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Ding-dong—

The sound of the doorbell rang, and Kang-woo got up.

“I’ll get it.”

“You can’t carry it all alone.”

“Ugh… you ordered everything on the menu, didn’t you?”

I got off the chair to help, even if just a little, but…

Someone suddenly picked me up and placed me back on the chair.

It was Jeong Ha-yul.

“Just sit still. If you move even a little, I won’t give you food.”

“…Huh?”

Where does such a scary threat even come from? I haven’t even eaten a single meal yet!

To make matters worse, Jeong Ha-yul made me sit in such an awkward position.

I couldn’t lean on anything and was crouched in the middle of the chair.

And now I’m supposed to sit still like this?

It seems the Demon King has no intention of letting me eat comfortably.

If I had been eating well regularly, skipping a meal or two wouldn’t be a big deal, but…

Yesterday, I barely managed to eat one meal.

Today, I ran into a monster while begging for food.

To survive, I absolutely must eat.

‘I have to endure this uncomfortable position.’

I can do it!

…Or not.

My legs are already shaking.

***

Jeong Gyeoul got up to carry the food, but Jeong Ha-yul made her sit back down and went to get the food herself.

When the door opened, delivery workers carrying steel boxes rushed in.

There were so many dishes that multiple people had come.

The delivery workers marveled at the interior of the house as they set down the food, but then they locked eyes with Jeong Ha-yul.

“W-wait, aren’t you Hero Jeong Ha-yul?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Waaah!”

“P-please, just one photo! Or even just an autograph!”

Hero.

In a modern society overrun by monsters and villains, heroes protect the citizens.

Among them, Jeong Ha-yul is the youngest S-Class.

The pinnacle of K-Heroes, making America nervous, China tremble, and Japan shocked.

The delivery workers’ excitement was understandable.

“I’m finally resting at home, so this is a bit inconvenient…”

“Ah… I’m sorry. I was just so excited.”

“It’s fine. It’s just one photo.”

Jeong Ha-yul let down her hair, which she had tied up with a towel, and stood next to the delivery workers.

This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened, as the delivery workers’ camera naturally ended up in Baek Kang-woo’s hands.

“It’s an honor! Thank you! I’ll treasure this forever!”

“…I’m not that special. Anyway, thank you.”

“This won’t do. I’ll refund today’s meal. I can’t take money from a hero!”

The owner started rummaging through his waist bag, intending to hand over cash on the spot.

A flustered Jeong Ha-yul and Baek Kang-woo managed to stop him and sent him back to the store.

“I should stop coming out… this isn’t the first or second time.”

“…Good idea.”

“Gyeoul must be hungry. Let’s hurry.”

From basic dishes like jajangmyeon, jjamppong, and fried rice to more elaborate ones like yukhoe, palbochae, and even dishes Jeong Gyeoul had never seen in her past or present life.

‘Do Chinese restaurants even sell this stuff…?’

By the time the last dish was placed on the table, the massive spread made the large table seem inadequate.

Jeong Gyeoul’s eyes widened.

Everyone who saw her couldn’t help but smile.

‘She really does look like Ha-yul.’

‘So cute… she’s too cute!’

‘We need to feed her more. She’s too thin.’

Perhaps it was the power of the food.

Jeong Gyeoul, who had been on edge since entering the house, seemed a bit more relaxed.

‘But… why is she sweating? Is it hot?’

Unaware that her concern had backfired, Jeong Ha-yul simply turned down the air conditioning.

***

Nom nom nom—

It’s been so long since I’ve had a proper meal!

I started devouring the food so voraciously that even the term “gluttonous” felt inadequate.

“You eat really fast, huh?”

Startled.

Jeong Ha-yul seemed to be looking at me with disapproval.

My messy eating must have bothered her.

‘I was so stupid…’

I’ll have more chances to eat like this, but I just had to make Jeong Ha-yul uncomfortable.

I should have eaten calmly, following proper table manners.

The way I’m eating now makes me look like a starving beggar… well, I *am* a starving beggar, but still.

I shouldn’t have acted like this.

“I’m sorry! I won’t do it again!”

“I wasn’t scolding you…”

Jeong Ha-yul’s expression softened.

She was probably considering whether to forgive me or kick me out right then and there.

“I just wanted you to eat slowly… Sorry, go ahead and eat.”

If I hadn’t been quick to apologize, I might have been kicked out again.

“Wow… so Demon King-like! Bullying our cute Gyeoul like that!”

“…Shut up.”

But the clueless Eun-chae kept teasing Jeong Ha-yul.

I thought she was nice to me, but… seeing how she’s acting, she might get fired soon.

They’re all so young, they don’t know how to navigate social situations.

‘If they just acted like me, they could survive anywhere.’

I should gather the Demon King’s minions and give them a lesson on social skills.

But first… let’s eat.

I chewed slowly, savoring the taste while keeping an eye on Jeong Ha-yul.

Eating like this, I could appreciate the flavors even more.

I couldn’t help but smile.

‘It’s so delicious!’

Seeing me smile, Eun-chae smiled too.

“Is it good, Gyeoul?”

“Yes!”

If Jeong Ha-yul’s smile was like a mesmerizing demon’s, Eun-chae’s smile was pure and clear.

Delicious food. Pretty girls. A big house.

I felt a rush of endorphins.

Kang-woo, sitting next to Eun-chae, also smiled warmly as he looked at me.

‘…A guy looking at me like that is a bit weird.’

I avoided Kang-woo’s gaze and focused on the food.

“…Why are you avoiding me?”

“Stop staring and just eat.”

At the Demon King’s command, he finally stopped looking at me.

‘Now I can eat in peace.’

Before I knew it, more than half of the 30 dishes were gone.

“Is it okay for her to eat that much?”

“Right… where does it all go in that small body?”

“…If you stacked all the food she ate, it’d probably be taller than Gyeoul.”

Then. Baek Kang-woo’s phone rang.

“Again? There are so many support requests today. What are the other heroes doing, only calling you?”

“Whether they’re at the broadcasting station or filming YouTube, they’re all busy. I’ll take this one and pass the rest. I’m tired.”

“Got it. You’re taking Gyeoul, right?”

“Yeah.”

…What? Taking me? I haven’t even finished eating!

She told me to eat slowly, so I did…

This devilish woman!

I looked back and forth between the table and Ha-yul with pleading eyes, but it was no use.

“What about Eun-chae unnie?”

“I’ll stay and look at the clothes for tomorrow’s broadcast. Go ahead.”

“Okay.”

…

If Eun-chae is staying, doesn’t that mean I don’t have to go?

“Um… then maybe I can…”

“I’ll take Gyeoul with me, so go get the car.”

“Alright. See you on the first floor.”

They didn’t even pretend to listen to me.

Fine, I’ll go, you dirty cheaters.

Surely Eun-chae won’t eat everything while I’m gone.

Carried like a sack by Jeong Ha-yul, I looked at Eun-chae with anxious eyes.

But Eun-chae just giggled, finding my situation amusing.

“Come back safely. I’ll clean up.”

The kind Eun-chae I thought I knew seemed different now.

Right. She’s also one of the Demon King’s minions…

***

Both of them were so busy taking care of their new family member that they forgot to check the details.

Jeong Ha-yul decided to ask someone else while Baek Kang-woo was driving.

“Big SD. Call the Association’s Bald Guy.”

-I’ll call the Association’s Bald Guy.

“Let’s change that name. I almost got caught last time.”

“No, this is easier. He’s bald.”

“But that team leader is really scary… if he finds out what we saved…”

“Shh!”

Just before the call connected, Jeong Ha-yul put her finger to her lips.

The bald team leader on the other end almost heard Baek Kang-woo’s words.

“Yes, this is Jeong Ho-min.”

“We’re on our way to Apgujeong. Can you brief me? Kang-woo oppa is driving.”

“It won’t take long. C-Class Villain Gunman and C-Class Villain Kidnap are attempting a bank heist. Kidnap took the branch manager and disappeared as soon as they entered the bank. They’re likely using the manager as a hostage to secure an escape route. The manager’s location is currently unknown. Their abilities are…”

“Don’t need the abilities. I can guess from their names. I’ll handle it.”

“…Yes, thank you as always.”

She hung up without even listening to the villains’ abilities.

Jeong Gyeoul, who had heard everything, was once again amazed by Jeong Ha-yul’s ruthlessness.

Even though it was clearly a business relationship, she saved his name like that.

‘If I ever get a phone, will she save my name as “Orphan Girl”?’

Thinking that someone who saves “Bald Guy” as “Bald Guy” might do that, I tried to focus on the window.

“Stay in the car with Gyeoul for a bit.”

“Okay, don’t worry and come back.”

Jeong Ha-yul got out of the car and walked into the bank with a completely relaxed stride.

The police, who had set up barricades, parted like automatic doors.

Inside the bank stood Gunman, a villain whose fingers had all turned into gun barrels.

“W-what! Who said you could come in here!”

Bang bang bang bang!

Gunman fired at Jeong Ha-yul’s feet, but she kept walking as if nothing had happened.

‘What should I cook for Gyeoul tomorrow?’

Whether Gunman shot or not, what to feed Jeong Gyeoul tomorrow was a more pressing issue.

I wanted to see that cute face again.

Instead, Gunman, now panicked, pointed his gun at a hostage.

“Who are you! I’ll kill you!”

Gunman didn’t seem to know who Jeong Ha-yul was.

‘It’s been a while since I met a villain who doesn’t know me… Oh, wait. Gyeoul didn’t know me either.’

Remembering the morning she brought Gyeoul home, Jeong Ha-yul felt good and decided to give Gunman a chance.

A chance to get beaten less.

“Don’t come closer! I’ll kill her! I’ll kill her!”

“I’m in a good mood today, so if you put that gun away, I’ll go easy on you.”

“What the hell are you talking about, crazy woman! I’m Gunman!”

“Seriously, why can’t any of you understand simple words…”

Whoosh—

With the sound of wind, Jeong Ha-yul disappeared.

 

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