Beef
The chat window quickly filled with reactions of disappointment and farewells from the viewers. I clicked the end stream button and leaned back into the soft gaming chair. It creaked as my body tilted backward.
“Huuua… I’m so tired…”
I stretched my arms high above my head in a big yawn. The room had already grown hot and stuffy. It was always like this after a stream. I had to keep the windows and door closed because of the noise, and running the computer for hours made it unavoidable.
I forced myself up from the chair, opened the window, and let some fresh air in. The sky had already darkened outside.
“Today’s stream was really exhausting.”
The team’s chaotic teamwork had made things a real struggle. That said, it also produced a ton of funny moments. Especially whenever I thought about Seojeong—I couldn’t stop laughing. As expected, Bronze was Bronze. It was safe to say nearly every disaster had happened in the top lane.
“…It’s beautiful.”
The night sky and city lights visible beyond the window made me unexpectedly sentimental. I was the type who easily slipped into those late-night feelings.
And lately, my head was filled with thoughts of only one person. Outside of streaming, all I could think about was Oppa.
…I wonder what Oppa’s doing right now? Working on that assignment he took because of me? Or maybe he stayed up watching my stream and is lying in bed now.
Without meaning to, I glanced up toward the hill where his house sat. Even though it was only five minutes away, it somehow felt terribly far.
“Haa…”
Just thinking about him made my pulse race again, so I pressed a hand to my chest. I could feel my heart pounding hard. Oppa’s words about taking things slow still lingered in my ears.
Everything had worked out. It had gone far better than I’d imagined. I never expected him to say something like that.
But a part of my heart was still confused. It was the realization that Oppa was Uni_clip.
I felt such gratitude toward Uni_clip. Maybe that was why. Looking at Oppa now, the emotions of gratitude and affection tangled together. That might be why my heart beat even harder. I couldn’t even tell which feeling was stronger.
“And after all that, look at what I said to him.”
Of course, I had liked him even before I knew he was Uni_clip. It wasn’t the same feeling as when I had misunderstood him, but there was still a different nuance.
“…Anyway, I want to repay him.”
Whether he was Uni_clip or not, that was separate. Uni_clip was my benefactor. The urge to repay him burned inside me like a furnace.
…And if I use that as an excuse to go on a date with Oppa, that would be even better.
He probably wasn’t asleep yet if he had been watching my stream. I grabbed the phone on my desk and sent him a text.
Messages flew in instantly. I checked my bank account on the phone. How much did beef cost these days? I searched for a proper beef restaurant nearby that wasn’t an all-you-can-eat place. When I saw the prices, I couldn’t hide my shock.
“…So beef is this expensive now.”
Right. Even so, I had to treat him to at least this much. Yuna, you earned everything you have thanks to Uni_clip.
I steeled my heart and checked the restaurant’s name and phone number.
“Maybe I should delete the delivery apps this month and cook for myself?”
My hands were already trembling.
What on earth was she sending a text like this for? Where was she planning to take me?
Yuna had suggested a date and insisted on buying me dinner. When I offered to split the bill, she stubbornly refused and said she had to pay no matter what, so I just said okay for now. I had planned to split it when the check came anyway.
“Oh. You dressed up nicely.”
“Yeah. I put some effort in.”
We met halfway between our houses. I had worn slacks and a button-up shirt for the first time in a while, dressing neatly. Yuna wore a clean all-black outfit. She usually lived in tracksuits. Especially at home.
“I’ll call a taxi then.”
“You’re calling a taxi? Where are we going?”
Yuna started ordering a taxi on her phone without giving me any details.
“The place we’re going today is a bit far.”
It wasn’t somewhere nearby? It was just a college student date—what kind of fancy place could she possibly pick? I had thought so casually, but when we got out of the taxi, the atmosphere was completely different.
“Y-Yuna? Is this the right place?”
“Yes. It is.”
Even the exterior looked luxurious. It had the kind of vibe you’d see at an upscale Gangnam restaurant. Yuna took my flustered hand and confidently led me inside.
“Welcome. Do you have a reservation? I’ll be happy to guide you.”
A woman in an elegant uniform greeted us at the entrance.
“Yes. I reserved under the name Lee Yuna.”
“Miss Lee Yuna, correct? Let me confirm that for you.”
After waiting a short while, the woman approached us again.
“Your reservation is confirmed. I’ll show you to your private room.”
The interior was just as impressive. Shelves decorated with overturned wine glasses. The place felt like a blend of a stylish bar and a high-end restaurant. We followed the staff to our room.
“Please enjoy your time here.”
The woman gave us a bright farewell and left. I was too busy looking around to focus. Why had she brought me here of all places? One meal here would wipe out an entire month of my part-time wages.
Yuna looked over the menu, then handed it to me.
“Here, Oppa, you pick. I’m treating today, so eat whatever you want.”
It didn’t have the huge variety of a regular barbecue place. Still, there were several cuts of meat, sides, and a few drinks. What stood out most was the price.
My hand shook as I held the menu. I slowly looked up at Yuna’s face.
“Why? Isn’t there a cut you want?”
She stared at me with genuinely puzzled eyes. How could she be so calm? Was Yuna secretly from a wealthy family? But then she probably wouldn’t be living in a place like that villa.
“Did I do something wrong? Or is today my birthday?”
“What kind of weird things are you saying?”
Yuna let out a small giggle.
No, but seriously. Why would she buy something like this? The prices here were insane. It was an amount a college student could barely afford even for a special occasion.
“If you won’t choose, should I just order?”
Yuna pulled out another menu and studied it carefully.
“Let’s start with the galbisal… Want to try some special cuts too? Wow, this Pyongyang cold noodles looks good too.”
I could only nod blankly. Since I couldn’t decide, Yuna went ahead and placed the order herself.
That order alone came to almost two hundred dollars…
While I sat there trembling in horror, several side dishes arrived. A grill was placed over white charcoal. Then the meat was set in front of us.
Yuna had already picked up the tongs and scissors and begun grilling.
I felt like I should do something, so I spoke up.
“Hey. At least let me grill the meat.”
“No. You can’t. Today, Oppa, you just have to sit back and receive.”
Yuna firmly shut down the idea. Why was she acting like this toward me…? There had to be a reason.
The uncomfortable weight in my chest refused to settle. It wasn’t like I’d ever had the chance to come to a place like this before. The only beef experiences I had were all-you-can-eat restaurants where I ate until I felt like I would burst.
“Yuna.”
“Yes?”
“Why are you doing this all of a sudden?”
I had no choice but to ask her the question I couldn’t figure out alone. At my words, Yuna smiled, her eyes curving into gentle crescents. In a soft, sweet voice, she said.
“…You told me you like beef, Oppa.”
Well, I did say that, but…
…Does saying you like something usually get you a meal like this?
Listening to Yuna talk like my friend Jae-min, I suddenly felt a strange distance between us.