59 – The Story So Far

“But what brings you here? The Association’s president, I mean.”

Our first meeting was nothing special.

Just a newly emerged S-Rank Hunter I met at a B-Rank gate I went to raid for a change of pace.

She had a higher rank than me and outstanding looks.

I thought she was beautiful.

But that was it.

I’d met many people with beautiful appearances.

That’s what I thought back then.

Anyway, the exclusive contract with the Association proceeded really quickly.

It went through in one go without any hesitation, as if there were no other options.

And then, something unexpected happened.

An Irregular Gate appeared in the shopping district.

Since Irregular Gates are generated in places with high mana density, I was flustered but remained calm and entered the gate with Ha-yeon to subjugate the Monsters.

And her, moving as she fought the Monsters…

‘Beautiful…’

She was incredibly beautiful.

To others, her words and actions would never have seemed that way, but to me, they did.

At that moment, I felt a small flutter deep inside my heart.

After that, we had quite a long period of interaction.

‘She’s an S-Rank Hunter, a powerful asset.’

Thinking that, I surrounded myself with her for that long period.

Always pushing my own desire to see her to the back of my mind, trying to ignore it.

And then, that incident happened.

“Brighton, England. This photo was obtained early yesterday morning.”

An SS-Rank gate in England.

To be honest, I desperately wanted to send someone else.

I knew the dangers of SS-Rank better than anyone.

But there was no other way.

All the other S-Ranks were out on assignments, and the British Association was allied with the Korean Association.

We couldn’t ignore it.

And so, I couldn’t see her for a long time, a period that felt as long as the long time we had previously spent together.

“Hey, are you still like that?”

“Be quiet, I don’t want to do anything right now.”

Even to Jin Na-yeon’s words to Ha-jeong, who had become listless after not seeing Ha-yeon for so long, he paid no attention.

“Tsk… acting like a devoted lover. What’s wrong with you? You never had any interest in romance.”

“…? What are you talking about? Romance?”

“…..Are you crazy?”

Jin Na-yeon’s words made him realize that his feelings were love, but he didn’t know what to do.

As she said, Ha-jeong had never been involved in romance in his life.

Even with beautiful women like Ellen and his sister around him.

‘…What should I do?’

So, he thought and studied.

He asked couples around him, and even swallowed his pride and asked Jin Na-yeon, not to mention his parents.

And while he was still learning about romance, he heard some news.

“The Brighton SS-Rank Dungeon has been cleared.”

Baek Ha-yeon’s gate raid was over.

But that wasn’t good news.

When she returned, she was covered in minor injuries and in a near-death state.

As soon as he heard the news, he dumped the Association President’s work on his secretary and headed to the hospital where Ha-yeon was said to be admitted.

He was happy to see Ellen, whom he hadn’t seen in a while, but his eyes were naturally drawn to Ha-yeon lying in the hospital room.

I always wondered if there was something I could do about that mouth and those actions… but she was even more beautiful.

She looked like Sleeping Beauty from a fairy tale.

Still, it was better that she was conscious, so I waited.

After about a month of waiting, Ha-yeon regained consciousness.

“Dungeon!”

She shouted as she woke up.

While thinking that she was consistent as ever, I hid my blushing face and continued a brief chat.

It was a short time, but.

It felt like it was relieving all the hard work during that long period of absence.

In the midst of it, I impulsively grabbed her chin and made eye contact.

While laughing at myself for making the ridiculous excuse that she had lost weight, Ha-yeon, who was at a loss for what to do at my actions, was also cute.

And so, time passed again.

One day, while walking downtown, I unexpectedly met Ha-yeon with her sister.

And I was unexpectedly surprised.

Because Ha-yeon, who always wore uniforms or men’s clothing, was wearing a crop top and tight leggings.

While agonizing in my heart, I naturally sat down and started a relationship with her sister.

“Excuse me… are you Ha-yeon’s sister?”

-Association President? Why are you calling all of a sudden…?

I also cultivated a relationship with Baek Choha.

A close friend? Should I say, she became my helper, having realized my feelings even though I hadn’t said them myself.

“Is it that obvious that I like Ha-yeon?”

“You didn’t know? Well… I should say it’s fortunate or unfortunate that Ha-yeon is oblivious.”

It’s just that Ha-yeon is oblivious.

I felt empty at those words, but I also felt somewhat good.

And so, quite some time passed after broadcasting with Ha-yeon’s sister.

But not long after, I had no choice but to give Ha-yeon another mission.

“An S-Rank Hunter… you mean.”

A request from Elysia Academy.

Everyone except Jin Na-yeon was either in a gate or preparing for a request, and even Jin Na-yeon had set up so many collaborations that she said she would kill me if I called her, so I had no choice but to call Ha-yeon.

As a compromise, I also designed the professor’s uniform.

Of course, I didn’t say that I designed it.

And I told her about the New King Church, which had been rampant recently.

Ha-yeon questioned why I was telling her that.

I thought about various things in my head.

Deciding to just tell her the truth, I gently grabbed Ha-yeon’s soft hair and said.

“Because I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Even I thought it was cheesy, but I didn’t regret it, and Ha-yeon left with a flushed face.

While feeling a little disappointed, I was grateful just for not showing her my own flushed face.

Not long after, Ha-yeon left for Elysia Academy.

And I heard something I didn’t want to hear again.

“The Sword Demon killed the Cardinal who attacked the academy and lost consciousness.”

A Cardinal who had never directly appeared except in gates.

Such a person suddenly attacks Elysia Academy.

I could only laugh in disbelief at the contrived situation that seemed like someone had created it.

If I had known this would happen… I should have done whatever it took to not send her.

I want to beat up my past self who thought, ‘It’s just teaching for a week, what could happen?’

“…Looks like I really don’t have much time left.”

“It might seem that way.”

My heart is getting anxious.

What if she suddenly disappears before I can even tell her my feelings?

So, I hurried.

The first place I went was a jewelry store.

“Please make me a ring.”

Based on Black Jade, which has the meaning of ‘safe travels,’ which I desire most.

I put my desires into Moonstone, which means ‘lover.’

I decorated it with Aquamarine, which means ‘health,’ because I wanted her to be healthy.

And I placed a diamond, which means ‘life,’ in the center, with the thought that I wanted her to live a long life and just be beautiful.

All of them were the highest quality gemstones.

I had two of these rings made and visited Ha-yeon’s hospital room almost every day.

She looked more tired than before, and unlike last time when she only had minor injuries, she had quite a few deep wounds.

Especially around her abdomen and head.

‘This place…’

This hospital is where my parents were hospitalized and passed away.

Thinking about the hill and small meadow left for my parents nearby, I controlled access to it for several days.

It’s a popular spot where many people go, so it was difficult to control, but I thought it couldn’t be helped.

I feel guilty, but.

Several weeks passed, and Ha-yeon woke up.

When I went inside, I saw Cheon-seo-a of the Thunderous Sky Clan, whom I had seen last time, and Ha Seon-woo, who was said to have helped her.

The two of them tactfully left, and I approached her, fiddling with the ring in my pocket.

I think it’s understandable to be so excited, even though it’s just a confession, not even a proposal.

But I can’t help it because of the nature of our profession, where we could die at any moment.

“And what were you saying earlier? What if the kids misunderstand?”

“What?”

I think it would be better if they misunderstood.

At my words, Ha-yeon’s face turned red and she sank into the bed, and not long after, we decided to go out.

‘Now’s the time.’

Now is the chance.

It’s only now.

Thinking that, Ha-jeong took her to the hill that he had restricted access to, feeling guilty.

Not long after, the stars rose into the sky, and Ha-yeon’s blonde hair was even more prominent in the starlight.

I turned my head to Ha-yeon, who was looking at me while looking at the starry sky.

Our eyes met.

“It’s pretty. It’s incredibly beautiful.”

“Yeah, the stars seem really pretty…”

“No. Not the stars, you.”

The words suddenly popped out.

‘This… isn’t it?’

I knew a better timing and appropriate lines.

However, when the actual situation came, everything fell apart.

“D-Don’t joke around… Do you think I’d fall for that once or twice?”

“I’m not joking.”

Since it’s come to this.

With the thought of just going all the way, I knelt in front of Ha-yeon, who was in a wheelchair.

“You’re really pretty.”

Words filled with only sincerity.

Ha-yeon’s face turned red, as if she was embarrassed.

At her appearance, I took out the ring from my pocket.

“I know I’m being too hasty and clumsy, but…”

And very carefully.

I very carefully put the ring on the ring finger of her soft left hand.

“Will you go out with me?”

I like everything about you.

Everything is happy when I’m with you.

So… can you accept everything about me?