A Step Towards Maturity
“Ahh.”
“Ahhh.”
Go Yeon-ju and I sat side by side on the stairs, exhaling smoke in unison. Her expression was sullen as she smoked, as if she was genuinely trying to hide something. But I saw through it easily, perhaps because of my experience. In my first life, I wouldn’t have noticed so quickly.
We sat there, puffing away in silence. It seemed she had no intention of speaking first, so I tapped the ash from my cigarette and broke the silence.
“So, why were you hiding there?”
“With such strong mana fluctuations on the second floor, how could I not go up?”
Her sharp reply suggested she was talking about sensing magical energy. I nodded and continued.
“Still, you could have just checked it out and left. No need to hide.”
“Ugh.”
She clicked her tongue, conceding defeat without a word. Her reaction made me chuckle softly. Alright, once we finish these cigarettes, we can head back to the suite…
“Honestly, User Kim Su-hyun, you’re quite oblivious, aren’t you?”
Just as I was thinking it had been a good day, she launched a new attack. Her words made me laugh quietly. Me, oblivious? After surviving ten years in Hall Plain? It was an absurd accusation, not even worth responding to.
But Go Yeon-ju seemed to think otherwise. She looked at my silent smile with an incredulous expression.
“What’s with that laugh? Do you really think you’re not?”
“It’s just amusing.”
“So, you think you’re perceptive?”
“I’d say I’m better than most users.”
She tilted her head, as if something was off, then turned slightly to place a hand on my shoulder, speaking earnestly.
“Listen, User Kim Su-hyun. I’m sorry to say, but you’re really not perceptive. I’m not talking about combat or other skills. I’m talking about understanding women. Got it?”
“Haha, that’s more An-hyun’s thing.”
Her exasperated look was priceless. She shook her head vigorously and raised her voice a bit. It was amusing to see her flustered like this.
“No! Even that kid is more perceptive than you. Trust me. You need to work on it, or you’ll get into trouble.”
“Trouble? What trouble? And as I said, I’m perceptive enough. No need to worry.”
“Sigh…”
She sighed deeply, rubbing her forehead. “To think I’d find a weakness like this… Or maybe it’s just a flaw,” she muttered, flicking away her finished cigarette. The innkeeper clearly didn’t care for their inn. I took another drag from my still-burning cigarette.
Even after finishing her cigarette, Go Yeon-ju didn’t get up. It seemed she wanted to talk a bit more. And yet, she calls me oblivious? I snorted softly and decided to wait for her to speak.
As I stubbed out my cigarette, her lips parted as expected.
“So, you went after all?”
She must be talking about Yu-jeong. Go Yeon-ju had opposed my decision to intervene, but I had followed my judgment and comforted Yu-jeong.
“Yes, as you can see.”
“I didn’t see or hear anything. But I did tell you not to go…”
As her voice trailed off, I gathered my thoughts. Dragging this out wouldn’t help anyone. Whether she understood or not, it was better to be honest. So, I spoke quietly.
“Yes, you did. But I felt it was the right thing to do.”
“Why?”
“Because we don’t have much time left.”
Her silence spoke volumes. My words carried many implications. I glanced at her. She was resting her chin on her hand, contemplating my words.
“Not much time left… Hmm…”
She tapped her cheek with a finger, lost in thought. Her elegant fingers supported her face, and I couldn’t help but study her closely.
Beautiful.
Her skin was smooth and pale, with a hint of peach blush. Her eyebrows were delicately arched, and her eyes, deep and contemplative, seemed to draw me in. Go Yeon-ju possessed a truly captivating allure.
“Hmm?”
Sensing my gaze, she blinked and turned her head, causing her wavy hair to sway. Our eyes met, and she smiled softly. Her eyes curved beautifully, and her lips formed a gentle arc.
“Why are you staring so intently? Have you fallen for me?”
”…Almost,” I admitted with a nod.
“Really? What’s gotten into you today? You resisted all my advances before.”
“Who knows.”
I replied vaguely, with a faint smile. The reason I was momentarily captivated was that she reminded me of Han So-young. Han So-young had a habit of resting her chin on her hand and tapping her cheek when deep in thought. I wondered where she was now.
Thinking of Han So-young made me sigh. Noticing, Go Yeon-ju shifted closer, resting her head on my shoulder.
“Well, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I doubt you misunderstood me. You must have your reasons. Your actions will show results soon enough, so I’ll wait and see. But remember, it’s up to that kid, not you.”
“True. Thanks for saying that.”
Her words reassured me that the favor I had asked of her still stood. I felt relieved, knowing that if she changed her mind, Yu-jeong’s resolve might be for nothing. Well, not entirely for nothing, but it would lose some of its impact.
Go Yeon-ju gave me a playful smile and spoke again.
“And all this for free?”
”…?”
“I’ve lent you the inn, fed you breakfast, given you rides, and now I’m even teaching the kid. Have you ever seen such a generous tree?”
“No, I haven’t. But you’re not a tree.”
It was a pointless retort, but her eyes sparkled at my words. Had I misspoken again? A sense of unease crept over me, and I swallowed nervously. She chuckled and leaned closer, her warm breath brushing my neck.
“Right. I’m not a tree. As a person, or rather a user, I expect some compensation.”
“I thought we agreed on payment later.”
“In any transaction, a deposit is common courtesy, dear customer.”
Our shoulders were touching, and as she leaned in, the distance between us shrank. Her persistence made me tense.
I steadied myself and spoke calmly.
“Please take good care of Yu-jeong. She’s a promising user.”
“If she comes to me. And don’t change the subject. You always do that when you’re at a disadvantage. Oh, why are you getting up? Who’s going to eat you? I’m not done yet. Why are you trying to slip away?”
”…You shouldn’t act like this if you’re going to be her teacher.”
“Oh, I’m a teacher who accepts gifts.”
“That’s not funny. Well, I’ll be going now…”
“All.” Before I could finish, Go Yeon-ju swiftly leaned in. It seemed she was aiming for a kiss, so I pulled back. But then—
Swish. Swish.
As if anticipating my move, she vanished, leaving only a faint trace. I couldn’t sense her presence at all. It happened in a blink. The distance was too close for my third eye to react in time. I had no time to blame my mistake. Trusting my instincts, I quickly turned my head.
First to the left. Nothing. Then…
“Gasp.”
As I turned to the right, I inhaled sharply. Just as I completed the turn, I felt a warm, soft sensation on my lips. She had timed it perfectly, appearing just as I turned.
In the first round, the moment I had always wondered about finally happened—her lips met mine. Her face, smiling brightly, was right in front of me. Go Yeon-ju pulled back with a triumphant look, pursing her lips tightly.
Smooch.
“Hehe. Finally got to kiss you.”
“How did you just…?”
I asked, still in a daze, and Go Yeon-ju wagged her finger playfully. Her voice was lively as she explained.
“I figured it out when we clashed before. I needed to close the distance quickly. If I gave you time to react, I knew I’d lose. So, I calculated a 25% chance—up, down, right, left. I went left first, then quickly to the right and waited. As you turned your head, I just leaned in.”
”…Wow. All that just for a kiss? That’s meticulous.”
“Why the sigh? Was kissing me that bad? Did it upset you?”
As I sighed, Go Yeon-ju tilted her head, still smiling, but there was an odd undertone in her voice. It reminded me of a conversation we once had.
<“Yes, I used to work in a bar.”>
<“How does someone like you judge someone like me, Kim Soo-hyun?”>
<“In modern times, a woman who worked in a bar, looked down upon by others…”>
<“Look into their eyes. You can tell what someone is thinking by their eyes.”>
”…No.”
I could still feel the warmth of her lips lingering on mine. Shaking my head, I stood up. Looking down at her, Go Yeon-ju was watching me with a playful glint in her eyes.
“So, did you like it?”
“Yeah. Honestly, it wasn’t bad. Kissing the infamous Shadow Queen and all.”
“Hehe. You’re finally being honest.”
Watching her smile, I took a step closer and grabbed her collar firmly.
“Ah!”
“For the record, I don’t calculate things like that.”
Her eyes widened in surprise as I leaned in, pulling her closer.
“Mmph…!”
It was a bit forceful, but the intoxicating sensation returned to my lips. Her breath and lips carried a faint scent of tobacco. Initially startled, she soon closed her eyes and responded to my kiss.
This kiss didn’t last long. It seemed like it might escalate, so I gently pulled back. Her lips were so soft and clung to mine, as if reluctant to let go, even after just ten seconds.
Releasing her collar, I adjusted her clothes and spoke.
”…How was that?”
Go Yeon-ju didn’t answer immediately. She opened her eyes, now calm and composed, and looked at me. Then, she licked her lips thoughtfully.
After a moment, she spoke in a low voice.
“If it were someone like An Sol or Lee Yoo-jung, they’d be blushing and flustered. But not me. If you thought you’d see me flustered with just this, you were mistaken.”
“I see.”
“Still, I’ll take back what I said about you being clueless. You’re not a novice, but a sly one. Hmph.”
“Hahaha.”
I laughed, feeling good, and turned to leave. I was ready to head back. The thought of organizing my gear was gone. I just wanted to rest in bed or practice with my sword.
As I climbed the stairs and reached for the door, Go Yeon-ju’s voice called out from behind.
“But… why did you kiss me on your own? Was it because I kissed you first, so you wanted to return the favor?”
She emphasized the word “on your own.” I turned my head slightly and shrugged.
“Well, maybe. I was curious about what it would feel like to kiss the Shadow Queen myself.”
Her expression turned complex at my answer. I didn’t bother adding, “That’s what the me from the first round would say.”
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Ro Yujin.
I’m sorry, but I’ll have to skip today’s afterword and replies.
I have to leave by 12:00, and it’s already 12:00. I’m glad I managed to finish on time.
I’ll do my best to keep up with the midnight updates.
PS. I’m really sorry for the one-hour delay today. ㅜ.ㅠ
Oh, it’s 12:01 now. I really have to go. Bye!