Chapter 131: Concert
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 131: Concert
Inside the dorm.
Yoo Ah-rin was trying to soothe her agitated stomach by chugging a Chocomong. She couldn't hide her anxiety, her breath coming in sharp, huffing snorts.
"Is this really the right move?"
Unable to hold it in any longer, she finally snapped her head toward Seo Ye-rin.
"Is it really okay to just let those two go off like that?"
She didn't care if Choi I-seo had come from far away, or if there were only two concert tickets. She was questioning the sanity of letting the man she liked go on a date with another woman.
However, Seo Ye-rin didn't even look up from her phone, merely shrugging at Ah-rin’s question.
"What else were we supposed to do? He made that promise with I-seo before we even got to Gold One."
"I don't like it. Why didn't that jerk go with me…?"
"Honestly, I’m not a fan of crowded places, so I don't really mind."
Look at her acting all relaxed.
Ah-rin’s lip curled into a pout, wondering if Ye-rin was just that confident even with Choi I-seo in the picture. Was the reason she wasn't as anxious as before because they weren't going somewhere to sleep together?
I’m telling you, this girl has gotten weird.
Then again, Kim Woo-jin had a knack for ruining people. That applied to both Seo Ye-rin and herself.
"Ugh, seriously."
In the midst of her brooding, Ah-rin groaned at a notification on her phone. It was an alert from the Bamboo Forest, which she hadn't checked in a while.
For some reason, the Sex Master was currently busy spamming the board, completely ignoring the community guidelines.
"My mood is already trash, and now I have to see this weirdo."
Annoyed, Ah-rin didn't even bother with a warning; she immediately slapped a three-day ban on the account. She’d warned them several times before about spamming, so this was more than fair.
"What a nuisance."
Feeling a tiny bit lighter after venting her frustration, Ah-rin tossed the empty Chocomong bottle into the trash. But then...
"…What?"
She realized Seo Ye-rin was staring at her with a look of pure resentment.
"Nothing."
Ye-rin, who had been glued to her phone until a second ago, slowly slid it into her pocket. Even so, she continued to glare with narrowed, suspicious eyes.
"What is it?"
"I said, it’s nothing!"
Ah-rin asked again, confused by the sudden shift, but Ye-rin only snapped back with even more irritation.
What’s her problem?
Ah-rin wondered if she’d done something to offend her, but she truly hadn't done a thing.
She was fine a moment ago. Why is she acting like this?
Thinking that Ye-rin had become completely unpredictable lately, Ah-rin considered going out for a walk.
"Hey girls, anyone want to go skiing?"
Just then, Min Ju-hee walked into the room. She was bouncing her shoulders, trying to coax them into going skiing with a playful, almost childish energy that was quite cute for her age. It was a suggestion perfectly suited for someone like Ju-hee, who loved staying active.
"I’m not go—"
"Let’s go together. Ah-rin is coming too."
"Okay!"
Thud.
Ju-hee closed the door and left.
When Ah-rin looked at Seo Ye-rin with a dazed expression, Ye-rin responded with a smile that had a distinct chill to it.
"You’re the one who made me bored."
With that, Ye-rin started getting ready.
"…Me?"
Ah-rin asked what on earth she meant as she stared at Ye-rin’s back, but she was met with nothing but hollow silence.
* * *
"Wow, look at all these people."
I expected a crowd since it was a U-Ai concert, but the sheer number of people was startling. I realized that if I let my guard down for even a second, I’d lose Choi I-seo, so I quickly draped my arm over her shoulder.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Choi I-seo shot me a glare. She gave the arm around her shoulder a sharp pinch.
"I’m just holding onto you so we don't get separated."
"Don't people usually hold hands for that?"
Her voice was icy. I could feel the lingering anger radiating from her entire body, which helped me keep my impulses in check.
"Well, I thought holding your hand might hurt."
I slowly unwound my arm and took her hand instead.
"Agh! Ow, ow, ow!"
Choi I-seo immediately squeezed my hand with all her might. She even used both hands to crush it; it genuinely hurt like hell.
"It hurts! I said it hurts!"
People nearby started staring, but Choi I-seo didn't care. She huffed, let go of my hand, delivered a sharp low kick to my butt, and then stomped off toward the waiting line.
"Ugh, where does she get that strength…?"
Yoo Ah-rin told me not to exercise anymore, but Choi I-seo is the one who needs to quit. She’s going to turn into an Ironman at this rate.
I hurried to stand behind her in line, but she kept her arms crossed and refused to even look my way. She was fuming.
This was the moment to show off the techniques I’d honed as a guy who had a girlfriend and had slept with three girls in his department. Melting a girl's angry heart should be easy.
I playfully covered Choi I-seo’s eyes with both hands and asked in a teasing voice.
"Guess wh—Gah?!"
A backspin elbow immediately slammed into my abdomen. This girl definitely isn't just taking PT; she has to be learning MMA. I spent the next few seconds doubled over, clutching my stomach in pain.
Strategy one: Failure.
It was fine. I still had plenty of tricks up my sleeve.
"I-seo, do you want a piggyba—!"
"Do you want to die?"
"…."
Failure number two. I thought giving her a piggyback ride so she could breathe the fresh air up high might improve her mood.
"Then, a windm—!"
"Knock it off."
Failure number three.
I was 100% sure the windmill would work.
Having witnessed the coolness of Yoo Ah-rin doing a windmill, I thought Choi I-seo would fall for me instantly if I pulled one off. I couldn't actually do it well yet, but wouldn't the effort be charming?
Okay, next…
First, let’s show her something that’ll make her laugh.
"Look at this."
I held out my phone. It was a photo of a drinking session featuring Han-gang, Pyo Jin-ho, and Ahn Hyun-ho. The important part was that there were several unfamiliar faces there too.
"Remember what Lee Seo-ah said when you arrived? That her boyfriend was going to a club drinking party?"
"…."
Choi I-seo stared blankly, listening. It was working. Since she was showing some interest, I kept the momentum going.
"I felt a bit bad about turning them down, so I asked my idiot friends for a favor."
When you just look at their faces, these guys are actually quite charming. There’s Kang Han-gang, who looks like a "church oppa." Pyo Jin-ho, with his reliable, bear-like build. And Ahn Hyun-ho, with his sharp, bad-boy style.
"I told them to go to that club party and hunt for girls until they completely ruined the vibe. See this guy looking miserable in the corner? That’s Lee Seo-ah’s boyfriend."
"Hah…."
Choi I-seo looked at me as if she couldn't believe it. I tried to explain in more detail, thinking this was my chance, but her interest didn't last long. In fact...
"I guess they did help."
She responded curtly, looking displeased.
Was that not it?
This was my trump card—something I expected at least a "good job" or a laugh for—but it failed. To make matters worse...
"How did you ever date Yun-ji?"
"…."
She even questioned my skills. Honestly, after getting deeply involved with several girls recently, I’d built up some confidence.
Now that I think about it, none of them were exactly normal.
One was a girl who spammed "sex sex" on the Bamboo Forest, and the other was a girl who did windmills. Just thinking about it, they were far from ordinary.
What do I do?
At this rate, we’d be like this until the concert was over. Once it started, we wouldn't have time to talk. That would mean we didn't really come to see the concert together; we just watched it in the same vicinity.
Should I apologize again?
I’d already done that several times before we got here. Choi I-seo didn't want that. She’d even sarcastically asked if she was even in a position to receive an apology.
Should I call someone for help?
I wanted to ask Yoo Ah-rin or Seo Ye-rin since they were girls, but I had no idea what kind of verbal abuse I’d get in return. Seeing Seo Ye-rin spamming the Bamboo Forest earlier told me her stress levels were at an all-time high.
Sigh, I didn't want to resort to this.
I slowly pulled out my phone and made a call. After a few rings, a man answered.
— …Hello?
His voice was thick with sleep, as if he’d just woken up. It was Senior Han-gang.
"Can I ask you something?"
— No.
"Okay, I’m going to ask."
— I said no.
I turned my body slightly and whispered so Choi I-seo couldn't hear.
"How do you soothe an angry woman’s heart?"
— Who’s mad? Ye-rin? Or I-seo? Did you break up? Does she say she never wants to see you again? Whoo! Whoo-whoo-whoo! I need to round up the boys for drinks right now! Whoo!
This son of a bitch.
— Tell Ye-rin that Han-gang Oppa is still single…!
— Oppa, who are you talking to?
"You crazy bastard."
He was sleeping with a girl and talking that nonsense. I hung up immediately and called the next person.
— What? I already sent you the photo.
This time it was Ahn Hyun-ho.
"Hey, by any chance…"
— Hold on.
I heard a clicking sound followed by some rustling, and then he asked in a voice much more excited than before.
— I heard you broke up with I-seo?! I knew it, Trash-jin! You’re just a piece of shit!
"Are you guys dating? How did the word travel so fast?"
He must have heard from Han-gang. He just kept swearing, so I hung up on him too. Finally, Senior Pyo Jin-ho.
— …Did you call me thinking I would actually know the answer to that?
"No, I just wanted to make fun of someone too."
— You little…!
Click.
After hanging up, I pondered for a moment before calling someone I considered relatively reliable.
— Oh, Woo-jin.
"Senior Ju-hee, are you busy right now?"
— No, I’m not bu—Wear two layers of socks. Your feet will get cold.
She sounds busy.
— Sorry, I’m at a ski resort with my roommates, and it’s their first time. So, what’s up?
"I was wondering how to soothe an angry woman’s—"
— Is that Woo-jin?
— You little shit! We’re having a blast right now, you bastard! Jealous?!
— Woo-jin! Make sure you’re back by 8! You’re in trouble if you’re late!
— Expect a padlock on your panties when you get back!
— Don't you dare hold hands or anything! Got it?!
— Who goes to concerts these days! Skiing in the cool, fresh air is the best!
— Ah-rin whined about not being able to ski, so she’s riding a sled!
— Hey! why would you tell him that!
— Dashing through the snow! On a one-horse open sled! Over the fields Ah-rin goes! Laughing all the way!
— Stop it!
"Ugh, so noisy."
I hung up immediately. I tried to ask Senior Ju-hee for advice, but it seemed they had all gone to the ski resort together. When I ended the call, Choi I-seo was staring at me. Their voices had been so loud she must have heard everything.
"Hmm?"
"No, just… I had something to ask."
When I gave an awkward reply, Choi I-seo turned back around without much of a reaction. Just as I thought I was truly screwed...
Thud.
Choi I-seo leaned her back against my chest. I wondered what she was doing, but then she muttered grumpily with her arms still crossed.
"I’m cold. Block the wind."
It wasn't actually that cold today, but...
Ah.
Realizing what her intention was, I slowly wrapped my arms around her in a hug and whispered softly.
"It’s warmer this way."
She didn't say anything. She simply let her body relax into mine.
So this was the answer.
I wondered why she’d pushed my arm away earlier if this was what she wanted, but I’d found the solution, so I guess that was all that mattered.