Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Golden Sun Enters the House of a Woman Living Alone
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If someone asked whether I could feel the shift in how people looked at me after my recent exploits with the baseball team, I'd definitely say yes.
Walking down the hallway, a group of guys suddenly calls out to me.
"Hey, you're Geum Seong-muk from the baseball team, right?"
"Yeah, that's me."
"Watched the game. You were awesome."
"Ah, thanks."
I high-five the whole group as we pass, when a timid model student type hesitantly approaches.
"Um, Senior Geum Seong-muk, if it's okay... could I get an autograph...?"
"Of course, got a pen?"
I sign a few sheets and keep going, only for a girl to hand me a canned drink this time.
"H-Here, have this!"
Then she bolts. First time I've dealt with something like this since possessing Geum Seong-muk.
'No way... am I popular with girls too...?'
No sports guy hates female fans. I felt a boost of confidence and glanced over at a group of girls a few times.
"...Eek!"
"Kyaa...!!"
They let out girlish squeals just from me looking. Anyone could see they were terrified.
'Yeah, guess I was imagining it.'
Having objectively assessed myself, I headed not to my usual classroom but to a different one. Starting today, English classes were being split by proficiency level.
'Seong-muk, you got into A-Class...!? For real?'
Ryu Ji, assigned to C-Class, nearly fainted in shock. This school took academics seriously, so the cutoff was pretty high.
But from my perspective, not getting an A was the real issue.
'...After all the cash I dumped into private English tutors.'
For years, I'd been hiring native teachers in preparation for making the majors. I only lasted a year after debuting, but then spent a few more grinding at a U.S. training center aiming for a comeback, so my practical English was solid.
Drag!
I slide open the door, and the students react with surprise. Mostly 'What's he doing here?' vibes.
"Whoa, it's Geum Seong-muk!"
"No way, for real?"
Shin Hye-ji, the team manager, and Choi Adam, our starting shortstop—childhood friends—spot me and light up. Looks like they were pretty good at English too.
"You two are stuck together again. You sure you're not dating?"
"What...?!"
They both flinch at my words, then erupt. Choi Adam's especially pissed.
"Damn it, Geum Seong-muk. Don't cross the line?"
"Ew, dating Choi Jam-min? No thanks."
"Speak for yourself, you pumpkin-head...!!"
I just nudged them a little, and they're off bickering on their own. If it weren't class, I'd have grabbed popcorn. The bell rings soon after, and the teacher starts taking roll.
"Kang Hyun-cheol."
"Here."
"Geum Seong-muk."
"Present."
My name gets called, and midway through roll, a familiar one pops up.
"Olivia Ramsey."
".........."
The classroom stays silent.
The teacher checks again.
"Olivia not here?"
"Yeah, teacher, she's absent today."
A culinary arts student chimes in, and the teacher moves on. Choi Adam stretches out his legs, looking disappointed.
"Aw, man, was hoping to see her in person."
"I've seen her up close—she's a full head taller than you."
"I'll kill you. Pics make her a hundred times prettier... Gah!!"
Choi Adam face-plants onto his desk after Shin Hye-ji—ex-volleyball spiker—smacks his back. Fine, whatever with those two. But Olivia skipping school had me worried.
'No reply from her today either.'
Figuring something was up, I went straight to Noah after class.
"Ah, so Olivia sister's not responding...!?"
"Yeah, and she wasn't in class. You know anything?"
I figured Noah, who'd gotten close to her lately, might know, but she just shakes her head.
"No idea..."
"Got it. Sigh. Guess nothing we can—"
"Why don't you go check on her yourself, Oppa?"
"...?"
Noah drops the random suggestion out of nowhere.
"Go where?"
"Her place, obviously...!!"
"Me?"
Totally unexpected solution. I shake my head.
"Can't just barge into a girl's place alone."
"You're one of her few friends, right? If you're worried and checking in, she won't think it's weird!"
"Maybe..."
Never been to a girl's place living solo. Noah's logic swayed me easily.
"Fine, but I need her address to visit. Can't reach her now."
"Don't worry! I know it...!!"
"...!?"
What the—?
When did she even get her address?
"Hehe...! I sent her ingredients once—had leftovers. Got it then."
"Ah, that makes sense."
Fair enough. I'd owed Olivia plenty anyway, so I decided to check in person.
"I'll head over. Text me the address."
"Sure, via Kakao...!!"
I wrap up with Noah and turn to leave.
"Hehe, have a nice time..."
She flashes a suspicious smile, but probably just my imagination.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Haa..."
Olivia lay in bed.
Still in her uniform, too.
She'd somehow gotten dressed thinking she should go to school, but couldn't muster the strength to get up.
"...Dizzy."
Ever since that face-off with Do Do-yeon and Noah, Olivia had pushed herself practicing Seong-muk's lunchbox and caught a nasty cold.
Even for Game 3 against Musang High, she'd gotten up early to pack a lunch and head to the stadium—but failed.
"Urgh..."
Time was now 5 p.m.
School should've ended.
She barely drags herself up, staggering. Dizziness hits as she checks her phone—missed school messages.
"Teacher and Seong-muk... just them."
Her narrow circle hits home. She starts replying to Seong-muk first, when the doorbell rings.
"Who...?"
Almost no one knew her address. She'd kept it secret fearing stalkers from her shows.
The intercom shocks her.
"S-Seong-muk...!?"
Stunned by her unexpected guy friend, she hurries to the door and flings it open.
"Olivia, you were home."
"Seong-muk, how'd you...?"
"Noah told me. Said to check on you."
"Ah, Takahina..."
She recalls the recent delivery. Didn't expect this connection, but Seong-muk showing up was reassuring.
"You're burning up. Since when?"
"...Since yesterday morning."
"That explains no replies or stadium."
Pieces click for Seong-muk. He scans her—needs more rest.
"Lie back down. I'll make porridge or something."
"O-Okay..."
Forcing herself up had drained her; she collapses back into bed like she'd fainted.
Seong-muk rummages the fridge, scratching his head.
"...Not a single cheap ingredient in here."
True to a world-class chef's daughter—fridge packed with fine dining stuff. Intimidating, but she needed food. He pulls out what he can.
"No chicken, but duck...?"
"No white rice? What's this, risotto rice?"
(Later, Olivia explains she kept his lunchbox ingredients separate—but right now, only Western stuff stares back.) He grabs porridge basics, dumps them in a pot, and boils away.
"Man, ingredient cost alone..."
Ultra-luxury porridge done, truffle oil drizzled. He plates it and heads to her room.
"Hey, Olivia?"
No answer.
Probably asleep.
He sets the bowl on the table, goes to tuck her in—
"...!?"
Olivia suddenly yanks him into a hug.
Seong-muk panics at the sudden move.
"Hey, Olivia...!?"
"...Mmm."
"W-Wait. Can't breathe—let go."
"...No."
"...!?"
"No, don't wanna let go..."
"...!!!"
He has no clue what's happening, but a beauty like Olivia clinging and rubbing like a kid? Tough for a healthy guy like Seong-muk. He squeezes his eyes shut, pries her arms off.
"...Uuu."
"Whew, that was rough..."
Finally free.
One thing he's sure of now:
'Stay longer in this room, and I'm in trouble...'
Springing puberty teen in a top 0.1% male hormone body. More stimulus, and who knows what he'd do.
Deep breaths, superhuman restraint. He grabs a Post-it from the drawer, scribbles, and leaves.
[Olivia, made porridge—eat up and rest. Catch you later.]
-Geum Seong-muk
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ About 20 minutes later.
Olivia wakes to the truffle oil aroma from Seong-muk's porridge.
"Porridge...?"
Who'd make this for her, alone far from home? Puzzled, she spots the Post-it and recalls.
"Ah, Seong-muk came over..."
Spotty memories surface.
Her eyes go to the porridge—heavenly, with no strength to eat before.
"First time... someone outside family cooked just for me."
A strange feeling as she spoons cold porridge.
"...Tasteless."
Seong-muk's Korean porridge with direct Western swaps—no good. Good intent, but ingredients clashed.
Yet why—
Fufu—
She smiles.
Imagining flustered Seong-muk surrounded by unfamiliar stuff? She keeps eating.
"...Warm."
Definitely cold.
But this porridge, made solely for her, felt oddly warm. Lightning insight strikes.
"...Ah."
She gets it now.
The meaning of cooking for someone.
Until now, she'd focused on perfecting dishes for faceless crowds.
Thought that was right.
But this porridge from Seong-muk.
Tasteless and cold—yet the effort for her alone overpowered everything.
A dish handmade with care for one person. That emotional core, seemingly unrelated to flavor, elevated cooking to another level. She realized it now.
And that feeling from before.
Wanting to keep cooking by Seong-muk's side forever. She knew its name.
"I... like Seong-muk."
Heat rushes back to her head.
Clueless on her first crush. Worse—she remembers what she did right before he left.
"Ah...!?"
Hugged him tight, acted spoiled like a child. She weakened badly when sick, but showing that to him? Mortifying.
"How do I face Seong-muk now..."
Steam practically rises from her forehead. Her fever, eased by rest, flares hot again.
"Achoo...!"
Olivia's spring cold was set to drag on.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Stagger, stagger—
I'm walking.
In a seriously weird way.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Sun God Meridian: Select stat to enhance.] [Sun God Meridian: Select stat to enhance.] ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ... "Driving me nuts."
Olivia's stimulus hit too hard. Sun God Meridian alerts keep blaring in my head. Neurotic levels.
A passing kid sees my walk, asks his mom.
"Mom, why's that bro walking like that?"
"Run, sweetie...!"
Mom hauls him away. Yeah, if I were a parent, I'd flee a twitchy guy prowling broad daylight too.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Sun God Meridian: Select stat to...] "...Shut up!!"
This is bad.
Won't calm down anytime soon.