My Childhood Friend’s Stock Will Never Fail Chapter 30

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In her dream, beneath a brilliant light, a sturdy-looking chick appeared.

 

For a chick, it was surprisingly large—probably somewhere between a chick and a full-grown chicken.

 

Flap.

 

Spreading its wings wide, the chick waddled toward Yoohee.

 

“What a fine mess you’ve gotten yourself into.”

 

“Huh?”

 

That tone. That rough way of speaking.

 

The familiar atmosphere immediately reminded her of Ppiyak, whom she’d almost forgotten.

 

“Oh, Ppiyak. When did you get so big?”

 

Just yesterday, it had been tiny.

 

“None of your business.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“You still haven’t come to your senses.”

 

“Huh?”

 

With the swagger of a neighborhood thug, Ppiyak marched right up to Yoohee’s face.

 

Is it trying to peck me even in my dreams?

 

“What time is it?”

 

“What…?”

 

What time was it?

 

As Yoohee tried to think, Ppiyak smacked her on the nose with tiny little foot.

 

“Ow.”

 

“You don’t even know what time it is. You’re the real birdbrain here.”

 

Who are you calling a birdbrain? You’re the one…

 

“Wake up, servant.”

 

At that instant, her eyes flew open.

 

Chirp, chirp.

 

Sparrows were singing outside the window.

 

Bright sunlight streamed across the table, and the crisp air of early morning filled the room.

 

And before Yoohee’s eyes…

 

…was her childhood friend, sleeping soundly in the same bed.

 

Oh my goodness.

 

She nearly screamed.

 

The blanket was hopelessly crumpled. The pillow had been tossed aside.

 

It seemed she’d fallen asleep last night with her head resting on Joohoon’s lap.

 

Lim Yoohee… I seriously can’t with myself.

 

Still, waking up with Joohoon beside her felt wonderfully peaceful.

 

Bathed in warm sunlight, Joohoon clutched the soft blanket tightly.

 

Long black eyelashes. A straight nose. Firmly closed lips.

 

You’d think his time in Building F would have left its mark, but his skin remained perfectly smooth.

 

“Mmm…”

 

As she quietly watched him sleep, he shifted in his sleep.

 

The movement rolled up his T-shirt along with the blanket, exposing his bare stomach.

 

“…!”

 

The unexpected sight made her ears burn red.

 

Apparently it was true that all he’d done in America was work out. The soft, tofu-like boy she remembered was gone, replaced by toned muscles she’d never seen before.

 

“Y-You’ll catch a cold.”

 

She hurriedly gathered the nearby blanket to cover him.

 

Then—

 

“You’re awake?”

 

A low, husky voice drifted toward her.

 

Maybe it was because he’d just woken up, but his voice sounded especially deep this morning.

 

Yoohee froze in surprise, and Joohoon awkwardly continued.

 

“Uh… it’s a little embarrassing if you keep staring like that.”

 

Only then did Yoohee realize she was still holding the blanket while staring fixedly at his stomach.

 

“N-No! I was just trying to cover you with the blanket!”

 

Seriously… I’m the real pervert here.

 

Feeling utterly embarrassed with herself, she quickly covered his stomach.

 

“Ah, thanks.”

 

“N-No, it’s nothing…”

 

“You were sleeping so soundly last night that I couldn’t bring myself to wake you. Ah, don’t worry—we really just slept.”

 

As Joohoon explained with innocent eyes, Yoohee felt a pang of guilt.

 

No, it wasn’t because I was trying to look on purpose. It was more like an a-accident.

 

Joohoon rubbed his still-sleepy eyes and sat up.

 

“Want to sleep a little longer if you’re tired? Ah, are you hungry?”

“I should head back to the dorm now. Wait, what time is it…?”

 

The moment Yoohee looked at the clock hanging on the wall, her mouth fell open.
9:30. First period had already started quite a while ago.

 

“The clock… that’s the right time, isn’t it?”

“You don’t have to worry about class. The teachers have already been informed.”

“Oh, really?”

 

Phew, what a relief.

As Yoohee let out a sigh, Joohoon smiled warmly.

 

“I’m looking forward to it. Taking classes together in the same class from now on.”

 

Joohoon was an ordinary student now, so he would be attending classes as well.

Peacefully attending classes together and spending their days around the academy. Ah, how peaceful that sounded.

Yoohee smiled brightly in return.

 

But it didn’t take long for that peace to be shattered.

 

“Aaah! You’re pulling my hair out!”

“Where’s my food? Are you not feeding me or what?”

 

The moment she returned to the dorm, Ppyakyi fluttered his pink wings and began pecking at Yoohee’s head.

My hair…

 

“D-Didn’t Jinhee feed you?”

 

She was sure she’d asked her before class.

At Yoohee’s question, Ppyakyi made a look of utter disgust.

 

“That human is disqualified from being my caretaker. She mixed some weird powder into my food. And the water was cold! Am I supposed to drink it or not?”

“Ah, that’s just a supplement… A-Anyway, I’ll prepare you a new meal right away.”

 

In the end, Yoohee skipped her shower and fed Ppyakyi first. The supplement was supposed to be mixed in so lightly that it was barely noticeable. It seemed Jinhee hadn’t known and had added far too much.

As Yoohee hurriedly prepared a fresh serving and presented it to him, Ppyakyi began pecking at the feed with gusto. Then he shot Yoohee with a sharp glare.

 

“Try spending the night away one more time. Next time, words won’t be enough.”

“It wasn’t exactly spending the night out…”

“Keep talking.”

“I’m sorry, Lord Chick.”

 

After finally calming Ppyakyi down, Yoohee took a shower and changed into her school uniform.

She’d missed the first period, but she should still make it in time for the second period.

 

“Then I’m off. Watch the house while I’m gone.”

“Get lost.”

 

At this point, wasn’t there seriously something wrong with Ppyakyi’s personality?

 

Next time, she’d have to ask the status window if there was a way to fix it.

As she headed toward Building B for class, Yoohee replied to the messages she hadn’t had a chance to check.

Jinhee had heard what happened through someone from Building F, but she’d apparently still been worried when Yoohee hadn’t returned the previous night.

After quickly sending her replies, Yoohee continued toward Building B.

Just in case, she also checked her mobile banking app, where the reward money had been deposited without issue.

 

‘Where could he be?’

 

The moment she stepped into the classroom, Yoohee craned her neck, searching for Joohoon.

He’d definitely said he’d come to the classroom first. Then she noticed one corner of the room crowded with students.

 

“No way. Is it true you got out of Building F?”

“What’s Building F like? I’ve only heard rumors. You’re the first person I’ve actually met who’s gone in and come back out.”

 

Questions poured in one after another.

It looked like Joohoon was trapped in the middle of a crowd of students.

 

‘Joohoon doesn’t like this kind of thing.’

 

Ever since they were kids, Joohoon had hated being surrounded by people. He didn’t like noisy situations, and he was naturally shy, preferring not to be around strangers.

 

Should I help him?

 

The thought came to her automatically, but she soon shook her head.

 

‘No. Joohoon isn’t a child anymore… He might even be making friends, so I’d better not interfere.’

 

Even if parts of his old self remained, Joohoon was a grown adult now. Besides, he’d spent time alone in America and surely made friends without any problems.
For now, it felt better to take a step back and quietly cheer him on.

 

‘I can always sit with him next time.’

 

Feeling both relieved and a little disappointed, Yoohee turned to look for another seat when Jooyoung, sitting on her right, spotted her and waved cheerfully.

 

“Yoohee, over here!”

 

Her longtime desk partner had been waiting for her.
As Yoohee set her bag down beside Jooyoung, Jooyoung leaned in with an excited expression.

 

“Yoohee, did you hear?”

“Hear what?”

“They say an Esper got out of Building F! And they’re in our class!”

 

It seemed Joohoon’s return was the hottest topic in class right now.

Since it wasn’t exactly the right time to announce that she had been the one to guide him, Yoohee simply nodded along.

 

“Ah, yeah. I heard.”

“Isn’t that amazing? I wonder who it is. If they were released, there has to be a Guide who successfully guided them, right?”

“…I guess so?”

 

Yoohee smiled awkwardly.

If people found out that a C-rank Guide like her had successfully guided Joohoon, wouldn’t they start suspecting she’d used some kind of trick?

 

‘I’d better keep my mouth shut.’

 

Trying to shake off the uneasy feeling, she changed the subject.

 

“Ah, what do we have next period again?”

“Combat training. I think we’re going outside to the field for some games.”

 

The Hell Race had been the final exam, so this week’s schedule was relatively relaxed.

 

“I wonder if we’re playing dodgeball in pairs again.”

“Don’t worry. You’ve got me.”

 

Yoohee stared blankly at Jooyoung after that offhand remark.

You should spit out the lie stuck in your mouth before saying something like that—

 

“Yoohee.”

 

Just then, a familiar voice reached her ears.

Turning around, she saw Joohoon looking down at her from beside her.

 

When did he get here…?

 

“Mind if I sit next to you?”

“Mhm, of course.”

 

The moment Yoohee answered, Joohoon casually pulled over a chair and sat beside her.

As he did, every student in the room—including Jooyoung—cast a glance in Yoohee’s direction.