chapter 5
chapter 5
Translated by POWERPUFF
The Day Before the Date
“Sigh…”
“Hmm… it’s fun, but it feels a bit forced.”
That comment I saw earlier keeps lingering in my head. This is driving me crazy. I can’t focus on writing.
“I’ve managed somehow until now…”
But the episode I have to write this time is a date episode. Something that’s bound to feel artificial unless I’ve actually experienced it.
“What should I do…”
Is there any way around this? It’s too late to start dating now. And there’s no one to date anyway.
Is there a way to go on a date without actually being in a relationship? Should I try a rental girlfriend service?
No, that’s not a real date. A real date is something you do with someone you connect with…
“Hm?”
“Someone I connect with?”
Wait, that makes this simple.
I quickly threw on some clothes, stepped outside, and headed next door.
Ding dong— ding dong—
“Yes, coming~.”
I heard a loud thud from inside. Sounds like she hit something on the way.
Creak…
The door opened, and she appeared with messy hair.
“Kim Jihoon? What are you doing here this early in the morning?”
“… It’s 2 in the afternoon.”
She looked shocked.
“No way.”
“Don’t tell me you just woke up?”
She casually looked away.
“Nice weather~ want to go for a walk?”
Sigh…
A sigh escaped me naturally. What am I supposed to do with her?
“So? What is it?”
Yawning loudly, Kang Sora asked me what I wanted. I really want to smack her.
But I came to ask a favor. I clenched my fist, barely holding back, and forced a gentle smile.
“Let’s go on a date.”
“…?”
She froze, not understanding what I meant.
“What did you say?”
“I said let’s go on a date.”
“Whaaaaat?!”
She let out a cute scream and covered her face shyly.
“Wait… aren’t we not at that stage yet?”
Mumbling, she peeked at me through her fingers. What is she even thinking?
“I need it as reference for writing. And you’re the only one I can ask. You know I don’t have many girls around me.”
Only then did she look at me with a playful expression.
“What~ you should’ve said so. Fine. This big sister will help you out.”
She proudly smacked my back repeatedly. What am I supposed to do with this girl.
“So? When are we going?”
“I’m thinking tomorrow at 10 in the morning… how about it?”
“Hmm… that’s a bit difficult.”
“Why?”
“I need to sleep.”
“……”
She said it so confidently I almost accepted it.
Smack!
“Ow!”
I flicked her forehead.
“Stop talking nonsense and come out.”
“Tch…”
She puffed her cheeks and glared at me like an angry puppy. But a puppy is still a puppy, no matter how fierce, just cute.
“I’m going. See you tomorrow.”
I gently patted her head, and she shook it side to side. Cute. Like a wagging puppy.
Back home, I sat at my desk and turned on my computer.
“Recommend me a date course for tomorrow”
“Stop messing around.”
“What kind of loser goes on a date;; stop daydreaming.”
“It’s real.”
“With your girlfriend?”
“Not my girlfriend, just a childhood friend.”
“Mods, ban this guy.”
“Lucky bastard”
“Downvote.”
“Useless idiots.”
They’re no help. I should just ask AI instead.
“Recommend a date course in Seoul”
“Since date courses in Seoul vary depending on the mood, I’ll suggest a few themed options 👇”
The AI recommended various themed courses.
Emotional night view + walk, café + alley exploration, exhibition + quiet date…
Among them, I chose a full-day special course.
Go to Aurora Sky Tower, then visit a nearby shopping mall, explore good restaurants, and end the day enjoying the night view. Perfect as both a date and novel material.
After finalizing the plan, I turned off the computer.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
It started as research, but now I’m actually looking forward to the date itself.
Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since I’ve gone out with a friend. I’ve always been putting it off, saying I’m busy.
Tomorrow will probably be a meaningful day.
“Yawn…”
I’m tired. Between watching streams and building up chapters, I haven’t slept properly.
It’s only 4. Four hours until her stream.
“I should sleep a bit.”
I set an alarm for 7:50 and threw myself onto the bed.
I wonder what Kang Sora is thinking right now. Is she looking forward to the date like I am?
Heh,
Probably not. She’s likely thinking about how to tease me.
…
“Ahh…”
This is bad. What should I wear?
I tried on everything in my closet, but nothing feels right.
This is too childish… this is too plain… this just doesn’t work…
What am I supposed to wear?
“I should’ve gone on dates before.”
I checked the clock. It’s only 3. Five hours until the stream.
“Alright.”
Let’s go shopping.
Creak…
I pulled my hat down and went outside.
“7th floor.”
Inside the elevator, I looked at myself in the mirror.
The hanger is good enough. I wouldn’t lose to most idols in terms of looks.
The problem is what goes on the hanger. People say if the hanger is good, any clothes work, but that’s not true.
A good hanger with good clothes is always better.
“1st floor.”
I took a taxi to a nearby shopping mall.
Ring—
“Hello?”
“Are you busy?”
“Not really… why?”
“Actually… I have a date.”
“What?!”
That startled me.
“With who? You got a boyfriend?”
“Not a boyfriend… remember Kim Jihoon? My childhood friend I always talk about.”
“Ah~ him. Of course I remember. You always talked about him.”
Was it really that much?
“Was it that bad?”
“It was. Anyway, what do you need?”
“I’ll video call you, help me pick an outfit.”
“Hmm… okay. I’ll help. But I have a condition.”
“A condition?”
“Next time I call you, you have to come. No excuses.”
“… That’s annoying.”
“I’m hanging up.”
“No no! Okay! Fine!”
“That’s better. Start the video call.”
“Okay.”
Beep—
As I pressed the video call button, her face soon appeared.
“Can you see me?”
“Yeah, clearly.”
I looked closely at her face.
“Oh no.”
This is bad. I can’t control my expression. I keep smiling.
“What? Why are you smiling?”
“I’m just happy to see your face after a while.”
“Ew.”
“Hehe.”
She doesn’t seem to hate it either. The corners of her lips are slightly up.
“Anyway… you like him, don’t you?”
“Huh?”
That came out of nowhere. I almost dropped my phone.
“No, I don’t.”
“Bullshit. Your face is bright red.”
“!”
I quickly covered my face, but it was too late.
“Be honest. I’ll help you.”
“… I do care about him.”
“A little?”
“… quite a lot.”
“Thought so.”
“… yeah.”
“How does he see you?”
How does he see me?
I thought about how Kim Jihoon treats me.
“… probably like a little sister.”
“Sigh…”
I heard her sigh through the phone.
“With that body of yours, what have you been doing? If I were you, I’d just—”
“What are you saying!”
My face burned. How can she say that so casually?
“Sora, I’ll give you a strategy.”
“A strategy?”
“……”
“What?!”
I doubted my ears.
“Are you serious?”
“Do I sound like I’m joking?”
Her voice had no hint of playfulness.
“So? What will you do? Stay as the little sister… or take him for yourself?”
“……”
Can I do it?
No,
If I want to make Kim Jihoon mine…
“Alright.”
It’s not about whether I can.
“I’ll do it.”
I have to.
“Good choice.”
She grinned on the screen.
“You won’t regret taking my hand.”