<Episode 121>
The celebration of my birthday continued into the next day.
“Happy birthday, Boss.”
“I prepared a little gift too.”
From Manager Jukyung, who handed me homemade cookies, to Taehun, who brought me a brand-name hand cream, everyone from Branch 2 and even Trainer Choi Ganggeon congratulated me with small presents.
Of course, there were exceptions.
“Huh…? It’s your birthday, Boss? I really had no idea! If I’d known, I would’ve prepared a gift!”
Watching everyone exchange presents, Dasom’s face turned pale with panic. She looked ready to run out and buy something right away.
‘Anyone would think I was demanding one from her.’
I reassured her over and over that her congratulations alone were more than enough. Only after a while did Dasom finally smile in relief.
Another celebration took place when I arrived at Jeongdameun Restaurant that afternoon.
And that wasn’t all.
On my way back after work, I ran into a face I was genuinely happy to see.
“…Seah?”
“Haha! Boss, long time no see. Have you been well?”
Sitting on a bench near the dormitory, Seah flashed me a grin and stood up.
She looked even brighter than when she’d quit working at our shop. Walking over to me, she proudly held out her phone.
“Ta-da! Look at this.”
The message began with:
[Hello, Actress Yoon Seah. This is the production team for the web drama <In Your Dreams>.]
It informed her that she’d been selected as the lead actress.
“Huh?! Seah, you passed the audition?”
“Yes! I told you I’d come bragging if I got the part. So I came straight here!”
I grabbed her hands and bounced up and down in excitement and disbelief.
After hugging each other and exchanging congratulations over and over, we finally collapsed onto the bench when we’d exhausted ourselves.
“Congratulations. I guess I’ll be seeing your face on TV now.”
“I don’t know when it’ll air yet, but I’ll definitely let you know. Ah! Come to think of it, you’ve been really busy too, Boss. It’s late, but congratulations on your reawakening. And on reopening your parents’ restaurant.”
Smiling, she said she’d visit the gukbap restaurant once she had more time now that she’d passed her audition.
“To be honest, I was worried because you’ve become so famous. I wondered if you’d forgotten I used to work for you.”
“Come on, how could I forget you? We had quite the memorable relationship!”
From the day she’d suddenly appeared and handed me a job application, saying she wanted to work at our shop, to crying her eyes out asking Hyunwoo if he’d forgotten her, and even the operation where we exposed Park Jaemin’s crimes.
I doubted I’d ever forget her.
“I’ve met a lot of employees, but nobody quite like you, Seah.”
“Hahahaha! Really?”
She slapped her thigh while laughing and wiped tears from the corners of her eyes.
“Ah, it’s so nice seeing you again after so long.”
As our laughter faded, the sound of autumn leaves rustling in the wind filled the silence.
After hesitating for a moment, Seah carefully spoke.
“Hmm… I debated whether to tell you this, but I think you should know.”
“What is it?”
After confirming no one else was around, she lowered her voice.
“You know that brown-haired male employee at your gukbap restaurant?”
“Ah! Siwoo? What about him?”
“…Did you know he was one of the beneficiaries of the ‘Hunter Dream Sprouts’ program?”
Hunter Dream Sprouts?
What was that?
It sounded familiar, but I couldn’t immediately place it.
Reading my expression, Seah explained.
“It was a sponsorship program for low-income teenagers who wanted to become Hunters. Park Jaemin was the main sponsor. He even gave speeches every year.”
Ah, then I remembered.
That was where I’d played the video exposing Park Jaemin alongside Producer Oh Junhyuk.
‘But Choi Siwoo was one of the scholarship recipients?’
Blinking slowly in surprise, I listened as Seah leaned closer.
“I checked, and he even received scholarship money. I found photos.”
She showed me one on her phone.
In it, a younger-looking Siwoo stood on stage shaking hands with Park Jaemin.
“…How did you find this?”
“When I was investigating Park Jaemin’s whereabouts, I went through all the events that bastard–I mean, that guy…had attended.”
After clearing her throat, she continued.
“There were some faces I remembered. Then I happened to see a familiar one on Starstagram and recognized him immediately.”
Apparently, someone had uploaded a review of our restaurant, and Siwoo happened to appear in the photo. Seah had discovered it by chance while browsing social media.
“Thanks for telling me. I never would’ve imagined it. I’ll be careful, just in case.”
“That would be best. Receiving a scholarship there doesn’t necessarily mean he’s connected to Park Jaemin… but Park Jaemin definitely holds a grudge against you.”
Her meaning was obvious.
Park Jaemin might have planted someone inside my restaurant.
After parting with Seah, I lay down on my bed in the dormitory and sighed softly.
“Siwoo doesn’t seem like that kind of person though…”
“Did something happen, nya?”
“Seah came by today and said Siwoo might have some connection to Park Jaemin. But I can’t exactly ask him directly…”
Hadn’t Park Jaemin recently appeared near the restaurant too?
What if he’d come to meet Choi Siwoo?
Hanyang’s expression turned serious as well, and he sat down beside me in his loaf position.
‘…Ahh, too cute.’
Seeing his chubby little legs completely hidden under his belly instantly melted away the heavy atmosphere.
“I’ll find out eventually if I just keep watching. No need to worry so much now. Come here, my cute Hanyang!”
“W-what’s gotten into you all of a sudden, nya?!”
And so I spent a happy time rolling around with Hanyang in my arms until I fell asleep.
But unlike my resolve to simply observe, suspicious things started appearing immediately the next day.
“…Ahem. I’ll go answer this call.”
That was how he’d sneak glances around and suddenly step out to answer phone calls while working.
“Siwoo, what are you looking at so intently on your phone?”
“Wah! You startled me. H-haha… just this and that. Ah! Customers are coming into the hall. Better get back to work~”
He’d hurriedly hide his phone and flee.
And whenever he had the chance, he’d ask about my every move.
‘Something definitely feels suspicious…’
I narrowed my eyes at Choi Siwoo.
He was smiling brightly while recommending boiled pork platters to customers.
‘And yet he’s incredibly good at his job.’
With his friendly personality and excellent work sense, Siwoo was adored by all the elderly customers who visited the restaurant.
He genuinely seemed to enjoy working.
After pondering, I shrugged.
There wasn’t any need to think too deeply.
From the beginning, I’d only intended to stay at Jeongdameun Restaurant constantly during its opening phase. Afterward, I planned to leave things to the manager.
‘I have too many other things to take care of to spend all day tied down here. Besides, restaurant hours are way too long.’
The taste of the broth had stabilized, and the operation system was in place.
Just dropping by occasionally, as I did with Branch 1, would probably be enough.
In the end, I told the restaurant manager that I wouldn’t be able to come by often anymore and asked her to take good care of the place.
Having already known this from the beginning, she simply nodded.
“Don’t worry about the restaurant. I’ll manage it well.”
“Thank you. Once I finish handling the urgent matters, I’ll come by as often as possible. If you need anything in the meantime, don’t hesitate to contact me!”
Until I found out whether my suspicions toward Choi Siwoo were just misunderstandings, I’d use being busy as an excuse.
With a much lighter heart, I returned to the dormitory.
Not long afterward, Siwoo, who had apparently heard the news, immediately sent me a message.
‘Bzzz.’
[Boss, are you really not coming to the restaurant anymore? ㅠㅠ I’m really disappointed…. Can’t you at least stop by occasionally?]
Now that I was suspicious, even a normal message seemed questionable.
Staring at the screen with a strange expression, I closed my phone.
‘Still, not having to commute to Incheon for a while means my mornings will be more relaxed.’
So would I finally get to take it easy?
Unfortunately, no.
[Hunter Haneul! Then I’ll see you tomorrow at 10 a.m. ^^ Fighting, fighting!]
Smiling at the energetic message from Trainer Choi Ganggeon, I thought to myself:
‘Now that I’ve received a new weapon, it’s about time I resumed training.’
I’d reawakened, after all.
Let’s see just how much my shooting skills have improved.
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