At 10 AM, the line grew even longer, prompting the restaurant staff to cut it off at a reasonable point. As the employee started checking how many people were in each party, they came across Yoon Seo's group and instinctively stepped back. The men were all tall and sharp-looking, wearing disguises like glasses, masks, and hats. It was clear they were trying to hide their identities. One of the men, who wore no disguise at all, spoke to the staff member.
"When can we expect to be seated?"
"Ah, um…"
He was stunningly handsome, with an air of sophistication and allure. The staff had seen plenty of attractive people, but this was on a whole different level. Staring in awe, the staff member didn't respond until the man repeated his question.
"When can we go in?"
"Oh, uh, you should be able to go in before one. There are twelve parties ahead of you."
"I see. Thank you."
"N-No, thank you. Are you, by any chance… hunters?"
"Yes."
The handsome man replied with a calm expression, as if wondering why that would matter.
"Well, it's just that hunters usually eat more, so we need to prepare ahead of time."
"Ah, I expect we'll need at least three bowls each."
"Understood! We'll see you inside shortly."
"Thank you."
"No, no, thank you!"
The employee hurried off, still offering thanks, leaving Yoon Seo deep in thought.
'Three bowls per person should be enough… though it might not be. I usually eat five bowls myself, but ordering more would be a burden on those waiting behind us.'
"Wow, this is crazy. I've never stood in line for over six hours just to eat. If not for Yoon Seo hyung's cookies, I would've given up and gone somewhere else."
"Are you sure it's okay to say that in front of someone whose hobby is standing in line?"
Kwon Jihan warned, causing Soo Jaehee to gasp in panic.
"No, that's not what I meant! Yoon Seo hyung, I wasn't belittling your hobby. I just didn't know how great this hobby was until today, and now I'm grateful and kind of regretful that I didn't appreciate it sooner. I think waiting in line is great! It's good exercise too. From now on, I'll line up more often!"
Soo Jaehee stammered as he tried to explain himself. Yoon Seo shot a glare at Kwon Jihan. Kwon Jihan, who had been chuckling, only grinned more mischievously when their eyes met, looking every bit like a playful 22-year-old.
Sighing, Yoon Seo turned to Soo Jaehee.
"I don't have a hobby of standing in line. It's just that I happened to visit a few famous restaurants that had lines."
"Really? But Jihan hyung said…"
"Kwon Jihan is teasing me."
"Oh… really?"
Soo Jaehee blinked and looked at Kwon Jihan, who put on a sympathetic and serious face.
"Hyung, there's no need to hide a hobby like this. It's not something to be ashamed of. I just want you to live confidently, always. It hurts me to think about how difficult it must have been for you, living in hiding all this time. So please, at least don't hide your hobbies."
Yoon Seo was at a loss for words, completely dumbfounded. He couldn't believe anyone would fall for such nonsense, but the hunters fell for it instantly.
"Ah, come on, it really hurts when you don't trust us like that, hyung. Baking, knitting, even lining up for popular restaurants, they're all valuable hobbies, you know."
"Yoon Seo, what kind of impression do you have of us to think we wouldn't understand hobbies like this?"
"Yo, what the hell? What's wrong with these hobbies that you feel the need to hide them? Honestly, sometimes I run around my garden in the nude. Compared to that, these are perfectly fine hobbies!"
"…"
"…"
Hong Euiyoon, trying to defend Yoon Seo, ended up confessing his own questionable hobby. The group instinctively distanced themselves from him. Sensing their discomfort with an almost supernatural intuition, Hong Euiyoon narrowed his eyes in defiance.
"Why are you all stepping away? Are you saying you can't respect my hobby?"
"Hyung, that's a bit…"
"Acting like none of you have ever run around a garden naked. You've all wanted to do it at least once, don't lie."
"Who in the world would do that…?"
"Lies. Deep down, you all want to run around naked too. You're just jealous that I bought a house with a garden just for that!"
"…"
The distance between them and Hong Euiyoon only grew. Morning passed with everyone trying to ignore him, and finally, it was their turn to be seated. Since there were five of them, they were assigned to a room with sliding doors and ondol flooring. Soo Jaehee was excited about having a more private space for conversation.
They had to sit in groups of three and two, facing each other. Hong Euiyoon quickly claimed the seat inside, and Yoon Seo sat opposite him. Kwon Jihan was about to sit next to Yoon Seo when Soo Jaehee squeezed in, taking the seat beside Yoon Seo with a sly wink.
'I'll handle the chaos and tension between the hyungs. Don't worry.'
Before Yoon Seo could say anything, Soo Jaehee was swiftly lifted.
"You sit outside and run errands."
"Hyung! That's so unfair!"
Kwon Jihan grabbed Soo Jaehee by the scruff of his neck and lifted him effortlessly, placing him in the outer seat. Then he sat down next to Yoon Seo. Since they were sitting on the floor, cross-legged, Kwon Jihan's long legs nearly brushed against Yoon Seo's knees. Yoon Seo scooted closer to the wall.
Park Soobin, the last to enter, took the seat next to Hong Euiyoon but didn't say a word about the seating arrangement, only giving Yoon Seo and Kwon Jihan a quick glance.
Since they had already ordered their food, it didn't take long for the spicy braised pork ribs and a generous spread of side dishes to arrive. As expected, it was spicy and delicious, and everyone ate well. The five of them demolished three servings of ribs each, along with side dishes like meat dumplings, rice balls, steamed eggs, and tteokbokki, totaling 20 servings. Being strong hunters, eating that much was only natural.
Although everyone else finished eating quickly, Yoon Seo, still cursed by the "chew twenty times" habit, was far from done. The group waited for him while discussing various topics, mostly related to their recent S-class outbreak subjugation. Yoon Seo stayed quiet, focused on eating, until something surprising caught his attention.
"Did Hunter Hwashim really decide to stay with Perfect?"
"Oh, yeah. Hyung didn't know?"
"Why would a C-rank…?"
"I didn't see it myself, but apparently the team members who went in with Hwashim hyung say he used some crazy powerful flame skill. Without it, they might've all been wiped out."
To confirm, Park Soobin nodded seriously while Hong Euiyoon replied with a slightly displeased expression.
"The range is narrower than mine, but its power is better. Actually, I'm not thrilled since I only saw it once, but the team leader and the guild master want to keep it."
"Hwashim hyung also wanted to stay with Perfect. After seeing Seo Chaeyoon, would he want to leave? And I'm sure he has something up his sleeve. Even if he's not S-rank, he definitely has something."
Does Hwashim emit an aura that makes him look suspicious?
When Yoon Seo checked with the
"From my perspective, he was C-rank too. I'll talk to Juncheol hyung later and make sure to exclude him, so don't worry."
That reassured Yoon Seo. Hong Euiyoon and Park Soobin were still skeptical, though.
***
"What should we do now? A movie? Games? Or should we go to the training ground for a sparring match?"
"The last option sounds good."
"I agree with the last one."
After finishing their meal, the group discussed their next destination.
"What about Yoon Seo hyung?"
"Yeah, what about it? I need to go home."
"What? Gathering all these busy hunters and you want to go home? How can you say something so boring?"
Soo Jaehee exclaimed as if Yoon Seo had betrayed them.
Yoon Seo, who hadn't thought about what to do after eating, looked somewhat awkward. Seeing Yoon Seo's expression, Park Soobin said:
"Yoon Seo, let's go somewhere quiet and talk. There's a lot to relay…"
"Yeah, hyung. The original reason for meeting today was to find out what Seo Chayeoon wanted to convey."
Actually, the reason for the meeting was to show that things between Kwon Jihan and himself were smooth rather than in turmoil.
Realizing that this goal hadn't been achieved yet, Yoon Seo nodded.
"Understood. Then let's head to Seokyoung's headquarters for now."
"Hmph, if we go to the company today, the rumors will spread, and we won't be able to have a quiet conversation."
"Then I guess we'll part ways today…"
"If, if you don't have a particular place to go, why not come to my house!"
Hong Euiyoon, with a haughty expression, exclaimed. He was the one most reluctant to part ways at this moment.
***
The house Hong Euiyoon had built through a famous construction company was a rural house located far from the city. Its well-maintained garden and spacious, clean exterior were impressive, but Yoon Seo, who visited the Seokyoung Guild Master's mansion daily, found it less remarkable.
They entered the house through the garden, where the owner was rumored to often run around naked. The clean white walls were adorned with famous paintings, marble sculptures were scattered throughout, and there was even a grand piano… Hong Euiyoon proudly showcased the space, which was full of pretentiousness.
"Hong Euiyoon, do you play the piano too?"
"Hmm, it's not like I can't."
"This hyung can't play the piano. He couldn't even get through Czerny 100. It's a shame for such an expensive piano."
"Not being able to play Czerny 100 doesn't mean you can't play the piano."
"No, hyung. That's usually considered not being able to play. In the future, it's better to say it's just for decoration if anyone asks about the piano."
"Damn, bring it on, you brat."
Hong Euiyoon's eyes flashed red as if he were about to use
"Yoon Seo hyung, don't you have a hobby of playing the piano too?"
At that moment, Kwon Jihan asked in a cheerful tone. The eyes of the three people looking at Yoon Seo immediately lit up.