Chapter 74
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: An Invitation to My Place
"All done eating."
"So full. The owner gave us way too much meat."
Choi Ye-won patted her belly as she stepped out of the restaurant, laughing.
A satisfied look on her face.
Even if it wasn't fancy pasta or steak, was there another woman who'd be this happy over a simple bowl of gukbap shared with me?
"Shall we take a walk to help digest?"
"Sounds good. The weather's perfect for it."
We naturally headed toward the lake park in the center of campus.
It was lunchtime, so plenty of students sat in small groups on the benches.
The fresh, youthful scent of campus life wafted from all around.
Freshmen especially, clustered together, giggling loudly over whatever amused them.
We slipped into the quieter inner walking path, familiar territory where foot traffic thinned out.
A gentle breeze rustled through.
Leaves whispered overhead.
And beside me, the click-clack of Choi Ye-won's shoes.
Click-clack.
The girl who usually stuck to sneakers had made a real effort with heels today. It was oddly cute.
"Your feet okay?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. No big deal."
"Been a while since I've seen you in heels."
"Didn't I wear some last time?"
"Those were flats. Nothing with heels this high."
"...Were they?"
Choi Ye-won mumbled, dodging my eyes.
"...You noticed, huh?"
"Of course. Gotta remember what the person you're with is wearing."
"Didn't peg you for the type."
I wanted to tease her, but held back.
Didn't feel like the right moment for jokes.
"You dug them out after ages. Had to notice."
"...Thanks."
"For what?"
"For seeing it. Been a while since we hung out. Wanted to look nice."
Her voice trailed off small at the end.
"What was that?"
"N-nothing! Just switching things up."
She flushed red and turned away.
She's terrible at lying.
We settled side by side on a bench under a tree with a prime lake view.
A cool breeze swept past, tousling our hair as spring faded.
"Nice weather."
"Y-yeah..."
"Perfect for a date."
"... "
Ye-won went quiet.
I glanced over. Her face was beet red, totally flustered.
"You okay?"
"Y-yeah, fine."
We sat in silence for a bit, soaking in the vibe.
A quiet corner of the park.
Cool breeze.
Tree shade.
And two people, close but not quite touching.
Lost in the heart-fluttering atmosphere for a moment.
"Remember drinking coffee here back in freshman year?"
Ye-won asked me.
"Yeah."
"After you got into it with the seniors at the welcome party... feels like we spent a ton of time here together since."
"'Cause you hated going to the club room."
"Right."
Each light brush of shoulders or hands made Ye-won's twitch.
"Didn't realize back then..."
And I hadn't either.
The tiniest touches set us off now.
Nothing like this freshman year.
Our bodies felt more sensitive than ever.
Hers.
Mine.
"Didn't realize sitting here with you felt the best. Not the same with other classmates."
"You come here with them?"
"Never. Eating with the girls was awkward as hell. That's why."
She eyed me after mulling my question.
"Jinwoo, that jealousy just now?"
"Jealousy? Nah."
"Come on. Worried I was here with some guy?"
"... "
She giggled at that.
"Never happened. Won't."
"... "
"You're my only guy friend."
A little hum slipped from her smiling nose.
"Here."
Choi Ye-won rummaged in her bag and handed over a small shopping bag.
"What's this?"
"Can't tell? A gift."
"Gift?"
"Went to Jeju. Felt weird coming back empty-handed."
I peeked inside.
Jeju tangerine chocolate set. And a fancy-looking air freshener.
"Chocolates for a snack. The freshener... thought it'd suit you."
"... "
"You sweat buckets after workouts. Clean scent beats that, right? Image matters. You'd want folks seeing your best side."
I pulled out the freshener and spritzed the air.
Cool scent.
A hint of skin.
"W-what're you doing?"
"Testing it. Gotta know what scent you picked."
Deeply masculine.
Pure manly vibe.
"Your taste in scents?"
"W-what? T-taste?"
Way too flustered.
Acting guilty as charged.
"Not your taste? Feels like you picked it 'cause you like it on me."
"N-n-no! D-don't say that..."
Overkill reaction confirmed it.
Too much denial means yes.
"Gonna spray it at home a lot."
"... "
"Why air freshener over cologne?"
"Huh?"
"Cologne lingers on skin. Better, no?"
"T-that's..."
Ye-won clammed up.
"Not saying you prefer my sweat, right?"
No answer.
Just lip-chewing, head down.
For real?
"Ahem. Anyway, use it. Picked it special for you."
"Thanks. Will."
Choi Ye-won fidgeted, stealing glances.
"Busy running prof errands."
"Swear, thought I'd drop dead."
"When'd you snag this?"
"... "
She zipped it.
"Snuck peeks in breaks?"
"...Kinda."
She shyly gazed at the lake.
"Saw a souvenir shop during research breaks. Made me think of you."
Of you.
That plain truth tickled my chest.
Even amid the chaos.
Catering to the prof, still thought of me.
"Thanks. Gonna use it."
"Like it?"
"Yeah. Perfect timing. Better from you."
Pictured her stressing over it.
I smiled. Her face lit up at last.
"Whew. Agonized over color and scent."
Her relieved grin was stunning. My hand moved on instinct.
Pat-pat.
"Huh?"
I softly stroked her hair.
Ye-won stared up, shocked.
Eyes wide, mouth open.
Didn't see that coming?
She just gawked.
"Good job. Thinking of me on the trip."
"J-Jinwoo..."
She trailed off.
"Couldn't even hit you up, but you thought of me in Jeju."
Grinned while petting her.
"Good girl. Picking all the cute moves."
"N-not a kid. D-don't."
Lips twitching up anyway.
"Yeah? Stop?"
"... "
No reply when I paused.
Her shoulder jumped at my touch.
Didn't pull away.
Leaned into it even, head tilting my way.
The breeze wrapped her hair 'round my fingers.
Shampoo and her scent hit me.
"You know...?"
She whispered, head on my shoulder.
"Missed you. Whole time in Jeju."
"... "
"Sea pretty, views killer. But solo? Meh. Kept wishing you were there."
Straight-up confession.
Teetering past friend lines.
I slid my hand down, took hers on the bench.
Warm. Soft.
Her fingers wove in, interlocking.
"Then let's go together next."
"Huh?"
She looked up.
"Not for work. Not prof's bitch."
"... "
"Just us. Trip. Good eats, sea views."
Her eyes quivered.
Shining with hope and thrill.
"For real? No empty words?"
"When I kid you?"
"Promise? No take-backs."
Squeezed my hand, beaming.
"Promise."
We sat wordless on that bench forever.
Heartbeats pulsing through clasped hands.
Just sat there awhile.
Sharing warmth.
Sensing emotions heat up. Silent.
"...Jinwoo."
"Yeah."
"Plans tonight?"
She nuzzled my shoulder.
"Nah."
"Drink?"
Her voice shook a bit.
"Got Jeju booze. Strong stuff. For you."
Knew exactly what that meant.
Hard liquor.
Us alone. Night.
Heart pounding to burst.
"Sure. Let's kill it."
Her face went crimson.
"W-where? Mine? Yours?"
Eyed her gift freshener.
"Test if it fits my place scent-wise? Mine's best."
"R-right. Y-your place then..."
"Cool. After class."
I blew it.
Went nuclear.
'What now? Underwear? Pretty ones, but weird thoughts? Skipping gym was smart?'
She who'd pitched drinks with Kim Jinwoo felt her head burn from the deed.
True, bought booze for him.
Fancy high-proof rice liquor from Jeju.
But meant for later. More time first.
Knew booze would lead to... that.
Planned careful approach.
But.
On the bench. His hand stroking her hair. Urge she couldn't fight.
Want to.
Let out bottled feelings.
'Cause she faced what she'd dodged.
Knew he was more than friend.
Couldn't endure.
This razor-edge thing we had.
Mood ripe. Alone time chance?
Evolve past this? Hope surged.
Choi Ye-won went for broke.
His place.
Got booze.
Just us.
Knew the subtext.
Couldn't hide the blush.
Not just mood though.
Odd scent.
Faint. New woman smell off him. Freshener mixed.
Super subtle.
Sparked jealousy.
'Nah.'
Heard the cousin fib with Jung So-yul.
Knew Han Chae-ah knew him.
But further? No way.
It's Kim Jinwoo.
Selfish streak. Rough looks.
Not girl bait.
Hot to her, sure.
Not objectively.
'Charm though.'
Beyond strength.
Surprisingly thoughtful. Looks out.
Caring. Thinks ahead.
Throws self in to help. No self-care.
Especially.
'Charging that senior harassing me...'
Damn cool.
So yeah. Women might eye him. Unease hit.
That's why.
Nuked it.
I mean.
'No choice.'
Forced her racing heart to chill.