Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Who Are You?
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- Slurp. Slurp.
The chewy, winding noodles filled my mouth completely, delivering a spicy punch that assaulted my tongue while an umami explosion refused to be overshadowed.
Despite the numbing heat in my mouth, I deliberately picked up another chunk of kimchi—the epitome of a Korean meal.
This was a familiar taste, yet my body seemed to know it hadn't experienced it for seven years, even if my mind did.
Somehow, this ramen tasted so incredibly good that after finishing one bowl, I patted my belly.
"Ugh. That hit the spot."
"Seol-ah, you've got real talent for mukbangs."
"Nah, mukbangs require you to stack up a ton of food and eat it all. Sadly, I can't handle that much."
The next day, we started our first meal at home with some ramen together.
Myth said she usually streamed until dawn and slept in until around lunchtime, and I'd woken up right after watching her stream, hitting the perfect timing.
"I see. So this is the infamous streamer schedule I've heard about."
"Even mine's pretty moderate. The real extremists don't wake up until 4 p.m. or later."
"Is that actually healthy?"
"As long as they eat properly and squeeze in some exercise during their free time, it should be fine. The problem is most don't bother."
There aren't many streamers who actually take care of their bodies~.
Myth said it with a playful lilt.
Even so, Myth looked full of energy—no trace of the pudge you might expect from a streamer.
Sensing my gaze, she rolled up her sleeve and flexed her bicep.
"Don't worry, I work out hard every day."
"Good to know. So, when are we heading out to buy furniture?"
"Hmm... about time, huh? You're all ready to go, right?"
"You're the one who told me to shower and get ready first thing."
"True enough. Let's head downstairs then. The taxi should be here."
"The taxi's already here?"
"These days, you just tap your phone and a cab pulls right up to your door~."
Myth said that as she threw on her clothes haphazardly.
Unlike last time when we were just going next door, this time she layered up properly—thick and thorough.
"Alright, let's go!"
"Yeah, let's head out."
The shopping mall wasn't far.
Come to think of it, I wondered why we needed a taxi, but I didn't ask.
...I had a pretty good idea why anyway.
Ugh, I really need to get my license soon.
After arriving at the mall, we looked around and shared our impressions.
"Mmm~. The scent of the mall. Nothing beats this."
"Really? All the mixed perfumes make me dizzy."
"Hehe, Legend really is a guy, huh? Hating stuff like that."
"Guess some people actually like it."
The air thick with countless department store perfumes made me instinctively furrow my brow.
Watching Myth perk up in contrast made me realize anew that she was a girl.
"Man, it's crowded."
"Early in the year—bound to be packed."
"Yeah, let's stick close so we don't get separated."
In a massive mall like this, even adults can lose each other if they're not careful.
That's when a slight weight tugged at my sleeve.
Turning around, I saw Myth lightly gripping it.
Her face flushed bright red, but she didn't let go.
"S-so we don't get lost?"
"Dummy. If you're gonna hold on, do it right."
I gently twisted my wrist to free her hand, then took hers firmly in mine.
She'd hugged me, buried her face in my chest, even been princess-carried—yet now she was shy about this?
Ignoring my own burning cheeks, I gripped her hand tightly.
"O-oh... huh?"
Myth's face turned an even deeper shade of red—if that was possible.
We stood there frozen, hands clasped, her head bowed low in embarrassment.
Whispers started from the crowd around us.
"Aww, look at that young couple."
"So sweet and fresh~."
Sorry.
I'm 27, even if seven years in bed left my mindset at 20.
Even if Myth looks super youthful, thanks for the compliment on me too.
The warm stares and attention were too much, so I hurried off.
Of course, without letting go of her hand.
"Furniture's on the fourth floor, right? Let's head up."
"Y-yeah!"
On a hectic day like this, elevators in a department store were a no-go.
We took the escalator up to the fourth floor, slowly.
No words between us, just riding up four floors—yet that moment felt so warm, my heart pounding.
The fourth floor was less crowded than the first.
Maybe the contrast made it feel almost empty.
Furniture floors usually weren't busy anyway.
Still hand in hand, we wandered, feeling each other's warmth and presence.
We were both silently okay with it.
"Oh, right, Seol-ah. How was the bed? I just grabbed something random, but was it okay?"
"Definitely better than the hospital bed."
"Obviously."
I recalled my bed's plush comfort—nothing like the hospital ones designed for quick patient transport.
No comparison at all.
How to put it? Not sinking in softly, but firm yet perfectly supportive, without any discomfort.
"Hmm~. Then TV later—today, let's get a display cabinet, dresser, that stuff. Oh, and a sofa. It's inconvenient without one."
"Yeah, if you're coming over often, we need a sofa. Sitting on the floor or at the table all the time sucks."
"True~. And thinking ahead to Mom and Dad visiting, maybe something bigger."
"Makes sense. The living room's spacious—too small would look off."
We spent a while roaming the fourth floor.
Scrutinizing every piece in various stores, taking our time.
"What about this sofa?"
"Looks good, but leaning back from the floor might feel awkward."
"...We're buying a sofa. You planning to sit on the floor?"
"That's what being Korean is."
"Fair enough. Keep this one! Next!"
It was a strange feeling.
I'd never enjoyed shopping at department stores with my parents much.
But with Myth, browsing furniture and chatting made every moment fun.
"Ooh...! This dish set is pretty!"
"Blue and white—the classic combo. Super cute? Should we get it?"
"Hmm... let's look a bit more."
Myth said that and squeezed my hand tighter.
I knew what she meant and nodded.
She felt the same way I did—it was obvious.
We browsed a while longer until Myth checked her phone.
"Oh, almost 6 p.m. Let's grab dinner!"
"Your stream schedule okay?"
"Yeah, starting at 9 tonight. Eat, go home, stream till dawn."
"You won't be tired?"
"Well, it's normal for m—"
Myth cut herself off mid-sentence.
She stared into space thoughtfully, then poked my side.
"Actually, thinking about it, I might be a little tired."
"Yeah? Dinner at home then, something light?"
"Nah, I reserved a restaurant..."
Myth leaned her head on my shoulder.
Looking down at the familiar weight, she gazed up at me.
"Give me a massage when we get home instead."
Ah, so that was the goal.
Tricky.
I'm barely holding back here—don't tempt me like this.
I stroked her head as she kept slyly flirting.
"A proper massage, sure."
"...Guess I'll settle for that for now."
Myth nodded like she was doing me a favor.
As we headed to the restaurant floor, a voice called from behind.
"Satisfied my ass, you little bitch."
Huh?
The crude remark, out of place in a department store, made our heads snap back.
A woman stood there, face hidden behind a mask and sunglasses, staring at us.
Weird. A stranger, yet her voice and build felt familiar.
She strode over quickly and yanked off her hat.
Thinking she might swing it, I moved to block—but Myth squeezed my hand, signaling to stop.
As I hesitated, confused, she plopped the hat over Myth's head.
"Y-Yeona unnie?"
"Hey, cute little dongsaeng. Didn't I tell you to at least wear a hat outside?"
With the hat off, her full head shape and hair came into view—I recognized her.
Yeona.
Korea's second-gen YouTuber with a million subs, who'd collabed with Myth recently.
She lifted her sunglasses slightly and pinched Myth's cheek.
"Unnieee... it hurts..."
"Argh, you rascal. You're too much like 'Myth'—gotta be this careful or scandals pop up."
In a quiet department store corner, ignored by passersby, Yeona lectured away before finally turning to me with a knowing smile.
"Anyway, so..."
I had a bad feeling.
Oh no.
This was trouble.
"Who's this guy? Your cute little dongsaeng?"
Her eyes sparkled as they landed on me.