I Became The Rankers’ Number One Pick [EN]: Chapter 152

152.

“Why….”

Before I could ask why he wasn’t starting the car, Yoo Ji-an suddenly leaned in.

“Oh, uh?”

Yoo Ji-an’s scent rushed in. Every time I’m this close, I think, *this person’s scent is handsome too*.

Seo-ah, whose mind conjured all sorts of imaginations in that short moment, flinched and squeezed her eyes shut. She felt a brief touch near her cheek, then it quickly disappeared.

And then, a ‘click’ sound.

“Seatbelt.”

“…Ah.”

Seo-ah sighed softly at Yoo Ji-an’s blunt words.

*Why is the [Silent Night] skill so quiet at times like this?*

The car started right away, and Seo-ah desperately pretended to look outside to hide her flushed face.

“…….”

Thanks to that, Seo-ah didn’t notice that Yoo Ji-an was also glancing at her several times.

A slightly awkward and ticklish atmosphere filled the car, but the car smoothly exited the parking lot and drove onto the road.

***

“Is this place okay?”

Seo-ah looked around, checking their location. Well, this was also an underground parking lot.

“Yeah, let’s get out.”

As soon as Yoo Ji-an parked the car, a valet parking attendant approached and bowed politely.

Yoo Ji-an handed him the car keys and led Seo-ah away.

Even while following Yoo Ji-an, Seo-ah’s eyes darted around.

This was a recently built high-rise building in the heart of Seoul, known as the tallest skyscraper in Korea.

Inside the tower were observation decks, various entertainment facilities, and shopping centers. In other words, this place was as crowded as the previous one.

Yoo Ji-an took the elevator labeled ‘VIP’ and pressed the button for the top floor.

“What’s on the top floor?”

Seo-ah asked, and Yoo Ji-an replied nonchalantly, “They call it a hunter-only lounge. I’ve been here once before.”

“Wow, there’s a place like that.”

Well, not just Yoo Ji-an and Park Seo-ah, but hunters were as famous as any celebrity. They would need a place to meet away from prying eyes.

Soon, the elevator doors opened.

Black marble floors and chandeliers were the first things that caught her eye.

Seo-ah, stepping out of the elevator, flinched for a moment.

The people sitting around the lounge all looked their way as soon as the elevator doors opened. And the magical energy [mana] they all emitted made it clear that they were hunters, even without being told.

Still, what was definitely different was that even though they recognized Seo-ah and Yoo Ji-an, they only whispered among themselves and didn’t approach right away.

Here and there, Seo-ah recognized some famous faces.

*Hunter Lounge… amazing.*

After waiting only a short while, the manager of the place rushed out.

“Hunter Yoo Ji-an, I’m sorry, but the VVIP room is already reserved….”

“It doesn’t matter as long as we can eat quietly.”

“Yes, we’ll take you to the next room. The view is actually better there.”

As they went to the room the manager guided them to, the view beyond the window was indeed breathtaking. Inside the room, with a panoramic view of Seoul, there was a large dining table and a comfortable-looking sofa.

Soft music was playing, and the dimly lit space had subtle lighting.

It was truly a space that seemed perfect for a date.

Yoo Ji-an walked leisurely to the table and pulled out a chair, clearly indicating that she should sit.

Seo-ah hesitantly walked over and sat down, awkwardly saying, “I just wanted to have a meal, but it’s become a big deal.”

“It doesn’t matter much; being together is what’s important.”

“Pardon?”

Yoo Ji-an didn’t answer Seo-ah’s question. Instead, the door opened, and food was brought in.

Seo-ah tilted her head, looking at the dishes being set down.

Spaghetti, risotto, pork steak….

Well, it couldn’t be said that it was a completely unsuitable menu, but somehow it felt out of place for this kind of establishment.

After all the food was set on the table, the manager politely asked, “We quickly brought the food from Restaurant A as you requested. Please let us know if you need anything else.”

“Is it not enough?”

Yoo Ji-an asked, and Seo-ah looked at the food, understanding the context of the conversation.

“Oh, so this is… from there?”

“Yeah.”

“Is it okay to bring food from other restaurants?”

“We also offer just the space for rent. Anyway, I was surprised that Hunter Yoo Ji-an contacted us directly. I hope you have a good time.”

The manager and staff said, as if they were truly honored, and then left.

In the quiet space with music flowing, Seo-ah swallowed hard.

“Eat. Tell me if you need more.”

“…Yes, I will enjoy the meal.”

Originally, they said it was okay to bring food from other places, so there was nothing more to say.

Watching Yoo Ji-an eat first, she thought, *let’s just fill my stomach*. It must be because my stomach is empty that my heart keeps fluttering, and I keep getting swayed by him.

Even in the midst of this, the food going into my mouth was delicious, which was both funny and embarrassing.

Seo-ah could feel Yoo Ji-an staring at her, but she didn’t bother to lift her gaze to meet his eyes. She didn’t want to get indigestion.

“Park Seo-ah, listen while you eat.”

Seo-ah nodded, still chewing.

Then, a card key suddenly appeared in her view. Seo-ah stopped the spaghetti noodles halfway to her mouth and looked at him with a *what-is-this* expression.

“It’s in this tower, 95th floor.”

“What’s on the 95th floor?”

“The apartment you’ll be living in.”

“Uh… pardon?”

Seo-ah blinked in bewilderment.

Seo-ah already had Yoo Ji-an’s black card in her wallet. But a house? Is he giving me a house too?

*If he gives me a house…* words like *gift tax* and *transfer tax* flashed through Seo-ah’s mind.

*Can I afford it with the cash I have now? Ah, no. What am I thinking right now?*

Looking at Yoo Ji-an with clearly shaking eyes, he chuckled.

“I’ll be collecting the monthly rent without fail.”

“Ah….”

Yes, that was rather fortunate.

If he said he was giving me a house, I would have been too burdened to even eat this meal, rather than being happy. But there was one more thing to confirm.

“But is this provided by the Taeyang Guild? That would be a bit difficult. I’m not yet….”

“No, it’s my personal property.”

Nodding at those words, Seo-ah carefully picked up the card. Seo-ah looked at the card key here and there and then slowly put it down again. And she fiddled with the edge of the card for no reason.

Yoo Ji-an asked, puzzled, “Why?”

But Seo-ah couldn’t answer right away. She hesitated several times, only moving her lips.

At this point, he couldn’t help but ask, “Seo-ah.”

The voice calling her name was so gentle that Seo-ah’s lowered eyelashes fluttered.

Seo-ah mustered her courage and looked up.

As always, Yoo Ji-an’s calm expression made it impossible to read his emotions.

“Why… are you being so good to me? Do you still need me?”

It wasn’t just about the house. Being able to get the elixir was also because Yoo Ji-an took the initiative to gather other S-class hunters.

The moment Seo-ah asked the question, Seo-ah clearly saw Yoo Ji-an’s eyes flicker slightly.

It was only for a moment, though.

Yoo Ji-an paused for a moment before answering, “Yes, I need you.”

“Why?”

“Your abilities are something any hunter would be envious of. Even Baek Eun-hee or Song Jin-ah would do this much for you without any problem.”

“Of course….”

That would be true.

If Seo-ah was troubled because she didn’t have a place to live, Baek Eun-hee would bring her an apartment to live in right away, based on the pattern so far.

Because she knew that, Seo-ah hadn’t voiced such concerns yet.

Seo-ah looked at Yoo Ji-an with a bit of suspicion. Then, suddenly feeling a certain emotion rushing in, she jumped up.

“Park Seo-ah?”

“I, I… um, I’ll go to the restroom!”

It would definitely look strange, but it couldn’t be helped.

She couldn’t face him any longer in this place.

Despite Yoo Ji-an’s gaze following her, Seo-ah hurried out of the room and went straight to the restroom, grabbing the sink with her hands.

“…Ah.”

There was only one reason why she was suddenly like this.

It was because of the [Emotion Transference] that was unintentionally activated just now. She tried not to read it, but the very clear emotion flowed into Seo-ah on its own.

“He doesn’t say it, though.”

The emotion felt from Yoo Ji-an was close to the warm, fuzzy feeling you get when looking at something very lovely. *Why, why?*

*Is the [Emotion Transference] broken?*

That was the only logical explanation, because his outward expression was so calm.

His eyes did flicker for a moment, but anyone would do that if they suddenly received such a question.

Seo-ah covered her face with both hands.

“…Ah ah.”

It was practically a confession, but she couldn’t acknowledge it.

Reading emotions was clearly rude, and she had to pretend not to know until he said it out loud. But Seo-ah’s heart was also overly conscious of him.

“Haa….”

Seo-ah looked in the mirror and tried to calm her heart.

“Silent Night, Silent Night. Please.”

No matter how much she chanted like a mantra, the skill remained silent. She wanted to wash her face with cold water, but that would ruin her makeup that she had put on for once.

Instead, Seo-ah thought while washing her hands, *Even if that’s the case….*

The conclusion doesn’t necessarily have to be dating… or that Yoo Ji-an wants that. And that person isn’t saying those words out loud either.

After letting out a sigh, Seo-ah came out of the restroom. She lowered her head and walked, bumping into someone.

“Oh, sorry.”

She raised her head at the sudden English. And the moment she identified who it was, Seo-ah was startled and took a step back.

Blonde hair and blue eyes, but it was a familiar face. Or, should I say I recognize him?

The person she bumped into was Oscar Jackson.

He was the world’s number one ranked hunter.