Teacher, Do You Have a Favorite Food?
Han Mi-na's mind was a whirlwind. She couldn't shake off the words she'd overheard from two first-year students on their way back from school. They were talking about first-years who'd made unprecedented growth in Class D and risen to A-rank. Especially Yoo Ara among them—she was a familiar face. They'd been in the same year once. Different classes, but Yoo Ara was famous. The only repeater among last year's first-years. And now she'd climbed to Class A.
Mi-na had figured there must be some amazing secret technique behind it.
—It really was just because of Teacher Siu's skills. Nothing else.
—Yeah, he doesn't make you take your clothes off during lessons. So you can relax.
'Kim Siu... was he really the kind of guy who makes girls strip?'
But their faces showed more pride than shame. It didn't seem like they were proud of exposing their bodies.
'Teacher Kim Siu.'
They'd definitely called him "teacher." But professors weren't called that.
"What the hell is he?"
Her thoughts tangled into confusion. One thing was clear: he wasn't ordinary.
'A capable hunter?'
That would explain why her hypnosis hadn't worked on him easily. She'd tested it before—her hypnosis worked up to A-rank hunters. So that meant...
'At least S-rank...'
He was a strange guy. Immune to hypnosis, known to all the hot-topic students, called "teacher," and making them strip. What kind of person was he? No matter how she thought about it, she couldn't pin him down.
An enigmatic, bizarre man.
Of course, she couldn't be sure the "Siu" they meant was the same Kim Siu she'd seen.
'But... it feels like it is.'
Han Mi-na recalled the image of Kim Siu, under hypnosis at the end, telling her his name.
'Should I meet him in person and check?'
No. That was too dangerous. It would make erasing her memory with points pointless...
Delete it. Wipe him completely from my memories.
Back home, Han Mi-na squeezed her eyes shut.
"Teacher, can I come to your place today? I have something urgent to ask."
Yoo Ara called, saying she had urgent business and would visit. Wondering what it was, Kim Siu gave her his address and waited.
Ding-dong!
The doorbell rang. He opened the door, and Ara burst in with a beaming smile.
"Teacher! Teacher! Teacher! It's huge! Massive!"
"What's massive? Come in first and talk."
"Heehee, okay!"
Once inside, she scanned the living room with flushed cheeks and an excited voice.
"Teacher, you live in a nice place. The living room's so spacious. Wow! The TV's huge too?"
"Bought it back when I was killing it as a hunter. It's a good one, even if it's a bit old."
"Oh, have you ever invited anyone here?"
"Hunters came by often when I was active, but this is the first since I quit."
"Th-then, among your tutoring students, I'm the first to visit?"
"Pretty much."
"Heeheehee, first... hehe."
Blushing bashfully, Yoo Ara accepted the snacks he brought—hastily gathered from his pantry into an assortment platter after her call.
"Eat up. What do you want to drink?"
"Ah, just a bit of water, please."
"Got it."
While he fetched water, she sat in the living room, glancing around.
"Do you live alone, Teacher?"
"Yeah, just me."
"Isn't it too big for one person?"
"Well, I'll get married someday. It's not that big if you think about kids."
"Marriage... Hm, yeah. Perfect for raising two kids."
Lost in thought for a moment, Yoo Ara clapped and changed the subject.
"Anyway, that's not why I came... Teacher, I got scouted by Daesung!"
"Daesung?"
"Yes! Daesung! They scouted me after seeing me in the second regular exam... Teacher, you okay?"
"Huh? With what?"
"Your eyes just got super scary."
"Did they? Sorry, I'm fine. Didn't sleep well last night. Eyes are blurry."
His face must've twisted involuntarily at "Daesung." He'd expected them to approach Yoo Ara, but now that it was happening, it soured his mood. And it showed.
'Faster than I thought.'
He'd figured after the first semester exam. Even with her standout first semester, she was from Class D.
'Did taking first place light a fire under them?'
They might see her as anything but ordinary. Sudden growth, sudden first place.
'Maybe they think the academy's pushing Yoo Ara as the next star?'
But if they were seriously recruiting her...
"Daesung scouted you?"
"Yes! What do you think? Don't I seem different now? From repeater to Class A ace!"
Yoo Ara's eyes sparkled as she asked. Her expression screamed:
—Praise me.
Like a puppy with a tennis ball, her gaze made him smile unwittingly.
"Good job."
"Right? Right? I did great, didn't I? Amazing, huh? Shows the scary side of being Teacher's number one, right?"
"Yeah. You've shown it plenty."
"Ahem, I know. How awesome I am right now."
Her puffed-up shoulders were adorable. Like a cherished pet dog showing off.
"Of course, I know it's all thanks to you, Teacher. Without you, I wouldn't be here. So don't worry—I won't jump ship just 'cause Daesung's interested!"
"So you were thinking of jumping?"
"Of course not!"
Shaking her head, she cleared her throat and peeked at him. Eyes full of expectation. Like a dog after a talent show, waiting for treats.
"Um... n-no reward?"
"Reward?"
"Yeah... Like a date last time, or special tutoring."
He looked at her silently. So that's the real goal. Her excitement made sense now. Not joy at Daesung's interest, but anticipation for his reward.
"Hm, how's Class A? First time meeting those students."
"Honestly, no clue. Today I had a thing with Hye-ri... Forget I said that."
"A thing with Hye-ri? You didn't..."
Covering her mouth, Yoo Ara avoided his gaze.
"We didn't fight!"
"Just a little argument?"
"..."
"A-and we made up! No more fights ahead. Misunderstanding cleared."
"Misunderstanding?"
"Y-yeah, something like that."
Sweat beaded on her forehead. Her possessiveness was fine. But future guildmates fighting was trouble.
"I won't force you to be friends. But absolutely no fighting. Class A's a brutal jungle. You two might not survive without teaming up."
"I know. Won't fight anymore."
"Good. You always keep your word, Ara."
He stroked her head. She closed her eyes, leaning into his hand, rubbing her cheek against it, then brushing her lips over his palm.
"S-so, no reward?"
"The Daesung scout?"
"Yeah..."
"You want that?"
"Yes."
"There's end-of-month eval this month, right?"
"Yeah, probably. To test semester progress."
First end-of-month eval of the second semester. He recalled it was 1v1 spars.
"Win your match there."
"Beat Hye-ri?"
He shook his head.
"No need to compete. They usually match similar roles..."
"Then I'll spar supports."
"Yeah. But Kwon Jun-hyuk's support too—tough one. If you draw him, you might lose."
"Don't worry! I can beat him!"
"Really?"
"Yes! Saw him fight last time."
She shouted confidently.
"Love that confidence."
If she beat Kwon Jun-hyuk, academy buzz would explode. Rankings reshuffled. Proof her second exam wasn't luck. More attention...
'Gotta move fast myself.'
He needed his trump card against Daesung ASAP.
Han Mi-na. He etched the name in his mind.
'Can't go to the academy myself...'
How to approach? He pondered.
"I'll catch the bus here."
"I'll wait till it comes."
"Hehe, thanks."
"You seem happy."
"No reward today, but got praise... and a promise."
"That confident?"
"Of course! Who taught me?"
Waiting at the stop, Yoo Ara asked,
"Teacher."
"Yeah?"
"Any favorite foods?"
"Favorite foods?"
"Yeah, like... stuff you love eating. Can't live without it."
"Not picky. As a hunter, no time for that."
"B-but you're not a hunter now."
"Hm..."
Her anxious face made him think deeply. Favorite food? Never considered. Just ate to fill up. Nothing came to mind now. Unless...
"Egg roll?"
"Egg roll?"
"Yeah. Mom made it often before awakening."
"Aha. Egg roll..."
"Why?"
"N-nothing! Just asking."
"You?"
"Me?"
"What's your favorite, Ara?"
"Ah, me? Sundae gukbap!"
"Sundae gukbap?"
Unexpected menu surprised him. Don't girls like pasta or tteokbokki?
"One bowl lasts three meals. Ultimate solo diner food. Hehehe."
The bus arrived.
"See ya!"
Whistling happily as she boarded, he watched—then sensed suspicious presence.
'What’s that?'
Felt it since leaving with Yoo Ara.
'Stalker?'
No. Too skilled for that. His heightened senses barely caught it.
'Villain?'
No killing intent toward Yoo Ara. More like scouting gaze. Wanting everything on her.
Only one type did that.
'Scouter.'
The gaze followed Yoo Ara's bus. In that moment, he focused mana in his eyes. Vision zoomed—the woman hiding, peeking at them.
Woman, mid-to-late 20s. Short bob hair barely to shoulders. Red-tinged deep brown.
'Daesung's Team Leader Kim Hyun-jeong.'
She was handling Yoo Ara's scouting?
'Trouble.'
She was competent. Good thing: she didn't know him. Shadow Mask's identity was known to few in Daesung. Unless executive level, no way.
But he knew her. Daesung's legendary scout/headhunter. Myth she'd always snag her targets. Master persuader.
Incidentally, as Shadow Mask, she'd tried recruiting him when she was a rookie.
'Join Daesung. Best treatment.'
'Who's that guy? Boyfriend?'
Daesung's Team Leader Kim Hyun-jeong eyed the man beside Yoo Ara.
Standing side-by-side, chatting. Yoo Ara smiled happily just being near him.
Who was he? Couldn't get a good look at his face.
'Hunter?'
He dodged her gaze perfectly, like he knew her spot.
'If he knew, he wouldn't stay quiet...'
Mysterious man. But her focus was Yoo Ara.
She needed to contact her, verify if her scores were real. Confirm if she was Daesung material.
Kim Hyun-jeong ignored the man and tailed Yoo Ara's bus.
So she didn't notice. The man was watching her tail Yoo Ara.