Chapter 109
Chapter 109
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: End and Beginning (4)
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"Seri, let's go."
Monday.
I'd used the [Disguise] skill to alter my face, and Seri and I were holding hands as we headed to the shop.
Unlike Seri, who needed the skill to hide her original appearance, I'd cast it to conceal my [Beauty C] buff. No way would anyone buy that I'd turned handsome in just three days.
Anyway, Hong-seop was coming in person today to interview her for the position introducing Seri. I'd already texted him, saying she was a relative with no connections.
"Seri, what did I say? What are you supposed to call me at the shop?"
"Call hubby 'oppa.'"
"Please. Seriously. It's fine when it's just us, okay?"
This was the compromise we'd reached over the weekend.
Seri didn't seem thrilled about it, but she answered reluctantly.
"...Got it."
"And what else?"
"Don't use shadows recklessly."
"Right. And?"
"Don't mention the sex."
"That's super important."
As I quizzed her on the precautions I'd given her in advance, we arrived at the shop in no time.
We'd come early since showing her around from opening prep might be rushed, but no one was there yet.
"Seri, you'll be working here from now on."
"Yeah."
"Now we can whisper, so if anything happens, contact me right away. And Star'll be with you, so you can do it, right?"
Seri nodded.
"I'll try."
"Good. I'll come and go with you for the next few days."
As I explained how to open and close the doors, the layout, and showed her the kitchen, Yeon Du arrived.
"Oh? Yeon Du. Isn't today your day off?"
"The new kitchen helper's coming, so I figured I should at least say hi, hehe. Ah! Hello, I'm Yeon Du-na. You're oppa's relative, right?"
Since I'd already texted Hong-seop about it, it wasn't weird that she knew Seri.
Seri grabbed my sleeve tight as she watched Yeon Du greet us warmly.
"O... oppa."
"Greet her. She's Du-na unnie."
"Oh, I'm the unnie? Um, what's your name...?"
"Han Seri."
The name slipped out reflexively, so I quickly whispered.
-Seri, Choi. Choi.
Relatives could have different surnames, but no need to stick with the wanted name.
"Pardon?"
Yeon Du tilted her head as Seri paused, and Seri hurriedly replied.
"Ah! Choi Seri!"
"Aha. How old are you, Seri?"
"Twenty."
"I'm twenty-four. Guess I am the unnie?"
At the word 'unnie' from Yeon Du's mouth, Seri scanned her up and down just like she'd done with Pomi. This kid judging by height again?
Sure enough, after the scan, the exact words I'd expected came out of Seri's mouth.
"Not unnie... Eek?!"
But unlike with Pomi, Seri couldn't finish. Her shaky eyes were fixed on Yeon Du's 'midsection.'
"Y-Yeah, unnie. Du-na unnie."
"Huh? Oh, right. Du-na unnie. Let's get along?"
Thinking Seri's casual speech was a sign of closeness, Yeon Du beamed.
Soon the staff trickled in, swarming the new face like bees to honey.
As they welcomed the new family member, some bid me a reluctant farewell.
Especially Lv. 41 Hyo-min, who said something unexpected.
"Oppa, where's the new place you're working?"
"Pretty close to here. But why...?"
She smiled slyly.
"If I come as a customer, you'll treat me extra nice, right?"
"Hey, if you say that and don't show, I'll hunt you down at the shop."
Hyo-min broke the ice, and others chimed in.
"Hyung, do they take guys?"
Ugh, Ji-woon. And asking if guys are okay?
"Probably? They hired me, didn't they? Wanna come?"
"...Yeah."
Don't blush, you dork!
As the hall staff dispersed, Chae-yeon unnie arrived late for once.
"Ah, sorry I'm a bit late, unnie. Jun-young too, sorry. Huh? Who's this?"
Chae-yeon unnie's eyes went wide. But Seri's reaction was off. She froze like she'd seen something unbelievable, her pupils darting around.
-Seri, what's wrong?
"M... mom."
"Huh?"
Chae-yeon unnie leaned in close, missing the tiny whisper.
"What'd you say? Couldn't hear."
"Ah, uh, mom."
"Hold on, unnie. Just a sec?"
I hurriedly pulled Seri to a quiet spot.
"Hey, what was that?"
"Mom."
"Mom? Does Chae-yeon unnie look like your late mom?"
Seri nodded vigorously.
"Grrr. She really looks a lot like Master. The mole near her eye, the vibe..."
Star poked her head out from Seri's shadow, agreeing.
"Ah... Okay. I get it."
This was awkward.
"Wait here? Don't go anywhere?"
"Okay."
I left Seri and went back to Chae-yeon unnie.
"Hey, unnie."
"Yeah? Who was that? Is she okay? Sick or something?"
"She's starting in the kitchen today. My cousin."
"Cousin?"
"Yeah. Her parents died when she was little..."
"Ah..."
Even with the heavy story out of nowhere, Chae-yeon unnie looked more sympathetic than troubled.
She's such a good person.
"Guess she looks a lot like her late mom. That's why she's startled."
"Got it. I'm fine."
"Okay."
I brought Seri back.
"She just looks similar, but she's not your mom, got it?"
"Yeah."
Seri said yes, but while learning the ropes, she kept glancing at Chae-yeon unnie, and unnie noticed too since their eyes met often.
Still better than them getting along poorly?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Late that night, after everyone clocked out leaving just me and Seri, Hong-seop showed up.
"I'm here."
"Finally slinking in now that business is done."
"What, punk. You run the place or something."
"Ugh. Oh, right. How'd the real estate thing go yesterday?"
"Butt out. Mom filed for registration, so even if you marry Yeon Du, you can't take it."
"Screw off, jerk. You take it all."
Seri tugged my clothes, unsettled by our buddy banter laced with curses.
Hong-seop changed the subject seeing it.
"Asked the kitchen crew when they left—she's great at work. Quick and picks it up fast."
"Right?"
I patted Seri's shoulder proudly.
"Seri, they said you did great today."
Seri squirmed bashfully. Her reaction was childish for a twenty-year-old, but since I'd prepped him with her tough childhood story, Hong-seop didn't mind.
Hong-seop continued.
"Oh, and they're planning a send-off for you. You free?"
"Nah. What kinda send-off for part-time help?"
"That's what I think? But Yeon Du keeps nagging."
"Hey, why curse at our Yeon Du."
"You two are nagging duo. Whatever, you free this Sunday?"
I was about to say yes, but last night's sudden callback to a promise from three months ago flashed in my mind.
"Uh... not Sunday. Got plans."
"Saturday then?"
Saturday was when I had to meet Kim Do-yeon at Peach Blossom Hall.
"That day too."
"Dude, just tell me when you're free. Why act busy all sudden?"
"Sorry. Next Saturday work?"
"Man. Fine, gotta check times again."
"Check what? Just you and Yeon Du?"
"Was gonna be. But Chae-yeon unnie's coming too."
"Whoa? Doesn't the old man never let unnie do group hangs?"
"Yeah, so he's coming. Unnie felt bad thinking you quit cause of her, apologized to me."
"Unnie's too nice for her own good."
Hong-seop nodded in agreement, adding,
"Old man's lucky. Great personality except the jealousy."
I couldn't agree, knowing Chae-yeon unnie's 'asphyxiation kink' and soft sex fantasies.
"Anyway, kitchen crew's all in, and quite a few from hall too? Scored points with those massages?"
"Heh heh."
"Dunno how many with the date shift, but got it. I'll check and text. Clear next Fri-Sat-Sun."
"Yeah. Thanks."
"Thanks? Make it big."
After Hong-seop left, Seri and I chatted on the way home.
"Of the people today, you know Yeon Du?"
"Big boobs."
"Uh? Yeah. Watch out for her. It's a bar, so drunks sometimes. Hyo-min usually handles it—oh, you remember her?"
Seri nodded.
"Tough one."
"You can't see stats, but you clocked that?"
True masters recognize each other— even an assassin's eye sees Lv. 41 Hyo-min as strong.
"Anyway, guys and Hyo-min handle it, but just in case, keep an eye on Yeon Du."
"Okay."
"And Na-young too?"
"Gave me chocolate."
She'd glared at first seeing Seri clingy, but switched quick once hearing relative.
"Yeah. Watch her too. Got it?"
"Yeah. And mom?"
"...Chae-yeon unnie?"
I nodded after staring at Han Seri a moment.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Days passed since Seri started. Yeon Du and Na-young said she was adapting well.
I'd asked those two and Chae-yeon unnie to look after her.
Chae-yeon unnie, whose personality matched Seri's late mom's, was noticeably upbeat when I saw her Wednesday morning.
I left the excited, huffing pup at the shop and headed to my new gig at Smile Skin Care.
'Business' had a sleazy ring, so shop it was. With an appointment, I chatted right away with Yun Mi-so at the counter.
"Hehe. Jun-young's here?"
She greeted me with her signature nasal hum, pouring mixed coffee like last time.
"So you can start tomorrow?"
"Yes, boss."
"Hehe. Not boss. Director."
"Ah, yes."
"Hm... but issue is, we're not ready yet."
"Pardon?"
"Next week okay? Still adjusting client schedules. Guys masseurs make some cautious, y'know."
"Then male clients... ah, they prefer director too."
"...What're you on about? We only take women."
"Huh?"
What?
Yun Mi-so gave me a dumbfounded look, then nodded at the door.
"It's outside."
"Hold on."
I rushed out and sure enough, in the corner of the [Smile Skin Care] sign: 'Women-Only Care.'