Aaaaaaah—”
“…You look just like a dog hanging its head out the window.”
We crossed a bridge, sped down a narrow lane, and arrived at a countryside house with a wide yard. Several cars were already parked there.
“We're here~ Careful getting out~”
We piled out and headed toward the house, where cheerful chatter drifted from inside.
Kreeeak— We opened the noisy front door, which doubled as a doorbell.
“Hello~”
“Oh, come on in!”
Uncle, a bear of a man, greeted us first at the door. Peeking from behind his legs was Eunbi.
“Hey, Eunbi.”
“H… Hi.”
Eunbi fidgeted, flashed her palm once, then dove fully behind Uncle's legs.
Uncle teased playfully.
“Eunbi! It's Hura oppa, the one you've been singing about missing every day!”
“W-When did I?!”
Eunbi pounded Uncle's thigh with her tiny fists.
I chuckled silently and stepped inside.
“Omo~ Hi, Eunbi!”
“P-Put me down!”
Behind me, Sis had scooped up Eunbi from behind Uncle's legs.
I first greeted Mom and Dad, who were helping Grandma.
“Mom, Dad. Long time no see?”
“Aigoo, we only see the kid at family events. Crawl back home sometime.”
“You'd chase me out.”
“Sons are useless, I tell ya.”
Mom grumbled her welcome.
“Haha, you've grown even taller since last time?”
“No way.”
Dad clapped my shoulder warmly.
“Sera-ya. Come stand next to Hura.”
“Even so, I'm taller than Sis.”
“Scared?”
“No?”
With our heads back-to-back, Dad measured us seriously.
“Hmm… Hura's taller by a hair.”
“…By a hair?”
“This much.”
Dad overlapped his hands, which had rested on our crowns. The gap was about 2-3 cm.
Sis smacked my butt to rile me up.
“Aww~ Feeling good about beating unnie?”
“What's unnie's height?”
“Me? 173 or something.”
“…Not 176?”
“You think so? Hohoho, my proportions are killer.”
“Not what I meant.”
After casual greetings with my parents, I bowed to Grandma.
“Grandma, we're here!”
“Oh, you are? Nearly done, so wait a bit.”
Grandma, her silver-streaked hair glinting, glanced at us from her cooking before turning back.
“I'll help.”
“Ssup—”
Grandma whipped around, eyes blazing.
“Don't even think it! Not till dirt's in my eyes! I'll handle it— you rest quietly.”
“Yes, ma'am…”
Sis, who'd rolled up her sleeves boldly, deflated and backed off.
Grandma had always banned grandkids from helping with cooking, no matter what. Kitchen entry forbidden for grandchildren.
Grandma had this unique aura. Like a sturdy old tree standing tall. An untouchable charisma. Where did that energy come from in her slight frame?
I'd feared her a lot as a kid.
Instead of the crestfallen Sis, I asked,
“Where's Grandpa?”
“That alley between the shed and house, shady spot? Old man's sprawled there as usual.”
I patted Sis's slumped shoulder as we were shooed from the kitchen.
“Let's go say hi.”
“Yeah.”
We slipped our shoes back on and headed out.
Walking around the house, we spotted the narrow, shaded alley between house and shed. A cool breeze whistled through, where Grandpa lounged leisurely on a sunbed.
“Grandpa, we're here!”
“Oh, you are? No wonder it's noisy, heh heh.”
Grandpa peeled himself up to sit.
If one word summed up Grandpa: a white-maned tiger.
“Sera, long time. Doing well?”
“Yes.”
Grandpa smiled softly, patting and hugging Sis.
Other families said grandpas were scary, grandmas cozy— ours was reversed. Grandma intimidating and cool, Grandpa warm and hearty.
I'd gotten scolded by Grandma often as a kid, even cried from fear. But Grandpa always played fun games with us.
His white eyebrows furrowed like the smoking tiger from folktales as he said,
“So, Hura doing well too?”
“Yes, Grandpa.”
“What've you been up to?”
Grandpa dragged over a chair beside him.
“Part-time? Heard you're working jobs.”
“Ah, yes.”
I sat and replied.
“Your folks worry. No proper job.”
“……”
I hung my head. Facts were facts.
Compared to Sis, I was the disappointment.
Siblings of geniuses have their unspoken burdens. Endless comparisons, worries reopening wounds like rumination.
Scratched so much, it barely shows now.
…But it still stings.
Sis beside me bit her lip, then clamped it shut. She wanted to say I was training as a chef, but our promise held her back.
“Hura-ya.”
Grandpa called to my bowed head.
“You happy?”
A blunt, warm toss of a question.
I looked up; Grandpa smiled gently.
I smiled back.
“…Yes. These days feel the happiest.”
Grandpa bellowed a laugh, slapping my shoulder. I nearly toppled chair and all. Strong guy.
“Good, that's what matters. Ignore your grandma or folks.”
A crisp breeze tousled Grandpa's silver-white hair.
“Don't know when young. I didn't either.”
Grandpa smoothed his hair, speaking plainly.
“Happiness isn't something you sacrifice for.”
In the alley wind, Grandpa gazed skyward.
“Sacrifice now for future happiness? Who knows if it'll be happy. Gotta try to see.”
Grandpa eyed Sis.
“Sera seems fine anyway.”
Sis grinned hehe.
His gaze settled on me, those unfathomable eyes twinkling.
“Hura-ya.”
“Yes.”
“Do what makes the process and result happy.”
Grandpa continued.
“Don't cling to suffering for some end happiness. Pointless.”
He shook his head.
“Swallow hardship, and you'll crave higher things. Nothing satisfies. Eyes get picky— grab that happiness, and it's hollow. 'All that suffering for this?'”
“……”
“Lifetime of misery. Life's shorter than you think. Flies by. Get me?”
“Yes, Grandpa.”
“Happiness isn't grand or far.”
Shwaaa— The persimmon tree in the yard corner rustled.
“Hura-ya. No need for happiness's path to hurt.”
“……”
“Don't let it get stolen. Easiest taken by loved ones.”
“……”
“If it's there, grab it no matter what. Got it?”
Grandpa stared piercingly.
I met his eyes, fists clenched. Resolved, I spoke.
“Grandpa.”
“Yes.”
“I'm training to be a chef.”
“WHAT?!”