Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Meeting (1)
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"Hoo..."
I stretched and let out a sigh as I arrived at the cafe for my shift.
For a world that had changed so drastically, everyday life was eerily unchanged.
Whether that was a good thing or not, Seoul hadn't seen a single monster since that incident.
Monsters had appeared elsewhere, but for the Republic of Korea—nicknamed the Seoul Republic—it didn't seem like a major issue.
Aside from the heroes stationed in Seoul being dispatched elsewhere, nothing had really changed.
Though people in the provinces were dying left and right.
Still, they weren't just sitting idle; they'd started sending heroes from Seoul across the country, so it didn't look entirely bad.
Seoul had an excess of heroes anyway.
Losing a few didn't cause any real problems.
"Haa... It's so unsettling these days, I can barely live like this... What about you, Do-yoon?"
"Who knows. But haven't there been zero monsters in Seoul since that incident?"
"That's exactly the problem! Think about it. If they kept showing up, it'd be one thing, but they're only appearing elsewhere and not here. Doesn't that seem weird?"
"What are you trying to say?"
"I mean, what if things stay this quiet and then suddenly a super powerful monster shows up? What happens if it appears when we're totally unprepared?"
"That's just baseless speculation..."
"True, but... safety-wise, none appearing at all would be ideal... and the current situation is better in that sense... I just feel anxious, that's all."
I got what she meant.
She was saying it'd be less scary to have weak monsters popping up every day than dreading when the next one might strike.
Plus, with monsters appearing in the provinces but not at all in Seoul, it felt like there had to be some reason behind it, making her uneasy.
It was purely a gut feeling, not that things were actually better here.
Still, I couldn't quite relate.
"Oh yeah, do you happen to know this guy?"
"Stop bringing up weird stuff and just head home already."
"No, no, this is seriously important!"
What now...?
I sighed inwardly and glanced at the phone screen she held out.
The video showed a familiar figure subduing a villain.
'That's me.'
When was this filmed?
"He's been blowing up lately. People say he gives off mysterious hidden hero vibes. He won't reveal his identity. You can tell just from his build he's gotta be super handsome, right? Oh, of course, you're handsome too, Do-yoon."
"Uh, yeah..."
I had no idea what her point was...
Was she always this chatty?
"You don't seem interested in much, Do-yoon."
"Maybe because just getting by day-to-day is tough enough."
"If it's that hard, wanna marry your big sis? I'll take care of you~"
"Uh..."
Is she serious...?
"Hmm... Oh! Has it gotten this late already? Gotta head out!"
"Yeah... Take care."
"See you next time~"
With that, she bolted out of the cafe.
What was that about?
She wasn't like this before. Did getting powers change her personality or something...?
Was she the type to crack jokes like that?
"..."
I scanned the bustling cafe, lost in thought.
Why was this tiny place so packed?
Lately, the cafe had been unusually crowded.
Back when I worked at a cafe in my old world, it never got this busy...
Which meant more work lately, which was a bummer.
Not that I wanted to steal wages or anything, but fewer customers would be nicer.
"He's so hot..."
"Whoa, check out that body..."
"How do you even get a physique like that...?"
With all the stares, my looks must've improved a lot.
Maybe that's why the cafe was busier—could be my face drawing them in.
Self-centered, maybe, but possible.
'Stat Cheat...'
I'd be dead without it.
If I'd come to this world without it, I probably would've died on day one, powerless.
"Wish there were fewer people..."
Dealing with them is work too...
Ding-a-ling.
"Welcome..."
"...!"
Long green hair.
A familiar face in casual clothes different from before.
Even with sunglasses, there was no mistaking her.
'...Kinesis?'
Why was she here?
"..."
"..."
We stared at each other, frozen.
She must've realized I'd figured out who she was.
After a hesitant moment, she spoke cautiously.
"Um... first off, I didn't come here on purpose. I just ducked into a nearby cafe and didn't realize it was the same one from last time."
"Don't worry about it."
"..."
Truth was, I was freaking out.
'I wondered when she'd show...'
A month had passed since then with no sign, so I'd let my guard down.
Never expected her to pop up out of the blue like this.
From what she said, it didn't seem like she'd come looking for me specifically—just a coincidence.
Hard to fully buy that she knew I worked here yet "happened" to run into me.
If she had zero interest in me, sure, but she'd left last time still suspicious.
Plus, with my recent activities, if she suspected I might be that rumored guy, it'd be a headache.
She could try linking me to it, but no evidence meant no immediate worry.
"Kiosk's over there—place your order."
"Okay."
Her outfit suggested it was her day off...
And if she suspected me, she'd probably ask outright.
Not that I'd spill everything, but a hero wouldn't snoop around secretly and threaten me, right?
That'd disqualify her as a hero.
She had a rep for good deeds and hard work, so I trusted she wouldn't stoop that low.
'Her expression looked complicated.'
Seemed like she had a lot to say, but held back given the situation.
At least she knew to separate work and personal matters.
That was enough.
Way better than yelling for me to reveal my identity.
As I waited, she finished ordering and returned to her seat.
I checked what she'd ordered.
'Ugh...'
Parfait...
Those are a pain to make.
If the cafe weren't busy, it'd be tough but doable. But during a rush? Infuriating.
Orders piling up while you're stuck on a parfait? Despair.
Luckily, most customers had ordered already, so I had time.
I put my all into making it perfect.
"Enjoy."
I set it down at her table and snuck a glance on my way back, pretending not to notice.
What I saw was her—uncharacteristically blissful—devouring the parfait.
Sunglasses hid it from normal eyes, but my enhanced vision caught every bit.
'She likes stuff like this, huh.'
Learned Kinesis's taste. Not that I cared to know.
'Didn't know she could make that face.'
Pretty.
I got her popularity now.
Though my reasons might differ from most people's.
Whatever—watching her enjoy my creation felt good, not bad.
Brewing coffee was my old passion and dream, after all.
Usually, people leave the dishes, but she brought the empty cup back on a tray.
"Thanks, it was delicious."
No need to say thanks...
She's oddly endearing.
"Can I come back sometime?"
Not your typical customer question to staff, but probably lingering from last time.
For me... as long as she didn't bring up that incident, it was fine.
"Sure... long as there are no issues."
"Thanks."
Satisfied with my answer, she flashed a smile and left the cafe.
I stared after her for a moment, then at the remnants of her parfait.
Tall cup. Gonna be a chore to clean.