Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Everyday Life and Changes
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Today, after class ended, I quickly packed my things into my bag. So, where was I supposed to go today?
‘After stopping by the café, head to check on the sword… and the pool’s for the weekend….’
I sighed as I remembered the pool plans for the weekend. I ended up going after all. Hyunho could be so stubborn sometimes. Honestly, I wasn’t a big fan of pools. They usually meant wearing a swimsuit. But they had fun slides, so that’s why I was going.
On top of that, I didn’t even own a swimsuit. Sadly, this pool required one, so I decided to buy one this time. Auntie Seona got super excited about it. Why was she so thrilled?
‘Swimsuits are just… the worst.’
Then I grinned. Whatever. They said I could bring a floatie too, and that should be enough.
Plus, today was the day we were grabbing something tasty. I slung my bag over my shoulder in a good mood.
That’s when someone stepped in front of me and spoke up.
“Hey, you.”
I looked up to see several girls from class standing there. The one talking to me was at the front, hands on her hips, wearing a sassy expression. She was the girl who succeeded with the most spells in magic practice and was basically treated like the leader among the girls in our class.
I tilted my head in confusion. Why was she suddenly talking to me? We’d never exchanged a word before. And with all her friends too… What was this about? As I wondered internally, she continued.
“You know Joo Je-hyeon sunbae, right?”
Uh…?
It was a totally unexpected question. I blurted out a reflexive answer in surprise.
“Uh, yeah.”
It was a flustered, off-the-cuff response. Even I felt weird after saying it.
The girls in front of me widened their eyes in shock at my reply. Then they surrounded me with sparkling eyes, shoving their faces way too close, and shouted.
“How?! How do you know him?!”
“Introduce me once!!”
“Me too!!”
“Hey! Why are you the one who knows Joo Je-hyeon sunbae?!”
I made a troubled face. But I pressed my lips together. I knew the basics for situations like this. Not just from experience, but like a rule from comics or novels. Famous people don’t like it when you ask to meet their connections. Especially if it’s someone you’re not even close to asking for an intro—it’d be such a hassle. It’d just annoy Je-hyeon oppa.
“He’s a friend of a friend. We’ve just run into each other.”
I pulled off a very troubled expression. Their faces shifted to that ‘yeah, figures’ look.
“No wonder… Hey, then introduce me to that Je-hyeon oppa’s little sister.”
Now I looked genuinely troubled. What was this? A friend-relationship nuke button?
I furrowed my brow slightly. Of course, I had no intention of ruining things with Minhee. But….
I glanced at the girls with their shining eyes. These were the ones who always gossiped behind my back about how I couldn’t use magic. They didn’t like me normally.
So if I didn’t introduce Minhee, my standing with the class would hit rock bottom, right? Kids especially didn’t get it. Middle and high schoolers were bad enough, and adults too—what about elementary kids….
But seeing how Minhee being Je-hyeon oppa’s sister hadn’t spread widely, she must’ve only told close friends. After some thought, I answered. Honestly, I didn’t care how things ended up with these girls.
“No can do.”
“W-what?”
They looked shocked at first, then their faces twisted into glares.
“What?! Hey!! You’re gonna hog him all to yourself?!!”
“You’re so annoying!!”
“That’s not fair!”
I flinched for a second at their intensity. Even I, used to cold stares, found it tough to just take verbal abuse head-on. Yeah, girls gonna girl, huh. I pushed down my unease and replied.
“Sorry, but she’s my friend, and she’d hate this kind of thing. You wouldn’t want to be friends with someone who approached you with an agenda, right?”
I meant it sincerely, but these kids were too young to get it and just got annoyed.
“What? What’s that supposed to mean??”
“Whatever, just tell us!! Someone who can’t even use magic…!”
“—What’s this now?”
Oh, perfect timing—a great interrupter showed up. I smiled brightly at Hansu, who’d just come in through the back door. The girls pressuring me jumped and turned toward him. Behind him stood Minhee, Hyunho, Inha, and Siha. My friends stared at me and the standoff in confusion. I realized then that quite a while had passed since class ended, yet a bunch of kids were still around. They must’ve been eavesdropping and got hooked.
The tense vibe made my friends stride into the classroom and stand by my side.
“What’s going on here?”
Minhee was the first to try smoothing things over. Inha scanned the girls with a cold gaze. That icy stare made them flush and flinch. Normally they’d be red from anger, but against Inha’s looks, they couldn’t help but shrink.
Then the sassy girl who’d first questioned me called Minhee’s name all friendly, and I was honestly a bit surprised.
“Oh, Minhee. It’s… well, she knows Je-hyeon sunbae, right?”
“How’d you know?”
Minhee’s eyes went wide in surprise. Wow…. I admired silently. That girl wasn’t even in our class last year. Yet she called her name so naturally…. Minhee must’ve already befriended kids from other classes. Classic Minhee.
That’s when I figured out how they knew Je-hyeon oppa and I were connected.
“There was a photo of Je-hyeon sunbae on the school homepage… and Eunha was in it next to him? So I asked her, and she said it was a friend who’s Je-hyeon sunbae’s sister. I asked who, since I admire him too and wanted to meet her…. But she won’t say! So rude…!”
“That’s me.”
Before the girl could finish, Minhee pointed at herself with an innocent smile. I didn’t know what to do watching her casual response. The girl looked stunned.
“Huh?”
“That’s me. Don’t be mad at Eunha for not telling you. My oppa really hates little girls fawning over him.”
“Eh? Really?”
The girl looked flustered, her tone turning cautious as her bravado faded. Wow… impressive. I admired Minhee.
The girl looked disappointed without any resentment. I swallowed a sigh inwardly. I wished I could defuse things like that without snapping.
“Still, I kinda wanna meet him….”
“Ugh, he really hates that. Better if you bump into him by chance? He’s wary of anyone I introduce. He dotes on me too much….”
“Wow, really? I’m jealous!”
The kids gazed at Minhee with sparkling envy. The classroom atmosphere turned warm and friendly. I couldn’t help but be impressed. People really have their own auras. Even Hansu looked shocked.
“Well, oppa is cool, right? But I’ll upload a solo pic of him on the homepage soon. Gotta get permission first, though. Oppa’s got a temper! Grrr!”
Minhee flexed her hands like claws, mimicking a beast. The kids giggled.
“Eek! Scary Minhee!”
“What’s that?”
“Yeah, Je-hyeon sunbae does look kinda intimidating?”
“Yeah, yeah. But cool!”
“Cool and cold!!”
The girls squealed around Minhee for a while, then scattered like nothing happened. I stared blankly. Nothing but admiration. I realized how clueless I was with people.
Minhee waved energetically at the girls leaving through the back door, then turned to us.
“Shall we go?”
“……Huh? Yeah….”
I snapped out of it and followed her. My friends, still a bit shocked, scurried after.
Soon, Hyunho gave Minhee a thumbs-up.
“Minhee, you’re amazing.”
“Hehe, right? I know.”
Minhee smirked confidently, flicking one of her black pigtails. Hansu gave her a pitiful look.
“Show-off.”
Siha smiled shyly instead of laughing Minhee off.
“Minhee’s always been good at making friends fast. And patching things up. Really impressive.”
She looked proud too. I frowned slightly at that. Something felt off about it. I couldn’t pinpoint why, but….
After walking a bit, I stopped. My expression darkened as I spoke.
“Minhee, sorry….”
“Huh? For what?”
Minhee looked genuinely puzzled. The others did too. Recalling the earlier scene, I bowed my head gloomily.
“Doesn’t it bother you? Hearing stuff like ‘I got to know you through someone’….”
“Uh, yeah…? Kinda. But….”
Minhee turned to me, then beamed happily.
“I’ve never heard that before…! Wow, Eunha, you’re amazing! How’d you know what I was feeling?!”
She grabbed my hands with both of hers and shook them, grinning in awe. I mumbled awkwardly, not sure how to explain.
“But it feels like using the friendship, y’know? When they ask for an intro, it makes you wonder if that’s why they’re friends with you. Like they’re using you. Je-hyeon oppa wouldn’t like getting introduced that way either. If it was a chance meeting, maybe, but asking for it… Famous people get burned a lot, so they suspect motives, right? You’re his sister, so okay, but someone introduced through you… Uh, um, what’s the word. Burdensome? Or….”
I couldn’t finish properly. But that’s how I felt. It’s common in novels—people tired of users and betrayers who only approach for gain, so they stop trusting easily. Je-hyeon oppa probably wasn’t that extreme, but still. It just felt wrong. Yeah, that was the best word. Minhee smiled brighter as I went on.
“Exactly! That’s it! That’s why it feels off, right?”
Had she dealt with it a lot? Minhee looked overly delighted.
“Oppa’s been popular since elementary. I was little then, so I don’t remember well, but even outside school in middle school. Say ‘I’m his sister,’ and seniors swarm…. I hated it. They’d ask to meet him; if I refused, they got mad; if I did, oppa looked disgusted. That’s when I knew I couldn’t do that. I didn’t know why, but it bugged me. Now I get it.”
“…….”
“Thanks to you, Eunha. Yeah, that’s it. They’re using me. Too many people approach for that, so I get suspicious and hate it. It’s all fake, right?”
Seeing Minhee smile so brightly gave me a strange feeling. Pitiful that she’d already figured this out so young. But more than that, it hit me how childish she was.
My friends, blessed with mage talent and mature mindsets. But moments like this remind me they’re kids.
They feel emotions so adult-like, yet don’t know what to do with them.
It always makes me want to protect them, even if it’s presumptuous. They’re way stronger than me. I’m the weakest here.
I smiled.
“Of course. Hating fakes is natural.”
I took Minhee’s hand in return. She grinned childishly.
Our friends, who’d listened without understanding, tilted their heads in confusion.
“Uh, so you hate that kinda thing?”
“Oh yeah, Mom told me not to talk about her to anyone but close friends.”
Then there were the ones where it could get worse: Inha and Hansu. Hansu’s mom was A-rank, Inha’s S-rank with a B-rank dad. Inha, expressionless till now, sighed softly.
“I’m used to it. And my only close friends are you guys.”
“Right, you two get it worse, huh? Annoying….”
Minhee looked uneasy. But they both shook their heads.
“Rarely normally. Only sometimes at parties we can’t skip. But Mom and Dad handle it, and we avoid strangers.”
Yeah, Inha wasn’t that recognizable despite occasional parties. Hansu mumbled ambiguously.
“Hm? Me… not sure? I’ve never gone to Mom’s work stuff. She says to be wary of adults outside. Don’t know any….”
Parents blocking it upfront. But it’d increase later…. I’d protect them then. I hated attention, but as a popular novelist in my past life, I knew how to deflect it.
I thought that, then smiled. First time since my past life with a sibling that I wanted to protect someone. My cute siblings… won’t see them again. Not just that guy—my loving family. Mom, Dad, siblings. All gone. Died at 30 from terminal illness. Left everything.
If asked if I saw them as siblings? No. Just wanted to protect.
I liked my friends too much. And I was the most adult here.
This incident revealed one thing about me: I was clumsier with people than thought. Watching friends discuss it like they’d just realized, I was baffled. When I asked if they thought otherwise, they said I seemed so mature, I’d handle anything well. Except art….
Hey, I’m not that bad at art?! I’m average at everything! …Except clay or paper mache.
Pushing aside the frustration, I reflected on how I’d acted to seem capable.
“Seriously, what made you think I was good at everything?”
“Hm… but you seem so adult, Eunha… Good at studies, best magic among us, just… everything?”
Hearing Hyunho, I held back a sigh. Studies, magic—just that? So many talents out there; judging on two (minus art) that I’m good at all….
‘Jeez.’
Anyway, they shed an illusion about me and saw the real, timid-but-mature me. Lucky to have such great friends despite that.
After, the girls stopped asking me about Je-hyeon oppa. Good, but awkward. They said stuff like ‘figures it’d be her.’ Magic ranking schools suck like this. Middle school wasn’t bad, but elementary kids had this ‘frog in a well’ vibe.
Middle schoolers realize stronger peers exist outside. Elementary haven’t yet.
Whatever, as long as they didn’t demand from me directly. Not my real skill anyway. Used to sneers.
I focused in class as usual. While others practiced magic, I just flipped through the textbook. Teacher approached.
“Eunha, don’t just read—try a spell. Practice matters more than theory.”
I looked slightly annoyed. But… I hesitated. Kids snickered at teacher’s words. Uncomfortable. But model student me couldn’t refuse.
I nodded softly, said “Yes,” and eyed mana color for basic spell. Moved mana clumsily while focusing sense on teacher. To read emotions via mana fluctuations. Limited, but….
As long as no surprise fluctuation. Yeah, botch the spell badly this time.
I circulated mana super clumsily in my hand. For sloppy spell. Tough.
“She’ll fail anyway….”
Ignored the snickers, mangled mana. Matched others’ speed to finish. Soon, a faint ‘light’ flickered—barely complete by my standards.
“Huh. It worked.”
“Her first success?”
“She’s not totally hopeless. Still last place.”
Teacher praised me. I hid joy behind blank face.
World, I’d finally ‘botched a spell like the others’ successfully. Agony I couldn’t share. Knew they’d call me obnoxious. But I hated standing out magically. Especially if talent faded to average later.
Thrilled as my struggles.
Next was PE. I changed confidently in class, good mood. Several like me, fewer girls. Wore PE pants under skirt, removed skirt. Already had short-sleeve tee under, added PE top. Now bored expression.
PE—one of my least favorites. Not hate, not love. Higher grades do magic combat/martial arts; now just dodgeball, basketball, soccer—fun for fans only. Pre-game 10-min fitness most practical.
Anyway, hated team sports—boring, hassle. Jogging helped speed….
Heading to field in PE clothes, bumped into Eunhee unnie.
“Ah.”
“Uh.”
[What’s up?]
“No, nothing.”
Saw her on radio, knew she was working, smiled and nodded to pass. But before I could, she finished and called.
“Yes, yes, then. Oh, wait, Eunha.”
I stopped and turned. She smiled brightly.
“Hi, Eunha. Been a while, huh?”
Nodded.
“Yeah. Hi, unnie. You look busy.”
“Haha. Guard duty’s tougher than expected. Our school’s chill—no terrorism, so slacking’s possible.”
“Slacking….”
Joking, probably. I laughed along.
“How’re the others? Haven’t seen Minhee or Inha lately….”
“All good. Minhee’s popular with her charm, Inha ignores all but wins fans with looks….”
“Classic them. Born charisma? They’ll lead someday.”
Awkward smile. Praise felt off for kids, yet realistic. Hope not, but they’d swing power freely—hiding now to avoid control.
Me…? Hate orgs, combat, leading. Freelance. Novel-writing like past life fine, but done that—try new. Love crafting. Origami average, pottery weird, but making stuff satisfying. Novels too.
Not deciding now.
“Dunno. We’re kids, still figuring.”
“True… Weird hearing ‘we’re kids’ from one.”
Expression iffy maybe. Kids are kids.
“Gotta go to PE. Fighting, unnie.”
“Thanks.”
Waved goodbye. Headed to field.
Then a voice stopped leisurely me.
“Hey.”
Her—the class ‘leader’ who always eyed me snidely. Staring with trembling, shocked eyes.
“You… close with Lee Eunhee sunbae? The former student council pres, right?”
Her gaze followed Eunhee unnie’s distant back. Oh no. Same as Je-hyeon case?
Kept blank face, thought so. Hesitated, confirmed.
“Yeah, that’s her….”
“Close? How?”
She’s obsessed with strong sunbaes. Same as Je-hyeon. Groaned inwardly.
“Met by chance last year.”
“Introduce me to her…?”
Yup. Held back sigh, pondered. Eunhee unnie better than Je-hyeon maybe…. Imagined introducing. Question popped up.
“How?”
“W-what?”
“No, like… why, even if asked… how would it go…?”
“Just as friends….”
“Hm, she’s a guard here now. Haven’t seen her busy lately. Imagine calling her suddenly to introduce you… She’d hate it….”
Politest rejection. Easier to intro and end nagging. But introducing people? My worst skill. Timid me doing it? For someone I like? Risking dislike?
Impossible. Stressful. Wouldn’t do what’d upset close ones. My code.
Girl frowned deeply. Total non-comprehension. Yeah, expecting from kid? Used timidity.
“And I… suck at introducing… I’m bad at that….”
Awkward face. Acting after ages… first time?
“I’m bad at talking to people….”
Her eyes widened.
“You ignored me?!”
“What?”
Stared; she clammed up. Thought quiet me = rude. Annoying, yeah. But not intentional ignore. Easier alone since bad at talking. Did reply minimally. Talking took effort.
“Uh… but you chatted smiling with her?”
“Kinda know her…. Just greetings, no biggie? But suddenly calling to introduce….”
“Ugh, forget it. No then.”
She spun angrily, stormed to field. Bell rang. Hurried after. She muttered.
“You’re annoying.”
Bam, marked.
Fine though. Overt dislike hurt a bit, but alone fine, have friends. They’re not weak—Hansu’d counter-bully.
Kids only know tantrums. Okay.
Class-wide bullying rare; partial fades after year. Ran to field.