Rookie of the Year 2nd Semester (2)

Kang Shin-hyuk entered the frontline bar, the doorbell ringing pleasantly behind him as he did so. He could see Claire in front of the counter, but no one else was around.

“No Eunah?”

“No, no.” Claire giggled and shook her head. Her red hair was tied into a ponytail that moved from side to side as her head shook. Kang Shin-hyuk wasn’t quite relieved, however.

“Why not?”

“She’s number one in the rankings, wouldn’t it be strange if she could afford to come to the bar every day after work?”

“You’re also a high-ranker.”

“I could say the same to you, Mr. Rank Five.”

“True.” Claire had gone to the United States this time, but she was a superhuman who didn’t fight on the frontlines. She did, however, regularly supply potions and items to each country’s superhumans. It was different from Shin Eun-hyuk, who didn’t engage in official activities despite being certified as rank five internationally.

“Thanks to that, it seems Eunah has been very busy.”

“…What, after so long, you’re looking for Eunah? Have you been contacting her?” Claire reacted sensitively to his thoughtless questions. Kang Shinhyuk smiled at her pouting.

“No way. I missed you. It was a long time for me.”

“Ah, good… uh, you’re like a mastermind.” Claire, who had inadvertently laughed at his honest confession, suddenly became shy.

“I missed you a lot too.” It became awkward, but it didn’t feel bad. The two faced each other and enjoyed the unfamiliar feeling a little more.

“I have a present for you.”

“That’s right, a gift. I’ve been excited for it.” He had proclaimed it before she went to America. He grinned and pulled out his gift, a pistol. It was rather large for a regular-sized pistol, but it had intricate enchantments and decorative gemstones engraved on the surface to grant it an almost antique look. Beyond just being aesthetically pleasing, the pistol was imbued with condensed spiritual power that granted it terrifying power. On the side, Claire’s full name had been written on it in neat handwriting one of Lee Na-hee’s enchantments. Instead of being reinforced when held by its owner, it prevented others from handling it.

“Ah.” Claire’s gaze wasn’t one of amazement. Kang Shin-hyuk pretended not to notice as he vigorously explained it.

“It’s a handgun I made for you. Your main armament is a firearm, right? It has a function to change into a rifle, and it even has a cover mode that allows it to float in the air and automatically fire at enemies with spiritual power.”

“I’m a little curious about that.” Her ears pricked up at the idea of it transforming, but her heart still felt cold at the realization that the gift she received wasn’t romantic at all.

“Actually, this is part of a series. I thought it would be nice to have a common weapon for when we all work together with those masks later on.”

“Huh, are you a genius?” She had to admit it was cool to imagine a squad that all used the same type of weapon.

“Still…” Claire liked the pistol, but she couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed. Kang Shin-hyuk decided to present her with a second gift just this time.

“Let me change into my bartender outfit really quick.”

“Huh? I wasn’t going to open up the bar today.”

“Wait a second, you’ll see.” Claire was still fiddling with her pistol with an odd look as he came back from changing clothes. Her eyes went wide as he walked over to the bar counter.

“Then, please look forward to this bartender’s signature cocktail. It is only for a certain guest.”

“Signature…? Is it your original cocktail?” He only smiled as he started making the cocktail.

“Aren’t all these materials from different dimensions?”

“Yes, so I can’t sell it as a product.” It used liquors and fruits from other dimensions. The final ingredient was an egg. He added it as an afterthought, separating the yolk and putting just the whites into a shaker.

“A pink lady?”

“That was the inspiration.” A pink lady cocktail contained cream and egg white; however, the egg that Kang Shin-hyuk added was from the birds of Kieron. It tasted similar to an egg yet had a distinct flavor. When added to alcohol, it went quite well. He recalled the reaction of Zeke and Mirang when he had made it for them the first time. He poured it into a chilled cocktail glass, the liquid a vibrant red color, much like Claire’s hair and eyes.

“Even though whites are mixed in, the color is very vivid.”

“But the taste is smooth.” He almost added, ‘Like you’ but refrained from doing so. Claire’s face turned slightly red as if she had read his mind, however.

“What do you call it?”

“Claire.”

“What’s with that? It’s too obvious.” Claire said as much but couldn’t hide her smile. Receiving a cocktail named after her was a special experience for her as a bartender

“Did you try it yourself?”

“I had a friend taste test it. Mirang.”

“Oh, he was saying he came by to help.”

“I didn’t let Tsukuyo try it.”

“I would be very upset if she did.” Unlike the pistol, he seemed to have received a passing score this time. She lifted the glass with a satisfied laugh and sipped at it, savoring the bright red liquor. Then, looking a bit surprised, she finished it all in one go.

“You don’t need to drink it all at once.”

“This is delicious…! I didn’t even care if it tasted good!”

“Hey! I studied hard.” Claire laughed at his blunt response and leaned over the bar to hug him.

“Thank you, I was impressed.”

“Thank you for liking me.”

“How’d you think of a gift like this?” He just thought that Claire would like this the most. He became embarrassed admitting it, but she only hugged him tighter.

“I want to kiss you.” Claire made the mistake of letting the words flow out of her mouth. Kang Shin-hyuk nodded quietly.

“Oh, but I can’t because I don’t know when Eunah’s coming.” In fact, that was just an excuse to curb the emotions growing beyond her control. Having had a glimpse at the heart that wanted to make her a cocktail, she couldn’t stay still.

“Wouldn’t it be okay to do it once?

“Yes… then just once.” In the end, her hesitation came about because he was younger than her. She still felt a bit guilty when she dealt with him, but if Kang Shin-hyuk forgave her, then she would be able to.

“Ah…” The two fell away from each other after a too-short moment. A sigh of regret left their mouths.

“Once it’s over, it’s over.”

“Then, one more time.”

“Yes.” In the end, they didn’t end with just one kiss. Fortunately, something in Claire’s pocket vibrated before the fire spread out of control.

“Eunah’s coming.”

“Huh?”

“I had a magic power detection artifact installed in the store. She’ll be here soon.” At least one of them would die if she walked in on them kissing, and that person would most likely be Claire. The two quickly moved away and made sure no traces of the other were left on them.

“No lipstick on me.”

“It’s not a cartoon.” The doorbell rang as they prepared themselves. Usually, Shin Eunah would teleport or barge in.

“I’m here.”

“Come in, Eunah.”

“Junior…!” Shin Eunah, who had arrived with a tired expression, quickly regained her bright smile as soon as she saw Kang Shin-hyuk.

“Did Claire call you?”

“I did. We should have a return party.”

“It’s been so noisy. I’ll be working tomorrow anyway.” Eunah sat down in front of the bar with a smile.

“Junior, my present.”

“Ah, right.” As if he had been waiting, Kang Shin-hyuk produced a pistol with Shin Eunah’s name engraved on it. She accepted it with her eyes twinkling like a child receiving a present from Santa.

“It’s a gift from grandpa…”

“You called me grandpa again.”

“Ah, I’m so happy that I reverted to that habit.” Shin Eunah had a bright smile as she held the pistol. Kang Shin-hyuk thought about explaining it in detail but decided to remain quiet. Shin Eunah suddenly noticed that he was dressed up as a bartender after taking her time to enjoy the gift.

“I want to drink a cocktail from my junior.”

“What would you like?”

“Are there no originals?”

“It’s still difficult to make.”

“Then, I want something sweet.”

“Okay, wait a moment.” Kang Shin-hyuk started to make a cocktail as Shin Eunah watched him.

“Junior, have you ever drank?”

Only

“Huh?”

“It was just a little, but I thought it smelled like alcohol.” Fortunately, she didn’t notice Claire flinch next to her.

“It must be an illusion, I’m a minor.”

“Is it?” Shin Eunah nodded and laughed. Kang Shin-hyuk felt a pang of guilt as he continued to shake the cocktail.

-I’m enjoying this morning drama. 200,000HP for your poker face!

‘Don’t give me such a strange bonus!

-300,000HP bonus!

In the end, Kang Shin-hyuk received over 1 million HP as a bonus from the administrator that evening.