Her Growing Feelings
Clunk!
I grabbed a drink from the vending machine in the park and handed it to Olivia.
"Thanks, I'll enjoy it."
"Sure."
We sat side by side on the swing.
Sipping our drinks atop the gently swaying swing, the two of us relaxed.
"How's your body holding up? Training must be wearing you out."
"I'm good. Plenty of time before I crash."
"Ah."
She nodded in understanding.
We chatted about this and that.
Truth is, I didn't call her out here for anything major.
We're friends, first and foremost. Friends don't always need a reason to talk. If anything, this felt way more natural.
"I was shocked during English class. Never thought you'd plop down next to me like that."
The school's top celebrity sitting beside me out of nowhere? Yeah, that drew a ton of stares—unforgettable.
"But aside from you, Seong-muk, I don't really have any other friends."
"...Right, yeah."
She's a stunning beauty with killer skills, but she's been living as a voluntary outsider.
"If it bothers you, I can sit somewhere else next time."
"Nah, I don't have many friends either. My seat next to me? Always open for you."
"Phew, what a relief…."
"Next time, just sneak me the lunch discreetly. Those guys up front overheard and it was a pain explaining."
Her ears perked up at my words, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
"Did they misunderstand our relationship or something?"
"Yeah, handing over homemade lunches isn't exactly standard friend stuff."
"How so…?"
"Obvious, right? 'You two dating or what?' That kinda thing."
She met my gaze steadily, unflinching.
"So, what'd you tell them?"
"Told 'em absolutely not, so quit the rumors."
"Absolutely…."
Olivia puffed out her right cheek, looking a bit sulky.
"Ahem, you're half a public figure. Rumors like that won't do you any favors. Especially with a thug like me."
"I told you, I don't see you that way…."
Whoosh!
I flung my empty can into the trash bin. It arced perfectly and dropped right in.
Olivia stared blankly, clearly impressed I'd nailed it from that distance.
"Pitchers are just on another level even for this stuff!?"
"Tossing a can? Piece of cake. Wanna try, Olivia?"
"Oh, hold on."
Glug glug—
She nodded eagerly, chugged the rest of her drink, gripped the can, and swung hard.
Clang!
"Ah…."
It just stabbed into the ground and rolled away. I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Man, outside cooking, you're hopeless, huh?"
"Eek, teach me and I'll nail it…!"
"Oh ho, challenge accepted. Can't hold back now."
"Yes! Teach me…!"
She nodded enthusiastically.
I picked up the errant can from the ground, approached her, and placed it in her hand.
"Olivia, you're left-handed, right?"
"Huh? Yeah. How'd you know? I never mentioned it."
"Saw you cooking once. You hold the knife lefty."
She looked surprised I'd noticed, a soft smile lingering on her lips.
"Alright, beginner basics. Here we go."
I've coached plenty of top idols on ceremonial pitches. To show her the feel, I stepped behind her and gripped her shoulders.
"...Eek!"
Her body trembled.
Guess she's sensitive to touch from others.
"Rookies always mess up by muscling the arm swing."
"Then what do I do?"
"Think elbow leads. Like this."
I guided her arm through the arc. She still shivered at certain points, but her comprehension was solid.
"Good. Finish with a wrist flick. Got it?"
I figured that'd do it, but she shook her head firmly.
"No, not quite."
"......Huh??"
"Teach me a bit more."
What? I thought she got it. She glanced back, offering her shoulder again. Looked like she wanted hands-on.
"Okay, one more time. Like this…."
"Aha…."
Close-contact coaching seemed to click.
Confidence flickered in her eyes now.
"Lemme try."
She took her stance.
Lifting her leg, pulling back her shoulder—it looked pretty good. The can sailed in a smooth arc.
Ting!
"I did it…!!"
"Whoa!"
She clapped my hands joyfully. I hopped in excitement for my star pupil.
Then we snapped out of it, cleared our throats, and unglued.
"Ahem, back to the swing?"
"Yeah, sounds good…."
We resettled on the swing.
Difference now? No drinks, so hands were free.
Olivia kicked off a few times and swung like a pro.
"Whoa, you're a natural."
"'Natural'? You saying it'd be weird if I was?"
"Figured rich girls like you don't swing much."
"We had one in the front yard. Dad would push me after work. Loved it as a kid."
Olivia's face softened with nostalgia.
Then it turned somber.
"…Got a call from Dad recently. Said he was wrong, begged me to come back to England ASAP."
"………!"
What now?
"Surprised. Thought he'd just ignore you, like you said."
"Yeah, guess I don't know him as well as I thought."
"Made a decision?"
"…………."
Silence from Olivia.
She looked deep in thought.
"Not sure yet. He wants me back running a sous-chef spot at a Ramsay family restaurant. Says no wasting time in a backwater like Korea. Purely career-wise, it's the smart move."
"What do you want?"
"I…."
She squeezed her eyes shut.
Then looked straight into mine.
"What do you think I should do, Seong-muk?"
Tough question.
I know zilch about women's hearts, but even I caught the weight in that.
Like my words could shape her future. Arrogant, sure.
Which is why I can't just spout off.
"Doubt my take helps much. I'm no scholar, y'know."
"I see…."
Her gaze dropped.
Not the answer she wanted.
Selfishly? Hell yeah, I'd love her to stay. Her world-class cooking buffs take me to the next level on the field.
…But I can't wreck her future for my stats.
This world feels less like a game, more like reality now.
She's breathing, tangible, real in conversation.
My death odds are slim anyway.
No more using people for my gain.
Olivia's got world-class chef potential. She's even grasped infusing emotion into food. Returning home to compete with the big leagues? That's growth.
Plus, sous-chef in a Ramsay spot? Insane for someone not even fully adult.
By staying silent, I'd basically said it: going back's better for you.
"Lemme walk you home. Getting late."
"Thanks."
We walked side by side into the night.
Heavy silence between us.
Before long, her place.
"Thanks for seeing me back. Night, Seong-muk."
"……Yeah."
As she turned, my feet wouldn't move. Words stuck in my throat.
"Seong-muk?"
She looked puzzled.
I scratched my head awkwardly, met her eyes, and blurted it out.
"I love your cooking."
"……!"
"Wanna keep eating it forever. Know it's way above my pay grade, though."
"Seong-muk…."
"Whatever you choose, I'll cheer you on! See ya…!!"
Thud thud!!
I bolted.
Damn, got carried away. Super embarrassing.
######
Thud!
"Haa…."
Olivia shut the door behind her and collapsed.
Her heart was pounding wildly, uncontrollably. Seong-muk's words looped endlessly in her head.
I love your cooking.
Whatever you choose, I'll cheer you on.
Thump, thump!
She already harbored feelings for him. A girl with zero immunity to reason hearing straight-ball affection like that? Heart couldn't take it.
"Saying stuff like that… it's cheating…."
Once a girl's heart ignites, it's an unstoppable wildfire.
What ripples would this blaze send through the boy and girl's world? Only the heavens know.