Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Even Flowers in Both Hands Aren't Enough for Golden Sun - 2
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““These people...””
“Who are they?”
“Who’re they?”
“...!!”
Seong-muk was flustered.
It might just be his imagination, but the atmosphere didn’t look great at all. It was a situation he couldn’t wrap his head around.
Eh, whatever.
For now, Seong-muk decided to go along with what they wanted. They’d asked who they were, so he’d just tell them, right?
First, Seong-muk figured he’d start with Do-yeon, the oldest.
“Okay, this is Do-yeon...”
“Seong-muk, ‘Do-yeon’?”
“...?”
But he got called out right from the start. And it was Do-yeon herself who stepped up. She brushed her hair behind one ear and flashed a bright smile.
“I told you to call me Do-yeon unnie.”
“...??”
Seong-muk racked his brain—had he really said that? He didn’t remember. But compared to her, an elite high school grad in his past life and middle school dropout now, he wasn’t confident in his memory.
Well, she is older, so unnie works.
“Oh, right. Do-yeon unnie.”
“Hee-hee, good boy, Seong-muk.”
“...”
Do-yeon smiled warmly. The other two women watching didn’t look pleased at all. Seong-muk, oblivious, kept going with the introductions.
“This is Do-yeon unnie, Do-jin’s big sister. She’s someone I can trust completely with data analysis, so she’s been helping me break down the opposing teams.”
“Ah, no way—that report was...?!”
“Yep, that was me.”
Noah seemed to catch on to something. She’d once peeked at Ryuji memorizing a report the day before a game. Even just a glance had made her think, That’s insane.
“I asked the staff to pull data not just on Musang High, our next opponents, but on Girin High, Daegwallyeong High, even Hancheong High. I’ll analyze every inch of those teams from head to toe, so you just focus on the games, Seong-muk. Got it?”
“Yeah, I’ll count on you.”
With that final nail in the coffin, Do-yeon drew out Seong-muk’s “I’ll count on you” and ended her turn. She sneaked a satisfied smile, thinking she’d scored some points.
Next up was Olivia.
“This is Olivia Ramsey, daughter of the famous British chef Gordon Ramsey, and she’s been on that hot variety show Blue-White Chef lately. And...”
“I make meals for Seong-muk every day.”
“...!?”
The two women jumped at Olivia’s bold claim. Every day? Didn’t that sound just like a married couple?
Do-yeon was shocked to learn she was a TV chef.
Gordon Ramsey, I know him. I’ve heard my classmates talk about that show. Not that I watched it or anything...
There was a famous rumor about chefs: they rarely cooked at home.
After slaving over stoves all day, they had no energy left, so they mostly ordered delivery.
But she cooks for him every day...?
And she was the daughter of Britain’s top chef, no less. Someone that special wouldn’t cook for just anyone—let alone every day. Do-yeon bit her lip without realizing it.
Of course, Seong-muk listening in was just tilting his head a bit.
Well, there was that time she did it every day...
It was only briefly, back when he had her illegal stay papers as leverage. Lately, it was just game-day lunchboxes. Not satisfied, Olivia added one more line while looking at Seong-muk.
“...You said today’s game-day meal was delicious, but I’m confident. For every game left in the Sejong Tournament, I’ll make you food that’s even tastier and packed with all the nutrition you need to shine.”
“Oh, nice. Looking forward to it.”
Olivia wrapped her turn with Seong-muk’s “Looking forward to it,” looking pretty pleased herself. Next was Noah’s go.
“This is Takahina Noah, Ryuji’s little sister. She’s our team manager and cheerleader. I’d say we held our own in those cheer battles thanks to her.”
“Hee-hee, that’s all thanks to the up-close private lesson right before the game from Seong-muk oppa! Like this with the dancing...! You taught me by feel, right?”
“Op...pa...!?”
That casual little word stabbed right into the two women’s hearts. “Oppa”—the top-ranked term guys supposedly loved most.
Something older women or peers couldn’t touch: a privilege reserved for cute younger girls. And considering how many guys preferred them, Noah’s presence was no joke.
Up-close private lesson...?
Olivia’s mind started spinning. She was fluent enough in Korean now that it barely interfered with her daily life, but some words still tripped her up.
Up-close? How stuck-together do you have to be to call it “up-close”? Her mood soured fast.
“Ah, Seong-muk oppa. If you don’t like me suddenly calling you oppa...”
“Huh? Nah, I’m fine with it. Call me whatever’s comfy.”
More than fine—Seong-muk secretly loved hearing it. No way he’d turn it down.
Noah’s eyes sparkled at his approval, then she turned to Do-yeon and Olivia with one more line.
“Unnies!!”
“...!”
Noah struck hard. It nicked Olivia too, but Do-yeon took the brunt.
They wondered what she was getting at, but Noah approached the two girls with shining eyes.
“Kyaa!! You’re both so pretty up close!! Can we be friends...!”
“...??”
They couldn’t hide their confusion at Noah’s sudden shift. But she seemed dead serious, even pulling out her phone.
“Unnies, you on Insta...? Let’s follow each other if that’s cool!”
“...Yeah, I do.”
“I’ve got an account.”
“Yay! Here’s mine!”
Just like that, the three women’s tense standoff somehow fizzled out—thanks to Noah.
Huh, glad that worked out. Hope they all get along.
Seong-muk had no clue about the high-stakes battle that had just gone down. He just chuckled, thinking it was all good.
Of course, his real ordeal was only beginning.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Beep!
Do-yeon staggered into her Porsche Cayenne. She’d been in full battle mode until Noah deflated her steam.
She doesn’t seem like she’s lying...
But that didn’t mean she could drop her guard. A quick search showed Noah gaining popularity from her recent videos, with followers in the tens of thousands.
Her biggest rival was still Olivia. A famous chef on TV at that age, and Seong-muk’s classmate.
Unlike Do-yeon, an outsider, Olivia had way more natural chances for everyday moments.
And Do-yeon’s own biggest asset—her killer figure—wasn’t something Olivia lacked either.
Do-yeon thunked her head against the steering wheel, pondering deeply.
What else can I bring to the table? Money...?
That thought hit a wall. Flip the genders, and it’d make her sound like some shady old creep hitting on a mature high school girl with cash.
“Nope, that’s a hard no...!!”
She shook her head furiously to banish the idea. Letting out a deep sigh, she suddenly remembered something crucial.
“Oh, right! I was supposed to give Seong-muk a ride...!!”
She’d forgotten all about the opportunity she’d created by having Do-jin leave early with the team bus—in the heat of the standoff. Do-yeon bolted out of the car and dashed off somewhere.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Olivia was troubled.
Today had been nothing like her usual self.
Why? I’m usually so...
She was normally indifferent to others, but seeing other girls around Seong-muk today had shattered her poker face.
Then it hit her.
All this time, coincidences had kept her cooking by his side, but that spot wasn’t guaranteed.
It could be taken by anyone, anytime. That realization wouldn’t let her sit still.
Someone else cooking for Seong-muk instead of me...?
She pictured him smiling over another girl’s cooking. Her chest ached sharply for some reason.
“...No way.”
She thought to herself.
She didn’t want to let anyone take his side from now on. And even after graduation, she wanted to keep cooking for him, always.
Of course, food-obsessed Olivia hadn’t yet realized what people might call that kind of relationship.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ “Hum-hum... ♬”
Noah was thrilled.
They’d won the game, and she’d gotten the pretty unnies’ contacts.
True to form as someone who adored beauty, she genuinely wanted to befriend them. But they didn’t seem too keen on her at first.
Eh, we’ll warm up over time...!!
With Seong-muk as the link, they’d cross paths plenty. Thinking of him made Noah grin ear to ear.
Seong-muk oppa was so cool today...!
The raw power overwhelming the opponents, that masculine aura. He exuded a primal scent no guy his age could match.
That’s why Noah had never seen peers as romantic options. Thugs who could throw a punch? Child’s play compared to the top yakuza she’d grown up around. Bookworms? Forget it.
Her father, Ryuken—the boss of Muyoung Group. Seong-muk couldn’t compare yet, but give him time to mature physically as an adult, and Noah bet he’d radiate similar wild appeal.
Oppa might even pass Dad’s test...!
Ryuken had sworn anyone dating her would face him first. Whatever “test” he had in mind, a doting yakuza boss wouldn’t let some punk steal his girl without a fight.
But from the story of how he’d saved Ryuji, Seong-muk clearly packed serious combat chops. A top-tier catch like him wasn’t common among guys their age.
...Oppa’s gotta be super virile, right?
A top doctor had certified his male hormones in the top 0.01%. And that size? It was so obvious on the field, no need to spell it out.
Noah pictured that hefty package for a second, then shook her head vigorously.
Yeah, no way I could handle him solo!
Quick math done.
The faces of those two pretty unnies popped into her head.
“Hah, I can just date Seong-muk oppa with the unnies...!?”
Together, it’d work. They could take turns with him, help each other with the kids later—perfect.
Hmm, not sure if the unnies would go for it...
Noah, unusually for a modern girl, saw “hero enjoys many beauties” as normal. Her dad Ryuken had been the same.
“Hee-hee, if I play bridge, it’ll all work out...!!”
Eyes sparkling, Noah hatched her grand scheme. One thing was clear: Seong-muk’s love life wasn’t headed anywhere ordinary.