Chapter 38
Chapter 38
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Valentine's Day Radio (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Alright, that's it for today's broadcast, Myth~!"
"Yeah, alright. Goodnight, everyone~."
The broadcast ended.
The avatar vanished, replaced by her own face on the monitor. It looked just the same, of course.
"Huuuuuh... it's finally oooover..."
Ugh. The silence the moment the broadcast cuts out... I'll never get used to it in my lifetime.
"Like hell it's over. Hey."
Of course, today the silence didn't come right away.
From beyond the speaker, Yeona unnie's voice rang out, sounding seriously pissed.
"Hey, you little punk. Give me a heads-up for stuff like this."
"Hehe. Sure. But doesn't this kind of thing need that live energy?"
"Live energy my ass, you idiot. Remember how the communities blew up just the other day? You following QWER first even made the news."
"Pfft, it was just some gossip rag, not a major paper. What's the big deal?"
"Sure, but QWER's rep is keeping the fallout quieter than expected. Didn't Legend bro get in a bind too?"
"He turned off notifications after like a thousand DMs piled up in a day."
"Kekeke. Guess Legend bro got a taste of influencer life, even if just for a bit."
"Yeah, probably."
"Anyway... haa."
Haa.
Yeona let out a sigh.
Well, up to here, it's not really my business, but...
Still, it's about Myth, and she's like a little sister to me.
Maybe I'll cross the line just a tad.
"Myth."
"Yes, unnie? I'm listening."
Maybe she picked up on how serious Yeona's tone had gotten.
Myth sat up straight.
"Nosy as it is, I'll say one thing."
"Nosy? It's you, unnie. I'll listen closely."
"Aigoo, you kid. You sure know how to talk sweet."
That's why I adopted her as a little sis, but still.
"You're not dating Legend bro yet, right?"
"Not yet, I suppose?"
"Not yet... Yeah, okay. I won't deny you two look like a couple to outsiders."
At least, if everything Myth said on the radio today was true, they were basically living together already.
Minus sleeping in separate houses, they shared pretty much every daily routine.
But what Yeona was worried about was something else.
Out of sisterly concern, she crossed the line a bit deeper.
Last time with Legend bro, it was their first meeting, so she went light. This time, deep and hard.
"No intention of waiting him out?"
Poke.
Yeona's words stabbed right at Myth.
Myth shut her mouth.
Damn, unnie.
Her instincts are sharper than anyone's in the world.
She'd probably pieced together my relationship with Seol from scraps of info already.
This is straight-up psychic powers.
*Our instincts are good too, but still no match for Yeona unnie~* Myth thought as she spoke up.
"I know why you're hesitating."
Seol had said he was still confused since waking up not long ago and asked her to wait, but she knew the real reason underneath.
Why Seol couldn't fully accept her feelings—she probably knew better than anyone, even Seol himself.
That's why she couldn't stop pushing now.
For no one else but Seol.
"No ulterior motives, right?"
"As if. Half of it probably is."
"Honest, huh. Well, since you know, I won't say more."
"Thanks for caring."
"Nah, it was nosy of me, so thanks for hearing me out. ...You two both sound fine."
"Both? You asked Seol too?!"
"Back at the department store when you stepped away. Gave him a light prod. Don't worry, not as deep as with you. Just a casual question and done."
"Th... Can you tell me what he said?"
"Even for you, no can do. That's between me and Legend bro."
"Uuuuuu!"
Yeona smiled at Myth's cute whining.
*They suit each other well.*
Both when talking to Legend bro last time, and now thinking of Myth.
A couple whose reason for living was someone else—they matched perfectly.
Yeah, no need to worry anymore.
*Of course Myth knows Legend bro better than I do.*
She'd seemed a bit hasty, but it was just her imagination.
"Sigh. Unnie'll be waiting for the wedding invite."
"Yep. You'll get it first."
"Good. Doesn't seem like you'll sleep, so no goodnight."
"Such sharp instincts~. Night, unnie."
Confirming the Xcode call had ended, Yeona chuckled and stepped out of the soundproof booth.
Myth was dead set on advancing things tonight.
*Legend bro, better brace yourself.*
Man, what adorable, sweet little sibs.
"She coming or not."
I sat in the living room with eyes wide open, waiting for Myth.
No, she basically said that right before ending, so of course I figured she'd show up.
But no word? What's up with that.
It'd be sunrise by now in summer, but winter meant the living room was still dim as I sat alone, lost in thought.
...Should I head over?
Right as that thought crossed my mind, the doorbell chimed perfectly timed—ding-dong.
"Suddenly?"
Weird.
When did Myth start ringing the bell to come over?
Aside from the very early days a few times, she just punched in the code boldly.
Just in case, I checked the intercom.
"Who is it?"
No answer, but I knew it was Myth.
Her face was on the screen, after all.
"Yeah. Hang on a bit."
Her clothes looked thin, worrying me in this midwinter chill, so I hurried to open the door.
Myth stood there with hands behind her back, fidgeting awkwardly.
"Hey, even if it's the hallway, how can you come out dressed like that in this weather."
"..."
Myth said nothing, just smiled up at me.
She was chatty earlier... why go suddenly quiet like this? Creepy.
*Throat hurt?*
Did the long broadcast finally wreck her voice?
What's with her all of a sudden.
"If you're calling me over, say something."
But Myth didn't reply.
Instead, she brought her hands from behind her back.
A small heart-shaped box.
Tied with a cute ribbon. I smiled at the sight.
Oh, this what she wanted to give?
I gratefully took the box.
It was lighter than expected. Light enough I'd believe it empty.
"...Not homemade, right?"
What if she used her terrifying cooking—er, alchemy—to make weightless chocolate.
My question made Myth's eyes go wide.
"...!"
She shook her head side to side desperately.
Her head whipped so fiercely it nearly stirred wind.
Guess my ER trip was trauma for her too.
I chuckled and thanked her.
"Thanks, I'll enjoy it."
"Mm-mmph!"
As I turned to go in, she grabbed my shoulder and pointed at the box.
What's in it~? Looking closer, a small note was tucked between ribbon and box.
『Open it.』
"Now?"
Nod.
Myth nodded.
Alright, if she says open it.
I carefully opened the box.
Instead of chocolate, another small note inside.
*No wonder it's so light.*
What, hidden camera?
I looked up at Myth.
She gestured wildly, like she was dying to tell me something.
"Open this one?"
"!!"
Myth nodded vigorously.
Broadcast life turning her into a content machine?
I unfolded the note without thinking.
...Okay, honestly, with a bit of a pounding heart.
『Aaaaaaaaaa』
Aaaaaaaaaa?
What the?
I unwittingly read it aloud.
"Aaaaaa—."
Mouth open, going "aaaaaa"—wondering what this even means, the moment I looked back at her.
"!!"
She was right there in front of me.
Impossibly close.
So close a finger joint wouldn't fit, her eyes staring into mine.
Breath-stopping shock.
Lips touched by softness I'd never felt before, and as I went "aaaah—" with mouth wide, something sweet slipped in.
Chocolate melted, the shy visitor retreated from my mouth.
Heart plummeting, melting sweetness spread across my tongue.
"Puha."
An eternal second passed, her eyes slightly out of focus.
Lips parted, the silver thread linking them snapped.
My pounding heart heated my face to bursting.
Hot enough to mock midwinter's cold. Burning.
"Happy Valentine's Day."
Myth twisted shyly.
We gazed at each other for a while in the midwinter apartment hallway.
10 seconds, 20.
Or 10 minutes, 20.
No idea.
How much time passed.
One thing certain: I could watch her forever.
The eternal-yet-instant moment passed, and seeing Myth still blushing, I burst out laughing.
"Yeah, Happy Valentine's Day."
"How was it? Sweet?"
Her face red as could be, Myth launched another attack.
Snicker.
Smiling, I handed her the note.
"Huh? What's th—aaaah—mph?!"
Falling into her own trap twice 'cause she's a fool? Or opening wide knowing she wanted it?
Myth quietly closed her eyes.
I closed mine too.
Hoping my sweetness reached her, even a little.
February 14th.
First Valentine's since opening my eyes.
Late winter, before spring's arrival. Slightly chilly apartment hallway.
We'd barely moved, so the hall lights stayed off in the dim corridor.
There, we shared sweetness.
Probably one I'd never forget for life.