Chapter 55
Chapter 55
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: The Misunderstood Outsider
-----------------------------------------------------------------
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Ever since summer vacation started, the messages from Yoo So-mi have been coming more and more frequently.
At first, there was just about one a day—pictures of her outfit when she went out, like she was showing off her clothes.
But those gradually increased, and now...
-Hi? Good morning again today~ ˆ> ₃ <ˆ
-Jeong Yi-an~ According to your schedule, it should be time to get up by now. Are you sticking to the plan~ ʕっꈍᗜꈍςʔ
-I'm doing my morning stretches right now!
-[Photo of Yoo So-mi in her room, smiling as she splits her legs front and back]
-It's almost your workout time too, right, Yi-an? Let's do our best today! (｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )b
.
.
.
-Hi Yi-an? It's almost time to get ready for your part-time job! ( > ᴗ • )
-I'm getting ready to head out too! But I'm having such a hard time deciding what to wear today~ 「(°ヘ°)
-[Yoo So-mi's outfit option 1]
-[Yoo So-mi's outfit option 2]
-[Yoo So-mi's outfit option 3]
-Ta-da! Which one should I go with? Pick for me~ (ʃƪ˶˘ ﻬ ˘˶)
➤ I'm not confident in styling, so... they all look pretty. Just wear whatever you want?
-I don't have a 'whatever'! I'm not stepping outside until you pick, so if I'm late for work, it's your fault~ (~˘▾˘)~♫•*¨*•.¸¸♪
.
.
.
-Si-a came in looking super cute today! A sleeveless shirt—doesn't it suit her perfectly? ❤*.(๓´͈ ˘ `͈๓).*❤
-If she goes around dressed like that alone, guys must have been hitting on her nonstop. When I see Si-a later, should I compliment her outfit? ദ്ദി ᵔ∇ᵔ )
-I'm debating buying new clothes right now! Truth is, I want to wear sleeveless like Si-a, but my chest always messes up the fit... т ̫ т
-[Photo of the front of a sleeveless top sticking out because of her chest]
-[Photo of Yoo So-mi holding up a too-loose top that's about to slip off her shoulders]
-If I size it to my shoulders, the front turns into a curtain... and if I size it to my chest, the shoulders slip down... ( ᴗ_ᴗ̩̩ )
-Si-a must have a decent size too, right? Does she order custom clothes? I should ask her sometime! (~˘▾˘)~
➤ You should be more careful sending photos like that to guys, So-mi.
-I never send my photos to guys?
➤ Huh? You just did?
-You're my bestie, aren't you!? Don't be shy about this much! I made sure to cover everything so nothing shows!
-As my bestie, you should take more responsibility! You need to actively learn about me!
-Hiding from your bestie like that is neglecting your duties, don't you think? It's not like I sent underwear pics! And calling me a guy—you hate me that much!?
➤ No, that's not it. Sorry for calling you a guy, So-mi. I was just worried if these pics ever leaked, it'd be a big problem...
-Right? You don't hate me sending pics? I've been sending a lot lately~ I'm curious how you're doing too~ It'd be nice if you sent a photo... (ʃƪ ˘ ³˘)
➤ ...Again? It's just me sitting in my room?
-I just want to see what my bestie looks like right now~ Unlike you, who's lacking interest in your bestie, I'm super interested! ฅˆ‧⩊‧ˆฅ
-Ah, sorry Yi-an. I got a call, so let's chat later!
.
.
.
...That's the situation.
From waking up in the morning until falling asleep at night, the message notifications keep going off, so I've already muted Yoo So-mi's alerts ages ago.
And honestly, checking my phone every now and then and seeing her messages piled up feels a bit burdensome.
Still, the good thing is that Yoo So-mi said from the start, 'You don't need to check or reply to messages unless you're bored and have time.'
So even if she keeps sending them, it doesn't mean I have to cling to my phone all day—it doesn't interfere with my daily life.
But there's one clear problem.
It's all those photos she sends several times a day.
-[Photo of Yoo So-mi in her room, smiling as she splits her legs front and back]-Deleted
-[Photo of the front of a sleeveless top sticking out because of her chest]-Deleted
-[Photo of Yoo So-mi holding up a too-loose top that's about to slip off her shoulders]-Deleted
Like she said, they're not overly revealing or showing underwear, but they do highlight specific body parts.
I haven't saved a single one she sent, but they'll linger in the messenger app anyway.
So I meticulously delete any that could cause issues right away.
Someone next to me could peek at my screen, or it could get hacked—who knows.
You might ask if I don't feel bad deleting them?
Well? She's pretty, sure, but we meet every day anyway, so...
Besides, a 35-year-old guy keeping high school girl photos? The guilt outweighs any joy.
.
.
.
About an hour later, a message came from Han Si-a.
Unlike Yoo So-mi, she doesn't send messages randomly, so her notification sound comes through properly.
We talked about the UCC contest at the cafe earlier and parted ways, so it's probably about contest prep.
She usually calls for that kind of thing, but since it's a message, maybe she prepared some audio-visual materials.
See? The notification even says [Photo].
Now, just from her sending a message, I can somewhat guess her thoughts and intentions.
Maybe it's because we worked well together at Daegwallyeong, or perhaps there's some unspoken bond between solo diners and outsiders.
Anyway, Han Si-a sure has great initiative. Starting contest prep right on the day it came up.
I was planning to take it slow, but since she's motivated, I should match her pace.
Thinking it wouldn't do to discuss work without any setup, I at least turned on my computer and got out a notebook and pen.
Then I opened Han Si-a's message to check it...
-[Photo of Han Si-a wearing what looks like black underwear with a shirt over it]
...
-[Photo of Han Si-a wearing what looks like black underwear with a shirt over it]-Deleted
➤ Jeong Yi-an has left the chat room.
Hmm... This must be that thing.
Bodycam phishing, right?
Who would've thought Han Si-a of all people fell for bodycam phishing? I need to tell her quick and get the authorities involved.
To think bodycam phishing still exists in this era—those scum deserve divine punishment. Pay for touching the precious daughter of a rich family!
I calmed my shocked heart for a moment and was about to call Han Si-a.
But then she called me first.
-What? Why'd you leave without a word? If you hit the wrong button, I'll reinvite you.
"..."
...
I have no idea.
What do I mean no idea?
I have zero clue what Han Si-a is thinking!!!
Until just now, I believed I could predict her thoughts and actions to some extent, but that belief just shattered.
...
Right. It's arrogant to think you can understand someone's heart without proper conversation.
She must have her reasons. Better hear her out first.
"No, uh... that photo that looked like underwear popped up suddenly, so I got startled and left. Did you upload it by mistake?"
-Un...underwear photo? Th-this is... the new swimsuit I just bought?
Ah, got it. Not underwear, a swimsuit. Doesn't really change the situation much, though.
Even her voice is trembling, so she knows this isn't exactly normal either.
-So... you saw it? My photo. Got nothing to say?
"..."
Hmm. Tricky.
She sent a pic of her new swimsuit, so maybe she wants praise that it suits her?
It can't be about complimenting her figure, so let's go with the swimsuit first.
"Uh... yeah. The new swimsuit suits you well, Si-a. Good buy. Expensive?"
-...That's it? Nothing else?
What?
I thought complimenting the swimsuit would end it, but her response was like I picked the wrong option.
But I can't think of anything better...
I don't get what she expects, but just dropping one swimsuit pic and expecting the right reaction is unreasonable.
This isn't twenty questions—too much hiding and the conversation can't proceed normally.
So I decided to ask directly what she wanted.
"Si-a. If you keep hiding what you want from me, I can't do anything. Tell me straight what you want, and I'll try my best. How's that?"
But after hearing me, she muttered in a surprised tone.
-Huh...? For real..? Even more than this... don't hold back...? You and So-mi, what have you two...
-Ugh... Give me a sec to think?
This reaction doesn't make sense either.
But she asked for time, so I'll wait.
...
About an hour later.
Just as I was getting tired of waiting and debating going to bed, a message from Han Si-a arrived.
-...
-...........
-Ugh... I still can't do this!
-Pervert.
-Perverted Jeong Yi-an.
-Both of you, disappointing.
-Get ready to get scolded when we meet tomorrow.
-Han Si-a has left the chat room.