Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Unexpected Assistance
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Seeing Seoha noona in this meat restaurant uniform felt strangely refreshing. Maybe it was because she usually had that aura of a successful career woman.
"Wooju! Who's this? She's so pretty…!"
"Kang Wooju, you had someone this gorgeous around and never mentioned her? Dude, why'd you keep it secret?"
As expected, the Park Jae-seong couple's eyes went wide the moment they saw Seoha noona, and they immediately started grilling me about our relationship.
I mean, Yuna-yeon aside, Jae-seong and I had known each other since elementary school—we knew all each other's dirt. So his shock was probably doubled.
The idea of a loser like me hanging out with someone this pretty? Honestly, even I could hardly believe it.
"She watches my streams a lot and we've met up a few times recently, so we got close. Her name's Ryu Seoha, and she's two years older than us."
"Hello, I'm Ryu Seoha. I was trying to pretend I didn't know you so I wouldn't interrupt your chat with your friends, but sorry for butting in."
At my introduction, noona greeted them with a perfectly polished line and a gentle smile.
I always thought this, but the way she spoke was so articulate—it was like she'd been trained somewhere. For someone as awkward with people as me, it was seriously enviable.
"Interrupt? Not at all, noona…! If anything, I'm thrilled to meet someone as pretty as you!"
The moment I finished introducing my friends, Yuna-yeon shot her hand up and shot down noona's words.
Come to think of it, she always had a thing for pretty people.
She said it was because she envied what she didn't have herself. That's why she'd been instantly smitten with my sister the first time they met, getting super close right away.
In a way, it was a pretty innocent personality trait.
"Anyway, noona, what brings you here?"
"Ah… well, the new owner and I know each other. He suddenly said they were short-staffed, so I figured I'd help out for a few days…."
Noona averted her eyes, replying with a hint of unease.
Oh yeah, Yuna-yeon mentioned the owner had changed. With some staff quitting, there was a gap, so she must've come in as a temp fill-in.
It reminded me of the Tweet party.
"Noona, if you're not too busy, why don't you join us for some meat? They gave us way too much as a service—we three couldn't finish it anyway."
The place wasn't busy right now, so it should be fine. If she said no because of work, that'd be that.
"Is that okay? I don't want to impose…."
"Impose? Nah. These guys would love it, right?"
"Totally, noona! Meat's always better with more people!"
"Agreed."
Contrary to my worries, noona seemed quietly eager to join the conversation.
With all three of us egging her on, she glanced toward the kitchen behind the table, looking like she was checking if it was okay.
She probably didn't have a break scheduled, so even bumping into an acquaintance might make joining us awkward. And me going to the owner to borrow her would be too much of a hassle.
As I pondered what to do, the sturdy-built owner emerged from the kitchen and spoke up first.
"Director… uh, I mean Seoha! No customers anyway, so take an early break with your friends! Eat some meat too!"
"Really? Thank you."
"Whoa, the owner's such a nice guy."
It was surprising enough that the owner was this considerate to a part-timer, but noona accepting it so casually was even more so. Normally, you'd at least show some gratitude.
Instead, Yuna-yeon was the one gushing praise. What a reversed world.
Anyway, it worked out great, so I patted the cushion next to me and called noona over.
"Sit here, noona. You must be tired from work—have some meat."
"Thanks, I'll dig in."
I'd worried she might feel awkward sitting next to me, but she hopped right up like she'd been waiting and settled in beside me.
But… wasn't she sitting kinda close? Nah, must be my imagination.
"Now that we've got one more person, time to grill in earnest."
I hadn't been motivated to grill for the salt-and-pepper couple, but thinking about the meat going into Seoha noona's stomach got my energy up.
I clacked the tongs sharply, and noona, who'd been staring up at me blankly, reached out.
"I can grill…."
"It's fine, eat up, noona. Grilling meat's the one thing I can do perfectly."
Not much to brag about, but it was my way of declining.
Noona got it, chuckling softly before saying, "Then I'll leave it to you," picking up a piece, dipping it in sauce, and popping it in her mouth.
I'd noticed it last time we ate together, but how was even her eating so elegant? It was like a noble lady from a fantasy novel at dinner.
"Pfft. Kang Wooju, aren't you staring too hard? You're making noona self-conscious."
"Uh, huh…?"
I'd been spacing out watching her, and Yuna-yeon snickered, calling me out.
"…Ah."
"…Mm."
Snapping back to reality, I locked eyes with noona, who was chewing away, and we both turned our heads at the exact same time, like we'd planned it.
But her flushed face lingered in my mind, refusing to fade.
Damn it, Kang Wooju, you idiot. First time seeing someone eat meat? Stop fanboying and behave—don't make Seoha noona uncomfortable.
"Hey, chill. She's clearly from a different world than us."
"I know, no need to tell me."
Park Jae-seong piled on, and all I could muster was a weak retort in a deflated voice.
She wouldn't think I was a creep now, right? No, really, that wasn't what I meant….
"S-So, what brings you three here today?"
"Huh? Oh, that…."
As I inwardly berated myself, Seoha noona broke the awkward air first.
She must've missed my recent announcement stream or forgotten we'd planned to meet here.
"I was looking to hire a YouTube editor. Yuna-yeon does that kind of work, so I suggested it and we met up."
"I see… So she's taking the editor job?"
"Probably. After treating her to premium beef, backing out now would make me the thug."
I shrugged, and noona glanced uneasily at Yuna-yeon across from her.
Was she worried, like other viewers, that I'd snag some weirdo editor? Sure, Yuna-yeon seemed scatterbrained, but she was meticulous about work.
"You three seem really close."
"Well, Jae-seong and I have known Wooju for almost 20 years."
"Already? Man, that's exhausting."
Hearing it in years hit me—our bad blood ran long. I reacted with mock exasperation.
Not that I actually disliked them; it was just typical true-friend banter. Jae-seong and Yuna-yeon grimaced and went "Eww" in unison.
"That's rich coming from you. Shameless."
"You act like this is new? Ignore him."
True to the salt-and-pepper couple, they meshed perfectly. Good thing Seoha noona was there, or I'd have been 2v1'd.
I was chuckling alone at the vibe when I felt eyes on me.
Turning, I saw Seoha noona staring up with wide eyes, like she'd heard something bizarre.
What's up?
"Um, Cosmo… are those two dating…?"
She tilted her head, then leaned closer, hand over her mouth like whispering a secret—though the pair across from us heard fine, drawing their gazes.
That's when I realized I hadn't told her they were a couple, so I explained late.
"Oh, I didn't mention. Yeah, they've been together since middle school. That's how I got close to Yuna-yeon too."
They were always glued together, so I couldn't avoid her. Though up to high school, Yuna-yeon and I weren't that tight.
We'd nod if we passed by, that was it. Things picked up after we grew up and lived nearby.
"Eek, I had no idea…!"
"…Noona?"
After my quick rundown of our trio, Seoha noona ducked her head, cheeks redder than before, mumbling something.
I couldn't catch the words, but she looked mortified.
Did she have chili powder in her teeth? I wouldn't care.
"Heehee…."
As I patted her bowed head like a criminal's, a giggle came from across—Yuna-yeon, chin on hand, beaming smugly.
What nonsense was she plotting now?
"Hey, hey, Kang Wooju."
"What? I'm busy—grill your own meat."
"Not that."
I brushed off her playful tone, but she persisted.
No point fighting it, so I met her eyes with annoyed curiosity.
"Nah, I don't wanna be your editor."
She glanced between me and noona, smirking, then dropped the bomb.
Now?!
"What? After all the premium beef…!"
"Pfft, the owner comped it. You didn't spend a dime today."
True, but rejecting like this?
Why the sudden change? She'd been positive in our texts before meeting.
It felt like a hammer to the back of my head. At least give a reason.
"Why all of a sudden?"
"Can't say. Right, noona?"
She stuck out her tongue teasingly at me, then pivoted to noona.
What did noona have to do with this?
I figured she was dodging, but then…
"Y-Yeah, that's right."
"…Noona?"
Noona's unexpected agreement—basically siding with Yuna-yeon—felt like betrayal.
"Noona, since we met, let's exchange numbers!"
"Sh-Sure…?"
Ignoring us, the two women suddenly bonded and swapped contacts.
What the hell happened in those few minutes?
Someone explain.