Chapter 12
Chapter 12
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Lee Soyun #2
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Luckily, it was a sunny weekend.
The temperature was starting to warm up nicely too, making it the perfect day to head out.
I'd arranged to meet Lee Soyun somewhere between early morning and lunchtime, grab a bite together, and then wander around the city.
I'd suggested it because if we came out too late, it'd be crowded and annoying.
...Wait a sec. Isn't this basically a date?
I had a momentary thought straight out of some virgin's playbook, but I shook it off.
Still, going out with a girl my age just the two of us meant I couldn't dress too casually—it'd be rude to Soyun.
So I put some actual effort into my outfit before leaving the house.
I arrived at the subway station ten minutes early, but Soyun was already there waiting.
"You're early."
I lightly tapped the head of Soyun, who was staring down at her phone with her head bowed.
Her round eyes turned toward me.
Soyun had actually put some thought into her look for once.
She wore a knit top that wasn't too thick and didn't cling too much to her figure, paired with a checkered skirt, and a small bag slung over her arm.
But, well... she still looked more like a kid than a high schooler. Not that it was weird or anything.
"What? You put in some effort today, huh?"
"N-no, it's just my usual... ...Weird?"
Not at all.
I could still vividly picture her showing up in baggy training pants when we hung out in middle school.
Compared to that, she looked like a fairy today.
"Nah. Not weird. You look pretty."
"Eep, thanks... You look sharp too."
"Yeah. Thanks."
After the perfunctory greetings and compliments, Soyun fell into step beside me.
"What do you wanna eat?"
"Um. Anything?"
Did she just say 'anything,' Soyun...?
Saying the number one thing you should never say when asked what you want to eat. Scary kid.
"Yeah... Hmm... Oh, how about ramen? There's a new place that just opened. It's chicken broth base, supposed to be light and clean."
"Sure! Let's go there."
Thank goodness Soyun wasn't the vicious type who yells 'anything' and then shoots down every suggestion until you guess what she wants.
Good thing I'd kept my ears open at school.
Gossip from the girls about hot spots turned out to be more useful than I'd thought.
With Soyun's petite frame next to me, it felt like I suddenly had a little sister.
She seemed excited for her rare city adventure, her steps light and bouncy.
"You thought about a gift for Sea yet?"
"Yeah. When we went out last time, she mentioned wanting some makeup, so I'm gonna get her that."
I nodded.
Ever since Lee Sea and Soyun got close, they often went shopping just the two of them.
Sometimes Yoon Jiu or I tagged along too.
...Not my fondest memories.
Girls' all-day shopping marathons.
Scary out there. I'd rather stay under the covers at home.
"What about you, Ijin?"
"Haven't thought of a thing. I'll figure it out when we get there."
"Sea'll probably love whatever you get her."
"You think?"
Yeah, with her personality, she wouldn't show if she hated it.
We hustled over to the ramen spot tucked in an alley.
"There's a wait."
The place had just opened not long ago, and it was good enough to buzz among the girls in class, so even at this slightly early lunch hour, there was already a line.
"But it's not too many groups ahead, right?"
Like Soyun said, it was short enough that we'd only wait a bit if we sat down. Lucky.
If the line had been endless, we'd have been wandering around looking for another spot.
I jotted my name on the waitlist ticket and headed to the area with the folding chairs out front.
"Sit."
There was one empty spot, so I brushed it off and offered it to her.
"Oh? Ah, yeah. Thanks..."
Soyun sat primly with her legs together, hands folded neatly on her knees, looking up at me.
"Legs not tired? Feels like we walked ten minutes at least."
"I'm good! Walking's nothing."
True. If she pooped out this early, she couldn't shop all day.
Though she always tires out quick during morning workouts.
Girls' stamina is a mystery.
After about five minutes, the group ahead cleared out, letting me sit next to Soyun.
"They've got menus here too."
I went with the rich tori paitan ramen and mini nutrient rice set; Soyun picked the mild tori paitan.
"Two orders?"
"Rice is mini size. And guys need this much to feel full anyway."
That's why they offer sets in the first place.
Ramen alone feels skimpy, rice alone too.
As we waited, a silence settled between us.
I checked my phone notifications for a bit, then looked up.
Out of the corner of my eye, Soyun's face looked like she was working up to say something, lips moving silently.
I figured I'd wait for her to speak first, but her stare was starting to burn, so I broke the ice.
"...What're you staring at?"
"Eek! N-nothing! Really."
Soyun startled and whipped her head away.
She's usually just a bit shy and fine otherwise, but when it's quiet like this, she clams up.
I'm the opposite. I get quieter in crowds.
"Just... you know. Trying to say something. It's too quiet."
"Ah."
Yeah. Sitting here like this would feel awkward.
But hey, we've got phones.
Soon our names were called, and we headed inside.
The interior screamed Japanese style.
Counter seating where you could watch the kitchen while eating.
I went in first, ordered at the kiosk, and grabbed our seats.
"Ah, money. I'll send it now."
"Nah. I called you out to help today anyway. Lunch is on me."
"Mm."
She agreed, but looked a bit unsatisfied.
"I've got plenty of cash."
"...I know that."
Soyun shot back while eagerly pouring us cold water from the big pitcher.
"Thanks."
I pulled out some chopsticks and set them in front of her.
Soyun and Sea both knew I made decent pocket money from my drawings.
"Tch. Think it's about the money?"
I ignored the grumbling beside me.
True to the high turnover of the place, our ramen came out fast.
I pulled down Soyun's bowl first since her short arms couldn't reach over the counter easily.
I grabbed mine too and took a sip of broth—rich chicken flavor without being heavy. Delicious.
"Oh. This place is good."
Soyun chimed in after a bite.
"Mhm. Tasty."
It was praise, but she said it softly, probably worried about the kitchen overhearing.
Timid types hate drawing attention like that.
Noodles had a nice chew without breaking apart, the rice was savory with some chicken chunks—totally satisfying.
We ate in companionable silence.
After the meal, we rinsed our mouths with cold water.
Outside, the wait was now insanely long compared to before.
"Whoa. We timed it perfectly."
"So many people."
As we walked away, I said to Soyun,
"Let's come back sometime when we're free. It's good stuff."
"Yeah! Sounds great!"
Soyun's beaming smile said she was happy too.
"Should bring the others next time."
"......"
...Or not? She didn't look thrilled.
Soyun's face fell in an instant.
Teen girls are exhausting. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ We wandered the department store's cosmetics shops downtown.
Truth be told, Soyun had picked out her gift at the first store.
But since she was out, she wanted to browse more and ended up picking out stuff for herself too, stretching out the trip.
She's been way more into dolling up lately. Puberty for real.
While following Soyun around, a little accessory shop caught my eye.
"Hey, Soyun."
"Yeah?"
She turned back from leading the way.
"How about something like that for a gift?"
Her eyes followed my pointed finger.
"A pin? Yeah, that could work. She can wear it all the time."
"Not too cheap, so no disappointment."
Soyun shook her head at my words.
"Sea would like that kind of thing more anyway."
"Then that's the one."
"Yeah, let's check it out."
We headed into the shop. I picked up a pin from the display out front that caught my eye.
"This one. Seems to suit her."
Soyun nodded at the small yellow star-shaped pin I'd chosen.
"Yeah. Good taste?"
I'd picked it because the subtle design matched Sea's neat vibe. Instant approval from Soyun.
"...You thought about it before saying that, right?"
"She'll love it, for real."
In the end, we took that first pick to the counter.
Come to think of it, don't couples usually buy something for their date too when they hit places like this?
I glanced at Soyun waiting outside, then pondered.
Just then, the clerk at the register piped up.
"Getting a gift for your girlfriend outside? How about this?"
"Not girlfriend, but... yeah, that looks good."
It was a hair tie with a tiny flower charm.
"Two, please. Wrap separately. Pretty paper since they're gifts."
"Oh my. Giving to two different girls? Well, you do look the type!"
The clerk seemed thrilled for some reason.
Two different girls, yes, but neither is my girlfriend...
She wrapped them quick, bagged the accessories, and I paid with my card before heading out.
"Let's go. All set."
"Mm."
Now we could head home.
Or so I thought, when Soyun spoke up.
"Ijin."
"Yeah."
"Got anything to do at home?"
"Nah, just planning to crash."
No work lined up. Intended to melt into the massage chair.
"Wanna... watch a movie with me then?"
"...Movie?"
"Yeah! There's a fun action flick out. If you're free, let's go."
What a hassle.
But a hassle still.
Turning down those puppy eyes was beyond me.
"Sure. Why not. What's the movie?"
"For real? Hehe. This one! New in the series, killer reviews."
Soyun's face lit up as she grinned and shoved her phone at me, clinging to my arm.
Spending the day like this wasn't so bad. Whatever.