Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Lee Sea's Birthday #3
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"Yeah, why'd you even pick this when none of you can handle horror movies?"
I scolded the four of them, slumped over like deflated balloons, completely drained.
"Th-this movie's a masterpiece. It even scared me."
Yoon Jiu stammered out his excuse.
The other three didn't even have the energy to respond.
After some time passed and they finally snapped out of it, Seong Yurin checked the time.
"Hmm. How about we rest for an hour or so, then kick off the birthday party? What do you think?"
"Sounds good."
I suddenly worried that all the snacks we'd scarfed down since noon might kill our appetites.
But the party food coming out of Seong Yurin's kitchen would be top-tier quality, so I figured it was worth looking forward to.
"Great. I'll let them know, then. And I'll show you each to a guest room. Follow me."
"Guest rooms?"
"Yeah. The house is huge, so there are plenty to spare. ...Um, if you guys are okay with it, you could even sleep over tonight. It's the weekend tomorrow anyway..."
Seong Yurin hesitated for a moment before suggesting we stay the night.
"I'm sleeping over! The dorm's two-to-a-room, and those mattresses are rock-hard. Hate it."
Hong Yeonseo bounced with excitement at Seong Yurin's words.
The others said they'd call home and let us know.
As for me, living alone right now, it didn't matter if I slept at my place or here, so I decided to crash.
"Guess I'll stay over too~"
Then Lee Sea suddenly switched gears and decided to sleep over as well.
"Weren't you gonna call home first?"
"I will. Hehe."
Lee Sea flashed a suspiciously sly smile as Seong Yurin gave instructions to yet another butler who appeared out of nowhere.
...Where do these butlers even wait around to pop up exactly when needed?
Maybe it's just one of those things possible in a romcom world.
We followed Seong Yurin up to the second floor.
She led us to one wing of the mansion and pointed to the opposite side.
"Don't go that way—our family's rooms are there."
"Got it."
The guest room Seong Yurin showed me to was on par with a high-end business hotel, maybe even a notch above.
"Whoa. Check out these fluffy beds."
We each got assigned a room, and Seong Yurin said she'd call when it was time before vanishing.
With time to kill, exhausted from the morning's marathon—not quite a march—and the bed feeling heavenly, I figured I'd catch a quick nap.
Closing my eyes on the bed, a wave of bliss washed over me.
Dreamy and soft, even the cool chill of the unused blankets warmed up, wrapping me in cozy comfort.
Yep. Definitely gotta splurge on a good bed.
I vowed right then: first thing when I make some money, buy the best bed out there.
Quality sleep is quality life, right?
Just as I was about to surrender to the tide of sleep...
Knock knock.
Someone rapped on the door.
Please just leave me alone.
But the knocking persisted.
Sighing, I dragged myself up, bidding farewell to my beloved bed, and shuffled to the door.
"Who is it...?"
I opened it to find Seong Yurin standing there.
"Sorry to bug you while you're resting. I need to talk. Mind if I come in?"
"...It's your house. Of course. Come on in."
Seong Yurin stepped inside, glanced around, and took the room's single chair.
I sat on the bed and looked at her.
"What's up?"
Seong Yurin's eyes turned icy cold.
That gaze straightened my slouched posture on instinct.
"Seo Ijin."
"Yeah?"
"...Do you have a girl you like?"
"...No idea why you're asking, but... no."
"Anyone you're interested in, then?"
"...Hang on, why are you asking?"
Seong Yurin ignored my question, staring straight into my eyes.
"Is there?"
After a moment's thought, I answered.
"No."
"...I see. Got it."
She bowed her head briefly, fidgeting with her fingers.
The serious, resolute vibe from moments ago was gone.
Back to her usual otaku self.
"Sorry. For asking something like that out of nowhere."
"Nah, it's fine. But mind telling me why?"
"...No ulterior motives here. Just so you know upfront."
"Ulterior motives?"
What was Seong Yurin getting at?
Questions swirled in my head.
"Seo Ijin. You're, well... attractive."
"...Huh?"
What the...?
Wait, no way. That development?
Seeing my dumbfounded face, Seong Yurin waved her hands frantically.
"I-I mean it. No other intentions. Just... that's all. Don't get the wrong idea."
...Yeah, figured as much. No reason to misunderstand.
Seong Yurin was supposed to end up with Yoon Jiu anyway.
I shook off my silly thoughts.
Seong Yurin closed her eyes for a second, gathering her words.
"What I wanted to ask was... Sigh. I was just curious about what you think."
"You mean that question from earlier?"
"Yeah. Pure curiosity, no agenda. You're an attractive guy, so I wondered if you had feelings for anyone or were interested in someone... That's it."
She spilled it out a bit messily and stood up.
"Sorry for barging in. Forget what I just asked. I'll head out."
With that, Seong Yurin left without looking back.
After her whirlwind visit...
I lay back on the bed, lost in thought.
Why come find me just to ask that?
A bunch of random ideas flitted through my mind, but nothing convincing.
No answers came, and before I knew it, sleep took over.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Some time later, everyone came to wake me, and we headed to the dining room.
Not the kitchen—the dining room.
Inside the house.
And finally, I got to lay eyes on the real-life maids I'd been dying to see!
A mansion in Korea actually employing maids.
Too bad they weren't in the skimpy outfits from fiction.
But the dishes they served up looked stunning from the get-go.
And when the pièce de résistance—a towering three-tier cream cake—arrived,
Lee Sea hugged Seong Yurin tight, sobbing with emotion.
Seong Yurin looked a bit overwhelmed but patted her back awkwardly. It was kinda funny from afar.
Well, Lee Sea was a high schooler in her prime, full of feels, so bursting into tears over this made sense.
...If I put on my jaded adult glasses for a sec.
These two had only gotten close about a month ago.
Social skills beyond us losers...
Oh, and Seong Yurin's family joined in celebrating Lee Sea's birthday too.
...Her mom, unsurprisingly stunningly beautiful.
Along with Seong Yurin and Seong Arin.
The three of them lined up looked like high elves descending to the mortal realm. I seriously pondered it.
I stared, totally entranced for a moment—good thing no one noticed.
Bathed in everyone's applause and cheers, Lee Sea beamed and thanked them all.
For the party highlight, the lights dimmed.
As we sang Happy Birthday and she blew out the candles to thunderous applause, Lee Sea teared up again, deeply moved.
...For the record, she cries like this every year.
She's got such a soft heart.
After extinguishing the cake candles, it was time for presents.
"Here! My gift."
Yoon Jiu's birthday present was a cute fancy stationery set.
Like merch covered in famous characters I recognized.
Ones Lee Sea had loved forever.
She took Yoon Jiu's gift with a delighted grin.
"These are the ones you wanted last time. Open it up."
Lee Sea carefully unwrapped Lee Soyun's gift box, revealing luxury cosmetics, and hugged her tight.
She gushed about how she'd wanted them while shopping and was so grateful Soyun remembered and got them.
Yeah, the ones we'd picked out together.
"Ooh... Th-that. Mine feels kinda lame now."
Hong Yeonseo, next up, seemed intimidated by Lee Soyun's gift and hesitantly pulled out a small box.
Inside was a pair of sneakers.
"Um. I picked a good one from the brand I use for workouts. Super comfy for school too!"
Lee Sea thanked Hong Yeonseo with a hug.
"Mine's... this."
Seong Yurin brought out an ultra-luxurious-looking box.
Inside was perfume that screamed "I'm designer" to anyone.
"I've... never given a gift to anyone outside family, so... sorry. It might not feel personal, but I really thought it through."
Seong Yurin beat herself up for just picking something expensive, but Lee Sea reassured her it was perfect.
She could feel the care and effort put into it and hugged her tight.
And finally, my turn.
Lee Sea's eagerly expectant face...
Made me freeze for a second.
Hold up.
Was my gift gonna look too cheap next to these?
...I'd kinda worried about that and prepared a secret weapon.
No clue if it'd hold up against designer stuff, but...
I pulled the box with the pin Lee Soyun and I had chosen from my pocket first.