章節 68: 482
[Chapter 134]
[Tangled Relationships (4)]
Since graduating from the academy, there hadn't been a day she didn't live consumed by work.
Nevertheless, No Eun-a did her best at the tasks given to her with a smiling face without complaining.
That was also why she was called <Fairy> by people in the world.
But now even she got angry.
'Clan Lord, you're really too much. I wanted to go see the academy cultural festival too...'
'Eun-a, I'm really sorry about that. But I just watched No Eunha's demonstration match and immediately returned to the clan. I didn't go to play at the cultural festival, but for preliminary research...'
'I heard Yeon-hwa played with Eunha that day, I wanted to play with Eunha too...'
'...'
While she was living consumed by work.
She heard that Regulus Clan Lord Gu Yeon-su secretly attended the academy cultural festival to see Eunha.
From her best friend Ryu Yeon-hwa.
That she also went along to the cultural festival since she happened to have time then.
Eun-a expressed her disappointment with resentful eyes to the Clan Lord who left her out.
'...Okay. Go play. Happy now?'
'Really?'
'Yes, really. I'm not someone who just nags clan members to only work. Just finish your morning shift and go play to your heart's content in the afternoon. Why, should I give you pocket money too?'
'I'd be grateful if you did! Clan Lord! You know I like you, right?'
'You only say you like me at times like this... I really don't know why our clan members are so cunning. Here, take it.'
'Um, Clan Lord, then can I also...'
'Chang-jin, you're a man. One person is fine but two is a bit difficult. I'll make time for you separately later.'
'...Okay. Eun-a, you enjoy the cultural festival... Oh, she's already gone.'
The sad eyes strategy worked.
She who received permission from Gu Yeon-su to leave work in the afternoon changed her face as if nothing had happened.
Then she visited her alma mater after a long time.
"It's really been a while. Nothing's changed. It's just like in the old days. Ah, those towers over there must be temporarily installed for the cultural festival period?"
High school academy main gate.
No Eun-a who visited her alma mater after a long time looked around the area with eyes full of nostalgia.
Seeing students working at booths brought back memories of her school days, while also making her feel like she wanted to work with them.
"Isn't that <Fairy>?"
"Oh, it really is. No Eun-a!"
"Ah, senior No Eun-a! It's been a while! Have you been well!?"
Then No Eun-a ended up surrounded by people who recognized her.
About 2 years since debuting in the industry.
In less than 2 years, she had gained recognition almost at the level of a named player.
"Hello! I'm No Eun-a!"
She had become accustomed to dealing with people who recognized her.
No Eun-a greeted without being flustered and encouraged juniors she was acquainted with.
Meanwhile, she hid behind a building to avoid people.
"It's hard to walk around with a bare face. I'm glad Yeon-hwa packed a mask for me."
No Eun-a sighed in relief.
Then she took out a half-mask that covers half her face from her belt pouch.
Ryu Yeon-hwa had packed it for her when she was leaving Regulus Clan.
She was grateful for Yeon-hwa's consideration.
"By the way, Yeon-hwa's been strange these past few days. Was it since coming back from the cultural festival? She suddenly started spacing out a lot, and it seems like her mistakes increased too... Did something happen at the cultural festival?"
Eun-a mutters while putting on the half-mask.
She tilted her head recalling Yeon-hwa who had been showing strange behavior recently.
She wondered if something happened with her little brother at the cultural festival.
"Somehow it feels like she's embarrassed? I've never seen Yeon-hwa flustered like that before."
But it wasn't all bad.
Eun-a giggled recalling Ryu Yeon-hwa whose face turned bright red hearing Eunha's name.
That appearance was quite endearing.
"I wonder where Eunha is..."
Then Eun-a leaned against the wall.
She never intended to look around the cultural festival alone from the start.
She had contacted Eunha as soon as she got permission from Gu Yeon-su.
Asking to look around the cultural festival together if he had time in the afternoon.
Of course, her little brother's answer could only be one.
Yes.
"Hmm... I hope he didn't cancel plans to see it with other kids because of me? That would be sorry to them..."
Eun-a who texted that she entered the academy decided to wait for Eunha's reply.
On the other hand, she worried whether she was interfering with friends who wanted to spend time with Eunha.
"Should I just look around alone..."
Eun-a peeked her head out from around the corner.
People enjoying the cultural festival.
Not a single person walking around alone caught her eye.
She didn't feel like mixing in among them to walk around alone.
Just then.
Her smartphone vibrated.
「Eunaeuna」: I'll come right now!!! Where are you? (4:52 PM)
No Eun-a's face brightens.
Soon she types out a reply.
☆
On Tae-yang was known as one of the most promising talents among the 31st class students.
But his skills could be said to be below expectations.
His swordsmanship was messy, and his ability to distribute stamina was clumsy.
It was natural that he had many openings.
Choi Eun-hyuk had predicted his own victory before starting the duel, but he never thought he would win by such a clear margin.
"Did you see On Tae-yang's face then? He couldn't even properly lift his face from embarrassment."
"Well, he declared he would beat me but couldn't win. It's understandable he'd be embarrassed."
Nevertheless, Eun-hyuk kept reviewing the duel that had just happened.
Clearly On Tae-yang was no match for him.
But—
—It felt like he was gradually catching up to my movements.
Eun-hyuk could notice.
That On Tae-yang was growing while dueling with him.
People watching from afar might not know, but he who witnessed his growth up close couldn't calmly enjoy his victory.
The feeling of being chased from behind.
He thought if On Tae-yang's stamina had been better, the duel might have flowed differently.
...I don't know what will happen next year.
I shouldn't let my guard down just because I won once.
Training, training, training.
I have no choice but to keep training from now on too.
Choi Eun-hyuk learned what talent is through On Tae-yang.
His talent was nothing compared to On Tae-yang's talent.
It's as Master said.
People like him have no choice but to train endlessly.
If not, he would eventually be caught up to by On Tae-yang.
"—It's okay. You're stronger."
"What?"
In the midst of that.
Seo-na who was looking around the cultural festival together after the competition suddenly spoke up.
Eun-hyuk who snapped back to his senses was flustered by her gaze staring straight at him.
Then she tilted her head.
As if her thoughts were wrong.
"Weren't you thinking about Min-ho who you'll fight tomorrow?"
"Ah..."
"I thought you were worried about whether you could beat Min-ho."
She said frowning.
He only then realized that he would be fighting Mok Min-ho, whom he had been thinking of as a fated rival, in tomorrow's match.
He nodded.
"...It would be a lie to say I'm not worried at all."
Though he had forgotten for a moment.
Eun-hyuk had actually been wary of Mok Min-ho since entering the competition.
Though the timing and period were different, they were in a relationship of learning the sword under the boss together.
Also rivals who would compete for the main dealer position in the party the boss would eventually form.
As a result, the two unconsciously harbored competitiveness towards each other.
"No. I am worried actually. As much as I've gotten stronger, Min-ho must have gotten stronger like me too."
He also had an inferiority complex.
Two years ago, Eun-hyuk still clearly remembered losing to him in the dealer division competition.
So he was determined to win this time.
On the other hand, he was a little anxious.
Wondering if he would lose this time too.
"—That's why I said it's okay."
"..."
"To me, you're the strongest, Eun-hyuk. You're much stronger than Min-ho, I'm telling you?"
But Seo-na asserted his victory in a confident voice.
Eun-hyuk looked down at Seo-na with a blank face.
She sighs with an "Aiyoo" as if she can't help it.
Then she stands on her tiptoes and suddenly pats his head.
"That's always the problem with you, Eun-hyuk."
"...What is?"
"You underestimate yourself too much. Don't try to feel down just because there are many talented people around you. Did you think I couldn't see that?"
"..."
"You're actually just as talented as those people, or maybe even more so. But why do you always try to take a step back?"
Seo-na messes up his hair.
Eun-hyuk quietly fell into thought while accepting her touch.
Her words might be right.
But it couldn't be helped.
He always found what he lacked first.
And then he improved it.
To him, everyone he met was no different from a teacher teaching him what he lacked.
As a result, he lowered himself.
"—You're really talented. To me, you look like the most amazing person. So there's no one stronger than you."
Jin Seo-na, who had been like a childhood friend since they were young, had grasped that.
So she was boldly saying embarrassing words.
That he was an amazing person.
"...Thank you."
An embarrassing compliment.
Eun-hyuk was shy at Seo-na's praise raising his value.
She narrows her red eyes and asks as if wondering if he's come to his senses now.
He answered with his eyes.
Then a question arose.
He wanted to check once.
"But Seo-na. If I'm the strongest, does that mean I'm stronger than the boss too?"
What would Jin Seo-na answer?
Eun-hyuk pricked up his ears to hear what she would say next.
The result was—
"—This guy... Of course Eunha is stronger. Even if I try to boost you up, isn't comparing you to Eunha going too far?"
"I-Is that so...?"
"Eunha is the strongest, then you're the strongest after him. Isn't that enough?"
"Hmm..."
Jin Seo-na who spoke the boss's name without hesitation.
Eun-hyuk looked at her with a somewhat blank face.
So Seo-na, you think the boss is 1st and I'm 2nd?
He felt like he would look like a narrow-minded person if he said the thoughts coming to mind now.
Eun-hyuk inwardly agonized.
But she, as if reading Eun-hyuk's thoughts—
"—You're 1st, and Eunha is 0th. You know I'm being very generous, right?"
Jin Seo-na laughs while covering her mouth with her hand.
Eun-hyuk didn't know how to respond to her nonsensical words.
Then he thought he should ask this even if he looked narrow-minded.
"What's the difference between 1st and 0th?"
"Hmm... well..."
Seo-na falls into thought.
Soon she claps her hands and gives an answer to his question.
"0th is someone I absolutely can't evaluate. Outside the rankings."
"...And 1st?"
"—Because it's the person I can evaluate the highest?"
Seo-na finishes her words in a playful questioning tone.
Now Eun-hyuk tried to suppress his excited feelings while twitching the corners of his mouth.
But it showed on his face, and she had long noticed it.
Nevertheless, she decided to quietly keep her mouth shut for his sake.
"Should we go eat cotton candy? The boss said the cotton candy made at Cheon-seo's booth is delicious."
"I ate it with Ara yesterday..."
"...Then should we go somewhere else?"
"It's fine. You haven't eaten it yet, right? Then let's go try it."
"Is it okay?"
"Do you have to ask my opinion on everything?"
"...No. I want to eat cotton candy."
"Okay, let's go. I know the way so just trust and follow this noona."
"Um, I know the way too..."
"Really? You'll guide me? Then I'll walk with my eyes closed now."
"Why are you walking with your eyes closed?"
"I don't know. I'm going to walk with my eyes closed. Hurry and hold my hand so I don't fall."
"But Seo-na, you're not using telepathy right now, are you?"
[—Pa-rang oppa. You don't want to get scolded by me, do you? I'm really good at reciting one Bible and Buddhist scripture.]
People who were closing in while hiding their presence nearby.
Seo-na says she kept interfering with the minds of the people holding bamboo spears.
☆
Eun-a is coming to play at the cultural festival.
Eunha who received the text while watching On Tae-yang's match wanted to welcome her with both hands raised.
But the problem was that Choi Ga-in next to him wouldn't leave at all.
"I have other plans now so I'll be going. See you tomorrow."
"Huh? Weren't you going to be with me all day today? Who are you meeting? Jeong Ha-yang?"
"It's not Ha-yang. She's busy now too."
"Then who are you going to meet? Can't you tell me? Yoon I-byeol?"
"No. I'm going to meet noona."
"Noona? Whose noona?"
"...My noona."
I have no idea what conversation we're having.
Eunha patiently answered her questions while holding back his unpleasant feelings.
She even said she'd watch the fireworks together tomorrow, so why is she clinging like this?
Eunha inwardly sighed.
In the end, he was walking towards the academy main gate with Choi Ga-in following behind.
"Hmm... You mean your sister Eunha. Come to think of it, I haven't met her since seeing her at the party before."
"She graduated so of course you wouldn't."
"Then I should go greet your sister this time."
"What?"
"I need to score points with your sister. My first meeting with your sister wasn't very good."
Meju grins.
Eunha frowned.
He considered brainwashing her with Stygian Eye but Moon's Blessing would resist the magic.
In the end, he had to get rid of her through means other than magic, but stubborn Choi Ga-in wouldn't move according to his will.
"I'll just say hello. I'll just greet her and go back, okay?"
"...Hah..."
Choi Ga-in compromised at least that much.
Eunha openly sighed now, disliking even that.
But Choi Ga-in just matched her steps with Eunha as if she was happy.
And eventually—
"—Eunha!"
"Noona!"
The moment the siblings met arrived.
He who was walking towards the main gate found No Eun-a who happened to be nearby.
She raised her hand high and greeted him happily.
Soon she was running towards Eunha—
"—..."
"Oh my, it's been a while sister. You remember me, right? I'm Choi Ga—"
"I know your name too. Choi Ga-in, right? Yes, hello."
"...Ah, you remembered me. Wow, I'm really happy. Um, when we met at the party before, I was rude, wasn't I? I apologize for that. Actually, something bad had happened then..."
No Eun-a stopped in her tracks.
Her eyes narrowed.
The joy of meeting Eunha disappeared without a trace.
As if replacing the lost emotion, displeasure filled that space.
"...Noona?"
No Eun-a who he thought didn't discriminate against people.
Eunha unconsciously called out to her, seeing his sister's attitude.
She felt too unfamiliar.
But she never responded to his call.
"—Okay. That's enough. I don't even remember now."
"Ah, that's a relief. I was worried you might have misunderstood..."
"So are you done now?"
"..."
Towards the direct descendant of Galaxy Group.
Eun-a treated Choi Ga-in coldly.
Only then did Choi Ga-in seem to notice that No Eun-a's attitude was not friendly.
Her eyes widened, receiving treatment she never expected.
No Eun-a opened her mouth.
"—If you're done, won't you leave now?"
"Ah, actually I've been wanting to become close with you sister..."
"Why would I?"
"...Pardon?"
"Is there any reason I need to be close with you? I don't want to."
"..."
No Eunha closed his mouth.
For some reason, Choi Ga-in was flustered before No Eun-a.
It was unlike Choi Ga-in's personality.
But he understood.
From her position, she needed to make a good impression on Eun-a now.
On the other hand, Eun-a quickly grasped the situation and was on the offensive.
But somehow the offensive was—
"Why? If you knew I was Eunha's sister, did you try to make a good impression then?"
"..."
"You don't need to bother. We're just meeting once anyway, there's no need to try so hard to make a good impression."
"...That's not necessarily..."
"Hm? I'm only going to see you once. Why? Do we have any reason to see each other more in the future?"
"..."
"But why are you here? I made plans to meet Eunha, I didn't make plans to meet you."
—It's violent.
Eunha saw Eun-a speak hurtful words with a cold face for the first time.
That was why he was stupidly watching without intervening in this situation.
Meanwhile, Choi Ga-in's face gradually turned bright red.
She was enduring, unlike her usual self.
But in the end, Choi Ga-in couldn't hold back her anger.
Just as she was about to shout in anger—
"—Are you looking at me straight right now? Are you crazy? You must be crazy. Even if I graduated, it doesn't change that I'm your academy senior."
"...!!"
"Have you never heard that you should keep manners between classes since entering the academy? Are you blind?"
No Eun-a quickly struck first before Choi Ga-in could get angry.
Eunha was shocked hearing curses he never imagined from No Eun-a.
Nevertheless, Eun-a was sorting out the situation without caring.
"—I don't know what you're thinking, but could you stop bothering Eunha who's training well for no reason?"
"..."
"You noticed my brother is handsome..."
"...!"
"What? Do you have something to say? Keep it to yourself. You don't need to say it. I don't want to hear it."
"...Kuk...!"
"I have plans with Eunha from now on, so won't you get lost?"
No Eun-a, his sister.
She made Choi Ga-in cry while wearing the mask of a ghost.
Eunha was dumbfounded seeing her run away unable to speak properly, even though he was upset.
He still couldn't grasp the situation.
What had just happened.
"—Eunha."
"...Yeah."
That's when No Eun-a called.
Eunha who came to his senses turned his head to look at her.
Somehow she was now wearing a different mask as if it was a lie.
"I don't like her. She's no good."
"..."
"So don't hang out with her."
"...I don't like her either."
"Then you'll listen to me, right?"
"...Yeah."
The answer was decided.
Eunha nodded vigorously, feeling like he was walking on thin ice.
Only then did her face brighten.
Then she suddenly hugged Eunha saying she missed him.
Now Eunha had grown taller so it looked like she was being hugged by him.
He put his hand on her shoulder.
"...You are the noona I know."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"You seemed like a different person earlier..."
It's like something out of a dream.
Eunha couldn't believe that Eun-a in his arms had gotten angry like that just moments ago.
Then she giggled.
"I'm actually a scary person. Did you just realize that now?"
"Aw, you're lying..."
"I'm not lying. Do you dislike scary noona?"
"No, that's not it... I was just surprised earlier..."
"I got angry because you brought some weird kid. If it was mom, she would have been even angrier than me. Asking where you brought such a kid from."
"...I guess I can't show girlfriends to you and mom."
"Why? Do you have a girl you'd bring? Tell me. Who is it? I'm good at judging people. I'll take one look and judge for you."
"...It's just hypothetical."
Eun-a grinned in his arms.
Eunha avoided her gaze.
Her eyes trying to thoroughly dig into his feelings were burdensome.
Then he belatedly started to see reality.
"Hmm..."
"What's wrong?"
"But what should we do about you, noona? That Choi Ga-in is a direct descendant of Galaxy Group. If we make a mistake, you might get in trouble..."
"I don't know. Dad will take care of it."
"...Yeah, we can leave it to dad."
The problem he was worried about was concluded too quickly.
Eunha decided to leave it to his father.
Meanwhile, there was still one thing he was worried about.
Is that Choi Ga-in going to throw a fit at me for no reason?
Until he obtained Moon's Blessing.
Eunha had to humor Choi Ga-in.
But he was worried whether she would throw a fit because of today's incident.
"What are you worrying about that your face got so serious?"
"...I'm worrying about what to do with noona from now on."
"Pfft, this kid is joking again? I'm fine with anywhere. Let's go anywhere."
Oh well, whatever.
Eunha decided to leave it to tomorrow's Eunha.
There was only one day left until the plan anyway.
Tomorrow, the relationship of groveling to Choi Ga-in would end too.
So let's focus on the person in front of him for now.
Eunha moved his feet while holding Eun-a's hand.
"...Eunha, you came again? Oh, but... The person next to you couldn't be..."
"Hello? I'm No Eun-a, Eunha's sister! You're Eunha's friend?"
"Hello...! I'm Lee Cheon-seo, 1st year high school academy! I've been with Eunha since 3rd year middle school..."
"Stop working with your mouth and hurry up and make cotton candy with your hands."
"Sister Eun-a! Here you g—! Why are you taking it Eunha..."
"How is it? Is it delicious?"
"Wow, it's amazing. Daebak."
"I found this place. And there's a friend discount here so it's free?"
"This kid's not paying again..."
And so—
"—Freeze! We received a report. We came because there's someone showing reactionary tendencies here, and you as suspects don't have the right to exercise the right to remain silent... Oh? Sister Eun-a? Why are you here sister?"
"Bamboo spear! Bamboo spear! Bamboo spear!"
"Hey, you guys! You got the wrong address! Who reported this!? Then sister, have fun!"
—The third day of the cultural festival ends.
The fourth day of the cultural festival dawns.
The day of the plan to pluck the flower arrives, and the day when fates intertwine arrives.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票