Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Nothing Beats Shopping for a Mood Booster
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Nothing beats this for a change of mood.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ We finally got into the gyukatsu place after waiting for about 40 groups.
Thanks to spending most of the wait at the kissaten, we only had to stand outside for around four groups.
The wind had suddenly died down, so the weather itself was fine, but if we'd waited out there the whole time, I'd probably be sneezing nonstop by now.
Anyway, the time inside the restaurant was way shorter than the wait.
'Well, the wait was so long to begin with that comparing them feels weird.'
I knew that rationally, but I still couldn't shake the empty feeling.
Especially since the food itself wasn't all that satisfying given how long we'd waited.
'It's tasty... but something's missing.'
It wasn't bad by any means.
Maybe my expectations for gyukatsu were just too high.
A game quote popped into my head.
Expectations lead to betrayal.
But it wasn't quite betrayal.
Gyukatsu was worth the price.
It just... fell a bit short compared to the effort.
'Still, it wasn't bad...'
If I hadn't tried all those fancy hotel dishes, I probably would've enjoyed it more.
I wouldn't have compared it to other foods.
'My tastes have gotten spoiled for no reason.'
I chuckled inwardly and set my chopsticks down on the table.
Glancing sideways, Na Da-yeon had almost finished hers too.
"All done?"
"Yeah. I'm just checking if there's any dessert, so take your time."
"More food?"
I just smiled at her question and scanned the restaurant.
I had no intention of eating more.
I'd said it politely in case she rushed to finish her leftovers.
'Guys would just scroll on their phones if one finishes first... but with another girl, that feels rude.'
Still, pacing myself wasn't easy.
Eat a bite, zone out. Eat a bite, zone out.
That would've been weird too.
'Now that we've eaten, next up...'
I glanced around the restaurant while thinking about our next stop.
After gyukatsu, we were heading straight to the underground mall called Chikagai.
Chikagai means underground mall, so yeah, just call it that.
They said there were fun things to see, so we decided to check it out.
It was right by the main street, perfect for heading back to the hotel after.
'By then it'll be dinner time, so grab something nearby and call it a day.'
We hadn't decided on dinner yet.
Lots of restaurants around, so something simple before heading back.
'Lunch was late anyway, so we won't be starving.'
After the mall and dinner, the day's schedule would be done.
I finished mentally organizing the rest as I poured some water and sipped it. Then Na Da-yeon set her chopsticks down beside me.
"Decided on dessert?"
"Eh... nothing really jumps out."
"You gotta eat if I'm buying! Nothing at all?"
I shook my head with a small laugh at her insistence.
'It's been ages since someone treated me to a meal.'
Ever since I got that 500 billion, I've been the one paying.
It felt refreshingly novel to have someone buy me food again. I watched as Na Da-yeon handled the bill.
"Let's go!"
She approached with a bright smile, despite dropping a decent amount of cash.
I nodded with a smirk at her cheer.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Tenjin Chikagai.
A massive underground mall connected to Tenjin Station.
Korea has places like this too.
But I've never seen one decorated quite like this.
"Whoa, they really decked it out nice."
I agreed with her impression.
Old European-style design and lighting.
The entrance was covered in mosaics like something out of a medieval church.
Step inside, and you meet neat pavement blocks.
Admire the clean floor and open space, look up at the ceiling, and it's filled with intricate, beautiful golden patterns.
'The lighting's on point too.'
Warm yellow lights that made the complex designs even more stunning.
If I ever build a grand mansion, I'd want my hallways like this.
'Might hurt the eyes though.'
I memorized it eagerly, thinking it'd be good reference.
Never seen anything like it in Korea, so I had to soak it in here.
Does Korea not have places like this? Probably does. Just not ones I've seen.
Anyway, it was just a fantasy.
Building and living in a mansion in Korea wouldn't be easy.
'They said there are tons of photo spots, so... gotta take lots of pics.'
No way I'd skip photos in a place this pretty.
Planning a long SNS series on my Japan trip.
Lost in those thoughts, we soon reached a wide plaza.
I pulled up the underground mall shop map on my phone to plan our route, but...
"Hmm... hard to tell from the names alone."
Shop names were in English katakana, and categories were listed, but no specifics.
So...
"Shall we just go?"
We'd check it out with our eyes.
"Sounds good!"
Na Da-yeon nodded with a smile.
Neither of us seemed like planners.
A planner would freak seeing us wander like this.
A tightly scheduled trip sounds nice.
But I prefer loose plans and freedom within them.
'Plus, with all this money, no real issues.'
Problems from no plans usually tie to time or money.
But I'm a rich bum.
Plenty of both.
Miss a flight home? Book the next one, find a hotel leisurely.
Just don't exceed 90 days.
"Yeon-bi! Over here!"
Lost in thought, Na Da-yeon tapped my shoulder.
I turned to where her finger pointed.
"Coffee...?"
A huge coffee shop sprawled out like a street stall.
"They sell coffee beans here, drip bags, packs, all that. Saw it with friends in Osaka before—it's a chain!"
She'd been to Osaka, yeah.
Franchise spots everywhere, apparently.
Coffee again.
Kissaten, here—Japan loves its coffee.
'Not that I mind.'
I followed her lead into the shop.
'Whoa, coffee everywhere.'
Inside was a shock.
Coffee here, coffee there.
Boxes stacked nearby: coffee.
Big wrapped crates labeled "COFFEE" in huge English letters.
Glass cases full of beans from various countries next to it.
'Why are they so serious about coffee?'
Excitedly browsing, Na Da-yeon came over holding something.
"Here, coffee. Got a sample from the side. Try it."
"What kind?"
"Drip bag coffee. Like tea bags? Steep it in hot water. Tastes better than you'd think."
I tilted my head at the new concept and took the paper cup she offered.
Slurped the coffee inside.
"Oh..."
Pretty good.
Not as bold as the kissaten brew or department store coffee, but solid.
For a drip bag, actually impressive.
"...Not bad."
"Right? Gotta stock up again. Finished the last batch too quick. Loading up this time."
She grinned happily, grabbing drip bags.
I picked the same and checked out.
Beans and filters? For hand-drip, no need.
Coffee hobby sounds fun, but not now.
'Just adds baggage.'
Bagged the drip coffee and left.
We kept wandering, checking shops.
Lots of food spots, but too full to bother.
Souvenirs? Would have to lug them all day—save for last day, rule.
'Still remember that Jeju school trip.'
School packaged it with mall stops mid-schedule.
Cheap Jeju chocolates, tourist sets—funny now.
'Kids don't have that kinda cash.'
Those who bought tons suffered with luggage the whole trip.
Pricey, bulky.
Some bus-stored chocolates even melted.
'No need here.'
No point in that hassle. Onward with just the drip coffee.
We paused at photogenic spots for pics.
Pretty shops? Dive in, browse.
Liked something? Buy it, no hesitation.
Here, there.
Grabbed cute plates at a kitchenware shop, fish cake snack when hunger hit, egg tarts and chocolate for the hotel.
Cosmetics store...
Na Da-yeon seemed thrilled. Me? Not so much.
'Don't know much about it.'
Do I even need makeup?
Bit sexist to think that, but with my looks...
'Sounds cocky—keep it to myself.'
I nodded to myself firmly.
Still, maintenance is key.
Nothing lasts forever.
This body even tried gaining weight from food.
'Look into skincare later.'
Silly worrying in my early 20s, but better safe.
Hair loss too.
Too late once it starts.
'Though it's beyond management sometimes...'
Wait, no hair loss worries for me.
'Perk of the situation.'
No baldness instead of that day coming.
Just avoid stress.
Anyway, we finished the long underground mall and emerged.
Sun had set, and my full stomach now rumbled softly for more space.
"Dinner before heading back?"
Na Da-yeon, arms full of bags, pondered my question.
"Yeah... why not? Back at the hotel, I'll crash from exhaustion. Let's max it out."
She nodded, shoulders back with renewed energy.
We'd walked a ton.
Nonstop since landing in Japan.
I smiled and nodded, scanning for nearby eats.
One right ahead.
"How about that sushi place?"
"Perfect!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Quick sushi dinner, convenience store pit stop, then finally hotel.
Back at the room, arms loaded with mall hauls and snacks.
"Ugh..."
Na Da-yeon flopped into a chair first, dumping her stuff on the floor.
"Walked way too much..."
"I'm beat too."
"You've got stamina."
"...Nah."
My stamina hadn't improved much.
Yoga's it for exercise—flexibility gains, nothing else yet.
She lugged everything herself despite my offers, so of course she was more tired. My hands were empty.
I'd gotten a few cute dishes, drip coffee, egg tarts.
Hers? Mountains.
'She seems way fitter.'
Even refused my help—her stuff, she said.
Felt a twinge of guilt.
Though forcing would've made her feel worse.
'Gotta help unpack later.'
Get her home easy from the airport too.
"Yeon-bi, shower first. I'll chill a bit."
Mid-thought on airport plans, she spoke from her collapsed pose in the chair.
Still days left, but burning out now? Nah.
Tomorrow's free time each—she'd manage her condition.
'I'll hit that department store I saw in the mall.'
Spotted signs connecting to malls like in Korea.
'Bet they have a lounge.'
Sign up for VIP right away, use it.
Overseas shipping would be ideal.
'...Sounds fun.'
Thinking of tomorrow's shopping spree lifted my spirits.
For a mood boost, nothing beats travel (shopping).