episode_0044

[Oh, why is Mr. Iharu receiving it? Did he know Chef Hanna Yeon?]

“That’s… Well, we’re friends, but… What happened to the branch manager… ”

It was a little strange to hear a voice that I had only heard in person on the other end of the phone. And the title of Chef Hanna Yeon. When someone who was the branch manager called her Chef, Hanna Yeon seemed like a very high-ranking person.

[I see. As a friend… You have something good, Iharu.]

“Ah, hahaha. Thank you. I’m sure you can date the branch manager if you put your mind to it!”

I had a feeling that the conversation was going off on a tangent, so I cut off the current topic before it got any more annoying.

[I didn’t say I wanted to date, though. I’m so busy with guild work that I don’t have time for that… If I had friends, it would just lead to more unnecessary expenses. No matter how I think about it, it’s better not to have one! Do you think so too, Haru?]

However, the branch manager’s darkness was deeper than I thought. Moreover, he used his social position to push his own opinions. As someone who lacked power, I had no choice but to spit out a predetermined answer.

I’m sorry, Hannah Yeon…!

“Ah, that, that’s right? It’s full of flaws! Ahahaha… , Why on earth do you make friends… .”

[On that topic, I took a call on behalf of my friend…]

The branch manager’s voice was as tangled and sticky as a swamp.

bothered….

Having failed to even empathize, let alone refute, I gave up on the conversation and remained silent.

It’s definitely easier to talk on the phone than to meet in person. If I had met the branch manager face to face, everything would have been revealed because of his facial expression.

[Well, just kidding. I have one or two friends. Colleagues I used to work with! They got married, so now I don’t even meet them unless it’s about work…]

The branch manager tried to lighten the mood and act cheerful, as if he had no intention of teasing me to the end.

By the way, my former colleagues were talking about Justice and Blaze. The three heroes that dominated the era. At the time, I was still young, so the kids around me were always crazy about Justice and Blaze, who were always flashy.

But I know that the branch manager was also quite popular among adults. First of all, it was because of her looks. Even though she was a supporter who devoted herself to treatment and protection, no, rather, because she was a supporter, the branch manager’s looks matched and she was given the nickname of saint.

“Ah, ah! Business! You called because you had something to say? I can’t stand to be curious!”

Before the wound left in the branch manager’s heart could deepen, he changed the topic to something else in a somewhat heated tone.

[What… It’s nothing special. I just hope Chef Hanna Yeon has completed her return procedures and is getting enough rest… ]

As the story about his friend passed, the branch manager’s voice became calmer.

A natural greeting. Perhaps they knew each other.

[I wanted to ask if you were ready to go to work tomorrow.]

He turned his head and nodded to Hanna Yeon.

Going to work? You’ve been keeping this important information a secret from me until now?

“Just a moment… .”

I approached Hanna Yeon with my eyes wide open. Hanna Yeon was sitting on the sofa trying to stop her nosebleed, but when I stood in front of her, the tissue she had just changed quickly turned red.

“Hanna Yeon, can you come to work tomorrow?”

“You can do it.”

If this continues, won’t I collapse from excessive bleeding?

Hanna Yeon nodded and turned slightly to the side. Was she worried because she was so worried about her nosebleed? But it seemed like it wouldn’t stop for a normal nosebleed…

“They say you can… .”

[I’m glad there were no problems. I feel sorry for Chef Hanna Yeon, who just arrived in the country, but the current situation in the Familiar kitchen is not so good. Please tell her that she’s relieved thanks to you.]

Familiar.

A family restaurant in the company of men, which means friendly. I heard that the chef quit about a month ago due to poor health.

So, what you’re saying is that Hanna Yeon got a job at the Guild Family Restaurant and kept that fact a secret from me without saying a word.

“Yes, I understand. I will pass it on to you.”

I gritted my teeth and made a promise. I’ll just wait and see if the nosebleed stops.

When I imagined going to work with Hanna Yeon in the morning, eating food she made for me during lunch, and leaving work with her after work, the corners of my mouth went up without me realizing it, but anyway, I can never forgive myself for keeping such important information a secret from me.

[Oh, Mr. Iharu, please come to my room as soon as you get to work tomorrow. I have something important to talk to you about.]

“Ah, yes. I’ll go to work early and come see you.”

It’s probably about this grade evaluation. I made a huge mistake by barging into the evaluation room… I won’t hear anything good about it. But fortunately, the branch manager doesn’t seem angry. I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to find out more.

[It’s okay if you come at the right time for work. Then, have a good night with your friend.]

The branch manager ended the call with a low laugh, emphasizing the importance of his friend. The call ended before he could even answer.

“Hanna Yeon… .”

He put his phone down and pretended to look angry.

Raising his eyebrows and sealing his lips tightly, he declares that he will never accept any jokes about surprises.

“Are you okay? I need to change the tissue… No, why won’t my nosebleed stop?”

However, when I saw the red tissue, my heart gave out, so I pulled out a new tissue and handed it to Hanna Yeon.

You can hear the circumstances at any time… The nosebleed needs to stop right now… .

* * *

As time passed, the coffee stopped flowing, and Hanna Yeon lay down on the sofa, looking a little lethargic.

“You wanted to surprise me?”

“Yeah.”

No matter how much of a surprise it is, there is a limit, but this time it was too much.

“Why did you want to surprise me?”

“You’ll like it more then.”

Hanna Yeon averted her gaze.

“It’s not something I’d really like.”

For some reason, Mirae took a seat between me and Hanna Yeon. Mirae, who was sitting with a sullen expression, glanced at Hanna Yeon.

“Yeah, why did you think I’d like it?”

Right, right. I nod my head vigorously and look at Hanna Yeon too.

Then, Hanna Yeon looked at me and asked with a look of anxiety in her eyes.

“Not good… ?”

Maybe it was because she had a big nosebleed, but she seemed less energetic than usual. Because of that, I felt a bit sorry for her, and I couldn’t bring myself to continue to scold Hanna Yeon.

“Okay… .”

Above all, I must not lie. First, I told him my true feelings, and then I finished the lecture that I had not been able to give.

“Good! From now on, don’t play around with important things! It’s bad for your heart… .”

“Yeah… .”

I don’t mind the occasional joke, but I would have been much happier if you had told me in advance about something that could be called a blessing like this.

Of course, Han Na-yeon must have been so happy that her heart went ahead of her. Even though she didn’t show it on the outside, she still had a childish side to her. The shock and joy definitely mixed together and came back doubly.

“Okay. Then that’s the end of the story! Let’s just talk about the good stuff.”

He clapped his hands and leaned back on the sofa.

“Can we have lunch together starting tomorrow? Are you going to make a special menu for Iharu?”

“Come to the kitchen… maybe… .”

Are you really going to do it?

Perhaps because she had just gotten scolded, Hanna Yeon was seriously contemplating. There was no way the family restaurant and the guild staff would have the same lunch times. But it was also not like I could sit in the kitchen and eat alone while everyone else was cooking.

“Well, I’m asking you to make it depending on the situation. I’ll go and look for it anyway.”

You can try to blend in a bit depending on the mood. If you don’t feel like you can fit in, you can just eat at the table.

“I don’t visit too often… No. Should I pack you a lunch…?”

Mirae hugged my waist and lay down on my thighs. It seemed like she was worried about my belly fat.

It didn’t come out enough to be worrying about… It’s just a little soft when you touch it. Of course, it’s said that the most dangerous time is when your belly fat starts to get soft.

“You can’t even wake up in the morning, and you’re even packing your mom a lunch box?”

“Just set the alarm a little early… .”

It’s not a problem that can be solved with just an alarm. If you force yourself to wake up to the sound of an alarm, fatigue will continue to accumulate. I know very well what happens when accumulated fatigue and stress explode.

“Then you won’t fall asleep at school. Mom will take care of it, so don’t worry too much.”

As I gently brushed away the black hair that had fallen behind her back, Mirae no longer acted stubbornly and obediently surrendered herself to my touch.

“Haaam… .”

I was having a relaxing time caressing the future when I suddenly felt sleepy.

“You guys aren’t sleeping? Can I go in first and sleep?”

“Hanna Rin.”

“Huh? Oh, sis… Aww… I must have dozed off for a bit… .”

Narin, who had been sleeping while sitting on the sofa, rubbed her eyes. Looking at her sleepy face, my eyelids also became heavier and heavier.

There were a lot of things I wanted to talk about when we met.

When we were together, time passed so quickly.

But still… it’s not like it’s only today.

“Then I’ll go in first. Have a nice dream… .”

As soon as I entered the room, I collapsed on the bed and laid down my exhausted body.

There was so much going on today that it took me less than a minute to fall asleep.

* * *

Perhaps because she had a lot of nosebleeds, Hanna Yeon suddenly woke up in the middle of the night feeling thirsty. She drank a glass of lukewarm water and returned to her room.

And it was when I closed my eyes to fall asleep again that I noticed something strange.

The bed is narrow. I thought it was spacious until I fell asleep.

Did Hanna Lin snore? Once she falls asleep, does Hanna Lin not move at all?

“Hehehe… Hannah Yeon… Masiseoeo… .”

There was no way that could happen.

Hanna Yeon turned around to get up right away, but a small hand grabbed her T-shirt.

“Hehehe… This too… is delicious… .”

Iharu, wearing Chuchu pajamas, was squirming and rubbing her lips as if she was in a dream.

Cheeks that were loosened up. Hands that didn’t seem to want to let go. Long eyelashes that fell gently on snow-white skin. Even black hair that shone softly in the moonlight.

Hanna Yeon gave up thinking.

As for the aftermath… Iharu will take care of it.