chapter 2
chapter 2
Translated by POWERPUFF
His Day, Her Day
Beep beep beep—
“Mm…”
I reached out, turned off the alarm, and got up from bed with a yawn.
“It’s already 9…”
I picked up the phone beside my bed to check if there were any messages from overnight.
“I just sent it because it looked cute^^”
Heh,
A bitter smile slipped out.
“She really likes teasing…”
After sending her a crying puppy emoji, I headed to the kitchen and opened the fridge. It was empty. Looks like I’ll have to go grocery shopping today.
I closed the fridge, grabbed a banana from the table and ate it, then took a shower and got ready to go out.
A web novel writer’s day isn’t anything special. Wake up, go work out, write, rest, then sleep. That’s all. Today just has grocery shopping added to it.
I went to the shoe rack, put on my shoes, and turned the doorknob.
Creak…
As I stepped outside, the fresh morning air greeted me.
“Hm?”
Some sturdy-looking men were moving furniture next door. Their uniforms had “Lightning Moving” written on them. Must be movers.
“It’s been pretty noisy lately…”
I didn’t see the owner. Guess they haven’t arrived yet.
“I should greet them if I run into them later.”
I started walking toward the elevator.
Beep—
After pressing the first floor button, I looked at the mirror on the elevator wall.
“What a mess…”
Dark circles filled my eyes and my skin looked dull. My lifestyle has been completely wrecked lately.
“I should sleep early today…”
It’s her day off today anyway. She said she’s moving.
“There’s no way the person moving in next door is Kang Sora, right?”
I entertained the thought for a moment, then quickly dismissed it.
“First floor.”
I rushed out of the elevator and ran toward the gym.
“Hoo…”
I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the fresh morning air. It felt refreshing, like even my mind was clearing. The fatigue I felt just moments ago disappeared like a lie.
“Let’s live today to the fullest.”
…
Whirr—
“Hello!”
As I opened the gym door and walked in, a staff member greeted me with a smile.
I nodded slightly and headed toward the treadmill.
“One, two, one, two…”
“Um…”
“Hm?”
“Can I have your number?”
“Ah…”
This is awkward.
She’s pretty, but not my type. And more importantly, I’m not thinking about dating right now.
“I have a girlfriend.”
“Ah… I’m sorry.”
She left with a lonely expression.
“Sorry…”
Rejecting someone’s feelings always hurts. But what can I do? It’s better than accepting without any feelings.
“Still…”
Why would someone like me, who looks this gloomy, be worth asking out? With that face, she could meet someone better.
There really are people with unique tastes.
Whirr—
After getting off the treadmill and doing some light back and shoulder exercises, I headed out toward the supermarket.
Step—
“Hm?”
Was it just my imagination?
It felt like someone familiar passed by.
I turned around, but they were already gone.
“Must’ve been my imagination.”
I don’t really know many people in this neighborhood, so it was probably just someone who looked similar.
“Ah, it’s already this late…”
I checked my phone. It was already past 12. I should hurry, shop, and go home to cook.
…
Whirr—
I entered the supermarket, took the escalator to the third floor where the food section was.
“What should I make…”
I’m lazy. Should I just buy frozen food and heat it up?
No, even if it’s annoying, I should cook properly.
“I’ll make spicy pork.”
I went to the produce section, bought vegetables, and headed to the meat section.
Pork shoulder was on sale. This should work.
“Lucky today.”
After paying, I headed home.
“Now I just go home, eat, write, and sleep.”
A perfect plan. It couldn’t get any better.
“Hm?”
There’s someone familiar in front of my apartment elevator.
“… Kang Sora?”
Why is she there?
Is it just someone who looks like her?
She must’ve noticed my gaze. She turned and looked at me.
“… Kim Jihoon?”
She spoke in surprise.
“Why are you here?”
“Well… I live here. Why are you here?”
“Well… I just moved here today.”
“?”
…
Ding dong ding dong—
“Mm… five more minutes…”
“Lightning Moving!”
Gasp!
My eyes shot open.
“Y-yes! Just a moment!”
You idiot!! Who stays up that late streaming the night before moving?!
“But… I wanted to get first place with Anko…”
Even though I failed. Hehe.
I grabbed the hoodie hanging on my chair and threw it on, then opened the door.
“Ah, um, hello.”
“Hello, customer!”
A young man greeted me loudly.
“We’re here to move your belongings! Do you have anything fragile? If so, please let us know in advance!”
“No, nothing like that.”
“Alright~ we’ll start packing, so please wait a moment~.”
“O-okay.”
Several strong men came in and started packing.
“…What am I supposed to do.”
Standing still felt too awkward. It felt like I should be doing something.
“Um… I’ll go out and get some coffee.”
“Sure~ take your time. Or you could just come back when everything’s done?”
“Is that okay?”
“Yes, that’s fine. Just send us where to place the furniture through KakaoTalk in advance.”
Escape!
I didn’t show it, but inside I felt like jumping with joy.
“Okay! Got it! Please take care!”
“See you later.”
I grabbed my things, put on my shoes, and opened the door.
“Wow…”
How long has it been since I felt morning air like this?
My day usually starts late. Around 12? Sometimes even 2.
And I barely go out, just stay cooped up at home. So of course it’s been a while since I’ve felt morning air.
“Where was the subway station again…”
I turned on my phone to check, and saw the crying puppy emoji he had sent.
My lips curved up automatically.
“Hehe, he’s cute.”
I pressed his message and reacted with a smile, then headed to the station.
“What will this new neighborhood be like?”
Thump thump
My heart started beating faster with anticipation.
Come to think of it, I think Kim Jihoon said he lives nearby…
“I should ask for his address after I finish moving.”
“This is Sillim Station. The doors will open on the left.”
This is my stop.
“Excuse me, coming through.”
Whirr—
Phew…
I almost missed my stop.
“Now where should I go…”
I don’t know this area well.
Whatever, if I walk around I’ll probably find a café. Let’s just go out first.
Just as I was about to leave the station—
“Um…”
“Hm?”
“Can I have your number?”
“…Excuse me?”
I’m not even wearing makeup right now.
I didn’t even wash properly. And someone’s asking for my number?
Honestly… being too pretty is a problem too.
“I have a boyfriend.”
“Ah… I’m sorry.”
He blushed and ran off.
Sorry, but this noona doesn’t accept just any confession.
And this noona prefers dating someone she’s built a deep friendship with over time.
Yeah… like Kim Jihoon…
Ah.
My face started heating up.
“What am I thinking…”
He’s just a friend. Just a friend.
Phew…
I calmed myself with a deep breath and went outside, wandering around looking for a place to sit.
“Where is it…”
No matter how much I walk, I can’t find a café.
“It never shows up when you actually need it.”
Step—
“Hm?”
That person just now looked really familiar…
“No way.”
This is my first time here. There’s no way I’d see someone familiar.
“Let’s just find a café.”
How long did I walk?
“A café!”
Finally found one.
Ring—
“Hm?”
I took out my phone and answered.
“Hello?”
“Yes~ customer, we’ve finished moving your things.”
“……”
“Customer?”
“Ah, yes. I’ll head back now.”
Are you kidding me… I just found it.
Sigh… I’ll just get takeout.
“My poor life.”
I stopped by the café, got an iced Americano to go, and headed to my new apartment.
It was pretty close. About a 15-minute walk.
Sip sip
“So refreshing.”
As I arrived and waited for the elevator while drinking coffee, I felt someone looking at me from behind.
I turned my head, and there was a very familiar face.
“… Kim Jihoon?”
My eyes widened on their own.
“Why are you here?”
“Well… I live here. Why are you here?”
“Well… I just moved here today.”
“?”