‘Will this be okay…?’
Even after making up my mind, the anxious feeling remained: was I just wasting his valuable time?
‘Gray Coat’ was such a good person that he surely had plenty of people who liked him.
I thought it would be better for him to spend time with someone better than me, who was still wavering.
After all, I was his fan.
After much deliberation, I decided to at least set a firm boundary.
Absolutely no physical intimacy until I was sure that my heart truly belonged to him and not Taewhan…!
“Jung Jehee. Is your hand alright?”
“Ah. Yes!”
…That resolve quickly crumbled like a sandcastle under a wave.
Being tense, I was startled when he called my name and placed my hand right on top of his outstretched hand.
“Oh…”
“Thank you.”
I realized my mistake belatedly, but he had already clasped my hand tightly.
The area around his mouth was completely different from what I had seen under the mask before, but his lips curved into a soft, gentle line, and his eyes watching me looked so pleased.
His voice, too, was filled with deep happiness over holding my hand, so I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.
‘…It’s not unpleasant.’
It might even be closer to good.
For one, his hand was thick and large.
It was to the point where, when we clasped hands, it felt more like my hand was being entirely enveloped.
He was wearing gloves today, but they were a thinner material than usual.
His body heat, which was more than warm—it was hot—enveloped my hand, and the calluses felt distinct.
Even though I had been training hard for the past month, I hadn’t developed calluses, so I was curious about how much effort he had put in to get them so hard.
It was both cool and respectable.
I felt uncomfortable, wondering if this was okay, and wiggled my hand, but before I knew it, my hand naturally settled into his large one.
No matter how guarded I was, the moment his hand touched mine, I felt completely disarmed.
I didn’t understand why I was acting like this.
‘Is it really because I like him…?’
My heart was pounding fiercely right now.
I calmed myself with a deep breath.
For now… holding hands should be fine.
Just hands.
When I stopped wiggling my hand and held his tightly, ‘Gray Coat’ seemed relieved and smiled faintly. The tension in his hand also relaxed.
“Let’s go eat. I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I chose a neutral restaurant.”
“I eat well, I’m not picky about anything.”
“Is that so? I hope you like it.”
As two clearly male figures, we walked hand-in-hand affectionately, and I felt eyes on us everywhere, but I didn’t pay them much mind.
Right now, I decided to focus only on the person beside me.
The place ‘Gray Coat’ took me was a very atmospheric restaurant specializing in Mediterranean cuisine, located inside a luxurious hotel in a good neighborhood.
Since the skilled madam and Taewhan always took care of my diet, I rarely ate out, and given how luxurious this place was, this was the first time I had ever been somewhere like this.
I was already overwhelmed by the exterior of the building, and seeing the lavish interior made my body involuntarily freeze up.
Everyone passing by seemed so sophisticated that I felt uncomfortable, wondering if I belonged here.
‘C-Calm down. I’m also dressed nicely today.’
In contrast, ‘Gray Coat’s’ attire was modest.
However, his height and good physique meant his clothes fit well, giving him a strong, refined impression.
“Do you have a reservation?”
He left me momentarily by the door to check the reservation, and then he approached me with the waiter.
“We will guide you inside.”
“Jehee.”
He naturally offered his large hand again.
When I carefully took it, his face brightened like a clear sky.
Looking at him, holding my hand tightly and walking one step ahead of me, the realization suddenly hit me.
I was about to dine with a mysterious person about whom nothing was known except his fighting style in Dungeons and his affiliation with the Hunter Management Bureau.
I had truly stepped into his private life.
‘…He is cool.’
His noticeable appearance, even with the Transformation Artifact to make him look modest, and the way he acted naturally in this place that was so unfamiliar to me—it all looked so adult, making me admire him.
Yet, the fact that he showed me a slightly clumsy side also made me feel a little thrilled, as if I were someone special.
“We’ll prepare everything right away.”
We were guided to a private room in the back, and as we sat down, the waiter bowed and closed the door.
‘Wait, what about the menu?’
Aren’t they giving me a menu?
I blinked and stared blankly at the spot where the waiter had stood, when the man across from me gently pulled my hand again and smiled.
“I pre-ordered the menu, so it will be served shortly. I hope you like it.”
“Oh.”
Now that he mentioned it, I think I heard my siblings mention this.
Most decent places these days are reservation-only.
Especially a personal room in such an expensive restaurant might be 100% pre-paid and reservation-based.
I hadn’t seen a menu, but the atmosphere alone suggested it was expensive…
I suddenly became ill at ease.
I struggled to open my mouth and finally managed to say,
“This place looks e-expensive… I’ll pay for my share!”
“It’s fine.”
“W-Well, I’m not fine with it.”
“I earn a decent living. I chose this restaurant because I wanted to impress someone I like, so of course, I should pay.”
“Ugh…”
The phrase, someone I like, struck my heart.
The thump-thump sound grew louder in my chest.
Speaking of which, he was now holding my hand with both of his.
Gently, as if handling a precious treasure.
But he didn’t squeeze or stroke it, just held it, perhaps to avoid pressuring me.
Even though his face was hidden by the Transformation Artifact, the smile on his lips and the look in his eyes contained so much of his feelings for me that I lowered my gaze to escape.
Yet, my face felt hot.
“B-But… I feel guilty…”
“If you feel burdened, please consider it a thank you for the letter you gave me before.”
“T-The letter was something I wrote because I wanted to! I wasn’t looking for a return favor.”
“It was the most grateful gift to me. I really wanted to return the favor.”
“…”
“Truly. You don’t know how happy and energized I felt after reading that letter. Please consider today’s meal as my reply.”
“Ah…”
My lips trembled slightly without my realizing it, and then I broke into a wide smile.
…I was happy.
I hadn’t been able to write much because I didn’t often hold a pen, but the letter was filled with respect for my long-time idol.
The fact that he read the emotion in that letter, and expressed his happiness rather than finding it bothersome or ignoring it, was something I was immensely grateful for.
“T-Then… thank you very much for the meal.”
Just in time, the door opened, and the dishes were set on the table.
It was a course meal, starting with an appetizer, and every dish was something new to me.
They were all very luxurious, clearly plated with great care.
I struggled to figure out how to eat them.
Despite the waiter’s kind explanations, I just stammered, but the man across from me picked up his cutlery without hesitation and kindly showed me what to do until I understood.
I gained a new respect for him, seeing that he wasn’t just good at fighting but also a refined and knowledgeable person.
Thanks to him, the meal was very enjoyable.
“Did you like the food?”
“Yes. It was delicious. I’ve never had anything like this before!”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Was the portion size okay?”
“Yes. I think I overate, actually.”
I smiled and lightly patted my stomach.
When we made the date plans, he had asked me about my food preferences.
Since I had little experience, I could only vaguely state that I liked light meals, mainly seafood and vegetables.
But he chose a place that surprisingly matched my preferences exactly.
The food wasn’t too stimulating, and each dish brought out the natural flavor of the ingredients, delighting my tongue.
I cleanly finished everything, right down to the main courses.
After cleansing my palate with the final tea and dessert, I felt satisfied, thinking it was a perfect meal.
“Thank you. Thanks to you, I had a great experience.”
“The honor was all mine to be able to come with you.”
“H-Honor, really?”
His voice was so full of sincerity that I felt embarrassed.
I wiggled my hands and lowered my head.
‘What should I do now?’
I had finished the meal, but what was the next part of the schedule… a cafe?
How does a date usually progress?
No, should I even continue the date?
I didn’t dislike it. I enjoyed it.
I felt thrilled looking at his broad back and holding his large hand.
Even now, the way he was looking at me felt so warm that I felt my temperature rising.
First, I wanted some fresh air outside.
“Sh-Shall we get up?”
“Jehee, just a moment.”
“Yes? Oh.”
Before I could look up at his call, something damp wiped my mouth.
It was a tongue.
‘Gray Coat’s’ tongue.
