Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: How to Become a Villain (4)
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My heart ached several times today.
To think my little sister farted in front of someone who wasn't me. If we're being precise, Yoon-seul is the shy type.
She warms up to people quickly and chats easily with those she's close to, so she doesn't seem particularly passive.
But by her own standards, she has distinct lines drawn between insiders and outsiders. If she took an MBTI test, she'd definitely score as an I (introverted) that's awfully close to E (extraverted).
A prime example is her bodily functions.
Surprisingly, the only people she's farted in front of besides me are about as far as her Grandma. I've been taking care of Yoon-seul for the past few months, so I know this for a fact.
"Uuu... Yunseul-i's embarrassed..."
The easily embarrassed Yoon-seul crawled into my apron and hiked up the short-sleeve shirt tucked into her pants. Then she shoved her head inside and hugged me tight.
She stretched her little legs straight out, desperately trying to burrow into my clothes. She must be mortified.
To let her in, I loosened the apron strings tied behind my back.
"Was Yunseul-i super embarrassed?"
"Uuu..."
Without a word, she rubbed against my bare stomach. I scooped up her little bottom and lifted her right in.
My apron puffed out like a kangaroo pouch.
And the contents of that pouch were none other than Jang Yoon-seul.
- Yoon-seul-ah, Unnie didn't hear anything...
"Eeeeng!"
Ji-a tried to console her, but Yoon-seul's heart had already shut tight. I could feel her shaking her head from around my stomach area.
Eeeeng! was a rare tantrum from her.
This was precious.
There are a few ways to calm Yoon-seul down when she's like this. Let's try one.
"Yoon-seul-ah, how about you, Oppa, and Ji-a Unnie each have a chocolate?"
"Eeng."
No dice.
Next option.
"Then how about Oppa takes Yunseul-i for a ride on Boong-boong and goes for a walk?"
"Eeeeng!"
Rejected again.
It was right around when dinner had just started anyway, so it wasn't feasible from the get-go.
That left only one final method.
This one always works without fail.
"Aigoo!"
Holding Yoon-seul tight, I flopped straight back onto the floor.
For full effect, I collapsed with dramatic flair.
Making sure she didn't get hurt, of course.
"Ee... eng?"
"Aigoo! Yoon-seul-ah, Oppa's hurting right now! It hurts!"
"Eeng?"
Worried about me sprawled on my back, Yoon-seul wriggled up my torso.
Then she poked her head out through the neck of my short-sleeve tee. Her little hands tugged my collar taut.
Our eyes met up close.
So close I could feel her quick breaths.
"Eng? Oppa hurts?"
"If Yunseul-i stays all down in the dumps, it hurts Oppa's heart."
"Why... makes Oppa hurt..."
"If Oppa's hurting, Yunseul-i has to fix it, right? No one else can heal Oppa but you."
"Um... okay. How do I make it better?"
"If you come out from under Oppa's clothes and smile all healthy and bright, Oppa will be all better."
"Um— Got it. Can't let Oppa hurt."
She wriggled again, straining to escape.
Nngh nngh.
I lifted the loosened apron to support her waddling bottom, and finally she popped out completely.
"Yunseul-i revives!"
Yoon-seul revived.
She raised both hands high, declaring her revival.
Don't forget the beaming smile.
Relieved at the sight, I started to sit up—only for Yoon-seul to eye me and toddle closer.
I gazed into her eyes, wondering what she wanted to say...
Smack!
For a split second, I couldn't process what happened. Then I saw Ji-a clapping her hand over her mouth, and it clicked.
No way.
Yoon-seul giving me a cheek kiss—at a moment like this!
A first in my life.
Yoon-seul had turned her head away primly.
"Oppa made Yunseul-i feel better, so this is thanks. Only for Oppa... just this once."
"I'm over the moon, our Yunseul-i gave me a cheek kiss. What made you think of doing this?"
"'Cause Eonni said earlier she likes giving Oppa those! So I tried once. Won't do it twice..."
A five-year-old's cheek kiss felt priceless, like designer luxury.
But that was enough.
Too many would strain my heart anyway.
Speaking of which, it was surprising that Baek Su-in had tipped her off. I just asked her to watch the kid for a bit, and this positive side effect comes back around.
I'm basking in happiness.
At the same time, my smartphone buzzed from the apron pouch.
[Sibling Tycoon!]
[The customer feels intense vicarious satisfaction.]
[J High School sophomore Song Ji-a: Restaurant satisfaction increased by 12%.]
[Total Satisfaction: 82%]
[Song Ji-a, J High School sophomore – Registered as regular!]
What now?
Ji-a got vicarious satisfaction.
She even broke past 80% satisfaction to hit regular status.
Once total satisfaction climbs that high, it's tough to boost further—and yet it jumped 12%. Impressive.
Meaning she got that vicarious thrill from whatever just happened. Ji-a's expression, hand over mouth and holding her breath, made the source obvious.
"Ji-a-ya, want me to wipe your drool?"
- Ah... yeah. Slurp.
Yoon-seul's cheek kiss must've hit her hard—drool pooling at the corner of Ji-a's mouth.
Can't blame her.
Our Yoon-seul is the cutest in the universe.
But.
"Ji-a-ya, just so we're clear, I hold exclusive rights to Yunseul-i's cheek kisses, an area you can never trespass on. Even as our shop's regular, if you covet it carelessly, we could end up in legal disputes. Got it?"
- Tch. Stingy.
Can't help being stingy.
Life's a battlefield.
With the situation settled, I decided to fix Ji-a's meal first. Exam period means she'd probably want to head home and review, so keeping her too long wasn't ideal.
I fired up the stove to whip up some quick stir-fried pork—but sure enough, Ji-a seized the chance to ask Yoon-seul.
- Yoon-seul-ah, could Unnie get just one cheek kiss too?
"No way."
The five-year-old was firm.
She raised her palm toward Ji-a.
Extra firm.
- Why... you gave it to Boss just like that.
"That's only for Oppa. So no way!
Stop nagging or else."
- Hiiing...
The five-year-old was bold.
Ji-a got shot down cold.
She ended up eating her meal deliciously and leaving, but she looked wistful about missing that cheek kiss.
Not that I could help with that. It's Yoon-seul's call whose cheek she kisses.
Once Ji-a left, a thought struck me.
Yoon-seul's cuteness gives customers direct and indirect satisfaction.
When she shoots finger guns—bang bang!—they lose it. Her clingy moments with me earn rave reviews too.
Cases like Ji-a's satisfaction boost aren't rare.
Which means.
"The cuter Yunseul-i is, the better for business!"
Time to test a theory.
**
The next day arrived.
I stopped by the bakery in the morning for some bread as usual.
She must've liked yesterday's chestnut loaf, 'cause it was Yoon-seul's pick.
The chestnuts stuffed in this bakery's loaf are soft and sweet. Right up her alley.
But it's tough for her to tear by hand, so I'm doing it for her.
Om nom nom—
Mouth open just a smidge, she nibbles away like a weasel or a rabbit—some small mammal.
I want to bring it up, but I hesitate.
It's fallout from the market.
Yesterday, strutting her fashion show smack in the middle of the market left Yoon-seul humiliated.
Asking her to do it once in the shop? I could guess the reaction.
Still, worth a shot.
"Yoon-seul-i, bread yummy?"
"Munch munch... so good... gulp— 'Cause Oppa tears it and feeds me, even yummier."
Even the way she talks is adorable.
"Yeah? Glad to hear it, my little miss."
"Yeah! One more pwease."
I tore off another bit of loaf, rolled it up, and popped it in her mouth. But she ended up chomping my finger too.
"Oops, sowwy. Yunseul-i munched... almost ate Oppa's finger."
"It's fine, it's fine."
Even her little nibble didn't hurt.
No matter how she attacks me, zero damage. Wild.
Yoon-seul gulped down the bread.
For another bite, she went "ahh—" and pointed at her mouth.
Too cute.
Forgetting I hadn't eaten a single bite myself, I fed her another while casually broaching the topic.
"Yoon-seul-ah, what do you think about showing off your special move inside the shop?"
"Mm... special move?"
She mulled over "special move," lips pursed around the bread in her mouth.
Not a happy face.
"No fashion show! That's no good!"
"No good?"
"Yeah... Oppa says it's cool. But everyone else just says cute!"
She stomped her feet at the table in frustration.
Legs kicking wildly in the air.
Really miffed.
"Oppa thought it was super super cool, though?"
"Oppa just loves Yunseul-i lots. To others, it's just cute."
Hmph—
She huffed through her nose, then opened wide for more bread.
Pop—
Pop— went the bites, and she took them eagerly.
Love watching her eat well.
Guess showing off the fashion show to customers is off the table.
Can't be helped.
I don't want to force her into stuff she hates just to boost shop satisfaction.
But I'm not giving up entirely.
I've still got one relief pitcher left.
"She'll come today too, right?"
We finished breakfast and opened for lunch service.
My eyes kept drifting to the shop door.
As usual.
Customers coming in is the basics of business.
But today held extra meaning.
Waiting for the red-haired big eater.
Vroom vroom roar—
Soon enough, a muffler blared past the shop, louder than its speed warranted.
Definitely Baek Su-in's bike.
Yoon-seul caught on too, face smooshed against the glass door, waiting for her to come in.
"You're here?"
She entered, high-fived Yoon-seul lightly, locked eyes with me.
Then took her usual seat at the bar table with the usual order.
- Today's special.
"Two servings of four portions each?"
- Might order more later, but for now.
"Order up. Actually, Su-in-ssi, I've got a favor to ask today too."