Partner (2)
After the friendly match with Jang Suwon was decided, I returned home and immediately sat down in front of the computer, turning on the internet. But once I was actually sitting in front of the monitor, I had no idea where to even begin. ...Hmm. What should I search for?
I fiddled with the keyboard for a long time, lost in thought, before deciding to just go with the first thing that came to mind.
Click— The search results flooded in instantly, and one article in particular caught my eye.
“Oh...”
After skimming through it, I realized it was exactly what I’d been looking for. The internet really was incredible. It was a little condensed, but the content was clear and easy to understand overall.
“...So that’s how it is. There’s a reason behind everything. This is it...”
I leaned back deep in my chair, comparing the cases of other children with Min Soyeon’s situation. There were quite a few similarities.
...Maybe I should look up a little more?
The next morning, on the way to school.
...I’m tired. I’d stayed up late yesterday looking up all sorts of things for Soyeon’s sake. If I’d fallen into a deep sleep it would’ve been fine, but the slightly exhausting dream I had left me feeling worn out.
It was a dream from my school days, back when we were choosing partners. A female student had approached me out of nowhere and asked to partner with me. I’d been flustered by the sudden suggestion and stood there dazed, while my wife—Ju Yeonhee—who had been watching from the side, gently pulled me toward her and interrupted. In the end, the girl got angry at my wife and they started fighting. The real event had ended with my wife’s one-sided beatdown, but the dream version had them evenly matched. My wife had always been strong, both then and now.
“Huuuaam...”
I let out a long yawn and slowly made my way toward school. As I mentally reviewed the information I’d learned from the internet, I suddenly paused.
“...Hm?”
A stale, acrid smell brushed past my nose. When I came to my senses and looked around, I realized I was near the alley where I had first run into Soyeon.
...No way.
With a sinking feeling, I hurried into the alley and...
“...”
Sure enough, there she was—Min Soyeon, leaning against the wall and smoking a cigarette.
I stood there staring, lost in thought. She must have noticed my gaze, because she lowered the cigarette from her lips and met my eyes. The moment our gazes locked, a heavy silence fell over the narrow alley.
Her cold stare made me flinch for a second, but I quickly recalled what I’d learned yesterday. I took a cautious step toward her and spoke softly.
“Hello.”
No greeting came back. Min Soyeon simply stared at me for a moment, then brought the cigarette back to her lips and muttered in a low voice.
“...Get lost.”
...Oof. Starting the day with verbal abuse. Looks like it’s going to be a refreshing one.
I ignored her words and leaned against the wall opposite her. She seemed determined to pretend I didn’t exist, turning her gaze away as she took another drag.
Sssip— Hooo—
The smoke poured out like a deep sigh, filling the narrow alley. The harsh cigarette stench invaded my nostrils, and I unconsciously frowned.
Min Soyeon glanced at my expression, then looked away again and focused on her smoking. I simply watched her in silence.
The urge to rush over and snatch that resentful cigarette away hit me hard. But I couldn’t. Right now, I wasn’t her parent or her friend. I was just some guy she barely knew.
“...”
I took a deep breath to steady myself, only to fill my lungs with the acrid smoke. Fine. I steeled my resolve once more and spoke carefully.
“...Is that... any good?”
Even I thought the question sounded strange the moment it left my mouth. No matter how you looked at it, “tasty” and “cigarette” didn’t belong in the same sentence.
Min Soyeon gave me a sidelong glare, then silently flicked the cigarette to the ground. The usual dismissal.
I recalled my firm determination and tried again, acting like nothing was wrong.
“...I kind of want to try one. Can you spare one?”
This time she didn’t even look at me. She simply ground the cigarette butt under her shoe and said,
“...It’s bad for you.”
With that short remark, she turned and left the alley.
She knows it’s bad for her health, yet she smokes like that anyway. It was a question I couldn’t answer in my current position.
*
After parting ways with Min Soyeon and continuing toward school, I could feel countless students staring at me.
“...Is that the guy?”
“I heard he’s fighting some kid from Class B over Min Soyeon, and his parents are A-rank...”
“...That handsome guy?”
They weren’t even trying to be quiet. The open whispers reached my ears clearly.
...Had the rumor spread already? It hadn’t even been a full day. I never expected this much attention. It must be because of Min Soyeon’s name value.
Feeling strangely proud inside, I walked confidently into the classroom as if nothing had happened. I took a seat in an empty corner, but once again felt the students’ piercing stares.
I was quietly preparing for class when someone approached me.
...Yes?
When I turned my head, three female students were looking down at me. The one in front spoke hesitantly.
“...U-um, Jihwan... There’s the friendly match today, right...? I-I’m rooting for you...!”
Huh? Out of nowhere? I never imagined anyone would cheer for me.
Believing kindness should be met with kindness, I gave her a bright smile and thanked her.
“Thank you.”
Her face flushed bright red and she looked incredibly shy—like a girl facing her crush.
Then she suddenly shoved something she’d been hiding behind her back into my hands and shouted bashfully,
“Th-this is a snack I made! Please enjoy it!!”
She immediately dragged the other two girls away to the opposite side of the classroom.
...How cute.
I glanced down at the small shopping bag in my arms. The adorable design showed she’d put real thought into it. Inside was a small paper box, and through the clear lid I could see bite-sized muffins.
Oh... These look delicious.
They were made with care, though the sizes varied slightly, which made them feel genuinely homemade. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten a handmade dessert. When was it...?
In my previous life, my wife hadn’t been much of a cook, so I usually made our meals or bought them.
While I was lost in those old memories, the homeroom teacher’s voice rang out from the front of the class.
“Good morning, everyone!”
Class had started. I quickly set the shopping bag aside and looked around as I prepared for the lesson.
And...
...She made it safely.
I spotted Min Soyeon sitting in the opposite corner, staring at her desk with cloudy eyes.
The morning classes were mostly theoretical, so there wasn’t anything particularly new. It was either material I already knew or extremely basic theory that didn’t help me much.
I spent the time reviewing the internet articles from yesterday, and before I knew it, morning classes were over.
After a light lunch, I tried one of the muffins the nameless girl had given me.
...It’s sweet.
It had been so long since I’d had dessert that it tasted a little too sweet. Still, out of respect for her sincerity, I ate every last one, then walked over to thank her properly. The way she beamed with joy was genuinely heartwarming.
After lunch ended, the time finally arrived.
“Are both students ready?”
Lim Chakyung, who was serving as referee today, called out to us.
“Yes! I’m ready!”
Jang Suwon, now in his combat uniform, answered while lightly rolling his shoulders. I had changed into mine as well and gave Lim Chakyung the same confirmation.
“...Good. As I explained earlier, there will be two buzzers.”
Lim Chakyung went over the rules once more. Jang Suwon and I glared at each other, listening quietly. After confirming everything, she stepped back and said,
“I hope you both give it your all.”
With those brief words of support, she left the arena.
Following the rules of the friendly match, I began to put some distance between us when Jang Suwon, still glaring, swept back his curly golden hair and spoke.
“Yu Jihwan. I hope it’s a good match.”
It would’ve been easier if he were a complete jerk. His decent personality somehow made things more uncomfortable. I gave a suitable reply, turned my back, and moved to the starting position.
Standing on the white mark on the ground, I looked across at Jang Suwon in the distance. A strange tension filled the arena. We held our breath, staring each other down, until—
Beep— The buzzer signaling the start of the match echoed through the space.
At the same time, Jang Suwon quietly adjusted his stance. He turned sideways, lowered his center of gravity, raised both fists to eye level, and pointed one toward me. The stance looked familiar.
...So those impressive parents of his belonged to that woman?
There had been a female A-rank hunter famous for her martial arts. I’d met her a few times for work...
I wondered if Jang Suwon knew that, back when I was Min Sungjae, she had made advances toward me.
“...”
I smiled faintly and took up a suitable stance of my own.
Since Jang Suwon was using martial arts, he likely possessed a ‘physical enhancement-type ability’ similar to his mother’s.
Hunter battles weren’t complicated. You raised your mana quickly, used your ability, and subdued your opponent as fast as possible. Giving time to seasoned hunters was the same as exposing your weaknesses. It was especially bad for rear-line fighters like me—the longer the fight dragged on, the worse it became.
Of course, that didn’t apply to someone like Jang Suwon who had only recently awakened.
Apparently annoyed by my relaxed attitude, he moved immediately. Mana surged as he shot forward like a spring.
“...Haaht!”
He closed the distance in an instant and threw a punch. His form was clean; he must have practiced a lot. But the speed was lacking.
I calculated where the fist would land, then quickly condensed my mana into a small barrier.
Thud!
A heavy sound rang out. It had been a while, but my skills clearly hadn’t dulled.
“Kh...”
Jang Suwon had probably hoped to end it in one blow. He looked slightly flustered that his punch had been blocked.
I created some distance, lowered my stance, and rapidly drew up my mana. It flowed through my body in waves, gathering instantly around my right hand. With a sharp bang that seemed to suck in the surrounding air, the mana ignited with a fierce blaze.
The magic Soyeon had loved most as a child. The one we had created together. Its name was...
Fire Punch
I shouted the technique name and threw my fist. The mana wrapped around my hand erupted outward.
Whoooosh—!
Jang Suwon looked momentarily startled by the incoming flames, but quickly moved to dodge. His forced movement ruined his posture.
Now!
I seized the opening, gathered my mana, and closed in. Jang Suwon, already off-balance, couldn’t stop me.
Thwack!
I swept my leg at the one supporting his center of gravity.
“Ugh!”
He lost his balance and crashed to the ground with a heavy thud. I stood over his head and spoke quietly.
“...Sorry.”
Jang Suwon, who had been rolling on the floor with a dazed look, soon wore a hollow expression and squeezed his eyes shut.
“...I lost.”
The moment he admitted defeat, the buzzer signaling the end of the match rang out.
Beep— My victory.
Now that it was over, I felt strangely unsettled despite having won. It didn’t feel right to celebrate beating a kid. It was like I’d bullied someone who didn’t know any better.
At that moment, cheers erupted from the students watching outside the arena.
“Waa—! Waa—!”
When I turned and waved, their cheers grew even louder. I quickly scanned the crowd and spotted Min Soyeon sitting among them. Even from quite a distance, our eyes met.
...Huh?
Was I imagining it, or was there some unknown emotion hidden in the way Min Soyeon was looking at me?