Chapter 502: Not Him
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 502: Not Him
Surprisingly, we really did end up running into Ahn Hyun-ho.
It wasn’t like we went looking for him; we just headed out to grab a bite, and it turned out Ahn Hyun-ho and Lee Gyu-a were already there.
"Ugh, what the hell?"
The moment he saw us, Ahn Hyun-ho’s face crumpled into a scowl.
"I told you we weren't eating together. Did you seriously follow us here?"
Kang Han-gang’s brow furrowed instantly.
"What kind of bullshit is that, you crazy bastard? We just showed up and you happened to be here."
"Where else is a college student going to eat lunch if not at a restaurant near campus? They’re all right here."
"Of all the misunderstandings I've had in my life, this is the most disgusting."
A barrage of insults rained down on Ahn Hyun-ho.
Getting pummeled verbally after just one sentence, Ahn Hyun-ho looked a bit wronged, but honestly, he shouldn't have opened his mouth if he didn't want the heat.
"Go sit somewhere else. We’re on a date right now."
"Hello."
Lee Gyu-a, whom I hadn't seen in a while, gave a calm greeting. However, her eyes were practically screaming profanities; it seemed she was still upset about the fight she’d had with Ahn Hyun-ho because of us last time.
"We don't want to sit with you guys either."
"Please, just get lost."
Just as we were about to head to another table, Oh Yun-ji grabbed my arm and gave it a light tug.
"Let’s sit separately too."
"Wow."
"Shit."
Jeong Chan-woo and Kang Han-gang looked at her with expressions of pure disbelief.
At their silent questioning of whether she was really going to do this after we’d walked to the restaurant together, Oh Yun-ji countered openly.
"Do you think opportunities like this come around often? Think about how many people are usually crowding around us."
"That’s cold, seriously."
"I’m definitely getting a girlfriend this time."
In the end, the two of them headed for a different table, but then Choi I-hyun, who had been trailing at the very back, started to follow them.
"I-hyun, where are you going?"
"Sit here."
"Ah... I’ll go sit over there. It would be awkward if I intruded on your date."
The phrasing of this conversation felt a bit... off.
I am technically Choi I-hyun’s brother-in-law.
But the one I’m on a date with is Oh Yun-ji.
And yet, Choi I-hyun was stepping aside out of consideration for me.
'This is beyond just being confusing.'
In my opinion, this was the kind of situation and dialogue structure you’d only find in Sodom and Gomorrah, the pinnacle of debauchery.
"..."
Oh Yun-ji must have had similar thoughts, as she couldn't find a way to refute I-hyun’s words.
Ultimately, I-hyun went over to where Jeong Chan-woo and Kang Han-gang were.
"Oh? I-hyun, you're eating with us?"
"Did they give you the cold shoulder too? Haha! Come on, sit down! You said you were in the Department of Architectural Engineering, right? By any chance, among the freshmen, is there anyone pret—"
The three of them carried on a seamless conversation. Seeing them talk so familiarly felt strangely unsettling.
Since I’m the youngest in my family, this was a first for me, but I suppose this is what it feels like to watch your younger sister being hit on by bad news.
'What a bizarre feeling.'
As I was trying to decide on food, Oh Yun-ji stared in their direction and muttered, "Is I-hyun... actually into Chan-woo?"
"No way, surely not."
Even as I denied it, my head turned instinctively. I saw her sitting next to Jeong Chan-woo, laughing as they talked.
She seemed to give off a subtle feminine vibe, which made me feel a bit worried.
Turning back to order our food, we continued our conversation.
"What would you do if Jeong Chan-woo and I-hyun actually started dating?"
At Yun-ji’s question, I answered immediately with intensity in my eyes.
"I’d have to stop it at all costs. How could I give my sister-in-law to a guy as worn-out as him?"
"Hmm."
"You don't know Chan-woo’s nickname, do you? He’s the 'Public Property' of the Department of Architectural Engineering. He’s that handsome, but I’ve never seen him stay with a girl for long."
He was a total disaster when it came to relationships.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he had zero sense.
Well, you could say he’s improved a bit now, but still.
"Because he’s handsome, people keep hitting on him, putting him on a pedestal, and coddling him. He just acted like he was the king of the world. Ugh, the immature brat."
"Are you really the one saying that?"
At my words, Oh Yun-ji narrowed her eyes and glared at me.
"The guy who went the wildest and is currently dating six women is calling someone else immature?"
"...Mine is love."
"That makes it even worse."
I gently took Oh Yun-ji’s hand as it rested on the menu and smiled.
"Don't be like that. A lot of things have changed over time, but do you know the one thing that hasn't?"
"What?"
"My heart, which loves you."
When I winked and acted cute, Oh Yun-ji immediately raised a fist as if to punch me.
"Gah!"
"Hey, why! I’m trying here! Do you know how much I racked my brain to come up with that line?"
"That makes it even more annoying. It means you actually thought I’d be happy hearing that."
"..."
"Whatever, just order. What are you going to eat? I’ll have—"
Oh Yun-ji scanned the menu.
This was a kebab place I’d been to with her before.
If I were to give one pro-tip for dating, it’s to always remember the dishes your partner enjoyed.
If you take care of that later, you can show natural consideration while simultaneously touching their heart.
"You liked the chicken kebab here. Let’s get that as a set. How about it?"
"Hmm."
Oh Yun-ji looked at the chicken kebab on the menu, then nodded and replied.
"This is my first time here."
"..."
"Actually, it’s my first time eating a kebab, period."
"The chicken kebab here is really good, you know? Want to try it? It’s great."
Cold sweat began to pour.
I felt like my spine had turned into Niagara Falls.
The fact that my finger, pointing at the chicken kebab on the menu, was trembling violently was not of my own volition.
'Then who the hell was it?'
After a brief moment of agonizing thought, the answer came to me.
'Ah, it was Ye-rin.'
Seo Ye-rin had come here and said the chicken kebab was delicious. But it wasn't actually because the kebab was that good.
I recalled her smirking suggestively, saying we should hurry up and eat so we could go to a nearby hotel.
"How about it? Or the other menu items are good too. This place is surprisingly—"
"Shut your trap."
"Yes, ma'am."
Trap successfully sealed.
In times like this, the right move isn't to push your luck but to stay still. I waited in a stiff, upright posture for Oh Yun-ji to choose her meal.
I sat there feeling like a trainee during evening roll call.
"Fine, you pick."
"Yeah, I'll have—"
Oh Yun-ji held out the menu, but then...
Suddenly flaring up, she began to bash my head repeatedly with the menu.
Whack! Whack! Whack!
"You! You! Who?! Who was it?!"
"Agh! Ow! I’m sorry! No, I said I’m sorry! How am I supposed to remember everything?!"
"Then! Keep your mouth shut! You... you bastard!"
"L-let’s just order first! The—the waiter is waiting!"
"Ugh!"
Oh Yun-ji sat back with her arms crossed.
I hurriedly ordered the food, then tried to change the subject to calm her down.
"Are—are you busy today? I told you my orientation would end early. Should we go—"
"I am busy, okay? I have to go straight back to the office."
"..."
A brief silence followed.
After a moment's thought, I asked, "Can I come visit your office?"
"Is the office a playground? You're coming to play?"
"If I can't, then never mind."
I was thinking of seeing Popo for the first time in a while.
"Just stay in my room. Don't go outside and bother other people for no reason."
"Wait...? I thought you said I couldn't?"
"I never said you couldn't."
Even though she said that, seeing her turn her head away with a slight blush as if she were pouting made it clear she was happy I was coming to visit.
'I should go more often.'
If I’d known she’d like it this much, I would have gone sooner. Until now, I didn't want to interfere with her work, and I was so busy myself that it was difficult.
But now that I can finally catch my breath, I plan to spend more time with the three who have been waiting for me.
'I wish a day had 48 hours.'
I’m truly busy enough to spin, but I’m happy because it’s all for good things.
Just looking at our kids makes the time fly by.
"Oh, right, look at this."
When I showed her a photo of Yu-na on my phone, Oh Yun-ji gave a faint smile.
"That’s Yu-na, right?"
"Yeah, she’s holding my finger while she sleeps. Isn't she crazy cute?"
Seo Ye-rin had thought this was so adorable that she took several photos and saved them for me.
Oh Yun-ji also smiled faintly, resting her chin on her hand as she murmured.
"Me too..."
"..."
Glancing at me, Oh Yun-ji let out a chuckle and patted my shoulder.
"Just kidding."
"What do you mean, kidding? I’m already booking a hotel."
When I showed her the screen, proving I was already reserving a room, Oh Yun-ji immediately covered the phone with her palm.
"I said I’m kidding. Later, once Kim Un Oppa returns to the company."
At the surprisingly specific timing, I nodded instinctively.
'She was preparing to start once my second brother returns.'
A sense of pride made me feel good.
Even if I’m a piece of trash, shouldn't the country give me some recognition?
In a country where the low birth rate is a problem, I’m already the father of three at this age.
'...And the husband of three women.'
And the boyfriend of three women.
Just as the food arrived, my phone rang.
— Choi I-seo -
"Hello?"
— Woo-jin, weren't you supposed to be with I-hyun right now?
"Hmm? Yeah, I am. But we’re eating lunch separately. Well, at different tables, to be precise."
— ...Why?
Across from me, Oh Yun-ji took a bite of her kebab and nodded, saying it was better than she expected.
Wiping the sauce from her lips with a tissue, I answered I-seo’s question.
"She said she wanted to. I guess it felt a bit awkward since Yun-ji and I were here."
— Ah, so is she alone?
"No, I-hyun is eating with Chan-woo and Han-gang right now. Turns out she’s in the same department as Chan-woo? I guess they’re trying to get friendly."
— ...The atmosphere isn't weird, is it?
"I know what you're worried about, but there’s no need—"
As I turned my head with a smile to check their table again...
I saw it.
Exactly what I had just done.
I saw Jeong Chan-woo wiping the sauce from the corner of Choi I-hyun’s mouth with a tissue.
"..."
— What’s wrong?
"It... might be that kind of atmosphere?"
— Sigh.
With a sigh filled with all sorts of complex worries, Choi I-seo spoke.
— Tell Choi I-hyun to pick up her phone.
Click.