Hiring an Employee
Han Soyeon checked the white robe hidden in the corner of the cafe one more time.
It wasn't a mistake.
It was the exact same white robe that White had worn.
...Or so she thought.
But she pretended not to notice.
'He told me not to reveal his identity.'
She'd just heard today that people close to heroes could become targets for villains.
Revealing everything right away and acting all buddy-buddy?
That was insane.
It would be completely ignoring White's advice.
So.
Pretending not to know was the right call.
Act like we were meeting for the first time today.
...Or so she thought.
'This is my chance!'
Not as the hero Phoenix!
As employee Han Soyeon, this was the perfect opportunity to get close to White!
...She thought, then said,
"I saw the 'Hiring' sign on my way by. I didn't prepare anything, I just walked in... Can I do the interview right now?"
"Of course."
President Kang Minwoo sat down with a smile,
and she sat down too.
'Whoa...'
He was really handsome.
His face was perfect,
his body was amazing.
Tall,
great voice.
If you judged purely by looks, he was her ideal type—flawless.
She kept staring,
"Um?"
"Ah... yes?!"
"I'm about to start the interview. You're not hurt or anything, right?"
"N-no! I'm fine!"
"Alright, let's begin the interview."
"Yes!"
"Name?"
"Han Soyeon!"
"Age?"
"21!"
"Any experience working at cafes or restaurants?"
"6 months part-time at a cafe! 3 months at a restaurant! 2 months at a maid cafe!"
"Any cooking skills you're proud of?"
"I'm a pastry and baking student! Confident in making bread and pastries! I have a barista certification too! Cooking's my hobby, so Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Western—bring it on!"
"I see. Next question."
"Yes!"
"Low pay for normal work, or high pay for special work—which do you prefer?"
"High pay for special work... sounds good, but... it's not anything like selling my body, right...?"
"Nothing like that."
"No crimes or anything...?"
"No."
"As long as it's not that... I'll go with high pay for special work."
"Got it."
President Kang Minwoo stepped out briefly and changed the sign.
[HIRING] sign taken down,
[UNDER CONSTRUCTION] sign put up.
He closed the door.
Click!
He locked it.
Snap!
Barrier deployed over the entire cafe.
"I've put a barrier over the whole cafe. No one will barge in mid-conversation, and no one will eavesdrop."
President Kang Minwoo said as he sat back down.
"Now, I'll explain what this high-pay special job entails."
"Yes!"
"Simply put, you just join in on my hobbies."
"Huh? Your hobbies?"
"Yes. My hobbies."
"What kind?"
"First hobby: Watching heroes in action and supporting them."
"That's your hobby?!"
"It is. I'm a huge hero genre fan. Real heroes in reality? I can't resist! Gotta fanboy out! Help them shine even brighter!"
"That's why you compensated for that expensive foreign car... just to fanboy?!"
"Yep."
"That's really all?!"
"If I'm a little greedy... maybe an autograph or a photo... But asking after just 1-2 helps feels too pushy. After 4-5 times, when I'm sure it's cool, then I'll ask."
"No... even just today's help was lifesaving... You could totally ask for that... Why didn't you say anything...?"
"Well... asking a stranger for that... they might hate it..."
"......"
He wasn't wrong.
She was from a maid cafe.
She was used to photos with customers,
signing stuff.
But not everyone was.
Some people hated photos with others.
Hated autograph requests.
So.
She understood President Kang Minwoo's concern.
'I get it, but...!'
Her mouth itched.
She wanted to say she was Phoenix.
Sign for him.
Take a photo together.
Repay White's favor even a little.
...But she stayed quiet.
'I can do it next time we meet...'
For now, she pretended not to know and listened to the rest.
"Anyway, helping with that activity is job one."
"How exactly?"
"Normally, just work at the cafe like usual."
"Got it."
"When something comes up, come with me to the scene or down below to help with what I'm doing."
"Below?"
"Yeah."
"What's down there?"
"I built a secret base."
"What?! A secret base?! Underground?!"
"The cafe's just camouflage. The real deal's the underground secret base."
"Whoa..."
Secret base.
One of the things she'd dreamed of as a kid.
Her heart raced a little.
"Since we're on the topic, want to see it? You'll work there if hired. Let me show you around."
"Yes!"
They went down right away.
Through the secret passage in the cafe basement.
"Wow..."
The secret base inside was on par with a five-star hotel—insanely luxurious.
Insanely spacious,
insanely high-class.
"This area's residential, that's entertainment, this side's dining, and below's the hot springs."
"Whoa..."
Everything was insane.
Her jaw dropped at every spot President explained.
But something felt off.
"President?"
"Yes."
"No one else here?"
"Not yet. Construction finished yesterday, hiring started today."
"No other members?"
"Members of what?"
"?"
"?"
"Isn't this a secret organization hideout?"
"Nope."
"Then what is it?"
"A hero sanctuary."
"Hero sanctuary?"
"If a hero's identity leaks, they or their loved ones become villain targets, right?"
"Y... yeah...?"
"So I built this as a discreet protection spot."
"Whoa..."
She imagined it.
What if her identity got out?
'Dangerous.'
Strong as Phoenix, but normal girl otherwise.
Sudden ambush? She could die.
...That was bad, but
the real issue was Mom becoming a target.
She could be killed.
Kidnapped.
'If a hero sanctuary existed then?'
Reassuring.
No more Mom worries.
...She thought, awestruck.
Building something this massive to help heroes!
What an incredible guy.
...She thought, listening as he continued.
"It doubles as a hospital too. As long as you're not dead, the Hilling Capsule heals any condition."
"?!"
She stared at the president in shock.
"What's wrong?"
"Heals any condition if you're not dead?!"
"Yes."
"Poison?!"
"Obviously."
"Superpower-made poison? That too?!"
"That too."
"!!!!!!"
She couldn't help but be stunned.
Healing superpower poison meant...
Mom could be healed!
Thud!
She dropped to her knees.
"President!"
"Wha... s-suddenly...?"
"Help me!"
"Help? With what?"
"Mom was poisoned by a poison ability user... she's in a vegetative state... Please! Heal her and I'll do anything!"
She bowed her head.
"Sigh... No need to go that far. I was planning to hire you anyway, and that's employee welfare. Get up."
"President...!"
"But it's not finalized yet."
"Huh...?"
"I want to hire you, but if you refuse, nothing I can do."
"How could I refuse! Healing Mom too Mom! Mom and big money! No way!"
"I haven't even told you half the job."
"I'll do anything!"
"If you say that after hearing everything, you're hired."
"Yes!"
"Alright, continuing."
"Yes!"
"Normally cafe work, or help out here if guests at the base."
"Yes!"
"Follow me for other hobbies too, do what I say."
"Other hobbies?"
"Games and anime watching. Play games with me, watch anime beside me."
"You like games and anime too, President?!"
"Yeah. Love 'em."
"Me too! Totally! I can do that easy!"
"Great. Next."
"Yes!"
"I'm a creation ability user. Love making stuff, including cosplay outfits. Made tons. You'll wear one whenever I'm bored."
"......What kind?"
"Bunny girl, maid outfits, hero suits, bikini armor, etc."
"Wear that... at the cafe...?"
"No plans for that."
"Then... what for...?"
"Play together, photos, character acting."
"Just for you...? Or... in front of others...?"
"Just me."
"N-no lewd stuff...?"
"No."
"......"
She glared at the president a bit.
She didn't love him!
But she was interested.
First ally, tons of help, handsome face, tall, great body, similar hobbies, rich.
Impossible not to be intrigued.
Excited, even.
So.
Expecting some naughty events was natural.
Absolutely not because she was a perv!
Getting flirty with a guy you're into? Human instinct!
Women hate lewd stuff?
Bullshit.
If women hated it, no sex, no kids, humanity extinct!
Women love lewd stuff—that's why humanity survives!
So.
Lewd thoughts are normal!
She'd hoped a bit!
But he firmly said no lewd stuff.
Disappointing.
But.
Bunny girl cosplay meant potential.
So.
She settled for that.
'High pay too.'
She'd even parade in bunny girl on streets for that pay.
Could endure it.
But wait.
Just cosplay in front of president?
Easy.
...Then one question hit.
"President?"
"Yes."
"The pay... how much...?"
She'd work no matter what, debts and all.
But "high pay" sparked curiosity.
"This much."
"!!!!!!"
"What do you think?"
"President!"
"Yes."
"Order me around! I'll work my ass off!"
It was an insane salary—she'd crawl on all fours like a dog smiling.
She signed immediately.