Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: The Interview and the First Meal
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"So... I made a bunch of money investing in all sorts of things. Cleaning, laundry, and cooking were too much of a hassle. That's why I posted the part-time job ad. That's the gist of it, right?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
I let Si-eun inside first and explained the situation.
The fact that I'd made a ton of money was something I'd only ever told my one friend up until now. And just like that, I'd gone and told a second person. I'd really hoped to keep it under wraps.
Si-eun rubbed her chin as she mulled it over, then nodded.
"You're always just tapping away on your laptop during lectures. So that's what you've been up to."
"Investing means you miss a moment, and you regret it for life."
"Is that so? ...Well, you made a killing, so you must know what you're talking about."
Straight to the point, as expected.
Even in this bizarre situation where the person interviewing for the job turned out to be from the same department, Si-eun didn't show a hint of unease. If anything, I was the one feeling awkward.
She must have noticed my gaze, because she spoke up.
"What?"
"Nothing, just... doesn't it weird you out that someone from the same school showed up for the interview?"
"It's fine. I was a little worried since it's someone I know, but it doesn't really matter."
"What if it matters to me...?"
Of course it was fine. Actually, it was great. I could even ask her about lecture announcements.
But there was one thing I was curious about. I asked without quite meeting her eyes.
"Why are you looking for a part-time gig like this?"
"Isn't that something the guy posting the ad should say?"
"Fair enough, but, uh..."
I took a moment to gather my thoughts.
"You're studying hard, you're the student council president for the department, and you seem to know everyone. Anyway, you strike me as super busy."
Si-eun looked at me like I'd shocked her.
"How do you know all that?"
"We're in the same department and year. You hear things."
That's what I said, but technically it was a bit different.
We were the same department and year, sure, but before that, Si-eun was famous across the whole school. Mostly thanks to her looks, her figure, and her knack for getting along with people.
There were even rumors she was out there deliberately teasing guys. If word like that reached the ears of a total loner like me, it had to be a big deal.
Si-eun dropped her gaze to the table and answered.
"I'm busy, but I don't have a choice. I need the money."
"You need money?"
"Yeah. My mom's not well."
Her tone was dead serious.
"On top of that, my dad passed away when I was little. So it's down to me to earn it. I was going to take a leave of absence, but Mom wouldn't let me, so I'm stuck going to school."
She seemed to be enjoying school life just fine, though.
As if reading my skeptical look, Si-eun kept explaining.
"Once I graduate, I need to land a job right away, so I'm stacking up specs now as much as I can. Good grades mean scholarships. Networking's key for job hunting, and people buy me meals, so that saves on food costs."
"..."
"Pretty pathetic, huh? Think what you want. I know it's not glamorous. But right now, I need to earn as much as possible and spend as little as I can to help with her medical bills."
"Mm."
I didn't think it was pathetic.
I just thought we were total opposites.
My family had been dirt poor when I was a kid, too.
But I'd grown up differently from Si-eun. Making friends had always been tough for me, from way back to now.
Tinkering with busted computers and crappy games was way more fun. Predicting how graphs would bend was a blast, too.
So I'd given up on people. Made a fortune, but I still only had one friend.
Si-eun, on the other hand, was charging straight ahead despite the hardship. What a massive difference.
Si-eun continued.
"That's why I was job hunting and saw your post. 500 an hour for this? Lucky I spotted it right away."
"Makes sense. Your application looked copy-pasted."
"I'd saved it and was just waiting for a sweet gig like this."
I see.
"Plus, room and board included. Dream job."
"Uh, well... Huh?"
"What?"
Si-eun tilted her head.
Thinking back, I hadn't checked the box for room and board in the ad.
I had plenty of empty rooms, and I'd cover food costs. So I could provide it if needed. That was the idea.
But having a girl from the same department move in as a housekeeper? That felt... awkward.
"No, it's fine."
Reposting now would be a pain. Better to invest that time. We'd use separate rooms anyway, so no big deal.
What surprised me more was that Si-eun didn't mind.
"You're okay with it?"
"With what?"
"Living in the same house as me."
"What, is that it?"
Si-eun let out a little laugh.
"It's fine. From what I've seen, you're not the type to cause trouble. You're always just pounding away on that laptop."
"Mm."
Not exactly a compliment. She probably saw me as a pushover. But she was 100% right, so no arguing. I just had to take it.
"So? What's the verdict?"
Si-eun narrowed her eyes.
"Am I... hired?"
Her voice carried real desperation, like she couldn't bear to lose this chance.
When a girl from the same school, department, and year offers to move in as your housekeeper—what's the normal response?
Hunt for another applicant, probably. Tell her it's too awkward, and she'd have no comeback.
But not me.
Simple reason: too much hassle.
"Sure. You're hired."
"...Thanks."
The second she heard, Si-eun stood up.
"When do I start? Not set yet? Oh, can I ship my stuff ahead? I'll prep to move tomorrow."
"Hang on."
"Yeah?"
Si-eun tilted her head blankly.
Sorry, but I had to drop a real bombshell.
"If possible..."
"Yeah."
"Could you make lunch starting today...?"
"What?"
I regretted hiring her just a tiny bit as she gaped at me.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "What the heck is this?"
That was Si-eun's first words upon opening the fridge.
A perfectly reasonable reaction. The fridge was completely empty. Not figuratively—there was literally nothing inside.
She'd given a hollow laugh when I said I'd expect meals now that she was hired.
But she didn't refuse. She just said, "Got it," and accepted cheerfully.
"I'm hired now, so it's work time. Whatever you say."
"Thanks."
"I can just whip something up with what's in the fridge, right?"
Before I could stop her, she opened it. And found it shockingly barren.
Leading to this moment.
"Even I don't keep it this empty, and I'm broke. You've got money, but why's your fridge like this?"
"Unavoidable circumstances."
"What circumstances?"
"Too much hassle."
Si-eun shot me a glare. After twenty-plus years as a total loner, I had no defense. I averted my eyes.
"What'd you eat yesterday?"
"Cup ramen."
"Day before?"
"Cup ramen."
"And the day before that, cup ramen too, I bet."
"No."
"Then?"
"...Packet ramen."
Si-eun let out a short sigh.
Is there any food greater than ramen? It's crafted by brilliant minds. Has to taste good.
Plus, delivery takes half an hour at least. Ramen's done in minutes. Nothing beats it for convenience and flavor.
I wanted to argue that, but kept my mouth shut.
Soon, rustling came from her side.
Glancing over, she was checking the cabinet with spices and cookware.
"All you've got is chili powder and a pot. I'm shocked you even have that."
"Need it for ramen."
"Fair enough."
Si-eun nodded resignedly, then suddenly perked up.
"So now what? No ingredients or tools—nobody could cook here."
"Uh, well. Go to the mart right down the street and buy some, and I'll pay you back later..."
"Sorry, but... I don't have the cash."
Right.
"It's stuff for the house anyway. Better if the owner comes along to pick it out, no?"
She shut the cabinet.
True enough. If she quits, it's all mine anyway.
Handing my card to a brand-new hire didn't sit right either. Going together made more sense.
Problem was...
That meant I had to go out, too...
I hired her to cut down on hassle, but now I'd piled it on. Should've just eaten ramen.
But whatever. Suck it up this once, and I'd be set for a while.
"Got it."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A huge apartment complex means tons of residents living together. Prime real estate with high spending power. That's the mart in the complex shops for you.
Might invest in one of these spots someday.
"What're you thinking?"
Si-eun, a few steps ahead, turned her head.
"Debating whether to buy something."
"Out of the house and suddenly full of energy. What do you want to eat?"
"Nah. Was thinking whether to buy E-Mart stock."
"Our scales are way off..."
Si-eun muttered, pressing her temple.
Anyway, we headed inside.
Sunday, maybe? Place was packed.
One side had a couple with a little kid pushing a cart. The other, what looked like a young pair with a basket.
Si-eun naturally grabbed a shopping cart and started pushing it toward the food section.
Felt bad leaving it all to her. I hurried to take over, but she tilted her head.
"Why?"
"Feels like I'm just bossing you around."
"So? I'm getting paid. Boss me more if you want."
She smiled faintly. So cool. She wasn't like this at school.
As I pondered that, we reached the food aisle.
Frozen stuff up front. Spices left, veggies and meat right. Big, impressive mart.
But Si-eun, gripping the cart, wasn't budging. Frozen like a statue.
What was up?
"Spices over there, I think."
"..."
No response.
I looked, and her eyes were fixed somewhere. Following her gaze, there was a lady grilling dumplings.
Sampling station.
"Want one? Go for it."
She flinched at my casual toss-out, then raised an eyebrow.
"Not hungry."
"Then let's move. Time is money."
"Fine."
She answered quick, but her eyes rolled back to the dumplings. Feet glued in place.
"Just grab one."
"...Not looking 'cause I want it."
What was I supposed to do?
Fine. I like dumplings anyway. Frozen food's made by food company geniuses. Has to be good. Can't beat ramen, though.
Opened the mini-freezer by the station, tossed a pack in the cart. Si-eun jumped, staring at me.
Don't look at me like that.
"Let's go."
I spoke to break the weird vibe. She looked like she wanted to say something, but pushed the cart ahead again.
"Any foods you want?"
"Anything."
"Favorites?"
"Ramen?"
"You can make that yourself."
"True..."
Too spot-on to rebut.
She giggled at my smacking lips.
"You're one of a kind. Is that how you made bank?"
Snorting, Si-eun said,
"Whatever. I'll make what I want."
With that, she loaded the cart with spices, veggies, meats— all sorts.
Watching it fill up, I thought hiring a housekeeper was the best call.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ We finished shopping once we grabbed cookware too.
Lunchtime long past. Cooking now would make it dinner too.
Spot on. Clutching my growling stomach, an hour later Si-eun called me.
In the kitchen, the table was a feast.
Stir-fried pork, soft tofu stew. Veggie salads, fried eggs—the works.
When was the last home-cooked meal like this? Barely remembered.
"You cook well."
"How do you know without trying? ...I'm confident, though. Been doing it forever."
I see.
She'd lost her dad young. Mom couldn't always be home, so she'd learned early.
I nodded inwardly, sat down. Si-eun plopped opposite.
"You're eating too?"
"Why? Don't wanna share a table?"
"No. Thought you'd be uncomfortable."
"Better to eat and clean together."
Made sense.
I bowed slightly in thanks, picked up chopsticks. Stir-fried pork first. Reached, grabbed some, popped it in.
Chew chew. Savored it.
"How is it?"
Her eyes held expectation. Confident or not, feedback's rare.
Swallowed and spoke.
"Delicious."
"Right?"
She giggled softly.
Honestly, it was great. After endless ramen and greasy takeout, I could've wolfed down bowls right there.
Only then did Si-eun grab chopsticks. Tried her stir-fried pork.
"Mmm~ Perfect!"
Hand to cheek, beaming happily.
Lemon-sucking gesture. No wonder she fixated at samples. Probably skimps on real meals.
Lost in thoughts watching her, our eyes met. Remembering me, she jolted, cleared her throat, composed herself.
"Anyway, like this okay?"
Si-eun asked evenly.
"Yeah, should work. Food's great. Mmm~ perfect!"
"Can I smack you once?"
I looked away quick. Sorry.
"When do I start?"
She asked, a touch sulky. Like she'd accepted my apology.
"You need time to prep. Come Friday night. Next time, just cooking, cleaning, laundry. I'll order washer and vacuum today. Oh, ship your stuff or bring it."
"Got it."
She replied haughtily. Total shift from pork-munching her.
Glanced up—eyes met.
"Looking forward to it."
"Uh, yeah."
I dodged again; a soft chuckle came from across.