A Full Stomach and a Sincere Compliment
I went to Hyeji's restaurant and ate as much meat as I wanted. I ate until my stomach was about to burst, so walking was probably difficult.
"Senior, are you done eating? If you tell Mom, I can bring more."
"No, I'm full now. If I eat any more here, my stomach will explode. Or is it because of me that you didn't eat much?"
After sitting down, Hyeji kept serving me grilled meat, but she seemed to eat very little. Every now and then, she looked like she wasn't eating much, so I picked up some grilled meat with my chopsticks and gave it to her, but most of it went into my stomach.
"I'm fine. I usually eat meat often anyway. I like seeing you eat it deliciously~"
"Really? Yeah, the child of a jjajangmyeon house hates jjajangmyeon, they say. You might be similar. Anyway, I'm full now. Really, no more."
I touched my swollen belly and put down my chopsticks.
"I have to try your mom's doenjangjjigae that you said was delicious, but there's no space left for it, damn."
Normally, after meat, you eat rice with doenjangjjigae, but with all the meat, I couldn't eat it. My throat felt stuffed?
"I wanted to try the doenjangjjigae too... It's a bit of a shame."
"Really?!"
At that moment, Hyeji looked at me with sparkling eyes and exclaimed loudly.
"Then, I'll come again next time!"
"Huh?"
"The doenjangjjigae I couldn't eat today, let's eat it next time when I come to the restaurant. Okay?"
It felt like a promise was made in an instant. But there's no reason to refuse. The meat I ate today was really high quality, and Hyeji's grilling skills were excellent.
If I can eat it again, I'm good with that.
"But can I come again? I've gotten so much today... The price might be quite high."
"N-no, it's fine, senior! I can tell Mom that I handled it well. You don't have to worry about the tongue burden~"
Even though I feel like I ate too much, I feel bad for Hyeji. I really have to treat her well.
The reason I came here was also because of the ridiculous excuse of keeping the fact that Seoyeon appeared on her broadcast a secret.
"If there's anything I can help with, tell me. I'll help wholeheartedly. I ate too much good meat today, so I should say something like this."
"I'm fine... But I can't ignore your goodwill, so if there's anything, definitely! I'll consult with you, senior."
"Alright, then let's get up and go."
It was time to leave, so I stood up.
"I'll see you out!"
When I stood up, Hyeji also stood up.
"No, you don't have to. I can go back alone..."
"No! In this world, it's dangerous, so I can't send you back alone!"
This is the general perception in this world... I can't get used to it.
In the original world, there was almost no case of a man being overpowered by a woman, so for me who lived in this world, it might take a long time to get used to this treatment.
Moreover, even in the gender-reversed world, men still have physical superiority. So men go to the army.
At first, I thought this treatment was a bit strange. I thought even if women tried to overpower men, I could defend myself in a fight.
But after seeing some crime cases, I didn't feel that way at all. Apparently, women who really intend to overpower a man prepare tools to attack and knock him out.
There are people who threaten with knives or use stun guns?
These women are very few, but since there's no guarantee I won't be targeted, it's better to be cautious.
"Alright. Then I'll take some help."
"Yes, senior!"
When we decided to go together, Hyeji walked out of the room with a happy step.
"You don't have to clean up here, right?"
"Ah, Mom and Minjeong will do it on their own. We agreed in advance, so don't worry."
"Really? Then it's fine..."
I followed Hyeji out of the restaurant.
Hyeji's restaurant near the school, but it was a bit of a walk to the subway station. Hyeji said she would see me off until the subway station.
"With how much I ate, I might not eat dinner tomorrow?"
"Next time, I'll treat you to even better food."
"I ate it deliciously today, but is there something even better?"
Minho and Hyeji exchanged light banter while walking. As we approached the subway station, Hyeji's words gradually decreased.
From what I've seen of Hyeji, it seems like there's something she wants to say but is holding back.
When we arrived in front of the subway station, I was about to say goodbye as I moved ahead, but Hyeji spoke first.
"U-um, senior. Can I ask you something... really?"
"Hm? What's up?"
"Well..."
Hyeji hesitated, not looking up. What was she trying to ask? I had no idea what question it was.
"Well... when I was with Minjeong earlier... I heard what you said..."
Ah, so when I was in the room with Minjeong, the sound came out from outside. What story was that?
"My... chest... you said it was pretty, right? Is that real?"
The one line that stuck in my mind while being with senior today, and right before parting.
"Actually... I think it's pretty."
I wanted to confirm if that word was really senior's true feelings by recording it and listening to it over and over.
Even though I was alone, since I was with my younger sister Minjeong, it was probably said as a joke.
But I wanted to check senior's true feelings.
Even when senior ate the grilled meat I grilled, and when we walked together laughing, there was a corner in my heart that wanted to ask about this.
But on the other hand, I was too afraid to ask.
What if senior was lying? What if it was a lie?
In the end, if senior thought like other people that my chest was like a pig, it would hurt like a thorn in my heart.
I understood from head to toe that this reaction was normal, and that this thought was common.
Even if senior thought the same as others, I wouldn't give up on senior.
But even though my head understood, my heart would hurt, right?
So, while seeing senior off, I thought about asking this a lot.
Was it opening Pandora's box for no reason? They say ignorance is bliss, if I stay quiet, nothing hurts, but was I stirring it up unnecessarily?
If I parted with senior like this and met again at school tomorrow, it would be the same daily life...
I could live without knowing senior's true feelings...
But why was I...
Saying it out loud?
Probably, if it was usual, I wouldn't have said it. I wouldn't have thought about it as someone thinking negatively about me.
But I touched Pandora's box.
Why did I ask that!
Senior's reaction to my question was clear, he was surprised!
If I just stayed quiet, this relationship could continue.
Probably, if someone else said the same, I wouldn't have cared at all. I was sure they would hate it inside even if they said it that way.
But the reason I reached out to Pandora's box... was because I wanted to know so much about Minho senior, wasn't it?
"Ah, so you heard that story... I thought you didn't hear."
At the moment I saw senior's surprised face stumbling over words, my mind cleared.
What kind of thing did I say!
"Ah, that's not it... Sorry, senior! I didn't mean to eavesdrop. Please forget the question just now..."
"Well, that thing I said to Minjeong then, it wasn't a lie."
Eh?
Senior's words that interrupted my words pierced deep into my heart.
"I've said it before, I never thought you were fat. Rather... hah! I thought you were pretty."
Eh... eh?
"So, that thing just now wasn't a lie. It's a bit embarrassing to say in front of you, but I think your chest... is pretty. Saying it directly makes my hands and feet cramp."
Eh...
I couldn't answer to senior's words and just stood there quietly.
I felt senior's unbelievable answers one by one squeezing into my chest.
Senior checked the time on his phone, then suddenly turned his body in surprise.
"Ah, the subway is coming. Then Hyeji, see you tomorrow! Bye~"
Senior unilaterally said goodbye to me and ran to the subway station.
I just stared blankly at that sight, and my legs gave way, sitting down on the spot. Was it because of the huge shock?
Fortunately, it wasn't a negative thing, but...
Honestly, I don't know what happened just now.
Senior looked at me...
And said I was pretty?
I had never heard such words since birth. Dad or Mom hadn't said anything like that to me.
But... a man named Minho senior who wasn't even family, I never imagined he would say I was pretty. I thought even if he didn't dislike my large chest, it would be the best.
I... am pretty...
It might not be senior's true feelings. Maybe he said it as a joke before parting.
But... no matter what, it was the first time I heard it.
Even though senior had left and disappeared, for a while I couldn't move, staring at the subway station where Minho senior had gone.
If I moved even a little, it felt like my pounding heart would burst.