Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Thursday #2
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No matter what, I couldn't exactly suggest to Lee Sea that we go grab some spicy pork stir-fry, could I?
...Or could I? She might actually like it.
After some serious deliberation, I figured that since this was a meal out alone with a girl, I should at least go for something classy like pasta.
Having settled on the menu, I quickened my steps and arrived at Lee Sea's place.
Lee Sea was standing in front of the door. Spotting me, she waved and came over.
Today... she looked a little different from usual. No.
A lot different.
Spring had arrived, and she was wearing a warm-toned dress with a thin cardigan draped over it. The sight of her caught my eye.
It suited her hair, which had a subtle brown tint.
Seeing how much effort she'd put into getting ready for today made me suddenly self-conscious. I brushed off my shoulders, checking my shirt for any dust.
She wouldn't mistake me for a squid standing next to her, right?
"Jina~ Sorry. Did I keep you waiting long?"
I encouraged the pouting Lee Sea.
"Nah, I was on the massage chair, so it was fine. You look pretty today."
"R-Really? Hehe. Y-You look cool too, Jin..."
It was a polite compliment, but since some sincerity slipped in, Lee Sea shyly smiled and returned the praise.
She trotted over and stuck close to my side, a fresh fragrance wafting from her.
Wasn't she a bit too close? But pushing her away felt wrong, so I just stayed still.
Looking ahead, I glanced sideways and noticed a star-shaped hairpin near her ear. The one I'd given her for her birthday.
Confirming she was wearing it made me, the gift-giver, feel pretty good.
"Let's hurry. Aren't you hungry?"
Lee Sea asked with a worried look.
"Yeah, a little. What about you? Did you eat breakfast?"
"Yeah. But just a tiny bit, so I'm starving. Hee."
She placed a hand on her stomach and grinned playfully.
Lee Sea and I headed toward downtown.
I tend to trail behind people when walking, so the different viewpoint felt awkward, and I shoved my hands into my pockets, not knowing where else to put them.
"What do you want to eat, Jin?"
"I thought about it."
"Yeah?"
Hesitating even after her prompt, I finally steeled myself and spoke up.
"Uh... um. Do you like pasta?"
......Yeah, the lunch menu I'd decided on was pasta.
Don't girls like this kind of thing?
On dates and stuff, people usually have this for lunch, right?
I prayed Lee Sea wouldn't notice my hesitation.
If she caught on that I was overthinking it, I'd have ten years' worth of teasing material.
"I'll eat anything. You picked it because you wanted it, right? You don't have to worry about me."
Even if she said that, how many people would really pick without considering the other person at all?
"...Pasta just sounded good today."
If someone retorted that pasta was the only noodle option, I'd admit it was a lame excuse.
Anyway, I asked Lee Sea if she knew a good pasta place, and we headed to a spot she recommended.
Stepping inside, the classy interior caught my eye first.
Soothing classical music played in the shop, where a few customers were chatting quietly over their meals.
I half-expected a neatly dressed server to guide us and take our order, but instead, there was a kiosk for ordering at each table.
The weather was nice, so we took a window seat and started browsing the menu.
"Oh. They have a ton of pasta options."
"I'll have this one."
Lee Sea tapped the kiosk, adding clam pasta to the order.
Hmm. Then maybe I'll go for the 'Spicy Cream Pork Shoulder Stir-Fry Pasta'?
......What kind of unhinged pasta is that? But it's on the menu—how could I not try it?
It was a brilliant choice tailored to Korean tastes.
We each ordered a pasta main, but I figured we needed a salad in the middle, so I asked Lee Sea.
"Want anything else? Salad?"
"This one. Steak salad."
The fan-bone steak salad she pointed to looked delicious.
I nodded in agreement, and she quickly added it to the order.
"Order whatever drink you want. I'll get it for you."
"Heh. Then I'll take a cider, no holding back."
She even ordered my cola. With everything set, we sat and waited for the food.
Lee Sea leaned her head on my arm and stared right at me.
I was fiddling with my phone but felt her gaze and met her eyes.
"...Why are you staring like that?"
"Just. Wanted to look at you?"
Did she pick those words on purpose?
It tickled awkwardly, so I buried my face in my phone.
Lee Sea sometimes showed this sly, fox-like side. Guys like me could totally misread it.
Innocent flirting like that is dangerous for a total newbie like me.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Under Lee Sea's gaze, Seo Ijin smoothly averted his eyes.
Seeing no change in his expression at all, her confidence dipped for no reason.
Come on, I put in real effort to dress up today. Sheesh. At least look at me.
What funny thing was he seeing on his phone? Not even sparing me a glance...
Unconsciously, Lee Sea's lips puffed out in a pout.
This wasn't a date at all.
It was no different from two friends grabbing a casual meal.
How could she change that look on his face?
Pondering, she got an idea the moment their food arrived.
In the middle of eating, Lee Sea spoke up.
"Jina. Is that good?"
Seo Ijin, slurping noodles, looked up at her.
With food in his mouth, he nodded in response.
"I wanna try it."
Seo Ijin swallowed his bite and glanced at his pasta plate before replying.
"...Here. Try some."
He pushed the plate toward her.
But Lee Sea shook her head.
"Nope. Feed me. Hehe."
"......F-Feed you?"
Seo Ijin's poker face cracked at her words.
Lee Sea nodded and leaned forward.
After a brief hesitation, Seo Ijin twirled some pasta on his fork into a bite-sized portion.
"Ah..."
"Aah~"
The fork slipped neatly into Lee Sea's mouth.
She deliberately sucked on the fork.
Bad manners, sure... but she just wanted to.
'Hehe.'
Seeing Seo Ijin staring blankly at the fork, she smirked inwardly.
It worked.
That's definitely him being aware.
...He wouldn't think it's gross or anything. Right?
"Mmm~ Tasty. Want to try mine, Jin?"
".........Huh? Uh. Yeah."
To snap him out of staring at the fork she'd used, Lee Sea deliberately refocused him.
The way he ate her twirled clam pasta looked adorable to her.
She could see him carefully avoiding touching the fork with his lips.
Unable to hold back her laughter, Lee Sea pulled out a new fork and handed it to him.
"Pfft. Use this one."
"......You were totally teasing me on purpose."
"Sorry. Your face was too funny. Hehe."
Seeing her burst into laughter, Seo Ijin smirked, lifting the corner of his mouth as he took the fork.
"Fine. Let's eat. This place is good."
That was their little lunchtime exchange.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Does crowded places bother you, Jin? Wanna head to our neighborhood?"
After finishing lunch at the pasta place and stepping outside, Lee Sea suggested.
"Any good spots?"
"Walk around the park?"
She seemed to want some low-key healing time.
Not a bad idea.
This area was on the outskirts, not right in the city center, so it wasn't too bad.
But downtown would be packed with holiday crowds for sure.
"Sure, why not."
We could think about what to do next while walking.
Or just sit blankly with no thoughts.
That's how you rest on a holiday. What else could count as rest?
We retraced our steps back to the old town area.
The park was quiet and peaceful.
Back in the day, rest days like this would've been full of kids running around and noise.
Kids these days don't play outside much...
We strolled slowly along the park path.
It wasn't huge, but slowing our pace gave it a proper walk vibe.
"This is nice. Even smells like flowers."
"...Yeah."
Your 'nice' and my 'nice' might mean slightly different things.
But the park walk with Lee Sea was enjoyable.
We admired the colorful spring blossoms.
Sometimes chatting idly,
sometimes walking in silence for a few minutes.
We brushed off a bench and sat to rest for a bit.
"What now?"
At her question, I gazed at the distant mountains.
"Hmm."
Well...
Anything fun for two people?
Come to think of it, I had a similar dilemma last time.
Seeing me ponder, Lee Sea spoke first.
"How about a movie?"
"Movie sounds good."
Hearing my approval, she pulled out her phone and started searching.
Then she scooted close and held it in front of my face.
"This one? Looks fun, right?"
Her finger hovered ambiguously.
Uh... maybe pointing at that romance flick?
No? Could be the safe historical drama below it.
I'd seen ads for that one a few times.
Popular, so lots of promo. Probably what she meant.
"You don't mind, Jin, so this movie it is! Wait here a sec, then we'll go?"
As I opened my mouth to say something, she cut in first.
I swallowed my words and looked ahead again.
"Yeah. Let's do the movie."
We sat on the bench, enjoying a short break.
I could feel Lee Sea inching closer bit by bit.
Her clothes were thin; was she cold? Keeps leaning on me.