Enjoying a Short Break
"That child's path has been smooth so far. At this rate, forming a guild within a few months won't be difficult at all."
"Yes. I'll continue supporting her actively from her side."
"But she'll struggle alone. That's how guilds are. It'd be good to attach someone experienced... From the Bureau's position, though, we can only stay neutral after the program ends."
Director Jang Taesan glanced subtly at Seonhwa. She remained silent.
"You've grown quite fond of her, haven't you? If the program ends, could you really say goodbye?"
"That's..."
Seonhwa couldn't answer. Just as Jang Taesan said, she'd developed real affection for Yeon Chorok during their time together.
"You have time, so think it over slowly. Whichever you choose, I'll respect your decision."
"Yes..."
"And bad news mixed with good. You've heard the bad news already, right? As her handler, be extra careful."
"Ah, you mean the hunter who's now an internationally wanted fugitive? The one who's likely in our country..."
"Right. They say he slipped in from China and fled to either Korea or Japan. Officially confidential, but we're cooperating on the investigation too. That's the bad news—now for the good."
Jang Taesan pulled out a few prepared documents. They included satellite photos of Jeju Island.
"She mentioned interest in Jeju, right? Just in time, a report came in from an exploration guild about a new gate."
"...So, when Green Unnie's not hunting, she just walks Deobseok-i?"
"Yeah. Otherwise, I watch behind-the-scenes stuff or peek at people gaming on NewTube."
Nod nod. In a limo heading somewhere, Deobseok-i nodded along from the next seat.
"You don't even meet friends?"
"..."
It stung, like I'd been caught.
Seo-ah. You shouldn't have said that. How could you say something so harsh? That's too much.
I lost touch with the orphanage kids, and at jobs, I always got chased off, so no real friends...
"Sorry..."
She must've noticed right away and apologized. That hurt even more...
"Don't apologize..."
"But we're friends, so we can hang out like this more! You don't hate playing with me, right?"
"No, it's not that."
Last time at the botanical garden was fun too. With Seo-ah, even casual chat clicks—we have so much in common.
Shared vibes? Talking to kids feels easier now, maybe 'cause I look like one.
"So, where are we going?"
"A downtown spot that's exhibition hall, mall, and theater all-in-one? Main event's the movie, then clothes shopping underground. Family-picked clothes are nice, but I like choosing my own."
"Seo-ah, you pick your own?"
"Yup! I read kids' fashion mags too! Fall even a bit behind trends, and kids ignore you. Gotta nail outfits and know the latest—it's way harder than it looks!"
"What's trending for kids these days...?"
I almost said latte out of habit. But I've got adult experience.
Back then, rich kids played Pokémon on DS, while kids like me saved allowance for months for Metal Fan Blade and that was it.
"Till recently, trading Pop-Its or mochi dolls, slime cafe hangs... All passé now. Kids do Blockrox. I blow allowance on Blocks the second it hits."
Her machine-gun chatter threw me. I know nothing! Take back what I said about clicking with kids...
"Wanna try, Unnie? Blockrox is fun."
"I'm bad at games. Love watching on NewTube, though."
Tried once at a PC bang 'cause streams looked fun—chat roasted me.
Our top sucks worse than bot? Then they asked about parents. Said none, they raged more.
"Still, try later. Phone's enough."
"Maybe someday. Oh, movie too, right? What're we seeing?"
"Not huge with all kids, but my fave! Catch weekly episodes, and the movie just dropped! Week-one theater exclusives too—had to today!"
Her excitement screamed anime flick. I like manga/anime, so fine.
"What's it called?"
"PetitCure of Hope and Power Tools! Last was mini pets; this one's chainsaw and nail gun mains. Action's unbeatable—other animes can't touch it. Unnie'd love it too!"
Another barrage. PetitCure—that thing kids shoved at me during training? Seo-ah's a fan too?
Dunno much, but her passion's clear.
"Sounds good. Let's watch. Can't say no to your fave. Big sis'll join ya. Ahem!"
Yeah, friend's gotta. If boring, munch popcorn crunch crunch, nom nom.
......
Theater break room after the movie. I'm still lost in the afterglow.
"How was it...? Mid-movie, you seemed hooked, Unnie."
Fun? I pause. Need to sort feelings.
Just a tiny bit. Tiny bit.
"Why? Not great?"
"No... Not that."
How to express this? It wells up deep—can't sum in one word.
Why'd I forget? Spinning Metal Fan Blade as a kid felt just like this.
"It was awesome! So fun! Pure Hope's chainsaw whiiir shredding baddies! Pure Dream's nail gun rat-tat blasting the exec—epic! Deobseok-i and Kkumteuli approve too!"
Nod nod. Wriggly wriggly.
Deobseok-i nods in my arms; Kkumteuli draws an O with two vines.
See? They agree. Didn't get the kid/parent lines at first, but now I do!
"Right? Fun, huh? Good we came! Knew you'd love PetitCure. Wish school was buzzing—bummer."
"But I had a blast! Thanks for showing me. And the merch!"
"Glad you loved it. Swap if you want a fave? I like both."
"Then Pure Hope's chainsaw cheer stick! Can we?"
"Duh! For your time, least I can do!"
Yahoo! Plush chainsaw magic wand! Stash safe at home.
"Now shopping, eats, then home. Since we're here, pick you outfits too!"
"Eung? Me too?"
"Yours are cute, but someone picks 'em, right?"
"Seonhwa Liaison... No, Unnie."
"Already 'Unnie'? You two close? Anyway, you need self-care. I'll help!"
Thus, dragged by Seo-ah to the kids' wear basement.
Thinking sub-shopping was main? Nope.
"...Hmm. Nice, but missing something. Perfect for Unnie's out there."
"Customer, how 'bout this?"
"Ooh, good! Unnie, try on?"
"Again...?"
Cool, sure. She's mall pro, got it.
This is déjà vu. First met Seonhwa Unnie vibes.
Guarantee my freedom! Guarantees all around!
Feels like 30 mins already. Still going strong...
"Everything suits you so pretty—tricky. Let's perfect the coord!"
"O-okay...? Bit more endurance."
"This seals it. Mirror?"
"Yeah..."
Tiny bit? Exhausted. Done, right? Seo-ah and clerk tag-teamed fits—extra 10 mins. Body's limp seaweed...
"Huh...?"
Mirror hits—fatigue vanishes. Is that me? Diff from first flowy dress.
This screams kid-model strut? Store felt upscale for kids' corner.
"Whaddya think? I slay?"
"I... admit it!"
"Friend's cute, but you styled? Stunning!"
"Heh... No jealousy now. You're that pretty—gotta glam max. All on me."
She pulls a black card. Right, she's loaded. Forgot amid fun.
Today's packed with great friend memories.
"...Stuffed."
Post-meal, sun's set. Back in limo with Seo-ah, heading home.
"You eat so tasty, like last dinner."
"Heard that lots before. Folks said I eat prosperously."
Orphanage director's words. Wanna visit soon. She always kind—when I was a guy.
"Hang like this often. Fun with you, Unnie. Heehee."
"Same. Today rocked."
"Next plans...? Any schedule?"
"Yeah... Thinking Jeju soon."
Seonhwa Unnie called. Trip coming. Jihye Unnie's quiet—bummer.
"Whoa, me too! Grandpa's bidding new gate! I'll observe. Join, Unnie! He likes you—sure to say yes."
Eung? Yusung backed last gate.
Yusung digs me? Dunno why.
"Cool! Together then!"
Fun with Seo-ah? Why not!
Beach views, citrus, seafood—hype!
"Deobseok-i. Kkumteuli. Jeju fun soon. Find Rica too!"
Nod nod. Wriggly... Rustle.
"What? Kkumteuli, why?"
Deobseok-i affirms. But wrist Kkumteuli acts odd.
—Flash!
Sudden blaze from Kkumteuli.
"Ack! Blinding! Kkumteuli, what's up?"
Wriggly wriggly. Two vines pull out the stored mirror.
Something reflects: jagged black rocks on a beach.
"Whoa? That's the spot with Grandpa!"
A familiar gate entrance looms there.