Date (2)
Seowoo and Suyeon had agreed to meet in Kamil with about an hour's gap between them.
It wasn't like they could just hold hands and laugh their way out of there, so...
It was a method that properly considered their positions.
Generally, women take longer to prepare than men.
So, Seowoo going first was almost a given.
The familiar lurch of the portal briefly scratched at his insides.
"Hoo, where should I go..."
Seowoo steadied his breath and followed the memo Esid had given him.
Since it was the first time, a preliminary survey was necessary.
He didn't not trust Esid, but people's standards varied wildly.
"I found it."
Hugan restaurant.
A common term meaning Human + Vegan, it was a place where vegetarian vampires loved to go.
A small number of vampires who pitied humans extremely ran it, a restaurant without human flesh or blood.
Among the few such places, it was said to have the best reputation.
Sure enough, its scale was as grand as a large supermarket.
...Seeing places like this, people really live similarly everywhere.
"Oh, it's not bad at all?"
The exterior menu board harmoniously listed Eastern and Western foods.
Beneath it, a small warning note was written.
[※ Our establishment does not use humans.]
The food aroma wafting from inside was so good that one couldn't help but nod.
While wondering what menu would be good.
A somewhat familiar voice came to his ear.
"Excuse me... customer?"
"Yes?"
Seowoo turned his head at the casual call.
A massive build that looked like it could rip through the uniform, and a somewhat empty head.
"Oh! It is you, boss!"
"Bold? Why are you here...?"
The guy who looked like he'd be mugging in the back alleys stood there.
"Kukuk! We've gone straight, haven't we! After disposing of the hideout, sending the ones to be sent with the remaining money, and starting anew here with a few remaining thugs!"
"...Not straight, but crooked. Then, did you completely clean up the gang stuff?"
"Yes, that's how it is. After being dealt with by the boss, I felt a lot."
His somewhat serious appearance carried sincerity.
It was always good for a person to go the right path.
Seowoo really wanted to cheer for him.
...But if this was the case, a feeling that he'd be quite tired in Kamil started to seep in.
"Ah, damn."
Thinking about it, he had to keep up the act.
"Why, why are you like that, boss? Did I do something wrong...?"
"...No. I just remembered I forgot something."
"I'm the one who thought I had touched your heart, boss!"
Seowoo's casual curse made Bold tremble in a body that didn't suit it at all.
...Think positively.
If he got a body that was appropriately servile, it wouldn't be bad.
Perhaps...
"Hmm, is there any recommended menu here?"
"While many people eat noodle dishes, the most popular is steak, boss."
"Really? Thanks. I'll come back later."
"I'll be waiting. Boss~!"
Instead of answering, Seowoo nodded vaguely and after looking around a few more places, went to the fountain with the portal.
And not long after, Suyeon appeared.
"Hi~ Did I make you wait long?"
"You came? Not much, just a short walk to get some fresh air. It was fine."
Suyeon waved her hand cheerfully to greet him.
"Eh? But your eyes... what about the blindfold?"
"Ah, I'm wearing the prosthetic now, so it's fine. Normally I wear the blindfold, but when I go out, I wear the prosthetic. Also, because people keep glancing at me."
"Ahaha... I see."
Seowoo, about to continue talking, had his words cut off at the moment his gaze fell.
The off-shoulder dress that blatantly revealed the body's curves had hooked in.
When he saw it last time, it was like pajamas.
Today, Seowoo could easily tell how much effort she had put in.
"But Seowoo, why are you so fidgety?"
Suyeon, unaware, kept pushing her body closer with an 'eh?' expression.
"Uh, the clothes are a bit tight..."
"Clothes? Ah! This, this is because it's been a while since I wore it, so it shrank..."
Only then did Suyeon realize and try to cover her body with her arms a bit.
But because she covered it clumsily, it made her look even more provocative, like her arms were supporting her breasts.
"Uh, that's possible."
"Ah, yes..."
"..."
"..."
Damn, shouldn't I have said that?
An awkward atmosphere filled the air.
Even so, he couldn't end it like this.
"...Do you have any plans? You said to go out together today."
"Huh! No...? Actually, I just wanted to be with you... not! Ch, I wanted to come with a friend once~."
Suyeon was making excuses like a thief caught stealing.
The point was she hadn't made any special plans.
Seowoo, who was rather glad about that, immediately threw the bait.
"Then I thought of something, is it okay?"
"Yes, of course!"
Suyeon, without thinking, immediately grabbed it.
"Then let's go right away. You haven't eaten, right?"
"Assistant always get hungry."
"Indeed, the king of the research lab."
"Huhu... I'm famous for being picky with my taste~."
"Anyway, let's go see."
Even if in this way, if he didn't repay the favor, Seowoo's conscience would be troubled.
He looked around a few more places, but there was no other Hugan.
"Welcome!"
"Welcome!"
Entering the restaurant with the waiter's hospitality.
Under the golden lights, a bright atmosphere and classic blended.
Surprisingly, there were quite a few customers, and among them, some humans were mixed in.
"Kukuk! Hey... customer! Come this way!"
Bold, who had been waiting for real, approached Seowoo who was looking around for the best seat.
"This is the last remaining window seat!"
"Thank you."
Hearing Seowoo's thanks, Bold removed the sign that said 'reserved seat' and wiped the table once.
He could have gone elsewhere, but he didn't know he had done this much.
No, what if he hadn't come here...?
In the end, it was good, but the work would take longer.
Bold, who didn't know such worries, showed a victorious smile with his yellow fangs.
"...Seowoo, did you see that waiter laughing so fiercely just now? This restaurant seems a bit twisted..."
"I'm sorry to have you apologize instead..."
"Eh? Why are you apologizing instead?"
"Haha... that's right."
He's kind. He's kind.
After ordering the food he had seen in advance, it quickly revealed its form.
Medium-rare sirloin steak and red wine.
The unique flavor rose with the sizzling oil on the warm plate.
"Waaah..."
"Oh, really..."
Both let out a cheer.
Saliva filled their mouths.
The juices overflowing with every movement of the knife.
"Mmm~ Delicious!"
"Glad you like it."
Even Seowoo felt the taste was great.
The searing and resting were perfect, the outside crispy but the inside soft and fragrant.
A sip of wine with it was the perfect combination.
The night view outside added a bit of charm.
If there was an opportunity, he thought he wanted to visit again next time.
At that moment, a bothersome rumor came to his ear from the next table.
"Did you hear? The other day, Bold's gang was wiped out."
"Ah, of course I heard. The rumor was that a vampire who takes a little girl around..."
"Apparently, it was at least 50 to 1."
"...Insane."
"Then! How did the word noble come out?"
Seowoo, who was drinking wine, choked and cleared his throat.
"Are you okay? If you can't drink, don't drink more."
"No, it's fine, just a cough."
"Then, good."
Seowoo waved his hand at Suyeon who was looking at him worriedly.
He didn't expect this rumor to spread from the previous incident.
He hadn't expected it to be kept secret anyway.
Since it wasn't proper to be distracted during a meal, he focused on Suyeon again.
"But, when did the work hours change?"
"Ah, that...?"
"Yes."
Suyeon, checking Seowoo's reaction, slowly opened her mouth.
"...I asked the higher-ups to change it."
"Really? But why so hesitantly."
"Actually, I wanted to meet you once."
"Eh?"
Suyeon's heart was racing.
Was she worried that the beating sound would be heard all the way there?
I'm trembling like this now... what about you?
Out of the 5 years, 3 years.
Since about a month after he came to the next room, they couldn't even talk twice a day.
Sometimes they laughed together.
Sometimes they cried together.
And always said thank you for helping.
But.
...Actually, that's not it.
The one who was saved by Seowoo was herself.
"Ah, why are you making such a silly face~ You might want to see a friend."
"Ah, yeah. That's right."
Looking at Seowoo who was muttering, Suyeon smiled faintly.
To deceive the enemy, you have to deceive your allies first.
She couldn't tell him yet.
...I'll make sure you can leave here.
Seowoo.