The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 315: It’s the Holiday (2)

“Wow, seriously, this is the best! You look amazing! So pretty!”

As I clapped in admiration, both Yuhyun and Yerim smiled brightly. Anything looked good on them, but hanbok really was a perfect fit. For Yuhyun’s hanbok, the Haeyeon side had insisted strongly: not a vest, but a jacket with a ceremonial belt! They’d apparently debated over a durumagi, dapo, and even cheollik style, but the jacket won out. It definitely suited him better than standard men’s hanbok.

Yerim’s hanbok had more effort put into the color combination than the design. The pro-blue team and the too-obvious team had clashed fiercely. In the end, after laying out a line of hanbok options in front of Yerim, she chose a jade-green skirt like clear ice water with a white jeogori embroidered with patterns.

“It’s been so long since I wore hanbok.”

Yerim smiled as she held the hem of her skirt and fluttered it.

“The ones I wore as a kid got too small, so I threw them out.”

“That one’ll get too small soon, too. You’ll need a new one next year.”

“What a waste.”

“It’s not a waste. It’s proof you’re growing well.”

Even when you’re fully grown, really—it’d be nice to get new clothes every year. It’s not like we’re short on money, so there’s no need to skimp on things like this.

“And Peace looks so cute too. Peace, just put up with it this once.”

-Grrr…

Peace, dressed in a jeogori, grumbled in displeasure. At least he didn’t tear the clothes off. Peace’s hanbok had been sponsored by Team Leader Kim. It was loosely tailored to be comfortable, but unlike a necktie, it still seemed bothersome to him.

“I’ll take it off as soon as we’re done filming.”

“No need. He’s faking it.”

Yuhyun spoke flatly.

“If he really hated it, he would’ve burned it already. He’s just being a brat—don’t mind him.”

“That’s right. He’s just like Han Yuhyun pretending to be helpless in front of Mister.”

Yerim sided with Yuhyun… or was she picking a fight? Anyway, it was true, so I gently hugged Peace and soothed him.

“Chirp, you come here too.”

-Chirp!

Chirp just wore a snowflake-shaped hairpin. As for Belare, sadly there wasn’t anything we could do.

“We’re gonna be late, let’s go.”

I told Hodu to watch the house and headed out for the broadcast station.

Since we couldn’t go around recording holiday greetings at every station, I picked one myself. One of the few that hadn’t spread malicious rumors before the regression. These days, they were all kind to me, but I still didn’t really like broadcasting stations.

Even now, if I slipped up, they’d pounce. And if by some chance I lost all my special skills, they’d start going on about how an F-Rank is just an F-Rank, clear as day. Never mind my rank—I’m just a normal person.

“Lately, it feels like I work for a broadcast station, not a guild. I’m commuting every single day.”

Yerim said while waving hello to someone she recognized.

“But being a Hunter still suits me more than being a celebrity.”

“Being a celebrity wouldn’t be so bad though, right?”

Most of all, it’s safer—less danger.

“It’s kinda fun in its own way, but it also feels stifling. Blowing stuff up in a dungeon is the most satisfying and fun!”

Yerim said, swinging her arms wide. Yeah, filming ads or doing interviews doesn’t wrap in one take—it’s repetitive. With her personality, it’s no surprise she’d get frustrated and bored.

“Mister, are you interested?”

“Huh?”

“In being a celebrity.”

What kind of random question is that? Why would I be a celebrity? At her words, Yuhyun also turned to look at me.

“Wait, did you suggest the holiday greeting just because you wanted to shoot something? You might not be able to do full-on work, but ads or something—”

“No, hey, I already turned everything down. What am I supposed to—”

“I think you’d be good at acting, though.”

“I’m not doing it, I can’t. And more than anything, why me when you two are right there.”

If anyone’s doing it, it should be Yuhyun and Yerim. They look like models just standing still. Noah is literally dazzling, and Seong Hyunjae too. As for Chief Song… he was called a terrible actor, but Seong Hyunjae seems like he’d be good at it. Hyunah would be perfect for an action movie. If she and Chief Song were in the same film, it’d be pure visual bliss.

“Forget me—Yuhyun, I think you’d look great in an ad.”

“Eh, Han Yu—Guild Leader can’t shoot one. Unless Mister’s handling the camera, assisting, coordinating, and everything else.”

“If you want me to, I’ll do it.”

“I don’t want you to do it out of obligation.”

“I don’t mind.”

“Ugh, there you go pretending again. Peace, I feel bad for you. What kind of owner did you end up with?”

-Kkiang.

We chatted on the way to the waiting room. With Chuseok just around the corner, quite a few people were in hanbok. I saw a pretty good-looking celebrity—though not as handsome as Yuhyun—and it reminded me of Park Hayul. I wonder if he came back to Korea for the holiday. Yun Yun should be spending Chuseok at home too, yet there hadn’t been a single message.

Not long after we arrived at the spacious waiting room, Myungwoo showed up—with Moon Hyunah in tow.

“Are you doing a holiday greeting too, Hyunah?”

“I already filmed mine at another station. They told me to wear a wig and a pretty hanbok skirt, so I kicked it away and threw on a robe instead.”

She brushed back her hair, dyed a vivid red, and said maybe they wouldn’t even air it. Just that wouldn’t get her cut, surely—but if the folks behind the Breaker Guild objected, it might not make it through.

“I was just dropping by to see the blacksmith and ended up playing chauffeur. Looking good, Director Han.”

“Oh, it’s just hanbok, nothing special.”

“You should’ve worn hanbok too, unni!”

“There’s got to be hanbok lying around the station—should I change and come back?”

“Yes, let’s take a selfie together.”

“Sure thing,” Moon Hyunah said as she left the waiting room.

“Noah didn’t come with you?”

Myungwoo nodded as he sat down on the couch. Hanbok looked even better on him than expected. He’d always looked good in it, but now he seemed even more dependable.

“Seems like he’ll come for Chuseok, but he’s been deep in thought lately. He told me to thank you for the gift. And you’re not wearing sunglasses today.”

“What would I be doing wearing sunglasses with hanbok.”

I replied casually, pretending nothing was up. He didn’t notice, right? My eyesight hadn’t fully recovered yet, but I could see general shapes. And with Belare’s help, even Yuhyun and Yerim said they could barely tell there was a problem with my sight.

“Thinking about all of us gathering for Chuseok makes me happy.”

I said it while subtly watching Myungwoo. I couldn’t interfere with his family matters, but I was still concerned. Myungwoo acted like nothing was wrong, but with the timing, I worried he might feel a little lonely.

“Later, we might have even more people around. Some will probably go out too.”

“I’m not going.”

Yuhyun cut in, like he’d been waiting for that moment. Yerim gave him a look that said, “You’re so obvious.”

“I’m nowhere near ready. I do want to try dating, but they’re all just kids~”

“You’re a kid too, Yerim. But if you do find someone you like, bring them home sometime. I just want to see their face. No, just tell me their name, even that’s fine.”

“So you can run a background check?”

“I won’t—what kind of background check…”

Okay, I will. Quietly. Without getting caught, just to make sure. Yerim’s still young, so I need to be careful. Once she’s an adult—well, after she graduates college—it’s not my place anymore. But for now, she needs protection. And given how famous she is, there’s a higher chance she’ll attract weirdos.

“I don’t expect much. For both of you, I mean. Number one, the person has to love you more than anyone! That’s non-negotiable. And they have to have a good personality—at least be normal. No short-tempered hotheads. Especially no violence! I’d oppose that to my last breath!”

“We’re S-Rank Hunters, you know.”

“Still not allowed. And no huge age gaps either. Ten years? Have some shame. A twelve-year gap? If it’s 50 and 62, fine, whatever. But more than fifteen? Just die and reincarnate.”

If someone lived twice as long as Yerim… they deserve to die. Even if she’s an adult, someone thirty-five dating a twenty-year-old? Still unacceptable. Wanting to seduce someone that young is a crime. That’s niece age. In the past, that’d be like seducing your own kid. Yerim would never go for someone like that, but even the thought pissed me off.

“What about you, Yujin?”

Myungwoo asked suddenly.

“…Me?”

“Yeah, you. Sometimes when we have lunch together, people ask. ‘Why doesn’t Director Han date anyone?’”

“Huh? Why me, though?”

“Obviously you come up more than the kids. You’re at an age where, even if it’s a bit early, marriage isn’t out of the question. And with F-Rank stats, you could date a non-awakened person or a low-level hunter without much trouble.”

It’s not like high-ranked hunters can’t date non-awakened people, but there is a barrier. Still, why me? The real priority should be Mr. Seong Hyunjae, no? And Chief Song’s also at that age where he should be getting married.

“I don’t really care for marriage…”

“What, Director Han’s getting marriage nagging too?”

Moon Hyunah threw open the door and walked in. Her robe swayed with each step. Even with her super modern hairstyle, she still pulled it off incredibly well.

“Just thinking about the family gathering makes me feel smothered. Like I’ll die if I don’t get married.”

“Even people nag you, Hyunah?”

“My mom’s the only one who says it to my face, but my hearing’s good, so I end up hearing everything I shouldn’t. Like when they whisper to my parents—it’s annoying. So, Director Han, are you dating someone in secret?”

“Come on, you already know I’m not.”

Dating? Seriously? Hyunah pulled over a chair, rested her elbow on the table, and propped up her chin. Then she gave me a bright, cheeky smile.

“I guess it’d be hard for Director Han to get married, what with the young master and all.”

“Yujin’s great at everything, but yeah, that’s the biggest hurdle.”

“Right, Blacksmith. But don’t be too down about it, hyung. If you find someone you want to date, just come clean like: ‘I’m basically a single Daddy with a kid I’ll be raising for life.’ Someone will still accept you. I mean, even real single dads get married fine if they’ve got money.”

…I’m not getting married. I won’t.

“Is it just like having a kid? It’s Han Yuhyun. If Mister doesn’t ruin the marriage himself, that’d be the miracle.”

“As long as hyung’s happy, I’m okay.”

At Yuhyun’s words, Yerim narrowed her eyes.

“Today on ‘Uncovering the Truth’: Who is the mysterious S-Rank Hunter dating Mister? Why did Hunter H quietly, secretly, send Mister’s lover A overseas? Some say it was a twisted case of love and betrayal. Did he love Mister’s partner? Is it true? But contrary to rumors, Hunter H never once met A again after the move. Instead, he stuck right next to Mister, acting like a sly fox~”

“…What are you doing, Yerim.”

“Precognition. With skills this sharp, how do I not have an ability yet?”

Hah. I laughed and turned to look at Myungwoo.

“Says the blacksmith himself—aren’t you getting quite the attention too? I even heard you’ve had matchmaking offers?”

Moon Hyunah and Yerim’s gazes shifted from me to Myungwoo. If someone’s going down, we’re going down together. Let’s dig into our friend’s love life in true holiday spirit.

Since it was just a short holiday greeting, the filming wrapped up quickly. The broadcast staff clearly wanted to squeeze in an interview while they had the chance, but after hesitating a bit and catching Yuhyun’s gaze, they flinched and backed off. Even so, they managed to sneak a few business cards into my hand.

‘I really do need to do a Monster Mounts broadcast eventually.’

Show off the now-grown Blue and Comet, the new baby monsters too, and maybe plug the plushies while I’m at it. I suddenly thought of Team Leader Kim Hayun, who had looked so disappointed that we didn’t make a Chuseok limited edition due to the tight schedule. Looks like we’ll get hanbok-wearing Peace, Chirp, Blue, and the rest by New Year.

Since we were already out in hanbok, we went out for a meal together and finished shopping for Chuseok goods.

“Yuhyun, I told you we could just buy it, so why are you trying to make it again?”

I tried to stop him, but my little brother had already bought ingredients for all kinds of jeon beyond just herbs and yukjeon. At least he used money to cover the rest.

“Um, Mister. I don’t know how to write these paper slips.”

“You mean for the memorial tablets? You can find guides online. Or you can just write your parents’ names in Hangul. The format doesn’t matter as much as the fact that you’re thinking of your parents and setting up a table for them.”

Yerim gave a small nod. She fiddled with the ritual arrow set in silence, her expression showing that she was deep in thought.

So, with all that piled up, we set up a makeshift kitchen on the rooftop garden the night before Chuseok. Even with good ventilation, the smell was strong, and Peace’s fur was shedding like crazy—changing seasons, after all. Thankfully, Belare, who was acting as my eyes, didn’t have fur.

“Should I peel chestnuts? I’ll do it, please let me! You let me before, let me do it again!”

Yerim, banned from cooking the jeon, said this out of boredom.

“Sure, we’ve got a lot of chestnuts, let’s peel and eat some.”

“We can eat them now?”

“We’re making them for people, so of course you can.”

Yerim quickly grabbed some chestnuts and a paring knife. The hard shells peeled away smoothly like sheets of paper. Beside her, Yuhyun was mixing eggs. Sitting quietly by myself was making me restless.

“Yuhyun… Let me help with the jeon too. At least let me skewer something.”

“No.”

“What if I just cut some tofu?”

“Nope.”

“I really wanted to make yukjeon!”

“When your eyesight’s fully healed.”

That’s a roundabout way of saying no. I really have to take care of myself before Seollal. Normally, he’d eat whatever I made with no complaints, but now that I’m not in perfect health, he’s giving me no chance. Yerim took his side and handed me a peeled chestnut, telling me to just eat.

Even though Yuhyun could cook, it was his first time making holiday food, so he fumbled here and there. Still, once he got the hang of it and began pan-frying the jeon smoothly, I felt both proud and… a bit left out…

“You made a lot.”

Just then, Myungwoo appeared on the rooftop garden—with Noah.

“Hello, Yujin.”

It had been a while since I’d seen Noah. He gave a slightly shy smile.