Chapter 108: The Meal (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 108: The Meal (2)
A boy whose kindness was ingrained in his very being.
That was how Kim Bo-young, Lee Sol’s mother, privately appraised Lee Seung-ho as she watched him.
“…….”
Bo-young’s gaze shifted between the two of them.
“Do you come here often?”
“Um… occasionally, for birthdays and things like that?”
Even while conversing, his hands naturally reached out to take Lee Sol’s coat. He placed it on a hanger and tucked it neatly into the rack.
They moved in perfect sync, as if they had done this a thousand times before. It was a kindness that had become second nature to him.
He’s just like him, Bo-young thought.
She saw a resemblance to her husband in the boy. Specifically, that tendency to be excessively kind—the kind of person who gives without ever expecting anything in return.
And that was the problem.
Because of that trait, so many women had thrown themselves at her husband over the years. She’d gone through quite a lot of trouble clearing them all out.
…I think he’s the same way.
It was because of that experience that she was even more wary of Lee Seung-ho. He was the type of boy who would make many girls cry; she could sense it.
Conversely, it also meant that if someone could just keep a firm grip on his reins, there would be no better catch.
Clink. Clatter.
The meal continued.
Kim Bo-young eventually asked Lee Sol to step away for a moment, ostensibly to thank Lee Seung-ho for his help, but actually to make him a "certain proposal."
Left alone at the table, they continued their conversation.
“…….”
Not long after.
Thud.
A pudding was placed on the table.
Turning her head, Bo-young saw that Lee Sol had already returned.
“…….”
Bo-young reached out to smooth Lee Sol’s hair, which had become disheveled from her hurried return.
“…I’m fine,” Lee Sol said, sitting back down in the seat next to Lee Seung-ho.
Her face was expressionless, but her eyebrows were slightly lowered. Her defiant gaze seemed to say that if they were going to talk, they should do it while she was there.
…Oh, my.
Bo-young couldn’t hide her surprise at Lee Sol’s expression. She was openly showing her wariness. To be honest, Bo-young hadn’t expected her to express herself this clearly.
Still, it wasn’t something she couldn't talk about in front of her daughter.
“Seung-ho. Have you ever thought about doing some filming with Sol?”
It was a rather sudden topic.
“…….”
Lee Seung-ho blinked slowly. He showed signs of considering the proposal, but there was no other reaction. Bo-young had expected him to be startled by the sudden subject, but his response was remarkably composed.
Had he anticipated this question? Or was he just naturally bold?
“Mom…!”
Lee Sol raised her voice, but Kim Bo-young countered with a calm look.
“Why? We talked about this last time. You said you’d think about it positively back then.”
“That was… no, but still, this is so sudden.”
“When else would I ask if not now?”
Kim Bo-young didn’t even bat an eye. She had finally found the person who could get Lee Sol to move on her own; she couldn't let this opportunity slip away.
“What kind of filming are we talking about…?”
At Lee Seung-ho’s question, Kim Bo-young gave a brief explanation.
“I’m talking about TaekTok or other social media platforms.”
NewTube wasn't bad either, but that would take up too much time. She didn't want to ask for that much.
“Are you planning to post Shorts or photos there?”
“Exactly.”
She liked how quickly he caught on. Her plan was to build up Lee Sol’s recognition that way.
“Influencers are often more successful than traditional models these days.”
If she didn't want to be a model, there were other paths. Lee Sol’s greatest strength was her beauty. Bo-young wanted her to work in a field that utilized that advantage as much as possible. Since Sol was a child who wasn't as sharp or assertive as her mother, Bo-young felt the need to look out for her more. Stepping in like this was part of that.
“…But why are you trying to entrust that to me?”
It was a simple question, so it was easy to answer.
“Because you’re good at it.”
First of all, his skills were decent.
“You have a good eye for composition, you pay attention to light and shadows… and you even film with the editing points in mind.”
Kim Bo-young looked down at the photos he had taken. On the phone screen were photos from the school trip, as well as ones taken at the ice rink and the valley.
“Did you teach yourself?”
“I learned at school.”
If he was this good just from school, she liked him even more.
Lee Seung-ho spoke as if her words were intriguing.
“…You seem to know a lot about filming.”
“Didn’t Sol tell you? I run a small clothing boutique.”
“…….”
Lee Seung-ho’s eyes widened. It seemed he really hadn't heard.
Click.
Kim Bo-young closed the phone screen.
“So, I have a bit of an eye for what makes a person look beautiful.”
“…”
“Of course, I’m not asking you to do this for free. I intend to pay you filming fees as a freelancer.”
She wrote a number on her palm and showed it to him across the table.
“About… this much?”
It wasn't quite professional-level pay, but it was a significant amount of money for a student. If they got advertisements on social media, they could split that too. She was willing to do at least that much.
Above all, the main point of this proposal was to ensure Lee Sol’s sense for being on camera didn't get dull. If she thought of it as sending her to a modeling academy, it was an investment well worth the expense.
“I’m not asking for an answer right away. Take your time and think about it.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
Lee Seung-ho’s expression didn't change. He was not an easy person to read.
“Shall we head out?”
Since they had finished the dessert they brought, she stood up from her seat.
*
“Is it okay if I drop you off here?”
“Yes, thank you for the ride.”
“I’m the one who called you out, so it’s only natural. Get home safely.”
“Will do.”
With a polite bow, Lee Seung-ho turned away. Lee Sol began fidgeting in her seat, inching toward the door.
“…Sol? Where are you going?”
When her mother questioned the movement, Sol’s eyes darted around guiltily.
“…Oh, well… I just have something to say to Seung-ho for a second? I’ll just walk for a bit and then come back.”
It was the expression she made when she was lying or feeling self-conscious. It was obvious that having "something to say" was a lie.
Kim Bo-young was silent for a moment before nodding.
“…Don’t stay out too late.”
“Okay!”
Lee Sol scrambled out of the car.
“…….”
Through the window, Bo-young watched Lee Sol run after Lee Seung-ho. Hearing the noise, Lee Seung-ho looked back, and soon the two of them were walking side by side, matching their pace.
“…….”
As she watched their retreating figures, a memory naturally overlaid itself onto the scene.
She had done that once, too. A faint memory of her younger self and her husband walking side by side along a stone wall path resurfaced.
Right, there were times like that.
“Time really…”
It was far too fast.
“……When did she grow up so much?”
She thought Sol would always be a child. Watching the way Lee Sol looked at him, a slightly bitter and dry aftertaste lingered in her mouth.
Lee Sol got out of the car and came running toward me. She’d jumped out suddenly just to come here.
As we matched our strides, I asked, “Why aren't you going home?”
“I’m going to walk you home.”
Lee Sol puffed out her chest with a triumphant attitude. It felt like our roles had been reversed.
— “Because it’s a bit of a shame to just leave…”
The Mini-Me’s fingers fidgeted nervously.
“…….”
At that sight, I changed my direction. My house was right there, but I felt like walking a bit more.
“Where are you going?”
Knowing it wasn't the way to my house, Lee Sol followed and asked.
“I’m going to walk a bit to digest the food.”
“Then shall we?”
Lee Sol’s eyebrows perked up, and she quickly stuck to my side.
“…How was today?”
— “It would have been perfect if Mom hadn't asked that at the end…!”
Remembering the situation from earlier, the Mini-Me looked miserable and slumped over.
“She seems like a very nice person.”
“Really?”
Her eyes blinked, as if my words were unexpected.
“She’s going out of her way to look after you.”
My family is basically hands-off, so I don't have many memories of receiving such deep interest since starting high school. I’m sure it’s based on their trust that I’ll do well on my own, but experiencing it made me realize that it was its own form of affection.
“Is that so…?”
Lee Sol didn't seem to quite understand. Her feelings weren't wrong, though. Everyone perceives things differently. It wasn't strange.
“But. Are you okay with that?”
At my question, Lee Sol slowed her pace.
“Huh? With whaaat?”
“The filming.”
“…Ah, that.”
Lee Sol shoved her hands deep into her pockets and continued.
“It’s not that I hate it… but it’s not like I really want to do it, either…”
Lee Sol’s head stayed stiff while her eyes darted back and forth.
— “…I want to do it if Seung-ho is okay with it… but I don’t want to be a burden, so let’s not say anything.”
The Mini-Me made a firm resolution and covered its mouth with both hands.
It seemed she secretly wanted to do it. It wasn't a huge surprise. Lee Sol had turned down the modeling work because she didn't want her path to be set in stone, not because she hated being filmed.
“…W-what about you?”
Lee Sol watched me with a cautious look.
“Hmm….”
I finished my deliberation and spoke.
“I want to do it.”
“Huh?”
“If you’re okay with it, let’s do the filming.”
“…Really?”
“Yeah.”
“I… I see.”
Lee Sol nodded nonchalantly.
— “Yay!”
The Mini-Me raised its arms high and spun around as if dancing.
Seeing her so happy made me feel proud, but that wasn't the only reason I accepted.
— “Yippee!”
I had my own reasons for agreeing. Being able to film Lee Sol meant I could practice with a moving subject. That was the first reason.
…I haven't touched my camera much lately.
Between school, my part-time job, the gym, and studying, I hadn't had time to actually handle the camera. Even in class, it was mostly theory, so I didn't take it out unless there was an assignment.
— “Hehe!”
Taking photos of Ji Nuri at the festival was the first time I’d taken it out in a long while.
Plus, I can quit my part-time job.
With the amount Lee Sol’s mother offered, there was no reason to keep the job. That was the second reason.
— “Hehehe!”
Lee Sol’s Mini-Me showed no signs of stopping its laughter. Calm down.
“…Shall we stop by there before we go?”
I pointed to an unmanned ice cream shop we were passing. I wanted to cool my head a bit.
“Huh? Oh, yeah. Let’s do that.”
Lee Sol snapped out of it and followed behind me.
“…Are you going to eat ice cream?”
“This is the best thing after going to a meat restaurant. Besides, the weather’s going to get chilly soon.”
The end of summer. The beginning of autumn. It was a snack I wouldn't be eating for several months. I had to have one last one before it got any colder.
I rummaged through the freezer and asked, “Do you want one too?”
“……I want to, but I think a whole one would be too much.”
Is she already cutting back on snacks because of the filming?
“Then…….”
I picked up a Double Bar. It was an ice cream bar characterized by having two sticks.
Seeing it, Lee Sol asked, “Weren't you going to eat something else?”
“When else am I going to eat this if not now?”
While I was at it, I bought a few more snacks to stock up at home. I quickly finished the payment and stepped outside. I put the snacks in a bag and tore open the ice cream wrapper.
Not bad.
The weather was still cool enough to enjoy ice cream.
“Here.”
I grabbed one stick and held it out toward Lee Sol. It was a gesture for her to take it.
Lee Sol licked her lips and grabbed the other stick, pulling carefully. She moved her arm cautiously, like splitting a pair of wooden chopsticks in half.
Snap…
“Ah….”
Lee Sol let out a sigh. The Double Bar had split unevenly. It had broken into an ‘L’ shape, with the larger portion on my side.
Chomp.
Lee Sol’s lips bit off the part that was sticking out.
…Wait.
No, that’s… that’s an indirect kiss.
As I stood there dazed by Lee Sol’s sudden action—
— “It’s sweet.”
Lee Sol’s Mini-Me didn't care at all, simply enjoying the sweetness of the ice cream. She didn't seem to mind in the slightest. She looked genuinely fine.
“…….”
Feeling like I was the only one overreacting, I decided to ignore it.
Gulp.
I took a big bite of the remaining Double Bar.
— “…Ah.”
At that moment, along with the gasp from the Mini-Me—
— “W-wait a second… this is an in------”
The words that followed gradually turned into noise.
“…….”
I stopped with the Double Bar still in my mouth. She was the one who did it, yet she was so slow to realize.
Stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp—!
Lee Sol’s pace quickened. Her ears, visible through her silver hair, were incredibly red. Watching her, I felt like I was starting to feel the same way.
I cooled down that heat with the ice cream and followed quietly behind her.
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(!Signpost!)
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Evening Stroll Lee Sol