**Chapter 15: The Busy Hero House**
The Hero House was bustling with unexpected moving preparations since the morning.
A massive 5-ton vehicle rented for the move had come to a halt in front of the yard. When I opened the container installed inside, various pieces of furniture that had been discarded caught my eye.
Every room had basic furniture set up, but we had decided to move in a few more items.
Well, it was a house I had lived in for a long time, after all. Naturally, there would be belongings I was attached to. It felt only right to bring them along.
“Ugh!”
Honestly, I didn’t need any motivation for this, but I still made a big show of it to fit the mood.
Now that I’ve awakened as a Hero, picking up small stones off the road was no big deal, but I shouldn’t let ordinary people see me acting like that.
Normally, you’d hire a moving company for this kind of thing… but what could I do? I was keeping outsiders away from this house for the most part.
Was it the landlord’s twisted bullheadedness, or was I just uncomfortable with the thought of someone unrelated to a Hero stepping inside?
You know that feeling? That you don’t want anyone in a place you’ve allowed only the people you trust.
It could be my room, my house, or a temporary meeting place.
For me, this home, this Hero House, held that much attachment and significance.
I had a strong fixation on the idea of not letting anyone in except for Heroes or their families, to the point that I even received deliveries in front of the yard.
Moreover, I’d set up barriers to prevent stringent individuals from entering the area.
“Alright, this is the last of it.”
Ajin and Yuri hurriedly carried small loads first.
Meanwhile, Ji-hye and I easily lifted the larger items with just a bit of strained effort.
Dayoung was helping too, but with the overwhelming physical strength of a Hero backing us, we finished quickly.
“Wow!”
As Ji-hye stretched, the clock on her phone showed 11 o’clock. We arrived at 9 in the morning and managed to finish this much with our small group.
“Wow, we finished early!”
“Well, if it was just us, we could’ve used clones.”
“Can’t help it. Mom insisted on joining us. It wasn’t hard work anyway.”
Dayoung’s mom seemed uneasy about coming over alone, so she strongly asserted that she wanted to be with us.
After all, it was a bit suspicious that a friend of her daughter suddenly offered a top-notch penthouse in Gangnam with an outrageous rent.
In today’s world, it’s natural to be suspicious when such incredible conditions dangle in front of you.
Well, any potential bad impressions were cleared up when we met for the first time.
“Thank you all so much, everyone.”
Dayoung’s mom approached us gracefully, smiling brightly as she spoke.
“Didn’t you say your name is Sehee? You really know how to lend a hand. I’m grateful and sorry for making you work so hard.”
“No, it’s fine, Ma’am. It would’ve been easier just to call a moving company, but my stubbornness led to this. I’m more sorry.”
“Oh my, how do you speak so beautifully? If your face is pretty, your heart must be too.”
The way Dayoung’s mom fussed over us was the epitome of a housewife of her age.
Truthfully, I felt a bit nervous before meeting her today. After all… she was the family of a Hero.
I had met many Heroes up till now, but this was my first time seeing their families, so I felt a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
Fortunately, realizing Dayoung’s mom was a kind person eased my heart, making everything feel lighter.
After smoothly finishing the unpacking and room arrangements, I started feeling a bit hungry.
“What should we eat?”
I looked around everyone, asking about lunch, but I already had a hunch about who’d answer.
“I’ll make it! I knew we were moving today, so I prepared in advance.”
As expected, our resident food aficionado Yuri raised her hand.
“Could it be… Chinese food?”
“Exactly! I set up Jajangmyeon, Jjamppong, and Sweet and Sour Pork.”
“What about Bbaebba?”
“She’s sleeping right now, so it’s alright. I haven’t let her stay awake for a week, so she wouldn’t even be able to get out since I locked her in a drawer.”
Huh…?
Today, the atmosphere felt livelier than usual for a meal together.
“This is really delicious. You’re still so young, are you training to be a chef?”
“I learned cooking as a hobby from my dad. I usually specialize in Western cuisine, but I practiced Chinese and Korean dishes by watching YouTube streams.”
“Wow, I really need to visit your dad’s restaurant. Please let me know where it is later.”
“Sure! I’d appreciate it.”
And then there was this scene.
“Oh my! Ji-hye, you’re at S University for Law? Is it okay to have our Dayoung study under you later? I won’t skimp on the tutoring fees.”
“If Dayoung is okay with it, I’d be happy to help.”
“Oh dear, you have no idea how much I regretted that my daughter couldn’t go to college. Even though she earns well as a Streamer, I still think she should go to college. Please help.”
“Ah, Mom….”
Even after all this time, talking about studies in front of parents makes all the kids uncomfortable.
With a gentle smile directed at Dayoung, who’s trying to cut in with a frown,
“Your mom’s right, but come on, it’s not like you’re taking the college entrance exam right away. It’s fine to prepare slowly.”
“Oh wow, my Sehee speaks well! Dayoung, you should take this chance to study properly too. You can set your streaming schedule slowly.”
“No, right now, I’m on an upswing, so I need to row my boat while the tide’s high….”
“Kid, do you only want to stream for life? You need to study and develop yourself properly to think about the future.”
That was some blunt advice. If they attacked her with such sound reasoning, Dayoung would surely be at a loss. As expected, parents know how to hit the soft spots.
“Oh, you’re Ajin, right? You’re doing editing?”
“Yes! Uh, well, I’m getting along well with Dayoung unnie.”
“No way.”
“Dayoung!”
“Okay, okay. Just chill.”
Seeing her pout was a sight I didn’t see often, which felt refreshingly amusing.
She always had that confident look, putting her hands on her hips to give calm advice in the streaming world, so this was quite the contrast, making it even more entertaining.
How should I put it? There were times when Anya and I would eat alone and then share meals when Heroes gathered, but up until now, we had always eaten with our peers.
Relationships woven together by ties slowly intertwine with new bonds.
As if new branches sprouted from a vine growing from the nutrients it consumed, my reset relationships were gradually beginning to establish links one by one.
Moving from just the primary relationship of being Heroes, it extended to Eunha, Dayoung’s mom, and others.
If I keep adding and connecting like this… surely there would come a day when I could firmly declare I’m not alone anymore.
Besides…
“It feels like I’m eating with family.”
Dining with such folks was the first since I returned to Earth, so it felt unfamiliar yet nostalgic, triggering such emotions.
As I watched Dayoung’s mom smiling warmly while chatting away, it seemed my appetite was sharper than usual today, and rice kept going down smoothly.
Yuri’s cooking skills had reached a level where I could always trust and enjoy, but I wondered what it was that pulled my heart in even deeper.
“No need to overthink it.”
I just needed to relish the moment.
In conclusion… it’s nice.
