Chapter 4: Let's Eat
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 4: Let's Eat
After finishing their meal and having coffee at the cafe, Kim Woo-jin headed off to a PC Bang, while Seo Ye-rin and Choi I-seo remained behind, continuing their conversation.
The two weren't particularly close, but neither lacked social skills.
In particular, Seo Ye-rin’s characteristically bright and kind way of speaking appealed to Choi I-seo, who tended to be guarded in her relationships.
“Woo-jin is really something else.”
Woo-jin.
Seeing Seo Ye-rin already addressing him so familiarly, Choi I-seo gave a slight smile and nodded.
“I’ll say. To think he’d kick away a chance to have coffee with you just to go to a PC Bang.”
“Huh? Oh, no, I didn't mean it like that…”
Despite her words, Seo Ye-rin was well aware of her own popularity and looks. Even so, humility was ingrained in her.
She’s a good kid.
Watching Seo Ye-rin fluster while pressing her lips to her mug, Choi I-seo replied that she was only joking.
“I was just kidding.”
“I see…”
Even her pouting was cute. Choi I-seo was confident in her own right, but she felt she had a different vibe than Seo Ye-rin. She found herself envying that warm, soft aura Ye-rin possessed.
“Oh, right! I-seo, can you tell me more about the PT? What do they do for you there?”
“You’re really interested? Are you planning to do a Body Profile?”
“A Body Profile… I’m not sure about that yet. I just want to try it. I haven't been feeling very confident about my body lately.”
Hmm?
“Not confident?”
What was she talking about?
She had curves in all the right places and a slim waist. To anyone’s eyes, she looked perfectly fit. In fact, it was surprising that she maintained such a body without proper exercise.
“Someone told me… that it wasn't great…”
“What? Who? They probably just said it without thinking. Does that even make sense?”
Choi I-seo got worked up as if it were her own problem. She hated that someone would disparage another person’s body, but more than that, criticizing Seo Ye-rin felt like they were just looking for any excuse to be mean.
“Haha, it was just a passing comment. That person said they didn't mean it later, but it’s been stuck in my head.”
“Sigh, there are so many weirdos these days.”
Choi I-seo shook her head with a sigh. She was shocked that anyone could say such a thing to Seo Ye-rin, but it also made her realize that even a girl like this couldn't escape being hated by someone.
“Just ignore people like that. They’re definitely just jealous. But if you really want to get PT, I’ll talk to my trainer. He’s really systematic and teaches well…”
The two were naturally becoming friends.
*
“Ugh, did I design this schedule with my feet…?”
The Tuesday schedule, which felt like someone had drilled a hole in my chest with its five-hour gap, was finally over.
My 9:00 AM lecture ended at noon, but I had another one scheduled for 5:00 PM.
Even if I was mentally unstable at the time of course registration because I had just broken up with my ex-girlfriend, Oh Yun-ji, I wanted to go back in time and punch my past self in the face.
I spent the time playing games at the PC Bang and managing the Bamboo Forest, but I hated being tied to the school for five hours.
I should have just gone back to my place and taken a nap.
Thinking that would have been better, I watched the sunset and pondered what to have for dinner.
On the way home.
Since there was a stream with a well-paved path, I saw many people jogging.
Maybe I should start exercising too.
Come to think of it, it had been a while since I’d worked out. I couldn't really blame the Bamboo Forest management, since exercise only requires an hour or two a day.
Hmm, since I’ve thought of it, should I give it a go?
I pulled out my phone, thinking I should start by buying a decent pair of running shoes. Doesn't everything start with the gear?
However, out of habit, my fingers tapped the Bamboo Forest app. Since I checked it so often, I’d opened it by mistake, but the posts on the Bamboo Forest were mostly the same as usual.
Various posts were going up, but since few people were on the community at this hour, there weren't many replies.
Of course, a situation was unfolding where a bunch of guys had swarmed an attention-seeking post only to end up bonding with each other.
But one person caught my eye more than that.
“You’re back again.”
Anonymous 69.
I figured she’d post something now that her ban was lifted.
It was absurd how she was blending in there while pretending to be a guy. Wouldn't she be eating dinner with friends or getting ready to go out for drinks at this time?
If it were Seo Ye-rin, I’d expect guys to be messaging her every day asking to grab a drink.
Well, doesn't look like I need to do anything specific.
The board was basically run on a laissez-faire principle. I just let posts like that slide.
I opened the search bar again to buy running shoes. In the brief moment before the screen lit up, I glanced ahead and saw a familiar face running toward me.
It wasn't the purple hoodie she’d worn earlier; Choi I-seo was wearing a tight-fitting blue jersey. It was a style that suited her navy bob, but I wondered why she was in athletic wear every time I saw her.
She seemed to be jogging with earphones in.
What a pain.
I looked back down at my screen, pretending not to see her. Choi I-seo also passed by without bothering to speak to me.
“Hey.”
Or so I thought.
She had clearly passed me, but a few seconds later, she called out. When I glanced back, she was standing with her hands on her hips, wearing an ambiguous expression.
“Why didn't you say hi?”
“You didn't either.”
Choi I-seo took out her earphones and pouted.
“I thought you would.”
“I thought you would, too.”
Our conversation was going nowhere.
Whatever the case, it was true that neither of us had greeted the other. Eventually, Choi I-seo raised a hand and spoke awkwardly.
“Hi.”
“Yeah, hi.”
“Did your class just end? You must have a lot of lectures today.”
“Just two.”
“You were in the 9:00 AM lecture with me.”
“I had another one at 5:00 PM after that.”
“…Pfft.”
She seemed to be trying her best to hold it in, but I saw the corners of Choi I-seo’s mouth twitch upward.
“W-Wow. That’s great. You had such a long gap, you could just relax and rest.”
“Why are you rubbing salt in the wound?”
Was that supposed to be comforting?
“Have a good workout.”
I sighed and waved her off. But it seemed she caught a glimpse of the running shoes on my phone screen.
“Are you buying running shoes?”
Choi I-seo asked casually.
I frowned and replied.
“Aren't you working out?”
“This was my finish line.”
“…I’m thinking about which ones to buy.”
What could I say if she’d planned to run exactly to this point? As I gave a vague answer, she immediately checked her smartwatch.
“Have you eaten?”
That was random.
“No…”
“Then let’s have dinner together. I’ll recommend a good place for running shoes. Have you ever worked out before?”
“No…”
“Then there’s a brand that’s good for beginners.”
To be honest.
It was getting to a suspicious point. From what I’d seen of Choi I-seo from a step back, she was friendly with those she was close to but quite picky about who she let in.
She also had a somewhat cold vibe, so it was strange that she was talking so freely with me—someone she’d barely spoken to a few times—and even suggesting dinner.
‘Did something happen with Yun-ji last semester?’
‘…Yun-ji is a high school friend.’
The things she’d said during the lecture today came to mind. I felt a strange sensation, but at the same time, the thought that her current kindness was simply because she viewed me favorably began to take hold.
Now I’m getting curious.
I’m the type who can't ignore curiosity, and I wanted to know what kind of relationship Choi I-seo had with Oh Yun-ji.
I extended my hand toward her, fist clenched.
“Huh?”
To a bewildered Choi I-seo, I replied nonchalantly.
“You said let’s eat dinner. Rock-paper-scissors.”
The moment she realized it was rock-paper-scissors to decide the menu.
“Whew.”
Choi I-seo’s expression became incredibly serious.
*
“The cheese pork cutlet is good here.”
“Shut up.”
Sitting across from me and looking at the menu, Choi I-seo glared at me with pure annoyance.
“Sigh, today’s workout is going to be completely wasted.”
“Today’s workout probably wasn't enough anyway.”
“So annoying. I really thought you were going to throw rock this time.”
“I don't really think about it when I throw.”
At my answer, Choi I-seo sighed and flipped through the menu. She seemed surprised that there were more options than she expected.
“They have Yuringi too. You could eat that.”
“That would actually be better.”
It was fried chicken, but it came with lettuce, onions, and a soy-based dressing. Honestly, I considered it a fancy salad.
“I’ll have the cheese pork cutlet set.”
Spicy stir-fried pork for lunch, pork cutlet for dinner.
Today was a real feast.
Telling myself I could eat like this again tomorrow, I placed the order with the server and went to get some water.
Like most places near a university, water and side dishes were usually self-service. They gave up some service to keep the prices down.
When I brought the water back, Choi I-seo held her phone up to my face. It was an online mall listing running shoes.
“Pick from these. Since you said you don't care about brands, let me see what kind of designs you prefer.”
She’s more serious about this than I thought.
She wasn't trying to make me her workout buddy or something, was she? I’d heard that people who exercise love having someone to do it with.
As I was idly scrolling through the screen, wondering if that was the case…
“I-seo?”
A bewildered voice called out toward our table.
I felt like the exact same thing had happened before. It was at a cafe back then, and I was with Choi I-seo that time too.
“Ahn Hyun-ho?”
Standing before our table was Ahn Hyun-ho, the English Literature Vice Rep.
He was frowning, looking back and forth between me and Choi I-seo.
“What are you two doing?”
“Huh? Oh, well…”
Choi I-seo, flustered by Ahn Hyun-ho’s sharp tone, tried to say something, but I cut in while leaning my chin on my hand.
“Eating.”
Why else would we be here if not to eat?
Ahn Hyun-ho glared at me, clearly displeased by my dry response.