Chapter 132
Chapter 132
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: 44. Predicament (3)
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"You need to study."
"Study what?"
"Horror stuff? Wanna watch a movie with me?"
That day, they decided to go out alone together for the first time in a while, just Yoo Ji-tae and Bom.
She was wearing a man-to-man oversized hoodie much larger than her frame and short shorts.
"How do I look?"
Bom asked.
She spread her arms wide, looking like a flying squirrel.
"Looks good."
Bom nodded.
He'd wondered what horror movie could be playing when summer wasn't even here yet, but sure enough, there was a horror flick showing.
The theater in Lair's entertainment district wasn't crowded. It was late at night, closing time approaching, and the movie itself didn't seem popular.
It was practically a private screening. Yoo Ji-tae and Bom watched the horror movie just the two of them.
The film started with a happy family adopting a possessed baby.
It wasn't fun.
At some point during the movie, Bom zoned out. Yoo Ji-tae didn't pay much mind. She did that several times a day anyway. Probably 'Eyes of Providence' showing her some random providence. He hoped it hadn't broken her immersion.
"How was it?"
Bom asked after the movie ended.
"Boring."
"Same. Scary?"
"The kid charging with a knife wasn't bad."
"Right? That scene for me too."
"Study done?"
"Yeah."
Then Bom went to the bathroom.
Yoo Ji-tae waited outside for a few minutes. He briefly wondered why she needed the bathroom but decided not to dwell.
Soon, they took the elevator. Even the theater elevator was empty due to closing time. Yoo Ji-tae stood still. Bom did too.
Nothing happened.
The theater was on a high floor, requiring an elevator change. But with closing time, the other elevator was off. So Yoo Ji-tae led Bom to the emergency stairs. They quietly descended the silent staircase.
Nothing happened.
For some reason, when they exited the building, Bom stopped in her tracks.
Her sullen eyes stared at him. Her slightly furrowed brows made her look like a puppy whose snack had been stolen.
"What."
"Why?"
"Huh."
"What's up?"
He thought it again for the umpteenth time, but Bom sure knew how to communicate efficiently. And as a regressor, he sensed she was displeased about something right now.
He had no idea why.
"Oh. Wanna hit a cafe?"
Her dinner hadn't looked too happy.
Maybe a cafe would cheer her up.
"Sure."
Whenever they went to a cafe, Yoo Ji-tae always ordered an Americano. He didn't feel much from food anyway. But Bom always suggested something new for him.
"Cafe mocha."
"Yes, ma'am. Iced? Whipped cream on top?"
"Yes. Two."
It seemed like a chocolate-flavored coffee drink today.
After getting their order, Yoo Ji-tae sat with Bom on small, uncomfortable chairs. The chairs were close together. The table was oddly low.
"They make it like this for photos."
"Photos?"
"It's pretty here, right?"
He looked around but couldn't tell. It definitely felt uncomfortable somehow.
Yoo Ji-tae sipped through the straw. Sweetness, coffee aroma, chocolate scent. No real conversation. As he drank steadily, Bom asked.
"Not eating the whipped cream?"
"Nah."
"Why?"
"No reason. Why do you?"
"Tasty? Try it."
Then Bom scooped whipped cream with his straw and offered it. When he reached for the straw, she pulled away. When he withdrew, she pushed it to his mouth again. Insisting he eat it dead or alive.
"......"
"Come on."
He had no choice but to eat. A bit sweet. A hint of milk's richness and scent.
"How's it?"
"Meh."
"I see."
Still, Bom kept scooping and feeding him whipped cream. And Yoo Ji-tae kept eating.
Streetlights glowed brightly outside the window. Bom stopped gesturing and gazed into the distance. Yoo Ji-tae found himself looking at some far-off street in Lair too.
Come to think of it.
Today felt unusually long with just the two of them.
At least once during that long time, he'd thought about teasing her, putting her in a predicament.
But he hadn't.
To the regressor, the image of a 'mischievous Green Dragon' was very new.
The Green Dragon he'd seen, lived with, remembered had never done such a thing.
Not once in over 50 years.
Recalling back then, their relationship had been close to the worst.
She wouldn't listen to a word he said.
Stubbornly refused his requests.
Slapped her when she begged. Tied her up somewhere.
The voice from the end of his 6th cycle, cursing him and vowing never to forget this day, still echoed in his ears.
'But you ruined it all.'
It was a disaster born from his excessive greed.
He'd thought it moderate greed at the time, but looking back, it was too much.
That said, he didn't feel guilt. He was that kind of person. Plenty cursed him elsewhere, but he didn't care.
However, his overreach had ultimately brought the apocalypse. So in this cycle, caution was wise.
Thus, no reason to fluster Bom just for idle amusement.
"Thinking about a girl?"
That was when Bom looked at him and asked. The Green Dragon had always been female, so girl it was.
"Yeah."
"Who?"
"Someone I knew long ago."
"How long?"
"Pretty long."
Bom paused her questions and slurped her drink.
"...But why all of a sudden?"
"No reason. Just reminiscing."
"Close?"
"No."
"Bad terms?"
"Probably."
"How bad?"
He couldn't answer easily. She often noticed more than he thought.
"Very."
"Did she curse you out, Ajusshi?"
"Something like that."
"Bad person."
He smiled faintly.
"Why do you think she cursed you? Did you do something wrong?"
"I did."
"I'll give you time to defend yourself."
She spoke saucily, like a judge.
He'd never told this story to the kids.
Nor planned to.
But today, in some inexplicable mood, he decided to show a tiny fragment.
He didn't know why he felt that way. Maybe the streetlights were brighter than usual.
"It was just a regrettable incident. For me, for her. We got caught in something unfortunate. I got a bit greedy. Didn't realize it was harsh, so she must've suffered."
"Very harsh?"
"Looking back now, yeah, probably."
"So she felt really bad?"
He answered with silence.
Bom asked in a subtler tone.
"Regret it?"
"There were times. Back then, I lacked the wisdom to know what burdens I should carry."
"Was she unhappy?"
"Probably."
"...I see."
After a moment's thought, Bom asked again.
"But."
"Yeah."
"What kind of girl was she?"
"Told you, someone I knew."
"Not that."
"Young girl."
"Not that either. More specific."
Following the inexplicable mood, he answered.
"A girl like you."
And Bom stopped questioning right then.
Her gaze, fixed on Yoo Ji-tae, dropped briefly to the table. The weirdly low table made her gaze seem lower too. Her lips twitched slightly.
When she looked up again, Bom was her usual blank expression. Then she scooped her whipped cream and offered it to him.
After a few times, he'd gotten used to it. As he opened his mouth, Bom twisted the straw slightly, smearing whipped cream on his lips.
"Hey."
She stared at him brazenly.
"What're you doing? It's on me."
"Oh, sorry. This time for real."
He wiped silently, and she offered more, going 'ahh~'.
Not entirely trustworthy, but he opened up. Bom shook her wrist again, smearing it on his chin.
"Yoo Bom..."
A lot this time. Finally, Bom stifled giggles. He closed his eyes and wiped his chin.
Bom spoke up again.
"But taking on burdens isn't sacrifice?"
"Not that grand or noble."
"It's similar?"
If compared conveniently, maybe.
"Does happiness built on sacrifice even mean anything?"
"Dunno. Happiness grows when shared? That what you wanna say?"
"Yes."
"Better than greed ruining everything."
"Greed in moderation is fine."
"I'm fine without it."
"You might be, but to me, it just... seems off."
Bom slowly stirred her whipped cream with the straw.
"You just end up pitiful..."
The regressor had never thought that way. Nor could he empathize.
Silence stretched between them.
He grabbed his wallet to leave. Bom straightened her clothes and stood.
Then, on a whim, he flicked some whipped cream at her with his straw.
"Eh...?"
Cream splattered her cheek, and Bom's brows curved.
"What was that?"
"Payback."
"Ha..."
Surprised by the childishness, Bom laughed in disbelief.
"Satisfied?"
"Yeah. Let's go."
As the regressor stood, he reached out and wiped the cream from her cheek.
Perhaps the gesture was sudden.
For a split second, embarrassment flickered in Bom's blue eyes.
Having seen her embarrassed a few times now, he recognized it immediately.
He wondered briefly if this was excessive greed.
'Greed in moderation is fine.'
But Bom's words washed away the doubt.
He wanted to fluster her one more time.
He got the method. Close proximity. Non-violent touch. So he extended his hand further, placing it on her cheek. Her skin was soft.
"......"
Like ripples spreading on water, embarrassment spread across Bom's face. Avoiding his gaze.
Reason for her reaction? As a Green Dragon, she hadn't anticipated this situation?
Quite the amusing response. The regressor felt a light cheeriness he hadn't in ages.
Fluster her a bit more.
What would catch this 'Green Dragon' off guard? As he pondered briefly.
In an instant.
The embarrassment vanished from Bom's upturned face as if washed away.
She was smiling.
"We've gotten a little closer."
Her words made him newly aware of their distance.
His tie touching her hoodie.
With the embarrassment gone from her face in this situation, now he was the flustered one. The proximity was too much.
How did things end up like this with her? As he puzzled.
She whispered.
"So now."
Bom grabbed his tie lightly and tugged.
"Getting closer won't push us apart...?"
Then she pressed closer.
Embarrassment showed in his eyes, beyond limit.
Bom's lips twitched.
"Back off a bit."
But her arms wrapped around his waist.
"Don't wanna..."
His face showed unbearable embarrassment.
Bom finally burst, clutching her stomach silently.
"......"
The building tension vanished like that.
There sat the green dragon on the cafe chair, hands over her mouth. Since when? Had he been toyed with by her hands? The regressor couldn't pinpoint the start.
"Th-that embarrassing? Super? All-time worst?"
Bom teased, face blooming with joy.
"Kyaa- Ahahaha!"
Out on the street, she doubled over laughing every time she saw his face.
So the walk home felt especially long today.
[Ajusshi Observation Diary ★★☆]