Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Date (1)
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It was 1 p.m. The weekend afternoon streets were quieter than I'd expected. I stood by the main road, tapping the sidewalk blocks with my toes. Behind me, a group of kids in uniforms crowded into a snack bar, ordering tteokbokki.
"Phew..."
I took a deep breath. It was the first date of my life. At the same time, I felt a little pathetic about myself—no car yet. Shouldn't I be picking up Yu-jeong senior in one? She said it was fine, but I made up my mind: the moment I graduate from the academy, I'm buying a car first.
"Su-hyeon!"
A short honk sounded, and Yu-jeong senior poked her head out the window. She'd parked a little ways from where I was standing and was waving. Like a pet dog called by name, I bolted over and stopped in front of the passenger seat. She wore an off-shoulder shirt and tight jeans that hugged her figure. She tilted her head slightly, peering at me through the window.
I stared blankly at her, and she glanced furtively toward the back of the car before saying,
"Hop in."
"Ah, yeah."
I stopped gawking and climbed into the passenger seat, buckling up. Yu-jeong senior was already buckled in too, and the belt crossing between her breasts made them stand out even more today. To suppress the desire bubbling up since lunch, I turned away and said,
"You look amazing today."
"I've always been pretty, haven't I?"
At her teasing, I nodded and smiled. She looked at me and said,
"What time for the movie? Wouldn't it be better to eat lunch first?"
"Let's eat first. What do you feel like?"
"Hmm... Something you like. What do you like?"
"I eat anything."
I loved gukbap, but I knew suggesting it on a date was taboo. She grinned at me and asked,
"Simple lunch? Movie's the main event anyway. How about artisanal burgers? Heard there's a good spot near the theater—let's go there."
"Yeah, I love burgers. They opened one there?"
I perked up and asked. Truth be told, I'd never even tried an artisanal burger. Yu-jeong senior said,
"Yeah. Some famous American brand—they just opened their first spot next to the theater. Let's check it out."
With our destination set, the steering wheel turned smoothly. The car carrying me headed straight for the theater. In the meantime, I pulled out my phone to book tickets. At a red light, I showed her the schedule and asked,
"2:30 okay?"
"Perfect. It's 1 now."
I nodded and booked Iron Beast for 2:30. We pulled into the theater parking lot and grabbed a ticket. Yu-jeong senior got out with a small handbag, and I trailed after her. Noticing me following, she shot me a playful glare and slowed her pace. Then she sidled right up and looped her arm through mine.
"Uh, whoa."
"What? Don't like it?"
"N-no. Just sudden."
"Guys are supposed to take the lead. Try again."
She stopped in the middle of the parking lot and unlinked her arm. Like she wouldn't budge until I did it right, she held one arm out and stared at me. Like someone afraid of static, I tentatively reached out—then wrapped around her arm like a snake. She let herself get pulled in naturally, clinging to me as she said,
"Su-hyeon, you've got more muscle now?"
She was feeling my bicep. The result of all that hard training. I figured I could switch to Training level 15 soon. I said,
"Muscles shot up lately. Cool, right?"
I flexed for Yu-jeong senior. Not quite bodybuilder yet, but flexing made a little bulge pop on my arm. She burst out laughing at my pose, then poked my bicep like popping a balloon.
"Ow!"
I flinched and let go of her arm. Rubbing my now-limp bicep, she said,
"Eh, still a ways to go."
"I'll come back with a bodybuilder bod soon."
"Looking forward to it, Su-hyeon."
The burger joint was packed, but a seat waited for us. Yu-jeong senior ordered two of their signature burgers—the ones everyone raved about—and drummed her fingers on the table, eyes sparkling. The moment we sat, she said,
"Exam's coming up soon?"
"Yeah."
The subsidy exam was right around the corner. Next week already—time flew. Yu-jeong senior asked,
"How's prep? Studied a lot?"
"Trying to memorize all the lectures, but nothing beats seeing them live. Guys like Holligan stick in your head from the name alone, but ones you've never seen? Even the manual doesn't click."
"Totally. Most hunters do that—spot a rare one, get wary, flip through the book. The brave ones dive in headfirst. Which got me thinking: after the movie, wanna hit the museum?"
She pulled out her phone, swiped around, and showed me a link. Beyond it: a massive Strong Boar standing inside a building. I squinted at the photo.
"They let a Strong Boar loose?"
"No, no. It's stuffed."
Stuffed. The idea of taxidermying Gate monsters sounded weird. Yu-jeong senior explained,
"They donate one C-grade or lower to museums for display or specimens. B-grades and up are too hard to hunt, and materials are super valuable anyway. They just added a Minotaur too."
"Minotaur?"
I pictured the myth beast: bull-headed monster lumbering on hulking limbs through a labyrinth, devouring people. That thing existed inside Gates? Wished I'd brought my pad—I wanted to search the manual right now.
Yu-jeong senior said,
"Not the one you're imagining, Su-hyeon."
The order buzzer went off. I got up and fetched the burgers. The artisanal ones boasted a unique mix: warm, sweet bun, fresh patty, lettuce, and avocado. Yu-jeong senior took a huge bite and flashed a thumbs-up. I mirrored her, clinking fists like glasses. She chewed with a grin.
"Whew, stuffed."
"So good."
Way better than expected—I was genuinely surprised. I smacked my lips and nodded. Yu-jeong senior patted her belly and grinned. I was tempted to pat hers too, but public place—restrain.
She grabbed my hand and headed for the theater. She bought two popcorns and colas, shoving one set into my hands, and said,
"Hurry. Starts soon."
I balanced the popcorn precariously and followed. Eyes sparkling—excitement for the date or the movie?—she strode ahead. Her bigger smile at me meant my face mirrored that eager glow. I closed my gaping mouth and schooled my expression. Ads were starting.
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Movie ending. A wolf stands at the interview podium. Reporters stare, awaiting its words. The wolf clears its throat, sets front paws on the stage, and speaks.
"I am Iron Beast."
Reporters shout in unison.
"A wolf speaking human words!"
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"Such a fun movie."
"Me too. That last scene? Blew me away."
"Right? The wolf actor's voice was so cool."
"Looked it up—he voiced the lead in Invisible Hunter before."
"Oh, that guy? His voice wasn't like this back then. Wild."
She said it wonderingly. I was buzzing from the film too. In the car, we both sighed deeply, basking in the afterglow. Yu-jeong senior reclined her seat a bit and stretched her head back. Glancing at me, she said,
"Nice."
I cautiously reached for her hand. Ours hovered like Altair and Vega, gearshift between. My fingers brushed her knuckles; she closed her eyes briefly, then lifted her head to meet my gaze.
"What's up?"
"Just... wanted to hold hands in the theater too. Kinda missed it."
How I'd longed for that sticky, steamy theater date—my fantasy of being that obnoxious makeout couple. But the movie was too good; no lewd moves today. She stroked my hand soothingly and said,
"What's to miss? We'll be together plenty. Next time, romance flick?"
I nodded and leaned in. She smiled, eyes closing as I approached. If anyone in the back seat watched, our shadows would've tangled like a bridge spanning two seats.
When I pulled back and opened my eyes, Yu-jeong senior breathed excitedly, face flushed. Blinking hazy eyes, she snapped to and straightened her seat. She said,
"So, off to see the Minotaur? Gotta 'study'."
She emphasized "study" lewdly. Hearing it, I felt my little brother stiffen on cue.
I wanted to "study" fast.