I’ve tried to live a good life, but to have my life threatened because of my elder brother who didn’t live well, it’s ridiculous.

I’m not even sure if my freedom will be guaranteed just because Chun Sin Woo returns.

It was a situation that made me sigh involuntarily.

The family I longed to see so much left me with just one letter and confined me before leaving, and there’s nothing I can do as I please.

Was what I wanted such a big deal?

I just wanted to have a family like others, and to freely do things I couldn’t do because of the lack of money and time.

Travel, visit good restaurants, with friends… Oh, right. I didn’t have friends.

The reality different from my imagination rather grew my resentment towards Chun Sin Woo.

Whether he knew about my worries or not, Min Yu Shin laughed beside me.

“…Haa. Secretary, you’re busy. Please go.”

“Hm? No, I’m not particularly busy. This is part of my role too.”

“…”

Min Yu Shin smiled brightly while flipping through a thick stack of documents. My gaze naturally turned to the pile of documents on the table.

That’s right. This A-rank hunter of quasi-S class was the bodyguard Chun Sin Woo assigned to me.

It’s unimaginable how much money it would cost per day to use someone of this caliber as a bodyguard, yet Chun Sin Woo dared to do such a thing.

Saying he would protect me.

These were actions I couldn’t understand at all.

Min Yu Shin was quite cheerful, regardless of whether he ended up being just a guild leader’s sister’s bodyguard or not.

“And Shin Ah, I told you to speak comfortably like when you were young.”

“…I don’t remember though.”

“Haha, you were really cute when you were little. Looking at you now, I wonder why I didn’t recognize you.”

“Ah, I see…”

Moreover, Min Yu Shin had a one-sided sense of familiarity with me. According to him, when I was young, I sat on Min Yu Shin’s lap and ate ice cream, but I don’t remember.

Seeing how good-natured he is despite my lukewarm response, I wonder if that’s just his personality.

And so, time passed as I did nothing and zoned out.

Beside me, I heard the sound of paper being turned. Perhaps because I had nothing to do and was bored, it bothered me immensely.

“…”

“…”

The paper was turned again.

Min Yu Shin, an executive of Cheonrang, had a lot to do besides protecting me. I stared at the contents of that paper and said,

“It says it’s an A-rank gate conquest, but the consumption of supplies seems excessive. It could be embezzlement, so it might be good to check the inventory. Even if it’s not, there are people who write reports carelessly because they’re lazy.”

“Oh, really?”

“And about the bid for the farming-type gate, since Cheonrang isn’t mainly a guild for gathering or crafting, it might be better to bid for an unexplored gate, conquer it, and resell it at a higher price. Or add supply conditions to that guild.”

“Hmm.”

“And there’s a typo there.”

“…”

Min Yu Shin put down the paper.

“Shin Ah.”

“Yes.”

“Are you bored?”

“…Yes.”

“Want me to recommend a game?”

“I’m not good at games though…”

“What’s the use of having a rich elder brother? Should I buy you a few game consoles?”

“…I’ll be quiet.”

“Okay.”

I quietly went into my room with my phone.

For the past few years, my life hasn’t been easy. There wasn’t a single moment when I didn’t try to survive.

But now, suddenly living a life of doing nothing. I wish someone would tell me ‘This is what you should do.’

“…I’m bored.”

A few internet articles flashed by. If I’m bored, I could read a novel, but even that didn’t catch my eye.

The reason I’m struggling like this is probably because my heart is elsewhere.

“…”

Min Yu Shin was called a bodyguard, but in reality, he was closer to monitoring me to prevent me from doing anything unnecessary.

If I’m going to be confined like this from now on, I thought it might be better if there was no relationship between Chun Sin Woo and me at all.

Ding. As I was lying face down in my troubles, a message arrived on my phone.

“This is…”

I got up with a start.

“Ha Young, why have you become so gaunt? Are you sick somewhere?”

“No, it’s not that…”

“Besides, why have you been wearing sunglasses that don’t suit you since earlier?”

“…There are reasons for everything.”

Clear blue eyes showed signs of worry. What a kind-hearted person. I smiled, showing my teeth, towards Baek I Hyun.

“Reasons… What kind of issue is it? Ha Young, did you run into some problem?”

“If I say there is, should I say there is… A little, there is something like that.”

At my words, Baek I Hyun’s expression clouded with more worry.

Such a naive and kind guy. I drank the bitter Americano as it was.

Perhaps because it was a weekday afternoon, the cafe was quiet. The people on the street all looked so busy, walking as if in a hurry.

That’s right. I’ve escaped now.

Without Min Yu Shin, my self-proclaimed bodyguard, knowing.

Just as I was about to be crushed by loneliness disguised as boredom, the message that came to me was none other than from Baek I Hyun. Seeing the content expressing concern for me in his usual tone, something welled up inside me.

So I dared to escape.

I tied up my hair to change my style, found sunglasses that I didn’t even know why I had and put them on, then tiptoed out.

Min Yu Shin, who was deeply focused on his work, didn’t seem to notice my presence as he didn’t turn around. They say awakened ones have better senses than ordinary people, but this was really lucky.

Even as I rode the elevator down, I thought I was going to die from my pounding heart. I was afraid someone might recognize me and say, “Oh, that person is…”

Of course, nothing happened. Surprisingly, nothing happened until Baek I Hyun appeared at the meeting place I had impulsively set and I faced him.

A slight sense of anticlimax washed over me.

I had been confined for a whole week on the possibility that something might happen. I had to stay put without getting any answers to my questions.

To be honest, I wanted to run away somewhere just like this.

Whether he knew my feelings or not, Baek I Hyun’s face was only bright.

“Is the issue you’re having… um, something I could help with? Or should I contact the association…”

“It’s not that kind of thing. …Probably?”

“Probably?”

I couldn’t possibly tell Baek I Hyun, “I’m actually being confined because I’m the younger sister of the number one ranker.” So I just drank my Americano. It’s bitter and astringent.

“Really, if something’s wrong, tell me. I’m worried because it feels like things keep happening to you lately…”

“Hmm, well. If I really need help, I’ll ask.”

Despite my answer, the doubtful look didn’t leave Baek I Hyun’s face. To him, I must seem like someone who got caught up in an S-rank gate in the blink of an eye.

I quickly changed the subject.

“But how did you come right away when I asked to meet? Aren’t you busy?”

“Ah, it’s fine. If I’m not in the middle of a conquest, I can adjust my schedule.”

“Oh, I see… So you can adjust…”

Well, he was a promising talent even when the association was protecting him, so he must be at least quasi-S rank now.

Actually, part of the reason I decided to sneak out was because of Baek I Hyun.

Or should I say thanks to him? I don’t know exactly how much he’s improved his skills, but he must be at least quasi-S rank, so I believed that if I stuck close to him, something like last time wouldn’t happen again.

Of course, I was worried.

Considering Chun Sin Woo’s personality, there was a high chance he’d work Min Yu Shin to death. …Nah, he wouldn’t really do that, would he?

“…”

For a very brief moment, I worried that Chun Sin Woo might be treating Min Yu Shin like a slave. It’s probably a needless worry.

“There are many others besides me who are worried about you. I heard you were hospitalized, but visitors were prohibited…”

“Really! It’s really nothing! And, when I can talk about it, I’ll tell you first. Okay? I’ve come out after a long time, and it feels like we’re just talking about the same thing.”

“Hm? Were you confined somewhere?”

“…Not confined, more like enjoying a comfortable life? Like a hotel vacation.”

“Should I come rescue you? Like a hero rescuing a princess captured by a dragon?”

“You’re really good at making jokes.”

Baek I Hyun smiled softly at my words.

I don’t know how many days it’s been since I’ve been in the sunlight. I stretched out fully. People really should live in the sunlight.

After that, I chatted about various things with Baek I Hyun. I tried to talk about everyday things, but every time I brought something up, it ended up with “Are you sure nothing’s wrong?”, making it difficult to choose topics. Baek I Hyun was excessively worried.

I got to drink coffee and share some recent news. It was less than an hour, but it was a small happiness of everyday life.

Then.

“…I didn’t think you’d go out in that short time.”

A familiar voice was heard from somewhere.

That voice had a subtle anger in it.

“Hm? Shin Ah. How on earth did you manage to slip out without me noticing?”

“Hiccup.”

Min Yu Shin was walking towards me, emitting a terrifying aura.

Judging by his expression alone, it could be said to be on par with an ‘extremely pissed off Chun Sin Woo’.

“Uh, that. Well…”

I was going to return before he noticed, but it’s too late!

In less than a second, a thousand thoughts raced through my mind.

But in that moment, Min Yu Shin and Baek I Hyun were confronting each other.

“…Ha Young. Who is this person?”

A fierce atmosphere passed between them.

“Oh. Are you trying to challenge me now?”

“Depends on your answer.”

Clang! Before I could explain verbally, a metallic sound rang out. A fight had broken out in broad daylight.

“You blocked it?”

“Because the attack was too weak.”

Metal objects were flying in front of my eyes. I stepped back two paces, watching the flying daggers.

They fought brilliantly while still being careful not to let any fragments hit me.

Why are they suddenly fighting here! And with such impressive skills!

It’ll be trouble if someone reports this. It was illegal for hunters to fight in public places.

“Haha, you look young but you’re quite good!”

“You look like an old man, but you should hone your skills a bit more.”

“You damn brat!”

I’m really going crazy. The two of them were fighting at a speed invisible to the eye, yet they had the leisure to chat.

What should I do, I thought as I frantically looked around, stomping my feet.

Strangely, no one seemed to care about the two men. Even though they were fighting so openly on the street in the middle of a weekday!

“Could it be you? The one who caused something to happen to Ha Young?”

“Haha, I don’t know who Ha Young is. You, are you a spy from another guild!”