Chapter 113: A Day of Transformations

Lara Schmord shouted urgently toward her already departed brother. Though she could sense the designers’ awkward, ‘Eat Again?’ glances, Lara pretended not to notice.

Early in the morning, a man entered an upscale beauty salon in the heart of the capital. This place, known for hair styling, makeup, and even costume rentals, was usually frequented by young customers preparing for balls. It was extremely rare for a young man to appear so early in the day.

“Welcome. What brings you in today?”

With a friendly smile, an employee approached the light blonde man. Mikhail casually removed his coat as he explained he’d come for a touch-up. While the junior staff hung his coat, the makeup and hair artists stepped forward to guide him.

“Is there someone specific you’re here to see?”

“No, this is my first visit.”

“Ah, I see. Then we need to know what style you’re after. Is there a special occasion—like a first date or perhaps a portrait session…?”

“I’m headed to a wedding—to the wedding of a woman I once loved.”

Mikhail’s sigh echoed through the spacious salon.

“I understand completely… We’ll take care of your heart, sir.”

Just then, emerging from behind an empty pillar with a dignified aura was a middle-aged woman.

“I, the owner of this salon, will personally transform you into the hottest guy of the year. Julina! Pierre! Sofia―!”

Light clapping accompanied the calling of the employees’ names, and the atmosphere instantly heated up. The glances of the makeup and hair artists burned with enthusiasm, while even the junior staff clenched his fist in determination.

“Just trust us. We’ll make you so stunning that you’ll leave them all in regret.”

“A wedding should always be played out like this, shouldn’t it? Hmph.”

“Our salon is rated the best in the capital! Leave it all to us!”

The transformation, lasting a full three hours, was hurriedly completed with barely any time left before the wedding began. Mikhail didn’t even get a chance to admire his reflection before he hopped into a carriage bound for the Imperial City.

In the courtyard behind the Imperial City, the outdoor wedding was being held in an intimate manner, fitting Lara’s taste. With only about fifty guests, comprising close friends like Youngae, fellow enthusiasts, acquaintances, and relatives, it was a private affair.

Amid the laughing and chattering guests, Mikhail’s striking appearance drew all eyes as he searched for the bride. Clad in a pristine tuxedo with a boutonniere, and with his neatly combed light blonde hair, he was the picture of a ‘perfect setup.’ Some guests almost greeted him as the groom.

The murmurs that swirled around Mikhail soon reached Lara, who was surrounded by Youngae and others. Curious about the commotion, she scanned the crowd until a notably out-of-place guest caught her eye.

“…Mikhail?”

Lara hurried over. Hearing her call, Mikhail turned to look at her. There she stood, dressed like a bride in March, with a floral elegance.

“I’m surprised—you’ve outdone yourself. You’ve styled yourself so strikingly. It’s so like the Male Lead. It almost looks like it’s not my wedding, but Mikhail and Rahi’s!”

“That hardly sounds like a compliment. But hey, you look great in that wedding dress too.”

As Mikhail casually scanned the contours of her wedding dress, his gaze fell on her slightly protruding stomach. When Lara asked what was wrong, Mikhail dismissed it as nothing and relaxed his expression.

“More importantly, it’s been ages. How have you been lately?”

“Oh, just busy selecting a new saintess.”

Their light conversation was interrupted when a man approached. It was none other than the groom, Karlahee.

“Well, if it isn’t someone special! I can’t believe the Pope himself came. What an honor.”

“I didn’t come just to see you, though.”

“Still, thank you.”

Wearing a radiant smile like he was the happiest man alive, he shook hands with Mikhail. Of course, he wasn’t about to leave the two of them alone and promptly stuck close to Lara.

Mikhail cast a gentle smile as he glanced at the couple linked arm-in-arm. His wistful eyes briefly rested on Lara’s subtle bump. It made him think how genuinely happy she looked cradling a child with the man beside her.

“Congratulations.”

Although the child Lara was carrying wasn’t a life but merely a chunk of fat, Mikhail’s inner thoughts continued nonetheless.

‘As someone who once loved you, I truly wish for your happiness.’

Mikhail gave a sincere, gentle smile.

With blessings and laughter, the wedding concluded successfully. Watching the newlyweds set off on their honeymoon from amongst the guests, Mikhail leisurely slipped away.

Returning to Daeshin Shrine, he didn’t head straight to his office but instead made his way to a hidden secret haven. The secluded house amid the forest, untouched by anyone, was quiet as ever. Mikhail opened the door, untied the tie of his formal suit, and proceeded to the innermost room.

His hand, once on the tie, dove into his pocket and retrieved a bundle of keys. Familiar with the routine, he unlocked the door to the room. A metallic click made someone inside turn around.

“I’m here, Author.”

Mikhail grinned as he looked at the woman seated at the lit desk. In her early thirties, sporting round glasses and a plain face, she wore arm sleeves.

She was none other than Hina Takeuri, Japan’s renowned manga artist and the creator of Magical Girl☆Lilica. Yes, Mikhail had used all his magic to summon and imprison her in another world.

“You’ve only finished five panels, huh?”

Mikhail said as he picked up a sheet of paper on which the black ink hadn’t dried yet.

“You need to maintain your regular schedule. At this rate, we won’t see Tisha’s resurrection scene for another month.”

“…Watashi… it’s over… It’s absolutely finished…”

“But you can still draw more,”

Before, her face had been graced with a smile; now it was replaced by a cold expression. Mikhail’s own hand, which had forced the pen into her grasp, slid up her arm and gave her shoulder a tight squeeze.

“Ugh.”

Under the pressure of his muscular grip, Hina swung her head from side to side. The tension in her stiff shoulder began to ease as if by magic. That is, until his dark, binding voice whispered into her ear once more.

“Come on, get that pen moving. For me… for Tisha.”

A misaligned desire—yet one that many a fan secretly yearned to see come true.

* * *

―In today’s news: Japan’s famous manga artist Hina Takeuri has gone missing, sending shockwaves through the international community. Based on testimony that she was working at her residence the day before her disappearance, local police are investigating……

―This stop is ** Daeyeok in front. The next stop is……

Over the sound of the bus’s announcement through his earphones, Kim Bing-ui turned off the news video and stuffed his phone away. Stepping off the bus, his heavy steps ascended the campus hill. He paused and looked around at the vast sky.

This sky was just like the one back home. The day he returned to his original world, waiting for him was nothing more than an F-grade and a so-called ‘boyfriend’—an older student. A glance at his chat and call logs revealed unmistakable traces of a relationship with this older student.

Although word had spread like wildfire in his department, he couldn’t accept it and quickly ended it. He then dropped out of one university and re-enrolled at another in a distant area. Majoring in Skin Care and Beauty—a field he’d long been eager to try—he had no regrets about his choice.

Starting afresh, Kim Bing-ui stepped onto campus with excitement. Arriving early before most students, he sat at the back of a new classroom and immediately turned on his phone. The top trending search was ‘Hina Takeuri,’ followed by ‘Magical Girl Lilica’ and ‘Japanese manga artist missing.’

‘Well, it must be a case of interdimensional travel or something,’ he mused.

Just as he nonchalantly clicked on another search term,

“Is anyone sitting next to you?”

“…What?”

A haughty voice suddenly broke the silence as Kim Bing-ui looked up from his phone. A curly red-haired woman was sitting next to him, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips. Dressed in a blouse and black skinny jeans, it was impossible not to recognize her.

He was momentarily breathless.

“…You.”

“Kim Bing-ui, so this is your usual look? Quite unassuming.”

Her lips curled into a teasing smile as Rozally, dressed in an elaborately styled outfit, tossed her hair over her shoulder and sat next to him.

Kim Bing-ui set his nearly slipping phone on the desk and turned to look at Rozally. Half in disbelief, half amused, a wry smile tugged at his mouth.

“So, what? Has an evil woman come calling? Usually, the Male Lead is the one who shows up.”

“Are you complaining? Shall we go back?”

“Go back?”

“Sorry, but I’m not going back just because of you!”

Her feisty remark rang out in the classroom.

The loud voice drew a few curious glances from other students, but Rozally, seemingly indifferent, pulled out a lipstick from her famous branded bag and applied it before closing it and remarking,

“I’m here to learn some massage techniques.”

“Huh?”