Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Until Next Time
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In the end, the editor contract with Yuna Yeon fell through.
Of course, there were plenty of other editors out there in the world, so it wasn't a huge worry. Still, the thought of losing someone I'd trusted left a bitter taste in my mouth.
"Unnie, have you been to Italy too?"
"Yeah, I've traveled all over overseas. This one's from when I was in the States..."
"Whoa, isn't that the Grand Canyon!? And unnie's model pose in the middle of it is insane..."
"M-model? Don't hype me up like that."
Yuna Yeon, oblivious to my feelings, had gotten so close to Seoha noona that they were even on first-name terms, chatting away happily.
Noona showed her a few photos from her gallery, and Yuna Yeon let out exclamations of awe with every single one. She was the picture of innocence.
I, on the other hand, wanted to smack her upside the head.
"Ah, time's flown by already..."
Before I knew it, they'd even switched seats, and Seoha noona, who was practically glued to Yuna Yeon, let out a sigh.
I finally checked the time myself and saw it was already past 4 p.m. It had only been a little after 2 when we arrived at the barbecue place.
"Why, unnie? Got some urgent appointment?"
"Yeah... Actually, I only came to help out for a bit, so I need to head back soon."
"Right, you said you have a job."
She'd come all the way to a barbecue joint to help out a friend despite having her own work? It really hit home just how kind noona was. No matter how much they paid her hourly here, it couldn't beat her company salary. She was basically taking a loss to help out.
She's such a good person.
"Alright, let's head out then. We've had our fill of meat, and I need to see noona off too."
I took the lead to wrap things up, sensing noona shuffling her feet awkwardly, unable to pry Yuna Yeon off her.
I clapped a couple times to liven up the mood, and Yuna Yeon pouted like a child.
"Aww, I hate to part like this..."
"You can always chat later. You exchanged numbers, right?"
To me, it was the kind of behavior that deserved a punch, but noona embraced even that clinginess, wrapping an arm around Yuna Yeon's shoulders.
Wow, is she really an angel?
"What, you're leaving already?"
"Yeah, we've finished the meat, so it's time to go. Noona has other stuff too."
As we gathered our things to stand, Park Jaesung returned from the bathroom. Perfect timing.
"Ah, you're heading out?"
With Park Jaesung joining us, we made our way to the exit. The burly owner from earlier approached with a greeting. Behind him, a crowd of staff gathered.
Anyone would think the chairman was leaving and the employees were seeing him off. Is this normal here?
They all had such massive builds it was intimidating. You could mistake it for a scene from a gangster flick.
"Ah, yes. Thank you for the great meal, boss. Um, the bill..."
He'd called it service, but leaving without paying for all that food made my conscience twinge, so I broached it carefully.
The boss waved his hands vigorously and bowed.
"No, no! I told you, it's on the house!"
"Still, though..."
"If it bothers you that much, think of it as a gesture for getting along well with our director... Ah, I mean Seoha."
"Hmm..."
His earnest refusal made me feel awkward instead, and I glanced at noona beside me.
Catching my eye, she looked up at me with a smile that said just go with it and gently pulled my arm back.
Fair enough. It would be rude to keep insisting when he'd gone this far. I'd just order something expensive next time.
"Got it. We'll come again sometime."
"Ah, no need to—!"
"...?"
Usually, people say something like we'd be grateful if you did, right?
His reaction seemed oddly reluctant about me coming back, so I tilted my head. The boss flinched as if he'd spotted a wild beast.
And it wasn't just him—all the staff behind him reacted the same way. That was weird.
"Anyway, glad you enjoyed it. Please take good care of Seoha from now on."
He glossed over it with what felt like an attempt to smooth things over and offered final words.
A lot nagged at me, but good is good, so I nodded.
"It was delicious, boss!"
"Thanks for the great meal."
The clingy couple followed with their goodbyes, but Seoha noona just gave a light wave and turned away. Her attitude toward underlings made a question mark pop up over my head.
They must be really close. Otherwise, I couldn't imagine noona greeting a superior like that.
"Take care!"
As we turned to leave, a thunderous send-off from the staff rang out behind us. Their voices were so loud, it made my ears ring even from a distance.
Mountain-sized guys yelling like that—straight out of a mob movie.
"...Huh?"
The door slid shut, and my eyes widened at a sign hanging by it.
Wait, this...
"Cosmo, what's up?"
"Ah, the sign says CLOSED. It was OPEN when we came in..."
Noona approached, tilting her head, so I pointed at the sign in front of us, puzzled.
It was odd. If it'd been CLOSED when we arrived, I could've chalked it up to staff error. But changing after we entered didn't add up.
"M-maybe the wind flipped it? It's pretty windy today."
"Oh, yeah, probably."
I was racking my brain for a logical explanation when noona beat me to it.
True, it was still winter, so the wind was strong. And the sign looked loosely hung— a gust could've easily flipped it.
I'd been lost in thought like some amateur detective over nothing. Embarrassing. How many cringey moments today?
"Hey, what now? Kinda wanna grab a drink before splitting up."
Gathered outside, deciding on next plans, Park Jaesung nudged my foot with his and suggested. I shook my head without hesitation.
"Nah, I'm dropping noona off first then heading home. You two drink."
We'd met as a trio with noona joining, but I couldn't let her go alone like this. At least see her to the subway or bus stop.
"Ooh, acting all gentlemanly all of a sudden?"
"Hey, where else you gonna find a gentleman like me?"
Surprised by my response, Yuna Yeon elbowed my side with mock shock.
I shrugged it off brazenly, and she shot me a cold what's that supposed to mean look.
Why make the mood awkward?
"Pfft, Cosmo is a gentleman. I agree, at least."
I coughed awkwardly, and noona, who'd been listening quietly, burst out laughing and took my side.
The vibe flipped instantly. Feeling smug, I shrugged at Yuna Yeon like see?
"Ugh, didn't expect Seoha unnie to side with Kang Wooju... Blood's thicker than water, huh?"
"Huh? W-what are you..."
Super sulky now, Yuna Yeon switched targets to noona, making a sleazy face like a 40-something uncle from an adult comic, poking the air with her fingers.
Noona looked flustered and glanced at me, then stepped forward to cover Yuna Yeon's mouth.
Whoa, first time seeing noona this panicked.
"Hey, stop teasing Seoha noona and get going. Unlike us, she's busy."
"Tch, I was gonna anyway."
To help noona, I gently pulled her back and shooed Yuna Yeon like a pesky vendor.
Pouting and clicking her tongue, she latched onto Park Jaesung's arm and turned away without regret.
Even now, the skinship. They'd been together nearly 10 years and still all lovey-dovey. Impressive. No honeymoon phase crash for them?
"Hey, text when you get home!"
"Got it, just watch your girlfriend."
"Yeah, noona, take care!"
"Sure, thanks for today."
Park Jaesung waved goodbye like a cow dragged to slaughter, and Seoha noona just bowed calmly amid the chaos.
Impressive in many ways.
"Well, shall we go too, noona?"
"Yeah."
Once their figures vanished, we started walking.
Noona said just to the franchise cafe with the taxi stand, so it wasn't far.
"Sorry about today. Because of me..."
Along the way, she apologized again, clearly still feeling bad about intruding on my hangout with friends.
"Nah, no need. It was lively and fun thanks to you. My friends loved it too."
"It's not just that..."
"Huh?"
"Ah, nothing."
She seemed to say something mid-sentence—a slip, probably—so I let it slide.
"Um, Cosmo."
"Yes, noona?"
"So Yuna Yeon doesn't have anything else going on right now?"
We crossed at the light and reached the cafe when Seoha noona threw a curveball question.
I noted how she used casual "Yeon" with Yuna but honorifics with me. So noona-like.
"Probably not. That's why we were bringing her on as editor."
"Ah, so she's always been interested in editing or that field?"
"Yeah. She applied to a few companies before but didn't get in."
Unlike us, Yuna Yeon hadn't gone to college and job-hunted early. I didn't know details, but Park Jaesung had vaguely mentioned it.
I explained vaguely, and Seoha noona pondered, then nodded decisively.
"Then there's an opening at Cheongsung Planning, so maybe there..."
"...Noona?"
She muttered to herself, too quiet to hear, so I called softly.
"Ah! S-sorry. Just thinking."
She startled like she'd been burned, smiled awkwardly, spotted the taxi at the stand, and waved.
"Oh, taxi's here. I'll head out first. Thanks for seeing me off."
"Take care, noona. Text when you arrive."
I waved and smiled back. She gazed at me shyly, then gave her farewell.
"Yeah, see you, Cosmo."
Hearing that, despite no set plans, I felt like I'd see her soon and nodded blankly.
"Ah... Yeah, see you, noona."
She smiled warmly at me, then hopped in the taxi and vanished.
That final expression lingered, leaving me rooted there for a long while.