Parisian Artisans (2)

The party enjoyed walking along the Champs-Elysees. It seemed like Kang Shin-hyuk was the only one who cared about Lee Na-hee’s father, as the others went into every shop screaming and chatting. Women were scary¸ as was shopping. Shopping women were the scariest in the world.

“Look at this wallet I bought.”

“I hate it.” Kang Shin-hyuk looked up at the shops’ signboards around the street as he responded to Lee Na-hee. On one side, a luxury shop was lined up, while on the other was a mysterious artifact brand shop. Further down next to each other was a car shop and a magic bike shop as well, side by side.

“Even though monsters and gates can appear out of thin air, there are people pouring money on cars that can only go 250 kilometers an hour.”

“It’s stupid from start to finish.”

“What’s stupid about it…?” That had been the way since before monsters appeared. The rich wanted to display their wealth by revealing that they could spend it on useless and splendid-looking items.

“I don’t think it’s wrong, but…” Eleanor responded with a soft smile.

“I don’t think it’s right to talk about in the shop.”

“It’s okay because we’re talking in Korean, Ellie.”

“If you knew of Korea’s status in superhuman society, you would know that the clerks of large shops also speak Korean.” It was certainly true. They could feel the clerk’s gaze on them growing more severe as they hurried to escape the shop.

“Then let’s go now.”

“Huh.” Lee Na-hee seemed to be determined. She reached out to Kang Shin-hyuk.

“I don’t have any Pepero?”

“Give me your hand instead.” He smiled and took her trembling hand. Eleanor took her other hand, but Lee Na-hee dismissed her.

“Na-hee?!”

“Thank you for your heart, but it’s not your turn now.”

“Is it something that only works for two people?” Eleanor had a dissatisfied look, regretting that her friend didn’t depend on her. It also bothered her that she was clinging on to Kang Shin-hyuk. Karen, standing nearby, wasn’t helping things.

“Is friendship unnecessary in front of a man? Oh, it hurts, senior Na-hee!”

“It’s not like that with my junior.”

“Even if you say that, you’re holding his hand tight like that…oh! Why is even the captain?!” Unlike Karen and Eleanor, Kang Shin-hyuk knew the rough reason behind Lee Na-hee’s strange behavior. He thought of what Siara Bertrand had told of him before as he silently followed her. They passed an artisan brand shop he had heard of a few times, looking at the superhumans bustling through the artisan’s shops. Kang Shin-hyuk caught the sight of a prosperous shop standing on one side of the street. A simple sign saying ‘Lee & Marion’ was hung on the front of the red brick building.

“This…”

“Yes, here it is.” Lee Na-hee nodded and squeezed Kang Shin-hyuk’s hand. His eyes shone golden, a scratch running through them like a dragon’s claw mark. He was using it to see through everything, the illusions of this luxurious shop. What remained was a burned mark of a collapsed wall. It wasn’t hard to realize what had happened here. Of course, someone with spiritual power could use that to realize the essence of things, but it was convenient to do so just by looking at it.

“Shin-hyuk, your eyes…”

“…Can I go in?”

“Huh.” To match the shops on the Champs-Elysees, this store that hadn’t been managed was hidden with a type of camouflage magic. Now wasn’t the time to ask about that; the two opened the door and entered the store. What awaited them was a gruesome scene that matched the exterior. The shelves were shattered and collapsed in several places as if a giant had swept his palm through the store, and glass was scattered over the floors. It was reserved as it had just been destroyed.

“…”

“…This.” Those following them were silent, unable to speak. Lee Na-hee had a bitter smile plastered on her face.

“It’s been a while since I’ve come back here. Wow, it’s a mess. Really.”

“Are you okay?”

“Don’t look at me like that, it’s annoying.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. I’m sorry.” Lee Na-hee gripped his hand even tighter as her red eyes swept through the messy store. It felt like she was looking for someone, but Kang Shin-hyuk couldn’t ask her. Instead, he just tightened his grip. Lee Na-hee seemed surprised, but soon she nodded with a faint smile.

“…” Then, for a moment, she closed her eyes. Inside the desolate store, the sun shone through the collapsed walls onto her shining silver hair. Kang Shin-hyuk thought it looked almost pure white.

“After all…” She let out a deep breath and opened her eyes once more.

“Now that’s it. You can let go.”

“If you want, you can stay like this for a while.”

“Is that free?”

“Uh?” Lee Na-hee struck him as he weakly joked. She let go of his hand with a laugh.

“If I do it any longer, I’ll get stabbed by Ellie.”

“Not stabbed!”

“Go, before the building collapses.” Lee Na-hee turned away, ignoring the red-faced Eleanor. Kang Shin-hyuk followed her with a nod, everyone else falling in line behind them.

“Junior, will you work with me after you graduate?” She left the store and looked at the signboard for one last time as she asked that.

“You know a lot of places to go to.”

“I know my ability will take a long time to develop compared to you.”

“Then you’ll have to work hard in the future.”

“It’ll be good.” She smiled brightly and tapped his shoulder. Kang Shin-hyuk was happy to see her change positively. It’s hard to think you could affect other people, but sometimes it was possible to change someone just by being there. If he had become such a person for Lee Na-hee, it would be quite a pleasure.

-A bonus of 7,000HP to the cool appearance of a member who skillfully rejected the fox!

‘Was it a rejection? What? Are you okay?’ The administrator didn’t like the reality so much that he started to escape it.

***

That evening, upon returning to the hotel. Siara Bertrand was waiting for Kang Shin-hyuk. Unlike her usual school outfit, she wore a casual blouse and jeans, looking young enough to be twenty rather than forty.

“It feels good to hear such words.”

“I really mean it.”

“Even if you say that, it’s hard to believe. But I will try.”

-Member, women over the age of thirty are sensitive to such compliments, so be careful.

Kang Shin-hyuk filed that information away before continuing.

“Why were you waiting for me?”

“To be exact, I was waiting for you and Lee Na-hee. Didn’t I said before I would invite you two over?”

“Oh, then…” Siara continued with a light smile.

“It’s thanks to you that Lee Man-woo’s granddaughter, Lee Na-hee, had the opportunity to compete on the world stage. I already received permission from the principal.”

“Did you already call over Lee Na-hee?”

“Yes.” As soon as he asked, Lee Na-hee appeared in the hallway. She had already cleaned up and changed clothes, but her expression was restless as soon as she saw Shin-hyuk.

“Hey, can’t it be tomorrow instead?”

“I’m afraid my schedule tomorrow is a bit…is there an issue with tonight?”

“No, it’s nothing…um.” Kang Shin-hyuk understood her reaction, given what had happened earlier in the day. No wonder she felt uncomfortable facing him now after she had to deal with her family’s memory.

“Alas…he, my grandfather, made the teacher’s armament.”

“Not only mine, but that of many French superhumans. Today, I would like to have a chat with you both. I hope you’ll come together.” Originally, Siara was known for being polite at school, but now her attitude was as polite as a servant greeting their master. Even Lee Na-hee couldn’t reject such an offer.

“Uh…then, excuse me.”

“Thank you. I called a taxi already, so let’s go right away.”

Only

“…” Siara Bertrand took the lead. Lee Na-hee quietly approached Kang Shin-hyuk, avoiding his gaze. The sight of her acting shy was a cute look that didn’t match her usual self.

-It’s a fox’s operation. They will reveal their true colors.

‘It sounds like you’re saying they’ll try to eat my liver in the middle of the night.’ Thanks to the administrator, the mood was prevented from becoming awkward.

“Let’s go, senior.”

“Well, yes, junior.” Kang Shin-hyuk narrowed his eyes, offering her his hand.

“Would you like to hold my hand?”

“…I want to.” Lee Na-hee grabbed the hand offered. Siara smiled gently as she pressed the elevator button.

It was several hours later that the two found out that Siara Bertrand was attempting to conduct a dating operation between the two at the bidding of Lee Manwoo.