Hyun’s Quiet Moment..
Hyun had settled into a quieter part of the city, finding solace in a small, secluded café. The hustle and bustle of the media frenzy seemed like a distant echo here. The café was a cozy, charming place, with soft lighting and the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
He sat by a window, enjoying a peaceful moment with a cup of coffee, when the door chimed open. Hyun glanced up and saw Flora walking in, her pink hair catching the light. She looked slightly nervous but determined as she scanned the room.
Her eyes met Hyun’s, and she hesitated for a moment before making her way over to his table. Hyun’s expression was neutral, but he recognized her from the Tower Gate.
“Hyun,” Flora said as she approached, her voice a bit tentative. “Do you mind if I join you?”
Hyun looked up from his coffee, surprised by the unexpected encounter. “Flora? Sure, have a seat.”
Flora settled into the chair across from him, taking a deep breath. “I’m sorry for just dropping in like this. I wanted to talk to you after everything that happened.”
Hyun raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What’s on your mind?”
**A Surprising Invitation:**
Flora fiddled with the edge of the menu on the table, clearly working up the courage to speak. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what happened during the raid and the battles we fought. I wanted to thank you for everything you did. Your skill and determination were… impressive.”
Hyun gave a slight nod, his expression thoughtful. “Thanks. It was a tough fight, but we managed.”
Flora looked up, her eyes meeting his with a hint of hesitation. “I was wondering if you’d like to grab a bite to eat together. I know it’s a bit of an odd request, but I thought it would be nice to get to know each other better outside of all the chaos.”
Hyun blinked in surprise, clearly taken aback by the invitation. “You want to have dinner with me? I didn’t think you’d be interested in hanging out after all that.”
Flora blushed slightly, her cheeks turning a soft pink. “It’s not just about hanging out. I wanted to talk, and… well, I thought it would be nice to spend some time away from all the media and the tower.”
Hyun considered her offer, a small smile forming on his lips. “Alright, I can’t really turn down a meal. Where do you want to go?”
**A Quiet Dinner:**
Flora’s eyes lit up with relief. “There’s a nice restaurant nearby that I know of. It’s not too fancy, but it’s cozy and quiet. I thought it would be a good place to talk.”
Hyun nodded, standing up from his seat. “Sounds good. Lead the way.”
The two of them left the café and made their way to the restaurant Flora had mentioned. It was a small, intimate place with warm lighting and a relaxed atmosphere. They were shown to a table near the window, where they could enjoy a view of the city.
As they settled into their seats, Flora glanced at Hyun with a mixture of curiosity and respect. “I know we didn’t get a chance to talk much during the raid. I’ve heard a lot about you, and I wanted to get to know the person behind the impressive skills.”
Hyun chuckled softly. “I’m not much of a talker, but I guess I can share a bit. What do you want to know?”
Flora smiled, her eyes brightening. “Let’s start with something simple. What got you into being a hunter? You don’t seem like the typical adventurer type.”
Hyun considered her question for a moment. “It’s a long story. I had to become strong for personal reasons, and hunting was a way to gain that strength. It’s not just about the battles; it’s about protecting what matters.”
Flora listened intently, her gaze never wavering. “I can understand that. It’s similar to why I became a hunter. There’s always something driving us, pushing us to face these challenges.”
The conversation flowed naturally as they shared stories and experiences. Flora talked about her journey to becoming a hunter and her role as the guildmaster of the Executor Guild. Hyun shared his own experiences, though he was careful to keep some details private.
**A Moment of Connection:**
As the meal continued, Flora seemed more at ease, and Hyun found himself enjoying the conversation more than he had anticipated. The initial awkwardness faded, replaced by a genuine connection.
“You know,” Flora said, her voice softening, “it’s rare for me to get to know people outside of the guild. It was a surprise to see you at the tower, and I’m glad we got a chance to talk.”
Hyun smiled, his demeanor relaxed. “I’m glad we did too. It’s nice to have a break from all the chaos and just have a normal conversation.”
Flora’s eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement. “Normal conversations are rare in our line of work. It’s nice to have a moment of calm.”
As the evening wore on, the restaurant grew quieter, and the city lights outside flickered like stars. Hyun and Flora continued to talk, their conversation shifting to lighter topics and shared laughter.
**Parting Ways:**
As the meal came to an end, Flora and Hyun stood up from their table. The night had been pleasant, and they both felt a sense of contentment.
“Thanks for joining me, Hyun,” Flora said, her smile genuine. “I enjoyed our conversation.”
Hyun nodded, his expression friendly. “Me too. It was nice to take a break from everything and just talk.”
They walked outside together, the cool night air a welcome change from the stuffy restaurant. As they prepared to part ways, Flora looked at Hyun with a hint of hesitation.
“If you ever need anything or just want to talk again,” she said, her voice sincere, “don’t hesitate to reach out. It was nice getting to know you.”
Hyun smiled, a small, appreciative nod. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for the invitation and the company.”
As Flora headed off into the night, Hyun watched her go with a sense of quiet satisfaction. The evening had been a welcome distraction from the pressures of his recent battles, and he felt a renewed sense of connection to the world around him.
With a final glance at the city lights, Hyun turned and made his way home, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead with a renewed sense of purpose.
**To Be Continued…**