Snow Maiden Yuri Tarkovskaya (1)
“I don’t need you to apologize like this, Maria. It would be burdensome.”
“But if I don’t apologize...”
Maria answered hurriedly.
However, if Maria passed the Flame Guild, she would become my superior. Being so subservient to an intern like me would make things awkward in the future.
“If it’s an apology, Yuri has already done enough. I hope you won’t do the same, Maria.”
“But I heard from Yuri. That you haven’t given any response to Minsu until now...”
I hesitated for a moment. Maria was right.
A year ago, after I regained consciousness in the hospital. She had come for a visit with a classmate.
But at that time, I heard that I had triggered a shock-like seizure the moment I faced the two of them.
Since it was right after regaining consciousness, my memories from that time were also hazy, but...
“It must have been shocking for Yuri.”
And since then, I haven’t met any academy-related people except Arin. Professor Seong Chaerin described it as a severe PTSD symptom.
Even being unable to listen to a relationship manager’s voice on the phone. So instead, Yuri kept sending me messages and apologizing.
At the 19th class graduation ceremony of Eins Academy. In that tragedy, the things she did to me. And the truth and sincerity behind why she did it that way. I had put it all in a long message.
Maria continued.
“No. Rather, it was inevitable that Minsu couldn’t answer. Answering Yuri must have been difficult too. But... I hope you understand. Yuri’s apology was truly sincere!”
I knew. And that Yuri had created this Flame Guild with that sincerity.
“I know. But...”
At that moment, countless emotions rose from my unconscious, but I suppressed them. No, I had to.
If I couldn’t do that, my resolve to join Flame Guild would be in vain. I said,
“I know, Maria. Even though the answer was late, now that I can see Yuri, I can return it directly. And the tragedy of that day isn’t Yuri’s fault. She was just a victim of the villain’s... Doubtful Monster.”
Maria seemed quite surprised at my words. My voice was calm. No anger, no joy, no emptiness. Just a tone for normal daily conversation.
Right now, I am really fine. I don’t resent Yuri.
But such a reaction, she hadn’t expected it, so she fell silent.
Yuri Tarkovskaya, called the dream class of Eins Academy. Just before graduation, I was one of the top dealers in that class. Maria, who was Yuri’s personal maid, knew that well.
Moreover, since Maria had already read the job application, she wouldn’t know my current state of not being able to use mana.
“She must be feeling uneasy too.”
Then Maria finally opened her mouth again.
“The only one who passed the practical interview with a perfect score is Minsu. It’s as good as already passed. So for the afternoon interview...”
There was still another round of practical interviews left, but she seemed to think I had passed.
“I will inform the executives in advance about the personality interview. Yuri knows that Minsu applied to Flame. So there won’t be anyone to oppose. You can think of it as final acceptance to our guild.”
It was what I wanted.
Of course, since I passed the practical interview with a perfect score, there was that excuse. But I didn’t reveal my inner thoughts.
“I don’t want to hear the word ‘backup’ though. I have confidence in my skills. I will take the personality interview. More importantly, since I’ve come this far, I should meet Yuri too.”
At those words, color returned to Maria’s face.
“R-really? Yuri also... has been looking forward to meeting Minsu today. Thank you.”
Once again, she bowed her head to me.
The situation was becoming uncomfortable. I greeted her and headed to the interview room’s exit as if fleeing.
Maria called out to me again.
“Minsu!”
I turned my head slightly. Maria said hurriedly.
“Yuri has missed you a lot. No, she misses you even now.”
I couldn’t respond to those words.
***
Lunch break had arrived. The interviewees who had passed the morning practical interviews gathered back in the waiting room.
“As you can see, we have already prepared the lunch boxes. However, if you’d prefer to eat outside, that’s fine too. Please choose freely.”
Assistant Manager Park Hyeongwoo and his subordinate staff carried the lunch boxes. Among those who passed the practical interview were Arin and Uncle Dong-hyuk.
“Minsu! You passed, as expected. Whew. The practical interview was tough.”
Uncle Dong-hyuk received one lunch box and approached me.
“Since there’s still time, let’s eat together. And Arin too, right?”
Then, as I was about to go get the lunch box, Arin blocked me hurriedly.
“Minsu-senpai! I knew you weren’t getting lunch here, so I packed a lunch box. I brought too many. So instead of this one, shall we eat mine?”
She was shouting desperately. I nodded. The three of us sat at a table in the waiting room and started eating lunch.
“Wow! A company in the heart of Gangnam, I expected the lunch box to be fancy. But the lunch box is surprisingly plain. It’s like convenience store level.”
On the other hand, Arin’s lunch box was elaborate.
High-end sushi like tuna and eel, and various side dishes including steak. Even the shape and decoration were fancy.
“She must have prepared two servings on purpose.”
It was clearly not a hastily bought lunch box. Uncle Dong-hyuk said enviously.
“Did you make this yourself, Arin? It’s amazing. My wife can’t cook as well as me, so she can’t pack such lunch boxes.”
And not just the appearance. Arin was good at cooking too. It was delicious.
Arin looked at my silent eating with a happy smile, her smile never leaving.
So we continued eating while discussing the morning interview. Arin said.
“Even the practical interview wasn’t that bad. Surprisingly, it seems less demanding than its reputation.”
But Uncle Dong-hyuk said the opposite, sweating profusely.
“I was too nervous. After resigning from Eins Academy’s security guard, I’ve been on site, but it was mostly low-level dungeons by Flame standards. Still, I passed, so it’s a million times fortunate.”
Naturally, the conversation topic shifted to the personality interview in the afternoon.
“But Yuri, no, Guild Master Yuri will also be present for the personality interview? This is surprising. I’m already nervous. Since student days, Guild Master Yuri was like an ice wall. Security guards like me would tense up and bow politely when she passed.”
Uncle Dong-hyuk was right. Yuri was a lady-in-waiting from the Tarkovsky ducal family. And that ducal family owned the Eins Foundation.
At that time, Yuri was truly a haughty noble daughter. It was natural for low-level security guards to watch her every move.
“Faculty or instructors also watched Yuri’s every move.”
So students had nothing to say. Yuri was at the peak of the student caste.
“But recently, seeing the talk about Flame Guild and Guild Master Yuri’s interview, it seems her personality has changed a lot. Well, if she were under the duke’s knight order, she could have entered. Seeing her independently independent, maybe the girl has grown up too. Ah, this is absolutely secret!”
Uncle Dong-hyuk blurted out and glanced at other interviewees.
It would be rude for an intern, or now an applicant, to talk about the guild master. He almost said something wrong.
But soon, Uncle Dong-hyuk continued talking about Yuri.
“Still, seeing the student council president like this again... Oh, by the way, Minsu, you liked Yuri, right? Seeing her again at the interview will be refreshing.”
—
At those words, Arin, who had been quietly eating, unconsciously dropped her chopsticks hard.
“Uncle. That’s impossible. My senpai wouldn’t like such a woman!”
And Arin’s expression, which had been smiling sweetly, turned fierce. At that sight, I was startled and quickly deflected Uncle Dong-hyuk’s words.
“Uncle, what are you talking about. Yuri and I were just friends, no, classmates.”
“Eh? Was it? But my intuition for that kind of thing is accurate. You definitely like Yuri Guild Master...”
“It’s not true.”
“Really? Yuri Guild Master must have been very popular with male students. Of course you would be too...”
At that moment, Arin jumped up from her seat.
“I’ll go to the restroom for a moment.”
Unlike before, she left the interview room with a gentle smile.
And belatedly, Uncle Dong-hyuk hit his forehead.
“Damn it. Arin is definitely like that. She likes you, Minsu. So she packed the lunch box on purpose for you too? It’s not a normal feeling. But I was clueless and said something...”
“It’s not like that with Arin. Uncle. Just because it’s an interview, Arin might be sensitive.”
At my words, Uncle Dong-hyuk’s expression became very gloomy.
“That’s why I always get scolded by my wife. Women need to be careful.”
But he soon said playfully again.
“But you did like Yuri Guild Master, right? So on that day, White Day, I secretly opened the dorm door at night saying I’d help you. Do you remember? You begged me desperately.”
“... That’s all old story, so let’s move on.”
Yes. Uncle Dong-hyuk seemed dull and clueless, but he wasn’t a fool. In fact, because of his goodwill toward me, he often overlooked my true intentions.
“If it weren’t for Uncle Dong-hyuk, I wouldn’t have been able to monopolize so many coincidences.”
Unconsciously, memories of the coincidences I had monopolized came to mind, and I smiled faintly.
But the butterfly effect caused by those monopolized coincidences. The tragedy of Eins that resulted from it came to mind unawares, and I fell silent.
At the sudden change in my expression, Uncle Dong-hyuk was startled and said.
“Oh. Did I cross the line? Meeting you after a long time made me too happy...”
“No, Uncle. It’s not that...”
I quickly softened my expression. Then, as if relieved, Uncle Dong-hyuk continued.
“But Minsu. Actually, like most men, even if I can’t easily let go of my deep feelings, first love doesn’t work well. It’s immature, you know. So if you obsess too much, you might miss good women around you. Right now, it seems Arin likes you a lot. So if you start dating...”
“So it’s not like that with Yuri. Arin too...”
So I spent time talking nonsense with Uncle Dong-hyuk. The lunch break was over.
“The interview time is here. Minsu, fight! Passing this will get you accepted.”
“Yes. Please do well too, Uncle.”
“Yeah. Oh, by the way, do you think Soso will come out as an interviewer? She’s the main dealer of this guild, right?”
Uncle suddenly pulled out a familiar name. Another classmate of mine and the main dealer of Flame Guild, a hunter.
“I don’t know. Given her personality, she probably won’t get involved in guild management. She won’t participate in the executive interview.”
“I see. You were really close to Soso.”
“Was I? Well... if I pass, there will be things to see.”
Yeon Soso, the Heavenly Demon. She was also a major figure like Yuri. And she was also a party to my trauma’s curse.
“For now, there are things I have to do first.”
Now, it was time to meet Yuri.
***
Meeting Uncle Dong-hyuk was a million times fortunate. The insignificant funny conversation earlier helped a lot.
Actually, since that moment I received Maria’s apology, maintaining composure had been difficult.
Right after regaining consciousness. At that time, just recalling her face, or thinking of Yuri, I fell into severe panic.
A year later. Thanks to Professor Seong Chaerin’s treatment, my condition had improved, but complete recovery was impossible.
Fortunately, with the chat with the uncle, I could ease that anxiety.
“Now, I have to overcome it.”
The story of the novel I ruined. This novel where the protagonist dies and drifts. The guild of Yuri had taken the role of the protagonist.
And now, it was my turn to take on that responsibility. By joining Yuri’s guild.
Having made that resolve, I followed the other interviewees into the interview room. The interviewees entered together. I greeted the interviewers along with them.
At the moment I raised my lowered head again, Yuri was there.
Yuri Tarkovskaya.
Long silver hair. Deep blue eyes and long eyelashes. A beautiful woman in a suit with a pale yet arrogant expression.
Just as the name Snow Maiden suggested. Exactly the appearance I remembered. At that time, our eyes met.
She recognized me. Her expression didn’t change even a bit, but she immediately noticed that it wasn’t the case.
Even if she tried to feign composure, if she was flustered, her long eyelashes would always tremble. It was the same now.
Probably, very few people know Yuri’s that habit.
“This means that denying Uncle Dong-hyuk’s words... has no meaning.”
And I too. Again, my heart began to throb intensely. Same as that day.
The day I first saw Yuri after transmigrating into the novel. I fell in love at first sight. And that feeling was the original sin I had.
Myself, who was only a minor character. Myself who should have stayed there. To entangle with Yuri, the main character of this novel. I had crossed the line.
Of course, at that time, I had convinced myself that it was to survive in the novel as a minor character. But it wasn’t. Now I knew.
I just wanted to be noticed by Yuri.
At that moment. As if waking me from the black-and-white past, Yuri finally spoke.
“Then, we will begin the final interview for the intern position at Undying Butterfly’s Flame Scale.”