Chapter 120
Chapter 120
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Bonds
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After that friendly match, we got a light scolding from the teachers who'd heard about the commotion. But they also brought up how surprised they were. They never imagined there'd be someone at Yuran Academy who could beat us.
Final exams ended, and so did the graduation exams. Naturally, my friends and I all passed. It seemed like everyone in our class did. And with that, winter break arrived.
Lara had grown quite a bit by then. Just a month and a half after being born, she'd been the size of my palm—fragile enough that it felt like she'd shatter if I touched her. Now, at least, she was bigger than that.
Surprisingly, my parents knew next to nothing about cats. I'd raised cats, dogs, and hamsters in my past life, so I had some know-how. But my parents didn't even know about vaccinations, how to trim claws, litter training, or proper bathing. Strangely enough, I ended up teaching them. I'd be heading to the dorms soon, and they'd be the ones raising Lara in the end.
That said, even I couldn't identify cat breeds. I just loved all animals regardless, so breeds didn't matter to me. Who cared if someone called it a mutt? As long as it was cute. The only thing I knew was that Korean short-haired cats were close to being mutts.
For the record, Lara was a white cat with scattered gray patches. About a month in, she got completely used to me, Mom, and Dad.
I devoted my break to raising her—aside from training time, of course.
Inha watched me dote on Lara endlessly and said,
"Eunha, are you gonna take Lara to the dorms too?"
I blinked at that, tilting my head.
"Lara? Why would I?"
"Our school dorms allow pets. You love Lara so much, so..."
"Lara stays with Mom and Dad."
Leaning against the wall, I smiled. Inha cocked her head.
"Oh?"
"Yeah."
Inha accepted that easily.
Winter break flew by. Before we knew it, the first day of school arrived, with graduation looming right after. The five of us gathered like always, thrilled to reunite after so long, chatting and laughing up a storm. We wandered the campus, laughing, playing, bumping into seniors and chatting, getting scolded by teachers. That was our daily life. Our life as Daehyeon Elementary students.
I could feel a change—like a farewell—drawing near. Graduation would hit right after the opening ceremony. The first to put a period on this special bond was, inevitably, my master.
A few days before graduation, I was summoned to see her. And there, I heard these words.
"This will be our last personal lesson."
In the quiet atmosphere, with tea between us, my master said it plainly. Ah, so it ends around now. If anything, it's late. I'd expected it around graduation exams.
It was later than I thought, but I'd prepared myself, so it didn't hit too hard. A little sad, maybe. But looking back, only gratitude remained.
Gazing at my master, I thought of Teacher Min and Teacher Junhwi. They were elementary homeroom teachers.
Once we hit middle school, I wouldn't see Master, Teacher Junhwi, or Teacher Min as often. Master had said it then:
'You think I wasn't gonna see you anymore? You idiot. Elementary graduation or mandatory period over—doesn't change a thing! You're still a rookie! Come anytime, ask whatever when you need to. You brat.'
I clenched my fist. She'd said that, sure. But if reasons to meet vanished...
Once middle school started, I'd be busy too. Without reasons, we'd drift. That's how it'd go.
Distance breeds distance in the heart. Exceptions exist, but it's generally true. Hearts don't stay close forever—comic book lines don't hold up in reality. I knew that well. Hiding my thoughts, I asked my master,
"What flower do you like?"
"...? Flowers?"
"Yeah. Flowers."
Remembering my old resolve, I looked at her. She pondered briefly.
"Hm. Roses."
"Roses? You really like flashy things, Master."
"Maybe."
"What about Teacher Junhwi?"
"That guy's fine with anything. If I had to pick, he prefers trees."
"Uh, then... Teacher Min?"
"That one hates them all."
"..."
I shut my mouth at that. Tricky. I knew a prized disciple giving flowers wouldn't be rejected, but...
Tilting my head, I stood. Pausing mid-step, I turned back.
"Um, Master."
"What?"
"...Can I keep calling you Master?"
It took real courage for me. Eyes stinging, heart pounding, cold sweat in my fists. Honestly, I was tense. Very tense.
She probably had no clue. Moments later, she nodded with a flat look, like 'What, that's it?'
"Do as you like."
Still facing her, I smiled faintly. Click—the door opened, and I stepped out. Legs shaking. Tears nearly fell. I gazed at the sky with dry eyes. Nearly collapsed. The tension, the foreboding—it hurt that much.
I wasn't the only one notified. Inha, Minhee, Hyunho, and Hansu got it too. Minhee burst into tears upon hearing hers. She'd bonded most with her teacher among us.
They got along best too. Her teacher seemed unlikely to play favorites, but doted on Minhee. When she started crying this time,
'Come anytime! Let's experiment more! Uh, extend it? Yeah, let's extend till graduation! After's fine too!'
Apparently panicked like that. I chuckled hearing it.
...But the real bombshell for me came after.
Graduation crept closer. Rehearsals done, dorm bags packed.
The day before graduation, Inha suddenly said,
"Eunha, something's weird with me lately!"
Her urgent tone—unlike her—made me think something big happened. Matching her seriousness, I asked,
"What? What's weird?"
"Weird. Keeps happening."
"Keeps?"
"Uh..."
Inha stumbled awkwardly, blushing unintentionally. I guessed it then. If anything, I'd been slow.
"When I see Hansu..."
Eyes darting in distress, she blushed, clenching and unclenching fists nervously, then looked up at me.
"Weird. Keeps bugging me. Like it's natural—I look for him, eyes follow... His smile makes me happy for no reason, but my chest hurts weirdly..."
Blushing from embarrassment as she spoke, she seemed unaware why.
"You and Minhee are fine, but when he chats happily with other girls I'm not close to, it feels off..."
"Like Ardell?"
"Yeah, exactly! Worst with her."
Hands clasped awkwardly trembling, she continued.
"And... weird. Really weird. When he's right next to me... heart races. One gesture tenses me up, touched spots heat up... Dunno. Keeps me nervous."
Sighing in frustration,
"Hansu... close friend, but... feels awkward now. Eunha, why's this happening?"
"Stressing you out?"
"Yeah. But I... wanna stay close with Hansu...!"
Head lowering as she spoke, she looked up. Facing my gentle smile, her eyes widened. Right then, I was happier than ever, chest full. Wanted to hug and comfort her with all my warmth. But I knew better.
Yeah, I'd been slow. I knew when Inha first felt her heart flutter for Hansu. The school trip. Emotions built, overflowed. I'd seen it closest, most.
So I was thrilled now.
To me, friends were 'kids.' I knew I fell short as an adult too. Memory gaps from reasons, clung to childishness growing up. How many true adults exist anyway.
Timidness amplified it. Clumsy with relationships. I wasn't that mature. Turned from people, lived my story alone—lonely, immature.
But friends were 'kids' to me. From first meetings: Inha, Hansu, Minhee, Hyunho, Siha... all!
Yet Inha now knew love. Not family or friend kind—romantic.
Unbidden, a faded book page from memory: first love, only name hazy. Realized post-facto.
No crushes after for a while. Met my love after Goddess. Yeah, after precious Goddess.
Fierce love, I think. Endless burning. Still is.
"..."
Hand to necklace, clutching it wishfully, I said to Inha,
"Bugging you?"
"Huh? Yeah..."
"When you snap to, eyes following him?"
"Yeah!"
"Sometimes face heats up, upset, heart pounds for no reason?"
"Right, that's it! Know what it is?"
Eyes tense, she leaned close. I answered.
"That's liking him."
Eyes round, she tilted head like it didn't click. Hm? Unexpected—I looked puzzled too. Soon arms crossed, frowning.
"I know that. I like Hansu. Embarrassing, but as a good friend."
Ah, got it. My bad this time.
"Not what I meant, Inha."
"Then?"
"Heart races and shakes seeing him, one touch lingers, blush shyly, can't stop thinking. That's love, Inha."
"So..."
"Different from friend-like. Like love letters you got—what senders felt, confessors hoped. You wanna date Hansu."
"..."
Stunned, she stared. Rare expression for inexpressive Inha.
I waited quietly. She raised trembling hand. Cool eyes quivered with turmoil. Hands to mouth, face flushed crimson. So girly—I beamed warmly.
Radiant, beautiful. Prettiest Inha ever. Nothing prettier than a girl realizing first love.
Embarrassing, but Hansu's good. Enough for Inha to fall.
"...I see."
She murmured.
"I like Hansu. Like them..."
Then silent awhile. Wow... impressive.
Time flies. Eyes closed then open, I thought. Emotions around Inha shone beautifully.
'When did she grow so much...'
Inha's already fist taller than me. But real growth hits like this.
Inha's no full kid anymore. Just 3 years to adulthood. Middle school year 3 makes us adults. 3 years—blink, gone.
Lost in sentiment gazing at her, Inha bolted up. To my wide-eyed daze at her suddenness, she declared firmly.
"Then, off to confess."
Eyes steely, blazing. No lie—I knew instantly. Panicking,
"What? Right now?"
"Yeah. Realized my feelings."
"B-but confessions need... spot, mood... not this sudden...!"
I urgently stopped walking Inha. But steely eyes:
"Useless for us. Years together. No spark. And..."
Fist clenched,
"Time'll dull resolve."
Mouth agape. Cool. Too cool. Mind blanked.
"Gonna go."
Turning, I snapped to.
"W-wait!"
"Why?"
Frowning back, I stated firmly.
"At least dress pretty! Historic moment confessing to crush—gotta look cute!"
"..."
Flicker of annoyance, then nod. Thought a sec, blushed shyly.
That night, I made Inha prettiest ever. Decided on midnight confession. Short time, full effort: mature dress, neat hair, matched accessories, shoes.
"Gonna go."
Teleport—whoosh, gone.
Gazing at cloudy black sky, eyes closed.
'Please, go well.'
Prayed fervently.
Graduation dawned. School bit late. Rehearsal, seats in vast auditorium.
Heart pounding, waited. Swear, first time this tense at elementary graduation—across lives.
Teacher Min, top elementary, handled speeches and oversight. Sharp suit—realized anew he's handsome.
Ceremony at school field. Chaotic vibe. Nervous kids, teachers, parents—like me. Mostly me.
Chaos brief—started soon.
Field seats packed. Homeroom teachers, juniors, some special subject teachers aside: our master, parents, close seniors—even Yujeong Sister, Inho Brother.
Grad rep: Hansu. Bit dazed—normal? I'd smack if not!
School song, speeches, diplomas, then... onstage group bow.
"...graduation congratulations!!!"
Thunderous applause. Onstage, bittersweet. This school's unlike any I knew.
Cheers erupted.
"Sunbae! Congrats on graduating!!"
"Eunha-nim!!! Congrats! Keep going in middle school!"
"Inha sunbae!!"
"Eunha sunbae!!"
"Minhee sunbae! So cool as rep!! Thanks!!!"
...Voices...
"Hansu sunbae, really liked you!"
"Cool! So pretty!!!"
"Eunha-nim's coolest!"
"So kind!"
Dazed amid cheers. Blinded. Vision shimmering light everywhere. First time. So many liking, congratulating me...
Someone tugged hand. Minhee. Grabbed mine and Hansu's, raised high.
"Thanks!!!"
Waving, she dashed front. We followed, shoving ahead.
"We'll climb up to you in middle school too!!"
Waaaaah──!!!
Cheers boomed. Nearly cried. Beaming, waved wildly. Eyes on me—no tension, no shame. Chest full, pure joy. Hyunho, Hansu, Inha waved too. Endless claps.
Exit time came. Down we went. Step by step, bouquets thrust upon us.
"Eunha sunbae! Thanks for saving us then!"
"Can't forget! So touched!!"
First time like this. Walking, eyes closed moment. Old me—timid, sidelined... attention only in novels, satisfied...
Embarrassing, undeserved—but nice. I ran. As planned. Friends followed.
Bouquets paved path. Kept running. Unme-like. But once—fine. Flashy—okay once.
Soon, three teachers stood straight amid juniors. Smiling warmly at me, colleagues, friends' teachers too. Pre-arranged with friends, class—whole grade approved.
Leading, I ran, magicked. Subspace opened, flower pile hugged. Amid, ornate bouquets tossed to Master, Teacher Min, Teacher Junhwi.
To flustered teachers, smiling,
"Thought graduation needs bouquets for teachers."
Bowed.
"Thanks!!!"
Ran past. First self-made flowers—copied from Hansu endlessly. Remaining petals scattered on cue. Flower rain from sky.
Friends followed, giving to homerooms or past teachers. Classmates too—pre-held or magicked flowers (mostly mine/Hansu's, few generators). Voices behind.
"Eunha! Congrats!!"
Swallowing tears, not turning—finally did. Grinning, waved big.
Last classroom goodbyes. Teacher Min hugged, sobbed hard. Thanks through tears, love through laughs. I teased, 'Say love to girlfriend only.'
Ended amid lavish bouquets. Gave, received. Yujeong Sister, Inho Brother thrilled we're middle schoolers.
Not just them. 1/5 upperclassmen—now middle 2/3—were elementary during terror. Many admired, grateful. Realizing, blushed hard.
Packed dorm-bound. Cute clothes, faves, accessories, books, dolls, stationery—all in.
'Entrance ceremony.'
Middle school entrance dawned.
Petals fluttered from sky. Daehyeon Elementary*Middle*High entrance, boy at gate smirked.
"Finally here, Daehyeon."
Girl behind sighed.
"You never listen."
"Had to. Thought heart'd stop."
"That girl that strong?"
"Yeah. Watch! You'll freak too?"
"Hmm..."
"So."
Brown bob girl sighed again, purple-eyed boy silent deep gaze. Boy grinned fiercely.
"Here to see you. Yoo Eunha."