Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: That Kind of Thing 2
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Who could possibly act like everything was normal after going through something like this?
I let the lecture go in one ear and out the other without really listening. That much was the same as always, but today I couldn't even distract myself with something else. Si-eun's shocked face as she fled kept flashing in my mind, making it utterly impossible to focus.
The memory of smacking my friend on the back of his head was crystal clear, though.
Anyway, time marches on. The lecture ended, and I headed home.
I spent the whole walk worrying. How was I supposed to face Si-eun? What excuse could I give if she asked? Would she quit on the spot?
There weren't any easy answers. I plopped down in front of my monitor, sighing heavily as I waited for her to come home.
About two hours later, I heard the door lock beep from beyond my room.
Normally, I'd ignore her return, but today was different. I shuffled slowly toward where she was taking off her shoes and managed an awkward greeting.
"Uh... hey."
I couldn't even meet her eyes as I said it, and Si-eun turned her head away before replying.
"...Hey."
The atmosphere was as uncomfortable as I'd expected.
Cleaning and laundry don't really require much communication. If we're just talking about her housekeeping duties, we don't cross paths that often.
But there was one big exception.
Mealtime.
I headed to the kitchen right on cue, and there she was, plating up the food.
Maybe because Friday wasn't over yet. She'd changed out of her casual clothes back into her maid uniform.
Her sticking to the routine even in a situation like this was so typically Si-eun, but recalling what happened earlier only made it more awkward.
And for good reason. What I'd seen was a video of a girl in a maid uniform.
No words passed between us during the meal. There were no reactions from Si-eun like usual, either.
Normally, mealtime is when the tension eases up. Fill your belly with good food, and your mind relaxes. Isn't that when Si-eun and I talk the most?
But right now, we were both stiff as boards.
The suffocating vibe made it feel like the rice I'd just eaten was stuck in my throat. I finished up and started to get out of my seat...
"Um."
...only for Si-eun to speak up.
I sat back down.
"Y-yeah?"
My voice came out all squeaky as I responded, and she hesitated before continuing.
"About today... what was that all about?"
She's demanding an explanation. I'd braced for her to blow up, but surprisingly, she seemed willing to hear me out.
I couldn't pass up the chance. Time to lay out my excuse based on the facts.
"W-well, my friend sent me the link as a joke, and when I opened it..."
"You mean that guy?"
"Yeah, the one you're thinking of."
Si-eun muttered, "Men," and let out a sigh.
"Talk about bad timing. I just happened to walk in, huh?"
I shook my head after a moment's thought.
"Nah?"
"If I'd closed it right away, you wouldn't have seen. But... the maid uniform on that girl caught my eye..."
"What?"
Si-eun's face filled with shock for a split second.
"You really have a thing for that?"
"N-no. It's not about taste or anything. I just thought, 'Oh, maid uniforms might come off as a bit special.'"
The more I explained, the deeper I was digging my own grave. Should've just said yes. Honesty can be poison sometimes. I learned that lesson all over again today.
After hearing the whole story, Si-eun crossed her arms and bowed her head.
What now? The guilty party stays silent. I clamped my mouth shut, waiting for the backlash.
As I sat there frozen, Si-eun slowly uncrossed her arms.
"Sorry."
She apologized.
"You're sorry?"
The unexpected apology left me dumbfounded. Confused, I asked, and she ran her fingers through her hair as she replied.
"Yeah. Your room is your private space, basically. I barged in without knocking and saw... that."
She was fumbling for words, sounding less composed than usual.
A glance showed her eyes downcast, cheeks faintly flushed. I wasn't the only embarrassed one; Si-eun must've been mortified too, even if it was an accident.
"Even if you weren't watching that kind of video... say you were changing or something. You wouldn't expect anyone to see, but I just walked in."
Si-eun seemed to be reflecting on it in her own way.
Of course, if we're assigning blame, she does share some. You don't enter someone's room without knocking. Basic etiquette.
It might've happened eventually anyway, even if not today. Like when she brought snacks before—she's not big on boundaries.
But in this mess, she wasn't the one who should apologize.
I hung my head.
"No. It's my fault."
I glanced up, and Si-eun's head snapped up.
"Either way, you're living with a guy. Even if it's my room, stuff like this happening would worry you. I should've been more careful."
I was careless. I repeated it in my head as I said it aloud.
'It's fine. Based on how you act, I doubt anything bad would happen to you.'
That's what Si-eun had said when she moved in.
She might've underestimated me, but she trusted me enough to live here. My carelessness had created needless anxiety—that was on me.
But Si-eun waved her hands frantically.
"No. If I'd just knocked..."
I cut her off with a shake of my head.
"I should've been more careful."
"No..."
Si-eun trailed off, then bit her lower lip. To me, it looked like deep guilt.
Now we were just taking turns apologizing. Things had worked out better than expected, but this wasn't getting us anywhere.
Caught in this stalemate, Si-eun finally rubbed her chin and spoke up.
"How about this."
Her face was set. She'd reached some kind of decision.
I met her eyes like a defendant awaiting verdict, and it came swiftly.
"It's a tie."
What an incredible conclusion.
"Just let it go?"
"Not just letting it go."
Si-eun waved her chopsticks in the air.
"If we're both at fault, we just do better from now on, right?"
"From now on?"
"Yeah. Like, I'll knock every time I go into your room from here on out."
"Can't you just not come in?"
"What if I'm bored?"
What kind of logic is that?
"And you, well..."
She paused her chopstick waving there.
"No more watching dirty videos."
"Sure, fine."
"You don't look convinced."
"This is just my face."
Even so, Si-eun hummed thoughtfully. Why wouldn't she believe me when I said I wouldn't? If not for that idiot friend, I never would've opened that video in the first place.
A moment later, she hesitantly spoke up again.
"Do all guys our age... care about that stuff?"
"Dunno."
I don't know if every guy does. And even if I did, would I tell her? We can barely chat about normal things—talking about this with a girl felt impossible.
Si-eun frowned, dissatisfied with my answer.
"Then tell me."
"Yeah?"
"Are you... interested in that stuff?"
"...What?"
That was an even tougher question.
Why ask something like that? Curiosity? Worry? Or just teasing? A sidelong glance didn't reveal much; she looked almost expressionless.
"Dunno. Maybe."
"You don't know your own feelings?"
"Could be."
"No way."
She wasn't letting it go until I answered. Why grill me over this?
Fine. Time for a textbook response.
"I'm a guy too. Saying no would be a lie."
That's just human nature, right?
You can't will your heart to stop beating, and you can't control how your body reacts. That's not wrong in itself. It's how you act on it that matters.
Si-eun shrugged a bit in surprise but nodded.
"Got it."
"Uh, yeah, something like that."
Talking about this with a girl is rough.
I grabbed my empty bowl and took it to the sink. Si-eun didn't ask more, mercifully keeping quiet. Good. I wanted to escape this vibe ASAP.
Feeling relieved inside, I headed to my room.
"Hey."
Si-eun called after me, her voice carrying the tiniest tremor.
"What now?"
I turned back, and she covered her chest with her arms, mumbling.
"Don't... have dirty thoughts about me."
"..."
The ridiculous request made me burst out laughing.
She narrowed her eyes at me.
"Why're you laughing?"
"Dunno."
I looked at her pouting lips and headed back to my room.