Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: 07. Fight
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[-- 07. Fight --]
*Mild Swearing Warning*
The two people behind her, excluding Yoon Siha, flinched at a side of Joo Minhee they'd never seen before. They didn't like Kang Inha's attitude right now either, but it seemed Minhee was the angriest of them all. Was it because they were girls, something only women could understand?
"So, what did you come here for? You know what kind of state me and Eunha are in right now. Don't butt in."
Kang Inha wasn't one to back down either. Park Hansu, who had a short fuse to begin with, scowled at her sharper-than-usual clipped tone. Kim Hyunho frowned as well. Only Yoon Siha looked anxious, not knowing what to do.
"You're saying it's just you and Eunha, not you against all of us? Or like you said before, Eunha's your only friend and we're not?"
"......"
"I get that you're pissed, but you know we were pretty upset by what you said too? We let it slide because you seemed mad. Yeah, we get that Eunha's special to you, but."
Inha bit her lip with a cold expression. Then Minhee spat out her irritated words, shocking everyone present.
"Looking at you like this, you're so fucking annoying I can't stand it."
Everyone flinched at the word. Even Park Hansu stared at Minhee in surprise.
Who was Joo Minhee? In the mature and composed Class I, she was the most lively and innocent-looking kid. For such a girl to swear so casually—it was natural for Hansu, but this was beyond anything they'd imagined. In the midst of it, the calm ones were Yoon Siha, who knew Minhee's personality well, and Kang Inha, who took Minhee's words straight to heart.
'No, she's always expressionless anyway... But she's not that different from Brother Je-hyeon, is she?'
In that atmosphere, Minhee continued.
"Do you not know who's in the wrong here? Eunha clearly apologized. Right? Yeah, an apology doesn't fix everything. But we're friends, aren't we? Shouldn't you accept it? Shouldn't you forgive her? And it wasn't like she apologized without knowing anything. She knew her mistake, said she was sorry, promised not to do it again. So why are you being so stubborn, Inha? Who are you to do that?"
Inha glared at Minhee, speechless.
"I know you're overreacting because Eunha's special to you. I get that you wrap her up tight and hate when we try to butt in. I thought that was it and tried to understand, even though it pissed me off. But aren't we friends? Ah, this is so fucking annoying the more I think about it."
"......"
"If you keep being stubborn like that? What about Eunha? You think she'll wait? Eunha's got a soft heart. Don't you know? She's the softest and kindest out of all of us."
Inha bit her lip. Yeah, that was true.
Among them, Yoo Eunha was the most mature, but that meant she was also the softest-hearted. Unlike them, who brushed things off honestly or confronted them head-on, Eunha avoided or quietly bottled them up. To them, Eunha was a friend like a protector, but also one they wanted to protect.
"You know how hurt Eunha gets because of you, Inha? She doesn't show the pain, but she was puking in the bathroom saying how agonizing it was. Ah, fuck, and you call yourself her friend?? Making her cry with your stubbornness is friendship?!!"
"......!"
"Where'd 'the closest' go? Shove your special bullshit! You're her closest friend, but not forgiving her and making her cry is what closest friends do?!"
Minhee stopped there, breathing heavily. The three behind her grew cold as they listened.
"Inha, you're really awful...... awful......"
Minhee couldn't fully vent her rage and started to choke up. Park Hansu stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"I see it the same way. Great job making your close friend keep crying. She looks like she's dying of anxiety lately."
"Don't you think it's time you apologized to Eunha now, Inha?"
Kim Hyunho's usual playful expression had hardened. Inha's face twisted terrifyingly as she listened to her friends, trembling. She shouted, her expression stubborn and childish, nothing like her usual blank one.
"What do you guys know?! Don't butt into me and Eunha's relationship!!"
"Then do you treat Eunha like that because you know her!!"
Hansu couldn't hold back and yelled. Inha flinched, her expression changing.
"If that's how you feel, then you know better than anyone how much that girl thinks of you as her special friend."
Inha's head slowly lowered.
"......Do you know how long it took for me and Eunha to get close? At first, I was too scared to even approach her...... She was the first like that....... But then you guys, you guys suddenly butted in... and Eunha started talking friendly to other people too......"
"Then do you want her to only have you forever!!"
Inha finally shed tears. Her pale face with falling teardrops looked so pure, pitiful, and beautiful. The droplets seemed like snowflakes or glass beads. But Hansu ignored it.
"Since you don't seem to know, I'll tell you! We, who see you two closest, know best how close you and Eunha are!"
Inha hung her head, tears dripping. Yoon Siha watched with a worried expression.
"Do you know what she's like? She can't even tell us when she's frustrated, never speaks up first about what she wants, jumps if you grab her hand. But with you, do you know? She just smiles, chats about anything, always wants to go everywhere together...... She doesn't say it outright. But you've heard more about her from her than anyone! What more do you want? She apologized! She said she'll talk more from now on!!"
"Eunha......"
Inha, tears streaming, hunched over. She squatted, hugging her knees and burying her face. Her long black hair cascaded down. A choked voice leaked out.
"You know how pretty she is when she smiles...? I met her because of Mom, and at first, I wanted to get close because Mom said she was the daughter of someone she was friendly with. But I don't remember when...... That shy girl smiled at me so brightly. It was so, so pretty. I thought her surroundings were just shining."
At those words, Minhee hesitated, looking at Inha. They'd seen it once, that smile blooming like a flower....... Not her usual small smile, but one that lit up like the sun.
"From then on...... I wanted to be friends...... It took years......"
"......"
"But...... Eunha, with friends...... maybe anyone would do...... She's so kind, and I'm not the only one who knows...... I'm scared she'll get taken away someday......"
Inha sobbed quietly as she spoke. Crying, she said.
"...Now I'm so scared, I can't even apologize......"
Her small shoulders shook pitifully. Then, clack clack, the sound of heels. They turned, startled.
A woman appeared on the stairs, her long hair tied back to chest-level. They knew her well.
"Huh, Eunhee Sister...?"
"Ah, um, this is...!"
Hansu panicked, hiding the crying Inha behind his back. Lee Eunhee smirked at the sight.
"Sorry, I heard everything."
"Eunhee Sister...!!"
"This sister was worried about Eunha too. I owe her one."
In Eunhee's mind rose the image of the kid hesitantly sharing her clumsy sincerity. That small child's words had truly given her courage. Talented, strong, kind-hearted. Yoo Eunha was a junior Eunhee cherished too.
Eunhee slowly approached Inha in her heels. She bent down to meet the eyes of the squatting girl hiding her face, speaking warmly.
"Being stubborn, too scared to apologize, ending up hurting your friend. Wow, great job. You think so too, right?"
Inha whipped her head up, glaring at Eunhee. But contrary to her cold words, Eunhee smiled warmly as their eyes met. Inha's eyes widened.
"Ahaha! It reminds me. I did the same with a friend once! Actually, I still do. Fights with friends make you stubborn. But you know, the right way is to clash properly, get mad properly, and make up properly. This sister's giving you a free lesson. Looks like you didn't even fight Eunha properly and just ran."
Inha stiffened. It was true. She'd lashed out one-sidedly without listening to Eunha and fled. Eunhee tilted her head at her.
"Or do you lack confidence in yourself?"
"......"
Inha bowed her head silently. Eunhee grinned and pointed at Inha's chest with a finger. There hung a necklace pendant on a silver chain. A navy one that looked like ore. Eunhee pointed and asked.
"You, that necklace. Know what it is?"
"......?"
Inha absentmindedly gripped her pendant. It was the necklace Eunha made last winter and gave her. Invaluable to Inha.
"It's a mana crystal. Pretty rare—usually middle schoolers can make them. Hmm, at our school, even 12-year-olds succeed?"
"Mana crystal...?"
Inha looked puzzled at her pendant's stone. The navy crystal, shimmering silver in light, was a smooth teardrop shape.
"Yeah. Crystallized mana, hence mana crystal. Pretty amazing? Not too hard if you know the trick, but it's pure mana crystallization. Depending on the feelings put in, it holds the creator's magic, so even others can use it. Of course, varies by degree. Telling you early 'cause you're all talented. And... giving a mana crystal to just anyone is taboo among us."
Inha, gazing at it with a mix of gloom and wonder, finally widened her eyes in shock. Eunhee was deadly serious.
"Told you? It's mana crystallized, pure mana data. You know modern forensics are insane? Mana gate scans, DNA—one and done. Hand it to the wrong person, and it's super, super dangerous. Especially high mages. World where you can clone a mage from one."
Inha clutched the crystal tightly in panic. Eunhee's expression turned cold for the first time, standing up.
"That's what it is. She's young but smart. She'd know. She said it was her first crystal. But she didn't keep it—gave it to you. Only to you. You really don't get what that means?"
Inha stared blankly, eyes wide, gripping the crystal. A look no one ever saw on her usually, but with Eunha, her expressions always changed. Inha truly treasured Eunha beyond belief. So the kids took it for granted.
"Not to herself or someone else. Gave it to you as a gift. Think about it."
"......"
"You're plenty a cherished friend to her. Not enough? Then you work on it. She at least told you she'd try."
"......"
Inha bowed her head a moment. Then stood and ran.
──No, tried to.
"I, Inha?!"
"......!!"
......If Yoo Eunha hadn't appeared on those stairs where Eunhee had.
Everyone's eyes widened at suddenly appearing Eunha's flustered face.
Following Senior Yeon Yoyun, carried piggyback by Brother Seonghu to the basement, I was shocked. Security spells everywhere to protect it. But subtle—most invisible even to me. Still, seeing mana shift, I guessed some: illusion there, barrier there...?
Then, entering the CCTV room carried, I was shocked again.
"What? Who else?"
"Huh?"
"Oh."
The staff was fine, but the two seniors next to him I knew well.
"Huh...? Seonghu Senior...... Wait, isn't that Eunha?"
"Huh? Je-hyeon, you know this little miss?"
"Of course. Friend of my little sis. Pretty tough kid. But why's Seonghu Senior carrying her?"
Ah, that made my face burn. Forgotten embarrassment revived.
'Come to think of it, why was I carried this long?! We passed crowds already......'
I patted Brother Seonghu's back to signal and got down. Yoyun Senior was explaining why (how I ended up carried), but as I dismounted, Cheonho Senior approached.
"Hi. Remember me?"
"Ah, yes. Cheonho Senior...."
"What, you know the kid too?"
"Minhee's friend."
Cheonho Senior said that to Yoyun Senior, patting my head. Not unpleasant, so I let it. I quietly watched Yoyun Senior talk with Je-hyeon Senior and staff, then tugged her hem anxiously.
"Hm? Ah... right. Sorry. I'll find her quick."
"...You didn't come here to find someone too, did you?"
"Yeah! Exactly."
"Why are kids these days so cheeky!"
Guard bro smacked Yoyun Senior's head with a thud. He glared at Seonghu like betrayed.
"So you're here for the same...... Didn't expect you too...... Fine. Find her yourself."
I beamed gratefully at guard bro. Rule violation or not, I wanted to find Inha fast. I headed to the screens.
"Ah, but you, hold up."
I froze, turning to Je-hyeon Senior who called me. He asked blankly.
"You looking for that 'Kang Inha' girl too?"
"Ah, yes. Yeah......"
"Wait, Inha? The one Minhee came looking for?"
"Yeah."
Hearing them, I was stunned. I almost rushed to interrogate...... but held back, asking timidly.
"Um... what do you mean?"
Je-hyeon Senior dropped the bombshell.
"Minhee went to fight her right now. Look."
He pointed. I followed his finger. There, facing off: Minhee... with Hansu, Hyunho, Siha, and Inha. I panicked.
"Ah, what do I do...."
Couldn't run without knowing where. I turned to Brother Seonghu.
"Um, Seonghu bro...... Can you tell me where that is?"
"I'll take you."
His casual reply startled me. Yoyun Senior stroked my head smiling.
"High school section's huge. You'd get lost. Wanna stop your friends fighting? I'll take you. Zip, teleport."
"Um......"
I glanced anxiously at the screen. Head-down Inha looked like she was crying. Panicking, I begged.
"Um, then, please."
"We'll go too."
As I bowed, Je-hyeon Senior stood. Cheonho Senior followed.
"My sis is there, festival day two's ending soon anyway."
Yeah. Time already. My face fell.
If Inha doesn't forgive me this time too...... then......
"Alright, let's go."
Too much anti-magic underground for teleport. We walked out, then teleported.
Suddenly, Inha right in front of me. She looked pained or like she'd cried, pitiful. Such a fragile look I'd never imagined on her—I panicked, calling.
"I, Inha?!"
Plus, Eunhee Sister was there somehow. She waved at me. Ah, hi...... Not the time!
"Um, Inha, I have something to say...!"
Before I could shout, Inha grabbed my hand and ran. I stumbled after in confusion.
We ran. Past seniors and kids, up stairs, opened rooftop door. Felt like an instant to me.
Despite steady training, Inha's stamina stronger. I panted slightly arriving rooftop; she seemed fine.
I caught my breath, head down. Lifting it, Inha suddenly hugged me tight—breathless tight.
Inha taller, so my head on her shoulder. Suddenly crushed in her arms, my eyes widened.
Then, a choked voice by my ear.
"I'm sorry...!"
Her earnest apology flustered me. I called cautiously.
"Inha...?"
Inha kept sobbing apologies.
"Sorry for being stubborn....... I know...... You treasure me, think of me as closest friend. But...... I got anxious for some reason......"
Her trembling body, hugging tight, proved she cried. Didn't understand the sudden situation, but it was what I'd longed for. Choked up, I hugged back.
"No.... I'm sorry too. I...... hide a lot even from Mom, didn't realize I had to tell you...... Won't anymore."
"Don't...... hate me...."
"I don't hate you. Why would I hate Inha...?"
Hate? Impossible. A miracle instead. I never express feelings, lost dozens of friends. Gave up. No one stuck after I gave up on myself. So this moment felt unreal.
"Th, thank you...... for not giving up on me...."
"Why thank me for that, Eunha.... I should thank you...."
"I'm sorry...!"
"I'm the one sorry...! Sorry...!"
Hugging, we mumbled messy apologies. And cried. Cried lots. Apologizing repeatedly, crying more. Not even knowing who we spoke to.
Finally, hugging, we smiled brightly at each other.
After, we returned to close friends.
No, closer than before? We talked all night about what we missed during the fight. Mom, Dad, Auntie—all thrilled we made up. Friends, well.
'Don't act annoying again!'
Thought it was to me, but Inha answered. Sorry to you guys too. Then they smiled. I was the flustered one.
Next day, as promised, festival tour together. High school side we missed day one. At Minhee's request, Je-hyeon and Cheonho Seniors tagged along introducing.
"But I thought you, Minhee, had the best connections here as a kid, but your friend ain't slacking?"
"Who?"
"Eunha. Calls Seonghu Senior 'bro,' knows Yoyun Senior? Close with Eunhee Senior too? Now us. You're impressive? Tough to get close to Seonghu Senior."
"Uh, thanks to Eunhee Sister...... Met Yoyun Senior yesterday."
"Really?"
Cheonho Senior chuckled meaningfully. I scratched my cheek embarrassed.
First festival bumpy from day one, but last day fun. Reconciled with Inha, closer. No, felt closer to everyone. Joo Minhee, Park Hansu, Kim Hyunho, Yoon Siha—truly precious friends now.
Ran into Yujeong Sister and Inho Brother midway. Seeing us together as usual, they sincerely rejoiced at our makeup.
Festival end, just us. Seniors split first for somewhere amid crowds, watched closing fireworks. Well, they left saying they had to go somewhere.
I reached toward fireworks painting black sky.
I savored long-awaited peace to my heart's content.