Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: The Yandere Fairy's Gaze is Strange
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"Haeseong... is your face for real?"
Even after stepping inside the house, Ungseok bombarded me with questions, drooling like crazy.
I responded casually, as if it were no big deal.
"Heh, maybe it's the fresh air around here. My skin's cleared up a bit."
"No, forget that—you've gotten handsomer!"
Ungseok clenched his fists, raising his voice in a way that matched his burly build.
This was another scenario I'd fully anticipated, so I kept a straight face as I replied.
"Of course your skin improves and you look better. And it's not like I was ugly to begin with, right?"
"What? Were you just sleep-deprived and looking rough at the funeral home?"
"Could be. I was exhausted back then."
"Damn it, this is so unfair! Why do I feel like I'm the only one aging?"
"You're still in your twenties—what do you mean aging?"
Junseok had shown some initial interest but quickly lost it, plopping down on the sofa to turn on the TV. Meanwhile, Ungseok kept pestering me, trailing right behind.
"If I live here for a week, will I turn out like you?"
"Dream on. There's this thing called your base looks—they don't change."
"You bastard! You're being extra harsh today? Wanna go a round of wrestling after so long... Huh? What the hell's with your forearm!?"
Ungseok suddenly grabbed my forearm with his palm, flinching in surprise at how rock-hard my muscles were.
"What?"
"You... been working out lately?"
"What else is there to do here? Just taking it easy."
"I might actually lose to you in wrestling now..."
"I already beat you before."
"You little—!"
I easily shook off Ungseok's arm as he jumped in place for a headlock, then shook my head side to side.
"Ha... can't you just sit still like Junseok?"
"Junseok was already here last week! I'm just excited to see you."
"If we're splitting hairs, you saw me at my dad's funeral too."
"We couldn't exactly greet each other warmly after so long back then!"
Thinking about it, I started to get why Ungseok was acting so over-the-top.
After my divorce from Jua, he'd been the one reaching out the most.
Unlike Junseok, whom I'd met in college, Ungseok was a hometown buddy—practically a bro.
Sure, he had a rough personality, but he was the righteous type who wore his heart on his sleeve and cried easily.
"Sorry, man. You kept inviting me out for drinks, and I turned you down every time."
Ungseok looked startled at my belated apology and sudden serious expression, flashing an awkward grin.
"N-no worries. I knew what you were going through, so I get it."
"And thanks for handling my dad's procession on such short notice."
"This guy... did you butter your tongue today? Why are you being so sappy?"
"I already thanked Junseok over drinks last time, but I hadn't gotten to you yet."
"S-stop it, my bad."
I let out a little chuckle, and Ungseok burst into his signature hearty laugh right after.
Then, as if remembering something, his eyes lit up.
"Oh yeah, Soeun-i's coming today, right?"
"Ah, you remember her too?"
"Of course! How could I forget? That little brat had such a nasty temper..."
Huh?
Was Ungseok mixing her up with someone else?
There was only one Soeun in our neighborhood.
I tilted my head sharply.
"You mean Yoo Soeun?"
"Yeah, her folks farm corn. Heard she's gotten pretty, but I haven't seen her myself."
"Sounds right, but her having a bad personality?"
"Don't get me started! She's the same age as my little brother."
"Ungtae?"
"That bump on Ungtae's head right now? Soeun-i bashed him with a rock from the ground! At that age, she needed three stitches."
What...?
She hit someone in the head with a rock...?
The Soeun-i who used to tremble in fear of bugs, clinging to my pant leg and bawling her eyes out?
"No way."
"It's true. Happened when Ungtae was nine, I think."
"How'd I never hear about it? Neighborhood gossip spreads fast."
"Our parents are tight with her family, so they hushed it up. And hey, what nine-year-old picks up a rock like that!?"
"Still, smashing someone's head with a rock is kinda..."
"Ungtae used to wear his house key on a chain around his neck back then. Guess they fought, he swung it at her, and... yeah."
So basically...
Ungtae swung the chain at her, so Soeun-i picked up a rock from the ground and clocked him...
Was that normal for a nine-year-old girl?
'Hmm...'
Yeah, at nine, a kid's sense of self isn't fully formed yet.
No other incidents since, so maybe she turned out fine.
"What'd they even fight over with Ungtae?"
"No idea... Call him and ask?"
"Guess I could—"
♬♪♬
The doorbell rang right then.
All of us instinctively turned toward the front door.
*
"Haha! I'm Haeseong's college buddy, Seo Junseok."
"Ah, hi. I'm Yoo Soeun."
"Things feel awkward—wanna grab a drink?"
"Sure!"
Junseok was handling the chit-chat, but Soeun-i's eyes were fixed on me.
She seemed fascinated by my changed face but held back, probably figuring it was rude to mention.
Junseok grinned wide, pointing at the rolled omelet on the table.
"Soeun, try this. I made it—it's seriously good."
"Thanks. Digging in."
Junseok had been watching TV earlier, so he missed Ungseok's stories about her childhood. He was all bright and innocent about it.
Makes sense—it's been over ten years. Who'd sweat the details now?
Soeun-i brought a beer can to her lips, then tilted her head at Ungseok.
"You look really familiar..."
"It's me, Ungtae's big bro, Ungseok."
"Ah! Hi! It's been forever, bro. How's Ungtae?"
"...He's good."
"Lost touch with him after he headed to Seoul, so glad to hear he's doing well."
"Haha! Y-yeah!"
Judging by her face, Soeun-i didn't remember her fight with Ungtae from way back.
I don't recall everything from second grade either, but big events stick, right?
Though memories vary person to person...
Ungseok, not wanting to dwell on old grudges, flashed his usual hearty grin and grabbed a beer can.
"The rumors are true—Soeun-i, you've gotten gorgeous."
"Ungseok bro, you've bulked up nice and sturdy too."
I burst out laughing at the way her eyes wavered, jumping into the convo.
"Soeun-i's brutally honest. Normally you'd dodge with 'you got handsome too.'"
"...Oppa, you gonna keep teasing?"
"This is teasing Ungseok, not you. Pfft!"
The mood lightened up, laughter blooming everywhere.
Except for one person with different intentions: Junseok.
"Soeun, got a boyfriend?"
"Sadly, no."
"Whoa!? Figured guys wouldn't leave you alone—surprising."
"They kinda did, though?"
"Oof, must've been some loser dudes!"
It felt like cheesy '90s flirting that'd only work on my dad.
Cracking me up inside, but seeing Junseok's desperate face oddly killed the urge to roast him.
Fine, he never does much for me usually—might as well help out here.
I cleared my throat and turned to Soeun-i.
"Junseok works at a big corp in Seoul."
"Whoa! Must've studied your butt off in school. But... didn't you go to the same college as Oppa? I don't remember him being a studious type."
"You dissing our college now?"
"N-not the college! Just that I don't recall Oppa being a bookworm!"
Junseok tugged awkwardly at his collar.
"Got in on luck."
"Luck getting into a big corp? Rejects would bawl hearing that."
"W-well... nailed the interview, I guess."
True, when we heard Junseok landed that big corp gig, even our classmates were shocked.
Our school was in Seoul but no SKY prestige, so it blew up big time.
To keep the vibe going, I shot Junseok a mischievous look.
"Wait, don't tell me your dad's the company chairman?"
"Cough! Hack!"
Junseok choked on his beer like it'd gone down wrong.
No wonder he chugs it—always showing his clumsy side like this.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, not sure if it went up my nose or down my throat, but I'm fine."
Laughter filled the drinking session once more.
Junseok, embarrassed, wiped his face with tissue and switched topics quick.
"Anyway, you put a bath on the roof, and now a sauna? Insane."
"Kinda happened that way."
"Fai—er, whatever. Gonna hit the sauna tomorrow and sweat it out."
Junseok almost asked about the "fairy" but pivoted to the sauna. Soeun-i jumped in, eyes wide with curiosity.
"You installed a bath and sauna on the roof!?"
Soeun-i was stunned hearing it for the first time, and across from her, Ungseok's eyes went equally round.
No real need to hide it despite the personal bits, so I spilled most of it—starting from finding Dad's blueprint on the roof, skipping the fairy part.
"...So that's how it went down."
"Whoa... building a bath solo is nuts! Gonna try it with Junseok tomorrow."
Ungseok nodded slowly, then suddenly lifted and planted his butt back on the chair as something clicked.
"Oh! Makes sense now. This guy's been sauna-ing daily—cleared his skin, dropped the fat."
"Oh! That explains it! You looked different somehow... But oppas, you haven't heard any weird rumors around town?"
Splish-splosh!
Splish-splashhh!
Water sounds echoed from the roof right then.
Junseok, Ungseok, and Soeun-i all looked up at the ceiling in unison.
Fuck, it's been quiet these past few days, and she picks today to show up!?