Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Volunteer Work (3)
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“Su-hyeon.”
Senior Yu-jeong, who had parked the car at the edge of the orphanage, waved to me and spoke. I could finally relax upon seeing her bright smile.
As soon as she arrived, she asked me in a friendly, affectionate tone.
“Was today’s volunteer work too hard?”
“No, it was fine. I’m a hunter, after all. This much is a breeze.”
I raised my arm and flexed, showing off the solid, impressive bicep. Senior Yu-jeong naturally reached out to touch my arm and nodded approvingly. Behind me, Ichie was waving to Senior Yu-jeong. The two made eye contact naturally and grinned at each other.
Senior Yu-jeong said,
“Miss Ichie, I heard you don’t come to things like this because they’re a hassle. But here you are.”
Ichie poked the back of my neck with her finger and replied,
“We’re a team.”
“I’m on the same team, but you kept it a secret from me. I’m a little hurt, Miss Ichie. Aren’t we on the same team?”
“We are. But I thought this should be something just between apprentice hunters. It loses meaning if an experienced senior like you joins in.”
“...I’m not that much older. Su-hyeon’s actually three years older than me.”
“Really? Su-hyeon oppa seems so trendy, I didn’t realize.”
It was true. Senior Yu-jeong was only my senior in experience; I was three years older. I’d entered the academy pretty late. Most awakeners got their abilities assessed in their early twenties and joined then. It was nice that she saw me as young.
Ichie added,
“Sorry, I misspoke. I don’t know Korean well. Not senior by age, but by experience.”
“Right? Well, even if I don’t join the volunteering, I can at least buy snacks for ‘our’ Su-hyeon and Miss Ichie.”
“It’s not that tough, so I’d feel bad. You’re busy anyway, Senior Yu-jeong, so we’ll cheer each other on just the two of us.”
The word “cheer” came out pretty cute. Senior Yu-jeong laughed and nodded. Ichie locked eyes with her and shook her head. The two exchanged warm gazes wordlessly for a while, then suddenly looked away. Senior Yu-jeong grabbed my arm tightly and said to Ichie,
“Shall we go grab some food then? My treat.”
“Sounds good.”
Ichie replied in a warm voice. We headed to the budae jjigae restaurant she’d mentioned. True to its claim of 30 years of tradition, the place was packed. We sat facing the bubbling pot of stew. Senior Yu-jeong was beside me, and Ichie sat across from me.
Ichie picked up the ladle and started scooping the stew into the side plates. She gave one to Senior Yu-jeong first, then to me. She said,
“I learned to serve adults first.”
“Ichie, you’ve really been studying Korean customs.”
“Right. Su-hyeon oppa’s an adult compared to me, so you first.”
“I should be acting more mature, so I feel a bit sorry.”
“I’ll serve Ichie.”
Senior Yu-jeong took the ladle and gave Ichie a big helping of ramen noodles and ham. She said,
“You’re still young, so eat up. That way you’ll grow big and strong.”
“Thanks. You’re a good person, sis.”
“I’m happy to have a good junior like you, Ichie.”
The harmonious atmosphere continued. I mixed some broth with my rice and ate. Ichie mostly ate the noodles and ham, skipping much broth. Senior Yu-jeong kept asking things like, “Want a soda?” or “Need more water?” trying to look after me.
The leisurely meal time ended. Having scraped the pot clean, we faced each other with satisfied, full expressions. Just as Senior Yu-jeong was about to say something, Ichie’s face hardened as she checked her phone. She stepped away with it, returning after a few minutes.
As soon as she came back, Ichie gathered her bag and belongings and said,
“Uncle’s calling me. I want to stay longer, but I can’t be late. He says it’s dangerous wandering around late.”
“Got it. Too bad. It’d be nice if you could stay longer.”
Ichie nodded in agreement with Senior Yu-jeong.
“Yeah. It’s fun hanging out with you, Senior Yu-jeong. I’m sad to go.”
Senior Yu-jeong suddenly wrapped her arm around mine tightly and said,
“Then we’ll hang out at a café a bit longer.”
Ichie nodded silently, gathered her things, and left the restaurant. As soon as she was gone, Senior Yu-jeong gripped my hand tightly. Her fingers squeezed hard enough to hurt a little. She said,
“Shall we head out too?”
“Sure.”
After paying, we got in the car. As soon as Senior Yu-jeong took the wheel, she gave a wry smile, took a deep breath, and looked at me. Then she said,
“Player.”
“Huh?”
I looked at her in disbelief at the sudden accusation. Player? I’d never even looked at another woman besides Senior Yu-jeong, and aside from that thing with the Omnipotent Being, I’d never been intimate with anyone else. And that didn’t count since it was all in my imagination. So really, I was like a sunflower fixed only on her.
As I stared at her innocently aggrieved, Senior Yu-jeong narrowed her eyes slightly. She said,
“Look at Miss Ichie. She’s totally into you, wagging her tail like a fox.”
“Nah, she’s just being friendly because she doesn’t have anyone to rely on in Korea. Her relatives are only here temporarily too. That’s all the more reason we should take good care of her.”
I couldn’t believe she thought Ichie liked me. No way. Senior Yu-jeong chuckled at my words and leaned her head on me.
“Our Su-hyeon. How are you gonna survive this harsh world being so innocent?”
“You’ll be with me, right, Senior Yu-jeong?”
“Eww, gross.”
She said that, but she didn’t seem displeased. The car engine still wasn’t on. People passed by the quiet car, each hurrying to their destinations. Senior Yu-jeong silently leaned her head on my shoulder. I rested my head against hers and closed my eyes. After all that volunteering, I was tired enough that I could fall asleep just like this.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The door to the luxurious villa opened. The middle-aged man in a floral suit standing tensely in the middle of the living room raised his bowed head and squinted. Ichie, removing her shoes, didn’t notice his expression and greeted in a perfectly calm tone.
“I’m back.”
“Ichie. Dinner?”
“Yeah. I ate.”
“You should message. Ichie. Otherwise uncle. Worries. World dangerous now. No wandering late.”
“Hunters aren’t in danger.”
With that, Ichie hung the sword from her waist on the wall. She stretched and flopped onto the sofa. Hugging a pillow and resting her neck on the armrest, she let out a deep sigh, looking utterly exhausted. Her uncle continued in his clumsy Korean. They had to use Korean at home for her to get better at it.
“Su-hyeon oppa. Doing well? I looked into him. Woman named Kim Yu-jeong always with that guy. Maybe they’re dating, or... have feelings.”
“They are dating.”
Ichie said flatly. She was scrolling through texts from Kim Yu-jeong on her phone. She wasn’t stupid. No matter how much they hid it, it showed in their words and actions. Kim Yu-jeong touched him too much for just senior-junior, and Jeong Su-hyeon accepted it naturally.
Her uncle frowned at her matter-of-fact response.
“Player... that... bastard...!”
Seeing her uncle fuming like he might cause a scene, Ichie sat up and said,
“Doesn’t matter. He approaches me even knowing I know.”
“Ichie. Plenty good men. Why chase one with girlfriend.”
Her uncle scolded her gently. Ichie shook her head and said,
“I like him. Su-hyeon oppa’s a good guy. I’ll take him.”
“Korea. No polygamy. How date.”
“Just need everyone to agree. If Senior Yu-jeong and Su-hyeon oppa say yes, we three date. Senior Yu-jeong’s good. Su-hyeon oppa’s good. Don’t want good people breaking up. So we three together.”
Her uncle looked at her puzzled. No matter how he thought about it, it seemed unlikely. Jeong Su-hyeon might like two girls wanting him, but would Kim Yu-jeong share? Ichie smiled with her eyes and said,
“Just talk it out.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The next day. Ichie texted that she couldn’t make volunteer work, sorry. She had important stuff with someone she knew. Senior Yu-jeong was also jittery from the afternoon, constantly checking her phone and fidgeting. Apparently, the hunters had some group schedule today.
So here I was alone in front of the orphanage. Inside, a huge guy was busily hauling stuff. His cap was pulled low, so I couldn’t see who it was. I greeted the staff visible through the door and started helping move the boxes piled on the truck.
“Let me help.”
“Thanks, young man.”
Huh? His old-fashioned speech gave me a strange feeling. Those thick forearms looked familiar. Long hair peeked from under the cap. He was a head taller than me, and his wrinkled face brimmed with energy.
Sky-Shattering King Choi Sun-hong. He smiled at me and offered a handshake.
“We met once before, right? Here for volunteering? Quite the spirited young man.”
“Ah, yeah.”
I was confused.