Prologue Story

Inha quickly left, so my mom apologized to the teacher and hurriedly took care of me before following Inha.

I also said goodbye to the teacher and followed them.

Ah… but there’s no way they’ll ask me to bring Inha tomorrow or anything like that, right?

What if, by chance, something unexpected happens?

Well… I’ll respect Inha’s wishes as much as possible.

If she doesn’t want to go, she won’t go.

Although, school is mandatory no matter what.

As I followed behind my mom, who was walking ahead, I turned a corner to find Inha standing there as if she had been waiting for us.

“Inha, did the teacher’s words upset you?”

“…A little.”

Inha answered curtly and then looked at me.

She spoke quietly.

“…Welcome back.”

“Oh…”

I widened my eyes in surprise at her words and couldn’t hide my bashful smile.

A joyful feeling filled my heart.

“Yeah, thanks…!”

That day was one of the rare times the three of us returned home together.

I walked home with a bit of a bounce in my step.

Later, while spending a leisurely time as usual, Mom informed me that Inha’s parents wouldn’t return until tomorrow evening, and she had a business trip scheduled.

Ah, come to think of it, today marked the third day Inha had been staying at our house.

From the first day to the third, counting from the day she arrived, it had been that long.

I nodded as I counted the days on my fingers in response to Mom’s words.

I felt a little sad, yet somewhat relieved at the same time.

But if her parents are coming tomorrow, it would’ve been better if they could arrive in the morning.

I thought absentmindedly, considering that both Mom and I would be out—Mom on her trip and me at kindergarten—leaving Inha all alone in the morning.

After hearing Mom’s words, I spaced out, thinking about all this while practicing tying my hair.

I guess little kids have short arms because I couldn’t manage to tie my hair properly by myself.

Still, after practicing for a while, I got a little better at it.

I tried tying it in one ponytail, then two pigtails, and now, I was trying to braid it.

Braiding was the hardest.

Ehh, ehh! I grumbled to myself as I attempted to braid my hair.

My arms hurt from holding them up to braid my hair.

I ran to Mom to show her my braided hair.

“Mom, does it look good?”

“Oh my, our Eunha did well. But you’re still a bit clumsy. You braided it pretty well, but here, some strands are sticking out.”

“Ugh…”

I groaned as I patted down the stray hairs.

Then, when I turned my head, I was startled.

Inha was staring at me intently.

I felt flustered and met Inha’s gaze.

Automatically, my body shrank back.

Uh, uh, what’s this?

Why is she looking at me like that?

Should I pretend I don’t notice?

Or would it be better to avoid her gaze naturally?

While I timidly considered the various scenarios, I smiled and asked Inha.

Well, this should be okay.

“Inha, why are you…?”

“……”

Inha remained silent while looking at my face, then slowly shook her head.

What is it?

What’s going on?

A question mark popped up in my mind.

She was clearly thinking about something while looking at me, wasn’t she?

“Yeah, Eunha, braids really do suit you.”

Then, out of nowhere, Mom’s sudden comment left me flabbergasted.

…What?

Huh?

Why did she say that all of a sudden?

Time passed quickly.

Afternoon came, then night, and after sleeping, I woke up.

Today marked the third day since Inha had been staying at our house.

As usual, I got ready to go to kindergarten while Inha slept soundly, unaware of the world.

Mom was already gone.

But despite her busy schedule, she had prepared breakfast for me before leaving.

I happily ate my breakfast.

I got ready as usual and went outside to board the kindergarten bus.

The teacher greeted me with a smile.

“Hello, Eunha.”

“Hello, teacher.”

I quietly took a seat at the very back.

The kindergarten bus continued picking up a few more kids before heading to the kindergarten.

While the bus was moving, the teacher came and sat next to me.

“By the way, Eunha, about that kid from yesterday…”

“…Who?”

I hesitated for a moment but then asked innocently.

The teacher thought for a moment before replying, “You know, that pretty girl who came to pick you up yesterday.”

I felt a bit troubled but nodded without letting it show.

“Why doesn’t that kid attend kindergarten? It would be nice if she could come with you.”

I thought carefully while maintaining a calm expression.

So… what should I say?

She doesn’t want to come?

But that would only lead to more questions, like why doesn’t she want to come.

And then I’d feel like asking why he’s asking me about it, but let’s put that aside…

After thinking for a bit, I smiled brightly, like nothing was wrong.

“I’m not sure.”

“…I see.”

Honestly, I don’t really like this year’s teacher.

I liked the previous teacher better.

This teacher, though not too blatant about it, tends to treat kids differently based on their talents and looks.

It was pretty obvious, and it made me feel uncomfortable.

No matter how pretty Inha was, she’s still just a little kid, yet the teacher showed such interest after seeing her just once.

Still, the teacher treated me decently, probably because I was known for having magical abilities, so I didn’t think too much of it.

But my opinion of the teacher had dropped significantly.

Especially since that look in his eyes seemed to say, “Well, Eunha isn’t very good at making friends,” which annoyed me even more.

It’s true, but still.

I clicked my tongue inwardly and rested my chin on my hand.

Because of that, today’s kindergarten day felt kind of dull.

Although I went through the day normally, I felt irritated.

Even the teacher, for some reason, seemed to be treating me differently today, almost as if he was deliberately giving me less attention.

Today, we did origami, but it was a special kind of origami that moved in the shape you folded it into.

But coincidentally, the paper I was given was just plain origami paper.

It felt like it was done on purpose.

I know the teacher isn’t that bad, but that’s how I felt.

And since I’d heard that it had been mixed up with other classes, it was clearly just a coincidence.

It just made me realize how much feelings can affect things.

“Well, see you later, Eunha.”

“Yes, goodbye.”

I gave a half-hearted smile and said goodbye as I jumped off the bus.

Ah, I feel alive.

As I turned around, I was startled.

“……”

Inha was standing there like a shadow, expressionless.

She was wearing a white summer dress that revealed her pale skin.

Her white face stood out against the summer sun, giving her an almost mystical aura like a half-blooded beauty.

She looked like a painting.

The teacher behind me chuckled in admiration and said, “Oh, you are…”

“Goodbye, teacher!”

I cut him off and shouted.

Inha doesn’t like this teacher.

As soon as she saw him, Inha’s face scrunched up.

So, I grabbed Inha’s hand and ran.

If the teacher asks tomorrow why I did that, I’ll just make up an excuse.

I’ll say I urgently needed the bathroom or something.

I don’t really care about being liked by the teacher.

I’m past that age.

And if I had to choose, I’d much rather avoid being disliked by Inha.

After running for a bit, I suddenly stopped at a spot.

As I caught my breath and turned around, I saw Inha looking at me curiously.

I was startled and quickly let go of her hand.

“Oh, um, sorry… uh…”

But I hadn’t even thought of an excuse to explain to Inha why I did that.

So… what should I say?

I thought for a moment before smiling sheepishly, like I was brushing it off.

“I just felt like… running.”

And then, in the next moment, I had to widen my eyes in surprise.

“You’re such a unique person.”

Inha, who was squinting at me, smiled.

It was a beautiful smile, like a painting, like an angel.

“Oh… oh…?”

“You’re really… unique.”

The sight of Inha smiling with her eyes curved into a soft expression completely captivated me.

Everything around me blurred, and only that dazzling smile remained in my vision.

At that moment, I was overwhelmed by an indescribable, miraculous feeling.

‘…Oh no. She’s so pretty and cute.’

That smile was so gentle and beautiful that I couldn’t help but think that.

As I watched Inha take my hand and lead me, as I followed her dazzling figure, I genuinely, truly wanted to become friends with this girl.

Not that I hadn’t thought about it before.

Inha was so pretty, with a mysterious aura, and even cool in a way that, despite being a child, she had a presence that made you want to get closer to her.

That charm wasn’t just appealing to boys but also had a magnetism that attracted even girls.

So I had wanted to become closer to her.

And today, that desire grew stronger.

It became more earnest.

She was so beautiful that it became a desperate feeling.

As I walked with Inha, I thought to myself.

I want to see that beautiful smile more often.

☆

“You know, I’ve been thinking for a while now, but you know how to move your magic, don’t you?”

“Huh, what?”

“You said you could feel magic since last year, but there’s no way someone like you would feel magic and not practice moving it. And if you practiced, there’s no way you wouldn’t be able to move it by now. I can feel a strange magic around you when I’m near.”

“……”

“I saw it last time. You were putting magic into a light orb.”

“……!”

Inha’s assertive words caught me off guard, and her next statement made me gasp in surprise.

Oh no, she was awake?

Ugh, I should’ve been more careful…

I inwardly groaned.

But my panic was short-lived.

I glanced cautiously at Inha and thought.

Honestly, I feel like it’s okay if she knows.

Even though she’s a kid, Inha somehow seems like she’d keep a secret.

“Well, I kind of figured. My mom always tells me not to reveal my magic skills to others. That’s what you’re doing, right?”

Well, she’s not wrong.

I nodded.

Then I looked at Inha with a slightly surprised expression.

For some reason, her mood felt completely different from before.

“But, by any chance…”

“Huh?”

“By any chance… Could you tell me your magic attribute?”

Inha asked very cautiously.

I suddenly remembered the time when Auntie Suna asked if I wanted to find out my attribute, and I said I was scared and refused.

Is that why?

I hesitated for a moment.

Inha isn’t the type to tell others about things like this.

Besides, her mom had gone through a lot of hardships because of her own magic talent, so she must know a lot.

And… I do want to get closer to her.

When you want to be friends with someone, you have to open up too.

I quickly made up my mind and spoke.

“Okay. But don’t tell anyone else…”

“Why?”

“It’s just… overwhelming.”

“Is it really that weird?”

I nodded.

Inha paused for a moment before asking.

“…Even my mom and dad?”

“No… If I’m telling you, it’s okay if they know too. But still, no one else…”

“Okay. Got it.”

I smiled briefly at Inha and thanked her.

I made up my mind and led Inha to the master bedroom.

I rummaged through the drawers and found the gemstone plate we had used before.

I figured it would be easier to show her than to explain.