The Director's Uninvited Visit
"Two iced Americanos and one vanilla latte here."
Bzzz.
"Customer 168, your cold brew and blue lemon aide are ready!"
Bzzz.
"Hey, parfait here!"
"Got it, General. I'll handle orders. Take 'em!"
"Hello, what can I get for you?"
The cafe at 2 p.m. was swamped, boosted by top-tier hunter publicity and the post-lunch rush. Yul punched orders into the POS system, slapping order slips nearby, while Ryu Shin-ah ripped off completed ones without missing a beat, buzzing the pagers.
Even in the frenzy, they didn't forget fan interactions(?).
"Oppa, you're so handsome!"
"Haha, thanks. You're pretty too, miss."
"When did you get to Korea?"
"Arrived yesterday."
And amid it all, orders piled up steadily.
That bastard for real...
Yul ground her teeth inwardly while brewing coffee in the back. They were buried in backed-up orders! It was do-or-die, but she couldn't stop him.
She was a fan herself. No way she'd badmouth people coming to see their fave and dropping cash. Even if the fave was Ryu Shin-ah, which was kinda baffling.
Separate from this killer workload.
Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' is indignant, saying our Yul is swamped while that lowly thing plays around carefree.
No, that's actually good work though...
Yul pondered the root of all this while grinding beans in fury.
Two hours ago.
Ryu Shin-ah had posted the photo Yul snapped, announcing a one-day cafe gig to celebrate landing in Korea. Tagged the exact cafe too.
True to his massive follower count, it blew up instantly. For two main reasons.
One: the photo of him. Ryu Shin-ah wasn't one to show his face much, especially on SNS. Rare shots were distant side profiles at best.
And two: the fact he'd come to Korea.
Everyone knew he'd left Korea. But sneaking back in without a word? Busan fans rejoiced, and even out-of-towners flooded the comments vowing to come. Customers poured in...
"Ryu Shin! Green tea latte and croque-monsieur!"
"Here, General."
...leading to now.
Why's he so damn popular anyway? What's the appeal?
If Ryu Shin-ah heard, he'd be shocked, but Yul meant it.
His face was tolerable at best? And that was 80% thanks to the post-contract buff turning his hair and eyes some gold-bright yellow shade. High school him had whined about dyeing; now he had natural blond roots.
Ding-a-ling.
The cheerful bell made them both turn.
"General, customer! Welcome..."
"Welc... oh."
Ryu Shin-ah trailed off mid-greeting. Yul shut her mouth too.
"Wait, that guy..."
"Yeah? What nerve showing up here..."
"Shouldn't he be in Seoul?"
1F customers buzzed at the newcomer.
Sleek black hair swept back, impeccable attire. But mostly, his title gave him away.
"...Director of Hunter Management?"
Hunter Management Director Jeon Se-han. Ryu Shin-ah muttered, setting down his mug.
His confirmation amped the whispers.
Jeon Se-han bowed politely.
"Long time no see, RecordFudger Hunter."
"...Why are you here."
"I apologize for barging in unannounced. But an urgent matter arose."
He glanced around.
"Could we talk somewhere private?"
After getting permission and clearing everyone out, the empty cafe. Ryu Shin-ah and Jeon Se-han sat upstairs.
"...So."
Ryu Shin-ah drawled, arms crossed, slouched back—attitude matching his mood.
"What's so important you come all the way here? Your job ain't that leisurely."
"It's that big a deal."
"Dying to know how crucial. Showing up at a normal shop, killing business."
"Sorry about that."
"How'd you even find this place...? Stalking a hunter's SNS now."
"Wasn't it posted for people to come?"
"Not for you."
Sharp words flew.
Ryu Shin-ah ruffled his hair in annoyance. Argh, seriously.
Obviously here about General...
Yul had tagged along upstairs naturally, but Kang Young-hwa dragged her out—"Why butt in?!"—leaving her on the outdoor terrace now.
Jeon Se-han sipped his Americano and spoke.
"RecordFudger. Two reasons I'm here."
"Spill. I can guess."
"First, your return."
He stared straight at Ryu Shin-ah.
"US Management confirmed notifying us. But I don't recall any such contact."
"They guessed why I came back. You of all people should know."
Ryu Shin-ah's voice chilled.
His closeness to Yul was world-famous. She was all mystery, but he'd partied with her—the only one.
Hearing he'd returned? They'd rush over. To gag him or probe the #1 ranker.
If anything, they were late. Risked him spilling on international channels.
Bet they camped my house yesterday too.
That's why he crashed at her place.
"...#1 Rank."
"Woke up to that crap and was floored. The Lee Sunjwa I know wouldn't do that. She'd have told me first if returning."
"...Indeed."
Jeon Se-han muttered bitterly, composing himself.
"Straight to it. I need a favor."
"...Favor."
"#1 Rank. Lee Sunjwa."
Tell me where she is, he added.
Ryu Shin-ah's face twisted ugly.
What the hell is this guy saying?
"What's going on? Director shows up and all."
Kang Young-hwa marveled curiously.
She and Yul were on the terrace now. Kang Young-hwa sipped grapefruit tea with a lemon slice from the table.
"Knew Shin-ah was a big hunter, but way bigger than we thought. Like a corp prez visiting a returned employee."
"Uh... yeah, probably."
"Meanwhile our girl..."
Kang Young-hwa shook her head exaggeratedly, pained.
Yul bristled inwardly. I'm more famous, lady.
Couldn't say it.
Leaning on the terrace rail, Yul hung her head.
What'd he come all this way for? That jerk.
Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' sighs at the current situation where it can't sneak in and eavesdrop.
He snuck in quiet, but in this climate...
Yul glanced at her status window. No need to say it—they both suspected the same.
Probably 'cause of this.
Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' grinds its teeth.
Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' mutters that it must grab and interrogate that lowly thing for pulling this stunt despite our Yul kindly saying to wait.
Probably asking about me.
Ryu Shin-ah was the only hunter close to Lee Sunjwa the Killer.
She hadn't beefed with others, but her position differed. No guild ties, no Management affiliation...
Parties with him in dungeons by chance, caught shopping together—friendship rumors spread.
Reality went beyond "friends".