Chapter 38

It being Friday, the city of Graford was bustling with activity.

The reason was that the Academy and defense brigade personnel all came out for outings and overnight stays.

Along with this, the citizens residing in Graford and tourists coming for the weekend Academy tour added to the commotion.

An Academy tour refers to temporarily opening up part of the Academy over the weekend to receive outsiders.

The purpose is to promote the Academy and recruit capable talents.

Since the Academy is located within a military protection zone and is a first-class national critical facility, it’s typically impossible for civilians to even approach it, making it a highly attractive tourism item.

With more people around and even more acquaintances, Friday nights in Graford were lively.

Ideally, I didn’t want to attract unnecessary attention, but there was no other place to come other than here.

As mentioned earlier, the Academy is within a military protection zone, so except for Graford, there is no nearby downtown area.

The closest other city to Graford is too far away to travel to.

Of course, Chae might want to go really far away and end up ‘forcibly’ having an overnight stay, but not me.

After all, this dinner is just a token of gratitude for the assistance thus far.

Slowly driving around in search of parking, I noticed that the famous bulgogi restaurant was packed with people waiting outside.

It’s because it’s a renowned establishment and, despite being an old shop, it has refused to expand.

Now how am I supposed to get into this place…

Initially, I parked the car a bit further down the road and began walking towards the bulgogi shop with Chae.

“So, that damn… Oh, my apologies. What did the Administrative Director say?”

Chae rambled incessantly by my side.

She hadn’t stopped talking since we left the Academy’s main gate just a moment ago.

Anyone watching might think she’s shunned in the administrative office, unable to speak a word.

Well, being shunned is actually the truth.

Rather than shunning, it’s because the staff members are scared of her and no one talks to the director.

Chae’s original nickname, “Pet,” might sound cute, but there’s a reason for it.

She rejects improperly prepared documents.

This includes variations like “unvaccinated,” “rabid,” and “a rag in its mouth.”

Though frustrating for her subordinates, Chae’s style of operation has been incredibly helpful for the Academy.

Since minor errors that typically occur in the administrative office never happen in our Academy.

Maybe that’s how she got promoted to Administrative Director under the Administrative Manager at such a young age.

It’s because she’s buried under work and overtime that people don’t realize Chae is one of the most influential figures in the Academy.

“If it’s this crowded, we might have to wait over an hour, huh?”

Chae said surprisedly as she glanced at the long line waiting for the bulgogi restaurant.

“Just wait a moment. Here, Academy professors have reserved separate seating,” I replied.

Having been there twice before, I confidently walked past people and spoke with one of the employees inside the restaurant.

“Ah! Professor! Please come in!”

The staff who recognized me kindly ushered me in, grabbing my arm.

I never imagined I’d become a regular at such a spicy food restaurant.

Even more surprising, I actually have a loyalty card inside my coat pocket.

If you collect ten stamps, you get a free serving of bulgogi and steamed egg.

The ability to bypass the long lines thrilled Chae beyond words.

“To think it’s as if the professor had reserved this for my sake.”

“There’s no reservation here.”

“Ah, I see… That’s what you mean.”

Having seated herself, Chae ordered three servings of bulgogi and two bottles of soju.

“Professor, you’d like steamed egg and corn cheese. Correct?”

“Haha… yes,” I responded somewhat awkwardly to the employee’s familiar inquiry.

“Whew… the smell is incredible, I feel like my salivary glands are going to burst,” Chae said as she leaned back and took off her coat, revealing a sleeveless turtle neck and her hair released, making her look vastly different from her usual office attire.

I didn’t realize one could change so much.

I had assumed she was like a dry broom, but she’s actually more like an extravagant one.

“So you seem to come here often?”

“Twice.”

“Do you like spicy food?”

“Not exactly… I’ve come once with other professors and once with guidance students.”

“Guidance students? Could they be Yoo Hye-Won and Professor Han?”

Chae opened her mouth in surprise, forming a round O shape.

“Yoo Hye-Won comes to places like this? Judging from what I’ve heard, she wouldn’t even glance at anything unless it’s fine dining.”

“I heard she suggested we come here because she doesn’t get the chance to try this kind of food at home.”

“Wow… so even silver spoons are not just silver but actual diamonds living in a whole different world.”

“But… well… she doesn’t normally flaunt her wealth, so it’s not that obvious.”

It’s true.

Even though Yoo Hye-Won did have a stereotypical rich only-child’s personality, beyond that, she didn’t do anything that felt too showy with money.

If I hadn’t known about her background, I would’ve thought she was just a top student and a badly behaved troublemaker.

When the appetizers and soju arrived first, Chae did something strange with the soju bottle: shaking it, tapping the bottom with her elbow.

“What are you doing?”

“This improves the taste.”

“Does it? It’s the first time I’ve ever seen this,” I said.

Chae placed a soju glass in front of me and poured it.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t drink alcohol. I’m driving, and I generally don’t drink anyway.”

“Huh…? If you’re not going to drink, why even come here? In that case, you should’ve just gone to Kimbap Heaven?”

“That’s true… but since there’s no ride-sharing service to the Academy, I’ll just drink Colpis.”

“Planning to get me drunk then do something to me, huh? Haha.”

Chae laughed and poured some soju into her own glass with a teasing smirk.

She looks incredibly happy, even with no alcohol in her yet.

“In that case, how about this, Professor? Have a drink.”

“All right.”

“And then let’s go to a motel.”

“And then?”

“You sleep on the floor, I’ll sleep on the bed.”

“Mmm… I think it’s a much better choice to enjoy my Colpis and sleep in the dormitory bed.”

“Ugh… Then there’s nothing I can do but join you in the bed…”

Chae dramatically massaged her forehead and then chuckled at her own joke.

Just testing the waters—see if there’s a spark, and if not, pass it off as a joke.

It seems like the strong women always end up near me.

I find it a bit overwhelming.

Some might think it’s absurd to push away such overtly interested women, but when someone approaches so directly, I don’t feel any particular emotions.

Including any sort of arousal.

It’s all due to running my mental barrier on passive mode.

It keeps me calm and rational, but the side effect is that I find it difficult to feel strong emotions.

Of course, I’m not completely emotionless; I still feel basic emotions like joy, anger, sadness, and pleasure, but I don’t act on those feelings.

Chae blushes in embarrassment after realizing her own boldness, so I subtly avoid the situation by stopping a passing employee.

“Excuse me, could you bring us some Colpis first? We need to toast.”

* * * * *

Meanwhile, Yoo Hye-Won and Han Min-Ha, dressed in Academy sports uniforms, wandered around the bustling streets after arriving in Graford.

“Ah… My legs hurt…”

Han Min-Ha trudged along behind Hye-Won, her hair a mess.

Yoo Hye-Won immediately initiated an extremely low-altitude flight after climbing over the Academy wall to avoid being spotted by the defense brigade’s anti-aircraft network.

It turned into an extremely dangerous acrobatic flight, leaving Han Min-Ha retching after landing on the outskirts of Graford.

While Min-Ha ended up in a ragged state, having both endured strong winds and nausea during the flight, Yoo Hye-Won remained pristine.

Pristine to the point where she shone brilliantly under the neon lights of the bustling city streets.

She looked so beautiful in her sports uniform that passersby couldn’t help but turn their heads.

“Isn’t she gorgeous? Are they Academy students?” “Why are they here this late and in such attire?”

Some Academy faculty recognized her as well.

“Isn’t that Yoo Hye-Won?” “Oh, really?”

But Hye-Won showed no concern for such glances, instead voicing frustration.

“Where is that man?!”

“Hye-Won… How are we supposed to find Professor within this chaos? And he could have gone to another city, you know.”

“Frustrating. If he had gone to another city, he’d have left much earlier. Considering the time, where else could he be if he’s not here?”

“True, but… If he planned to have an overnight stay anywhere… Huh…!”

Han Min-Ha quickly clamped her mouth shut.

Going out alone with Chae? That would be like pressing Hye-Won’s trigger button.

Fortunately, the loud music in the streets drowned out her comment.

“Hmm… where could he be? He probably didn’t go to the spicy bulgogi place since he can’t handle spicy food well. For a quiet place where two people can be together…”

“And why are we looking for Professor anyway?”

“It’s not about what we’re going to do but what we’re going to see!”

“If it’s about seeing things that are different… oh? Wait a minute! Hye-Won!”

Han Min-Ha urgently grabbed Hye-Won’s sleeve.

Thinking they found Professor Hyun, Hye-Won turned her head sharply.

“Where? Where?”

“Can we grab a hot dog first? I haven’t eaten dinner and I’m starving. I might pass out…”

Pointing to a street vendor selling hot dogs and fries, Han Min-Ha swallowed.

“I don’t have my wallet. Besides, if you’re hungry, just metabolize the fat attached to your chest.”

“Oh… I don’t have money…”

Ultimately, Han Min-Ha had no choice but to turn away from the vendor and follow Hye-Won.

“You two are the only ones here?”

“Shut up already, don’t meddle with minors and you’ll avoid handcuffs.”

With sharp words, Hye-Won warded off some men who tried to start a conversation. Suddenly, she stopped and poked her chin thoughtfully.

“Hey, Han Min-Ha.”

“Hmm?”

“I’ve given it some thought, maybe we should check out that bulgogi place after all.”

“Professor hates spicy food.”

“No, he probably went there for those stamp-cards. Considering how meticulous he is, he might indeed be there, eating steamed egg with rice.”

“That might be true.”

With quick steps, Hye-Won moved towards the bulgogi restaurant.

“Let’s go together!”

As her brisk walk turned into a jog, Han Min-Ha hurried along after her.

* * * * *

A while later, the two Academy students could see the sign of the famous bulgogi restaurant.

“Wow, so many people, really.”

Han Min-Ha marvelled at the long queue still stretching out even after they rushed a fair distance.

Despite their race, Han Min-Ha didn’t seem out of breath or drenched in sweat.

This small observation wasn’t lost on Hye-Won.

“Let’s check. If that professor and the Administrative Director are inside there…”

“Then what?”

“Just that they are in there. Let’s go.”

As Hye-Won was just about to step forward, she suddenly felt a chill run down her spine and froze in place.

Han Min-Ha stumbled against her back and stepped back, asking,

“What’s wrong?”

Ignoring her, Hye-Won scoured the area around her with the eyes of a viper.

“What was that?”

“What’s up, Hye-Won? Your eyes make you look scary like that…”

“Shut up.”

A faint golden aura began to radiate from Hye-Won’s body.