Chapter 250: Who?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 250: Who?
“Wow, that was a close call.”
Naturally, it’s hard to keep an accident under wraps in the middle of a city in South Korea.
The hotel had CCTV, and the commotion was loud enough that the situation was resolved in an instant as other guests on the same floor started coming out.
Time passed, and late into the night...
We were all gathered at a pojangmacha, tilting our glasses.
“I seriously thought I was going to die. Look at this. I’ve still got goosebumps on my arms. Wow, how could something like this happen to me?”
Watching Chan-woo make a fuss and let out exaggerated sighs, we all cursed at him in unison.
“Cut the crap. You were only in that room for less than ten minutes. You were held captive for ten minutes, for God’s sake.”
“The hospital said you’re perfectly healthy. Didn’t you hear the doctor tell you to go see a dentist first because he saw a cavity when you were screaming earlier?”
“In the first place, does it even make sense to get subdued by your girlfriend? Ugh, stop embarrassing the rest of us men.”
The speakers were Ahn Hyun-ho, Kang Han-gang, and then me.
The moment they heard my last comment, the other two flinched.
Seeing that, I chuckled and corrected myself.
“Well, I guess it happens. A man can get subdued by a woman.”
I tapped the folding table repeatedly as I continued.
“Hyun-ho, you were what, an iljin back in high school? Pfft. Well, I guess even someone like that can have it happen.”
“……”
“And Senior Han-gang, you’d be better off if you just stayed still, but you just had to offer your body up to get hit. I guess that happens too.”
“……”
“Ah, is that why you meet just any woman, Senior? Because you just let them all—”
“You son of a bitch, don’t cross the line.”
“It was a real masterpiece, though. How did the two of you end up stacked so neatly on top of each other?”
Fortunately, since the device was for self-defense, there weren't any major aftereffects, and they weren't out for long. That’s why we were able to sit here and drink like this.
“She was holding an electric shocker in her hand! How was I supposed to win that?”
“He’s right. No matter how well you fight barehanded, you can’t beat someone with a weapon.”
In dramas, they seem to win just fine, though.
My lips twitched, wanting to say more, but everyone thrust their glasses forward as if telling me to drop it.
Clink!
We drank to the clear, ringing sound. The doctor had told me to refrain from drinking while I had the half-cast on, but how could I not drink on a day like this?
“Kaaah, the alcohol is bitter. Hey, where’s Jin-ho? He said he was coming, so why is he so late?”
“That guy is never around when you actually need him.”
“Even if Jin-ho was there, he probably would’ve just ended up stacked on top of those two.”
Listening to the three of them talk, I ate a few fishcakes and checked my phone.
I’d already contacted the girls earlier, so there shouldn't be any big issues, but maybe it was because I was keeping the drinking a secret? My eyes kept drifting back to the screen.
“Hey, Woo-jin. Give this guy some advice.”
Ahn Hyun-ho nudged my shoulder and pointed at Jeong Chan-woo.
“He has zero eye for women. How could he date a girl like that?”
“Sigh, she was usually so bright and cute.”
This guy still hasn't snapped out of it.
I put my phone back in my pocket and let out a sigh.
“Hey, is the side she usually shows you everything? You must have sides you don’t usually show your girlfriend, too.”
“Like your gay vibes.”
When I nodded vigorously at Senior Han-gang’s addition, Jeong Chan-woo clenched his fists and shouted.
“I’m not! I seriously like women! Meeting all these different girls has made me like women even more!”
What a trashy thing to say.
But maybe it’s because of his face, he feels like a villain from a drama, so it doesn't actually feel that bad.
“In my opinion.”
Senior Han-gang let out a deep sigh and poured a drink into my glass.
“This guy is the problem. He should’ve just let things work out between Yoo Ah-rin and Jeong Chan-woo.”
This motherfucker?
“What kind of bullshit is that? Don’t you dare bring Ah-rin into this.”
I got so annoyed I felt like pouring the drink he just gave me right onto his face.
“Hey! If it wasn't for that, would he have turned into a guy who just dates any random girl?”
“It’s experience! Just experience! And why is it Ah-rin’s or my fault that he’s running around like that? It was his own choice!”
While Han-gang and I were bickering about who was right...
“Ah, seriously! Why does that even matter?! You said you’d teach me how to pick girls! That’s the only reason I came out to drink even though I’m exhausted!”
Jeong Chan-woo complained, asking why this had turned into a session to mock him.
Ahn Hyun-ho answered immediately.
“Look at their personality first! Judge them by their character. That’s the most important thing.”
‘I’m pretty sure that guy is dating Gyu-a.’
I’d seen his KakaoTalk profile picture with Gyu-a the other day. It was rich coming from a guy dating a girl who considered triple-timing a basic requirement.
“Face.”
Han-gang, who was sitting next to me, pointed at his own face and whispered as if preaching an unshakeable truth.
“For a woman, it’s always the face. Next is the body. Does that sound trashy? But if a pretty woman imprisons you, isn't that actually a reward?”
At those words, a thought suddenly occurred to me.
What if the girls back home decided to imprison me?
‘Hmm, that might not be so bad.’
Anyway, if those three did it, they’d have a reason, and I had absolute trust that they wouldn't actually harm me.
“Ugh, Senior, you’re really...”
“You should experience it yourself, Senior. You have no idea how scary it is.”
Ahn Hyun-ho and Jeong Chan-woo didn't seem to agree with Han-gang at all.
“Y-yeah, you’re right. Imprisonment is a bit much, no matter what.”
I also tactfully chimed in that it shouldn't happen, then continued.
“It’s because Chan-woo is too passive when it comes to dating. Women like men who are proactive and assertive, you know?”
I clenched my fist and began a grand lecture.
“That’s why you get swept along and dragged around. If you’re proactive and try to lead, you’ll grab the initiative in the relationship!”
“Ooh,” a sound of admiration escaped the mouths of the idiots.
Phew.
I felt proud just knowing I’d imparted some life wisdom to these fools.
As we were clinking glasses again...
“Man, I’m beat.”
Our final idiot, Pyo Jin-ho, entered the pojangmacha. Jin-ho, who had been practicing at the Taekwondo dojang until just now, spotted our table and strode over.
Then, without even a greeting...
“Woo-jin, Ah-rin said she’ll kill you if you don’t get home soon.”
“……”
“She asked why a patient is out gulping down alcohol and told you to get back right away.”
“……Did you tell her I was drinking?”
When I asked cautiously in a trembling voice, Pyo Jin-ho glanced at my leg and gave an awkward nod.
“Uh, yeah. I wasn't thinking about your leg injury and just let it slip.”
“Ah, damn it! Why are you so oblivious?!”
I jumped up and immediately headed out of the pojangmacha.
“I’m leaving!”
As I shouted that, responses came from behind me.
“See ya, you dumbass who was talking about the initiative in a relationship or whatever.”
“Why is that guy telling us to do things he can’t even do himself?”
“He’s totally whipped, yet he’s telling us not to get swept along or dragged around.”
Ah, damn it.
This is so embarrassing.
To hide my embarrassment, I hurried out and hailed a taxi.
It took barely ten minutes to reach Yoo Ah-rin’s apartment. Thanks to Ah-rin, who had coolly given me the door code, I carefully pressed the numbers and stepped inside.
As soon as I did, Seo Ye-rin, who had been sitting on the sofa, jumped up and shouted.
“Mistresses! The culprit has arrived!”
That brat...
Then, Choi I-seo and Yoo Ah-rin burst out of the main bedroom and their own rooms, immediately lighting into me.
“Are you crazy?! What were you thinking, drinking when your leg is injured?!”
“What if you trip because you’re drunk and get seriously hurt? Do you have a brain or not?”
“Hear, hear!”
Choi I-seo scolded me instantly, while Yoo Ah-rin snapped, asking if I’d lost my mind. And behind them, Seo Ye-rin cheered them on, saying she was angry too but would leave it to the experts.
‘……’
As someone whose goal was to date all three of them...
Seeing the three of them join forces for the first time was quite a moving sight, but...
‘The nagging is tripled, too.’
The thought that this might happen every day if we lived together in the future made me feel a bit dizzy.
* * *
I apologized profusely for yesterday and made excuses about how I had no choice but to drink because of the story about Jeong Chan-woo, so I managed to move past it somewhat peacefully.
I guess it was a relief I didn't get hit since I was injured.
Slurp.
In the living room where I’d fallen asleep.
Wrapped in a blanket, I calmly closed my eyes as the sunlight streamed in through the balcony window.
Suck.
You’re here again today.
‘She sure lives a busy life.’
She must be tired from waking up early to film her movie, yet she’s been doing this service every morning for three days straight. It’s truly impressive.
I briefly worried about what would happen when we actually lived together or when Seo Ye-rin wasn't working on a project, but...
‘What else? I’ll just have to work hard.’
Wasn't that why I’d been exercising so hard all this time?
Suck.
It seemed a bit uncomfortable because I had my legs closed. I slightly spread them to create some space.
“But, Ye-rin. Isn't it tiring to do this every single morning as soon as you wake up?”
To be honest, Yun-ji used to grumble that her jaw ached and it was exhausting.
The movement stopped abruptly.
Thinking she might say something, I glanced down and lifted the blanket.
“It felt a bit more awkward than usual—”
In an instant, a fruity scent wafted from under the blanket and filled my nose.
Squeeze!
Yoo Ah-rin, who had gripped my lower half firmly, gritted her teeth and asked me.
“Who?”
Ah.