Descent of the Demon Master

a reason to know each other, though, never mind their family members.”

“Don ’t you know Kang Se-Ah is starring in a TV series with Choi Yeon-Ha? They probably got to know each other through that.”

“Ah, you ’re right.”

“Even then, Choi Yeon-Ha showing up here alone is weird, don ’t you think so? It ’d make more sense for her to come here with Kang Se-Ah.
Or show up when Kang Se-Ah is already here.
Honestly, it ’s a bit weird to see Choi Yeon-Ha showing up alone in a pizzeria run by Kang Se-Ah ’s oppa.
Especially when Kang Se-Ah isn ’t even here…”

Kang Jin-Ho massaged his temples while unwillingly eavesdropping on the hushed whispers.

’This is getting troublesome… ’

The other people in the pizzeria were clearly staring at him and Choi Yeon-Ha in a weird way.

He groaned deeply.
“…Are you here to make my life difficult, Miss Choi?”

“Would you believe me if I say I ’m also a little flustered by this situation?”

“No…”

“But I ’m being honest,” Choi Yeon-Ha awkwardly brushed her hair back.
“Honestly, I haven’t had much chance to move around alone like this, and I ’m not sure what I should do in this case.
What do you think I should do?”

“…?” Kang Jin-Ho groaned again, thinking that this woman was also a hopeless case.

Choi Yeon-Ha stuttered a little.
“H-how about I order a pizza first? Give me the—uhm, basic one.”

“Got it…”

“And please add extra cheese.”

“Understood.” Kang Jin-Ho nodded, then headed back to the kitchen after taking the menu board.

Choi Yeon-Ha took out a hand mirror from her bag and started powdering her nose.
Even she was impressed by her own reflection ’s beauty, so why…

’Just what is up with that man? ’

Since Choi Yeon-Ha had dolled herself up so much and even showed up in the middle of the busy week at his store, shouldn ’t Kang Jin-Ho at least pretend he was interested in talking to her? Wasn ’t that—like—a basic courtesy between people?

’

Kang Jin-Ho was even openly looking at her with eyes that said, “What are you doing here, you migraine-inducing woman?” The look in the former’s eyes was driving her up the wall.

“Wow, I never knew I ’d be shooting a drama in real life, too.”

Choi Yeon-Ha believed she was meticulous in separating work from her private life, so it was such a shock to feel the cliched emotion of, ’I ’ve never met a man who treats me this way! ’ It was seriously shocking!

“Yes, it ’s such a cliché.” Choi Yeon-Ha bit down on her lower lip.

It was a mistake to try sweet-talking Kang Jin-Ho into the world of acting.
Choi Yeon-Ha should have thought about becoming his friend first and then aim for opportunities that would naturally rise up during their interactions.
However, she messed that up, and now, Kang Jin-Ho probably viewed her as some kind of a pyramid scheme peddler.

Her pride was wounded; however, admitting to it was the only way for her to move forward.

’Mister Kang Jin-Ho, let me warn you that I can be as tenacious as a leech. ’

Choi Yeon-Ha had no plans of resorting to petty tricks.
As a matter of fact, she would wage a war of attrition.

See people often enough, and one would inevitably grow closer to them.
Once they were closer, they would speak more frankly with each other.
That was the rule of thumb.
So, if she persistently appeared before Kang Jin-Ho and talked to him, that should erode the defensive wall he had put up.
By then, he should become more conducive toward her recommendation.

“Your pizza is here,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“Huh? It’s done?” Choi Yeon-Ha blinked her eyes in surprise.

“Yes, here it is…”

“Wait.
You didn’t bake the pizza beforehand, knowing that I would be here, did you?” Choi Yeon-Ha asked in doubt, but when Kang Jin-Ho looked back at her weirdly, she could only awkwardly smile back at him.
“I ’m only joking, Mister Jin-Ho.
Can ’t you humor me at least this once?”

“I ’m not good at that kind of thing.
Sorry.”

“Eiii.” Choi Yeon-Ha tutted softly.

Kang Jin-Ho didn ’t respond to that and simply put down the steaming pizza in front of her.

’Mm? This looks rather delicious? ’

Kang Se-Ah had proudly boasted how her oppa ’s pizza tasted a lot better than it looked.
Maybe she wasn ’t exaggerating, then? Just the visuals alone gave off this delectable impression.
Besides, a pizza should taste good as long as good quality ingredients were used, no?

Choi Yeon-Ha took a small bite of a pre-cut slice, and her eyes instantly opened a little wider.
“Wow, I didn ’t know you were good at cooking too, Mister Jin-Ho?”

“…”

“Wow, I ’m just speechless.
What do you need to do to get this kind of clean taste?”

Kang Jin-Ho briefly nodded at her.
“Please enjoy your pizza.
Then, later.”

Choi Yeon-Ha became flustered again.
“W-wait! Are you suggesting that I should eat this pizza by myself?”

“What are you saying, Miss Choi?”

“…No one has ordered anything, yes? If I eat by myself, people will think I ’m a loser, Mister Jin-Ho.
Can ’t you stay while I eat, at least?”

“You want me to stay?”

“Yes.
I ’m asking you a small favor.
If I ’m being honest, this is really awkward for me, you see? Everyone ’s looking at us, after all.”

Kang Jin-Ho glanced at the surroundings and smirked weakly before sitting on the opposite side of Choi Yeon-Ha.
Even he had to admit that letting a young woman eat alone while enduring the curious glances of other diners was asking for a bit too much.

’

If no one were looking at her, Kang Jin-Ho would have walked away.
However, it was simply impossible for Choi Yeon-Ha not to be subjected to everyone’s stares.

Choi Yeon-Ha got the conversation going again.
“You kicked me aside while saying you would do something more meaningful than acting, so let me ask you, is this that meaningful thing?”

“The circumstances that led me here are a bit complicated.
But I don ’t see a reason to explain all the details to you, Miss Choi,” Kang Jin-Ho flatly replied.

“Wow…
So cold.
Seriously.”

Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes and firmly declared, “If you wish to talk about that, I ’ll have to leave you alone.”

“N-no, wait.
I ’m sorry, I won ’t talk about that anymore.”

“Understood…”

Choi Yeon-Ha frowned and unhappily chewed on the pizza.

’Seriously, now, this is too much! ’

She was putting in this much work, so the polite thing would be for Kang Jin-Ho to at least pretend to hear her out now, wouldn ’t it?! Besides, Choi Yeon-Ha was not some random woman off the street either.
She found free time out of her busy schedule to come here, so how could she not be angry and feel aggrieved with Kang Jin-Ho’s attitude? He was acting as if she was an annoying bug clinging onto his pants or something!

Choi Yeon-Ha asked after chewing, “When are you taking a day off?”

Kang Jin-Ho flatly answered, “I ’m not taking one.”

“Don ’t you have, like, off days? Or when the pizzeria closes for a day?”

“We don ’t have things like that.”

“…Are you perhaps made out of inexhaustible steel, Mister Jin-Ho?”

“No, and we still don ’t have things like that.”

Choi Yeon-Ha was triggered, and her face reddened.
“Then, you should give yourself a day off or close the pizzeria for a day.”

Search tinyurl.com/2p9emv8w for the original.

“I don ’t see why I should…” Kang Jin-Ho cocked an eyebrow.

“Why not?! You might think you don ’t need a break, but others definitely do! Am I wrong?”

“…Hmm.
Is there a reason why you ’re trying to make me take a break?”

Smack!

Choi Yeon-Ha ’s cute little fist smacked the table rather weakly.
Compared to that, though, her yell was surprisingly loud, “Because I want you to go on a date with me!”

Taptaptaptaptaptaptap!!!

The moment her words echoed throughout the pizzeria…

Everyone sitting around the nearby tables whipped out their phones and started tapping away on their screens.