Classroom of the Flame Palace

The harsh lessons of Vesta were underway in the classroom of the Flame Palace.

"That's not it, I keep telling you. How many times do I have to say it?"

"The corners of your eyes should be slender. Curve them gently, like you're seducing someone."

"...Like this?"

"Hmm... Still a long way off. Repeat it ten times."

"Ughhh..."

Her eyelids twitched like a mouse—Molrangkau's eyes quivering uncontrollably. But Vesta pressed on mercilessly.

"No whining! Now, for speech. Your tone should be soft yet elegant—like a bird's chirp, like jade beads rolling smoothly."

"Ahem. Ahem."

"Now, repeat after me. 'You've arrived, Hura-nim.'"

"You've arrived? Hura-nim."

"Would you like... a cool glass of water?"

"A cool glass of water, would you like?"

"More relaxed. Too rushed. If your heart's in such a hurry, what good is that? Again."

"A cool glass of water... would you like?"

"Not bad. And as you say it, add a casual wink, like it's no big deal."

Blink.

Vesta shot Molrangkau a dissatisfied look.

"...Why can't you even wink?"

"When I close one eye, the other closes too. What am I supposed to do?"

"Can't you practice?"

"...Yes. It feels like my eyes are gonna cramp, but no luck. Look."

Blink blink—blink blink—

Molrangkau squeezed her eyes tight and blinked repeatedly, but only one eye lagged behind, making her look somehow lacking instead.

"Tsk... Fine, no helping it. Close both, then open just one slightly."

"...Huh? That works!"

"Good. We'll compromise on the wink for now."

Table manners, gait, ingrained little habits, vocal tone, context-specific dialogue— the lessons marched on without respite. And with each one came Vesta's sharp rebukes.

"Are you messing with me right now?"

"Haa... Mountains beyond mountains."

"Sloppy, so sloppy. You think that food idiot will fall for it? Not even an orc would!"

"Straighten your back! Eyes sharp!"

"I didn't expect you to master fire arts. But teach one thing, and you should learn at least that one, right? You learn one and forget two."

The more Vesta ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠barked, the quieter Molrangkau's voice grew, her shoulders slumping lower.

"What? You think that's appropriate in that situation? Just—"

Vesta, about to unleash another tirade, saw Molrangkau utterly deflated and clicked her tongue.

"...Let's take a break. Won't improve like this anyway."

"...Yes..."

"Cool your head and come back."

Drooping like a wilted weed, Molrangkau slithered out of the classroom like slime. Geum Taeyang, waiting outside, followed immediately.

On the terrace of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the Flame Palace, Molrangkau dangled like dried fish. Geum Taeyang approached and handed her a smoothie.

"Drink it down. It's refreshing."

"......"

Molrangkau, limp, glanced at him with just her eyes, took it, and gulped it down. Life sparked instantly in her gloomy gaze.

"...Mmm! This!"

"Yes. Master made it while waiting for you, Molrangkau-nim."

"Ah..."

Leaning on the railing, Molrangkau fiddled with the cup, peering into the smoothie.

"...Geum Taeyang."

"Yes."

"Is this... right?"

"Pardon?"

"Putting on a mask, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠acting like someone else—is that okay? It's not really me. Just fake..."

"......"

"Do I have to go this far to win someone's heart? Even if it works, it's not over. I'd have to keep acting the lie. Forever? Until I die? My whole life?"

"......"

"Then... my entire life becomes a lie. Is that... really right?"

Molrangkau's eyes clouded with sadness.

"Maybe... I'm not the one for Hura after all."

Slip—

The glass tilted, spilling the remaining smoothie into the crimson lava below. Bubbles boiled up, reflecting transparently in her eyes.

Geum Taeyang, who had listened silently, finally spoke.

"Molrangkau-nim."

"Yeah."

"That's love."

"...What?"

Her head snapped around at the unexpected words.

"Right or wrong—what does it matter?"

Geum Taeyang met her gaze steadily.

"If there was someone I truly loved. Someone I never wanted to lose, no matter what."

His bright golden eyes gleamed with resolve.

"Even if I had to act my whole life. If that's what it takes to stay by their side, I'd do it without hesitation. I'd gladly endure it."

Molrangkau's eyes widened.

"Because not being by their side would hurt more."

"......!"

"What about you, Molrangkau-nim?"

Her ruby-red eyes wavered.

"I, I..."

Geum Taeyang waited patiently with his golden gaze.

"I want... to be by his side."

Molrangkau stammered haltingly.

"I hate being apart."

A quiet flame kindled in her eyes.

"...And I hate someone else being there even more."

Geum Taeyang smiled in satisfaction.

"Exactly. That's the resolve."

"......"

Watching Molrangkau grip the railing fiercely, steeling herself, Geum Taeyang said softly,

"I'm always on your side, Molrangkau-nim."

But then he tsked disapprovingly.

"Though Tteoksoon-i seems to have infiltrated the southern fairy faction... Tsk."

"...Huh?"

"Nothing. Anyway, what I mean is, you're doing great."

"...Really?"

"Of course. Just a little more. We're almost there."

"Yeah... Almost. Let's go!"

Geum Taeyang called to the fired-up Molrangkau.

"Molrangkau-nim."

"Yeah."

"Who are you?"

Red eyes met golden.

"...I'm the king of beasts, the tiger."

"Who?"

"The invincible tiger no wolf could compare to!"

"Ready?"

"You bet!"

"Let's hear that spirit!"

"Rawr!!"

With a tiger's proud stride, Molrangkau returned to the classroom where Vesta awaited.

The tears that burst forth wouldn't stop, like a dam broken—they only ceased after quite some time.

...Embarrassing.

Sis patted my butt with a teasing voice.

"Did our crybaby cry it all out?"

"......"

"Thought you were all grown up, but still a baby."

"...Shut up."

"Aigoo~ So cute~"

"Ah, stop it!"

"Do it wike this~"

"Don't mimic me."

"Don't mimic me~"

"Argh, seriously!"

Grandpa just watched us fondly, saying nothing, a warm smile on his face.

"Anyway, I told that guy. Keep that in mind."

"...Yes, Grandpa."

"He's swamped with work right now. Said he'd call once things settle. Don't ignore unknown numbers."

"Got it."

I scratched my neck awkwardly, then bowed my head hesitantly.

"...Thank you."

Grandpa chuckled heartily, placing his pot-lid-sized hand on my head.

"No need. What kind of grandpa can't do this much for his grandson?"

"......"

"In the end, it's up to you. Do your best."

"Yes, Grandpa."

"Who knows. Become a great chef someday, and even Grandma might approve."

"...Guess I gotta try harder."

We met each other's eyes and smiled softly.

Someone said it: eyes are the windows to the soul. Grandpa's were so clear and serene—like a deep lake.

How did he see me, through those eyes?

"Kekeke, good. One less worry."

Grandpa's gentle smile turned mischievous.

"But... one worry remains."

"? You just said one less."

"There were two."

"Ah."

Grandpa patted my shoulder playfully.

"Aigoo, Hura boy. Ever held a girl's hand?"

"...Pardon?"

His unexpected words left me blank.

"Sera. What do you think? Does this kid have girls around? Looks like me, so he'll break hearts, but inside? Who knows."

...Who knows?

"Ah, Grandpa, no need to worry—"

Sis leaned in excitedly, whispering long into Grandpa's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠ear.

"Hmm... Oh? Aha! Oho!"

Grandpa's expression shifted wildly.

...What're they talking about?

Finally, Sis pulled away, and Grandpa leered at me with a sly grin.

"You rascal."

He slapped my back.

"...Grandpa. Whatever Sis said, it's probably just in her head."

"Kekeke. People believe what they want. I'll believe our Sera."

Grandpa and Sis cackled, facing each other.

"......"

"Grandpa. Not coming in?"

"You go first. I'll follow soon."

Sera and Hura's grandfather, Lee Taesan, watched his bickering grandkids' retreating figures. A faint smile played on his lips.

"Kekeke. Blood runs thick, after all."

No lineage, no water, no fertilizer. Tossed onto barren soil, yet it sprouted anyway. A sturdy sprout with broad cotyledons, no less.

"Grandma. Can't be helped if it won't dry up."

Lee Taesan leaned back on the sunbed, feeling the cool breeze tousle his hair. Sweeter than any before.

Back inside, the adults saw my puffy eyes and asked what happened. Told 'em Sis hit me—they nodded 'ah, got it' and went about their business. Eunbi patted my shoulder a while too.

"......"

Why... so pathetic...

Anyway, time flew as merrily as it was fun. Another leg-shaking feast for dinner, then cake and candles for Grandma's birthday bash.

Grandma grumbled it was silly, but smiled in the end.

Cheered up, she carved fruits nonstop, sentencing us to dessert hell.

"Ugh... Gonna burst."

Eunhui, fruit fiend extraordinaire, chomped like it was her birthday—but that's her. I was done.

Leaning against the sofa base like a defeated soldier, another sprawled survivor spoke up.

"Bro."

"...What."

"You finish the video?"

"Panwol Emo Jjomo?"

"Yeah."

"All done."

"Comments too?"

"? Nah?"

Sis freaked, slapping my shoulder.

"Idiot. How can you skip the best part?"

Oh yeah, something about what they called me.

"Here, check mine."

Sis shoved her phone in my face.

"...Huh?"

I took it, scrolling comments.

"...Rank 0 Chef?"

The title spread like wildfire next to my name.

"Your friend list is stacked. They say even Cheon-gong can't touch you easy, so Rank 0. Funny, right?"

Sis giggled, snatching her phone back.

"They come up with the coolest nicknames."

"......"

I mulled it over.

Rank 0 Chef... Better than unofficial ranker chef. Not bad, actually? Folks'll steer clear more.

Positive spin, yeah.

Nodding, an apple appeared before me.

"...Hm?"

Looking up, Eunhui stuffed her cheeks full.

"Eat this."

Stuffed already...

"Not?"

"Nah, I'll eat."

Giving food—that's Eunhui's peace offering. Her fave thing, so sharing means a lot. Rare for her.

Munching the apple she gave, she spoke again.

"Oppa, coming to my birthday?"

"Duh. Signed a contract."

"Contract? What's that?"

"Promise on paper. Eunbi has it. Ask her later."

"Okay."

Then, hesitantly:

"So... birthday gift...?"

I chuckled. Gift worry was big in her reconciliation, obvious. Cold winds made her fret I'd skip or skip the present.

Obvious, but kid-like.

"Bringing one. Something you'll love. No worries."

"Hehe, got it."

Her stormy face cleared bright.

She grabbed fruits, shoving them in my mouth nonstop.

"Here, more."

"Ugh, Eunhui... I'm full..."

"This is good. Eat."

"Mmph... S-stop..."

Sis, watching, eyes sparkling, approached. Shoved grapes in, demanding:

"Talk! Where's your secret base?!"

"Mmmph!"

Dessert hell ended, time to head home. I grabbed my book, asked Eunbi:

"Eunbi. Can I borrow this?"

She eyed the book, then me.

"Fun?"

"Yeah. Got into it."

"...Okay? Take these too."

"Whoa? Then what'll you read?"

"Finished 'em. For oppa."

"Th-thanks... Return on your birthday."

"Yay!"

Didn't plan on bookworm status...

"We're off!"

"Okay. Safe trip."

"Hura! Grandpa's cheering!"

Grandpa winked.

Bade farewell to Dad, Mom, everyone—finally piled into Sis's car. Dad and Uncle peeled out like escaping hell; we followed.

Home at last. Home sweet home.

Sis yawned her goodbye.

"Yaaawn~ Sis'll visit your place soon~"

"Yeah. No drowsy driving."

Hauled Eunbi's books home. Beep— My tiny studio opened. Familiar home scent. Cozy vibes.

"I'm home~"

Feels like ages.

Quick wash, donned Dream Gear.

"Yeah."

Shwaaaak— Sizzling heat hit, Flame Palace scenery unfolding.

"Been a while here too."

Chuckled, scanning around.

"Molrangkau! Vesta-nim! I'm back!"

Shouted, mind buzzing with reward thoughts.

Heh heh. Wonder what this time.

Clack—

Unfamiliar footsteps.

"Hm?"

Turned—MOLrangkau approaching.

Clack—

"...Huh?"

Cancel. Not her.

Someone else.

Clack—

"...Wha?"

Cancel again. Molrangkau.

No, Molrangkau but not.

What?

Clack—

The not-quite-Molrangkau woman approached lightly, flashing a bewitching smile.

"You've arrived? Hura-nim."

I backed away.

"Y-you... what."

She offered a cup of water.

"A cool glass of water... would you like?"

Followed by a weird wink.

"U, uwaaaah!"

I bolted for my life.