I Want to Eat Ramen (2)

「Who is Kim Se-hyun’s Ramen Mate ‘Hyung’?」

「Does World-Class Hunter Kim Se-hyun Have a Lover?」

「List of 5 S-Class Ramen Varieties Loved by S-Rank Hunter Kim Se-hyun」

「Kim Se-hyun: Wearing a Mask to Hide Radiant Visuals?」

「Hunter Kim Se-hyun Revealed to Have Eaten Ramen Several Times Already」

“…….”

For an S-Rank hunter—especially one as famous as Kim Se-hyun—watching one’s words to avoid gossip was essential. Particularly for a hunter like him, who had hidden his face and avoided the media until now, caution during a first interview was paramount. Yet, Kim Se-hyun seemed to have none of that.

“Sigh.”

Although my name hadn’t appeared in the articles and there was no content that could identify me, the reason I was this tense and worried was that I knew the ‘Hyung’ he called out on broadcast was me.

Recalling the comments on the news articles I had just read made me more anxious than ever. The tension wouldn’t dissipate, fueled by the nagging thought of “what if.”

“Don’t worry too much.”

“…I’d like to not worry,” I replied with an awkward smile to Officer Kim’s comforting words. After choosing his words carefully, Officer Kim spoke again. I listened intently.

“If things get messy, just tell that slacker to handle everything.”

“Exactly. Don’t stress too much, Chick. Even if that guy seems unreliable, he’s the type to handle what needs handling properly,” the Team Leader added.

I truly hoped that was the case.

However, I wasn’t close enough to Kim Se-hyun to ask such a thing of him. Or rather, it felt like we were close, yet not quite at the same time.

Watching the team members busy trying to soothe my anxiety, I felt I had to calm my heart somehow. I took deep breaths, repeating the cycle of inhaling and exhaling, until the Team Leader called my name.

“Maknae.” (the youngest)

“Yes, Team Leader.”

“Just go home today and get some rest.”

“No, sir! It’s not that bad!”

It made no sense to leave work early when nothing was physically wrong with me. I hurriedly waved my hands in refusal.

“…If you say so.”

The Team Leader nodded after scrutinizing my face. I felt relieved that he didn’t insist. I let out a sigh of relief.

“By the way, shouldn’t we be a bit nervous about him coming here to ‘eat ramen’?”

“I’ll stock the office with a mountain of ramen tomorrow, so use that as cover. Don’t give him even an inch of an opening.”

“Understood!”

I knew the underlying meaning of wanting to “eat ramen.” However, the situation between Kim Se-hyun and me wasn’t one where such meanings should be exchanged. After all, I was just a lowly civil servant, and Kim Se-hyun was Kim Se-hyun.

“…….”

Yet, thinking—even for a fleeting second—that Kim Se-hyun might be implying he wanted to sleep with me made me feel incredibly embarrassed. I didn’t even know why my heart was fluttering like this.

It was all because the way he looked at me was too warm. Of course, his actions and gaze that suggested he only saw me, along with his tone of voice, were also problems.

I fidgeted with my fingers hidden under the desk, vowing not to get ahead of myself as I tried to wash away the lingering, awkward feelings.

Whatever else might be true, Kim Se-hyun wouldn’t have used those words to mean he wanted to sleep with me. Right. Thinking back to when he said he’d come for coffee, “ramen” clearly just meant he wanted to eat ramen that I cooked for him.

“…….”

I just didn’t understand why he had to say that in front of the media instead of just texting me. Especially by specifically calling me ‘Hyung.’

“Sigh.”

Once the fluttering stopped, worry took its place. I wondered if my face would end up plastered across the media. Taking a deep breath to steady my racing heart again, I immediately spoke to the team.

“If there’s any work to be done, please give it to me.”

“…Oh, then please handle this.”

“Want to do this too?”

“Take this and try it out.”

“Thank you.”

I asked if there was work, and they handed out tasks from all sides. After confirming that they were mostly simple, repetitive tasks, I took a long breath.

Indeed, worrying right now wouldn’t solve a thing. It was hard to clear my head completely, but at least while focusing on work, the talk of ramen would be forgotten. I carefully reviewed each task and began processing them one by one.

The next day, having arrived at work early with the Deputy Team Leader as usual, I spotted a stranger loitering in front of the office. I immediately hid myself.

“Deputy Team Leader.”

Surprised by my sudden action, the Deputy Team Leader, who was halfway out of the elevator, looked at me. I quietly pointed toward the office.

“Just in case, wait a moment before following me.”

The Deputy Team Leader’s expression hardened as he checked the office. He nodded at my request to follow after a delay and started walking. I concealed myself behind a nearby wall.

“…….”

He didn’t look like he was carrying a camera, but had he come to scout the situation? Or was he at the Hunter Department for other business? Hearing only the Deputy Team Leader’s footsteps, I grew curious. I stealthily poked my head out to observe.

“Where are you from?”

“Ah, hello. I am from the Hunter Association.”

Ah, the Association.

I had my suspicions, but it was a relief. Brushing my chest, I poked my head out a bit further.

“For what business has the Association come at this hour?”

“Well, that is….”

The man answering the Deputy Team Leader suddenly shifted his gaze toward me. Being caught peeking so blatantly was incredibly embarrassing. I forced the corners of my trembling mouth upward.

“…….”

The Deputy Team Leader hadn’t given a signal yet, but I couldn’t keep hiding now that I’d been spotted. Flowing toward them with an awkward laugh, I locked eyes with a pair of curious black pupils.

“He-hello.”

“Yes, hello.”

As I greeted him, he nodded with a smile. If I hadn’t seen Kim Se-hyun, I would have thought this man looked exceptionally handsome and kind. While meeting his gaze, I immediately opened the door at the Deputy Team Leader’s command.

“It isn’t business hours yet, so please return once the work day begins.”

“…I was in such a hurry that I failed to check the time. I shall return when the office opens.”

It seemed he had expected to be let inside.

The man, checking the time after the Deputy Team Leader’s remark, let out a low hum. Leaving behind the promise to return, he headed toward the elevator. I followed the Deputy Team Leader into the office.

“Even if someone looks kind, never forget to be careful around Association people. They are Association people, after all.”

“Yes.”

“They are bastards who reek of rot far more than you can imagine, Ha-neul.”

“…….”

It was the first time I’d heard the Deputy Team Leader speak so cynically and with such strong language. I couldn’t hide my surprise.

“Well, Kim Se-hyun isn’t so much ‘rotten’ as he is just a crazy bastard. The reason the people in the Hunter Department even talk to him is because he’s a clean kind of crazy—he only cares about money, money, and more money.”

“I see.”

“Well, he doesn’t look like such a clean guy these days, though. He’s become quite insidious.”

“Haha.”

The Deputy Team Leader’s word choices were particularly strong today. It was likely because of the Association person who had just visited.

“Ha-neul.”

“Yes, Deputy Team Leader.”

“A cup of coffee, please.”

“Will your stomach be alright?”

He usually avoided coffee because he had a sensitive stomach. The fatigue radiating from his statement that he needed a cup to start the day was substantial. I quickly made the coffee and handed it to him. I barely had time to sit back down with my own cup before the door opened.

“Good morning!”

“Good morning.”

Officer Park, arriving earlier than usual, paused as he saw the Deputy Team Leader on his way to his desk.

“…Did something piss you off? Why are you drinking coffee?”

Usually, when someone does something out of character, it’s normal to ask if something happened. But Officer Park was different.

The Deputy Team Leader ignored the question and simply kept drinking his coffee. I explained the morning’s events on his behalf.

“Those bastards, are they starting again?”

“Starting what?”

“Ah, the Chick wouldn’t know.”

Officer Park scratched the back of his head with an “oops” expression and began to explain. I focused on his words.

“Those guys put pressure on the government every time Kim Se-hyun or another S-Rank achieves something. They claim the current ‘cooperation fee’ is too low and demand an increase.”

“…They’re total thugs.”

“Pfft!”

“Cough!”

If I didn’t know the scale of those cooperation fees, it might be different, but since I handle that paperwork, they were no different from thugs to me.

“The Chick knows words like that?”

A coughing Officer Park asked while wiping his eyes. I nodded.

“I use even stronger words when I’m with friends.”

I wasn’t exactly great at swearing, but I could do it if I had to.

“Then, is there any swear word you know?”

“Hmm….”

I knew them, but I wondered if I should say them here. Seeing both of them gesturing for me to go ahead, I took a deep breath.

“Son of a b*tch, idiot, moron, sneaky rat. And thug?”

I had encountered many swear words, but knowing these few was enough to curse at anyone in the world.

Yes, that man who came this morning could be summarized with these five terms. To think of coming at the crack of dawn to pull such a sneaky rat move with a kind-looking face. Truly the worst.

“Puhaha!”

“Haha! Thug!”

The two of them couldn’t stop laughing. In fact, far from stopping, their laughter turned into loud guffaws as time passed.

I wondered where else there was a swear word as good as ‘sneaky rat.’ I tilted my head as I watched them laugh hysterically, then welcomed Officer Kim and Officer Han as they walked in.

“You’re here.”

“Is something going on? The laughter is echoing down the hallway.”

“Puhaha! He called them thugs!”

“…Dropping the formalities and calling them thugs? Explain it so we can understand, Chick.”

“Well….”

After explaining the situation and the ‘thug’ remark once more, the corners of their mouths began to twitch. Eventually, they burst into laughter as well, while I knitted my brows.

“Pfft! No, it’s just.”

“Haha! How refreshing, our Maknae! I like it!”

“I thought you were just a helpless Chick, but you know how to use rough language! I’m so proud!”

“He says he knows even stronger words! Our Chick! He knows even stronger ones!”

“Puhaha! Yeah, you’re the best, the best!”

Officer Kim slapped me on the back while laughing. It stung a bit, but seeing them so happy made the pain worth it.

If I’d known they loved swearing this much, I should have said something sooner. Next time an opportunity to swear arises, I won’t miss it. I balled my fists in determination.

“Ah, this is killing me!”

“hahahaha!”

“Just what kind of thoughts are you having to put so much strength into your shoulders?”

“Right, it’s good to see you looking so triumphant!”

Hearing that it was good to look triumphant made me feel more proud than ever. I put even more strength into my shoulders. Following the team’s lead, I let a grin curl onto my lips.