Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: What I Want to Say (2)
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Friday evening.
“Cafe Owner, I’ll head out first.”
“Yeah, be careful. You know not to go with any strange woman who asks you to, right?”
“Come on, Cafe Owner. Of course I know.”
As soon as I got off work, a black car was waiting in front of the cafe.
I felt a bit scared and started to veer away, but the rear window rolled down, revealing Yu-ra.
“Jun-hyuk! Get in!”
“Huh? Yu-ra? This car is yours?”
“Yes. I don’t ride it much usually, but today’s special.”
I climbed into the back seat as she called, and the driver gripping the wheel immediately hit the pedal.
Right, I’d forgotten.
That she’s an S-Rank Hunter.
‘A limo and personal driver is actually pretty modest.’
High-rank hunters’ work is inherently dangerous and about protecting the world, so they get high salaries plus government subsidies. On top of that, incentives based on the rank of gates they clear, and a cut of the sales from the byproducts inside. Money-wise, she’s in Korea’s absolute top tier.
‘But why go this far today?’
I’d thought it would be the same kind of date as before.
The situation now, and her outfit, were totally different from usual.
Gone were the breathable shirts and training pants she always wore to meet me. Instead, she had on a luxurious red dress, the kind you’d wear to a fancy party at some rich family’s house.
‘Hmm...’
It made it hard to know where to look.
The dress clung tightly, showing off every curve of her body. Her huge breasts strained against the fabric, swelling prominently. A hint of deep cleavage peeked above, while below, her smooth waist dipped in before flaring out dramatically at the hips. It set my hypnotically sealed lust boiling.
“Anywhere uncomfortable?”
“No, it’s fine. Just curious where we’re headed?”
“Stardust Hotel.”
“What?”
Stardust Hotel was that famous five-star place. Even celebrities and politicians had to book half a year in advance. There was no way Yu-ra had reserved it that long ago...
‘This is the influence of an S-Rank Hunter?’
Suddenly, she looked different, stirring unfamiliar feelings.
Not some sense of superiority that a chaebol heiress type liked me. Nor any pathetic thought that a mere cafe owner dreamer like me didn’t match her.
‘Heroes really get rewarded properly these days.’
I just felt proud that someone truly worthy of the hero title lived without lacking in any practical way—whether money, status, or otherwise.
“But is this outfit okay?”
Don’t five-star hotels have dress codes? That must be why she dressed like this.
“It’s fine.”
She reached toward the back of the seat. When she pulled, a suit hanging on a rack came sliding over.
“I prepared it in advance.”
It looked exactly my size at a glance.
But where was I supposed to change?
“Here.”
Yu-ra handed me the suit. At the same time, she reached back again and pulled out socks, a tie, and shoes, passing them over.
No way, she didn’t mean...
“I absolutely won’t look, so change comfortably.”
＊＊＊
‘Hmm.’
The night view from the hotel’s top-floor private room was stunning.
She’d said let’s drink, and I’d wondered why a hotel, but booze isn’t just soju.
‘Wine’s my first time, but surprisingly good.’
I’d expected grape juice flavor, but it had a subtle sweetness with a real alcohol kick. Unlike soju, it went down smooth, tempting me to keep going—I’d already emptied several glasses. In my past life, the only booze I’d tried was soju, and it tasted like crap. Guess I’m wired for wine.
‘She really didn’t peek.’
It was a car, spacious but still. Right next to me as I changed, she kept her eyes squeezed shut the whole time, not opening once. Her ears perked up now and then at the sounds, which was kinda cute.
‘Nice.’
Dining with a beautiful woman I was into.
Top-floor hotel room overlooking the sparkling city lights.
Paired with wine I’d never tasted before. It was perfect.
‘Perfect, but...’
For some reason, Yu-ra’s attitude was off from usual.
She seemed troubled, sometimes steeling herself only to pull back again. Stuck between doing something and not, it killed any real conversation.
‘Awkward.’
All we’d exchanged were polite check-ins and daily routine updates.
‘Why so awkward?’
My throat was parched, so I kept sipping wine.
‘This has to be prime angle territory, right?’
In past-life terms, a guy inviting a girl out on a Friday night to a luxury hotel for drinks and a night view date? Total angle move. Even a lifelong virgin like me could see it, and no one would argue otherwise.
Was Yu-ra tense about that angle too? She didn’t seem like she’d dated much, so maybe.
“Jun-hyuk? Aren’t you drinking too much?”
“I’m good. This is nothing.”
It wasn’t that strong, so a few glasses wouldn’t get me smashed.
“Your face is already red.”
“Really?”
I wasn’t drunk.
Come to think of it, I had a constitution that flushed easy even sober.
Guess this body was the same.
“Haah, so good.”
“...Not even high proof. Jun-hyuk, you’re super weak to booze.”
“I’m not weak!”
Capacity is a man’s pride!
How dare anyone challenge a man’s pride!!!
Fueled by spite, I downed the freshly poured glass in one go.
“S-stop drinking!”
“Really, I’m fine.”
Yu-ra snatched the wine bottle from the table.
No more sips for me. Damn, I wanted more!
“This way... haa... yeah... better...”
She glared at the bottle she’d taken, then dialed someone.
“Yes. The guest with today’s reservation—sorry, just cancel the room.”
She said something else, but it sounded muffled, like hearing voices in a dream.
“Jun-hyuk, get up. Time to... go.”
After hesitating, Yu-ra grabbed my arm and helped me up.
The world spun in circles. Felt amazing.
“Hehe, Yu-ra.”
“Eek!”
I clung tight to her arm and leaned in. A delightful scent hit my nose. Better than any fabric softener—I could smell it forever.
“H-hurry, get in.”
“Huh? We’re down already?”
When did we get here?
Suddenly standing in front of the limo.
‘Is this a skill too?’
Wow, mana rules!
Skills are seriously omnipotent!
Slumped in the limo’s back seat, surrendering to the cushion.
The spinning had eased up a bit, but now my body burned hot, sweat pouring.
“Ugh... so hot...”
The suit? I loosened my tie and popped a few shirt buttons, fanning myself. Finally cooler.
“J-Jun-hyuk!”
“Yeah?”
“P-put your clothes on properly!”
“But it’s hot?”
What was I supposed to do!
Eyes refocused, and I locked gazes with the driver lady checking the back seat in the mirror.
“Don’t get distracted!”
“Y-yes!”
Yu-ra barked sharply. Right on! Eyes on the road while driving!
‘Fuu, feels great. But like I forgot something?’
What? Couldn’t recall.
Felt like something big was gonna happen with Yu-ra.
What was it?
Staring out the window, racking my brain to remember—nothing. We were almost home already?
Dying of heat. I’d walk from here.
“Yu-ra, drop me off here.”
“Huh? But...”
“I wanna walk. Too hot, can’t ride anymore.”
“AC’s on... ah, got it!”
Soon as it stopped, I got out.
She looked worried and offered to walk the short way home with me.
“Head home first. I’ll go alone.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Limo lady, drive safe!”
“...Take care.”
I walked the lamplit street.
Yu-ra followed cautiously from behind, watching me.
Almost home when it hit me—what I’d forgotten.
“Yu-ra.”
I leaned against the wall and looked at her.
Still so hot. Popped one more button.
“...Yes.”
I’d built up such expectations.
Thought I’d finally lose it.
Just gonna end like this?
No payoff for waiting all this time. Couldn’t help grumbling.
“Coward.”
“...”
“Had hopes.”
“...”
“Nothing?”
“...You’re drunk. I’m not the type to touch a drunk guy.”
Ooh, that’s kinda cool!
Won’t lay hands on a drunk man.
Super sweet!
“Cool.”
Hearing that, the emotions I’d bottled up deep inside finally burst free.
“Yu-ra.”
“Yes.”
“I like you.”
“!?”
Don’t care.
You made me wait, and I thought today I’d hear it.
Your fault for dashing my hopes.
“I like how you work so hard as the hunter I dreamed of being.”
“J-Jun-hyuk?”
“I like how diligent you are, even to the point of putting yourself down.”
“Jun...”
“You’re cool on TV, but treat me so warmly. I like that.”
“...”
“I like the beauty in your gaze when you look at me.”
“...”
“And your face is pretty, your figure perfect—no flaw anywhere. I like that.”
I drew closer as I spoke.
At first her eyes trembled, but she didn’t look away, meeting mine.
“...”
“...”
In that moment, I got why novels say lovers’ “eyes met.” Staring into each other’s pupils, no thoughts—just overwhelming fullness in my chest, ready to burst.
“I, uh... that is...”
After hesitating, Yu-ra pulled me into a hug.
Not exactly what I wanted.
But her embrace was so soft and warm, I couldn’t complain.
“Thanks.”
“That’s it?”
Somehow, her arms around me trembled.
After holding on a long while, she whispered.
“Can I answer later? You’re drunk now. Let’s meet again soon...”
“Coward.”
“Later... I’ll come back... and answer. Promise...”
Yu-ra let go.
Wanted to stay like that. Such a shame.
‘Huh? She’s mad?’
After all this, still holding back?
Suddenly wanted to tease her.
“Then I’m off.”
“Wait.”
I opened the front door and beckoned her.
“Got a cat at home. Wanna see?”
“Huh? You have a cat too?”
Dunno if this old trick still works these days.
Nothing to lose, so why not.
“Yeah. Super cute. Take a peek before you go.”
“T-then... excuse me.”
The second she stepped in, I locked the door.
Turned on the living room light, then gestured for her to crouch.
Oblivious, she bent down. I whispered right in her ear.
“Meow.”
“!?”
“Yu-ra’s a scaredy-cat meow.”
Suddenly, the ceiling loomed overhead.
“...”
Before I knew it, Yu-ra had me pinned to the floor, wrists gripped above my head as she loomed over me.
“I-I really tried to hold back. Didn’t wanna be remembered as a selfish woman! So I gritted my teeth and endured!”
A look I’d never seen before.
Predatory, like staring at prey.
She licked her lips as she gazed down.
“Jun-hyuk.”
Uh, uhh?
Something’s wrong here?
“You’re too tempting.”