Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Again, Writer
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Woo Ji-hyun glanced at his wristwatch.
It felt like they’d only been chatting for a short while, but time was already pushing toward 5 p.m.
“According to the text from my mom, this is the right place. Unless there’s another cafe with the exact same name nearby.”
“So we’ve got about thirty minutes left.”
“Add another twenty on top of that. Don’t expect them to show up on time. Especially since the two of them are meeting up first and coming together.”
“Man, I’m nervous. This is my first time doing something like this.”
Woo Ji-hyun crossed his legs.
He’d partied at clubs and trendy bars, and he wasn’t a stranger to women, but a setup like this—prim and proper—was a first.
Even the group blind dates from his past life and this one had been the kind you did in your early twenties while messing around.
And in those, Woo Ji-hyun’s role had always been the bait.
“Who says it’s your second time? This is my first too, you punk.”
“Our situations are different. You got dragged here against your will, but I got summoned.”
“Who was it that said yes right away?”
“Hey, when am I ever gonna get set up with middle school teachers again? I figured it’s now or never. Plus, I’m helping out a friend.”
Even in his past life, Woo Ji-hyun had seriously considered it.
If he hadn’t gotten married by thirty-five, maybe he’d go straight to Kim In-hu’s parents, who were teachers, and ask for their help.
But in the end, he hadn’t followed through.
He hadn’t had the nerve to ask, not having succeeded as a writer.
“Saying that doesn’t make it any more believable.”
“Hey. If I wasn’t thinking of you, would I even be here?”
“You’d probably come anyway, even solo. Whatever—since we’re here, if you like someone, go for it. Don’t worry about me.”
“What if we both like the same one?”
Woo Ji-hyun smirked as he said it.
He knew his and Kim In-hu’s tastes were totally different at this point in life, but that difference still fell under the massive umbrella of “pretty.”
Taste this, taste that—it all boiled down to liking attractive women.
“Fair fight.”
“Man. Not even gonna offer to step aside?”
“They might like me better.”
Kim In-hu answered without a hint of hesitation, as if it were the most natural thing.
He had no intention of yielding, but if the woman showed interest, what could he do?
“Just take ‘em both. I’m heading home.”
“No way! You came all this way—where do you think you’re going? Don’t abandon me, buddy!”
“Friends only when it’s tough and inconvenient for you?”
As Woo Ji-hyun actually started to stand, Kim In-hu grabbed his thigh with all his might.
Lately, with no exercise, Kim In-hu’s grip was getting weaker.
“But seriously, your body’s gotten amazing. This thigh’s like a rock. You sure you quit the gym?”
“Told you, I’m doing jiu-jitsu.”
“Should I try it? This is no joke.”
“Stop stroking it, dude. People are staring.”
At Woo Ji-hyun’s words, Kim In-hu grinned sheepishly and unwrapped his arms.
He’d felt the weird looks from around them too.
“I thought you were really leaving.”
“Suddenly I kinda wanna. Feels like a waste of time.”
“Hey, hey, there are ways to score. Plenty of tricks if you look ‘em up. Or just leave your car keys on the table. They might not know Porsche from Adam, but they’ll spot a foreign luxury ride.”
Old-school and clichéd, sure—but that’s why it worked.
Actions spoke louder than a hundred words.
So Kim In-hu played his immediate card.
“Dunno. Never thought that far.”
“You might need it sooner than you think…”
“Shut it.”
Woo Ji-hyun flashed a grin and served up a perfect curse.
Of course, Kim In-hu wasn’t budging.
Click-clack.
“Hello? You’re Kim In-hu, right?”
“Yeah.”
About ten minutes past the appointed time, the sharp sound of heels echoed into the cafe.
Then two women in modest attire approached the table where the pair sat.
“Sorry we’re late.”
“No worries. These things happen.”
They’d exchanged photos, so Kim In-hu recognized them.
But for an apology, there wasn’t a trace of regret on their faces.
More like this was to be expected.
Both of them, the same.
“Hmm.”
From that, Woo Ji-hyun picked up on one thing.
Neither was thrilled about being here.
‘Still, between my past life and this one, I’ve got over forty years of experience.’
He hadn’t dated a ton of women, but it wasn’t like he’d dated none.
So Woo Ji-hyun clocked their vibes instantly.
Kim In-hu seemed to have a hunch too.
“Why don’t you order first.”
“Sounds good.”
They weren’t ugly, but not standout beauties either—just typical studious types, the girl-next-door vibe. They glanced at the men’s nearly empty cups and stood again.
They could guess plenty from those empties, but didn’t ask.
Instead, they hurried to the counter.
“They’ve got some edge.”
“Why? You kinda saw it coming, right?”
“Yeah, but it still stings when it happens.”
“Isn’t it a good thing? From your perspective.”
Woo Ji-hyun asked like what’s the issue.
In his view, it had worked out perfectly.
Kim In-hu hadn’t wanted to come anyway.
“It’s about pride, man.”
“Better to tell your mom they dissed you than you messing it up. Victim card and all.”
“Yeah, but my pride’s wrecked. Big time.”
Woo Ji-hyun shrugged.
He’d thought the guy had grown up a bit, but nope—still a dog at heart.
Tap.
While they talked, the women returned, each with an iced Americano.
They spoke with straight faces.
“Hi, I’m Kim Mi-yeon.”
“I’m Oh Su-ji.”
“First time meeting. Kim In-hu.”
“Woo Ji-hyun.”
Awkward intros followed.
But super curt.
Especially the women—just the bare minimum.
“Haha. Looks like you two got dragged here like us.”
“Like us?”
Kim Mi-yeon furrowed her brow slightly.
The phrasing implied the guys had been forced too.
It poked at her pride, just a little.
“Yeah, my mom dragged me out. This guy’s my friend—our moms are close, so he got summoned too.”
“Similar situation, huh. You’re from Seongdong Middle School, where In-hu’s mom teaches?”
“Yeah.”
Kim Mi-yeon nodded, eyeing Woo Ji-hyun, who’d smoothly followed up.
But a lingering unease sat in her chest.
“So let’s just have this coffee and call it, huh? No need to waste time. Unless you like this guy—stay longer if you want. Dinner’s on him anyway.”
“When did I say that?”
“Then the summoned one foots the bill?”
“Ugh!”
Kim In-hu’s face twisted in panic.
Sure, he was a civil servant—iron rice bowl—but only grade 9.
And grade 9 pay wasn’t much.
“You two are pretty straightforward.”
“We value our time. Seems like you’re not that into us either. Better to wrap this up quick, no?”
“Sounds like you’re saying we don’t measure up.”
Oh Su-ji, who’d been quiet, scowled and spoke up.
It felt like a polite way of saying they weren’t interested.
“No offense. Just seems like you’re not into this. So I’m saying it straight.”
“Isn’t it the same? If you liked one of us, would you say that?”
“Fine, cards on the table. Neither of us is comfy here either. Or having to say this.”
“What a joke!”
At Woo Ji-hyun’s bluntness, Oh Su-ji—and even Kim Mi-yeon—stood.
They stormed out, chill in the air, without touching their iced Americanos.
“Uh, did I go too hard?”
“Blame it on me to your mom. Say I blew it.”
“...You did that on purpose, right? To make sure this never happens again.”
Kim In-hu’s eyes gleamed.
He’d just realized why Woo Ji-hyun had gone so hard.
“Your instincts are still sharp.”
“Man, that’s cold. Saving your own skin…”
“Saving myself? I think I did my part as a friend.”
“Not even close!”
Kim In-hu and Woo Ji-hyun started bickering again.
“Unbelievable.”
“Totally. A grade 9 civil servant—not even 7—and some no-name writer? Telling us not to waste time? Who do those uggos think they are!”
“Exactly. We even showed up, and no thanks? The nerve.”
“I’m not letting this slide. Gonna tell Teacher Kim everything.”
Oh Su-ji fumed, eyes narrowed to slits.
Their total disinterest had humiliated her plenty.
“Me too. Teacher Kim begged me to come—what is this? Never date a guy who’s not on our level.”
“Right? At least a public corp or big corp full-timer to match us.”
“Middle school teachers get popular matches.”
“Better this way. Dating them would just waste our time. Good it ended quick.”
It sucked after all the primping, but better than forcing it.
Hanging with those losers would just stress them out.
“Wanna hit Itaewon? Been a while.”
“Guangdae sounds good. Full getup for once.”
Kim Mi-yeon and Oh Su-ji eyed each other excitedly.
Time aside, heading home felt like a waste.
Vroooom!
Then an engine roar hit like a slap.
Loud enough that everyone turned.
“Huh?”
“Those two?!”
Like everyone on the street, Kim Mi-yeon and Oh Su-ji whipped around at the sound.
Their eyes bulged.
A brand-new red convertible sports car—clearly expensive—with Woo Ji-hyun and Kim In-hu inside.
“How... what?”
“Uh, yeah.”
Dazed, they stared at the road where the car had vanished.
No one answered.