In Her True Appearance - 4
Mihail dragged me around to all sorts of places. A café. A dessert café. Another restaurant. Less than an hour after leaving the tteokbokki joint, we were back there, and I couldn't help but float a question mark over my head as I let out a hollow chuckle.
"We're back already, huh."
The flustered girl stared blankly at the tteokbokki shop's sign.
"Ah..."
I shot her a quizzical look. You're the one who suggested a date—how's it already over? I should've realized it back at the dessert café when she was shoveling cake like it was going out of style. She was powering through this like someone who'd never been on a date in her life.
And maybe that was just natural, come to think of it.
"We eating again now?"
I smiled at Mihail, who'd spent her whole life as a man.
"Your stomach hasn't caved in yet, right?"
"Ah... um."
"Secret Girl."
I grinned at Mihail, who was standing there frozen, and asked, "Where to next?"
"..."
"I'm really looking forward to it. You're not saying it's over already, are you?"
"Well..."
"You said you'd try changing your mind... but you're still miles away from being apprentice material."
Whoosh. Mihail's face flushed bright red. With her strong pride, she couldn't stand being dismissed like that. Normally, she'd snap something like, 'No way, we've got tons left!' But right now, she was biting her lip and hanging her head, clearly drawing a blank on plans.
"Can't end it like this—the quest is still..."
"Huh?"
"Nothing. Just wait a sec."
I watched her frantically scanning for spots nearby, lost in thought.
A date, huh.
I wasn't some dating pro myself, so nothing brilliant came to mind. Sure, I was a handsome butler, but it was the person doing the dating that made it special.
Screeech! Chocolate!
I stifled a laugh and gently took Mihail's wrist.
Recalling the things she'd wanted to do as a kid.
—Iku Minhyuk!
—Minhyuk.
—...Anyway! When I grow up...
—Yeah?
I wanna go to festivals, wear cute clothes, and wander around.
—Hmm.
Put money in beggars' cups too.
—Whoa, that's fresh.
And drink with you.
Booze?
Mom said it makes you feel good.
Doesn't sound like the good kind.
I gripped her wrist, reminiscing about those silly chats under the moss-covered bridge. She startled at the sudden touch, staring at me with wide eyes.
"Uh..."
"Come on."
"Huh?"
"Ran out of plans, didn't you?"
Mihail dazedly let me lead her by the wrist, her gaze drifting to my red hair as she followed. We strolled the streets.
—Here, ten gold.
—Why give it to me?
—To drop it in that beggar's cup.
—Huh?
—Figured you'd want to try it once.
We hit a festival too.
—Ta-da! Cat-ear headband.
—I don't need this.
—Come on, say 'nyan.' Wear these ears and talk to animals—you can hear their stories.
—Really...?
—Nah, kidding.
—Sigh... I've never done stuff like this; it's awkward.
—It's fine. You look cute anyway.
We gazed at the night sky by the fountain, taking in the blue galaxy overhead.
This is fun.
I checked off the "homework" she'd mentioned wanting from her slum days, spending time with Mihail until night fell. Her icy expression gradually warmed to the mood. A faint smile softened her face, which had looked ready to bolt at any second, and her shoulders—twitching uncomfortably at first from my grip—now relaxed naturally.
I watched her enjoying the festival, smiling faintly as I stopped in front of a chicken skewer stall.
"Secret Girl, want some chicken skewers?"
"Huh? No... I mean, yes?"
"Chicken skewers."
Mihail nodded slightly, fiddling with the cat-ear headband on her head and beaming innocently.
"Yes."
Of course, the cheeky vendor's teasing made her shout it loud.
—What a cute couple!
—No!
—We're not!
Mihail had shed her stiff expression, savoring the moment as just a girl. Breathing in the free, peaceful night air, she walked with light steps, as if her chains had snapped.
"Over there—they're doing circus stuff...! Let's go!"
"Shall we?"
I smiled as she grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the crowded street performance. In her white sundress, laughing brightly, she looked just like any girl her age—so cute it made me chuckle.
That's why she seems like a normal student.
I didn't like Mihail—not yet. There was still too much unresolved, too much to unpack. But today, I wanted to treat her not as the academy thorn in my side, but as the girl from the slums. I was tired of the constant griping anyway.
Maybe that's why I'd made all those choices—taking the hits, the sacrifices. To see her like this.
I let her lead me, enjoying the festival long into the night. Time passed until a bright moon hung high. The sun had set, and the alluring lantern of the moon rose in its place.
Street stalls shuttered. The capital's Friday festival wound down, signaling the end of our date. I stopped in front of a cozy bar, holding Mihail back.
"Secret Girl."
"Yes?"
"Last item on today's agenda."
"Huh? Ah..."
Mihail's face fell at "last," glancing at the bar. Regret at the night ending so soon? She tilted her head up awkwardly.
"Isn't it about time to call it? So, final stop."
I smiled faintly, pointing at the bar and tugging her wrist.
"You're not underage, are you?"
"No..."
"How about a drink then? To get closer, seal our new teacher-student bond. Seemed like a good idea."
"..."
Mihail nodded. Our first drinks together. Never shared a drop since knowing her as Mihail. Wondering what we'd talk about, I pushed open the door.
Two beers and some squid. Nothing fancy, but I ordered the simple snacks and faced her, clasping my hands cautiously.
"Have fun?"
"..."
She nodded without a word.
"Good."
"..."
"But Secret Girl."
"Yes...?"
"How long you planning to keep that headband on? I mean, I bought it, so I'm happy you're wearing my gift. But aren't you embarrassed?"
She seemed to love the cat ears I'd gotten her, still wearing them. A exclamation point popped over her head as she yanked them off in a flash.
"Ah! You should've said something sooner!!"
"Pfft...! Thought you were keeping them on purpose."
"As if!"
I burst out laughing at her frantic shriek and flailing hands. The glasses emptied steadily. Clink against cold mugs. Clink as we swapped stories from the day.
"I was shocked, y'know. Staring daggers through the window like that... Thought you were challenging me to a duel."
"...Hic. Want me to?"
"No."
"You'd go easy anyway...!"
I clinked glasses with the woman who'd cast off the name Mihail. It felt good. No anger—just good memories and booze with Mihail. Refreshing to see old times thriving, adapting slowly. Varied, even.
She can smile like this... so why the academy bullshit?
I chuckled wryly, then tossed a careful question at Mihail, whose eyes were glazing over from the buzz.
"Hey, Secret Girl."
"Yes?"
I looked at her.
"What do you think of me?"
"Huh?"
"You know a bit about me now. Not rumors—just today. Curious how I came off."
I sought her honest take, questioning the time she'd spent in my hands today. Like asking for Ricardo's score on the day.
"You know I'm not exactly a good guy."
"..."
"Pretty famous at the academy, so I doubt you missed the rumors."
"..."
"Just wanna hear your impressions from today. One day."
"..."
Mihail hesitated before speaking, mumbling 'today only' under her breath.
"Didn't hate it."
"..."
"Still figuring you out, but... you seem fun."
"That so."
"Yeah."
I chuckled softly, raising my glass.
"Guess I held my own."
This time, Mihail fired back. Not letting herself take it alone, she downed a gulp and spoke.
"Can I ask one too, then?"
"Sure."
Lips trembling, she asked me:
"What do you think of Mihail?"
"..."
Her question cut sharp.