Chapter 198: Doing Chan-woo
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 198: Doing Chan-woo
“…….”
Tonight’s drinks were at a pork belly place.
A cheap, high-volume, all-you-can-eat restaurant.
Personally, whenever I decide to go to an all-you-can-eat joint, I feel a sense of relief.
I might have grown up eating delicious food without worrying about money since I was a kid, but that was the past. Now, I’m just a college student looking for a part-time job.
I still had some of the lump sum I earned while working at Gold One, but I couldn't live off that for a whole year.
Before heading into the meat restaurant, I was waiting at the playground, our designated meeting spot, to meet Chan-woo.
He said he wanted to introduce his girlfriend to me properly.
‘I wonder how many times I’m going to be introduced to a "new" one.’
Including this one, if my memory serves me right, it’s the third time.
On top of that, he’s dating a girl from the English Department.
It seems the "public property" of the Department of Architectural Engineering is now being exported to other departments.
“Seriously, you never have to worry about handsome bastards.”
I was grumbling to myself, killing time on a swing, when—
“What are you doing?”
A familiar voice came from behind.
Maybe it was because of the sunset, but Oh Yun-ji’s hair looked much redder than usual.
“Oh, uh, hey. Hi.”
I hesitated for a second, but I thought I managed a decent enough greeting.
Yun-ji gave my shoulder a light tap and sat on the swing next to mine.
“Don’t be awkward. We’re just friends now.”
“Is that actually possible for you?”
“If that’s what you want.”
Sigh.
I felt a complex mix of emotions, but it was hard to put into words.
As I sat there in silence, Yun-ji asked, “Why are you waiting out here? I-seo and the others already went inside.”
“Chan-woo asked to meet up out front for a bit. But why are you here?”
“I was looking for a smoking area and ended up all the way over here.”
What?
“You smoke? You didn't before.”
“Maybe it’s because life’s been tough lately. I picked it up.”
As she spoke, she reached into her pocket. I reflexively grabbed her wrist.
“Don’t smoke. Give them all to me. Why would a kid like you try to put something so bad for your health in your mouth?”
“Are you worried about me?”
Sitting on the swing, I locked eyes with Yun-ji as she looked up at me intently.
“I’m nagging you.”
I gave a roundabout answer because I felt awkward saying I was worried. I pulled her hand firmly to snatch the cigarettes from her pocket, but—
“Ta-da.”
What came out was a lollipop.
A Chupa Chups.
“I was just joking.”
“Sigh.”
She really had me scared for a second.
I plopped back down on the swing and started kicking my legs to get some air, when a question suddenly occurred to me.
“Then why are you really here?”
When I asked, looking at Yun-ji with the candy in her mouth, she stared straight at me and answered.
“I came to find you because you weren't there. Or I was waiting for you to show up.”
I stopped the swing.
Seeing me like that, Yun-ji let out a hollow laugh.
“Am I not allowed to do that either?”
“No, it’s not that—”
“Kim Woo-jin!”
Just as I was about to respond, Jeong Chan-woo was walking toward us from a distance.
He was supposed to introduce his girlfriend, but for some reason, he was alone.
“Where’s your girlfriend? You said you’d introduce her.”
“Ah, haha.”
Chan-woo scratched the back of his head awkwardly. He glanced at Yun-ji next to me and whispered quietly.
“We fought, and she went home.”
“You fought? You?”
He might look like a cold city guy on the outside, but Chan-woo was a well-mannered guy on the inside. What could he possibly have to fight about?
“Um, my ex-girlfriends contact me every now and then, and she caught me.”
“You total—!”
Just as I was about to call him a crazy bastard, I noticed Oh Yun-ji beside me, blinking and watching me.
“……I guess that could— Sigh. I don't know. It shouldn't happen, but I guess it does.”
“I told her we were just staying friends, but she just blew up at me.”
“So? Are you going in to eat?”
“Nah, it’s an English Department gathering, so there’s no need for me to butt in. I just came to tell you that.”
“Man, Chan-woo. Don't you think you need some dating coaching or something?”
“I heard all those things are scams.”
After a brief chat with Chan-woo, I looked back at Yun-ji.
“A male friend……?”
She had a somewhat touched expression that was a bit bothersome, but I decided to let it slide for now.
Chan-woo eventually left, saying he was going to go soothe his girlfriend, leaving just me and Yun-ji.
“I’m glad, Woo-jin.”
“I’m not going to ask what you’re glad about.”
“That you have a male friend.”
“…….”
I said I wasn't going to ask.
Anyway, I ended up entering the pork belly restaurant with Yun-ji.
Everyone was already gathered, grilling meat, drinking, and having a good time.
“Wow, look at him showing up just as the meat’s all cooked.”
Yoo Ah-rin, who was surprisingly the one holding the tongs and grilling, grumbled while gesturing toward us.
But then, her eyes landed on Yun-ji next to me. Her expression stiffened, and her movements came to a halt.
“The vibe doesn't exactly feel like the English Department.”
Rather than just the English Department, it felt more like they had invited every familiar face they knew to party together.
Because of that, Yun-ji joining in didn't look particularly out of place.
I tried to find a place to sit, but it was already tricky.
Seo Ye-rin and Yoo Ah-rin’s side had Han Bom from Design and Lee Seo-ah from Film.
Choi I-seo’s side was swarming with other English Department kids.
Since she was the Department Representative and popular to boot, that was only natural.
“Oh dear. My seat’s been taken too.”
Yun-ji looked disappointed, noting that her spot had vanished as well.
I wondered if there were any other seats, and a vacant spot caught my eye.
It was the seat across from Ahn Hyun-ho at a four-person table.
“Why are you sitting here?”
He immediately started grumbling at me.
Hyun-ho seemed to have just arrived as well and was just starting to grill meat. I replied with an awkward smile.
“Let’s just sit together. There’s nowhere else to sit.”
“You can just grab a new table. I’m trying to have a serious conversation here.”
“I can’t do that.”
If I grabbed a new table, wouldn't I end up sitting alone with Yun-ji?
I wasn't going to repeat the mistake Chan-woo just made.
Yun-ji naturally sat down next to me and greeted Ahn Hyun-ho. He looked a bit surprised, likely because he knew we had dated during the first semester.
More importantly.
“Serious conversation? What serious conversation?”
I cut him off before he could say anything about Yun-ji.
Looking at the spoon and chopsticks already set at the seat next to him, it seemed like someone had been eating there.
“Gyu-a said she wanted to talk. She just went to get some more alcohol.”
“Senior, I’m ba—.”
Right on cue, Gyu-a arrived. Her face froze the moment she saw me and Yun-ji.
I pretended nothing was wrong and introduced Yun-ji with a smile.
“Hey, this is Oh Yun-ji. She took a leave of absence last year, but she’s returning this second semester. Get along with her.”
“Ah, hello.”
“And this is Kim Gyu-a. I don't really know much else about her.”
“It’s Lee Gyu-a.”
Ah, I didn't even know that much.
“You two said you were having a serious talk. Don't mind us, just go about your business.”
“Right, we used to just hang out by ourselves even when I was around anyway.”
“Why bring that up again……?”
“Because that’s my only move……”
I was momentarily speechless, but I decided to just focus on the meat.
I was going to grab another pair of tongs, but Ahn Hyun-ho was already grilling the meat to keep it from burning.
“Well, it’s not like Kim Woo-jin doesn't already know everything.”
What could there possibly be between Gyu-a and Ahn Hyun-ho that I didn't know?
I was practically their Cupid.
Perhaps because of that, they both plucked up the courage to start talking. They seemed to think it would be hard to have this conversation if they didn't do it now.
“So, Gyu-a. I’m sorry, but I have no intention of trying to make things work with a girl who cheats.”
“Can we get one soybean paste stew here? You still only eat doenjang-jjigae when you eat meat, right?”
“Hyun-ho Oppa. It’s true I was like that. But I’m really not anymore. I’ve changed my ways.”
“Yeah, only doenjang-jjigae. The savory taste is the perfect match for the greasiness of the meat.”
“You expect me to believe that? You were the one called out on the Bamboo Forest last time, weren't you? The one getting trashed for being a 'reptile'?”
Oh right, I still have the Bamboo Forest frozen.
I should probably unfreeze it later.
“The meat is actually really good for an all-you-can-eat place.”
At Yun-ji’s comment, I quickly snatched a piece of cooked meat and nodded.
“Yeah, we should remember this place.”
“That one’s done.”
“Oh, thanks.”
Caught in the act of being the "reptile" from the call-out incident, Gyu-a flusteredly made an excuse.
“Th-That wasn't me!”
Yun-ji looked at me.
She was asking if I knew anything since I was the Bamboo Forest Manager.
In fact, back then, Yun-ji had even messaged me separately to ask if I was the one being targeted.
“It was her.”
I mumbled while stuffing a wrap into my mouth. Both Gyu-a and Ahn Hyun-ho’s glares shot toward me simultaneously.
“……We were just talking amongst ourselves. You guys keep doing your thing.”
I swallowed the wrap hastily and tried to brush it off with an excuse.
“See? You’re lying again. If you really wanted to date me, you should have been honest now at the very least!”
“Th-That’s—I was afraid you’d hate me, Senior. I’m really sorry.”
“Finished the meat.”
“I’ll go get some more.”
Leaving the two of them to argue, Yun-ji and I went to get more meat together.
They had not only pork belly but also pork neck, skirt steak, and jowl, which was very satisfying.
I came back humming with a plate full of meat, but it seemed they were still on the same topic.
“I’ve cut everything off. I mean it!”
“What does that matter? It just means you could do it again!”
I slid the plate of meat toward Ahn Hyun-ho.
As the two of us stared at him expectantly, Ahn Hyun-ho gritted his teeth and roughly threw the meat onto the grill.
Sizzle, sizzle.
“This reminds me of when we went to the campsite back in the day.”
“I told you, why do you keep bringing up the past?”
“It’s all I’ve got. What, should I ask how far you’ve gotten with I-seo instead?”
“……The ramyeon was really good back then.”
“Right?”
With a bright smile, Yun-ji checked the meat again.
“That’s why I—how could I possibly—!”
“Hyun-ho, flip it.”
“Ah, right.”
He seemed like he was about to say something cool, but Oh Yun-ji kept breaking his flow.
The meat seemed mostly cooked.
As soon as Ahn Hyun-ho cut the meat into bite-sized pieces with scissors while talking, our chopsticks flew toward the grill.
“They don't have aster scaber here, though. Didn't you like that?”
At my question, Yun-ji replied while making a wrap.
“Yeah, but it’s a bit much to expect aster scaber at an all-you-can-eat place.”
“I guess so.”
Well, if she says so.
I also made a wrap and took a huge bite.
While Oh Yun-ji and I were both munching away on our wraps—
Ahn Hyun-ho put more meat on the empty grill.
“In the end, this situation is something you brought on your—no, wait a minute.”
I was staring at him while chewing my wrap as he argued with Gyu-a, when Hyun-ho’s gaze shifted toward us.
“Is there one person to grill and different people to eat? Why are you two the only ones eating?”
“Mmph-mmph-mmph!”
“Finish chewing before you talk.”
I quickly chewed and swallowed before answering again.
“Mmph-mmph-mmph!”
Actually, it wasn't anything important.
I just made a sound as if I were trying to make an excuse.
“You son of a bitch.”
Just as a furious Ahn Hyun-ho was about to bark at me—
“Right?”
Yoo Ah-rin appeared, leaning her arm on the back of my chair with a drink in her hand.
“He’s a total son of a bitch, isn't he?”
She was staring at me, her lips forced into a smile that was already terrifying, but then—
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
My phone started vibrating incessantly.
I stole a glance toward Seo Ye-rin. She was staring this way with a blank expression, her thumbs flying across her phone screen.
I thought Choi I-seo might be okay, but—
“Haha.”
the moment I saw her looking this way with a radiant smile, I realized something had gone horribly wrong.
“Mmm, Woo-jin. This soybean paste stew is exactly your style.”
In the midst of all this, Oh Yun-ji was obliviously—or not so obliviously—appealing that she knew my tastes well.
“…….”
Seeing the curve of her eyes as she smiled, it wasn't that she was oblivious; she was doing it on purpose.
“Ah, this.”
A phrase much more fitting than "I'm fucked" came to mind.
“I’ve pulled a Chan-woo.”
To think I’d follow in the exact same footsteps as that guy.
……But now that I’ve "pulled a Chan-woo," my shoulders are feeling a bit smug, and I don't feel half bad.