Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Sunday #2
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"But even with all those friends, it seems you never really went out to play? You looked so amazed whenever we went around places together."
At my question, Seong Yurin pouted and looked away.
"They wouldn't let me go out much until middle school. This is actually a lot freer for me now. My sister started being a lot more considerate after she turned eighteen."
"Ah. That... Arin noona?"
I recalled the sister I'd met at Seong Yurin's mansion on Lee Sea's birthday.
For a split second, Seong Yurin's eyes flashed toward me.
"......"
"What."
"Haa. Never mind. ...Hey, Ijin. Try calling me once?"
"......Seong Yurin?"
Oof—
With an irritated huff, she suddenly kicked my leg.
The tip of her foot stung a bit. You...
I rubbed my leg and chuckled playfully.
I knew why she was acting like that.
"I'm kidding. Yurin."
"......Eut."
She quickly looked away again.
Her flushed face made it hard to tell if it was from the cold or embarrassment.
Even I felt a little embarrassed after saying it.
I'd decided to call them by name to keep some distance, but it still didn't roll off the tongue easily.
Just as Seong Yurin was about to continue, the food arrived.
"Let's eat and talk slowly."
"Yeah."
No wonder the lemonade seemed pricey—it came in a big bottle like this.
I poured some into an empty glass and pushed it toward Seong Yurin.
"You drink too."
"O-okay."
After wetting her throat with lemonade, Seong Yurin picked up where she'd left off.
"So... that's my excuse. Just a past that seems like minor bad luck."
She calmly twirled her pasta, but contrary to her words, a hint of sadness seeped through.
I offered some comfort.
"I don't see it as an excuse or something trivial. So don't put yourself down like that."
Seong Yurin cautiously lifted her eyes to look at me.
"Hearing your story makes me understand what probably happened that day."
I finished speaking and popped a piece of steak into my mouth.
Chew chew. The medium-well meat, nicely flavorful, filled my mouth along with the sauce.
Only then did Seong Yurin relax her expression, smiling faintly as she continued eating.
"Thanks. You're... really a good person."
"More than just having a good personality or being kind... you're smart, good at reading people, thoughtful, and considerate. And it's not fake... That's why I..."
Seong Yurin trailed off, lowering her head to poke at her pasta.
...That last part.
Even someone as oblivious as me could tell what she meant now.
A brief silence fell. As I was about to say something, she cut me off first.
"S-sorry. I didn't mean to bring this up now. I should explain about Sea and Jiu first."
I nodded awkwardly, at a loss for words.
"Since you already have a rough idea, this'll be easier. ...Anyway, the culprit that day was me."
She set down her fork and continued.
I listened attentively, slowly eating my pilaf without much reaction.
Starting from the conversation she'd had with Yoon Jiu when she called him out for a private meal.
The reason she'd suggested going out just the two of us.
And how she'd 'coincidentally' run into Yoon Jiu and Lee Sea at the theater.
Why she'd had that talk with him at the snack counter.
How they'd ended up sitting right next to each other in the screening room.
Lee Sea leaving with her, then returning to the screening room teary-eyed.
...And finally, Seong Yurin herself bursting into tears in my arms.
After laying it all out—not a short story—Seong Yurin reached for the lemonade bottle with trembling arms to refill her empty glass.
I steadied it with one hand, and she nodded in thanks before drinking.
"I don't even know why I cried then... I just felt like I'd ruined everything. I guess that's why."
I listened to everything in silence.
First off...
...I wasn't really angry.
I finally understood that subtle annoyance I'd felt seeing Yoon Jiu and Lee Sea together that day, but that understanding didn't lead to anger now.
Probably because my own feelings for Lee Sea were still up in the air.
If I truly liked her, I'd be furious.
The fact that I wasn't that mad might have been what gave Seong Yurin confidence to act.
If things had gone as she planned, it really could have been a happy ending.
But it was doomed to fail because she'd underestimated Lee Sea's feelings too much.
This had made me reflect on Lee Sea—and not just her, but everyone else too.
Am I the kind of person who can give them the happy response they deserve...?
I hope my clumsy ways don't end up hurting them instead.
As I pondered that, I noticed Seong Yurin staring at me, her movements stopped.
"Ah. Let's eat first. It's getting cold."
"......Yeah."
I didn't give a clear answer about her story, but since I didn't seem too upset, she looked a bit relieved and picked up her utensils again.
We finished the meal together—her heart much lighter after spilling everything.
Well, less from just saying it and more from my reaction, probably.
After downing the last sip of my drink, the table was spotless.
I took the bill to the counter, paid, and we headed out.
"It's gotten even chillier."
The wind was howling outside now, cold enough that even I felt it.
I watched Seong Yurin beside me fix her clothes.
Struggling a bit, she slowly buttoned the top buttons.
"...Let me do it."
"Ah..."
While she did one, I buttoned the rest.
"...Thanks."
She mumbled into her coat collar.
I pulled her hat down over her head and headed to the roadside.
"Let's take a taxi. I'll see you home."
"Ah, okay."
Even in that short time waiting, she sniffled from the cold wind.
I'd tried to shield her as much as possible, but it didn't work well.
Thankfully, an empty cab came by soon.
These days everyone books via app, so empty ones are rare—perfect timing since I'd been debating calling one.
We sat in the back, heading to her place.
Glancing over, her face looked worse than I'd thought.
"You. Go straight to bed with some medicine when you get home."
"Ah, got it."
Her face was bright red—not normal at all.
Seeing my worry, she looked up at me slightly.
"Um..."
"Yeah?"
"Hand... hold mine?"
"......"
I silently offered my hand and grabbed hers.
She usually had cool hands, but these were burning hot.
Her right hand, intertwined with my left, wriggled.
Then her fingers hooked with mine.
As I watched quietly, she loosened a bit and locked our pinkies.
This is kinda embarrassing...
I tried not to think about it, but there we were, fingers laced with a beautiful girl in the back of a taxi.
...Tch.
Am I catching her cold?
My face feels hot.
......Guess I should take some medicine when I get home.
Excusing it to myself like that, we rode to her house without letting go.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The driver gawked at the mansion's size. After paying, I walked Seong Yurin to the gate.
The familiar butler took her inside.
He bowed nearly 90 degrees to me in thanks, so I bowed back, waving it off—a little awkward exchange.
Didn't expect someone old enough to be my dad to bow so formally without hesitation... impressive professionalism.
I politely declined his offer to call a car home— a bit overwhelming—and left the mansion.
On the way back, I kept clenching and unclenching my hand, shoving it in my pocket.
...Yeah. The warmth from a pocket can't compare to the warmth from a person.
Knowing that warmth was all for me.
A pleasant sensation filled my body.
Earning someone's goodwill.
Being liked by others.
Having feelings directed at you.
It was a new, warm happiness I'd never felt before.
The air around me was still cold. But who cares.
My body was heating up so much I felt hot.
With a grin I couldn't suppress, I walked home.