episode_0026

After roaring loudly like thunder, Taesang and Taeman disappeared from the room like a gust of wind.

In a sudden moment, I found myself left alone in the vast room.

“They don’t seem to be tired at all.”

Indeed, it’s funny to think that I would tire out with this body.

It’s fortunate if I can get away with a scuffle without the police showing up…

“Thanks to them, it seems quiet, and I might even sleep well.”

“Not being able to rest in such a good place is a crime, a crime.”

Sigh.

“Ah, so nice~”

“Umm…”

“Hmm…”

However,

“…”

As Geum Taesang and his duo vanished, I tried to sigh until lunchtime, but for some reason, my drowsy eyes

Were I closing my eyes too much pretending to be in pain in the car?

I just can’t fall asleep.

“Shouldn’t I go help my girlfriend who’s working hard?”

“..Hmm”

There’s nothing to do, should I sneak a peek..?

Considering how long the corridor looked when I briefly saw it earlier, it must be quite large in scale.

If I wander around, time will pass quickly until mealtime.

Thinking to fill the time and putting it into action swiftly,

I open the sliding door

And start exploring the inside of the ryokan in earnest.

With Geum Taesang’s duo bombarding me with endless questions disappearing, it was perfect to walk while organizing my thoughts absentmindedly.

“Choi Daeri was the daughter of this ryokan here.”

“I never expected that.”

At some point, amidst idle chatter, we heard snippets about the family history.

When asked what they do during their breaks,

She mentioned helping out at home,

We just passed it off as being a filial daughter.

I never dreamed that this ryokan was so popular.

Balancing one’s job with helping out at the ryokan sounds easy in words.

I might understand better the extent to which she cares for her family and Choi Daeri’s bright personality.

“…Huh?”

Coming back to my senses, I see the entrance to the hot spring bath right in front of me.

Naturally, separated for men and women, with a sign saying “No Entry” at the entrance, they must be sporadically cleaning the interior.

It seems it will be open in the evening, so I can come then.

Just the thought of eating a hearty meal and soaking in a warm bath makes me feel like all my fatigue will melt away.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“~~!!!”

“?!!”

“..Huh?”

“Where have I heard that voice before..”

To my surprise, as I follow the source of the sound, I see the hostess and Taeman from earlier.

“Hey! Are you rejecting my proposal on a whim?”

“If I’m a whim, then aren’t you just a gluttonous fool who only eats and defecates? But not much else.”

“Hahaha! This, this is the greatest wall I’ve faced in my life?”

“It’s rather nice, isn’t it? I prefer a woman who doesn’t open her heart to everyone like an automatic door! Once again, I say, become my concubine!”

“If I die, I die. I don’t think I’ll engage in anything with a vulgar man like you.”

“Before I call the police, be quiet and leave.”

Seems like this path isn’t for me.

Naturally, I backtrack with a moonwalk before encountering them and head down a different path.

“Haha! Hey hey! Don’t stick too close, ladies?”

“..Ha.”

This time it’s Taesang.

Looking at the group over there, it seems like college girls who came to have fun.

Amidst them, Taesang smoothly joins in with his unique eloquence, enjoying a harem life.

“Wow~ Taesang knows a lot.”

“Taesang, want to try this? I baked these cookies, they’re delicious.”

“Oh! Taesang, can’t you just eat with us? Let’s just have fun together here.”

“Hey hey! I’ll have lunch with Dad and Uncle!”

“…”

Seems like this path isn’t for me either.

With both corridors blocked, the remaining path leads straight ahead.

Having roughly surveyed everything, let’s just go there and then return to the room.

Thump thump.

“Wow.. such a lovely smell.”

Is it because lunchtime is approaching?

The scent of cooking permeates the corridor.

They say the food here is really good, and it seems like it’s not just empty talk.

I followed the delicious scent unknowingly and found Assistant Manager Baek in front of the kitchen, taking off his hygiene cap to cool down and relax.

“Manager Choi!”

“Oh? Director!”

“Why aren’t you resting in your room and instead working here?”

The calm demeanor from earlier vanished, and Baek reverted back to his usual friendly self, almost like a puppy wagging its tail if it had one.

“It’s not lunchtime yet… Oh! Are you here because you’re worried about the hardworking beauty of our company?”

“Hmm… Could that be true?”

I’ve been thinking about it on my way here.

“Oh.”

“What?”

Baek, who was chuckling before, now lowered his head, looking troubled. Is work really that tough? It’s concerning.

“Manager, if you speak like that, it kills the mood, you know?”

“Haha! I’ll take it! If you’ve thought that much for me!”

“??”

“Well…”

“The others went out, and I was planning to rest alone or maybe take a nap, but since you didn’t come, I got bored and wandered around.”

“But, Assistant Manager Baek, do you also cook here? That’s impressive…”

Handling guests, maintenance, and cooking—doesn’t he do everything?

“Oh, it’s nothing, Manager.”

“I’m just helping out. There are many kitchen staff inside, so it’s not as much work as it seems.”

“Hey, Manager.”

“Yes?”

Assistant Manager Baek seemed hesitant, as if wanting to say something but struggling. Finally, clenching his fist as if making up his mind, he spoke up.

“… Are you free tonight?”

“Tonight?”

“Yes! I have some time off in the evening, and there’s a fireworks festival near our ryokan. Would you like to go together?”

A fireworks festival… in autumn? They must still be happening.

Well, it’s just the beginning of the season.

He must want to enjoy his rare break too.

“Sure, why not!”

“Really?! Yes!”

See, he’s so excited.

“But is it okay to go with an old man like me? There might be younger people there, right?”

“…”

“Assistant Manager Baek?”

“Huh?”

“…?”

Assistant Manager Baek suddenly looked at me with cold, disdainful eyes, much more than when he was surprised earlier.

This feels just like Baek…

“…”

“Assistant Manager Baek?”

As I stood there speechless, he gradually pushed me against the wall, staring at me fiercely with axe-like eyes.

Thud!

“Ugh…”

Caught in the atmosphere, I found myself in a wall-thud position without realizing it.

Seems like he won’t let this slide.

Drawing even closer, pressing his body against mine, he stares into my eyes with a vacant gaze, then speaks.

“Don’t say empty words like that, Manager. How can you not see how desirable you are? You’re much better than most guys, with a perfect personality.”

“Everything’s fine, but every time I hear such things, do you know how flustered I get? Well, maybe that stubbornness is cute… No one’s perfect, right?”

“… Even that fox lady probably liked seeing this… Tsk.”

“A fox?”

“Anyway, don’t say such things from now on. You need to know how great you are, Manager.”

“…”

“Answer me.”

“Yeah, I got it, Assistant Manager Baek.”

“By name.”

“Sorry… Mina.”

“Since we’re not at the office, just use informal language.”

“Sorry… Mina.”

“Hmm.”

Seemingly relieved, Assistant Manager Baek’s expression shifted back to a big dog mode, showing a genuine smile without any pretense.

It’s surprising how quickly his expression changes.

“Though you were angry, since you’re sincerely reflecting, I’ll let it slide!”

“… Then I’ll see you later at dinner, Manager! I’ll be heading to the room for lunch soon!

“Rest well!”

“..Uh, yeah… See you later.”

As Mina left, the hallway was filled with sounds of lunch preparations, as if questioning when this had happened again.

Unable to follow the situation that had just passed in the blink of an eye, he stood there blankly.

“…”

“Should I… go back?”

Deciding it was pointless to just stand there, he opted to return.

It’s a secret that he barely made it back, staggering with his legs giving out midway.

Indeed… kids these days are scary.

.

.

.

“Uncle! What happened with the lady of the house?”

“Darn it, just like six months ago and now, the guard is too tough to break through easily~WW”

“Oh no, Uncle failed to charm her? She’s not an easy opponent..”

“It’s okay though. Things wouldn’t be fun if they were easy, right? There’s still plenty of time.”

“What were you up to, Taeyang?”

“I got friendly with some college girls, but Uncle, why don’t you join in?”

“Hey! If that happens, I might just have to run away, right? Fine, until I get back home, I’ll make sure to finish things off.”

“I’m boiling with excitement!”

“Go for it, Uncle!”

Swish!

“What, you got here first?”

“Hey hey! Why are you so late? I thought you collapsed somewhere!”

“Dad, where did you go?”

“Just… went for a short walk.”

“Haha.. You didn’t go sightseeing because you were worried about your girlfriend, did you?”

“Already getting cozy with the new mom, huh…”

“…”

“Anyway, please refrain from saying such things in the future, okay? Manager should know how great he is.”

“Response.”

“Uh… y-yeah.”

Normally, he would have thrown a fit if teased, but looking lost as if his soul had left his body, the Golden Sun duo were rather flustered instead.

“Why is your dad like that today?”

“I don’t know…?”

Today, Minsoo felt even more longing for his wife.