Chapter 99: A Gift in Secret

At Yoo Jinhoo’s house, the atmosphere was completely different from the ominous palace of red candles.

Jinhoo was sprawled comfortably across the living room sofa, one arm resting lazily over the backrest while the other reached into a half-open bag of chips. The television flickered with some random late-night program, though it was unclear whether he was truly paying attention to it or simply enjoying the noise.

Crunch.

Crunch.

He tossed another chip into his mouth, his expression calm—almost too calm for someone who had recently agreed to join a demonic organization plotting to destroy Hero Associations.

Right at that moment, Lee Donghyun entered the living room from the kitchen. In his hands was a plate neatly arranged with slices of watermelon, each piece cut into clean triangular portions.

He walked over and placed the plate carefully on the table in front of the sofa.

Jinhoo’s eyes immediately shifted toward the bright red fruit.

“Eat some, hyung. You need fruit too.”

“Huh… I’m not really a fan of watermelon.”

“Eh? Why? It’s really sweet, you know.”

Donghyun picked up a slice and took a large bite, juice glistening faintly under the living room light.

“Well… even so, I don’t like it. It’s not because it tastes bad. But every time I eat it, my nose starts bleeding.”

Donghyun froze mid-chew.

“Eh? Does that mean you’re allergic to watermelon?”

“Hm… you could say that.”

Donghyun stared down at the plate thoughtfully.

Without another word, he slid the plate of watermelon across the table—away from Jinhoo.

“Then you’re not allowed to eat this.”

Hearing that, Jinhoo let out a small laugh.

“Relax. Even if you put the plate right next to me, I wouldn’t eat it anyway.”

Donghyun shrugged and continued eating.

Just then, footsteps echoed lightly from the hallway.

Lee Mira appeared.

“Wah!! Watermelon!”

Without hesitation, she rushed forward, grabbed a slice, and took a bite.

“Hm! This is really sweet!! Hyung! Why aren’t you trying it?” she asked cheerfully, holding a slice toward Jinhoo.

“A-ah, I’m allergic to watermelon.”

“Eh… really? That’s such a shame.”

With that, Mira began eating enthusiastically.

Slice after slice disappeared.

Donghyun blinked in disbelief.

“Mira! You ate all of it! You didn’t even leave me a single piece!”

“Who told you to eat so slowly?” Mira replied casually while chewing.

The two siblings immediately began a small argument.

Jinhoo leaned back on the sofa, watching them bicker with a faint smile.

’Hm… It feels like I forgot something…’

His gaze slowly shifted toward Lee Donghyun.

’Ah, right… It’s already June. Donghyun’s birthday is on the sixth… What should I get him?’

He narrowed his eyes slightly, genuinely thinking.

Choosing gifts was harder than negotiating with demon kings.

He wasn’t used to this kind of thing.

Right at that moment, someone walked past the living room.

It was Elvera.

Her body was covered in sweat, and a towel rested around her neck. She must have just finished training.

Jinhoo’s eyes followed her movement.

He straightened slightly and spoke.

“Miss Elvera.”

Hearing her name, she turned toward him with a bright smile.

“Hm? What is it?”

“Come here for a moment.”

Elvera tilted her head but walked over.

When she leaned closer, Jinhoo lowered his voice and whispered into her ear.

“Donghyun’s birthday is coming up soon. Would you help me choose a gift for him?”

The moment she heard that—

Her eyes widened dramatically.

“What!? A birthday!?”

She shouted in shock.

Jinhoo nearly jumped from the sofa.

Lee Donghyun and Lee Mira immediately stopped arguing and looked over.

“What’s going on?” Donghyun asked curiously.

“A-ah! Nothing…” Jinhoo replied stiffly.

Donghyun stared at him suspiciously for a second but then shrugged and resumed arguing with Mira.

Jinhoo quickly turned back to Elvera.

“Shhh! Why are you yelling?”

“U-uhm, sorry. I was just surprised.”

“Huh… So, will you help me?”

“Of course!”

She answered in a much quieter voice this time, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

—

In the training room.

“This place should be safe to talk. Donghyun rarely comes here,” Jinhoo muttered.

The spacious training room was empty, filled only with equipment and faint echoes of their footsteps.

Elvera crossed her arms thoughtfully.

“So, do you at least have a category in mind for Donghyun’s gift?”

“…Don’t ask me. I’m completely clueless about this.”

Elvera gave him an awkward smile.

She sighed.

“Huh… How can the most wanted man in the world be clueless about something like this…”

“U-uh… I’m still human! It’s normal for humans not to be perfect all the time.”

“You’re right.”

Suddenly—

The door opened.

Jinhoo and Elvera both flinched.

Kim Gae-in stood at the entrance.

“Eh? What are you two doing here?”

Behind him, So-ah peeked in.

Jinhoo let out a sigh of relief.

After explaining the situation, So-ah spoke thoughtfully.

“Hm… I don’t really know what Donghyun likes, but I do know one thing. His cooking is amazing!”

“That doesn’t help,” Jinhoo said flatly.

Gae-in suddenly snapped his fingers.

“How about we ask an expert?”

“Who?” Elvera asked curiously.

“Who else but—”

Before he could finish, the door opened again.

Everyone turned sharply, fearing it might be Lee Donghyun.

Fortunately, it was only Min-seo.

“Hm? What are you all doing here?”

Collective sighs of relief filled the room.

After explaining everything once more, Min-seo nodded slowly.

“Hm… So Donghyun’s birthday is coming up…”

“Do you have any ideas about what we should give him?” Jinhoo asked hopefully.

“Hm… Honestly… I have no idea. You all know I used to live in the forest, right? How would I know about this kind of thing?”

The group fell silent.

Then, in unison—

“Well… how would a forest person understand this stuff…”

They spoke with heavy sarcasm.

“Hey! Are you all making fun of me!?”

“Forget that,” Jinhoo said, turning to Gae-in. “Who’s the expert you mentioned?”

Gae-in grinned.

“Who else but his own sister? Mira. She definitely knows what her brother likes and dislikes.”

Jinhoo paused.

’Hm… That actually makes sense… It’s rare for Gae-in to use one hundred percent of his brain…’

Gae-in narrowed his eyes at him.

“Hey. I can tell you’re thinking something bad about me, aren’t you?”

Jinhoo stiffened.

“E-eh? Of course not!”

“Hmph!”

Gae-in crossed his arms, pretending to be offended.

Elvera looked at Min-seo.

“Min-seo, can you bring Mira here? She might really help us. Just make sure Donghyun doesn’t find out.”

“Of course!”

Without hesitation, Min-seo activated her power.

A streak of blue lightning flashed.

In an instant, she vanished from the room—

—and returned just as quickly, dragging Mira along.

Mira swayed slightly, dizzy from the sudden high-speed “kidnapping.”

So-ah quickly shut the door.

“Mira, we need your help,” Jinhoo said seriously.

Mira shook her head to clear the dizziness.

“E-eh? Help?”

“Yes. You remember that your brother’s birthday is coming soon, right?”

“Of course I remember!” Mira replied, though her tone sounded slightly forced.

’Does she really remember?’ Jinhoo thought quietly.

He narrowed his eyes just a little.

Something about her reaction felt suspicious.

But regardless—

If anyone knew Lee Donghyun best—

It would be her.

And for the first time since facing terrible thing and secret societies—

Yoo Jinhoo felt that choosing a birthday gift

might be his most complicated mission yet.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep