I Was Betrayed But It's Okay haha

Chapter 24

“Hah... hah...”

Lee Sooah took a ragged breath.

She had entered the women’s restroom and leaned against the wall, resting her hand over her chest.

After a brief exchange with Baek Jihoon, she had rushed into the restroom.

“What... what the hell... is this man...?”

Her pupils were shaking.

She soon regained a bit of composure and searched through every stall in the restroom to see if anyone else was inside.

“Hah... Why is this happening again?”

Her expression conveyed utter bewilderment.

She had certainly believed that when she woke up this morning, she had returned to her usual self.

In fact, she was confused about what her ‘true self’ really was.

Anxiety, headaches, and a feeling of heaviness.

Various status ailments had resurfaced.

It had definitely been that way just a moment ago.

Yet, it vanished in an instant.

‘Baek Jihoon...’

It had to be this person, without a doubt.

The dramatic change was unmistakable.

Naturally, she had to wonder what the cause was.

There was only one recent change in her circumstances.

Baek Jihoon.

‘Why do I keep being drawn to him?’

‘It feels like he keeps popping into my mind.’

‘But he’s... GAY...’

‘Do I... like gay men?’

‘No, no. That’s nonsense. That can’t be right.’

She shook her head vigorously.

For one, she had never liked anyone before.

Furthermore, if that someone was gay? She found it even harder to accept.

‘We had no connection at all. So why?’

She replayed the events of the past two days in her mind.

‘We definitely met when he joined... and greeted each other at the War Memorial Dungeon...? We had drinks together... and talked yesterday. What’s going on?’

No matter how hard she thought about it, it wasn’t easy to understand.

‘Is it the alcohol?’

The first time she felt this way was indeed during the drinking session.

‘Hmmm. I was in a good mood after drinking... Maybe I mistook my feelings because of Hunter Baek Jihoon?’

She felt a bit suffocated.

At the same time, she admonished herself.

“Lee Sooah, I hope you can gather yourself. What’s wrong with you all of a sudden? You’re not someone like this!”

Just three days ago, she had been the official No. 1 S-Rank Hunter in South Korea.

To reach and maintain that position, how much effort had she put in?

She had always endeavored to present a professional demeanor.

But now she felt as if she was trembling like an amateur.

No matter how much she wanted to grasp it, it slipped away too easily.

Thump, thump.

She placed her hand over her chest and tried to calm herself down.

“First, let’s check things one by one.”

Lee Sooah walked out.

*

“Whew. You said you wanted to see me?”

‘What the hell is going on? Hunter Sooah is looking for me? This isn’t even work-related. Why suddenly?’

Park Hyungseok was wearing an utterly beaming expression.

He was grinning ear to ear, almost as if his lips would reach his ears.

He looked so pleased that it was obvious he hadn’t even taken a moment to tidy his clothes before rushing out.

“Hehe... Hunter Sooah, what can I do for you?”

‘Oh my God! Finally, my prayers have been answered!!! Thank you! I’ll strive to live even harder from now on.’

He looked like he was anticipating something.

‘She must be about to confess her feelings to me, right? Oh no, it’s too soon. I’m not ready yet.’

“Yes. That’s right.”

‘Why is he beating around the bush?’

‘Just say it already!’

‘Park Hyungseok! I’ve been watching you secretly all this time. I can’t live a day without thinking about you. Please go out with me!!!’

‘That’s why you called me here, right? Please.’

Park Hyungseok was anxious.

He thought he had gradually increased his intimacy over the past five years by meeting Lee Sooah multiple times.

Moreover, he believed that by putting Baek Jihoon on Lee Sooah’s team, he had scored a point.

On his first day, Baek Jihoon had saved the entire Team A.

‘Wow. Even I think the timing was amazing.’

‘They almost all vanished, including Hunter Sooah.’

‘Thanks to that, maybe she’s smitten with me?’

“Um. By any chance, do you know anything about Baek Jihoon and the Blacklist incident? I heard he was placed on the Hunter Blacklist on the day we joined the guild?”

Lee Sooah asked in a calm tone.

She certainly didn’t think Baek Jihoon was that kind of person.

“Oh. That was some messed-up thing by Chae Suhyeon... I’m sorry. There must have been some misunderstanding. I assure you, Jihoon-hyung would never do such a thing. Absolutely not. The suspicions will be cleared up soon enough.”

Park Hyungseok spoke with certainty.

Of course, accusations of sexual harassment, assault, and stalking...

What Chae Suhyeon had put out there was completely absurd.

‘Hmm. You’re saying he wouldn’t do such a thing?’

Seeing Park Hyungseok nervously shaking his head in denial made her feel confident.

‘Exactly. He’s gay, so it wouldn’t happen. There must have been some misunderstanding. He must know that and that’s why he’s actively recommending his hiring.’

Lee Sooah nodded.

She felt she had verified everything she needed to check.

Of course, that didn’t mean her questions about her current state were resolved.

“Understood.”

Lee Sooah began to tidy up as if she had finished saying all she needed.

‘Huh? Is that it? Is this the end? Why? What’s going on? Aren’t you going to confess to me? Why?’

Park Hyungseok was flustered.

He felt a significant drop in mood after being stirred up.

“Um... Um, Hunter Sooah?”

“Yes...?”

“Don’t you have anything you want to say to me? Something you’re curious about...?”

“Huh?”

“Seriously, anything’s fine. Just ask me. I have a completely open mind. I’m ready to accept even the most absurd thing. I’ve been preparing for this for a long time.”

He was waiting confidently for Lee Sooah’s next words.

Slowly blinking his eyes, he awaited her confession.

‘Huh? What’s this...? What’s going on...?’

Lee Sooah tilted her head.

“Wait, does he know that I figured out they’re both gay and a couple? Is he about to come out right now?”

‘Did I probe too deeply today?’

‘I did ask too many personal questions about their relationship and past. That was quite rude.’

‘He must find it embarrassing to say it outright, so maybe he’s taking this opportunity to just come clean.’

‘Okay. If that’s the case...’

“Um... Park Hyungseok?”

“Yes, yes!”

Park Hyungseok wore a very expectant expression.

He felt he was about to burst with happiness.

These were the days he had been eagerly awaiting.

“Are you perhaps gay? Right? You are, aren’t you? I’m sorry for being perceptive...”

Lee Sooah asked politely.

And with a slightly apologetic gesture, she scratched the back of her head.

“Excuse me?”

Park Hyungseok’s expression instantly changed to one of disbelief.

From an ecstatic expression just moments ago, it had shifted to one of utter shock.

“No, what the fk?”

And without realizing it, he let out an expletive.

Right in front of the Hunter Sooah, whom he secretly admired.