A/N: For this chapter, I will be using Joo-Hee's original name and pronouns (only for a few chapters).
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As they arrived at Monggu Pork Belly, Jin-Woo turned to the host with a confident grin. "Table for two, please," he said, glancing back at Joo-Hee with a smirk, amused to see her still slightly out of breath.
But before he could say anything further, she muttered quietly to herself, "Healing Touch." In an instant, a soft green glow enveloped her, and her exhaustion faded, her energy fully restored.
Jin-Woo's grin faded, his expression shifting to one of subtle suspicion. Healing Touch? he thought, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. She didn't have that spell before. Is it new?
Unaware of his growing doubt, Joo-Hee looked up and noticed his expression. "Did you say something?" she asked, tilting her head curiously.
Before he could respond, the server returned, breaking the moment. "Your table is ready, please follow me." Jin-Woo gave a polite nod, gesturing for Joo-Hee to go first.
Inside, the restaurant's rich aroma of sizzling meat filled the air, and Joo-Hee's stomach growled silently.
She hadn't eaten lunch in anticipation of this meal, and the thought of pork belly—one of her all-time favorites from her previous life—made her mouth water. Her eyes practically sparkled with excitement as she took her seat.
Seeing this, Jin-Woo let go of his doubts and smiled. She must really be hungry, he thought, amused by her excitement.
Joo-Hee looked at him with a mischievous glint in her eye. "It's your treat, right?"
Jin-Woo chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, don't worry—just eat whatever you want."
Joo-Hee's face lit up, and she clasped her hands together. "Okay, thank you, Jin-Woo-op-pa!" she said, stretching each syllable teasingly.
Jin-Woo froze for a second, caught off guard by the playful nickname. He closed his eyes, a slight blush dusting his cheeks, and smirked. "If you keep teasing me like that, I might take back my offer to pay."
"Sorry, sir!" she replied, saluting and laughing as they sat down.
As they settled in, Jin-Woo glanced at her thoughtfully. She's changed so much since the double dungeon incident, he mused. But as he thought about it more, he realized he had changed too. Perhaps they were both better off for it, he concluded, feeling a strange sense of gratitude.
When the meat was served, Joo-Hee handed him the tongs, raising an eyebrow playfully. "Are you really going to make a lady cook? That's so ungentlemanly of you, Jin-Woo," she teased, resting her chin on her hand with a smirk.
Jin-Woo rolled his eyes, grabbing the tongs with a small laugh. "Alright, alright. I'll cook for you, Gongju," he said, placing the meat on the grill as Joo-Hee watched, grinning.
Joo-Hee chuckled, leaning in with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Am I a princess now? Too bad, though… I'm missing a prince, wou—"
"Please… Joo-Hee, let's just eat in peace," Jin-Woo interrupted, his face buried in his hands, cheeks still flaming red. His embarrassed plea was so genuine that Joo-Hee decided to ease up, a soft laugh escaping her as she finally let him off the hook.
As they settled in at their table, Joo-Hee took a moment to really look at him. The change in Jin-Woo's physique was almost startling—he seemed healthier, broader, his once-slim build transforming into something undeniably strong.
Even his face had subtly shifted, with sharper lines and a confidence that hadn't been there before. She had to admit, even with her perspective as someone who'd once been a man, Jin-Woo was… well, handsome.
"So," she said, raising an eyebrow, "how's life been treating you?"
Jin-Woo seemed grateful for the shift in topic. He cleared his throat, his blush still lingering as he finally managed a calm response. "It's… been good. A bit different, though. I've been training hard. Trying to keep up with things and…"
He trailed off, a small smile playing on his lips. "Honestly, sometimes I'm surprised at how far I've come."
They settled into an easy rhythm, the playful banter giving way to a comfortable flow of conversation. The sounds of sizzling pork belly, clinking chopsticks, and their laughter filled the cozy corner of the restaurant, creating a small world of their own.
For a moment, it felt like nothing else existed outside of this warmth and connection, and Joo-Hee found herself just enjoying the moment, letting her guard down in a way she hadn't expected.
Jin-Woo, too, seemed to have relaxed, his earlier embarrassment melting into a genuine smile as they shared stories and laughter, each comfortable in the other's presence. In that moment, they were just two friends sharing a meal, and somehow, it felt like the start of something that neither of them could quite put into words.
...
Jin-Woo was surprisingly talkative, recounting his recent adventures in dungeons and taking the time to thank Joo-Hee for everything she'd done to help him, especially in the early days of his hunter journey.
Joo-Hee just listened, genuinely intrigued by this side of him. So, he's not all serious and stoic like I thought, she mused. In the novel and manhwa, Jin-Woo is depicted as cold, guarded, and unexpressive, but here, he is bright, relaxed, and even a little goofy.
She found herself smiling, realizing that this was the version of Jin-Woo untouched by hardship—the Jin-Woo who hadn't yet been molded by the dirt of the world.
As they chatted, she didn't forget to savor the free meat, consuming plate after plate with unabashed enthusiasm. Jin-Woo couldn't hide his amusement, watching her devour countless pieces of pork belly and beef brisket, her cheeks puffed like a chipmunk's.
Jin-Woo laughed secretly, glancing at her with a smile on his face as he thought, To think we've both come this far after that accident.
They continued their meal, the occasional whispers and glances from other tables not escaping their notice. After all, they made a striking pair—both of them effortlessly handsome and beautiful, drawing attention with their energy and chemistry.
Hours seemed to slip by unnoticed as they enjoyed each other's company, until they finally leaned back in their seats, satiated.
Jin-Woo glanced at the table stacked with at least 34 empty plates. He chuckled, watching Joo-Hee, her expression one of pure contentment, her cheeks slightly flushed from the warmth of the restaurant and her hearty meal.
"Are you usually like this?" he asked teasingly, his smile softening.
Joo-Hee tilted her head innocently. "Usually… what?"
A mischievous grin spread across Jin-Woo's face as he touched his nose and pushed it upward, making a snout-like face.
Joo-Hee's eyes widened. "Nose?… You—bastard!" she sputtered, fighting a laugh. "Are you calling me a pig?! Are you even a man?"
Jin-Woo burst out laughing, holding his stomach as he tried to catch his breath. He could barely speak between his fits of laughter. "That—was priceless!"
Joo-Hee's smile turned dark and sweet, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Just you wait, Jin-Woo. I'll remember this," she said, her voice laced with vengeance.
Seeing her expression, Jin-Woo's laughter began to die down as a chill ran down his spine. "Uh… I was just joking, you know…" His smile faltered as he realized she was serious—or at least, she wanted him to think she was.
After they finished their meal, Jin-Woo, still feeling nervous, quickly went to pay at the counter. As they stepped outside, he stayed by her side, apologizing profusely like a guilty puppy. "Come on, Joo-Hee, I was just kidding! Really..."
Joo-Hee held her head high, savoring the sight of the usually composed Jin-Woo stumbling over himself. Is this the power of being a woman? she thought, highly amused. Even Jin-Woo, the future Shadow Monarch, is acting like a nervous husband.
Finally, she sighed, closing her eyes with a sly grin. "Okay, little Woo, buy me some ice cream. Who knows, maybe I'll calm down and forgive you…"
"Fine, ice cream it is," he mumbled, scratching his head, knowing he'd lost this round.