The Way of Life for a Terminal S-Class Hunter - C111

Seo-heon’s strange behavior didn’t end in one day. He seemed restless wanting to be close, but would immediately distance himself if he got too close. He even gritted his teeth or covered his mouth as if feeling unwell several times. It wasn’t like this before, so it couldn’t be attributed to treatment aftereffects.

‘Why is he acting like this? He went straight back to his house after treatment yesterday too.’

I could understand if he was tired and wanted to go home quickly. Still, what felt disconnected was that he left without lingering but watched over me every night.

I thought it might be because he felt unwell the first day, but this oddity was now in its seventh day. Seeing his constantly wavering attitude made me waver too. It wasn’t easy to stay composed.

When Seo-heon flinched as if he disliked contact with me, I felt like I was being sucked into a bottomless hole. On nights when I woke up and felt Seo-heon’s gaze, I silently accepted it and felt reassured.

In the past, I would have agonized alone without asking Seo-heon why he was acting this way.

‘Let’s not do that anymore.’

I had already learned at great cost that nothing good comes from suffering alone. That was true for both Seo-heon and me.

“Want to have dinner together tomorrow?”

Since it seemed unlikely Seo-heon would speak up first, I took the initiative. Seo-heon, who had just finished treatment and gotten up, kept his mouth shut for a while as if my words were unexpected.

“Do you have something to say?”

He seemed tense, probably because I had suggested it abruptly without context. Usually, I didn’t say anything special other than telling him to go home after treatment. I thought Seo-heon would never worry about me, but lately he didn’t seem much different from me. It was ambiguous whether his attitude had changed or if I was perceiving things differently.

“I just thought it would be good to talk.”

“Okay. I’ll make a reservation at a nice restaurant.”

“There’s no need for that. We can just eat together anywhere, why make a reservation?”

It’s not like I was going to confess or it was a special day. Unlike me, Seo-heon shook his head.

“How could I take you just anywhere when we’re eating together?”

It was the same reaction as always, but perhaps because I could see the sincerity in it, it somehow felt new.

“Okay. Any place is fine other than that restaurant we went to before.”

I meant the restaurant near the guild we ate at last time, and Seo-heon understood right away. The first reason it was awkward to go there was that Seo-heon had been particularly sharp with the chef. The other reason was that it was the restaurant Seo-heon had gone to with Kwon Ho-jun. Even though the two weren’t the relationship I had thought, I still felt a strange uneasiness when remembering him, like looking at a scar. The guilt I had felt towards Kwon Ho-jun thinking they were lovers probably remained like coffee grounds after drinking.

‘I shook off other things easily, but this isn’t so easy.’

Seo-heon must have thought of the same thing, as he lightly brushed my shoulder. Then he stepped back before the contact deepened and answered quietly.

“Of course. I’ll take you to an even better restaurant.”

Seo-heon glanced at his watch. It was a signal that he would leave soon.

“Are you leaving right away today too?”

The question came out automatically.

“Should I stay with you?”

Seo-heon spoke as if he had belatedly worked up courage. Doesn’t courage come from negative situations? I wondered what there was to be anxious or afraid of in this situation.

“I’m not a child, there’s no need for that.”

Since we had agreed to talk tomorrow, I replied lightly without prying further. Seo-heon habitually tried to take my hand but stopped and put it in his pocket. His obvious hesitation was bothersome.

“Call me if anything happens.”

The question of why I needed to call when he would be watching anyway rose to my throat. I didn’t want to create a strange atmosphere by asking now when I could just wait and ask tomorrow.

“Nothing’s happened so far. What could happen when I’m just at home? Even if there’s an intruder, I’ll handle it, so don’t worry needlessly and get some good sleep.”

He was overly cautious despite having prepared a perfect barrier. I’m not some fragile being that would come flying if called, and I’m one of the top hunters as long as I don’t use certain skills.

“It’s not just that, you could suddenly get angry or upset. You might feel anxious after having a nightmare.”

It felt awkward hearing Seo-heon talk about emotions. Since when did he worry so delicately about others’ feelings? These subtle changes still didn’t feel real.

“I meant call me then. Whether you need someone to vent to or someone to comfort you, I hope you won’t suffer alone.”

It was essentially saying to call anytime. Even though it was a serious situation, I couldn’t help but smile.

“I’m not the type to get worked up over things I’ve already decided and come to terms with.”

It would be a lie to say all resentment has completely disappeared, but surprisingly, I didn’t feel the same anger or sadness as before. I was just pondering how to move forward in the future.

“I know, that’s why I’m like this. Once you turn away, it’s over for you.”

I wonder if he’s saying this knowing that even I couldn’t ultimately turn away from him. Telling him that might ease his mind, but I was too embarrassed and just swallowed the words.

“Anyway, I’m fine so hurry home. And don’t be late for our appointment tomorrow.”

It was just a casual remark, but Seo-heon’s body flinched greatly.

“I won’t be late this time.”

It was obvious which time he was recalling. Even in short conversations, landmines were scattered about.

‘I can’t handle Seo-heon’s sense of debt for him.’

“Okay. I’ll trust you.”

***

As soon as I got out of Seo-heon’s car, I regretted not stopping him more when he said he’d make a reservation at a nice restaurant yesterday. This elegant Korean restaurant was famous as a private place that only accepted one group per day. Due to its large scale, it cost an astronomical amount to reserve for a day.

‘I’ve only been here on bodyguard duty before.’

I didn’t know what to make of Seo-heon’s spending. It probably wasn’t an unreasonable amount for him, but I didn’t understand why he was spending such a large sum on just one meal.

“Why are you standing still?”

Noticing my shock, Seo-heon put his arm around my back and guided me forward.

“Welcome, Mr. Baek Woo-hyun and Mr. Kang Seo-heon.”

“We’ll guide you to the inner room.”

The staff waiting at the door greeted us. I returned the greeting lightly.

“Please ring the bell when you’d like the food brought.”

The room was the farthest one, very private. It was likely Seo-heon had asked for it to be set up this way.

“I’ve never been to this restaurant either. They say the food is simple and good.”

He strangely emphasized the word “first time”. I just nodded without overreacting.

“We don’t need to come to such expensive restaurants next time. We’re not gourmets.”

It was obvious we wouldn’t know the difference even eating expensive food.

“But I want to only go to nice places with you.”

I knew that feeling. The desire to show and give only good things to the person you like. So instead of refusing, I just smiled.

“Shall we ask them to prepare the food? I’d like a drink too.”

“An aperitif will come out anyway.”

Seo-heon quickly rang the bell, and as if they had been waiting, freshly made dishes came in.

“Please call us again when you’re ready for the next course.”

Simple appetizers came out along with drinks, as Seo-heon had said. I immediately poured one glass for Seo-heon and one for myself.

“Did you want to drink a lot?”

Seo-heon asked playfully, noticing my somewhat urgent attitude. Instead of answering, I downed a glass first.

“Woo-hyun?”

His voice lowered further. I felt I could speak more comfortably after some alcohol. Seo-heon reached out to stop me, but the glass was already empty.

“First, I’ve decided what I want to do.”

“Really? I’d like to hear it.”

Though I started the conversation without context, Seo-heon smiled gently.

“I’m going to do rescue work. There’s a community that arranges these jobs, where you accept if you’re able to deploy.”

“That suits you well.”

Seo-heon said this while tapping the table with his finger.

“Don’t express your emotions indirectly, answer properly. No behind-the-scenes maneuvering either.”

The corners of Seo-heon’s mouth trembled slightly.

“Rescue work often involves dangerous situations. Plus, I’m worried you’ll rush in without restraint as soon as an alarm sounds.”

“I understand your concern. But there won’t be anything more dangerous than hunter fieldwork, and I have no intention of going back on my decision.”

Seo-heon nodded. It meant he knew this would happen so he didn’t bother opposing.