Chapter 104
She was a bad actress, really. If we hadn't known each other for so long, no one would have caught on to how forced her performance was. Yoo Seol-ah's elaborate scheme went up in smoke the moment she let her guard down at the end. Of course, I'd seen through her act from the second round onward, and she probably knew I'd figured it out but pushed ahead anyway. Still, she'd been so obvious about it that she had no choice but to feel embarrassed now.
Unable to make excuses outright, Yoo Seol-ah pivoted to a different angle. Without looking my way, she slowly opened her mouth.
"...B-but it was really scary..."
"You were a bit startled at first."
"...Ugh."
Her initial reaction had definitely been genuine. To be precise, though, it was more like a jump scare than actual fear. It's hard to feel true terror toward something so utterly outmatched against you.
"I mean, what could a grand mage possibly have to fear?"
"No, I can't use my powers here...! What if I freak out and accidentally do something? That'd be a disaster..."
That did make a little sense. One reason ghosts are scary is because you can't fight back against them. If you could tussle with one, that fear would vanish in an instant.
"And it was way too realistic... Whoever did it, I don't know."
"Yeah. Who even pulls off something like that? Special effects makeup or what?"
"...Clothing department has a bunch of weirdos, I guess."
With that, Yoo Seol-ah launched into chit-chat. She didn't know the exact reason, but her department seemed packed with people of bizarre talents.
"Design's the basics, but they've got chemistry, marketing... All sorts of stuff. Probably 'cause they teach everything under the sun."
Makes sense. Just look at Yoo Seol-ah—a supernova illustrator who even makes her own cosplay outfits. Being Korea's top school draws all kinds of prodigies.
"Oh, that was me. I've been into it for ages."
"...It was you, unnie? I was shocked at how good it was..."
Once the courage test wrapped up and everyone gathered again, we learned it was a clothing department student council senior's handiwork. Aram senior, right? She'd been the one in the second scare, and sitting at the same table gave us a chance to talk.
"You two stayed the calmest, though...? Way more composed than the others."
"N-no, it was scary..."
With screams echoing even outside the building, you could guess how freaked out everyone was. Compared to that, our reactions must've looked tame. In truth, even what Aram saw was padded with Yoo Seol-ah's fake screams, but feeling a bit guilty about not reacting, Seol-ah gave a polite answer.
"Or maybe 'cause you two were stuck together like glue? Made it less scary?"
"Unnie...!"
She'd used the "scary" excuse for shameless skinship in front of everyone, but hearing it from someone else turned her face red again. Still, she'd committed that hard to the act just to snag those touches.
"Alright, now it's free time. Tired folks can crash early, or you can hang out outside a bit longer."
As expected from college MTs—not like middle or high school trips with all the rules. Split across buildings with small rooms inside, you could even sleep solo comfortably.
"Unnie, how much did this MT cost?"
"Yujeong told me to keep it secret."
"......"
MT fees usually aren't that steep, so I figured no one would spring for private rooms. Naturally, student council covered the extras. If even Yoo Seol-ah's prying got no answer, it must've been a pretty penny.
"Well, student council could pocket some if they wanted. But we love events, so we just topped up the pot a bit."
I'd heard rumors—not just department council, but the university student council could buy a new car if they felt like it. Thanks to these go-getter seniors, it was shaping up to be a blast.
Time flew, and some folks were turning in, but I wasn't sleepy yet. Eyes met with Yoo Seol-ah, and words slipped out naturally.
"Wanna take another stroll?"
"...What's up with you?"
"Skip if you're tired."
"No, I'm not tired at all...? Let's go."
She'd toss in a quip but accept in a heartbeat. We'd done plenty of night walks before, so the cool night air felt familiar. Back then, it was reconnaissance, not romance.
Retracing our earlier path, we strolled a trail dark except for scattered lights. No need to limit vision anymore, so my dark adaptation kicked in quick. Yoo Seol-ah had a faint mana glow around her face too, like subtle magic.
Post-courage test, most wouldn't dream of this path. Unlike daytime, no one around now. Yoo Seol-ah wasn't fazed, of course.
"Weren't you 'so scared' earlier? Now you're strutting?"
"...Yeah, I'm super tough! ......Honestly, you liked it too."
"......"
With her going straight for the kill, I had nothing left. Can't hate outright affection like that.
"...Sunday we meet my parents, then prep the move?"
"Stuff can go ahead, but I gotta stay at my folks' till Monday."
"Got plans?"
"Yeah, quick visit to grandma and grandpa."
Not wedding stuff yet—just family bonding over meals. Homes aren't far, easy back-and-forth.
"You can head over first. It's huge anyway."
"...What's the point without you? What am I gonna do alone in a big place."
Nighttime boldness—succubus trait or Yoo Seol-ah special? Either way, devastating.
"No moving company, right?"
"...Yeah. I'll handle it all. Cull the non-essentials too."
"Then Tuesday we move in together. Shift stuff then."
"Cool."
Link a portal even from afar for easy access—no long hauls.
"Kitty..."
"Yeah."
Night made its eyes glow—a black cat watching from afar. Cat-magnet Yoo Seol-ah crouched, beckoning with meows.
"Nyaaw..."
"......"
Those unconscious cute moments hit like a critical strike. Like at Lee Seo-yeon's place, animals loved her. It approached, purring under chin scratches.
"After we move, let's get a cat."
"Sure. I like 'em too."
Big house might feel empty—a cat could fill it. Yoo Seol-ah, pensive and relaxed, continued.
"One cat... and after graduation, a baby. Or."
She paused, clamping her mouth, but I'd heard. Wants kids right after college?
Fidgeting, she waited.
"How many?"
"...Five."
I froze, staring. She burst into soft laughter.
"Kidding. Not five, don't worry. Babies need prep anyway... And..."
"And?"
Hesitant, she fixed on the cat, blushing.
"...With a baby, I couldn't give you 100%... So for now, just us two."
Top reason for shacking up: more time together. She wants kids, but no rush.
Dark night, but her flushed face was clear. Knowing it, she scooped the guard-down cat to hide behind.
Beautiful-eyed black cat. Held aloft, it didn't squirm. Staying hidden, I approached Baek Sion.
"...Attack. He's a bad guy."
"...Why me..."
Invading my heart uninvited, claiming squat—he's bad, right?
-Nyaong!
Did it understand? Tiny paw tapped his chest. Spring nights weren't chilly.