episode_0097

*****

News of the exchange war was soon officially announced by the Hero Association. There is no sense of rushing, as the application for participation, preliminaries, and competitions are scheduled to be completed in about a month.

For him, I also became busy preparing without even batting an eye. The same thing did not happen.

This is largely due to the fact that my fighting style was semi-hardened in the first place. One month was not enough time to start following a path that had been maintained and refined for ten years.

Even if you try to practice secret techniques that can be learned relatively quickly, the situation is not good. My secret skill is concept manipulation, but if I want to use it now, I keep having to use the power of the dragon.

I don’t know if it was an emergency situation, but I feel really sorry for the priestess who warned me if I used the dragon’s power for nothing more than practice.

Therefore, work hard within the scope of not breaking down your condition. That was my situation now.

From the point of view of directly dealing with Jun-seok, it could be said that he is trying more than enough.

When you focus on something, time naturally passes quickly. When I heard ‘This is the last year again’ on the bus radio on the way home from school, I couldn’t believe my ears.

What, give me back my year-end.

However, even though it is the end of the year, there is nothing special to do. Looking at their phones, it seemed like most of the kids in the class were trying to spend a quiet time with their families, perhaps because they had already had a lot of fun during Christmas.

The only exceptions are Hwa-in and Ra-on, who came from an orphanage. Raon seems to have gone out with Bobbin, and there has been no contact from Hwain.

Hwa-in is probably staying with So Baek-hyang. It seems like I’ve become quite close to Hwain in the past few days. I want her to continue down the heroine route like this.

Given Raon’s personality, I would have gladly accepted if he had asked me to play with him, but I passed on that this time. It’s the end of the year, and since I spent last Christmas with my friends, I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to spend this time with my family.

Now that you think about it, has the New Year’s Eve bell been resurrected? It seems like it’s been a long time since I’ve heard of it.

Out of curiosity, I searched and found out that it existed even when I was a Kwon Seong. Considering that I didn’t even know about this, I guess I was really busy.

“Hehe.”

Once I start to be attracted to it, I become more and more excited. Celebrating the New Year leisurely and listening to the New Year’s bells with your family, yes. good night. very good Let’s go with this today.

Now that I think about it, neither in my previous life nor in this life have I ever heard the New Year’s Eve bell ringing with my family as adults. In a sense, it was my first experience, so I started to feel even more excited.

How should I eat? Since I have plenty of money, eating out isn’t a bad idea, but I guess it would be better to eat at home today. I remember doing that when I was young.

What remains then is the selection of the menu. No matter who cooks, me or Sia, if we decide on a menu, the ingredients will be similar. Let’s buy it on the way home.

Oh right. I should ask Sia too.

[What do you want to eat for dinner tonight? It’s okay even if it takes a bit of work.]

[I’m sorry, senior. I think I’ll be late today too. Please sleep first.]

oh… . I see

I looked at Sia’s reply blankly for a while. I’m so excited that I don’t even think about the other person’s situation. Not even a child.

Sia certainly seemed very busy these days. We already have to hold an exchange meeting within a month, but Sia has some work behind her due to her injury. Even on Christmas, it was difficult to see their faces even once.

But it doesn’t work. hmm… .

Well, I guess there’s nothing we can do about it. Because work is busy.

I would like to help, but as a student, there are limits anyway. And now that I think about it, even during my Kwonseong days, I was so bad at document work that it only got in my way.

I thought about joining Raon’s side even if it was belated, but the winter night sky was already getting dark. Should I just go today?

After arriving home, washing up and eating, I had nothing left to do. Normally, I would have studied or talked to my friends, but the final exam is already over and my friends aren’t responding that much.

If I had known this would happen, I would have trained more. Because it was the end of the year and that day, my physical condition was a bit delicate, so I never thought that finishing early would come back like this.

I had no idea lying still and turned on the TV, but since I don’t usually watch it, I don’t know what’s interesting about it. In the end, I decided to lie down on the sofa and watch the news in a daze.

My body, stretched like wet cotton, feels infinitely heavy. I don’t know why this damn regenerative ability can’t restore menstruation. I feel like I’m getting depressed for no reason.

No, maybe it has nothing to do with menstruation. You may just be feeling discouraged because your expectations were not met.

In a way, it feels refreshing. I feel discouraged because my promise to play with someone was broken. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this. I am reminded again of how inhumane I was living.

Ah, it was nice that the Christmas party was so lively.

Was it the day before Eve? Was it the day before? So Baek-hyang asked Hwa-in on a date under the pretext of asking her to guide him around Korea. He was so proactive that I felt like an idiot as I was wondering how to connect the two.

Well, So Baek-hyang was quite active in the original work as well. Due to the nature of the harem romantic comedy genre, other heroines and coincidental events interfered, but this is what it would feel like in reality without rivals.

It was good up to that point, but the boys in the class seemed to be so possessed that they started making a fuss, saying they were trying to get in the way. The Christmas party was like a bait to keep those seditious elements quiet.

However, it was fun when we actually tried it, so we all had fun together from the beginning. In particular, Bobbin’s hypnosis magic show was a highlight. Although there was an accident in the middle that Hwa-in returned.

‘huh? Baekhyang? Shouldn’t he have gone home? I came this way after the guidance was over.’

No way, it’s really just a little bit of guidance and it’s over! I never thought you would say that. I wanted to shout out that you were the protagonist of a romantic comedy, but since you are, I have nothing to say.

After listening to the story, I heard that Hwain was also planning to be in the middle from the beginning. The men’s jealousy had already paid off.

I see it, I see it. The stinging gaze of So Baek-hyang, who thinks I planned the party and tricked Hwa-in…

Cook, cook. Thinking about that time makes me laugh. It’s only been a week, but it’s not enough to call it a good memory.

Does that mean I feel lonely right now?

This and that are all due to menstruation. I blamed my sentimental mood on the root of all evil and wrapped an electric blanket around my stomach. The feeling of being relieved by the warmth isn’t that bad.

If it stays like this, I think I’ll fall asleep. I guess I should go out and jog.

About 5 minutes later.

No, 10 minutes?

Umm─… .

… … .

… .

“──Ship? Senior?”

“… Huh?”

When I opened my eyes to the sound of calling, I saw my hands moving back and forth in front of my eyes. The conditioned reflex gave the answer before my sleepy head.

“Sia?”

“I told you to sleep first, but if you sleep here, you’ll catch a cold. Come on, go in and sleep.”

“No, I will hear the New Year’s Eve bells… .”

“New Year’s Eve bells?”

At this point, consciousness finally caught up with thinking. I dozed off. Sia got off work. I jumped up at the conclusion I came to by combining the two facts.

“Ji, what time is it?”

“Let’s see… . It’s eleven o’clock.”

“Ah, thank goodness. It’s not too late.”

“Are you really waiting to see that?”

Sia’s expression changed to something like a grin. Did my parents make that look when I told them I wanted to hear the bells ring on New Year’s Eve?

Certainly, when you become an adult, you don’t pay much attention to things like New Year’s Eve bells. In my past life, I also skipped it without listening to it a few times.

Maybe my thoughts are being drawn to the emotions of this young body, but whatever. Ice cream is still amazing and I don’t really want to eat spicy food. There is no need to deny the emotions or sensations I am feeling right now.

“I wanted to see it with you.”

It was also good timing that Sia got off work at that moment. It’s a pity that we couldn’t have dinner together, but now we’ll be able to achieve our goal of leisurely listening to the bell ringing together.

I thought she was going to take a shower now, but Sia was staring at me for a moment. The expression on his face seemed a little caught off guard.

“What’s wrong? After working hard, it’s time to wash up and rest──”

“Senior, let’s go listen to the bell!”

“Uh, huh? Now?”

“Yes!”

The sight of Sia suddenly lifting me up had a force that made it impossible for me to refuse the offer.

I had no intention of refusing anyway. It’s not a bad idea to hear it in person. Because I’ve always only seen it on TV.

Feeling excited again, I quickly dressed up and followed Sia out.

***

Although awakened people are said to be less affected by the seasons, most of them still wear clothes appropriate for the season. The sense of season is precious.

I also came out wearing my usual duffel coat and scarf. When I first started wearing a coat, sometimes I wouldn’t let my hair out of my back, but now I’m definitely paying attention to that.

“But is it okay to come like that?”

“Using magical power in the city is the privilege of S-class heroes.”

“I think it’s an abuse of power.”

Perhaps because of the New Year’s Eve bell, the buses ran later than usual, but we were a bit pressed for time. So, as I was wondering how to get there, Sia picked me up and ran at super speed to Jongno.

“Next time, think more about your posture… .”

“Was Piggyback Bae like that? So, why don’t you hug the princess.”

“I hate that one more!”

Since I can’t use magical power, I can’t help but transport it, but I was hoping they would choose more means. Something like using magic to carry it away.

When I said that, Sia answered that she didn’t like it because it was difficult because it required more magic power. It’s absurd that an S-class hero lacks that much magical power, but it’s hard to say anything if you say that after working hard until now.

My greatest resistance was that I could only stop the princess from hugging me.

“People are no joke. Is this okay, like terrorism?”

“There was a solution for that during the work I was doing today. Still, I’ve done well these past few years without any problems, so I’ll be fine today as well.”

It’s a flag!

Just looking at the lines, it seems like something is going to happen at any moment. Of course, there is no way the Shiana Association would have handled things so rashly.

In this world where awakened people exist, it is basically rare for so many people to gather. Even the slightest misalignment can easily lead to a major casualty accident.

So, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen or participated in a crowd like this. Is that why? After people passed between me and Sia a few times, there was already quite a distance between me and Sia.

“It’s quite crowded. I was embarrassed because I couldn’t see my senior at all even when I turned my head.”

“Silver.”

Sia rejoined and was smiling teasingly. The height has definitely decreased significantly, so unlike before, if you are buried in the crowd, you won’t be able to see it at all. But that goes for you too!

Anyway, Shia and I know each other’s locations by feeling, but there’s no reason why we came together like before, apart from each other. We can only feel each other’s presence while being far away. Isn’t this too minor a play for a family?

“Now.”

So, we decided to hold hands and walk around normally. When Sia was young, we often walked while holding hands like this—no, now that I think about it, we were rejected.

Of course, that’s all a thing of the past. The current Sia held my outstretched hand tightly.

“Can’t you just leave me alone?”

With a bright smile and a playful warning.

Since we flew in, there was still quite a bit of time. Shia and I slowly headed to where the New Year’s Eve bell was while looking at the food and accessories at the street stalls.

I didn’t buy anything or anything, but it was fun just walking around. The strange sense of emptiness I felt when I was alone has now disappeared without a trace.

“Over there, senior.”

Sia also seemed to be enjoying herself quite a bit as she dragged me around here and there. Of course, Sia basically smiles in front of me, but she cannot hide the joy that comes from her cheerful steps or tone of voice.

I haven’t been out much in the meantime. If I had known that Sia would like it this much, I would have gone around more places.

As we walked around like that, we arrived at a place where we could see the New Year’s Eve bell. The fact that good times pass quickly is not necessarily limited to long periods of time.

“How many minutes are left?”

“Not even 5 minutes left.”

There’s just enough left. The surroundings are a lot noisy, but it’s not a bad thing because it feels like a festival.

“But why did you take care of all these days?”

“I also know how to read a calendar.”

“Hey, it’s been a while since the New Year’s Eve bell came out again. In the past, if you heard something like that, they would ask you what you were doing.”

Was it like that? I’d like to, but if what Sia says, it’s probably true. In fact, it was something I would have said.

In that sense, Sia could be seen as my biggest victim. The fact that I ignored all the dates and seasons and just worked meant that my partner, Sia, couldn’t afford to take care of those things either.

But even if you ask me why I want to hear the New Year’s bell ringing, I don’t have anything to say. Just because I wanted to hear it. Because it reminded me of the old days. What happened back then when I was with my family.

Maybe I was just lonely. Because I got better after spending time with Sia.

However, I wasn’t sure if that was the case, and even if it was correct, I was too embarrassed to say it. That’s why I once again brought up what I said to Sia at home earlier.

“I told you. I wanted to see you.”

“… Yes?”

Wow, this is a bit different from the reaction I expected.

“Yeah, it was like that. True.”

Sia was truly embarrassed as her usual composure had disappeared. Did I say something wrong? As I was thinking about it, I realized one thing.

‘I waited to watch the New Year’s bell ringing with you’ and ‘I took care of a day that I had no interest in before because I wanted to see it with you.’

The nuance is no different… , me?

“Wait a minute. What I meant was that I wanted to see it with my family.”

“Yeah, right? I was thinking that’s what it meant. Yes.”

“Of course, you are like family to me, so it’s not really wrong. But I think it could be misunderstood in terms of nuance──.”

Fortunately, we succeeded in resolving the misunderstanding… . After that, both of them blushed and couldn’t say anything. Naturally, the strange atmosphere shows no signs of abating.

I need to say something. If that’s the case, it really seems like it was said with that kind of nuance.

But I don’t know what to say. It wasn’t really wrong to think that I wanted to see it with Sia in the first place.

No, this is that kind of problem──.

What saved me from being in such a state of internal panic was a loud shout-like sound from around me.

“””Oh—! S─!”””

Anything would be good to break this silence. I, and probably Sia too, screamed loudly along the surrounding area, feeling like we were holding on to a rope.

“3─! This—! Work!!”

Daeeeng. Daeeeng.

A profound bell rings through the square. Ah, I survived. I never thought that I would hear the New Year’s Eve bell ringing, which I was trying to listen to leisurely at home, with the feeling that it was my life.

Suddenly, I looked to the side and saw Sia looking at me too. For some reason, we burst out laughing, and while the surroundings were noisy, Sia and I giggled for a while.

“Please take care of yourself this year, senior.”

“Okay. Happy New Year to you too.”

By the time we said our first greetings to each other, the atmosphere had completely returned to normal. huh. As expected, I like this feeling with Shiawa.

I hope I can continue to have this much fun with her.

***

“Senior, would you like to have a drink after a long time?”

On the way back home, Sia brought up such a suggestion. For a moment, I thought, “Okay, that’s good.” I thought about my current situation.

“I’m a minor.”

“What do you think? After all, you have the ability to recover. And if you ask someone who knows your age, they will overlook it.”

That sounds very unhealthy. But it’s not bad. Actually, I’ve already drank with Changhyuk, so there’s no reason why I can’t drink with Sia.

The clothes were just civilian clothes. It’s been a while, or maybe for the first time, I thought I might be able to have a proper drink with Sia. Because in the past, Sia didn’t like alcohol very much.

But still, I couldn’t help but shake my head.

“It won’t work.”

“Ah~, why are you acting so unbecoming of a senior? Oh, did you happen to leave your card behind? It’s okay, I’m holding it.”

“No, that’s not it. I don’t think today is the day.”

“So you did it because you were afraid of getting drunk? are you okay. It’s not that far from home. There is also the option of staying out all day long. Don’t you, senior, sometimes want to sleep somewhere other than home?”

“Sia… .”

I patted Sia’s shoulder with a face full of regret. At that timing, a buzzing vibration sounds.

It was the sound of the cell phone that had just begun to assert itself fiercely in Sia’s coat pocket.

“Ah, this is nothing. Look, if you do it like this. Ta-da.”

Sia picked up her cell phone and hung up the phone. I wondered if it was okay to just hang up like that, but sure enough, the phone rang again.

“Wow, that’s strange. Eight. Eight.”

Suk, Suk. Every time Sia touched her cell phone, the call hung up, but the call came back without a second to spare. I think you can roughly tell who’s calling from that alone.

“Changhyuk, right? If you don’t take it, you’ll have more trouble later.”

I was quick to give up. Sia put up a noise barrier and answered the phone with a face that looked like she was welcoming a messenger from hell. Still, security measures are taken properly.

Of course, his face did not brighten even after the call ended.

“Hurry now and for a long time… .”

“I can’t help it. I’ll go home first, so take your time.”

“I really hate it… . What is this from the first day of the new year? .”

Actually, those words hurt me too. Because I also have a history of mistreating my partner, Sia, quite a bit.

Of course, there will be no pointlessly going back and forth with Sia, who is at least an S-class hero. There’s probably a good reason, just like I did. All I could do was pat Sia on the shoulder and comfort her.

“Welcome back. Let’s go drink next time.”

“… Really? Did you promise?”

I nodded and Sia ran off somewhere with a smile on her face, as if she had been complaining for a while.

Is alcohol that good? He said he didn’t know that the theft he learned late was leaking, so I’m worried for no reason. Well, I guess that’s not what I should say after drinking so much.

Anyway, all I have to do now is go home and rest. As I watched the street stalls begin to close one by one as people left, I went back the way I came with Sia.

But at some point, I had no idea where I was. All around me were places I couldn’t remember seeing.

… Now that I think about it, when I came here, I was carried by Sia and ran across the roof of the building. Of course, if you retrace your route, there is no way you will find a station or stop.

I can’t help it. Here, let’s borrow the power of a passerby or a map app. With that in mind, I looked around and realized more than one thing.

Before I knew it, there wasn’t a single person around.

Of course, it was late now and this was a bit of a corner alley. However, it did not make sense that so many people could not be seen even though it had not been that long since the New Year’s Eve bell rang.

Even though I expanded my magical power and expanded my energy, I still didn’t feel like I was popular. No, something was even preventing such detection.

There is something. Thinking like that, I raised my magic power and moved forward. If necessary, I even thought of turning this entire area upside down by manipulating concepts.

As I dug deeper into what I thought was a deeper area, it wasn’t long before I started to see signs of presence. There are two people approaching where I am. I immediately hid in the shadow of the building and suppressed my presence as much as possible.

Jump and jump. The sound of footsteps came nearby.

“… ! This way!”

However, they noticed my hiding and attacked me before I could turn the corner. The attack is a perfect strike with sword power, drawing a clean and beautiful arc.

But the tip of the sword is trembling. Not only that, but the attacker clearly looked exhausted. Even though I felt strange, I quickly turned the corner to avoid the attack,

“Army!?”

“Successor… ?”

I froze when I encountered a familiar voice and a familiar face.

“Why are you here?”

Hwa-in and So Baek-hyang. The protagonist and the heroine candidate I was rooting for approached me with conflicting reactions when they suddenly encountered me.

*****