So clearly it was visible to the eye.
Yeon Haneul was feeling uneasy about my relationship with Baek Jimin.
No matter how many times I told her she didn’t need to worry, that Baek Jimin and I were simply friends, unfortunately, it brought her no comfort.
It wasn’t as though I couldn’t understand.
From her perspective, not knowing the circumstances, it was only natural for her to feel that way.
‘But I can’t exactly explain every little thing to Haneul and say, “The family head doesn’t like you, he tried to subtly pair me with Baek Jimin, got caught, and Baek Jimin and I decided to cooperate temporarily for our own purposes…”’
How could I soothe her without hurting Yeon Haneul’s pride?
How could I give her the certainty that she was the most precious person to me?
For me, it was no small dilemma.
But in truth, the solution was simple.
—It would be best to give that child certainty so she won’t feel anxious, so she won’t be eaten away by herself. Because you want to treat her as precious, I hope you won’t fret over her as though you’re handling glass that might shatter at any moment. We aren’t that weak. So, at every moment, express it to her actively.
After receiving that advice through a strange encounter in Sinbi Park.
I thought and thought, and at long last came to a conclusion.
‘After that, though, things were so hectic with the Wings Project and midterms that I had no choice but to keep putting off the chance. On top of that, Suhyeok sunbae suddenly started dating Dasom sunbae in a rapid development, and even got married….’
Because of Eun Suhyeok’s shocking course of action, what I had to do next was unlikely to become a topic of conversation.
What an unhelpful sunbae.
On top of that, lately Yeon Haneul had been feeling envious of Seong Dasom and had grown even more dejected.
It couldn’t be helped.
I couldn’t postpone it any longer.
To encourage Yeon Haneul, I decided to act at once.
It began with sending a Talk message.
[Me]: Are you free Sunday evening? I want to spend that day with you.
[Me]: There’s something I really want to say, too.
[Haneul]: Hm? What is it???
[Haneul]: Is it something you can’t tell me now???
[Me]: Yeah, it’s important.
[Me]: I’ll tell you that day.
And then she left me on read.
It was quite some time later that Yeon Haneul finally replied.
[Yeon Haneul]: Okay...
[Yeon Haneul]: Sunday evening is good for me too.
[Yeon Haneul]: I’ll look forward to that day.
It seemed she had noticed.
Though I had deliberately signaled it to her.
‘She should have time to prepare herself, too.’
Yeon Haneul had once said this.
A confession wasn’t a challenge, but a confirmation.
So one had to be careful, because unilaterally conveying one’s feelings without the other person’s prior consent could become a burden.
It was vivid in my memory.
In any case.
Time flowed swiftly on, and Sunday arrived.
* * *
Because Yeon Haneul had reached the 5th rank relatively early.
These days, she was making separate time to learn 5th-rank magic under Hong Yena’s instruction.
Moreover, in collaboration with Hong Yena, she was also conducting research that would send ripples through the hunter industry.
That research was none other than—
‘A method for stably constructing a virtual mana circuit using a demi-human’s ears, or something like that.’
At the time of the Wings Project incident, Yeon Haneul had displayed enormous wings with her rabbit ears as the core.
Her goal was to spread the enlightenment she had gained then far and wide.
For the sake of demi-humans.
—We aren’t suited to continuing future generations, so our support base is weak, and our centripetal force can’t help but be low. Because of that, discrimination exists beneath the surface, and even among hunters, there’s a tendency for us not to be treated properly… unless our skills are outstanding enough.
—So you’re saying you’ll reveal it. To improve the treatment of demi-humans. Instead of keeping it to yourself.
—Yeah. If there’s a weapon only we can have, people won’t be able to look down on us so easily. I think this might be that weapon.
In truth, there was no longer anyone who could disregard Yeon Haneul, who had now established her position.
If there was someone, perhaps it would be my grandfather.
Even then, he simply hadn’t acknowledged her as a spouse—more precisely, as the first spouse.
He did acknowledge her status.
Even so, I could only feel proud of her for wanting to willingly share her knowledge for the sake of others.
‘It’s probably even more so because there are demi-human kids among the children living with her at the orphanage.’
So what if there was a bit of personal interest mixed in?
Whatever the reason, the truth that Yeon Haneul had a beautiful heart remained unchanged.
As expected of my childhood friend.
At any rate, because of those circumstances, she had recently been spending time with Hong Yena often.
Sometimes, more than with me, to the point that I became jealous of Hong Yena.
‘At times like that, she could use her Gift and send a clone over….’
For my part, I could only feel disappointed.
So much so that, watching Yeon Haneul’s mood, I had subtly pleaded with her.
Then, with a sharp “No,” she scolded me in a reproving tone.
—No. What if you end up having an affair with my clone?
—You’re joking, right? She’s you too….
—She is, but she isn’t?
—In the first place, the main body can be with me, and you can send the clone.
—Honestly. That would be rude to the other person. And for something that requires careful attention, of course the main body—that is, me—should go, shouldn’t I? Also….
—Also?
—If I keep using my Gift like that, you might start thinking of me as someone you can see easily anytime.
—I wouldn’t….
—Really? Even after you become completely used to it?
—….
—See? You can’t guarantee it.
—…Yeah, you’re probably right.
She certainly had a point.
I couldn’t deny it.
For that reason.
I forced myself to hold back my desire to monopolize her.
Like now….
‘It’s about time for her to come out… not yet?’
Unlike me, who had cleared my entire schedule because we’d promised to have dinner together.
Yeon Haneul had prior plans before meeting me.
As always, with Hong Yena.
Because of that, I arrived at the meeting place first and had to wait for her.
‘Looks like she’s going to be a little late. The Witch-nim is surprisingly tactless too. At times like this, she should wrap things up quickly….’
Yeon Haneul had done nothing wrong.
Hong Yena was the problem.
No doubt she had detained Haneul and delayed her by making some claim no one would believe, like how she was married to magic.
I inwardly badmouthed her while quietly holding my place.
Not long after that.
“Sorry! I’m a little late, right? We ended up talking longer than expected….”
“....”
Yeon Haneul appeared.
She must have been in such a hurry, because she had flown through the sky.
I flinched as I watched Yeon Haneul land with her hair disheveled, pressing down firmly on the hem of her skirt.
Then I burst into laughter.
“It would’ve been fine if you were late. You should’ve come slowly instead of rushing.”
“How could I, when you’d be waiting for me?”
Her features stood out as though she had put extra effort into her makeup today, and her face looked especially fair; her outfit gave off a bright air, paired with strap shoes.
It was plainly obvious that Yeon Haneul had put thought into it.
She was pretty. Incredibly so.
The corners of my mouth rose on their own as I reached out and tidied the hair that must have been blown about by the wind.
I didn’t forget to whisper to her rabbit ears.
“You’re especially pretty today. Pretty enough that I want to keep looking at you.”
“…Mm. Thank you. You too.”
“You mean I’m pretty too?”
“Mm!”
Yeon Haneul smiled brightly.
As I naturally laced my fingers with hers, my eyes curved along with hers.
“You’re hungry, right? Let’s go eat first. I made a reservation somewhere with a good view.”
“Really? I like that.”
I led Yeon Haneul by the hand.
She trotted along after me.
* * *
“I’m going to the restroom for a bit.”
“Yeah, go ahead.”
The meal at the restaurant overlooking the World Tree and the Grim River was delicious, and the atmosphere was good as well.
Yeon Haneul was simply having so much fun, so happy, that she lost track of time.
Even more so because of how Do Gyeonwoo treated her as someone precious.
The silences that occasionally came were not awkward in the slightest.
Rather, the silence had its own charm.
Should she call it the feeling of hearts communicating?
When they met each other’s gazes without speaking, it felt as though only the two of them existed in the world.
Today was especially like that.
‘He said there was something he really wanted to say…. If I’m not mistaken… it must mean that, right?’
At this point, she couldn’t help but look forward to it.
After finishing their meal, Yeon Haneul stood before the bathroom mirror to touch up her makeup, feeling terribly excited.
Her body felt hot, tingling all over.
If she became too aware of her emotions, her face seemed like it would flush bright red in an instant.
She didn’t want Do Gyeonwoo to notice.
It was embarrassing.
At least, not right now.
Placing a hand over her trembling chest, she took several deep breaths and composed herself.
Then she looked carefully at herself reflected in the mirror.
‘I have to look pretty today.’
Going by what Do Gyeonwoo told her every day, one might wonder if there had ever been a time she wasn’t pretty.
Still, Yeon Haneul checked her eyebrows and reapplied the lipstick that had worn off, tidying up her makeup.
Having finished her business, she returned to Do Gyeonwoo.
“You’re back? Then shall we head out?”
“Mm. Where are we going now?”
“The World Tree happens to be nearby, so I was thinking we could look around there. Are your feet okay? Can you walk?”
“We barely walked at all. I’m fine, I can walk. I can run and fly too, you know? Don’t underestimate me.”
“Fine, I’m sorry for underestimating you. Let’s go, then.”
“Mm!”
From the day she first met Do Gyeonwoo.
Her world could no longer exist without him.
Because he was there, she could be here like this.
She could feel safe and happy.
That was why Yeon Haneul wished to remain by his side from now on as well.
* * *
Even when night came and the sky was dyed black.
The World Tree did not sink into darkness.
That was because the lighting devices and the spirits of light illuminated the surroundings brightly.
Thanks to that, Yeon Haneul and I, taking a stroll beneath the World Tree, could take in the glittering sight.
“It’s nice to come see it at night too. It has atmosphere.”
“Right. It feels like we’re walking through light.”
The leaves of the World Tree, reflecting the light differently depending on the angle and giving off a golden glow.
And the lower spirits of light, lacking a firm sense of self, floating about in a visible state.
Walking among them, we couldn’t help but admire it purely.
‘The reason the spirits are gathering around us must be because of our spirit affinity. While clearing Cha Eunsol’s episode, both Haneul and I gained spirit affinity.’
Yeon Haneul seemed to like the spirits flying around us out of curiosity.
As I watched her mingling with the spirits, the corners of my lips lifted.
Her white and blue hair, her red eyes sparkling like jewels.
There wasn’t a single part of her that wasn’t beautiful.
‘Now would be best.’
I had delayed long enough.
There was no one around to interrupt us, and Yeon Haneul was happy.
Having been waiting for my chance all this time, I decided to put my plan into action.
“I once told you to wait for me until I graduated, remember?”
“....”
I opened my mouth.
Yeon Haneul’s rabbit ears perked up, and for an instant, she held her breath.
Her gaze left the spirits of light and turned toward me.
Her face looked somewhat tense, yet also expectant.
I felt drawn to her.
If I followed my heart, I wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss her.
But today, I couldn’t do that.
There was something I had to do first.
Suppressing the impulse, I continued in as calm a tone as possible.
“But I’m going to take those words back.”
“…Take them back? Why?”
“Because I don’t want to lose you. Honestly, I was anxious that if things stayed like this, some guy I didn’t know might steal you away. And it also felt like I was doing something unfair to you.”
Yeon Haneul’s voice trembled.
She seemed to be trying hard to hide it, but her face was lighting up.
‘Probably… mine is too.’
My heart pounded.
Even though I knew the answer.
It seemed I couldn’t help but feel nervous, wondering if I might be rejected.
Even so, I mustered my courage.
“I don’t know when it started. Just, at some point, I kept finding my eyes drawn to you, and I kept worrying about you. I couldn’t see anyone else.”
Of all times.
The words I had prepared for today wouldn’t come to mind properly.
In the end, I conveyed to Yeon Haneul what came to me, the feelings I felt at this very moment.
At the same time, I reached into my pocket and took out a bouquet and a small case.
Inside the case was a necklace.
“I like you. A whole lot.”
“Ah….”
Toward Yeon Haneul, who let out a small gasp.
I took one step, then another, and held out the bouquet and the case.
You could say I thrust them out.
Soon after.
“…Mm. Thank you.”
With a shy smile.
Yeon Haneul held the gifts in her arms.
At the same time, she answered.
It was the answer I had hoped for.
“I like you too. A whole lot.”
And so, on this day.
We became lovers.
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss