Chapter 12
Chapter 12
The Magical Girl Is an Adolescent Girl
Mister ate the food I made with real enjoyment.
At first, I was nervous. I had been praised in home economics class, but cooking for him was different.
But seeing him eat with such a satisfied expression…
I felt proud.
“Yeoreum, this is good enough to sell.”
“I’ll keep making it from now on. No complaints, right?”
“Of course not~ But if it gets hard, tell me. I’ll do it.”
“That won’t happen.”
Yeah.
That will never happen.
Mister is incredibly busy. He leaves around 9 PM and patrols the neighborhood all night until 6 in the morning.
Sometimes he even fights those monsters.
And even after all that, he eats the breakfast I make.
So what right do I have to complain?
Besides…
I cook better than him.
He’s improved a lot over five years, but still…
I’m better.
I know that best.
“Mister, when you’re done, just leave the dishes in water. I’ll wash them when I get back.”
“No, Yeoreum. I can do the dishes.”
“You’re tired. Brush your teeth and sleep. Oh, right, I’ll clean too, so please just rest.”
“I’m really fine… I can at least clean.”
“I’m fine too. I’m going to school.”
“Ah… okay. Be careful~”
I left for school after his farewell.
As I grew up under his care, I wondered what I could do for him.
There were two things.
Study hard and earn scholarships.
And handle as much housework as possible.
Mister is meticulous. Even if his cooking isn’t perfect, he’s incredibly diligent.
So I want to do everything.
Laundry, cleaning, cooking.
That’s how I repay him.
…That’s what I thought.
“…Mister, what are you doing?”
“Oh, Yeoreum? Just a second. I’m almost done cleaning.”
He wasn’t listening again.
He had mopped, vacuumed, and even done the laundry.
The moment I realized it—
I snapped.
“…Mister.”
“Yeah?”
“Why… why won’t you listen to me?”
“Uh… Yeoreum?”
“You’re tired! You go out every night! You fight monsters, patrol, investigate… and then you come home exhausted… so why are you working again!? Why!?”
“Yeoreum, calm down first—”
“I told you to rest! I’m not a child anymore! I can cook better than you, I can do housework better than you! So why won’t you listen!?”
“Yeoreum…”
“Mister… I hate you!”
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!
Bang!!!
I ran into my room, slamming the door, and buried myself under the blanket.
I hated him.
I hated him so much.
I hate that he ignores my worry.
I hate that he overworks himself.
I hate that he puts me before himself.
What if he collapses?
What if he disappears like my parents?
What if he leaves me too?
I don’t want that.
Don’t leave me.
Stay with me.
Just… stay with me.
So please… don’t overdo it.
Think about yourself too.
Under the blanket, I cried as I cursed him.
When I woke up again, it was already 10 PM.
“…Mister!”
I ran out—
But he was already gone to work.
Instead, he had prepared dinner.
There were dishes I made…
And one he made.
An omelet… or more like a flat egg pancake.
Still, it looked good.
Then I noticed a note.
When I opened it—
“I’m sorry.”
…
I was the one who should apologize.
I was the one who got angry.
But he was the one apologizing.
“Ah… ugh… sob…”
It’s always like this.
I make mistakes.
I regret them.
And I can’t fix them.
“Mister… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”
I quickly grabbed my phone and sent a message.
“I’m sorry.”
He replied with just a thumbs-up emoji.
That alone made me feel better.
So I ate.
His egg pancake was better than before.
But still not as good as mine.
“…I should teach him how to make a proper rolled omelet.”
I muttered to myself.
It felt right.
Because someone would hear it soon.
…Or so I thought.
I set my alarm for 6 AM.
He usually comes back by 6:30.
But…
Even at 7…
He didn’t come.
He didn’t read my messages.
Mister… where are you?
Please come back.
I’m scared.
Don’t leave me.
I’m sorry.
Please come back safely.
As time passed, my heart pounded harder.
Regret grew.
Tears fell.
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”
I shouldn’t have gotten angry.
I should’ve said thank you.
Regret came too late.
And then—
Beep beep beep.
Click.
The door opened like always.
And he walked in, smiling.
“Yeoreum~ Sorry, I got a bit delayed—”
Tap tap tap!
Hug!!!
“…Yeoreum?”
His voice.
Normal.
Safe.
“Mister… mister… mister…”
“Yeah… what’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”
“What are you sorry for?”
“I said mean things… I got mad…”
“No, I’m the one who should be sorry. You said that because you were worried about me, and I didn’t listen.”
“No… it was me… I’m sorry…”
I cried in his arms.
He held me and gently stroked my head.
As if saying it was okay.
As if he understood.
I looked up at him.
His face… just like when we first met.
Clean. Handsome.
For some reason, my face heated up.
My heart raced.
I avoided his gaze and hugged him tighter.
“Why… were you late…?”
“Uh… I was talking with Choi Dain.”
At that, my mood dropped.
I don’t know why.
But it did.
Just moments ago, I was grateful he came back.
But now…
It bothered me.
I was worried sick, and he was talking to another woman?
“…What were you talking about?”
“Uh… maybe you can ask her later?”
That made it worse.
Why can’t he tell me?
“…Let’s eat.”
“Hm?”
“Let’s eat.”
“Ah… okay. I’ll make something—”
“No. I already did. And tomorrow, I’ll teach you how to make a proper omelet.”
“O-okay…”
Hearing his awkward voice…
I felt better again.
I don’t understand myself.
But one thing is certain.
He didn’t leave me.
And that’s enough.