Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Housewarming (2)
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Housewarming.
Originally, it was a ritual held in the evening on the day you first enter a new house or move into one someone else lived in.
But as the ceremonial aspect gave way to more of a celebratory vibe, it evolved into something like a party.
And so, an impromptu party broke out at my place.
We'd hit traffic, so I didn't get home until almost the scheduled time.
Plus, I'd just come back from action school, so I had to shower first.
While I was washing up, Junseung and Executive Manager Kim Gyujin headed out and bought a grill, kitchenware, booze, and the like.
In the end, we had to greet our guests without a single prepared dish in sight.
Thankfully, my generous and understanding guests let it slide.
Naturally, the main course of the housewarming became the grand prize from that Nutube variety show Connect Goes!
The 2+ Hanwoo beef set.
Hanwoo beef we'd won by nailing those absurd trivia questions, dodging the pitfalls, proving our patriotism...
And trembling in fear of the punishments while unleashing our fighting spirit.
Soon, it would face torment on the sizzling grill.
'My... Hanwoo...'
Not that I'm regretting it or anything.
...Really.
These were the people who'd been so good to an insignificant nobody like me.
Yuna Geum, who lectured me hourly, minutely, on the "duties of an actress."
Kang Hosu, who wagged her tail like a puppy on set or off, faithfully playing the maknae role.
My light, my love, my salt—CEO Kim Seulgi, of course.
And now, Manager Lee Arang, who felt like a little sister.
The screenwriter Bae Jongwook and FM Coach, who gave me my foothold in the film world.
And my two lovable managers.
For them, 2+ Hanwoo was nothing.
"We're not just eating Hanwoo, after all... One set should be plenty. Maybe save the other for later?"
"Oh, good idea. Let's fill up on Hanwoo first, then order delivery!"
One set hit the open grill, but the other went straight into the fridge.
My lips curving up? That's our little secret.
My housewarming, and not a penny of my own money spent.
I'd make sure to cover the delivery.
I'd prepped my card for instant payment anywhere, anytime.
Delivery apps installed on my phone, cards registered.
Battle-ready for checkout, I was about to start setting up when...
"Gyeowol, just sit tight. We'll handle it."
"...But it's my house?"
"You don't even know where anything is, though."
"That's because I should've been here for the move...?"
Hold on...
This dorm building for girl idols and trainees had ironclad security.
Even Executive Manager Kim Gyujin and Manager Yoo Junseung had to show ID to enter.
Same for the invited guests.
They logged the exact time of visit, purpose, who they were seeing, apartment number—everything.
Then a confirmation call to the resident before access was granted. Foolproof system.
They said multiple guards oversaw the move, stationed at key points.
'...And fans could breach this?'
Even if I'd been there for the move, it would've been fine.
I felt stupid for buying the security excuse that morning.
Watching Executive Manager Kim rummaging for my stuff and Manager Yoo carrying it in my own home felt surreal.
'...But getting kicked out let me win the Hanwoo and prize money.'
Plus... no way the place came stocked with enough plates or glasses for everyone.
They'd bought more from Daiso than we even needed to hunt for.
Good is good—let it go.
"At least let me help carry things!"
"...If that makes you feel better."
At my own housewarming, sitting idle while my managers slaved away? My conscience wouldn't allow it.
So I hustled around too.
Unpacked the wet wipes and TP FM Coach bought, set them out conveniently.
While hauling plates, chopsticks, glasses, I eavesdropped on the chatter.
They were still exchanging greetings.
Another dilemma.
As host and inviter, I should facilitate intros, smooth things over.
But that'd leave the managers doing all the work.
Just helping out felt wrong with that awkward vibe hanging.
...Would me stepping in change anything?
Might even help more if I stayed out of it.
Pretending not to notice, I kept busy—then Yuna Geum took the lead.
Good thing her sociability, honed from child acting days, shone through.
"You're Screenwriter Bae Jongwook, right? First time meeting in person. Heard so much. Nice to meet you."
"Nothing good, I'm sure... Forget that and accept my new image. Ha ha."
If I grouped my connections: Atelier, Nomen film, Psychometry Her drama, action school.
Somehow, one or two from each showed up.
Expected awkwardness.
But surprisingly...
A warm, natural atmosphere formed.
I figured Yuna Geum created and steered it.
"Looks like setup's mostly done, so glasses first? Arang, fill for Gyeowol and the managers too."
"Yuna, you can drink? Heard lots of actresses skip booze for management."
"Yeah, I'm fine. I eat and drink what I want, burn it off with workouts."
Before I knew it, Yuna was sister-ing with her.
"Hosu, juice for you, no booze."
"Beer's a beverage, though. Beer at least?!"
"Nope. No. Can't. Hand over the glass."
And big-sis-ing with Hosu.
"Screenwriter Bae, first time since then. How've you been?"
"Coach Lee Minseung? Looking as tough as they say!"
Tough as a compliment?
He blushed, bashful.
....
Unfamiliar— that guy's coy side.
Anyway, she reeled in the celebs, screenwriter, even FM Coach.
Queen Kim Seulgi was the vibe-master here.
Setup wrapped up.
Everyone sat; the real party began.
Time to properly grill the Hanwoo.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "...Unfamiliar... ceiling."
Just days ago, I'd sworn—now that I knew my limit—not to drink this far.
Human greed knows no bounds; we repeat mistakes.
And it always ends in regret...
"Ungh..."
Something squirmed on the bed's left side.
Déjà vu?
Felt so familiar.
But that wasn't all.
Something squirmed on the right too.
Yuna Geum on the left, Lee Arang on the right.
Kim Seulgi leaning against the door, sipping coffee, watching us.
"...Why am I sleeping here?"
"'Cause... it's your bed?"
"..."
I barely wriggled free from the two clinging like restraints.
Trying to clean yesterday's wreckage...
"Who tidied all this?"
"You said for a new house, you couldn't slack off already—even drunk, you did all the dishes."
"...Me?"
"Apologized for being a freeloading host who did nothing, chased off everyone offering help."
"...That doesn't sound like me?"
"We have video. Wanna see?"
"...Delete it now."
Jeong Gyeowol.
From today, one drop of alcohol touches my lips, and I'll join a temple.
I brewed coffee with the machine Kim Seulgi bought and set up.
Then stood glued to her side, watching the two lambs on the bed.
Maybe because I'd vanished—their attachment doll—they hugged each other.
This felt...
A weird sense of taboo.
Kinda illicit.
Better stop staring and order some haejangguk.
Yuna and I had afternoon shoots.
Kim Seulgi and Arang half-days off.
Plenty of time for hangover soup, luckily.
'...Where'd everyone else go?'
Hosu's manager picked her up early.
The rest weren't kids... they got home fine.
Just in case, I fired off texts...
Then the card payment notifications rolled in. Impressive.
"Wow..."
Seven people racked up over 200,000 won on delivery alone?
📱 Group Chat — Someone -...You ordering all this? — Gyeowol -I'll cover it all! Housewarming host pays! Pew pew pew! — Someone -G-Gyeowol. We can't eat all this. — Gyeowol -It's fine! I'm not that Jeong Gyeowol who survived on one triangle kimbap anymore! — Someone -Puhaha, Gyeowol, recording this? Okay to film? — Gyeowol -Of course! Actresses don't fear cameras! Film away! Make me look good! ....
Something weird brushed past my ears.
Couldn't be my voice.
Shouldn't be.
"...Heuk... Hahaha... Pfuhahaha!"
"..."
Kim Seulgi couldn't hold back her laughter.
I couldn't hold back my shame.
Jeong Gyeowol Season 2 black history, safely stored in that phone.
"How much for it...?"
"Heuk... Sorry, not for sale... Hahaha."
"..."
This isn't you...
Come back, dignified CEO...