Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: An Awkward Encounter with My Ex-Girlfriend
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Returning to campus after so long filled me with fresh emotions.
I'd been just another student mindlessly blending in there not long ago, and now here I was, working as a Care Supporter...
"It's basically like landing a government job, so should I take a leave of absence? Still, who knows what the future holds... I want that diploma just in case... Hmm..."
I'd thought I'd only be away briefly for Dad's funeral, but between the Care Supporter training and meeting my assigned Magical Girls, the days flew by.
I strolled slowly across campus, wondering if I could keep up with school while doing this job.
"That guy's definitely at the gym, right?"
I wasn't here as a student fulfilling my duties. No, this was Care Supporter business.
I had four Magical Girls under my care.
Three I'd already met, heard about their flaws, and exchanged greetings with.
That process hadn't been smooth at all, so the thought of facing her— the one who practically lived in the campus gym—made my feet drag even more.
"And her flaw severity is high-level? Just how bad is it? I don't wanna meet her..."
The retired Magical Girl I had to face next had a high-level flaw severity.
Se-ah Sister and Han Min-jeong were low-level, while CEO Cha Ye-rin was mid-level.
Every single one of them, regardless of severity, was a walking headache bomb. Seeing high-level made my stomach twist with tension from the moment I read it.
"Junior, what kind of bombs are you carrying around? There wasn't a hint of it."
Park So-ra.
The retired Magical Girl I had to meet now... and my ex-girlfriend, if only for a fleeting moment.
I couldn't believe this bubbly, sociable, endlessly energetic workout fanatic had that side to her, but running away wasn't an option.
'At least Park So-ra's high-level flaw is the 'well-behaved' type, so they only assigned one Care Supporter—me. Fingers crossed.'
High-level flaws usually required at least two Care Supporters on 24/7 duty, but hers was mild-mannered enough for solo coverage—a special case.
Praying they hadn't dumped her on me just because of staffing shortages, I stepped into the gym.
"Whoa~ the familiar gym smell."
Dad's advice to build strength so I could sweep my beloved into my arms had me frequenting the campus gym often. Waves of nostalgia hit me.
"Those types are still around, huh."
A gym full of hormone-fueled college kids.
Especially on campus, surrounded by hot peers our age.
There were always those showing off their bodies, mating like beasts in heat, courting nonstop.
I could finally boast to those envy-magnet types.
I got a girlfriend too!
Chin held high with newfound pride, I scanned the gym for Park So-ra.
'There she is.'
Even in the gym, one woman stood out unmistakably: the retired Magical Girl and ex I'd been hunting for—Park So-ra.
"Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!"
Her entourage still surrounded her as always.
She ignored them completely, silently pounding her muscle routine.
Every time she worked the machine, her high ponytail—blonde hair tied up—swished like a horse's tail at her waist, drawing my eyes relentlessly.
'Two-tone hair, as expected... Guess my junior really is a retired Magical Girl.'
Sweat-slick strands gleamed gold on the outside, but peeking inside was blood-red hair.
In this mana-rich era, even normals had varied eye and hair colors, so I'd overlooked her Magical Girl trait back then. Now it jumped out.
With her back to me, each machine rep let me see her toned muscles ripple under her skin.
'I worked out pretty hard myself, but she always makes me feel kinda small.'
I'd kept at it, but not like her.
The polar opposite of plump, voluptuous Se-ah Sister, Park So-ra had a balanced, lightly muscled build—healthy allure without excess that captivated the eye.
As I approached, her fanboys glared like they were firing lasers.
To them, I was public enemy number one where she was concerned.
"Hoo... Hoo... Hm? What's up? Someone here...? Senior?"
Her groupies' stares drew her eyes my way naturally.
Clearly not expecting me, she widened her eyes in slight surprise.
I played it cool and greeted her.
"Hey, junior."
"Uh, uh... Senior? Oh, uh... How'd your dad's funeral go?"
"Ah..."
Park So-ra, who'd always bristled like a porcupine, now acted warmly, like our close pre-dating senior-junior days.
Too late, I realized her shift stemmed from Dad's funeral.
'Come to think of it, I vanished right after. Must've looked like I was out of it for ages.'
Truth was, I'd been busy with Magical Girl secrets and becoming a Care Supporter—no time for school.
But to her, unaware, it must've seemed like a grieving acquaintance finally bouncing back.
"Senior, it's been forever. You seem... uh... better now?"
My hunch was spot on.
A close senior drops off the map after his dad's funeral, then reappears— even enemies would worry.
'Oh man, how do I clear this misunderstanding?'
Couldn't spill the real story in public.
As I hemmed and hawed, her concern deepened; she leaned in close.
A whiff of woman's sweat and sweet, sticky body scent hit me.
Her barely-there tank top and dolphin shorts exposed so much, my eyes kept wandering.
"Senior?"
"Ah, sorry. Zoned out for a sec. Got stuff to talk about since it's been a while—got time?"
"Of course. I was just finishing my workout... No, wait. Let's go now."
"Huh? Finish up first; it's fine."
"No, now. Sorry, guys. Gotta chat with Senior Ihyeon. See you tomorrow."
Her kind consideration stung like a fishbone in my throat.
She hustled me out, then after a bit, burst out herself.
Hoodie thrown over gym clothes—still sky-high exposure.
Her popularity came from her straightforward, upbeat vibe, but these outfits were a big draw too.
'Not that the freshies who tried hitting on her fared well.'
Freshman Park So-ra had sent every predator packing with her fists.
Her bold personality and fearless action drew eyes, while her polite respect for seniors won hearts across genders.
"Where to, senior? Food? Or coffee?"
"Hm... Coffee sounds good. Wait, fresh off a workout—you hungry? Wanna grab a meal?"
"Nah, I packed a snack. Let's hit a café. My treat."
She flashed her protein lunchbox with a bright grin, as always.
I had a job now, and as the senior, couldn't mooch off a junior.
I'd cover coffee. We headed to a quiet spot good for talking.
"Why so far?"
"Hm... The talk ahead? Better no eavesdroppers."
Ideally a private room, but that'd get me decked before I spoke.
So, a remote café far from campus crowds.
Corner table to dodge listeners. As she sat across, annoyance flickered on her face.
"I won't bite."
"You think you'd get the chance?"
"Urk..."
No comeback. I sipped hot coffee, catching my breath.
She nibbled snacks under the guise of protein, patiently waiting for me to speak.
'Did some rotten things to such a sweet junior.'
Her prickliness toward me? All my fault.
Before Care Supporter talk, I'd apologize properly for the past grudge first.
"Junior. No—Park So-ra."
"Munch munch... Uh, um? Y-Yeah, senior? What's with the sudden seriousness?"
She was devouring her lunchbox—shoveling protein, really.
My grave tone flustered her; she hurriedly swallowed the mouthful.
"Um... Look, I wanted to apologize again for what I did back then."
"......Senior, you dying or something? Moving away? What's with this now?"
Timing and vibe twisted the thread tighter.
Not helping. I sipped coffee to reset, then apologized for deceiving her.
"No, nothing like that. Just reflecting— that fake confession was straight-up inhuman."
Fake confession.
Yeah.
I liked Yoon Se-ah next door.
But suddenly, I wondered: Do I really like her like that?
Was it just proximity bias? Or lust masquerading as love?
To test it, I stupidly thought: Date someone else.
'Insane. Still insane thinking back.'
Se-ah Sister holed up like a shut-in, hard to see. Long unrequited crush wore me down—frustrated, antsy folly.
Pick her opposite, I thought. Enter Park So-ra.
Older to younger, gloomy/shy to bold/upbeat, curvy/sensual to fit/balanced.
Total opposite. Confessed without a shred of feeling.
Pure pretense.
'Mercy it ended quick: first date, head cleared, knew it was wrong, fessed up.'
True to form, she pushed for a date right after going official.
Pre-date, lust-frenzy haze lifted; I realized my idiocy and admitted the sham.
The rest? Predictable.
No slap—a punch to face and gut. Paid dearly for the fake-out.
All my fault. Endured the campus rumors, lost a friend overnight.
"Water under the bridge. You apologized then. Why drag it up now?"
"Hm... To start fresh. Really sorry back then. I was nuts; hate me all you want—I get it. Sincere apology again."
Her eyes narrowed, probing my sincerity.
Too meek for mere awkwardness over our feud—she sensed something.
"Senior, real reason? We could've kept ignoring each other fine. Not like you're suddenly image-conscious..."
Burned once, her distrust ran deep.
Skepticism, really.
Tangled knot before me—no unraveling in sight. No ideas.
Sighed deep, forced out the purpose.
"No. Like it or not, we'll be face-to-face, rubbing elbows from now on."
"Senior, I know you're decent deep down, but that's that and this is—"
She flaunted distrust; I shoved my business card to shut her up.
Or we'd never reach the point.
Mid-rant, she snatched it, quizzical.
"What?"
"My card."
"Huh, a business card outta nowhere? You got a job? Cult pitch? MLM? What? Trying to scam me now— Huh? Care Supporter?"
She bristled like an old acquaintance pushing insurance, then froze at the impossible title.
"W-Wait... Wait???!!!"
She gripped the card like tearing it, eyes devouring every letter.
No faking it—anti-counterfeit mana seal, "Care Supporter Kang Ihyeon" clear as day.
Her already bloodshot red eyes bulged harder, flicking between card and me.
"......"
"......"
Trembling silence thickened between us.
I feigned senior poise, but my coffee-holding hand shook visibly.
"Th-that's how it happened."
Squeezed-out words hit; realization dawned on her.
"You're insaneeeeEEEEE??!!"
The retired Magical Girl's piercing scream shattered the quiet between us.