episode_0054

17. Towards Nodeul Island (1)

Two days have passed since the party that took place after finishing the conquest of the second tower.

In that short period of time, a great ordeal came to me. That ordeal was…

” Okay~ Charlotte, raise your arms~ ”

” This… like this? ”

It was to measure the clothes and underwear that I was going to ask Oh Ha-neul to make.

I came here just to solve it quickly without thinking much, but it turned out to be a huge ordeal for me.

” Yeah~ You don’t even know the size? ”

” That’s… that’s true, but do I really have to measure the size? ”

” Of course! If it’s not the right size, the shape will change and it will be uncomfortable. ”

” I see… ”

” Let’s see~ Hmm, it’s just a regular B cup. ”

” Ugh…! ”

‘Something, I feel strange being evaluated…! ‘

” Not yet! It’s okay because I’m growing! ”

” Huh? Really? But your age… ”

” Ji… Right now, even this appearance is a growth compared to a while ago! So…! ”

” Really? Hmm, is that so? Then I’ll make ‘that thing’ you mentioned later when I think Charlotte is fully grown. ”

” Yes?! Ah… yes. Thank you… ”

‘That thing…is probably referring to those underwear…? Sigh…’

The only good thing is that, unlike Yeonseo, there is no need to have it yet.

No, I’m not going to show it to anyone in the first place, so what does it matter?

” By the way, is this the right size for underwear now? ”

” Yeah, since you said you’re growing, I’ll make you something that you can change into. And as for clothes, well, I think it’s better to have something that’s comfortable to move in, right? ”

” Yes, I move my body differently from Yeonseo. ”

” Okay. I’ll make the bottoms pants-style, and since it’s going to be summer soon, I’ll make the tops short-sleeved T-shirts. ”

” Thank you. ”

” And if you have free time in the summer, come and visit us. It’s also pretty fun to play in the water at our settlement. ”

” Really? I’ll come visit you sometime when I have time. ”

” Yeah, and I’ll make you a swimsuit then too! ”

” Huh?! A… swimsuit? ”

” Yeah! I’ll work hard to make you a swimsuit too! I have to show it to Hyunseok! ”

” Hey… Wait a minute! Why are you suddenly talking about Hyunseok…! ”

” Wasn’t that what Hyunseok liked? ”

I froze at Haneul’s words.

‘I like you? Who? Hyunseok? Me?!’

Well…of course I don’t hate it, but that doesn’t mean I like it like Haneul said.

I just think of him as a close friend. I don’t see him as a romantic interest… because of that.

‘Yeah, that’s natural since he was originally a man.’

” I like her, but… she’s not what you think she is. She’s just a close friend! ”

” Really? ”

” Really! ”

” Hehe, okay, I got it. I think this will be enough for now. I’ll make it quickly, so please look forward to it~ ”

Not long after that, I was able to receive clothes from Mr. Sky.

While I was measuring, I felt various places and even got to know the measurements of my underwear that I had never paid attention to before. Then I thought to myself, ‘I’ve become a real woman now.’

And while talking to me, Mr. Haneul kept asking me about Hyunseok.

Of course, Haneul just wanted to find out about a topic to talk about with me or about Hyunseok, whom I would meet later anyway… but I felt bad as he kept talking.

‘Why did I feel…bad…’

He could have just told me about Hyunseok, but I don’t know if he avoided the question by saying curtly, “I don’t know.” or “Well?”

‘ But at that time… I didn’t want to tell you. Why was that? ‘

My actions took a while for some reason, but I had to get ready and go out quickly, so I just put it in a corner of my mind and decided to think about it again later.

We were now at the main gate of Seonyudo Settlement, ready to leave Seonyudo Settlement and head to Nodeul Island Settlement.

The ones who saw us off were Director Ryu Jin-seong, Sister Won-gyeong, Pedro, and Vincent.

Mr. Haneul was also going to come, but he was busy with work, so we said goodbye when I went to pick up my clothes earlier.

” Okay, you’re going now. Be careful. ”

” Yes, sir. ”

” I will also contact my acquaintances separately and warn them about the story you guys told me. Oh! And one more thing. ”

The manager whispered to us in a voice so small that no one else could hear.

” I heard that outlaws have been getting stronger around other settlements recently. I think it’s probably because more people are using that pill.

And suddenly, there was an increase in people offering medicine that would give them the power to protect their own bodies. ”

” Haa, it looks like you’ve already started using your hands. ”

The story the director told us secretly was information we absolutely had to hear.

There was already word that the settlement had been infiltrated by outlaws using the pills and the Obelisk Cult guys trying to spread them, so it seemed like things were going to be quite hectic going forward.

” Thank you. But if anything happens, please contact us. ”

” Yeah, you guys, just in case, be careful. ”

So the director greeted us and said he had some business to attend to at the settlement, and then he left. After that, other people started saying goodbye to us.

” Thank you for saving me! Should I be careful? ”

” Sister too! ”

” Brother! Sister! See you next time! ”

” Next time you come, I’ll show you the newly transformed greenhouse. Look forward to it. ”

” Pedro, you too, be careful and don’t overestimate your abilities. And I’ll be waiting for you, Vincent! ”

After saying goodbye to them, we headed to Nodeul Island.

I thought it was just a place to stop by for a bit, so much so that I was sad to leave, but it seems like I’ve grown quite attached to it.

*****

As we were leaving Seonyudo Settlement and passing the National Assembly building, I asked Hyunseok and Yeonseo about the Nodeul Island Settlement.

All I knew was that they had a radio broadcast there.

” Nodeul Island? That’s also similar to Seonyudo, but a little smaller. ”

” Really? ”

” Yeah, and Nodeul Island is quite an artistic place. ”

” Art? ”

” It was originally a place where people came to watch, and there were live spaces inside and outside the building, so they said they came to perform.

Of course, there was a separate space to display art pieces, but it has now been remodeled into a place for people to live. ”

” It’s quite unique, isn’t it? Compared to other settlements, it’s definitely an artistic place? ”

As Hyunseok explained it in detail, I started to get a little excited about Nodeul Island.

All the settlements I’ve been to so far have been good places, but since they were places where people struggled to survive, it was surprising that a settlement like this one continued to have artistic activities.

As Yeonseo’s words continued, my anticipation for Nodeul Island grew even more.

” By the way, Charlotte, the radio station you often listen to is also broadcast there. ”

” Huh? Oh! Noddle Radio is on Noddle Island? ”

” Yeah, they said it was easier to broadcast there because there was a lot of sound equipment there. ”

Huh? Why does that sound like something I heard from someone I know well?

” Ah, you look like you’re asking why I know. How cute~ ”

” Huh, that…so how do you know? ”

” Are you close with the person who runs Noddle Radio, as you thought? ”

” Really?! Really?! ”

I brought my face close to Yeonseo’s and asked.

” Hey… Wait a minute, it’s close! Calm down! ”

” Ugh, sorry… ”

Yeonseo continued speaking, pushing my face away with her hand.

” I was close with a person named ‘Chae Min-hee’ who was close with ‘Elina’ who did radio there. That’s how I got to know her. ”

” Are you quite excited to hear that from you guys? ”

” Really? Then you know this too? Ms. Elina, you know. She’s an ‘elf’! ”

” Eh… an elf…? That elf with long ears I know? ”

” Maybe? He said it was because he was reincarnated into another world. ”

Elf! The elf from the novels and comics!

The story about Yeonseo’s Elina being an elf made my heart race.

I know there is another world because I’ve been there and come back, but an elf returnee!

” Hoo, okay! Let’s go quickly! ”

The moment I was about to run to meet Elina, the elf and my favorite radio host!

Someone’s voice was heard near the Capitol building.

” What? Did you hear that too? ”

When I asked if Yeonseo and Hyunseok heard the sound, they nodded and said they heard it too. Then we turned our heads toward the National Assembly building.

There, a blonde woman with a bow on her back and a black-haired woman started approaching us, waving and shouting at us.

” Hey? Why are those people here? ”

After saying that, Yeonseo ran out and then seemed to be talking to those two people, then motioned for me and Hyunseok to come over.

” Do you know him? ”

” Even a tiger will come if you call it, Charlotte! Those are the people who were talking to Yeonseo just now. ”

” What?! ”

The person I was talking about just now is… Chae Min-hee, who works as a team with the elf Elina?

” Uh… Me… How am I? Do I look okay? Huh? ”

When I asked Hyunseok while touching my hair and adjusting my clothes, Hyunseok smiled softly.

” Cute and pretty as usual. ”

” What…what are you talking about… really… ”

I was the one who asked if it was just a neat appearance, but Hyunseok spoke in a very serious voice, so I suddenly felt embarrassed and scratched my cheek, then got away from Hyunseok and ran to Yeonseo.

I felt even more embarrassed because I could feel myself smiling happily while running, my face turning red.

*****

” Let me introduce you, this blonde elf with blue eyes is Elina, and this dark-haired, squinty-eyed person is Minhee. ”

At Yeonseo’s introduction, Elina slowly waved her hand, and Chae Min-hee, who was listening, raised her hand and slapped Yeonseo on the head.

” You thorn! What are you talking about! And I have small eyes, not squint! You’re the same! ”

” Huh? Sister, I just keep my eyes slightly closed because there are a lot of things I don’t want to see. I’m different from you~ ”

” This…this thorn…! ”

” Minhee, stop it. It’s been a while since we last met, so you should understand as my older sister. And Yeonseo, I told you to call me older sister too. ”

” No, but for someone who is over 200 years old, my sister is a little… ”

” Oh, yeah Yeonseo is right. Ms. Elina is over 200 years old, so she’s actually a grandmother… Wait… Wait, Sister Mi… I’m sorry, I said I’m sorry?! ”

The moment she heard her grandmother’s ‘h’, Elina narrowed her eyes and muttered an unintelligible word, and soon something translucent began to float around Chae Min-hee.

‘What is it? This energy is a bit unusual?’

” It’s been a while, Elina and Minhee. ”

So, while they were having a noisy reunion, when they heard Hyunseok’s voice, the two stopped fighting and approached Hyunseok, linking arms…

” How have you been, Hyunseok? How is it? This time, won’t you make a contract with my wind spirit? ”

” What kind of contract is that! Even if we sign a contract, only I can use it! ”

As the two women stood between Hyun-seok, the hot and sticky emotions buried deep inside that he had felt while talking to Haneul began to slowly rise up.

That feeling began to eat me up, and soon I was… pulling those two away from Hyunseok and hugging him.