The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 463: I’m a Fan! (3)

I felt a gaze. With no time to sort out my tangled thoughts, I hid my body completely. The Promising Talent skill I hadn’t fully checked yet winked off, and Moon Hyunah’s laughter sounded.

“At this rate we’ll lose Director Han. Can’t even see him.”

“I’m the normal one here, me.”

I protested that these people were just too big as I slipped out from behind Jason. Chloe was still looking at me, but she didn’t seem to know exactly what I’d done. She tilted her head slightly and slowly shifted her gaze.

‘S–rank.’

She wasn’t A–rank. Chloe Alger. My mouth went dry. No way—no, don’t jump to conclusions. Hunters lying about their rank wasn’t rare. Even Yuhyun had disguised himself as B–rank Kim Minui before. So it was possible Chloe had been hiding her rank.

Not because of the Filial Duty Addicts or Park Hayul’s older sister, but simply that she’d been S–rank from the start. Before regression and now.

‘…But it’s not something I can just ignore.’

For starters, entering the country under a false rank was a crime. If it were anyone else, I’d quietly tip off Chief Song and be done, but damn it.

‘There could be important reasons she has to hide being S–rank.’

A binding contract, blackmail, someone she has to protect. Awakening as S–rank isn’t only good. Because it’s rare, you stand out, and naturally more people aim for you. The S–rank Awakened themselves can handle it, but those around them can’t.

If Yuhyun had been, say, B–rank, he wouldn’t have needed to distance himself from me. Young mid–rank Hunters are tasty targets, but compared to high–rank—especially S–rank—there’s no comparison. …If he hadn’t been a born S–rank, even that lizard brat wouldn’t have approached.

‘Chief Song is trustworthy, but…’

At the same time, his straight–laced nature was the problem. Unless there were exceptional circumstances, he’d put the law first. And if an S–rank Hunter breaks the law? He’d almost certainly not look the other way.

“Hyung, this way.”

At some point, Yuhyun had come to my side and took hold of me. My feet had been unconsciously following Chloe and the Burn Cave party.

“We can’t ride in the same vehicle.”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Mister, you must really like that Hunter unnie.”

Yerim whispered. I do like her, still… The Burn Cave party boarded the limo they’d been waiting by. With everyone so big, normal cars would be cramped. When I came to my senses, not only Yuhyun and Yerim but also Moon Hyunah, Seong Hyunjae, and Song Taewon were staring straight at me.

“Hyung, this looks more serious than I thought?”

Looked like everyone thought I’d gone a bit dazed with simple fanboying. Chief Song didn’t seem to sense anything off, but Seong Hyunjae—

‘…seems to have noticed something.’

The eyes that had clearly come to spectate for fun settled, calm. When our eyes met, the corner of his lips lifted slightly.

“Come to think of it, you and I had a date planned. At the aquarium.”

He was asking if we needed to talk separately. By aquarium, did he mean his place? Moon Hyunah jabbed Seong Hyunjae’s arm with her elbow.

“Looks like your date with Hyung won’t happen until Chloe leaves the country. What now.”

“I’m not going to chase Hunter Chloe around all day. But I do need to play host, so not right away.”

“Sure, sure, ‘after she leaves the country, after she leaves.’”

“Ms. Hyunah, seriously! I’ll keep the promise within three days. I’ll contact you.”

He understood my ‘there’s an issue, but I need to look into it more,’ right?

“Thank you for granting me your precious time. I’ll prepare thoroughly to receive you.”

So Seong Hyunjae would investigate as well. He’d do it discreetly so Chloe wouldn’t notice. Moon Hyunah asked if I liked aquariums. Following Mr. Noah, and then with Yuhyun, Yerim, and Seong Hyunjae, I sure had been going a lot.

“Ms. Hyunah, want to go together next time?”

“Thanks for the date invite, but I prefer fishing to watching trapped fish.”

“You like fishing?”

“I like spearing. Not the tiny ones—the big guys. Sitting and spacing out is boring.”

That sounds more like hunting than fishing.

I didn’t need to go to the Association, so I decided to go ahead to the breeding facility. Seong Hyunjae and Moon Hyunah returned to their guilds, leaving only Song Taewon to accompany us.

‘…First, I’ll try talking more with Ms. Chloe.’

I couldn’t just blurt, Your real rank seems to be S–rank. Then she’d answer with, I had reasons to hide it. If that were true, fine—but it would be a problem if it involved Transcendents or Park Hayul’s family.

‘Should I meet one–on–one?’

Baiting is always best. Or maybe another way…

“Hyung.”

Sitting next to me, Yuhyun spoke in a heavy voice.

“I’m against high–rank Awakened.”

“…Huh?”

When I turned, his expression was dark. Almost sullen.

“If they’re stronger than you, it could be dangerous.”

“Uh… that’s obvious, but why suddenly?”

“If you date someone, you’ll inevitably be alone together often, and then I can’t guarantee your safety.”

…What? As expected, Yerim—sitting on my other side—jumped in.

“He’s right, Mister. There’s dating violence or domestic violence, you know. These days potions can erase traces easily, which makes it dangerous. And this is someone you just met for the first time.”

Hey, what dating violence. But fair point. If you’re alone and they use violence and pop a potion, you might never know. That’s… newly scary.

“Right. You two must never date anyone S–rank or above. Find someone weaker than you.”

“When I’m old enough to date, I’ll be the strongest anyway, so don’t worry.”

“Got it. Not that I’ll be dating.”

Yerim answered with confidence, and Yuhyun half–heartedly. I’d given up on seeing him date anyway.

“So you should date someone weak, too.”

“…No, I should not. I’m barely managing my own body—what would I do with an F–rank?”

I’m already worried about the non–awakened people around me; adding another risk isn’t it.

“Still, a high–rank Hunter is way too dangerous.”

“Yuhyun, for me there’s not much difference between mid–rank and high–rank. S–rank or C–rank would both see me as a bite–sized snack.”

With gear and items it’s different, of course, but in unguarded daily life, it’s the same. At my words, Yuhyun let out a deep sigh.

“Do you like that Hunter that much?”

“You’ve only seen videos, right? Even so? Seeing her in person made you like her more? Are you going to confess?”

These brats, honestly. I keep saying it’s not like that… Wait.

“A confession…”

At my mutter, Yuhyun and Yerim’s eyes flew wide.

“Huh—wait, Mister. I was joking!”

“Hyung, really? You don’t even know her yet. If, if it goes all the way to marriage, then she might move into our house, or tell us to move out!”

“Mister! These days people only date and marry at thirty! I mean by the age on your resident register!”

They each grabbed one of my arms. In the passenger seat, Chief Song glanced back at us.

“No, I’m not. Thirty or twenty–five, I’m not dating or marrying.”

“But you said you’d confess!”

“Hyung… you’re not kicking me out, right?”

“Han Yuhyun is an adult, but I’m still young!”

“Kicking you out? Never! That’ll never happen! I’m not dating.”

“Really? I’m fine with you dating when I’m all grown up. It just feels a bit early now.”

“I don’t have the energy to date or anything.”

I truly didn’t have any such bandwidth. And if I dated now, I’d be asking to get dumped.

“I’m maxed out just taking care of you two and the kids. I don’t have the strength to add one more person.”

Only—

“I just want to confess once.”

“Hyung!”

“Mister!”

“Just the words, only the words, just say it, just words.”

I love you. Given I’m already being misunderstood, isn’t this a good chance? A situation where I can openly say “I love you” naturally. With that alone it’d be hard to apply a keyword, but if it did, great; if not—

‘At the very least, I can check if she’s connected to Park Hayul’s older sister.’

If Chloe had grown with help from that older sister’s skill—then, just like with Park Hayul, a message would pop up saying keyword application is impossible. So with a confession alone, I could definitely rule out one side.

‘Depending on the reaction, I could also find out if Transcendents are involved.’

If it’s Chatterbox or the cult, wouldn’t they accept my confession? In their shoes, I’d never miss such a chance. If I don’t get an “application impossible” message and the confession is rejected, then Chloe likely just has personal reasons for hiding her rank.

I hope so.

“Honestly, it’s not like I have, ahem, zero feelings. Don’t look at me like that.”

Makes me look like a rotten guy trying to ditch the kids and remarry.

“I just want to spit it out cleanly and cut lingering regret. And there’s no way Ms. Chloe would accept my confession.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s you, of course she’ll accept.”

They think way too highly of me.

“Considering Mr. Han Yujin’s value, acceptance is highly likely.”

“…Pardon?”

An unexpected voice. I hadn’t thought Chief Song would chime in.

“I’d ask you to think carefully about dating a high–rank Hunter from overseas.”

“No, I said I’m not thinking about dating.”

“I’m also concerned for Hunter Chloe’s safety.”

Song Taewon’s gaze slid to Yuhyun and Yerim.

“Please act with prudence.”

“…I’ll just convey my feelings and end it. Really.”

Well, this is… I really don’t have ulterior motives. I only want to check.

Even though I nailed down that I had no plans to date, while I guided them through the breeding facility, Yuhyun and Yerim stuck to me, blocking Chloe from approaching. Chief Song didn’t even stop them.

“I had heard some rumors, but you truly are close.”

Even Jason couldn’t hide his bewilderment at the two S–ranks’ behavior. Thanks to that, everyone seemed convinced that not only did I like Chloe Alger, I’d fallen at first sight. Chloe didn’t react much, but the other Hunters glanced between us and whispered.

If there’s nothing wrong with Chloe, I’ll owe her an apology. I’ll compensate her properly… I really feel sorry.

“Once a large monster grows past a certain point, it’s transferred to the Gyeonggi–do ranch.”

“Could we see that as well?”

“Of course. I’ll put in a call.”

Aside from the rumor with Chloe, work proceeded without issue. Since she’d come with Chloe, I wondered if Jason or the Burn Cave guild might be connected too, but they showed nothing suspicious. For an S–rank, Jason was on the polite side.

The problem started after the tour ended.

[Hyung, are you really going to confess?]

Starting with a text from Ms. Hyunah—apparently Yerim had already told her—

“Lord! I heard you fell in love at first sight!”

“Mr. Yujin, is it true?”

Do Hamin and Mr. Noah also rushed over after hearing the rumor.

“…Just a confession, only the confession. A confession to let go of regrets! You go admire that hamster you love to death.”

“Our Geumdong–nim is properly settled. It’s better not to approach during the adaptation period. Look, isn’t he gorgeous? Look at that coat sheen. Even after suffering a flight, the shine is—absolutely killer. Those little hands and feet! That butt! That round butt! He eats so well. Look at the forepaws, the forepaws—he holds the food and nibbles, stuffing it into his cheek pouches. Isn’t he just the cutest? Oh, those cheek pouches, oh my, really. They’re cute when they’re full, but when he pushes it out with his forepaws! Grrr!”

I must not mention Geumdong or even the word hamster in front of Do Hamin for a while. Then Seok Gimyeong rushed over with a face full of worry and seriously asked if I meant it.

“I believe you’re quite young to be dating. You’re not considering marriage as well, are you?”

“…I’m not.”

“I don’t doubt Director Han Yujin’s brotherly love, but romance and marriage can affect family rela—”

“I said I’m not.”

Seok Gimyeong rattled on—there’s no benefit to dating so early, the breeding facility isn’t even fully established yet so dating will be a hindrance, marriage is something to do when the time is right, these days it’s common to marry past forty—and after repeatedly grilling me on whether I truly had no intention of dating, he finally left.

Team Seok Hayan messaged asking if it was true, the facility staff poked around to ask, and even Myungwoo came out of the forge late and spoke to me seriously.

“I also think a foreign high–rank Hunter isn’t a good match. Above all, you met her today for the first time.”

“…No, really.”

“Yujin, there are a lot of good people in the world. So let’s decide carefully.”

Meeting those sincere, worried eyes made me feel guilty for no reason. It’s not like that. I really am not dating.

And the next day—

“A hotel is best, naturally.”

“Obviously. It’s chilly these days, and outdoors is the worst. Hyung, what kind of hotel do you want? I’ll rent a whole one!”

Seong Hyunjae and Moon Hyunah stepped up to help with my proposal. Are you having fun? Huh? You really look like you’re having a blast!