Chapter 7: Goodbye declaration

According to Soye, Father seems to be quite communicative.

More precisely, he’s very attentive to her and grants most of her requests.

I don’t know if his attitude toward the family changed after I went missing or if, as his son, we just didn’t connect much.

‘Nah, no way.’

After my disappearance, Mom struggled a lot, and he probably took extra care to keep young Soye from falling apart too.

I don’t want to think he’s the kind of father who raises a son casually but pours his heart into his daughter.

‘Wasn’t your motto always to assume the worst and act accordingly?’

‘I don’t need to assume the worst for this.’

Blackie, rudely reading my thoughts and poking at them.

How could a mere demon lord understand the complexity and nuance of human relationships?

‘When you’ve existed as long as I have, you learn even things unrelated to yourself.’

‘Oh, sure, congratulations.’

I brushed off Blackie’s nonsense and kept talking with Soye.

Last year, starting middle school, Soye got into fashion like any typical girl. She bought trendy summer clothes with friends, but Father scolded her, saying they were too short and revealing.

Soye didn’t quite get his reasoning but didn’t want to upset him, given his hard life working and handling household chores, so she toned it down.

“This is what I bought then.”

Soye held up a neatly folded piece of clothing—no, a scrap of fabric—from her closet.

That tiny thing is clothes? It covers the arms, sure, but the stomach’s completely exposed!

“How could you think of wearing something so scandalous?”

“It’s basically the same as what you’re wearing now, unnie.”

“What!”

Now that she mentioned it, the outfit Soye showed was the sleeveless crop top I wore for the busking! Different color, with some English lettering on the chest, but the same style.

I don’t know much about modern women’s fashion, so I instinctively transformed into that outfit again.

I wouldn’t know women’s clothes. I can’t exactly wear Cheonyang’s traditional robes from the other world.

Yes, my knowledge of modern fashion is critically lacking.

“I thought you’d get it since you dress like that.”

“I’m an adult, so it’s fine, but you’re a middle schooler, so no way!”

Kids should dress like kids! Even if you’re taller than me!

But Soye’s eyes narrowed at my words.
That was definitely her “boomer” face.

I’ve got something to say too.

“All men are wolves, so you have to be careful!”

Thinking of guys leering at Soye in such revealing clothes, imagining filthy things, makes me want to pluck their eyes out. Can you understand this feeling?

“Have you ever dated a guy, unnie?”

“What are you talking about! How could I date a guy!”

“But you talk like you know all about it.”

“That’s because I used to be a guy!”

“Then aren’t you the most dangerous to me?”

“No way I’d think that about family! I practically raised you!”

“Not me, but other girls—you’re a wolf to them, then?”

“Ugh!”

I must’ve buttoned up this conversation all wrong!

I couldn’t win a single point in this verbal sparring match against second-year middle schooler Han Soye.

“Don’t worry. I don’t want to make Dad sad. There are plenty of pretty clothes that aren’t too short.”

Good to know she understands.

But what’s this humiliating feeling?

“I’m so glad you came back, oppa. Mom’s not struggling anymore, Dad seems super happy, and me too. I’m happy.”

Soye slid closer and hugged me, her voice trembling.

“Why did you take so long? It was so hard. You jerk.”

While Mom gave up on housework, Soye admirably helped out.

She started with simple chores like dishes and cleaning back in elementary school.

Even with a washing machine, stretching out heavy, wet laundry isn’t something a kid can do.

She began helping with tougher tasks in middle school.

While other kids hung out at academies or shared trends, she came home alone, managing chores and Mom, feeling so much sadness and frustration.

Her overly mature demeanor was forced on her by this cruel environment.

A child who should’ve been spoiled with love was made to grow up too fast.

Then I’ll have to make her a kid again.

I stroked Soye’s hair for a long time as she poured out her grievances in my arms.

When her tears stopped and she seemed calmer, I pulled a slender gold ring from my pocket.

My hand went into the pocket, but any hole works. That’s the magic.

“Here, give me your hand.”

I slipped the ring onto Soye’s left ring finger.

The plain gold ring might seem simple, but its thinness keeps it from looking clunky.

“Wear it always. This ring will protect you.”

It really has that effect.

Infused with my spiritual energy, the ring boosts the wearer’s luck and can shield them from danger once.

Plus, wearing it on the left ring finger might make guys think it’s a couple’s ring and stay away.

What a perfect plan. This body is a genius. Heh heh heh…

“Unnie, that’s the finger for couple’s rings.”

I know. That’s why I put it there.

“So I’ll wear it here. Thanks.”

Unfortunately, Soye moved it to her right ring finger.

Well, wearing it is what matters, so no big deal.

‘If anyone half-heartedly goes after my sister, they’re dead.’

I sharpened a mental blade for imaginary boyfriend candidates.

Just—stab! Slash! Done!

That evening, our family went out to eat.

Father called Mom and gathered everyone.

Walking the streets as the woman form would draw too much attention, so I went out as the black-haired girl.

I might look like Soye’s younger sister, but that can’t be helped.

“I quit my job.”

After ordering at a family restaurant, while waiting for food, Father dropped a bombshell.

He quit his job.

“What?”

Mom and Soye, minus me, looked shocked.

Of course, suddenly quitting a job would be worrying.

But Father’s next words were incredibly positive.

“And we’re moving to an apartment.”

“What, how? Did you win the lottery?”

Mom asked, incredulous. It was that out of the blue.

I had a rough guess why we were suddenly moving.

“The gold bars Seok-hyeon brought were worth 1.5 billion won. The gemstone jewelry was too valuable to price immediately, so I sent them for professional appraisal.”

Mom and Soye’s shocked gazes turned to me.

Their looks demanded why I didn’t tell them.

I shrugged, avoiding their eyes.

Why didn’t I tell you? You didn’t ask.

But Father didn’t tell anyone either?

Was he worried the gold might be fake and disappoint us, or did he want to surprise the family?

“Is this some kind of prank show?”

Soye asked, looking dazed.

“So, where are we going?”

Mom pressed Father.

“So our princess doesn’t have to part with her friends, we’ll stay nearby. But a high-rise apartment overlooking the Han River. Much bigger than our current place, with two bathrooms.”

I’d heard from Soye, but I didn’t expect “princess” from quiet Father.

Our family didn’t used to be like this before I disappeared, right?

Both parents were working, so we didn’t see them much, true.

But if I were Father, with a daughter as great as Soye, I’d probably be a doting dad too. It’s not hard to understand.

Still, it’s so different from my old image of him.

“Here, Seok-hyeon, your phone. Soye can teach you how to use it. Thanks for coming back!”

Father handed me a phone.

I’m curious how much phones have changed in 8 years.

“I’ll also need a computer.”

“Sure! We’ll get you the latest model!”

His hearty laugh was nice to see.

The move is in two weeks.

Quitting his job so decisively, signing a house contract right away—Father’s more dynamic than I thought.

Was his personality just hidden by the burden of family?

‘I’m happy.’

Coming back home was the right choice.