Chapter 100
Chapter 100
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Proposal (1)
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"I heard from Star that you're good at cooking, right?"
I decided to start by buttering her up.
The girl, who hadn't had much contact with people, seemed unfamiliar even with this small compliment—her face quickly flushed pink.
"How about becoming a chef?"
This sounded way cooler than just asking, "Want to work in the kitchen?"
And sure enough, as I suspected, Han Se-ri's face lit up even more at the word "chef."
"A chef?"
She asked softly, so I nodded.
"Yeah. I work at this place, and I know the owner really well. The sisters there are all super nice too. Practice with me for a few days, and boom—you're a chef."
I felt a twinge of guilt for sweet-talking such an innocent girl, but it wasn't like I was taking the money she earned. What was the harm?
Plus, with her high cooking talent, she might actually turn into a great chef someday.
"..."
She pondered my words for a moment.
Her expression held less serious career contemplation and more girlish daydreaming about how cool she'd look as a chef. She was almost hooked—just a little more push!
"Chefs are awesome, right? You get to eat delicious food every day!"
I whispered encouragement from the side, and her face grew even more dazed. Then Pomi jumped in too.
-Pomi, hurry and cheer her on. Her cooking rank is way higher than mine. She'll make you tasty stuff later!
-Ooh?!
"Whoa! Se-ri, you're gonna be a chef? Awesome!"
I ignored Han Se-ri staring blankly into space and Pomi chattering beside her, sorting out my impromptu plan in my head.
First, I needed to figure out how to introduce Se-ri at the shop.
Family... nah, that wouldn't fly. Yeon Hong-seop and Yeon Du-na would know better. Cousin? Yeah, cousin works. If I say she's my relative, Du-na and Na-young will take good care of her.
"Se-ri."
"...?"
The girl snapped out of her thoughts and looked at me.
"We're cousins now. Try calling me oppa. Jun-young oppa~."
"..."
She shook her head firmly. This was unexpected—rebellion right from the start.
"Se-ri, we're only ten years apart. Up to twelve years difference, people still call each other oppa and dongsaeng."
"No."
Ugh.
"Th-then how about uncle and niece? Try calling me uncle."
A ten-year age gap for uncle-niece wasn't common, but it happened, so it was safe enough.
Anyway, tons of girls called me oppa, so getting called uncle might be a fun change.
'Ah, Uncle, we can't...'
'Uncle's is too big.'
'I ended up marrying Uncle!'
Urgh. So cute. Uncle-niece play, let's go!
As I nodded to myself lost in naughty fantasies, Han Se-ri shook her head again.
"No."
"Okay, what about this? I was gonna say for Se-ri... Nah, forget it."
I almost asked if "Master" worked—since I held her life in my hands and would feed and house her—but that'd just get me a trash-tier glare. Not something she'd call me in public anyway.
"...So, what do you want to call me?"
She clearly had something in mind—her lips twitched as she looked at me.
"...Ye..."
Her lips parted, then pressed shut again. She bowed her head and hid behind Star.
I was about to negotiate again when Pomi urgently patted my shoulder.
"Food! Food! Stew's overflowing!"
"Ack! I'll set the table—you know what we talked about earlier, Star?"
Skill points in exchange for sex at least once a month.
I left explaining the embarrassing contract terms to Star and dashed to the stove.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Star's gaze followed Choi Jun-young's back for a moment before shifting to Han Se-ri. Se-ri's eyes were fixed on him too—the difference was she couldn't tear hers away.
"Woof. Se-ri, come inside. We need to talk."
"Okay..."
Star led the reluctant Se-ri into the small room and began.
"Se-ri, I haven't told you yet, but there's something Jun-young asked for in exchange for saving your life."
"Yeah? What is it?"
Star explained that she had to guard his acquaintance.
"Got it."
Han Se-ri nodded readily.
Now for the rest: his demand for her body, her future living situation, and the housemates returning tomorrow.
"And a couple more things. First, instead of points, you have to have sex with Jun-young at least once a month."
Star watched Se-ri's reaction closely.
Even in the dark, she could see Se-ri's face burning red as she hung her head.
"...How do you feel about that? Do you not want to?"
To Star, mating wasn't special—it was perfectly natural. From a Shadow Wolf's view or a dog's.
But for a human like Se-ri, who knew? Star tensed up.
If she refused, what then? Respect her choice to die? Or force her to mate with him?
She stared silently for dozens of seconds. Finally, Se-ri responded.
She shook her head vigorously.
"I... don't hate it."
Star's face visibly brightened.
"Really? You're okay with it?"
"...Yeah."
"Phew, good. I was hoping you'd accept. I'd love for us to live together long-term."
"...Me too. And... it felt... a little good."
"Huh?"
"Nothing!"
Se-ri shook her head wildly, ears red too.
With her keen hearing, Star had caught it, but she pretended not to for Se-ri's sake and changed the subject.
"Woof. Got it? But what did you want to call Jun-young?"
Her consideration backfired—Se-ri's face flushed deeper. Star was puzzled by this new side when his voice called from outside.
"Food's ready—come out!"
Se-ri perked up at "food," beaming brightly.
They still had more to discuss, but she was so excited—food first.
"Woof. Let's go, Se-ri."
"Yeah!"
The door swung open.
"Wowww."
Se-ri gasped in awe the moment she stepped out. Star realized her choice was right.
Se-ri's eyes sparkled at the table. Her flushed cheeks were from excitement now, not embarrassment.
From her low beastly view, Star couldn't see the feast, but Se-ri's reaction said it all: dazzling.
Years ago, without that incident, this warm scene would've continued.
The owners smiling at their daughter from the table, Se-ri fussing pickily like a kid.
Even Star nearby, watching them, overflowing with happiness.
The sudden memory made Star sentimental.
As the black dog shook it off, Se-ri had already left her side for her seat.
Before she even sat fully, she scooped a huge spoonful of rice toward her mouth. But then—
"Nooo!"
"...?"
Mia—called Pomi here—scolded Se-ri sharply.
Pomi blocked between the spoon and Se-ri's open mouth.
"You say 'thanks for the meal' first!"
Interrupted mid-bite, Se-ri looked to Star, spoon in hand, unsure.
Like the old owners, Star gently corrected her.
"Se-ri, say 'thanks for the meal' before eating."
Se-ri looked at Pomi.
"Thanks for the meal."
"Y-yeah. Eat well. Heh heh."
Choi Jun-young, watching, exclaimed in disbelief.
"Hey! I set the table—why's she getting the thanks? Se-ri, thank me. She doesn't own 1% of this table."
"You're too much! I bought the tofu!"
"Fine, 1%."
"Hngg."
"Can I eat now?"
"Yeah, eat. Chew well."
Se-ri nodded, stuffed her mouth full, then clumsily speared a piece of ham. Her eyes darted hungrily between dishes even as she brought it to her lips.
"Eat slowly. There's more if you finish."
Seeing Jun-young's gentle smile and Se-ri's puffed cheeks, Star thought missing revenge on the owners today might've been a blessing.
"Hey, Pomi. Learn from Se-ri. She stuffs her mouth but stays quiet!"
"Nom nom nom. Slurp."
Pomi smacked louder on purpose.
Jun-young trembled with a raised fist before forcing his hand down.
Se-ri swallowed her first bite and grinned radiantly—the most beautiful smile Star had seen today.
"Tasty."
"Yeah, good, good. Slowly now."
Se-ri nodded.
Next target: braised egg, it seemed. Noisy bickering flew over Star's head again.
"Nooo! That big egg's mine!"
"No. Mine."
"I'm the big sis, so I get the bigger one!"
"You're small. I'm bigger. I'm big sis."
"Wh-what?!"
"Grrr."
Star chuckled unwittingly when Jun-young called.
"Star, eat up too. Dogs can't have too much salt, so I barely seasoned yours."
Her wide plate held lukewarm rice and meat.
Human food she'd never tried post-Shadow Wolf memories. Might not suit her taste, but it was his gesture.
Star savored the lively table chatter and lowered her head to the bowl.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ My place was starting to feel like a daycare...
Watching Pomi and Se-ri's ongoing battle for the giant egg, I debated scolding them or not when a voice came from my feet.
"Jun-young, more meat needed."
...How am I gonna feed all these?
I gave a wry smile when a beeping button sound started in my ear.
"Huh? Pomi? Hear any noise?"
"I yielded the egg! Give me big ham!"
"I'm big sis..."
"Jun-youngie. Whine. She's stealing mine!"
"..."
Pomi ignored me completely. The beeps continued.
Beep, beep-beep, beeeep.
Clunk.
The front door suddenly opened—I realized too late it was the door lock code. I jolted.
I shot up from my chair and whipped around.
"Wh-who's there?"
A reply from the entrance.
"Sigh, oppa. Why aren't you picking up? I was worried... Hey, Choi Jun-young. Who's that?"
Yu-ra entered smiling, then her face froze like ice. This pattern again.