478

 [Chapter 133]

[The Snake, Flower Petals, and Winter (5)]

Loss of passion.

Looking back, perhaps the problem was trying so hard to enter the academy when he was in middle school.

Maybe he poured all the passion he should have used for life into that.

Lee Cheon-seo had been thinking that way since having his golden brooch taken by a male student he had been implicitly looking down on after returning from Mara Island.

"—Here's grape cotton candy sold only at the academy! Cotton candy that's easy to eat without getting sticky hands! Try it once, you won't regret it!"

Very fortunately.

An opportunity arose to transfer into the 3rd year of middle school academy.

At that time, he felt as if he had lived a successful life.

But that was the end.

Lee Cheon-seo, who had achieved his goal of entering the academy no matter what, lived a life without purpose afterwards.

As a result, he eventually forgot how to make efforts.

In the end, he fell behind.

"Hah, shit... Why am I doing this now? This year's cultural festival is passing like this too."

Lee Cheon-seo sighed.

He wanted to spend the cultural festival innocently with a romantic partner. Or at least spend it with No Eunha's faction friends like last year.

But even that was impossible.

Most of his friends had entered the comprehensive division competition.

The girls had paired up to look around the cultural festival.

On the other hand, he had been eliminated in the preliminaries and was now working at a booth planned by his class.

These days even the girls ignore me like I'm a bug... How can people treat me warmly when I'm with Eunha, but completely change their faces and ignore me when he's not around?

How did I end up like this?

Where did it go wrong?

Lee Cheon-seo fell into thought as he handed cotton candy to a passing couple with his arms folded.

It may be because he burned up all his passion to enter the academy, but a school life different from his expectations awaited him.

Isn't everyone trying too hard? We're from middle school academy. Isn't our lives somewhat guaranteed just with that?

We can relax a bit, right? Why are they trying so hard?

It's suffocating being stuck in between.

Everyone lives too hard.

But he who had accomplished his goal of entering the academy no longer wanted to make efforts.

As a result, he was unknowingly overtaken by Kang Si-hyeong, whom he had thought inferior to himself.

He was passed by the tortoise.

Students now naturally regarded Kang Si-hyeong as the guardian of No Eunha's faction.

Lee Cheon-seo lost even more motivation. While thinking he wanted to beat Kang Si-hyeong, he didn't want to make that much effort.

"Eat some grape cotton candy! It's not ordinary cotton candy! It's an academy specialty made like grapes by rolling cotton candy into balls! You can eat it easily without getting your hands dirty!"

And a few months ago.

He was defeated in a duel betting the golden brooch on Mara Island.

His opponent was from high school academy. He had grown rapidly in a short time and overwhelmed Lee Cheon-seo.

Besides that, students achieved remarkable growth through the final evaluation.

At that time, Lee Cheon-seo's pride crumbled.

By the time he realized he had fallen behind even high school academy students, it was already too late.

He had no face to see No Eunha.

No—

—How can I face them when I'm so embarrassed? That Eunha bastard will obviously nag me too.

At first, he tried to request a revenge match to get back the golden brooch.

That didn't work out as he wanted.

He realized after losing about three times in unofficial revenge matches.

That it was impossible to win against the opponent at his current level.

"It can't be helped. I should avoid hanging out with them as much as possible for a while as a sign of reflection. Am I the only one who lost in duels? Don't you think the kids who subtly give me hints won't lose theirs?"

Rather than that, let's wait for friends who will eventually lose their golden brooches like him to appear.

Then naturally approach No Eunha's faction at that time.

By then, Eunha probably wouldn't give him hints either.

His recent avoidance of No Eunha's faction, saying he was busy training, could be called a strategic retreat.

Just wait and see.

It was when he thought that.

"Grape cotton candy made with magic that's good for your body! Perfect for couples to eat cozily togeth— Huh?"

"What? You were working here?"

"Eunha? Who's next to you..."

"...Hello?"

Just then, No Eunha came to the booth.

Lee Cheon-seo who had been promoting the cotton candy without thinking showed a surprised expression.

Soon his eyes widened seeing the woman standing next to him.

Wow...

Her beauty involuntarily drew exclamations.

She was a woman who didn't seem like she would show emotional fluctuations.

A woman who seemed to require courage just to approach.

But the woman with noticeable blue-green hair readily gave a friendly greeting, contrary to her outward impression.

Probably because she recognized him as Eunha's friend.

Even so, Cheon-seo felt his heart flutter.

Could she be interested in me?

He harbors a needless misunderstanding.

He falls into flights of fancy.

And as always until now—

"—Are you selling cotton candy here?"

"Huh? Oh, y-yeah..."

"...Cotton candy that doesn't stick to your hands? Should we eat one?"

"Sure, sounds good."

"Then Cheon-seo, give us one double portion for two people to eat."

"...Will we be able to eat it all?"

"We'll share it between us so it should work out somehow, right?"

"Hmm... Okay, do as you want Eunha."

"Cheon-seo, you understand right?"

—No Eunha poured cold water.

Lee Cheon-seo who soon woke from his dream inwardly sighed.

He didn't know what on earth No Eunha did in his past life to have so many women like that around him.

The woman just looked at No Eunha as if someone like himself wasn't even in her mind.

In the end, Lee Cheon-seo had no choice but to hand him the cotton candy.

But this time—

"—Here, noona eat first."

"Thank you. ...It's delicious."

"Yeah?"

"Mm. You try some too."

"Hmm... It's quite tasty."

The two are rubbing salt in the wound right in front of him without leaving.

Cheon-seo enviously watched them taking turns eating the cotton candy rolled into grape-like balls.

Unlike himself making cotton candy, No Eunha was enjoying his youth.

"—Hm? What is it? Why are you suddenly smelling me? Do I smell? Maybe I should have showered after all."

"Just... You smell nice. It's okay, you don't smell even without showering."

"Didn't you just say I smell good? But now you say I don't smell?"

"...I mean it seems like you have a good smell. You don't smell of sweat."

"Is that so? I can't really tell."

"You smell similar to Eun-a."

"Maybe it's because we use the same fabric softener as noona..."

The two who were eating cotton candy with their bodies close together.

Just then, she suddenly smelled Eunha's scent while eating cotton candy.

She brought her nose to his nape and sniffed.

Eunha was surprised while eating cotton candy, and Lee Cheon-seo blankly opened his mouth.

I'm so jealous of No Eunha.

"What do you use, noona?"

"What?"

"Fabric softener."

"...Lilac, was it?"

"Let me smell too."

"No. I smell of sweat. I didn't shower after the duel earlier..."

"I didn't shower either, you know?"

"...Still no."

"Wow... I feel like I'm the only one being treated unfairly."

"Then... I'll let you smell next time."

"...Huh? I was just joking..."

"Ah... Sorry. I didn't know. Um, well... Do you want to smell?"

The woman revealing her elegant nape by grabbing her long blue-green hair.

Lee Cheon-seo quietly let out an exclamation.

It felt like looking at a photo shoot.

He really regretted not being able to see up close because the stall was blocking the front.

But No Eunha—

"—No, it's okay. We'll get scolded by our noona."

"Then I'll keep it a secret from Eun-a."

"...You're joking, right?"

"Yeah, I'm joking."

"You startled me. I really can't tell when you're joking or not because you're too serious."

"Hmm... Is that so?"

Lee Cheon-seo couldn't help but curse.

Why doesn't he make a move?

The woman didn't seem to dislike it either.

He was infuriated seeing Eunha back off.

He didn't understand why heaven gave such opportunities to someone who couldn't even utilize them properly.

Could it be that the technique of backing off at crucial moments works on girls?

Then Lee Cheon-seo came to a realization.

Perhaps the reason women are constantly around No Eunha is because he doesn't clearly express interest.

In other words, making the other person anxious.

...The technique of making them anxious.

Not bad.

Should I try using it too?

You never know. Maybe someone will get caught...

Lee Cheon-seo pondered deeply.

Not knowing that the rule "those who will make it will make it no matter what" might exist.

Meanwhile, Eunha and the woman who had been chatting were about to leave.

"Cheon-seo, we'll enjoy the cotton candy. We're going now."

"Oh, o-okay...! Have fun!"

"Good luck with the comprehensive division competition too."

"...I got eliminated."

"What? You got eliminated?"

"...You didn't know?"

"Ah, sorry. I've been distracted lately... Come to think of it, I think I did hear about that."

Even as he's leaving.

Eunha casually gives him a hint.

Cheon-seo was dumbfounded by Eunha's attitude of not paying attention to him.

He was a little disappointed.

But the disappointment was brief.

The woman who introduced herself as Ryu Yeon-hwa gave a farewell greeting.

"See you later."

"Ah, yes! See you next time! I'll be here throughout the cultural festival so if you have time..."

"Let's go, noona."

"Okay."

Of course, she didn't show any particular interest in him either.

Lee Cheon-seo waved his hand excitedly then dejectedly dropped his hand watching the two walk away.

Then his eyes suddenly opened wide.

"...Eunha. Didn't you leave without paying?"

This is complete robbery.

Lee Cheon-seo muttered pitifully.

☆

She lost her parents at a young age.

At 9 years old, before the Fairy Government was established.

The city was engulfed in flames.

Monsters that deviated from the standards of life turned a small city in Sejong City into a wasteland.

'...'

Ryu Yeon-hwa.

The reason she was able to survive was because she awakened her gift at the moment she faced death.

She was able to protect herself until players arrived by freezing the entire surrounding area.

'—Child, will you come to our home?'

And at that time.

She met her master.

With nowhere else to go, she took the hand Nam Gung Seong-un extended.

From that day on, she thoroughly learned spearmanship under him.

'—A calm water surface is always serene. Yeon-hwa, you too must know how to have a heart like clear water.'

'...Yes.'

Every day was a repetition of training.

She had to live a life always facing the spear.

Everyone in Nam Gung Seong-un's school lived the same life as her while establishing firm beliefs.

As a result, her personality naturally became taciturn and serious like them, and she lived a life different from people living ordinary lives.

'Is that her?'

'Amazing that she became <Divine Spear>'s <The Seed> at such a young age.'

'It's scary to approach her. Just looking at her, she gives off an atmosphere that says don't talk to me.'

It was only natural that she was clumsy at dealing with people.

Moreover, people in the world only showed curiosity towards her but didn't try to approach warmly.

Those who occasionally approached her were usually terrified because of her outward atmosphere.

Those who weren't were industry insiders who approached with the perception of her as <Divine Spear>'s successor.

So she didn't have a single person she could call a friend.

Until she met No Eun-a.

A smile that involuntarily relaxed her face.

She who seemed like she would be loved by everyone in the world readily spoke to her at the academy entrance exam site.

Ryu Yeon-hwa was very grateful to her who approached her clumsy self at dealing with people several times.

And now—

"—Ah, should we go see that next?"

"Sure, sounds good."

—Her younger brother is beside her.

No Eunha.

When Ryu Yeon-hwa first saw Eunha, she thought he didn't resemble Eun-a much.

The atmosphere itself was different.

They were complete opposites.

While Eun-a had an atmosphere that broke down people's wariness and embraced any person, Eunha had an atmosphere of raising wariness towards people and trying to judge them by his own standards.

"Wow... There are really so many people who recognize noona wherever we go? Should I buy a mask somewhere?"

"...Sorry. Is it uncomfortable?"

"No, not at all. It's the same for me too. Look, those people over there recognized me and are trying to come this way too."

"You're right. Should we go somewhere else?"

"Let's move somewhere else for now. There's probably a mask somewhere around here. Let's wear those and go around. It seems like there are more people than earlier since it's evening now."

"Okay, let's do that."

Nevertheless, there were similarities.

People who approached her were usually scared of her, but Eunha treated her favorably from the start like Eun-a.

And as she got to know Eunha slowly, she realized he was someone who could be considerate in subtle ways unlike his appearance.

Lastly, there was one more thing.

"—How about this? I think it would suit noona well."

Eunha showed an affectionate and naive side when dealing with Eun-a.

That appearance was cute and strangely felt similar to Eun-a.

It seemed he showed it not just to her but to people he opened his heart to.

And now she too had been receiving such smiles from him at some point.

Ryu Yeon-hwa asked him while wearing a half-mask that looked like it would be used at a party hall.

"How is it?"

"Yeah, it suits you well."

Eunha gives a thumbs up.

She decided to choose a pure white half-mask without any hesitation.

Soon he chose a half-mask reminiscent of a magician.

The two decided to continue looking around the cultural festival wearing those half-masks.

But there were people who recognized the two even though they were wearing half-masks.

"—Player Ryu Yeon-hwa! It's an honor to meet you! If you have time, could you give a brief interview? We're from the culture department of Monthly Player..."

It was when they were about to climb a nearby tower to look at the scenery.

They thought they had shaken off the people chasing them well, but reporters suddenly popped out from somewhere.

Monthly Player.

It was a magazine company Ryu Yeon-hwa knew well too.

A major magazine company in the player industry that had formed a cooperative relationship with Regulus Clan.

As a result, she couldn't coldly reject their proposal.

Instead, she looked at Eunha beside her.

 "Is it okay?"

"Do as you want, noona. It's fine."

"Then if it's very briefly..."

"Thank you! If possible... could we also interview student No Eunha next to you together..."

"I won't do it."

"Even for a moment..."

"I won't do it."

"Just a moment..."

"Nope."

Yeon-hwa accepted the interview request.

The reporters subtly requested an interview from Eunha too, but Eunha flatly rejected their proposal.

"...Then let's move on to the next question. Could you tell us why you suddenly intervened in the comprehensive division competition demonstration match after coming to the cultural festival today?"

The questions the reporters mainly asked were about her recent situation.

If she likes clan life.

What she thinks about the alias <Snow Spear>.

What she thinks of her academy classmates No Eun-a and Han Chang-jin.

Why she came to the cultural festival today, and how she ended up intruding during the comprehensive division competition match, etc.

She organized her thoughts as much as possible and answered.

"It seems player Ryu Yeon-hwa and student No Eunha have a lot of connections. I hope they can continue to have a relationship of mutual improvement going forward. I'm personally an EHEH fan. I'll be cheering for you."

"EHEH?"

"Try searching for it later. Then I'll ask the last question."

"Okay."

"Does player Ryu Yeon-hwa know that she's attracting the attention of many men with her outstanding beauty?"

"...This is the first I've heard of it. I'm not really... pretty..."

"Come on, too much modesty isn't good. There's no one in the industry who doesn't know that player No Eun-a frequently tells player Ryu Yeon-hwa she's pretty, right?"

"Ah..."

"It seems player Ryu Yeon-hwa is very insensitive in this regard. Okay. So, I'd like to know player Ryu Yeon-hwa's ideal type!"

The female reporter exhales through her nose.

Ryu Yeon-hwa hesitated, taken aback by the unexpected question as she took a step back.

Most of the questions she had received so far were ones she had answered a few times before or were within the expected range.

But she never thought they would ask about her ideal type regardless of her being a player.

"I don't really know either..."

Ryu Yeon-hwa trailed off.

She had never thought about her ideal type.

It was embarrassing to answer.

But the reporter's eyes were shining as she urged her to answer quickly.

In the end, she had to give a vague answer about her ideal type.

"Someone considerate... that would be nice."

"Don't you look at appearances?"

"I don't think I'm pretty either, so not really for looks..."

"...So you do look at appearances after all? Didn't I say you're pretty?"

"...Eun-a is prettier."

"Hmm... There may be differences in taste, but I'll acknowledge that and move on for now. You don't really look at appearances. What else?"

"Umm..."

Ryu Yeon-hwa fell into thought.

Someone considerate would be nice. The reason she said that was because she thought such a person would understand her taciturn self.

Eventually she spoke haltingly.

"...I'd like someone affectionate and kind."

"Hmm... I think anyone would think that..."

"Ah, I'd like someone who eats well. I'm not a big eater myself..."

"Okay, someone who eats well."

"I'd like someone confident, someone with peace of mind, and also..."

"Oh, it's coming out smoothly? Good, good. But are there no external aspects?"

"Umm..."

Someone affectionate and kind.

Someone who eats well.

Someone confident.

Someone with peace of mind.

At some point, she was naturally talking about her ideal type.

The words flowed smoothly as she vaguely imagined her ideal type.

She tilted her head in wonder too.

"...I'd like someone taller than me."

"How tall is player Ryu Yeon-hwa..."

"I'm 170 cm."

"Then they should be over 170 cm. What else?"

"Brown hair..."

"Oh, what's this? It's specific this time."

"...Is that so?"

"What else?"

"Now that I think about it, I guess I do look at appearances. I'd like someone cute."

"I like cute people too. What else?"

"And also... Someone stronger than me?"

"...What?"

"...Huh?"

Someone stronger than herself.

Ryu Yeon-hwa and the reporter who blurted that out both showed surprised expressions almost simultaneously.

Ryu Yeon-hwa's eyes widened.

The ideal type she had been vaguely imagining in her mind became clearer.

"..."

"Well, I like strong people too. I guess that's what makes them manly? But since player Ryu Yeon-hwa is strong, the bar must be very high for men."

"...Yes."

"But well... There must be someone out there if you look. You never know. They might be close by."

The reporter smiles.

Ryu Yeon-hwa couldn't answer her friendly smile.

She just kept mulling over the ideal type that wouldn't leave her mind.

"By the way, what age difference do you allow?"

"...Up to 4 years."

"They say you can marry without even looking at fortune compatibility if the age difference is 4 years. The age difference is appropriate too. Hmm... Then does player Ryu Yeon-hwa prefer older or younger?"

"...Younger."

"Aha, so you prefer being called noona rather than calling someone oppa?"

"...Yes."

"Okay, I understand. Player Ryu Yeon-hwa, thank you for agreeing to the interview. The article will probably come out next month. I'll contact you separately then. And for the last question... I'll cut it appropriately before publishing."

"...How?"

"Hmm... Just vaguely? Like player Ryu Yeon-hwa said at first, not really caring about looks, personality-wise affectionate and kind, considerate... It'll go out like that. This way there won't be any issues later."

"...I see. Thank you."

"Then I'm really sorry for interrupting your date. We'll be heading back now!"

The interview ended.

Ryu Yeon-hwa looked back at him waiting for her behind as she watched the reporters walk away.

He who had been wearing a bored expression changed his expression upon seeing her.

Ryu Yeon-hwa stared at him blankly.

"What's wrong?"

"...Huh?"

"Why are you spacing out? Did you get any bad questions?"

"No, that's not it."

Eunha approached and asked.

She snapped back to her senses and hurriedly shook her head.

As he looked down at her with eyes full of worry—

—Why am I like this?

She couldn't look him properly in the eyes.

Somehow her face felt hot.

It's fortunate she's wearing a mask.

Ryu Yeon-hwa awkwardly mumbled as she strode forward.

Her footsteps were hasty.

Out of sync.

Nevertheless, she climbed the tower leaving Eunha behind.

"—Why is noona acting like that?"

While following behind her.

Eunha tilted his head.

That day, the first day of the cultural festival passed like that.