On the way back home,
“Oh, has it already arrived? I’m glad you like it. Anyway, it’ll take about an hour, so take your time getting ready and come out.”
Yeah, got it.
Jong-sik called Jong-pal and suggested eating out. This was because Team Leader Pyeong-ari had suggested that since they were already out, it would be nice to buy the gift at a nice place.
“Dad, Uncle? Can I switch too!”
“with those hands all covered in dirt! Go wash your hands first. Hyung, did you hear her? She’s so happy she’s about to burst. Anyway, let’s talk about it later.”
Coincidentally, Jong-pal, who hadn’t finished preparing dinner due to planting the arrived plants, gladly accepted his brother Jong-sik’s suggestion.
So the two finished their phone call. At that moment, Pyeong-ari, who was driving, spoke up.
“The plants sent from the Rose Workshop arrived safely?”
Even if he didn’t want to hear it, phone calls in a cramped car were always heard.
Jong-sik nodded as he pocketed his phone.
“They arrived and I’ve already planted them in the flowerbed.”
“A pond in a regular household….Yeona really has a good Uncle. She must like it too, right?”
“She’s jumping around happily even without looking at it. Of course.”
Even Jong-sik’s face was full of smiles as he spoke.
“Do you know, Jong-sik?”
“…?”
“Whenever we talk about your family, you always smile.”
“Did I? I’m not sure.”
“Even if you don’t know it yourself, the other person can tell. It’s definitely different from usual. Of course, it’s a compliment! It’s nice to see. Well, not everyone is like that, but it’s hard to find a normal Hunter family. Our house might be one of them too….”
Pyeong-ari trailed off with a wry smile. Jong-sik didn’t press further.
“There’s no household without a story. We’re probably one of them.”
He simply moved on to another topic.
“By the way, is that restaurant you mentioned earlier really good?”
“It’s really good. I’ve been there a few times with my mom, and the atmosphere is nice, not to mention the taste. Oh, but if you go, you have to mention my name. It’s a members-only place, so they don’t take new customers.”
B1, established as a guild street food spot. Team leader Pyeong-ari recommended it as a dining place for Jong-sik’s family. B1 had the advantage of both good taste and privacy.
Since Jong-sik didn’t have a specific restaurant in mind, he readily accepted the recommendation. From there, it led to inviting team leader Pyeong-ari for a family dinner.
“Why don’t we have dinner together?”
“Me?”
“You spent a lot of time just because of me. Oh, if you have other plans, it’s okay.”
“…I don’t have other plans, but still, is it okay? It’s a family dinner.”
“If you already accepted us becoming a family, then we are now a Healing Guild family, right? Didn’t we just casually say we’re one family?”
“Heh, right. I did say that. Then shamelessly, I’ll join you. Thanks for the dinner invitation.”
Team leader Pyeong-ari , who was driving, smiled happily and stepped on the accelerator.
***
A little while later,
The Thor S driven by Jong-sik entered the guild street. It was earlier than expected.
Seeing this, team leader Pyeong-ari chuckled awkwardly and said, “That building over there is B1. Seems like we arrived too early, huh?”
“Yeah, earlier than expected. Earlier, they said it would take about an hour.”
“Haha. I guess stepping on the gas pedal led to this.”
Contrary to appearances, Pyeong-ari enjoyed speed. She turned off the engine and spoke.
“Hmm. Should we go in first? It wouldn’t be bad to order in advance so we can eat as soon as we arrive….”
Jong-sik nodded in agreement.
“No, it won’t take long, and we’ll arrive in about thirty minutes. Let’s go in together then.”
Nodding.
“It’s stuffy in the car. How about we go out and explore the street together until then?”
“I’m fine with that.”
With a bright smile, Pyeong-ari stepped out of the car.
The bustling street was crowded with people, and famous general stores were abundant in every corner.
However, in a continent where Dwarves existed, like the one where Do Jong-sik came from, and with Pyeong-ari , the daughter of a large guild owner, it was hard to find a store that could catch their attention.
But suddenly, a shop appeared that made both of them stop in their tracks at the same time.
“Dasiho General Store.”
Perhaps it was the intuitive name that caught their attention. Despite it being nothing special, the two stopped in front of the store.
“Hmm. Should we take a look around here since they claim to have everything?”
Pyeong-ari turned to Jong-sik and asked. Jong-sik nodded, indicating his agreement, and responded by opening the door to the store.
***
Ding.
Contrary to the store’s claim to handle everything, the store was narrow. There were only two customers, Jong-sik and Team leader Pyeong-ari . It was hardly bustling.
So, it was no wonder that the employee was exceptionally welcoming to the rare customers.
“Welcome.”
The female employee, with a friendly smile, greeted them promptly.
“Are you looking for something specific?”
As if they were really looking for something. As mentioned earlier, they had just entered the store out of curiosity. Therefore, Pyeong-ari shook her head lightly. They were just planning to quietly browse and leave. However, Jong-sik was different.
“Do you have bracelets or rings?”
“Are you looking to buy something, sir?”
“No, it’s for women.”
“Oh, then you can take a look over here.”
“Huh? Were we planning to buy something? Really….”
Pyeong-ari widened her eyes and glanced at Jong-sik. He was already standing in front of the display shelves.
“Can you show me that one?”
He didn’t hesitate to choose an item. Belatedly, she also approached the display shelves.
“Oh my, you have a keen eye. This product is the best-selling bracelet in our store these days.”
The employee wore a casual smile as she took out the emerald-colored bracelet displayed on the shelf.
“As you can see when you wear it, this product is enchanted with a cold magic. It’s so refreshing and nice to wear a bracelet like this, especially in hot weather like these days. Also, if it’s too flashy, women might feel burdened, but this one is perfect for daily wear.”
The employee poured out her sales pitch. Jong-sik nodded and received the bracelet.
After briefly trying it on his wrist, he glanced at Pyeong-ari and subtly extended the bracelet towards her.
“I want to see how it looks when worn… Can you try it on for me?”
“Oh, me?”
Pyeong-ari’s cheeks turned red.
“Or maybe the staff…”
“No, I’ll try it on.”
The employee quickly exchanged glances between the male and female customers. With her 10 years of service experience, she knew this was definitely a potential match.
Then the target changed. The employee swiftly shifted her attention to Pyeong-ari, whom she thought was the owner of the bracelet.
“Sir, let me help you.”
Finally, the emerald-colored bracelet was placed on Pyeong-ari’s wrist.
For a moment, Pyeong-ari could feel the coolness flowing down her wrist. However, it was not enough to cool her heated cheeks.
“How is it? Do you feel refreshed, sir?”
“Well…”
The employee looked puzzled as she pressed her thumb and forefinger against Pyeong-ari’s wrist. She felt the coolness.
“Hmm? It’s fine. And the size seems to fit perfectly. I don’t think any alterations are needed. Here, show it to your boyfriend.”
“…Excuse me?”
Pyeong-ari widened her eyes and reflexively uttered, “Excuse me?” Then she fanned her hand unconsciously.
“Aren’t you planning to give it as a gift to your girlfriend?”
On the other hand, the employee’s reckless mouth didn’t know when to stop. Eventually, Jong-sik chuckled and answered.
“No, I’m planning to give it to my nephew. Just a moment. It definitely feels different when worn on a woman’s wrist. Please wrap it up for me.”
“Oh, I see… for your nephew…”
The employee trailed off, giving Pyeong-ari a meaningful look. Pyeong-ari’s cheeks, already flushed, now looked like they might burst like ripe persimmons if touched.
“It’s not for a boyfriend, but for a colleague at work,” Pyeong-ari belatedly clarified, but the atmosphere had already become awkward.
“I misunderstood without knowing. I’m sorry. Sir. Then let me wrap it up…”
“Oh, yes.”
Afterwards, the employee swiftly unclasped the bracelet from her wrist and walked towards the wrapping counter.
Rustle, rustle.
The quiet interior of the store was filled with the sound of crinkling wrapping paper.
And what broke the silence was the vibration of Jong-sik’s phone.
“Oh. Did you arrive?”
Uh, hyung. I’m in front of B1. Where are you?
“I’m nearby. I’ll be there in a moment, so just wait a bit.”
After hanging up the phone, Jong-sik looked at Pyeong-ari, who had tightly closed lips, and said, “We’re all set now. We can go straight there.”
“…Yes.”
Pyeong-ari lifted her head at the sudden feeling of someone’s gaze. Jong-sik was staring at her intently.
“Are you feeling hot? The bracelet seemed to be working fine.”
“I just tend to run hot!”
She blurted out in embarrassment. It was an unusual reaction from Pyeong-ari, and Jong-sik chuckled. In that regard, he was a man with no sense of tact.
“Is it because you’re hungry?”
***
Eating out was an excellent choice. Jong-pal and Yeona were indeed enjoying their meal.
“This is really delicious. It’s definitely a different level from what I can do. Well, this is what it takes to be called a chef, right?”
Jong-pal showed a proud demeanor as he picked at the rice cake served for dessert. From the main course to dessert, everything was perfect. Indeed, it was a restaurant worthy of Pyeong-ari’s recommendation.
“Huh? What are you talking about! My dad’s cooking is way tastier! I couldn’t even eat much because I was thinking about my dad’s food!”
Yeona immediately raised her voice to boost Jong-pal’s self-esteem. Upon which, Jong-pal reached for a few tissues.
“Brush off the mochi powder stuck on your upper lip and then talk.”
“Hehehe, was it there?”
“Dok Jong-pal. Pay attention to your mouth. You’re no exception either.”
“Is that so? Hehehe.”
Seems like a fool. Jong-sik’s lips curved up into a sly smile. Meanwhile, for a brief moment, envy crept into Pyeong-ari’s eyes.
“Even though she’s not my own daughter, and I haven’t seen Jong-sik in ten years, how can he display such a harmonious appearance?”
When Jong-sik took out two bags from his bag, that emotion peaked.
“Here, gifts. Don’t refuse or anything. My arms are going to fall off.”
Jong-sik handed the paper bags he brought to Jong-pal and Yeona. Inside were the bracelet and the knife.
“Oh, really, hyung, what’s this…”
“Uncle…”
As they slowly unwrapped the gifts, the two of them teared up.
“Why are you both reacting like this? What’s wrong? Anyone would think I gave you poison. Take them back. Give them here.”
“…Where did you learn to give something and then take it back? Thank you, hyung.”
“I’m already full. Oh, it’s refreshing! Thank you, Uncle. I’ll definitely repay your kindness when I grow up.”
“Dok Yeona, you should repay me.”
Both of them gladly accepted the gifts. Jong-sik smiled satisfactorily as he looked at them.
Pyeong-ari also smiled subtly as she watched the three of them.
It was already a delicious restaurant, but with these people, it was a truly enjoyable dinner.
‘A perfect evening.’
That’s what she thought.
However, that perfect evening was ruined shortly after encountering someone.
