Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Part-time Job
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Saturday morning.
The cafe displaying the "Blooming" sign was already packed with people digging into brunch.
It was definitely a cafe with a great atmosphere.
Just like Choi Si-hyeok had once mentioned.
The aroma of coffee brewed from premium beans was top-notch, and every menu item tasted well above average.
In simple terms, it was a spot people would flock to.
And you couldn't ignore the opening hype either.
Countless folks had been coming and going, drawn by curiosity and high expectations for the new Blooming cafe.
On weekdays, Stella Academy students made up the bulk of the customers, but weekends like today drew huge crowds from outside as well.
Murmurs.
In one corner of the buzzing cafe sat a young man and woman.
"What do you want to talk about?"
The woman spoke up first.
"Spit it out quick. I'm busy."
Jeans, blouse, an overall casual yet stylish plainclothes look—she was none other than Yoo Harin.
"Busy? Got plans today?"
The guy facing her was Choi Si-hyeok.
"Yeah, an appointment. If I'm late, he'll bitch up a storm, so I gotta hurry."
Yoo Harin smiled without realizing it, thinking of that appointment.
A guy with a temper matching hers—or maybe worse—Kang Woojin, no doubt.
"A guy?"
Choi Si-hyeok didn't like the look on her face one bit.
"What, date after this?"
He, who saw her as his property, narrowed his eyes and pressed further.
"No. Heading to work."
"Work? What kind?"
"Don't know the details myself. We'll figure it out when we get there."
"You sure that's on the up-and-up? Not sketchy?"
"He's solid. Butt out."
"..."
"Speaking of which, whether I'm working or dating, what's it to you?"
Yoo Harin drained her coffee and fixed him with a suddenly icy stare.
"...Still pissed?"
Scratching his head, Choi Si-hyeok belatedly strung together some excuses.
"What you saw that day, Harin..."
But Yoo Harin cut him off cold.
"Save it."
Dismissing his excuse outright, she switched topics like she had zero interest in hearing more.
"Get to the point. You ghosted me at school after that, and now you drag me out here. Why?"
Her rapid-fire demand for the real reason made her seem like a totally different person from the old Yoo Harin.
Nothing like the girl who'd clung to Choi Si-hyeok and played cute.
"I stayed quiet at school to give your mood time to settle."
Letting out a light sigh, Choi Si-hyeok fed her a straight-faced lie.
Truth was, he'd been too busy scheming to lure Cynthia to spare her a thought.
No dice there, of course.
"And I've been burning cash lately. Wallet's hurting—took real effort to scrape the money together."
This time, truth on his lips, he slid the paper bag from the floor onto the table.
"What's that?"
Yoo Harin shot back, arms crossed.
"Gift for you. Wanted to hand it over sooner, but prep took time. It's a special piece."
With that, Choi Si-hyeok reached out and shoved the paper bag right in front of her.
"This is..."
Spotting the contents, Yoo Harin couldn't hide her shock.
A brand-new bag stamped with a pricey logo.
Limited edition—even money couldn't guarantee you'd snag one—but the bag wasn't even the star.
"Artifact handmade by an Eastern European artisan."
Choi Si-hyeok pointed to the jewelry box beside it for emphasis.
"Ring form, perfect for daily wear. Effect's nothing crazy, but you've seemed off lately, so I figured it might help."
Despite his downplay, the ring—which restored and boosted the user's stamina and mana—was one hell of an artifact.
"Official name's Earth Option Shield Ring."
"...You're giving this to me? Why?"
Great gifts right there in front of her, and yet Yoo Harin showed not a flicker of delight.
Old her would've been sparkling-eyed and bouncing in her seat already.
Her deadpan reaction was proof positive: zero feelings left for him.
"Apology gift."
"Apology..."
"If I hurt you that day, sorry. We're still friends, right?"
"Friends..."
A hollow laugh escaped Yoo Harin.
Not wrong, exactly, but it left a bitter taste anyway.
"Yeah, friends. Then and now..."
She, who'd once craved more than that, muttered self-mockingly and wiped away the last traces of attachment.
'No. Actually, looking back... maybe this is for the best?'
Her heart was already occupied by someone else.
Dating Choi Si-hyeok would've blocked that path.
Better off this way—and perfect chance to cut ties clean right here.
"Anyway, I'll take the gift since you went to the trouble. As a friend."
No warmth whatsoever in her eyes as she met his gaze and calmly grabbed the paper bag.
"...Yeah. Hope it smooths things over."
"Don't sweat it. I'm good now. Catch you at the academy day after tomorrow."
Wrapping up and rising to leave, but Choi Si-hyeok blurted desperately,
"Hey, Harin."
"Hm? More?"
"You heard the rumor, right?"
"Rumor?"
"You and Woo-chin..."
He kept a poker face, but intel from friends about her and Kang Woojin had his guts twisting.
It felt like straight-up theft—of a girl he'd been dead certain was his.
Any claim the time invested didn't sting would've been a lie. Pure shit mood.
"Me and Woo-chin what?"
"Haven't heard? Guess they zipped it around you."
"...?"
"Straight up: You dating Woo-chin?"
"What?"
Yoo Harin blinked, chewing over his words.
'Ah, that thing from before...'
Flustered for a beat, but she didn't dwell.
"Ah, yeah. We are."
Grinning sweetly, she confirmed it—pouring fuel on his inner fire.
"I'm dating Woo-chin."
Not right now, but definitely someday, she vowed to herself.
One failed love was plenty; thinking of Kang Woojin brought a face she'd never shown Choi Si-hyeok.
At her peak allure, she was sensual, captivating—more beautiful than ever.
Like they say: fall in love, and a woman glows.
It spoke volumes about her feelings' depth for Kang Woojin.
"You, really dating Woo-chin?"
"Why? Problem?"
Her challenging tone drew a scoff from him.
"Ha ha..."
He'd half-dismissed it as gossip, but reality hitting home? Utterly ridiculous.
Like starving to death just to feed the dog.
'Fuck.'
Mood in the toilet—no way sweet words were coming out.
"So, you fucked Woo-chin yet?"
"What?"
"Fucked that bastard?"
"Ha. Why the hell ask that?"
"Because..."
"Regretting dumping me now?"
Nailed to the wall, he had zilch.
"Golden boy Choi Si-hyeok, why the pathetic routine?"
Staring him down cold, she kept grinding his nerves.
"Huh? We're 'friends,' right? Who I fuck or don't fuck—what's it to you?"
"Even so, that loser's..."
"Still peg him as a loser? Your crew and you ate fists, yeah?"
"That was me off-guard—he cheap-shotted..."
"Wow. Getting uglier by the second, Si-hyeok. Always this way?"
Her jab lit a fire under him; he forced casual.
"Just worried, as a friend. People don't change overnight, Harin. You know Woo-chin's real deal."
Her glare iced over as he trashed Kang Woojin.
"Watch your mouth. If you wanna stay friends."
Worlds from the old her, always kowtowing below him.
"Like you said, not easy—but people can change. Woo-chin did."
"..."
"He changed for the better. You're sliding the other way. Wasn't like this before. Or was I rose-tinted?"
The exchange laid it bare.
Yoo Harin no longer viewed him as special.
Stark truth boiled him, but he swallowed it, pivoting.
"...Yeah, I went low."
Losing her stung deep, but bigger fish to fry.
"But you okay with it?"
"What outta nowhere?"
"Dating Woo-chin. Dude's glued to Sia."
"..."
"Me? Got eyes for Sia. Our angles line up—thoughts?"
Smirk curling, he offered his hand.
"I'll peel Sia off Kang Woojin. You in?"
No doubt in his mind.
She'd snatch it.
But.
"...You're absolute trash, Choi Si-hyeok."
She skewered him with contempt.
"That's what you say to a girl who liked you till days ago?"
He shrugged at her follow-up.
"Think smart, Harin. Gains over feels. Quit the kid drama."
"Spare me. Sia's my friend. And worth way more than scum like you."
"What? Scum?"
"Dog bastard? Makes me pathetic for liking you."
"Ha, unbelievable. Quit the saint act, Harin. You tormented kids too. Drop the fake-good, get real."
Air turned to lead; eyes locked.
'...Yeah, she's got a point. Maybe I got no claim on Woo-chin.'
Self-assessing, Yoo Harin smiled wry.
'All the more reason...'
Her spot forced her to back Kang Woojin; she nodded resolute, doubling down.
"Real talk, same answer. Hate seeing Woo-chin hurt. How wrecked if Sia's with filth like you?"
"Ha, gone full martyr. New you?"
"Guess I changed. Like somebody."
"..."
"Anyway, can't even friend-zone you now. Gift's yours—lose my number."
She chucked the paper bag and stood.
He just watched her back as she exited the cafe, silent.
His churning gut aside, it was a bright weekend afternoon.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Afternoon 1 PM.
Glancing at the time, I geared up light and hit the entryway.
"Yawwwn."
Kang Eun-seol piped up, clinging like to my ankle.
"Weekend, and you're off?"
She'd shuffled into the officetel living room, yawning wide, scratching her belly like some grizzled uncle.
"Part-time gig."
"Huh? You did part-time? Bro?"
"Yep. You too—quit holing up, grab a job."
"What headspace for that? Job hunt's killing me."
"Any bites?"
"Nah, nada. Blasted emails everywhere, crickets."
She laid out the rough spot deadpan and yanked open the fridge.
"Ugh, how's there zilch edible in this house?"
Whine-fest standard issue.
Snicker.
Her antics drew a laugh; I brushed off the brat vibe.
Knew she sobbed in her room nights on end.
Her mess earned her that much leeway—cute, even.
"Gotta hit up Sia unnie for more sides. Oh, groceries on the way back, oppa."
Sure, she crossed lines sometimes—got her butt smacked.
"Melon ice cream too, don't forget."
"Melon flavor? Earn it with a smack?"
"Post-smack cool? Sign me up."
Giggling, Kang Eun-seol bantered easy now, worlds from before.
Dolphin pants and lone tee? Cohab perk on half-sis bonds.
"Grab a box. Stuff yourself or not."
"Whoa! For real? Tsundere oppa MVP!"
I raised a quiet fist; she bolted roomward, peeking out.
"Anyway, stay safe. Dinner in?"
"Prob'ly eat out. Don't wait—grab yours."
"Gotcha."
Shoes on, door-ready, I turned to her lingering send-off.
"Oh yeah, Eun-seol."
"Hm? Shoot."
"No job callbacks? Try internet streaming."
"...Streaming?"
"You take after me—decent looks. Might fit right in."
"Pfft, liar! We look zilch alike?!"
Frowning hard, denying it.
"Anyway, streamers blow up now—even TV gigs. Beats trainee limbo forever."
"Hmm."
"Just mull it. No more couch potato. Or you'll balloon—no idol, straight pig..."
"Okay, okay! Nagging off—go!"
Idea planted, I headed to the rendezvous.
Vrrr! Click!
Chatting with Lunar Guild leader An Ji-ho.
[Ah, yeah, Ji-ho hyung. Heading out now. Bringing two friends. Yes. Got it.] Original plot had Choi Si-hyeok's Radiant Guild clearing it—that A-rank gate was today's gig.
[Roger. See you shortly. Yep.] Lunar Guild on a roll from recent gate clears, zeroing in on fresh prey thanks to my tip.
'Won't be cake. Full A-rank.'
We'd geared for bear—every ounce of firepower mustered.
"Yo! Woo-chin! Why the hell so late?!"
"Chill, Harin-ah. Uh, where to, Woojin-ah?"
Yoo Harin and Cynthia were there too.
Linked up first; flashed the clueless duo a grin and laid it out.
"Gate."
Short and sweet.
"We're hitting a gate in Gyeonggi Province."
My bombshell—clipped context, no clue I'd awakened—left the girls slack-jawed, silent.
Their gobsmacked faces? Priceless.