Chapter 287: Omakase
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 287: Omakase
“Phew.”
Why did today feel so incredibly long?
[2:37 AM]
Actually, I have been awake for a long time.
Since Choi I-seo was the type to wake up at 6:00 AM to exercise, staying up until 2:00 AM was bound to be exhausting.
Accepting that the day wasn't just feeling long but actually was long, she finally returned home. However...
“She’s baaaack!”
“It’s I-seo!”
“Why are you so late?!”
Upon entering, she was greeted by her friends, who were still drinking.
Oh, please.
She was tired enough to drop dead, and they wanted her to drink more?
Choi I-seo just wanted to wash up and go to bed, so she gave them a strained smile and a half-hearted wave.
“I’m going to shower first.”
“Hurry up! We saved some for you!”
“Now that Yun-ji’s a CEO, her spending habits have totally changed!”
At those words, I-seo glanced toward Oh Yun-ji. She was sipping a canned beer and gave a slight nod of greeting.
Sshhh.
As the water ran over her in the shower, Choi I-seo closed her eyes.
The conversation she’d had with the Chairman earlier began to creep back into her mind.
I no longer have any reason to oppose Oh Yun-ji either.
If Woo-jin chooses Oh Yun-ji here, that’s it. I’ll accept it, and the two of them will start over.
Do you have no regrets?
“...Regrets, huh.”
She knew she was the one who had played matchmaker.
She was the one who had created the opportunity for them to start over.
It wasn't so much that she was confident in herself; it was more like greed.
She didn't want to see her friend, Oh Yun-ji, suffering.
And she didn't want to see Kim Woo-jin worrying because Oh Yun-ji was suffering.
More than wanting their relationship to progress, she simply didn't want to see that pain anymore.
That was why she had acted.
“Phew.”
Click.
After a quick shower, Choi I-seo stepped out in light clothes.
The girls who had been drinking rowdily just moments ago were now sprawled out across the living room, fast asleep.
And among them, Oh Yun-ji sat alone, sipping a drink.
What she held now wasn't the beer can from before, but a wine glass.
“What’s this?”
“I opened an expensive bottle since you’re back. It’s a bit strong, so the others passed out after one sip.”
“They’ve been drinking so much already; drinking something like that was bound to knock them out.”
This was the final task of the day.
Choi I-seo began moving the girls to Min-ji’s bed or laying out blankets for them to sleep.
“Were you with Woo-jin?”
“Huh? Uh, yeah.”
She hadn't expected such a blunt question.
I-seo was slightly flustered, but Oh Yun-ji’s direct questioning didn't stop there.
“Isn't it hard? If you’re having trouble, want some advice?”
Advice?
Suddenly, Choi I-seo remembered Kim Woo-jin calling her "Mom" today.
The fact that he’d used a title that was arguably the worst thing a girlfriend could hear was still bothering her.
“No, I’m fine.”
She’d thought this before, but seeking advice from her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend just didn't feel right.
So she declined, but...
“Hmm, I just thought... you’re so static that maybe the relationship lacks a bit of flavor.”
“...?!”
Oh Yun-ji went straight for the jugular.
“Dating needs that back-and-forth banter, you know? Right?”
“I guess?”
She couldn't deny it.
There were times when she felt a flicker of envy watching someone like Yoo Ah-rin spend time with him like that.
“Or maybe something more... intense?”
That was also hard to deny.
Seo Ye-rin usually maintained a pure and innocent image, but when she was with Kim Woo-jin, she became aggressively intimate.
She was a woman with undeniable destructive power.
“Without that, dating loses its spark. It’s not like you’re living with your mom.”
“Jung Min-ji!”
Choi I-seo immediately bolted toward Min-ji’s room. She intended to give her big-mouthed friend a piece of her mind for spilling her secret, but Min-ji was already dead to the world.
Just wait until tomorrow!
I told her it was a secret!
To think she’d just blabber it out while drinking!
As I-seo returned to the living room huffing with indignation, Oh Yun-ji looked at her with a smirk.
“So, want some help?”
Is she mocking me?
“I’m fine, okay? What kind of help could you even give?”
“I’ll help you. Sit down.”
“I said no—!”
“I’m doing this because I’m grateful.”
Oh Yun-ji gave a beaming smile to the increasingly annoyed Choi I-seo.
It didn't feel like she was mocking her like before; she seemed genuinely grateful.
However, she didn't say exactly what she was grateful for.
Oh Yun-ji filled an empty wine glass and handed it to Choi I-seo.
With a sigh, I-seo took it and sat down.
“What... exactly are you going to help me with?”
“Hehe. You’ve picked the right side.”
Side?
“Before there was Seo Ye-rin.”
Oh Yun-ji spread her arms wide and began a grand explanation.
“Before there was Choi I-seo.”
Seeing her slightly flushed face, it was clear that Oh Yun-ji was definitely drunk.
“Before there was Yoo Ah-rin.”
Despite that, her explanation carried a strange weight of persuasion.
“There was, quite simply, Oh Yun-ji.”
The reason it was persuasive was likely because it was the truth.
“Personality, tastes, speech patterns, even sex fantasies.”
Yes, she was truly...
“I shall pass it all down to you.”
The Star Instructor of Kim Woo-jin.
* * *
Why isn't I-seo contacting me?
I’d left her yesterday because she said she needed to talk to Jin-ah privately, but the fact that I haven't heard from her since is making me uneasy.
Choi Jin-ah did say she dropped her off safely in front of her house, but...
Seeing as she went to the main house, she probably didn't talk to Choi Jin-ah, but to her father.
Since I heard she went all the way to the main house, Choi Jin-ah must have been a decoy.
I tried reaching out with a worried heart, but she wasn't answering her phone or replying to messages.
To make matters worse, the other side was also a headache.
Seo Ye-rin had completely transformed into a Joseon-era scholar.
Yoo Ah-rin had become some sort of refined lady.
I couldn't help but curse, but the replies I got back were all in a similar vein.
I don't know what the problem is, but I’m definitely going to turn those two back to normal.
“Ha, my head hurts.”
Anyway, today was the day I was supposed to eat omakase with the idiots.
I’m a bit late.
When I opened the door to the omakase restaurant, ‘Onhyang,’ and stepped inside, everyone was already seated.
“...”
“...”
“...”
And they looked incredibly awkward.
It seemed they were flustered because Bong-geun, whom they’d never met, was there instead of me.
“I’m here.”
“Woo-jin, you’re here!”
“You bastard, why are you so late?!”
“I can finally breathe!”
“I thought you’d run away!”
Have these guys ever welcomed me this passionately?
Bong-geun was sitting in a corner seat.
Since the seat next to him was empty, I immediately took it.
“If you’re going to be late, you should say something.”
Bong-geun, who must have been the most awkward, whispered softly. I felt a bit bad about it, so I just gave an awkward laugh.
Shortly after.
The chef confirmed our reservation and began serving the food.
He gave various explanations, but most of the guys here didn't understand a word.
“Whoa! This is freaking delicious!”
“What is this? Seaweed can taste like this?”
“Wow, I should bring Mi-ae here later.”
“I’m bringing Gyu-a too.”
Kang Han-gang and Pyo Jin-ho were making a huge fuss while they ate.
Jeong Chan-woo and Ahn Hyun-ho were busy chatting about their girlfriends.
“Hmm. Sip.”
On the other hand, Bong-geun didn't seem to find the food particularly impressive, as he didn't have much of a reaction.
“Ahem, hey. Let me do some introductions first. This is my elementary school friend, Bong-geun.”
I moved on to introductions because I didn't want the meal to stay awkward. Omakase has gaps between courses anyway.
At my introduction, Bong-geun frowned and replied.
“My name is James.”
“Ah, nice to meet you. If you’re Woo-jin’s friend, you’re like a younger brother. I’ll speak casually, Bong-geun.”
“Han-gang, if he uses an English name, he probably doesn't care about honorifics anyway. Welcome, Bong-geun.”
“Bong-geun? You look like a foreigner, but your name is so friendly. I like it.”
“Whoa, yeah. The name Bong-geun feels really familiar.”
“What the fuck—.”
Bong-geun looked like he was about to start swearing about something he didn't like, but I raised a hand to stop him.
“Haha! Bong-geun is super rich too. So everyone, get along with him.”
Then Chan-woo raised his hand slightly.
“But what’s his last name?”
Sigh, what is this guy talking about?
I clicked my tongue and answered.
“Bong. You idiot, Bong. His last name is Bong. His first name is Geun. Do you have no common sense? Do I have to explain everything?”
“My last name is Lee. Lee Bong-geun. And my real name is James.”
“Wow, the last name Bong is really unique.”
“Then when we get close, do we just call him Geun-i?”
“Geun-i? That sounds a bit less familiar.”
“I think just calling him Bong-geun is better.”
“You motherfuckers—!”
Bong-geun was about to unleash a torrent of curses again, but he was cut off by the chef bringing out the next dish.
I leaned toward Bong-geun while eating and whispered.
“Hey! Why do you keep swearing and ruining your first impression!”
“As expected of your friends, they don't listen to a word I say!”
“No, honestly, being called Bong-geun is way more friendly than James. We’re supposed to go out for drinks after this; are you going to keep killing the mood? These guys have insane connections you won't find anywhere else.”
“Phew.”
Bong-geun took a deep breath to calm himself and asked with a business smile.
“Woo-jin? Introduce your friends to me too.”
“Ah, of course! Naturally!”
This is how you break the ice.
You can do it if you try, Bong-geun.
I immediately started with Jeong Chan-woo, who was sitting next to me.
“This guy’s name is Jeong Chan-woo. He’s annoyingly handsome, but it doesn't matter because he’s gay.”
“What? Gay?”
“I’m not! What do you mean gay! To a man who has a girlfriend!”
He shouted back, but Ahn Hyun-ho cut in with a laugh.
“His nickname is the Public Dildo of the Architectural Engineering Department! This bastard will date anyone who confesses to him, and sleep with anyone!”
“Hey!”
“Pfft!”
Crazy. I didn't know he had a nickname like that.
I should have found out sooner.
“Next to him is Ahn Hyun-ho. He has a girlfriend, but he’s that girl’s third boyfriend.”
“You son of a bitch! I told you that’s not it! Gyu-a has come to her senses now!”
Hyun-ho screamed in desperation, but Bong-geun just nodded with a gentle smile.
“I understand, I understand. I have people around me who have multiple lovers too.”
“What do you mean you understand! I said that’s not it!”
This time, Jeong Chan-woo immediately laughed and added.
“He’s the World’s Biggest Simp of the English Department. Because he’s such a pushover.”
“You fucking dildo, what did you just—!”
The two of them started bickering, so I just ignored them and moved to the next person.
“Next is Pyo Jin-ho. He used to be a thug, but now he spends his time doing Taekwondo.”
“Ahem, hey.”
The others were being so loud that I tried to introduce him normally.
But the two idiots stopped fighting and jumped right in.
“There’s a rumor he got verbally beaten so hard by Yoo Ah-rin that he developed erectile dysfunction!”
“No one has seen Pyo Jin-ho’s dick stand up since that day!”
“Why would I get it up in front of you guys?!”
Good grief, it was a circus.
I wondered if the chef was okay, but seeing him holding back laughter, he seemed to find it entertaining.
Well, that’s fine then.
Finally, Kang Han-gang.
I was about to introduce him, but he beat me to it with a "handsome guy" smile.
“I’m Kang Han-gang. I’m Woo-jin’s senior. Let’s get along. I like handsome guys, so I think I’ll like you.”
“Does that mean you hate Woo-jin?”
“I hate him so much.”
Look at him insulting me with such a bright smile.
“There’s a rumor that guy’s dick is split six ways. Because he’s so loose.”
As I added that, Pyo Jin-ho immediately nodded vigorously.
“Jeong Chan-woo of Architectural Engineering, Kang Han-gang of English. They’re famous. They’re so loose that if a man makes a move, they’ll even spread their—!”
“Don't cross the line, you dog!”
Good lord, seriously.
“Enough! This is the first time you’re meeting him, so stop making such a scene! Bong-geun said he’d pay for everything today.”
As I tried to settle them down and restore order, Bong-geun hesitated from behind and replied.
“I didn't bring my wallet, though?”
“...?”
When I slowly turned my head, Bong-geun pulled out both of his pants pockets. There was truly nothing there.
“Ahem.”
Just then, the chef glanced our way as he handed over the next dish.
His suspicious gaze seemed to ask if we were planning on eating without any money.
I bit my lip hard and sent a message to the group chat under the table.
Immediately, everyone except Bong-geun looked down and started tapping on their phones.
Oh, right.
I’d changed their names to "Dumbass" last time and hadn't changed them back.
Fuck, who is saying what?
Sigh, my head—.
Wait a minute.
Look at these guys.
They were planning to dump the entire bill, including the drinks, on me, weren't they?
They were all the same, but just as I was about to give them a piece of my mind since I had the upper hand...
Someone targeted Kang Han-gang.
At that moment, Han-gang immediately smiled, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a lighter and a pack of cigarettes.
“Cigarettes, cigarettes.”
Damn.
Everyone was probably thinking the same thing.
Jeong Chan-woo’s eyes gleamed sharply as he glared at my thigh.
Wallet?
Should I be honest?
I brought it.
But maybe it was because it had turned into a battle of pride.
Strangely, I felt like I would be losing if I paid here.
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