episode_0253

“It was done.”

Haewolhwa pouted her lips as if she had lost interest after seeing me hesitating.

“It’s a joke, a joke. I’m not the type of person to suffer from a child’s fist fight.”

“… ”

But contrary to what the principal said, I soon noticed that there was something different about her.

Haewolhwa held onto her other arm as if holding it back with one arm. The entire time, a slight twitch occurred there.

It was clear at a glance that something was wrong.

“Haewolhwa, this is… ”

“Let me tell you in advance, it’s not because of you. So don’t blame yourself unnecessarily.”

And the principal also noticed my gaze and smiled bitterly.

“There’s a problem with something more fundamental than that.”

“If it’s a fundamental problem… ”

“Well, I guess I’ve been using too much force lately. There was a fierce battle in the south, and even after coming up to the capital, I couldn’t rest and had to deal with the bad guys… ”

She repeatedly squeezed and released her cramping hand.

“Besides, this body’s elasticity is not what it used to be. Should I say that it’s barely possible to use magic when it’s near a core full of particles… ”

“… Will it recover?”

“There’s no need to worry about that. My strength is slowly but surely returning. However… I don’t think I can go on an expedition with this body.”

“… ”

“If I step into the devil’s realm with this body, I’ll just end up being a burden. It’s just so frustrating.”

The principal turned his head, muttering in a regretful voice. His eyes looking at me were filled with regret.

“Well, I’m sorry. I worked hard to come up with a plan, but the person in question just disappeared. I feel ashamed that I’m the only one who’s being pushed into a corner… ”

“That’s nonsense.”

And then I shook my head. Somehow, her face looked so lonely that I felt the need to cheer her up.

“Hasn’t he already contributed so much? No one can dare to blame the principal.”

“But… ”

“If anyone says something like that, I’ll break their jawbone. Furthermore, you can’t say that they’re just playing around just because they’re staying in the cradle. Someone has to be guarding them. There might be something like last time that’s going to invade and target the core again. ”

“… ”

“I really don’t blame you. The principal is the one who saved my life and Yeon-i’s life… He also gave me special permission to enroll… He also gave me many other conveniences after that… And… ”

“Puhhhh… ”

While I was talking nonsense while looking at the principal’s lonely expression, she suddenly shook her shoulders as if she couldn’t bear it any longer.

“Okay, okay. Leave it at that. It’s embarrassing how much gold you’ve put on it.”

Haewolhwa, who had been laughing for a long time, finally waved her hand in satisfaction. She had laughed so hard that you could see a few tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

“How can you accomplish anything great with such a weak heart? Anyway… ”

But even though I saw Haewolhwa smiling, my heart was sinking even heavier. It was because I realized the gravity of this incident too late. I opened my mouth hesitantly.

“… Sorry.”

“Huh? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“I think things got worse because of my stubbornness. And I ended up getting other people involved for no reason… ?”

-Koosh!

But my words are interrupted by a sharp pain that hits my head. A large block of ice, clearly created by the principal, hits my head squarely and shatters into pieces, scattering shards everywhere.

“… Isn’t using magic for personal purposes prohibited on campus?”

“This case is an exception. It was used for disciplinary purposes, not personal purposes.”

I asked, rubbing the back of my head because of the lingering pain. The principal stopped walking and stared at me.

“How arrogant. Even if you make a mistake, there is room for error.”

The sharp, upturned eyes looked even more fierce today.

“What on earth do you think this body is? I am the guardian of the Republic and the head of the best educational institution in the cradle. But are you saying that I, who am like that, dragged in innocent people just to protect one person like you?”

“Haewolhwa…?”

“Know this clearly. They did not get involved in this because of you. They are heroes who volunteered of their own volition. They did not come forward to protect you, but to protect their own beliefs. What you just said is a clear insult to them.”

“… ”

“We simply chose the best course of action in the current situation. If sacrificing you alone would have been better for the country, I would have done so without hesitation. So…don’t ever spit out such nonsense again.”

It was exactly right. I was so ashamed of myself for having felt burdened by the principal’s excessive consideration just now.

It was an inexcusable slip of the tongue. It was also an insult to the principal and the others who would be taking part in the operation.

“… I’m off topic.”

I bowed my head and offered her an apology. And after a moment, a soft sensation, like a pop, dug into my hair.

“Okay, you know.”

Haewolhwa recited in a voice that had become noticeably softer, as if asking when it had been like that.

“Well, and actually, that’s not entirely wrong.”

Then, her slender fingers, without a single ounce of fat, moved left and right, running them through my hair.

“Three is better than one, and a hundred is better than three. Because they can fill each other’s gaps more firmly. It’s good for them, and of course it’s good for you.”

“… ”

“If you don’t despair, there is a way anywhere. And reckless challenges are the privilege of the young.”

“Haewolhwa… ”

“Never lose hope. And make sure you come back alive. If you go too… I think I’ll be a little lonely too.”

I raised my head and met Haewolhwa’s eyes. In her young eyes, fleeting sadness spread like paint.

“This is the last request I am giving you. Please… I hope you will take it to heart.”

And then a vain hope creeps over me again, even though I know it is clearly an illusion and will never happen.

Even though we know it, it is human nature to want to surrender to it.

“I promise. I will definitely… come back alive.”

I nodded resolutely at the principal. Only then did she show her satisfaction as she smiled broadly, revealing her white teeth.

“It’s good that you’re confident. That’s what a man should be like. Now I feel a little bit more at ease.”

As we walked a little further, a quiet empty space began to appear beyond the walking path. The principal, who saw him, muttered in a voice full of regret.

“Ah, already… ”

She stopped walking abruptly and gestured toward the empty lot.

“There will be someone waiting for you there. Go and relieve your stress. I have to go do the final arrangement work.”

“Who the hell are you… ”

“You’ll know when you see it. Oh, and remember. The health of this body is a very important matter, equivalent to a level A secret. Don’t go around talking about it carelessly. I told you this specially. Do you understand?”

“Keep in mind… ”

And before I could even hear the answer, the principal walked down a side road and disappeared like a shadow. Left alone, I tilted my head and walked on.

In the midst of all this, I have no idea who I should be looking at. It certainly wouldn’t be the leader or the older sisters, but I don’t really have any acquaintances outside of the cradle.

So I walked along the path to the empty lot. In the distance, under a large tree, someone’s silhouette was faintly visible.

What was waiting for me there was someone I never expected.

Her hair was light brown, and her eyes were the same color as his. A gentle breeze blew the hem of her neatly dressed skirt.

A familiar girl, standing with her hands clasped together, greeted me with a slightly awkward greeting.

“Oh, it’s been a while… ”

And then I absentmindedly recited her name.

“… Yena?”

***

We sat side by side on the bench. It would have been better to sit facing each other, but there were no suitable seats.

I sat there in silence for a long time. Every now and then I felt a small movement, like someone was wiggling their fingers next to me.

Just because we were sitting next to each other or because it had been a long time since we last saw each other, there wouldn’t be such an awkward atmosphere hanging around for such simple reasons.

My head is in a state of confusion. It’s because I haven’t been able to properly organize my thoughts about her. Because other things kept coming up one after another, I put Yena on the back burner.

Saving Yena that day was more of an unconscious reflex than a conscious action. But in any case, her true identity is a witch.

I’m curious.

My first friend, the one I made in the cradle.

But… are we still friends?

“That…you know…”

And the one who couldn’t stand the silence and spoke first was Yena.

“How are you… doing…? You were hurt a lot, weren’t you… ”

“… Not bad. The wounds have already healed… ”

“Oh, I see… ! That’s fortunate… Really… ”

Because it was awkward to make eye contact, all I could hear was a voice that gave off a sense of relief. Although the aftertaste was somewhat unpleasant, I somehow felt like I had to return the greeting.

“… You?”

“Me, I’m okay too… !”

And unlike me, the answer came out immediately as if it had been waiting for it.

“My wounds are all healed… My place is fine… Everyone is very helpful in various ways… ”

“… ”

“You even allowed me to stop by the cradle to see you. Even if it was just for a little while… But still… ”

“There it is.”

“Uh, uh… ?”

And then, unable to bear it any longer, I cut off Yena from speaking. An uncomfortable and bitter taste continued to linger in my mouth.

I had forgotten that she had told me to come. But Yena had come all the way here to see me.

For what on earth?

“… ”

There was a need to establish our relationship properly. Otherwise, it seemed like this stickiness would never go away. And it was something that could never be resolved by exchanging empty greetings.

That’s probably why I cut her off.

“That day… why did you help me?”

“… ”

And I was spitting out the words that were inside me.

“If you hadn’t stopped me, I would have died right away. Why didn’t you just let me die? You’re a witch. But why on earth would you… ”

“What are you… talking about… ”

But soon I heard a voice full of sorrow. I suddenly raised my head. And I stared at Yena, who I had not been able to meet properly the whole time.

Her brown eyes were soon filled with tears.

“How could I let my precious friend… die… ”