With his delicate hands like a fern, Lee Soo-hyun wiped away Pina’s tears, making her feel a sense of stability.
“First, stop crying, sis! You’ll ruin your pretty face!”
“Okay…”
Looking at the boy who didn’t recognize her, Pina felt confused.
Last time she met Licht, he had called her a Saintess.
‘What’s up with this Licht…? No matter how I look at it, it’s the same…’
Is this not a dream like during the Apostle times? It’s not like she came through sleeping Licht either.
Pina tried to understand what was happening.
By the smell of his clothes, it was clear this boy was a Black Knight. One of the traits of the Inrang Tribe is their excellent sense of smell.
“Now, stop it. Good.”
Moreover, the warm side he occasionally showed her filled her with certainty.
‘Could it be before meeting the Saintess…?’
This must be the world where Licht lived—the place before he was summoned as a hero to the Grancia Empire.
“Should I call you Soo-hyun..?”
“Yep! That’s right!”
After a long time, Pina spoke Licht’s real name. The boy with black hair nodded.
His bright smile and fluttering clothes looked light and carefree.
“..As always, you come looking for me.”
Pina felt relieved at the sight of the boy. He’s like her own hero, the one who comes to save her just when she needs it the most.
She had never seen a knight wearing a black helmet in fairy tales, but he resembled the ideal hero she always envisioned.
“Hey sis, what’s your name?”
“Pina Grancia…”
“..Such a pretty name.”
The charming boy scratched his cheek and smiled the moment he heard her name.
“Pina sis, why were you crying alone…? Lost your way?”
She was hit with a strong urge to hug little Licht, imagining how soft and doll-like he might feel.
“Ah, kinda…”
Just as she was about to continue, a cold sensation ran down Pina’s shoulders.
“..It’s raining.”
Pitter-patter the rain began to fall.
The once clear sky started to darken with storm clouds, and thunder and lightning rattled the ground.
“Do you have somewhere to go back to…? Other family…?!”
Lee Soo-hyun suddenly showed a panicked expression at the downpour.
“I don’t…”
Pina shook her head in denial.
This place isn’t even the Grancia Empire. She didn’t have a place to return to, nor a friend.
“If you get rained on, you’ll catch a cold. No way, here, take this..! Sis!”
As soon as the rain started, the boy quickly held up an umbrella over Pina.
It was such a small umbrella that it barely covered her entire body. Lee Soo-hyun barely protected his head with his palm to avoid the rain.
Watching him, Pina was flooded with memories.
The memory of when she first met Licht, the day she ran him to his male dormitory while avoiding the rain.
She felt pity for the puppy standing alone in the rain back then. This time, it was the absolute opposite.
“Soo-hyun, the umbrella like this… makes it hard for both of us…?”
Pina had intended to conjure a glass umbrella like before, but nothing changed in her hands.
‘Why isn’t it working…?’
Her magic just didn’t seem to spread from her fingertips. The circuits and mana should be fine.
It’s like trying to light a wet log on fire.
“Pina sis, let’s find some cover at my place!”
Forcing the umbrella into Pina’s hands, Lee Soo-hyun started running, looking back to see if she was following.
‘So cute. Looks like a little black pup.’
The boy’s behavior was surprisingly reminiscent of a puppy on a walk with its owner. No matter how young, it’s definitely Licht.
“Mom, Dad! I’m back!”
The place Pina was led to by Lee Soo-hyun was one of the white buildings she had just seen.
A location where you needed to climb a lot of stairs to reach.
Upon opening the thick iron door, a small room appeared.
Compared to the vast imperial palace, it seemed rather shabby and small—it was odd that one tall building wasn’t occupied by just one person.
“Welcome! Oh, did you get caught in the rain..?”
A middle-aged woman greeted the young Lee Soo-hyun. Pina recognized her identity immediately with her keen eyes.
No one could mistake her for anything but his mother. The black hair tied back and the characteristic smile were just like Soo-hyun.
“..Who’s that person over there?”
Soo-hyun’s mother gasped when she saw Pina standing behind him.
It was probably a situation similar to when a son brought home someone he didn’t know.
“Oh, uhm… this is someone Soo, Soo-hyun helped… she got caught in the rain alone…”
She bit her tongue. The feeling was a stark contrast to when she boldly declared her identity as the Emperor Rock’s boyfriend in front of his court.
“She’s a foreign girl! I brought her because she said she got lost!”
Lee Soo-hyun brightly stated, regardless of Pina’s distress.
Though it stung a bit to be treated like a stranger, ultimately, this was an illusion created by Tardun’s shrine.
Or maybe she really fell back in time to the past.
“Come in and warm up. What’s your name?”
“Pina… Pina Grancia…”
The two managed a handshake, trying to keep their expressions in check.
“Oh my, what a princess-like name just like your looks! I’m Kim Soo-ah. I’m the mom of this dashing knight here.”
She was someone who held a special place in her son’s heart.
Pina had no idea how to respond to someone like that.
Her mind went blank. Words tangled and wouldn’t come out.
‘Will I seem weird for being wet…?’
A sudden thought struck her like lightning.
I need to look good. Pina quickly brought her hands to her hair, now drenched, and her tear-streaked face.
“Oh honey, you’re finally coming in?”
She spotted a middle-aged man similar in height to Lee Soo-hyun. He had deep wrinkles and rough hands.
“..And this gentleman?”
“Hey, love, our Soo-hyun brought a beautiful girl home!”
“Cuz a foreign girl was caught in the rain, he had to protect her!”
Little Lee Soo-hyun raised his arms high. The couple chuckled at the sight.
“Really? Good job, my little Soo-hyun.”
It was almost identical to how she remembered her own childhood. Pina’s hair would be black at this time, and the scene resembled what she’d seen from the imperial palace.
‘..They look alike.’
It had been a long time since she fell into this other world. The chilling sensation in her heart was gone.
*
Pina had quite the ordeal while showering. She had some idea that warm or cold water would flow even without magic.
‘Huff… so many things I don’t know…’
Pina had washed her body twice, unsure of what the slippery liquid in the thin container was.
She had been told one was for her hair, so she figured both should work that way.
“Smells the same as Licht…”
Pina’s sensitive nose quickly detected the familiar scent.
So this was the source of the soft and gentle smell that emanated lightly from the Black Knight’s body.
“Wow, even the boxy shirt looks cute on Pina.”
Wearing extra clothes lent by Soo-ah, Pina found the bright white and oversized outfit comfortably concealed her ample form.
“Ah… Mother…”
The title sprang out automatically. Pina immediately covered her mouth, taken by surprise.
“Th-thank you…”
“What are you thanking me for?”
“I don’t know anything… But you all helped me with Soo-hyun….”
Even claiming it was a past timeline with no recollection of even the Saintess, Pina spoke sincerely.
Since entering the academy, she had received a lot from Licht.
“Soo-hyun… came to rescue me…”
Now she couldn’t imagine a life without him.
“No biggie. It must be disconcerting for you coming to Korea for the first time.”
Soo-ah patted Pina’s shoulder, easing her worries. That gentle touch ended up calming her anxiety. This part of her must take after her mother.
“Ah, Pina. The kimchi stew is ready. Want some?”
“Kimchi stew…?”
A spicy aroma tickled her nose. The rich fragrance of meat mixed in. The bubbling contents looked so much like a meat stew.
“Did you really bring home such a pretty girl from the street crying? You sure can’t be falling for girls at this age, Soo-hyun.”
“Dad!! It was raining, I had no choice!!”
The father and son exchanged playful banter.
It looked almost the same as what she usually saw. Whenever Licht teased Kainel, it was exactly the kind of playful moments she missed.
“It’s spicy… but delicious.”
Chew-chew. The tender pork was delightful. The fishy flavor also surprised Pina’s eyes wide open.
“Eh…? Is there fish in the stew?”
“How did you know? We use pork and tuna in our house. I like tuna…”
“I like meat!”
Seeing Lee Soo-hyun raise his hand, Pina burst into laughter.
She knew he could eat Minotaur steak, but it seemed this love for food started from young.
“Anyway, I’m glad it suits your taste. So, are you here on a trip? You speak fluently.”
Soo-ah looked at Pina with curiosity in her eyes, prompting the question.
How should she respond? Though it was a test from Tardun, she doubted these folks would believe her.
“Uh, came for a solo trip… But I don’t know when I can go back.”
She began tapping her fingers on the table. Pina Grancia was gradually weaving more lies.
“Did you lose your passport then?”
Nodding. She didn’t understand the term ‘passport’, but it felt right, so Pina nodded again.
“Shouldn’t you report it to the police? Honey?”
“Yeah, if not, you may have to stay here for a while… Outside is really dangerous lately.”
Pina’s body stiffened at the mention of staying longer.
“P-please don’t report it!! I’m sure I can find it soon enough…”
Unexpectedly, she raised her voice. The prospect of staying in a place with precious little Licht and his parents seemed too appealing.
‘To be with little Licht…?’
The white wolf’s heart ached with desire because of the younger puppy.
[..Can you hear me…? I’ll come get you right away.]
Caught up in her excitement, she didn’t even notice the faint telepathic magic calling out to her.
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