Ch.106A Cozy Stranger’s Home – 1

“We need to investigate more, we need to go to the Association right now,” and other such things.

That’s what the superhumans said, but Rina Lee was by my side.

A woman who would dismiss anyone talking with a “Who’s that dog barking?”

She practically forced me into her car, saying we should hurry.

I thought about protesting since this was way too improper.

But she seemed to be trying to rescue me from their clutches, so I decided to stay silent.

‘Hmm.’

Sitting in the passenger seat, I look out the window.

I can see Rina chasing away the superhumans with a “Get lost! Don’t come here!”

I can’t tell if she’s chasing away people or pigeons.

The problem is that if you get hit by those flailing hands, you’d be looking at a minimum 8-week recovery.

“Hah!”

After successfully chasing away the pigeons—no, the superhumans.

Rina jumps into the car, starts the engine, and speeds off.

“Wait! Ms. Rina! I…”

…I think I just heard a desperate cry from Rina’s secretary somewhere.

If I heard it faintly, there’s a very high probability that Rina heard it clearly.

But Rina acted like she hadn’t heard anything and just kept pressing the accelerator.

‘I’m sorry, secretary!’

Because of me, they suddenly had to work overtime and now they’ve been abandoned.

I should buy them an expensive coffee sometime when we meet again.

*

It’s been over 30 minutes since I got a ride in Rina’s car again.

She said we were going to a hotel, but where exactly are we heading? Is there some nice place?

I wanted to ask something, but unfortunately, I don’t know the first thing about hotels.

In contrast, Rina probably frequents five-star hotels like they’re her own home.

They say don’t write in front of Confucius, and don’t slice rice cakes in front of Han Seokbong’s mother.

When it comes to hotels, Rina is clearly the expert, so it’s wise for me to keep my mouth shut.

‘…Wait. Is that really the wise thing to do?’

Should I ask or not? I think I spent about five minutes debating this.

And my conclusion was to just ask, even if I get scolded.

“We’ve been driving for almost 40 minutes now.”

An indirect question about how much further to the hotel.

“We’re almost there. About 10 minutes left? We’ll be at my home soon.”

“I see.”

…Wait. Hold on.

‘What?’

What did I just hear? I must have misheard, right?

Otherwise, there’s no way she would say “home” instead of “hotel.”

“What did you just say?”

“I said we’re about 10 minutes away.”

“Not that! The next part!”

“What? Oh, my home?”

Yes, that!

“Why are you asking again when you already heard? Right now, you and I—Seojin oppa—are heading to my home.”

“We’re going to your home?”

“Yes.”

“Right now?”

“Yes.”

I stared intently at Rina, wondering if she was playing another prank.

But she was just driving with the most serious expression on her face.

Looking closely, there wasn’t a hint of mischief in her eyes or around her mouth.

That’s when I realized. And I had to accept it.

This woman is serious. This woman is truly insane.

“Um, Rina? Did you just call your home a five-star hotel?”

“It’s actually better than a five-star hotel, you know? There’s a reason they call it a ‘special’ residential zone.”

“…”

No, I’m not asking about the objective quality of your home, woman.

My head is throbbing. Is this really Korea’s strongest S-class…?

“No, I’m not asking about the quality of your home. I’m asking if you lied to me by saying we were going to a ‘hotel’ when we’re actually going to your home.”

“Me? When? I never said it was a hotel.”

Rina’s answer was so confident that I was momentarily confused.

Am I misremembering? I quickly try to recall what happened 30 minutes ago.

“Yes. Hotel, a hotel. A five-star hotel at that. Maybe even better? Anyway, let’s go. I’ll go with you. Secretary! Secretary!! Give me the car keys!!”

“…”

Never said it? That’s a damn lie!

“Please be reasonable. Does this make any sense?”

“Why wouldn’t it? Seojin oppa currently has no home. Therefore, no place to stay. But you need to spend the night somewhere for work tomorrow. Since you can’t just go anywhere, we’re going to my home. End of story.”

“What do you mean ‘end of story’? Are you only thinking about yourself? What about me? And what about your parents at home?”

“Huh? Why are you suddenly talking about my parents?”

Are you seriously asking that? You said it’s your home.

I thought you lived with your parents, and now you’re bringing a strange man home at this late hour…

“Just to be clear, my parents and I live separately.”

What nonsense is this??

“Ah… wait, wait a minute. Didn’t you say before that you had curfews and were forbidden from going out?”

“Yes. I still get that occasionally.”

“But you said you live separately from your parents. So…”

“Oh, that?”

According to Rina’s explanation, both she and her parents do live in the special residential zone.

However, due to various circumstances, she lives separately on a different floor.

When I asked why, her answer was truly something else.

“My mom says she feels like she’ll die of frustration whenever she sees me. But she’d worry if I lived too far away, so as a compromise, we live on different floors.”

“…”

“And if I cause trouble, she grabs me by the ear and drags me downstairs.”

I can imagine it. Rina, always causing trouble and getting scolded.

Her mother watching, wondering why on earth her daughter behaves this way, feeling like she’s going to burst.

Being a parent truly must be the worst job in the world.

That’s what you call a fire-attribute filial daughter. Yes indeed.

You don’t have to look far. If they gave birth to someone so pretty, you should be filial!

“Anyway, when I say ‘my home,’ I mean the place where I live alone. So, are we good?”

Good? What the hell is good about this?

“Not at all. You’re asking me to go stay at your place where you live alone?”

“Why? Oh, are you worried you might not be able to control your male instincts and do something bad to me?”

“Cut the crap. I’m worried about the opposite happening.”

I’m no longer a civil servant. That means I can say what I want.

Of course, I should maintain some dignity as an Academy examiner.

But it would still be better than when I was a civil servant, I concluded.

“Please take me to any nearby hotel. I’ll manage on my own.”

“I don’t want to.”

“I don’t want to go to your home.”

“We’re going to be neighbors starting tomorrow anyway. What’s the problem with starting a day early?”

…She’s right. Come to think of it, my chest is already feeling tight.

If I stay in the special residential zone, I’ll inevitably keep running into Rina.

I can barely handle this woman now—will I be able to handle her then?

“Besides, a hotel is impossible. The Elder has been hovering around Seojin oppa several times already.”

That was an undeniable fact. Already twice with Hyuk Kwak and twice with Sujin Hyun.

In fact, if it weren’t for Rina this time, I might have been in quite a predicament.

Although Sujin Hyun said she came to talk, that wasn’t true at the end.

When I said I wouldn’t go along with her wishes, she immediately showed hostility.

If you’re not with her, you’re automatically the enemy. A dangerous black-and-white logic.

But considering what she’s been through, it’s somewhat understandable.

Love can change everything about a person, and sometimes it can break them too.

A thought suddenly crossed my mind.

If I told Rina about this and got her to act…

If she took care of all the people involved, wouldn’t Sujin Hyun come back?

‘…That would be difficult.’

If it could be resolved that easily, Sujin Hyun would have done it herself.

Since all the evidence has been erased, the other party can simply deny everything.

I also don’t have anything that could serve as evidence.

And putting everything else aside, with Rina running wild…

Well, let’s drop it. I can’t handle Elders like Hyuk Kwak and Sujin Hyun.

If The Yellow Madwoman becomes an Elder too, South Korea is definitely doomed.

‘Oh, come to think of it.’

I forgot the most important thing.

“Thank you.”

“…Huh?”

“I said thank you. You helped me, after all.”

Although she didn’t come with complete hostility.

Nevertheless, Sujin Hyun is an Elder, a clear enemy of superhumans.

When faced with that enemy, Rina stepped in and got her away from me.

If it weren’t for her, I might have had to fight a pretty tough battle.

Unlike Hyuk Kwak, who can be confronted head-on to some extent.

The Sujin Hyun I remember is impossible to face directly without someone like Rina.

Who could withstand her hiding in shadows and constantly attacking?

“Uh, um…”

“What? I’m thanking you properly, and all you can say is ‘uh, um’?”

“Ah, geez. I’m just surprised because you suddenly said that! Am I not allowed to be surprised?”

“No, you’re not.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re the super-powerful, super-beautiful Rina, as you say?”

At my words, Rina’s face suddenly turns red.

No joke, it’s like looking at the red traffic light in front of us.

‘Why? Feeling embarrassed hearing your own words from someone else?’

That’s a relief. At least she has some sense of embarrassment.

When I saw her speaking so confidently before, I was the one who felt embarrassed.

*

My plan to penetrate deep into Seojin oppa’s heart was ruined.

But it wasn’t too bad. Actually, this is even better.

‘Perfect. It’s a great excuse to bring Seojin oppa to my home!’

I even felt grateful to that traitor Sujin Hyun. For about 3 seconds?

Anyway, as soon as I got in the car, I floored the accelerator.

I think the secretary said something behind us, but I don’t know. Sorry. See you tomorrow.

It took Seojin oppa 40 minutes to realize my plan.

When I told him we were going to my home, not a hotel, he immediately asked to go to a hotel instead.

Am I crazy? Would I do that? When an opportunity comes, I have to seize it!

It was really cute when Seojin oppa asked if this would be disrespectful to my parents.

“Sigh.”

Finally giving up, Seojin oppa sighs and looks out the window.

Is he so annoyed by my behavior that he doesn’t want to talk anymore?

Just a little bit, I feel worried. I bite my lip without realizing it.

When I first thought about bringing Seojin oppa home, I was excited.

But seeing his reaction now, I feel like I might have done something wrong.

I’m even considering turning the car around when…

“Thank you.”

Seojin oppa’s words of gratitude reach my ears.

Suddenly my whole body tingles. I don’t know what to say.

This is really my first time experiencing this, and I unconsciously let out a sigh.

Seojin oppa heard it and scolded me, asking if that was my response.

Feeling wronged, I blurted out asking if I wasn’t allowed to be surprised.

“Because you’re the super-powerful, super-beautiful Rina, as you say?”

Super-beautiful. Super-beautiful. Super-beautiful… Ah. I see.

So oppa secretly thinks I’m pretty too?

Could this be what they call a green light!?

Yes, I’m sure of it! Absolutely! This is my chance! I’m sealing the deal tonight!