Chapter 86
The test that wasn't really a test continued even in the restaurant. Thanks to that, Ian had to keep eating in a rather awkward situation. He had expected it to some extent, but it was awkward all the same.
It was similar to, yet different from, the acting he had done on the cruise. Back then it had been a group masquerade, but now it was just an act to fool one person. The difficulty itself was lower this way, but the mental fatigue had been much lighter on the cruise.
That was only natural. The victims on the cruise had been bewitched by the aberration and turned into game-like NPCs, whereas Han Yuri was still completely normal.
As a rule, it was harder to fool a sane person than an idiot. Because of that, Ian had to work hard at it.
“There’s something on your mouth.”
“Eek.”
Ian wiped the sauce off Yuna's lips with a tissue. She had been tearing into meat with her nose practically buried in the plate, and her cheeks reddened slightly before she started eating again. Ian stared at her with the gaze one might give a cute little creature.
“Ugh, look at that expression. I’m jealous of Yuna.”
“Ah… haha, even after all this time, the affection still hasn’t cooled. I’m surprised too.”
Fortunately, the act with his expression had held up. Ian brushed Yuna's hair once and got up, saying he was going to the restroom for a moment.
There weren't many people in the restroom. He went into the toilet stall in the farthest corner and caught his breath.
“I feel like I’m going to suffocate….”
The mutter he had spoken to himself drifted upward and dispersed.
Ironically, this tiny square space gave him a faint sense of security. He had never once liked cramped spaces in his life, but for some reason he found the restroom oddly pleasant today.
Was this how people who ate while sitting alone on a toilet felt? He didn't know, but for some reason he felt a strange sense of kinship.
“Hoo….”
Ian let out a long breath and took out the grimoire tucked inside his coat, stroking it. It wasn't for any real reason; it just made him feel as if he were petting a cat, which calmed him.
In truth, there was no difference between a grimoire and a cat. It had such a finicky personality, and it was so prickly to anyone other than its owner—if that wasn't a cat, what was it? It was practically a cosmic cat.
‘Come to think of it, didn’t cosmic cats show up in Cthulhu Mythos too? What did they look like?’
Lost in pointless thoughts, he stroked the cover with a swish, swish. The grimoire, quietly enjoying the touch, vibrated as if pleased, and Ian put the cigarette he'd tucked inside his coat between his lips and gave it a little wag.
He wanted to smoke one, but he couldn't go back smelling like cigarettes. Besides, smoking was prohibited in the restroom to begin with.
“...Shall I head back soon?”
This was enough of a breather. Ian put the cigarette back in his pocket, stowed the grimoire away as well, and left the restroom. When he headed back to the table, Han Yuri, who was sipping her drink, waved at him brightly.
“You’re late, aren’t you?”
“It just sort of happened. Where did Yuna go?”
“She went to get dessert. She’s over there.”
Han Yuri's gaze followed his, and Yuna was sweeping little cakes, jelly, chocolates, and the like onto a plate in heaps. The slight lift at the corners of her mouth made it seem like her tension had eased somewhat. Or maybe she just liked eating,
Either way, with her not right beside him, he felt a little more at ease. Ian nodded and flopped down into his seat.
He dipped a few pieces of sushi from the food he'd brought earlier into soy sauce and put them in his mouth. They were a little cold, but they still tasted pretty good. It looked like the high price wasn't for nothing.
“But, Mr. Ian.”
“...? Yes. Go ahead.”
At the sudden address, Ian set down the water glass he was holding and replied. Han Yuri let out a small laugh as she glanced over at Yuna, who was still loading up her plate with food.
“You’re good at acting. If Yuna had a talent for it too, I might have been completely fooled.”
“......”
Ian closed his mouth. He stared at Han Yuri with a cold expression, then, realizing this had nothing to do with mysticism, let out a bitter smile.
There was no need to overreact. It wasn't like his life was on the line, so why bother?
There was already plenty of evidence. Yuna's statements kept changing, the physical affection was far too modest for a couple, and she was overly shy and embarrassed. It was so obvious that anyone with a little intuition could have figured it out. She had probably sensed it roughly from the café onward.
“Yuna has always been terrible at acting.”
Han Yuri said.
“She’d steal my pudding and then deny it, but every time she did, her eyes would dart all over the place. She’s honestly way too straightforward.”
“...Is that so?”
“Yes. It does seem like you hired a proper actor this time, but Yuna is still Yuna. I figured it out from the start.”
She went on like that, then turned to Ian and asked in a slightly subdued voice.
“...I mean, this isn’t some rental boyfriend thing, right?”
“...Haa.”
In the end, Ian had no choice but to tell her what had happened beforehand. Naturally, he kept quiet about how they met and anything related to mysticism. He didn't know why Han Yuna had become a mage, but no matter how he looked at it, Han Yuri didn't seem to be entangled with mysticism at all.
Rather than the family being special, it was probably just Yuna who had somehow stepped into this side of the world. There was no need to tell someone with no real way to protect herself about the world's hidden side. Knowing it would only draw them in instead.
“I see….”
After hearing the abridged story,
Han Yuri trailed off and gave a bitter smile as she looked at Yuna, who was hurrying over with quick little steps.
“Thank you. For going along with this silly thing.”
“It was nothing. I was paid for it too. You don't need to worry about it.”
“Still... haaa... why lie and make things tiring for everyone in the first place?”
“Haha….”
When Ian gave a dry laugh, Han Yuri took a sip of the cola in her cup and continued, looking over at him.
“It feels a little awkward saying this with the person involved right here, but I'm relieved you don't seem like a bad person. You’re friends, right? You met by chance?”
“Mm... if I had to put it that way, yes.”
“Then please keep being friends with Yuna. I’m the only person she’s really been close to in her life, so if she gets along with you, Mr. Ian, she’ll probably be happy about it deep down.”
“......”
“I also know that Yuna has one secret that sets her apart from everyone else. One day she suddenly said she'd realized the truth of the world and even did weird things like shoveling dirt into her mouth.”
Eating dirt.
It was one of the most basic steps to becoming a mage. It now felt like something from a far-off past, but Ian had also once bought soil from a flower shop and eaten it. Yuna probably did something similar.
At the time, it was the only way, and because he was obsessed with the idea that he’d go insane if he didn't become a mage, he ate it without a second thought.
Looking back now, he genuinely had no idea how he'd done it. Maybe the madness had already been there from that time? Honestly, it was a miracle he was still alive.
Anyway.
There was no need to refuse Han Yuri's request to stay close with Yuna. He was already planning to keep an ongoing relationship with her anyway.
Magic that could freely change hardness, whether organic or inorganic, had a huge number of uses.
It did have the drawback of consuming blood, but even with that included, there were more than enough reasons to keep her close. Why else would he try to bring her along on a vampire hunt?
Yuna was also a huge boon to Ian. So his answer was practically decided.
Ian glanced sidelong at Yuna, who had already come close by now, and nodded with a small grin. At that clear sign of approval, Han Yuri smiled back.
“...?”
Yuna, who hadn't heard the two of them talking, tilted her head, but unfortunately there was no one who would tell her the truth.
*
The meal went off without a hitch.
A little after 1 p.m., the three of them left the buffet and took a light stroll through a park.
The park in winter didn't yet have flowers in full bloom, but ice crystals were spread beautifully across it, reflecting the sunlight. Rainbows trapped inside tiny ice prisms scattered halos of light in every direction. It was a beautiful flower that bloomed only in winter.
They didn't encounter any aberrations during the walk. There were two mages, so he'd half expected something, but there was no sign of anything in particular. It was a relief.
After the stroll, they wandered around the city a bit. Once they had taken care of dinner as well, Han Yuri headed for the station to catch the train back to Daegu. The two of them followed her to see her off.
“Then I’m heading back now. Let’s meet again if we get the chance.”
Facing the KTX bound for Daegu, Han Yuri smiled and said goodbye. Ian smiled back and bowed his head.
“Have a safe trip home.”
“Yes. You too, Mr. Ian. And Yuna, make sure you eat properly, go straight to the hospital if you get sick, and take care of yourself, okay?”
“Ah, got it….”
Yuna grumbled her reply. Han Yuri gave her one tight hug, then boarded the train and took her seat.
A moment later, the train departed. Slowly at first, it began to move, then accelerated rapidly and raced along the tracks. Yuna, who had been exchanging farewells through the window, let out a breath once Han Yuri was no longer visible.
“Hoo…! She’s fi-finally gone!”
“Aren’t you a little too happy about that? She’d feel hurt if she heard you.”
“I-I’m the one who’s more hurt! From now on I should make her contact me a month in advance before she comes….”
Ian looked down at the muttering Yuna and let out a small laugh.
He didn't tell her that Han Yuri had noticed the acting.
After all, she was probably happy thinking she'd fooled them perfectly, so there was no need to spoil it. It was only right to preserve that innocence.
‘It’s over.’
Ian left the giggling Yuna behind and let out a long breath into the air. White vapor followed his breath and rose into the sky.
The long day was finally over. Thinking that, he felt his strength drain away all at once. He wanted to hurry home, lie down in bed, and pull the blanket over himself.
There was no reason to hesitate. Ian tapped Yuna's shoulder and opened his mouth.
“Let’s go home.”
“Ah, right. L-let’s go. Thanks for today….”
“Yeah, yeah.”
The two of them immediately left the station, took taxis, and went back to their respective homes.
There was no after-party.
Instead, a chicken gift coupon arrived.
[Han Yuna: This is my thanks for all your hard work today. Eat up.]
[Han Yuna: (A photo of a small beer can and fried chicken)]
[Han Yuna: (A photo of her awkwardly smiling and holding out the beer can as if to toast)]
[Han Yuna: Cheers!]
Ian burst out laughing at the unbearably cute message. Without hesitation, he ordered fried chicken, got everything set up as soon as it arrived, and sent a photo of himself holding a beer.
[Me: Cheers.]
The reply came back immediately.
[Han Yuna: Cheeeers!]
A reply that was clearly drunk to anyone who saw it.
Ian gave a wry smile, set down his phone, and downed his beer.
Well, compared to how tired he was, he felt pretty good.