Interview (3)

Interview (3)

 

Children’s dresses are largely divided into two categories.

The first is a dress made for children with a general design like dresses worn by adults.

The second was a dress with a design that could only be worn when young, as the name suggests.

A blue dress that Snow White might wear.

Although the saturation was so high it hurt my eyes, Chae-a seemed to think it was pretty and pointed to it excitedly.

“Wow, it’s so pretty…! Ha-eun would look really pretty in it…!”

At Chae-a’s words, I tried to curl up like a pillbug again.

But feeling like the dress would get terribly wrinkled if I did that, I endured it with effort.

“That’s right. Ha-eun is like a princess. She’ll probably look pretty.”

“Yes! That’s right! So Ha-eun, put it on!”

I blinked at the dress that was (forcibly) placed in my hands.

Even regular dresses gave me severe psychological resistance, but this bright blue Snow White dress was twice as repulsive.

‘…Should I run away?’

While I was seriously considering running away because of this.

A good idea flashed through my mind and I quickly spoke it aloud.

“L-listen. Since Chae-a and Yuna need to wear them too… let’s have the two of them try them on first…!”

My speech is even more jumbled than usual, probably because I spoke in a hurry.

 

Still, it seems my intention was properly conveyed, as everyone nodded in agreement.

As I was watching this with a sigh of relief, Chae-a picked up a nearby dress and said,

 

“Then Chae-a will wear this!”

She chose a pink dress similar to her hair color, giggling.

 

Then, putting it on as if throwing it over herself, she proudly said,

“Chae-a likes pink…!”

 

The issue was that rather than properly wearing the dress, she had crammed herself into it, so it would be more accurate to say she was draped in fluttering cotton rather than wearing a dress.

However, for Chae-a, the act of putting it on seemed to be what mattered,

 

as she pranced around looking extremely pleased with herself.

“Ch-Chae-a.”

 

Han A-rin, watching this, lifted Chae-a up in bewilderment, as if picking up a cat.

Chae-a, still looking pleased, dangled there giggling.

 

“Then what about Yuna?”

As it was Yuna’s turn now, I asked her what she wanted to wear.

 

Yuna pointed to the blue Snow White dress that she and Chae-a had recommended earlier and said,

“I want to wear this.”

 

It seemed she had recommended it to me because it was the prettiest dress in her opinion.

 

I was grateful for Yuna’s feelings, so I smiled brightly and nodded as I spoke.

“It seems to suit you really well.”

Yuna looks at me, wagging her tail vigorously, seemingly embarrassed by my compliment.

I lifted the dress and handed it to Yuna, signaling her to try it on.

Yuna, who received it, perked up her tail and ears and carefully put it on.

Although there’s no change in her expression, her tail and ears are fluttering extremely fast.

I realized that Yuna was very happy and was looking at her with satisfaction when.

Seo-rin, who was next to me, clapped her hands and started gushing excessively.

“Oh my, you’re so pretty! Are you Snow White Princess Yuna? Of course, Ha-eun is a princess too! Oh wow, wow! You’re really so cute. Can I take just one, no, a hundred photos? Just stay like that for a moment?”

“Chae-a too!”

“Of course, we have to take pictures of Princess Chae-a too.”

Seo-rin started taking our pictures quite skillfully from various angles.

I thought it was a bit excessive as I watched Seo-rin lying on the floor or climbing on the desk to take pictures, but.

‘She looks happy while taking photos.’

Thinking it would be best to leave her be, I awkwardly made a V sign with my fingers when.

Han A-rin, who had exhausted all her energy trying to hold Chae-a, smiled awkwardly and said to Seo-rin.

“Send me the photos you took too.”

“Of course.”

“Thanks…”

Despite everything, everyone gets along well.

I was spacing out for a moment while stroking Chae-a’s head as she leaned against me.

Seo-rin poked my cheek and reminded me of something I had forgotten.

“I heard from Perseus that the central government is giving Ha-eun, Chae-a, and Yuna gifts to thank them for saving the World Tree.”

Somewhat intrigued by the mention of gifts, I looked at Seo-rin.

Seo-rin smiled softly and gently rubbed my cheek with her finger as she continued speaking.

“I’m not sure what kind of gifts they’ll be yet. But since they’ve accomplished something so incredible, don’t you think the gifts will be amazing?”

Even though it’s said to be an incredible accomplishment, it’s hard to fully grasp.

Because of that, curiosity arose, and I wanted to know quickly what it would be.

However, I couldn’t get any information other than that it would take a long time to prepare.

‘It’s disappointing, but there’s nothing we can do about it.’

Thinking that we’ll naturally find out as time passes, I nodded, trying not to feel too disappointed.

* * * * *

In this world, when announcing a new magic formula or magic-related research, there are three stages to go through.

The first is the announcement (registration), the second is the review,

And the last, third stage is the official presentation announcing that all verifications have been completed.

Usually, in the case of official presentations, since all proofs have been completed,

Rather than requiring additional verification, people often come to discuss what kind of mutual benefits can be established or to convey information to the public…

However, this presentation was flowing a bit differently than usual.

“It’s more like a first birthday party than a presentation.”

Perseus smiled awkwardly as he watched the Dragon Elders taking their seats in the presentation hall, carrying all sorts of gift bundles.

Typically, official presentation halls were mostly occupied by journalists or industry professionals, resulting in a somewhat bleak and stiff atmosphere, but.

‘It must be because the Dragon Elders are here.’

 

The atmosphere is quite bright and cheerful, much like Ha-eun’s previous welcome party.

For those who knew, it would be a scene worth calling abnormal.

But since there was no one to point that out (or if there were, they wouldn’t be around for long), it was filled with a warm scenery.

Just as I was smiling at the sight that seemed to say, “This is how we’re doing it, what can you do about it?”

Han A-rin enters the presentation hall and speaks to me.

“Well, it can’t be helped. Terrorists could disguise themselves as reporters and infiltrate, or a crazy reporter might ask Ha-eun overwhelming questions. Moreover, if we seat a bunch of strangers in front, the kids might get scared, so it has to turn into something like a first birthday party.”

After hearing those words, I calmly turned my gaze towards Han A-rin and replied.

“I’m certain that 99% of the Elders are here just because they want to see Ha-eun’s face.”

Han A-rin doesn’t say anything, perhaps finding it difficult to deny.

With those final words, Han A-rin passes by.

Smirking at her, I waited for Ha-eun to arrive soon.

* * * * *

I sat blankly in the waiting room, looking up at the ceiling.

There wasn’t any particular reason for doing this, I was just quite nervous about having to give a presentation.

As I was fidgeting with my fingers, wondering what to do, Han A-rin comes in and gestures to us.

“Ha-eun, are you ready?”

Since there wasn’t much preparation to do besides tidying up clothes and warming up my voice, I nodded.

Han A-rin said it would start soon and grabbed my hand, saying,

“Chae-a and Yuna, see you in a bit?”

“Yeah…! Take good care of Ha-eun!”

“Ha-euni… You shouldn’t cry even if Yuna isn’t here. You know that, right?”

I headed towards the presentation hall while listening to Chae-a and Yuna’s farewell.

Just when I was feeling nervous and fidgeting restlessly.

Han A-rin chuckled and told me something encouraging.

“Don’t worry too much. I’ll take care of everything anyway.”

She was always reassuring, but today she felt even more so.

As I nodded, gaining courage from Han A-rin’s words.

I suddenly realized we had reached the entrance of the presentation hall.

Calmly suppressing my mixed feelings of fear and anticipation, I peeked into the presentation hall.

The atmosphere of the hall, though quiet, wasn’t as tense as I expected, which I could see at a glance.

‘How strange.’

As this feeling was new to me, when I stepped inside, I was suddenly met with a burst of applause, and voices calling my name from all around.

“…!?”

Is this what presentation halls are usually like?

I was a bit flustered but thought it was nice to be welcomed. Then Han A-rin, with a face that seemed to be holding back laughter, said.

“You can sit here.”

“Yes.”

As I plopped down on the chair specially prepared for me.

Numerous cameras started focusing on me intensively.

Seeing this, I unconsciously made a V-sign with my fingers, but quickly lowered my hand as I came to my senses.

“Great!”

My mistake had already been caught on camera, and I could hear voices of great delight coming from all around.

Feeling embarrassed, I secretly fidgeted with my tail while trying to suppress my shame.

 

The host, quick to read the situation, summarized the situation in a calm and sincere voice and quickly moved the proceedings along.

Mwaaaaang.

 

I’m not sure what’s being said, and my mind is spinning from embarrassment due to the mistake I made earlier.

As I sat there blankly, just waiting for the presentation to end, suddenly one of the people sitting in front stood up and said,

 

“I’m curious about what vision the newly created mana circulation will present in the future. I’d like our Ha-eun to answer how it will flow. If you can’t do that, I’d like you to do something cute and make a flower pose.”