Chapter 66: Hot and Warm Like the Sun (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 66: Hot and Warm Like the Sun (5)
The things Yura told me about Yellow were quite interesting. Since they had known each other for a long time, and Yura wasn't exactly the type to back down, they had clashed frequently in the early days. Now, it seemed they lived in a state of mutual avoidance, intentionally dodging situations that might lead to a fight.
I also learned Yellow’s age. At twenty-six, she was one year older than the twenty-five-year-old Yura, making her older than me as well, since I was living as a twenty-five-year-old on Earth.
In truth, a one-year difference is hardly noticeable. In some cases, people are divided into seniors and juniors even when their birthdays are less than six months apart.
Perhaps that was why Yura and Yellow fought so much.
“Was age really that important to her?” I asked.
According to Yura, Yellow had never actually brought up the fact that she was older. It was more a matter of personal friction; they realized they were polar opposites from the moment they both became members of Hunter Killer.
Hayoung, who had been there since the beginning, and other members who had since left, weren't exactly great at communicating either, so no one had ever really tried to mend the relationship between the two.
Even after Yubin became the leader, communication remained poor. Now that the overall team atmosphere had been improving lately, it seemed the fuse between the once-indifferent Yura and Yellow had been lit once again.
“But what do they usually fight about?”
Yura had mentioned they fought, but she hadn't given a specific reason. I asked for a more in-depth answer, hoping to get a better handle on Yellow’s character.
“The reasons... I don't really remember. Most of it was trivial. Yellow has such a foul mouth that we usually ended up bickering over her tone.”
“...If you fought that much, I guess you weren't exactly a pushover back then either?”
“To be honest, I was pretty hot-headed back then too. I was under a lot of stress from just having moved out on my own.”
Yura laughed and honestly admitted to her past temperament. As our eyes met, I couldn't help but let out a laugh as well.
“Still, it’s a fact that Yellow has a shitty personality. How should I put it? It’s like she specifically picks the most offensive way possible to treat people.”
“But you haven't really had a proper conversation with her yet, have you?”
Listening to Yura talk about Yellow, I realized that there had been no real communication between them since their initial falling out. To put it simply, they had cut off dialogue after their fights, meaning most of their current opinions of each other were built on assumptions and imagination.
Of course, once you know a person to a certain extent, your predictions and imaginations usually turn out to be correct.
They say you only truly know someone by experiencing them yourself, but you often find out later that what others said about them aligns perfectly with your own experience.
Yura was telling me her thoughts on Yellow, and honestly, I didn't think my own impression would be much different once I got to know her.
That said, there are always exceptions. If someone already has a negative perception of a person and speaks carelessly about them, you should take their words with a grain of salt. But Yura wasn't that kind of person.
When talking about their recent spat, Yura brought up the argument they had during the meeting two days ago, which inevitably led to the topic of Green.
However, Yura simply dismissed Green’s situation as "family matters," knowing I supposedly wouldn't know the details.
It’s not easy to keep someone else’s family affairs private when talking to a third party, especially since Green’s story wasn't something to be taken lightly.
In that regard, my trust in Yura went up another notch. She helped me understand by explaining it was a family matter she couldn't elaborate on, while also clearly conveying her feelings toward Yellow for bringing it up.
“Can you blame me? She talked to Green like that.”
From my perspective, I couldn't help but fully empathize with Yura’s emotions. I was involved with both Yura and Green, and I shared a deep emotional connection with Yura in particular. I understood why she fought with Yellow over her reckless comments regarding Green’s sensitivities, and I found myself feeling unpleasant toward Yellow as well.
“I was just asking. If you don't get along, there's no need to force it.”
Perhaps feeling like I was suggesting she try talking to Yellow, Yura’s brow furrowed. I pressed down on the crease between her eyebrows with my finger as I answered her.
There’s no need to go out of your way to befriend someone you don't click with. This applies to all civilized humanity across the universe. Sure, there might be a chance to get close if you put your mind to it, but there’s no reason to force it when you know you’re incompatible.
In the end, one or both parties will only end up stressed.
“Anyway, that’s how it is, so I’m drinking tonight.”
“Suddenly?”
I had expected it. But as far as Yura was concerned, I was hearing all this about Yellow for the first time today. Even if I had anticipated it, a sudden proposal is still sudden.
“Is that a no?”
“It’s not that.”
I found it cute how Yura scanned my reaction, worried I might say no. After confirming there was no sign of anyone coming toward the kitchen, I wrapped my arms around her waist and pressed my lips to hers.
“Mnh, ah...”
Our tongues immediately intertwined as we shared slick saliva and hot breath. When we finally pulled apart, a string of saliva stretched between us.
“Let’s have a drink together after work.”
“Okay.”
After my shift ended, I went to her house. We shared drinks and, inevitably, spent another passionate night together. Though I had held her just last week, her lewd, enchanting body was still soft and felt incredible. I worried I might have been a bit too rough, but Yura accepted my actions with lustful moans. We both headed to work the next day.
I didn't go straight home after Sunday’s work ended. There was a place I needed to stop by.
After parting with Yura, I took the subway for a few stops, got off, and walked until I reached an apartment complex.
I took the elevator to the top floor and rang the doorbell. A voice came from inside.
“Yes~?”
Hearing her familiar voice through the intercom, I answered casually, “It’s me.” Soon, I heard the sound of footsteps running toward the front door. The door swung open, and Hayoung greeted me with a smile, her long blue hair tied up in her usual bun.
“Honey, you’re here! Come on in.”
“What are you so excited about?”
I smiled as I spoke to her, as she couldn't hide her good mood. Hayoung gave an embarrassed laugh and scratched her cheek.
“Was it that obvious? I guess I’m just happy you came over.”
Hearing her say outright that I was the reason for her happiness made it impossible for me not to feel good.
“Were you home all day?”
“Yeah. No meetings, and I was looking into some work.”
Since moving out, Hayoung had attended meetings whenever they were held and looked for work she could do while at home. I had told her I couldn't come over during the weekdays because of my job.
I had explained that helping her move was done during my time off. Even though only four days had passed since the move, it was clear as day that Hayoung had been eagerly waiting for the day I would visit.
“How was the meeting? Was it okay?”
Since Hayoung had rarely attended meetings until now, I wanted to check how she felt about them.
“Yeah. It was fine.”
I was a bit concerned because the issue with Yellow had occurred during a meeting the very day after I spent the night with her. Just as she was finally starting to communicate with the members by attending meetings regularly, that incident had happened.
Between Green’s situation, my concern for Hayoung, the direct argument with Yura, and the fact that Yubin had to manage all of it—there wasn't a single part of this that didn't weigh on my mind.
In fact, the reason I came to Hayoung’s house today was to check if she was alright. Of course, I didn't think Hayoung’s mental state would be shaken just because Yellow fought with the members. She was the eldest in the team, and her mental fortitude was easily the best among all the Superhumans I had seen so far.
Above all, she was a woman who had endured ten years under a nightmare of a sister-in-law. She wouldn't be swayed by something like this, but as someone who had decided to take responsibility for his relationship with her, I couldn't just ignore it.
“Well, that’s a relief then.”
As I walked through the hallway into the living room, the delicious scent of dinner wafted toward me.
“Smells great. What did you make today?”
“I made a few things since you were coming over. Oh, if there’s anything you can’t eat, let me know. I’ll avoid those next time.”
She went back to the kitchen to finish up, asking about my food preferences while carefully plating a dish of braised seafood she had prepared with care.
Watching her back as she worked hard on dinner while wearing an apron, I felt proud and, in a way, thought she looked quite impressive.
I walked up behind her and carefully wrapped my arms around her waist, making sure she wouldn't drop the plate. Startled for a moment, Hayoung soon smiled and turned her head to look up at me.
Though she had a relatively small frame compared to the other Hunter Killer members, she seemed larger than anyone else to me. Well, certain parts of her were just as large as the others, at least.
Regardless, our eyes met, and I pulled her closer, pressing my body against hers.
“What is it?”
The way her voice trailed off slightly at the end of her question was adorable. Some might not like that speech habit, but I didn't mind it at all. Rather, it felt like it blended well with her aura and was pleasant to hear.
“Just because. You looked so impressive.”
“I think you’re much more impressive, Honey.”
She set the plate down next to the stove and turned around, wrapping her arms around my waist.
“How was work today?”
I couldn't tell the truth to Hayoung, who believed I worked a regular job, but I could still express my honest feelings.
“It was okay, but still tiring.”
No matter how much you enjoy it, work is always tiring. When I told her that honestly, Hayoung reached out and stroked my hair.
“My poor Honey. You worked so hard today.”
At first, I had her in my arms, but gradually my posture lowered until I was kneeling with my upper body upright, cradled in Hayoung’s embrace.
“Dinner is all ready, so we can eat right away. What do you want to do first? Dinner? A bath? Or...”
“You.”
“Huh...? Eek!”
In the end, out of dinner, a bath, and Hayoung, I chose Hayoung first. Because of that, the dinner that was ready first ended up being eaten last after we took a bath. No, come to think of it, wasn't Hayoung the one who was ready first?
After the meal, I lay down with my head in Hayoung’s lap as she sat on the living room sofa. When I glanced up while watching TV, her large breasts made it hard to see her face. It was only when Hayoung leaned forward slightly, sensing my gaze, that our eyes could meet.
“Honey. Is there something you want to say to me?”
“You noticed?”
“Vaguely?”
It was true that I had been looking for an opening because there was something I wanted to ask her. I wondered if Hayoung, who had known Yellow as long as Yura had, might know something about the woman who was still a mystery and a bad impression to me.
“Could you tell me about your teammates?”
Since I hadn't really discussed Hunter Killer business with Hayoung yet, I thought it would look strange if I singled out Yellow, so I decided to ask about the team as a whole.
“Are you curious?”
“Just because they’re your colleagues. I’m curious what kind of people they are.”
“Then who should I start with?”
“Umm... Yellow?”
When she asked me to pick someone, I reflexively named Yellow, who was currently number one on my curiosity list. Hayoung didn't seem suspicious and began to talk about her.
“How should I put it... she’s taciturn, but also quite aggressive.”
I had only heard about Yellow through the lens of her fighting, but hearing everyone agree that she was taciturn made it clear she usually didn't talk much.
“And she’s a very clumsy girl.”
“Clumsy?”
“Yes. How do I say this? It feels like what she’s thinking and what she communicates are different.”
“It feels like that? You’re not sure?”
“Yeah. I’ve never really had a deep conversation with her. But Honey... don't you have any questions about me?”
“Questions about you?”
With a mysterious smile, she grabbed my face and pulled me close, even though I had only asked a few questions about Yellow.
“...Do you want to do it again?”
I asked just in case, and seeing Hayoung nod shyly, I decided to set aside the questions about Yellow for now.
*
Monday morning, Hunter Killer briefing room.
Unlike usual, more than half the members were in the room from the very start of the week.
Red, Pink, and Blue had gathered first, chatting about the weather and the news, followed by Green.
“Hi.”
“Welcome. It’s really hot, isn't it?”
“Yeah. It’s sweltering.”
Green entered with beads of sweat on her forehead from the moment she arrived in the heat.
It wasn't quite time for the meeting yet, and it was uncertain whether Yellow would show up, so they hadn't started.
Then, Yellow, whom they thought might not come today, walked into the room. Immediately sensing the strange gazes on her, Yellow looked at the members.
“What? Why?”
Pink and Blue were clearly conscious of her. Yellow could immediately sense the awkward atmosphere in the room that was hard to put into words.
“Everyone’s here, so shall we start the meeting?”
Red broke the strange tension and proceeded with the meeting as usual. However, there was one difference: a single thought was floating through the members' minds.
‘Why did A ask me about Yellow?’
‘Is he interested in her?’
They hadn't thought much of it when A asked, but facing Yellow in the meeting made them feel self-conscious. As Yellow sat through the meeting in that inexplicable, uncomfortable atmosphere, she was thinking:
‘I want to go to the arcade...’