Chapter 38
Translator - Zofu
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Jeong Se-in was seated together with Professor Julia Lee.
"Thank you for coming, Miss Se-in. And your friend as well."
Her tone was as elegant as her appearance.
My first impression of her had been a bit stiff, but now her expression as she looked at me was quite calm. Would it be strange to say I sensed professionalism in that?
"Thank you for inviting us to such a nice place."
"Ah, yep. Me too."
"Have you both eaten?"
"I ate before coming."
"I haven't yet."
"Hey."
"What?"
"Then shall we order some food?"
Professor Julia Lee raised her hand slightly.
Seeing this, an employee approached, and the professor asked.
"Is there any food you'd recommend?"
"Yes. Our lounge's smoked salmon canapés and mini steak sandwiches are quite popular. For drinks, I'd recommend a mojito made with fresh fruit or a classic Old Fashioned."
"Then I'll have a mojito."
Hearing this, I whispered to Jeong Se-in.
"That mojito, it's the one, right? 'A drink in the Maldives from a mojito'."
Jeong Se-in, hearing me, grimaced intensely.
I know it's inappropriate to bring up in a place like this.
But I couldn't help it. My mouth was itching to say it.
"Hey. Can you just shut up for a bit? I'm so embarrassed I can't be here with you."
"What are you talking about? You started it first."
*She* was the one who brought up King Juji first. Who is she to talk about embarrassment?
"You should try that mojito and see what it's like. I'll have a mojito and the steak sandwich, please."
"I'll have an Old Fashioned."
Jeong Se-in said, trying to sound cool.
"You order something else to eat too."
"I told you I'm not hungry."
"If you don't eat it, I'm only saying this because I plan to eat it myself."
"You pig."
Professor Julia Lee looked at us and gave a wry smile.
"Please add one smoked salmon canapé and one mini steak sandwich as well. Two mojitos and one Old Fashioned."
"Yes. I'll prepare them right away."
As the employee left, Julia Lee asked.
"You two seem very close."
"We've been friends since we were kids. Our parents have known each other for a long time too."
"Aha."
In reality, even saying our parents know each other just means I've exchanged greetings with her stepmother a few times. I've never even met her father.
But after hearing Jeong Se-in's words, Julia Lee's gaze towards me seemed to change somehow.
Once I got used to the atmosphere of the place, I could also observe Julia Lee more calmly.
I initially thought her image was different from what I'd seen on TV, but looking closely, it was indeed the same person.
Julia Lee doesn't have a friendly, celebrity-like image.
Rather, she's closer to a distinguished figure. Like a mathematician who won the Fields Medal or a film director who won an Academy Award.
I know she's someone who has achieved something great, but it's like she lives in a world far removed from commoners like us. If it weren't for Jeong Se-in, I probably never would have crossed paths with her in my lifetime.
It was fascinating to have such a person right in front of me.
Moreover, being here with Jeong Se-in... you know what that means, right?
It means it's happening here at this hotel soon, right?
Maybe I'm the one doing it with her today?
Would someone like her also do that sort of thing normally?
This and that? And even that and this?
Hmm. It's hard to imagine.
She seems like someone who transcends worldly desires.
Besides, being a ballerina requires intense training, doesn't it? For someone at the world's peak, it must be extraordinary.
It's probably on a completely different level from my '10,000 Reps of Gratitude Penis Thrusts' or '24/7 Kegel Exercises'.
Could I possibly handle someone like that?
Jeong Se-in did say she was a formidable opponent on purpose. I can already picture a future where I'm easily devoured and laughed at.
"...didn't they? Don't you think?"
"Hu...huh?"
Jeong Se-in and Julia Lee were talking between themselves, so I was lost in thought for a moment.
It seemed the conversation had shifted to me without me noticing. Both of them were looking at me.
"Ugh. You were having dirty thoughts again, weren't you?"
"Huh? No, I wasn't."
Even if I was thinking a little, it shouldn't have shown on my face.
And the bulge in my pants wouldn't be visible from there anyway.
Just then, the food we ordered arrived.
I barely swallowed the words, 'What the heck? Is this all?'
Because the portion size was incredibly small.
"Hey. If you're not going to eat it, I'll have it?"
"You eat it all."
Since neither of them was interested in the food, I ate it all.
The so-called canapé was like a small cracker with smoked salmon on top. The mini steak sandwich was, as the name implies, a small sandwich with meat in it. Both were small enough to hold in one hand and eat in a single bite, so even after finishing both plates, I was still left wanting more.
"I am happy teaching children now, but sometimes I miss those days too. Seeing the children work hard reminds me of the past. It makes me wonder if I still have something left I can do."
"Professor, you're still young. If you had continued your active career, you'd probably be in your prime right now."
"Hehe. Not to that extent. But it is a bit regrettable. I still have dreams left unfulfilled."
I listened to their conversation while munching on the food.
It felt like they were just skirmishing, not getting to the main point. Or was it just my feeling?
The mojito was a drink with green lime and what looked like sprigs of mint floating in it.
The alcohol content was weaker than soju, but it looked so much like a soft drink that it seemed dangerous if kids accidentally drank it.
"So, Miss Se-in, there's one thing I'd like to ask of you."
"Me? I don't think there's much I can do for you."
Oh. Are we finally getting to the main point?
Anyway, I don't know why women have to live so exhaustively.
Wouldn't it be simpler to just say, 'Do this.', 'Okay.', 'No.'?
Thanks to that, I'm getting to eat this expensive food, though. Slurp.
"I understand the Assembly Member has a strong interest in the arts and culture field."
"Yes, well, I suppose so. That's how I met my current mother as well."
"I was wondering, could you possibly arrange a meeting?"
"Hmm."
Jeong Se-in pretended to think.
She must have known all about this before coming, why is she stalling?
"Hey. What do you think?"
"Huh?"
Suddenly, Jeong Se-in asked me.
"Well, couldn't you at least put in a word?"
"Hmm."
Suddenly, Jeong Se-in stepped firmly on my foot.
It seemed to mean I should answer properly.
It hurts. Couldn't you just say it instead of stepping so hard?
"You know, right? My relationship with my dad hasn't been great lately."
"Eh? Oh, yeah, that's true. But that's because you're always causing trouble, isn't it?"
"We had a fight a few days ago and aren't even speaking now. So it might be difficult."
"Is that so? Perhaps this could be an opportunity to talk and clear the air?"
Julia Lee subtly encouraged her.
Her face was smiling, but the smile didn't seem like a real smile.
I told you women are scary.
But that didn't work on Jeong Se-in at all.
"My dad doesn't really like it when I bring up those kinds of topics."
She brushed off Julia Lee's words lightly.
*Tap. Tap.* And she stepped on my foot again.
It seemed to be a signal for me to jump in quickly.
"Then should I talk to your father instead?"
Honestly, what am I saying? I've never even met Jeong Se-in's father.
But the truth isn't important here.
The reason Jeong Se-in brought me to this meeting.
It was probably to somehow create a situation where I would be with Julia Lee.
Even if it involves a bit of bravado and lies, it doesn't matter.
Ultimately, Jeong Se-in will talk to her father herself, and she'll arrange the meeting.
I just need to ride along and pluck the fruit.
"You'd do that? Dad listens to you more than he does to me anyway."
"Really? Excuse me, but what is your relationship?"
Surprised by the unexpected turn, Julia Lee asked with astonishment.
It was surprising to me too. That Jeong Se-in's father, whom I don't even know, would listen to me more than his own daughter.
"His father and my dad are practically sworn brothers. They even talk about us getting married later. I don't know what's so good about this guy."
"Ah."
...Was the hint of pity in Julia Lee's "Ah" just my imagination?
It was an "Ah" that condensed the meaning, 'Engaged to a guy who looks like this? How pitiable.'
"But honestly, it's a bit awkward for me too. Once his father gets hold of me, I have to keep him company drinking all night. He does grant requests when asked, but staying up all night entertaining an adult is really exhausting for me too."
"I see..."
He was subtly implying they were close enough to have all-night drinking sessions.
In reality, I don't even know what he looks like. Jeong Se-in was also struggling to hold back her laughter beside me.
What image of me must Julia Lee have now? A pathetic loser? It must be quite confusing.
"So I'm also a bit..."
"Hey, hey, just you talk to him. If I try, he'll just say, 'Women shouldn't meddle in state affairs!' With my dad's personality, those kinds of things only work when discussed between men."
"Ha~ I don't want to drink with your dad. I'd have to listen to political talk all night."
"Keke. Do your best. Juji Wang. You can do it, right?"
Jeong Se-in tapped my shoulder encouragingly and then stood up.
"Well, then, I don't think I need to be here anymore. I have things to do, so I'll be going now. You two can continue your conversation."
"Huh? You're leaving?"
"Yeah. Do your best. Fighting."
Honestly, it was unexpected.
I naturally assumed we'd do it together. We always had with Jeong Se-in's other friends before.
"Miss Se-in. Thank you for today."
"Don't mention it. You can direct any further greetings to this guy here."
"Hey, I haven't agreed to do it yet."
"Get lost. You should try to reduce your dirty thoughts."
And just as Jeong Se-in was about to leave.
"Oh, right."
She came back and whispered.
Not to me, but to Julia Lee.
"......."
"Huh. Well then, I'm off."
Well, I could guess what she said without hearing it.
Probably something like, 'Once you treat that guy, he'll do anything for you.'
The look in Julia Lee's eyes as she regarded me had changed somewhat too.
"Phew. I'm feeling a bit tipsy. Shall we continue the rest of our conversation in my room?"
Said Julia Lee, who looked completely sober to anyone's eyes.
See? I told you.
***