Chapter 114: A Woman's Transformation is Innocent, But This Much is Definitely Guilty (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 114: A Woman's Transformation is Innocent, But This Much is Definitely Guilty (3)
On the bus to the university.
Two pressing problems had suddenly appeared.
One was Shin Yu-jeong, sitting next to me with a thoroughly displeased look on her face.
“Hey, is it really something to be so upset about, me giving your mom something nice?”
At my question, she shook her head with an irritated gesture.
“Who said I was? But couldn't you have at least shared it?”
“…”
It seemed she was feeling a bit conflicted, too.
Well… it wasn't that I couldn't understand.
Her mother, who, despite her youthful appearance, was still old enough to be called “Mom,” had now become so young that she looked more like an older sister. It must have been bewildering.
And she was probably also upset that I’d given her mom such a wonderful thing while leaving her out completely.
At this rate, any plans for a surprise would be meaningless.
“Hey, Yu-jeong.”
“What.”
Shin Yu-jeong answered in a sulky voice.
I leaned in and whispered the words she so desperately wanted to hear into her ear.
“Actually, I still have some of those petals left.”
Her head, which had been turned away as if she couldn't even stand to look at me, whipped back around.
What a reaction.
“…You said you were out this morning.”
“That was just a joke. I was pretending I didn't have any so I could give them to you as a surprise later, but you were sulking too much.”
Her face instantly turned red.
“S-Sulking? Who’s sulking!”
I pointed a finger straight at her.
“You.”
“…I’m not,” she replied timidly, unable to argue forcefully, as if her conscience was pricking her.
“Are you feeling better now?”
“I told you, I wasn't mad!”
Even as she said that, the corners of her mouth crept upward.
Yeah, she’s feeling better.
They say that when a woman holds a grudge, frost will form even in the middle of summer.
It’s an exaggeration, but I think there’s some truth to it.
There’s nothing more distracting than having someone with a furious, resentful expression hovering around you.
Judging by her face, it seemed I could rest easy about that problem.
“The next one is the real issue…”
Now, the second problem remained.
It was what she had said right before heading downstairs this morning after asking me out on a date.
Something about how, since she looked younger now, she wanted to enjoy the kind of dates young people go on these days.
“This is driving me crazy.”
Why was this a problem, you ask?
Because even though I might have a young man’s body, I’m not a young man.
In short, I had no idea how young people these days actually go on dates.
“And it’s not like I can ask anyone…”
As I was debating whether to search the internet, she, having somehow overheard my muttering, tilted her head and looked at me.
“What’s up? Something on your mind?”
Hmm.
Maybe I could get an answer if I asked her.
“Where do young… no, where do trendy couples go on dates these days?”
I had been about to say “young people,” but I quickly changed my words, thinking she might give me a strange look.
“Hehe… what, are you planning a date?”
“Uh…”
Her smile was unusual.
I think she was getting the wrong idea.
She must have thought I was asking how I should plan a date with her.
“That’s right, isn’t it?”
Hmm, not a bad misunderstanding.
This way, I could naturally get some ideas for a date itinerary and figure out what she wants.
It was, in a word, killing two birds with one stone.
“Well… it’s not like trendy people are any different, right? It’s all the same. See a movie, get something to eat, go to a cafe.”
“Ah, I see.”
How is it that the places people go are no different from when I was young?
Then again… what more could there be to a date in the city?
My dear Jeong-hee is probably looking forward to a youthful date. What am I going to do…
“Oh, I want to try that.”
“Try what?”
With a slightly flushed face, she answered haltingly.
“You know… walking around a crowded street. Like, you know. Hongdae, or Sinchon.”
“Oh.”
An idea flashed through my mind.
That sounded like a perfect way to experience a youthful vibe.
Thank you, Yu-jeong!
I’ll make good use of this with your mom first!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
After all my classes were over, I returned home and tried to calm my racing heart as I got ready for the date.
The person who used to be my stylist once told me that as long as you dress for the season, you’ll at least avoid looking bad.
“It’s autumn now…”
So, I should dress with an autumn concept in mind.
Personally, the most representative piece of autumn clothing that comes to mind is a coat.
I put on black slacks, a knit sweater, and a beige coat over it.
“Hmm, nice.”
Dressing up like this added a bit of weight to my youthful face.
This should make us look more like a couple closer in age.
Finally, I slicked my hair back with wax, completing the sharp Do-jin look.
Grabbing my wallet and smartphone, I slipped on a pair of loafers and headed out the door.
We had agreed to meet at the bus stop one stop away from my place.
It seemed we were both a little self-conscious about meeting right in front of our building all dressed up.
I left a little early and started walking toward the next stop, a deep sense of regret washing over me.
“Ah… I should have bought a car.”
The thought that I should have bought a used car as soon as I had the money crossed my mind.
If I had, we wouldn't have had to take a bus or a taxi today.
As I walked along the street, the gazes of passing women turned toward me.
It was a different kind of look from the ones I used to get as Son Si-woo—one with a certain lingering intensity.
Every time I received those kinds of stares, I felt a renewed sense of pleasure.
I finally reached the next bus stop.
I was leaning lightly against a nearby wall, looking at my phone while waiting for her to arrive, when a familiar voice reached my ears.
“Do-jin! Have you been waiting long?”
My gaze naturally turned toward the bright, lovely voice.
“…”
I thought I’d used up my entire quota of surprises for the day this morning.
“S-So? Is it… a little strange?”
Apparently, that had just been a taste of what was to come.
She wore a black skirt that came down to her knees and a form-fitting knit sweater that revealed every curve of her upper body.
Over it, she had on a loose, dark gray coat.
“I was thinking about our date today, so I rushed out to buy this in the afternoon…”
Resisting the urge to pull her into a tight hug at her shy words, I took her hand and held it firmly.
“You’re so beautiful.”
“Hoho… I’m glad you like it.”
It wasn't just her clothes that had changed.
Her hair, which was always tied up neatly, was now let down boldly.
On top of that, she was wearing light makeup, which she rarely did.
Seeing the sheer awe on my face, she asked me.
“What’s with that expression? Are you sick…?”
At her question, I couldn't hold back and whispered my honest thoughts into her ear.
“Forget the date, I wish we could be alone right now.”
“My, you really…”
Jeong-hee’s face flushed slightly at my blunt words.
Then, she gave a shocking reply.
“W-Well, if that's what you want, Do-jin… we can…?”
She wasn't going to refuse.
For a moment, I was so tempted that I considered finding a nearby hotel, but I managed to restrain myself.
Today was too good a day to simply unleash my desires.
And the day was just beginning. There was no need to be hasty.
“I can’t do that on my first date with you, Jeong-hee.”
I took her hand and gently led her forward.
“Shall we go, then?”
“Yes, we still have plenty of time.”
A question suddenly popped into my head.
“What did you tell Yu-jeong?”
“Just… that I was meeting some old friends. And…”
This time, she whispered into my ear.
“I also told her I might be very late tonight.”
Why did that sound to me like she was saying, “I’ll do whatever you want today, so don’t be impatient”?
“Hoo.”
I took a slow breath to compose myself and boarded the bus that had just arrived.
As we sat side-by-side in a two-person seat, I felt a pang of guilt.
“I’ll get a car before our next date.”
But she shook her head.
“No… if it’s for my sake, you don’t have to. I like this, too. It reminds me of when I used to go on dates when I was young.”
She drifted off into her memories with a wistful look in her eyes.
When she was young… was she talking about her dates with her husband?
A slight surge of jealousy rose within me.
But I didn't make the mistake of showing it.
Because starting today, her heart would be filled with nothing but me.
We took the bus to Daehangno, the university district.
I didn't really know what a young person's date was like, but since this place was full of young people, I chose it as our destination.
The moment we got off the bus, a huge crowd came into view.
All of them were young men and women.
“This should feel like a date for young people, right?”
“Hoho! I feel younger already.”
Her expression was full of excitement as she looked around.
She seemed to really like this street, brimming with all kinds of youthfulness.
We started walking aimlessly, wherever our feet took us.
“Look at this! Isn’t it so cute?”
The way she delighted in the accessories and food sold on the street was no different from any other young person.
No, in fact, when it came to beauty, she was beyond comparison.
Strolling down the street like this, it felt as if not just my body, but my heart was growing younger too.
And as I grew younger, the emotions that had dulled over time and my ability to express them honestly came back to life.
The distance between us grew smaller and smaller.
At first, we were holding hands, then I put my arm around her shoulder, and as the night deepened, I walked with my arm wrapped around her slender waist.
After wandering for a while, she stopped in one spot and asked me with sparkling eyes.
“Do-jin. Is there anything you want for dinner?”
“Uh… no? Not really.”
As if my answer was the right one, her face lit up even more as she pointed to a place.
“Then how about there?”
It was a Mexican restaurant.
An unexpected choice.
“Do you like Mexican food?”
“Mm… no. I’ve never had it before.”
Does a younger body come with a strong sense of curiosity and adventure?
She seemed to feel a powerful pull toward something she had never tried before.
“Alright, then.”
I had tried Mexican food a few times and quite liked it, so I had no reason to refuse.
We sat down in the dimly lit restaurant and ordered a few things from the menu.
It was the type of meal where you take thinly grilled tortillas and fill them with various meats, shrimp, and sauces to your liking before rolling them up. She seemed to really enjoy it.
“Mmm…! This is so delicious! Do-jin, say ah~”
I knew because she was putting the same things she was eating right into my mouth.
We enjoyed a leisurely meal, sipping on a glass of beer.
When I picked up the bill and headed to the counter, she grabbed my arm, insisting she would pay.
“There’s only one place you’re paying for tonight, Jeong-hee.”
I was about to load and fire a suggestive joke, but she beat me to it.
“Where… a motel?”
“…”
I had momentarily forgotten.
Though her face was young, inside, she was a sly fox with decades of experience.
After that, we went to several other places.
We stopped by an arcade.
“Aah! Do-jin, shoot there, over there!”
We also tried something called an escape room.
“W-What if we can’t get out of here forever?”
Finally, we ended up at a cheap, popular bar frequented by young students.
There was a brief incident while I was in the restroom where some drunk college students tried to hit on her.
“You boys! Who taught you to sexually harass a woman like that! Have you ever stopped to think how heartbroken your mothers at home would be?!”
“S-Sorry…”
“We won’t do it again…”
“…”
Her combat prowess was more than enough to fend off one or two drunkards with a single hand.
We ordered several cheap dishes and, over drinks, I asked her.
“How was your day?”
“Mm… it was wonderful. I think it’s finally starting to feel real.”
“That you’ve gotten younger?”
“Hoho… yes.”
Her face flushed, she downed her soju.
“My body, which used to ache every day, feels as light as a feather, and the wrinkles I used to worry about every time I looked in the mirror are gone… It really feels like a dream.”
I knew that feeling.
I had felt the same way when I first got this body.
Of course, the body itself was incredibly heavy and dull, but… the feeling was different.
A kind of confidence bloomed inside me, the feeling that I could start anything new and see it through to perfection.
That must have been why I was able to resolve to live a new life.
If I had been in Son Si-woo’s body, I never would have had such a thought, no matter how hard things got.
The older you get, the more you fear drastic changes in your life.
“I don’t know how to thank you, Do-jin.”
She wasn't a fool. She must have had some idea.
That what I had given her was no ordinary thing.
That was probably why she was so grateful.
“That’s actually very easy.”
I smiled and looked at her.
“Stay by my side from now on. Even when the whole world turns its back on me, even if I’m so badly injured I’m disfigured beyond recognition, even if I make a terrible mistake.”
My words could have been seen as incredibly burdensome, but she simply rested her chin on her hands on the table and gave me a bright smile.
“You know what?”
“What is it?”
“I… feel incredibly good whenever you try to bind me like that.”
“…You like this?”
“Yes. It makes me feel so loved… I love it. So much that… without even realizing it… I get wet.”
“…”
She didn't even say where she got wet, but my eyes kept drifting below the table.
I could feel the mood ripening.
To be precise… it felt like the other side had ripened it before I even had a chance to try.
“I think… we’ve had enough to drink. What do you think, Do-jin?”
“…”
I’ve always thought of myself as the predator… but maybe, just maybe, not tonight.