Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Ugh, Semester Starts
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The student-only community [Every Morning].
With the new semester approaching and countless students returning to campus, a single post appeared there.
Hey guys, there's something weird on the walking path.
(Photo of sprouts growing in the shape of a child's footprints on the walking path.)
(Photo of the sprout footprints continuing all the way to the bench by the pond and then turning back.)
(Photo of the footprints cutting off where the dirt path ends.)
I came early to drop some books off in my locker and found it.
LOLOLOL Looks like someone worked on it during break. It's so cute.
Whoa, look at the effort LOLOLOL
As expected from a place that's serious about decorating the campus...
How'd they even do that? So cool.
?? I pass by there a few times going to the lab, and it wasn't there until yesterday.
Um... it's still break. Why are you going there...?
Grad students don't get winter break to begin with.
And how do you know that ;;;;
You guys don't do stuff like this...
This cute photo quickly spread far and wide, gaining popularity until it was even featured in an article heralding the arrival of spring.
Spring Fairies Visiting Korea University? Traces of Their Footsteps?
Winter's long tail is finally giving way to spring. Though mornings and evenings still carry a chill, flowers and grasses heralding the season are beginning to peek out across the city.
Meanwhile, a photo from Korea University is making waves online—a snapshot capturing traces of an adorable spring messenger, posted on the student community and warming everyone's hearts.
(Photos of the sprout footprints)
[Source: Korea University Every Morning Free Board.]
...The weather service forecasts clear and warm weather continuing through the weekend, signaling the start of full-fledged spring outings. Major city parks and landmarks are expected to draw large crowds.
Weeeeenng—
The next day, I was taking my first shower in ages—aside from the very first day after my body changed—and blow-drying my hair.
Truth be told, this was the first time I'd showered since that initial transformation.
But I hadn't felt grimy at all. Wasn't that weird?
Even when I sweated, it never felt like my body got dirty.
Today's shower was basically just for show since classes were starting.
With a body like a kid's, I probably wasn't producing much waste anyway.
Or maybe it was because of the body change?
I'm serious—no excuses. Yeah, it's a hassle, but...
Anyway, classes starting...
Worried?
Of course I'm freaking out. But what could go wrong... right?
Professors don't care about students as long as they don't disrupt class, and these days attendance is handled via phone apps anyway.
They've been on break for two years and barely noticed my original self back when I was barely there, so they wouldn't know me now—and even if they did, they wouldn't connect it to me.
I don't have group chats, so if lecture rooms changed or we need specific textbooks, I've got no way to know. Gotta figure it out myself on the first day.
"Heavy..."
A gray hoodie I'd dug out from the closet.
Neutral color, hood to hide my hair—I picked it for that.
Thick fabric made it heavy, sleeves dragging, but no choice.
Couldn't go out in my usual stretched-out tee and soccer shorts...
I crammed my freshly washed, somehow even more vibrant hair under a white baseball cap.
Then pulled the hood over.
Staggered a bit from the weight but held steady.
Hmm.
Won't fully block stares, but better than nothing.
Didn't want the bus, so I hurried out of the one-room.
Opening the front door, the hanger hooked on the knob outside clanged.
My special one-person security measure for locking up.
Nice. Genius every time I see it.
Me, Kim Su-hyeon. Fool me once, shame on you; twice? Never again.
Grown from that chicken delivery humiliation.
Felt a twinge of pride as I headed down the stairs.
Slippers flapping.
"Huh."
Walking the alley from the villa to school.
A row of flower pots toppled over. Lucky they weren't broken or spilling dirt.
Probably kicked over by some passerby.
Right after the corner—easy to trip on.
Normally I'd ignore it.
"......"
But today, I couldn't just leave them.
Turned back and set the pots upright.
"Hm, something's off."
Once lined up, they felt... unsatisfied.
Like they wanted something. Tripping over myself to show it, maybe? Probably just my imagination.
I circled the pots, hunting the issue, then noticed sunlight didn't reach the alley wall at all.
Pots jammed right against it—no sun at all.
Sure, the sun would move later, but morning light feels amazing.
They probably wanted a tasty feast of rays too.
Empathizing, I lent a hand.
We're practically family sharing the same pot, right?
Grraaag—
A bit heavy with the soil, but dragging them was doable.
"Perfect."
Twisted each slightly to optimal spots, dusted my hands.
Admiring my positioning skills, I remembered I was heading to class.
"Ah, time...!"
Normally a leisurely walk timed perfectly, but now I had to hustle.
Su-hyeon broke into a run, careful not to lose her slippers.
Unaware of the leaves facing her direction—or the eyes watching her.
Campus main gate crosswalk.
Just before the hour—tons of people.
Some fidgeting, anxious for distant lectures.
"Hey, hey. Look over there."
"Oh my."
Most staring at my back. Scalp prickling.
Makes sense—a kid pillar-sized next to the bollards meant to stop cars, waiting at the crosswalk.
Right beside me for direct comparison. Glanced over: up to my eyes.
...Gray outfit blending in weirdly too.
Click—
Camera snaps here and there.
Giggles mixed in.
Embarrassment and irritation boiled, but no guts to turn and yell at the crowd. Pretended not to hear.
Thud.
"Oops, sorry—didn't see you there."
"......"
Bubbling...
Phones are dangerous at crosswalks—cut it out.
Light changed. Vented on the innocent bollard with a sleeve swing, dashed across.
Of course, checked cars first and raised one hand high.
Didn't want to, but life-or-death.
...Cars are too damn big and scary.
Swore I heard laughs behind—ignored it.
Dodged crowds to reach the lecture hall.
Mandatory elective added during my leave—mostly freshmen, right?
Same-year cohort probably graduating seniors—no encounters.
Most guys third-years.
Mandatory six-month service for males. B-rank+ Awakeners do three years as officers unless Hunting or Guarding.
High-ranks profit more Hunting anyway—no university for them.
Even if some long-leave returnee like me, fine.
First-year me was total dark templar...
They wouldn't even know I existed.
Still, just in case...
Shake shake shake.
Whipped head wildly to banish anxiety, deep breaths.
Sip, haa... whew—.
Steeled myself, flung door open—silence crashed in.
Buzzing greetings moments before, now frozen in time.
Not rowdy originally, but dead quiet now.
Ignored stares, creaked to the wall-nearest seat, plopped down.
Bag my size blocking the side.
Left: bag. Right: wall. Finally calming.
Just stay invisible, listen, go home.
Ga-eun, already seated, jolted.
The angel kid from her outdoor vlog shoot days ago—Kim Su-hyeon—entered her lecture hall.
Face ninja-wrapped in cap and hood.
Huh? Su-hyeon...? Why...?
Blinked like dreaming—still there.
Most body bag-blocked, just dangling legs visible under chair.
Definitely her.
"What? Why's a kid..."
Her classmate whispered,
when the door burst—bespectacled old professor entered.
Leisurely set papers down, scanned room—froze at wall, adjusted glasses, frowned.
"Who brought their little sibling?"
Mild tone, no pointing—everyone looked one way.
Correction: everyone but one.
"......"
"You there, the one in the hat?"
"Pardon? Me...?"
"Yes, you. New face—what department?"
"G-Gate Environmental Design, ma'am."
"Hm, name?"
"...Kim Su-hyeon."
"Student" sparked murmurs.
Professor gripped glasses, scowled, flipped roster—no Kim Su-hyeon.
"Kim... Su...? Not here?"
Sip. "Th-that's... Class of '37, Kim Su-hyeon."
Bigger uproar.
"Class of '37????"
"Third-year senior?"
"How old when she enrolled?"
"Prodigy or something? Like from a talent scout?"
"Why would a genius do GED?"
"Yeah, fair."
Endless public humiliation—my head shrinking between shoulders.
More flips—found it. Calmed the room.
"Quiet! Quiet! Kim Su-hyeon?"
"Y-yes...?"
"ID: three-seven-zero-five-three-one-four-eight."
"Yes, that's it...?"
"Hm, studied hard freshman year."
"......Th-thank you."
Hated starting, but once hooked, minimal effort. Truly minimal.
Good grades? Others slacked.
Our dept wasn't easy-mode...
Relative grading magic.
"Now, everyone~? No shame—buckle down this semester?"
Yes—
Quick curriculum rundown, orientation done.
"Good work" ended—I slung bag, bolted for back door.
Crash clatter.
Desperate to escape this nightmare.
"W-wait! Su-hyeon! I mean, sunbae? Su-hyeon...?"
Craved flight, but shoulder grabbed quick. Jerked to shake—familiar voice. Turned.
Ga-eun...?
Eyes met. She fidgeted, then spoke.
"Um, if you're okay... wanna grab a meal together...?"
......First time ever—a girl asking me out to eat.