The End of a Long Adolescence – 5

SAT D-1.

I finished school early and went on a preliminary visit with Seong-a to the school where she would be taking the exam.

The faces of the students leaving the school gates and heading to their respective destinations were definitely filled with tension.

Seong-a was the type to find meaning in taking the exam itself, but seeing how she was less talkative than usual, it seemed she was feeling the pressure of the exam.

The path to the test center was quite narrow, and it seemed like a bad idea to try to come by taxi on the day of the exam.

The nearest bus stop was also quite far on foot, making transportation to the test center ambiguous.

“It would be easy if I could transform and fly there.”

It wasn’t that I hadn’t considered that method, but we agreed to save it as a last resort, as it would likely attract attention.

“When I went to take the SAT, my father drove me. It’s a shame we don’t have a car.”

“Ahjussi’s dad… I can’t really imagine it.”

“Why? Do you think I was born fully grown?”

I said, dumbfounded, and she smiled brightly.

“Hmm, Ahjussi. I’m curious about what you looked like when you were young. After all, your current appearance isn’t your original world’s appearance.”

“That’s true.”

“Ah, I could use magic to see Ahjussi’s original face. Should we try it today? Why didn’t I think of this?”

It seemed her tension had eased a bit, and she was trying to wander off again.

“Go back home, eat, and go to bed early today. Don’t do anything weird.”

“It won’t take long. It’ll only take 5 minutes, really.”

“5 minutes or 5 seconds, let’s do it after the SAT is over tomorrow. Okay?”

I gently coaxed her, and she pouted but nodded.

“Okay. But, let me sleep next to you until I fall asleep tonight.”

“Wouldn’t it be hard to sleep with someone next to you?”

“I slept well when we slept together last time….”

“…….”

“Ah, I understand.”

Kim Seong-ah stepped back, noticing my narrowed eyes.

However, seeing that the smile on her face didn’t disappear, it was clear that she was enjoying the situation itself.

Seong-a and I started heading back home.

We joined the throng of students and parents who had finished their preliminary visits.

“What do you want to eat for dinner tomorrow? Should we eat out?”

Watching a mother and daughter chatting away, I asked Seong-a.

“Hmm… I’d rather eat at home than eat out. Home-cooked meals are the best.”

Home-cooked meals, huh.

“Spicy pork?”

“Not spicy pork. Can you make boiled pork slices?”

It was troublesome and I hadn’t made it often, but I thought it would be possible.

“Okay. But don’t complain if it’s not good. I haven’t made it much.”

“I told you, Ahjussi’s food is always delicious.”

She stuck out her tongue and smiled.

“You’re good with words.”

Seong-a and I continued walking in the direction where the crowd was heading.

The sun on the third Wednesday of November set faster than I thought.

Seong-a and I returned home and had a simple dinner.

I thought it would be much better to eat less and wake up early tomorrow than to eat too much and be affected tomorrow.

“Ahjussi, I’m going to sleep.”

After packing all her supplies and finishing washing up, Seong-a came to me and made a point of talking to me.

I was in the middle of preparing her breakfast and lunch boxes for tomorrow.

“Okay, sleep well.”

“…….”

After hearing my greeting, she didn’t seem to want to go up.

“Why?”

“You promised to stay with me until I fell asleep.”

“I didn’t say I would.”

“Ah~ Ah~ Can’t you just do it without making excuses?”

She lightly punched my back with her small fist.

Oh, the strength is perfect for a massage? My muscles have been tight lately because of housework, so this is good.

“If I can’t sleep because I’m upset with Ahjussi, I’ll ruin the SAT tomorrow. Please do it.”

This girl, now she’s taking the SAT hostage.

She’s only learning the bad things….

“Okay, I understand. I’ll go up after I finish this. Go up and lie down first.”

“I don’t want to. You’ll come up really late if I do.”

I was caught.

Seong-a and I entered the heart of the night.

She wriggled into bed, and I placed a chair next to the bed and sat down, becoming her companion until she fell asleep.

We mainly talked about her expectations and anxieties about the SAT tomorrow, and about her future that would come after tomorrow, and we also shared stories about the original world I was in.

She asked what kind of person I was, what kind of work I did, what kind of people I met, and how I grew up.

It was the first time in a while that I was able to talk out loud about my ‘original’ world, and it didn’t feel so bad.

As the story became more and more ripe, Seong-a’s eyelids began to droop.

The Sleep Demon must be coming.

“Ahjussi.”

She called me, drifting into a dream. Her hazy purple eyes were still mysterious.

The moonlight that came in through the window entered her eyes and sparkled.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Just, for everything.”

After uttering a sentimental line like the protagonist of a drama, she soon fell asleep and began to breathe evenly.

“…….”

I don’t leave right away, but observe her sleeping.

I’m proud of her, and still worried about her.

“Sleep well.”

My hand unconsciously reaches for her head.

It’s okay to stroke it a little, right?

“Umm….”

Reacting to my touch, she gave a faint, pastel-like smile.

I hope she’s having good dreams.

SAT D-DAY.

I thought I woke up with plenty of time, but I moved quite busily.

I don’t know if it’s because my actions are slow, or if it’s because I’m not making progress.

If I hadn’t prepared the food in advance yesterday, I wouldn’t have made it on time.

Clearly, it must be the SAT debuff.

Seong-a and I took a taxi and got off near the test center.

It was already too late to drive inside, as several cars were honking at each other, so it was the right choice to get off the taxi even if it was a bit far.

I walked up the hill and arrived at the school gate.

Whether they came to cheer on the SAT takers, young-looking students were lined up.

With her back to the school gate, Seong-a looked at me.

“Ahjussi. I’m going to go in now.”

“Okay, don’t doze off. Here’s your lunch box.”

I hand over the lunch box that I woke up at dawn to make.

“Thank you. See you later.”

“Okay, do your best.”

“Yes! Then, I’ll take some energy before I go in.”

“Energy?”

Before the question was over, Seong-a rushed into my arms.

She buried her face in my chest and took a deep breath.

“Huum… I like it.”

“Hey, hey. There are a lot of eyes watching.”

“What does it matter?”

She took her face off and looked up at me with a refreshing smile.

“Ahjussi, do you know what?”

“What?”

“Ahjussi’s face is red.”

“…Shut up and go in.”

“Okay.”

With an even brighter face, she ran towards the school gate.

Watching her getting further and further away, I waved my hand meaninglessly.

A few hours later, the school gate closed.

The SAT will begin soon.

I decided to spend time at a cafe near the test center.

It was awkward to go home and come out again, and I wanted to send her support by being nearby.

The time was already 1 p.m.

Foreign language… no, English will start soon.

I made them with things that wouldn’t spoil, so I don’t know if lunch was okay.

I’m worried that she might have eaten too much and is dozing off…. I think back to what I experienced on the SAT day and apply it to her.

The listening evaluation will start soon too.

I bring the third cup of coffee to my mouth. I could feel the bitter taste and savory aroma of the coffee.

And, I could feel the unpleasantness flowing through my body and the goosebumps all over my body.

And I thought.

Ah… these bastards really have no business ethics.

She’s already bad at English listening, and you’re attacking now?