NOVEL NEXT Chapter 690
As the dusk settled down, I was on the way to pick up Yuna, who was studying at the academy, riding in An Ji-a’s car.
“What kind of food does Yuna like the most?”
“Our Yuna eats everything well. So let’s go to the restaurant Na-me likes.”
“Um. I don’t have a particular place in mind. How about we go for beef? It’s pretty safe.”
“Wow, beef sounds great! So, Na-me likes meat, huh?”
“Yes, I absolutely love meat!”
The congested commute was the perfect setting for chatter.
“Just when I think I’ve forgotten, Na-me keeps singing about having a pajama party.”
“Is she still doing that these days?”
“Yeah. She must really miss it. Come visit our house when you have time! Sorry, today my mom didn’t clean or cook, so it’s a bit messy.”
“It’s fine. I heard you live near the academy, so it must be convenient for Yuna to commute.”
“Right? It’s super convenient. Sometimes this girl wakes up after 8 AM. But hasn’t Na-me ever visited?”
“No.”
“It’s been over two years since we moved. I should treat our family’s benefactor sometime!”
“No need to worry, really.”
Before long, the conversation turned to the Heavenly Demon Tournament. An Ji-a said meeting Yulisis Murphy left the biggest impression on her.
“Yulisis Murphy was really popular when I was a kid. I practiced by watching his videos during magic class.”
“Oh, so maybe that’s why he picked you? It felt like a familiar move.”
“It was Murphy who picked me at the end? I was so out of it back then, I didn’t see it. Oh, I see…”
The mother-daughter duo probably shared more similarities than just looks.
As the scenery outside shifted to the city, we parked briefly on the 1st floor and waited for Yuna to come down.
Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-
“I can recognize her footsteps now.”
“Haha, yeah.”
The girl dashed over, stomping on the gravel in her sneakers.
Thud-
Her squishy cheeks stuck against the window.
“Mmm, hurry, open the door!”
“I opened it! It won’t open if you keep pulling!”
Click-
“Na-meeeeee!”
“Wait!”
As soon as the door opened, Yuna dove in without a moment’s hesitation.
“Wah, it’s Na-me, Na-me! I missed you so much!”
“Haha, how have you been?”
“Seo Yu-na, sit up straight and close the door!”
“So what are we eating today?”
“You just said we’re eating meat… Huh?! You dressed in gray sweatpants, and we’re going to eat meat? What’s with that outfit?”
“Mom, I’m hungry. I barely ate anything for lunch, and it was terrible!”
Ugh. “Oh dear. You’re something else.”
Yuna looked like she was about to give a tantrum.
The streetlight outside illuminated the inside of the car, and I finally understood why Yuna’s mom had sighed.
She wore plump lavender cargo pants and a black graphic T-shirt that barely covered her belly—a stylish hybrid of street fashion and dancewear.
“I brought this cap, want to try it on? Woah, it looks good on you, Na-me! Hehe.”
“It’s covering my eyes too much.”
“That’s how style works, Na-me doesn’t get it.”
I lifted the cap slightly to look at Yuna.
Her bright smile was just like it used to be.
With an outfit that seemed to forcibly assert maturity.
“Yuna, did you finish your homework for the academy for tomorrow?”
“Not yet! I’ll do it after dinner tonight.”
“You didn’t do any? Your mom checked and said you have quite a lot.”
“I can do it, okay? I know what I have to do.”
Aha.
I concluded and muttered.
“Seems Yuna is hitting puberty, huh, Mom?”
“Why am I in puberty?!”
“Right? Na-me, don’t you feel it?”
Yuna blushed fiercely, furiously denying it.
An Ji-a laughed heartily and clapped her hands in agreement.
*
“This is grilled perfectly. Give it a try.”
“I already have a lot on my plate. You don’t need to serve me.”
“Why? Want to grill meat all by yourself? Could it be Na-me is hitting puberty too?”
“Maybe so.”
“Boring!”
Seo Yu-na was munching away at her meat like a champ.
Maybe it was her childish desire to look more mature that felt so clear.
It seemed like she dressed appropriately for her age.
“Whoa! I have a broadcast dance club activity tomorrow. I totally forgot!”
“Wow, I figured that would happen.”
“Mom, if I wash this today, will it be dry by tomorrow?”
“Do you think it will?”
“Aaah, I don’t want to wear my gym clothes. But if I can show it off to Na-me, I can endure this pain…”
Pubescent kids these days have it hard.
It’s a big deal to have to wear gym clothes and dance.
After finishing a piece of meat, the second piece landed on the grill.
Suddenly, Yuna leaned towards her mom.
“Mom, so did you pass the Heavenly Demon Tournament or not?”
Her eyes had a demanding look, drilling into An Ji-a.
“It’s a secret.”
“What? Not even between family? You were eliminated, huh?”
Yuna jumped to conclusions with a lukewarm response.
An Ji-a cast a troubled glance toward me.
“Technically, I’m not supposed to tell anyone.”
“Heard that? Yuna, I’m sorry.”
“What does that mean? Did she pass or not… Huh? Mom, what’s that keychain in your bag? I’ve never seen it before.”
Yuna noticed the compass An Ji-a had received as proof of passing.
“Is that some sort of tournament giveaway?”
We both fell silent.
“Don’t tell me that’s not the passing medal.”
Swivel-
An Ji-a failed to hide her expression.
Yuna wasn’t someone who would overlook that subtle change.
“Did you seriously pass the first round? No kidding?!”
“We didn’t say anything. You don’t know the results, do you?”
“Mom, is it real? Woahhhh! You’re the best, Mom! How did you do it?!”
“Shh! You need to be quiet.”
“Right…! I’ll keep it down. Congrats, Mom…!”
Yuna spun around the table, giving her mom a hug from behind.
An Ji-a petted her daughter’s flowing red hair.
‘Is this what a mother’s presence is like…’
I quietly smiled in the warm atmosphere.
And before Yuna turned around, I swiftly snatched the special cuts on her plate.
“Hey, Na-me! Didn’t you say you wouldn’t share? Why are you taking my meat?!”
“Stealing a bite is the tastiest part.”
*
“I’m stuffed… I think I overate.”
“Ugh, me too! But the meat really was delicious.”
Yuna patted her swollen belly.
“Dessert is here.”
“Ice cream!”
But when the sweet yogurt ice cream came out for dessert, it seemed to reignite her appetite.
“Na-me, you’re eating too little. How can three girls not eat 500 grams together?”
An Ji-a said worriedly.
“Maru and No-eul can eat a kilogram together.”
“Maru and No-eul? Oh, well, if they’re adult men, they should be able to eat that much. Hehe.”
“Na-me’s in a growth spurt. You should eat well now.”
Using names made it feel like she was talking about a pet instead.
I almost ended up roasting someone else’s precious son.
Despite being a meat specialty store, the side dishes were far from ordinary.
Picking at this and that, my stomach was already pleading for mercy.
Lick-lick-
I held a small container of ice cream in one hand and started licking it.
Yuna stared at me intently.
Then, suddenly, she grabbed my hand and began to shake it around.
“Why?”
“Ah. No, your hand is just cute. It’s still the same tiny and adorable from back in the day.”
“I’ve grown quite a lot.”
“Is this what we call growth?”
“Of course I’ve grown!”
Gasp!
Squish-
I pressed my thumb on Yuna’s thigh, causing her to tremble not from adolescent angst but real pain.
“Ah, now I remember… that feeling.”
“Let’s behave.”
“I can’t believe we’re doing this in front of my mom… What could they be doing when she’s not around…”
While enjoying grilled meat, I got to hear Yuna’s stories about the academy.
Apparently, besides magic studies, there are clubs and student councils now.
She didn’t seem to know much about the new principal who joined last year.
“The principal should ideally not know much about the students!”
“The old Principal Gu On-yu was nice!”
“That one’s a bit of an exception. Besides, we didn’t know what Principal Gu On-yu was up to until we met her, did we?”
“I guess that’s true.”
Fifth graders at Sephiron Academy.
The sixth graders are busy transitioning to middle school, essentially the real powers that be at the academy.
In other words, it’s the most fun time at the academy.
“I think it’d be fun if Na-me hung out with us. Isn’t work boring?”
“Yeah. It’s not something I enjoy just because it’s fun. Usually, it’s about a sense of achievement.”
“No, I think you’ve misplanned your life.”
“Excuse me?”
Yuna’s eyes turned serious.
“You should’ve acted a bit less smartly and continued at the academy. Then you could be sleeping in the back and getting perfect scores every day! And then, suddenly, the older kids would call you to hang out in the alley and…! How fun would that be?!”
Bam-
“Ouch!”
I flicked her forehead.
“Isn’t that a total pubescent fantasy?”
“I could’ve been the main character in a webtoon…”
“Have you thought about what happens after that? It might not be fun at all.”
“Why wouldn’t it be fun?”
“If you become the top student and sleep during class, I think both students and teachers will quickly get used to you being that way. What about any educational lessons? If something like that happened, wouldn’t you want to be friends with someone just because of that?”
“Uh… um… that’s a bit difficult.”
Human relationships are built on exchanging emotions, not just status.
With Saetbyeol, who has a unique background but still gets along well with everyone, I realized that.
The hurdle’s height varies based on ability, but in the end, it’s not the essence of relationships.
‘In fact, I want to do that…’
My life goals lie not in the academy but elsewhere.
Establishing the most perfect position both economically and politically.
To achieve that, the academy felt too small a space.
As I contemplated, our server dropped off the bill.
It was getting to be about time to leave the restaurant.
“Na-me, are you going to the wedding next week?”
“Wedding? Whose?”
“Jackie and Shim Hyo-chan’s.”
“Next week?! They’re getting married?”
“Really, you didn’t know? We thought you weren’t coming since you never said anything.”
“I knew they were getting married soon, but I didn’t think it was next week.”
“We posted a message in our group chat!”
“I didn’t see it. I get so many messages!”
I turned on my phone and showed it.
Seo Yu-na let her shoulders droop.
“Is next week really busy? Everyone thinks it would’ve been great if Na-me came…”
“Do I even qualify to attend as a guest?”
“Of course! It’s Na-me! Why wouldn’t you go? Are you going or not?”
“Calm down. I need to check my schedule first.”
“Yay! Tell everyone Na-me is going!”
“Hey, wait a minute! Don’t send that just yet! I haven’t said I’m going!”