Chapter 17
It was obvious that Semi was no match for Heero, so the fight quickly fell into a lull. Semi brushed off her clothes as if they were dirty and glared at Heero and Jeongeun.
“If you really lost your abilities, why did you take Jeongeun to the Sooryun guild? Even going so far as to forge his identity. You must have something to gain from it, right, Heero?”
“I scouted him as a bodyguard hunter.”
“A healer bodyguard? Isn’t that something only B or C rank kids do?”
Semi looked Jeongeun up and down with disdain. She let out a scoff.
“Wow, you’ve really fallen that far. You’re completely broken.”
However, despite her fierce words, Semi’s energy was much more subdued than before. It seemed her anger had calmed down as soon as she realized Jeongeun had become a useless pawn.
“Yeah, Heero. Have fun playing house with a Word Sorcerer who can’t use spells. There’s nothing to report to the country. Jeongeun, who isn’t S-rank, is no longer an asset.”
Semi picked up her bag and coat from the chair. The sound of her low heels clicking sharply faded away. Just before she opened the door, Heero spoke.
“Semi, whether you report it or not is up to you, but…”
Swoosh.
Suddenly, a bucket of water poured down over Semi’s head. In just one second, she was drenched, looking like a wet rat, and she let out a sigh, brushing her hair back.
“Don’t use such vulgar expressions like ‘sucking something dry’ or ‘broken’ when talking about people. I’ve never liked that.”
Semi didn’t respond to Heero’s words. She simply let the water drip from her and walked out the door.
Heero turned to Jeongeun.
“I did well, didn’t I, Jeongeun?”
He smiled brightly, making a flower shape with his hands. Jeongeun could barely nod at that lovely face.
“I can make it rain on Semi’s way out. It won’t last more than ten minutes, though. Should I do that?”
“...No, it’s fine. This is enough for now.”
It was sincere. Heero getting angry for Jeongeun, using his abilities for him... Such a dreamlike event was enough just once. That single instance had already made Jeongeun’s feelings for Heero swell uncontrollably.
Suddenly, Jeongeun had a premonition. The feelings that had quietly soaked in over the past eight years, like a drizzle, had surged into a storm because of what had just happened.
How could a mere human stop a storm? Jeongeun had no choice but to face the wind and rain with his whole body.
Operation Respect and Affection for Seo Dasol
That day, Heero and Jeongeun returned to the team’s lodging together. Not only that, but Jeongeun also enjoyed the luxury of drinking coffee that Heero personally brewed for him.
“Seeing Semi today made me reflect a lot. I may not be as bad as her, but I think I also have a tendency to manipulate people to my liking.”
Heero said bitterly while sipping his coffee. Jeongeun was startled and shook his head.
“You’re completely different from Semi-noona!”
Setting aside the difference in their affections for each other, there was nothing similar between them. After eight years of adoring Heero and six years of working under Semi, Jeongeun could confidently say that.
“Well, that’s a relief. Anyway, I thought I should be more careful when dealing with people.”
Only after hearing Heero’s words did Jeongeun truly understand what “self-directed learning” meant. This was self-directed learning. Thinking deeply, reflecting, and planning a better path without anyone teaching you. That was exactly who Heero was.
‘Just from that one statement, you deserve to win the Nobel Peace Prize.’
Jeongeun thought to himself, swallowing tears of emotion.
“So, Jeongeun,”
Heero set down his coffee cup and got to the point.
“I want to treat Dasol as a person first. Not trying to score points with ulterior motives like before.”
Jeongeun nodded silently. It hurt a little in his chest, but it was indeed the right thing to say.
“However, I’m worried I might make another mistake. Since you said you’d help, could we come up with a plan together?”
“A plan?”
“Hmm, naming it ‘Operation Seduce Dasol’... doesn’t seem quite right.”
Heero said with a charming smile, playfully urging Jeongeun.
“You said you’d help, right, Jeongeun? Yes?”
Even the legendary nine-tailed fox, known for melting hearts, couldn’t compare to Heero’s charm. Jeongeun wanted to scream and kneel, but he held it back and spoke slowly.
“If we’re going to name it... I think something like ‘Treat Hunter Seo Dasol with Respect and Affection and Accept Whatever the Outcome’ would suffice.”
“Wow... what did you say?”
The operation name ‘Treat Seo Dasol with Respect and Affection and Accept Whatever the Outcome.’ Hearing Jeongeun recite the name without missing a word, Heero trembled with laughter.
“Haha, I’m going to die from laughing before we even set the plan.”
It wasn’t meant to be funny, but seeing Heero laugh so innocently and brightly made Jeongeun feel good too. He gazed at Heero with a faint smile.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I laugh too much?”
Heero said, clearing his throat awkwardly.
“It’s fine.”
You looked so good, Heero. I hope you spend the rest of your life smiling like that...
As Jeongeun sincerely wished, Heero said,
“Let’s shorten it to ‘Operation Respect and Affection for Seo Dasol.’”
Efficient and smart...
“I think you’re efficient and smart.”
Jeongeun accidentally voiced what he had been thinking inside. Heero seemed a bit flustered but smoothly brushed off the excessive praise.
“Hmm, sounds good. So, what should be the first step of Operation Respect and Affection, Teacher?”
“W-What do you mean, teacher? That’s too much.”
Jeongeun waved his hands at the unfamiliar title.
“And... it’s a bit embarrassing to call it a plan, but for now... I think greeting properly should be the first step.”
Since the conclusion was that Dasol didn’t dislike Jeongeun because he “greeted well,” it would be right to start with that.
Heero rested his chin on his palm and murmured.
“Greeting well...”
“Yes. Just saying hello without any other words. When we meet, saying ‘Hello,’ and when we’re thankful, sorry, parting, or before going to sleep at night... I’m sorry.”
“Hmm? Are you apologizing to me right now?”
“...Yes. As I spoke, it felt too trivial...”
Jeongeun said sullenly. It was embarrassing to be talking about something that sounded like it belonged to a kindergarten student as a “plan.”
However, Heero smiled generously and defended Jeongeun instead.
“I think it’s a good method. If you think about it, just greeting can lead to contact at least four times a day: morning, noon, evening, and night.”
Heero’s face brightened as he genuinely thought so.
“Starting with greetings can lead to conversations.”
“Well, I wouldn’t do that.”
Jeongeun cautiously voiced his dissent.
“I don’t know much about Hunter Seo Dasol, but if he’s a person who shies away from others, trying to talk beyond greetings could backfire, right? If the conversation gets even a little longer, it might feel burdensome every time he receives a greeting.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
“And if someone only greets without saying anything else, it might actually make them curious.”
Especially if someone as kind and charming as Heero only offered simple greetings.
“You’re right, Jeongeun. Then I’ll start with just greetings.”
As the conversation wrapped up, Heero stood up with the two empty coffee cups. Jeongeun timidly followed Heero.
“I’ll do the dishes.”
“I’m a water manipulator, Jeongeun.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m a human dishwasher.”
Heero placed the cups in the sink, sprinkled an appropriate amount of dish soap, and snapped his thumb and middle finger together. In the blink of an eye, the coffee cups were clean and moved to the drying rack.
Jeongeun clapped his hands in genuine admiration. Heero playfully spun around and pretended to bow in a Western style.
“Well then, I’ve taken up too much of your time today, so I’ll be going now.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Thank you for today, Jeongeun.”
Heero walked up to Jeongeun and said.
“Thank you for comforting me about Dasol and for saying you’d help with my unrequited love.”
He winked and smiled broadly. It was a face Jeongeun had never seen before. If Jeongeun was seeing correctly, Heero was... embarrassed.
“Why do I feel so shy and strange just saying hello? I guess genuinely greeting someone really has some power.”
He let out a small laugh and lightly tapped Jeongeun’s shoulder.
“Then take a break, Jeongeun. Goodbye. I’ll contact you.”
With that, Heero left the lodging.
Jeongeun stood still for a few minutes before suddenly collapsing onto the floor.
‘It was really just a greeting... but the impact is incredible!’
Jeongeun’s first plan, to greet well. He hadn’t realized it could be this thrilling.
‘I feel like Hunter Seo Dasol will fall for him in just one day...’
He didn’t know whether to be happy or sad. Jeongeun sighed gloomily and staggered to his feet. He had things to do as well.
