Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Seong Yurin #2
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Days passed quickly without any particular incidents, and before I knew it, the day of my promise with Seong Yurin had arrived.
We had agreed beforehand to go home separately and meet up again in the city center.
I quickly wrapped up club activities, rushed home, took another bath, and carefully picked out my clothes.
If I dressed sloppily, I might end up looking like a squid or an octopus next to Seong Yurin.
I threw on neat but decent-looking slacks and even a dress shirt I rarely wear, finally hitting an acceptable level.
It's definitely not a date, but I couldn't figure out why my heart was pounding like this.
I hadn't felt this way meeting Lee Soyun; with Lee Sea and Lee Soyun, we've known each other a long time and grown comfortable, whereas Seong Yurin and I weren't that close yet, so maybe that was it.
I shoved my wallet into my pants pocket, grabbed my phone, and headed out.
The quiet background noise grew lively as I neared the city center. It was bustling even on a weekday.
I waited for Seong Yurin in front of the subway station, which had become everyone's go-to meeting spot.
It wasn't long before I spotted her approaching me.
She was drawing every eye around her, dressed similarly to how she'd been at Lee Sea's birthday party, but even more polished this time.
Her voluptuous figure strained against even the loose t-shirt, and her long, slender legs stood out sharply in her jeans. Could she really be a high schooler?
Topped off with what looked like a designer handbag, her proportions made her seem like a model at first glance.
Seong Yurin approached, her straight blonde hair swaying.
Seriously, standing next to her felt intimidating.
"Did you wait long?"
"...... Huh? No. I just got here."
I'd been staring at Seong Yurin in a daze, admiring her, but I forced down my surprise and answered. Hope she didn't notice.
"Shall we go? You checked the chat, right?"
"Yeah. Sounds good."
On the way from home, I'd messaged her about the ramen place I'd gone to with Lee Soyun last time.
Fortunately, she didn't seem picky about food and nodded readily.
As we walked the streets, we didn't talk much.
It wasn't just our unsociable personalities; an awkwardness hung in the air.
Seong Yurin, looking somehow shy, was part of the reason for the silence too.
She'd said this was her first time hanging out alone like this with a friend.
I didn't have much experience either, but more than her, so I scraped together whatever words I had to try leading the conversation.
"The place we're heading to, I tried it once before and it was delicious. Give it a shot and let me know what you think."
"Okay. Got it."
Her curt reply left me scrambling for words.
"...... Um. What should we do after eating? Any ideas?"
"Ah.... How about a movie?"
Fortunately, I'd latched onto a topic to keep things going.
Meal then movie—a safe, classic route.
I nodded, agreeing with Seong Yurin.
"Movie sounds good. What's playing these days?"
As I pulled out my phone to search, Seong Yurin stopped me.
"That! Actually, I already booked tickets. There's a movie I really wanted to see."
Seemed like that was the reason she'd gone out with me today, like a date.
"Oh? Then let's do that. You should've said so earlier; I could've looked it up too."
"Ah, sorry.... I decided on my own."
"It's fine. I don't have any genre preferences."
I soothed the apologetic Seong Yurin and kept walking.
Ramen then a movie.
Doing the same routine with another girl felt oddly thrilling.
Is this the alpha male life!?
I chuckled to myself inside.
We arrived at the ramen shop right after break time ended—earlier than peak dinner hours—so the wait wasn't bad.
"Lucky. Last time the line was insane. We survived by coming early."
"I see."
Seong Yurin nodded and picked up the menu by the waiting area.
"The light broth ones might suit a girl's taste."
I tossed in a casual suggestion, and she glanced at me.
"...... Why are you looking at me like that?"
"...No. It's nothing. I just wondered if you'd been here with another girl before."
Gasp.
How did she know?
I schooled my expression, pretending it didn't faze me.
...No real need to hide it anyway, since it wasn't a date with Lee Soyun either.
Maybe Seong Yurin knew I'd come here with Lee Soyun and asked deliberately.
Learning from last time, I ordered just ramen this round.
That day with Lee Soyun, ramen with rice, then popcorn and cola on top—my stomach had been stuffed.
Greed always comes back to bite you.
After ordering at the kiosk inside and sitting down, the food arrived surprisingly quick.
It lived up to my expectations once more.
Glancing sideways, Seong Yurin looked satisfied too, steadily working her chopsticks.
I poured water into a cup and set it in front of her.
"Tasty, right?"
"...It's excellent."
If even Seong Yurin—who had high standards for food—gave it high praise, that said plenty about the place's quality.
......Hope I don't end up bringing the other two here too.
Might need jumbo ramen for Hong Yeonseo.
Usually the faster eater, I paced myself to match Seong Yurin's slower speed.
Unlike her, who left some broth, I polished off my bowl clean, wiped my mouth, and stood.
"Let's digest a bit.... Ah, what time's the reservation?"
She checked her phone at my question.
"Still plenty of time. We can take it slow."
"Then let's wander a bit."
We left the ramen shop and strolled the bustling city streets.
Lots of guys shot me jealous glares.
Couldn't blame them; I'd be envious too of whoever was next to a girl like this.
I felt a smug superiority for being the one beside her, mixed with the bitter reality that we were just friends.
"Ah."
My eyes caught the accessory shop from before.
The one I'd gone to with Lee Soyun to buy Lee Sea's gift.
"Why?"
She looked at me after my sudden sound.
"Wanna check that out?"
She hesitated, eyeing where I pointed, then slowly nodded.
I watched her profile as she browsed the stall-lined spot.
Cheap accessories might not suit Seong Yurin, but...
Still, I felt like getting her one.
"How about it? Anything catch your eye?"
"Surprisingly, some nice designs here."
I picked up a hair tie where her gaze lingered.
"How about this? Good for tying your hair when you exercise."
She alternated looks between the tie in my fingers and my face, then gave a small nod.
"Yeah.... Seems good."
"Great if you like it. I'll buy it for you."
"Ah, you don't have to...."
I pressed as she tried to refuse.
"It's fine. I'd feel awkward not getting anything here."
"...Okay. Thanks, then."
We headed inside together to the counter.
The clerk lady—familiar from before, her face memorable—was there.
"Welcome.... Oh my."
She trailed off seeing me and Seong Yurin beside me.
She looked like her mind was racing with all sorts of impolite assumptions.
"...Ring this up, please."
"Yes. Hehehehe."
She handled it quietly, but with meaningful eyes and a knowing laugh.
Thankfully, she just watched us excitedly without saying anything weird.
I bolted from the shop, fleeing the hot stare from behind, and headed for the theater.
"Earlier, do you know that lady?"
"Huh?"
"At that shop."
"Oh.... Not really acquaintances, but I came once before."
Seong Yurin seemed to intuitively grasp that 'before' meant Lee Sea's birthday—with Lee Soyun.
I'd mentioned going to buy Lee Sea's gift with Lee Soyun that day.
Or maybe Lee Soyun told her; they were close.
She nodded without further questions and walked on ahead.
The theater greeted us with fewer crowds than a weekend.
"Popcorn?"
"Ah. I'll get that."
"Sure."
We lined up at the snack counter, but then—a familiar silhouette ahead.
"......Huh?"
The two figures turned at my voice.
".......Ah......"
"Eh? Seo Ijin and Seong Yurin. You two on a date too?"
It was Lee Sea and Yoon Jiu.
Lee Sea met our eyes and spoke in a trembling voice.
"W-Wait. Jiu. Date.... no...."
She bit her lip, as if swallowing whatever she'd been about to say.