Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: 15. School's Star
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"So, you're not having a birthday party this year either?"
At those words, I froze mid-page-turn, propped my book up on the desk, and blankly nodded.
"Yeah. I don't really care."
"Uh... okay then."
Hansu made the face I'd expected and rummaged through his student ID before placing something on my hand. It was a small box.
"Here, a gift. For your birthday."
"Oh..."
I stared at the little box for a moment before breaking into a delighted grin at Hansu. I might not care, but getting one still made me happy. Really happy.
"Thanks."
Inha looked flustered at that and quickly pulled something out from her student ID. Her birthday gift for me, of course. She'd never not prepare one.
"You're such a sneak..."
"Nuh-uh. First come, first served, right?"
Inha and Hansu glared at each other.
But only for a second—Inha thrust her gift at me.
"Here! Birthday gift. Happy birthday! I said it first, didn't I?"
"Shoot..."
"Hmph!"
They locked eyes again.
Watching them bicker always tickled my heart. I beamed.
They both flushed awkwardly at once.
I glanced back and forth between the gifts, then reached for Hansu's first.
"First come, first served it is."
Score one for Hansu—he lit up. Inha deflated.
But hey, fairness first.
I grinned wide and tugged the ribbon off. Hansu's was smaller; Inha's larger. I unwrapped his. The navy ribbon matched the white wrapping perfectly.
"Huh? Earrings."
"You still collecting accessories?"
"Kinda? Thanks."
I thanked him and swapped out my piercings for the new ones. A fun, pretty pair: tiny cubic pearls in a silver-linked box. Right up my alley.
I smiled at Hansu and Inha.
"How do they look? Match?"
"Eh... not thrilled, but they do."
"Hmph."
"Yeah, figured as much."
Inha grumbled but that just meant they suited me. I had a good eye for what worked on me. These earrings? Instant yes.
Next, Inha's gift. Bigger box, white wrapping, red ribbon. Inside: a black layered lace choker necklace.
Oh.
A strange thrill hit me as I lifted it.
"Thought it'd look great on you."
Layered lace—I loved the texture.
But a choker? Untried territory. And with this ring, I rarely wore necklaces anyway. Only thing I didn't collect.
Still, I clasped it on.
A blue fabric corsage adorned the center.
Not so sure now, I pulled a hand mirror from my pocket.
"How's it look? Okay?"
"Yeah. Pretty."
"Kinda... works?"
Hansu nodded too.
I checked the mirror and nodded back.
Yeah, first try, but not bad.
Just...
"Won't go with the uniform, though."
"Oh, true."
"But it's pretty. Wanted you to have it."
"Yeah, really pretty. Thanks."
I smiled and patted Inha's head. She blushed shyly.
I fiddled with my new gifts, buzzing with excitement.
I'd let my guard down.
And as if on cue—before that book I'd pulled out so dramatically could work its magic—the classroom door swung open.
...!
I startled and looked over.
The newcomer stared back in surprise too.
Ah...
Relief washed over me at the familiar face. Siha.
'Whew...'
Siha had gotten awkward since then, but she wouldn't sneak peeks or bring up the attack to embarrass me.
I started to turn away.
...?
She glanced at me, face stiffening, then flushed and looked away.
Uh... what? Why the sudden blush?
She peeked again, hesitated, bowed her head, wilted, reached for her pocket... repeat.
Then she marched straight over.
Hansu, Inha, and I all blinked in shock.
She shoved something at me.
"Here! Birthday gift! Take it!"
I panicked, eyeing the long slim package.
What... is this...?
'Gratitude? For blocking that attack, maybe...'
I convinced myself and took it.
Siha beamed shyly for a split second, then bolted back to her seat—blink-and-miss-it speed.
I stared at her retreating back in confusion, then at the box in my hand.
"Hm..."
I tilted my head, mirroring Inha and Hansu's curiosity, and peeled off the wrapping.
Siha sneaked peeks.
Playing it cool, but obvious.
Inside...
"A watch?"
"Yup, watch."
Simple black band. Design appealed. Silver hands. Red heart inside the face.
I toyed with it, then asked,
"Watches count as accessories?"
"Wristwatches do."
"I'm accessory-maxed out now?"
"Yep."
Necklace, earrings, watch—full set.
Still, I strapped it on.
Our history with Siha was done, but she lingered as a fond friend memory.
Plus, cute design.
From afar, Siha clenched a fist watching me. I shot her a complicated look. No clue what she felt.
But the real chaos hit next.
Minhee and Hyunho came over thrilled I'd shown up.
Fine.
Then, as kids streamed in for the day, our whole grade flooded our class.
No—elementary across all years, packed like sardines.
Cold sweat beaded as I desperately glued my eyes to the book. Combat mode.
Kids peeked, whispered, crowded from the hall—overwhelming.
My friends' faces soured too.
Minhee whispered in my ear.
"They're staring hard."
"Yeah."
"Like you're a sideshow."
"Yeah."
Right now, I was exhibit A.
Some even approached despite my book-stare (unread, obviously).
Then, an unexpected savior barked,
"Hey! Quiet down!! What's this, a circus?!"
Familiar face: bleached light-brown hair in half-up pigtails. Kang Yesl.
"Back to your classes! Can't you see they're uncomfortable?!"
"Who're you?!"
"I'm your senior."
"And the star here's bothered!"
She jabbed a finger at me.
All eyes snapped my way.
I flinched mid-scan and ducked behind my book.
Murmurs. They quieted some.
"Plus, didn't you hear the Chairman?! Forgot already?!"
More hush.
...Whew. Calming down.
I rolled my eyes around, dazed.
But honestly, super unexpected.
'Didn't she dislike me? No good vibes?'
Then it hit: that hospital card weeks ago.
'You were awesome! Never guessed you hid your skills... Fell for you. So grateful!'
Oh... Yesl's card?
Dread crept in.
She strode over, having tamed the crowd.
I hesitated, looked up.
She fiddled with her neat hair, shy smile down at me, then beamed and held something out.
"Um, Eunha! Birthday gift! Thanks so much back then!"
"...Huh?"
I blurted, genuinely flustered.
"'-nim'...?"
"Oh, bother you?"
"Uh, um... hey."
"Yes? No need for formal speech."
"Uh... hey."
'Why're you using it then?'
I swallowed the urge hard.
I'd slipped into polite speech because she had.
Peers didn't usually—unless new or work-related.
My bad habit: match their politeness.
But her being kid-like yet polite? Proof I was rattled.
What am I doing? Nim~?! Polite to same grade, same class?!
You hated me!
"Why so uneasy, Eunha-nim?"
Super uncomfortable. Fight history and all.
Minhee, watching us, suddenly giggled.
What?
I shot her a side-eye.
I'm in deep trouble here!
I stammered,
"Um... drop the 'nim'..."
"Wha—it's respect! For all of us!"
...What?
All of us~?! You said 'all'!!!
...
I barely held back a grimace and took the gift hesitantly.
Yesl grinned bright.
"Hold up! Yesl, no fair!"
"I brought one too!!"
"Me too! I wanna thank you!"
Quiet crowd erupted again.
Kids swarmed.
Pale-faced, I gulped and covered mine.
Magic, magic tempting. But not on kids...
Right then—class bell.
♪♬♫♩──
Kids froze mid-approach, flustered.
Then they started tossing gifts.
"Eunha-nim! Hold this! Birthday gift! And thanks for before!"
"Me!"
"Me too!"
Argh... can't refuse birthday gifts.
I shoved them into my student ID's sub-space one by one.
Went on till teachers arrived, scolded, and dispersed them late.
Minhee and Hyunho too.
Ugh...
Exhausted sigh.
Teacher calming things, but kids still peeked.
Ah... stress cramp incoming...
Hansu whispered at my pallor.
"But what now? Break time, they'll swarm for sure."
"Hansu, Inha. Please."
"Huh?"
Reality hit; I grabbed their hands desperately, whispered,
"Help me. Block 'em, or escape together."
Hansu flushed beet red.
Oops... misleading phrasing?
Inha, though, nodded solemnly.
"Got it. I'll block."
Hansu snapped to.
"...Still, outnumber us. Better hide?"
Inha eyed him, agreed.
"Yeah...?"
Teacher finally cleared the chaos; class started.
First period: theory. Huge relief.
Practical magic? I'd be spotlight hell.
Head throbbed.
School life—no, elementary kids, why?
Time heals; should've faded.
Why this much attention?
'This school's fault...'
Normally, yes. Month passed since incident.
Kids back to normal life.
Me absent whole time.
Should've blown over. Casual glances, tops.
Not this: polite speech, gifts, thanks...
'These kids are weird. Definitely.'
Or...
'Absence backfired? Glorified me...?'
Reactions suggested possible.
Sigh.
Survived first class, bolted classroom.
Skills exposed—no dumb running.
Pure teleport. My mana only, space magic-linked.
Pulled Hansu and Inha safe.
Teleport: practiced hard two years back. 1km easy now.
'Back then... Hansu's place near school. Lucky.'
Barrier links cut mana vs. plain teleport.
World-linking easier than space-jump.
Coordinates known, minimal constraints.
Thanks to rune magic paths.
Even so, amazed I gated 500+ kids from school to Hansu's.
'Really nailed that spell.'
Gate-teleport tougher than barrier or plain.
Unmastered.
Consecutive jumps; I staggered, mumbled,
"Ugh... same for return... magic'll improve."
Held throbbing forehead, plopped on some school rooftop.
Dirt floor—thin barrier first.
Hansu gave a look.
"You're ridiculous."
"What?"
"Always magic, magic, magic."
I eyed his pout, grinned.
"Cuz it's fun."
Inha plopped beside me. Hansu next to her. On my barrier.
"Which is why you're amazing, but..."
Hansu muttered more; inaudible.
Short break: pulled book from sub-space.
Reading along, Inha mumbled,
"Left Minhee and Hyunho... mad?"
I pouted.
"Minhee's fine. She laughed earlier. Enjoyed my misery."
Kid words; turned away.
Inha laughed at me.
"Hmm..."
But no trials end returning to class.
Gifts piled high.
I forehead-palmed.
'This is... too much.'
Checked cards: all for me.
"Elementary total... 650-ish?"
"Yeah."
"So... 100 tops?"
Literal mountain.
Shut up, sucked 'em into sub-space. Student ID version, public.
Next: practical magic. Rough.
Wanted quiet mana flow.
Kids peeked; teacher even demo-pressured us.
Skills out—no point faking fails.
Nailed spells quietly.
Demo one-and-done, but stares lingered.
Break: escape repeat.
Minhee and Hyunho griped via ID and phone. Where wandering?
Lunch same.
Stares burned; ate at shops, not cafeteria.
"Kids overdoing it..."
"'Overdoing' mean?"
"Uh, sudden quiz... fuss? Like that. Dictionary..."
Fatigued mumble; whipped to Minhee asker.
"But Minhee, you smirked earlier?"
"No, just..."
...
"Okay, sorry. Sorry!"
Silent glare; she surrendered hands up.
But added,
"Still, seeing you get all worshipped? Kinda satisfying."
"Why?"
"Just."
Minhee propped chin on hand atop table.
Bewildered face.
Hyunho nodded though.
"Yeah! Totally. Like, our friend's this epic~?"
"Right, right."
"Bit bummed too. Was our secret..."
"Right, right."
"Yeah."
"True."
Inha and Hansu agreed.
Sigh again.
Post-lunch: school park stroll.
Mental fatigue? Aimless walk best reset.
Chatting by fountain, familiar faces.
"Oh, oppa!"
"Je-hyeon hyung! Cheonho hyung!"
"Eunhee unni."
We waved happily.
Post-guard, these three inseparable. 'Guard Trio' nickname lately. Cool.
"Hey, kids!"
"Yo. Was looking."
Je-hyeon oppa ruffled frontmost Minhee's hair, approached. Eyes locked on me.
Realized: he sought me.
"Elementary's chaos, huh? Rumor star graces school at last!"
Eunhee unni winked laughing.
I cringed.
"Stop..."
"Hahaha!"
"Tough day, squirt."
Cheonho oppa chuckled; Je-hyeon ruffled my hair fondly.
His eyes tender, yet shadowed.
Curious look.
He bent, hand on head, face close.
"Sorry."
"...Huh?"
Heart skipped at proximity; random apology.
I tilted head.
"Uh, sudden, why?"
Handsome face frowned up close.
Whoa...
Unbidden awe. Minhee's bro—hate thinking it, but his face? My type.
"Mana depletion... out two weeks?"
Flustered,
"Why?"
"If we hadn't asked a kid... if I hadn't pushed solutions... you wouldn't have. No spotlight like today."
Frowned slightly at me, straightened, dropped hand, apologized again.
"So, sorry."
...
"Tried sooner... visited once, you unconscious... got late. Sorry, really..."
I gazed, slight frown, shook head.
"No."
...
"I thought I could, wanted to. My choice."
Hand to chest, clenched.
He smiled softly.
Rare sight; eyes widened.
"Good kid."
Undeserved pride swelled; grinned.
Real bro praise vibe.
No brothers past or present.
Extra nice.
Then spotted Eunhee unni eyeing us uncomfortably, alternating.
Why?
Eyes met; she approached smiling.
"Anyway, thanks. Truly. Us, everyone involved thinks so. Chairman might summon soon. To greet."
"...Huh? For real?"
"Real real! Thanks from me too. You'd have been late without you. Kids safe cuz you."
She startled me, rubbed my cheek lightly.
Cheonho ruffled hair laughing.
Thanks, praise, apologies repeated; they left.
Ugh...
Pouted, fixed messy hair, watched them go.
Thought: troublesome.
'Chairman...'
Alone? Super awkward.
Lee Eunhee, Joo Je-hyeon, Yoo Cheonho patrolled usual route post-kids.
Je-hyeon paused, fondly mumbled,
"That squirt... too mature for her own good."
Eunhee eyed him sourly.
To her, his face dripped honey-sweet.
Only saw that for his sis... or her...
'No, not that.'
Shook head.
Hesitant, reluctant,
"Um, Je-hyeon."
"...? Yes, sunbae."
"You... don't tell me... Liking someone's fine... but shotacon to lolicon...? Suspicious before, but... Eunha...?"
Je-hyeon gawked at the buildup.
No way, this sunbae?!
Uncharacteristically flustered yell,
"No! How do you even get there?!"
"Huh? Not?"
Cheonho tilted head puzzled.
Je-hyeon panicked, horrified.
Rare for him.
Headache pinch.
"You... how? Seriously..."
Cheonho and Eunhee eyed each other, yelled,
"But come on!"
"Yeah! Super tender face every time!"
"First time seeing you that soft with a girl! Face that close, worried-sweet, sorry-sweet...?"
"Cuz I really was...!"
"And!"
Eunhee jabbed finger.
"Not first! Request time, trusted kid-you total...! Over-the-top skinship with her only? Ruffles, hugs... gasp...!"
"Right? Shady forever."
"Yeah. Sis Minhee aside, girl-phobe you with Eunha..."
"And..."
"Yeah! That too..."
Je-hyeon snapped angry,
"No!! Just like her, okay?! Sunbae! Cheonho, you too...!"
They eyed, chorused,
"**Don't buy it!!**"
Je-hyeon clutched pounding head.