Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: I'm Going to Brag
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"…No? What do you mean? Why would I live with that uncle…."
Ever since the day I learned that the boss, who had always been so kind to me, was actually a shameless man cohabiting with a minor.
"Haa…."
…I'd been plagued by this inexplicable tightness in my chest.
A feeling I'd never experienced before. What was this supposed to be?
Betrayal? Absurdity? Or maybe… jealousy?
"No way. Absolutely not."
Mm-hmm. Of course not.
As a hero, I simply couldn't overlook such depraved behavior. Yeah. That's all it was.
While I was piecing together the source of this chest-constricting emotion,
Swish.
Someone lightly tugged at the hem of my clothes.
"Hero Yoon Seol unnie. Um, h-hope I'm not wrong, but… is something going on? You even took half a day off last time."
'Ah.'
Right, I'm with Ji-yeon right now.
'Sigh. Where's my head at?'
This is all the boss's fault.
"I-if something's wrong, you have to tell me! I'm your manager, unnie!"
Ji-yeon grabbed my hand tight, her face set in grim determination.
She must've been worried, seeing me mutter to myself nonstop….
"Thanks, Ji-yeon."
She reminded me of that chubby-cheeked hamster I'd raised ages ago, and a smile slipped out before I knew it.
"Hehe. Unnie really is prettiest when she smiles."
Oh no. Should I just bite her—? I was seriously pondering it when,
"Hey there, princess. Been looking for you."
…A familiar voice echoed from the opposite end of the hall.
A familiar silhouette soon came into view.
My airy heart chilled in an instant.
"Hero Hwa-young. Didn't I ask you not to call me that?"
"Hmm. Did I? Sorry. Hey, little miss."
Why does she keep showing up at the company?
She has her own private office outside.
"L-little mi—no, I'm not! I'm twenty…."
Ji-yeon ducked behind me, mounting a timid protest against Hwa-young's words.
…She's always been a little wary of her. Total reflex.
'Same here, though.'
Whenever she visits the company, she always seeks me out.
At first, I tried to brush it off positively—maybe she just wants to be friends.
"Our princess off patrol today?"
"…For the last time, don't call me that. It's unpleasant."
Yeah. Exactly like that.
Those subtle, deliberate provocations were why she rubbed me the wrong way.
"Sorry. Force of habit. I'll watch it next time."
"…."
I didn't bother replying.
She'd just call me that weird nickname again next time anyway.
Normally, that's where our chats ended.
A prickly exchange of sharp words. That was our dynamic.
But today felt a little different.
"Oh, right. Princess, mind if I ask you something?"
"…Go ahead."
Just as a faint oddness settled in from her smile—like she was holding back a laugh—
an unexpected question slipped from her lips.
"You ever heard of a cocktail bar called Oasis?"
"…Pardon?"
A dopey reply tumbled out on reflex.
"I swung by Oasis recently. Nice spot, that place."
Was Oasis really that well-known?
'No.'
Generously speaking, just a hole-in-the-wall alley bar.
To be frank, it's so tucked away you'd never find it without directions.
I'd only stumbled on it by pure chance.
I was curious how she knew about it, but…
'…Why bring it up now?'
We're not exactly chit-chat buddies. Had to be some ulterior motive.
"Our princess. What's with the face? See a villain or something?"
Hwa-young's smile stayed loaded with meaning.
Doubts kept swirling in my head at the sight.
'Does she know I made a scene there?'
No. Impossible.
I always check for paparazzi before stepping inside.
And she wouldn't tail me herself—she's way too busy for that.
'Then…'
A genuine recommendation? Just sharing a good find?
Shoving the nagging unease aside, I answered her.
"…I've dropped into the cocktail bar Oasis a few times before."
"Yeah? Cool."
A surprisingly nonchalant reply.
It had this mischievous, pre-prank kid vibe to it….
'…Uneasy.'
As I chewed on the growing discomfort,
"Ah. One more thing."
Tap.
Hwa-young stepped closer, resting a light hand on my shoulder,
"…Our princess. Go easy on the drinks, 'kay?"
then whispered it meaningfully right in my ear, smile hanging loose.
'What?'
"H-hold on. You!"
…Words like that could've only come if she knew what went down that day. How? How?
"Bad for your health, y'know. Later."
With that, she brushed past me and Ji-yeon, heading off somewhere.
I stared blankly at her retreating back, thoughts racing.
'How does she know what happened that day?'
The reporters? No. No reason for that. The media would've blown up if so.
Then…
'…Did the boss tell her about it?'
What if she'd wandered into Oasis by chance, and the boss spilled the beans?
"Y'know how there are those news stories that hype stuff up all sensational to grab eyes? That's the vibe I got… and honestly, the biggest reason was…"
"…He doesn't strike me as the type. I read faces pretty well."
No way.
A handful of meetings, sure—but my gut screamed the boss wasn't like that.
…Or maybe I just wanted to believe it.
Just as her tossed-off words summoned dark clouds in my mind,
"Unnie. You okay? Your face is looking rough…."
a warm sensation suddenly wrapped around my hand.
"…."
Ji-yeon gazed up at me, big eyes brimming with tears.
…It cleared my head a touch.
"I'm fine, Ji-yeon. No tears."
"N-not crying…. B-but what was it that person said when she came up to you?"
Beats me.
"…No clue."
For real.
"Haa."
Wednesday—the day I'd signed on as Hero Hwa-young's temp manager.
I arrived at the building housing her private office, right on schedule per the contract.
'Still gives me the jitters every time I come here….'
Her contact was listed, but calling felt off.
Not like I wanted to keep things strictly professional… but still hesitant.
'It's… 9 a.m. Hour early—should be fine.'
Deep breath. I stepped through the entrance.
.
Up on the third floor.
I rapped lightly on the door marked [Hero Hwa-young's Office].
Knock knock.
Movement from inside.
"Come in."
I opened the door, and there she was—greeting me like she'd been waiting.
"Long time no see, honey."
"…Can we drop the 'honey' thing?"
Honestly, it's a bit much.
I know 'honey' isn't just for lovers… but the vibe's still there.
As expected, Hwa-young brushed it off smoothly.
"Hmm. Depends on how you do today?"
"…."
Translation: no dice. Wasn't holding my breath anyway.
Whatever—won't see her after today. No skin off my nose.
Actually kinda worked out. When else would a top hero call me 'honey'?
"Here. Catch."
Flick. She fished something from her pocket and tossed it lightly my way.
'…Car keys.'
"You drive, right? If not, I got it."
Driving…
"…Yes, sir. Drove patrol cars too."
"Right. Ex-cop, yeah."
"Yep."
Most of my brief police stint was patrols.
Once ability users showed up, cops got sidelined hard.
They all chased hero dreams, not badges.
Villain busts? Total nightmare without 'em.
The few who joined police went straight to major crimes. Powerless types like me? Community safety desk.
Not saying it's pointless… just not my dream gig.
'Water under the bridge.'
"Speaking of—haven't heard the schedule. Where we headed?"
"Huh?"
She flashed a loaded smile at my question.
"…I'm going to brag. To the company."