Welcome to Dungeon Hotel Chapter 101

97. Like the sea

 

Ugh. But the fact that Aunt Heeyoung is here…

 

I strengthened the hand that was holding Han Woohyun’s arm because I had a bad feeling about it.

 

Then Han Woohyun pulled me toward him.

 

As if he instinctively sensed my nervousness.

 

“….”

 

But why are you glaring at Aunt Heeyoung?

 

Aunt Heeyoung laughed at Han Woohyun as if it were fun.

 

“Wow. Did our Jeonghyo have a boyfriend? Already?”

 

“No, it’s not like that…”

 

It was then.

 

A cool voice spoke from behind me.

 

“Who is your boyfriend?”

 

It was Uncle Minhyuk.

 

When Uncle came out, Aunt Heeyoung’s sharp eyes became slightly blurred.

 

On the other hand, Uncle Minhyuk’s face was calm as usual.

 

If you look at it, it looks like you’ve bumped into someone you don’t know on the street, but—.

 

As far as I know, Uncle and Aunt is…

 

‘Why did Moon Heeyoung go to the United States? well. As far as I know, the reason lies not with the Korean government or the Korean Hunter Association, but with the sinful man, Han Minhyuk.’

 

Those were the words of a drunk Uncle Junsoo.

 

It was a long time ago that he almost lost his life to Uncle Minhyuk the moment he said it.

 

That’s when I first realized.

 

Maybe it’s not that Uncle Minhyuk isn’t interested in dating or marriage… but maybe it’s because of me that he couldn’t be with Aunt Heeyoung.

 

That fact was quite shocking, so I made up my mind.

 

After graduating from high school, I will no longer be indebted to Uncle Minhyuk.

 

“It’s Han Minhyuk.”

 

Aunt Heeyoung called out to Uncle Minhyuk in her characteristic low-pitched voice.

 

“As soon as I came to Korea, I met Han Minhyuk… Is it fate?”

 

“What do you mean fate?”

 

Minhyuk’s expression looked calm, but I could read it from his eyes.

 

Uncle was feeling uncomfortable about his current encounter with Aunt Heeyoung.

 

….Why?

 

Because Aunt changed her nationality to American? Or… because Aunt got married in America?

 

Aunt Heeyoung spoke with her thin lips curled up, not paying attention to Uncle’s cold answer.

 

“It remains to be seen whether it will be coincidence or fate. I came here to meet Kim Junsoo, but has the landlord changed?” 

 

“What has changed? I am here.”

 

Uncle Junsoo stuck his head out from inside the front gate. 

 

Aunt Heeyoung, seeing Uncle Junsoo, smiled brightly and hugged him gently. 

 

“It’s been a while.”

 

“I know. Why haven’t you contacted me at least once?”

 

“…If I contacted you, would you accept it? From a traitor?”

 

“I will decide after seeing the traitor do it.”

 

There was a bit of tension between Uncle Junsoo and Aunt Heeyoung, but on the surface, they were still friends they hadn’t seen in a long time.

 

It was like two people who have been friends for a long time were having a smooth conversation.

 

After a short and bitter greeting with Aunt Heeyoung, Aunt Misoon watched Uncle Junsoo and Aunt Heeyoung enter the house, sneaking up to Uncle Minhyuk’s side and whispering.

 

“That kid… has a really thick face. I heard that the C&M Guild of America is the subject of an international investigation. They received investment from the overseas branch of the Witnesses of Salvation.”

 

C&M was an American guild with Aunt Heeyoung as the vice guild leader. 

 

But was that also related to the witness of salvation?

 

“I guess they came to see what was included in the research data provided by the Korea Hunter Association…”

 

As Aunt Misoon blurted out the end, Uncle Minhyuk spoke without taking his eyes off Aunt Heeyoung’s back.

 

“It has nothing to do with me.”

 

“It probably has nothing to do with you. From the day Moon Heeyoung abandoned you!”

 

…?

 

Wait a moment. 

 

Who abandons whom?

 

The story is suddenly about 10 billion light years away from the story I knew?

 

But for some reason, Uncle Minhyuk just warned Han Woohyun with a nonchalant expression.

 

“I don’t know what Junsoo said, but I’m against him becoming a baby Junghyo fan.”

 

“Baby…Junghyo fan?”

 

Han Woohyun looked at me as if asking what that was.

 

I wrinkled my face.

 

How can I say with my own words that we are an SSS-Class Junghyo fan club? 

 

I quickly took Han Woohyun with me and ran away from the place.

 

“I have something to talk about with Han Woohyun! I’ll call you tomorrow!”

 

* * *

 

“….”

 

What was the story?

 

Why are the words of Uncle Junsoo and Aunt Misoon contradicting each other?

 

Uncle Junsoo called Uncle Minhyuk a ‘sinful man’, but Aunt Misoon said Aunt Heeyoung abandoned him…

 

‘It has nothing to do with me.’

 

Why did Uncle Minhyuk have such a normal face?

 

Aunt Heeyoung, on the other hand, had a bitter look on her face….

 

Ha… It’s complicated.

 

It was then.

 

A fragrant smell irritated my nose.

 

I lifted my head in surprise.

 

Then, I saw Han Woohyun standing behind the table holding a plate of well-fried French fries.

 

“As expected. You react more to food than to me.” 

 

“….?”

 

Ah.

 

I realized that I had been thinking about coming to Han Woohyun’s house all this time under the pretext of delivering the meal kit he had ordered. 

 

Still, it’s true. 

 

He got my attention with the smell of French fries.

 

Does he really think of me as a cat?

 

But it definitely worked.

 

Because I started paying more attention to the meals Han Woo-hyun prepares. 

 

“Oh, I’m sorry. It wasn’t polite to be invited to a meal, right?”

 

“No, well. I’m used to being ignored.”

 

Han Woohyun, who was wearing an apron on a body that seemed to be twice as tall as me, took off his apron and said to me,

 

“What do you mean by ‘used’ to it?”

 

That’s unfair. When did I ignore him?

 

Han Woohyun laughed as he fixed the hamburger with a long skewer in front of me.

 

“You ignored me often. 8 years ago.”

 

“….?”

 

I smiled at the huge hamburger with lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese on top of the homemade patties and sauce.

 

Since I stayed in Yeongchun-myeon all the time, I said I wanted to eat franchise fast food, and he made me a hamburger at home. 

 

‘It’s even quite good…’

 

Even though I made and sold food, I don’t think the quality was better than this.

 

Well, let’s skip that.

 

“When did I ignore you?”

 

“My name… you haven’t called me once in three years.” 

 

I?

 

Did I?

 

We were in the same class for three years, how could that be…

 

‘It must be.’

 

Yeah. Certainly, I was a bit uncomfortable with Han Woohyun at that time.

 

It was because of the fact that he was an S-Class Hunter, and also—.

 

“…I’ve been scared of you.”

 

Han Woohyun frowned when he heard that I was scared.

 

Look at this.

 

That arrogant look that comes out when you’re even a little embarrassed, and I can’t tell what’s inside.

 

That face that looks as if it will ruthlessly trample on those who come close, either with words or force.

 

‘I, I like you. W, Woohyun-ah…’

 

‘….’

 

In fact, I have witnessed many times how he rejects confessions pouring in on him just because of his mood.

 

At the time, I thought he didn’t like all the attention because he was an S-Class Hunter, but now I know he did it because he was embarrassed. 

 

Because I think I would have done the same.

 

“I felt like it would be a burden if people I wasn’t even close with kept approaching me. If it were me, I definitely would have done that.”

 

I took a big bite of the hamburger.

 

Oh, my… It’s delicious.

 

“I’m good at cooking.”

 

Han Woohyun said as if he had read my mind. I was surprised and saw Han Woohyun.

 

“Did I say it…? It’s delicious.”

 

“…It’s all visible on your face.”

 

Han Woohyun held back his laughter and wiped the sauce from his mouth with his thick fingers. 

 

Then, while he was holding out a tissue to me, he stopped slightly and brought the tissue to my lips.

 

I couldn’t even look him in the face while he carefully wiped my mouth with a tissue.

 

“I wasn’t like that.”

 

“What? About what? I wasn’t like that either.”

 

I never had any intention of reenacting the events of Christmas.

 

“….?”

 

Han Woohyun made an ‘Ah’ mouth shape and nodded his head as if he realized.

 

“I’m a little slow to notice.”

 

“Mhm… eung…?”

 

Why are you holding my chin naturally while saying that?

 

Han Woohyun stood up, slightly bent his chin, and kissed my lips.

 

It felt like my breath was taken away from the sudden skinship, but I soon came to my senses and pushed Han Woohyun away.

 

“No, what I mean is ‘no’?”

 

I, I must be crazy. 

 

I took the tissue Han Woohyun was holding and wiped his lips.

 

His lips must be oily because of that. 

 

Han Woohyun, who saw that, pulled out a new tissue with a smile on his face and carefully wiped my lips.

 

“I mean… In high school, people I wasn’t even close with approached me, and I felt burdened, but that wasn’t the case.”

 

Han Woohyun looked at my lips, which had been cleaned as clean as he would do for a child, for a long time as if he had lingering regret, and took off his hand that was supporting my chin.

 

He continued speaking while looking intently into my eyes with his brown eyes.

 

“I’m just…a little… I think I was scared. I feel like I can’t do what people who approach me expect from me. I feel like everyone will change if they are disappointed in me. Like my uncle who changed when he drank alcohol, or my aunt who changed when I became an awakened person.”

 

I quietly watched Han Woohyun’s eyes become cloudy.

 

“So… uhm… You said you were scared of me, but I was scared of you, Junghyo. I want to get closer to you, but I feel like the closer I get, the less you will like the way you see me. I think that’s why I was scared every time I ran into you.”

 

Every time Han Woohyun faced me, I remembered his expression.

 

The tension flowing through his tightly clenched jaw and the wariness in his eyes.

 

When I heard that it was all out of fear, I clenched my fists under the table without realizing it.

 

Han Woohyun, who saw my expression, laughed as if to escape his emotions, took a big bite of the hamburger, and said,

 

“…But I think I’m good at that.”

 

“….?”

 

“Becoming your hotel. I was good at cooking and talking well. I don’t know what you were worrying about, but it seems like all your worries are gone now. As expected… I think telling my story honestly helps get the other person’s attention.”

 

Ha.

 

Why are you smiling like that? Really.

 

Han Woohyun’s smile tightened my heart, and I found myself smiling along with him without even realizing it.

 

Then Han Woohyun’s smile disappeared. Han Woohyun was looking at me as if fascinated. 

 

I looked at him with puzzled eyes, not knowing what I had done wrong.

 

“Why?”

 

“…Because you’re pretty when you smile like that.”

 

Don’t you say you will wait for me?

 

The word ‘waiting’ is meaningless because it seems like he’s confessing every five minutes.

 

I didn’t know how to answer, so I muttered quietly while drinking coke.

 

“…You said you will wait.”

 

“I will wait. So you…You don’t have to do anything, Junghyo. You just… You just have to stay pretty like that.”

 

It seemed like Han Woohyun’s smile was back.

 

“Like the sea we saw together back then. Just like that… beautifully.”

 

I suddenly realized where I had seen Han Woohyun’s face saying that.

 

This is the facial expression Han Woohyun made when he said this while looking at the screen in the banquet hall. That time.

 

‘I know. It’s pretty.’

 

‘…To the point where I would be happy to be locked up and die there.’

 

So what Han Woohyun was watching at the time was really me.