Chapter 181: The Reason for the Favor (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 181: The Reason for the Favor (3)
At the moment Kang So-hyun and Kang Ha-ni met, there were people watching them from a car parked a short distance away.
Hiding their identities with expensive camouflage gear and utilizing drones equipped with optical stealth to ensure they didn’t miss a single movement, they exuded the aura of seasoned professionals.
Who were these individuals, melting into the darkness to secretly pursue their target?
Were they cold-blooded assassins targeting a mark? Or perhaps villains seeking to uncover a weakness through thorough preliminary investigation?
No. Not even close.
“…Her hat has such a wide brim that I can’t see her face clearly.”
“Unnie, if we get any closer, we might get caught.”
They were a professor from Leilan Academy and an external inspector.
In other words, they were Cathy and Kang Na-hyun.
It wasn’t as if they had nothing to do, so why were they acting like this in broad daylight?
It all started after dawn training, when Cathy had casually asked So-hyun about his schedule for the day.
— So-hyun, what are you doing today? If you don’t have any plans, could you spare some time for me?
— Ah, I’m sorry. I already have a prior engagement. What should I do? I think I have to head out right after I finish up here.
— No, it’s fine. That happens, So-hyun. It’s not like I contacted you in advance; if you have plans, there’s nothing to be done. But… do you mind if I ask what kind of appointment it is?
— Oh, someone promised to buy me a meal last time. They said they’d treat me today.
— I see. Who is it?
— Uh… well? Just someone.
He’s hiding it?
Of course, everyone has things they keep to themselves.
However, just as she was about to let it go, her trained superhuman intuition sent a fierce warning.
You must not let this moment pass.
It felt as if a new predator had appeared just as she was about to catch her prey.
Cathy decided to trust her gut and probe one more time.
— Really? Then should I give you a ride to the meeting place?
— Ah, no. It’s okay. I’m going to wash up first, then go get my hair and clothes done.
At that point, the possibility of it being a casual hangout with friends vanished completely.
For him—someone who usually didn’t put much effort into his appearance—to care about his looks meant the person he was meeting was special.
Just who could it be?
She wanted to tail him immediately, but she felt bad in case she was misunderstanding, and besides, stalking is a crime.
At the very least, it wasn’t an act an A-rank Hero should perform proudly.
Should she give up? Or should she follow?
As she agonized over the decision, Kang Na-hyun entered her field of vision.
Na-hyun climbed into the car with a calm, matter-of-fact air and called out to her.
— Unnie, what are you doing? Get in.
— …Huh? You’re going to follow him?
— Well, it’s not like we’re going to interfere. As his noona, can’t I at least see who my brother is meeting?
Is that so? Because she’s his noona. Yeah, what if So-hyun gets tricked and meets someone dangerous? Since we won’t actually intervene, isn’t it fine?
Come to think of it, you don’t call it stalking when a guardian is watching over someone, right?
In short, despite all the excuses, they had simply lost to their own desires.
“Ah, he’s moving. Shall we follow?”
“Yeah. Keep as much distance as possible. Let’s follow slowly.”
* * *
While I was waiting blankly at the meeting spot, people occasionally glanced my way or took a photo before scurrying off.
A few polite individuals actually asked if it was okay to take a picture, but thinking back, they might have been hitting on me rather than just being polite.
Hmm, this is effective. As expected, it’s best to leave clothes and hair to the professionals.
At least it’s much better than trying to do it myself with zero skill.
— You! You! Don’t you dare do your hair or clothes without my permission! Seriously, wow, you’ve completely ruined it! Ruined! How am I supposed to walk around with you? I’m so embarrassed!
Well, it might be because my face looks better than before, but I suddenly remembered how Seo-ha used to throw a fit whenever I tried to put effort into my appearance.
Her face would turn beet red as she got angry.
To be honest, I hadn’t even been planning on going anywhere.
As I was chuckling to myself at the old memory, I heard a stir in the distance.
The first thing that caught my eye was a sleeveless white dress and a wide-brimmed white hat.
The deep sky-blue ribbon on the hat was a nice touch that suited her well.
She was facing away, seemingly having not noticed me yet, but there was no way I could have mistaken her, so I called out.
Since the setup was that she was Ha-ni’s relative, I figured I should play along.
Up until the moment I spoke, I was honestly quite relaxed.
My head was filled with thoughts about what we’d do today and how I’d tease her.
However, the moment she turned around at my call, most of those plans evaporated, and my mind went blank.
Her face, flushed with a hint of embarrassment, and her gestures, which seemed more delicate than usual, played a part—but the biggest chest—no, the biggest reason was something else.
I didn’t understand.
Was a dress always such an erotic piece of clothing?
To be honest, if I hadn’t frequently seen a “player” of a similar weight class by my side, I might have panicked and started the date with some absolute nonsense.
Just how did that chest pocket—no, those bulging curves—even form?
Wait, didn’t they look a bit smaller the last time I saw them?
It took exactly two seconds to regain my senses after that thought.
Fortunately, perhaps because she was shy, Ha-ni didn’t notice my gaze and put on a soulful performance. Seeing her flustered helped me calm down as well.
I guess overwhelming specs can crush any strategy or half-baked scheme with pure power.
I’ve learned something today.
* * *
It wasn’t like she was wearing makeup, and though her expression had softened, making her look a bit gentler, there shouldn’t have been a huge difference.
Yet, he was strangely calm.
If he had been flustered, she would have pushed further to test his intentions. But if she asked if she looked like Han-hee, he’d probably just give a predictable answer like, “You’re relatives, so of course you look alike.”
In the end, without any real progress, they arrived at the restaurant he had reserved.
“U-um… is this really the restaurant you reserved?”
“Yes. You told me I could pick whatever I liked, so I chose this place. Do you not like Western food?”
“No, it’s not that I’m picky, but…”
It was just that the numbers on the price list seemed a bit strange.
Forcing herself to swallow the words she wanted to say, she almost glared at the boy in front of her.
Seriously, even if I said I’d treat him… Why did he pick such an expensive-looking—no, looking at the menu, it really was expensive.
He came to a place this pricey?
And for lunch, no less.
Even if they ordered the cheapest items, for two people, it would be an amount of money a student’s wallet could never ignore.
Of course, she had reward money from catching villains, and in the worst-case scenario, she could convert Academy points into cash, but since she had been expecting the kind of restaurants they usually frequented, the unexpected expense left a bitter taste in her mouth.
“Hmm-hmm~”
Regardless of her feelings, he was humming a tune as he browsed the menu, looking utterly obnoxious.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Aren’t you going to pick something?”
Wait, is he? Honestly, he wasn’t just obnoxious.
He was handsome. She didn’t think she liked men with such delicate features, but now she couldn’t tell if he looked handsome because she liked him, or if he just had a charm that transcended her preferences.
They say you get tired of a beauty in three days, but with a face like that, wouldn’t any marital spat be resolved just by looking at him, even after thirty years?
“Ah, I see. You’re worried about what to pick, right?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah. Right. To be honest, I haven’t been to places like this very often.”
“Well, that’s a problem. I heard the food here is delicious. They have a course where you can try a little bit of everything, so let’s both get that.”
…Are you talking about that course at the very bottom with the absolutely insane price?
She wanted to stop him from spending such a burdensome amount on a single meal, but after gallantly offering to treat him, stopping him now felt a bit petty.
In the end, she couldn’t stop him before he finished ordering, and it felt like she might cry over the unexpected expenditure.
Ah, whatever.
Let’s just call it the cost of a date. I can just work a part-time job or go on a monster subjugation during summer break.
A beautifully plated salad and small pieces of appetizer bread were served, and she chewed them as thoroughly as possible.
If I’m paying this much, I should at least savor the taste.
“Pff… haha… ah, phew.”
However, she had been so busy trembling over the food prices that she hadn’t noticed the sound of someone desperately stifling laughter in front of her.
What? What’s with him? Why is he laughing? Is he flirting?
“Ah, seriously. You’re holding out until the very end. Don’t worry and eat comfortably. I already paid.”
“…Huh?”
“I left my card at the counter when we walked in and asked them to settle the bill, so don’t worry.”
What was he talking about? Did that mean the payment was already done? This place wasn’t even a subsidiary of the Yuseong Group.
“I-I was the one who was supposed to treat you!”
Ah, did I just speak like I usually do?
She hoped he would show some sign of noticing, but she couldn’t tell if he truly hadn’t caught on or if he was just feigning composure.
“What does it matter who pays? I just wanted to see you one more time. Honestly, I’m surprised. Do I look like the kind of person who would ask for something expensive just because someone else is paying?”
“No, but still…”
“Actually, I’ve always wanted to try this. You know, it happens all the time in novels and dramas. I never had the chance, but thanks to you, I finally get to do it.”
What…? Is this really the So-hyun I know? Is this some other person in special effects makeup acting as a stand-in?
Why does he seem so experienced with dating?
“…Next time, I’m buying.”
“It’s fine. I get treated by Han-hee all the time, so you can just think of it as a way of paying her back.”
“…Why are you trying to pay her back through me?”
“Even if you weren’t her elder sister, I should treat anyone related to Han-hee well. He’s my best friend, after all.”
Just when she thought she had a lead on him, he slipped away like an eel again.
…I don’t know anymore.
She had expected that if she showed her true self, he would either be shocked and ask if she was a girl, or calmly say he already knew.
She thought a conclusion would be reached in some form, but she never imagined he would just keep maintaining this act.
Could he really not have recognized me?
If so, that was shocking in its own way.
She wasn’t even wearing makeup; how much could she have changed?
Before she knew it, the meal had passed the main course and reached dessert.
It’s a total bust. Instead of uncovering his true feelings, things had only become more complicated.
“But, you know.”
“Yes?”
“It feels a bit funny to ask this now, but what is your name?”
Huh? What? Name? I didn’t think of one!
It would be weird if she couldn’t answer immediately.
Ha-ni? No, saying my real name is too dangerous, and it’s too similar to Han-hee.
Uh, um, uh. For now, just something similar…!
“It’s Ha-na. Kang Ha-na.”
It was a name she blurted out as it came to mind.
But for some reason, the moment she said that name, the relaxed expression that had been on his face the whole time wavered for the first time.
Did I make a mistake?
“Ha-na…”
However, rather than looking angry, he looked flustered. His expression seemed bittersweet, yet filled with longing.
“So your name is Ha-na. It’s a beautiful name. Yes… actually, I know one other person with that same name.”
Ah, so that’s why he was surprised.
“What a coincidence. Who is it?”
“My mother.”
“…Pardon?”
“My mother’s name is also the same. Quite a coincidence, isn’t it?”
Looking at him as he gave a bright, beaming answer, she couldn’t bring herself to smile back.
What—what have I done? No, how could I make such a mistake of all things?
“Are you okay?”
“Ah, yes, I’m fine. Of course. Yes, I’m fine.”
You crazy bitch. You absolute crazy bitch. You were doing so well, and then you make a mistake like this.
Her head knew she had to control her expression, but her body refused to follow orders.
She felt dizzy. What kind of face am I making right now? I need to get up before I worry him.
No, it wasn’t intentional, but she had made a mistake that someone who knew his circumstances should never, ever make.
Should I just reveal who I am right now and apologize?
Just the other day, he had been suffering from nightmares, thinking of his mother and begging her not to leave… and now, in front of him, she had…
“Calm down. Seriously.”
“…Huh?”
“If anyone should be shaking, it’s me. Why are you trembling so much? I’m not angry, so don’t worry.”
She slowly raised her head.
There he was, wearing an expression she had never seen before.
The way he looked at her, seemingly worried, felt a bit different from the concern she had received in the past.
“Are you feeling a bit better?”
Huh? Wait, he’s speaking informally now? No, is that what’s important?
She had to say something.
It was the moment she opened her mouth to speak.
Bang!
The sound of a gunshot rang out, followed immediately by screams.
“Huh?”
“Eh?”
“Everyone, be quiet…! If you follow instructions, I won’t kill you…!”
…There stood a terrorist, looking like he had stepped straight out of a textbook.
“…This wasn’t in the plans?”
He muttered.