Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Date with Lumi
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Sunday morning, I dragged my sluggish body out of bed, stretched, and did some stretches to wake up my sleepy muscles.
Today, I had plans to watch a movie with Lumi. None other than Idol Party: The Movie.
To be honest, I had no idea what Idol Party even was or what it was about. I just wasn't into that kind of thing at all.
Still, if I was going to watch it with her, I should do some research beforehand. It was only polite to Lumi.
I searched for "Idol Party" on Namuwiki.
"Idol Party... What the heck is this?"
It was about students at a school on the brink of closure who form their own idol group, gain fame, and ultimately save the school.
What kind of anime is this?
Thanks to that, I also learned what gacha and limited events were.
Otaku sure are detailed and thorough about the anime they love.
To avoid getting caught in any lies, I picked a random character and made her my favorite.
I even dove into her personal page, memorizing everything from her profile to her songs, dance moves, and usual hairstyles.
"This makes me a perfect otaku."
I had successfully possessed a flawless otaku.
Glancing at the time, it was about time to head out.
I'd already gotten ready, so I just threw on my coat and left the dorm.
The theater we agreed to meet at was close to the academy, so I arrived quickly. I looked around, but Lumi hadn't shown up yet.
📜 NEW QUEST 📜 [Memorable First Date!]
Your first date partner is Lumi!
Lumi is extremely looking forward to her first private meetup with a friend!
Give Lumi an unforgettable memory!
🎁 Reward: 2 Random Stats
Oh, a quest popped up.
An unforgettable memory? That sounds kinda tough.
I accepted the quest and sat on a nearby bench, spacing out to kill time, when a thought suddenly hit me.
Come to think of it, how long had it been since I last went on a date with a girl?
Suddenly, I felt nervous. I hadn't been thinking about it before, but now that I realized it...
Thump thump.
My heart was starting to race.
"Never thought this day would come."
I pulled out one of the calming pills the crazy old pharmacist had given me and popped it in. I chased it down with some water.
"What are you taking?"
"Cough cough! Inhale!"
"A-Are you okay? Sorry! It's my fault!"
"No, no. I'm fine."
Lumi had come in a bright dress, her long black hair tied back with a red ribbon hair tie. It was my first time seeing her in casual clothes, and honestly, it made my heart skip.
She had this pure charm that flowed effortlessly, paired with a petite, cute figure that couldn't hide her ample curves—an unbalanced allure that screamed she'd put a lot of effort into getting ready.
"But seriously, what was that? Candy?"
"A calming pill. I was nervous."
"What's a calming pill?"
"Mm, think of it as medicine that relaxes your nerves and cools your body temperature. I took it because I was nervous about our date with Lumi."
Lumi's face gradually turned red as she listened, and she bowed her head deeply.
"Y-Yes? D-Date? W-Well, I think it's better to take things step by step slowly, but, um, of course, I'm not saying I don't like it—actually, I do like it, but..."
Her fingers twisting together frantically as she fretted was incredibly cute.
"Just kidding. But do you want to make it a real date?"
"Huh? No, ugh... Don't tease me."
Lumi realized I was messing with her when she looked at my face. I should've held back the laugh.
"Let's head in quick. Even if there are plenty of seats, better safe than sorry. And we need to grab popcorn."
"Yeah, let's go!"
We entered the theater.
As I tried to buy tickets from the automated machine, there was a poster next to it.
[Couples using couple seats get an extra image board and photo cards!]
Lumi's eyes soon landed on it too.
"Urk!"
She made a weird noise, glancing back and forth between the poster and the machine.
Then she slowly turned to me, our eyes meeting. Her sparkling eyes conveyed her wish without words.
Guess I should play along here. I'd come prepared as an otaku, after all.
"Lumi, wanna do couple seats? They give out image boards and photo cards."
"Ah, yes! Sounds good! Couple seats it is!"
Her excitement shot up the moment we went for couple seats.
Is it that great?
Anyway, we booked the couple seats, grabbed popcorn, and headed into the screening room.
"We're the only guy-girl couple here?"
"...Yeah."
Surprisingly, all ten or so couple seats were occupied by same-sex pairs.
They even had glow sticks. Why are there glow sticks in a theater?
And why was Lumi's eyes sparkling at them?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Sniff, sniff..."
"...Don't cry."
Lumi was seriously into Idol Party.
They said this was the final movie in the series, and about ten minutes before it ended, she started sniffling, and now outside the theater, tears were streaming down her face.
"Here, take my cards. Stop crying after this."
I handed over the cards from the couple seats, the standard poster perk, and even coupons usable in-game.
"Ho-yeon! You don't just give precious stuff like this to anyone!"
"Take it when I offer. If you refuse, I won't offer again."...
"Sorry... I don't want to refuse, but I really want it... Sniff."
Lumi, bawling but still taking everything. Like a cute puppy. If I had money, I'd have bought more, but after donating to the orphanage, I was really broke.
"Instead, let's go grab lunch. I'm hungry."
"Yes! I'll treat you to some delicious tteokbokki! Let's go!"
Tteokbokki again. I didn't hate it, so whatever.
"Here! Over here~!"
Lumi, rushing ahead at the thought of tteokbokki, pointed to a place called "Grandpa Yeokjeon Soju."
"Lumi, no matter how I look at it, this is a bar."
"They say the tteokbokki here is amazing. It's even famous on Everyday!"
"Really? Alright then."
We entered the shop together. Ding-a-ling.
"Welcome~ Table for two?"
"Yes."
"Right this way~."
We were seated at a cozy corner table for two.
"One beef brisket and gopchang tteokbokki, please!"
"Got your order!"
"Is that the famous tteokbokki?"
"Yes! It was all over Everyday. I wanted to come, but Lucy doesn't like tteokbokki..."
Ah, she couldn't come alone without friends. Back in the day, I struggled to eat out alone too, but once I got used to it, it was actually more comfortable.
Wait, but this is a bar—can you even come alone?
"Lumi, is there something you've always wanted to try?"
"Why do you ask?"
Her bright, curious gaze was a bit intimidating. Telling her straight up, "I'm gonna make you an unforgettable memory," felt kinda criminal.
"Just... stuff you wanted to do but couldn't. We could do it together now?"
"Aha, Ho-yeon, you're too nice... But I'm already having so much fun!"
Sigh, fine. She's too pure and sweet; it's hard to bring it up myself.
"Tteokbokki's here!"
Perfect timing—the server brought it over, smoothly shifting the topic.
"Wow, who thinks to put beef brisket and gopchang in tteokbokki?!"
Lumi skewered some brisket, gopchang, and rice cake on her chopsticks and shoved it in her mouth.
"Mmm~"
She shook her head side to side wildly. Like a dog shaking off water.
Why do I keep thinking of her as a puppy? Her face isn't puppy-like, but her actions are pure doggo.
Her lips curved up happily, so it must be tasty. Head not spinning?
Curious, I took a bite too.
"Whoa, this is seriously good."
"Right? So good!"
No greasiness—just nutty, chewy gopchang, brisket with a smoky grill scent like it'd been seared once, and springy rice cakes. Really delicious.
"Makes me crave booze."
"Booze craving flavor?"
"Yeah, perfect with a shot of soju."
"...Should we order some?"
"Booze? I'm fine with it, but do you drink well?"
"Actually, I've never tried it. Hehe."
Found it. Unforgettable memory. Learning to drink for the first time—that's gotta stick, right? Is it okay to teach a pure girl like this? Better me than some bad guys causing trouble someday.
"Really? Then let's do it together this time."
"Yes! Sounds good!"
Ding-dong—
"Boss! Two bottles of soju here, please!"
"Coming right up~"
But soju might be too harsh for a first-timer.
"Boss, make one grapefruit soju!"
I vaguely remembered hearing girls like fruit soju. Switched one bottle to grapefruit.
The drinks and glasses arrived. I poured soju for Lumi.
She poured one for me too. First time getting a drink from a pretty girl—weird feeling.
Instead of staring at some dude's mug, sneaking peeks at a girl's chest. Poignant moment.
"Okay, cheers first, then toast with the shot glass and eat. Cheers."
"Cheers!"
Clink clink.
"Kuh."
First alcohol since possessing this world. Been a while, so it hit extra bitter.
Maybe Lee Ho-yeon's body had never touched booze before.
Lumi hadn't even finished half her glass.
"Ugh, so bitter. Blech."
"Have some tteokbokki. Next round, I'll pour this—it's sweeter."
"Okaay... But this is too bitter, can't do it..."
"Give it here, I'll take it."
I grabbed her glass and downed the half-shot remaining.
"Th-That's the one I sipped from..."
"Ah. Sorry. Felt bad wasting it since you couldn't finish."
"I-It's fine."
Nom.
Lumi poked some tteokbokki into her mouth, cheeks flushed.
"Ahem, wanna try the grapefruit soju? It's really good."
Whenever things got awkward, another drink usually smoothed it over.
"Yes. Pour me one."
Lumi stared at the soju bottle and glass like a general heading into battle.
It's just one shot—why so dramatic?
I poured grapefruit for her, regular for me, and we cheers'd again.
Cheers!
Clink clink.
"Mm, a bit bitter, but sweet enough to drink."
"Good. Glad I got the one grapefruit."
"But they say you get drunk from booze—when do I get drunk?"
"Varies by person. Feel any better mood or hot face?"
"Hmm... Not really thoughh..."
Lumi mumbled, hand to her forehead.
Looks like her tongue's already slurring to me, Lumi.
"I think I'm good at thish— one more!"
"Maybe slow down a bit?"
"Cheers!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Ugee..."
"I said to drink slowly."
"Kyyaa... Head huuurts..."
Pat pat.
After leaving the bar, I was gently patting Lumi's back right in the middle of the street.
I told her to go slow, but she chugged five in a row and was totally gone.
If you're this weak to alcohol, you'd usually feel the heat or headache or something. Is getting blackout drunk a heroine's inevitable fate?
"Sleeeepy..."
"No, can't sleep here or you're done for. Lumi, Lumi?"
"Ughhh..."
Plop. She collapsed. I hooked my arm under hers and hauled her up.
Shaking her did nothing; she wasn't waking.
"Uwaaah..."
"...She's out cold."
Totally wasted. Can't just leave her, so what now?
"..."
A brightly lit sign glowed one block ahead.
[Grand Motel]
"No choice. Yeah. No choice."
Really, no choice. For real.