To America (1)

'But is it really okay to decide so suddenly like this?'

Shin Ah-yeon thought to herself as she watched Lee Soo-ah diligently searching for plane tickets.

It was true that there was a gap in their schedules, and she was also a bit bothered by Park Jung-woo's interest in Alencia.

However, to be honest, she never intended to chase after Jung-woo all the way to America like Soo-ah.

Of course, the idea of launching a gank when there was an opening appealed to her, so she had agreed.

'I'm more concerned about something other than Alencia.'

Jung-woo's interest in Alencia lay in the possibility that she might be a 'Saintess'.

And since that might apply to Shin Ah-yeon herself as well, she just let it be as it was.

Thinking back on it, Jung-woo's interest in Alencia was similar to the type of interest people showed in the mark on her own back.

'But the woman I saw back then was different.'

In fact, Shin Ah-yeon had never mentioned it before, but there was something that had been bothering her for the past few months.

It was the mysterious woman she had seen through Jung-woo's memories during the Jeju Island incident.

'She tried to approach him, spouting some nonsense about romance, didn't she?'

She could still clearly recall how naturally that woman had approached and flirted.

Of course, since Jung-woo had returned to Earth, she probably couldn't seduce him anymore, but the problem was Jung-woo's own attitude towards her had also been strangely ambiguous.

At the time, Shin Ah-yeon had thought he'd reacted just calmly, but in retrospect, there were many things about it that bothered her.

Perhaps it was because she'd experienced it directly through Jung-woo's memories that she'd been able to sense his emotions more vividly.

It was clear that the feelings she sensed from him back then weren't just the bond of simple friendship.

'It bothers me...'

This was something she hadn't even brought up to Yeon-ji or Soo-ah, her go-to advisors on romance.

Who was the woman who was burned into Jung-woo's memories?

What was their relationship?

Shin Ah-yeon's concerns only seemed to deepen with time.

'What is Ah-yeon unni thinking about?'

On the other hand, Lee Soo-ah carefully observed the expression on Shin Ah-yeon's face as she mulled something over.

Soo-ah had also noticed a subtle change in Shin Ah-yeon's demeanor recently.

And it was obvious that it had something to do with Jung-woo.

'She even agreed without hesitation to go to America this time.'

It was clear she was bothered by Jung-woo's interest in Alencia.

If you asked Shin Ah-yeon about Jung-woo, she'd just say he was "a close male acquaintance, or a friend," but Soo-ah didn't think that was the case.

After all, what woman would decide to fly all the way to America just because she was a little bothered?

'I missed my timing.'

Soo-ah let out another sigh internally, not even sure how many times it had been already.

Because of her magic power fission phenomenon, Soo-ah had never really been in a relationship and had tried to approach very cautiously, which turned out to be a mistake.

After developing feelings for Jung-woo, her plan was to take things slowly and build rapport bit by bit.

She knew he didn't have any romantic interest in her, nor did he seem to be looking for something like that.

A manager and a contracted hunter.

A relationship that could cause trouble if not careful.

And his strong sense of responsibility as a manager had been a thick wall that blocked even starting anything.

For some reason, the only person able to pass through that wall was Shin Ah-yeon.

'The real problem isn't Alencia, it's definitely Ah-yeon unni.'

Ah-yeon probably had feelings for Jung-woo.

She had never said it outright, but Soo-ah was sure something had happened in Jeju Island as well.

So for Soo-ah, the answer was simple.

She would maximize her chances of running into Jung-woo.

Not just by scheduling meetings, but even by seeking him out and creating opportunities.

Alencia's situation, anyway, was just an excuse.

An excuse to chase after him to America.

Of course, it was true that it also bothered her.

'Let's be proactive, Lee Soo-ah.'

Bracing herself firmly, Soo-ah resumed scanning for plane tickets.

Plane tickets that would allow her to fly to America right after filming for 'Living Together' ended.

'What should I do.'

Meanwhile, Hwang Yeon-ji was silently struggling as she watched those two.

From a third-party perspective, it was blatantly obvious that Shin Ah-yeon and Soo-ah both had feelings for Jung-woo.

The only one oblivious was probably Jung-woo himself.

'Or, maybe he's just pretending not to know.'

According to Yeon-ji's guess, Jung-woo didn't have much time left.

Just like Shim Chun-hoo, whom she'd fought once before, his life could be in danger at any moment.

Perhaps Jung-woo knew this fact, and that's why he might be pretending not to notice their feelings.

'Now it makes sense. There's no way someone could be that dense, right? Especially with Soo-ah making it so obvious.'

Of course, that was from Yeon-ji's perspective, who had no dating experience; her definition of "obvious" might be a bit off.

In reality, since Shin Ah-yeon and Soo-ah had only recently begun showing their feelings, it wasn't strange that Jung-woo hadn't realized. But Yeon-ji chalked up even his lack of awareness as evidence of his limited time.

Dding-dong!

Just then, the doorbell rang at Shin Ah-yeon's mansion.

When someone checked the intercom screen, Park Jung-woo's face appeared.

"Huh? Why is Jung-woo oppa here? I thought he had a meeting today about going to America?"

"What?! Manager Park?! Wa-wait, don't open the door! Let me close out this plane ticket reservation!"

They hurriedly turned off the computer screen and quickly tidied up their clothes before dashing into their rooms.

It must have been because they didn't want to be seen in their casual homewear.

"They're having fun."

Yeon-ji clicked her tongue at the two and went to the entrance to open the door.

"What brings you here?"

"Ah, I figured you'd be here, after all."

Jung-woo sounded genuinely glad to see Yeon-ji as the door opened.

There was a certain nuance to his words that left Yeon-ji puzzled.

It almost felt as if he had specifically come looking for her.

"Oh my, it almost sounds like you were looking for me?"

Though she knew it wasn't the case, Yeon-ji smiled wryly and said so.

He must have come looking for Shin Ah-yeon or Soo-ah anyway.

But Jung-woo's reaction was totally unexpected.

"That's right."

"... Excuse me?"

"When I went to Unique, they said you'd gone to Shin Ah-yeon's house, so I hurried over."

"Why me?"

Yeon-ji furrowed her brow, uncertain what he was talking about, and Jung-woo chuckled.

"Come to America with me."

"What?!"

This time, it wasn't Yeon-ji who answered Jung-woo's words.

It was Shin Ah-yeon and Soo-ah, hurrying out of the hallway.

They looked back and forth between Jung-woo and Yeon-ji with startled eyes.

"Um, what did you just say?"

'Ah, I'm doomed.'

Shin Ah-yeon's pupils were trembling, and Soo-ah's voice was shaking.

Thanks to that, Yeon-ji immediately sensed that things had gotten seriously tangled.

***

With Yeon-ji's addition, all the members who would participate in this season's "Extreme Train" variety show were now assembled.

This time's cast of five could be said to be quite star-studded.

Aside from myself and Yeon-ji, there was top actor Yeon Kyung-ho, as well as up-and-coming hunter Kim Seung-hyun.

And joining as a cast member was star reporter Pyo Ji-yeol from 'Hanlim Daily'.

"Wow, this is a huge deal! I mean, isn't it true that all the hottest people these days are gathered here? As a reporter, it'd be job neglect if I didn't join this show!"

A cheerful man in his early thirties wearing jet-black sunglasses was chattering animatedly.

That was Pyo Ji-yeol, the reporter from Hanlim Daily.

'I can't believe they actually included a reporter outright.'

They had said there would be people from various professions, but I hadn't expected there to be a reporter among them. Besides, I was already familiar with Pyo Ji-yeol.

'The guy who reported from inside an S-rank dungeon among the hunters.'

Three years ago, before I was sucked into the rift, he was already famous as the reporter who covered an S-rank dungeon.

Thanks to him, Hanlim Daily, which hadn't even been a major newspaper, was catapulted to the major leagues at once. To this day, he was well-known for publishing a variety of articles related to hunters.

Above all, with his striking looks and gift of the gab, he'd become a regular on all sorts of TV programs as an entertainer.

"This time, we've got two hunters joining us... I bet PD Jung originally planned this as a hunter variety show."

Pyo Ji-yeol said as he furtively scanned the area.

Currently, we were all gathered at the airport, getting ready to board our flight to America.

Other staff members were moving about busily, and PD Jung had disappeared somewhere to handle our check-in.

"I believe we've met before, hunter Kim Seung-hyun?"

"Yes, pleased to see you again, reporter Pyo Ji-yeol."

Kim Seung-hyun greeted him with a neat smile, gentlemanly.

He certainly was a talented hunter.

If it weren't for Shin Ah-yeon or Soo-ah, he might have been dogged by all sorts of rumors.

But even now, aside from Shin Ah-yeon or Soo-ah, even Yeon-ji had more public recognition than he did.

"Do you know how much I missed seeing Manager Park?! Plus, you've brought such a lucky charm with you!"

After greeting Seung-hyun, Pyo Ji-yeol hurried over to me and, looking at Yeon-ji standing behind me with a sullen face, gestured excitedly.

"The young hero who fought Shim Chun-hoo in Sillim!"

Trying to build her up, he raised his voice, but Yeon-ji's already gloomy face only darkened further.

"Oh, did I get too loud? You're Hwang Yeon-ji, right?"

"Ah, yes."

At Pyo Ji-yeol's words, Yeon-ji replied, sounding like she was barely holding herself together.

Pyo Ji-yeol snuck up to me and asked quietly,

"Is Yeon-ji shy around strangers?"

"Yes, well... you could say that."

Is she, really?

Thinking about how she'd been as Ji Yeon-hwa, she didn't seem to have that side, but at the moment, Yeon-ji clearly didn't want to talk, so that's how I answered.

'Did I force her to join too much?'

Since I'd thought this was such a good opportunity, maybe she was upset about being dragged along.

Since the day I brought her from Shin Ah-yeon's mansion and introduced her to PD Jung, her attitude had been like this.

For reference, on 'Living Together', she hadn't wanted to go either, so I'd had to give up my "Guaranteed Variety Appearance" coupon to PD Do with tears in my eyes.

'Anyway, Yeon-ji seems to be in a pretty bad mood.'

If I asked, she'd just say she was fine, or else mutter something about it being preferable to stick with us and send back information from America rather than be nagged back there.

"I'm here too, reporter Pyo. Give me a little attention as well."

At that moment, Yeon Kyung-ho, who was with me, said with a slightly hurt look.

Compared to most of the others who were from the hunter world, Yeon Kyung-ho was really the only one closest to a regular entertainer.

"Of course you're always in my sights, Kyung-ho-ssi. I was just surprised you chose to join a show like this!"

"PD Jung said he'd recruit people from a wide range of jobs for this trip, but... if you pick a destination like this, of course everyone else would quit."

Yeon Kyung-ho shook his head as he spoke.

'It's true.'

I'd found it pretty odd too.

After all, PD Jung's initial pitch of the show's "concept" felt somewhat contradictory.

Despite supposedly being about 'people from diverse fields', aside from Yeon Kyung-ho, everyone else was from hunter-related fields.

Even the idea of traveling on the "Minerva" was, strictly speaking, more reminiscent of a hunter variety show than a typical one.

"The thing is... I've heard a bit about this."

Noticing our curiosity, Pyo Ji-yeol motioned for us to gather closer, lowering his voice. There were enough people around that it seemed unnecessary to be so secretive, but we played along nonetheless.

"*Ahem,* lately among the three major networks, HSN has been unstoppable, right? Everything from 'Dungeon Exploration Team' to 'Super Hunter Camp'... And then the ambassador campaign for preventing Awakener crime. While HSN keeps stealing the spotlight, the other two networks have done nothing but sink."

"Now that you mention it, all those incidents are connected to Manager Park, aren't they?"

"Oh, you're right. You could say it's all because of Manager Park."

As Yeon Kyung-ho picked up on his comment, Pyo Ji-yeol nodded slowly and stared at me.

"So this time, it looks like the other side is really out for blood. Somehow, they found out about PD Jung's ambitious variety project, and they're planning to air a direct competitor at the same time."

"A direct competitor?"

"Looks like major U. S. management agencies Pandemonium and KDC have teamed up to produce a big new variety show."

"Pandemonium?"

Pandemonium was known as one of the foremost management agencies in America.

Not quite the very top, but they were definitely one of the Big Five in size and, being originally a military contractor, they were the best-funded of them all.

"The moment we decided to go to America, they decide to collaborate and launch their own big variety show? Isn't this all a bit too coincidental...?"

I couldn't help but frown at Pyo Ji-yeol's wry smile.

It seemed clear that this shoot was unlikely to end as just an 'entertainment program'.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=Of course it won't just be an 'entertainment program'. Everywhere you go, there's always a disaster that follows.【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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