When I was asked when I regretted the most that Eunbada lost her power.
Ji Kanghan was hesitating, unsure if he should say what came to mind right away or not.
It was the first time he’d ever spoken about this to his friends, something he’d never shared until now.
‘I’ll get an earful for this.’
He’d already been told many times to ease up on his excessive affection and obsession for his younger sibling, so he could easily imagine the barrage of nagging this story would bring.
Watching his friends waiting for his answer, Ji Kanghan slowly parted his lips.
“Our princess.”
As soon as the affectionate nickname referring to Ji Seongbin came out, the Four Heavenly Kings, Yeon Hayeon, and Dana’s faces all twisted a little.
Seeing that his friends all had the same reaction without anyone prompting, he continued.
“Whenever someone messed with her, I secretly punished them all with spirits.”
With that simple answer, he grabbed a snack and popped it into his mouth.
Ban Eunhyeol, who’d been staring at him blankly, asked in disbelief.
“You… you could do that kind of thing behind the scenes?”
Ji Kanghan had always seemed uninterested in others and found everything a hassle, yet he’d diligently used spirits behind the scenes to deal with people around his sister.
Everyone’s jaws dropped as they stared at him. Ji Kanghan still wore a lazy expression, but what he was saying didn’t match his look at all.
“There were just too many people I couldn’t leave alone.”
For a moment, the air around them felt so chilly it seemed as if a murderous aura was leaking from Ji Kanghan.
Apparently, just thinking of those who used to bother Ji Seongbin still made his anger flare.
“So, all this time, the reason no one dared approach Seongbin wasn’t because she had a boyfriend, but because of you?”
“Probably.”
“Wow, we all just assumed it was because of her boyfriend.”
“No wonder I thought it was strange you didn’t seem to care much about your sister. I never imagined you were handling things from behind.”
“Whoa, I like you a little more now. That’s how you should protect your little sister!”
While everyone was expressing their surprise, Yeon Hayeon threw an arm around Ji Kanghan’s shoulders and grinned brightly.
Eunbada, watching the two, quietly slipped Yeon Hayeon’s hand off Ji Kanghan’s shoulder. Then she squeezed herself between Yeon Hayeon and Ji Kanghan.
“Are you jealous right now? I never thought I’d see Eunbada get jealous.”
Ban Eunhyeol burst out laughing at the sight and teased Eunbada. Her face reddened, embarrassed at the instinctive action she’d just made.
After a round of laughter and teasing, everyone shifted the topic to old memories, pulling out one story after another.
The time when the Gate first opened and they formed a guild, when the Chatroom was created and the Awakened gathered, the days of guild activities, and the various incidents and accidents that happened while attending School.
There was no end to the stories pouring out.
In the end, after a long, long conversation, the conclusion was clear.
“Still, I think I like the peaceful times now the best.”
Each day used to be spectacular and fun, but compared to back then, when danger lurked around every corner, things were much better now.
Before they knew it, the conversation had shifted to their futures after graduation.
Dana, the Four Heavenly Kings, and Yeon Hayeon spent their last night in Jeju talking about their hopes and dreams.
Outside the window, the sky was slowly brightening as dawn approached.
***
Back in Seoul, we spent the long Winter Vacation in our own way, making the most of it.
And today, we’d all agreed to gather at Yeon Hayeon’s house to check our university entrance exam results.
I left home a bit early, planning to take the bus, and was just about to pass through the apartment gate.
“Dana!”
A deep, booming voice called my name from the apartment gate. Not only me, but everyone around turned to look toward the sound.
There was a black car with heavy tinted windows. Soon, someone opened the driver’s door and stepped out.
“Axe Uncle?”
It was Axe Uncle, a member of Yeon Hayeon’s organization and the driver I’d often seen.
As he got out of the car, murmurs rose from people nearby, and I could feel them discreetly steering clear of us.
‘He does look intimidating.’
If I didn’t know Axe Uncle, I’d have probably pretended not to see him and taken a different route.
His rugged build, massive frame, and long scar across his face all made him look even more dangerous.
I quickened my pace to greet him and peered into the car as I asked.
“Where’s Hayeon?”
“She said she’d come home on time.”
“Ot.”
No need to ask any more.
If Yeon Hyeonggwang hadn’t come, it was obvious the two of them had gone off to take care of something.
Riding in Axe Uncle’s car for the first time in a while, I soon arrived at Yeon Hayeon’s house and headed straight for the living room.
Judging by the familiar shoes at the entryway, I was probably the last to arrive.
“You’re finally here.”
“Five minutes left.”
“Ugh, I’m so nervous.”
Since everyone had applied to the same university, we’d all been eagerly waiting for this day.
The Four Heavenly Kings welcomed me warmly, each with a laptop open in front of them. Han Jibin and Eunbada looked visibly tense, while Ban Eunhyeol didn’t seem nervous at all.
Ji Kanghan was slumped on the sofa with his head leaned back, apparently asleep, oblivious to my arrival.
“Did he not sleep last night?”
“Apparently, Ji Seongbin’s boyfriend is transferring to Gamsung High.”
“Aah.”
Even without the details, I could picture it in my head.
He’d been uneasy about his precious sister having a boyfriend, but at least they were at different Schools so he was somewhat relieved.
But now, after we graduated, the boyfriend was transferring to Gamsung High.
No wonder Ji Kanghan couldn’t sleep a wink.
“Everyone’s here?”
“Nuna, how have you been?”
Just then, Yeon Hayeon and Yeon Hyeonggwang came in through the front door.
Ban Eunhyeol joked to Yeon Hyeonggwang, who had greeted only me and skipped over the Four Heavenly Kings.
“Do you not see us?”
“Of course I do. Oh? One minute left.”
At that, Yeon Hayeon rushed over and sat in front of the prepared laptop.
We all sat silently in the living room, staring intently at our own laptops. That one minute felt endless.
‘I’m going to fail anyway.’
There was no miraculous main character buff to shoot my grades up. The Four Heavenly Kings and Yeon Hayeon all aimed for the same School, but my chances of getting in were slim.
While everyone else was tense, I alone sat calmly, waiting.
‘At least I’ll probably get into a nearby university, thank goodness.’
There was another university near the one the Four Heavenly Kings and Yeon Hayeon applied to.
Thanks to studying with Ban Eunhyeol and raising my grades a lot in a short time, my chances for that school were high.
Coincidentally, that school’s result announcement was soon as well, so I could check them all at once.
“It’s time!”
At Han Jibin’s shout, everyone checked their results. Yeon Hayeon was the first to close her laptop with a smile.
“I got in.”
No jumping around or screaming with joy.
After her calm announcement, the Four Heavenly Kings quickly followed.
“Me too.”
“I got in too!”
Once it was confirmed that Ji Kanghan and Han Jibin had passed, the excitement in the living room grew.
Now only Ban Eunhyeol and I were left. We sat with our mouths open, just staring at my laptop screen.
As we stayed silent, Yeon Hayeon suddenly snatched my laptop to check my results.
The next instant, Ban Eunhyeol grabbed me in a tight hug.
“You got in! Dana passed too!”
At the same time, Yeon Hayeon’s jubilant voice rang out through the living room.
“Really? Wow! That means we can go to School together, Dana?”
“Wow, congratulations!”
“You worked really hard, Dana. I knew you’d pass.”
They all congratulated me in even happier voices than when they saw their own results.
I just sat in Ban Eunhyeol’s arms, looking stunned as they showered me with congratulations.
‘Wow, I actually passed?’
I really hadn’t expected it at all.
Even if Awakened students were given extra points, when combined with my grades it was always going to be a close call.
That’s why I’d let go of all ambition and cleared my mind. But this unexpected good result came my way.
It was nothing but sheer luck.
‘Is this a protagonist buff or something?’
I didn’t remember ever getting any “main character buff” while living a School life like an insert protagonist, but things worked out so well at the end like this.
Maybe because I hadn’t expected it, my happiness was doubled.
“I’ll stick close to you every day and make sure everyone knows you’re mine.”
After a long hug, Ban Eunhyeol let go and grinned with one corner of his mouth raised.
Just then, Yeon Hyeonggwang, who had left the living room to take a call just before the results, returned.
“Did everyone pass? That’s great.”
He congratulated us with genuine delight, then leaned in to whisper something to Yeon Hayeon. At that, Yeon Hayeon’s expression stiffened and she suddenly shot to her feet.