Chapter 32

“Oh my, young boss. You’re open today.”

“Haha, yes, sir. I’ve been busy for a while.”

It had been a few weeks since the meeting with the Chief.

“Open more often, will you? I’ve been drinking coffee for years, and nowhere does it as well as this place.”

“Haha. Yes, thank you, sir.”

Since recruiting Gayeon as an organization member here, I’ve been opening the cafe on free days to welcome customers.

“Take care, our little employee.”

“Yep. Bye.”

After her training, Gayeon would come to the cafe to help with serving.

Now, even with Narin, the hacker, recruited, I enjoy working at the cafe except when there are minor missions.

“Hey, bro! You opened the cafe today?”

“Seems like a lot of customers are asking that today.”

As a result, among the customers, I’m known as the eccentric young boss who makes good coffee but only opens the cafe when he feels like it, along with a young employee.

“So open more often. Don’t you know your coffee is famous for being delicious?”

“Overdoing it, aren’t you? The cafe’s only been open for three months; how famous can it be?”

This guy, spouting all sorts of nonsense, is also one of those customers.

Han Mir.

He seems to live nearby, as he never fails to come when I open the shop.

“That’s how good it tastes, huh? Ah. Hi, Gayeon.”

“Hi, playboy oppa.”

“I’m not a playboy, I tell you.”

Han Mir, touching his yellow hair at Gayeon’s remark.

I chuckled and scolded him.

“If you dyed it, that makes you a playboy, right? Besides, shouldn’t you be in school right now?”

“Playboy oppa skipped school again.”

“Hey, why are you like this, bro? And I didn’t skip school!”

Han Mir then confidently pulled out a piece of paper from his bag.

“They said a villain appeared near my high school. So I just finished early and came here.”

Han Mir laughed boldly, puffing out his chest.

“But then you should be going home, not here.”

“Right.”

“Ugh…”

At my words, Han Mir looked as if he had been caught off guard.

“Huh, huh. Of course, I braved the danger for our bro and Gayeon…”

“Then you’re not going to order?”

“One iced Americano and one hot chocolate, please!”

At my words, Han Mir raised his arm and laughed sheepishly.

‘Good grief.’

I chuckled and prepared to grind the coffee beans.

“Bro, I really came here because I was worried about you and Gayeon.”

“Yeah, right.”

“Damn it! It’s close to my high school and here. You could get hurt too, so just be aware.”

“Got it.”

‘No need to worry, though.’

It was a bit amusing to be worried about as a villain executive, but I didn’t say anything more.

“Here, take your coffee.”

“Thank you, bro!”

After chatting for a while, Han Mir left, and a few more customers visited.

“Hmm… I’m running out of ingredients.”

I had enough coffee beans, but the milk and syrup were running low.

I should go to the mart to get some groceries for today as well.

“Ms. Gayeon, I’m going to the mart.”

“Want me to take you?”

“Teleportation might get us investigated by the police, so it’s fine. It’s close anyway.”

It was just a 10-minute walk from the shop to the mart.

No need to use teleportation in this situation.

I took off my apron and grabbed my navy cardigan.

“Please watch the shop while I’m gone.”

“Yep. Leave it to me.”

“Is there anything you want from the mart?”

“Make me an omelet rice.”

“Got it.”

Having confirmed what she wanted, I grabbed my wallet and headed to the mart.

***

“Phew…”

‘I bought more than I thought.’

My hands were full of groceries.

Since I was there, I ended up buying a few extra things, and it piled up.

“Feels like I bought enough for a week…”

I was worried if I could use it all, but well…

‘I have plenty of money.’

With that thought, I left the mart.

Whoosh-

The cold wind hit me as soon as the mart door opened.

‘Ugh… It’s still a bit chilly. Should’ve worn a coat.’

I dressed lightly today thinking it was warm, but I didn’t expect to regret it.

I thought I should hurry and started walking faster. And at that moment.

“Sniff… Sniff…”

I found a woman crying.

Short, chestnut hair and a petite figure.

She looked more like a girl than a woman.

‘…Why is she here?’

I couldn’t help but be surprised to see her.

***

Inside Gang Ian’s cafe.

Nom nom nom…!

A petite woman was happily eating the omelet rice he made.

Gang Ian smiled as he watched her.

“Is it delicious?”

“Huh!”

Perhaps because he spoke suddenly, the woman choked.

Gang Ian handed her some water.

Gulp. Gulp.

“Whew… It’s, it’s passable!”

Embarrassed by how she had been wolfing down the food, the woman turned her head and answered curtly.

“Passable? You ate a lot, though…”

“…I took some for later…”

“Eek! Both of you are so noisy! How much I eat is my business…!”

The woman, flustered by Gang Ian’s teasing tone and Gayeon’s slightly serious demeanor, got angry.

“Haha, I was just teasing because it’s nice to see you enjoy it.”

“Ugh…”

Gang Ian responded to her with a smile.

‘She’s so not straightforward.’

He knew about the woman.

Very well.

“Anyway, you said you’re from Japan? Your name is…”

“…Chise. Tsukino Chise.”

Tsukino Chise.

She was one of the heroines from the original work.

“You’re Japanese, but your Korean is very good.”

“Hehe! I studied hard for times like this!”

‘Wouldn’t it be better not to have times like this?’

Gang Ian briefly thought that but didn’t say it out loud.

“By the way, it must be tough coming to Korea for fun. Being separated from your group.”

“Y, yeah, well…”

Chise, hiding that she was a hero, explained her current situation.

‘…So embarrassing!’

Her phone died, she got lost, and now she’s separated from her group.

Just looking at the situation, it seemed like she had done something incredibly foolish, and her face turned red.

“Anyway, have you finished your meal?”

“Huh? Yes…”

“Then let’s have some dessert.”

Gang Ian asked kindly, looking at her bowed head.

His attitude showed consideration, not wanting to touch on her embarrassing situation.

‘He’s so kind…’

Despite her grumbling, he didn’t show any sign of annoyance.

Moreover, he had brought her to the cafe just because she was crying, even though they had never met before.

‘Are all Koreans this kind…?’

Though she didn’t say it out of pride, Chise was quite moved by Gang Ian’s kindness.

“Oppa. I want ice cream.”

“Not today. You already had one this morning.”

But his kindness felt almost excessive, making her suspicious.

‘Why is he being so nice to someone he just met…?’

Then, her friend Suzuki’s words came to mind.

‘Chise. If you’re ever alone in another country, don’t trust the locals too much!’

She had said that it’s easy to get scammed or exposed to crime because of the language barrier.

Could she be in such a situation now?

‘Gasp. What should I do…?’

What if all this kindness, cooking for her, treating her warmly, and now making dessert, wasn’t out of goodwill but something she had to pay for? That would be a disaster!

‘I, I don’t have any money!’

But it would be even worse to run away after enjoying the omelet rice.

Maybe she should refuse the dessert? That way, it would cost less.

‘…Okay. Then, I’ll say no to dessert…’

“U, um… Mr. Sajan…”

Just as Chise was about to call Gang Ian with that decision.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Plop.

Gang Ian handed her a delicious-looking parfait.

‘Oh no…’

At the sight, Chise panicked even more.

It looked like it would easily cost over 700 yen.

“…? Ms. Tsukino? Is something wrong?”

Perhaps wondering why she was just staring at the parfait without eating, Gang Ian looked at her with concern.

‘…I’ll just tell him.’

Feeling an inexplicable sense of guilt, she decided to tell the truth.

“A, actually… I don’t have any money!! So, um… overcharging? I don’t have money to be scammed! I’m sorry!”

She closed her eyes tightly and apologized.

Maker was a bit taken aback by her behavior.

“…First of all, I don’t know why you’re apologizing, but why are you worried about money?”

“…Huh?”

She opened her eyes, puzzled by his words.

What, is it not a scam?

“Were you worried I might overcharge you?”

“……”

Seeing her expression hit the mark, Gang Ian chuckled.

“I never intended to charge you. Just enjoy it.”

“Huh? But…”

Chise hesitated, looking at the parfait.

‘Don’t you think I know you’re broke?’

“If you’re really worried, you can pay me back later. Got it?”

“…Is that really okay…?”

“I have no intention of doing anything bad to someone who was crying on the street.”

Gang Ian smiled brightly.

‘Gaining your favor is much more beneficial than taking your money. Why would I do that?’

Though his smile was bright, his inner thoughts were quite cunning, but Chise had no idea.

‘He’s so kind…’

She was just inwardly moved, looking at Maker.

***

After finishing the meal.

“So, what are you planning to do now?”

“Hmm… I think I’ll keep looking. My battery’s charged now.”

She confidently smiled, waving her old phone.

‘It’s still worrying, but she’ll manage. Whatever.’

I nodded, looking at her.

“Alright. Then…”

Just as I was about to bid her farewell,

BOOM!!!

A loud noise and a strong gust of wind blew the door wide open.

“Kyaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!”

“Ahhh!!…”

“Run!!!…”

Mysterious roars and distant screams.

Tsukino Chise looked at me and Gayeon with panicked eyes.

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