Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Date? #1
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💬 Group Chat — Lee Soyun [I'm having dinner with Jin tonight] — Lee Sea [Soyun, you went out alone with Jin last time too!] — ? [Fight!] — ? [What! Me too me too me too] — Lee Soyun [I'm going alone with Jin~] — ? [Ugh. Next turn is mine!] — ? [Why you? I haven't yet...] Without reading the rest of the messages, Lee Soyun closed the chat room, her eyes gleaming with fierce determination.
Even if it was cheating, she had no choice. Things were urgent for her right now.
'Seo Ijin... I'll make you see me as a woman!'
Lately, Lee Soyun had been gripped by a deep sense of anxiety.
It stemmed from feeling far too ordinary amid such formidable rivals.
Since childhood, she'd always thought herself inferior to Lee Sea, both in personality and looks.
And now, entering high school had brought even tougher competitors like Seong Yurin and Hong Yeonseo into the picture, amplifying her inferiority complex.
Before Seo Ijin could even look at her as a woman, it felt like he'd end up with one of the other three—or worse, some girl she didn't even know about.
So, on impulse, she'd made the date plans. Sure, it was just a short dinner, and Seo Ijin probably wouldn't see it as a date at all.
Shaking off her anxiety as best she could, she clenched her fists tight and silently cheered herself on.
The last outing had a nice atmosphere, but it was hard to call it a success. Today had to go better than that.
She undid the hair tie Seo Ijin had given her, checked her reflection once, then carefully retied her ponytail with care.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After roughly exchanging numbers with Yuseol and wrapping things up, I left the club room even earlier than the usual end time for activities.
I'd planned to head out a little early anyway, but Lee Soyun called even sooner than that.
"Yeah. I'll head to the main gate."
[Okay! I'll be waiting.]
Even over the phone, I could feel her bubbling excitement. Was she that desperate for some tonkatsu?
I quickened my pace toward the school gate, where Lee Soyun spotted me and stood on her tiptoes, waving enthusiastically.
Don't trip.
"You got out early?"
"Ah... Yeah! Th-this place is super popular, so I figured we'd have to line up if we were late."
I nodded in agreement. Way better to arrive early than waste time waiting.
"Let's go."
On the early after-school streets, still fragrant with blooming spring flowers, we walked side by side through the sparse crowd of students.
The seasonal vibe felt great.
As we strolled, my promise from last time suddenly came to mind, so I brought it up.
"After dinner, wanna hang out a bit before heading home?"
"......Huh!?"
Her face lit up with shock. She clearly hadn't expected that from me.
And honestly, I hadn't done anything like it before either.
But lately, I'd been thinking it might be okay to get a little closer to them bit by bit. The words had slipped out before I knew it.
"Su, sure. Actually, I was gonna suggest it myself."
She recovered quickly from her fluster, sidling up closer with a pleased grin.
"Weather's nice anyway. We can wander around a little before going home."
"Yeah."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Following her lead, we arrived at a Japanese tonkatsu joint—what folks usually just call pork cutlet.
I personally prefer the Japanese style, so I'd half-expected her to pick a saucy Korean-style place. This was a pleasant surprise.
When I asked about it,
"I, I like Japanese tonkatsu too. And... it's your favorite, right, Jin? So I wanted to come here together."
That was awfully thoughtful of her.
Thanks to the early weekday dinner hour, we got seated right away, no wait.
We grabbed a spot toward the back and checked the menu—only one option.
"Just the assorted katsu, huh."
Everything else was booze or drinks. A clear sign they were confident in their signature dish.
"Want a drink?"
"Water's fine for me."
"Cool."
I wasn't craving anything fizzy either, so when the server came by, I just ordered two assorteds.
If I were an adult, I'd have kicked things off with a cold draft beer. Oh well.
To kill time before the food arrived, I tossed a question her way.
"Where to after dinner?"
My limited experience left me blank on guy-girl hangouts. Movie theater popped up, but we'd done that last time, so I checked with her just in case.
She pondered for a moment before answering.
"How about a game center?"
"You've been to one?"
"Uh, no. Never."
"Me neither. Sounds fun."
A game center, huh.
Those places are packed with stuff for two people—big arcades with claw machines, karaoke booths, the works.
Great idea.
It was a bit odd coming from Lee Soyun, who didn't seem the gaming type. Maybe she picked it to suit me?
Either way, we could try a few popular games, and if she lost interest, head somewhere else. No big deal.
I nodded, pleased with my mental plan.
"Ah, you called home, right?"
"Yeah. Did it before calling you."
Got it.
After some light chit-chat, the food arrived.
It was plated neatly, looking downright mouthwatering. That crispy batter had me missing an ice-cold beer hard.
While she snapped photos, the server finished up with some guidance.
"This slightly pink part is the tenderloin. It's not undercooked, so eat it with confidence. Best enjoyed first before it cools—flavor drops off after that. Enjoy your meal."
I wasn't sure if that was a joke or straight info, but I dug in with my chopsticks.
I salted a plump piece of tenderloin and took a bite.
Mmm.
Ooh...
After chewing and swallowing, I looked up at Lee Soyun.
Coincidence or mind-reading? She met my gaze.
"This is seriously good."
"Totally. No wonder it's famous."
I gave her a small smile for picking such a gem, and she beamed back, clearly thrilled to see me enjoying it.
We took our time with the meal after that.
I matched her slow, deliberate pace, chewing each bite thoroughly.
The tenderloin was a revelation; the loin and neck cuts had their own charming meaty flavors.
The accompanying cabbage salad and chili pickles perfectly cut the fried richness.
Three sauce options—salt, mustard, tonkatsu sauce—kept things varied and fatigue-free. Rice and somen noodles rounded it out nicely, leaving us stuffed.
This one's going on my must-visit list.
Sincere thanks to Lee Soyun for the rec.
"The somen's killer. Gotta get extras next time."
That clean, refreshing noodle hit my sweet spot. Explained the menu add-on.
"Glad you like it."
She looked just as pleased.
We stepped out as the sun dipped low.
Downtown was a short walk away— we'd arrive right around dusk.
Lee Soyun followed, stretching with a satisfied groan.
"Ahhh. That hit the spot."
"Want me to grab drinks? Something to sip on the go?"
I nodded at a nearby cafe. She thought it over and nodded.
At the outdoor counter, I ordered a cafe mocha for myself and a caramel mocha for her.
I like sweets fine, but she's on another level—a total sugar fiend. And somehow keeps that figure without much exercise. Wild.
"You working out at home or something?"
"Wh-why the sudden question...?"
"Just curious, that's all."
Her thoughtful face shifted to outright shock.
"Do I... look like I've gained weight...?"
I quickly reassured the deflated girl.
"Nah, opposite. You devour sweets like that and don't gain a pound. Was wondering your secret. No worries—you're good."
She finally eased up at my save.
"Yeah... maybe 'cause I don't eat much rice."
True, she's a light eater overall.
Makes up calories with sugar, I guess.
Paid for the drinks amid our banter and handed hers over.
"Thanks. I'll savor it."
"No sweat. Let's head out."
Coffees in hand, we made our way into the bustling streets.
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