Ch.117Old Fashioned 2

“Old Fashioned…”

Hayeon clutched her glass.

As she swirled it around, the ice inside clinked softly.

Having decided she’d swirled it enough, she slowly brought the glass to her lips.

She moistened her tongue with a sip.

The artificial sweetness of sugar cubes blended harmoniously with the rich flavor of whiskey.

Back when Hayeon and Anton were rookies.

After many trials and tribulations, they caught their first monster, a giant mole, and received a payment of 100,000 won.

They decided to use that money to buy celebratory drinks for their first hunt.

And that magnificent victory drink was…

A cheap 30,000 won whiskey they could barely afford from a convenience store.

Even then, the two of them, drinking for the first time, kept making faces throughout.

That’s when Anton suggested a method to Hayeon.

Adding potion sugar cubes to the cheap whiskey.

Though it seemed like an odd combination, it was quite drinkable.

After all, what mattered wasn’t what you drank, but who you drank it with…

And today, despite countless sophisticated cocktails being invented, the reason the Old Fashioned still survives.

Perhaps it’s because of this taste of memories.

Before she knew it, Hayeon’s glass was empty.

The empty glass filled with the tears of a woman who had lost her lover.

“…”

She couldn’t bring herself to put down the glass.

Her clenched hand only trembled violently.

“Damn it…”

She somehow managed to choke back the surge of emotion in her throat.

She forced a smile to avoid crying in front of her comrades.

“This is delicious enough to die for…!”

Jisoo breathed a sigh of relief at the sight.

But I neither felt relieved nor smiled.

No, I couldn’t smile.

Because I knew better than anyone what Hayeon was feeling right now.

The Ranker bowed her head.

She regretted putting her hair in a ponytail today.

Because she had no hair to hide her tears.

She could only bury her face on the table and sob quietly.

“Sis…”

Her younger siblings couldn’t easily empty their glasses either.

They simply stayed by their sister’s side, who had lost a comrade.

“You…”

Hayeon finally composed herself and raised her head.

But her eyes were still wavering.

“Yes… speak freely.”

I pulled up the corners of my mouth bitterly to be considerate of the Ranker.

Hayeon continued with a decadent smile.

“I see why the Witch risked her life to protect you.”

“Pardon…?”

“You have a talent for touching people’s sore spots.”

Ah.

Could I have made a mistake?

I hunched my shoulders and fidgeted nervously.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s a compliment, take it well.”

Hayeon slowly shook her head.

Then she held out her glass to me, asking for another drink.

I carefully poured from the large whiskey bottle with effort.

The golden liquor fell gently into the glass.

The Ranker toasted with her two siblings.

And they began drinking in earnest.

Time passed, and plates and whiskey bottles were scattered across the table.

Eventually, as the alcohol took effect, Hayeon addressed me again.

“Is there anything you want?”

“Something I want?”

“Yes, you moved me, so I’ll specially grant you one wish.”

The Ranker mumbled with a loosened tongue.

She probably wouldn’t even remember this tomorrow, so what kind of wish was she talking about?

I forced a smile and waved my hands for her sake.

“Ah, no need. You’ve already helped my sales enough.”

Thanks to her, I’d be able to make a three-star cocktail again, which was more than enough.

Perhaps I should be the one thanking her.

“No. I’m truly grateful. Ask for anything.”

She spoke deliberately, straightening her curled tongue.

“A request…”

Seeing her unyielding attitude, I gradually became serious too.

There was actually something on my mind.

I fidgeted with both hands while looking at Hayeon.

Then I steeled my resolve and gathered my courage.

“Then…”

As I opened my mouth, everyone in the bar focused on me.

Even Jisoo, who was washing dishes nearby, looked up.

“Could you possibly forgive the Witch?”

Ah.

I regretted it as soon as I said it.

No matter how much I moved Hayeon, the Witch would always be her lifelong enemy.

After all, this all happened because she killed Anton and desecrated his corpse.

Yet I still ended up asking her.

Please forgive my precious person…

“The Witch…”

Hayeon’s smile vanished completely.

The bar, which had been noisy with laughter, suddenly fell silent.

Only the sound of running water from the sink could be heard.

Frightened by the continuing silence, I spoke again.

Unlike my bold request earlier, now in a voice that crawled along the floor…

“I guess not… she killed someone dear to you…”

I glanced at her, checking her reaction.

The two ears on my head trembled, as if detecting the Ranker’s killing intent.

“Kill? The Witch killed Anton?”

She chuckled.

Then she downed the remaining whiskey in one go.

The sound of the empty glass hitting the table echoed.

Her two siblings beside her also became solemn.

“Anton wasn’t killed by the Witch.”

“What…?”

“The Witch was unofficially ranked 10th at the time. She was never someone we could approach.”

She stared blankly at the empty glass, as if recalling the past.

Then she shook her head in disbelief.

“She was insanely strong.”

So the Witch is indeed strong…

I knew she was powerful, but I hadn’t fully realized it because Anna was always by her side.

“She merely watched over Anton’s fallen corpse and retrieved it.”

That’s somewhat of a relief…

Only then could I take a deep breath.

“Of course, she’s not innocent either. She did those terrible things with Anton’s body.”

“…”

“The Witch is a cruel sorceress.”

Hayeon put down her glass and stood up.

The talk about the Witch seemed to have sobered her up.

“You should be careful too. No matter how close you are, if you die, you could become part of her collection.”

I almost reflexively denied it.

But considering her position as the victim, I ultimately kept my mouth shut.

I felt guilty for making the customer’s drinking session bitter.

“Sorry for saying such unpleasant things.”

“No… I shouldn’t have brought it up…”

She mumbled while adjusting her collar.

I almost couldn’t hear what she said because her voice was so small.

“I just said it out of jealousy.”

“What…?”

“That even someone like her has such a good person.”

Hayeon’s words almost made me hiccup.

I watched her leave with my hands clasped together, dazed.

So she wasn’t forgiven after all…

Something feels bitter.

Well, the world of Rankers is cold.

Where life and death hang in the balance, there’s no room for forgiveness.

I bit my lip and turned my head.

Then I suddenly made eye contact with Jisoo.

“Ah…”

“Why so gloomy?”

She smiled brightly and played with my ear.

Sensitive to the touch, I quickly turned my head away.

“It’s nothing… just a bit tired.”

“Then, shall we head back now?”

“Yes…”

I untied my apron.

I’m hungry… and I want to rest a bit now.

「—.」

On the way home.

Without a car, we strolled leisurely through the streets.

It’s been a while since I walked without a car.

I’ve been traveling comfortably thanks to Anna and the Witch.

But this is nice too.

Walking with Jisoo after so long.

However, that pleasant feeling quickly disappeared.

The problem is my damn transformed appearance again.

My ears perk up at the sound of passing cars.

Passersby glance at my fox ears as they walk by.

Uncomfortable with those stares, I grabbed my ears and pressed them flat against my head.

But no matter how hard I tried, they defiantly sprang back up.

Jisoo covered her mouth with the back of her hand and chuckled at my bouncing ears.

“Don’t laugh…”

“But it’s so cute… you don’t need to hide them…”

But still.

I don’t want to show this side of myself to her.

I wanted to appear as manly as possible.

As dependable as possible.

My face turns red.

I clenched my hands and turned away.

“Hmm… what to do…”

Jisoo followed behind me with her hands behind her back.

Then she suddenly stopped in front of a store.

“Ah- a cake shop.”

Cake?

At those three syllables, my ears perked up involuntarily.

Ah!

I tried to cover my ears somehow, but it was useless.

Jisoo narrowed her eyes and wiggled her eyebrows mischievously.

“You want some, don’t you~?”

“N-no. I’m not a child, who would…!”

But contrary to my words, as we got closer to the store, my nose began to twitch.

Damn fox instincts…

Seeing this, Jisoo casually linked her arm with mine.

Always proactive and easygoing.

That’s another big characteristic of hers.

In the end, I was drawn by her strength into the cake shop.

Soon my hands were full of cake boxes.

I was only going to eat one…

I couldn’t resist because I’ve been craving sweets lately.

How could I resist matcha flavor?

“Haah…”

Jisoo followed behind me with a broad grin.

Feeling resentful, I deliberately ignored her and walked as fast as possible.

“Let’s go together, Siho~”

She chased after me with a playful voice and quick steps.

Walking stiffly forward, I soon arrived home.

The house I returned to after so long was filled with the mixed scents of mild soap and perfume.

Did Anna and the Witch come looking for me?

I imagine their urgent expressions as they searched.

I took off my shoes and went inside.

Then I suddenly got goosebumps and stopped.

Wait a minute.

I never gave them my door lock code…?

“Wow, is this Siho’s house?”

“…”

I didn’t answer, trying to act mature.

I just nodded.

Jisoo looked around curiously and asked.

“Your house is more ordinary than I expected?”

“What, did you think I lived in a mansion?”

“No, I like that it feels familiar.”

She looked down at me with a broad smile.

I wonder if Anna and the Witch felt this way when they saw me?

Someone who knows nothing about the world and just smiles.

Somehow pathetic yet cute.

“The shower is right next to the door. Most of my clothes are large, so pick whatever you like.”

“Thank you~”

Jisoo carefully opened the closet.

She took out a worn sweatshirt and short shorts.

“Then, excuse me~”

Jisoo entered the bathroom.

Soon the cheerful sound of water pouring could be heard.

This is a first.

Jisoo coming to my house.

My heart is pounding.

It’s pounding so hard it feels like it might jump out and run away.

I tried to calm my chest.

These damn fox ears make my heartbeat sound too loud.

Stay calm.

I’m not the Dohyun of the past.

I’m just an ordinary bartender now.

I need to divert my attention from the shower sounds somehow.

My pupils wander desperately.

Then my gaze suddenly stops on the cake on the folding table.

Drool drips from my elongated canines.

Siho, get a grip.

You already embarrassed yourself enough because of cake earlier.

I took a deep breath and steeled myself.

I’ll eat it together with Jisoo when she comes out.

I held my breath and stared intently at the cake box.

Until the sound of Jisoo’s shower ended.

“Siho, I’m done.”

The shower sounds stopped.

Soon the bathroom door opened, and gentle steam wafted out.

The steam carried a sweet banana scent.

Then Jisoo emerged, wearing the once-baggy sweatshirt.

The clothes that had been loose on me fit her perfectly.

Enough to accentuate her feminine figure.

She rubbed her hair with a towel.

Then she entered the living room, looking for me who hadn’t answered.

“Siho…?”

Soon she stopped in her tracks.

Her expression froze at the strange sight before her.