Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Hoping to Get Closer (4)
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The date for the operation was set for the weekend.
There was a risk of drawing unnecessary attention if they skipped school on a weekday claiming experiential learning. They told the others to say they were off on experiential learning, but it felt a little like lying to her friends.
"I don't think I can make the study group this weekend."
But what could she do? This was an unavoidable lie for the sake of saving the world.
"What's going on?"
When Serika said she couldn't come, Na Hwayoung nodded and asked back. Since they were gathering because of her, she naturally had to explain the reason. Looking at Na Hwayoung, she said,
"Our facility is sending us on experiential learning. Just the advanced class kids."
Na Hwayoung tilted her head at Serika's words.
"Advanced class experiential learning? Guess facilities are doing stuff like that these days. First I've heard of it."
Na Hwayoung was from the same facility. She didn't question the internal training since advanced classes were structured that way, but experiential learning must have sounded odd.
In situations like this, you shouldn't try to force a persuasion. She had to chime in like it was new to her too.
"Right? I thought it was weird when I heard. They said it's some ability enhancement program, and we're heading to the mountains."
Na Hwayoung nodded at her words, speaking as if she understood.
"Oh, I get it. When I was younger than now, they dragged us to the mountains saying we needed Jirisan's spiritual energy to strengthen our abilities. Looks like they've got people there buying into superstitions too."
Serika wanted to point out the irony since Na Hwayoung herself was religious, but she barely held back.
"Huh? Serika's going on experiential learning? Then we'll just meet among ourselves this weekend?"
Yumi, who had joined them late, looked disappointed upon hearing Serika was out. She shot Serika a subtle glance, but Serika couldn't skip this operation. It was a simple mission, but it held huge meaning for her.
It was a chance to build rapport with Carmen and make an impression on the Prophets' group.
She couldn't pass it up, not for the world's sake or her own comfy retirement.
"A study group without Serika isn't really a study group. No helping it—let's hit that cafe we talked about last time, just us."
"Ah! I'm all for the cafe!"
"Eh, leaving me behind?"
Yumi tilted her head at Serika's words.
"But Serika, you're going on experiential learning. It'll just be us."
Na Hwayoung nodded in agreement.
"That's right. Just us."
Heading to a cafe without her, though.
Friendship really might be fleeting.
After school ended and she got home, her father greeted her. He was smiling much brighter than usual and patted the sofa beside him, urging her to sit quickly. Plopping down next to Dad, he stroked her head and said,
"Serika. Dad just met Ms. Dennis at the company. She said you're going on experiential learning at the facility?"
Dennis must have given a rough explanation. As expected, it was better to explain directly to convince her than leave it to a kid. Serika nodded cheerfully and replied,
"Yeah! Dad! I'm meeting a friend there, and we're going together."
"Hahaha, yeah, and they're doing talent shows and stuff there too?"
She rolled her eyes internally at that. Talent show? What talent show? It wasn't like beating people up for a show, so had Dennis just blurted out anything since she wasn't involved?
Since Dennis had mentioned a talent show, Serika had no choice but to nod. If things didn't line up here, her dad might get suspicious.
Lying to family didn't sit right, but what could she do?
It was all for their happy future and her comfy retirement.
"Yes! That's right! Talent show!"
As she replied energetically, Dad chuckled heartily.
"Oh my, yeah. Our Serika's going to do good deeds and a talent show too. Dad's thrilled. I'd love to tag along and watch, but no time. Can you give Dad just a little preview of what you'll do?"
Ah.
She hadn't thought of that.
Talent show? What should she do?
Her only boast-worthy thing was her body, so maybe a board-breaking strength demo?
But her delicate dad might freak out.
There was only one option in a pinch like this. Scrunch her face embarrassed-like and shake her head.
"Nuh-uh."
Throw a tantrum she wouldn't normally, making it clear she didn't want to. The key was not to look seriously annoyed. It had to seem like she was too shy to do it.
"Aw, come on! You've practiced, right? Show Dad!"
Shake her head again.
"Nuh-uh."
"Aw, but Dad wants to see..."
And when Dad tried to persuade more, bolt away like an arrow. Dodge his outstretched hand and dash to her room. She could see him looking wistful but still smiling.
Sorry, Dad!
But she hadn't prepared any talent show idea.
The weekend arrived in a flash.
When she arrived at the facility yawning, Carmen was already there, arms crossed in a sharp stance on a waiting room chair. Hardly any kids came on weekends, so the facility was quiet.
Carmen glanced at her, then faced forward again, smirking faintly.
Serika sat beside her.
"Hi."
She greeted with the brightest smile possible, but Carmen didn't even pretend to look. She flinched briefly at the "hi," but it was clear she had no desire to get friendly or even chat.
Why on earth did this girl hate her? They were even teaming up for a mission—basic greetings shouldn't be too much.
With outright hostility showing, it felt like something had gone seriously wrong somewhere.
"Oh, you're both here."
Both she and Carmen turned toward the voice. A white long-haired man in a lab coat was approaching them. He gazed at them with a relaxed smile, glanced around, then beckoned.
"Follow me? Not great for talking here."
Carmen shot up like she'd been waiting and swapped her crutch for a prosthetic leg, striding out. Serika trotted after, speaking up.
"You can switch to a prosthetic, so why use a crutch normally?"
Carmen didn't answer. The man behind did instead.
"Carmen’s ability requires concentration, so it's tiring to keep using it all the time. She wears it as a crutch form normally and only switches for missions or fights."
"Tch."
A tongue-click sounded. Annoyed at her weakness being exposed? When Serika happened to glance back and meet eyes, she grinned. Carmen scowled harder at the smile, whipped her head away, and quickened her pace.
Definitely an ability needing focus, then.
As Carmen got worked up, the prosthetic started looking shaky and unstable.
Why hadn't she realized that until now?
A white van was parked in the facility's underground lot. Probably plain to avoid attention—like something that might drag you off on a deep-sea trawler.
Next to it sat small masks, each with a hazy aura rising around them. Serika frowned at the sight. She'd seen something similar in the original story.
The white-haired man went ahead, picked one up, tried it on, and said,
"This is gear we use for missions. Wearing it blurs your impression on people—they can't remember you. Super useful for jobs where faces can't get out."
Only then did it click.
In the original, something like a perception inhibitor let the Prophets commit organized crimes without getting caught. She'd heard it wasn't mass-produced but made by a specific esper's ability. Was this guy the one?
Seeming to read her gaze, the long-haired man smiled softly.
Carmen eyed him and said,
"...I can handle it alone. Have this one just watch."
Not telling her to leave outright meant some bond had formed, right?
Didn't seem like it, but she'd think so anyway.
Thinking negative might lead to really bad stuff.
"Hahaha, you kids handle role assignments in the op. I'm just support from the back. Hop in."
The long-haired man got in the driver's seat and gestured. Carmen grabbed a mask and whispered to Serika,
"Just watch."