I was Kicked Out of the Hunter’s Guild

Right after arriving at the department store while still holding Iare’s hand,

I looked around as I waited for her to step into the bathroom.

‘Come to think of it, it’s been quite a while since I’ve been to a place like this.’

The last time I did any shopping was when I acted as a porter for those jerks. Our workplace was tucked away in a remote village near the border.

Even when we left town, there were only large marts—no department stores in sight.

And, of course, there was no reason for me to visit a place like this when I returned to the city alone on vacation or during outings.

A department store was basically the kind of place men rarely visited alone, and for someone like me, who had spent years in the military, it felt even more distant.

Shiny clothes and various accessories were displayed everywhere.

Perfumes and all kinds of cosmetics lined the shelves, their fragrances seeming to reach me even from a distance.

This place could literally be called a paradise for women who loved shopping for clothes, jewelry, and cosmetics.

On the other hand, for someone like me—whose idea of shopping was limited to buying daily necessities, mostly food—this place felt unfamiliar and awkward.

‘Well… we’re calling this a date, but honestly, a place like this doesn’t suit me at all. Still… as long as Iare is here, it feels a little different.’

Compared to when I was shopping as a porter for others, the excitement I felt now was completely different.

Realizing that, I started feeling a baseless but growing confidence—

Maybe, just maybe, I could get through the upcoming plans without making things seem too dull.

At that moment—

“Sorry. I took a while.”

Iare returned, her face as sullen as always.

Looking at her, I replied with a light smile on my lips.

“No, it’s fine. Shall we get going then?”

“Yes. First… let’s look at some fall clothes.”

With that, we started heading upstairs.

From the second floor onward, women’s clothing stores made up more than 80% of the department store.

Are’s expression remained as blunt as ever while she looked around, but I could tell—her eyes had started to sparkle.

“Should I go with this… or maybe this one?”

Iare stood there, thoughtfully examining a black blouse.

From my perspective, it all looked the same, but judging by the seriousness in her expression, it clearly wasn’t the case for her.

Just then, Iare turned to me and asked in a very serious tone,

“Jinhyun-ssi, which one do you think is better?”

“M-me? I’m not sure… but wouldn’t it be better to go with the one you’re more comfortable wearing?”

“These are both comfortable for me… Then, should I try them on?”

“Yes, that sounds good. Go ahead.”

To be honest, it was hard for me to judge which one looked better. So, I gave the most realistic advice I could think of.

With that, Iare disappeared into the dressing room to try them on.

And after a while—

“How is it?”

“….”

Iare stood in front of me, dressed in a black blouse.

The moment I saw her, I went completely blank.

I hadn’t noticed it when she was just holding the blouse, but now that she was wearing it, the difference was clear.

‘As expected… they say clothes only shine when the person wearing them looks good. That wasn’t wrong at all.’

The blouse suited Iare perfectly.

So, I spoke my honest thoughts.

“…It’s pretty. Really.”

“…Th-that… is that so? Thank you.”

At my words—spoken without much thought—Iare’s face flushed red in an instant.

Seeing her like that, I, too, started to feel strangely embarrassed.

‘Was I too direct just now? …But still, she really is pretty.’

As I thought that, I found myself unable to take my eyes off her.

Earlier, she had been wearing a white outfit.

“Are you going to try on anything else?” I asked.

“No… I think this will be fine. This one… is good.”

With those words, Iare made an unexpectedly decisive choice.

After that, we continued browsing through other clothes.

But for some reason, a similar pattern repeated itself a few more times.

Every time Iare changed her clothes, she seemed to radiate a different charm.

Given that she was already a natural beauty, it felt like she could effortlessly pull off any outfit she wore. Each time she stepped out in something new, I couldn’t help but sincerely admire her appearance.

After a round of shopping, Iare’s hands were full of shopping bags packed with clothes.

“I think I’ve bought almost everything I need for the season. Thank you for your help, Jinhyun.”

“No… I didn’t really do much.”

It wasn’t just humility—I genuinely hadn’t done much.

All I did was share my honest thoughts as I watched Iare try on clothes.

The one changing clothes, buying them, and even carrying the bags—everything was done by Iare herself.

I had offered, out of courtesy, to carry some of the bags, but Iare’s response was truly unforgettable.

“It’s okay. A strong person should carry these things. The amount isn’t much, and above all, these are my belongings, so it’s only right that I carry them.”

It was the first time I’d heard something like that while shopping with hunters who were stronger than me.

And just like that, Iare had finished buying her fall wardrobe, leaving me with a memorable experience in more ways than one.

Looking at her, I cautiously asked,

“So… is that the end of the shopping? There’s still some time left before dinner.”

“No, I still have one more thing to buy. Could you come with me?”

“Of course.”

At her words, I followed along, thinking she might be heading toward the cosmetics or accessories section.

And after a while, the place we arrived at was…

“Isn’t this… the suit section?”

“Yes, that’s right. Since you’ve been with me all this time, shouldn’t we buy some clothes for you too, Jinhyun-ssi?”

“Ah… no, I’m fine, really…”

“Stop saying that and come here. I’ll buy it for you—as a reward for taking care of me today.”

Iare’s words carried a surprising firmness, leaving me unable to refuse.

Under normal circumstances, I would have politely declined, but something in her tone reminded me of Sooyoung noona’s irresistible force.

‘As expected… sisters are sisters.’

And just like that, I was led by Iare’s hand toward the suit section.

Up until now, Iare had been the one playing the role of the model. But now, the roles had reversed.

I had become the one trying on clothes, while Iare took over the role of the judge.

However, unlike me—who had simply admired whatever she wore—Iare proved to be a much tougher critic.

“How about this one?” I asked.

“Hmm… no. The colors are too bright. Try this one instead.”

Her judgment was far from casual.

From the fabric’s texture to the color, the polish, and even the smallest differences in the overall design—

Iare pointed out every detail with meticulous precision, making me try on one outfit after another.

What stood out the most, though, was something peculiar—

The more clothes I tried on, the happier Iare seemed to become.

After changing clothes several times,

I started to feel like the number of outfits I had tried on was threatening to surpass the amount Iare had bought for herself.

Finally, a satisfied smile appeared on Iare’s lips.

“Good. I think this one will do.”

Iare nodded approvingly as she looked at me dressed in the suit.

Feeling a deep sense of relief that this exhausting fitting session was finally over, I turned to glance at myself in the mirror.

As Iare said, the suit fit me quite well.

While admiring the reflection, I found myself smiling slightly without realizing it.

Just then, Iare began to approach me.

“Thank you. You look great, Jinhyun.”

“…You really think so?”

“Yes, you definitely do.”

Iare looked at me with a bright, happy smile.

At some point, I realized that the blunt expression she usually wore had completely vanished. Seeing that, a smile naturally formed on my own lips.

But at that moment—

“…Jinhyun-oppa?”

“?!…”

A sharp voice suddenly echoed in my ears.

For a moment, I froze, keeping my gaze fixed on Iare in front of me.

But right after that—

The voice came again, this time from right next to me.

“Oppa… it is you, right? Jinhyun-oppa!”

The voice shattered the calm, happy atmosphere I had been enjoying just seconds ago.

Hearing the unmistakable voice of S-rank hunter Na Jiseon,

One word automatically echoed in my mind:

‘Fck…’*