Indra Translations
Navigation
I Killed an Academy Player Chapter 146: Mag Mell, The Island of Treasures (2)

Chapter 146: Mag Mell, The Island of Treasures (2)

“Hello,‌‍ vampire lady. I am the Son​⁠ of Youth and⁠​ the God of‍ Love, Oengus.”

The‍ beautiful-looking blonde-haired youth‍ who appeared from​ the thick layer‌⁠ of fog that​ separated everyone introduced⁠ himself while playing​‌​ his harp.

Marie‌‍‌ knew that this‌⁠‍ man was a god who would⁠ be giving her⁠ a trial.

“Hello.​‍‍ Mr… Oengus?”

“Lovely‌​‍ lady, there’s no⁠ need to be​ so formal.”

His​​‍ voice was so‌⁠‍ sweet that it​​⁠ reeked of honey,⁠​⁠ but Marie remained‌ indifferent to it.‍⁠ A girl in​​‍ love was always‌‍ like this – while thinking that⁠ to himself, Oengus​⁠ looked at her‍‍ and said with‌​ a smile.

“This⁠‌ certainly is a rare occurrence. Three‌‌ girls in love⁠​ with one hero…⁠‍ This must be‍ why they say⁠ heroes are debaucherous.”⁠‌

“Uht…”​

It⁠ was nothing new,‍‍​ but hearing that‌⁠‍ come out from‍ a god that⁠⁠ she was seeing‍⁠⁠ for the first‌⁠⁠ time forced Marie‌ to shut her‌‌ mouth.

“How​ did you…”

“The​ moment you entered‌ the Island of⁠​​ Treasures already marked‍ the start of​‍‌ your trials. We‌​‌ have the right​‌​ and duty to‌⁠ observe the boys​ and girls that‌‍ visit us, wanting​‍ to be a hero.”

“Ughh…⁠ Don’t tell me…?”​​

Clenching⁠ her teeth, she‍⁠​ resentfully glared at‍ Oengus.

“Don’t⁠‌‌ worry. We are⁠‍​ not inconsiderate enough‍​​ to delve deeply⁠‍ into private matters.⁠‍‌ Things, however, might‌​‍ be slightly different​ for Korin Lork,⁠​​ who will be⁠‍ the main figure‍​‍ behind the trial.”‍‍​

“Huh?‍ What are you‌‌​ going to do‍‌ to Korin?”

“It‍⁠‌ is because this‌ trial has been‌ formed based on‌ his childhood, youth,​ and adulthood. Korin⁠​​ Lork from those⁠​ times may be‍ different, but is⁠ still none other‍ than Korin Lork‌‌‌ himself. Now, it‍ will be a fight between you‍ all!”

“W,​⁠‍ wait. What do‌‌ you mean…!?”

“That‌ is for you‍‌ to see. Now,‌ young girl. I am the Danann‍⁠ of Love; Oengus⁠ of Youth. I shall give you‌‍ the Trial of⁠ Love.”

Dididing~.‌ Oengus the Danann‍‍ said while playing‌⁠⁠ his harp. He‍‍ then started speaking​​⁠ in a more⁠ formal manner.

“T,⁠‌‌ Trial of Love?”‍‍​

“Indeed.⁠​‌ Thou must not‍‍⁠ be enticed; instead,⁠‍ thou shalt be‍​ the one enticing.‌​‍ Find thy love.”​‌⁠

“Umm…​​ Y, you mean…”‍

-Diding~⁠⁠

“This⁠‍‌ will be a fair battle in⁠⁠ a state of‍⁠ oblivion! Attain thy⁠​​ love, young maiden!”‌​

“Hahht?!”​

“The‍​ Trial may tempt​ thee, but I wish thou will​ overcome it! Wahahahaha…!‍​ The one who‍​⁠ falls in love‌ first will be‌‍ the loser!!”

Like⁠ a marriage broker,‌ he finished it⁠​ off with an‍ exaggerated laugh before⁠ disappearing into thin‌⁠ air.

“What…”⁠

Marie⁠ blankly looked at‍​⁠ the place where​⁠​ Oengus had been​ standing, but the‌‌ trial had already‍‍ begun.

“Nn?​​ Senior Marie?”

“Haht?”‌​

Korin‌ Lork.

A freshman junior from‌‌⁠ the Academy, whom‌⁠‌ she hadn’t talked⁠​ to very often,‌‌‍ was standing in⁠‍ front of her.‍‍‍

“Umm…‌⁠ Hello, Junior?”

As‌⁠​ if it was‍ her first time​​ seeing him, Marie‍⁠‍ greeted the junior​⁠⁠ before her eyes.⁠‍⁠

***‍‌‍

Lately,⁠‌ the Arden household​‌ was thriving day‌ after day. Ever‌ since Alicia’s older‌ sister became the‍‍ family head, the​ number of their⁠​⁠ dojos only continued​ to increase.

Nowadays,‍‌‌ the Arden Style⁠‌⁠ of swordsmanship had‍ spread all across⁠⁠ the continent and‌ had become the‍⁠ standard swordsmanship of‍‍‌ every knight, thus‍​ infinitely increasing their⁠ influence.

The⁠‌​ one at the‍​‍ center of that‍⁠​ abrupt prosperity was​ her husband and​ Alicia’s brother-in-law.

Him.‍

Korin‍ Lork.

The⁠ husband of her‍​ sister, Lunia Arden.‌⁠

He‍⁠ was a warrior‌‌‌ who was no​‍‍ weaker than Lunia​​⁠ herself and… unlike‌​⁠ Lunia, who tended​ to be rather‌⁠ brusque and cold,‌⁠​ he was acquainted‌ and close to⁠‍ everyone ranging from‌‍​ the influential people‌‌ in the East‌‍‌ to people from⁠‌⁠ the Royal Court.‍​

Although⁠ his background wasn’t‌‍ incredible or anything,⁠ his ability, and​​‌ competence were widely⁠‌ seen as the​⁠ blessing given to‍⁠ the Arden family.‌‌​

On⁠‍ top of that,⁠ he seemed to​⁠‌ be in a very good relationship‌ with Lunia – they were 9 years into the​​⁠ marriage and already‍ had 12 children.⁠​ The triplets at‌⁠ the end made​‍ her wonder how⁠‌ mysterious life was.⁠

“I‍⁠‍ need to visit​​‌ the Royal Court.‍‌​ This might take‍⁠ a while.”

“Be​​ safe on your​​ journey.”

“Yes.⁠⁠‌ And Alicia?”

“Ah,‌‍ yes!”

“Take‌ good care of⁠ the children while​‍​ I am away.”​‌​

“O,‌ okay.”

“Come‌ on Dear Wife.‍‍ You have me‍ here; why are‌ you asking Sister-in-law‌⁠‍ for that?”

“It‌​ is to both‌‌ of you.”

After⁠​‌ hearing that, Korin​‍⁠ began staring at‍ Lunia with a smile. In response,‍ Lunia scratched her‌ cheek, looking embarrassed‍‍ and wondering if‌​⁠ she had to‍‍‌ do ‘that’.

“You’re‍‌ leaving on a long journey. Where’s⁠​ the farewell kiss⁠ to your husband?”‍‌

“Do​‍​ I… have to?”⁠‌‌

“Of‍⁠ course.”

One‍⁠‍ of his legs‌ slithered into the​⁠⁠ gap between Lunia’s‌ legs. The man⁠ who dug in‍⁠‌ with a sly⁠‌‌ smile wrapped his‌‌⁠ arms around her‌⁠ waist to lock‍⁠ her in.

“You’re⁠⁠ making me sad.”​‍

“Mhmm…”‍

In​ the end, the‍‍​ one to give‌⁠ up first was⁠ Lunia. She, who​⁠​ was like a strong maiden of‌ steel in front⁠‍‌ of the disciples​⁠⁠ of the dojo,‌ easily opened her​⁠⁠ soft lips for‍​ her husband.

-Gulp!⁠‍‌ Uaah…

Korin⁠​​ came back after‍⁠ a deep and⁠​‍ breathtakingly intense farewell.‍

“What’s‍‌ wrong, Sister-in-law? Why​ are you still⁠ outside?”

“M,​⁠ Mr. Ko… I mean, Brother-in-law?”

Why…‍‍‍ was she about‍‍⁠ to call him‌⁠‌ Mr. Korin just​‌ then? Even though⁠ she stopped calling⁠‍‍ him that after‍⁠ he got married​​‍ to her sister…⁠⁠

“Oh⁠‍‍ right. Sister-in-law? Do​⁠⁠ you have any⁠‍‌ news?”

“N,‌‌ news?”

On​‍ their way back​​ to the main‍ building, Alicia tilted‌​​ her head after‍‌⁠ hearing that abrupt​⁠⁠ question.

“Do⁠ you have no⁠ plans of going​​ out with someone?”⁠

“Uht!⁠ That’s…”

“I⁠‍ married my dear‍‍‌ wife straight after​​‌ graduation, so I’m‌⁠​ surprised there’s nothing‌‌‍ happening for you.‍‌‍ Don’t you have‌ a lot of​​ guys around?”

“Well…”​‌‍

That‌‌ was true. There‌⁠ were quite a lot of guys​‍ around her. There⁠​​ were her peers‌​‌ from the Academy,⁠​‌ and there were‌‍​ also plenty of​‍ young men among​‌​ the disciples of‌ the Arden dojo.‍‍

“Have‌‍ you never had‍⁠⁠ a boyfriend till‌ now? That’s weird.”‍⁠

“Wh,‌‍‌ what do you​‍ mean?”

“Like,⁠‍⁠ are all the‌​ guys around you‌‌‌ homosexual? I wonder​‌​ why they are⁠ leaving someone like‍‍ you alone.”

“Ugh…”‌⁠

Alicia​ felt her heart‍​‌ jolt with pain‍‍‍ and her body⁠​‍ turned warm as​⁠‌ if she had‌ a fever.

The‌‌‌ reason she never‌​​ had a boyfriend‌⁠‍ until now, was​‌‍ probably…

[Seduce!‍‌ Attain thy love,​​​ girl! Wahahahahahaha…!]

Suddenly,​‍

She‌‍ remembered hearing those​‍⁠ words somewhere.

That’s‌‌⁠ right… I… this​‍​ person…

“Sister-in-law?”⁠‍

“Aht,‍ yes?”

“I‍⁠⁠ need to feed​‍⁠ the kids now.‍ Do you mind⁠ helping?”

“Ah,‍ yes…! Yes yes!”‍‌

“One‌ yes is enough.”​

“Auu….​‍ R, right.”

Feeling‍⁠ nervous and uneasy,​ Alicia followed her‌ brother-in-law while, for​ some reason, wondering⁠‍ if he might‌ have heard the⁠‍ same voice as‌ her.

………⁠

……‍‌‌

Kids‍⁠‌ had a clear‌ distinction between the‌⁠​ ones they liked‌ and disliked. In‍ that sense, the​ adult that Alicia’s​⁠​ 12 cousins liked​⁠ the most was⁠⁠ probably not Lunia‌ nor their nannies,‍​ but their father,‌‍⁠ Korin.

“Let’s‌​‍ go…!”

“Kyaaah…!”⁠

One⁠​ of the kids​​​ soared into the‌⁠ sky. It was​ way too high‌ for a 7-year-old‍‌ girl, but Alicia‍​ was the only‌​ one frightened by​‍‌ it.

“Uahh…?!”⁠​

“Hoit!”‌

Korin​ easily and softly​⁠ received the girl​​⁠ who started descending‍​ after soaring into‍ the sky. Seeing⁠‌ that, Alicia immediately‌⁠ rushed up to​​ him.

“B,‍‍‌ Brother-in-law! That’s too‌​⁠ dangerous!”

“It’s⁠‍‌ okay, I’m telling​ you. Right, Little⁠ Princess?”

“Yesh!”⁠‍

“Seriously!​‍ I wonder who​​ you took after​ to be so​ brave!”

“Daddy!”​⁠‌

-Chuckle!‌

The‌‍ kids loved Korin.​ Korin, the ideal‌ father who always​‌‍ played around with⁠​⁠ the kids, also​⁠ enjoyed spending time‍‍ with his children.‍ As a result,‍‌‍ the children liked⁠‍⁠ Korin more than⁠ the brusque Lunia.⁠

For‍ a long time,​‍​ they continued playing‌‌​ with the kids.​ Looking after children​ was a lot⁠​‌ more exhausting than⁠‍​ she initially thought,‌‍⁠ and Alicia was⁠‍‌ drained in no‍​ time.

“Huu~”‍‍​

Energyless,‍ Alicia laid herself‌‌‍ down on the​ sofa while wiping‍‍‌ her sweat off.⁠ That was when‍⁠ Korin gave a long stretch and⁠ walked over from⁠‌ the other room.​

“Finally,⁠ they’re all sleeping.⁠⁠​ Great work, Sister-in-law.”⁠‍

“Y,‍ you too.”

Korin​‍ flopped down on‍ the sofa next‍ to her. Alicia‌ stealthily stole a glance.

Her​ brother-in-law was drenched‍​​ in sweat due​‌‌ to him actively‍⁠​ playing with the‍ kids. He fluttered​​ the collar of​ his shirt to‍‍‌ cool himself down​‌ as a thick‌​⁠ scent of sweat​​ tickled her nose.​

“Kuhum…!”​

She‍ didn’t know why,‌​⁠ but her instincts‍‍ were telling her.‌⁠

It‌ was telling her​‌‌ to make this‌‍‌ man fall for‍⁠‌ her; to make​‍‍ his heart beat‌‍‍ fast.

“B,‍‍ Brother-in-law!”

“Hnn?”‍

“W,‌‍ would you like​‌ to drink?”

……​‌

In​ the end, she‌​⁠ fed him alcohol.‌⁠

Actually,‍​⁠ it was more‌ correct to say⁠‍‍ that she fed‌​​ herself alcohol if‌​‌ anything. It wasn’t‌‍⁠ something she could⁠‍ say with a sane and rational⁠⁠‍ mind, so Alicia‌‌ built up courage⁠ with the power‌‌ of alcohol.

She​‌⁠ knew how this​⁠ was immoral and‍‌‌ unethical.

Craving‌⁠ the man of​⁠‍ her sister… How​‌ could someone possibly‌‌​ do that to​​‍ their sister? But…⁠

‘It’s‍​ not that bad,​⁠ is it?’

Monogamy?‍⁠⁠ How outdated of⁠⁠‍ an ideology is‍‍ that?

She‌⁠​ did feel sorry​⁠​ for her sister⁠‌‍ but decided it‍‍ should be alright.‌​​ It wasn’t like​‍‍ she would be​ chased out… Well,‌‍ she might be‌⁠⁠ but Alicia decided‍⁠ to leave that‌ for later.

Alicia‌ Arden.

She​​‍ was a frighteningly‍ optimistic lady.

“Ughh…”‍‌

After‌ being forced to⁠⁠ chug a bunch⁠​​ of alcohol, her⁠​‍ brother-in-law, Korin, was​‌ so drunk that​ he continued swaying‍⁠ left and right.​‌

Now‍‍ was her chance!⁠⁠ It was time⁠ to go for⁠ a fait accompli—!​‌

“Brother-in-law…‌‌⁠ Sister is not…”‌​

“Aliciaaaa~.”‍⁠

“Yesh?”‌‌‍

A deep voice reached‍ her ears. Seeing​ the faint smile⁠‍ on the face​ of her brother-in-law​​⁠ as he looked‌‍‌ into her eyes,‌ Alicia felt her‍‍‌ heart skip a beat.

“Drinking⁠ like this reminds​‍‌ me of the‍‍ old days…”

The‌‌ young man said,‍⁠ reminiscing the memories​ of the past.⁠ He was a lot more mature‍ compared to how⁠ he was at​⁠ the Academy and‌ was a father‍ of 12 children,⁠‌ but he was​‌ still young and…‌

“Thank‌‍ you. Thanks to‌​​ you, I got⁠‍ to meet Lunia⁠⁠⁠ and… I’m very‍‌​ happy now.”

Korin​ spoke of the⁠⁠ old times.

Each​⁠‍ and every one‌‍ of his words…⁠‌‌ stirred the conscience‍ of Alicia, who⁠‌⁠ was still a young maiden at‌​ heart.

“Ugh…”​‍​

Intoxicated⁠ by the drink,​‌ Korin started to‍ fall sideways and​⁠‍ rested his head​⁠ on her shoulder.​​ Surprised by the‍⁠ sudden weight on​ her shoulders Alicia‌ jolted, which made⁠‍ Korin’s head slip⁠‌ even further down⁠ to her lap.​

“M,‍ Mr. Korin?”

“Mhmm…”‍‌

Frozen‍‍​ stiff, Alicia couldn’t‍⁠ do anything while⁠‍ her brother-in-law stayed​ there rubbing his‌⁠‍ cheek on her​ bare thigh. Someone‌ was bound to‍‌⁠ misunderstand them if​ they happened to​​⁠ come in at‌‌‍ this time.

-Gulp!⁠

However,​ rather than being‍ conscious of the​‌​ possible eyes of‍ others, Alicia had⁠ her mind focused⁠​⁠ on her brother-in-law,⁠​ who was resting‍ his head on​ her thighs.

Slowly‍ but surely… her‌‍ lips approached his.‌ They shivered, as‌ her heart beat‍‌ rapidly the closer‍​‌ she was to‌⁠ his lips.

Those​​ lips that must⁠​⁠ have been craving‌ her older sister’s‍‌‍ every night – those lips that​⁠‍ left innumerable traces⁠ on her sister’s⁠‍ skin… was at​‌‍ last…

“Sister-in-law…”‌​

“Huet?‌‍ What? I haven’t‍‍‌ done anything yet!!”‍‌

Startled,‍‌‍ Alicia quickly distanced⁠⁠ herself by straightening‍⁠ up her back.​⁠‍ Sweating profusely, she⁠ rolled her eyes,​ hoping that he‍‍ didn’t notice it.‍⁠‌

“Sister-in-lawww…~”​​‌

Fortunately,⁠‌ her brother-in-law did​⁠‍ not notice her​ wicked actions. If‍‍‍ he had found​‍‌ out about it…⁠⁠‍

Simply​ thinking about that‍ gave her the‍⁠⁠ creeps. A cold⁠‌‍ yet pleasant chill‍ rose up her‌​​ spine while her​ lower belly shivered​​ and jolted.

“B,‌⁠ Brother-in-law.”

“Huhu.‍​⁠ Sister-in-law… You’re my​‌ cute little sister-in-law.”‌‍

Oblivious‌ to what was​⁠​ just about to​ be done to‍​ him, Korin reached⁠ his hand out‌‌ and played with‍‌ Alicia’s cheeks with⁠‍ those thick arms​ and hands.

“You​ cute little girl…‍‌ How sad that‍⁠‌ you’ve never had‌‍​ a date before.”‍‍

“Ughh…‍ Are you teasing​ me?”

“Having⁠⁠⁠ a date is​​ a good thing…‌ Look at me.⁠‌ Everything I did‍⁠‍ with Lunia was‌ fun~”

Korin​​ and Lunia were‌⁠​ very famous among⁠⁠ the people of‍‍ the Arden household‌‌ for being extremely⁠‌ lovey-dovey. Considering how‌‌ normal couples of‌ renowned households were‌⁠ forged by political‌⁠​ marriages, their relationship​⁠ was certainly a rare one.

Both⁠⁠ of them were‌ diligent and loyal⁠​‌ to their family;⁠‌​ they cherished each‌ other and showered⁠⁠ one another with​​ endless love.

Alicia⁠‌‍ was extremely jealous​ of that.

As‍ an illegitimate child⁠ born from an​‌⁠ affair and one​‍ who couldn’t receive‌ her due love⁠⁠ ever since a young age, the⁠​ girl with nothing​‍ but the family​​ name of Arden‍‍‍ had been yearning‍ for love. That​‌ was why she‍‍ had been dreaming‌‌‍ of a normal‍​ family.

“Sister-in-law…‌ Alicia…”

“Yes…‍ Brother-in-law.”

“Isn’t​​ it about time‍‌ for you to⁠⁠ be happy as​ well?”

“Ah…”‌

Hearing​‍‍ that, she suddenly‍ realized something.

Throughout‍‌ her time at⁠⁠⁠ the Academy, her⁠ eyes had always‍⁠ been on him.‍ Even when he‍⁠ ended up with‍‍ her sister, she⁠‌⁠ couldn’t say anything⁠ due to her‍⁠​ inferiority complex.

‘I‍‌ liked Mr. Korin⁠‌‍ the whole time.’⁠

It‌‌ was nothing new,‌ but she realized‌⁠ that all the​‌‍ more.

-Thump…!​

Alicia‌⁠⁠ Arden.

Fail.​

***​​

‘Hua.​‌⁠ What are we‌‍⁠ having for lunch‌‍ today? I want​​​ to have a grilled Pacific saury‌‌​ in the city!’‌‍

“…”​​

As‌‌​ always, Hua responded‍​‌ to the chatterbox​‍ called Ran with⁠​⁠ silence. However, this​⁠ time, it was⁠‌ not from the​ usual indifference but‍⁠ because she was‍⁠‍ deeply pondering about‍‍ something.

‘Hua?’‌‍

“…Something’s‌‌​ strange.”

‘Are‌ you talking about​⁠‌ that again?’

“…”​

She⁠ quietly closed her⁠‌ eyes to her‌ sister’s question.

There‌‌ was something – something that she‌‌​ was forgetting. When⁠ thinking deeply to​​ herself, she could‌‌​ faintly remember the‍​​ fact that she​ had forgotten something,‌ but as if‍​ surrounded by a thick layer of⁠‍‍ fog, she simply​⁠‌ couldn’t see through‌ it.

‘Did‍⁠ we forget something?’‌

“…I⁠⁠​ don’t know.”

Despite⁠‌​ feeling strange, Hua​ Ran nonetheless headed‌⁠⁠ to the grilled⁠‌ fish restaurant in​‌⁠ the city. It⁠‌ was her 2nd​‌‍ year at the‍ Academy, and Hua​​‍ Ran was well-versed​ enough in the‌⁠ city to visit​‍‍ most of her​​ favorite restaurants by‍ herself.

The‍⁠‍ girl who loved⁠ fish always looked​‌ for a fish‍⁠​ restaurant whenever she‌ visited the city,‍ whether it be‌⁠ the famous restaurant​​ owned by the‌⁠‌ old man who‌‍‌ had been making‍​​ sushi for dozens⁠‍‍ of years, or⁠​ the place that⁠​ sold grilled fish​⁠⁠ in set meals.‍⁠⁠

What‌​⁠ should I have‌ today? What kind‌​⁠ of fish would​‍ be a good⁠‍​ pick today? Roaming⁠ around the streets,‍‌⁠ the girl was​ looking around when⁠‍​ her sister whispered⁠​ into her ears.‌

‘Hua.​​ That one there.’‍

The​ store her sister‌​⁠ pointed out was‍​​ a shabby yet​​⁠ familiar restaurant. It‌‌ had cheap prices‌⁠​ and used fresh‌​​ fish… it was⁠‌ a store that‍⁠ was ‘recommended’ to⁠ her.

“Who​⁠ was it by…?”‍

Scavenging‍ through her faint​‍⁠ memories, Hua Ran⁠ subconsciously started heading⁠‌ to that restaurant.‌‍ She was looking‌‌​ at the menu,‍​‌ thinking of getting⁠‌ a grilled fish⁠⁠ as always, when‌⁠ her sister suddenly​​​ raised an opinion.​

‘…Braised…‍⁠‌ Can we have‍ braised fish?’

There‍‌⁠ was no reason‌ behind it. Ran‍‍ was simply saying‍⁠⁠ that she felt‍ like it, but​ Hua had the⁠‍⁠ same idea.

“What‍ would you like‍ for today?”

“Braised…‍ Mackerel.”

Before⁠ long, a dish​‍ of braised mackerel​ was served to​ her table. It​‌‍ was a bit‍ too much for​‌ her to have⁠‍ by herself and…‌⁠ it reminded her​ of a dinner‌​ menu that was‌ ‘made for her’⁠⁠‍ and others to​‍⁠ enjoy together.

‘How‍‍ do you… debone‍‌ a fish again?’⁠‍

The​‍‍ braised mackerel that⁠⁠‍ she was having⁠‌ for the first​‌​ time in a while tasted different‌‍​ from the one⁠‍ in her distant‌‌‌ memories. They were​‍‌ incomparably different.

………​​⁠

……​⁠

Hua⁠ and Ran tended⁠​⁠ to spend a lot of time​ thinking by themselves.‌‌​ Both of them‍ were born with⁠​ a calm personality​ and often had​ the tendency of⁠‌ blankly staring into‍‌‍ the sky.

Put‍⁠‍ nicely, it was‍​ thinking by themselves;⁠‍⁠ frankly, it was​ just wasting time.‍⁠

They⁠‌‌ were spending time‌ like that yet​⁠ again at the​​⁠ plaza.

In‌ the plaza with⁠‍​ a soaring fountain​​‍ and a clock⁠⁠ tower gazing down​⁠ from above, people​​ threw glances at​ the indifferent-looking girl​​ wearing nun clothes⁠ as they walked⁠ by.

It⁠⁠ couldn’t be helped‍​​ because Hua Ran⁠⁠‍ was, objectively speaking,‌⁠​ someone who grabbed⁠‌⁠ people’s attention.

“Woah.‌ What a pretty‍‍​ sister.”

But‍⁠ it was rare‍​​ for someone to⁠ approach her openly⁠ like this one‍ boy.

“…”‌‍

Hua‍ Ran, who had‍‍ been blankly staring⁠‍ at the sky,‍‍ slowly turned her‌ gaze back down.‌ At the end​ of her gaze⁠​ was a boy‌‍ with bluish-black hair,⁠⁠‌ holding a fairy‌ floss in his‍‍‌ hands. His eyes⁠‌​ were red but⁠‍‌ reminded one more⁠ of the sunset​‍‍ than a ruby,‌​‍ and he was⁠ a small boy​​​ who didn’t even‌⁠ look 7.

“Miss⁠ Sister. Would you⁠ like some fairy‌ floss?”

Because⁠⁠ she was wearing‍⁠ a religious outfit⁠‌ by default, she‍ was received well‌​ at the start‍ by people from​ the same religion.‍ This was probably‍⁠ an extension of​⁠‌ that.

“Un.”‍

Since‌ she didn’t hate‍‌ sweet stuff, Hua​ Ran gladly took‍‌ a bite of​‍ the boy’s fairy⁠‍​ floss.

Leaving‌ behind a long​ string, the cluster‍‌​ of sweet strings‍ that tasted fluffy‌‌​ like the clouds‌ entered her mouth.‍‍ Some of the⁠‍​ stickiness of sugar‍ was left behind⁠ on her hands,​⁠ but Hua Ran‍ wasn’t the type‌‍‍ to worry about​ such things.

“Tasty,‌‌‌ right?”

“…Un.”‌

By‍‌⁠ the time she​​​ realized it, the‌ boy had sat‍⁠ next to her​⁠‍ on the edge​ of the fountain​ basin and was​ licking the fairy⁠‍⁠ floss.

“Oh‌⁠ right.”

He​​⁠ took out a handkerchief and wetted⁠‌​ it with water​⁠ before handing it⁠‌‌ over to her.‌‍‍

“You⁠‍‍ need to wipe⁠‍ your hands.”

“…”‌‌

Seeing‍ that, even the⁠ indifferent Hua Ran⁠‌ unconsciously thought to​ herself how he‌⁠ was a very‍ considerate boy.

‘He’s​ so cute.’

The​​ sister inside her‍​ body said with​⁠ a giggle, after‌​​ seemingly having a good impression of​ the boy.

“Miss‍‍​ Sister. What were‍⁠ you doing here?”‌⁠‌

“…Thinking.”‌‌

“About‍​‍ what?”

For⁠ a while, she⁠​ had been feeling​‍‍ strange. It felt⁠‍ like she had‌​ forgotten something, or​‍‌ rather, someone.

A normal person would​ have glossed over‍​ it, thinking that⁠⁠ they must be‌​‌ overthinking things but​ it was different‍⁠‍ for her. Hua‌​ Ran wasn’t just‍ one person. She‌ was made up⁠ of two people,‍ Hua and Ran.‌⁠⁠

The‌ strange inkling that‌‌⁠ Hua felt was‌⁠‍ shared by Ran,‌ and as a result, the two⁠​ of them reached‍ the conclusion that⁠‌ they were forgetting‌⁠‍ something important.

“I‌ forgot someone. Even‍⁠ though I shouldn’t​‍⁠ have…”

She‌⁠‍ forgot – a person that should‍‍ have been unforgettable.‍​ She didn’t know​⁠ why but wanted‍⁠ to retrieve that⁠ person.

“Sister?”⁠​⁠

‘Hua…‌⁠‌ Don’t cry.’

“I’m‍ not…”

Tears⁠​‍ flowed down her‌ eyes. The drops‍‌ of water that‌ flowed out of‍‌ her crimson eyes⁠​​ wetted her cheeks‌⁠⁠ and dripped down⁠⁠ her chin.

‘Don’t‌ cry… Hkk…!’

“I’m⁠ not… crying. Something‍ got into my‌ eyes…”

Surprised⁠ by her sister⁠‍⁠ who was crying‍ after her, Hua⁠ tried her best​‌​ to give an​​ excuse but her‌ unending tears continued,​ showing no signs⁠ of coming to‌ a stop.

“Sister.”‍

She‍ was wiping her⁠‍​ falling tears with​ the back of‌‌‍ her hands when‌​ the boy handed‌ her another handkerchief.⁠​

“Pretty‌‍ Sister. Stop dropping⁠ beautiful gems on⁠‌ the ground.”

“Htt?”​⁠‌

Wipe⁠‌‍ wipe.

The​‍‍ boy said while​ gently wiping her‌‌ eyes. He then‍‌​ gave her a bright smile as​ if trying to​‌ change her tears⁠‌ into a smile⁠‍⁠ similar to his‍‍‌ own.

“Sister​⁠‍ Yonghee in our​‌‍ neighborhood is also​ a crybaby, you​ know? So I always tell her⁠ to smile, because⁠ her smiles are‍ very pretty.”

Flustered,‍​‌ her mind momentarily‍‌ stopped functioning and‌ so did her‌​‍ tears. Using his‍​‍ own fingers, the⁠‍ boy lifted the⁠ ends of her‌‌‌ lips before saying⁠⁠ with another smile.‍⁠‍

“Look.‍ I knew it.‍​ Sister, you are‌ a lot prettier​‍⁠ when you smile.​​

“So​‌​ please smile. I want you to‌​‍ smile all the​ time and not​ cry.

“Did‌ you forget someone?‌​​ Should we look‍⁠ for them together?”​⁠⁠

……​‌‌

Hua‌ Ran.

Fail.​⁠‌

***‌​‍

A good person.

That​ was the impression‍ Marie got from‍⁠‍ her junior as‌ she spent more‍ and more time⁠ with him.

Korin‍⁠ Lork.

There⁠‍ was something about⁠‍ this boy who​ was a grade​​‍ below her in‌ the Academy, that​‌‌ put people at⁠⁠ ease.

“Korin‌‌ Lork? He is‍​‍ very famous.”

“I,​‌ is he?”

Even‌ her best friend⁠⁠ and classmate, Isabelle,‍ was highly appreciative​ of him.

“He​ is quite good-looking‌ and kind.”

“Y,‍‍ you’re right… Does⁠ he have… a lot of girls​‌​ around him?”

“Yeah.‍ I’m pretty sure‍‌ there are a few in our‌⁠ grade that are‌‍​ after him. I know someone went​⁠ out and had​ lunch with him‍‌ in the city‍ yesterday.”

“Haht…!⁠ Is he… that​‍‌ popular?”

“Why‌ are you asking‍‍ that? Are you‌⁠ going after him​⁠ as well, Marie?”‍

“N,⁠‍ nooo!?”

Isabelle⁠‍ chuckled and gave​ a knowing smile‌‌ to her exaggerated⁠⁠ reaction. It was‌‍ an obvious smile​‌‌ of mockery so‌‌ Marie punched her‍ on the arm‌‌ but that did‍​ not remove the‍​ smile on her‌⁠ face.

“It⁠‍ won’t be easy⁠​⁠ though. Because Junior‌⁠ Korin has a guardian deity.”

“Huh?‍‍⁠ A guardian deity?”⁠

“Well…​‌‌ You’ll see soon​‌⁠ enough. You can​⁠⁠ give it a shot. I feel⁠​‌ sorry for him​‍‍ though.”

Even⁠ though she didn’t‍​⁠ know what Isabelle‌ meant by that,​ Marie decided to‍‍‍ muster her courage.‌⁠⁠

Until‌⁠‍ then, the only‌‍ interaction she had⁠⁠‍ with Korin was⁠‍ one or two‌‌ conversations with him⁠‌‌ during the mixed⁠​ lectures and when​‍‍ she was one-sidedly​⁠ looking at him​‌ training in the⁠‍ training rooms. For‍‌ some reason, she‌​‌ couldn’t stop her‍⁠‌ eyes from trying‌ to find him.​⁠‍

That⁠⁠​ day, when she⁠ took courage, the‌⁠⁠ boy was training⁠​ in the training‌‍ rooms as always.​​

Throwing‌ away his shirt‌‌⁠ that was drenched‍‌‍ in sweat, the‌ boy was swinging​‍ his spear. Each​⁠​ and every one‌⁠ of his intense⁠‍ swings fluttered drops‌ of sweat into‍ the air but‌‌ the boy remained‌⁠ firm and tranquil.‌⁠

It‍​​ was because of‌ that that… her⁠ eyes were always‌​​ on him. She‍⁠‍ found him to‌‌‍ be very cool.⁠

“J,‍⁠ junior Korin—”

“Senior‌‍‌ Marie?”

That​⁠ was when someone⁠ stood in the​⁠​ way and talked⁠‍ to her. Stopping‌‌‌ her feet, Marie‍​​ turned blankly to​‍‍ the boy who‍ stopped her in‌‍ her tracks.

His‍‍ hair and eyes​⁠ were dark like‌‌​ obsidian. He had​ a tall nose‌‍ and delicate facial‍ features, as well‍ as a slick‍⁠ jawline and charming‌‍ lips.

He‌‍⁠ looked so beautiful‌ that one had⁠​ to wonder how‍ there could be⁠‌​ such a good-looking‌​ boy but… he‍‌⁠ gave her the⁠‍⁠ impression of a sly fox that​⁠⁠ preyed on people.‍⁠⁠

“J,‍‍ junior Park Sihu,‍ right?”

“Yes,⁠⁠‌ and?”

For​ some unknown reason,⁠‌⁠ he had a hostile tone of​‍⁠ voice as he⁠ glared at her.‌‌ Feeling wronged, Marie‌​⁠ raised her voice.⁠

“Can⁠⁠ you move aside⁠ please?”

In‌⁠ response to her‌‍‌ clear request, Sihu‌‍ gave a deep⁠‍ frown and closed​ his eyes after⁠‍ a sigh.

“…Hah,‍ there’s no end‍ to these fucking⁠‍‌ bitches.”

It‌​ was a soft‍ lament that did​​‌ not even reach‍ the person standing⁠​ directly in front⁠‍‍ of him.

What did you think of this chapter?
2 reactions

0 Comments


There are no comments yet. Be the first!

Reader Settings
Page mode
Timer
Text Indent
Auto scroll
Tap to read
Pin menu
Translate page
Select language to automatically translate chapter content.
Audio & AI Voice
This chapter has pre-loaded audio
Ads Blocker Image Powered by Code Help Pro

Ads Blocker Detected!!!

We have detected that you are using extensions to block ads. Please support us by disabling these ads blocker.