chapter 3
chapter 3
Translated by POWERPUFF
Chimaek
“I mean, I knew you lived nearby…”
She smiled awkwardly.
“But I didn’t think you’d be living here.”
“Haha.”
I didn’t expect you to move in right next door either.
“But still…”
“7th floor.”
“It’s nice seeing you again!”
“… Yeah, it is.”
“I’m on this floor. Bye-bye.”
She waved as she got off the elevator, and I followed her out.
She tilted her head and looked at me.
“Why are you getting off?”
“Well… I live on this floor too.”
“?”
Sora froze, blinking her eyes.
“Ah, I didn’t tell you? The place you moved into is right next to mine.”
I held out my right hand toward her.
“Let’s get along well from now on, neighbor?”
“……”
I scratched my cheek with my left index finger while looking at her frozen expression.
“Am I just going to stand like this?”
“Ah.”
Only then did she come to her senses and awkwardly take my hand.
“Let’s get along well….”
“Got any questions?”
She shook her head blankly.
“Then I’ll head in first. Come over sometime if you’re bored.”
With that, I went inside.
…
Ding dong—
I had just uploaded what I wrote today and was getting ready for bed when someone rang the doorbell.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me.”
“Kang Sora?”
What is she doing here at this hour?
Creak…
As I opened the door, a scent carried by the night air brushed my nose. For some reason, it felt nostalgic.
“What brings you here this late?”
“……”
She just stood there, head lowered, fidgeting with her fingers without saying anything. It’s an old habit of hers.
The solution is simple. Just push a little.
“If you’ve got nothing to say, I’m closing the door.”
“Ah, wait!”
Only then did she lift her head and look into my eyes.
“Nothing’s changed.”
“Want to go grab a drink? It’s been a while since we met.”
“A drink?”
A drink…
When was the last time I drank? I don’t even remember.
“Maybe it wouldn’t be bad to have one after a while.”
“I’ll go if you’re buying.”
“Really?”
She smiled brightly and leaned in.
“Y-yeah.”
“Then I’ll get ready! Wait a bit!”
She went back into her place.
“Guess I’m not sleeping early today either.”
I closed the door, threw on some clothes, and sat down to check the reaction to today’s chapter.
“The response is good today too… huh?”
At that moment, one comment caught my eye.
“Hmm… it’s fun, but it feels a bit forced.”
“……”
I couldn’t argue with that. Since it’s romance made up by someone who’s never been in a relationship, it’s bound to feel artificial.
Heh,
A bitter smile escaped me.
“Maybe I should’ve tried dating…”
For some reason, I’ve received confessions multiple times. Each time, I made excuses and turned them down.
“Sorry.”
I should’ve given my readers the best writing.
Ding dong—
“I’m heading out now.”
A part of my heart ached. I should just drink and forget about it.
Creak…
When I opened the door, Sora stood there, all dressed up.
“Let’s go!”
“……”
“What’s wrong? Don’t tell me…”
She smiled playfully.
“Did you fall for me?”
I ignored her and walked toward the elevator.
“Hey! Wait for me!”
“7th floor.”
“Huff… huff…”
Sora was breathing heavily.
“Your stamina’s terrible. You should work out.”
“Too lazy.”
“……”
“Besides! If you didn’t ignore me and walk off, I wouldn’t have had to run!”
“That’s because you were talking nonsense.”
She puffed her cheeks and glared at me.
“Nonsense? Isn’t it weird not to fall for me?”
“Huh?”
She’s finally lost it.
“I even got confessed to today while walking around without washing up! And now I dressed up this nicely! Why are you not reacting at all?!”
“……”
I had no words. She wasn’t always like this.
“Can I at least ask why you were walking around without washing up?”
“Th-that’s…”
She looked flustered and turned her gaze away.
“1st floor.”
“Ah, we’re here. Let’s go!”
She rushed out as soon as the door opened.
“Is she ignoring me?”
“Careful, you’ll trip.”
“Don’t treat me like a kid!”
“You’re not a kid?”
“I’m not~ I’m a 27-year-old adult~.”
“Yeah, yeah. So? What are we eating?”
“Hmm… how about chimaek?”
“I don’t mind.”
“Alright, it’s decided. Hey! Lead me to a good chicken place!”
“Yes, ma’am. Right this way.”
“Good.”
Step step
“So what have you been up to?”
“Just… this and that.”
“What kind of this and that.”
“Ummm… eating, playing, sleeping?”
“… Sounds like you.”
“Oh, and I stream too!”
“Really?”
I already knew, but I acted natural as if I didn’t.
“If I say I know, it’ll get annoying.”
Worst case, she might get embarrassed and quit streaming.
“Do people even watch your stream?”
“More than you’d think~.”
“That’s impressive.”
“Hehe, praise me more.”
“You’re amazing, Sora is the best.”
“… Isn’t that a bit soulless?”
“What do you mean?”
“… never mind. How much further?”
“We’re here.”
Creak…
“Hello!”
“Table for two.”
“Yes~ sit wherever you like.”
We went inside and sat at a table.
“Ahh~ my legs hurt.”
“If your legs hurt from just this… can you even function daily?”
“You can live just fine without going outside.”
“What a shut-in.”
She looked confused at my expression.
“What?”
“… What do you want?”
“Draft beer!”
“And food?”
“Let’s just get fried chicken.”
“Alright. Excuse me.”
“Yes! Can I take your order?”
“One fried chicken and two draft beers.”
“Got it, we’ll bring it shortly.”
After ordering and chatting, the food arrived.
“Cheers!”
“Cheers.”
Gulp gulp
“Ah~ this is the life.”
Sora drank happily.
“Slow down.”
“Nope~ I’m drinking fast~.”
“… Do whatever you want.”
“Excuse me! One more beer!”
…
“I knew this would happen.”
“Alcohol and men… mumble mumble…”
“Hey, wake up.”
“No. I’m sleeping.”
“Aren’t you going home?”
“Carry me.”
She stretched both arms toward me.
“If you don’t, I’m sleeping here.”
“Sigh…”
“Guess I have no choice.”
“I’ll pay.”
“Yes~.”
“I end up paying too.”
After paying, I went back and turned my back to her.
“Get on.”
“Yay!”
Something soft pressed against my back. Not just one, but two.
Her breath brushed against my ear. It was driving me crazy.
“I’m still a guy, you know.”
Barely holding onto my composure, I left the place and headed home.
“This reminds me of the old days.”
I could hear her giggling behind me.
“Remember when I sprained my ankle in high school and you carried me?”
“… Yeah.”
I remember it clearly. Even the taste of the ice cream we had together.
“Those were good times…”
My back started getting damp.
“I’m kind of pathetic, right? Always stuck at home, acting like this…”
“… Just go to sleep.”
“Okay…”
After that, we didn’t say a word until we got home.
“7th floor.”
“Open the door.”
She reached out and entered the password. The door opened.
“Where’s your bed?”
“Over there.”
She pointed to a room inside. I took off her shoes, carried her in, and dropped her onto the bed.
“Sleep well.”
“Wait.”
As I was about to leave, she called me from behind.
“?”
She suddenly wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me in, pressing her lips against mine.
One second… two seconds… three seconds…
“Pfft… haha…”
Our lips parted, but her arms still hung around my neck.
We looked into each other’s eyes. Completely serious, without a hint of laughter.
In the quiet night, the atmosphere grew heavier, as if something could happen at any moment.
We were close enough to feel each other’s breath, like we were the only two people in the world.
“Kim Jihoon.”
“……”
She began taking off her clothes one layer at a time. First her outerwear, then her shirt, and finally her pants.
At last, only her underwear remained.
“It’s my first time…”
Sora looked at me with a mesmerizing expression I had never seen before.
“So… be gentle?”