Chapter 11
Chapter 11
The Magical Girl Reached Adolescence
Yes… I’ll admit it.
I was too careless.
Since the day we met and grew close, Yeoreum had always been mature. Not once had she ever acted immature.
Of course, it’s not like she never showed childlike behavior. She loved eating chicken, slept hugging her plush, and always smiled brightly.
But beyond that, she was thoughtful. She worried about me, acted like an adult again and again.
Even after I dealt with Amunis and encounters with monsters dropped sharply, on the rare days I returned after a fight… somehow, she always noticed and worried.
Because she was that kind of child…
I let my guard down.
“…I’m home, mister.”
Creak.
Bang!
After entering middle school, Yeoreum had become noticeably more cynical.
It wasn’t rebellion.
She was far too kind to call it that.
If I told her to eat, she came and ate with me. She didn’t snap about gaining weight or anything like that. Sometimes, she even bought me snacks like jelly.
And most of all, the hamster plush I gave her years ago was still her favorite.
So no… not rebellion.
But something about her attitude toward me felt colder.
Is this that so-called middle school syndrome?
“…Yeoreum, I’m heading to work.”
“Yes, mister. Stay safe.”
Before, she would’ve run over and hugged me.
Now, she just greeted me normally.
It left a bitter feeling in my chest… mixed with a strange sense of pride.
Mostly bitterness though.
“Senior, really? Yeoreum is like that now?”
“Yes… it seems so…”
After four years on the job, I finally had a junior.
Her name was Choi Dain.
She was assigned directly under me—but she was older.
So she called me “senior” with respect, while I spoke to her politely because of her age.
A strange relationship.
“Sorry… bringing this up during work.”
“It’s fine. I really like Yeoreum too.”
Choi Dain was someone I was deeply grateful for.
There are things a father can’t handle when a girl reaches adolescence.
Things like her monthly cycle… or her changing body.
Dain listened to those concerns for her.
She was not only my junior, but also the officer assigned to Yeoreum’s school.
Because of that connection, I was able to ask for help.
And with her easygoing personality, she gladly listened to Yeoreum’s worries.
“I’ll talk to her later.”
“Please do.”
I bowed slightly, and she waved it off.
“It’s nothing. I always wanted a younger sister like her. If she’s going through adolescence, then this big sister should help.”
“…Thank you.”
For the record, Yeoreum calls her “unnie.”
Dain insisted on it.
She’s twenty-seven, so hearing “unnie” from a middle schooler felt a bit odd… but at the same time, not entirely unreasonable.
Still, it’s strange.
I’m ten years older and get called “mister.”
She’s twelve years older and gets called “unnie.”
Not that I can ask to be called “oppa.”
And “aunt” wouldn’t suit her either.
So maybe this balance is fine.
With that thought, I continued working.
Thankfully, no monsters appeared today.
With how stressed I’ve been lately because of Yeoreum, if one had shown up, my tentacles might’ve come out without me realizing it.
Right in front of Dain.
Yeah… that would’ve been bad.
After finishing breakfast, brushing her teeth, and washing up, Yeoreum came to greet me in her uniform.
“Mister, I’m heading out.”
“Alright, Yeoreum.”
Normally, that would’ve been the end.
But she stared at me for a moment before asking—
“…Mister, isn’t it hard for you? Working at dawn and still making breakfast?”
“No. It’s nothing. I have to make food for you.”
“…From tomorrow, I’ll make breakfast.”
“Hm? You don’t have to—”
“I’ll do it. Okay? I’m going now.”
She rushed out of the house.
Watching her, I couldn’t help but think.
She wanted to cook for me… because she knew I was tired.
That made me proud.
It also reassured me that she didn’t hate me.
And yet…
That change in her attitude…
What was it?
My head started to ache.
Seriously, it hurt.
Of course, I wouldn’t get a fever from something like this.
Still… it was frustrating.
There was no one I could really talk to about this.
My coworkers were all asleep.
Then I thought of Dain.
Should I message her?
…Isn’t it crazy to message someone who just finished a night shift?
After hesitating, I sent it anyway.
That Yeoreum didn’t seem to hate me, but there was distance between us.
After that, I distracted myself with housework.
Around 4 PM—
A reply came.
“Senior, sorry! I was asleep.”
“I think it’s just because she’s growing up and becoming a bit distant.”
“It’s normal. Daughters start feeling uncomfortable around their dads at that age.”
“I’ll talk to her later, so don’t worry!”
Along with a hamster emoji.
I let out a sigh of relief.
Right… that makes sense.
I’m a man, and she’s a girl.
There’s bound to be some discomfort.
I smiled slightly.
Just knowing she didn’t hate me was enough.
…Still, why does everyone use hamster emojis?
Why not dogs or cats?
For some reason, hamsters annoy me.
As I thought that and smiled—
“…Mister, what are you doing?”
“Ah—! When did you get back?”
She tilted her head, staring at me.
“…Just now. Who were you texting? You looked really happy.”
“Oh, Choi Dain.”
“…Dain unnie?”
Her voice suddenly dropped.
Why did her tone change?
Did I do something wrong again?
As I hesitated, she shook her head and turned away.
“…Mister, I’ll go study. And from tonight, I’ll cook, so don’t make anything.”
“Uh… I can still—”
“I said I’ll do it.”
“…Okay.”
I couldn’t argue against her intensity.
Fine. If she says she’ll do it, I’ll stay quiet.
That evening, she made food.
The same dishes I made for her when we first met.
Bulgogi.
Rolled omelet.
Seasoned dried squid.
I didn’t know where she learned it, but she cooked skillfully.
I hovered nearby, worried she might get burned—
Only to shrink back under her sharp glare.
And when the food was done…
I was shocked.
“…Yeoreum.”
“Yes, mister.”
“…Did you secretly take cooking lessons or something?”
Even I still mess up rolled omelets sometimes.
But hers was perfect.
“We learn cooking in home economics class.”
“…That’s impressive.”
“Our school is just good. Most schools don’t really cook. Maybe just sandwiches.”
Her school was a prestigious private middle school.
With benefits and my financial support, she was studying there and living her youth fully.
Seeing that made me happy.
“Mister, let’s eat.”
“Yeah. Thank you for the meal, Yeoreum.”
Of course…
It was delicious.
From now on, I should just leave cooking to her.
What have I even been doing for five years?
My cooking career just got completely denied…
But still.
The fact that she’s better than me—
It makes me happy.
…Is this what being a father feels like?