Chapter 14
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Date (5)
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I didn't get a wink of sleep last night.
Well, to be precise, I did manage about two hours, but then I woke up from a dream about my little brother.
"Haa..."
Da-jeong Jeong swept a hand over her face and let out a sigh.
This was all her little brother's fault.
Sure, it was just a normal show of familial affection, but... wasn't hugging him tight and whispering "I love you" a bit too powerful?
Da-jeong herself had a history of rolling around in bed with her brother every morning when he came to wake her, hugging him close.
But that had always just been hugging and tumbling around. She'd never whispered "I love you."
"..."
As she lay in bed sorting through her tangled thoughts amid various complications,
- Knock knock.
a knocking sound came from the door.
She glanced at the clock—it was already morning.
It seemed her little brother had come to wake her, as usual.
Creeeak.
The door opened cautiously, revealing her little brother.
Memories of last night flashed through her mind, turning her head blank.
Anyone looking from the outside would clearly see how rattled she was.
She didn't want to show any signs of agitation to her brother.
So, in that short time, she racked her brain over how to handle it.
And after agonizing, she made her decision.
She'd just treat him like normal.
Lie in wait quietly, then when he tried to wake her, pull him into her arms and shower him with affection.
"..."
Da-jeong closed her eyes and pretended to sleep, listening closely for her brother's presence.
Footsteps slowly drawing nearer.
As she sensed him getting closer, her heart began to pound.
"Sis?"
Her brother whispered softly as he approached, just like always.
That low tone made her heart flutter, but she tried not to let it show.
"You asleep?"
His voice carried a hint of wariness, as if he was on guard for her usual sudden hug.
"You're really sleeping, right?"
He didn't fully buy that she was asleep.
But to wake her, he had no choice but to come closer.
Normally, this was the moment she'd grab him, drag him under the covers, and lavish him with love.
That's what she should have done.
"...I'm up."
But today, she just couldn't bring herself to do it. She opened her eyes.
On any other day, doting on her brother like that felt completely natural.
But today, just imagining it was too embarrassing.
She couldn't hug him.
"Oh? You're up. Good morning."
"Yeah, good morning, little bro."
"So you were awake."
"I just woke up..."
It was awkward.
Meeting her brother's eyes felt so awkward.
So she avoided his gaze, fidgeting with her fingers on the bed.
"Come on out for breakfast. I made your favorite soy-marinated crab today."
"Oh, thanks..."
Her brother turned to leave the room.
He was probably heading to wake their big sister next.
On a normal day, she'd let him go, do a quick wash-up, and head out for breakfast.
Then they'd all eat together and head to work.
If things went like this, they wouldn't have a moment alone to talk before heading out.
So, steeling herself against the embarrassment, Da-jeong spoke up.
"Little bro."
"Yeah?"
"Wanna go to the amusement park today? I'm taking half the day off..."
Awkward as eye contact was, she still wanted to go out with him.
So she mustered her courage.
"Sure, text me and I'll head to the guild."
"Okay!"
Her courage was rewarded.
Date with little sister Jeong Da-jeong (1/10)
🎁 Reward: Da-jeong Jeong's Stamina +10%, Family Points 1,000
"Hmm..."
After tidying up the housework, I lay on my bed flipping through the status window.
Thankfully, yesterday's outing counted as a date, and with little sis suggesting we go out first thing, it looked like filling up the ten dates wouldn't take long.
We'd probably hit two today with the amusement park.
Dating every single day wasn't realistic, but I could clear the quest by the end of the month.
As I enjoyed that brief moment of leisure,
a message arrived.
[Off in 30 mins! Head out now to meet at the house ㅇㅅㅇ!!!]
I was already fully prepared, so I started to head out,
then paused for a second.
'Should I put on some cologne...?'
I hadn't bothered yesterday since it's family and scent doesn't matter much between us.
But maybe I should today.
Not that I'm conscious of little sis or anything.
A nice scent just makes everyone feel better.
Before leaving the house, I grabbed the cologne and lightly spritzed my torso.
Spraying on the body makes the scent last longest.
I parked in the Luna Guild building's lot and waited for little sis.
The guild lot is registration-only, so I worried I'd have to circle around until she came out, but luckily she'd registered a car in my name, avoiding any hassle.
We'd already decided on the amusement park, so I was checking ticket prices online when,
- Knock knock.
I heard tapping on the car window and turned.
A young woman in a suit stood outside with a gentle smile.
'Who's she?'
Face unfamiliar, I felt puzzled and wondered if I'd messed up somehow, so I got out of the car.
As I stepped out, the suited woman bowed politely.
"Hello, I'm Ye-seul Kim, Support Team Leader for Luna Guild. You're Hunter Da-jeong Jeong's family member, right?"
"Ah, yes."
"Hunter Da-jeong Jeong has some urgent business and will take about 30 minutes. We'd like to escort you in the meantime if that's okay? If it's inconvenient, we'll leave right away."
Looks like little sis would take a bit.
Hunters get emergencies at any hour, so I understood.
Accidents don't come with warnings, after all.
"Thanks for taking care of me!"
"Of course! Leave it to us."
I followed the Support Team Leader into the Luna Guild building.
Honestly, the guild's hospitality felt burdensome, but from their side, making an S-rank hunter's family wait must be even more so.
She wasn't saying it with bad intentions, and I didn't want to make the guild fret, so I quietly accepted the guidance and entered the guild lounge.
'Whoa.'
As expected of a major guild's lounge—it was impeccably clean and well-appointed.
True to its high-rise spot in central Seoul, the city view from the windows was stunning.
An array of expensive foods was laid out buffet-style.
Not bad at all, I thought, as the Support Team Leader bowed again.
"Then we'll take our leave. If you need anything, just press the bell on the table."
"Ah, thank you."
I'd worried she'd chat me up annoyingly, but she seemed to read my vibe at a glance and left quietly.
Figures—she had to have that kind of insight to be a major guild's Support Team Leader.
As I enjoyed the soft classical music and snacked lightly,
"Huff... huff..."
in rushed little sis, panting heavily.
She looked beat—her beautiful pink hair slightly mussed,
specks of blood on her face.
She glanced around looking for me, then hurried over when she spotted me.
"Sorry, really. A terrorist popped up out of nowhere."
Ever since people started awakening powers, some inevitably used them not on monsters but against fellow humans.
Little sis must've been called in to deal with one.
"No news on it, though?"
"Yeah, had to keep it hush-hush..."
Secret operation, huh.
I was curious, but she didn't seem keen to share, so I didn't pry.
Instead, I patted her shoulder in comfort.
"You worked hard."
"Ugh... yeah..."
Little sis flinched awkwardly at my consolation, then spoke cautiously.
"So, wanna hit the amusement park now anyway?"
I checked her over.
She was smiling, but exhaustion filled her expression.
Her clothes were a mess too—tough to go out like this.
I looked her up and down slowly, then asked softly,
"You sure you're okay?"
"Huh? Of course. I'm a tanker, remember? Stamina's overflowing."
I stared at her steadily and sighed.
"You look anything but okay."
"..."
Having lived with little sis all these years, I wasn't blind enough to miss her pushing herself.
No matter that she was the "little" sis, an amusement park when drained would just be torture.
Better to find somewhere chill for some healing instead.
"Amusement park next time."
"But I'm really fine..."
"How about a relaxing Han River stroll instead?"
"Han River?"
"Yeah, Han River."