episode_0002

But today was different. I couldn’t do that, and I couldn’t ignore Cheon Soyul’s burning gaze silently fixed on me from the side.

She had been sniffling for a while, as if heartbroken, but soon she stopped crying.

However, I couldn’t confidently say that it was a green light for me too.

This was because she had suddenly stopped crying and was now clenching her pillow tightly, grinding her teeth, and glaring at me.

Oh, what makes you so resentful? I wanted to ask, but I held it in, fearing a sharp, terrifying lightning bolt might come back instead of an answer.

Even though we had been frenemies, constantly bickering for a year, I didn’t want to start a bloody arena first thing in the morning.

And in a motel, no less. That’s a bit much. Wouldn’t it be rude to the owner, for starters?

‘What am I going to do about this atmosphere?’

I sat awkwardly, unable to properly cover myself with the blanket. The reason was that Cheon Soyul had pulled more than half of it away.

Was she not even considering my modesty?

Of course, she must also be very flustered, confused, and her mind likely cluttered with regret and petty worries.

‘I didn’t expect this either, you brat.’

How could I have known? On the last day of school, I had merely shared my first drink as an adult with a classmate I’d been close to, whether I liked it or not…

Who knew that I’d wake up the next day, ignorant of what happened, and find us so amicably in a motel.

More than anything, the traces of what was presumed to be a fierce close-quarters battle from last night, scattered across the bed and bedding, bothered me greatly.

Unknown liquid stains on the mattress cover, half-crushed pillows, tangled hair.

Only now did I notice that Cheon Soyul’s collarbone, shoulders, and near her chest were covered in numerous red marks.

My face flushed for no reason, and I let out a dry cough, subtly covering my mouth.

…It’s awkward to say, but it seemed we made love with incredible passion.

‘Well, if I’m being honest, neither that girl nor I particularly like each other.’

No, is that really true? I paused for a moment, pondering. Well, we’d built up an ill-fated connection for a year, so it’s unlikely we’d get along.

But then again, it’s not like there’s no affection at all…

And even if there is affection, it’s ambiguous to simply call it ‘love’ or ‘romantic affection.’ This was truly a difficult problem.

Having gone through so many events and incidents together, even if we growled at each other on the surface, our relationship wasn’t actually that bad.

If it hadn’t been the case, it wouldn’t have made sense for us to have a drink together, just the two of us, in the first place.

As I said again, it was a truly complex problem, and I reluctantly let out a soft sigh.

It was awkward and uncomfortable. This entire atmosphere felt like a precursor to Cheon Soyul’s hysteria beginning.

But even so, how could I remain still? Regardless of how it happened, I had spent the night with Cheon Soyul.

Whether it was a drunken mistake, or we got heated and our eyes met. If we’d done something, we should at least clean up the mess.

I decided to steel myself.

And I began to utilize my brain’s performance to 100% capacity with all my might. Yes, what first words would be the best choice at this moment to not displease Cheon Soyul?

I searched for the best option. If the best wasn’t possible, I had to find the next best. That was the situation.

‘Ah, yes. That’s it.’

And so, I finally managed to recall a line close to the correct answer… I didn’t waste any time and immediately turned to Cheon Soyul.

I don’t know if she was waiting for me too, but coincidentally, her subtle golden gaze was also directed at me.

I wore an awkward smile, and the moment her expression softened slightly, I spoke the conclusion I’d reached after much deliberation.

“…Should we just pretend last night never happened and forget about it?”

“Again.”

“…”

“Again, I’ll give you a chance to choose your words. To you.”

…Hmm.

It must have been the wrong answer. I groaned inwardly and tried to avoid Cheon Soyul’s chilling gaze, which looked like it could devour a person.

If not this, what answer does she need? What exactly does she want me to say?

I had never faced such a conundrum in my entire life. I hadn’t agonized this much even when I got stuck on the written exam for the Academy entrance exam.

‘…Oh, screw it.’

I had no more energy to continue pondering. Was my reputation as a genius mage just empty fame? My mind was frozen and wouldn’t move at this moment.

More than anything, it didn’t seem like Cheon Soyul would wait any longer either.

“I’ll take responsibility.”

I just blurted out the words I felt I ought to say, without filtering them. Cheon Soyul’s eyes blinked.

Before she could say anything, I bowed my head very slightly.

“Neither of us planned this, and honestly, it’s more accurate to say two people caused trouble while drunk… But if you’re feeling uneasy, and if that’s what you want, then from now on, I’ll—”

Thwack! But my serious words couldn’t continue to the end. That was because Cheon Soyul had outright smacked me on the head.

Feeling bewildered, I unnaturally returned my slightly twisted head to its original position.

What was that? It wasn’t quite a slap, but a perfectly subtle, seemingly accidental yet possibly aimed surprise strike near my temple.

I nervously raised my gaze slightly, but contrary to my expectations, Cheon Soyul’s expression wasn’t particularly hostile.

Rather, considering how she had been glaring at me just moments ago, loaded with the implicit meaning of ‘I’m going to kill you,’ one might even say her expression had become quite relaxed.

…Well, relatively speaking, that is.

Cheon Soyul let out a low sigh. Seeing her habit of pressing her brow, which I’d seen from time to time, she seemed displeased about something. But what it was, I didn’t know.

So, I could do nothing but stare at her, bewildered.

Soon, Cheon Soyul called out to me, her brow half-furrowed.

“You.”

“Why.”

“…”

“…Why. If you called me, speak.”

I straightened my posture, feeling an ominous premonition for no reason. This was, with high probability, the pattern where she’d remain silent until lightning struck.

Did she think I hadn’t figured out her algorithm after sticking together for a year? How ridiculous!

“You don’t need to do that.”

“…What?”

But what came back wasn’t a bolt of lightning, poised to electrocute me. Cheon Soyul, seemingly embarrassed for some reason, brushed her bangs back and glanced at me.

Because of that gesture, her arm and armpit, not clothed in a single thread, were momentarily unprotected by the blanket’s covering…

Yet the person herself didn’t seem to notice. I endured, with superhuman mental strength, the blood threatening to rush to my lower body.

It felt like my blood was boiling even more because it was morning. I wondered if Cheon Soyul had any idea of my suffering.

She probably wouldn’t. Just looking at her casually picking up her bra and panties from under the bed and tidying them up now.

What was that? Seduction? Probably not.

“I said that, but you don’t necessarily have to take responsibility. Honestly, who said I wanted you to take real responsibility? Last night was just, the two of us getting caught up in the moment and doing it…”

Anyway, Cheon Soyul said that. After neatly folding her underwear, shirt, and even her school uniform jacket, she added nonchalantly.

“Well, I’m not some incompetent woman who needs to rely on you in the first place.”

And then she flicked her hair once, and wow. It struck me as quite a talent to look so cool while being so annoying.

I was dumbfounded and let out a chuckle.

“Ridiculous.”

Cheon Soyul scoffed in return and flung the blanket she was covering herself with toward me.

Suddenly hit by the blanket, I tried to pull my head out without thinking, but before that, I heard Cheon Soyul’s voice, seemingly from a slight distance now.

“Cover yourself. If I see you, I’ll kill you.”

“…What?”

“I’m going to wash up.”

Creak. I thought I vaguely heard the sound of the glass door opening.

I unnecessarily frowned and muttered.

“Anyway, after seeing everything there is to see last night, what’s the point now…”

“You son of a bitch. Don’t mention it.”

Zap!

And a sparrow-shaped bolt of lightning zigzagged and shot towards me, still under the blanket.

Due to the lack of visibility, I could only roll around on the bed, relying on instinct.

“Ow.”

That was close. If I’d taken that attack bare-skinned without my uniform’s protective magic, I would have been paralyzed for at least an hour.

Of course, Cheon Soyul, who casually did such a dangerous thing, snorted as if it was none of her business and slammed the bathroom’s glass door shut.

“If you follow me in, I’ll kill you!”

…Those were her last words before she did.

I couldn’t help but sigh, then began tidying up my clothes scattered under the bed, just as she had.

‘Hmm.’

But did that girl know that the bathroom walls in this motel room were semi-transparent when she went in?

A question arose, so I raised my head, and sure enough, Cheon Soyul, who had already carelessly turned on the water, was visible through the glass wall.

The curves of her body, vaguely but enticingly revealed; I watched her silhouette for a moment as if appreciating it, then took out my smartphone.

Click.

A subject for teasing for years to come, one secured for now.