Chapter 93

It seems the claim of being an “experienced one (self-proclaimed)” wasn’t false after all.

Jin-a guided us surprisingly skillfully while adding various explanations here and there.

“There are beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses depending on the time. Luckily, it’s the beginner course now. Just go ahead and listen.”

Then, opening the door and looking around inside, she started gesturing for us to come in.

At her action, the three of us ran over and followed Jin-a inside.

“Today’s class will attempt making dogs out of balloons. Alright, first use the tools here to inflate the balloons…”

Though I’m not sure if it’s correct to say it’s fortunate, it appears the class just started.

Everyone was seen doing the basic step of inflating balloons.

I thought it was lucky we weren’t late as I looked around, then Jin-a tapped my shoulder and spoke.

“Let’s move forward. You guys are too small, so if you don’t go up front, you won’t be able to see the lesson properly.”

“…?”

Though I had a lot to say, I didn’t want to disturb the class, so I nodded silently.

Chae-a, looking extremely nervous, glanced around and then quietly whispered while tightly grabbing my hand.

“They look like colorful Kamangis…!”

Apparently, the inflating balloons reminded her of Kamangis.

Indeed, they did resemble them at a glance, and I nodded in agreement when suddenly…

The teacher noticed us, smiled faintly, and said:

“Oh, very young students have come to my class. Hey, little ones? Would you like to sit here and join the class?”

Thankfully, there was no atmosphere of rejection due to our age.

The teacher warmly welcomed us and seated us in an empty spot.

Feeling apologetic for all this kindness, I awkwardly smiled when a loud shout came from behind.

“Hae-un!”

“…?!”

I was incredibly startled to hear my name and looked around frantically. Nearby people were staring at me with warm expressions.

Finding such attention burdensome, I felt uneasy, but Yuna reassured me by firmly holding my hand and said,

“It’s fine. I’m here, sis.”

Yuna patted me comfortingly and handed me an uninflated balloon nearby.

As I hesitantly touched the cold texture of the balloon I hadn’t handled in a long time…

The teacher carefully took my balloon and continued explaining.

“Alright then, Hae-un. Let’s continue with yours. First, you insert air into the balloon like this…”

Since the class seemed more about ‘hobbies’ than professional knowledge, everyone appeared to welcome our arrival.

Relieved by that, I decided to listen attentively without disturbing the lesson. But next to me, Chae-a sighed while blowing into her balloon.

“It’s so stiff…”

She seemed to think the balloon was too hard because the air wouldn’t go in easily.

Seeing this, I grinned proudly and grabbed Chae-a’s balloon, thinking it was finally my turn to act mature.

“I’ll do it for you!”

With some (questionable) expertise, I held the balloon and blew forcefully—but…

…

Instead of inflating, the balloon only fluttered slightly with a bit of air.

Breathing heavily, I stared at the stubborn pink balloon, unsure what to do next when…

“Let me try. I’ll help you.”

Jin-a suddenly grabbed it and began blowing without hesitation.

Though she seemed to struggle a bit, she didn’t give up. Eventually, the balloon grew as big as her face, blocking our view.

“Woah! That’s impressive, Chae-a can’t even do this well!”

With a somewhat haughty tone, Jin-a lowered the balloon and delivered a cool-sounding yet breathless explanation.

“Huff… Huff… See? If you don’t give up, you’ll succeed eventually… Cough cough.”

Despite her coughing and heavy breathing, which made her seem pitiful rather than cool, I still nodded admiringly, thinking it was impressive for such a little kid to keep trying.

Meanwhile, Chae-a clapped and gleamed her eyes brightly.

“Woah… Chae-a won’t give up either?”

“Yeah.”

Jin-a nodded approvingly, seemingly pleased with Chae-a’s comment.

Watching them, I chuckled softly when Yuna, expressionless, handed me an even longer balloon than the one Jin-a made.

“Here, Haeuni.”

“…?”

How did she make it so effortlessly?

Confused, I looked at Yuna, who showed me how she used a machine to inflate the balloon easily.

Realizing effort might not always beat technology, I closed my eyes and sighed.

“Now that everyone has done this, let’s move on to the next step. Grab the balloon from both sides and slowly twist it…”

The balloon felt squishy and seemed ready to burst at any moment, so I hesitated to twist it wildly.

But staying scared and doing nothing would achieve nothing. So, I closed my eyes tightly and gave it a twist.

“Amazingly well done! Yes, that’s exactly how you do it.”

Seemingly impressed, praise came from beside me.

Relieved, I exhaled deeply and glanced around.

“Jin-a is handling hers well…”

Unexpectedly, Chae-a struggled to follow the instructions. As I was about to advise her to loosen her grip before the balloon burst…

Yuna silently grabbed Chae-a’s balloon and expertly twisted it perfectly.

Fortunately, despite Yuna’s help, Chae-a didn’t seem to mind and watched happily, thrilled by the result.

Thinking it was nice to see them get along, I was suddenly struck by a thought.

“Come to think of it, everyone has been silent about my horns and tail…”

Their gaze felt like they were seeing something normal, which puzzled me.

Wondering if tails like mine were common in this world, I was distracted when the teacher patted my head and moved on to the next step.

“For the next part, tie the balloon like this…”

Deciding to focus on the lesson instead, I tried following along until…

Before I knew it, I’d completed a dog-shaped balloon.

Impressed by the instructor’s skills, I sparkled my eyes when the teacher approached me.

“Hae-un, sorry to bother you, but could I pet your horn once?”

Since it didn’t matter much, I nodded. The teacher gently rubbed my horn with their fingers and commented.

“I thought it would be soft, but surprisingly, it’s hard?”

Her tone suggested she already knew me, so I tilted my head in confusion.

When I asked why no one seemed surprised by my tail and horns earlier…

A student nearby answered for me.

“Well, obviously, Hae-un, you’re a celebrity!”

Having never heard the term “celebrity,” I hugged my tail and started observing others’ reactions when a teasing voice came nearby.

Around this time, Chae-a confidently declared.

“Haeuni? Yeah? Hmm… You’re a celebri-thing!”

Though unclear about what a celebrity was, Chae-a seemed to sense it was good and nodded with a grin.

Seeing this, I quickly shook my head to signal otherwise, but Chae-a, unable to see my gesture due to the balloon, kept boasting about me.

“Haeuni is cute, pretty, smart, cooks well, and also excels at magic…!”

For some reason, she wanted to brag about me to everyone around.

Embarrassed, I shouted “Stop!” hoping she’d halt, but…

Chae-a ignored me and enthusiastically continued praising me.

“Haeuni is so cute and acts like a baby…! So every night, Chae-a asks Haeuni to sleep together, right?”

“Aww, babies calling other babies cute is super adorable.”

“But I’m not a baby!”

Afraid she’d keep going forever, I turned to Yuna for help, but…

Yuna nodded in agreement, showing similar thoughts.

Realizing I had no one to rely on, I pondered what to do when Han Arin entered.

“Did the kids finish their lessons? Oh my.”

Han Arin seemed deeply impressed by Chae-a’s enthusiastic speech and smiled warmly, lifting Chae-a while addressing the group.

“Sorry, but Chae-a really likes Hae-un.”

“No problem, she’s adorable.”

Everyone kindly responded positively.

Relieved by their reaction, I approached Han Arin with the dog balloon I made and handed it to her.

“Is this for me?”

Nodding in gratitude for bringing me here, I confirmed.

Han Arin looked at me with wide eyes, then smiled brightly.

“I’ll treasure it.”

Though I signaled it wasn’t necessary, Han Arin already treated it like a precious treasure, using countless magics to preserve my gift meticulously.

Despite doubting its necessity, I giggled happily seeing her cherish it so much when…

Jin-a suddenly widened her eyes in shock and grabbed my tail.

“Ta… Tail?! Horns?!”

“…”

Why the sudden reaction now left me baffled.

As I wrestled to free my poor tail, Jin-a hugged it and exclaimed.

“Are you a deer?”

---