Guild
Where the hell is this?
“Ugh...”
Just moments ago, I'd been at home, but now here I was, out and about. Inside a building crammed full of people, no less. It felt like an enormously tall structure, but I had no clue where we were. Did I still have something left to do?
“Wh-where... is this...?”
“Our guild!”
Don't say it with such a beaming smile, please. Guild?Guild!
I'd been stuffing my face with delicious food, pride be damned, when suddenly she drags me out saying we should go somewhere. I'd wondered what the hell, especially right after yesterday's outing. But nope—she bundled me into the car and here we were.
At least riding in the car had made it somewhat bearable, but now that we'd arrived and gotten out... I was losing my mind. I clung to my sister's hand, following along obediently, but every gaze felt like it was boring into me, stirring up needless anxiety. This was the last thing I wanted, yet I ended up pressing even closer to her.
It didn't help that I wasn't in my usual clothes. My normal outfit wouldn't have embarrassed me this much, but what I had on now was completely different. My witch robes had been a skirt too, sure, but the loose robe over them kept things hidden enough that I never felt exposed. I mean, if you can't see anything, what's to be shy about?
Of course, standing bare before a mirror without the robe—even after a full year—still left me too ashamed to look up. But this? This was a whole different beast.
Embarrassing clothes are one thing if no one's around to see. Ignore the mirror long enough, and you stop caring; they're just functional. But now? Impossible. People's stares drilled into me no matter how hard I tried to forget. At this rate, I'd die of shame before I forgot anything. My face burned, ears too—hot with humiliation.
I wanted to change back into my own clothes right now.
“What's wrong?”
I was clinging so tight she asked if something was up. Nothing was, really, so I started shaking my head... but then I thought, She's loaded—maybe she'll let me change if I point it out. I jabbed a finger at my outfit, pulling a deliberately grumpy face so she'd get the hint.
“Are the clothes that uncomfortable?”
I nodded vigorously. She'd flat-out refused my own clothes, forcing these on me instead with a “wear this or nothing.” My vocabulary's limited anyway, and after a year in the mountains, I'd forgotten all the fashion terms—so no clue how to describe it properly. But even someone tasteless like me had to admit: it was pretty. Not fussy or anything; it just suited my current look way too well. Gave off this lively vibe. The wearer would love it, no doubt. Girls my apparent age, anyway. But me? Thinking of it that way felt awkward as hell.
“We're already here, though... changing might be tough now.”
This woman, seriously...! That's why I asked for my clothes earlier! I couldn't take it anymore and channeled some mana into my fist for a solid punch, but she didn't even flinch. Life is trash.
What pissed me off even more was why I couldn't wear my own clothes. Back home, I'd grumbled about it, and after eyeing them, she'd declared they looked too worn—needed washing and mending—before tossing them straight into the laundry. Lucky she hadn't thrown them out, but I was still mad. Sure, they looked worn, but I'd kept them spotless with magic; cleaner than most. Healthier for me, too. Can't I just magic these new ones clean? But no—she doesn't even know I can use magic. All excuses, really. I just wanted my old clothes back.
Haa... whatever. If anyone approaches, she'll handle it. I let out a sigh.
At first, the idea of her raising me sounded great. But with all these restrictions piling up, I was starting to wonder if I should just reveal I'm a witch. She treated me like a little kid, and it grated—subtly, sure. My looks screamed child, but my real age was close to hers, if not the same. No huge gap. And yet, here I was.
Isn't this kinda nice, though? No way. Kids chafe under adults' rules, dreaming of grown-up freedom. Adults, buried in responsibility, crave a kid's easy life. National law of the universe, right? ...Wait. Then what does that make me?
No. I shook my head. Thinking deeper would just mess with my brain. Change gears.
Come to think of it, she'd clearly seen me use mana just before, but she didn't seem too fazed? I remembered her looking pretty shocked when I'd done it on my chopsticks at lunch. So she had seen it.
“It's been so long~”
Sister was humming through her nose, clearly thrilled to be here. Long time? Oh, right—this was her old guild, where she'd worked before. She'd quit awakening stuff due to “circumstances” and taken up police work instead. Awakeners make bank, though—why retire? Wasn't fired or anything. That massive building smack in central Seoul? Probably loaded enough already. No need to risk life further when you've cashed out.
Speaking of guilds... weren't the people here all super strong like her? Sure, it'd never happen, but if I said the wrong thing or acted up and pissed them off... I'd be flat as a pancake on the spot. I'd felt her power firsthand. Awakeners were monsters. Terrifying. My whole body started trembling. This kid body made the fear hit harder, somehow.
“Hm? Don't worry. Once we go up, the crowds thin out.”
She must've noticed my shaking; she stroked my head reassuringly. Wasn't exactly worried about that, but still—fewer people than this floor? Relief. Even if I'd gotten used to them, no people beat some people. Ground floor seemed open to normals too, so upper floors were the fast track to calm.
With that in mind, I half-dragged her toward the elevator.
“Eager to head up, huh?”
The doors to the first-floor elevator slid open right then, and we stepped in. Just gotta go up now... Wait. Up means trapped in here with them? Why hadn't I thought of that?
“Ah...”
I lunged for the doors to escape, but they snapped shut. Bus gone. I stared blankly at the sealed elevator, head hanging.
Why was this happening? Ever since this body, my thinking felt... shorter.
“No biggie, Seol-i. Just meeting some friends.”
Then why drag me along? I shot her an upward glare loaded with that question, but she dodged my eyes. Like she was deliberately avoiding it—like this was a topic best left alone. What the hell was it?
Well, if they meant harm, they'd have done it already, so I didn't suspect her. Still... not telling me felt a little hurtful.