Nothing Ever Goes Right
Sister had dashed off, saying she needed to drop this potion somewhere real quick. She'd told me not to worry because she'd be right back, but I hadn't expected her to skip out without even eating properly. Especially after she'd set the table herself and then left without touching her own food—it was kinda ridiculous. She'd looked genuinely sorry when she said it, but couldn't it have waited? Was she that curious about my potion?
Of course, considering how effective it was, it wasn't weird for her to be so obsessed. Still, I'd been looking forward to a nice dinner with her, and now she was gone, leaving me alone again. It was disappointing. Isn't eating with someone else the best part of a meal? Having to eat solo again was just... lame.
In the end, the delicious food went to waste—I could barely swallow it. It had tasted amazing when we were eating together earlier, but now? Meh. I stared at her empty, cooling chair for a moment before getting up.
I shuffled over to the sofa and flopped down listlessly.
"Maybe I should've just told her straight up..."
I'd held back because I didn't want the hassle, but if it was gonna end like this, I should've spilled. Plus, even if she rushed off to "research" it, she probably couldn't grasp what I'd meant anyway. If she could make potions the same way I do, it wouldn't take long, but no way that's possible. From what I heard, all she could do was extend lifespans or something. Still, with modern tech these days, it's not like they couldn't figure it out. She probably never even thought to try making potions. Or... why does my mind keep wandering off like this? Whatever. Where'd sister even go? She used to be in a guild, right? Maybe the guild building? Do they even have research labs there? No clue.
"Nothing good on TV."
I'd always preferred YouTube over TV anyway, so maybe it was inevitable. Nothing caught my eye, so I just turned it off.
...
Come to think of it, you can watch YouTube or Netflix on TV these days... but turning it back on felt like too much effort. Honestly, I didn't feel like doing anything. I lounged on the sofa, looking around, then sprawled out and yawned. I could just veg out like this, but shouldn't I find something to do? At least until sister gets back—I wanna stay awake. What now...
Ding-dong.
"Huh?"
Someone at the door? I headed over and checked the screen. Not sure if sister installed CCTV or if the building's security was always this fancy, but it showed who was trying to get in.
The screen showed someone super familiar... Huh?
"Suyeon?"
Why's she here this late...?
—I came to see Master!
Master...? Wait, isn't that guy next to her? I glanced at the uncle in panic, but he just stood there stone-faced, like this was normal.
"What the...?"
Calling me "master" should've been weird, but whatever—kids playing around, I guess. Fine, whatever. The real issue is why they're here right now. To see me? This late in the evening? Sure, the sun hadn't fully set, but still, not exactly visiting hours. Even so, I couldn't just ignore them and send them away without a word, so I stared at the button with the mic icon nearby.
Just in case, I definitely wasn't gonna press it. I kept my eyes glued to the screen.
If I responded, Suyeon would freak if she realized I was home. No way.
—Huh? I swear I told her we'd come today—where is she?
—What? Can't see Master?
...She'd messaged ahead? So, do I have to answer? Sounds like they cleared it with sister beforehand... but I never heard anything from her. She bolted mid-meal, too obsessed with that potion vial to even mention it.
Yeah, she didn't tell me squat before leaving, so I don't owe her any favors, right? If I stay quiet, they'll think no one's home and leave. Perfect. Especially since I kinda wanted to be alone tonight...
I waited silently for them to go.
—Is she really not here...?
"..."
Suyeon's voice sounded so disappointed. But that's it. I sulk for a long time when I'm pissed. Not at her or the uncle specifically, but they'd do as my punching bags. Not that it'd happen, but just in case my voice leaked, I clamped my mouth shut.
After a bit, the two who'd been waiting gave up and started walking away from the camera.
Maybe there were more behind them? I'd wait a little longer, just to be safe.
......
......
......
Gone? Probably. I checked the screen closely again—no sign of them.
Whew, gone for real.
"Phew... thank god..."
I sighed in relief. Not like meeting them would've been a disaster, but if they came in, it'd be a hassle. Better to avoid it altogether...
Suddenly!
—Knew it! Hi, Master!!
"!??!??!"
Gasp! I jumped at the sudden voice and looked at the screen—Suyeon and the uncle were walking right in, waving like they knew I was watching.
How the hell...?
—We heard your voice~!
My voice...? No way. Just pressing the entry button wouldn't pipe house sounds outside. What was going on? I checked the switches.
"Ah..."
Why was the mic on...? I hadn't touched it.
"Huh...?"
No way... I stared at the panel with trembling eyes. The LED was lit up now, unlike before—like it was saying "recording."
I definitely hadn't pressed the mic-like button. There was only one explanation: the system auto-activated the mic when someone buzzed from below.
I'd blabbed without realizing it was on. So tragic.
......
"I can't believe you'd pretend not to be home!"
I'd wanted to be alone today... In the end, two unwanted guests invaded my sweet home. Not technically mine, but whatever. One was my "disciple," sure... but she hadn't even learned properly from me yet. Disciple my ass. She was cute at first, so I showed off some magic, but now? Just an annoying mosquito, nothing more or less.
Ugh.
"Um... Seol-i, was it...?"
The uncle, who'd been looking around the room, called out to me while I sulked. So grateful to me, but can't even remember my name right? Nah, he's probably just awkward since we barely know each other. But right now, everything he did annoyed me—prime fuel for grudges.
Why's he calling me anyway? Still, I couldn't ignore him, so I looked up like, what?
"Do you know where Han Chae-rin—no, sister—went, by any chance?"
"Guild..."
Guild! That damn guild! I was already pissed at sister for ditching dinner, and now these intruders asking about her? My mood plummeted. I turned away on the sofa, making it clear I didn't wanna talk.
"Master~! Missed you so much!"
I didn't miss you at all. And stop calling me master. The uncle's giving weird looks. I glanced at him nervously, and he noticed like a ghost, awkwardly waving with a smile.
Whatever, who cares if he knows...
"Don't call me master... people will hear..."
"Huh? Dad already knows?"
"What...?"
"You didn't say not to tell, right...? Oh no, did I mess up?!"
...
Ah... I stared at the uncle. He tried avoiding my gaze, but it only made me feel more pathetic.
Screw it all... I just wanna bawl my eyes out. For real.