Chapter 57: Flirting
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 57: Flirting
Lately, her daughter had been acting... strange.
“...”
Slurp—
Kim Bo-young, Lee Sol’s mother, took a sip of her black tea and glanced at the clock.
The hour hand pointed to six. Six in the evening. Normally, this was the time Lee Sol would be lounging around the house.
However, she was nowhere to be seen.
She had gone shopping.
Yes.
Shopping...!
“Hmm.”
Slurp.
She took another sip, using the warm tea to calm her racing heart.
...Shopping, of all things.
It was strange, to say the least.
‘What should I do about this...?’
Kim Bo-young had been agonizing lately over how to handle her daughter’s transformation. She couldn’t help it. Lee Sol’s behavior was changing in ways that were completely unpredictable.
‘She’s always been a peculiar child, but...’
That tendency had become much more pronounced recently.
She was buying clothes she never used to wear and trying to learn how to apply makeup.
...Even today was a prime example.
Sol was the type of child who never set foot outside the house on weekends. Yet, she had volunteered to go out, claiming she was going shopping.
“Sigh...”
A faint sigh escaped her lips.
It was certainly a good thing, but she couldn't help the subtle, indescribable feeling rising within her. The cause was plain as day, which only made it more complicated.
‘That boy...’
That boy. Was his name Lee Seung-ho?
Ever since she started interacting with him, Lee Sol had been changing at a rapid pace. He was no ordinary kid.
She couldn't let her guard down. It was a parent's instinctive sense of crisis.
“...”
Beep-beep-beep-beep—!
Just then, the sound of the digital door lock echoed through the house.
“I’m hoooome...”
The front door rattled open. Her daughter, who had left early that morning, had finally returned. Lee Sol trudged into the living room with staggering steps.
“Oh, you’re back?”
Her mother gave her a small greeting from the living room, then her eyes drifted to Sol’s arms. Specifically, to the shopping bags piled high in them.
“......”
Kim Bo-young fell silent.
Aside from snacks, Sol wasn't a child who overspent. Just how much had she bought? Her arms looked like the branches of a heavily decorated Christmas tree.
“Uh, well...”
Kim Bo-young watched her for a moment before asking in a cautious tone. “...You certainly bought a lot, didn't you?”
“Yeah... I ended up picking out a lot because they recommended so many things.”
“I see.”
Come to think of it, she had said she was going with a friend. She said it wasn't that boy, but a girl. That was a relief, at least.
“Was it the friend I saw last time?”
“Yeah, the tall girl... one of the ones who came over to study.”
As Lee Sol spoke, her face looked somewhat pouted and sullen. Something must have happened during the shopping trip. A strange sense of wariness toward that girl was radiating off her.
“...”
Kim Bo-young could read all of it plainly. However, Lee Sol herself seemed completely unaware that her emotions were so visible.
“...Alright, go on inside.”
She didn't hold her back any longer and sent Sol to her room.
“...”
Watching her daughter’s retreating back in silence, Kim Bo-young lightly massaged her brow.
‘What should I do?’
It was the same worry on repeat. She wasn't sure how to treat her daughter in times like this. Since this was her first time experiencing this as well, she wasn't exactly skilled at it.
*
Shhhhhhh——
Lee Sol stepped into the shower booth to wash up. Her wet hair flowed smoothly along the lines of her body.
“...”
As she pumped the shampoo, his face naturally drifted into her mind. What happened with Lee Seung-ho today. There wasn't a specific reason; it just happened often lately. He would pop into her thoughts out of nowhere.
“Ahem.”
She remembered him in his cosplay. A dry cough escaped her for no reason. Was it because of the warm water? A faint heat seemed to linger on her face.
“Mmmgh...”
A small groan escaped her. At the same time, she worried if she had made him dislike her because of what happened today. And then, the worry continued.
Shhhhhhh——
Lee Sol sank into thought, using the sound of the falling water as white noise.
“What should I do...?”
Lee Sol wiped her face with both hands. She was certain after today.
‘That A-young girl...’
She had finally realized it. Shin A-young definitely had feelings for Lee Seung-ho. She could tell just by the look in her eyes.
Because...
“...”
The moment she thought of him, her own reflection in the mirror looked exactly like that. They were so identical it was almost embarrassing.
‘The problem is...’
It didn't look like Shin A-young had any intention of backing down. But the same went for Lee Sol. She didn't have the slightest intention of giving up easily.
‘I need a plan.’
If that was the case, she needed a solid plan. A plan. Yes, a plan. A plan to ensure she wouldn't lose to Shin A-young.
...What qualities did she have that wouldn't lose to her?
“Hmm...”
Lee Sol looked at her reflection in the mirror and swept her hair back. She tilted her head this way and that.
Long eyelashes. Delicate features. A slender figure without a hint of flab despite all the snacks she ate. A look that was possible even without maintenance. Blessed genes.
Had she ever felt this grateful to her parents before? She was confident that she wouldn't be outshined by anyone when it came to looks.
“Hmm...”
Lee Sol was well aware of what she looked like. To be honest... Yeah, I’m pretty.
“Hoooom...”
She stared intensely at herself in the mirror.
Wink.
She turned her head slightly and tried a wink.
“......”
Silence followed.
“......!”
Ugh.
Overcome with sudden embarrassment, Lee Sol grabbed the sink and crouched down. She felt so cringey she couldn't stand it.
‘...Still.’
If it’s this much...
‘Isn't it worth a shot?’
She felt that way. But then again...
“...”
Shin A-young’s face flashed through her mind.
“Ssshp...”
Since her opponent was who she was, she felt a bit uneasy about winning on looks alone. Perhaps she might need some external help.
*
The next day. Early morning in the classroom.
“...You want me to help you with your makeup?”
Ji Nuri looked at her with a puzzled expression while sucking on a Chocomong.
“Yeah, yeah.”
Lee Sol nodded vigorously. That was the reason she had arrived earlier than usual. She had even gone out of her way to buy a Chocomong for this.
“What about what I taught you last time?”
“That... it didn't really work out.”
Lee Sol’s eyes drooped dejectedly. It was a total failure. Just because you know the recipe doesn't mean you're good at cooking. Was it because she wasn't used to it? It didn't turn out as pretty as she had hoped. If anything, it only ruined her natural looks.
“But you said you were practicing makeup for your modeling work. It doesn't really mean much if I do it for you.”
“Huh?”
“Right? That’s what you said last time. That you were practicing.”
“Ah...”
Right. That’s what she said. She had momentarily forgotten that she had used that as an excuse to learn makeup.
“That’s... I thought it would be good to see it done in person once.”
Lee Sol squeezed out an awkward excuse.
“......”
Ji Nuri blinked.
“...Oh.”
She soon seemed convinced and brushed away her doubts. It was an easy sell.
“Fine.”
She accepted Lee Sol’s request, saying it wasn't a difficult task.
“Here, sit.”
She lightly tapped the seat next to her. Lee Sol scurried over and sat in Lee Seung-ho’s chair. Since Lee Seung-ho and Shin A-young hadn't arrived yet, she could sit there comfortably.
“...”
Fidget, fidget.
Lee Sol’s fingertips toyed with the edge of Seung-ho’s chair.
Hmm. Thinking about how she was sitting in his seat gave her a strange feeling.
“...”
She pressed her lips together. She felt like a silly grin would break out if she let her guard down.
“Close your eyes.”
Whether she knew what Sol was thinking or not, Ji Nuri opened her pouch with a serious expression.
“...”
Lee Sol followed the request and gently closed her eyes. Tap, tap. The soft sensation of a brush felt light against her face.
“Wow... your skin really takes makeup well.”
She heard Ji Nuri’s exclamation of admiration. Curiosity about how it was turning out started to bubble up, but she endured it. She needed to wait for the final reveal.
“I should probably charge money for this...?”
Ji Nuri seemed impressed by her own skills and praised herself. She tapped Sol on the shoulder, saying she was finished. Sol slowly opened her eyes.
“Here.”
Ji Nuri held out a mirror for her to check.
“How is it? I didn't make it too obvious; I kept it light.”
“...”
Lee Sol’s eyes widened. Of course, it wasn't the high-end makeup she wore for modeling jobs. That was makeup meant to be seen under studio lights.
However, this had the fresh, youthful vibe of a high schooler. Effortlessly stylish. This had a charm all its own.
She wondered how the others would react.
“Good morning~”
Just then, Shin A-young walked into the classroom. It was perfect timing.
“...Huh?”
She froze mid-greeting. Her face turned into one of surprise.
“You’re here?”
Ji Nuri gave her a small wave.
“Oh... Sol, you did your makeup?”
“How is it? Good, right? I did it for her.”
“Yeah... it looks really good.”
Shin A-young nodded. However, a faint tension appeared on her face. She seemed to know exactly why Sol had done her makeup.
“...”
“...”
Lee Sol and Shin A-young locked eyes in silence. They looked at each other and smiled brightly.
“Hehe.”
Ji Nuri twirled a brush and shrugged.
“...”
Lee Sol felt a bit relieved. Judging by Shin A-young’s expression, the makeup seemed to have hit its mark. Now all she needed was for him to show up...
“Hi.”
At that moment, Lee Seung-ho walked slowly into the classroom.
“...!”
In that instant, for some reason, Lee Sol ended up covering her face. She turned her head toward the window. Her body had moved on its own.
‘Uh...’
Her face had become intensely hot. Since she had done her makeup specifically to show him, paradoxically, it was now hard to actually show him. What if he didn't have much of a reaction? That worry crossed her mind first.
‘Huh?’
At that moment, Ji Nuri caught Lee Sol’s eye.
“...?”
She was acting strangely restless. She had been like that ever since Lee Seung-ho arrived. Dart, dart— Her eyes scanned the room. Then, with a look of determination, she stood up from her seat.
After glancing around, she whispered something to him. Lee Seung-ho nodded. His voice was low and the distance was far, so Sol couldn't hear him properly.
And then.
“Here.”
Ji Nuri pulled a chocolate bar out of her bag and handed it to Lee Seung-ho. It was just an ordinary chocolate bar. But at that sudden, random sequence of events...
“...Huh?”
Not only Sol, but Shin A-young, who was watching, widened her eyes. Lee Sol’s expression went blank.
‘Wait, what?’
...Why was she acting like that now?