episode_0053

16. Seonyudo regains its daily life (3)

” Hmm, huh…? ”

” Are you awake? ”

When I slowly opened my eyes, I saw that I was lying down again, using Hyunseok’s lap as a pillow.

Now, I was used to his warmth, so I turned my head away from his gaze, feeling embarrassed at myself for leaning on him every time.

” Charlotte? Are you okay? ”

” Yeah, I was just a little… embarrassed… ”

” Really? Can I tell you the story from a little while ago again? ”

” Ah… That’s right… ”

Suddenly, my heart started beating so fast that it almost exploded at the words, “Thump, thump,” and I fainted from the heat that heated up my face at his serious expression.

When Hyunseok asks if he can tell that story again, his heart starts beating faster and the fever that had cooled down starts to rise again.

But now that it’s come to this, there’s no way I can escape.

” Okay, do it. But can I stay like this for a bit? ”

” It’s okay if Charlotte is comfortable. ”

His hands, slowly stroking my hair as he spoke, were so gentle that it felt like time had stopped.

” Well, where should I start? Right, do you remember that I also returned from another world like Charlotte? ”

” Yeah, you said it was a world where heroes existed. I want to go to a place like that too. ”

” Haha, even if there are heroes, in the end, the places where people live are the same, but still, yeah. If I get the chance, I want to go back too.

Anyway, I was reborn there and got a new family. Then I lost my family because of my arrogance.

In particular, my younger sister who always took care of me died a terrible death. ”

His voice was filled with longing as he spoke of his sister, but at the same time it was filled with a sadness so strong that it almost sounded like he was sobbing.

” My younger sister was a really good child with a strong sense of justice, honesty, and kindness to everyone. I killed that child. ”

” Hyunseok… ”

Seeing him just standing there, unable to continue the story, I simply took his hand that was stroking my hair and tried to calm him down.

” Sorry, this happens every time I think about my sister. So since then, I’ve been using the strength I have not only for myself, but also

I went around helping people to keep my brother’s words to use it for other people too.

And then I met you, Charlotte. You look like my sister. ”

” Do I look like my brother? ”

” Yeah, well, to be exact, our personalities are complete opposites. ”

‘What, so you’re saying I’m not as kind as my little brother?!’

I felt a little angry at his words and wanted to tease him.

” Huh~ Are you saying I have no sense of justice and am not sincere? ”

” No! That’s not it! Charlotte is kind, righteous, and…! ”

I was so angry because his quick reactions were so cute.

” Hehe, I know, I was just saying. Keep going. ”

” Phew, when I say we look alike, I mean we look alike. ”

” Me? But I… ”

Even if we do resemble each other, I’ve only been in this body for a month and a half, and I still resemble his younger sister whom I’ve never seen…

‘ This body there is rather a body that Patruna made to resemble her own appearance as much as possible.’

” Could you take a look at this? ”

As I made that expression of incomprehension, he handed me the pendant that was hanging around his neck.

The pendant that was passed from his hand was quite worn, but you could tell how much he treasured it, and when he opened it with his hand, there was…

There was a girl who looked exactly like Patruna.

” This…this is…?! ”

” My little sister ‘Luna’. Doesn’t she look exactly the same? That’s why when I first saw Charlotte, I thought I saw my little sister again. ”

” I see… ”

When he said that he thought he had met his sister again, I thought that the reason he had been so kind to me up until now was because he thought of my sister.

My heart started pounding again.

‘ Of course. There’s no way I’d care that much about someone I just met and treat them well… What did I expect… ‘

I felt like I was the only one who had made such a foolish mistake, but I was so happy when he continued to say this.

” I used to think of Charlotte as my younger sister, but as I spent more time with her, I began to see Charlotte as she really was, not as my younger sister. ”

” Hyunseok…! ”

” Then, this time, the goddess came down to Charlotte’s body, right? When she left, she took a pose that only my sister and I knew. ”

When I heard that, I felt like I had been hit in the head hard.

‘What does that mean? Then… Patruna… was Hyunseok’s younger sister?!’

” So that’s why you keep thinking about your little sister? ”

” Yeah, ever since then I’ve been thinking that maybe my sister died and became a goddess.

Then, when I saw Charlotte earlier, I was reminded of my younger sister and I couldn’t laugh while praising her.

I’m so sorry. I bet you were looking forward to it, but I ruined it. ”

I stood up and shouted. Then I realized that he was expecting me to say something, and I felt embarrassed and tried to hide my expression by covering my face with my long hair.

” No, that’s not true! It’s just, well… I was happy, so it’s okay… ”

” Really? ”

” Hey, I just assumed you hated my changed appearance because you said you liked it but didn’t smile! ”

” I see. And let me say this again, Charlotte looks really beautiful right now. Her hair is especially beautiful in the moonlight right now. ”

‘Wh…what are you talking about! Seriously…’

” Really? Ahem, then we’re making up… right? ”

” We didn’t even fight? ”

” Eight! Can’t you just do it like that?! Huh! ”

She turned her head and glared at him, her cheeks puffed out.

” Haha, okay, let’s do that. The director will be waiting, so should we go to the party venue? ”

In the moonlit garden, he reached out his hand to me and I took his hand and we headed to the cafeteria where the party was to begin.

*****

Before entering the cafeteria where the party was taking place, let’s change our appearances back to their originals after changing them into artifacts. There was a lot of delicious food at the party that seemed to have been prepared with a lot of effort, and everyone in Seonyudo was chatting together on each floor.

” Oh~ The main characters have finally arrived! Huh? What, why are there only two of them? ”

I asked Hyun-seok a question as Director Ryu Jin-seong, who was holding his glass of alcohol high and putting his arm around Hyun-seok’s shoulder, spoke.

” Really? Yeonseo? Didn’t you tell her to go first? ”

” I’ll probably just stay in the tent. I hate places like this. I’ll just pack some food and bring it later. ”

” Well, everyone has different ways of enjoying it! Are you two dating? Are you holding hands like that? ”

At the sudden words of the director, the other people around also started to see me and Hyunseok holding hands.

” Ah…! No! Just this! ”

As I quickly pulled my hand away and spoke, Hyunseok had a slightly regretful expression on his face.

‘No, if you feel sorry, what will become of me!!’

” I was just taking a walk in the garden before I came here, and the atmosphere was nice, but the path was like a maze, so I was holding back. I’m a path idiot. ”

” Really? Huh? But there was a maze in our garden? ”

” Rather than that! We’ll go eat quickly too! ”

” Huh? Okay~ Enjoy your meal~ Thanks to you guys, we can have a party like this~ ”

As I was about to push Hyunseok’s back and go to sit down, a small blue bird that seemed to be the summoned servant of Director Ryu Jinseong jumped on my shoulder.

He left, saying, “I’ll be waiting for the invitation later.”

‘Wh…what are you talking about?! Seriously…’

I have no intention of dating a guy, but when I heard about the wedding invitation, I thought about myself in a wedding dress and next to it was…

‘Ugh! What am I thinking!’

” Ah! There she is! Charlotte! ”

While pushing Hyunseok like that, a familiar voice was heard.

There were Choi Won-kyung and Oh Ha-neul, whom we had saved.

” Hello. ”

” I heard. You guys conquered the tower? That’s really great! It’s rare for three people to conquer it! Right? Auntie! ”

” Right. So, as a thank you, I’d like to make you some clothes or something you need. Is that okay? ”

” I will be grateful. Come back later with Yeonseo who is not here yet… ”

” Ah, if it’s that kid, the story is already over. ”

‘What, when did that guy come here and do that? No, more than that… what Yeonseo wanted… No, did he really say that? ‘

I was surprised by Yeonseo’s action, who had already gotten what she wanted, and I was still, but then Haneul slowly came closer to me and whispered in my ear, and I froze in place.

” If you want, do you want one too? The guy next to you might like it too ”

” Oh, no. That… That’s right… ”

” Oh my~ You’re so cute. Now that I think about it, you said you weren’t dating, right? But if you keep one, you might need it someday, right? ”

‘No, that… I received something like a match underwear, so what am I supposed to use it for…!’

But contrary to my thoughts, my body gave the exact opposite answer.

” Please…take care of me… ”

” Hehehe, don’t pretend you don’t like it~ I’ll make you the best design! ”

After that, Hyunseok and I talked about the clothes we usually wear, and then they left.

I was worried that Hyunseok might have heard, but fortunately he didn’t, and soon I relaxed and fell face down on the table.

” Are you okay? Should I go back if it’s hard? ”

” Ah… no, I’m just a little tired. I’ll just rest for a bit. Huh? Pedro and Vincent! Over here! ”

While I was putting the ball on the table like that, I called out to Pedro and Vincent, and they both came to us with food.

Hyunseok, who was sitting across from me, got up from his seat and sat right next to me.

” Hyunseok? ”

” Ah, I think it would be nice if Mr. Vincent and Pedro sat together haha… ”

Well, it didn’t matter because it wasn’t a wrong thing to say, but whenever his body would suddenly come closer and touch mine, my heart would feel like it was going to burst, but I didn’t hate it, so I decided to endure it.

” Your sister and brother came too! I heard. The three of you conquering the tower! That was really cool! ”

” Hey, you cleaned up around the tower with us too. You did a pretty good job too. ”

” Hehe, thanks to you, hyung and sis, I think I know how to become a hero who helps people! It was my first time applying my abilities like this, and I learned so much! ”

Pedro, who was excitedly telling Mr. Vincent about his heroic fights with us, hit him on the head with a hammer, said.

” You bastard! No matter what, you’re still like that! Are you thinking of going to such a dangerous place alone? ”

” Ugh, but if I didn’t, my uncle would be in danger! ”

” Dude, you should’ve held back a little bit since your brother and sister would’ve done it for you anyway. ”

” But! My uncle is my only family, so I wanted to help him myself! ”

” Pedro…! ”

Hyunseok and I just smiled and watched as the two of them suddenly captured such a touching scene.

Well, it’s not that I don’t understand. If your only family is in danger, what wouldn’t you do?

” Thank you so much. For me. ”

” No, we didn’t protect you properly from the Harpy’s attack. ”

” No, that’s just an unavoidable accident. Thank you very much. ”

” Are you leaving soon? ”

Pedro asked us as he took a bite of his cheese pizza.

” Yeah, I have some work to do, so I have somewhere to go quickly. ”

” Really? That’s too bad. I wanted to learn a little more by hanging out with you ”

” Just remember what I told you this time. You’re smart too. ”

” Actually, I wanted to be a scientist before. So I made various tools on my own and stuff. Well, I’ll do it later when the world becomes peaceful! ”

” Yeah, that’s a good goal. ”

” Are you leaving already? It hasn’t been that long since we met, but I feel a little sad. Where are you going? ”

In response to Mr. Vincent’s question, this time it was Hyunseok, not me, who opened his mouth and started talking about where we were going.

” First, I’m going to Nodeul Island. It’s a place I have to pass through to get to Garam, where I belong anyway. After that, I’m going to Cheong Wa Dae. ”

” Hoo, if you’re going there, then there must be something pretty serious. ”

‘Oh, you’re quite sharp. I just told you where to go, and you figured it out like that…’

Hyunseok opened his eyes wide as if he was quite surprised by Vincent’s sharp guess.

” Huh? What’s the problem? ”

I thought it was a little dark for Pedro to know, so I quickly changed the subject by pointing to the pizza he was happily eating.

” No, is that better than that? ”

” Of course! Cheese pizza is divine! ”

” Really? Isn’t pineapple pizza delicious too? ”

As I said that, the atmosphere at the table suddenly felt cold.

” What did you just say? ”

” Huh? Pineapple pizza is also delicious…”

” Go!!! Fine apple pizza, what a jerk!!! ”

” What? What did you just say? Apostle? Hey! Everyone just puts pineapple on it and calls it pineapple pizza, so it doesn’t taste good!

The real pineapple pizza is made by adding other meats, ham, olives, and mushrooms! ”

” No, no matter what, that’s a bit… ”

” Haa, next time I see you, I’ll definitely treat you to a pineapple pizza. I’m looking forward to it. ”

” Ah… Sister…! ”

In that atmosphere, I was able to receive thanks from other people in the settlement and chat about various things, and before I knew it, the party was coming to an end.

After Hyunseok and I greeted everyone, we packed some food that Yeonseo would like and headed to the tent.

*****

As we returned to the tent, we heard a conversation and as we approached, Yeonseo suddenly stopped talking to someone and opened her mouth to us.

” Judging by the appearance, it seems like it was resolved well? And judging by the delicious smell, it seems like you didn’t forget to bring me food, right? ”

” Yeah, who are you talking to here? ”

” Huh? That…Seojin oppa…yeah… ”

I thought Yeonseo was cute when she suddenly started talking shyly, so I went closer and whispered to her.

” Ah~ So that’s why you quickly ordered those sexy underwear for your brother? ”

Upon hearing that, Yeonseo immediately ended the call and started to rub my cheek with a red face.

” You…! How did you…! ”

” No, that Sky-ssi came and told me… So… I also, without realizing it… ”

” Haha, is that so? Huh~ ”

” Hey, that’s not what I wanted, you kept saying that so I couldn’t help it! ”

” Yeah, if that’s what you’re saying, then that’s what it is. Hyunseok~ ”

” Hey! Are you crazy?! ”

While he was covering Yeonseo’s mouth and pressing her down with his body, Hyunseok approached him.

” You called? What are you two doing? ”

” Ah… no! So… ”

When I was at a loss, Yeonseo quickly pushed my hand away.

” I just called to ask when you’ll be leaving. ”

” Aha, since you said you’d make the clothes, I guess I’ll just have to wait a bit, so tomorrow or the day after? I’m planning on leaving around that time ”

” Okay. ”

After saying that, Hyunseok went back to warming up the food, and only then did I get off Yeonseo’s body and breathe.

” Hey… you…! ”

” Huh! You were the one who did it first, right? It seems like you and Hyunseok have changed a little bit. ”

” Huh? What? ”

” No~ Go wash up instead. I already washed up. ”

” Huh? Yeah. ”

So I left to take a shower and Yeonseo was left alone.

” Now the way they look at each other has become a little more gentle. That’s fortunate… ”