Everyday Life Returns to Seonyudo (3)
"Mmm... huh...?"
"You're awake?"
When I slowly opened my eyes, I found myself once again using Hyeonseok's lap as a pillow.
The warmth of him had grown so familiar that I felt embarrassed every time I leaned on him like this. I turned my head away to escape his gaze.
"Charlotte? Are you all right?"
"Yeah... I was just a little... embarrassed, that's all..."
"Is that so? Then, would it be all right if I picked up where we left off a moment ago?"
"Ah... that..."
The moment he had suddenly declared he would properly look after me, my heart had pounded so hard it felt ready to burst—thump, thump—and the heat flooding my face under his serious expression had made me faint clean away.
Now, hearing him ask if he could continue that conversation, my heart raced just as wildly, and the heat that had cooled began to creep back up my cheeks.
But there was no running away now.
"Okay. Tell me. But... can I stay like this a little longer?"
"As long as you're comfortable, Charlotte."
As he spoke, his hand gently stroked my hair. The touch was so soft that it felt as if time itself had stopped right here.
"Hmm, where should I begin? You remember I returned from another world just like you, right?"
"Yeah. You said it was a world with heroes. I'd love to visit a place like that someday."
"Haha. Even with heroes around, people still live the same way. Still... yeah. If I ever get the chance, I'd like to go back too.
Anyway, I was reborn there and gained a new family. Then my arrogance cost me that family.
Especially my little sister—the one who always looked out for me. She died horribly."
When he spoke of his sister, longing colored his voice, yet it trembled with so much sorrow it sounded as if he might cry.
"She was full of justice, earnest, and kind to everyone. A truly good kid. And I was the one who killed her."
"Hyeonseok..."
He fell silent, unable to continue. I simply took the hand that had been stroking my hair and held it, trying to steady him.
"Sorry. Thinking of her always does this to me. After that, I started helping people—not just for myself, but to keep the promise she made me: to use my power for others as well.
And while I was living that way, I met you, Charlotte. You, who looked so much like her."
"I look like your sister?"
"Yeah. Well, more precisely... our personalities are pretty much the opposite."
What? So that means I'm not as kind as she was?!
His words made me a little angry—and made me want to tease him.
"Hmph~ So you're saying I have no sense of justice and I'm not earnest either?"
"No! That's not it at all! You're kind too, Charlotte, and full of justice, and...!"
His frantic reaction was so adorable that my anger melted away.
"Hehe. I know. I was just kidding. Keep going."
"Whew. What I meant was that you look alike—your appearance."
"Me? But I..."
Even if he said we resembled each other, I had only been living in this body for a little over a month and a half. How could I look like a little sister I had never even seen...?
Besides, this body was shaped by Partruna to look as much like herself as possible.
"Would you take a look at this?"
Seeing the unconvinced look on my face, he took the pendant hanging around his neck and held it out to me.
The pendant that passed from his hand was quite worn, yet it was clear how precious it was to him. Following his lead, I opened it—and inside was...
A young girl who looked exactly like Partruna.
"Th-this is...?!"
"My little sister, Luna. Uncanny, right? That's why, the first time I saw you, Charlotte, I thought I'd met my sister again."
"I see..."
Hearing that he had thought he was seeing his sister again made me wonder if everything he had done for me until now was only because I reminded him of her. My chest twinged with a sharp little ache.
Of course. No one would go that far for a complete stranger... What was I even hoping for...?
I felt like a fool for having misunderstood everything on my own—until his next words filled me with pure joy.
"I did see my sister in you at first, Charlotte. But the more time I spent with you, the more I started seeing you for who you are—not her."
"Hyeonseok...!"
"Then, this time, a goddess descended into your body, right? When she left, she struck a pose that only my sister and I ever knew."
Those words hit me like a blow to the head.
What is he saying? Then... Partruna was... Hyeonseok's little sister...?!
"So that's why she kept coming to mind?"
"Yeah. Ever since then I've been wondering if my sister died and became a goddess.
And earlier, when I saw you looking like that, she came to mind again. That's why I couldn't smile even while I was praising you.
I'm really sorry. You must have been looking forward to it, and I ruined it."
I sat up straight and cried out. Then, realizing I had indeed been looking forward to his words, I grew so embarrassed that I hid my face behind my lengthened hair.
"That's not true! I mean... well... I was happy, so it's fine..."
"Really?"
"Ugh, I just... when you said it was good but didn't smile, I jumped to the conclusion that you hated how I looked now!"
"I see. And let me say it again—the way you look right now is truly beautiful, Charlotte. Especially your hair shining in the moonlight like this."
Wh-what is he saying?! Honestly...
"R-really? Ahem. Then... we're making up... right?"
"We weren't even fighting."
"Ugh! Can't you just go along with it?! Hmph!"
I turned my head away, puffing out my cheeks and shooting him a sidelong glare.
"Haha. All right, let's call it that. The director's waiting, so shall we head to the party?"
In the moonlit garden he held out his hand to me. I took it, and together we walked toward the cafeteria where the party was beginning.
Before entering the cafeteria where the party was underway, I used the artifact to return my appearance to normal. The moment we stepped inside, we found tables laden with delicious food that had clearly been prepared with care, and every person on Seonyudo was mingling across the floors, chatting happily.
"Oh~ At last the guests of honor arrive! Hmm? What's this—why just the two of you?"
Director Ryu Jinseong threw an arm around Hyeonseok's shoulders, raising a glass of liquor high as he spoke. I turned to Hyeonseok.
"He's right. Where's Yeonseo? Didn't we tell her to go on ahead?"
"She's probably still in the tent. She doesn't like these kinds of gatherings. We can just pack a few dishes for her later."
"Well, everyone enjoys things differently! More importantly—are you two dating? Holding hands that tightly?"
At the director's sudden question, the people nearby began staring at our joined hands.
"Ah...! No, we're not! This is just—!"
I yanked my hand free at once. Hyeonseok looked a little disappointed.
Hey, if you look disappointed, what am I supposed to do with that!!
"We were just walking through the garden before we came. The atmosphere was nice, but the paths were like a maze, so I was holding on. I'm terrible with directions."
"Is that so? Wait—do we even have a maze in our garden...?"
"Anyway! We should go eat now!"
"Oh? Sure~ Enjoy yourselves~ We only get to throw a party like this thanks to you two~"
I gave the still-dazed Hyeonseok a push in the back and started looking for seats. Just then a small blue bird—apparently one of Director Ryu Jinseong's summons—alighted on my shoulder, left a single remark, and flew off.
"I'll be looking forward to the wedding invitation later."
Wh-what is it saying?! Honestly...
I had never even thought about dating a man, yet the mention of a wedding invitation made me picture myself in a wedding dress—and standing beside me was...
Aaaah! What am I even thinking?!
"Ah! There they are! Charlotte!"
While I was still pushing Hyeonseok along, a familiar voice called out.
There stood Choi Won-kyung, the woman we had rescued, and Ms. Oh Haneul.
"Hello."
"We heard. You cleared the tower? That's incredible! Almost no one clears one with just three people! Right, Auntie?"
"That's right. So we'd like to make you some clothes or anything else you need as a token of thanks. Would that be all right?"
"We'll gratefully accept. Later, when Yeonseo—who isn't here right now—comes back with us..."
"Ah, I've already finished talking with that girl."
What? When did she come by and do that? More importantly... what Yeonseo wanted... wait, she actually asked for that?
Ms. Oh Haneul's words left me stunned by Yeonseo's sheer efficiency in securing what she wanted. Then Haneul leaned close and whispered into my ear, freezing me on the spot.
"If you want, I can make one for you too. The boy next to you would probably like it."
"N-no. I mean... that is..."
"My, how adorable. You said you weren't dating, right? Still, it never hurts to have one ready—you never know when you might need it."
No, what am I supposed to do with so-called 'victory lingerie'...!
Yet my body answered the exact opposite of my thoughts.
"P-please take care of it for me..."
"Hehehe, pretending you don't want it~ I'll make you the absolute best design!"
After that we talked a little about everyday clothes for Hyeonseok and me as well, and then the two of them left.
I had been nervous the whole time, fretting that Hyeonseok might have overheard, but luckily he hadn't. The moment the tension left me I slumped face-first onto the table.
"Are you all right? If you're tired, should we head back?"
"N-no, I'm just a little worn out. I'll be fine after a short rest. Oh? Pedro! Mr. Vincent! Over here!"
I called out to Pedro and Mr. Vincent, who had just come into view while my cheek was still pressed to the table. As they approached carrying plates of food, Hyeonseok stood up from across the table and slid into the seat right beside me.
"Hyeonseok?"
"Ah, I figured it would be better if Mr. Vincent and Pedro sat together, haha..."
It wasn't wrong, so I didn't mind—yet every time his body brushed against mine my heart felt ready to explode. Still, I didn't dislike it, so I simply endured.
"You two came too, Noona and Hyung! I heard—you cleared the tower with just three people! That was so cool!"
"Come on, you helped clear the area around the tower with us. You did pretty well yourself."
"Hehe. Thanks to you two I finally understand how to become a hero who helps people! It was my first time applying my ability that way, and I learned so much!"
Pedro excitedly launched into tales of fighting alongside us for Mr. Vincent. Vincent promptly rapped him on the head with a knuckle.
"You little brat! Even so—going somewhere that dangerous alone? Do you have any sense?!"
"Ugh, but if I hadn't, Uncle would have been in danger!"
"Kid, these two would have handled everything even without you. You should have held back a little."
"But! Uncle is my only family, so I wanted to help him myself!"
"Pedro...!"
Watching the two of them suddenly create a heartwarming scene, Hyeonseok and I could only smile.
I understood, of course. When your only family is in danger, what wouldn't you do if you could?
"More than that, thank you. Truly. For my sake."
"Not at all. We weren't able to protect you properly during the harpy attack."
"No. That was just an unavoidable accident. I'm really grateful."
"By the way, are you leaving soon?"
Pedro asked around a mouthful of cheese pizza.
"Yeah. We have something we need to take care of, so there's a place we have to get to quickly."
"Really? That's too bad. I wanted to travel with you a little longer and learn more."
"Just remember what we taught you this time. You've got a good head on your shoulders."
"Actually, I used to want to be a scientist. I even made all sorts of tools by myself. Well... once the world is peaceful again, I'll pick it back up!"
"That's a good goal."
"So you're leaving already? We've only known each other a short while, but it's a little sad. Where are you headed?"
At Mr. Vincent's question, Hyeonseok—not I—spoke up and told them where we were going.
"First we'll go to Nodeul Island. It's on the way to Garam, the place I belong to, so we have to pass through anyway. After that, the Blue House."
"Hooh. If you're going that far, something fairly serious must be afoot."
Oh, he's sharp. We only named the destinations and he already figured that out...
I marveled at Mr. Vincent's keen deduction; Hyeonseok's eyes widened in surprise as well.
"Hmm? Is something wrong?"
Thinking the story was still a bit dark for Pedro to hear, I quickly changed the subject by pointing at the pizza he was happily devouring.
"Nothing. More importantly—is that good?"
"Of course! Cheese pizza is a god!"
"Really? Isn't pineapple pizza good too?"
The moment I said it, the atmosphere at the table turned ice-cold.
"What... did you just say?"
"Huh? That pineapple pizza is also ta—"
"Heresy!!! Pineapple pizza—what kind of apostasy is that?!"
"What? What did you just call it? Apostasy? Hey! The reason it tastes bad is because people just slap pineapple on top and call it pineapple pizza!
You have to add meat or ham, olives, and mushrooms—that's real pineapple pizza!"
"No, even so, that's a bit..."
"Haa. Next time I see you, I'm definitely making you eat pineapple pizza. Look forward to it."
"Ah... Noona...!"
With the mood restored, we received thanks from other people in the settlement and chatted about this and that until the party finally drew to a close.
Hyeonseok and I said our goodbyes to everyone, packed up some food Yeonseo would like, and headed back to the tent.
When we returned to the tent we heard voices. As we approached, Yeonseo hurriedly ended whatever conversation she was having and turned to us.
"Judging by those faces, it looks like everything got sorted out? And from the delicious smell, you didn't forget to bring food for me either."
"Yeah, here. Who were you talking to, though?"
"Huh? Um... Seojin oppa... yeah..."
Yeonseo suddenly grew shy. It was so cute that I leaned in and whispered.
"Ahh~ So that's why you rushed to order that sexy lingerie for him?"
The instant she heard that, Yeonseo ended the call, her face flaming red, and started stretching my cheeks.
"You...! How did you know...!"
"Well, Ms. Haneul came by and told me... so... I kind of ended up ordering one too..."
"Haha, is that so? Hmm~"
"Ugh, I didn't want it! She just kept talking and I had no choice!"
"Sure, if you say so. Hyeonseok~"
"Hey! Are you crazy?!"
I clamped a hand over Yeonseo's mouth and pinned her down with my body just as Hyeonseok walked over.
"You called? What are you two... doing?"
"Ah... nothing! I mean..."
While I floundered, Yeonseo quickly shoved my hand away.
"I just called him to ask when we're leaving."
"Ah, I see. They said they'd make us some clothes, so we'll wait for those. Day after tomorrow, maybe? Around then."
"Got it."
With that, Hyeonseok went off to reheat the food. Only then did I climb off Yeonseo and catch my breath.
"You... you...!"
"Hmph! You started it. Besides, both you and Hyeonseok seem a little different now."
"Huh? Different how?"
"Never mind~ Go wash up. I've already finished."
"Oh? Okay."
I left to take a shower. Alone, Yeonseo murmured to herself,
"The way they look at each other has gotten a little softer. I'm glad..."