The Protagonist's Party is Too Diligent

A trip isn’t over until it’s really over.

...Wait, is that how the saying goes?

Well, as long as the meaning gets across, it’s fine.

After landing at Incheon Airport from Jeju, we took a direct train back to Seoul.

But we ended up with a bit of awkward free time.

Our stream break officially ended today, but it was still only two in the afternoon—too early to head home.

Claire, ever brimming with energy, Alice and Charlotte, who still had stamina left, and even Mia, who’d seemed to recover a bit after napping on the plane—

And, of course, me. I'd already been feeling like I wanted just a little more time.

So we all silently agreed.

“In that case, since we’re already out, how about we hang around a bit more before heading home?”

When I suggested that, everyone nodded enthusiastically.

After a bit of indecision, we chose to head to Gwanghwamun.

We stashed our bags in a nearby coin locker and stepped out of the station, grabbing a meal first.

Without much thought, we ended up at a fast-food place.

Once the burgers were in our stomachs, the hunger faded.

“Come to think of it, Mia and Charlotte—neither of you have tried on hanbok yet, have you?”

As we absentmindedly picked at the fries that came with our meals, Claire asked that question.

“Hanbok?” Charlotte repeated.

She probably knew it was this country’s traditional attire—she looked things up on her phone or the internet all the time.

“Yeah. There’s an old palace nearby from the former dynasty. If you’re wearing hanbok, you get in for free.”

Well, technically it’s more like the entrance is free if you're in hanbok, but close enough.

Not that Gyeongbokgung’s entry fee was more expensive than the hanbok rental.

“Have you all tried it before?”

At Charlotte’s question, Claire beamed and immediately pulled out her phone.

She brought up one of our old photos.

All of us, dressed in hanbok, smiling brightly.

It wasn’t just the clothes—we had our hair styled to match, too. The rental shop included that kind of service.

“So basically, before Mia and I got here, you were all off having fun like this?”

Charlotte said, sounding just a little pouty.

“It was like, five minutes before you guys arrived. Don’t be like that.”

Alice shot back with a grin.

Laughter rippled across the table.

“Well, I think it sounds lovely. Since we’re here, I ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ want to make as many memories as possible. Once we’re back... it probably won’t be this relaxed.”

Mia’s words made us all fall silent for a moment.

Each of us—every one of the five—was already thinking about the fact that soon, we’d have to go back.

Even if the goddess tried to push us out of this world, she couldn’t change how we felt.

The others would return, no matter what. They had responsibilities—strong senses of duty. Otherwise, fighting the goddess in the first place wouldn’t have meant anything.

As for me, if I didn’t return, then I’d lose my entire reason for being.

So we would all go back.

Going back didn’t mean we’d never see each other again.

But the carefree times we shared like this wouldn’t come back either. A few years from now, it might be hard to meet at all.

That’s probably why everything here felt so sweet. A world where none of us had to carry the weight of responsibility.

“...If, by some miracle,”

And so, I opened my mouth.

“If any of you said you wanted to stay, I’d stay too.”

“...”

Silence.

But then—

“If I stay, who would look after Leo?”

Claire shrugged with a little smile.

“Huh? Are you saying Sylvia’s not needed anymore?”

“Who said that?!”

Alice teased, and Claire immediately flared up.

“Of course I’d kidnap her and bring her back too!”

I was momentarily speechless at how bold she was about it.

“Even if it made you hate me, I wouldn’t care. You’re my family. And if you ever did start to hate me... I’d find a way to make you like me again.”

Whatever that method was, I had no idea.

“In any case, I was going to go back if everyone else was, so don’t worry. I wasn’t seriously planning to stay. Just asking what if.”

“...Feels kind of like the end of summer break, going back to the academy.”

Charlotte let out a deep sigh.

“Though if I’m honest, break was kind of nerve-wracking too, so maybe returning is better. We still have two more years ahead of us to make memories, right?”

Mia nodded enthusiastically at Charlotte’s words.

“Exactly! I think so too. Let’s make memories we’ll never, ever forget.”

She always had a way with words.

Feels like just yesterday she was trying to kill me.

...Well, it hasn’t even been a full year, so “yesterday” isn’t that much of a stretch.

Shoving the embarrassing past aside, I gave her a nod.

*

It was late November.

Apparently, Seoul had its first snowfall while we were in Jeju.

There wasn’t much buildup—just scattered patches of snow pushed into corners here and there.

A lot of time had passed since Alice, Claire, and I first arrived.

The time I’d spent with Claire since we reunited... it hadn’t been short. Same went for Mia and Claire, too.

Rental shops had winter hanbok available, so walking around outside wasn’t a problem.

Tourist spots don’t close just because it’s winter. Maybe the beach, but this was Seoul—always busy, all year round.

When I’d first come back alone, I’d felt nothing but bitter thoughts toward the goddess. But now, thinking back, maybe it had been another chance.

No matter how good someone’s memory is, it’s hard to recall every detail of your hometown unless you actually see it again.

Same for me.

It felt good to walk around and revisit the places I’d once liked—my home that I hadn’t seen in years.

I took a ton of pictures. Back when I lived here, I never cared for photos, but now I was scared I might forget.

Scared that we’d all forget these good times and end up miserable.

And then—

“...”

We’d finished exploring the tourist spots in Jongno and changed back into our normal clothes.

As the sky began to darken, we visited a quiet neighborhood.

I didn’t say what kind of place it was, but the others followed me silently. Maybe because of the look on my face.

Just a typical apartment complex in Seoul.

We sat in a café nearby and waited for quite a while.

Empty cake plates and coffee cups sat on the table.

I said nothing, just stared out the window, and the others followed suit.

After a few minutes—

“...Ah.”

A woman passed by in the distance.

She looked to be in her late fifties, walking beside a man who seemed a little younger than my original age.

There weren’t many people around, so the others quickly realized who I was looking at.

Those two chatted cheerfully as they walked. A third person, slightly older than the woman, caught up with them, and the three disappeared into the apartment complex together.

“...”

They looked like they were doing well.

“That’s enough.”

“...Really?”

Claire blinked in surprise when I stood up and said that.

I hadn’t said who they were, but she must’ve realized they were my former family.

“Yes. If someone I’ve never met suddenly approached them and claimed to be family, it’d only shock them.”

“But still...”

“Claire.”

Alice called her name gently.

“It’s really okay.”

I placed a hand on Claire’s head and gave her a reassuring smile.

“My family is here now.”

And it was true. Claire and Alice were my family now. The others—my friends—were here too.

That was enough.

“I see.”

Charlotte stood up with me, a gentle smile on her lips.

The look on her face said it all. She must’ve believed they were doing well too.

“...I hope someday, you’ll get to talk with them again.”

Mia’s voice was soft, subdued.

To shed tears for someone who’d once been your enemy... she really was a better person than me.

I picked up the tray from the table and said,

“Well, shall we head home?”

“Yeah.”

Alice rose from her seat.

Claire stole one last glance out the window, sighed lightly, and stood up as well.

“If that’s what you want, Unnie.”

I nodded to her.

Another day had ended.

And it had been a good one. Truly.