Chapter 34
After dropping Su-hui off at the broadcasting station, I let out a deep sigh.
It was a show featuring the Frost Flower as a guest. This was the perfect opportunity to boost Reina’s recognition. I thought about it while fiddling with my wrist.
…Frost Flower.
This would be the first time I encountered her since the last incident when monsters flooded Seoul due to the New Humanity Association’s plans.
That said, back then, we met as a magical girl facing a monster, so in reality, we were like enemies.
This time, I was just meeting her as another guest’s manager, so I didn’t think there would be any significant issues with Frost Flower.
Of course, that didn’t mean my tension had eased. Unfortunately.
“Su-hui, I think that’s the filming set over there. Is it alright if I step out for a moment to use the restroom?”
I said this to Su-hui to calm my nerves. There was still some time left before filming began, so a quick wash-up in the restroom should be fine.
“Ah, yes. Go ahead,” she replied, letting out a little giggle. I entered the restroom, washed my face, and looked at my reflection in the mirror.
…Honestly, I had no reason to be wary of Frost Flower right now. I appeared to be just an ordinary human, and even if I had to fight her, I had no reason to lose.
However, the problem lay in the headache that accompanied any thoughts of fighting her. Just the thought of Frost Flower brought a dull ache to my mind. I should not come into contact with her.
Because, after all, this body is a monster…
A slight headache struck again. An incomprehensible, unidentified pain.
I let out a small grunt before looking back at the mirror.
A face that anyone would call handsome. Yet, strangely, it seemed a bit awkward.
Somehow, I felt that I shouldn’t be appearing like this.
I didn’t know why. I lightly wiped my face, which was dripping wet, and left the restroom.
After leaving, I headed toward the filming set. On my way, I ran into Frost Flower.
…Strangely, I felt more reluctant to see her now than I had back when we met as a monster and a magical girl. It was as if my instincts were rejecting the idea of facing Frost Flower in this form.
But then again, why? Why was I so averse to meeting her like this, even though it wasn’t her monster form?
Logically thinking, her monster form should be the true aspect I’d want to hide.
While my memories returned to processing many monsters in North Korea and defeating even Gremlin, the memories from the past few years felt completely erased, as if they had been surgically removed.
There was something crucial in those lost years.
…Ah, this isn’t the time to be thinking like that. I need to act naturally. Right now, I’m just Baek Seung-hyun, Reina’s manager. There’s no need to fight Frost Flower, and I probably won’t have to talk to her either.
As I thought that, I noticed Frost Flower’s eyes widening.
She looked as if she had discovered something unimaginable.
I casually moved towards the filming set; the distance wasn’t far now.
Then, I felt something touch my shoulder.
Turning around, I saw who it was. None other than Frost Flower herself, standing there.
Damn it, my stomach churns. I don’t understand the situation. Why—why does she look so surprised to see me?
—And why does that expression look so painfully sad?
Frost Flower opened her mouth. Her voice, which had always been cold, now held an unexpected hint of moisture.
“Oppa…?” (“Oppa” is a Korean term that translates to “older brother”. It is used by younger women to address older men, such as cousins, older brothers, or male friends. In Korean culture, using the term “oppa” implies a close bond and trust.)
Oppa, huh?
Why is Bing Seol Hwa calling ‘me’—Baek Seung-hyun—like that?
There’s no way there’s any blood relation between Baek Seung-hyun and Bing Seol Hwa. For one, their surnames are different, and Baek Seung-hyun is definitely an orphan. On the other hand, Bing Seol Hwa is the cherished daughter of a conglomerate chairman.
That means, to her, ‘me’—the person known as Baek Seung-hyun—must be someone very close to her.
“Is it really you, Oppa?”
Bing Seol Hwa’s expression now looked as if she were about to burst into tears. I couldn’t understand it. Why was she looking like she might cry at any moment?
What’s even more confusing is that my body is being led by an impulse I can’t comprehend.
My vision starts to darken. The entire world becomes a chaotic whirlpool, swallowing me whole. Just staring into Bing Seol Hwa’s eyes, my—no, ‘Baek Seung-hyun’s’ mouth slowly opens.
And to my own surprise, my voice comes out.
“Get lost.”
The voice I uttered carried no other emotion.
Baek Seung-hyun’s voice contained not a shred of a different intent.
Only pure disdain and hatred came through, as if I were looking at the most revolting thing in the world.
Bing Seol Hwa’s eyes tremble. It’s as if she doubts her own ears. There’s a look of pain in her eyes, as if her heart is being torn apart.
Yes, I wanted to see that expression. I desperately wished to see her in agony, to feel the same suffering.
Because I—‘Baek Seung-hyun’—have already lost everything.
…What is this?
I’m confused. Why am I feeling such things? Whose thoughts are these that are flowing into my mind?
Bing Seol Hwa opens her mouth.
“…I’m…sorry. How have you been? I just…”
Her eyes look like they are on the verge of tears. Even in such a situation, ‘I’ am preparing a word, ready to speak. My entire being is enveloped in hatred and passion, overriding rational control.
Just as I was about to utter a single word.
“Seung-hyun? Why aren’t you coming?”
I hear Su-hui’s voice.
My vision clears. The passion that had consumed me moments ago instantly retreats, as if it never existed. I turn to Su-hui and say,
“Ah, yes. Just a moment.”
“Oh, Bing Seol Hwa is here too? Haha, it’s funny how we both ended up being guests together. Nice to meet you. Please lead us as we are new to…”
Bing Seol Hwa, as if she hadn’t just been on the verge of tears, instantly regains her composure and faces Su-hui.
“…Yes, hello. Do you know this person?”
Su-hui tilts her head and chuckles lightly.
“Well, can I say we know each other? He’s my manager. He’s always been a great help to me.”
Bing Seol Hwa shows no change in her expression. What is she thinking? She simply closes her eyes for a moment, then slowly opens her mouth.
“So that means this person is what the media has been buzzing about?”
Su-hui’s face turns red, and she scratches her cheek.
“Ah, yes. I only have one manager, so I guess so.”
“And it’s true that you’re living together?”
“W-well, we are living together for now,”
Lee Su-hui said, giving another awkward smile. Bing Seol Hwa slowly closed her eyes and opened them again.
“Okay, I understand. I’ll go in first.”
In an instant, I was led by Su-hui’s hand into the filming set.
…
Waiting in advance at the filming set, Lee Su-hui stepped outside to check on her manager when he was a bit late.
These days, wherever she went, if Baek Seung-hyun’s face wasn’t visible, she felt uneasy. She had been following him around, taking care of him in every little detail. She couldn’t help but wonder how he had managed to live alone until now.
Before long, Lee Su-hui spotted Baek Seung-hyun approaching the filming set. Ah, he’s here. Her face brightened slightly as she looked at him.
At that moment, Baek Seung-hyun suddenly called out to Bing Seol Hwa.
From a distance, she couldn’t see the details. She had no idea why she had called out to him or what they were talking about. All she could see was that the two were having a conversation at close range.
What’s going on? Why is Bing Seol Hwa talking so closely with her manager?
She felt a bit strange.
It felt odd to see him talking to a magical girl who wasn’t her.
And it wasn’t just any magical girl; it was Bing Seol Hwa. Even if Reina was rising in popularity and gaining attention, compared to Bing Seol Hwa, she was merely a firefly in front of the sun.
He was her first fan.
He was her manager.
Just seeing him talk closely with another magical girl made her feel inexplicably strange.
It must be nothing, she thought, but her feet were already moving.
Bing Seol Hwa quickly asked about her relationship with Baek Seung-hyun. She acted as if she had never seen him before. In response to her questions, Su-hui answered one by one.
Yes, this was the manager rumored in the media to be dating her.
This was the man she was living with.
So don’t touch him.
Bing Seol Hwa nodded as if he was just a complete stranger, showing no change in her usual demeanor.
However, Lee Su-hui understood. She knew there was definitely something more.
After all, how could someone with no relationship have such a yearning gaze?
She noticed the wavering look in Bing Seol Hwa’s eyes. Without lingering on that gaze any longer, Lee Su-hui pulled Baek Seung-hyun into the filming set.
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