Han Seo-Jin’s eyes flickered slightly at her words.
“Nonsense. You’re mistaken.”
“Lies. Even when I nagged you to wear makeup, you didn’t care to dress up, yet here you are looking all made up for the first time. I thought the sun was rising in the west! Don’t try to trick me.”
Yoo Se-Ra grinned playfully.
She was right, of course.
Originally, Han Seo-Jin had zero interest in dressing up despite her beauty.
This was because she didn’t find any interest in guys at all.
But that wasn’t the case now.
“T-that’s… I just wanted to look decent so I wouldn’t embarrass Kim Deok-Sung… It doesn’t mean anything special.”
Han Seo-Jin brushed her short hair back, her face slightly reddening.
But that wasn’t entirely true.
Deep down, Han Seo-Jin did want to impress him.
That’s why she started learning makeup through YouTube and began doing it recently.
Yoo Se-Ra narrowed her eyes slightly as she observed her.
“Hmmm? Really?”
“Yep.”
Han Seo-Jin nodded.
The corners of her mouth quivered.
Yoo Se-Ra, being a long-time friend, knew.
She knew Han Seo-Jin was lying.
“I really don’t think so…”
“It really doesn’t mean anything. Anyway… what was your impression of meeting Kim Deok-Sung? I’m curious.”
“Well…”
This time, it was Yoo Se-Ra who was at a loss for words.
Her face turned beet red.
Thump.
Yoo Se-Ra’s heart raced.
“Th-that…”
Until just now, she had been trying to appear calm and collected in front of Kim Deok-Sung, suppressing her feelings that were now rushing forth like wildfire.
Kim Deok-Sung.
Her feelings toward him hadn’t been romantic from the start.
At first, it was gratitude.
Han Seo-Jin.
A precious friend who had protected her when she was weak as a child.
Yoo Se-Ra wanted to help her.
But there was no way for her to save Han Seo-Jin, who was groaning under the burden of being the strongest Hunter in Korea.
That’s why, when Kim Deok-Sung appeared and freed Han Seo-Jin, it made her feel grateful.
That gratitude sparked her promotional activities and fan club engagement, even running a foundation.
She wanted to repay the favor of helping her friend by swaying public opinion in favor of Kim Deok-Sung.
But when Kim Deok-Sung exceeded her expectations and the entire country went wild over him…
Yoo Se-Ra found herself genuinely falling for him, no longer just out of gratitude or obligation.
Maybe that’s when it all started.
Her crush on him.
Yet Yoo Se-Ra had denied her own feelings.
She had denied her feelings.
After all, the guy was someone she’d never met, and it was also her friend’s crush.
She had thought it was just fan admiration.
“I’m sorry, Seo-Jin. I too…”
But today.
The moment Yoo Se-Ra met him at the banquet hall, she realized.
“…I like him.”
Kim Deok-Sung.
Her feelings for him were not just fan admiration but true love.
Yoo Se-Ra’s face turned bright red.
“Is that so?”
Yoo Se-Ra waved her hands at Han Seo-Jin’s comment.
“Oh, no, I mean, I’m sorry. I didn’t… mean to… it’s just that my heart keeps…”
“Why are you apologizing?”
A question mark appeared on Han Seo-Jin’s face at Yoo Se-Ra’s reaction.
“Huh?”
“Kim Deok-Sung is the most perfect and ideal man and hero in the world. As long as you’re a woman, it’s only natural to love him, almost like fate. No woman could help but fall in love with him if given the chance.”
Han Seo-Jin’s gaze became serious.
“So there’s no need to apologize.”
Han Seo-Jin spoke earnestly.
Yoo Se-Ra was taken aback by what she saw.
“But then that means we both like the same guy…”
“Then we can both snuggle up to him. What’s the problem?”
Yoo Se-Ra was left speechless by Han Seo-Jin’s unconventional answer.
“Together…? No way…”
Rumors related to Kim Deok-Sung flashed through Yoo Se-Ra’s mind.
There were whispers in the investment world, claiming that the government was secretly promoting a special law for polygamy, known as the “Harem Plan.”
The rumors also stated that the goal of this Harem Plan was to enhance the hero’s power through polygamy.
“The Harem Plan, is that rumor really true?”
Yoo Se-Ra’s eyes widened.
At her question, Han Seo-Jin hesitated for a moment before nodding.
“…Yes. It’s my plan. Since there are many excellent women around him, it’s a confidential plan for his happiness and national security.”
“Really? You’re quite the schemer, Seo-Jin, planning all this just so you can be with him.”
Yoo Se-Ra chuckled.
“No.”
Han Seo-Jin shook her head.
“The Harem Plan is ultimately for his happiness. Someone like me, a mere hunter, doesn’t deserve to be his wife.”
Han Seo-Jin bowed her head.
She was, after all, just a hunter.
Unlike other heroic women, she didn’t have the right to be his wife.
Han Seo-Jin bit her lip.
“Seo-Jin.”
“I’m just someone to enjoy life with… Even being his mistress is too much for me.”
“That’s a lie.”
Yoo Se-Ra’s voice rang in her ears.
“You’re saying that, but you’re crying inside.”
“…”
“You actually want to get married, don’t you? To him.”
Yoo Se-Ra’s gaze locked onto Han Seo-Jin.
Han Seo-Jin shook her head.
“…No.”
“You want to wear a wedding dress. You have no intention of being satisfied with the current situation.”
Yoo Se-Ra’s words followed.
Han Seo-Jin bit her lip.
Her heart raced, thump, thump.
Yoo Se-Ra was right.
She wanted to be his wife and wear a wedding dress.
But as just a hunter, she felt she had no right to.
So she had suppressed her desires. Emotions she had tried to forget.
But now, the friend in front of her was igniting those emotions she’d desperately tried to hide.
No matter how close they were, she couldn’t go any further than this.
“…I think I’ll take my leave. I need to attend to that person.”
After all, he is just a shadow and hunting dog for that person.
He must never seek the light.
A night of reckless play, just an enjoyment partner.
That’s enough for her.
Han Seo-Jin hypnotized herself as she left the room.
Clack.
The door closed.
Seeing this, Yoo Se-Ra bit her lip.
“…Stubborn as ever.”
Yoo Se-Ra clenched her fists.
She couldn’t just stand by and let her friend suffer and be unhappy.
She wanted to fulfill her friend’s wish by any means necessary.
Because they are friends.
“If you won’t do it, then I have no choice but to.”
And most importantly, if Han Seo-Jin, a hunter rather than a hero, became that person’s woman,
perhaps a chance might come for her, an ordinary person, to also become his woman.
Han Seo-Jin’s earlier words echoed in Yoo Se-Ra’s mind.
The remark about wanting to be in his arms.
If it were someone else, it might be different, but for Han Seo-Jin, who is like family,
that wouldn’t be bad at all.
Thump, thump.
Yoo Se-Ra’s heart raced as she imagined being in his embrace.
“Right. This is all for Seo-Jin!”
There are no ulterior motives.
Yoo Se-Ra thought that while her eyes sparkled.
No more national pride nonsense.
The state banquet had ended.
And the annoying national pride event was over as well.
Since my entry into Korea, Han Seo-Jin, who effectively took on the role of my personal manager, suggested a press conference, but I flatly refused.
There were also useless requests for appearances on broadcasts, which I turned down as well.
I felt like I couldn’t handle any more national pride.
Honestly, even the official welcoming event was overwhelming.
At this point, I’ve at least shown minimal courtesy.
“We have arrived at your residence.”
The limousine bus arrived at my home in Hannam-dong.
“This is the Master’s house…!”
Eri’s eyes widened as she pressed against the window.
“It’s a similar size to our home.”
Rin said in a calm voice.
Though it’s called my home, the truth is I’ve never actually stepped foot in the place.
It’s not even where the former Kim Deok-Sung lived before the possession.
I heard it was built while I was in Japan, but I didn’t bother to investigate further.
Since there wasn’t much reason for me to come to Korea, and even if I did, it was only after graduation.
I never imagined I would end up here.
I swallowed a sigh and looked outside the car window.
Screech.
The gate opened, and the car entered.
“Loyalty! Welcome, Kim Deok-Sung!”
“Thank you for your hard work!”
A soldier in military uniform, stationed at the guard post by the gate, saluted the limousine with sharp formality.
Tears glistened in the soldiers’ eyes.
Wait, why is an active-duty soldier guarding my house?
Furthermore, he looked genuinely happy to be saluting while on duty.
This country must truly be insane.
A soldier who enjoys guard duty? I felt a chill and fear creep over me.
I was already at a loss for words.
Beyond the car window appeared a massive garden and a mansion built in a modern style, alongside a traditional Korean house that resembled a whale’s back.
Even just estimating the property size, it felt closer to an apartment complex than a single residence.
This is confusing—whether it’s a palace or just a big house.
“What the hell? Why is the house so big?”
In the expensive land of Seoul,
this massive mansion built on a ‘Han River view’ lot in one of Korea’s wealthiest neighborhoods, Hannam-dong, where chaebols reside, was overwhelming.
What a massive mansion that rivals a palace.
It’s truly an unreal sight.
My jaw drops wide open.
“Kim Deok-Sung is the only hero in South Korea and a national hero, so this treatment is only natural.”
Han Seo-Jin says with an unwavering expression. Right.
Expecting a normal response from Han Seo-Jin was my first mistake.
I thought I could relax at home.
But of course, this is our country. No chance.
[Wow, partner. This is incredible. This place is on par with a royal palace.]
The Black Prince marvels in my head.
A mansion so luxurious that even real French royalty would be impressed is my home.
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Thunk.
The car stops in the parking lot.
As I get out through the open door, I see the mansion towering against the backdrop of the Han River at night.
I’ve finally arrived home.
Whether this is home sweet home is debatable, though.
*
My home, commonly known as “Kim Deok-Sung’s Residence,” consists of two main buildings.
The main building is a modern structure with three floors above ground and two below, and there’s an annex built in traditional Hanok style.
The accommodation we’re staying in is the Hanok annex.
Even though it’s a Hanok, the interior is modernly built, so it’s not uncomfortable at all.
In fact, it’s quite comfortable.
Especially my room in the Sarangchae, which is not just a room but an independent building.
Still, for some reason, I can’t get to sleep.
Tossing and turning in bed, I finally leave the annex and head towards the riverside park created in the mansion.
The riverside park right in front of me, where the Han River flows majestically.
Wait, there’s even a park inside the house?
It’s so absurdly large that it’s hard to comprehend.
[Wow, nice view.]
The Black Prince exclaims in my head.
As he said, the night view of Seoul reflected in the Han River was quite beautiful.
I can understand why people go to such lengths to buy apartments with a Han River view.
“Sigh.”
Sitting on a bench, a sigh escapes me.
Maybe because it’s an internal park of the mansion, unlike the Han River park I knew, it’s eerily empty without any citizens passing by.
All I see are landscaped trees, well-maintained grass, and a lit vending machine.
I have no idea why there’s a vending machine here, but since I can get drinks by just scanning my card key, I swiped it and grabbed a can of cola.
Gulp gulp.
The cola slides down my throat.
Looking at the scenery of Korea and the night view of Seoul brings back memories of the original world, making me feel a bit nostalgic.
It would have been nice if this were truly my hometown.
Bitter taste lingers.
“Damn it.”
I crumple the cola can and throw it into the trash.
Even though it’s summer, being night and near the Han River makes it pleasantly cool, so that’s nice.
It’s slowly nearing dawn, and since I have plans tomorrow, I should head inside and get some sleep.
Just as I’m thinking that…
“I found you. You.”
A familiar voice in Japanese calls from behind.
I turn my head.
There’s Olivia.
Olivia? What’s she doing here?
Her face is slightly flushed under the streetlights.
“Honestly, I searched for you for a while. Why are you sulking alone in a place like this? Silly jerk. Hmph.”
Olivia pouts as she walks over and sits next to me.
The cold night breeze from the Han River wraps around us.
Sitting here makes me nostalgic for the past.
That day.
