Chapter 36
Chapter 36
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Seniors' Love Affairs
-----------------------------------------------------------------
While I was agonizing over it, time didn't stop and flowed by quickly. In the meantime, the exam results came out. We didn't have the report cards yet, but we could find out the written test scores right away. The one who took first place in the written exam this time was Minhee.
Whoa?! We were genuinely shocked.
"Ahem, my memory is pretty amazing, you know. Even my brother is blown away by it."
"Then why didn't you get first place before?"
"I fell asleep in Korean class because it was boring! The protagonist was crying in the story, but what was I supposed to do about it? And I crammed math last minute..."
"Minhee, that's not something to brag about."
"It's true!"
"You beat Inha and Hansu!"
Hansu and Inha, who had been amazed, let out sighs. No, I felt the exact same way? Minhee, you... with that great brain of yours...
On top of that, she had a good head but seemed to lack sensitivity. She couldn't understand the narrator's feelings in novels at all. She didn't even like reading books much, so she slept through almost every class.
I tilted my head next.
"So how did you get perfect scores this time?"
"I still listened to all the classes this time. And I memorized the entire textbook!"
Good grief... Minhee, that great brain of yours... Sigh, really...
Anyway, Minhee seemed to have exceptional memory. Exceptional? From what I heard, it was practically eidetic memory level. According to her, it was all genetic. Her dad had the same ability?
'Wow. Even that can be inherited?'
I was truly speechless when I heard that.
It happened on the day the exam results came out. We sighed over Minhee's extraordinary brain that day, but in reality, I kept worrying as the rank exam day approached. The things I'd overheard by chance about Eunhee Sister's circumstances, her feelings... her wishes...
Even setting aside the love affairs, Eunhee Sister kept nagging at me. Part of it was because I knew all too well the longing and anxiety for dreams. Plus, she'd helped us during the festival, so maybe I should at least say something encouraging as thanks.
But I was, well, really bad at that kind of thing. That's why I was agonizing over what to do.
After days of worrying, I came up with one idea.
'Right, a fan letter!'
I've said it many times, but I'm terrible at conveying things verbally to others. But since I was a novelist in my previous life, my writing skills were decent. So, a classic method. It was a bit embarrassing, but... I'd go to the high school division, slip a fan letter into Eunhee Sister's locker or desk drawer!
Minhee said the high school division classrooms were all empty these days because of the rank exams. Perfect for delivering it without being seen. Of course, as a fan letter, I didn't have the courage to hand it over directly... much less.
I made that plan in my head and told Inha about it. She thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Sounds good. I'll do it too. She helped me out as well. I'm no good at letters, so maybe I'll give her chocolate or something?"
"That works too."
I agreed. As we were planning to secretly put these things in Eunhee Sister's desk drawer, Minhee suddenly popped up behind us.
"No way! If you leave it secretly, it'll get thrown out!"
"Wah!"
I'd been so focused on the conversation that I hadn't noticed my surroundings, so I jumped and turned to Minhee in shock. Now I saw not just Minhee, but Siha, Hansu, and Hyunho were there too. Clutching my pounding chest, I asked Minhee. I panicked for a second that we'd been caught, but figured it was okay.
"Thrown out?"
"Tsk tsk. Eunhee Sister gets tons of fan letters and gifts. But sometimes suspicious stuff comes too. With fans come rivals and stalkers, she says. So her brothers usually throw out the food—our brother, Seonghu Brother, and Juyeon Sister all filter it out. You can't just give food like that. You have to reveal your name."
Ugh. I groaned and crossed my arms at that.
"Putting it secretly with my name on it is even more embarrassing than handing it over directly..."
Inha gave me a puzzled look as I agonized. Yeah, you wouldn't get it. You wouldn't understand my timid heart.
"Is it?"
"Yeah. A lot."
Minhee looked at me like she couldn't understand either.
"Then just give it directly. You're cheering her on, right? Want me to pass it through my brother? I want to cheer her on too, actually. She's the one most hyped about this rank exam. So I'll give a gift too. Okay?"
"No, not okay."
I said firmly, my face twisting. Everyone looked stunned at my unexpected blunt refusal. Amid them, I alone felt pangs of guilt stabbing my chest, not knowing what to do.
The thing is, Eunhee Sister said she'd confess to Seonghu Brother if she reached B-rank. Minhee's brother—Je-hyeon Senior—had confessed to Eunhee Sister. So if I gave her a cheering gift, in a roundabout way, it was like cheering on her love too. And ask him to pass it to her? The senior who's crushing on her? That was too cruel...
I've experienced love myself. I knew exactly how brutal that was. After agonizing and agonizing, despite the guilt toward Je-hyeon Senior—no, because of it—I said this.
"I'll give it to her myself instead."
"Huh? You'll do it? But you said it'd be embarrassing..."
"No. I thought about it, and that seems better. It's including thanks too."
"Hmm, then since I'm preparing one too, let's go together."
"Thanks!"
I gave Inha an enthusiastic look. She smiled back at me. Then Minhee beamed brightly too.
"Then me too! I wanna do it! Cheer them on!"
Hyunho chimed in during that.
"Then us guys should cheer for Je-hyeon Brother and Inho Brother. If three girls cheer for a girl, the guys have to cheer for the guys."
I happily nodded at that. Going as a group would make it less embarrassing. Hansu nodded too, looking not opposed. Then Siha, watching us, said she'd come too. But if we did it this seriously... I hesitated and said.
"Then, shouldn't we tell the teachers or Seonghu Brother we're cheering them on too?"
"......"
"Parents too..."
"......"
After huddling and pondering, we decided this: Inha and I would give personal thank-you gifts to Eunhee Sister, and on top of that, hand out flowers or chocolate to everyone we wanted to cheer for together. We discussed the gifts as a group.
"Make paper flowers?"
"No. I suck at making flowers. I was gonna buy them."
"Huh? You can't do that, Eunha? Surprising~."
"Decorate chocolate with flowers?"
Especially me, Inha, and Minhee were enthusiastic. Hansu, listening, suddenly looked puzzled.
"But why chocolate and flowers?"
"Because Inha and I planned to give Eunhee Sister flowers as thanks. Chocolate's a common 'you got this' gift, so we added that. We were gonna write letters too, but... we'll say it in person, so no letters."
Ah, Hansu nodded like he got it. We huddled and kept brainstorming. What flowers? Types? Colors? How many? And most importantly, chocolate!
"Buy it?"
"Make it?"
"Add a courage potion? Like a bravery magic potion?"
"......"
We racked our brains hard. We couldn't expect too much from elementary kids. Plus, my arts and crafts skills were poor. Especially crafts! And we couldn't blow our allowances. I was the one who solved it in the end.
"Paper flower and fake flower materials! Just prep the materials!"
"Huh? How?"
"I'll learn how to make them, but if I do it by hand it'll be a mess... ugh... so I'll stitch them with text magic."
"You're the best!"
My text magic was 'settings' but ultimately 'word spirit' too. First, we prepped the base materials for paper flowers. Wire needed for flowers, paper tape, or glue or adhesive. Colored paper cut into petal shapes, or slits halfway for petals. We referenced the internet.
Then I used text magic. As soon as it activated, the prepped materials moved on their own, completing the flowers. Petals floated up and gathered, paper folded, glued, taped... The orderly flying materials stacked up as pretty paper flowers before us. We succeeded like that.
The chocolate we made entirely by hand from start to finish. I might suck at crafts, but cooking was decent for me. We borrowed the home ec room. Our school lets you borrow any space if you apply—magic labs, home ec, art rooms, etc. I taught my friends how to make chocolate, and they followed. Luckily, all ingredients were at school.
Chop the chocolate, add whipped cream... melt... mix... pour into molds... and done.
"Cute!"
"Heart shapes for guys..."
"Nope. Mix all shapes."
We packaged carefully as best we could. Tied bags with thin wire string, then ribbons on top. Ribbons alone were too advanced for us.
Funny enough, even though I knew tying best, Hansu and Inha tied the best. Hansu gave me a weird look.
"The one who seemed best at crafts..."
"Don't say it..."
I, well, I have decent dexterity! But it's all sloppy...
I can sew and embroider pretty well. Beads too... but tying strings? No good. Always crooked. Origami doesn't fold sharp, clay always cracks... Ah, that's why earth and I don't match. Totally useless thought.
'Whatever! It's all ready anyway!'
Yeah, three days before the rank exam, we finished everything. I held everything except parents' shares, even put them in my student ID subspace just in case. That night, I couldn't sleep thinking of the embarrassing future.
Next morning, I got up early as usual to prep for school. Before going, as planned, I gave Mom and Dad chocolate and flowers with cheers. They asked why the sudden thing since I don't usually, so I honestly said I was giving cheering gifts as thanks to the sister who helped us, and figured I'd do everyone I know while at it. They smiled, saying thanks.
Yeah, parents were easy honestly. But Siha and Hyunho's parents weren't taking rank exams this year, so Hansu was the only guy among us who gave his parents chocolate and flowers.
"Hansu’s mom was so shocked, asking 'What's wrong? You have a fever?' It was hilarious..."
"Shut up!"
Hansu flushed red as Hyunho snitched. Good result anyway. But Minhee looked down.
"My brother's leaving early these days. No good training spot at home... He was gone when I woke up."
We comforted her, saying this might be better. Better to give high school seniors all at once. Plus, we'd made too much chocolate yesterday, so the seniors' share became a basket. They'd share it appropriately. And we sprinkled tons of small paper flowers on top.
But Inha and my personal gifts for Eunhee Sister were bigger. It was thanks, after all. And the one I wanted to cheer most was her.
They always trained together around now, perfect. Makes sense—strong people training together is efficient. Lots of combat practice too.
Mage rank exams are basically dungeon crawls. First-timers start low level and go up gradually; returnees start at their level. Dungeon random, full of traps. Might fight mages, chimeras, mana beasts, novel monsters—lots of fighting.
Not all combat though. 'Dungeon' crams all environments. Sometimes help someone, sometimes get lost. They measure magic proficiency, mana size, etc., via data from conquering it to assign rank.
Still, lots of fights for sure. No wonder they trained together often.
We planned to give seniors after lunch, post-school. Before that, during break, we gave homeroom teacher chocolate and one flower. She was thrilled.
We looked for Junhwi Teacher and Min Teacher, but they weren't in today.
After school, while same-year kids went home or out, we went to give seniors cheers. Note: the chocolate basket was for Eunhee Sister to share with everyone. In our heads, she was already the seniors' rep and center.
"But if they're not in classrooms, how do we find them?"
Only two days left till rank exam. High school seniors must be training now... We all turned to Minhee. She was the only one who'd know likely spots. She was already calling. Soon, she looked troubled.
"Ugh... no answer!"
Trouble. Inha asked, pondering.
"Usual training spots? You don't know?"
"I do... but there's not just one or two. Hmm, most common one..."
While Minhee hesitated, I opened the map. Just in case.
I confirmed no one around, no surveillance cams, then drew on the map with pen. Sparkling lights... and names below. Lee Eunhee first, then likely training partners: Joo Je-hyeon, Han Seonghu, next... Yeon Yoyun?
First try failed. Expected—stronger than me. But I kept writing names. Twice, thrice, tenth time? Finally tracked. Map expanded, lights sparkled at one spot. Lee Eunhee, Joo Je-hyeon, Han Seonghu. I saw the sparkling names and brought Minhee over.
"Minhee, know this place?"
"Uh...? Map, hard to..."
I switched to satellite view. Clear scenery, Minhee gasped 'Ah!' and smiled.
"I know this. Where brothers train often!"
"Yeah? Lead the way then."
"Okay!"
Minhee beamed and went ahead. I followed tensely. Heart racing. Never done this before—embarrassing, but exciting. Wonder what reaction?
Plus, curious if anything changed between those three. I love others' love stories! Might not see much since training, but still curious.
We followed Minhee into high school division. First time since festival. Campus neat, different vibe from elementary—bigger, subdued colors... like university campus. Ah, right, high school here like college in my old world. Here, usually high school only, certs at academies. College only for teachers.
That's why compulsory education lower than 21c Earth. Magic matters more than equations or liberal arts. But need knowledge for magic, so everyone studies basics. Still lower level.
Minhee navigated high school grounds like pro. Soon arrived at map spot.
"Whole building's magic practice room. Virtual gear inside, glass walls to watch, upstairs nap rooms, mana measurers... what else?"
Minhee muttered, heading to door. I scanned building top to bottom hearing her.
Ah, magic training hall. Building full of spells. Reinforcement, barriers...
"What's up? Going in?"
"Ah, yeah, going."
Snapped out by Inha, clutching basket tight, followed inside. Then, sudden chill—I froze.
'This... mana?'
Intense mana, spine-tingling. I looked up, startled. Wall right there. Long corridor sideways. Door left. Intense mana from there.
Swallowed, followed Minhee to end door. Even sports day wasn't this. Couldn't feel from outside.
Auntie Seona always suppresses mana, so first time feeling this strong. But kids chattered casually, unfazed.
Opened end door, entered. I blinked.
First sight: ordinary room. Eyes widened. Desks, snacks on them, blankets, pillows, cushions piled.
But not ordinary room. Turned head—huge glass room beyond. Machines stacked before glass wall. VR system.
Virtual systems two types: project virtual to reality, or dream experience. Like my two illusions.
Reality-applied is VR, near materialization magic. Magic machines project scenery made real. Two fought beyond glass: Eunhee Sister and Inho Senior.
Side wall monitor showed them multi-angle.
'Wow, amazing...'
Lost in first intense mana, Minhee took off shoes, entered. People at desks watching glass startled at us.
"Huh, you guys...?"
"Oh? Minhee. Hey, Je-hyeon. Wake up. Your sister's here."
Others ate tangerines watching epic spar. Je-hyeon Senior half-asleep, woke at call.
"Hey, Je-hyeon, sister's here?"
"Mm... what? Minhee?"
I scanned people. Some unknown, some seen but unmet. All famous in school, faces familiar.
Sleepy Je-hyeon Senior jumped up, came over. Seonghu Brother, focused on spar, saw me puzzled, came. Yoyun Senior beside him startled seeing me.
"Ah, Minhee. What's up, Minhee?"
"Oh? Little miss too?"
"Eunha, you with Minhee suddenly...?"
Je-hyeon Senior, rubbing eyes sleepily, smiled softly. Wow, still siscon... Minhee grinned, waved at brother, asked.
"Um... sisters and brothers. Can we come in a bit?"
I shyly told Seonghu Brother too.
"Got some business..."
"Yeah, come in, come in."
Seniors welcomed us. We exchanged looks. Obviously, Eunhee Sister first. No giving others first to pass to her... no way. Not after coming this far.
"Business... what kind?"
Seonghu Brother met my eyes, asked softly. Heart pounding louder from nerves, I held his gaze.
"Actually... something to say to Eunhee Sister..."
I hid cloth-covered basket behind. Seonghu Brother watched warmly. Yoyun Senior smiled at us.
"Yeah? Wait a sec then? Spar ends soon."
Inha puzzled.
"You set times?"
"Yep. Or it'd go forever."
Inha nodded. Je-hyeon Senior, Seonghu Brother, Yoyun Senior—who knew us best—led us. I greeted shyly, sat near, peeked their info. 3rd to 1st years, top 10 high school ranks all here.
"Minhee, long time~."
"Yeah, Juyeon Sister, long time."
"Your friends all elementary 1st years? Wow~ so cute. That long hair one's like a doll."
"Definitely cute."
"Wow, lolicon."
"Ah, sis!"
"You say it it's lolicon. Think guy and girl saying same?"
"Giggle giggle."
"Yeah."
"Hey, you too!"
"You close with Seonghu Senior? He doesn't react like that easy. What's your name?"
"Yoo Eunha..."
"So cute. Eunhee, where'd she meet these kids?"
I blushed awkwardly. Seniors who'd watched now surrounded, pressuring. Not touching, but overwhelming. Seonghu Brother finally spoke.
"...Enough."
We waited like that for Eunhee Sister's spar end. Seniors eyed bundled basket curiously, but I covered with coat.
Seniors didn't push talk. Bit of chat, back to spar. I focused on spar over chatting. First time seeing Eunhee Sister's real magic. What was it, 'spirit magic'?
Like Inho Brother's summoning line. Summon familiars. This world only.
Eunhee Sister mainly water spirits. Inho Senior wind magic. Silver winds raged. Wind seemed advantaged, but she shredded with water techs. Spirits mostly girl forms, beautiful.
Inho Senior's sub probably lightning (Inha's eyes sparkled). Lightning-water bad matchup. Combo strong, but attacking each other... water conducts lightning, lightning can't pierce water barrier, weakened by flow obvious.
Winner: Eunhee Sister. Took control leisurely. CCC+ vs CC+ difference. C-rank up, gaps huge despite similar numbers.
Spar end, virtual space filled glass room vanished, empty revealed. Two coming out saw us, shocked.
"Oh? Minhee and friends?"
"Eunha and Inha too! What's up?"
Then I pulled basket from under coat. Quick look with friends, took out Eunhee Sister's chocolate and flower, gave basket to Minhee. Shyly, with Inha, approached her, offered chocolate and flower. Fist-sized paper flower, handmade packaged chocolate. She looked stunned. I smiled brightest.
"Thanks for helping us before, as thanks... good luck on rank exam! Hope you become school's guard."
"And this and that, thanks."
Inha bowed too. Ah...! Stunned face filled with joy.
"Thanks! You cute things!!"
Eunhee Sister hugged us tight happily. Unfamiliar but not bad. Then Minhee offered basket of chocolate and small paper flowers to her and nearby seniors.
"This too! But giving just Eunhee Sister would disappoint others, so this for brothers and seniors! Share with close friends!"
"Kids... did all this..."
Other seniors, surprised or touched, beamed. Je-hyeon Senior snatched basket from Minhee, peeked, held up paper flower.
"But this bought?"
"No, made it?"
"No wonder, kinda sloppy."
Ah. I glanced down at Je-hyeon Senior's words. Even with magic, my craft sloppy... Magic made it pretty at least. Hyunho and Hansu saw me, giggled.
"Thanks, our cuties. We'll eat well."
We left after seniors' thanks. Next day, succeeded giving Junhwi Teacher flowers and chocolate too. Min Teacher teased jealously.
All safely cheered everyone. We laughed happily somehow. Felt rewarding.
"Super fun, right?"
"Yeah."
I nodded, smiled at Minhee. All gleeful.
"Then let's do it again sometime! Fun."
We gawked at Hyunho waving exaggeratedly. Hansu grumbled at him.
"Never again. Embarrassing."
We burst laughing, totally.
Soon December 1, big rank exam day. Shops closed, all institutions paralyzed except info comms. Mom, Auntie Seona, Uncle Jeongmin out for exams, so Inha and I stuck to TV with Dad all day. Local broadcasts, hoping Auntie Seona's face. Mom's too if possible.
Checked internet news often. Famous names popped. Quiet yet bustling day. Auntie Seona appeared at exam site afternoon, drew attention.
Some time passed. Didn't see seniors awhile after. Just recalled Eunhee Sister, Je-hyeon Senior, Seonghu Brother sometimes. No idea how their trio ended. But official results not out, post-exam buzz said Eunhee Sister provisional B-rank mage.
Quiet winter break approaching one day, got call from Je-hyeon Senior.
========== Afterword ==========
Thanks to Elsukai for the sponsored coupon!!
Thanks for comments: why1013, Shyex, Cyan Dust, Yamiyo, osy0, Elsukai, Seluniel, EOEW, Baekwolheukrang, AppleIsGreen, bulebird!!!
+About girl-eating incident. Yes, will fix in print edition. Will fix this and that~.