NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23
After finishing the call with Ji-a,
Si-hyun immersed herself back into watching TV.
In the end, Momo had to end the broadcast without seeing the game’s ending in just one day.
However, Si-hyun was satisfied.
Thump thump!
She was worried about whether she could really do the job.
There was also the excitement of having a chance to reclaim her lost dream.
Si-hyun felt those two contrasting emotions.
But the latter was much stronger than the former.
She wanted to be recognized by someone.
It was a desire that had been deeply engrained in Si-hyun’s subconscious for years.
“This isn’t the time for that.”
Si-hyun held her smartphone in her hand.
For now, it didn’t matter, but if she really got to work, she’d need more clothes.
It might be a bit presumptuous, but the process could be enjoyable too.
She eagerly searched online for what kind of clothes a professor might wear.
Moments later, Si-yoon came out of the room.
Her sister, sprawled on the sofa, hummed the song from the game that had just aired.
Looking happy, she alternated lifting her legs up and down.
Seeing that adorable sight, Si-yoon chuckled softly and approached her sister.
“Sis, what are you watching so hard?”
“…Huh? Oh, I was looking for clothes.”
Si-hyun showed her the screen.
“Hey… our sis is looking for women’s clothing too. She’s become a true woman!”
“…Don’t twist my words! Since you asked, recommend me some shopping sites.”
“Hehe, sure?”
Si-yoon told her a few of her favorite websites.
To make it easier, she installed an app that mainly sells women’s clothing.
As she opened the app, various types of women’s clothing appeared along with ads.
Si-hyun’s mouth dropped open in ‘Ooo!’ surprise.
“You can search and look up reviews detailed to your body type!”
“Aha…”
Not only could she search by height, but she could also consider weight in clothing sizes.
Of course, she could even register her body type in the app in advance.
Although it may seem trivial to others,
Every single thing felt fresh to Si-hyun.
With wide eyes, she felt a thrilling excitement.
This was an app for women…
Si-hyun felt like a new world was unfolding before her.
“How about buying a few more clothes? Didn’t you say you earned a lot last time?”
“Um…, should I?”
She was referring to the reward from the A-rank dungeon she tackled with Ji-a.
She had compromised a lot, but it was enough to not worry about finances for a while.
Si-hyun nodded slightly.
Then, Si-yoon became more enthusiastic.
“This dress is pretty! How about this?”
“…Isn’t it too revealing?”
“Is this really all you have? Are you planning to bundle up even in summer?”
“Well, that’s not it…”
Si-hyun awkwardly turned her head while scratching her cheek.
Seeing her sister like that, Si-yoon suddenly felt mischievous.
Grinning widely, she said,
“I need to get a new swimsuit for the summer. You’re coming with me, right?”
“Uh… what? Already thinking about summer?”
“What’s wrong with that? With your shape, picking out a swimsuit will be fun!”
“……”
Without realizing it, Si-hyun imagined herself in a swimsuit.
The first thing that popped into her head? A bikini.
Her expression naturally scrunched up.
“Hehe, aren’t you being too obvious in your disgust?”
“…Are you deliberately teasing me?”
“Yup.”
“…Ugh.”
Si-hyun shook her head.
She knew she had to adapt sooner or later.
She could recognize that her past self and her current self were different enough.
But she still felt a lingering sense of rejection in various ways.
It was too much for her at the moment.
The future Si-hyun would surely be able to do it.
Future me, fighting!
Si-hyun turned her back on reality.
“Sis, did you know?”
“What?”
“When we went shopping for clothes last time, I remembered your size.”
“R-really?”
“You better buy the right ones! If you keep procrastinating, I might just buy them for you.”
“…… Yeah.”
Si-hyun’s expression turned gloomy.
Si-yoon found that look too funny and cute.
In the end, she couldn’t help but burst out laughing and gave a hint.
“Haha! Start with unisex!”
“Uh?”
“Unisex clothes! How about some dolphin shorts?”
“……Oh, that’s a good idea! My genius sister!”
Si-hyun immediately searched for dolphin pants on the app.
They definitely looked like a low difficulty option.
Plus, there were products with inner shorts as well.
Alright, let’s use this as a starting point for adaptation.
A smile spread across Si-hyun’s face.
Si-yoon, watching her sister’s actions from the side, covered her mouth and laughed.
Seeing her sister get so worked up over trivial things,
Si-yoon thought she was just too cute.
“How about this?”
“Yeah, that looks good!”
“What about this?!”
“……Is it okay?”
Si-hyun tilted her head.
Something felt off.
It felt like she was being shown easy options first, then tougher ones after.
…No way, she can’t be that skilled, can she?
She’s just recommending, right?
Si-hyun filled her wishlist with her sister’s recommendations.
Since she wasn’t buying anything right away anyway,
Above all, she liked having the choice in her hands.
*
The Hunter Management Agency was busily operating again today.
Manager Jang Han-soo returned from lunch and saw his team member dealing with complaints.
“When’s the support fund coming out? It’s been ages since I submitted the paperwork!”
“Uh, well… it takes time to process according to regulations.”
“No way! Other guilds have all received theirs!”
“That can’t be.”
“What the hell—”
After not getting the result he wanted, the hunter started hurling verbal abuse.
Seriously, the malicious complaints from hunters were always severe.
Taking a deep breath, the manager returned to his workspace.
He sank back into his chair.
At that moment, his phone in his pocket vibrated.
After checking who was calling, the manager took a big breath and answered.
“Yes, this is Manager Jang Han-soo from the administration department.”
– …Hello.
Every time he heard that smooth voice, he felt like his abused ears were being cleaned.
After the loud yell from the hunter a moment ago, it felt refreshing.
– I talked with Ji-a earlier…
Si-hyun slowly started to bring up her request.
The manager listened intently, summarizing it as she’d like to be promoted to D-rank using an exception.
“It is within my authority. However, may I ask why you’d like to suddenly raise your rank?”
Manager Jang Han-soo spoke carefully, hoping the other side wouldn’t misunderstand.
Did that caution pay off?
The caller hesitated before explaining her reason.
– …I want to try being a professor at the academy.
“…Oh.”
The manager couldn’t help but let out an exclamation of surprise, unable to contain his curiosity.
It was a reason he had never imagined.
A professor at the academy?
That position was always in short supply.
Because of that, many hunters took on dual roles as professors.
What abilities does Si-hyun have, and what does she plan to teach students?
The expectations kept rising.
Trying to stay calm, the manager asked,
“If it’s you, Si-hyun, I’m sure it’s entirely possible. What kind of subject do you plan to open?”
– …I’m thinking of consulting with Ji-a before deciding.
Oh dear, it seems she hasn’t made a decision yet.
The manager felt a pang of disappointment.
But comparing to the time when she insisted on staying at E-rank just to live quietly, this was a tremendous improvement.
It seemed that following her wishes was the right choice.
Content, the manager nodded and said,
“Understood. I will handle the ranking, and contact you when it’s complete.”
– Okay. Oh, and…
“Do you have something else?”
– I heard it was you who concealed the information before. Thank you so much.
My goodness!
He had never expected to receive such a cute thank-you.
Could it be that their relationship has progressed a bit?
The manager forced himself to stifle a smile as he responded.
“…Cough. It was just my duty. I look forward to working with you.”
– Yes, I look forward to it as well.
After exchanging goodbyes, they ended the call.
The manager unconsciously clenched his fist tightly.
Finally, his efforts were paying off.
He felt a huge sense of achievement.
*
The next day, I headed to a nearby cafe with Ji-a.
We each placed a drink in front of us and started talking.
“Um… first, thanks for agreeing to counsel me.”
“Hehe, it’s no big deal.”
Ji-a smiled softly and slurped her drink through a straw.
It had something like little chunks at the bottom that looked delicious.
I definitely needed to try that next time.
“Regulations say you can only be a D-rank hunter to apply, but since most professors are at least C-rank or higher, you need to be careful, okay?”
“That doesn’t matter. What I’m worried about is…”
“Huh?”
It was a bit embarrassing to say,
But who could she really talk to about this trouble?
Hesitating, she slowly opened her mouth.
“What if I set up a lecture and… no one applies? That’s what worries me.”
“Haha!”
“Don’t laugh too much!”
Ji-a laughed, covering her mouth.
After a moment, her giggles settled and she spoke up.
“Si-hyun. Don’t forget—”
“Yeah?”
“I was a member of the former party of the academy president.”
“…Ohhhh!”
Without realizing it, I burst into applause.
Ji-a’s cheeks turned slightly red as she turned her head away.
“Ahem! Anyway, just focus on what you have to prepare. The rest, I’ll help you with.”
“Oh, how reliable!”
“Hehe, remember last time when I made a connection with the president? It’ll all go smoothly.”
“Wow, so you had predicted this far ahead back then?”
I couldn’t help but be amazed.
Is this what they call foresight?
Long live Ji-a!
“Well, it wasn’t that far ahead… Haha! Anyway, do your best!”
“Yeah! I will!”
Beaming, I took a sip of my coffee.
Having a trustworthy friend made everything seem so easy.
“The academy has both required and elective courses, you know?”
“Uh-huh.”
“You won’t be revealing your abilities right away. You’ll be taking a general course as a part-time lecturer.”
“Right, right.”
I keenly listened to what she explained.
Ji-a then said with a serious face,
“Do you have a specific subject in mind? It’s the most important thing if you want my help.”
“Um…”
Now that I think about it, I didn’t have one.
I had only envisioned an ideal version of myself.
Was I being too impulsive…?
“Could you suggest something? I’m not well-versed in what subjects the academy offers.”
“Hehe, how about this? I thought of it when I heard about you yesterday.”
Ji-a smiled slightly, tilting her head as she looked at me.
She suggested a subject that already existed in the academy’s curriculum and wouldn’t have any need to worry about enrollment numbers.
“How about it?”
“Wow, that sounds great!”
With this, I felt like I could really pull it off.
It seems like I have many smart people around me.