How to Seduce S-Class Hunters with Bungeoppang - Chapter 49

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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【Chapter 49】
The next day, I casually mentioned the Branch 2 idea when I arrived at the Shop, and Ari tilted her head quizzically.
“Branch 2, huh? It’s a good idea, but isn’t it a bit too soon?”
“Hmm, I suppose so.”
Now that I thought about it, our Shop had only been open for just over three months. Opening a Branch 2 already did feel rather hasty.
“Well, I beg to differ.”
Gong Ju-won, who’d been listening to our conversation from the side, naturally joined in.
‘…Doesn’t this guy have to show up at headquarters since he’s a division chief?’
What’s more, he was casually cleaning the dining area. What exactly does this person do? As I stood there bewildered, Ari’s eyes lit up with interest.
“Really? What do you think, Joo Won?”
He opened his mouth with a serious expression.
“The demand for this Shop is already crystal clear. Not only from the Hunter Management Bureau, but now customers are coming from other districts as well.”
“That’s true.”
I nodded with interest. Joo Won raised his index finger decisively and spoke with conviction.
“As the number of customers grows, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to make reservations. Once Branch 2 opens, things will definitely become easier.”
What? So he’s saying Branch 2 is necessary not for our Shop’s sake, but to make his own reservations easier?
As I looked at him with a dumbfounded expression, he playfully shrugged his shoulders.
“I’m joking. Though I’d say 99% of that was sincere.”
“What do you mean by that! Are you saying it’s fine or not?”
“I think it would be fine. As I mentioned, the demand is already sufficient. The other customers would probably like it too, wouldn’t they?”
A Customer seated near the counter made eye contact with me and nodded enthusiastically.
Now that I thought about it, that person had mentioned taking time off from Incheon to come here. They seemed to desperately hope for a Branch 2 in Incheon.
I smiled and nodded.
“Then it would be best to open a branch in a place with many Hunters after Seoul.”
“Or we could open Branch 2 near the current Shop.”
“Oh, that’s another option.”
Opening Branch 2 near the current Shop would certainly ease the fierce reservation competition somewhat. It would also be easier for me to manage.
“Shop Owner, I really think Incheon would be….”
“For reservations to become easier, somewhere around here would be….”
Everyone had different opinions. I fell into thought about where would be best to open Branch 2.
That was when it happened.
-Ding.
“…Excuse me, is this really ‘Ha-neul’s’ Taiyaki Shop?”
A middle-aged man cautiously opened the door and poked his head in. Before I could even answer that it was, a young girl who appeared to be around seven years old suddenly thrust her head out from his arms.
“Wow! It smells amazing!”
“Ji-yul! You need to stay with Dad.”
The child with twin pigtails bounced in excitedly and looked around the Shop with delight.
“Dad, I want tteokbokki! No wait, I want fish cakes. Actually… taiyaki!”
“Dad will buy you everything. Pick whatever you want to eat.”
The man wiped his fogged-up glasses with a warm smile, clearly finding his young daughter absolutely adorable.
But watching them choose from the menu after entering the Shop, anxiety suddenly welled up inside me. Ari must have sensed the same unease, for she whispered softly near my ear.
“Sister, what should we do? They don’t seem to know our Shop operates on a reservation-only basis.”
“…I know. Let’s just hope they made a reservation.”
The child chattered happily about what they wanted to eat, wandering around the Shop. Internally, I desperately hoped this lovely parent and child had made a reservation in advance.
But my gloomy premonitions were never wrong.
“Excuse me. Do I place the order here? I’d like to eat with my child.”
The man with a gentle smile pulled out his card at the counter and asked. Ari offered an awkward smile and pointed to the sign on the wall.
[Our Shop operates on a 100% reservation-only basis.]
“A… reservation?”
Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. He hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe away the perspiration, then lowered his voice to ask.
“Is it impossible to eat without a reservation? We’ve come from quite far away.”
“…I’m truly sorry. It’s our Shop’s operating policy.”
I wanted to accept their order at my discretion, but I already had a full roster of reservation customers waiting. Since I’d consistently turned away all other customers without reservations until now, I couldn’t bring myself to say it would be fine without one.
‘I shouldn’t have given all my surplus to Lee Hyun-woo yesterday. Then I’d have some taiyaki left in my Inventory….’
“Dad, why? Is something wrong?”
The child, oblivious to everything, clung to their father’s leg and tilted their head curiously. The father hesitated, unsure how to explain.
“Ji-yul, you see… that is….”
“We have to wait? I’m really good at waiting!”
And the child scrambled up onto the chair in the back. They swung their short legs and looked at me with bright, sparkling eyes.
“Dad, look at Ji-yul? They’re waiting so incredibly well!”
Seeing the child’s eyes gleaming with hope, I couldn’t bring myself to say I couldn’t accept their order.
“I should have saved some of the taiyaki I gave to Gong Ju-hee.”
Joo Won seemed to share the sentiment, his voice tinged with regret. Unfortunately, Gong Ju-hee had stopped by this morning and picked up the taiyaki Joo Won had reserved.
It was at that moment when we were exchanging glances, trying to figure out a solution.
“What’s wrong? Is something the matter?”
Kang Min Hunter, who’d just walked through the door, rolled his eyes at the subtle atmosphere. Ari, her face brightening, hooked his arm and dragged him to the corner.
“Huh? Wait! What, what is it?”
As he was being dragged along, Ari explained the situation with animated hand gestures. Seeing the child sitting quietly in the chair, he broke into a grin and nodded.
Then he approached Ji-yul and spoke carefully.
“Hey there, Ji-yul? I’m Kang Min. Nice to meet you.”
“Huh? Cotton candy hair mister! I saw you on TV! Hello!”
Ji-yul showed no fear of the unfamiliar Kang Min Hunter and greeted him with a bright smile.
“I heard Ji-yul is incredibly well-behaved and listens well to their parents, so I wanted to buy Ji-yul something delicious today. Is that okay?”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
At Kang Min Hunter’s words, Ji-yul broke into a beaming smile and looked at their father. When their father nodded, the child bounced off the chair and jumped up and down.
“Wow, so I don’t have to wait anymore? That’s amazing!”
“Ji-yul, what do we say in times like this?”
“Thank you!!”
Ji-yul bowed so deeply their head nearly touched the ground.
Fortunately, thanks to Kang Min Hunter reserving such a diverse menu, Ji-yul was able to taste everything she wanted.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to share my taiyaki with you too. It’s red bean taiyaki.”
“I ordered way too much fish cake myself. Would you like some?”
The other Customers who overheard the situation began offering their food one after another. By the time the father and daughter sat down, the tray was already piled high with dishes.
“Haha, Kang Min Hunter, please join us.”
“Huh? Is that okay? I’m not one to turn down food!”
Kang Min Hunter laughed playfully and took a seat. Since he sat near the counter, I could hear their conversation without even trying to listen.
“You said you came from far away? Where from?”
“From Busan. My child has been wanting to visit this place for months. I barely managed to get time off work to come up here, but I didn’t realize it was reservation-only.”
He wiped the sweat from his brow, saying it would’ve been a disaster if it weren’t for Kang Min Hunter. Across from him, Ji-yul held the taiyaki with both hands and bit into it with a loud crunch.
“Wow! It’s really sweet and so delicious!”
Her plump cheeks, still soft with childhood, puffed out adorably. Relief washed over the father’s face as he watched his daughter enjoy the food so much.
“Ji-yul is the only Awakened one in our family. So seeing her this happy makes me so joyful….”
His voice wavered as he spoke, and he hurriedly wiped his eyes with a handkerchief. Seeing that, my heart ached too. Ari beside me was already making soft whimpering sounds, her eyes sparkling.
“Sister, let’s open Branch 2 in Busan. Please? I’m begging you!”
For Ari to say something like this, when she’d been skeptical about Branch 2 before—I smiled and nodded.
“Yeah, Busan sounds great. The ocean’s close by too!”
“When Branch 2 opens, let’s all go on a trip together! I’ve really wanted to visit Busan!”
“That’s a good idea. We’ll all go as a team workshop.”
We laughed excitedly with anticipation. Just then, Joo Won came down after tidying up the second floor hall and crossed his arms, adding his thoughts.
“Busan is quite far. But who will manage Branch 2?”
Right… who should take over Branch 2?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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