Yuri (2)

"You fucking producer."

My leg bounced against the floor as I stared at my phone and unloaded a string of curses. I had begged them — begged them — not to put Shion on the air. And this was how they repaid me?

If it weren't for Baek Jong-eon, I swear I'd...

I was about to march down to the broadcasting station and personally teach them a lesson when Baek Jong-eon called. Despite the fact that he had given them strict instructions, they had forced her onto the broadcast anyway. He had been genuinely rattled watching it air. And he was sorry, he said.

Hearing that from a man so much older than me took the edge off my anger.

...Hah. I'll deal with you later.

So I decided to let the whole thing go. Fortunately, the disaster I had been dreading had not come to pass.

"So only people of a certain social standing can even get in, huh."

A sensational headline, the kind designed to get clicks. The article itself claimed the shop ran on a strict reservation system, and that no guest who had not been invited would ever set foot inside. A few people were cursing us out in the comments, but thanks to Shion's influence, the overall mood was surprisingly understanding.

"A strict reservation system, my ass. We don't have anything like that."

I snorted and turned off my phone. Obviously the article was fake news. But sometimes a lie was more useful than the truth.

"While we're at it, should we actually make it reservation-only, like the article says?"

"I believe that would be best. It would also be more convenient for you."

"...Hmm. How would we even do that? Build a website or something?"

I looked over at Yujin. She shook her head.

"It would be flooded instantly. Even with the shop closed right now, you can see how many people are trying to get in. What if we tried this instead?"

"What?"

"We leave an application form at the shop and keep the door open. Anyone who visits has to fill it out. I compile the list, and you choose who to serve. I stayed up all last night thinking this through."

"Hey. That's pretty discriminatory... wait, no. Come to think of it, they do say the taffy peddler does as he pleases. I'm the noodle shop owner. My restaurant, my rules."

I nodded, convinced, and stood up.

"Is it about time for Shion to show up?"

"Shion had business today and returned to Japan for a short while."

Yujin had taken to managing my schedule as well. I had a secretary in my previous life too, and I always came back to the same thought: it was incredibly convenient.

Thank god I have Yujin.

Without her, I would have been in real trouble. I had no intention of becoming a Hunter, and of course I had Chaewon to consider, so hiring a secretary had never been an option. But through a string of coincidences, I had ended up with a capable one in Yujin. A remarkably well-timed connection.

Is there anything I can do for her... ah.

Something occurred to me.

"Yuri. Your little sister."

"Yes? Yes."

"She enrolled yesterday, right?"

"That's right."

Yujin beamed, clearly happy at the thought of her sister.

"How did the Awakening Ceremony go?"

"She received a fairly high grade. 1-class."

"Well, yeah. Catching Mana Addiction means you've got talent."

Wait a second.

In my previous life, Yuri could not have become a Hunter. She had probably died. But Yuri was alive now — cured, even. Which meant ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠there might be one more ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠S-rank Hunter in this life who had not existed in the last. As a rule, Mana Addiction developed in talented children who overused their abilities.

This could help Chaewon.

Chaewon was going to become a Hunter. If that was what she wanted, that was what would happen. I could not help her with her own abilities — getting too strong would not be good for her health. Which left only one option: making the people around her stronger. That was how I could protect her.

She'd be perfect in the party.

And I already had Yujin as a connection. Far more trustworthy than some complete stranger.

"Guess I need to get them close."

"Pardon?"

"Chaewon and your sister. Have you mentioned anything to her?"

"Ah... I'm sorry. I should have told her in advance."

Yujin blinked slowly, as if she had only just realized she had forgotten.

"Actually, that's perfect. Let's introduce Yuri and Chaewon today."

"Shall we?"

"Yeah. They're going to be around each other a lot, so it's better if the families get along too."

I did not mention my ulterior motive. I just papered over it with something convenient. Yujin lowered her eyes slightly. Then her face flushed.

"...Yes."

"...Why do you look like that? You didn't take that the wrong way, did you?"

"No. You're right, of course. You and I are a couple, after all. It would be good to introduce the families properly."

"...Well. That is what I meant, but."

Something about the nuance sat strangely. No — that was not the important part right now. I picked up my phone.

"I should tell Chaewon to come to the shop today. Get in touch with Yuri too."

"Yes. Understood."

Yujin looked unusually spirited today.

"Yeah, Unni."

"...Where is it?"

Yuri sucked in a sharp breath.

"That person from back then?"

"Unni. I'm not ready for this yet."

Yuri trembled, wholly unlike herself.

"...Hah. Okay, Unni."

Yuri tucked her hair behind her ear. She did need to thank Seonghun properly someday. He was the reason she could walk on her own two feet. She just wanted to do it looking a little more grown-up.

"Got it."

Click.

After hanging up, Yuri fanned her burning face with her hand. An old memory had surfaced. The last time, when he had created her core, Seonghun's energy had flowed into her body. Perhaps because that energy had swept thoroughly through her insides, she had felt a mortifying sensation — as if she had been stripped completely naked in front of him.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

The problem was, that feeling had been rather stimulating for Yuri, who was in the throes of adolescence. Which was why she had mistaken this emotion for something else entirely.

What should I wear to look pretty?

Namely, romantic affection.

"Okay, got it. I'll do that."

Chaewon's voice drifted over from beside her. She seemed to be on a call with someone as well, just like Yuri.

Do I even need to get close to this girl?

Yoo Sia was rude as hell, but her skills were the real deal. The Chaewon sitting in front of her was nice, but... that was about it. She would have to think about this a bit more.

"I'm heading out first. I'm on a diet today."

It was lunch period. She had piled her tray high with side dishes, but she had an important person to meet, so Yuri ate less than usual.

"Wait, Yuri. Are you free today?"

Chaewon, having just hung up, stopped her.

"No. I'm busy."

She was not even close with Chaewon yet, and already the girl was this aggressive. It was a little overwhelming.

"Oh... okay. I understand."

Chaewon wilted completely. Still, maybe she should at least ask why.

"Why, what's up?"

"My oppa told me to bring you along."

"Your oppa wants me to come?"

Yuri looked at Chaewon, puzzled.

Wait a second.

Don't tell me.... She had heard about it from her sister. Seonghun had a younger sibling around her age. And she was an Academy student, if she remembered right.

"Wait... are you the Young Miss?"

Yuri's voice trembled. "Young Miss" was the title Yujin used for Chaewon.

"Young Miss? What Young Miss?"

Chaewon tilted her head; she had never heard the term in her life.

"What's your oppa's name?"

Please don't let it be him. All she had shown Chaewon so far were her worst sides. If she had known it would come to this, she would have managed her image...!

"...Why do you need my oppa's name?"

"It's really important to me. Just tell me."

"Han Seonghun."

Sia, who had been quietly eating beside them, spoke up in a low voice.

"That's right. Han Seonghun."

"...!"

Yuri froze in place like a statue.

This is bad.

What if Chaewon said something unflattering about her to Seonghun? Then the marriage she had been planning would get postponed. Yuri urgently grabbed both of Chaewon's hands.

"Chaewon. If I've done anything to upset you, tell me everything. From now on, we're partners."

"H-huh? All of a sudden?"

Chaewon stared at her, bewildered.

"I'm going to stick with you for life. I promise."

"R-really!?"

"Of course I mean it."

Yuri thought to herself. She and Chaewon might end up as in-laws. In that case, sticking together for life was only natural, right?

Ding-a-ling.

"Oppa, we're here!"

Chaewon stepped into the shop with a bright smile.

"Oh, you made it?"

"It's been a while, Miss. Weren't you supposed to come with Yuri?"

"Huh? We were together just a second ago. Where'd she go?"

Chaewon looked around, and when she did not see Yuri, she poked her head out the door.

"Ah! There you are. Yuri, what are you doing out here? Come inside."

"U-uh."

Yuri shuffled into the shop after Chaewon, her head hanging low. Yujin watched her through narrowed eyes.

That's weird.

Something was different from Yuri's usual self. How to put it... she looked embarrassed? It was not like her sister at all.

"Yuri, you made it! How have you been? Is your body doing okay?"

Seonghun greeted her with a bright face.

"Y-yes! Thanks to you! H-have you been well?"

"I've been good. Have a seat. I got everything ready."

Today it was not just noodle dishes. From chicken all the way to braised short ribs — Seonghun had clearly put in some effort.

"Wow, this looks amazing. Oppa, what's the occasion? Going all out like this."

"I put in a little work. Eat up, Chaewon."

"I will!"

Yuri and Chaewon smiled and picked up their chopsticks.

"Ah, I didn't even get to thank you properly last time. For saving me, I wanted to say thank... ack!"

Yujin pinched Yuri's thigh. She had already told her: everything that had happened last time was a secret while Chaewon was around.

"Ah, right. Sorry, Unni."

Yuri gave an awkward smile, as if she had only just remembered. Yujin sighed.

She really is such a mess.

She acted all grown up. But she was still a kid.

"Yuri."

Seonghun looked at her.

"...Yes?"

"Get along with Chaewon. Chaewon, you get along with Yuri too. That's why I called you here today. It's nice when people who know each other are close, right?"

"Of course!"

"Okay, Oppa."

Yujin looked at Seonghun with a faint smile.

This feels strange.

A restless, fluttery feeling settled over her. It was like watching the head of a household make a decision. Would it feel like this if she married Seonghun? No hesitation in his choices, always so full of confidence.

W-what am I even thinking right now.

Yujin shook her head hard.

"Yuri's 1-class, I hear?"

"Yes, I got lucky..."

"That's great. Look after our Chaewon for me."

"Yes, Oppa. I definitely will."

Yujin stared hard at Yuri. She had not been able to look Seonghun in the eye this whole time — just kept staring at the floor with a red face.

No way.

Sisters falling for the same person. That was a train wreck even dramas would not touch. But if Yuri did like Seonghun... would she have to step aside?

"No!"

Even if it was Yuri... not that. Anything but that.

"Yujin?"

"...Unni?"

She looked around with an awkward expression. Apparently she had shouted without realizing it. Everyone was staring at her in shock.

"...Ah, that tastes better if you put syrup on it."

She blurted out whatever came to mind.

"Unni, this is kimchi stew."

"J-just try putting some on. It'll be good."

"Really?"

Innocent Chaewon, treating it as a brand-new culinary challenge, drizzled syrup over her kimchi stew.