Chapter 141: Kim Ga-eul’s Counterattack. The Aquarium Date Operation. (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 141: Kim Ga-eul’s Counterattack. The Aquarium Date Operation. (1)
While checking my things after finishing my preparations, my eyes suddenly fell upon the safety glasses I hadn’t worn since my style makeover.
“…Come to think of it, these were a gift from Mom, too.”
In the memories I had recovered, there were many instances of my mother playfully giving me gifts, and these safety glasses were one of them.
— So-hyun, you must make sure to wear these glasses later, okay? Promise Mom!
When I asked why, she had given a bittersweet smile and said something about how all sorts of things would try to stick to me as I lived my life, and that these would help reduce that a bit.
Looking in the mirror, I was fairly handsome, but I didn’t think I had the kind of face that would be that popular with girls.
Even before I was transmigrated, my friends used to grumble that I looked like a pretty boy, and my features were even more delicate now.
I lacked a certain rugged, masculine charm; instead, I had a slender impression, as if I hadn’t even hit my second growth spurt yet.
“At least I seem to be on the taller side.”
Feeling a sense of nostalgia, I tried the glasses on for the first time in a while, but I still didn’t think they suited me very well.
Still, I couldn’t bring myself to throw them away. I put them back in their case and carefully tucked them into a drawer.
“I’m heading out.”
At least I still had some items left that held memories of my mother.
* * *
Kim Ga-eul arrived at the meeting place a step ahead of time and checked her appearance.
It wasn’t bad. In fact, she thought she looked quite good.
Her makeup had turned out better than usual, and her outfit was refreshing without being over-the-top.
Even though this wasn’t a date for just the two of them, that was precisely why she had to put in more effort.
If they were just meeting to hang out, she wouldn’t need to be this fired up, but right now, she needed an opportunity to be alone with Kang So-hyun to resolve a certain suspicion blooming inside her.
Recently, she had been able to see a blurred memory of that day in her dreams.
A nostalgic dream about a boy who had reached out to her when she was a child, crying and trembling after getting lost while throwing a tantrum.
That boy, who had played with her with such a mature attitude, definitely had brilliant blonde hair.
When she looked into it later, the only child at the party with blonde hair was Yu-hak, the guest of honor.
Naturally, she had assumed that boy was Yu-hak.
However, there was one part of the dream that made her unsure if she was truly looking at a memory.
The eyes. Yes, the eyes.
The boy who had been kind to her in the dream definitely had red eyes.
On the contrary, the one with orange eyes was the black-haired boy who had been glaring at her sullenly.
Is it because I’ve decided to like So-hyun? Is my dream just being influenced by my feelings? Really?
Once she started doubting, several strange points came to mind.
His expressions, his clothes…
Maybe, just maybe, if the dream was actually true, wouldn’t this be a chance to hit the jackpot?
Unlike the others, she thought she didn’t have a “fated encounter” with him, but what if she was wrong? What if this was actually the classic “mistaken identity” trope that was so popular in romance comics?
Her heart pounded.
I mean, think about it. It hadn’t been long since she’d been forgiven for bullying him and told she didn’t need to worry about it anymore.
But it didn’t stop there—what if he was actually her fated partner from her childhood memories?
She couldn’t help but be hopeful.
The era of Kim Ga-eul might finally be coming…!
Even as she tried to compose herself, telling herself she was getting ahead of her skis, her heart continued to throb.
She had steeled her heart at the party and sent a signal that she didn’t mind being second, but maybe there was a real chance she could snatch the position of the main wife!?
This was bad.
Nothing was confirmed yet, but her face was so relaxed she couldn’t control her expression.
Whew, calm down. First, just confirm it today. Don’t add any unnecessary fluff, just confirm it.
…Hehe… Hehehe.
While she waited with those thoughts, there were about thirty minutes left until the appointed time.
Just as she was thinking she might have arrived too early, a car approached from a distance.
Hm? A car? Why is it stopping in front of me?
She didn’t know much about cars, but the passenger door of a fairly luxurious-looking black sedan opened, and the person she had been waiting for appeared.
It was So-hyun. He was handsome today, too. She was worried because he seemed to get more handsome by the day.
If he had just stayed a loser, I would have been the only one who liked him…
The moment he stepped out of the car, the fragrant scent of flowers seemed to melt her heart.
“Oh? You’re already here? It’s hot today, why’d you come out so early?”
He seemed a bit surprised. Well, it was still thirty minutes before their meeting time.
At first, she was pleased that he was looking out for her even though he had arrived early himself, but as she continued to watch him, a mysterious sense of unpleasantness began to crawl up her spine.
His cheeks were slightly flushed as if he had just finished some intense exercise, and his hair was damp as if he had broken a light sweat.
And the fact that he had stepped out of a black car strangely stimulated her imagination.
Then, the driver’s door opened, and a familiar person stepped out.
“Ah, so the person you had plans with today was Cadet Ga-eul?”
Brilliant blonde hair and a clean outfit that highlighted her figure without being vulgar.
The woman who naturally stepped out of the car and stood by his side was Professor Cathy.
She hadn’t liked Ga-eul much because of the incident at the beginning of the semester, though things had improved a bit recently.
“The weather has gotten quite hot lately. Oh, since it’s so hot, should I drive you to your destination?”
As she spoke, she naturally pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the beads of sweat from So-hyun’s forehead.
…And the way So-hyun naturally accepted it without refusing felt like a strange unpleasantness to Ga-eul.
“No, that would be an imposition.”
“What’s there to be sorry about? Between us.”
…Why did it feel like she was strangely emphasizing the words “between us”?
Was there not just one rival today, but two…?
“Hmm, so are you two the only ones meeting today?”
“Ah, no. Han-hee is coming too.”
“I see. Well, you’ll have to wait a bit longer then. If you don’t want to sit in the car, how about going into a cafe? My treat.”
She naturally placed her hand on So-hyun’s shoulder again.
So-hyun didn’t seem flustered at all as he accepted the touch, though he shook his head.
“I told you it’s fine. You have a schedule after this, Professor.”
…I don’t think I’m imagining this. It’s like… she’s sending me a warning.
To be honest, there was no area—looks, wealth, or skill—where Ga-eul could win.
That was why she had thought she didn’t mind being second.
But today, at least for today, she didn’t feel like losing.
I… I’m going to touch him too.
No, not that—once I’m sure, I’m going to be all lovey-dovey with him…!
Smooch.
However, that lighthearted resolve was brutally crushed by the sight before her eyes.
The Professor, who had very naturally kissed his forehead, put on a pair of sunglasses she had pulled from somewhere and stepped back slightly.
Even So-hyun seemed a bit surprised by this as he widened the distance between them, but the Professor didn’t care and shot a smiling glance at Ga-eul.
Ah, it definitely wasn’t her imagination.
This was…
‘He’s mine. Don’t even look at him.’
It was a warning.
Honestly, it was a bit scary. If it came down to a fight between women, Ga-eul felt like she would lose. But still, today, since she had summoned her courage for today, she didn’t want to lose.
Even if it was a battle between a lion and a cat, she didn’t want to—!
“Unnie.”
Just then, the rear door of the sedan opened, and another person stepped out.
It was Inspector Na-hyun.
“Ah, Na-hyun, sorry. Did I keep you waiting?”
“No, it’s nothing. I just realized I forgot something. So-hyun.”
“Yes, Sister.”
“Here. You said you were meeting friends. Buy them something delicious. There’s no limit on this, so if there’s anything you want to buy, don’t hesitate.”
What she held out to him was a small card. However, its color was black.
“…I don’t think I’ll need a card just to meet friends?”
“Why not? You might need it. You never know what might happen.”
Red eyes, similar to his, pierced through Ga-eul.
“You think so too, right? Ga-eul, was it?”
“Ye-yes. Unnie.”
“Hmm, you’re not still scared because I was too intimidating last time, are you?”
“Pardon…? No!”
“Good. Now that we’ve properly met, call me Unnie when we’re not on duty. Say hello when you see me, okay?”
Where had all the courage overflowing in her heart gone? Ga-eul wanted to fix her gaze on the ground immediately.
While So-hyun held the card, wondering if that was the case, the warmth that had remained in Na-hyun’s eyes for him vanished as she turned her gaze toward Ga-eul.
She mouthed something silently, and strangely, Ga-eul could understand the meaning instantly.
‘I. Am. Watching. You.’
“Well then, I’ll use it if something comes up.”
“Mm, okay.”
Only then did the two of them seem satisfied as they got back in the car and drove away.
“…Hey, can I ask you something?”
“Huh? What is it?”
“Why did you come with those two?”
“Oh, they decided to help me with my morning workouts starting a few days ago. When I told them I had plans, they gave me a ride.”
Aha, so that was why he looked a bit exhausted.
It wasn’t the worst-case scenario. If he had said he’d lost to an older woman’s maturity or avoided the question, she might have really wanted to cry, but it didn’t seem to be that serious.
Her spirit felt a bit broken, but how could those two interfere now? Now, she was going to have fun with So-hyun.
She could play without being disturbed.
“Oh, what? There’s still 15 minutes left until the meeting time? So-hyun, you said you were working out, so why are you here so early~”
Han-hee approached from a distance, but… well. Surely she wouldn’t lose to a guy.
There were many times when Han-hee seemed prettier than her, and he was So-hyun’s closest friend so they hung out often, and he was better at cooking than her, and looking at him again, his face did seem prettier than hers, but! He was a guy!
“Well, I, Kang So-hyun, am glad that no one is late for our meeting.”
“Whatever~”
The rival I intended to beat today was you all along, Han-hee.
So what if she was unfairly boosting her self-esteem against a guy? She wanted to win for once, too!
* * *
This meeting today had been arranged quite suddenly.
Ga-eul had just asked me to make some time, and when I agreed, she suggested inviting Ha-ni to hang out together.
Seeing her expression full of resolve, I thought I knew what she was thinking, but for some reason, it felt like Ga-eul was about to make a massive blunder.
I had to go back to Academy life tomorrow, so she should have just called me alone and asked me directly.
Did she think I wouldn’t come if she only invited me?
Anyway, the three of us arrived at the aquarium.
It wasn’t a holiday or peak season, so it was relatively uncrowded, meaning we could look around comfortably.
“Alright, so where should we go first?”
It was the moment I asked without much thought.
“Sea otters!”
“The dolphins, obviously~”
Their opinions split in completely opposite directions based on the course.
“…Dolphins are popular, so isn’t it standard to see them last?”
“Ga-eul~ The dolphin show is so popular that it’ll be hard to get good seats later. Considering the time to buy snacks, wouldn’t it be better to see the show first and then the rest?”
…Suddenly, the atmosphere seemed to turn ice-cold.
What is this? Why are you two so serious about the aquarium? I was just going to see whatever was closest to the entrance.
“So-hyun, what about you?”
“Oh, right. You should decide. Where do you want to go first?”
Suddenly? I have to decide this?
Well, actually, I’m more leaning toward the sea otters.
They’re closer to the entrance.
Surely Ha-ni won’t get upset over something like this.
“Then let’s go see the sea otters first. They’re closer to the entrance.”
“Hehe!”
“Hoo-boy~?”
I said it without much thought, but Ga-eul looked incredibly happy, while Ha-ni let out a groan as if it wasn’t fun.
What is this? Did I transmigrate into a dating sim instead of a novel? Where do I check the affection levels?
However, Ha-ni soon gave a mischievous grin.
“Shall we go then?”
Ga-eul flinched as Ha-ni took my hand and started leading the way.
“Hey, hey. Why are you holding hands?”
“What’s wrong with it? Can’t friends hold hands?”
…Ha-ni. Do you know? Men don’t hold hands.
“Hee.”
And they definitely don’t interlock fingers!
“I’m kidding. It’s a joke. Why don’t you grab his other hand too, Ga-eul? Since you’re friends?”
“…Ugh.”
First with the Professor, and now this. Why is everyone’s nerves so frayed today…?