Translator: rainbowturtle
Hyeonu and Reina werenât in a car but were walking through the city center. The reason was Hyeonuâs words. Hyeonu had mentioned he wasnât in a state where he could go far in a car so Reina had nodded and said, âLetâs go around the hotel.â
The hotel that Nike Management provided to those contracted with them was in the heart of New York. Landmarks such as the Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Broadway and Times Square were within walking distance of the hotel.
âWhere do you want to go?â
âI donât like going to see buildings like that in the first place. Letâs just walk on the streets and see if there is a good place. I like that.â
He indirectly revealed that he didnât want to go far away because it was annoying. However, Reina didnât realize the meaning of Hyeonuâs words. She just thought that Hyeonuâs travel style was like this.
âI enjoy the atmosphere of the city rather than seeing landmarks.â
Reina repeated this sentence in her head again and again. Then she asked Hyeonu. âHave you eaten lunch?â
It was only after hearing Reinaâs question that Hyeonu realized he hadnât eaten lunch. "No, I havenât eaten anything today. Is there a delicious restaurant nearby? A place that is like New York.â
âIâm not sure what is like New York⦠Tell me what type of food you want to eat.â
âUmâ¦â
âWhat do I want to eat?â
Hyeonu stopped and stood blankly. He couldnât think about what he wanted to eat. He also didnât feel very hungry.
'Since I came to New Yorkâ¦â
âBurgers. I want to have a burger.â
Hyeonuâs choice was a hamburger. There were many reasons why he picked a burger. The biggest reason was that it was lunch. If he ordered heavy food then he could only drink alcohol at the party at night.
âHamburger? Okay. There is a shop I sometimes go to in this area.â
Reina smiled and nodded. She liked burgers as well. In particular, the store she planned to go to now was the one she visited most in New York except for a bakery. The burger shop was really close. It only took 10 minutes while walking at a speed that wasnât fast.
"Weâre here."
The burger shop was on the first floor of a building made of red bricks.
âIt is like South Korea?â
Hyeonuâs eyes widened at the appearance of the store that wasnât as gorgeous as he imagined. He thought it would have a luxurious atmosphere since Reina said she often went here. However, it was just a common burger store.
âThere isnât a lot on the menu. They only sell burgers and grilled sandwiches. They also sell french fries. Overall, it is clean.â
Reina said while pointing to the menu on the wall of the store.
âIâll just have a burger. I also want to eat french fries.â
Hyeonuâs pick was a regular hamburger with no toppings added. It wasnât a restaurant he could come to many times so he picked the most delicious patty menu.
âDo you need any drinks?â
âIâll have a Coke.â
Reina came back after ordering Hyeonuâs share. The two of them took a seat to one side of the store. These were the only seats available.
âHave you been preparing a lot for the upcoming competition?â
Reina naturally opened up the conversation.
âIâve been preparing hard. In particular, the other players have been working hard.â Hyeonu answered while drinking the water on the table. Then he returned the same question to Reina. âWhat about the New York Warriors? Are you ready?â
âUs too. Everyone worked hard. This time, weâll get good results.â
âThere will be results if you work hard. Crescent Moon and the New York Warriors.â
The conversation between the two people continued after that. This was until the food was placed in front of them.
âWow⦠What is this?â Hyeonu forgot he was in front of Reina and let out a cry of admiration. It was so ridiculous that something close to laughter came out.
âWhy? Have you never seen a burger like this before?â Reina asked as if she understood Hyeonuâs words or heard the surprise in his voice.
âThe patty is so thickâ¦â
The reason why Hyeonu was so surprised was due to the thick patty. It was so thick that he mistakenly thought he ordered a hamburg steak rather than a hamburger. Based on visual inspection, the thickness was over 3 centimeters.
âThis should be eaten separately.â
It wasnât a size that could be eaten by hand. Hyeonu picked up the fork and knife and started cutting the bun, patty and vegetables. Then he put it in his mouth and chewed it.
âIs it delicious?â Reina asked as he looked at Hyeonu who couldnât stop cutting. Hyeonu ate the burger while picking up the french fries and drinking Coke.
âIt is delicious. The meat as well. The french fries are a bit bland⦠Still, it doesnât matter.â
The juicy and meaty taste from the thick patty fit Hyeonuâs taste. It literally targeted his taste. The only unfortunate thing was that the french fries had no seasoning at all, so the taste of potatoes was too strong.
âReally? Then Iâm glad.â
Reina smiled as she cut the thick patty in front of her and put it in her mouth.
***
It didnât take long for the two people to leave the store.
It was because in addition to Hyeonu, Reina quickly ate the hamburger.
âIâm fuller than I thought.â
Hyeonu ate all of the hamburger and only left the french fries behind. Yet he was full. Considering the amount of food Hyeonu normally ate, it was obvious how hearty the hamburger was.
âIâm getting a bit excited now.â
Hyeonu felt much better. He was full so he thought he could take a look around New York.
âWas the Trade Center near here?â
Hyeonu recalled the landmarks in downtown New York. At this moment, Reina pulled Hyeonuâs arm.
âWe have to go this way.â
Hyeonuâs eyes widened as he asked.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âWhere are we going?â
Reina replied like it was obvious. âWeâve had a meal so it is time for dessert.
There is a bakery near here that I really like. It is a cafe and you can drink coffee.â
Hyeonu was pulled by Reinaâs strength and moved to the bakery. His stomach was already full enough but he couldnât stop Reina, who had sold her soul for dessert.
âSIt here. Iâll take care of the order.â
Hyeonu sat on a chair with a bitter smile at Reinaâs consideration that wasnât consideration.
âShe must like bread a lot.â
At the same time, he expressed subtle expectations. He wondered what delicious bread Reina would bring. Moments later, it wasnât Reina who appeared in front of Hyeonu but another woman. A server wearing black pants and a white shirt put down a cup full of ice in front of Hyeonu.
âHere are the two iced Americanos you ordered.â
The liquid in the cup was coffee. It was Americano as well. It was a drink that Hyeonu didnât drink.
âAh, I donât like bitterâ¦â
Hyeonu frowned and looked around. He was looking for the presence of sugar and syrup that might be somewhere. However, he couldnât see it.
âIs it on the 1st floor? Should I go and see?â
Hyeonu was full of conflict when Reina appeared with a tray full of things.
âDid I take too long?â
Hyeonu smiled awkwardly at Reina.
âNo? I was drinking coffee because it came out.â
Then he took a sip of the black Americano.
âUgh, bitter.â
Hyeonu managed to control his frown. Then he looked at the tray that Reina had put down. There were many things on the tray. It ranged from bread to cakes to cookies.
âThis is a croissant, the best-selling bread in the store. This is a cookie I bought just in case you like sweets. This is my favorite cheesecakeâ¦â Reina explained everything she bought. There was none of the same kind. They were all different.
âIt is delicious.â
Finally, Hyeonu cut off Reinaâs words by taking a big bite of the cookie with a lot of chocolate chips.
âWhy is this so sweet?â
The cookie was much sweeter than Hyeonu had expected. The chocolate chips werenât just on the outside of the cookie. They were also stuffed inside the cookies. It was naturally very sweet. Hyeonu quickly took out a tissue, placed it on the table and put the cookie on top of it. Then he drank the iced Americano straight away.
âIt is more bitter.â
It didnât neutralize it but actually made it more bitter. He could feel the lingering taste of the chocolate and the bitterness of the iced Americano in succession.
âThe cookie is very sweet.â
The forced smile on Hyeonuâs face deepened. Reina didnât notice it and just thought Hyeonu was making a happy expression.
âIâm glad it is delicious.â
Reina picked up the bread she had bought and started to eat it little by little.
***
âAh, Iâm full!â
Hyeonu returned to the hotel room and shouted after lying down on his bed. He felt that his stomach was still full. No matter how much he walked through downtown New York, he couldnât help his stomach feeling stuffy.
âHow can she not get sick after eating so much?â
Hyeonu hadnât eaten anything from the moment he left the bakery. However, Reina had to eat or drink something once an hour. Hyeonu was startled when he saw it. He didnât understand how she could eat more but it was possible for Reina. Then they wandered around. All the landmarks near the hotel were visited.
âIt should be time for the children to come back.â
It was almost 6 oâclock. The thought of the party starting at 7 oâclock forced him to come back to get ready.
âWhat do I know?â
Hyeonu lay in bed for a while before getting out of bed and shaking his body intensely. Then he picked up his smartphone and called Kale.
âKale? Iâm about to get ready for the party. Where should I go?â
âCome to the third floor and Iâll pick you up.â
âI understand. Iâm going now.â
Hyeonu left his hotel room again not long after entering. Hyeonu took the elevator down to the third floor and found Kale waiting in front of the elevator.
âYou came back sooner than I thought?â
Hyeonu frowned when he heard Kaleâs words and asked, âDo you know where Iâve been?â
Kale smiled at Hyeonuâs question.
âYes, Iâm aware. Isnât it a New York tour? Didnât you do many things? The Empire State Building, Times Square, the Rockefeller Centerâ¦â
Kale uttered the names of the places Hyeonu had been to. Every single location was right. It included less famous places but it was still accurate.
âHow do you know this?â Hyeonu asked curiously. He couldnât figure out how Kale knew these facts. Kale unlocked his smartphone without saying anything to Hyeonu. Hyeonuâs eyes widened when he saw it.