<Episode 39>
“Ari, scissors please.”
“Here you go.”
It had already been three days since the housewarming incident. Ari still seemed bothered by what happened that day, but she pretended everything was fine.
But the rabbit keyring that had been hanging from Ari’s phone was already gone. I smiled bitterly.
‘She must’ve been curious about the trendy keyring.’
No matter how mature Ari looked, she was still a kid. She’d probably wanted the trendy rabbit keyring, but since it was hard to get, she’d settled for a similar-looking product instead. Buying one from resale markets wasn’t exactly cheap either.
‘The price must’ve felt burdensome for Ari, but there’s no way Hunter Suhyeon would’ve known that.’
Since the two of them had never really crossed paths before, they probably only knew superficial things about each other.
I shook my head after recalling that day for a moment.
‘Maybe it’s better if things just stay moderately distant like this.’
In the meantime, Ria Hunter and I had tried hard to mediate between them, but since neither of the actual parties wanted reconciliation, it wasn’t easy.
‘They’re both pretty prideful too, which makes it even harder.’
Honestly, I sincerely hoped Hunter Suhyeon just wouldn’t come to the shop for a while. But the world never moves according to my wishes.
“Hello, looks busy again today.”
“Hellooo….”
A little past lunchtime, the shop door jingled open, and Ria Hunter entered together with Hunter Suhyeon.
‘Ugh, I let my guard down because only Ria Hunter’s name was on the reservation list.’
Fortunately, Ari had stepped out briefly to throw away the trash. Thinking the timing was ridiculously bad, I checked the reservation list.
“Custard bungeoppang and… huh? You reserved spicy bungeoppang today too?”
“The spicy one is Suhyeon’s.”
The moment Ria Hunter received the bungeoppang, she pulled out one spicy bungeoppang and handed it to Suhyeon Hunter.
“Here. They say it helps reduce stress, so maybe you’ll feel a bit better.”
After hesitating briefly, she gave a small nod and accepted it.
‘Huh? Hunter Suhyeon’s eyes….’
Hunter Suhyeon’s eyes were so swollen she could barely keep them open as she slowly ate the bungeoppang.
“Snf… thank you.”
Maybe eating the bungeoppang made the tears well up again, because she started sniffling. It felt awkward to ignore it, so while handing her a cup of fish cake broth, I carefully asked,
“Hunter Suhyeon… did something happen?”
“…My friends, hic, sold the gifts I gave them on the resale market.”
What?
Come to think of it, the keyring on Hunter Suhyeon’s phone was gone too. Those rabbit keyrings were gifts Suhyeon had handed out?
Wiping her eyes roughly with her sleeve, Hunter Suhyeon took another bite of the bungeoppang.
“I worked really hard to get them because I wanted us all to match. But they said I should understand because I’m an A-rank Hunter while they’re just ordinary students with no money? Jerks.”
It seemed the rabbit keyrings Suhyeon had gifted were selling for high prices, so her friends had all sold them together. Even so, selling a gift someone gave you… that was harsh.
Hunter Suhyeon bit her lip and muttered,
“I wish I’d never awakened in the first place. I have to go through the gates all the time. I can’t even hang out with my friends anymore. Everyone envies me, but there’s nothing good about it.”
From what I’d heard, Hunter Suhyeon had continued attending a regular school instead of an Awakened-only school because she didn’t want to separate from her existing friends. But after awakening, she couldn’t attend school properly anymore, and their interests drifted apart, so their relationship had apparently grown distant.
‘At that age, peer relationships are everything. I can understand why she’s upset.’
I looked at Suhyeon sympathetically when suddenly Ari, who had appeared without me noticing, leaned crookedly against the wall and muttered,
“…You’re seriously spoiled.”
Her voice was very quiet, but there was no way an A-rank like Hunter Suhyeon wouldn’t hear it. I even heard it standing right beside her. Suhyeon’s expression stiffened instantly.
“What? What did you just say?”
“I said you’re spoiled. Was I wrong?”
“What do you even know about me to say something like that?”
“You’re the one talking nonsense! You hate awakening? Seriously, stop acting like a brat!”
Invisible sparks seemed to fly between them.
Hunter Suhyeon let out a scoff, and Ari crossed her arms without backing down, glaring right back at her. Thinking this was about to turn really bad, I quickly pulled Ari toward the back of the shop.
“Ari, what’s gotten into you all of a sudden?”
“…It doesn’t make sense. She awakened as an A-rank Hunter, makes tons of money, became famous, and yet she says she hates awakening.”
Ari gripped her apron so tightly her knuckles turned white. It felt like she was barely holding back her surging emotions.
I wanted to comfort Ari after hearing her side, but now wasn’t the right time. I gently patted her shoulder.
“Ari, I don’t know exactly what you’re thinking, but everyone has their own hardships. Just because you don’t understand someone doesn’t mean you should react so sharply.”
“But, unnie….”
“First, apologize, and after that, let’s talk about why you were upset. Okay?”
Biting her lip tightly, Ari stubbornly whipped her head away.
“I can’t apologize. Why should I apologize?”
She said Suhyeon had been the one acting sharp toward her from the very beginning. Considering the argument during the housewarming party had already left a bad impression, Ari’s reaction was understandable too.
Still, now was the time to step back. I lightly soothed Ari.
“…I think it’d be better if you apologized, but I don’t want to force you. For now, the customers are waiting, so I’m going back first.”
At my words telling her to come back once she calmed down, Ari gave a small nod.
When I returned to the shop, Hunter Suhyeon had already left. Ria Hunter remained alone, sitting with her elbows propped on the counter. She smiled as soon as she saw me, though there was a strange exhaustion mixed into it.
“I’m not even married yet, but I feel like a parent already….”
“Hahaha, seriously. Was Hunter Suhyeon very upset?”
“Probably. But conversations about rank are sensitive for everyone, so Suhyeon should’ve been more careful too.”
Ria Hunter gave a bitter smile, saying Suhyeon had been especially sensitive lately because things had gone wrong with her friends.
“She may be an A-rank Hunter, but she’s still just a kid. It’s an age where she’d rather hang out with friends than go into gates.”
Ria Hunter said she’d try talking to Suhyeon herself, so I shouldn’t worry, then picked up the bag of bungeoppang and left the shop.
As I took out the fully cooked bungeoppang, I shook my head.
‘I’m terrible at this kind of thing too.’
Because I’d worked at my parents’ shop since childhood, I wasn’t very good with peer relationships myself. Honestly, I had no idea how to mediate between Ari and Hunter Suhyeon.
“Unnie, I’m back.”
Seeing Ari’s expression when she returned a while later, it was obvious her mood still hadn’t fully improved.
“Ari, are you feeling a little better?”
“I’m fine.”
I smiled bitterly.
Ari was an employee who’d continue working at our shop, and Hunter Suhyeon was a customer who would continue visiting. Not everyone needed to become close friends, but there was no reason to leave uncomfortable feelings unresolved either.
First, I should listen to Ari’s story. And if there was any advice I could give, then I’d give it. After making up my mind, I carefully suggested,
“Ari, should we close the shop early today and talk?”
At the current pace, it looked like we’d finish today’s reservations earlier than expected. Ari hesitated, but she didn’t refuse and nodded.
***
After closing the shop, Ari and I headed to the dormitory.
“There aren’t really any decent restaurants nearby. Instead, I’ll make you a nice dinner.”
“I’m okay with anything.”
Fortunately, the dorm had sandwich ingredients I’d bought for dinner. I toasted bread and quickly filled it with ingredients.
“Here. Egg mayo sandwich. It looks simple, but it’s pretty filling.”
“Thank you. I’ll eat well.”
Ari answered properly, but she only fiddled with the sandwich wrapper without eating. It seemed she thought I’d brought her here to scold her.
Looking at Ari, already looking completely deflated, I spoke gently.
“Ari, don’t misunderstand me. I don’t think you were completely wrong. I’m just curious why you said those things back then and what situation you were in.”
Giving a small nod, Ari hesitantly began speaking.
“…After my parents died and I was passed around from relative to relative, my dream became awakening as a high-ranking Hunter. Then at least I wouldn’t have to be kicked out because of money.”
Only ten years old. Ari had been that young when her parents passed away. After that, she drifted between relatives’ houses before eventually ending up living with her grandmother.
“And then one day, my grandmother suddenly got sick, and I prayed even more desperately to awaken. Finally, I awakened the way I wanted, but….”
Ari bit down hard on her lip. Her rank was E-rank… the absolute minimum rank that could enter gates.
Even then, because Ari was underage and couldn’t officially enter the gates, she had no choice but to work as gate bait.
“If I were A-rank, I wouldn’t have had to struggle because of money. I wouldn’t have had to go into gates as bait either.”
“Ari….”
Ari’s breathing grew rougher. Biting her lip as if trying not to cry, she said,
“But she has a high rank and tons of money! I don’t understand what she has to complain about!”
After finishing her story, Ari lowered her head deeply. It felt like she was waiting for my scolding to come at any moment.
I moved beside her and hugged her small frame.
“Ari, it’s okay. Don’t make that expression.”
“…I wanted to live like everyone else too. Going to karaoke with friends, eating delicious food. Not working part-time every day after school.”
Mumbling softly, Ari burrowed deeper into my arms. Even though she looked mature, Ari was still only a seventeen-year-old child. I gently patted her back.
‘To Ari, Hunter Suhyeon’s words must’ve sounded like spoiled whining.’
There was no way Hunter Suhyeon had said those things knowing Ari’s situation. But from Ari’s perspective, it made perfect sense that she’d feel hurt.
After sniffling in my arms for quite a while, Ari finally lifted her head once she’d calmed down a little.
“Thank you, unnie. If I get the chance later, I’ll try apologizing too.”
“Good. I think that’s a good idea. For now, go home and rest.”
I sent Ari off with the half-finished sandwich she hadn’t eaten, then shook my head while looking at Hanyang.
“This situation really isn’t easy.”
“Can’t they just stay like this nya?”
“They could. But if possible, it’s better not to leave lingering bad feelings.”
Both of them were kids carrying their own wounds. If they’d just been a little more honest with each other, things probably wouldn’t have become this twisted. But forcing them together would obviously backfire.
“Hmm.”
Ding!
While I was deep in thought, the familiar system notification sound rang out.
It was a mission window I hadn’t seen in a while.
—
MISSION: Reaching You
Unlock a special effect for Hunters trapped behind emotional walls.
* Targets: Shin Ari, Lee Suhyeon
* Status (Danger): Hurt, betrayal, loneliness
* Required Materials: 30 Honest Mushrooms, 10 Red Slimes
Reward: 2,000P
Failure: Unable to unlock special effect (Permanent)
—
The moment I read the mission window, I jumped to my feet.
It was perfect timing, a mission that could give me exactly the effect I needed. And tomorrow was Saturday, the shop’s day off!
“The timing is seriously insane.”
I clenched my fist tightly.
Alright. First, let’s unlock the special effect!
Comments (0)