Chapter 172: Before the Gelato Melts.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 172: Before the Gelato Melts.
“Seriously, what is with them?”
Are these punks excluding me and planning something weird?
I realized it the moment they started peeling off one by one as we were heading back, all suddenly ‘remembering’ they had errands to run.
It felt like they were sidelining me to pull some more nonsense.
My intuition was screaming at me to run and gag Lilac immediately or I’d regret it, but unfortunately, I wasn’t in a position to do that.
— The Lord of Myriad Worlds greets you shyly.
…Should I kill him?
I didn’t know why this guy, who usually pretended to be a system, was showing up at such an awkward time instead of when I first regained my memories, but I doubted it was for a particularly good reason.
— The Lord of Myriad Worlds expresses disappointment.
“You can speak properly. Why are you acting up again?”
— The Lord of Myriad Worlds feigns ignorance.
Seriously, what is his deal?
Including the time before my regression, I’d known him for quite a while, yet I still had no idea what this god wanted or what he was thinking.
— The Lord of Myriad Worlds is upset that you don’t recognize his sincere desire to help.
He was another reader of a failed novel, the one responsible for throwing me into this world to see whatever it was he wanted to see in a ruined world. He was also the type to talk my ear off when he was bored, yet he hadn’t shown his face once since I became a villain.
— Since you seem clueless, I’ll give you a hint. If you don’t want to regret it, go to that cafe you visit often.
“What…?”
I thought he was talking nonsense, but no matter how many times I called out after that, there was no response.
“…Fine, dammit. I’m going. I’m going.”
It might sound ridiculous, but I didn’t actually hold a grudge against the Lord of Myriad Worlds.
He was the benefactor who saved Seo-ha when she was supposed to die, and his only condition for the deal was for me to show him a conclusion he could accept.
He was the one who gave me another chance even after I failed that and drove the world to ruin, so how could I resent him?
If he were one of those trashy gods common in web novels—the mastermind who actually forced Seo-ha and me into this fate—the story would be different, but I had a feeling that wasn’t the case.
Anyway, I didn’t have any ill will toward him.
If anything, he probably held a grudge against me.
To him, I must feel like a trash protagonist of a novel who suddenly decided to drift off-course.
Is there any character more frustrating than me?
Well, the point is this.
I had some trust that he might be trying to help me, and even if he was planning to prank me this time, I was willing to fall for it once considering everything I’d received from him so far.
So, following his words, I entered the cafe I frequented and scanned the area.
Since I didn’t have a hobby of going to cafes alone, a cafe was always a meeting spot or a place I went with someone else. It had become a sort of habit.
I hadn’t made any appointments, so there shouldn’t have been anyone here.
However, defying my expectations, a girl sitting by the window spotted me and ducked her head in a panic, pressing a bag over her hair.
…Is she seriously trying to hide like that?
Why is she so cute?
I hadn’t planned on drinking anything, but since I’d run into a precious guest, the situation had changed.
I ordered a green tea latte at the counter and naturally sat down in front of the bag-headed weirdo.
“…Why are you sitting here?”
“Because I saw someone I know. It’s a waste of a cafe table otherwise.”
“If you’re hitting on me, find someone else. I don’t know you.”
“I don’t have any bag-headed weirdos among my acquaintances either. But…”
Just as she was about to lift a spoonful of the gelato she’d been eating until the moment I found her, the bag-headed weirdo evolved into Seo-ha—no, Chae Yu-jin.
“Well, I do know one person who looks like their hobby is reading. You still like gelato, I see?”
For the record, the one who liked gelato wasn’t Chae Yu-jin, but Seo-ha.
I once asked if it wasn’t too expensive for the portion size, and she’d scolded me for not appreciating the dense, rich texture.
“Ah! Seriously! What is wrong with you?! I told you to fix that habit of doing things like that so casually! Ah, seriously!!!!”
Doing what? Oh, wait, indirect kissing? We’re not kids; what does it matter between us?
Despite saying she’d never do such a thing, here she was, dressed in a school uniform and loitering around the Academy.
She really is damn cute.
“What’s wrong, ‘Ms. Chae Yu-jin’? We used to meet up and talk like this occasionally anyway.”
“Are you joking right now? You’re really going to use that excuse? Just so there’s no misunderstanding, I didn’t come here to see you. It’s just that this cafe’s gelato is handmade and the best, okay?”
“Did I say otherwise?”
“…So annoying. Why are you so relaxed? The person in front of you right now is a villain whose goal is the destruction of the world, you know?”
“Is that so? Doesn’t seem like it. Even if I concede that it’s true, I’m not around anymore, so I don’t think you could pull it off alone.”
“Who do you think you are? Acting like you’re actually Ha-neul. You’re just a fake.”
“Someone once told me that if you keep forcing yourself to tell a story you don’t even believe in, you’ll end up forgetting what you actually wanted.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I was just wondering if Ms. Chae Yu-jin remembers what she originally wanted.”
“Hmph, look who’s talking. Do you remember? You’re the one whose soul was shattered into pieces and scattered.”
“Well, I don’t have much to say if you poke at that. But I do remember one thing clearly.”
“Ha, what? That playing with dolls is fun?”
“Don’t call them dolls when you don’t even mean it. No, it’s that you are incredibly important to me.”
“Huh?! So suddenly…!”
“That’s why I won’t let you break this world. Even if you do, the ending you want won’t come.”
Her face, which had momentarily flushed red, hardened into a cold mask again.
“We’ll see about that. How exactly are you going to stop me? Once I gather just a bit more of the Authority scattered across the world, I’ll use a method more wicked than you can imagine to—”
“Oh, sorry. My drink is out. I’ll be right back.”
“This is exactly what I hate about you! Acting all slick like this since the old days!”
I was worried she might run away while I went to get my drink, but even with a red face, Chae Yu-jin stayed in her seat.
“…Drinking nothing but green tea lattes at a cafe.”
“You were the one who first recommended it to me. It suits my palate the best.”
“Like a child.”
“And you’re acting like an adult.”
“You’re the one who taught me that I can’t live like a child forever.”
“I wished you could have dreamed a little longer.”
Ah, this won’t do. If we keep this conversation going, it’ll only lead to words that end up hurting both of us.
We don’t get to meet often; there’s no need to have dark and sad conversations when we could be talking about something brighter.
“…For a fake.”
“Don’t complicate things by calling me ‘Fake Ha-neul.’ Just call me Kang So-hyun. Isn’t it a hassle?”
“…Then, Mr. Kang So-hyun.”
“Yes, why are you calling me, Ms. Chae Yu-jin?”
“Never mind. Forget it. What’s the point when we won’t be seeing each other anymore?”
“Huh? Are you really not coming to the Academy anymore? You said the gelato here is the best.”
“…I’d rather order the gelato for delivery than run into you.”
So you’re not saying you’ll give it up?
“Wow, that’s seriously harsh. My feelings are hurt, you know?”
“Don’t make me laugh… You’re surrounded by so many girls. Now that you’ve come to your senses and found your memories, I bet you’ve got eyes for women, don’t you? Do you even know what we’ve done?”
She’s poking where it hurts.
In the past, I would have confidently told her not to talk nonsense, but honestly, it was hard to deny now.
Because I had definitely started looking at those girls in that way.
“Ah, um. It’s a bit awkward that I can’t deny that.”
“Huh…?”
“What? Why are you so surprised after saying it yourself?”
Did she think I’d say that wasn’t the case?
“You… who are you, really…?”
“Kang So-hyun. Well, the person inside is named Ha-neul.”
Seeing her act like she’d seen something unbelievable was a bit funny, making me want to tease her more.
No, it wasn’t even teasing, since it was all the truth.
“Why? They’re all charming people. Isn’t it natural to fall for them? I’ve decided not to hide the emotions I feel anymore.”
“You’re crazy… No, I didn’t know you were in such a dangerous state. What is happening? No, wait. I know what you mean! You just mean you like them as people, or you have a personal fondness for them, like always!”
I can tell how she usually views me, but unfortunately, this time it’s for real.
“No? I see them as women and think they’re beautiful. I mean, of course, I have a sense of guilt so I’m not approaching them easily, but I’m receiving more favor than I deserve, so I’m trying my best to accept it.”
“…Hey, Ha-neul. No. Okay, So-hyun? Let’s try to have a rational conversation for a moment.”
“Finally, we’re getting somewhere! I wanted to talk to you too.”
For as long as possible, that is.
“You’re not saying you’re going to date them, right?”
“To be honest, I’m not sure yet.”
I felt bad for her since her expression brightened at my words, but that wasn’t what I meant.
“This is going to sound absolutely insane, but I don’t even know who I like the most.”
“…What?”
“I mean, even if I pay for my sins and end up with someone, I don’t know who it would be.”
“Hey…! Hey…! That’s not right! Huh?! You seriously can’t do that! Wow, are you protesting because you’re sulking right now?”
Ah, now she finally seems like Seo-ha.
Right, acting all moody doesn’t suit you. You should be a bit more playful and full of confidence!
But I wasn’t protesting.
“I’ve endured for so many years. It can’t end like this. This is seriously crossing the line.”
Watching her mutter to herself, a certain question suddenly occurred to me.
I didn’t know when I’d see her again, so I should ask now.
“Oh, hey. Right. There was something I wanted to tell you if I met you. You told me I can’t sing. That was a lie, wasn’t it?”
I’d brought it up without much thought, but the light died in her eyes.
“…Who did you sing in front of?”
“Do you not use the internet? It was quite a big deal. The song I sang at Cheon Yu-hak’s birthday party.”
“Ugh…! What about others?! You haven’t sung for anyone personally, right?”
“I have? I went to the karaoke with the kids and sang the songs they asked for.”
Finally, with dead eyes, Seo-ha began to retreat into her own world, muttering, “With me… that was a memory shared only with me…”
“Hello?”
“Stop, stop it. What else is there? Are you planning to push me even further?!”
“What are you talking about? The gelato is going to melt. Aren’t you going to eat it?”
“Do you think gelato would even go down my throat right now?!”
“…Why wouldn’t it?”
Excluding the brief moment I saw her on that insane birthday party day, it felt like the first time we’d talked in ages. It wasn’t particularly awkward.
Personally, I wanted to keep talking like this, but unfortunately, whether it was my one-sided affection or not, she stood up while staring at the melted gelato.
“Oh, hey. You’re really going? Stay a bit longer.”
“…I feel like I’ll go crazy if I stay any longer, Mr. Kang So-hyun.”
“That’s a real shame, Ms. Chae Yu-jin.”
Yet, despite having stood up, she couldn’t bring herself to leave the shop, fidgeting as if she had more to say.
You told me I couldn’t even honestly say what I truly wanted from you, but from where I’m standing, you’re exactly the same.
“If you keep being stubborn like that, I might give you a wedding invitation the next time we meet.”
“Don’t say such horrible things…! Ah, seriously! I hate you so much…!”
In the end, when I gave her an opening to escape, she shouted and ran away as usual. It was so cute it was almost pitiful.
“Hey! Everything else is fine, but make sure to apologize to Professor Cathy later! I’ll do it with you!”
“Shut up! Who’s apologizing to whom?! Aaaaaah!!!!”
It wasn’t that I couldn’t catch her if I tried, but I didn’t bother.
If I pushed any further, she might actually have a breakdown.
I had to give her some room to think.
“Well, we’re the ones who should apologize to the Professor; you think the Professor should apologize to us? Dummy.”
— The Lord of Myriad Worlds comforts you.
“Oh, right. Thanks for letting me know.”
She was probably secretly waiting for me to find her. If I hadn’t met her today, she would have been sulking big time again.
“So you should be a bit more honest too. Okay? Seo-ha.”
* * *
Kim Ga-eul wanted to deny the sight she had just witnessed.
The moments spent worrying about So-hyun, chatting, and making plans with everyone else seemed to vanish like a lie, and her mind went blank.
It’s a lie, right…?
She hadn’t seen the details, but she saw So-hyun arguing with a girl, and as the girl ran away, So-hyun watched her with a deep, lingering gaze.
He’s never looked at me like that…!
Of course, she felt about half of it was her own fault, but she still felt wronged.
It was hard enough dealing with just the Professor; why did new challengers keep appearing?
At this rate, she wouldn’t be surprised if even Han-hee suddenly declared, ‘I’m a girl, sorry!’ and announced herself as a heroine!
“I’m going to tell everyone! So-hyun is a loser…!!!!!”
Another somewhat sorrowful cry echoed through the area.