Chapter 21

“I... I like you, Guild Master, as a fan, support you, cheer for you... with a pure heart...”

Jeongeun stammered with a pale face. Heero was so surprised by Jeongeun that he almost laughed out loud without realizing it.

What is this?

“Jeongeun, are you... my fan? Heero-in?”

Heero really liked the name of his fandom, ‘Heero-in.’ He had, of course, joined the fan cafe and searched for his name on social media every day. With countless people gathering to praise Heero, he couldn’t ignore the affection of others, devouring it greedily.

He was a hunter who had greatly contributed to idolizing hunters. He regularly held fan signing events and often posted selfies and dungeon strategy mad movies on his Instagram. Every time he went to a dungeon, he would also post pictures of the lunch boxes sent by the Sooryun guild supporters and Heero-in.

At first, he had received a lot of jealous remarks. However, after a video of Heero responding to a reporter who sarcastically called him an “idol hunter” by saying, “If someone can gain strength by immersing themselves in something during these fearful and difficult times, isn’t that worth something?” went viral, other hunters began to actively promote themselves as well.

‘Of course, that’s a total lie. Everyone loves me more. Talk only about me, look only at me. Care only about me! Only me!’

That’s what Heero had thought back then.

Although his motives were impure, his love for his fans was genuine, so Heero would treat Heero-in members with utmost sincerity whenever he met them.

But Jeongeun being a Heero-in!

He had thought of Jeongeun as a boring fool, but the more he got to know him, the more he piqued Heero’s interest.

“Wait a minute. Since when have you been a fan? Did you join the Sooryun guild because of your fan heart?”

“...”

Now Jeongeun’s face turned as red as a freshly dug sweet potato. His unfocused eyes darted around, and his mouth opened and closed meaninglessly.

“Ahaha, Jeongeun, look at my eyes.”

Of course, Jeongeun couldn’t even look Heero in the eye. A twisted sense of satisfaction filled Heero’s chest.

Yeah, it all makes sense. The fact that he said he would help with my unrequited love was all out of fan sentiment. I thought it was pure goodwill, but it was real.

I remembered seeing a column analyzing that the number of male fans increased every time my love article came out, attributing it to the overwhelming admiration for an alpha male.

Heero smiled a fan service smile and poured water into Jeongeun’s cup.

“First, drink some water.”

Heero patiently waited for Jeongeun to calm down while he drank.

“Are you feeling a bit calmer now?”

Heero asked gently. Jeongeun nodded.

“Then can you answer my question from earlier? Since when have you been my fan?”

“E-ei...”

“Eight months? Wow, that’s quite a long time to like me.”

“...Yes, it’s been eight months.”

“So you joined the Sooryun guild because of me?”

“Yes.”

“I see. That makes me feel good! I should treat you even better. I’ve treated you well so far, but...”

When Heero flashed his signature smile, Jeongeun’s cheeks gradually turned red.

Why didn’t I notice? Now that I see it, it’s quite obvious. It seems a bit cute too.

With a newfound generosity, Heero smiled brightly and looked into Jeongeun’s face. Heero had felt it before, but Jeongeun was handsome. However, since he still looked sickly, that handsome face didn’t shine particularly bright. And that touched Heero’s heart.

“Now that you say you’re my fan, I can’t let that slide. From now on, I’ll take responsibility and help you gain some weight.”

Since Jeongeun had said he would help with Heero’s unrequited love, he probably assumed he would be sticking around him. Even though Heero had thought he shouldn’t be too bothersome, now that he knew Jeongeun was a Heero-in, that brake was gone.

I’ve gained one more source of affection to receive.

Heero unconsciously thought this as he added another sausage to Jeongeun’s plate.

I’m happy to have someone to eat with, and Jeongeun is happy to be with his idol. Isn’t this what they call a win-win situation?

**

And Jeongeun was indeed having days that felt like he was flying high, just as Heero had thought. His daily routine was as follows:

7 AM: Wake up.

8 AM: Simple breakfast with Heero.

9 AM: Morning coffee with Heero.

10 AM to 12 PM: Physical training.

12 PM: Lunch with Heero.

1 PM: ‘Operation Respect and Affection’ meeting with Heero.

2 PM to 5 PM: Physical training.

5 PM: Shower.

6 PM: Dinner with Heero.

Afterward: Free time (additional training and fandom time).

Sometimes, when Heero had a schedule, Jeongeun would skip a few meals, but for the past two weeks, most days had flowed like this. Heero had taken Jeongeun around so much that rumors spread within the guild that Heero had hired a new secretary.

There had even been a time when Jeongeun’s back was featured in a dispatch. However, the article’s title was “Hyun Heero, New Close Associate?! Has the Sooryun guild secretly recruited a new talent?” No one misunderstood Jeongeun as Heero’s date.

‘That’s only natural.’

Jeongeun nodded firmly. Our Heero’s taste is solid. He likes short, delicate, and cute styles.

When Heero discovered that Jeongeun was a Heero-in, his heart sank. He knew Heero liked his fans, but he thought Heero would feel burdened knowing that Jeongeun had been a devoted fan for eight years. Thankfully, Heero had mistaken it for eight months.

In any case, everything was good now. Heero, who had always been kind, became even more affectionate upon learning that Jeongeun was a fan, and the time they spent eating together was filled with happiness and joy. Over the past two weeks, Jeongeun had gained 3 kg. Thanks to consistent exercise, his body was gradually becoming firmer. His mana damage rate had also significantly decreased to 39.8%, with the first digit changing.

Moreover, it was now the time when most guilds were going to auctions to bid for the next dungeon, and the Sooryun guild had no strategy schedule for the time being. Although they talked about Dasol every day, it was comforting not to see him directly.

‘I hope these days continue.’

Jeongeun thought while having lunch with Heero. Right now, he was incredibly happy, recovering his health, and seeing Heero eat, laugh, and work up close every day. These were days he could not wish for anything more.

However, sweet happiness can never last forever.

“Oh, by the way, we have a strategy scheduled.”

Heero said, gently dabbing his mouth with a napkin.

“This Saturday, it’s an A-rank fire dungeon. I’ll be notifying the team members soon, but I wanted to tell you first.”

As he said this, Heero laughed as if he were playing a secret prank, looking adorably lovely. Jeongeun tightened his lips and nodded.

“I’ll prepare.”

“Yes, and about that. It’s been a while since we’ve seen Dasol. I want to prepare a bit... could you help me?”

“...I’ll help with anything I can.”

Heero’s eyes sparkled at Jeongeun’s words.

Thirty minutes later, Jeongeun found himself at Heero’s house.

That’s right, Heero’s house!

Jeongeun clenched his fists tightly to hide his trembling hands and entered the room Heero was guiding him to, pretending to be calm.

“I saw online that people like Dasol tend to dress nicely when they like someone else. That’s the way it works for them, right? So I want to pay attention to my clothes too.”

Heero led Jeongeun to a dressing room. The large room was filled with a system wardrobe covering the walls, and hangers and shelves were packed with clothes and shoes. The huge full-length mirror and dazzling pin lights made it feel like a clothing store had been moved there.

“Sit here.”

After seating Jeongeun on a single sofa, Heero suddenly took off his top.

“W-What are you doing?!”

Jeongeun shouted, turning his head away. He thought he had briefly seen Heero’s white upper body... It seemed like he had a really big chest... He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head to erase the fleeting image from his mind.

“I’m asking you to help me choose clothes.”

Heero’s voice came with a laugh.

“I-I don’t have any sense, and I don’t know much about clothes... I don’t think I’ll be of any help. And I don’t think you should just take off your clothes like that.”

Jeongeun stammered, blushing. He was desperately trying to avoid looking at Heero.

Following the sound of laughter, he heard the fabric brushing against skin. The sound of a zipper being pulled down and the pants dropping to the floor. Jeongeun’s hearing had become more sensitive than ever, capturing every movement of Heero. The most provocative sound was the sound of footsteps as Heero approached him.

Gulp. Jeongeun swallowed. This is dangerous. I don’t know what it is, but it’s definitely something incredibly dangerous!

At that moment, Heero’s hand rested on Jeongeun’s shoulder.

“Jeongeun, look at me.”

“Absolutely not...!”

“Jeongeun.”

Heero called him cutely and affectionately, stretching out his words. Who could refuse such an adorable call? Jeongeun, feeling like he was being dragged along, slowly turned his head. And the moment he saw Heero, he forgot to breathe.