Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Re-enrollment and Sisterly Shenanigans
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“Come in.”
A familiar voice. It was Teaching Assistant Shin Jeong-min.
From the moment I enrolled, he’d been looking out for us students in all sorts of ways.
He’d helped me out of a few tight spots and even covered for me when I caused trouble.
In a department where I didn’t have a single close friend besides the guys from my class, he was the one teacher I could truly trust and rely on.
As I opened the door and stepped in, a flicker of suspicion rose in the TA’s eyes as he looked at me.
“What brings you here?”
“I’d like to apply to retake some classes this semester.”
“Retake? Are you in the Korean Literature Department by any chance?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“That’s strange. I’ve never seen you before... What’s your name?”
“I know I look like this now, but... I’m Seo-hyun. Seo-hyun from the class of ’14, Jeong-min sir.”
“Seo-hyun? Yoon Seo-hyun from the ’14 class?”
“Yes. The same Seo-hyun you always helped out after I got into trouble. I mutated and ended up like this.”
“...Good lord.”
The TA didn’t seem to believe me at first, but then he looked over the documents I’d submitted and his mouth fell open. Just in case, I’d brought my hospital medical records too.
“Did... your gender change too?”
“That’s how it turned out. It happens sometimes, but I never thought it would to me.”
“...Good lord. Anyway, you’re retaking last semester’s classes, right?”
“Yes. Is there any other paperwork I need?”
“No, this should be fine. Oh, but it might be good to let the professors of those classes know.”
“Yeah, I figured as much.”
“That way they won’t be too surprised. If you want, I can mention it to them.”
“Oh... No, I think it’s better if I go see them myself. Especially since I basically vanished without a word last time.”
“Fair enough. The professors don’t have anything major going on right now, so they should be in their offices. By the way, when did you wake up?”
“About two months ago. They said I was out cold for a full three months.”
“What did you turn into?”
“A... dragon.”
“A dragon?”
“Yeah. Specifically, a Western dragon. You know, the kind they usually call a dragon?”
“A dragon? Hold on. Then... this is you?”
The TA pulled out his smartphone and showed me an article from two months ago. Talk about embarrassing.
“Ahaha... Yeah, that’s me.”
“Good lord. Incredible. Was the lightning thing real too?”
“Yeah. Seems like a racial trait. I guess you could say it awakened naturally?”
“Fascinating... Don’t go dropping lightning bolts on me if you get mad, okay?”
“Come on, would I ever?”
“Why not? You went after those seniors hard when they tried to haze you with their bullshit. And now you’re huge to boot...”
“Hey, that was ages ago. Before I even enlisted. Plus, since becoming a dragon, my personality’s gotten a lot softer. Won’t be an issue anymore.”
“Why’d your personality change too?”
“Something about becoming a dragon gave me this emotional stability. Even the doctor in charge of mutants said so when I first woke up. He’d never seen a mutant so emotionally stable. So no need to worry.”
As I waved it off, the TA smiled.
“Really glad to hear that. Since you’ve mutated, maybe use this chance to make some more friends. It always broke my heart seeing such a good kid stuck hanging out only with the guys from your class because of that one incident. Try getting close to some underclassmen too.”
“The underclassmen are scared of me. With public perception of mutants being so bad right now... that might be tough. And I prefer deep connections over a wide circle anyway.”
“Well, that’s your philosophy. Not my place to meddle. Still, I hope the joy you get from interacting with others outweighs the hassle.”
“...I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for the advice, sir.”
“On a side note, this seems like the perfect time to reshape how people see you. You’ve gotten so pretty now—you might even start dating someone.”
“Sir. Just two months ago, I was a guy...”
“I know, I know. You’re talking about psychological hang-ups, right? Gender identity issues come up with all gender-shifted mutants. Still, maybe keep your options open? People’s values change over time.”
“I think so too. But not right now.”
“Fair enough. Anyway, I was worried about you, so this is a relief.”
“Thanks for worrying. I was actually touched that the other guys from my class were concerned too.”
“Yeah, you all were always together. Though honestly, you five did feel a bit like your own isolated island.”
“We kinda were. Just the five of us hanging out.”
“Didn’t they mutate too?”
“I told them about it, but the details I’ll share when classes start. Easier to do face-to-face.”
“Ah. Anyway, classes starting is gonna stir things up. Oh right, third year first semester means the academic field trip, huh?”
“...Yeah. We were supposed to go last time, but then I ended up like this.”
“The field trip should be pretty soon after classes start, so use that to get friendly with the underclassmen. I’ll help set it up.”
“I’ll try. Thanks, sir. Then I’ll go show my face to the professors.”
“Hold on a sec? The department head’s administrative assistant is due any minute. Better to wait five minutes than run around to all the labs.”
“Sure.”
While waiting in the office, the TA asked about what I’d been up to the last two months, and I said nothing much.
“There was a Korean Lit student at the Minotaur-type mutant takedown!?”
“Yeah, a girl named Lee Si-hyun. Know her?”
“Of course. Everyone in the department remembers her. Wow... small world. Isn’t she your junior?”
“Probably doesn’t know I’m her senior. I just gave my name and bounced. People were trying to film me.”
“Ah. Classes are gonna have some fun events this semester.”
“Events...?”
“Haha. When term starts, try getting close to Si-hyun. She’s got a great rep and is super popular in the department—your social circle’ll explode.”
“Isn’t that too calculating?”
“Where’s the approach that isn’t? Plus, she saved your life, so she might come to you first. If she does, don’t brush her off too harshly.”
“I wouldn’t.”
“That’s good then.”
Just then, the department head opened the door.
Professor Kim Yeon-hwa, head of the department.
She taught Understanding Modern Literature.
“Oh, perfect, you’re here, Jeong-min.”
“Haha. Of course I am.”
“You’re the most diligent TA there is. Anyway, did you finish prepping that thing I asked for?”
“Yes. Oh, Professor, got a sec? It’s about this student.”
“Hm? What’s up?”
“It’s her.”
“New face? Was there such a pretty student in our department?”
“Oh, Department Head. I’m Yoon Seo-hyun, class of ’14.”
“Seo-hyun!? That big guy? Oh, I heard you took medical leave for an illness, but you mutated?”
“Yes... I’m really sorry for vanishing without a word.”
“No, no. Happens with mutations. You okay? Public views on mutants aren’t great, so it must’ve been tough.”
“Ahaha... Not really.”
“That’s a relief. Even your gender changed—adapting wasn’t hard?”
“Not sure if it’s racial, but I’m super emotionally stable, so no real adjustment needed.”
“Ah. What race?”
“A dragon.”
“...A dragon? Eastern or Western?”
“Western. Usually called a dragon.”
“Good lord, amazing. You applied to retake the semester? See you in class then.”
“Yes. I did. Haha... I’ll work hard.”
“Good, good. If anything comes up, tell Jeong-min or me. Got it?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, Jeong-min. Do the other professors know about Seo-hyun’s mutation?”
“No. I was just telling her to go visit them.”
“No need. There’s a meeting today—I’ll mention it.”
“Oh, thank you, Department Head.”
“No big deal. Gotta do it as department head.”
The department head rattled off her piece and vanished like the wind.
“...Saved you some hassle. Ready to head out?”
“Oh, yeah. Gotta prep for the semester.”
“Take care.”
* * *
After the office visit, it was back to unemployed life extension.
Of course, I popped into the hospital now and then for checkups.
Otherwise, the only notable thing was my little sister dragging me around everywhere.
She kept saying I only wore drab clothes and turned me into her dress-up doll.
“Wow... You look amazing. Really.”
“...How much more embarrassing are you gonna make me, little sis?”
“But dressing you up all bright and cheery looks so good. Right, Seo-ah?”
“Totally. You were blending into the shadows before.”
Her laughing like that made her look extra annoying today, but it was probably just my imagination.
Me ending up as her dress-up doll was entirely my mom’s fault—Lady Lee Min-hwa.
Our mom, who occasionally raids our sisters’ apartment, saw my wardrobe and flipped out with a “You finally become a girl and these are your drab clothes?” Then she dragged Seo-ah and me to the department store.
Now I’m like a model heading out for a photoshoot.
Mom even got me bright hats to cover my horns.
“Dress up sometimes. You turned out so pretty.”
“How are you and Yun Seo-ah saying the exact same thing?”
“Did Seo-ah say that too? Makes sense—we’re mother and daughter.”
“...Yeah, right.”
After sweeping through the department store, we got back to the apartment utterly drained.
I thought becoming a dragon meant I wouldn’t tire easily, but women’s infinite stamina at department stores? No way I could keep up.
Mom whirlwinded through us and left to meet friends, saying she had plans.
As I sat dazed in the living room sorting my ridiculously bright new clothes, Yun Seo-ah came over.
“Term’s starting soon. Nervous?”
“Not really. Just hoping I don’t suffer through group projects again.”
“Ugh. Anyway, I’m in Humanities too, so if you don’t have anyone to go with, we can hang.”
“Freshman? Stick with your department kids.”
“Sis, you don’t know?”
“Know what?”
“Girls in women’s dorms seem all buddy-buddy first semester, but by break, factions form. Everyone’s got knives out and three or four group chats pop up.”
“You think I don’t know that? Still, better to have one friendly face in the department. I did the same.”
“Hmm... Got it. Can I visit sometimes then?”
“...Do what you want. If anyone messes with you, tell me right away.”
“Why? Gonna help?”
“Help my ass. I’ll help the brave soul who messes with you. I know your temper. Just worried you’ll cause trouble.”
“...”
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