Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 068
Chapter Title: One Question and a Handful of Courage
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A well-behaved cat climbs onto the stove first.
Suddenly struck by the proverb flashing through his mind, Ahn Su-ho looked at Chae So-yeon. It was truly fitting for the situation. The Chae So-yeon in front of him wasn't particularly well-behaved or cat-like, but seeing her—who had seemed like she'd drop first—cleverly taking charge of the drinking game made him think there was no better metaphor than that proverb.
"Ugh."
Ahn Su-ho rubbed his chest to soothe his queasy stomach. To his left, Kang Ha-neul was covering her mouth with a flushed face, and to his right, Ji Ye-won let out a heavy sigh while clutching her half-empty glass. Watching her, Chae So-yeon, sitting across from Ahn Su-ho, said,
"What are you doing? Hurry up and drink. Penalties are supposed to be downed in one shot, but I'm being nice here?"
She grinned mischievously. Ji Ye-won, who'd been grimacing at the sharp, almost nauseating alcohol scent, finally couldn't resist and downed her glass.
Gulp.
Her throat pulsed seductively. With a pained groan of "Kuhhh," she glared daggers at Chae So-yeon. Unfazed, Chae So-yeon just giggled and pointed at the bottle.
"Alright, let's pick the next questioner! Who's spinning this time?"
"...I'll do it."
Kang Ha-neul spun the bottle. It rattled across the table, spinning round and round before coming to a stop, pointing at Chae So-yeon. A sly smile spread across Chae So-yeon's lips.
Meanwhile, the other three faces grew even paler. Kang Ha-neul, who'd spun it, sighed as if to say, "Of course."
"Me again? Hehe. Sorry I seem to be the only one asking questions. So, who'll it be this time? Eheheng."
Chae So-yeon grabbed the bottle and spun it again. Tension flickered across the faces of the remaining three.
'How did it come to this?'
At that moment, coincidentally, the same thought crossed all three of their minds. Watching the bottle spin, Ahn Su-ho replayed what had happened earlier.
...30 minutes ago. Unable to agree on whether to go clockwise or counterclockwise for the questioner order, Kang Ha-neul and Ji Ye-won eventually made a new rule: the questioner would also be decided by spinning the bottle.
That was just a minor hiccup. The problem came after.
The second questioner spin. The first questioner, Chae So-yeon, spun it. No one objected. With everyone's tacit approval, she spun it gleefully. The result? She became the second questioner and asked Ji Ye-won about her panty color, making her take a penalty shot.
That was still understandable. But the real issue was next.
For the third, fourth, fifth questions and beyond. The bottle for picking the questioner unerringly pointed at Chae So-yeon every time. By then, the other three sensed something off. They tried having someone else spin, switched bottles, but eerily, it kept pointing at Chae So-yeon.
That was already the 13th time.
Under the suspiciously lucky Chae So-yeon's lead, Ahn Su-ho had been questioned three times, Ji Ye-won four, and Kang Ha-neul six. And all three had taken penalties for most of them. They had no choice. Chae So-yeon's questions were, to put it nicely, devastating; to put it bluntly, cruel. For example, one she threw at Ahn Su-ho was...
'Kang Ha-neul's bust is bigger than Ji Ye-won's, and Ji Ye-won's hips are bigger than Kang Ha-neul's! So, Ahn Su-ho! Bust guy or hip guy?'
...Something like that. How could Ahn Su-ho answer without minding the two women? Chae So-yeon might be dim-witted, but she was a master at putting others in awkward spots. As a result, the insane 96-proof Spirytus was long gone, and now they were mixing the remnants for penalties.
At this point, someone should suggest stopping, but aside from Ahn Su-ho, no one wanted to end this torturous game. Chae So-yeon was having too much fun to quit, and Ji Ye-won and Kang Ha-neul were gritfully enduring, determined to pry the truth about Ahn Su-ho's relationship from each other. Ahn Su-ho suggesting they stop alone wouldn't fly.
"Okay! It's Ji Ye-won this time! Hold on! Let me think of a question!"
But for Ji Ye-won and Kang Ha-neul, Chae So-yeon's dominance wasn't entirely welcome. At this pace, one might pass out before the other.
"Heh."
However, their worries were soon resolved. Bored of everyone else taking penalties, Chae So-yeon started downing shots alone and soon passed out on her own.
"Uhhe, heheng... My turn again... Heheheng..."
Her eyes spinning, Chae So-yeon flopped backward. In her dragonkin state, she could've handled the buzz, but the transformation had ended long ago. That was right when she'd claimed her 20th questioning turn.
Looking at Chae So-yeon sprawled out, snoring softly, Ahn Su-ho said calmly,
"So-yeon's down too, so maybe we should wrap this up—"
"What are you talking about? We're just getting started."
"Exactly. The night's still young, right?"
Instant replies. Neither had been questioner even once; no way they'd stop. Brushing off Ahn Su-ho's suggestion, they both reached for the bottle. Their eyes met, they glanced warily, then subtly pushed it toward Ahn Su-ho.
Ahn Su-ho groaned uncomfortably. Tipsy as he was, with the buffer Chae So-yeon out, continuing the truth game would surely spark trouble between them. Staring at the bottle before him, they glared daggers. Finally, reluctantly, he spun it.
-Whirr.
The roulette for the 21st questioner spun wildly.
And soon, its neck pointed at Ji Ye-won.
"Good. My turn to spin."
Moments later, it pointed at Kang Ha-neul. Meaning Ji Ye-won had the right to question Kang Ha-neul. Finally, the moment had come. Taking a deep breath, Ji Ye-won stared sharply at Kang Ha-neul.
"Kang Ha-neul."
At her call, Kang Ha-neul met her eyes. Lips twitching as she hesitated, it made Kang Ha-neul anxious about what question was coming.
"Is there anyone here you like?"
The instant she heard it, Kang Ha-neul's heart sank. It wasn't outright asking if she liked Ahn Su-ho, but the implication was clear. He was the only man there.
Kang Ha-neul broke into a cold sweat from tension. Ji Ye-won was the same. One was tense about revealing her feelings, the other about learning them. And Ahn Su-ho, caught between them, swallowed dryly as the atmosphere thickened.
"I..."
Blushing furiously, Kang Ha-neul trailed off.
Should she just say it? Use this chance to confess she liked Ahn Su-ho. Would he accept if she said it right here? Would this woman back off then? All sorts of thoughts raced through her mind.
Kang Ha-neul stared at her glass. Even lying that she liked no one felt wrong. So, say yes or take the penalty—what difference? Even dodging with a penalty, Ahn Su-ho or Ji Ye-won could guess her feelings.
'In that case...'
Better to confess cleanly. Boldly say she liked Ahn Su-ho. She thought that, but her lips wouldn't move. No voice came. Fear held her back.
Yes, fear.
Of him rejecting her if she confessed.
Maybe he and this woman were already involved, and she was just a close junior or little sister to him.
This creeping anxiety choked her; she couldn't declare her feelings proudly. It was just one word, one step—a handful of courage away—but she lacked it.
-Gulp!
In the end, Kang Ha-neul downed the penalty. Escapism. Eyes closed, ears covered. By not denying, they'd guessed, but since she didn't say it, they couldn't bring it up. That was her aim.
As long as she didn't confess outright, no rejection from Ahn Su-ho. At least avoiding the worst. Pure escapism.
"..."
At her cautious, stubborn choice, Ji Ye-won wore a bitter expression.
"...I'll spin this time."
Emptying her glass, Kang Ha-neul spun the bottle with shaky hands. Her eyes were already glazed. The penalties plus that last shot were the knockout. Even resetting her buzz with Avatar once, she was at her limit. Yet, propping her heavy head with one hand, she spun it—slow but desperate.
The neck pointed at herself. Spinning again, it pointed at Ji Ye-won.
Kang Ha-neul had questioning rights over Ji Ye-won. Ji Ye-won couldn't dodge. That was the agreement. Especially since she'd answered Ji Ye-won's question earlier.
"Ye-won unnie..."
The words rose to her throat, swirling endlessly. Again, she lacked that handful of courage. But borrowing the alcohol's boldness, she tossed it out.
"Ye-won unnie, do you like anyone here?"
Ji Ye-won bowed her head. Pondered. Looked up at the ceiling, then at Kang Ha-neul, the lined-up bottles, the sprawled Chae So-yeon, finally at Ahn Su-ho watching her troubled. Thoughts raced, but she decided quickly.
"No. No one."
Ji Ye-won smiled brightly. A forced, bitter smile. Ahn Su-ho doubted its truth.
Of course it was a lie. Ji Ye-won knew her feelings for Ahn Su-ho, small as they were, were romantic. Yet she lied.
No real compulsion in a drinking game like this. If lying, what couldn't she say?
However.
"Heh. Really?"
Kang Ha-neul was genuinely pleased at the false answer. She grinned wide. Was it foolish drunkenness or a knowing victory smile? Neither Ji Ye-won, Ahn Su-ho, nor Kang Ha-neul knew.
But that smile soured Ji Ye-won's face further.
-Thud.
Soon, Kang Ha-neul contentedly face-planted on the table. A faint light popped as her ability released. But no signs of waking. Even breaths leaked out like she was asleep. The two realized she'd passed out from the booze.
-...
Silence fell over the suddenly quiet drinking session. Ji Ye-won and Ahn Su-ho avoided each other's eyes, staring at the table or floor.
"...Congrats."
Ji Ye-won spoke first. Still not meeting his gaze, staring at the bit of liquor under her glass, Ahn Su-ho asked,
"For what?"
"The question I asked. You could've just said no, but you took the penalty. Must've been too embarrassed to say you like him outright. Obvious, right?"
"..."
"They say a four-year gap doesn't matter for compatibility. Good for you."
Her voice lacked strength, seeming sad or resigned. Ahn Su-ho tried to check her face, but she turned away, dodging his gaze.
"Ji Ye-won. I—"
"Anyway, what about these two? No plans to put anyone up tonight. Guess we'll lay out general bedding."
Ji Ye-won cut him off deliberately. Avoiding his eyes, she pulled blankets from the closet and spread them on the floor, then moved the half-asleep Kang Ha-neul and Chae So-yeon onto them.
"I'll help."
"No need. Even passed out, they're girls; doesn't look right if you touch them."
That reminded Ahn Su-ho of the past. The day he first met Ji Ye-won. He'd carried her, stunned by Chae So-yeon's taser, to the next room. And not just that—he'd changed her urine-soaked clothes and washed her. No choice. Couldn't leave her in that crusty, stinking outfit. Chae So-yeon had left to fetch clothes anyway.
Yes, no choice. And blushing at the memory now? Also no choice.
"Come to think of it, you carried me here when I passed out."
Coincidentally, Ji Ye-won recalled the same. Waking in a strange room, pants off, just a blanket—total panic. Glancing at Ahn Su-ho, he awkwardly looked away.
"That's already almost two months ago."
'Back then, I never imagined we'd end up like this.'
He was an academy guard; she, a ruthless crime syndicate member. Temporary alliance for mutual gain, sure, but never thought they'd get close.
Yet here they were, casually sharing drinks in her studio like old pals.
Ji Ye-won gazed quietly at Ahn Su-ho. With Dawn Corps gone and her closest friend vanished, he was her rock, her closest confidant. Sure, she had academy classmates from infiltration, but never opened up to them. To him, though? Somehow spilled all her pent-up emotions. Not everything, but...
'What if I confess now...'
Gazing sidelong at Ahn Su-ho, Ji Ye-won thought.
With Kang Ha-neul asleep, if she confessed her feelings.
Said what Kang Ha-neul was too shy to: I like you.
What would he do? Accept? Reject? Recalling his reaction to Kang Ha-neul's penalty—he seemed to have some feelings for her. But for herself?
'Putting your life in someone else's hands? Are you sane? What the hell is freedom worth?'
Ji Ye-won remembered moving-in day. Ahn Su-ho raging like it was his own plight at her life pawned to Min Chae-ryeong. His unusually emotional grimace.
His genuine worry pleased her. But hesitating when asked why saddened her. Nodding reluctantly to her sarcasm—that she was just a student to his guard—left regret. Sure, not the only reason, but she wished for more.
She hadn't known then, but now she could say: she sought not just romance, but solace through him. Betraying her lifelong group, losing her best friend, alone—she leaned on him, acted spoiled for peace of mind.
But that was her feelings, her needs.
Relationships can't be one-sided. Dumping unprepared emotions on someone just burdens them—Ji Ye-won knew that. What mattered was his feelings for her.
'So, what about Ahn Su-ho?'
Would he offer his chest if she leaned in need?
Probably. Comfort her pain, hold her sorrow. Always snippy on the surface, but that's who he was.
But what if it was pity, not love? Human decency, not affection? Pity-driven kindness, patience, care have limits. Clinging blindly might make her a nuisance.
That scared her.
But with the alcohol now, she could ignore it. Pretend drunken slip, confess casually—why not?
"Ahn Su-ho."
She called him. Her calm voice, contrasting flushed cheeks, made him compose himself.
"I have something to say. Can we go to your room?"
Silence.
"...Sure."
Ahn Su-ho nodded, half-expecting it. Relieved yet worried, Ji Ye-won shook her head to dispel the anxiety.
They roughly cleared the drinking mess, dimmed the lights for the sleepers, and quietly moved to the next room.
In the darkened studio, only the steady breaths of the two drunk women echoed softly.