Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Will You Give Permission, Na-young? (2)
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After getting shot down by Na-young and coming home, I couldn't fall asleep. Her affection and submission levels had both dropped a whopping 10 points. How the hell was I supposed to raise them back up?
"Ugh. I should've waited until her affection was a bit higher before trying."
It was partly because I'd saved Na-young not long ago, and partly because I'd successfully confessed to Yeon Du while two-timing, so I got cocky thinking Joo Na-young would be a sure thing too.
Reflection time was over, but with her emotions tanked like that, I didn't have the luxury of taking it slow. There weren't many days left to work with.
"This quest is always so tight on time. Fitting for hard difficulty, huh? ...Mongma!"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Insufficient vitality.] "Ugh. I need some healing. Come here, Healing-mon."
"Uu... Uuu..."
I tightly hugged Pomi, who was sleeping next to me. Holding her while I slept always seemed to speed up my vitality recovery a bit.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next day marked the end of that war-like holiday spanning Yeon Du, Yu-ra, and Joo Na-young. It was back to work.
Yu-ra was apparently still wiped from the day before yesterday and, uncharacteristically, had overslept.
Pomi just slept and woke whenever she felt like it anyway, so no need to mention her.
The moment I woke up, I checked my stat window. Joo Na-young's emotions had calmed a bit overnight, showing some recovery. I let out a sigh of relief.
That good mood didn't last, though. I was depressed again in no time.
Today was the day I'd be working with both Yeon Du and Na-young. When I got to the shop, Yeon Du—who'd come in early again as usual—greeted me with a bright smile. She seemed to have composed herself over the past two days.
"Oppa~ You made it? Did you rest well yesterday?"
"Eh, so-so. I heard Hong-seop chewed you out pretty bad."
"Yeah. Yeon Du hurts..."
Gasp. Th-this was Yeon Du's aegyo now that she was my girlfriend! My heart was melting!
"Uh... Heh heh."
"Ugh, so cringey. Right?"
"Nah. It's totally great."
She was twisting her body all bashful after doing the aegyo herself—it was unbearably cute. After a moment, Yeon Du glanced up at me shyly and asked carefully.
"What did my oppa say?"
Of course, I'd gotten an earful over the phone. He said he'd kill me if I made his little sister cry. I'd lied to him, saying I wasn't seeing my ex anymore.
"Eh, nothing much. Just to take good care of his sister."
"Treat me well. Or you'll lose your friend and me in a two-for-one deal."
"Aigoo, got it~."
Even while working in the kitchen, whenever Myeong-sook Auntie looked away, Yeon Du would sneak over and grab my hand.
"Like oppa. Hehe."
"Me too. Heh."
This fresh innocence was missing with Yu-ra! We were scattering idiot-couple vibes everywhere.
This flirting got even bolder once Joo Na-young clocked in. Thinking I was already dating Na-young, Yeon Du was burning with rivalry.
Every time Na-young entered her line of sight, Yeon Du would fiddle with my hand where only Na-young could see or pretend to brush off nonexistent lint to provoke her.
Na-young was radiating low-pressure vibes, pretending not to look our way, but I could feel her sharp glares every time Yeon Du acted sweet toward me.
And on top of that.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Target Joo Na-young's affection -1.] [Target Joo Na-young's affection +1.] [Target Joo Na-young's affection -3.] [Target Joo Na-young's affection +2.] ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [New talent 'Jealousy D' awakened in target Joo Na-young.] With the system window going nuts like that, how could I not notice? Also, following Yu-ra and Yeon Du, Na-young had joined the jealousy sisters. I was ruining so many lives.
Break time.
Having seen me head to the break room with Yeon Du, Na-young couldn't hold back anymore and approached. She smiled brightly at me and Yeon Du.
"Oppa, did you get home okay last night?"
Whoa. Hey. Not cool. Yeon Du had deliberately avoided bringing up yesterday...
Pow!
"Ow!"
Yeon Du jabbed my side with her fist, then glared at Na-young.
"You haven't even kissed oppa yet, have you?"
"Crazy...! What the hell? Why would I kiss this guy!"
"I saw you peck him on the cheek before."
Na-young's face went pitch black.
"I didn't!"
"If you didn't, then you didn't. Why get so mad?"
"Hey, Yeon Du."
"Oppa, did you see her talking down to me? Yeon Du is scared~."
Na-young scowled at Yeon Du's foxy aegyo, and Yeon Du slyly hid behind me, chattering away.
"Oppa. Look at her eyes. That's the kind of girl she is. Even now..."
Na-young's lip twitched, then she paused and flashed a sleazy grin.
"Ha. I'm just... speechless. I've done way more than that with Choi Jun-young! What's your problem?"
"Hey, when did you and I ever..."
Zing.
As I opened my mouth, Na-young's fierce glare made me snap it shut.
"W-way more? I only did it with oppa tw-twice the day before yesterday?"
"Yeon Du!? What are you saying? This is the break room..."
"Ha! Yeon Du. Acting all innocent by yourself. I've done it with Choi Jun-young more than three times. Oh, right. Even with my butt!"
Hey! It was all in dreams! Don't bring it into reality!
"O-oppa. Is, is it true? You did it... there too?"
"No. Yeon Du. And you two are too loud..."
"She said you did!"
"I really didn't."
In reality, that is.
Yeon Du shot Na-young a death glare after hearing me.
"You're awful. Lying too?"
"Not lying. Choi Jun-young's is this big—ab-about this long."
Na-young measured out a bit more than a handspan with both hands and showed it to Yeon Du.
"And this thick? There's two moles on the inside of his thigh here!"
This girl, dreaming of me so many times her memory's sharp. And I didn't even know I had moles there.
To me, it was obvious Na-young was bluffing—not quite a lie—to win the argument, but apparently not to Yeon Du.
Her face had hardened when Na-young described my size, and paled at the thigh moles.
"Y-yeah. Oppa has moles there."
Now Na-young was stunned. The dream stuff was real!
"F-for real?"
Meanwhile, thinking she'd lost, Yeon Du teared up and bolted for the break room door.
"Oppa! You said you didn't do it with her! Liar! Ugh!"
Tatata, slam!
"Yeon Du! Misunderstanding! I really didn't with her..."
Bang.
"...Huh."
I'd reached for the door, then turned to give Na-young a piece of my mind.
"Hey, Joo Na-young. Really? Saying we had sex when..." Sigh. "She's lost it too."
Not just Yeon Du—Na-young seemed to have taken massive mental damage too. She was muttering to herself in a daze.
"Ha, haha. Why did I..."
Can't blame her. Bluffing anal sex out of jealousy—must feel like crap.
...Should I go console Yeon Du?
Na-young's eyes were still unfocused as I left the break room.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I forcibly coaxed the sulking, silent Yeon Du. By the time work ended, Na-young was already gone. As I walked Yeon Du home, the boss himself showed up to take her.
Seemed like he planned to keep her for a while—probably on Hong-seop's bad side.
On my way back alone, I spotted Na-young leaning against a wall.
"Still here? Were you waiting for me?"
"What? Playboy with that face."
"Night roads are dangerous. Want me to walk you?"
Na-young flinched, then pondered. After that incident recently, she was probably worried her dad might show up again.
Of course, I knew the hypnosis wouldn't wear off. Even if it did, the system would notify me.
"Do whatever."
"Playing hard to get."
Tap, tap, tap.
Tap, tap, tap.
"Walk behind. You're annoying."
"Sure, sure."
"Ugh, your speech is so annoying."
A bit later, at the bus stop.
"Good now. Go."
"I could take this bus too?"
"..."
[Bus 6712 arriving soon.]
Screech. Pssh.
Step. Step. Beep-.
Step, step. Beep-.
We tapped our cards and boarded. Surprisingly, there were seats available.
"Oh, two seats there. Let's sit, Na-young-ah."
"I'm sitting alone."
"Aww, why."
She plopped into a single seat alone, so I sat right behind her.
"This stop is Hongdae Station. Next stop: Donggyo-dong Intersection."
I was gazing at the passing scenery when Na-young turned her head slightly.
"Not getting off here? Transfer..."
"What? You know where I live too, Na-young?"
"Annoying."
Whip.
"Could get off at the next one."
A moment later.
"This stop is Donggyo-dong Intersection. Next stop: Sinchon Rotary, Hyundai Department Store."
"Next one's fine too."
"Didn't ask."
In the end, we rode all the way to her apartment. She knew I wasn't getting off but got out coldly alone anyway.
Beep-.
Beep-.
I tapped my card and followed, walking front and back again.
I edged closer sideways; no complaint this time.
This was my third time at her apartment, so it was getting familiar. Soon we reached her building. She fumbled out her keycard and glanced at me.
"Haa... Just go already?"
"For real?"
"Yeah. Or what."
"Oppa legs hurt. Can't sit a bit before going?"
"No."
"So stingy... Ahh. Craving booze."
Glance.
"Someone's house probably has booze left."
Glance.
"If you want it that bad, I'll grab some for you. Wait here."
I quickly stopped Na-young as she turned coldly.
"Hey, you know I don't mean that. I walked you home."
"Who asked?"
"Just one drink. Yeah? We barely drank yesterday."
"Your fault! Hiss! Hooo."
Beep-.
Na-young sighed, looking done with arguing, and tapped the keycard.
"Can I come in too?"
"..."
[Doors opening. Floor 15. Doors closing.]
"Riding the elevator alone with you like this reminds me of princess-carrying you back then. Wanna do it again?"
"What."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Target's affection +2.] I'd followed her all the way to her door. Standing there brought back yesterday's rejection vividly. Felt like loading right before a boss fight in a game.
Na-young paused before punching the door lock code.
"Look away."
"Not looking. Not."
Beep beep beep beep.
The door opened, and she went in. As I followed, it shut.
Thud.
"Huh? Na-young-ah?"
Guess not today either. At least I could fly home later.
Dazed in emptiness, the door soon slid open again. Na-young's whisper came from inside.
"Mom's asleep. Come in quietly."
"O-okay."
I tiptoed through the dark living room to Na-young's room. She told me to wait and went for booze.
While standing blankly, I spotted a new pack of condoms on her desk.
As I reached to check, Na-young burst in with cold beer and soju.
"Drink moderately and go... Gasp!"
Thud thud thud.
"Na-young-ah, this. Uh?"
Na-young snatched the condom from my hand at lightning speed.
"Hey! Don't snoop!"
"No, wasn't snooping. It was just on the desk. This from yesterday...?"
"D-don't misunderstand. It's not like that, so drink already. Quick! Wanna get kicked out again?"
"Sheesh, harsh."
I sat in yesterday's spot, smacking my lips.
"Na-young-ah, hungry. Order chicken? Or something else?"
"...Whatever."
I found a high-rated chicken place on the delivery app and ordered, noting in requests: 'Someone sleeping, call from downstairs.'
"Done. Let's sip lightly for now?"
"..."
Ssssh, clink!
"Cheers~."
"..."
Clunk.
Yesterday she'd toasted first...
She barely clinked her can, chugged it alone, and glared at me while it was at her lips.
Even that was pretty, making great drinking fodder, but I wasn't here just to booze. I worked to open her up.
"I'm a chibap guy. You don't eat rice with chicken? Nah, not saying get rice."
"..."
"Na-young-ah, what do you do on days off?"
"..."
Gonna keep ignoring? But could she ignore the anal talk from earlier?
"Na-young-ah, about what you said in the break room today..."
"Don't talk about that. I'll kick you out."
"Yessir."
After that, I got a call the chicken arrived, went down and back—still no chat, just drank.
Worried she might not open the door after, but two knocks and she opened right away from the other side.
Anyway, using Charm in this mood would just waste vitality like yesterday.
'Any other way? Status! ...Huh? That?'
The booze had lowered her mental strength a bit! Charm wasn't hypnosis-level mental influence, but it'd make persuasion easier.
'Yeah. Get her drunk first. Moderate beer, then Charm. Show her Essence Absorption-lubed dick once, and Na-young, you won't resist. Way better than your dreams?'
And so our quiet drinking duel began.