Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Seniors' Love Affairs
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At first, I had no idea whose number it was. The call came on my phone, and only the number showed up—no name in my contacts. I usually ignored calls from unknown numbers, so I let it ring and hung up.
But right after, a call came in under Minhee's name. I picked it up.
"Hello?"
[Hey, Eunha?]
A man's voice, unfamiliar coming from Minhee's contact, made me tense up at first. But then it clicked—I recognized it.
"Uh… Je-hyeon Senior?"
[Yeah. I've got something I want to show you all. Can you come to the high school gym tomorrow morning?]
"The high school gym?"
[If you're not sure, we can meet at the school gate.]
"No, that's fine… What time tomorrow?"
[9:30 a.m.]
It was Friday evening, and tomorrow was a holiday—Saturday. I nodded simply.
"Sure, that's okay."
[Good. Bring that Kang Inha girl if you can.]
"Got it."
The call ended. I stared blankly at the phone screen for a moment. Je-hyeon Senior calling me? It hadn't even crossed my mind.
Still a bit flustered, I quickly tapped out a video call to Inha. She heard everything and looked puzzled.
[But why does he suddenly want to meet us?]
"Who knows? Maybe ask Minhee? Though we'll find out tomorrow anyway…."
[True enough.]
"Yeah."
Then I glanced at the time. Already 9 p.m. Oops. After a quick chat with Inha, I waved with a smile.
"It's already 9. Night, Inha. See you tomorrow."
[Okay, see you.]
I didn't always sleep at 9, but Mom and Auntie at Inha's usually told us to hit the hay around then. Inha waved back with a grin. I hung up, read until around 11, and crashed.
The next morning, we headed to the meeting spot together. Unlike Inha, who just threw on a light coat, I bundled up against the midwinter chill: insulated coat with warming spells, scarf, leather gloves, long pants, sweater over a shirt over a tank top.
I really hated the cold. If only I could grow up faster and cast barriers casually. Come to think of it, since learning to circulate mana externally in meditation, I did feel the cold less. Or did I? I made a doubtful face.
Using the teleport badge, we arrived at school and took the shortcut to the high school section. With student ID GPS, no worries about getting lost in the gym… I froze mid-map glance.
"Hey, Inha."
"Yeah?"
"There are multiple gyms. High school has three. Which one?"
"Dunno…."
1? 2? 3? Guessing wouldn't help. Hesitating, I wrote Joo Je-hyeon's name above it. The spell broke. Yeah, finding someone stronger than me with magic is tough… Last time was pure luck.
I tried Minhee's name next. If Je-hyeon Senior called us, he'd probably called Minhee, Hyunho, Hansu, and Siha too. Spot on.
Minhee's name glowed by the first gym. Low chance Je-hyeon Senior and Minhee came together and split up. We headed to Gym 1.
Following the map light, we arrived at Gym 1 to see the expected faces: Minhee and Je-hyeon Senior… plus Hansu, Hyunho, and Siha. I figured those three got called too. We approached, and Minhee spotted us, waving brightly.
"Ah! Eunha! Inha!!"
"You're here."
"Hello."
I waved back at my friends, then stood before Je-hyeon Senior and bowed slightly. Inha followed my lead with a quiet nod.
"Hey, hi."
I turned to the others.
"But what's this sudden thing about…."
"Eunha, look!"
Minhee cut me off, pointing at the gym and yelling. My eyes followed. One door was open, revealing kids who looked clearly older than us gathered inside. What was going on? I looked puzzled.
"It's an annual inter-school exchange event. They pick some elementary kids from top magic academies in Korea for sparring matches to gauge each other's strength. Middle and high school skip it—too messy. If they do it, not like this. Oh, you can opt out, but schools push their strong ones, so…."
Je-hyeon Senior scanned us as he spoke, a weird glint in his eyes that gave me chills.
"Hard to say no. So you all will probably end up doing it. Let's head in."
He led the way. Probably end up doing it? Represent the school in spars…? Ugh, I grimaced. Absolutely hated it.
I really hated fighting. Even in spars, using attack magic— what if someone got hurt? Scratched? Bleed…? I'd hesitate and probably get hit instead. I hated getting hurt, but hurting others? Even worse. Good thing I had barriers.
We grabbed the railing at the mostly empty stands and peered down. Below, elementary kids were already sparring with magic. Watching them hurl spells was impressive; we gawked in awe. As total newbies just starting magic, spars were beyond us. Je-hyeon Senior gave more details on the friendly event.
"Usually sixth graders. Schools today: ours Daehyeon, plus Yuran, Sangju, Segang, Bonghwang, Suseo… that sorta lineup. Barriers are up, obviously. If it gets dicey, us or the other schools' chaperones step in. Tch, annoying. Figured you'd learn something, so I called you. Oh, keep it quiet—it's hush-hush."
"Yes."
"Got it."
I caught Je-hyeon Senior subtly petting Hansu's head like he was cute; Hansu predictably recoiled.
Wow. I swallowed admiration, watching the kids cast magic. Adults fighting with magic was normal here, but seeing kids just five years older do it felt different, moving.
"Elementary magic's all meh. Rare prodigies, sure… but mostly basic stuff. Plus, at that age, their vessels are small—mana looks big, but it's not. No real gap. Real growth hits post-puberty in middle school."
Yeah. I glanced at my hand. My mana was strong for elementary, but it'd be nothing later. Fast start, sure, but middle school surges were insane.
My eyes dimmed briefly. Yeah, my talent was just an early start—no need for pressure beyond elementary.
Gripping the railing, I focused on the fights. They wore uniforms—ours doubled as combat gear, so probably theirs too.
Kids used unique magic, attributes, spells, even true magic. Unrefined mana stood out vividly. Colors sharp and large, but not overwhelmingly strong. Honestly… not that much better than us.
Five-year gap, but still kid mana? Or maybe I'd seen so much adult mana and magic—Auntie Seona, even Mom's C-rank.
That made it more 'helpful.' Slightly above us, easy to compare.
Watching, I recalled basic magic combat stances from leveled classes. We were learning martial arts basics for it—self-defense so far, but more seriously next year.
Others joined too, a bit late but whatever. Yujeong Sister and Inho Brother just learned new meditation before jumping classes….
Anyway, friends started fitness training and body-tempering meditation. They struggled with the new one—harder than expected, opposite prior methods.
Mana-sensing meditation circulated internally, like breathing through veins. Body training? Externally, over skin and muscles—not releasing, but circling slowly.
Total opposites. No wonder tough. Turns out I cleared it first—odd one out.
Minhee picked it up fastest after me. Her control was next best, then Inha and Hansu tied, Hyunho last.
Magic combat arts usually start middle school. Our school from 4th/5th grade—we were way ahead. Teachers called it unprecedented.
Eyes wide open, I observed attacks, especially attribute and spell magic I'd likely use.
My unique magic was no good for offense. Character magic could attack but handwriting was slow. So attributes or standards? Illusions disrupted minds at best without materializing—barely affecting brains now. Barriers/space for defense only, far from combat use. Risky too—offense barriers could slice bodies; bad illusions could kill.
Maybe by sixth grade, barriers with lightning/hail inside….
Deep in thought, I focused hard below. Then something tugged my nerves. I looked up. Je-hyeon Senior was tapping my shoulder.
I stiffened in surprise.
He met my eyes, knowing I'd noticed.
"Super focused, huh? Fun?"
I nodded stiffly, tense under his gaze, then relaxed. Just not used to him.
"Yeah? What's the best part?"
"Uh, well, like over there…."
I answered honestly, hesitating. He was smarter than expected, answering my questions quick. Deep magic knowledge—his B-rank at young age wasn't just talent; effort too.
Chatting taught me tons, explained simply. Could cast a few new spells from his tips. I bowed lightly.
"Th-thanks for explaining, Je-hyeon Senior. Learned a lot."
Few of us focused on combat magic. Some played, watched; Inha watched seriously but got bored, wandering stands with kids. Age for fun over study.
Je-hyeon Senior smiled faintly at me. Surprised, as he gently ruffled my hair. So unexpected, I stared stiffly.
"Talk so formal, kid. Call me oppa. You call Seonghu Senior 'oppa,' right?"
"Y-yes…? Je-hyeon oppa…."
"Good girl."
Didn't he dislike girls more than boys…? Unfamiliar kindness stiffened me, but I nodded awkwardly, blushing shyly. Senior or oppa—similar to me, but oppa felt friendlier.
Treating me like a little kid felt off.
Kids returned soon. We snacked, watched spars. Sometimes Je-hyeon—er, oppa—intervened, telling them to ease up. I glanced around. Crowd tiny besides us and rival kids—definitely secret.
We ate at high school cafeteria, back to gym. Holiday dorm-dwellers got meals. Oppa said high school paid; elementary free anywhere. Student IDs scored us free lunch.
Post-lunch, Inha and I returned first. Surprise face there.
"Huh, Eunhee Sister?"
"Huh? Oh! Eunha and Inha?"
Casual clothes—not usual uniform—Eunhee Sister beamed. We approached.
"What's up, Eunhee Sister?"
"Just bored, out for a change. You two? This match is kinda secret."
"Uh, well…."
I hesitated to answer. Wait, what happened with her and Seonghu oppa? I shut my mouth. Oblivious Inha casually dropped:
"Je-hyeon oppa invited us."
Inha naturally called him oppa. Normal for our age? Me defaulting to senior weird? Yeah, elementary….
Eunhee Sister's face froze briefly, then nodded casually.
"Oh? Gotcha…."
I thought, ah, she still cares….
I opened my mouth, then said what I'd wanted to eventually.
"Oh, heard you hit B-rank? Congrats."
"Congrats."
Inha chimed in like she'd just remembered. Eunhee Sister smiled brightly.
"Yeah, unofficial still, but thanks."
"Now your dream's within reach."
"Yeah."
She beamed genuinely, eyes crinkling.
"Thanks."
Her face hardened as she looked up. Footsteps behind—I sensed it, turned. Sure enough, friends and Je-hyeon oppa there.
"…Hi."
"Hello, Senior."
Eunhee Sister hesitated; oppa's face normal. He smiled at her—genuinely kind.
…Ah. My breath caught; heart dropped. I stared blankly at him.
We'd met often-ish, but seniors distant; rarely saw Eunhee Sister and him together. Group meets rare too. Chocolate handoff once, but training then. Yeah.
Je-hyeon oppa meets countable: sports day, festival, last training, today….
Under five. He was with Minhee, Cheonho Senior… or Seonghu oppa.
Rare objective view of tangled trio. None, actually.
If I'd seen his look at her sooner, I'd have noticed his feelings quick. Before stories.
That gaze familiar—too familiar. Pre-reincarnation, my love's eyes on me: tender, like world's treasure. Now Je-hyeon oppa's on Eunhee Sister.
…Late discovery blessing or curse? Felt sorry for him.
"What brings you here?"
"Air out, mood boost. Kid matches perfect for casual watch."
"Hm, sure."
"You? Wait… Student Council President on monitor duty again?"
"Bingo."
"Ugh, really. What do they take prez for? Student, no matter how skilled. Tch…."
Oppa chuckled at her grumbling. She stared, blinked, then smiled at us.
"Oh, lunch yet?"
"Yeah! Cafeteria was great. You?"
"Ate. Fun watching?"
"Yes. Worth it."
"Bit boring~."
Others mildly agreed with Hyunho.
"Seeing it through, right?"
"Yeah."
"Eunha's hooked anyway."
"Ehehe."
Eunhee Sister gazed warmly, asked:
"Yeah? Want unnie to grab drinks? What kind?"
"Woo!"
"Yay!"
Kids excitedly listed: Minhee cola, Hyunho cider, Inha Pocari, Hansu any grape flavor. Me: barley or corn silk tea.
"Cool. Alright, Je-hyeon, let's go."
Oppa blinked wide at her.
"Huh? Why?"
"Duh, can't carry all. No bag."
"Sheesh, saving magic to boil death tea?"
He snarked but grinned pleased, naturally walking beside her.
"Oppa! Have fun!"
"Yep."
I watched, then turned back to gym somberly. That wasn't for our drinks—excuse to talk alone. About their love stuff.
'B-rank then confess? Already? Or official promotion first?'
Amid excited kids, I sat quiet.
Lips pressed, I looked down.
Lee Eunhee swiped her card at the vending machine, silently selecting: cider, cola, Pocari, grape… corn silk.
Clunk each button. Pausing, she asked Joo Je-hyeon:
"What you want?"
"…Coffee then."
Beep, clunk.
With his voice, button pressed. She pocketed card amid clunks.
"……."
Silence. Je-hyeon bent, grabbed all drinks. Eunhee reached.
"Why."
"Why? Help carry."
"No biggie…."
"Do it. Together."
They split load, walked quietly. As Je-hyeon started to speak ahead of her:
"I like someone."
Je-hyeon thought, 'Ah, here it comes.' Long sensed. Still, choked.
"You knew?"
"…Yes."
"Knew and wouldn't quit?"
"Yes……."
Eunhee frowned slightly at him, suppressing emotions calmly.
"I owe you so much. Sorry too."
"……."
"First confession, thought you joked."
She blinked, recalling middle 3rd year festival last night. Bickering kouhai confessing seriously—her laughing it off, his darkened eyes. Her turmoil then.
No one she liked then. Panicked rejection.
Second…? Knew too serious, considered accepting. He looked cool saying it—not bad.
But rejected. Too serious—one-sided hurts obvious. Bickering aside, he was precious kouhai, dongsaeng.
Soon after, she liked someone.
"Now I know. You're sincere. Really. But… I like someone now."
Je-hyeon gasped raggedly.
"You…."
"So give up. Sorry."
Eunhee cut coldly, cruelly. But Je-hyeon saw her eyes, fingers tremble. That's her.
"Sure, don't know if he likes me. Maybe just friend, or likes another. Hard to read… agonized lots. And he's amazing."
'I know.'
Je-hyeon clenched fist. Knows who her eyes seek. What kind.
'Know…'
Knows he treasures her. His eyes on her—others noticed too.
"And… I got other dreams. So… decided to confess at B-rank. Get your feelings now. So……so……."
Eunhee turned, smiled bitterly.
"Won't give up either. Sorry."
She walked ahead, not looking back. Je-hyeon stood, head down.
Lips moved.
'Ah, really over.'
Would've quit if could—long ago. Saw their gazes, knew end set. But heart won't obey; dragged here.
"Won't… give up."
Head knows, heart lingers. Long time yet. Maybe forever….
"……."
Dark eyes teared tiny. He slowly followed her path.
Eunhee Sister handed drinks, left. I sensed something happened. They acted normal, but I expected; caught subtle air. No eye contact end—her no glance back, him staring her back till gone.
I said nothing to him. Chatted kids, watched matches blankly. He smiled normal around Minhee—relief.
We watched all, went home.
Two months flew. Winter break, pre-spring: official rank results. Heard Mom, Auntie Seona, Uncle Jeongmin, Junhwi Teacher no promote (stats up tho). Seniors mostly up one—Eunhee Sister official B, Cheonho oppa CC+ to CCC two steps, others one/two.
Je-hyeon Senior especially… B+ to BB, two steps.
"No way! Post-B promotions that hard?!"
Eunhee Sister vented to me, shocked. I just laughed.
Later, in school guard uniform, proud-faced Eunhee Sister said she was dating. Partner: Seonghu oppa, naturally.