Ranker’s Return

Hyeonu and Reina weren’t in a car but were walking through the city center. The reason was Hyeonu’s words. Hyeonu had mentioned he wasn’t in a state where he could go far in a car so Reina had nodded and said, “Let’s go around the hotel.”

The hotel that Nike Management provided to those contracted with them was in the heart of New York. Landmarks such as the Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Broadway and Times Square were within walking distance of the hotel.

“Where do you want to go?”

“I don’t like going to see buildings like that in the first place. Let’s just walk on the streets and see if there is a good place. I like that.”

He indirectly revealed that he didn’t want to go far away because it was annoying. However, Reina didn’t realize the meaning of Hyeonu’s words. She just thought that Hyeonu’s travel style was like this.

‘I enjoy the atmosphere of the city rather than seeing landmarks.’

Reina repeated this sentence in her head again and again. Then she asked Hyeonu. “Have you eaten lunch?”

It was only after hearing Reina’s question that Hyeonu realized he hadn’t eaten lunch. "No, I haven’t eaten anything today. Is there a delicious restaurant nearby? A place that is like New York.”

“I’m not sure what is like New York... Tell me what type of food you want to eat.”

“Um...”

‘What do I want to eat?’

Hyeonu stopped and stood blankly. He couldn’t think about what he wanted to eat. He also didn’t feel very hungry.

'Since I came to New York...’

“Burgers. I want to have a burger.”

Hyeonu’s choice was a hamburger. There were many reasons why he picked a burger. The biggest reason was that it was lunch. If he ordered heavy food then he could only drink alcohol at the party at night.

“Hamburger? Okay. There is a shop I sometimes go to in this area.”

Reina smiled and nodded. She liked burgers as well. In particular, the store she planned to go to now was the one she visited most in New York except for a bakery. The burger shop was really close. It only took 10 minutes while walking at a speed that wasn’t fast.

"We’re here."

The burger shop was on the first floor of a building made of red bricks.

‘It is like South Korea?’

Hyeonu’s eyes widened at the appearance of the store that wasn’t as gorgeous as he imagined. He thought it would have a luxurious atmosphere since Reina said she often went here. However, it was just a common burger store.

“There isn’t a lot on the menu. They only sell burgers and grilled sandwiches. They also sell french fries. Overall, it is clean.”

Reina said while pointing to the menu on the wall of the store.

“I’ll just have a burger. I also want to eat french fries.”

Hyeonu’s pick was a regular hamburger with no toppings added. It wasn’t a restaurant he could come to many times so he picked the most delicious patty menu.

“Do you need any drinks?”

“I’ll have a Coke.”

Reina came back after ordering Hyeonu’s share. The two of them took a seat to one side of the store. These were the only seats available.

“Have you been preparing a lot for the upcoming competition?”

Reina naturally opened up the conversation.

“I’ve been preparing hard. In particular, the other players have been working hard.” Hyeonu answered while drinking the water on the table. Then he returned the same question to Reina. “What about the New York Warriors? Are you ready?”

“Us too. Everyone worked hard. This time, we’ll get good results.”

“There will be results if you work hard. Crescent Moon and the New York Warriors.”

The conversation between the two people continued after that. This was until the food was placed in front of them.

“Wow... What is this?” Hyeonu forgot he was in front of Reina and let out a cry of admiration. It was so ridiculous that something close to laughter came out.

“Why? Have you never seen a burger like this before?” Reina asked as if she understood Hyeonu’s words or heard the surprise in his voice.

“The patty is so thick...”

The reason why Hyeonu was so surprised was due to the thick patty. It was so thick that he mistakenly thought he ordered a hamburg steak rather than a hamburger. Based on visual inspection, the thickness was over 3 centimeters.

‘This should be eaten separately.’

It wasn’t a size that could be eaten by hand. Hyeonu picked up the fork and knife and started cutting the bun, patty and vegetables. Then he put it in his mouth and chewed it.

“Is it delicious?” Reina asked as he looked at Hyeonu who couldn’t stop cutting. Hyeonu ate the burger while picking up the french fries and drinking Coke.

“It is delicious. The meat as well. The french fries are a bit bland... Still, it doesn’t matter.”

The juicy and meaty taste from the thick patty fit Hyeonu’s taste. It literally targeted his taste. The only unfortunate thing was that the french fries had no seasoning at all, so the taste of potatoes was too strong.

“Really? Then I’m glad.”

Reina smiled as she cut the thick patty in front of her and put it in her mouth.

***

It didn’t take long for the two people to leave the store.

It was because in addition to Hyeonu, Reina quickly ate the hamburger.

‘I’m fuller than I thought.’

Hyeonu ate all of the hamburger and only left the french fries behind. Yet he was full. Considering the amount of food Hyeonu normally ate, it was obvious how hearty the hamburger was.

‘I’m getting a bit excited now.’

Hyeonu felt much better. He was full so he thought he could take a look around New York.

‘Was the Trade Center near here?’

Hyeonu recalled the landmarks in downtown New York. At this moment, Reina pulled Hyeonu’s arm.

“We have to go this way.”

Hyeonu’s eyes widened as he asked.

“Where are we going?”

Reina replied like it was obvious. “We’ve had a meal so it is time for dessert.

There is a bakery near here that I really like. It is a cafe and you can drink coffee.”

Hyeonu was pulled by Reina’s strength and moved to the bakery. His stomach was already full enough but he couldn’t stop Reina, who had sold her soul for dessert.

“SIt here. I’ll take care of the order.”

Hyeonu sat on a chair with a bitter smile at Reina’s consideration that wasn’t consideration.

‘She must like bread a lot.’

At the same time, he expressed subtle expectations. He wondered what delicious bread Reina would bring. Moments later, it wasn’t Reina who appeared in front of Hyeonu but another woman. A server wearing black pants and a white shirt put down a cup full of ice in front of Hyeonu.

“Here are the two iced Americanos you ordered.”

The liquid in the cup was coffee. It was Americano as well. It was a drink that Hyeonu didn’t drink.

‘Ah, I don’t like bitter...’

Hyeonu frowned and looked around. He was looking for the presence of sugar and syrup that might be somewhere. However, he couldn’t see it.

‘Is it on the 1st floor? Should I go and see?’

Hyeonu was full of conflict when Reina appeared with a tray full of things.

“Did I take too long?”

Hyeonu smiled awkwardly at Reina.

“No? I was drinking coffee because it came out.”

Then he took a sip of the black Americano.

‘Ugh, bitter.’

Hyeonu managed to control his frown. Then he looked at the tray that Reina had put down. There were many things on the tray. It ranged from bread to cakes to cookies.

“This is a croissant, the best-selling bread in the store. This is a cookie I bought just in case you like sweets. This is my favorite cheesecake...” Reina explained everything she bought. There was none of the same kind. They were all different.

“It is delicious.”

Finally, Hyeonu cut off Reina’s words by taking a big bite of the cookie with a lot of chocolate chips.

‘Why is this so sweet?’

The cookie was much sweeter than Hyeonu had expected. The chocolate chips weren’t just on the outside of the cookie. They were also stuffed inside the cookies. It was naturally very sweet. Hyeonu quickly took out a tissue, placed it on the table and put the cookie on top of it. Then he drank the iced Americano straight away.

‘It is more bitter.’

It didn’t neutralize it but actually made it more bitter. He could feel the lingering taste of the chocolate and the bitterness of the iced Americano in succession.

“The cookie is very sweet.” 

The forced smile on Hyeonu’s face deepened. Reina didn’t notice it and just thought Hyeonu was making a happy expression.

“I’m glad it is delicious.”

Reina picked up the bread she had bought and started to eat it little by little.

***

“Ah, I’m full!”

Hyeonu returned to the hotel room and shouted after lying down on his bed. He felt that his stomach was still full. No matter how much he walked through downtown New York, he couldn’t help his stomach feeling stuffy.

‘How can she not get sick after eating so much?’

Hyeonu hadn’t eaten anything from the moment he left the bakery. However, Reina had to eat or drink something once an hour. Hyeonu was startled when he saw it. He didn’t understand how she could eat more but it was possible for Reina. Then they wandered around. All the landmarks near the hotel were visited.

‘It should be time for the children to come back.’

It was almost 6 o’clock. The thought of the party starting at 7 o’clock forced him to come back to get ready.

‘What do I know?’

Hyeonu lay in bed for a while before getting out of bed and shaking his body intensely. Then he picked up his smartphone and called Kale.

“Kale? I’m about to get ready for the party. Where should I go?”

“Come to the third floor and I’ll pick you up.”

“I understand. I’m going now.”

Hyeonu left his hotel room again not long after entering. Hyeonu took the elevator down to the third floor and found Kale waiting in front of the elevator.

“You came back sooner than I thought?”

Hyeonu frowned when he heard Kale’s words and asked, “Do you know where I’ve been?”

Kale smiled at Hyeonu’s question.

“Yes, I’m aware. Isn’t it a New York tour? Didn’t you do many things? The Empire State Building, Times Square, the Rockefeller Center...”

Kale uttered the names of the places Hyeonu had been to. Every single location was right. It included less famous places but it was still accurate.

“How do you know this?” Hyeonu asked curiously. He couldn’t figure out how Kale knew these facts. Kale unlocked his smartphone without saying anything to Hyeonu. Hyeonu’s eyes widened when he saw it.