Episode 365. Return (2)

“My daughter. Wouldn’t it be better to take a private jet even now? It’s bothersome, and there’s a possibility of an accident…”

“Father. How about buying out the entire plane’s seats so Alice’s trip is comfortable?”

“Should we do that even now?”

“… Please, both of you, just stop.”

“…”

After arriving at the airport.

I let out a hollow laugh listening to Isaac and Irene’s conversation.

I knew it would be like this.

There was no way those people would just let Alice go.

Isaac and Irene were holding onto Alice with faces close to tears, and it was a suffocating sight just to look at.

“Honey, stop it now. Irene, you too, stop.”

“Mmm, okay…”

“… I understand.”

Fortunately, Sophia-ssi, who came with us, was relatively normal.

Mediating between Isaac and Irene, she looked exactly like a perfect mother.

“Have a safe trip, Alice. Everyone loves you, so don’t worry too much about it.”

“Mhm. I know.”

“Alice. Finally, Father’s heart…”

Sensing the conversation would drag on, I stepped back for a moment.

Honestly, it was funny the first time or two, but it was boring to keep listening.

Even for a doting father, that’s too much.

That’s why Alice dislikes it.

• When do we get on our plane?

“Hmm. Probably within 30 minutes.”

I wandered around the airport, chatting with Liliana.

With about an hour left until departure, we needed to start getting ready.

“Ah, I should buy some souvenirs for the kids.”

• Swoosh, how about buying some bread?

“Tell me about any delicious bread. Let’s buy some.”

I bought all of Liliana’s recommended items from a fancy bakery in the airport.

I also bought fancy packaging boxes with preservation magic, so they should taste good even in Korea.

Besides that, after buying accessories and other gifts for the other heroines, my hands were full.

• Let’s go now!

“Okay.”

After finishing our shopping and returning to our original spot, it seemed Alice’s goodbyes were over.

“I’m going now.”

“Alice. If things get tough anytime, contact your Unnie. Okay?”

“Sniffle, my daughter… You’ll come during the break too, right? Father will be waiting…”

“Yes. Of course. But I really have to go now.”

I shook my head watching Isaac still acting like that.

Beside Alice, who answered with annoyance, Irene was also visible.

‘This is the last time I’ll see Irene today too.’

I gave her my contact info, but seeing her face ends today.

“…!”

Just then, Irene happened to look my way, and our eyes met.

When I smiled lightly and greeted her with my eyes, Irene blinked rapidly and averted her gaze.

Should I go say hello too?

I needed to greet the Guild Master anyway.

He accommodated me for a whole week, so I should express my gratitude.

“Guild Master-nim.”

“Sniffle… Hmm? What is it, Lee Hoyeon.”

“I came to say goodbye. Thank you for the past week. Vice Guild Master-nim too.”

“Mmm. Not at all. Hoyeon-gun also worked hard.”

“Well… yeah. He worked hard. Though I didn’t like it.”

“Honey, why are you like that again? Hmm?”

Leaving Isaac grumbling, I also greeted Irene.

“Thank you too, Irene-ssi. For looking out for me in many ways.”

“… Yeah.”

Irene gave a brief greeting and then looked away.

She didn’t seem keen on continuing the conversation.

Well, I’d probably feel the same way.

★ Heroine Status Window

[Irene]

─ [Affection: 30] (+ 0.2)

─ [Lust: 50]

─ [Appetite: 40]

─ [Fatigue: 40]

Current Status: Is it okay to let her be with Alice…? Should I protect her after all….

Perhaps because I decided to cut ties with Alice, her affection rose to 30.

At this rate, won’t she contact me soon?

I stepped aside briefly, waiting for Alice to finish her goodbyes, and soon Alice, having finished, approached me.

“Sorry, did you wait?”

“It’s fine. Looks like everyone likes you a lot.”

“It’s a problem because it’s bothersome.”

Alice and I headed towards the boarding gate to get on the plane.

*

• Attention passengers, we have arrived in the Republic of Korea. Please ensure your belongings are secured until the aircraft has come to a complete stop…

“… We’re already here?”

I looked at my watch and my eyes widened.

It felt like less than two hours since we boarded the plane, yet the announcement had already begun.

“Didn’t you even look at the schedule?”

“Yeah. Because it was bothersome.”

“…”

The current time was 4 PM.

We had boarded the plane since morning, but it was already afternoon when we got off.

It felt like a waste of time.

We gathered our luggage, preparing to disembark the plane.

It was a bit complicated because we had so much to pack, but still, the thought of going home put my mind at ease.

“Be careful with your actions outside.”

“Huh?”

Just then, Alice said something strange.

Careful? Careful about what?

“Careful about what?”

“There will be a lot of people.”

“Weren’t there not many people at the French airport?”

At the French airport, strangely, no one seemed to recognize Alice.

Even considering it was early morning.

Surely, according to her profile, Alice had celebrity-level popularity. Was it because the Iris Guild’s information control kept everyone in the dark?

If that’s the case, then they wouldn’t know we’re landing in Korea either, right?

“You’ll know when we go out. Be careful, and behave.”

Puzzled by Alice’s words, I stepped outside, and only then did I understand what she meant.

• Why are there so many people?!

“…”

I don’t understand either.

Was I this famous?

Click- click-

The airport was packed with a crowd.

From reporters shoving cameras in my face… to people who looked like my fan club.

The reason I thought they were a fan club was simple.

[Genius Mage Lee Hoyeon Fan Club.]

[Welcome Back, Lee Hoyeon.]

It was explicitly written that it was a fan club.

• A fan club? You have a fan club?!

“What is this… Is there a fan club I don’t even know about?”

Liliana asked, seemingly surprised.

But this time, I was surprised too.

I often searched my name online, but if I didn’t know about it, where on earth had it been hiding?

Was it some kind of dark fan club?

“… Why would I have fans?”

“Impressive. Mr. Genius Mage.”

“No, I have fans, but why don’t you have any?”

Isn’t it normal for pretty girls to have fans?

Why did a fan club spring up for a guy like me?

“I’m in France. Anyway, once I graduate from Victoria Academy, I’ll return to France, so it’s normal not to have fans in Korea.”

“Ah, I see… But why didn’t I see any fans in France?”

“Hmm. Maybe you didn’t notice because it was morning.”

• To think there’s a fan club even though I don’t have one…

Liliana muttered, seemingly shocked.

This is kind of overwhelming.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen reporters like this in person.

Click- click-

Listening to the burdensome shutter sounds, I walked towards the airport exit.

Many people had gathered, and guards were blocking the way; I felt like a real celebrity.

Swish-

“Cadet Lee Hoyeon! Please give us an interview about the Centaur captured in France!”

“Please say just one word about the preferential treatment controversy at Victoria Academy!”

Ugh, so noisy.

As I passed right by the reporters, I frowned because of the noise, when suddenly I felt a strange sensation on my arm.

Alice had grabbed my arm.

Not content with just grabbing my arm, Alice naturally linked her arm with mine.

Why is she acting weird again?

I lowered my voice and asked.

“Alice. What’s wrong?”

“This is manners when a man and woman enter the country together. Don’t you even watch the news?”

“… Is that so?”

Come to think of it, people always link arms at award ceremonies, so maybe it’s similar to that.

I didn’t know.

“Oppa! I’m a fan! Kyaaak!”

Is this how celebrities feel?

I wasn’t nervous, but it was a bit overwhelming since everyone was staring only at me.

Click- click-

• Hey, they’re linking arms! Take a picture!

• Oppa! Oppa!! Who is she!!!

And as we walked with our arms linked, I kept hearing strange remarks.

For manners, the reaction is way too intense?

“Hey. Are you really linking arms? You lied, didn’t you.”

“……”

Alice turned her head towards me.

Seeing her shoulders tremble, I suspected she was holding back laughter.

“Sigh…”

I’ve been fooled again.

I considered breaking the embrace now, but the pictures had already been taken.

They’d probably be published as articles soon.

‘What if the other girls see this?’

I don’t know.

I’ll just say I was fooled then.

Having faced so many crises, this didn’t even feel like a crisis.

Instead, I walked closer to Alice, pressing my body against hers.

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to walk really close.”

“… Let go.”

Whether it was embarrassing to be so close, Alice distanced herself from me.

“Are you embarrassed by me?”

“No, there’s no need to be this close…!”

I found Alice’s reaction amusing and pressed myself even closer.

She started it herself, but why is she embarrassed when I take it a step further?

The clothes of Alice, trying to pull away, and mine, trying to get closer, brushed against each other.

Being so close right next to the reporters seemed to make her more embarrassed.

“Cadet Lee Hoyeon! Please say something!”

“What is your relationship with Cadet Alice!”

“I told you to stop…!”

“You started it.”

We brushed past the reporters.

The more I stuck close to Alice, the more the fan club members screamed, but what could I do?

It’s strange to have a fan club when there are so many women around.

I need to make them find someone else besides me.

I didn’t even pay attention to the reporters and stuck even closer to Alice, when soon I felt a strange sensation near my pocket.

A feeling of something slipping out.

Instinctively lowering my gaze, I saw a piece of black cloth lying on the floor.

“Huh?”

Seeing Liliana’s panties lying on the floor, I stopped walking without realizing it.

No, fuck.

Why is this here?

Yesterday, I definitely shoved it into my pants…

‘Wait a second.’

I remembered.

Yesterday, after packing late into the night with Liliana, I carelessly took off my pants and fell asleep, forgetting that the panties were inside. Then, this morning, I put on the same pants again.

I’d forgotten because I only intended to play a prank for a moment, and since the panties were small, I didn’t even realize they were in my pocket.

“What’s that? A handkerchief?”

“Cadet Lee Hoyeon! Please say something!”

“Isn’t that… panties?”

The reporters nearby checked the item.

Fortunately, the guards were there, so they didn’t seem to realize it was panties right away, but sadly, Alice was standing right next to me.

“Wow…”

Alice gaped, looking back and forth between the panties on the floor and me.

Usually, she would have dismissed it as trash, but she seemed too dumbfounded to react, perhaps forgetting.

‘Let’s play it off smoothly.’

I quickly organized my thoughts.

Actually… it’s not that weird a situation, is it?

I didn’t commit any illegal acts; panties can fall out of pockets, right?

First, I need to pick up the panties.

It took me a lot of thinking, but only a few seconds passed in reality.

I need to grab them before the reporters take pictures.

I bent down to pick up the panties.

However, a hand snatched the panties faster than mine.

“Alice?”

Alice, holding my panties, subtly glanced at the reporters.

What the…?

Why are you doing that?

“Cadet Lee Hoyeon! Please explain the item that came out of your pocket!”

“What is your relationship with Cadet Alice!”

Seeing the reporters still eagerly thrusting microphones, Alice flashed a sly smile, then gripped my arm tightly and whispered to me.

“… Come to my house to retrieve it.”

Alice shoved Liliana’s panties into her own pocket, released my arm, and then dashed forward.

I had never seen her run so earnestly before.

• What the hell! Why did she take my panties! Catch her!

Liliana screamed and trembled, and I sighed watching Alice’s retreating figure.

What am I supposed to do if you just leave like that…