Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: 03. The Name of a Friend
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It was raining again today. I sprawled across my desk, rolling around and clicking my mechanical pencil over and over. Well, I hadn't even written a tenth of what I needed to yet, so there wasn't any more to write anyway. Inha was off practicing magic with Mom right now. Maybe I should just sneak in some magic practice of my own. Ughhh—but today, I kinda felt like reading a book instead. I leaped from my chair onto the bed, burying my face in the soft mattress.
"...Teleport's still a no-go."
Even the simplest teleport spell takes a ton of mana. Mom had flat-out told me it was impossible with my current mana reserves. I formed a small barrier with one finger. It was tiny, but it did exactly what I wanted—it ignited at my thought of it bursting into flames, a little spark flickering to life inside. Then I made another small barrier on my other hand. As I focused, the spark from the right barrier shifted over to the left one.
"...If only I could make this bigger."
But it was still way too much for my mana. Barrier magic was already the slowest and toughest to progress in...
It was probably faster to make barriers with runes instead. So I'd practiced combining runes and barriers. Even then, using them for teleportation was still a huge gamble. Still, I'd gotten way better at what rune magic could do...
For example, writing "gravity" would slam a floating flower seed straight to the ground.
Or writing "the water rises" would lift a portion of the lake's water into the air.
Either way, I could feel myself growing little by little. That was enough. It gave me faith that I'd master it fluently once I got older.
Anyway, I was bored right now. Ugh, should I sneak out on the bus to downtown without telling Mom...? Nah, that was just a passing thought. I knew better than to actually do something that dangerous as a little kid. Plus, I had no money. That was the real issue. Maybe I should ask for an allowance soon? Our family was surprisingly well-off. And I was the only kid. But... no. I let out a deep sigh in the end.
'Guess I'll borrow some books from the library.'
I opened my door and toddled out. To use the library's checkout teleport system, I needed the computer and the sender device. There were only two computers in the master bedroom, and the sender was right next to them. I pressed the round button on the computer tower.
A translucent window popped up, and the computer booted. I eyed it a bit grumpily. Honestly, I preferred solid, tangible interfaces over these holographic future-tech ones that screamed "high-tech." They felt more real. But these were cheaper.
"...Not my day, huh."
I searched the library catalog high and low, then sighed. There were plenty of eye-catching books, but none of the ones I'd been wanting to read. I shut off the computer with another sigh.
Nothing to do for real. Guess I'll sneak in that magic practice after all. As I thought that and opened my door, Inha's face was right there. I jolted in surprise. As I froze, Mom's voice came from way back in the living room behind her.
"Eunha, you out? Come here for a sec~!"
I blankly turned that way, and Inha, who'd been standing silently at the door, turned toward Mom. That's when I realized why she was waiting at the master bedroom door.
'Oh, Mom must've asked her to get me.'
Seemed right—Inha glanced back at me and walked ahead, like she was saying "follow me." I went with Inha to Mom.
"We're doing meditation now. Eunha, join us."
"...Okay."
I nodded and sat next to Inha, across from Mom.
I sat comfortably, hands circled in front of my chest, breathing steadily. The quality of the surrounding mana shifted in an instant.
Feeling the mana presence right beside me, I cracked my eyes open and peeked. The moment I did, vivid colors flooded my vision, leaving me stunned.
'Whoa...'
Red mana like blazing flames and a delicate, lemon-yellow gold mana—so pretty—swirled and danced in the air. They circled their bodies, dyeing the surroundings in their hues, then seeped inside with each breath.
It was beautiful, plain and simple. I'd thought mana was pretty when casting spells, but this pure, refined mana flowing through their bodies during meditation was even more stunning.
Inha's was especially captivating. Sure, Mom's mana quantity and quality were clearly superior as a C-rank mage. But Inha's stole my heart. It was like stars I'd always loved sprinkled all around her.
'Pretty face, pretty mana... total cheater...'
I'd never seen mana this gorgeous, even with my eyes. Not that I'd met tons of mages...
Was it because she was just starting to gather mana, so it was still pure? Who knows. No other kid my age had built up mana except her.
'But seriously, it's pretty.'
Watching that dazzling mana ripple, I thought: being able to see mana's colors was a huge win for me.
I quietly closed my eyes a moment later. Even with them shut, the colors shone through my eyelids, vivid as ever.
I breathed in my mana slowly. The portion settled in my core pulsed gently. I calmed it and opened my eyes again.
I knew the deal. I could sense surrounding mana so sharply, colors and all, but even if I moved mine a little next to someone, they wouldn't notice. Meditation was different, though—so I sank my own mana deep, resisting the pull of their flows.
Meditation was all about sensing and handling ambient mana closely. During it, mana paths felt like windy trails.
Instead, I pretended to meditate while admiring their mana to my heart's content.
Their sessions ended soon after. Mom opened her eyes first. I faked it to match.
"How's that? Mana recovered a bit?"
"Yeah."
"Wanna practice more?"
"Yeah."
"Eunha? Wanna watch?"
"Eh, I think... I'll go for a walk."
Any longer staring at that pretty mana, and I'd be dying to use my own. I pretended to mull it over, then said that.
Mom nodded. Inha looked at me a moment, then turned away without a word.
Somehow, I held out against magic temptation till nightfall. After my walk, I distracted myself with non-reading play. Dad's block set from a few days ago caught my eye, so I played with that.
The famous OxX blocks! So this world had them too—impressive. I snapped them together firmly. Heh, playing like a proper kid, huh?
Childish? So what! Playing like this was fun in its own way. Nostalgic, maybe? Oh, and these blocks could morph shapes. I happily built a house model. After training, Inha—who'd ignored them at first—got bored with nothing to do and started fiddling with the pile I'd dumped out.
That's when Dad got home. The front door opened and shut; I grinned and turned that way.
"I'm back."
"Welcome home, Dad!"
Hands on blocks, head toward Dad, I greeted him. Dad smiled cutely at me.
"Yeah, Eunha. Had fun?"
"Yup."
I nodded. Dad saw my nearly finished two-story house and praised me.
"Ooh, looks good."
"Ehehe."
His praise—like I was just a little kid—made me grin anyway. I didn't mind the kid treatment. I'd left my parents behind in my past life, after all.
Even I thought the two-story house turned out pretty well. I wasn't a pro builder, but it had solid form. The walls were blocked solid, making the inside pitch black—but light orbs in the bricks fixed that.
"Shine," I said, and the inside lit up. Watching made me genuinely happy. A bit embarrassing, sure, but hey, I was a kid now.
Then I remembered doing this even as an adult in my past life—way more embarrassing. But didn't everyone? Stacking blocks past twenty, feeling all warm and nostalgic—everyone did it once, right? Yeah. I excused myself inwardly.
"Did Inha play too?"
"Doesn't seem like she likes blocks much."
"Really?"
While I excused myself inside, Dad asked me—but Mom answered. I tilted my head watching her. Really? She looked interested to me.
I tried building a tree next to the house. Stacking small blocks straight up, I soon sensed doom. Ugh... this'll topple. Even if I could fixate them, trees with blocks were impossible. Well, without magic.
Next time, learn some magnetism or adhesion spell. Oh, and while playing, I thought: try impossible stairs with wood blocks. Hollow underneath, just stair-shaped, but standing as real stairs.
'Ooh, that's gold. Next time, magic practice with blocks like that.'
"Eunha acts so grown-up sometimes, but this? Total kid."
Huh...?
I kept stacking, brushing off the voice, then whipped around curiously. But only Inha's dark, emotionless gaze met me. I turned back and finished stacking.
Did Inha just smile?
Nah? Sure, she was human and could smile, but I'd never seen it—not even around family. So I chalked it up to illusion quick.
I finally finished a massive mansion with the blocks. But it was past nine, so I hurriedly disassembled and boxed them. Inha, already bathed, kindly helped.
Inha was curt but polite in courtesies. Cool but not ice-cold. As I packed into the plastic box, Mom came over.
"Eunha, kindergarten starts again tomorrow. Ready?"
"...Uh, no."
"You gotta prep and sleep."
"Okay."
Inha stared blankly a bit, then went to my room first. I thought about tomorrow's kindergarten stuff.
Hmm, bag's in the room. Spare clothes, pencil case... not much, huh. I washed up and went to my room. Pulled kindergarten clothes from the drawer, set under the bed. Grabbed bag from closet, propped by bed. Notebook and pens from desk shelf into bag. That was it. Set my alarm last.
I glanced at the desk, then away. Kindergarten tomorrow—no settings tonight. I climbed into bed. Inha was already lying against the wall.
I gazed at her sleeping side profile a moment, then lay beside her and drifted off. Felt like I'd sleep extra well tonight.
Spot on—I was out quick. Woke to the alarm feeling innocent, worldly bliss. No usual grogginess; fresh morning.
Inha snored softly beside me as I rose. Habitually up with time to spare for kindergarten, I prepped.
Washed face, changed, ate Mom's breakfast in the kitchen. That's when she brought up work.
Mom's job was near-freelance—only went on requests. Lots of off days, but sometimes full-day absences. This was one.
"All day tomorrow?"
"Yup."
I paused mid-bite, worried.
"Then Inha's home alone tomorrow morning?"
"Kinda turned out that way. Feels bad for her. I'll leave breakfast, but lunch—buy something. Here's money."
"What? I'll order?"
"You're the homeowner. Well... asking a kid is iffy..."
Nah, I'm no normal kid—it's fine. I reassured her, then pondered.
"Me and Inha alone afternoon tomorrow...? Hmm..."
Mixed feelings. Crossing my short arms, Mom looked uneasy.
"Y'know... Eunha, you don't talk to Inha much? Don't like her? Or uncomfortable?"
I panicked a bit.
"W-Well, a little uncomfortable...? We're not that close... but I don't dislike her. It's just, she seems uninterested, so forcing talk feels weird."
"Hmm."
"...Plus, she doesn't mind my quietness. Being chill together's fine... but if anything, I'd like to get closer. I'm just bad at making friends..."
I rambled complaints at Mom. She patted my head, calling me cute.
"Wanna get close?"
"Y-Yeah... sorta... Inha's pretty, cool..."
"Oh? Where'd you learn 'cool'?"
I grinned mischievously at Mom.
"Hehe. We've met a lot, so familiar now? Feels friendly. And her mana's all sparkly pretty—wanna touch it. Personality's cool, but not as cold as thought—subtly considerate..."
"So, wanna get close?"
"Yeah. Be friends... would be nice. I'm bad at it, though. See? Year's passed, still can't talk easy."
"Oh, but you two look close to me."
Where? I tilted my head. Mom smiled warmly, stroking my hair.
"Would be nice if you got close."
"Yeah!"
I beamed and nodded. Really would be great. I'd be thrilled!
Prepped and ate, then off to kindergarten. First day back—pretty rowdy. Kids thrilled reuniting with friends. Same for me. Different classes, but happy to see Yumi after ages.
"Eunha! Hi! What'd you do on break?"
"Read books, mostly."
"Cool! Best one?"
"'The Boy's Dreaming Room'—novel."
"Not a picture book?"
"Nope."
"Wow, impressive!"
Yumi was genuinely awed. I wondered if I should be happy. Well, kindergarteners gonna kinderd.
"I read too, then went out with Dad and Mom. Beach, mountains..."
Yumi beamed about break—camping, apparently. Talked her shy one-year-younger brother too. Hid behind her or trailed her around strangers; tough on outings. Sounded cute.
But different classes this year—split at class time.
We waved and parted. Heading in, saw other kids greet Yumi. I'm shy, no close friends in this class... but Yumi's sharp—lotsa friends beyond me. I smiled watching, then entered.
Normal day aside from reopening. Usual play classes, ended a tad early.
Bus home. Almost bonded with another kid besides Yumi, but break reset awkwardness. This shyness from past life—incurable. How many lives till it fades? With memories persisting through rebirths? I chuckled bitterly, got off.
Then surprise. Expected Mom picking up— but Inha too.
Eyes wide at unexpected sight. Male teacher there to see me off looked shocked at Inha—more than us. Made sense. Inha was dazzlingly pretty.
"Uh, Eunha's mom. That kid?"
"Oh... my friend's daughter. Watching her at home. She was bored, wanted to tag along for pickup."
"I see. She not in kindergarten?"
"Nope. Doesn't wanna go..."
"Pretty kid. Gonna break hearts when older. Or now. Should come with Eunha."
Inha glanced blankly at teacher, then me. I blinked at her. She opened her mouth like to speak, closed it.
"......?"
I tilted head; she turned away. ...Teacher's invite bug her? Face looked annoyed.
Inha stormed off; Mom apologized to teacher, grabbed me quick, followed. I bowed to teacher and trailed. ...Hope teacher doesn't push Inha tomorrow. Real worry. But I'll respect her. No school if she hates it. School's mandatory, though.
Rounding corner after Mom, Inha waited like expecting us.
"Inha, teacher upset you?"
"...A bit."
Inha answered curtly, looked at me. Quietly added,
"...Welcome back."
"Uh......"
Eyes wide, I couldn't hide shy joy—beamed. Chest swelled with happiness.
"Yeah, thanks...!"
Rare day—we three walked home together. I bounced excitedly.
Later, reading idly as usual, Mom said Inha's parents back tomorrow evening—her third night here.
Oh, right—day one, two, three counting from arrival. I counted fingers, nodded.
Oh, got it.
Bit sad, bit relieved. But wish Auntie Seona came morning. Mom away, me at kindergarten—Inha truly alone tomorrow morn.
Dazed on that post-Mom chat. While practicing hair-tying, randomly.
Kid arms short—couldn't tie properly solo. Practice helped a bit. Single braid, double—now trying plait. Hardest.
Argh! I huffed, plaiting solo. Arm hurt from holding up. Ran to Mom, showed off.
"Mom, good?"
"Oh, Eunha did well. Still clumsy, though. Pretty good plait, but these stick out."
"Ugh..."
I groaned, poking strays. Turned—jolted. Inha stared fixedly.
I fumbled, meeting her gaze. Panicked inside.
U-um, what? Why stare? Ignore? Dodge naturally? Overthinking shy scenarios, I smiled and asked. Should be fine.
"Inha? What's up...?"
"......"
Inha stared silent, slowly shook head. What? What? Question marks in my head. Definitely pondering something about me.
"Yup, plaits suit Eunha perfectly."
Mom's sudden line left me baffled. ...What? Huh? Why that outta nowhere??
Time flew. Afternoon, night, sleep, wake. Three days Inha stayed.
Prepped for kindergarten leaving sleeping Inha. Mom gone, but breakfast set—happy munch. Love eating, yeah—but no stealing Inha's across from me.
Prepped usual, out to kindergarten bus.
"Hi, Eunha."
"Hi, Teacher."
Greeted, sat quiet back. Bus picked more kids en route. Midway, teacher sat beside me.
"Oh yeah, Eunha—that kid yesterday..."
"....... Who?"
Froze, then innocent eyes. Teacher pondered: "Y'know, the pretty girl who picked you up."
Swallowed awkwardness, nodded.
"Why no kindergarten? Be great with you..."
Hmm. Cool face, pondered.
What to say.
She hates it? But why—probe fest. Don't ask me why she hates!
Pondered, then bright fake smile.
"Dunno."
"...Oh?"
Frankly, didn't like this year's teacher. Preferred last. This one favored talented or pretty kids. Lolita complex vibes!
Inha pretty, sure—but tiny kid, still eyeing. Decent to mana-sensing me, so average rating. Now irked. Teacher rating plunged. That look screamed "Eunha can't make friends anyway." Mood soured. Tongue-clicked inwardly, propped chin.
Thus, kindergarten low vibe. Normal, but fuming. Teacher seemed deliberately cooler today. Paper folding—special moving ones. Mine? Plain by chance. Felt targeted. Knew not that bad—some other classes mixed too. Mood matters.
"Bye, Eunha."
"Bye, Teacher."
Fake smile, hopped off bus. Ahh, alive. Turned briskly—froze.
"......"
Inha stood shadow-like, blank-faced. White summer dress baring pale skin. Sunlit white face mystically mixed-race vibe. Picture-perfect. Teacher behind admired smiling.
"Uh... you..."
"Bye, Teacher!"
Cut him off yelling. Inha disliked him—frowned instant.
Grabbed Inha's hand, ran. Tomorrow, if teacher asks—uh, excuse. Bathroom emergency?
Didn't care teacher favor. Past that age. And honestly, hated Inha hating me more.
Stopped sudden spot, panting. Turned—Inha puzzled stare. Met eyes, jolted—dropped hand.
"Uh, um, sorry.... Um......"
Forgot Inha excuse. So... what say? Pondered, grinned sheepish. Teacher or not, criminal vibe too much?
"Just... felt like running."
Saying "creep" rude to Inha too. Protect purity. Felt proud oddly.
Then—eyes bulged shock.
"You're a weird one too, huh."
Inha narrowed eyes at me...
Smiled. Picture-perfect, angelic—radiant grin.
"Wha... huh...??"
"You're... so unique......"
Her softly crinkled-eye smile filled my view. World blurred; that dazzling smile pinned. Indescribable miracle feeling gripped me.
'...W-what do. Actually pretty and cute.'
Smile too kind, pretty—I thought that.
Watching her lead my hand, that blinding back—truly, deeply──wanted to be friends.
Not new thought. Inha super pretty, mysterious, cool—kid but friend-vibes. Charm melted guys and girls. But now...
Wanted that pretty smile often.