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In the picture, the two people’s faces were quite close to each other. A little… too close to brush off as a coincidence.

Most importantly, the other was holding onto Joo Yiwon’s arm.

Though it might sound weird, there’s not a single person who can hold Joo Yiwon if he doesn’t want them to. He’s the only SS-rank hunter in the world. At least, there’s no way he would be touched by a normal person who hasn’t awakened.

As such, out of the countless scandals Joo Yiwon has been a part of, this is the first time he was caught with someone touching him. If you exclude handshakes.

“Are they actually dating?”

While Jiho was busy wrongfully doubting Hwang Hye Lim, was Joo Yiwon actually dating this person?

Jiho stared at the Yiwon inside of the picture. An expressionless face that’s hard to read. Even though he’s been with Yiwon since they were both young, Jiho has not a single clue as to what Joo Yiwon was thinking at the time of the photo.

After staring into the photo for a while, Jiho turned to search up the other person involved in the scandal.

Lee Ha Yeon. A 27-year-old actress.

She debuted as the main character in a fairly popular movie about two years ago, and she became famous after starring as the main character of a drama that gained huge success not only in Korea, but internationally as well, about half a year ago.

In her official profile picture, she has a short-cut, but in her most recent pictures, she grew her hair out again, perhaps for a role. With her pale face, she appears slightly sensitive and cold.

She’s definitely a pretty person. Enough that even Joo Yiwon, who’s never dated anyone before, would fall for her.

Is the reason Yiwon hasn’t been coming home these days because he’s been staying at Lee Ha Yeon’s house to date her?

Or were they dating much before that, and Yiwon just isn’t coming home because he can’t bring her here anymore?

“…”

Jiho’s thoughts became complicated for a variety of reasons.

Although Chungram Guild released a statement asking people to refrain from spreading groundless rumors since they’re still in the middle of checking, there’s not a lot of people listening to them.

That’s because Joo Yiwon is most likely inside of a dungeon right now. This statement didn’t come from his own mouth. The reporters were probably aware of this, which is why they purposefully chose to release the news at this time.

Fired up by this scandal, people were absorbed in digging up evidence of the two people’s relationship. Jiho, too, was so focused on looking through that evidence that he lost himself in the internet that he had kept himself away from for so long.

Among those pieces of evidence, one of them included the interview Joo Yiwon did recently. The interview that had included a question about Yiwon’s ideal type that Jiho had gotten annoyed at.

– I like a pretty person. Their skin should be fair and clean. A person who looks cold because their eyes are slightly sharp at the ends, but is actually warm and gentle. I would like to take care of such a delicate person. I like someone that I can be a support for. 

– I’m just clear on what I’m looking for. It would be nice if they were about 177 cm tall. I would like them to be on the slim side, and I like a person with pretty hands and legs. Oh, and I would also like it if they were a hunter. Because I’m here, their rank doesn’t have to be too high. B-rank is enough.

The people on the internet were claiming that besides the occupation, everything else fit perfectly.

According to her profile, Lee Ha Yeon is 175cm tall. However, people guessed that when compared to the other people on the one time she stood barefoot on a variety show, Lee Ha Yeon is probably taller in real life.

Even Jiho thought it was plausible.

Above all else, her appearance matches Yiwon’s description to the tee. People were bringing all sorts of photos, insisting that the subject of the interview was definitely Lee Ha Yeon.

“…”

When Jiho finally came to, it was already close to 12. 

Jiho barely caught himself from picking up his terminal to call Park Geon Ho and ask him to investigate Lee Ha Yeon.

“No, what does it matter to me whether that guy dates or not?”

It’s actually better this way for Jiho.

If Yiwon truly is dating someone, then there’s no need for him to keep bringing Shin Jiho up in his interviews for no reason.

Though he was trying to convince himself of this, Jiho kept fidgeting with his terminal that he usually throws off to one side when he comes home. Like he was waiting for someone to call him.

Of course, even until Jiho fell asleep at dawn, there was not a single call.

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The next day. 

Lee Ha Yeon’s agency, Dream Road, released a statement early in the morning explaining that the rumor wasn’t true at all.

Yet the internet was still in a frenzy, insisting that Joo Yiwon’s scandal this time was real. Not only on the internet, but there were even reporters setting up camp in front of Chungram Guild and Dream Road Agency.

In the midst of this wave of national excitement, Jiho acted indifferent as he repeatedly refreshed the search window. The top comment kept standing out to him for some reason.

– Then what? Does this mean Shin Jiho was thrown away?

↪ Stop distorting pure friendship LOL. Leave the two alone so that they can date in peace. Shin Jiho’s probably dating someone behind everyone’s backs too, you know?

“What kind of nonsense is ‘Thrown away’?”

Jiho was going to reply, ‘We were never in any relationship to begin with, don’t spread rumors,’ but he caught himself right as he was going to enter the comment and deleted it.

Jiho doesn’t understand why his name has to be included in this scandal. Even No Name’s office was being flooded with calls from people asking if they knew anything about Joo Yiwon and Lee Ha Yeon’s relationship. 

Seeing how exhausted his guildmembers were from the continuous calls, Jiho came to a resolute decision.

Jiho covered his face with a hat and mask before setting off into the alleyway that separated them from Chungram Guild.

Though he did think that there was a chance of Shin Jiho stopping by, he didn’t know he’d actually come.

Yoo Gyung Woo prepared Shin Jiho’s favorite chocolate-flavored drink as he waited nervously for the door to open. He was feeling particularly resentful that Shin Jihye chose today, of all days, to not be in the office. Although he was trying his best to look calm, his body kept stiffening.

Soon, Yoo Gyung Woo’s ex-brother in law opened the door with a slightly haggard look on his face. In order to not reveal his own nervousness, Yoo Gyung Woo purposefully welcomed Jiho with a bright smile.

“Welcome, Jiho-ya.”

“How have you been, Hyung?”

Jiho, who was greeting him familiarly right now, was, from the moment he first met him, someone Yoo Gyung Woo felt strangely fond of. It’s because of this that even after he divorced his ex-wife and cut contact with the rest of her family, he still stayed in touch with her cherished younger brother, Shin Jiho.

This child, who he’s so fond of, didn’t look very good at this moment. And Gyung Woo, who feels like he knows the reason why, wasn’t feeling very good either.

“Take a seat. I wasn’t able to get a good look at you last time, but you don’t look that good today. It’s pretty exhausting these days, right?”

“A little. Still, having a lot of work is good.”

“You’re all grown up now, all grown up. Still, don’t overwork yourself.”

“Yes.”

“You don’t faint these days?”

“Yes. I am much better now.

“That’s a relief. This year has been quite good.”

“Yes.”

Unlike usual, Jiho returned short responses with a slightly dark expression on his face. Seeing this, Gyung Woo began to feel anxious.

After a couple more meaningless exchanges, Jiho took a long sip of the chocolate drink in front of him before looking solemnly at Gyung Woo.

“Hyung.”

“Hm?”

“About Joo Yiwon. Is he really dating Lee Ha Yeon-ssi?”

It’s here. Yoo Gyung Woo unconsciously clenched his fist. His throat bobbed.

“No. They probably aren’t dating.”

‘Who doesn’t know that guy’s crazy about you?’ wanted to slip from the back of his throat, but Gyung Woo managed to filter his words before he spoke.

Joo Yiwon is crazy about Shin Jiho. This isn’t something recent, either; from what Yoo Gyung Woo knows, it’s been at least 10 years now.

Before he divorced Shin Jihye, Yoo Gyung Woo had once run into Shin Jiho and Joo Yiwon by themselves during one of his visits to his wife’s family’s house. 

He had always thought that the two were especially close to each other. Unlike normal friends, Yiwon was always particularly warm and gentle towards Jiho, and as for Jiho, even though he looked like he was pushing Yiwon away, in the end, Jiho always accepted everything Yiwon did.

This is the day Gyung Woo stopped thinking they were just really close friends.

That day, Shin Jiho had been resting his head on Joo Yiwon’s thigh like it was the natural thing to do. Though they were in a very embarrassing position for two boys to be in, neither of the two seemed to care.

Or, to be exact, Shin Jiho was the only one who didn’t really care.

Unlike Shin Jiho, who seemed sleepy, mumbling something unconsciously with his eyes half closed, Joo Yiwon’s eyes were glued to Shin Jiho, staring persistently as if he was blind to everything besides him.

Soon, when Shin Jiho had completely stilled, like he had fallen asleep.

Joo Yiwon lifted his hand and slowly caressed Shin Jiho.

His hand was careful, as if he was touching a bubble that could burst with just the tiniest bit of pressure. He moved slowly, from Shin Jiho’s forehead to his cheek, down to his nose and lips, and finally to his chin and neck. Once his slow hand reached Jiho’s chest.

Yiwon carefully lowered his head. Like he was going to kiss Jiho.

Shocked by the scene he had walked into, Yoo Gyung Woo held his breath nervously.

But right before their lips could touch, Yiwon lifted his head and looked straight at Yoo Gyung Woo. Yiwon, who was in the garden, at Yoo Gyung Woo, who was in a room on the second floor.

As if he knew from the beginning. As if he had put everything on display on purpose….

Yiwon’s eyes were dangerous and violent, a complete contrast from when he was looking at Shin Jiho.

Gyung Woo was so frightened that he ran away, as if he had been caught spying on them on purpose.

For a moment, he felt embarrassed about being threatened by a young boy.

Gyung Woo thought that guy was an actual crazy bastard. Although it’s hard to put into words, as soon as his eyes met Joo Yiwon’s, his entire body had trembled in fear.

He didn’t know what that feeling was at the time, but now, as a hunter, he does.

That was a warning, and a vicious intent to kill anyone who dares to encroach on his territory.

Wondering if the two were in a relationship, Gyung Woo tried to subtly ask Jiho about the subject sometime afterward, but Jiho, with a truly pure and innocent expression, answered that students should focus on studying.

That was when the two were in middle school.

Joo Yiwon, who was rude from his youth, has grown into an insidious bastard. Yiwon’s not worth giving to his cute Shin Jiho.

Even though Yoo Gyung Woo’s assessment of Joo Yiwon is generally positive, because of that persistent, borderline obsessive gaze that he remembers, Gyung Woo doesn’t think that highly of Yiwon as a partner.

How can a guy who spent his entire life looking solely at Shin Jiho ever date Lee Ha Yeon?

Whenever it comes to Shin Jiho, Joo Yiwon is always anxious, desperate to date him as soon as possible. In this situation, if Shin Jiho misunderstands something because of a random scandal and their already static relationship grows further apart? And if Yiwon finds out that in the midst of this misunderstanding, Shin Jiho had visited Yoo Gyung Woo….

Yoo Gyung Woo shuddered. That cursed guildmaster probably won’t kill him, but Gyung Woo doesn’t even want to imagine how much Yiwon will chew him out for it.

Therefore, Yoo Gyung Woo has to settle Jiho’s misunderstanding while still keeping the truth from him. 

“You know how busy that guy is. He doesn’t have the time to date anyone.”

“If he really wants to date someone, he can probably find the time.”

“No, he really isn’t dating anyone. I’ve been watching him closely, so I know.”

“How does Hyung know that? If that guy was really determined and decided to erase all of his steps, does Hyung still think you would know?”

“…”

Of course he wouldn’t be able to know, but aren’t those words a little harsh? Jiho…. Remembering how Jiho used to call him, “Brother-in-law, Brother-in-law,” with such pure eyes in the past, Yoo Gyung Woo felt hurt. At the same time, he also felt slightly wronged.

“I go on the most raids with him. If he were really dating anyone, wouldn’t he be constantly looking at his phone to call or text someone?”

“…”

“He doesn’t do anything like that. No, wait. If we’re really being honest here, the person he contacts the most is you. He looks for you briefly before he has to enter another dungeon. That leaves even less time.”

“…”

“If he were really dating anyone, that person would be you.”

“Is Hyung going to make that kind of joke too? If that guy and I were to start dating, that would be incest.”

Joo Yiwon purposefully refused Chairman Shin’s offer of being officially adopted into the family because it would have made their relationship complicated if they became brothers, nonsense.

“If it’s not you, then it’s definitely not anyone else.”

“The statement said that Chungram is still in the process of confirming the truth.”

“That’s because no matter how strongly we deny it, no one will believe us unless Yiwon says it himself. Look even now. People find the idea of them two dating to be exciting. Everyone would rather think in the way that they find more entertaining.”

To be honest, Yoo Gyung Woo doesn’t really know what the relationship between Joo Yiwon and Lee Ha Yeon is either. The news that Yiwon is close to a female celebrity is surprising in and of itself.

He’s still in disbelief even now. Although Joo Yiwon acts like he’s friendly, he actually hates having anyone besides Shin Jiho touching him. To think that Joo Yiwon, who has something akin to OCD, would allow another person to grab him. They’re definitely closer than mere strangers.

Anyways, neither Shin Jihye nor Yoo Gyung Woo knew exactly what their relationship was. That’s why they could only release such a vague statement.

“But how did those two get to know each other in the first place?”

“Hm? I-I don’t know. Didn’t they shoot a commercial together?”

“They have never shot a commercial together.”

“Ah, is that so? Then maybe they appeared on the same variety sh….”

“They have never appeared on the same show either.”

“…Hm, maybe something will come up if you dig deep enough?”

“There is no need to look. Had they appeared on the same show, I would have already known who Lee Ha Yeon-ssi was.”

“…”

And just who is Joo Yiwon to you that you know him so well, Jiho-ya?

Yoo Gyung Woo’s throat itched from the desire to throw this question at him. 

To still insist that they’re not dating when he knows so much about the other person? Even people who are actually dating wouldn’t know so much about each other.

Yoo Gyung Woo didn’t even have that much confidence over his ex-wife’s whereabouts when they were still married. 

From Yoo Gyung Woo’s perspective, Shin Jiho likes Joo Yiwon as well. And based on the way Jiho came in such a bad mood today, it’s probably not simple friendly affection either.

Although Jiho insists that they have a close relationship because they used to hang out like family, if this is family, then Yoo Gyung Woo doesn’t have any family.

Not only that, but since Jiho has a very stable relationship with his family, it’s rare that he’s ever so upset with them. It’s this Jiho who makes his disappointment apparent whenever Yiwon doesn’t contact him for a while or whenever Yiwon only stops by for a second before disappearing again. Even though Jiho doesn’t show any obvious signs of his anger, anyone who knows him can tell that there’s an obvious change.

Still, to say that the two share one-sided crushes on each other, Jiho’s attitude when dealing with Yiwon is impossibly simple.

Just why can’t the two get together?

To be fair, Shin Jiho believes that Joo Yiwon’s words are nothing more than mere jokes, and that there’s no worth in believing anything he says. Though Yoo Gyung Woo sometimes wonders why, despite Yiwon’s efforts to seduce him, Jiho treats everything Yiwon says as a joke, when Gyung Woo sees the way Yiwon acts, at the same time, he understands.

Yiwon’s actions are too light and arbitrary for someone who has a crush. It might’ve worked if the other was someone who falls in love easily, but for Shin Jiho, his actions have the opposite effect.

From what Yoo Gyung Woo has seen, Shin Jiho has a very innocent side to him that other kids don’t have these days. 

Jiho grew up watching how absolutely smitten his parents are with each other. Thanks to that, Shin Jiho holds a certain fantasy in regards to dating. Jiho believes that dating and love should be done with the person he wants to spend the rest of his life with, just like his parents.

There’s no way he would like Joo Yiwon’s frivolous confessions.

Actually, Gyung Woo was so frustrated by Joo Yiwon that he tried advising him to be more serious, or to change his ways, or to stop pulling but to try pushing as well, however…

‘Thank you for that good advice. If I start dating Jiho with the method Vice-Guildmaster-nim suggested, will I also succeed in marrying Jiho only to divorce him later?’

…he got so annoyed by those sh*tty words that Yoo Gyung Woo just kept silent after that.

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LaZ Bird Corner

Yiwon…. The man’s still 20 years older than you….

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