Chapter 173
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 173
Chapter Title: Belated Realization
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Belated realization. And as it meshed with Han Aebom's mad but utterly confident demeanor, Oh Hana felt something surging up from deep within her.
'No!'
Oh Hana herself vaguely realized that this was an ugly emotion. No matter how well she packaged it, it was the kind of thing that would just come off as petty and pathetic.
So she tried her best to suppress it, shoving it down deep enough that it wouldn't resurface.
But contrary to her thoughts, Oh Hana's mouth was already moving. Fueled by intense agitation.
"Isn't that a bit too much, Unnie?"
Please stop.
"What if you can't actually marry Oppa after all that bold talk? Are you really planning to stay a spinster forever? You're 24, which isn't old, but it's not exactly young either..."
Please! Oh Hana, you idiot!
Her head and mouth were working at cross-purposes, driving Oh Hana to the brink of madness. As proof, her voice was trembling.
"You're right."
"......"
In contrast, Han Aebom's voice was calm. But that very calmness was terrifying.
"It is over the top. And if I can't marry Hyunwoo, just like I told Grandpa, I have no intention of meeting another man. Not even the thought of making excuses later that I've changed my mind."
"......"
"The premise is wrong from the start. Like I said earlier, I've made my resolve. I've steeled myself, so I'm flooring the accelerator. Even if the road ends in a cliff and my body shatters, I won't have regrets."
Total defeat.
Oh Hana felt it in her bones. If this were a war, her army would have been utterly pulverized by Han Aebom's forces.
'I know I have to hold back. I know today isn't the right time!'
She knew she should avoid it, even inwardly. Yet she couldn't rein in the emotions bubbling up, following them like a beast.
'Would Unnie have done the same?'
Normally, she wouldn't even think that.
But today's Oh Hana kept peering into Han Aebom's perspective. And after considering it, she shook her head without hesitation.
That woman would carry on commanding calmly even if a bullet lodged in her chest mid-battle. Just like Admiral Yi Sun-sin. Her soldiers would only realize it later, after the war ended.
"......"
Normally, even after Han Aebom revealed her family background, Oh Hana had never truly thought she was amazing.
She wrote novels but kept failing at contests. Living crammed in a tiny studio apartment was the same for both. 'Oh, she's just like me,' she'd thought dismissively.
But now, that notion was uprooted entirely.
'This is embarrassing.'
She recalled telling Kim Hyunwoo earlier to strut confidently since even Han Se-ryong was just a regular person. Her face burned hotter.
'No wonder Oppa reacted oddly.'
Kim Hyunwoo had known. He'd felt this feeling before.
'Ah...'
Oh Hana remembered the discomfort she'd felt lately. The sense that she alone was lagging behind.
Kim Hyunwoo had been someone who didn't even know what women were... But at some point, Han Aebom had grown to the point where she could say things like that.
'Now I get why I never thought Oppa's changes were strange.'
It was partly stupidity, sure. But she'd deliberately looked away. Oppa had grown like that, while she stayed in place—it was embarrassing and scary.
'I'm really weak.'
She'd only pretended to be strong on the outside.
Inside, she was as soft as tofu.
And today, it seemed Han Aebom intended to squash that tofu flat.
"Hana, you."
"Yes?"
Han Aebom spoke to the flinching, wary Oh Hana.
"It might be my misunderstanding."
Her tone made it clear it was no misunderstanding.
"But the way you talk... it feels like deep down, you think you'll end up marrying Hyunwoo. Or at least, that you're the closest to him."
Oh Hana's heart plummeted.
Her breath caught, uncomfortable emotions crashing like waves, making her want to flee. She swallowed hard and forced her mouth open.
"U-Unnie... what do you mean? I don't think that way."
"Really? Your face right now looks exactly like someone who's been hit right in the gut."
It felt like someone kept stuffing thick wads of cotton into her mouth.
Oh Hana now understood firsthand why Kim Hyunwoo had been so thoroughly trounced in his negotiations with Han Aebom.
The piercing gaze, the perfectly pressuring tone, the words that struck only at the core.
And knowing it was all deliberate, honed through effort, sent chills down her spine even more.
"I think you can do it. Because you were Hyunwoo's 'first'."
"......!"
Han Aebom didn't waste words on irrelevancies like she did. Oh Hana learned just how impressive that was this time.
"The first is always monumental. You saw it yourself—how foolish I acted during my first time with Hyunwoo. Even I wasn't good at everything from the start. If you think I'm amazing now, it's because I've only shown you my best sides."
"......"
"Hugging you gently and comforting you isn't hard. Neither is saying kind words."
She truly wished she'd do just that.
It would ease her breathing.
But.
"The reason I won't is because there's something I need to address with you today. This isn't for your sake—it's just my way of steeling my resolve even further."
She didn't want to hear it, but she couldn't tune it out.
Oh Hana bit her lip hard and lifted her head. Han Aebom smirked at the sight.
"Oh Hana, you really are an amazing woman. I didn't show it, but you've stimulated me all day, every day."
"R-Really?"
"I just hid it out of pride."
Today was a nonstop parade of embarrassments.
The person she'd dismissed inwardly, and the one she'd always admired inwardly... This outcome felt inevitable.
"You are amazing. If I were in Kim Hyunwoo's position, I couldn't help but like you. You're attractive, and you showed him so many firsts."
"......"
"Whenever Hyunwoo got sensitive about anything involving you and followed along with those absurd events, I was honestly so annoyed and jealous."
"I... kinda noticed that vaguely."
Han Aebom frowned slightly and cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Anyway, that's not the point. What I'm saying is this: In any field, companies that capture the early market get insane profits and prime positioning."
"Gulp."
"But if they get complacent and slack off... even latecomers can overtake them. Want an example? Hana, do you know the most popular ramen in Korea? The number one ramen."
Oh Hana answered without hesitation.
Not knowing that would make her a spy for real.
"Sun Ramen, Sun Ramen."
"Right, Sun Ramen, released in 1986. But do you know when it became Korea's number one ramen?"
"...No."
Frankly, she didn't even know the release date.
'How does Unnie know stuff like this?'
As she muttered inwardly, Han Aebom continued.
"1991. So even that ramen you think has been undisputed number one in Korea wasn't always on top."
"......"
"So, be careful, too."
Han Aebom's expression was more serious than ever.
"Until now, I hadn't fully committed, so I might have shown you some sloppy sides."
Oh Hana blinked.
Sloppy sides? When?
"Now that I've made a firm decision, I'm not just going to twiddle my thumbs because you have the advantage. I acknowledge you as a rival. And after winning the competition, I'll claim what I want."
Oh Hana was already in tatters.
Honestly, her confidence in beating this madwoman had shattered completely.
All that remained was a speck of defiance the size of rat shit.
"I-I'm... too dumb, so I still don't fully get what you're saying. But one thing's for sure."
"What's that?"
"No matter what, I don't want to lose to you, Unnie!"
Han Aebom laughed as Oh Hana shot to her feet, yelling.
"Good for you. So, is that explanation over?"
"Huh? No! No way! You're trying to gloss over it. What you said doesn't justify letting Oppa sleep with bar girls now!"
Han Aebom's eyes narrowed as her attempt to slip past was foiled. She'd thought Oh Hana, having experienced it once, would let it slide easily.
"If you truly care about Hyunwoo, shouldn't you understand that too?"
"That's just crazy talk! What sane woman would smile and say, 'Sure!' to her crush sleeping with other girls?"
Actually, they were right here.
Han Aebom and Yoon Sua.
Oh Hana was dumbfounded that she might be the only sane one present.
Then the craziest one spoke up.
"Half the world is women. Just getting used to them—and better yet, gaining an edge—massively lowers life's difficulty."
"Exactly! That might sound convincing to you, Unnie, but not to me! If it's a guy I like, he'd barely have time to look at me alone!"
"He's already banging all three of us here at once. What's the difference?"
"It is different! Really! No, more than that, it feels so gross hearing you use crude words like 'banging'."
"Like I said earlier, Hyunwoo's special. He might have potential so immense even I can't handle it. Holding a normal guy to ordinary standards on a man like that seems too selfish, don't you think?"
"No! I don't!"
Frustrated by the parallel lines of conversation, Han Aebom scowled fiercely.
She had no choice but to drop a bombshell.
"What if all of us here could proudly marry Hyunwoo?"
"...What? What do you mean."
Before the flustered Oh Hana could ask for details, how long had they been talking?
「♬♪♩」
A call came in on Han Aebom's phone.
The only one who'd call her at this hour was Kim Hyunwoo.
Oh Hana glanced at the screen and her eyes widened round.
[Prospective Hubby]
'Crazy!'
Too shocked to close her gaping mouth, she looked at Yoon Sua, who grinned and showed her own contacts.
[Kim Hyunwoo God]
Oh Hana screamed inwardly.
'You crazy bitches!'