Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Consultation
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I'm in love with Si-eun.
Admitting that fact without any hiding made my heart feel so much lighter. When I'd hesitated, doubting if it could really be true, my head had been spinning. But now that I'd accepted it, there was no reason to hold back.
The way I treated Si-eun had softened a bit too, settling into this awkward middle ground—not too close, not too strained.
That's how the week passed.
But I still had a ton of worries nagging at me.
How should I face Si-eun? How should I act around her? What does she think of me?
And was it really okay to keep living like this with her?
Living under the same roof as a guy with impure intentions on her. That could never be pleasant for her. I didn't even want to imagine what her reaction would be if she found out. It wouldn't be weird if she got upset.
In a situation like this...
What the hell was I supposed to do?
"Hoo..."
Monday's first lecture.
I sat in the very back row and let out a sigh. Friend, who was fiddling with his phone up front, turned his head.
"Why've you been sighing so much lately?"
"It's nothing."
"Nothing?"
He repeated my words and started peering at me. I wondered what he was doing, but then he pocketed his phone and spoke up.
"Then why's your face like that?"
"Don't make fun of my face."
"No, I mean, you look full of worry."
Did I?
I'd looked fine in the mirror this morning. Well, they do say people can't cut their own hair properly. It wouldn't be strange if someone noticed changes in me before I did.
Maybe it was because we'd been friends for a while—he could read my mood. Or maybe I just lived so carefree usually that any worry showed right away.
Either way, it didn't matter. I couldn't exactly spill my honest troubles to him.
I just gave a wordless snort and was about to shut my mouth.
Then it hit me—this guy had a girlfriend, didn't he?
Hmm...
"Hey."
"Yeah?"
I paused and glanced at the seat two spots over.
So-hye's usual spot was empty. Either she hadn't arrived yet, or she was trapped in dreamland and skipping. I didn't know why, but I was glad she wasn't here right now.
I tried to play it as casual as possible.
"How'd you end up dating your girlfriend?"
"Huh?"
He shot back in surprise, eyes and mouth wide open. It was the kind of reaction straight out of a cartoon.
He stayed like that for a few seconds without responding, then lowered his voice to half volume.
"You... got someone you like?"
He nailed it right away.
"...Huh?"
"Am I right?"
"No... why would you think that?"
"Because you've never shown any interest in my dating history before. Hell, you've never cared about romance at all, not even a speck."
True enough.
I hated going out, so why would I bother with dating? That's probably why I ended up falling for someone who lives in the house. What a tragic life.
"Yeah, pretty much."
Looks like our long friendship wasn't for nothing. He nodded and patted my shoulder approvingly.
"You've finally grown up, huh."
"Shut up."
I rested my chin on my hand and grumbled.
Friend looked like he was pondering something deeply.
"Hmm, but if it's someone you'd like..."
He muttered that much, sank into thought, then suddenly lit up like he'd figured it out.
"Don't tell me you fell for your housekeeper?"
"...Huh?"
How the hell did he get there?
He smirked bitterly at me gaping like an idiot.
"Yeah, figures. The only women around you are basically that one."
"Can't argue with that..."
"Oh, wait—or is it that Han So-hye girl you've been talking to lately?"
Thud.
The moment So-hye's name came up, something bumped nearby. I didn't know where it came from. Maybe someone dropped their pencil case.
I ignored it and answered.
"Nah, she's just quirky, that's all."
This time, a sigh echoed. No clue where that came from either.
"So yeah, it's the housekeeper."
"Whatever."
Embarrassing, but what could I do? He'd already sniffed out that I liked someone. No point hiding it now, especially if I wanted advice—I had to give him the details.
I stayed quiet, and he grinned like he'd read my mind.
But for some reason, his face turned sad right after.
"Still, that one's gotta be tough."
"Why?"
I asked curtly, and he patted my shoulder sympathetically.
"Big age gap in that couple."
"What?"
Age gap?
What was he talking about? I tilted my head, then it clicked.
Friend didn't know our housekeeper was Si-eun. Hell, he probably thought she was some older lady. Mid-40s at least, I bet.
It made sense to assume that. Who'd live in and clean for a 20-something college guy's house without some age difference? Otherwise, it'd feel off.
"No..."
I stopped myself from saying that's not it.
Better to let the misunderstanding ride than stir up unnecessary drama.
"...It's not. The age gap is pretty big."
"Yeah. I get your tastes. Next time I send you videos, I'll pick ones like that."
"Don't send any."
What the hell did "like that" even mean?
Anyway, he seemed to grasp the situation. Lecture was starting soon, so no time to waste. I got to the point.
"That’s why I’ve been worried lately."
"Why?"
"Wondering if it's okay to have feelings like this for the housekeeper."
"Fair. The world's changed a lot, but a 20-year difference..."
"Forget the age gap for now."
I couldn't have him fixating on the irrelevant part.
But he just looked baffled at my words. I met his eyes, wondering what was up, and he raised an eyebrow.
"Then there's no problem at all?"
His tone was pure confusion.
"Why no problem?"
"What's the issue?"
"Huh?"
We weren't connecting at all.
Neither of us got what the other meant; we just stared blankly.
Finally, he whispered.
"Like, for example. You gonna make her do something naughty?"
"Hell no. Never."
"Or barge into her room or something?"
"I'd have to be insane."
Forget doing it—even thinking about it felt like I'd get slapped and dragged to the cops.
"See? You won't. You probably don't have the guts anyway, but you know you shouldn't, and that it'd be irreversible if you did."
He shrugged.
"If you're not gonna do any of that, what's the problem?"
"She might hate it."
"Why would she hate it if you're not doing anything?"
He wasn't entirely wrong.
Me liking Si-eun didn't hurt her directly.
But if it forced her into something she didn't want... that's when the real problem started.
"If you don't pull crap like that, it might even be great. Living with someone you like? That's a miracle."
"It might not be all good."
Pining alone with unrequited feelings while she's right there? Not exactly pleasant.
He nodded in agreement, but added,
"Still, living together means more chances to score points, right? Sure, more ways to lose them too, but that's on you."
"I've probably already lost hundreds of points..."
"Then rack up pluses now. Or hit a grand slam to turn it around."
He scratched his cheek and continued.
"Me too, before we dated, I obsessed over whether she liked me. Hesitated, banged my head against the wall."
"Hard to imagine with you now."
"Love makes fools of us all."
Cheesy line.
"But looking back, I wasted too much time waiting. If I'd been bolder sooner, more honest... we'd have had more time together."
He smirked faintly.
"But you? I figured you wouldn't drag it out."
"Kinda flattering."
"Not really high praise."
"Oh."
"More like, you don't usually care what people think, right? That's one of your few strengths. Use it."
"So, chance to leverage my rare strengths."
"Half joking."
Half serious, then. I'd be half grateful.
"So, within reason—not bothering her—show your best move. She might fall for you. Worst case, aim for the next one."
"Hmm..."
Grateful for the optimism, but hard to take at face value.
Forget what I could do—she was way out of my league. With my low level, no gear, I'd probably get wiped without a scratch.
With that, Friend stood up.
"Lecture's starting soon. Catch you later."
"Yeah."
"Anyway, your heart's what matters. Decide wisely. Tell me how it goes."
"Got it."
"Plenty of couples overcome age gaps. Rooting for you."
"Uh, yeah. Sure."
He headed back to the group.
Seeing him chat energetically as always, I realized he'd been dead serious during our talk.
His advice helped.
He hit on what I'd been thinking and pointed out what I hadn't. For all his looks, he'd walked this path before—life senior to this rookie. Plenty to learn.
His bottom line: My feelings matter most, so judge and decide well.
Which brought me right back to square one.
What the hell was I supposed to do?
"Sounds like quite the situation..."
A familiar voice nearby made me turn. So-hye was right there, shaking her head vigorously.
"Whoa."
"Haven't heard that from you in a while. Your surprised sound."
"It's been ages since I was this shocked."
Whatever.
"Where'd you pop up from?"
She grinned with her eyes and answered.
"Hiding under the seat next to you until just now."
"Why the hell would you..."
"To scare you and hear a 'whoa,' obviously."
Mission accomplished, then. Good job.
"But you looked so serious from down there. Missed my timing."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. And you were having such an intense talk with your friend. Even harder to pop out."
"I see."
True enough. Intense talk it was. Problem was, I'd started it thinking she wasn't around.
"...How much did you hear?"
"'Why all the sudden sighs?' From there."
"Everything, huh."
"Yup."
"Please forget it."
"Hahaha. How could I forget a story like this?"
She giggled like she had dirt on me, looking up at me with a tilted head. Pure little devil vibe.
"So, your house has a housekeeper?"
"Yeah. Too lazy for chores, so I hired one."
"And Si-eun sunbae lives next door?"
"Right."
"You were talking about falling for the housekeeper in this setup?"
"...Whatever."
"Sunbae."
"What?"
"What's your deal with Si-eun sunbae?"
Why alternate between housekeeper and Si-eun? I wondered if she'd caught on, but no evidence for that suspicion.
Just fishing, then. No obligation to answer straight.
"Next-door neighbor."
She laughed ah ha ha.
"Just a next-door neighbor?"
"Yeah. No real closeness—just lives next door."
"Hmm~ Got it."
She said that, but her squinty eyes suggested otherwise.
"Sure, let's go with that!"
Hmm.
Her look, her tone—it felt like she didn't buy it at all. Was that my imagination?