n

n

n

n1 year later.

nThe inside of the restaurant was bustling.

nPeople were drinking wine and eating food underneath the gold lighting, and they were laughing and chatting with one another.

nOne of the factors that made a restaurant succeed was the vibe.

nThe conversations of customers couldn’t ring loudly within a restaurant.

nIt had to be a warm and stable place, and in that sense, this restaurant was perfect.

nThe customers were in awe of the food as they chatted about the food, and they seemed satisfied with the food and enjoyed the experience.

nUnlike the peaceful hall, the kitchen was like a war.

nIt was lunchtime, and Ho Sung Lee was leading a group of chefs, who were focused on making perfect dishes.

nBy the time Ho Sung Lee came into the kitchen, the head chef took over the position of the sous chef.

n“Hey! You can’t swing the pan like that!”

nHo Sung Lee screamed. He stole the pan and demonstrated how it should be done.

nThe man, who had his pan stolen, gulped, and upon taking it back, he focused so that he wouldn’t make a mistake again.

nHo Sung Lee watched and nodded before moving on to the next person.

nAfter checking all of the details, Ho Sung Lee called the head chef to tell him to prepare for a special customer before leaving the kitchen.

n***

nHo Sung Lee left through the back door and sat in an old chair in the alleyway and smoked his cigarette while looking up at the blue sky.

n“Nice weather.”

nHo Sung Lee, who smoked while smirking, remembered that it had been a year since Min Sung had left and sighed.

n“Why has he been in the Demonic Realm for so long? He loves eating three meals a day.”

nWhile Ho Sung Lee smiled bitterly, the back door opened and one of the employees came out.

n“Sir, we got a call. They’ll be arriving a little earlier than expected.”

n“Really? Okay.”

nThe employee excused himself, and Ho Sung Lee put out his cigarette and smoothed out his clothes.

n***

nToday’s special VVIP guest was Commander Ji Yoo Kim of Central Institute.

nInside the kitchen, which was tenser than ever, he watched the head chef cook.

nEven if he was the head chef, he had to pay attention as it was a VVIP customer.

nThe server then took the completed dish and proceeded into the hall.

nHo Sung Lee watched Ji Yoo Kim and a business relation enjoy their food and caught his breath.

nOnly after checking their faces after tasting the food could Ho Sung Lee feel relieved and rest.

n“Sir.”

nIn response to an employee’s calling, he turned around.

n“Commander Kim asked that you join her at her table.”

nHo Sung Lee glanced at Ji Yoo Kim’s table. He thought for a moment and then nodded.

n“Tell her I’m coming.”

n“Yes, Sir.”

nHo Sung Lee took off his apron. He returned to his office. He put on his jacket and then returned to the hall.

nAs soon as Ho Sung Lee appeared in the big hall, the customers greeted him.

nHo Sung Lee answered them with a smile as he headed over to where Ji Yoo Kim was seated.

nThe man, who sat across from Ji Yoo Kim, got up and turned around as he buttoned up his jacket.

nHe was a good-looking man, wearing a luxurious suit with his forehead exposed.

n“Nice to meet you. I’m Sae Hoon Lee.”

nHe offered a handshake, and Ho Sung Lee lightly shook his hand before sitting down.

nJi Yoo Kim smiled brightly.

n“I’m sorry to bother you. You must be busy.”

n“It’s not like I’m actually working myself.”

nJi Yoo Kim smiled and tilted her head.

n“From what I’ve heard, you direct the kitchen during important times.”

nHo Sung Lee avoided Ji Yoo Kim’s gaze. He coughed and looked at the man named Sae Hoon Lee.

n“Who’s this?”

nHo Sung Lee asked while pointing at the man.

nIn response, the man straightened his posture and opened his mouth.

n“I’ve just been appointed. Let me introduce myself. I’m the new diplomat at Central Institute.”

n“Oh, I see.”

nHo Sung Lee took turns looking at Ji Yoo Kim and Sae Hoon Lee. When he did, Ji Yoo Kim glared at him in a playful way.

n“It looks like you’ve misunderstood something.”

nHo Sung Lee laughed quietly.

n“Of course not.”

n“Anyway, you seem to be doing really well for yourself.”

n“Me?”

n“Wow, are you playing dumb with me?”

nHo Sung Lee scratched his head and smiled.

n“Your foundation is huge now, and you’re managing 7 restaurants now. And all of those restaurants are booked for the next 365 days. I think that’s impressive after just a year.”

nSae Hoon Lee jumped in.

n“I agree. It was hard getting a reservation here, and I can see that it’s very impressive. My girlfriend also praised this place.”

nHo Sung Lee smiled.

n“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

n“What are your future plans?”

nJi Yoo Kim asked.

nHo Sung Lee thought for a moment before smiling.

n“I think I’ll take a break. My business is stable now, and I have people I can trust. So I want to go traveling.”

n“Wow, lucky. I wish I could travel.”

nJi Yoo Kim sounded sincerely jealous.

n“Our great commander has so many responsibilities that she can’t go anywhere.”

nAnd when Sae Hoon Lee made a joke, Ho Sung Lee laughed in agreement.

nAnd Ji Yoo Kim gave them a gaze as if it wasn’t fair.

n“How are the governments, hunter leaders, and criminal organizations? Since Min Sung has been away for a while, they might get other thoughts.”

nJi Yoo Kim shook her head.

n“You know how Min Sung is. He left such a strong impression that everyone is simply carrying out their duties. The governments and hunter leaders are still butting heads, but it’s not serious.”

nHo Sung Lee nodded and sighed out of relief.

n“In that case, I’ll probably be able to travel with a peace of mind.”

n“How long will you be away for?”

n“Hm, around 9 to 10 days?”

n“Aw, come on. I thought you were going to go for a long time.”

n“Even when I come back, I plan to just check up on things and just live my own life.”

n“Can you really do that? You’re a perfectionist.”

nHo Sung Lee smiled bitterly.

n“Min Sung would go off if he heard that.”

nJi Yoo Kim smiled.

n“Min Sung had high standards, and you were the only one who could really assist him.”

nHo Sung Lee thought of Min Sung and grimaced.

n“I’m always lacking… in front of Min Sung.”

n“But you’re the only one he trusts. I think that says it all.”

nHo Sung Lee smiled as if he was comforted.

n“Thank you.”

nSae Hoon Lee filled Ho Sung Lee’s glass with wine and offered a clink.

n“I feel like I’m in a movie to be with two such incredible people. It’s an honor.”

nJi Yoo Kim lifted her glass and so did Ho Sung Lee.

nAfter clinking glasses, Ho Sung Lee put the glass to his lips. But then…

nVrrr!

nHe felt his phone vibrate.

n“Hm?”

nHo Sung Lee put down his wine glass and took out his phone.

nAnd as soon as he checked the caller, he sprung up from his seat.

nJi Yoo Kim and Sae Hoon Lee looked at Ho Sung Lee in surprise.

n“What’s wrong?”

nJi Yoo Kim asked with surprised eyes.

n“I-It’s Min Sung.”

n“Min Sung?”

nJi Yoo Kim’s voice got louder.

nHo Sung Lee gulped and answered the phone tensely.

n“Yes, Sir. It’s me. I’m sorry? Oh, I’m at my restaurant. I’m sorry? Where? I’ll pick you up. I’m sorry? Oh… then I’ll send you the address.”

nHo Sung Lee hung up and blinked blankly.

n“Is Min Sung coming here?”

nJi Yoo Kim asked while getting up.

nHo Sung Lee nodded while staring into space.

n“He wants to have a meal,” Ho Sung Lee said to himself.

nSae Hoon Lee also got up with a tense face.

n“Then shouldn’t you stop taking customers?”

nIn response to Sae Hoon Lee’s question, Ho Sung Lee shook his head.

n“He doesn’t like that. I’m sorry, but I should return to the kitchen.”

nJi Yoo Kim nodded with a bright face

n“Sure. Go ahead.”

nHo Sung Lee ran off to the kitchen.

nAnd the chefs, who were cooking, stared at him as soon as he got in.

n“Attention.”

nHo Sung Lee clapped his hands.

nThe experienced chefs continued to cook while watching Ho Sung Lee.

n“Min Sung Kang is coming to our restaurant right now.”

nIn response, all of the chefs looked nervous.

n“Can you do a good job?”

n“Yes, Sir!”

nThe chefs answered with urgent faces.

nHo Sung Lee nodded at the chefs.

n“I believe in you.”

n“Yes, Sir!”

nHo Sung Lee checked the time.

nIt wouldn’t be long before Min Sung Kang arrived.

n***

nJi Yoo Kim, Sae Hoon, Lee, Ho Sung Lee, and the chefs waited for Min Sung Kang with great nervousness.

nMeanwhile, a man opened the door and entered the large hall.

nHe had his long hair tied back and a long beard.

nHe wore a coat on top of a t-shirt, and he wore jeans and walkers that made him look like the most powerful man that Min Sung Kang was.

nSae Hoon Lee stared at him blankly, and Ji Yoo Kim looked at Min Sung with a face filled with emotion, and as for Ho Sung Lee, he went into the hall tensely and greeted Min Sung.

n“Hello, Sir. Let me take you to your seat.”

nHo Sung Lee hid his nervousness and smiled.

nMin Sung scanned the restaurant with his hands in his pockets.

n“Is this your restaurant?”

nMin Sung asked.

n“Yes, Sir,” answered Ho Sung Lee nervously.

nMin Sung nodded.

n“Not bad.”

n“I have 6 other restaurants. Please visit when you have the time.”

nMin Sung smirked.

n“Where do I sit?”

n“Right this way.”

nMin Sung sat down in his seat with all eyes on him.

nAs soon as Ho Sung Lee passed him the menu.

n“Give me what you’re most confident in,” said Min Sung without even looking at the menu.

nHo Sung Lee took the menu back with a determined face.

n“I’ll prepare it right away.”

n“And sit down while I eat.”

n“Yes, Sir.”

nHo Sung Lee quickly headed into the kitchen.

nAt that moment, Ji Yoo Kim and Sae Hoon Lee approached Min Sung.

n“Long time no see,” Ji Yoo Kim greeted with a smile

nMin Sung nodded and then glanced at Sae Hoon Lee.

nSae Hoon Lee greeted him in an upright position.

n“I’m the new diplomat at Central Institute! My name is Sae Hoon Lee, Sir! I had the opportunity to come here thanks to Commander Kim. It’s an honor to meet you, Sir!”

nSae Hoon Lee greeted him with respect.

nAs a result of Min Sung’s strong gaze, Sae Hoon Lee dripped in sweat.

n“Are you a couple?”

nMin Sung asked.

nJi Yoo Kim smiled while her veins popped out on her forehead.

n“Of course not. I’m only interested in you.”

nMin Sung drank his water without a response.

n“Shall we eat together since we haven’t seen each other in a while? We have to catch up,” said Ji Yoo Kim.

n“Up to you,” Min Sung answered sharply.

nJi Yoo Kim and Sae Hoon Lee sat down at his table.

nAfter that, Ji Yoo Kim called over an employee and ordered a bottle of wine.

n***

nAll of the dishes were set up on the table.

nLobster, steak, and salad. It was fancy, yet simple.

nThat was Ho Sung Lee’s specialty.

nMin Sung smiled lightly and began his meal.

nHo Sung Lee sat down afterward.

n“Does it suit your taste?”

nHo Sung Lee asked while gulping.

n“This is my first meal in the human world in a year. Even soggy black bean noodles would taste good. But…”

n“…”

n“I can’t deny that this is still good.”

nHo Sung Lee felt relieved.

nAfter finishing the meal, Min Sung wiped his mouth with a napkin. He drank some wine and then looked at the wine bottle as if he liked it.

n“How did you survive like that for so long?”

nHo Sung Lee asked, and Ji Yoo Kim and Sae Hoon Lee focused on as if they were curious as well.

nMin Sung put down the wine bottle and opened his mouth.

n“I didn’t do much. I just went around killing every living organism in the Demonic Realm.”

nHo Sung Lee nodded at what he expected to hear.

n“Anyway, Ho Sung,” called Min Sung while drinking his water.

n“Yes?”

n“You won’t be able to come to your restaurant for the time being.”

nIn response, Ho Sung Lee went blank before blinking his eyes quickly.

n“… I’m sorry? Why not?”

n“Because there’s somewhere you need to go.”

n“Where?”

n“You’ll see when you get there.”

nHo Sung Lee’s face was overcome with anxiousness.

n“The Demonic Realm?”

n“No.”

n“Then where? Heaven?”

nMin Sung glared at him.

nHe became more and more anxious.

n“Sir, I don’t know where this is, but I can’t go! No, I’m free now! I’m not going. I’m going to go on vacation. 9 nights and 10 days. I’m going to travel the world.”

n“This is a vacation, too. A thrilling and enjoyable vacation.”

nHo Sung Lee was so stressed that he was so aloof.

nJi Yoo Kim smiled and jumped in.

n“Can I go on that trip, too?”

nJi Yoo Kim asked with a smile.

n“I don’t know if you can handle it, but if you want…”

nHo Sung Lee waved his hand to Ji Yoo Kim.

n“Get a hold of yourself. This is no joke, seeing how Min Sung’s speaking. You’re making a mistake, Commander Kim.”

n“I’m going to go wherever Min Sung goes.”

n“Ugh, why are you being like that? Then count me out. You can just take Commander Kim.”

n“But she can’t cook.”

n“Ugh…”

nHo Sung Lee sighed out of stress while Ji Yoo Kim and Sae Hoon Lee stared at Min Sung without any expression.

n“Why are you doing this to me?”

nMin Sung smirked at Ho Sung Lee.

n“Stop whining. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to, but I’ll ask one last time. Are you coming or not?”

nMin Sung asked with a smile.

n“Sigh…”

nHo Sung Lee dropped his head and sighed.

nAnd while Min Sung, Ji Yoo Kim, and Sae Hoon Lee exchanged glances.

nSilence fell.

nAnd then…

nHo Sung Lee bit down on his lip and lifted his head.

nHe then grinned.

nAnd that smile was pure without an ounce of deceit as if he had been waiting for it all along.

n(End of Three Meals of a Reincarnator)

n