Chapter 122: Late Rain (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 122: Late Rain (2)
Pitter-patter... pitter-patter...
The sound of raindrops drumming against the umbrella echoed through the air.
Ha Seo-rim walked side-by-side with Lee Seung-ho, matching her stride to his under the small folding umbrella.
“……”
“……”
Neither of them spoke.
Ha Seo-rim didn't have anything particular to say, and Lee Seung-ho, seemingly sensing the atmosphere, didn't try to force a conversation.
Only the rhythmic splash of their footsteps filled the silence.
“……”
Ha Seo-rim stole a sidelong glance at Lee Seung-ho.
This was an unexpected development. To be honest, she hadn't expected him to offer his help so readily.
“Ah, there it is.”
The place he led her to was a convenience store.
He held the umbrella over her until they reached the entrance of the small shop, which sat a short distance away from the school snack shop.
In truth, if he had offered to take her all the way home, she would have found it even more burdensome. This was a much better compromise.
“...Welcome.”
Ha Seo-rim pushed open the glass door and stepped inside. Along with the chime of the bell, a greeting thick with lethargy reached her ears.
What a waste of money...
Ha Seo-rim gripped the wallet in her pocket, her fingers trembling slightly.
But she had no choice. Since she’d lost her umbrella, she had to buy a new one anyway. She tried to convince herself it was a necessary expense. It was easier on her mind that way.
“?”
Ha Seo-rim blinked blankly.
Umbrellas were usually kept near the entrance, but she couldn't see them anywhere. She did a lap around the small store, but they were nowhere to be found.
“...Excuse me, do you not have any umbrellas?” Ha Seo-rim asked the part-timer.
The part-timer, who had been buried in his phone, lifted his head. His eyes flickered nervously the moment he saw her.
“Ah, yes, yes. We... we don’t sell umbrellas here.”
He nodded quickly, his cheeks flushing a faint red.
“Oh... then what about disposable raincoats? Do you have those?”
“No, sorry. We don’t have those either.”
“Ah...”
This was an unexpected variable. A short groan escaped Ha Seo-rim’s lips.
“Thank you anyway.”
If they didn't have any, there was nothing she could do. Her luck was abysmal, but she couldn't exactly take it out on the employee.
Ha Seo-rim suppressed a sigh and stepped back out into the rain.
“The umbrella?”
“...They said they don’t sell them.”
“...Really? Maybe because it’s a small branch?”
He hadn't left; he’d been waiting for her right outside the door.
“Should we try another convenience store?”
“It’s okay.”
Ha Seo-rim shook her head lightly. Any other store was a considerable walk from here. It wasn't a distance she was willing to trek blindly through this downpour.
“I’ll just run from here. My house isn't that far.”
“Really? Then I’ll walk you home.”
“...Huh?”
“You said it wasn't far.”
Lee Seung-ho held the umbrella higher, inviting her back in.
“...No, I’d feel bad making you go out of your way.”
That’s what she said, but the reality was a bit different. She felt a deep sense of resistance toward the idea of bringing someone else to her house.
It wasn't exactly a place she was proud of.
“...Still, it’s not right to have you running through this.”
“……”
Ha Seo-rim fell silent. He had a point. It was still pouring, and no matter how fast she ran, she’d be soaked to the bone within seconds.
“If you catch a cold and miss next week, it’ll just make things harder for me. Think of it that way.”
Lee Seung-ho nudged the umbrella toward her, urging her to move. Ha Seo-rim stepped under it as if giving in to the inevitable.
“Which way?”
“That way.”
Following her directions, they wound through narrow alleys until they arrived at a small, weathered house.
“Is this it?”
“...Yes.”
Ha Seo-rim felt strangely embarrassed. Even at a glance, the place looked shabby.
Whether he judged her for it or not didn't really matter; she just hated the fact that she had to show him this side of her life at all.
Ha Seo-rim quickly said her goodbyes.
“Thank you for walking me home.”
“Don’t mention it.”
He waved his hand dismissively, as if it were no big deal.
“See you next week.”
Lee Seung-ho turned around immediately. That was it. He walked away with a directness that was almost surprising—no lingering, no prying questions.
He really is a strange person...
Scuttle, scuttle—
The moment Ha Seo-rim opened the front door, a bizarre object caught her eye.
A black shape was darting across the floor. Countless jointed legs twitched and undulated as it moved with sickening speed.
“Eek...!!”
The moment she saw it, she instinctively bolted back outside. She fled without even caring that she was stepping directly into the rain.
“What? What happened?”
Lee Seung-ho stopped in his tracks at her scream.
“A-A bug... there’s a bug inside...!”
Ha Seo-rim pointed into the house, looking like she was on the verge of tears.
*
“Sigh...”
Flush—
Lee Seung-ho narrowed his eyes as he flushed the toilet. Judging by his expression, even he had found the creature disgusting.
“It’s done.”
“Phew...”
At his declaration, Ha Seo-rim finally let go of the tension she’d been holding. Lee Seung-ho looked at her and let out a hollow laugh. It was a look of genuine surprise, as if he hadn't expected her to be afraid of insects.
“...W-What? They’re gross.”
Ha Seo-rim retorted, feeling stung by his gaze. Just how had he been perceiving her all this time?
“No, I just thought you were the type who’d catch one without even blinking. This is unexpected.”
“……”
Just hearing those words gave Ha Seo-rim goosebumps. How could anyone touch something so revolting?
...Come to think of it.
Ha Seo-rim realized something she had forgotten in her panic. In the heat of the moment, she had actually brought Lee Seung-ho inside her house.
“……”
It was better than she thought. Having someone else in her home, that is. It wasn't that she was perfectly comfortable—she still felt a bit awkward—but it wasn't as bad as she’d feared. It was surprisingly manageable.
Or maybe it was just because Lee Seung-ho was acting so casual about it.
“Since you’re already here, have something to drink before you go.”
That was why she was able to offer. Ha Seo-rim stopped Lee Seung-ho as he reached for his bag to leave. It felt wrong to call him in just to do her dirty work and then kick him out immediately.
“I’m fine.”
“At least have some juice.”
He’d shared his umbrella and caught a bug for her. If she didn't do at least this much, her conscience would prick her. In any case, living with a debt didn't suit her personality.
“Alright, then.”
Perhaps that logic worked, as Lee Seung-ho awkwardly took a seat.
“Make yourself at home. No one else is here anyway.”
Ha Seo-rim said as she walked toward the kitchen. Her younger sister was out studying with a friend, her father was at work, and her mother was at the hospital. For various reasons, she was currently alone in the house.
“Oh, there’s an electric mat. If you turn it on, it’ll get warm.”
“This one?”
“Not that one.”
Ha Seo-rim turned back. He seemed like he wouldn't be, but he was surprisingly high-maintenance. She turned on the electric mat herself and draped a blanket over it.
“It’s cold, so keep your legs under there.”
“Oh...”
Lee Seung-ho’s face relaxed slightly, looking as if his body were melting into the warmth.
“Do you like plum tea?”
“I do.”
It was a relief to hear. If he hadn't, she would have had to go out and buy something else, as she had nothing else to offer.
“Oh... is this the one you used for the festival performance?” Lee Seung-ho asked, nodding toward the bass guitar leaning against the living room wall. He seemed curious but didn't touch it.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Ha Seo-rim nodded as she poured the plum extract. It was the only instrument she owned, after all.
“...Come to think of it, I have a video of the festival performance. Want me to send it to you?” Lee Seung-ho asked suddenly.
“A video?”
“Yeah, Ji Nuri asked me to film it, so I have a recording. Did she not tell you?”
“...I’m only finding out now that it was even filmed.”
Had she asked for something like that? Now that she thought about it, she seemed to recall Lee Seung-ho saying his career path was related to filming. Ji Nuri talked about the Counseling Club so much that she’d gotten a bit confused, but if her memory served, that was probably right.
“I’ll send it to you later.”
“...I’d appreciate that.”
She’d been so focused on the stage that she hadn't even thought about filming. Being able to look back at her performance would be a valuable resource.
“Here.”
Ha Seo-rim placed the cup on the low table. Steam rose from the cup in soft plumes. Since she’d made it hot, it was perfect for the chilly, damp weather.
“Oh...”
Slurp.
It seemed to be to his taste, as Lee Seung-ho let out a small exclamation of admiration after a sip.
“It’s good. Did your mother make this?”
“No. I did.”
“Huh? You?”
“Buying it is expensive. You can make a whole jar of this for the price of one or two bottles at the store.”
The method wasn't difficult; the process was just a bit tedious.
“Oh...”
Lee Seung-ho nodded and took another sip.
“Is it okay?”
“Yeah, it’s really good.”
“……”
Ha Seo-rim wore a small, proud smile as she watched him. She’d thought it was tasty when she tried it herself, but that was just her own subjective opinion. Her father said everything was delicious, and her sister said everything was gross, so a third party's evaluation felt precious.
“……”
Ha Seo-rim followed suit and took a sip of her own tea. She felt the warm sensation slide down her throat.
“Mmm.”
I made it myself, but it really is good.
“...?”
Ring-a-ling, ring-ring—
While their tea time was in full swing, a ringtone sounded from Lee Seung-ho’s pocket. He fumbled to pull out his phone.
“……Ah.”
A short gasp escaped him. Lee Seung-ho’s expression froze as he looked down at the screen. It was the face of someone who had just remembered something they’d desperately forgotten.
“...Hello?”
He answered the phone cautiously.
— Where are you?
A mellow voice. But within it lay a subtle, dangerous undercurrent of anger. The voice belonged to none other than Shin A-young.
— Today is workout day. You didn't forget, did you?
“...No, well, the thing is...”
Lee Seung-ho’s forehead was suddenly damp with sweat.
“……”
Ha Seo-rim shook her head inwardly at the sight. He really was quite clumsy.
But since she’d received his help and all... maybe she should help him out a little.
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