Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Meeting Boksil
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"So, what's with that dog?"
"Boksil?"
"Yeah, you didn't even mention raising one."
I gestured toward the yard with my eyes.
It's cute and all, but why suddenly decide to raise a puppy?
"The daughter I already have isn't coming home, so I brought in a new kid."
"Pfft!"
"Ow! Ji-ji-bae!"
The water that spurted from my mouth sprayed straight onto the table.
"I mean, you can't just spring something like that on me."
"Did I say anything wrong?"
"Still, what kind of way is that to talk about your daughter?"
"Then should I call you 'brat' instead?"
I had been a 'brat' once...
"Anyway, get along with Boksil. If you two fight, the big daughter who won't even come home might leave again."
"Am I lower priority than the dog?"
"Boksil ranks higher than your kid's dad."
"Huh..."
The house really had gone to the dogs—literally.
"I'll bring her inside, so get to know each other."
With that, Mrs. Jang headed to the yard, picked up Boksil, wiped her paws with a damp cloth, and set her down on the floor.
"Huff!"
"Hmm..."
Boksil's black button eyes stared up at me as she panted.
Does she like me?
"Did you get her neutered?"
"Yep—all her shots too, so no worries."
I had wondered, but they had removed the peanuts after all.
It's better for her health anyway...
I picked up Boksil's body—now forever childless—and cradled her.
She was heavier than expected, with delightfully fluffy fur.
"Cute, right?"
"Yeah... she is kinda cute."
Who wouldn't find this adorable? Just holding her made me glad I'd come home.
But was this feeling something I'd always had, or was it Kim Suhyun the woman's personality? A question I'd never resolve.
"By the way, want to see your room?"
Mrs. Jang's casual remark snapped me out of my thoughts.
"My room?"
"Yeah."
My room... Come to think of it, what had Kim Suhyun the woman's room looked like?
I thought back for a second, and it came to me right away.
It was the largest room besides the master bedroom—spacious, with a pink bed, a huge desk, and all around the walls...
"Let's go check it out."
I shot up from my seat.
My room was right next to the living room, so a few steps from where I'd been sitting brought me to the door. I opened it immediately.
"Whoa, why the rush?"
I ignored the voice behind me. Thankfully, the room matched my memory perfectly.
"Phew... you didn't throw anything out."
"Yeah, I figured the house would flip if I did."
Fortunately, all the merch plastered on the walls or displayed around the room was still there.
Would've been a shame to lose it.
It was all bought with the allowance Kim Suhyun the woman had saved up instead of going out...
Pretty symbolic stuff.
"Man, there's so much. Throw some out."
"No way."
I shot back at Mrs. Jang like that, but even I felt it was a lot seeing it in person.
Posters, figures—total otaku den.
No wonder I'd guarded the door so fiercely whenever relatives visited.
Good thing I'm a girl now. If I were still a guy, it would've been exposed ages ago and turned into the kids' playground.
"It's exactly like when I left?"
The merch aside, the room being spotless was a bit surprising.
"Yeah. Every time I clean, I have to hold back the urge to toss it all."
"Ahaha... Well, I should head out soon."
I'd seen everything I needed to see. Time to go.
"Already? Stay for dinner."
"Nah, I've got stuff to do at home. Plus, I'll be back tomorrow with my things."
What I had to do at home was mostly streaming, streaming, or more streaming.
"Alright, look into a good moving service."
"Don't worry. Not much to pack anyway."
"That's something to brag about."
I'd rented a fully furnished place from the start, so all I really needed was my streaming gear and some clothes.
The rest I'd have to ditch, unfortunately. The desk and bed were already in my room at the family home anyway.
After bidding farewell to Boksil—who clung to my leg and wouldn't let go—I finally left the family home I'd returned to after so long.
*
Back at my place, I checked my phone and saw a text.
(Hyun-su): Sis, can I talk about you on the variety show?
It was from Hyun-su, of all people.
Kid's going on variety shows now?
Looks like he's really on his way to stardom.
(Me): Yeah, just keep it vague.
No way he'd blab everything without tact, so I replied casually.
He's got some sense, after all.
Come to think of it, I hadn't told him about the new song... Whatever, he'd figure it out when it drops.
After texting back, I started prepping for the move.
Better handle this now while I've got some breathing room. Once song prep and everything ramps up, I won't have time to sort leisurely.
I emptied the closet, sorting what to trash and what to keep.
Even so, after over a year here, there was a sneaky amount to pack.
Not enough to justify a moving service, but too much to taxi alone...
Super awkward volume.
But... if it's too much for one person, just call in reinforcements, right?
I grabbed my phone.
Luckily, I had the perfect person for this.
*
The next day.
"...What the hell is this?"
"Warm-up exercise?"
"Hey!!"
Hyejeong—who'd rushed over at the promise of hanwoo—stared at the pile of boxes in the living room with a look of enlightenment.
"I wondered what was up..."
Her piercing gaze made me uncomfortable, so I averted my eyes.
"...You'll help, right?"
"If you don't, the hanwoo..."
"Our house Boksil will eat it."
"Ugh... What's Boksil now?"
Instead of explaining the family hierarchy—second only to Kim Bu Jang—I kept it simple.
"Dog at the family home."
"You're raising a dog too?"
"Yeah, saw her for the first time yesterday."
"Ugh... Lucky."
Hyejeong stretched with a resigned sigh and approached the boxes.
"Not much, huh? Let's knock it out quick."
Her dance major probably made her confident in physical labor.
...Not me, though. Zero confidence.
Think about it.
Kim Suhyun the woman was a shut-in otaku.
Tall for a girl, but skinny—no real bulk.
So how was this body's stamina?
"Huff... Hup! Ack!"
"Seriously, can't you even lift that?"
The answer: utter trash.
I hadn't noticed at first, but living here made it clear.
Why I sweat buckets faster than others on a short walk, why FPS games left me wiped, why two hours of streaming drained me—etc.
All boiled down to one simple fact: zero stamina.
And strength.
I'd lose an arm-wrestle to a middle school boy right now, guaranteed.
"Ugh, useless!"
So yeah, I'm basically a minor.
A being who rightfully needs protection.
Me squatting in the corner watching Hyejeong haul boxes wasn't me being banished for getting in the way—it was the adult Hyejeong protecting my inferior physical abilities in a crucial process.
Grown into a real adult, huh...
With that proud ant-watching-an-anteater vibe, I watched Hyejeong sweat as she lugged boxes downstairs.
Next, a taxi would take them home, then one more round of labor—but hey, treat her to something delicious and call it even?
My income was solid, so I'd splurge big time.
Call it a farewell gift to Hyejeong, who'd kept Kim Suhyun the woman from total isolation all those years in the same neighborhood.
Not forever, but with me at the family home, we wouldn't meet for a while.
I'd resolved to treat her to the best meal while mentally listing restaurants—when...
"Huh? What's this?"
Hyejeong pulled an album from a box.
"Fantasy? It's even autographed?"
"Oh, that?"
It was the album Hyun-su had personally signed and sent when it dropped.
"That song from the cafe last time? This is it."
"Oh yeah... Wait, no."
Hyejeong thought for a sec, then narrowed her eyes and glared at me.
"How'd you get a pre-release copy??"
She strode over and yanked my cheek.
"And making me guess it—what's that about?"
"Ow... heh..."
"Let go if you tell me."
"Prank..."
Streeetch—
"Aaah!"
"Ugh! Damn your good skin!"
Hyejeong stretched my cheek like taffy before letting go with a smack.
"Ow..."
"So how'd you get it?"
I pointed at the album.
"I drew that."
"Oh, the cover?"
"Cover, yeah? I did it anyway..."
"Wow... I knew you could draw, but..."
Hyejeong admired the album in her hands.
"So, you met Slim Gold in person?"
"Yep."
"Isn't he insane?"
"Eh? You know his face?"
It hadn't shown up when I first searched.
"Nah, it's blowing up on NerTube Shorts. How haven't you seen?"
She grabbed her phone, tapped a bit, and showed me.
"Whoa... for real?"
Titles like "19-Year-Old Prodigy Singer Taking Over" and endless Shorts everywhere.
Hyun-su... you're a real celebrity now.
No wonder he mentioned variety.
"So, how is he in real life?"
"Same as the videos, duh."
"Ugh... He's hot, right? I wanna see him too."
"I'll hook you up with tickets later."
"For real? Promise?"
If Hyun-su does a concert someday, a few tickets should be easy.
That'll do.
"Anyway, you better treat me to something amazing today."
Hyejeong pointed to the living room behind her.
The boxes that had piled up were down to just a few.
"No worries—hanwoo omakase it is."
"For real? I'm hyped!"
What's hard about treating? Head home, unload, then straight to hanwoo.
What could go wrong?
*
"Oh my~ Hyejeong's here? Stay for dinner."
"Ahaha...! That'd be amazing."
"Mom, Hyejeong's going to hanwoo omakase with me, so she doesn't want your food."
"Oh really? Well, have fun then. I made galbi jjim—guess it's just me and your dad later."
"N-No! I mean, no! I wanted home cooking! Suhyun, shut up!"
...Now I feel bad.