Guitar KO and the BBQ Love Hotel Plot
That couldn't possibly be my daughter. No way. ………… 'Damn, we're screwed.'
Darkened Broth's frame was small and scrawny. With him completely hidden behind the hostage, there was no clear shot. Even a sniper would have a tough time. Darkened Broth grabbed the hostage's throat and shook her violently back and forth, screaming at Blue Falcon.
"Tell me! Who'd you fuck? Which bastard was it?!"
"……Ha."
What a fucking asshole. The situation was already this dire, and he was still prying into Blue Falcon's sex life.
Blue Falcon's fists trembled in front of me. Honestly, I hated that Darkened Broth prick too—he was a total shithead. But for Blue Falcon, being forced to expose her personal life to that maggot? It had to be beyond infuriating, the kind of rage that defied words. She probably wanted to launch a missile right then and there. But with the hostage, she couldn't act.
Normally, you don't engage with a psycho like that. But Blue Falcon might not know better—hostage situations aren't exactly everyday occurrences.
So it was time for this 18-year veteran to step up. I quietly placed a hand on Blue Falcon's shoulder.
"Calm down. Don't react to what he's saying."
"………."
"Nothing you say to a guy like that will make a difference. Let's just buy time for now."
Blue Falcon turned to look up at me. Her lips, visible below the visor, curved up in a strange smile.
'……Why's she smiling?' In the middle of being forced to spill her sex life, of all things.
This woman might be way bolder than I'd given her credit for. She nodded obediently after a brief chuckle.
"Got it. Thanks."
'Hmm.' For some reason, it felt like looking at a good girl listening to her dad. Like little Han Sol from my faded memories, maybe.
Anyway, that got us past it. But our conversation only fueled the bastard's madness.
"These fuckers ignoring me? You think my words are a joke!? If you don't talk by the count of three, I'll snap this bitch's neck! One!"
Crack. The college girl's face drained of color as her throat was squeezed.
"Two!!"
'Shit.' This psycho wasn't bluffing. He was dead serious about killing her. No more stalling.
"Last chance! Who'd you fuck?!"
"………."
"Not talking, huh!? Then die—"
In that do-or-die moment.
"I did it with ajusshi—!!"
A familiar voice exploded from behind Darkened Broth.
"I fucked ajusshi, you bastard!"
Rustle! Flame-orange hair burst up from the bushes behind him. It was Yeom Hana.
And then.
Bam—!! A dull yet crisp impact rang out, and Darkened Broth's head snapped sideways.
A guitar. Yeom Hana's electric guitar had smashed straight into the villain's skull.
Hitting heads with a guitar. Yeom Hana's signature, brutally effective move.
"Gah!?"
He couldn't even scream properly—his eyes rolled back. He released the hostage and crumpled to the ground.
Perfect ambush, perfect KO.
And just like that, the incident was over. The college girl hostage grumbled about nearly dying from the smell, snapped a few selfies, and left. The onlookers clapped a bit before scattering like the tide.
Only silence remained. And naturally, Yeom Hana was the one to break it.
"Woo—!"
She flashed a V-sign with her fingers, beaming proudly at me.
"Ajusshi, did you see? I took him out in one hit!"
"………."
Instead of answering, I covered my face with both hands. A tsunami of secondhand embarrassment crashed over me.
'Please……what the hell did you just say in front of everyone.'
Of all the lines to drop for her entrance. And why was she even here? Wasn't she supposed to be waiting at the cafe? I'd given her 30,000 won to sit tight.
I swallowed a sigh as my head throbbed.
"Huh? Ajusshi, what's wrong? You sick or something?"
Yeom Hana approached, sounding concerned.
Yeah. This ajusshi's head hurt. Mostly because of you.
And Blue Falcon?
"………."
She stood stock-still. I couldn't read her expression under the visor, but she was clearly in a foul mood.
Obvious. The girl who'd been so friendly moments ago was now radiating icy vibes.
'……What's her deal?'
……….
Blue Falcon said nothing. She stood rigid, like a tree struck by lightning.
And Yeom Hana—she didn't seem to care about either of us. Not the frozen Blue Falcon, nor me dying of shame.
"Ajusshi! Villain's down, so let's grab food!"
She strode over and hooked her arm through mine. Soft, warm flesh pressed against my arm.
'Ugh, seriously.' This girl was just built without a shred of shame.
"Weren't you supposed to wait at the cafe?"
"Got bored waiting, so I went for a walk. Then everyone started running, so I checked it out—saw the villain and smashed him. But ajusshi, we gotta eat something good today. I burned a ton of energy on that villain. You hungry? Time for grub!"
She rattled it all off without taking a breath. What a bold, carefree soul.
My daughter—Han Sol—could stand to learn a thing or two from her. Especially ditching the wrist-cutting bullshit.
In the adult world of watching your back, calculating every move, you forget how to just charge ahead without a second thought. That refreshing straightforwardness.
Hanging with Yeom Hana made me feel ten years younger, like it was okay to live boldly, following my heart. Her bright energy was contagious, maybe.
I let out a chuckle.
"Yeah, yeah. Got it."
My voice had a sigh in it, but I couldn't hide the slight upturn of my lips. I reached out and ruffled her flame-orange hair. It stuck out in wild spikes everywhere.
"Hey, what the—!"
Yeom Hana yelped and swatted my hand away.
"I spent all morning styling this! You ruined it!"
"Pfft, styling? Looks the same as always."
"I did it today! For meeting ajusshi!"
Her pout was pretty cute, cheeks flushing pink. Even her glare was more coquettish than annoyed.
I chuckled and looked away. Time to get moving anyway.
My gaze landed on Blue Falcon, still frozen in place.
"………."
She hadn't said a word. Her fists clenched at her sides strained her gloves to the limit, shoulders trembling faintly. Just looking at her, I could tell the fury she was holding back was massive.
'All because of what that Darkened Broth fucker said.'
Slut this, lost your virginity that, who you fucked. Sure, the bastard would rot in a camp regretting it forever, but that wouldn't erase Blue Falcon's mental damage.
'So what can this ajusshi do…….'
Approaching her chummily to chat it out? Hell no—that'd land me on every forum as "Creepy Old Guy Hits on Hero.JPG."
Best move? Get the hell out of there fast.
I gave Blue Falcon a polite nod.
"Well, we'll be off then. Thanks for your hard work today—and for the video assist."
"………."
No reply. Instead, her head nodded mechanically, sloooowly. Like a rusty doll joint creaking.
She was in no state for more talk—that'd be rude. Yeom Hana was tugging my other arm anyway, and I had no bandwidth left for the hero girl.
"Ajusshi! Meat! Let's eat meat!"
"Got it, got it—stop pulling."
In the end, I let Yeom Hana drag me away from the scene. I felt a piercing stare on my back, but I didn't turn around.
……….
True to its rep as a hot spot, the BBQ joint buzzed with noise. Han Kang and Yeom Hana lucked into a window seat. The streetlights outside added some ambiance, but the moment Han Kang sat, dizziness hit him hard.
It was because the orange-haired guitarist across from him—Yeom Hana—was off to the races.
"Auntie! Three pork belly, two neck, two tenderloin! Oh, and lots of garlic! Got eel?"
"Eel? No eel here."
"Aw, bummer. Oysters or chives then?"
"We got chive pancakes and oyster pancakes."
"Both then! Ajusshi'll eat it all!"
Yeom Hana declared it proudly, pointing at Han Kang. The server auntie gave him a knowing look as she left, and Han Kang cleared his throat, downing his water.
"……Garlic, chives, oysters—all on me?"
"Yup. Gotta eat up."
"Why?"
"Just 'cause!"
Yeom Hana grinned mischievously and trailed off. Han Kang tilted his head but didn't pry. No point—her brain was a mystery.
As soon as the side dishes hit the table, she shoved the garlic plate his way. Not enough? She grabbed more from the self-serve bar and dumped it on the grill.
"Whoa……."
Soon the meat sizzled on. Savory aromas filled the air with the hiss.
Yeom Hana wrapped three perfect pieces in lettuce and held it out to Han Kang—topped with five roasted garlic cloves and a bite of chive salad.
"Here, say ahh~."
"I'm good. I can feed myself."
"C'mon! Ahh~!"
Han Kang finally took the bite amid her nagging.
"I'm buying today!"
Yeom Hana beamed as he chewed.
"You got the cash?"
"Huh? Of course. From busking—"
"What you've ordered already tops 200,000 won. Add drinks, and it's more."
"……."
Yeom Hana's jaw dropped. She counted on her fingers, replaying the order, then paled.
"Two……hundred thousand……?"
"Heh."
Han Kang chuckled.
"If you're treating, pick somewhere cheaper next time."
"Ugh……sorry, ajusshi."
She slumped, head down.
"Ajusshi, you work tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Well, then……."
She hesitated, then continued.
"You pay for food, but I'll cover the rest."
"The rest?"
"Yeah. After dinner."
Han Kang nodded. Probably dessert. A coffee after would suit her wallet fine.
"Got it. But no coffee for me."
"……Coffee?"
"Work tomorrow—caffeine late means no sleep."
Yeom Hana's face shifted oddly.
"Coffee? Who said cafe?"
"Huh? Isn't that the afterparty? Cafe?"
"Not cafe—somewhere else!"
She tapped the table impatiently with her chopsticks. Her cheeks flushed again.
"A place for ajusshi to……work up a sweat! No, a place to rest!"
"That's a cafe. Rest and coffee."
"Argh, seriously!"
Yeom Hana glared. But Han Kang just chuckled, unfazed.
'What a clueless ajusshi.'
Han Kang had no clue. The "somewhere else" Yeom Hana meant was a neon-lit love hotel.
And she had zero intention of letting him go home tonight.