Chapter 67

Leaning back on the sofa, I flicked the blade of the D-Rank sword with my finger. The tip of my finger tingled slightly from the impact. I really can’t understand why I even like this thing.

I can’t say this openly in front of Doyugeon, but objectively speaking, it’s pretty cheap. It’s an item I wouldn’t even use if given; though, since it’s D-Rank, it’s priced way above what Doyugeon could ever afford, but for me, it’s no big deal to buy.

This is simple. All I need is a request. If asked, I could offer practically anything he wants. So why doesn’t he ask? Has he taken after Yumina or something? Yumina is often rather calculating.

It appears he feels burdened by excessive help, which is incredibly frustrating and perplexing from my point of view. Up until recently, he hadn’t hesitated to accept assistance. Now that I’ve reincarnated and am living with elementary students – I’m inevitably left handling the aftermath. This has been the trend so far, so it’s surprising how suddenly things have flipped. What am I supposed to do now?

He’s changed his attitude just because he’s eaten some rice cakes at the start of the year, though we haven’t been on good terms for long, so it feels extremely unreasonable. Even if I mistakenly wrote off this change as a temporary case of adolescence, it still feels like too much.

Or am I overreacting? Why is this too much? This is confusing. My thoughts are jumbled. Let me define my emotions. Defining issues clearly usually leads to solutions, doesn’t it?

Maybe I feel like a subordinate employee who was doing well and then moved to another team. Or is it like looking at a child who claims independence by starting a part-time job? Though I haven’t experienced that, of course. Or is it like seeing a cat dart out of the house? You’re territorial; you should stay inside. Don’t wander and get lost just because the door was open. You’re such an idiot, being a cat. Thinking about Schrödinger makes me feel worse.

I jammed the sword into the table the wrong way.

In any case, my emotions are complicated. Although it’s not a big deal, digging deeper could be tiring, so it’s better to stop overthinking. Emotions usually settle on their own, especially when compared to actions, which carry much greater significance.

In a daze, I looked at the sword still stuck in the table. From the kitchen, the sound of Doyugeon cutting ingredients was audible. I want to go home. I’m tired. I’d love to lie down on my bed and sleep. It might be a reaction to recently being too active. I should stay home for a while, not wandering around unnecessarily. Perhaps it’s time to change the bedroom’s atmosphere for a mood shift? All-black could be interesting.

Hey…?

I suddenly realized this isn’t our house. And that isn’t our dining table either — specifically, the one I just stabbed with the sword.

I sprang up from the sofa and grabbed the sword’s handle with both hands. Pulling with all my strength, it barely budged. Even with the magic effects compromised, this D-Rank item is impressively well-anchored. Using magic, I finally managed to yank it out. The table tilted slightly, then settled with a thud.

“What was that?”

The boy asked if the sound carried to the kitchen.

Looking at the table, it wasn’t pierced, but there was a significant dent. Isn’t this performance a bit excessive for a D-Rank item?

“It’s nothing. It’s fine, just finish cooking.”

“Your dismissive attitude makes me suddenly want to go back to the living room.”

His words contradict his actions, as his focus seems entirely on cutting ingredients without checking the situation around him. Indeed, beginners need concentration when cooking?

“Is there something wrong with not trusting me?”

“Of course… I don’t trust you.”

“Why such a slow answer?”

That annoys me.

“Then, to apologize, how about I go to the living room?”

“No way. Just stay in the kitchen.”

“That’s somewhat…”

“Then just stay in the kitchen for now.”

No reply came. He must be focused on cooking. Phew, good. I’ve crossed the biggest hurdle. All I have to do now is clean up. The table is slightly damaged, but it’s not a big issue.

Surveying the living room, I noticed a book that’s clearly just for decoration and picked it up. Based on memory, this one topped the bestseller charts eight months ago. A quick glance shows it’s completely stiff, indicating it hasn’t been opened once. It will likely never be read. This is the fate of bestsellers. But it’s time to change that fate. History proves that humans can solve problems through books, especially in situations like this.

I placed the book on top of the damaged part of the table. The issue was cleverly covered up.

—Ta-da.

Fixed.

Indeed, people must learn from history.

I sat back on the sofa. Looking again at the table, there were splinters near where the book was placed, obviously the debris from the sword embedding itself. Ugh, it’s annoying to clean. Isn’t there some magical shortcut? Ah, can I even use magic? Now that I realize I can, I don’t want to. Is there any other way to clean up rather than magic? After some thought, telekinesis seems promising. If I shout “yeet,” the mess would vanish instantly. Unfortunately, I can’t use telekinesis. It’s unjust!

Since I don’t intend to leave it like this indefinitely, I pulled out my phone, took a picture of the table, and sent a Kakao message to the Security Team Leader.

—Please replace with the same product. No immediate need, but within around 3 hours.

Most issues that aren’t resolved by books can be solved with money. While it can’t bring the dead back to life, it often helps.

I immediately received a reply.

—An explanation of the situation is requested.

Situation? Hm. I glanced from my phone to the table, then checked on Doyugeon cooking in the kitchen. Uh…

—Not much. Doyugeon accidentally stabbed the table during sword practice, so I need to secretly replace it while Doyugeon is none the wiser.

I sent the content and waited for a reply. After waiting a while and receiving no answer, I wondered if maybe he was on a call or had a dead battery.

Adjusting my posture, I lay down on the sofa.

As I lay there, a Kakao message finally arrived.

—Understood.

It’s not much, so I doubt it has any profound hidden meaning.

Putting my phone away, I made myself comfortable on the sofa. Perhaps because I resolved the unexpected issue, I suddenly felt tired. Maybe I should close my eyes for a bit.

In a half-awake state, I smelled lemon. It was faint but perceptible amidst the softness of the bed sheets. Pulling the blanket closer, the scent became more intense. Ah, it’s Doyugeon’s room. I fell asleep on the sofa, so how did I end up in the bed?

I opened my eyes to a dark room, someone else’s. Even though it’s not mine, it’s still a bed, and I lingered for a moment. Clearly, I wasn’t sleeping well. Despite going to bed at 10 PM every night and waking up at 6 AM, that’s not necessarily connected to sleep deprivation. Should I increase my sleep time to 12 hours a day?

But why didn’t he wake me up if he was preparing dinner, choosing instead to move me to the bed?

I threw off the blanket and left the room. The smell of curry wafted through the air. It didn’t need explanation — it was curry for dinner.

“Are you awake?”

“Yeah.”

Entering the living room, I noticed the table was slightly different than before I fell asleep. The book was still there, but the wooden splinters around it were gone, and the book itself seemed a bit out of place. Actually — it was a new table.

Looking slyly at Doyugeon stirring the curry in the kitchen, I lifted the book. The table was unscathed. Hmm… Did I somehow use telekinesis in my sleep or did someone replace the table?

I became uneasy and asked him.

“Hey…”

“What?”

“It’s nothing.”

Never mind.

It’s settled.

Walking into the kitchen, I nudged the boy’s back.

“Is it curry?”

“Curry yeah.”

I nudged him a few more times.

“Did you eat first?”

“You’ve only been asleep for just a little while.”

Looking at the clock, it seemed about an hour had passed. Considering it’s close to when I initially fell asleep, this seems accurate.

“Is that so? You didn’t have to go to the trouble of moving me to the bed.”

“No trouble, really. I just moved a short girl.”

Are you picking a fight?

“Anyway, since curry takes a while, I thought you might want a more comfortable sleep.”

“But why curry? It requires a lot of preparation time, so it’s not something you should suddenly start making right before a meal.”

Prepping food right before eating is not ideal. You should finish such foods well before dinner time. Why start now when you’re hungry?

Looking at the curry, it appears to be completed, which must be due to my unexpected nap that gave him extra time.

The boy coughed slightly.

“…I didn’t consider the timing.”

“That’s why you’re an amateur.”

“This isn’t something a theory-only expert like you should criticize.”

“What? I don’t lack cooking skills; it’s just bad luck.”

I had years of self-cooking experience in my previous life, though I mostly ate out. Honestly, it’s just too much trouble to do the dishes.

After a few cooking failures in front of the boy, my credibility seems to have dropped significantly. Most of the meals I’ve cooked have been successful — isn’t this evaluation a bit unfair?

“I see it otherwise.”

“You don’t have an eye for it.”

“Do I?”

“Yes. Grandpa’s chef once complimented my cooking abilities. It’s verified professional-level skill, you know.”

That’s the truth.

The boy squinted at me.

“…Is that not an abuse of power?”

No way!

I should refute instantly, but a part of me doubts if it was just flattery.

But does it even matter if it was flattery or not?

Hmm…

It really doesn’t.

“Anyway, it’s skill verified by professionals. Any complaints?”

“There shouldn’t be. Let’s eat then.”

Though the response is frustrating, I’ll let it slide. Grabbing a bowl and heading to the rice cooker, I noticed an odd detail. The rice cooker wasn’t on. Opening the lid, I found there was no rice.

“Hey, there’s no rice.”

The startled Doyugeon rushed to confirm the empty state of the rice cooker.

“Oh…”

I comforted him.

“That happens.”

Secretary Real Name, Eik Seop Lim, picked up his phone when the alarm sounded and checked the Kakao message. It was from the security team leader Hong Sung Tae who was overseeing Security Team 2, protecting Cha Ha Nul.

—After the young lady confirmed the special law of the New City in the National Assembly, she headed to Doyugeon’s home.

The secretary sighed.

—Thank you for your hard work. Please continue to focus on her protection.

He put the phone away and looked ahead.

Chairman Song Taek Cha swung his sword, cleanly cutting through the straw bundle. The blade glinted.

[C Grade/Purifying Magic Sword Kudar]

“What was that?”

Without looking at the secretary, the chairman prepared to hit the next straw bundle.

“Miss went to Doyugeon’s home.”

“Ho ho! Lim Secretary. Didn’t I say it? That’s love, you see. There was no need to use our guards to test her. She judged correctly not to doubt her own people. Should I be disappointed, or proud because she didn’t doubt the people I assigned?”

“Whatever the case, you will be in a better mood.”

At this, the chairman smiled for a moment, then grew serious.

“Should I be happy? It’s almost a matter of fact that she has feelings for him.”

“Just from how she acts, it’s not love.”

The secretary responded firmly.

“At this age, any emotion can be mistaken for love. Should I wish against it and panic? Is that what’s desired?”

The chairman glared at Lim.

“That’s not what I said.”

“Just a joke.”

In two swift moves, all the straw bundles were cut.

“Since she’s soon to be a high school student, it’s time to do something about it.”

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