Hanako-san of the Toilet

1

원도이

(Is this... the rumored restroom...?)

원도이

(There is a rumor circulating among students these days)

원도이

(The third stall in the women's restroom on the 3rd floor. They say if you knock on the door and ask, "Is Hanako-san here?", she will appear and grant your wish...) (*In return, she is said to steal something precious from you*)

원도이

(It's all or nothing! Somehow... it'll work out...!)

원도이

(Knocks on the door) Hanako-san... are you home...?

The door opens with a creaking sound.

(Inside the restroom) Yes?

원도이

...!

(I check inside the bathroom, but...)

(There is nothing)

원도이

What? Did I hear that wrong...

(Someone grabs Doi's shoulder) Here.

원도이

Eek..!

원도이

(Startled, he stretches his arm back and waves it, but it passes right through the human form.)

원도이

Aaaaaaaah!!!

명재현

Kick.

명재현

Hehehe... Ahahahahaha!!!

원도이

(A man's voice..?)(Gently opens eyes)

명재현

(As Doi opens his eyes, he sees Myung Jaehyun's face in front of him) Are you okay?

원도이

(Startled, recoils and hits the bathroom wall)!!!

원도이

...a body without substance, will-o'-the-wisp, old school uniform.

원도이

You, you...

명재현

I'm a strange creature. The 7th of the Seven Mysteries of the Academy. Hanako-san of the Toilet. Nice to meet you.

원도이

You're Hanako-san...?!

원도이

N-No way!! What about the short hair? And the red skirt? It's even a guy...

명재현

That’s not really in style these days. You can just call me Hanako.

원도이

Is there a trend for strange creatures too?!

명재현

Of course, I'm a man. But aside from my gender, I'm exactly like the rumors you know.

명재현

I grant the wish of the person who summoned me in exchange for something.

명재현

(Leaning close to Doi) You have one too, right? Make a wish.

원도이

(Stepping back slightly)... Really... Are you sure it's not just a perverted ghost?

.

..

...

명재현

(Turning around quietly) That's enough. Goodbye.

원도이

(Urgently) Just kidding! Male Hanako is cool!

명재현

...That's cool..

명재현

(Turns around with a big smile) Then—tell me your name and your wish!

원도이

(You're surprisingly simple...) Yes. I'm Won Doi from Class 1-1, 1st year of the high school division! I want to start dating the person I like right now!

명재현

Won Doi, the wish is to achieve a romantic relationship..

명재현

Who is the opponent?

원도이

(Shows phone screen) Lee Han, a sophomore! He's a cool senior who is handsome, smart, and kind to everyone. He's our school's prince!

명재현

(Stares intently at the photo) Hmm...

명재현

Okay, I'll grant your wish.

원도이

really?

원도이

How does Hanako-san grant wishes? Does she have some special tool?

명재현

Right—I have something awesome. (Rummages through pockets)

원도이

(Something awesome?!)

명재현

ruler.

(A very old book) *The Art of Dating* ~100 Techniques~

원도이

(He frowns as the folk remedies come up, contrary to what he expected.)

명재현

Relax

명재현

As you know... if you want to borrow the power of a monster, you have to pay a corresponding price.

명재현

If you desire power that transcends human knowledge, the price is just as high. So, this amount is safe.

원도이

(Hesitates) But... if you still want...?

명재현

that...

명재현

(Smiles) It's impossible because I don't have the tools.

원도이

What?

원도이

(It'll be okay, right...?)

원도이

(Since Hanako-san is a wish-granting yokai, she must have granted countless love-related wishes by now.)

명재현

(Muttering while looking at a book) [78th Technique. Utilize Your Special Skills]..

명재현

(Closes the book and looks at Wondoi) Wondoi. Do you have a special talent?

명재현

It's a vegetable garden!

원도이

He's a trainee at our academy! It's not an agricultural school, so the scale is small, though.

명재현

Is this your specialty?

원도이

(Tying her hair) I'm in the gardening club.

원도이

(Holding a pickaxe) My specialty is picking with a pickaxe!!

명재현

(Makes a displeased face) Pickaxe..

원도이

What's with that look on your face?! I'm growing flowers! It's girly and nice, isn't it?!

원도이

...Still, though... wouldn't something like this be cute?

명재현

?

원도이

Actually, I started gardening because someone I liked a long time ago said they liked girls who were girly.

원도이

And cooking and sewing too...

원도이

I was planning to confess once I got everything right.

명재현

Since when have you liked me?

원도이

Ever since I first entered middle school.

원도이

I confessed a month ago.

원도이

It took a whole three years. But...

[recall]

Man: What? You like me...?

Man: Who are you? That's creepy.

원도이

(Clutches the letter tightly that he was holding to confess)...

Man: You're not my type to begin with. With legs like yours.

[today]

원도이

(Forcing a bright smile) It’s already been a whole month!! I don’t even care anymore!! (Covers face with hands)

명재현

While being mindful.

원도이

I said I won't use it!!!

원도이

I'm totally smitten with Lee Han right now. I'm going to date someone as cool as him and make those guys see me in a new light!

명재현

(Looking closely at Wondoi) Hmm... In short, anyone is fine, right?

원도이

...uh...?