Chapter 86
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Even If the World is Unfair (2)
"I'm sorry, something came up suddenly. Yes, not half a day off—make it a full vacation day, please."
Lee Seo-yeon sat on a park bench, apologizing nonstop over the phone.
I'd suggested we play hooky together, but unlike me, the owner, she was just an employee. Her personality wouldn't let her slack off like that.
[...G-Go ahead, boss. What can I do about it? I can't exactly...]
In the end, I was the only one skipping out.
Unlike usual, Soo-hyun was stuttering a bit and subtly scolding me, but since I couldn't hear her inner thoughts, she must have believed me when I said this was really the last time.
'Soo-hyun, this is seriously the real last one.'
Anyway, there we were, skipping work and sitting together.
Seo-yeon's call had ended, but she'd been quiet for a while.
'Ugh, I've been way too neglectful with Seo-yeon.'
Me being busy was just an excuse.
Could I really say I'd taken good care of her just because we exchanged messages and calls?
I should've at least met up with her in person for dates like I did with Yu-ra noona, proving how much I loved her. Instead, I'd basically left her half-forgotten, so of course she'd be down.
'I'd feel the same way.'
Put myself in her shoes.
The woman I love has to share me with another guy?
And that guy is taller, better built, a social hero everyone praises, loaded with money—a total catch?
On top of that, he goes public with his girlfriend on TV, the internet blesses the perfect couple, and all he gives me is texts and calls—no real attention?
Worst of all, she ends up living with him without even telling me?
I'd feel abandoned, my self-esteem shattered to the point of depression.
'Of course, if I had to make excuses, I'd have some too...'
I had hoped she'd take the initiative to boost her own confidence.
But there was a line—waiting had turned into neglect.
"Seo-yeon, it's been forever since we actually met up like this."
"Y-Yeah, it has."
Seeing her fidget and glance at me guiltily made my chest ache.
How could I make her believe I truly loved her?
"I'm sorry for not paying enough attention all this time."
"N-No, it's fine!"
"Really? We've only done texts and calls, but I've been dating Yu-ra noona and even moved in with her?"
"......"
No amount of fancy words would convince her.
It'd just look like desperate damage control.
"Seo-yeon."
So I decided to be straight with her.
I'd already told Yu-ra noona everything. Hiding it from Seo-yeon would mean I didn't trust her or was treating her differently.
"Will you hear me out?"
About everything I'd been through.
And why I'd been so distant.
＊＊＊
'Ah.'
As Yoo Jun-hyuk's story began, Lee Seo-yeon lost herself in it.
Him getting the Hypnosis skill at the start?
Overcoming the temptation of that so-called final boss and saving Choi Yu-ra?
Almost getting kidnapped—actually getting kidnapped?
None of that sank in.
She'd vaguely known he was special, and the crimes against him were sad, but not as stimulating as one particular line.
"Truth is, I was hoping you'd take the lead first, Seo-yeon. You seemed a bit low on confidence to me. I wanted you to step up like a woman would. Looking back, I didn't have to make you do that."
Like a woman.
Like a woman...
Take the lead like a woman...
He didn't hate her or keep her out of pity.
He'd been waiting for her to lead like a woman—and that made her purely happy.
'Come to think of it, I've never really led Jun-hyuk like a proper woman.'
At best, suggesting a movie date.
He'd proposed the company outing date, and after that, she'd moped alone, waiting for him to make the moves.
Because if she did, the same crap might happen again.
'I shouldn't have done that.'
A woman waiting for the man to plan dates?
And she hadn't even noticed his gentle consideration, knowing her past. That pissed her off.
"Jun-hyuk, let's go on a date tomorrow!"
"Huh? Already? I-I have to work tomorrow..."
Normally, she'd say, "Oh, right? Should we match our days off?" But the new her was invincible.
She pushed her will like a top-tier woman—no, to become one.
"Nope, we're skipping. You're the boss—who's gonna say anything? I'll plan the whole date, so just wait at home!"
It was a tad aggressive, but seeing her confidence return, Yoo Jun-hyuk smiled faintly and nodded.
"Alright, I'll be waiting."
"Yes! Get excited!"
Watching her back as she left, Yoo Jun-hyuk realized too late.
"Ah, it was the real last one."
His promise not to burden Soo-hyun had broken in under an hour.
Should he head back now? Lunch hadn't even hit yet.
"Hmm, oh well."
Already a slave to vacation, heading back wasn't an option for Yoo Jun-hyuk.
He just sent a message.
[Yoo Jun-hyuk: Soo-hyun, super sorry, but I'm taking off until tomorrow.]
Five minutes later, a reply.
[Kim Soo-hyun: Okay. Leave the shop to me, boss. Rest up ^^]
And the moment the message arrived, her inner voice rang out.
[God, please grant this shitty exploitative boss a kidney stone.]
The park was less than a kilometer from the cafe, so it came through crystal clear.
The loudest inner voice Yoo Jun-hyuk had ever heard.
＊＊＊
"Phew, perfect!"
Late evening.
After parting with Yoo Jun-hyuk, Lee Seo-yeon grinned slyly at her screen, exhausted from crafting their perfect date plan.
"Heaven's on my side."
She'd hacked the weather service's supercomputer to check tomorrow's forecast. Unusually warm for late fall.
She hadn't trusted the public forecast, so she'd hacked Korea's and even Japan's systems. Tomorrow's weather was a sure thing.
"Heh, Jun-hyuk, I'll show you."
The plan was tailored to his tastes over hers—overflowing with consideration.
'The old me is gone!'
No otaku movies like before.
No catering to her own nerdy tastes.
Just normal, popular-guy stuff Yoo Jun-hyuk would love—a date packed with mainstream appeal.
"I declare: the old loser Lee Seo-yeon is dead."
It wasn't overly rigid with minute-by-minute scheduling either.
She'd built in rest breaks, reserved famous spots along the route for meals.
Reserving popular places a day ahead was impossible without hacking, but for her man, a little crime was nothing.
"So now, time for solid sleep."
Still haunted by oversleeping on their first date, Lee Seo-yeon pulled up the covers.
"Sleep aid on."
A space YouTube video played in her ear.
[The galaxy cluster is the smallest galactic group, usually within a diameter of 5-6 light-years...]
Lulled by the soothing narration, Lee Seo-yeon drifted off.
Meanwhile, Yoo Jun-hyuk, who'd turned in early, woke to rustling.
"Noona? Where you going?"
"Yeah, sudden S-Rank Gate Break in Russia. They called me in for support."
"Huh? Russia? Why you?"
"Eh, adult circumstances? Don't worry, go back to sleep."
"Got it. Stay safe. Run if it's dangerous."
Knowing Choi Yu-ra wouldn't face real threats, but worry won out—Yoo Jun-hyuk hugged her goodbye.
"See ya~!"
She pecked his cheek and left with a smile.
Just like that, evening passed into morning.
"Rise!"
Faster than ever, unlike before.
Her smartphone alarm wasn't enough; the TV flicked on with a timer, glowing and voicing the news.
[With foreign villains continuously sneaking in, the Hero Association is...]
"Hmm, espresso fits the new Lee Seo-yeon perfectly."
The coffee machine hummed, dispensing water.
Savoring the aroma in a tiny cup, Lee Seo-yeon showered and prepped to leave.
"Even taking it slow, I'll make it on time."
Date with Yoo Jun-hyuk at 9 a.m.
Proud of her new car—bought with her hard-earned cash—she drew the living room curtains.
"World, here I come! Prepare for the new Lee Seo-yeon!"
A blinding white world greeted her.
A devil's dandruff storm of massive snowflakes.
"...Huh?"
[Next up: The S-Rank Gate Break in Russia was stably cleared with Choi Yu-ra Hunter's aid. However, mana from the Gate Guardian Winter Soldier—killed during the break—formed a cold front, sweeping down to the Korean Peninsula and dumping heavy snow.]
It wasn't just snowing.
Over a meter had piled up since dawn. No cars, no people could move easily.
"No, no, no way..."
Forget dating—she'd have to shovel just to get out.
As Lee Seo-yeon's eyes shook, a phone message popped up.
[My Love ♥: Seo-yeon? Massive snow today? Looks like we can't do the date... Next week?]
Her hands trembled like her eyes.
With grim resolve, she replied.
[Lee Seo-yeon: No. Jun-hyuk, leave it to me. I'll handle it like a woman should.]
Even if heaven screwed her over.
A woman's unavoidable pride demanded she prove herself to the one she loved.
[Lee Seo-yeon: On my way.]