Rednegne ✅

Peal 21

[이도]

Dongju sat us down as Keonhee and Hwanwoong stood by his sides. "To start off, I heard from Hwan that you had a small breakthrough, Youngjo." I looked at him as he tried to hide. "Yeah..." "Really? What was it?" He looked at me then smiled awkwardly. "Well..." He put his hands side by side then a few small spheres appeared out of thin air. "They're pearls..." I felt a bit bad as his magic didn't seem to be the same level as mine. "Youngjo, even you could turn those into weapons. With the right training of course." He still seemed slightly disappointed, and no one could really blame him.

"Now, the reason I wanted you both here. Geonhak, if you don't mind." I sent a small icicle his way then watched as it hit something and go in another direction. "W-What was that!?" "That Youngjo, is a sign." I couldn't help but wonder what kind of bullshit he was going to lay on us. "A sign that that person is your balance." I looked at him in disbelief. He was my balance? Wasn't there supposed to be an instantaneous spark? "Stop joking around. You pulled that out of your ass didn't you?" "No. You can try and attack Keonhee if you wish." I took his suggestion then watched as the icicle melted. "It didn't deflect...?"

"Precisely because Keonhee isn't your balance." "Then, what about Youngjo?" "His balance is here." He pointed to both Keonhee and Hwanwoong. "Let's see if he can guess who." We all looked at Youngjo who looked like he was under pressure. "You're not going to be punished for the wrong answer, so relax." He relaxed. "Then..." He threw a pearl at Hwanwoong who produced a small cloud. They touched and instantly deflected. "So it's you?" "Surprise..." This was a lot to take in. I had thought my balance would've been a pretty woman, not a literal childish brat. The world was treating me unfairly. Youngjo had suddenly gotten up and hugged Hwanwoong. We looked at them with surprise.

"I had always wondered who my balance would be. You may not be who I originally thought of, but I don't mind since it's you." "Oh, um...me too..." We hid our faces as we snickered at Hwanwoong's flustered state. I was actually happy that Youngjo wasn't the other two's balances. "So, who's yours Keonhee?" "Dunno. Maybe my balance died before I could meet them." "That's morbid..."

I glanced at Dongju who also happened to be looking at me. I could see on his face that he was probably disgusted with the fact I was his balance. "I get it. So, let's head back to your school so you three can graduate." I pried Youngjo off of Hwanwoong then stood out of earshot with him. "Is this the last we'll see of them...?" "Don't tell me you've gotten attached. The only reason they stuck by was because they were determined to graduate." I could never forget that fact. "Right...Then lets get it over with."

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We traveled in silence as awkwardness filled the air. I noticed Keonhee and Hwanwoong had wanted to say something, but would immediately change their mind. I hoped time would move faster as I couldn't stand it.

"We're here." The bubble shattered then sank into the ground. We walked down the halls as we made our way to Mr. Lee's office. Dongju pushed open the door and we all filed in. "Nice to see you both again." "Give them their diplomas." He tilted his head, most likely asking us to show proof. Pearls clattered to the floor as they fell from Youngjo's hands. I simply froze a few objects in the room. "Well, well. Water basics. Both of you." He opened a drawer then pulled out three files. "Step forward in alphabetical order." We watched them receive their papers then high five each other. "Well, we'll be on our way. Thanks, I guess." I grabbed Youngjo by the wrist and dragged him out.

"So we're really never going to see them again?" "It's probably better this way. If we were really meant to be in any kind of relation with them, it wouldn't have been through this." It was probably harder on Youngjo as he had to say goodbye to his balance just as quickly as he had met him. "Why don't we go see Clair and show her our magic?" "That's a great idea!" I smiled softly as he had regained most of his spunk. I thought about him going back home to see his parents reaction. Would they be disappointed? I decided not to bring it up as they probably would look down on him.

We passed through the gates then heard shouting behind us. "They're running...?" I looked back and saw Hwanwoong charging at us at full speed. Keonhee was minutes behind him and Dongju was simply walking. "Hwan!" "Jo!" I winced as they fell to the ground in fits of laughter. Keonhee had come close to hugging me until he stopped in place. "Don't touch him." I crossed my arms as Dongju approached me. He stopped in front of me with a serious look. "What?" He then smiled. "You both have grown on us. So parting isn't that easy." I felt flustered by his smile and avoided his gaze. "I see..."

It was nice to see Youngjo bursting with happiness despite how they were using us back in the beginning. "Hey." I looked at Dongju who casually messed with the gravity of a pebble. "It's cool if you don't like the idea of being balances. We don't have to stick together like those two." I looked at Hwanwoong who chased Youngjo around. "Of course I'm not cool with it. I was hoping for someone pretty, a pretty woman to be exact. Instead I got you, an arrogant brat." I looked at him from my peripheral vision to see his reaction. "Well sorry for not being your ideal type of woman. I didn't ask for a male balance either."

I rolled my eyes then sighed. I pulled him closer before smiling. "You do have redeeming qualities. So I don't really mind having you. Only if you'll have me." I looked at him and saw he was looking at me. His face was slightly tinted. "I could say the same to you." "Then we're both okay with it." Dongju certainly wasn't who I was hoping for, but his determination, quick wits and heart of gold was enough to convince me.