Chapter 142: The Inn

“Sunbae, your potion’s gotten even better.”

“Right? This is my proud improved version. It takes effect instantly, and you can even choose exactly who you want to transform into. The only downside is... it doesn’t last very long.”

“Sounds like it could be used for some pretty fun things.”

“Junior~ no lewd thoughts allowed, okay?”

“I didn’t say I’d use it for that! What if I wanted to do good deeds anonymously, huh?”

“Hehe, sure, let’s pretend that’s what you meant.”

As the sky dimmed, the streets grew livelier.

After a long day’s work, in an age with little entertainment, most people stepped out to enjoy this rare slice of peace and vibrance in the lower city.

Not far off by the riverbank came the sound of excited chatter and children’s shrieks. Some sort of event seemed to be taking place.

This was the most tranquil, beautiful time of day—and the moment Muen always looked forward to the most.

He was still flipping through his tourist guidebook, checking quickly for any remaining places worth visiting.

Even if Anna-sunbae didn’t see this as a date, Muen still hoped to see her laughing in the sunset, hair dancing gently in the breeze by the river.

That would’ve been so beautiful.

But right at that moment, she suddenly said goodbye.

“Well, that’s enough for today.”

“Already?”

Muen’s hand froze mid-page as he looked up in surprise.

“Isn’t it still early?”

“It’s not, junior.”

Anna tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, laughing softly.

“I’ve had enough fun for the day. Besides, I’ve got a bit of personal business to attend to.”

“...But we didn’t even do that much, did we?”

Muen sighed.

This so-called “date” that only he saw as a date had been going wrong from the start.

He had imagined sunshine, flowers, a romantic lunch or dinner, a dreamy sunset, a starry sky, and finally—when the Academy gates were closed—a bashful girl blushing and suggesting they share a room at the inn...

Okay, scratch that last one. He couldn't imagine someone like Anna-sunbae ever saying something like that. She wasn’t the one blushing—it was always him.

But aside from the weather being decent, not one of those imagined things had happened.

Instead, the day had been full of tension, love confessions out of nowhere, emotional chaos, and a killing intent drifting off a cute girl like fog.

What a mess. Could things get any worse?

“...It doesn’t have to end this quickly, right?”

Clinging to the last shred of hope, Muen offered a suggestion:

“The guide says there’s a special spring not far from here. If you’re sincere, you’ll see your true love reflected in it. Sounds fun. Want to check it out?”

“True love, huh?”

Anna glanced to the side, her eyes unfocused, gaze drifting who knew where.

“Sorry. I’ve never really believed in stuff like that.”

Her voice was light—like it had been carried away by the wind, fluttering somewhere far away.

Muen blinked, disoriented for a moment. He couldn’t quite tell whether Anna was talking about the spring itself...

...or the concept of “true love.”

“Well then, I’m off, junior. See you back at the Academy.”

Anna smiled gently and gave a soft goodbye.

As the evening breeze began to stir, she turned, her skirt swaying, and walked off into the flowing crowd.

Watching her back, Muen opened his mouth instinctively, but no words came to hold her back.

“...Bye, sunbae.”

In the end, only a hollow farewell slipped out—shattered by the wind and lost in the dusk.

...

...

“Ughhh, seriously.”

After Anna left, Muen scratched his head in frustration and ripped the now-creased guidebook to shreds, tossing it into the nearest trash can.

“In the end, I couldn’t do anything to repay her...”

He slumped onto a bench meant for tourists and leaned his head back, staring at the darkening sky.

Originally, all he wanted was to buy her something nice. Or do something to thank her.

That was it. It wasn’t supposed to be a date.

Treating it like one... That was just his own selfish, scummy little fantasy acting up.

But in the end, all he did was drag her around watching ridiculous drama scenes. He couldn’t even make her smile.

If anything, her figure just felt more and more distant now—shrouded in mist.

“Sunbae... what are you really thinking?”

As he whispered, fireworks lit up the sky, bursting like stars converging then exploding outward.

Nearby, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause at the fleeting brilliance.

Which only made Muen look all the more alone.

“Meow~”

A sudden mewl broke the silence.

Muen turned to see the same milk-white kitten Anna had rescued earlier. It had somehow found its way back and was now rubbing against Muen’s hand, mewing insistently.

He picked it up, scratching its chin.

The kitten quickly tilted its head up, eyes narrowing with pleasure, purring softly.

“You dumb little cat.”

Seeing its goofy face, Muen couldn’t help but chuckle with a sigh.

“She’s gone, and now you show up? You couldn’t come earlier when she was here?”

“You keep this up, and you’ll die of stupidity, I swear.”

...

...

After watching the fireworks alone, petting the kitten alone, and rejecting the advances of a flirtatious older woman alone, Muen decided not to head back to the Academy.

He found a fairly luxurious inn and booked a room with a private bath.

“I’m terribly sorry,” said the front desk clerk with a polite smile. “We only have one couple’s suite left.”

“There’s an event nearby, so all the other rooms have been fully booked.”

“...I see.”

Muen considered it for a moment—then decided to take it.

If even the luxury inns in the lower city were full, then the cheaper ones were probably completely packed too.

Sure, staying in a romantic couple’s suite all by himself after a failed not-date felt more than a little pathetic...

But after everything today, Muen was emotionally and physically drained. He didn’t have the energy to fuss over it.

“Here is your key.”

The receptionist handed it to him with both hands, bowing respectfully.

“Thank you.”

Muen accepted it with a smile, silently noting that the service here was actually quite good.

As etiquette demanded, he gave a small tip without thinking too much about it, then followed another attendant to his room.

...

After Muen left, the smiling receptionist’s face fell instantly.

She turned toward the shadows nearby, her expression filled with fear.

“...Was that enough?”

“Mm. That’s fine.”

A voice answered from the darkness.

Beside it crouched what looked like the inn’s owner—trembling, curled up in a corner.

“You can resume business as usual,” the shadow said, patting the owner’s shoulder gently.

“But remember—do not disturb me. No matter what you hear.”

“Mmgh! Mmgh!”

The owner nodded violently, eyes wide in a silent promise that he wouldn’t go anywhere near that room, no matter what happened.

“Excellent.”

The shadow smiled, satisfied, then turned and walked away, humming a little tune, her steps light and airy.

In her pale, slender fingers, the spare key to Muen’s room twirled gracefully—

Just like her heart, fluttering with anticipation.