By Zephyria Chirp, chirp, chirp—At nine in the morning, birds were sitting in their nests, preening their feathers. Unlike the leisurely sparrows, the main office was very busy from the morning. Hazy sandstorms scattered here and there, and numerous footprints were imprinted on the wide training ground.
“Seriously, guys… is this something we really need to do?”
In the end, a complaint burst out.
Lee Gyeong-hak, who was carrying dishes in both hands, frowned as he looked back at his friends.
“Move your hands, not your mouth, Gyeong-hak.”
“Is the drink setting done over there?”
“What about the refreshments?”
“Ah, Gyeong-hak. Don’t block the way, move!”
But it didn’t work at all and ended there.
“Is everything done?”
“Um… ah! Should we fill up the fruit over there?”
“Then I’ll go check the other side!”
“Okay.”
The children ignored their friend’s whining and focused on finishing up.
They crossed the wide training ground, arranged chairs around the center, and prepared food. Sujeonggwa and hangwa, jeolpyeon, and even fruit that they had made themselves.
Although there wasn’t a big event inviting outside guests, the table setting was quite rich and splendid, as befitting Koreans who are ‘serious about eating’.
Well, that’s because today was the day to decide the male lead for the so-called
It was like watching a multi-love dating show live!
No, it was more stimulating than that.
Moreover, the reaction was even hotter because the person who applied for a one-on-one match with Kim Ju-won was Ahn Seo-myeong. Most of the children who heard the news asked, “Him?”
“Seo-myeong’s been really enthusiastic lately.”
Lee Gyeong-hak clicked his tongue, saying that he wasn’t that kind of character.
“He doesn’t even play games with me these days.”
Then Jo Eun-ha, who was next to him, narrowed her eyes, asking what he was talking about.
“You’re talking crazy. Hey, you’re the weird one. Is gaming important? Training is important! Besides, soon… ah, anyway! Don’t pick a fight with someone who’s working hard for no reason. You should be praising him, not criticizing him.”
“No, who said anything?”
“I’m telling you to take an example.”
At Jo Eun-ha’s answer, Lee Gyeong-hak pouted his lips.
“There’s no genius in front of a prodigy, and no prodigy in front of a talent. Everyone’s just ordinary. It’s not an excuse, but you have to be sure about meta-cognition. The weapon that ordinary people can use to survive among special people is self-objectification. Think about it, no matter how much Seo-myeong has changed from before, can he beat Kim Ju-won? This is a complete public execution.”
“Hmm…”
Jo Eun-ha, who heard Lee Gyeong-hak’s counterargument, softened her momentum and swept her gaze across the training ground packed with chairs. Soon, this place would be full. As Lee Gyeong-hak said, many people would be watching.
“Is it a bit like that…?”
She tilted her head.
In fact, it was.
Today, the day to decide the role of Yeonjeong.
Originally, they weren’t going to make such a big deal out of it. Kim Yeong and Ki Jae-eon could have just judged and made a decision.
Then why did it become such a big deal? If you ask, the answer is simple. It’s because of Kim Ja-myeong.
To put it nicely, he’s good at finding fun in everyday life.
To put it badly, this incident was not something he, a dopamine addict, could easily pass over.
The most interesting things in the world are watching a fire across the river and watching a fight.
He was going to let them know that, so they had to bring makgeolli and stick their butts down right away.
“…Sometimes, when I see the Elder, he’s really immature.”
“It’s been like this for a day or two.”
Lee Gyeong-hak and Jo Eun-ha shook their heads, imagining the middle-aged man sitting in the seat of honor, drunk and laughing.
“Anyway, I hope Seo-myeong doesn’t feel too pressured.”
Jo Eun-ha was worried that the youngest member might get hurt before the upcoming match.
And an hour later, the training ground was crowded with people.
Teachers, children, the cafeteria Aunt, and the dormitory manager, etc. All the people of the main office were there.
The match was ultimately a dance like a play, so it was nothing short of a festival for them.
“It’s really elaborate.”
“Aunt! Aunt, your seat is this way~.”
“It’s like a family festival.”
“Whoever it is, fighting-!”
“It’ll be fun.”
“Have you ever seen Yeonjeong?”
“If you need more drinks, pour more over there.”
The bustling conversation filled the training ground, and Ki Jae-eon, who was watching all the process in the makeshift waiting room, fiddled with the fan in his hand and slowly swallowed. Why, why am I so nervous?
‘I’ve never been nervous about something like this before.’
It was really unexpected.
Even when reciting the prayer in front of dozens or hundreds of people, he didn’t feel anything.
‘Something about it now is a little…’
He felt like a kindergartener about to perform a talent show in front of his parents—it was absurd even for him to think—and in front of him, there should be a sign that says [○○ Kindergarten Talent Show] in big letters.
‘Is it because I’m with familiar people…?’
Honestly, it was a bit funny.
‘Even the clothes are too elaborate…’
He looked down at the outfit that resembled a fairy’s winged robe and worried about what kind of teasing he would get in the future.
Regardless of whether he did well or not, a friend’s working appearance always degenerates into ridicule.
‘There will be a lot of pictures uploaded to the group chat.’
It was obvious.
But Ki Jae-eon knew one thing and didn’t know two.
Even though the children of the main office followed him around calling him Oppa and Hyung, he was still the object of admiration, Ki Jae-eon.
The strongest Exorcist in existence.
Such a person’s
‘Seo-myeong and Ju-won Hyung are…’
As if he didn’t care about his own situation, where he had to do two performances, he glanced at the waiting room of the two people who were playing the male lead ‘Yanggeum’ in
The nutrition manager and meal provider of the main office, commonly known as ‘Kitchen Aunt’, was ignorant about Exorcists for the period she had been there. Of course, she had some knowledge compared to ordinary people because she had watched them, but that was it. Well, it was natural in a way. Her opponent was not specters but thousands of ingredients. When the children roamed the darkness, she had to take over the kitchen.
If you brought the main office Exorcists to the kitchen, they would be in the same position as her now. They would know how to turn on the gas and boil ramen or fry eggs, but that was about it. They wouldn’t be able to put even a toe in the realm of ‘cooking’.
Anyway.
That’s why she was able to give a more objective evaluation than others. Originally, the more ignorant you are, the simpler the evaluation becomes. She didn’t know the hidden meanings of what the experts were saying, and it was just a matter of whether it was worth seeing from a popular perspective.
“It’s starting.”
“Ugh, I’m nervous.”
“Is Jae-eon Oppa playing Hee-eo-na?”
Therefore, Kitchen Aunt, who did not sympathize with the excitement around her, also watched the stage that was starting with the feeling that ‘everyone is making a fuss-‘.
Dung- Dung- Dung!
Starting with the huge drum sound, Ki Jae-eon appeared wearing a light blue hanbok. The outfit itself had a neutral feel, but surprisingly, it didn’t look delicate. Was it because his physique was good?
“Hmm?”
She suddenly noticed that Ki Jae-eon had gained weight. Unlike when he first came here and was skinny, he had changed for the better.
“Oh my…”
When she realized that, joy came.
‘Come to think of it, he doesn’t leave any food behind now.’
A child who endured well and overcame well.
She curved her lips softly.
“He’s flying high.”
The child, who was perfectly in sync with Kim Ju-won, was shining more beautifully than anyone else.
The timid and cowering appearance at the shared meals was nowhere to be found.
Yes, a bright sun had risen after a long rainy season.
Now, the young seedlings gathered in the training ground would grow vigorously under the light of that sun.
Kitchen Aunt shouted “Awesome-!” at Ki Jae-eon and burst into a big laugh.
She didn’t have professional knowledge, but she could be sure.
Good movement!
How admirable!
“Aunt votes for~ Jae-eon!”
“Oh, Aunt! It’s not like that!”