After Story. 002 — Future Foresight (1)
Since the battle with Tacheon, Lisa had been in the global spotlight.
This was because her fully awakened Gift, the Grace of Platinum, had demonstrated the miraculous feat of lowering Gate ranks.
For people who lived under the constant threat of Gates, her ability was undeniably coveted.
The Grace Empire was no different.
“I wonder if Brother Mihail has arrived. I hope I’m not the first….”
“Lisa, over here. Come along. Haha….”
“Ah! Brother Miha—. Huh?”
Having returned to the Empire for winter vacation, Lisa’s eyes went wide.
Because it wasn’t just her half-brother, Mihail, but far more people who had come to greet her.
Among them were Emperor Vincenzo Grace and other members of the imperial family.
“Oh, my daughter. Welcome. Was life at the Academy City well?”
“Welcome, Your Highness the Princess! We sincerely welcome Your Highness’s return!”
“…….”
The people welcomed her extravagantly.
Lisa, who had been outside their interest due to her low rank in the line of succession, couldn’t help but be bewildered.
Of course, she had expected it to some degree.
She had expected it, but….
‘Still, this is…. too much, isn’t it?’
Camera shutters clicked everywhere, and cheers never ceased.
Lisa couldn’t help but feel burdened by the attention, which was fiercer than expected.
On the other hand, it was disgusting.
“Is that all you carry in your hands? Come here. I shall carry it for you.”
“Ah, it’s fine. It’s really fi—, ne….”
“Hmm, it’s light. Then let us go.”
“…….”
What kind of man had Vincenzo Grace, Emperor of the Empire and her father, been?
He possessed no zeal whatsoever for state affairs and was so indifferent to his own children that he was neither a respectable statesman nor a parent one could rely on.
For such a man to suddenly change his attitude and treat her so affectionately, she couldn’t help but feel deeply displeased.
“Let us go. If more people gather, it will be hard to get out later. Lisa, your hand.”
“…Yes, Brother. Let’s go.”
But she couldn’t show her emotions.
Because her half-brother, Mihail, was aiming to become the next emperor.
If she were to displease Vincenzo, it could bring harm to him.
Lisa suppressed her disgust and displeasure, deciding to comply with his will.
Using her Gift to help, or attending various events—that’s what it entailed.
However, she too was only human, so there was a limit to how much she could comply.
“I have an appointment, so I shall take my leave now. Stay healthy!”
Goodbye, everyone!
I’m off to enjoy a proper vacation now, to find my happiness!
You all be happy too~~~
“Ah, whatever.”
Of course, hiding her crude thoughts, while maintaining her dignity as an imperial princess as best she could.
Lisa fled the Empire as if running away, so quickly that people had no time to stop her.
And without a word or prior contact, she headed straight to Do Gyeonu’s house.
“No, why our house of all places? There’s the Academy dormitory too, isn’t there?”
“Because it’s vacation, so there won’t be anyone there. It’d be boring if I stayed alone.”
“Even so, this is so sudden….”
“Ah, I don’t care! Do whatever you want! This is all your fault in the first place.”
“No, why is it my fault again? This is really unfair….”
“I don’t know, I don’t know, just take responsibility. You have to feed me, clothe me, and put me to sleep, Gyeonu.”
“Are you a kid? Throwing a tantrum….”
“Wah, wah. Lisa is a baby. So you have to protect me….”
“Ha….”
It is said that Lisa was so stressed she showed symptoms of infantile regression….
In the end, Do Gyeonu raised both hands in surrender.
* * *
The group chat had been buzzing nonstop with topics during the semester, but these days the rowdy atmosphere had cooled down somewhat.
Her friends who had returned home must all be too busy enjoying their own vacations.
‘Nothing much again today…. I wonder what everyone is doing?’
Feeling the vacation anew, Min Arin felt loneliness and boredom.
But she couldn’t waste time wallowing in sentimentality.
She had to spend this time of infinite freedom called vacation preciously.
Moreover, she had a goal.
Namely, to defeat Yeon Haneul.
‘Just you wait. I’ll definitely reclaim the top rank next semester. I absolutely won’t lose to you, who is so busy enjoying married life! Ah, so annoying….’
What matters is an unbreakable spirit!
Min Arin burned with determination.
Having steeled her resolve once more, she decided to devote herself to training.
Just then.
[Nam Yuri]: (Photo)
[Nam Yuri]: Ta-da!
The group chat came alive.
Min Arin couldn’t help but be shaken by the photo Nam Yuri posted.
Because.
“Why…. is Lisa there….”
In the photo with Do Gyeonu’s house as the background.
Lisa was deliciously eating chicken together with Do Gyeonu, his younger sister, Yeon Haneul, Yeon Bada, Cha Eunsol, and Nam Yuri.
And even Go Eunbi and the triplets….
“No, why…. how, how come….”
Why was Lisa, who should have returned to the Empire, with them right now?
Min Arin felt question on one hand, and on the other, she couldn’t help but feel left out.
‘Why are you all together without me…!’
Just then, Yu Gaeul sent a message on her behalf, expressing exactly her feelings.
[Yu Gaeul]: Gyeonu Oppa! What on earth is going on here!?
[Yu Gaeul]: I’ll give a pass to Eunbi Unni who lives in Seoul and the twin Oppas, but
[Yu Gaeul]: why is Lisa Unni at your house too???
[Yu Gaeul]: This is betrayal! Explain yourself!
That’s right, it’s betrayal.
Explain!
Min Arin agreed inwardly.
Meanwhile, others who had read the messages in the meantime joined the conversation one by one.
[Ham Minju]: Lisa Unni, did you go to hang out?
[Go Eunbi]: I came to play too lol hahaha
[Seong Dasom]: Chicken… looks so delicious…
[Eun Suhyeok]: @Seong Dasom You want to eat?
[Seong Dasom]: @Eun Suhyeok Yes! I want to eat! ♥♥♥
[Yong Haerang]: Hmm… everyone looks happy. Such is youth. But don’t play too much. You’ll lose muscle.
[Gang Hanbyeol]: (Photo messing around with Shin Seora at the ice rink)
[Gang Hanbyeol]: Me too, cheers!
[Gang Hanbyeol]: Is everyone doing well?
[Bak Sagon]: Even you, Hanbyeol… this is betrayal…
[Bak Sagon]: Our eternal friendship… ㅠㅠ
[Gang Hanbyeol]: ?????
Seong Dasom, Eun Suhyeok, and Gang Hanbyeol, get out before I block you for good….
By the way, Do Gyeonu, come out now!
Min Arin glared and ground her teeth.
Shortly after, Do Gyeonu finally appeared.
[Do Gyeonu]: Yuri was the one who posted the photo, so why are you all picking on me… ;;
[Yu Gaeul]: Because it’s Oppa’s house! So hurry up and explain!
[Do Gyeonu]: Ask Lisa, not me.
[Lisa]: Gyeonu said he’d take responsibility.
[Lisa]: I’m going to live with Gyeonu from now on.
[Yeon Bada]: That’s right, Gyeonu said he’d take responsibility for me for life too ^^
“……!?”
Yeon Bada aside.
Having read Lisa’s meaningful message, Min Arin held her breath for a moment.
What on earth did it mean?
Could there have been something romantic between Do Gyeonu and Lisa?
If that were the case….
“Damn, trash….”
A curse slipped out of Min Arin’s mouth.
Ham Minju seemed to be of the same mind.
[Ham Minju]: ……
[Ham Minju]: Wow… seriously… how can a person be like this?
[Ham Minju]: When Haneul Unni is right there too…
[Ham Minju]: @Do Gyeonu Pervert
[Do Gyeonu]: What? ㅡㅡ
[Ham Minju]: Degenerate
[Do Gyeonu]: No, hey
[Ham Minju]: Trash
[Do Gyeonu]: Hear me out
[Ham Minju]: You lecher
[Do Gyeonu]: List—
[Ham Minju]: Shameless, tsk tsk
[Ham Minju]: I’m disappointed in you again today.
[└Like: Me (Min Arin)]
[Do Gyeonu]: ……
[Do Gyeonu]: Arin, what about you???
“What about me? Hmph!”
Even though she knew there was nothing to worry about between Do Gyeonu and Lisa, she hated Do Gyeonu for no reason.
Min Arin didn’t reply in the chat and pouted.
Soon after, she heard the circumstances from Yeon Haneul, who appeared belatedly.
[Yeon Haneul]: Sigh…
[Yeon Haneul]: Stop teasing Gyeonu.
[Yeon Haneul]: That’s not it…
“What, so that’s what happened?”
In short, it was that Lisa had felt suffocated and run away from the Grace Empire, deciding to stay at Do Gyeonu’s house during the vacation.
Min Arin finally understood, but was still somewhat dissatisfied.
‘I’m jealous…. That they’re all together….’
She wanted to go up to Seoul and join Do Gyeonu’s group with all her heart.
But it was too awkward and embarrassing to bring it up first.
It didn’t suit her personality.
Min Arin became depressed.
Just then, an opportunity came.
[Gang Hanbyeol]: Gyeonu, Seora Noona and I are in Seoul right now too. Want to meet up when you have time? Let’s have fun!
[Yu Gaeul]: Oppa! I’ll come to Seoul too! Show me around Seoul while you’re at it! Minju, you’re coming too, right?
[Ham Minju]: Hmm… if you’re asking… I didn’t really have anything to do anyway… when?
[Nam Yuri]: Oh, great great! Everyone come quick! There are plenty of rooms here!
[Cha Eunsol]: Yeah, that’s right
[Cha Eunsol]: Your mother’s cooking is the best too
[Cha Eunsol]: I want to live here forever…
[Yong Haerang]: Oh! We’re meeting in Seoul? Great, then I’m coming too!
[Do Gyeonu]: @Nam Yuri @Cha Eunsol This is my house, you know? Why are you deciding things on your own?
[Do Gyeonu]: And Eunsol, stop saying scary things…
[Do Gyeonu]: Well, whatever, we have plenty of rooms anyway
[Do Gyeonu]: Everyone come hang out
[Bak Sagon]: Gyeonu, I’m coming too!
[Do Gyeonu]: Ah
[Do Gyeonu]: Right, you were there too
[Bak Sagon]: ……
[Do Gyeonu]: Sorry, just kidding
A satisfying turn of events.
Min Arin, having regained her spirits before she knew it, curled up the corners of her mouth.
She couldn’t miss this chance.
She quickly joined the flow.
[Min Arin]: If we’re all meeting up…
[Min Arin]: Fine, I’ll come too
[Seong Dasom]: @Min Arin Suhyeok and I can’t come. We have to take care of things with the Eun family in Seolchang, and we have to prepare for the wedding too…
[Eun Suhyeok]: You guys haven’t forgotten our wedding date, right?
[Eun Suhyeok]: Look forward to Dasom’s wedding dress
[Yeon Haneul]: @Min Arin You don’t have to come lol
[Min Arin]: Shut it
[Yeon Haneul]: ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
* * *
In the end, after throwing a fit, Lisa decided to stay at our house.
Somehow, before I knew it, not just her, but even friends who had decided to come visit Seoul….
Even Go Eunbi said she would stay for a few days.
‘Eunbi’s house is just across the river anyway, wouldn’t it be better to just sleep at home? It’d be more comfortable….’
At this point, I feel like our house has become some kind of lodging facility.
I feel like we should be charging room fees.
Should I be relieved that at least the triplets, who live in the same neighborhood, said they wouldn’t stay over?
‘Ah, whatever happens, happens.’
Since the milk was already spilled, I decided to resign myself obediently.
Moreover, to my surprise, Mother and Father also seemed welcoming.
They made a fuss saying they wanted to see friends they had only seen in photos.
—Can your friends come visit? Sleep at home for a few days? Sure, go ahead. Of course they can. We have plenty of rooms anyway.
—It’s already noisy now, but it’ll be even rowdier for a while. Well, loud is better than quiet. I want to see your friends too.
‘Yeeun’s reaction is… well, to be expected.’
I had been inviting my friends to come visit since long ago.
So since they’re coming anyway, I decided to treat them with the utmost hospitality.
I resolved.
‘By the way….’
I raised my head and shifted my gaze.
In the empty air where there should have been nothing, a translucent message was displayed.
[The Gift ‘Future Foresight’ has captured the most probable future from the current point in time. Will you check it?]
[Yes / No]
[Note: If ‘No’ is selected, you will be reminded after 12 hours]
“So Gifts activate like this now too. How considerate. It notifies me automatically even if I don’t activate it by will….”
Future Foresight, the evolved form of Evasion Instinct, obtained through the World Tree not long ago.
Now seemed like a good time; having confirmed the Gift’s activation, I readily made my decision.
“I’ll check.”
[Yes (Selected) / No]
[The Gift ‘Future Foresight’ activates.]
Immediately, just as my vision seemed to go dark, a future like a bad ending appeared.