Chapter 175 - Don't Make Plans for Tonight

On the morning of her birthday, Eun Ha was awakened, as usual, by a call from her mother, Madame Jung. After a loving conversation, she got up and walked through the empty house. 

Most of Ye Rim's things were still there, but after 8 days, the house was already starting to change. Now that she was studying magic and understanding her skills and perception, Eun Ha realized that the magic of the place was waning, as she absorbed it from the environment and Ye Rim wasn't there to produce more. 

This was just a side effect of her best friend's absence, of course.

During the day she received phone calls and gifts, just as Ye Rim's gifts acc.u.mulated in the room. The Yoo brothers and others showed up, but no Ye Rim and not even Hunter Shin. But in the early afternoon, Eun Ha hung up the phone and threw himself on the bed, feeling terrible. It was the worst birthday of his life.

ººº

Ye Rim woke up knowing it was his birthday, and looking at the ceiling of Dr. Kim's room, he felt very lonely. She spoke to her father on the phone early, and also to other people. She even picked up the phone to send a message to Eun Ha, but gave up. In fact, their 27th birthday would be separate, but it was all her unnie's fault!

However, his day was not at all lost. Today, she would have the opportunity to spend time with her mother, and get to know her better. The weather was mild, so they planned some trips. Ye Rim felt that she should take these things calmly, that they should not hurry, so as not to be disappointed. If there was a way to cure her mother's depression, she would like to know.

ººº

Kim Jun Hyeon arrived at his apartment in the late afternoon, determined to turn tonight into an unforgettable romantic event. 

The buffet of a famous restaurant would deliver the meal at the agreed time, and by then, he should have enough time to prepare the environment. 

The doctor placed the table for two by the large window overlooking the Seoul Tower, meticulously calculating how much curtain he should leave open, to create intimacy and warmth. A beautiful dark towel, with tableware, glasses, and cutlery neatly arranged. He made sure that the ice bucket would be available at the right time for sparkling wine. Next, small candles strategically placed around the room and near the table. 

Jun Hyeon arranged the flowers in a way that he found passable. The surgeon didn't realize until now that putting flowers smoothly together  would be so difficult, and he regretted not having hired a specialist, 'Aish, if you weren't the stingy type!', But at least they weren't falling apart. He finished off with flower petals on the linen tablecloth, realizing that he was too meticulous for his good.

The birthday cake arrived, and he kept it in the fridge, a little tired. But then Jun Hyeon took a shower and dressed carefully. Looking in the mirror, he thought he was at his best. 'Devastating, yes! She won't resist you today! ' he greeted Dr. Kim in the mirror for his good taste and sharp looks.

Ye Rim wouldn't take long to arrive. She would have quite a surprise. Jun Hyeon threw himself on his bed, smelling Ye Rim's scent all over his sheets and pillows. 'Hmmm, it's great. I could marry this woman.'

Running his hand under the pillow, he found her yellow pajamas with a cute print, 'Aish, how silly! A teddy bear!'

What was that stupid and intoxicating feeling called love? It was beyond passion. He had been in love before. Desired women and done romantic things too. But this time, he felt he could go much further. Jun Hyeon was never a patient man, and he had never been more open with a woman. He had never considered believing in fairies just because she was the one telling. He had never considered dancing again. He had never considered marrying a woman considered vulgar and gold digger the first time he saw her. 

Jun Hyeon decided to steal that pajama. It was by looking at that smiling teddy bear that he decided that more than dating Ye Rim, he wanted to marry her and wake up every day beside her.

He was putting Ye Rim's pajamas in his doctor's bag when the phone rang.

It was Ye Rim.

His heart accelerated pathetically, as if he were the Little Prince's Fox. Dr. Kim took a deep breath to hide his excitement, and responded casually, although his voice had involuntarily sounded deeper and s.e.xier, betraying his intentions,

"Ye Rim? Are you free yet?"

"Oppa! Could we leave dinner for later or another day?"

It was as if someone had punched him in the stomach. He even saw blue polka dots flashing in front of him.

"What?!"

"I remembered something important that is going to happen tonight. I mean, I think it will happen tonight. I need to be there to check! Do you want to come with me?"

Well, Jun Hyeon should admit that he liked that things never went as planned when they involved Ye Rim, but that was too much! He had to hold back his urge to be dry and acid about it, though.

"And what is it about?" he asked tersely, while in fact, he was furious. But it was her birthday, wasn't it? He was planning to surprise her, she had no way of knowing.

"Well, Oppa! Don't you want to come with me? Witnessing will be better than explaining. If I'm wrong, you can laugh at me as much as you want," the voice on the other end sounded agitated, and it confused him.

"Where are you?" he asked, going to the door while putting on his coat.

ººº

It was about 8 pm when Eun Ha, a little sleepy, forced herself to open the door. And she did so only because the insistent bell could disturb the neighbors. 

It was Hunter Shin.

The first thing that Eun Ha noticed was that he wore clothes that she hadn't seen yet, although it looked generally like all the others. Hunter Shin was a consistent person with a great love for wide pants and big coats. The second thing was that he had a different colony. Eun Ha wondered if he was like this because it was her birthday. Eun Ha remembered the warning that there would be no party.

"Come in," she said with little enthusiasm. Today, even her mysterious Teacher of Magic Affairs presence didn't seem to make sense.

"Ah, I'm glad you're home. Your phone doesn't answer," he said slightly accusingly.

"Ah, I didn't notice," said Eun Ha, unwilling to justify himself and look like an unbearable crybaby again.

"Well, it doesn't matter. I need you. We have something important to do today," he said again, looking out the window. Eun Ha noticed that she only answered the door in her pajamas, and mentally reproached herself, 'Aish! The 150-year fairy can't see his student in underwear! But ... Did he forget that today is my birthday?'

"Professor Shin? Aren't you forgetting anything?"

"Hm. I think not. Everything is ready for today's mission. Unfortunately, I need you to come with me again. I'll explain the whole situation there, as I think you'd better see for yourself," Shin shot her a sidelong look, but looked away again when he met hers. He was definitely a man with Joseon manners!

'If he were anybody else, I would even think he joined my friends for a surprise party. But this is impossible. He is not gregarious and much less the type who plans things like that, 'she thought, and sighed,

"Okay. I'll get ready. I really have nothing important to do TONIGHT, NOVEMBER 11th."

The Hunter blinked, "Today is November 11th?"

"Yes, Professor," she replied, hoping that it was just a mess on his part.

"Hm, it's worse than I imagined. Can you hurry up? And put on warm clothes, please? The weather has cooled a lot tonight. It won't be good for you to sneeze when we're doing what we're going to do."

Eun Ha rolled his eyes, but did what was asked, 'Aish, what a callous man! How could he forget the birthday of his only student?! What a miserable life! Does he want to take me on a hunt today? I hope it's really important. Is he still collecting favors? 'Aigoo, how stingy!'

After putting on warm clothes, she took out her purse and her magic wand, following along with Professor Shin,

"What are we going to do tonight? Is it related to the Devourer, or is it something else?"

"Fortunately, it is something else, but no less important," he replied, without explaining, however.

He parked his car near a park in the center of the city and started walking. 

The Hunter walked fast, guiding the way, and Eun Ha had some difficulty keeping up with him, staying behind a few times. He was looking over his shoulder, and she was speeding up to catch up with him.

Then they arrived at a famous Confectionery, and Eun Ha wondered, 'Why are they always confectioneries?'

She had no idea that, about 20 meters behind her, a suspicious couple was following them.