Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Childhood Friend Treating to Dinner
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Lulu's off-day rolled around again, and I couldn't hide my joy at the thought of finally enjoying a relaxing day after so long.
Sure, it was a bit disappointing that there was no Lulu broadcast, but that aside, I was grateful for the break it gave my fingers.
I'd even started using shortcuts I hadn't touched in ages, and it wasn't bad at all. In fact, I was starting to think it was pretty great.
The speed difference compared to when my finger was hurt wasn't as huge as I'd expected. Considering I was spending more time on subtitles now, I had a feeling that once my finger fully healed, my editing speed would skyrocket.
"Ah~ This is nice, really nice."
The words slipped out before I knew it, and Im Rua, who had been studying quietly beside me, turned and spoke up.
"What's got you so happy?"
"Whoa, you startled me."
"Was that such a shocking question?"
Im Rua tilted her head with a question mark practically floating above it as she asked, and I fumbled out an awkward non-excuse.
"...I was just surprised that the girl who was only studying suddenly spoke up."
"Didn't seem that surprising though..."
She cocked her head in doubt, then nodded and asked me another question.
"Hey, Jinwoo."
"Yeah."
"...Your finger doing okay these days?"
My finger... okay...
"It's fine, totally."
"Really? Like, really fine?"
"I said it's fine."
Im Rua's face was full of worry. It had been a whole week, and she was still this concerned—what kind of saint was she?
Or maybe not saintly, but more like she was burdened by guilt.
But feeling guilt over something like this just proved how kind she was.
I had no idea what to think anymore. My head was starting to feel a bit muddled.
"...What are you thinking about?"
"Huh?"
"Looked like something rude."
"Absolutely not."
"Really?"
"Really."
She nodded at my firm answer and circled back to her original question.
"So, is your finger really okay?"
"Yeah, really. Doesn't hurt much."
It did hurt a little—that was a lie. The painkillers were keeping it at bay, but gripping and moving the mouse still sent twinges through it.
Still, I didn't act like it hurt. I didn't like seeing her feel bad, and part of me wanted to play it cool too.
Im Rua stared at my finger with worried eyes, then said something completely unexpected.
"...Can I come over to your place again today?"
"Huh? Out of nowhere?"
"...Thought we could grab something tasty together."
That sounded tempting, but it also gave me pause.
Im Rua coming over was no big deal. It was a little awkward, sure, but she'd been to my house plenty since we were kids.
And sharing some good food? That was always welcome.
But...
"...You okay eating dinner at my place?"
I wondered if having dinner at my house would really be alright for her.
Our food wasn't bad or anything. I just worried if it'd be uncomfortable for her.
Sure, she'd come over a lot as a kid and even ate fruit last time, but the last full meal she'd had at our place was years ago.
First time in years—it had to feel weird.
"It's fine. No reason it wouldn't be."
But Im Rua was way thicker-skinned than I'd given her credit for.
Uncomfortable? No clue, and didn't need one.
"Alright then... yeah, come over."
"For real?"
"For real."
"Got it. So, does your family prefer pizza or chicken?"
Her sudden question caught me off guard, but I thought it over and answered.
"Think we lean toward chicken."
"Chicken... Okay, got it."
Something felt off. A bad premonition that Im Rua was about to order chicken.
And that premonition came true.
"Delivery~"
Just twenty minutes after getting home from school, three whole chickens arrived.
What the hell—she actually ordered chicken.
"...Son, you sure this is okay?"
"...Beats me now."
I was just as lost.
*
Im Rua arrived at our house, and we got ready to eat chicken together.
Mom casually struck up a conversation with her during the process.
"Rua dear, why'd you buy~"
"Jinwoo's hurt because of me. Least I could do..."
"The kid hurt himself on purpose—why're you paying him back~"
"Ahaha..."
Im Rua laughed awkwardly to brush off Mom's nagging.
"Oppa, long time no see."
"Yeah, been a while."
She greeted my older brother too, then quietly started setting out side plates.
Im Rua and my brother had a kinda awkward relationship. She found him intimidating.
And he was the type who got nervous around girls, so he felt the same about her.
"...I'll treat you next time. Bring Jinwoo along."
"Ah... Sure, thanks."
Still, he knew enough to return the favor, inviting her over next time with food on him.
I knew it was an empty promise though. She only came because of guilt over my finger—fat chance she'd return.
"Alright~ Let's eat~"
"Yes... Oh, where's your dad...?"
"On a business trip."
"Ah..."
Im Rua nodded, then clasped her hands together.
"Let's eat."
"Let's eat well, Rua dear."
"Thanks for the meal, Rua."
Mom and my brother greeted her first, and I followed suit.
"Thanks, Im Rua. Digging in."
"Yeah, enjoy, everyone."
Even as we ate the chicken, Mom kept up her not-quite-nagging at Im Rua.
"Rua dear, what money you got buying three chickens?"
"Eh, my parents gave it to me."
Made sense. Three chickens were at least 60,000 won—no way a student had that kinda cash.
"Our son could've treated you instead—he makes good money."
"Huh? Jinwoo, you got a part-time job?"
Im Rua looked at me in surprise, and I shot my brother the most awkward eye-signal ever.
The 'keep my NewTube editing a secret' signal.
But my oblivious flesh and blood ignored it and spilled the truth to Im Rua.
"Jinwoo's doing NewTube editing."
"NewTube editing? You do videos?"
She stared at me in shock.
I glared daggers at my brother, but he just looked back like it was no big deal.
Like, 'As long as you don't name the channel, it's fine, right?'
True, but what if she asks to see it?
"Uh... yeah...?"
"Wow... That's impressive."
But Im Rua didn't ask to see it at all. Just called it impressive.
"...Impressive, huh."
Honestly, I was a little surprised. Her not asking about my channel was outside my expectations.
And for the rest of dinner, she didn't bring up my NewTube channel or videos even once.
Grateful for her tact, I enjoyed the chicken she'd bought.
Meanwhile, Mom showered Im Rua with praise, regardless.
"Anyway, Rua dear, still studying hard?"
"Huh? Uh... haha..."
"I know you've always buckled down since you were little~ Bet you're acing it now~"
"Thanks..."
"Unlike some people living nearby who slack off."
"Ahem..."
She even slipped in some pressure on me to study.
And throughout, Im Rua kept fussing over me, handing me pieces of chicken.
"Try this one."
"Thanks."
"This looks like the good meat—eat it."
"...Thanks."
Mom even noticed and scolded me for it.
"Well, well? Son, you should be the one serving her—why just take?"
"Ahem..."
"No, it's...! I'm giving because I want to...!"
"You two dating?"
"N-No, not like that...!"
"Mom, absolutely not. Absolutely."
Anyway, the awkward-yet-fun banter kept going...
Until we'd finished eating, and it was time for Im Rua to head home.
The moment it was time, Mom approached her at the door.
"Rua dear, come again soon~ Oh, and take this."
Im Rua was desperately refusing the 50,000 won in Mom's hand.
"Huh...? No, really...! It's fine...!"
"Come on, just take it~"
"It's really okay...!"
After a brief tug-of-war over the money, Im Rua finally gave in to Mom's stubbornness.
"Thank you..."
"Sure thing. Come again. Our eldest will treat next time."
"I'll treat."
"Thanks. Well... See you tomorrow, Jinwoo."
"Yeah... Thanks for the great dinner."
With that cute, soft voice, she waved and stepped outside.
Dinner with Im Rua after so long... wasn't half bad, surprisingly.
And once everything wrapped up and I had true free time...
"Oh yeah, bro."
"Yeah?"
"I got a reply from Lulu."
"What?"
I showed my brother Lulu's comment.
The one promising to track me down and devour me as a reward.
"Damn, you lucky bastard. Pretty childhood friend and you're her top fan? Just drop dead."
-Crunch...!
Jealous, he slapped me into a headlock.
"Aaaah, tap, tap! And what's this 'pretty girl childhood friend' crap...!"
"Rua, I mean Rua...!"
"Aaaack! I surrender!!"
I tapped out against his brute force, but I had to say this:
She was pretty, and a girl childhood friend, but we were definitely not like that.
If anything, things were still awkward between us.