Didn't Expect to Meet You Here..
Once the chaos died down, I couldn't help but cringe at my own actions. Back then, my emotions had been overflowing, so I'd blurted out those words without thinking. But now, looking back, they were so cringeworthy I could barely stand it.
Sister was the same way, blushing furiously just like me. When she anxiously asked if she'd said anything weird, it was obvious. The two who'd been standing there moments ago were now glancing at us and chuckling—proof enough that even if we'd filmed a full-on melodrama, they'd have bought it hook, line, and sinker.
Thank goodness she'd snapped out of it and doled out some punishment... If she hadn't, I might've zapped them with magic myself.
"You two just need to disappear, right? Isn't that it?"
No... that didn't sound like punishment. More like she was planning to erase them from existence...
The man and woman, hearing her half-mad tone, begged for mercy—but fat chance. I could hear screams of people dying in the distance, but it was probably just my imagination.
"Now that this is over... it's just that uncle left, huh."
That uncle?
"Did I ask earlier? You didn't give any kind of medicine to someone, did you?"
I had, actually. I nodded.
The problem was, even after giving her the potion, her daughter—who I assumed was still in the hospital—hadn't gotten better, so I'd bolted. If someone hands you a potion swearing it'll cure you, and it doesn't, who'd be happy? Especially when your kid's life is on the line. No wonder.
While she was hospitalized, I'd even been the one urging us to hurry home before we got caught.
But why bring this up now? I shot Sister a puzzled look.
"I knew it... it was something you made."
She let out a sigh that sounded almost relieved at my answer.
What...? Sure, I'd made it, but there was no reason to react like that. In the end, my potion hadn't worked either, so I'd basically scammed the guy, right?
Wait... hold on. Why did Sister even know I'd gone out and handed over that potion?
Something felt off. My head turned toward her like a doll's, stiff and mechanical.
Maybe sensing my stare, she looked my way and started chuckling smugly, like she'd been waiting.
What the—why's she laughing?
Knock knock.
"They're here."
Hold up—what's here?
Click.
"Waaah~!"
"Pardon the intrusion."
The uncle who'd been slumped in despair in that chair yesterday, and the girl from the hospital—the only one who'd known my secret, though not anymore—came bursting into the room, yelling excitedly.
"Looks like the discharge paperwork's all done?"
"Yeah... sorta. But you sounded so urgent on the phone earlier, and now that you're here, you're all chill? What happened?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
As they chatted, I cast a spell to hide myself, vanishing like I'd been erased with an eraser. Carefully, I stood and tiptoed to the corner.
We'd just shared that heartfelt family moment—or apology, whatever—and I never dreamed she'd betray me like this right away. As long as I didn't get caught, it'd be fine. I thought...
Thud.
"Huh?"
Ugh... I'd bumped into something without thinking.
Even invisible, I wasn't actually gone—just unseen. Bumping into someone made this power worse than useless.
Please... don't notice...
"Felt like I bumped into someone..."
No... nothing like that...
Oh, that brooch... Isn't that the last one I made and shoved at her before leaving? Seeing her wearing it on her clothes made me weirdly happy, for no reason.
Anyone would feel good seeing people actually using something you poured your heart into making. Who wouldn't love that?
Of course, that's that, and this is this. Judging I hadn't been spotted, I started edging back to the corner.
"Sis~! You said she was here! She's not?"
The girl dashed over to Sister, who scratched her head in mock confusion.
What nonsense was she about to spin now, smirking like that? Whatever it was, it wasn't good for me.
"Looks like~ she's too embarrassed to come out?"
It sounded like she was talking straight to me, sending chills down my spine.
No, it was straight to me. That had to be a direct hit at my invisibility spell.
"Alright, Suyeon. Want Sis to show you some cool magic?"
"Magic?"
What was she planning? I stayed on high alert, scanning around me. Was she gonna use some anti-magic gadget? No guarantee those existed, but no guarantee they didn't either. I'd heard magic wasn't really a thing among awakeners, but still.
Wait... hold on. Something clicked.
That girl—presumably the uncle's daughter—was running around just fine. Didn't that mean my potion had worked?
If so, the uncle had no reason to come after me, so I didn't need to hide either, right?
"Seol-i? Come out now, or I confiscate your phone for the day?"
"..."
Hah, did she think I'd cave that easily? Now it was a matter of pride. I'd holed up for a whole year grinding magic and potion research. A day without my phone? Pfft, nothing.
I stayed put in the corner, silent.
After a beat, she must've realized that wouldn't cut it. She pondered, then fixed me with a sharp glare.
It was like she knew I was there but was holding back because of the kid—creepy as hell.
"Fine... computer for a week?"
Hah, a week? That's all she's got? What a lame bet. Time to teach her how it's done.
I stood up without hesitation.
"Right? It's magic, yeah?"
"Ooh...!"
A week was a bit much, though...
.
.
.
.
.
"Um..."
Was this really happening? Suddenly, I was face-to-face with that uncle I'd given the potion to—and his daughter. Technically, with Sister right there, it was more like a four-way standoff, but...
"Uh, um."
The uncle looked like he had something to say, mouth working silently, unsure where to start.
The girl beside him—Suyeon, was it?—seemed eager to talk too, but reading the mood, she just fiddled quietly with her brooch.
"First off... there's something I need to say to you."
I could guess what he wanted. Probably thanks for healing his daughter.
Sure enough, he bowed his head.
"Thank you... so much... for curing my daughter."
His voice trembled, words squeezed out with effort.
Suyeon, watching her dad, stood and patted his head gently.
What should I say? At first, I'd bolted thinking I hadn't cured her. Crazy to think it all happened in one day, but back then, I was terrified of revenge since the potion seemed useless.
I glanced at Sister. She just shrugged, no help there.
Fine, guess I had to handle it. I sighed inwardly.
"It's... it's fine, really."
Please lift your head—it was awkward. I hadn't given it expecting anything; I'd just heard her sad story and handed over what I had.
I looked at Suyeon. Hard to believe she'd spent ages bedridden—her cheeks were rosy, full of life.
Modern tech couldn't fix her, but my potion did? That meant my stuff was amazing.
Suddenly, I felt proud. Not to brag or anything, but hey, I'm a witch. That year wasn't wasted.
It felt like all my efforts had finally borne fruit. I couldn't help but smile. A grin spread across my face, just like that.