Chapter 22

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 22

Chapter Title: Roommate Rivalry

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Was this how the hearts of medieval peasants felt after discovering the taste of cake? If they hadn't known, it would've been fine. But now that they did, the thought that they might never have it again was dizzying. Just dizzying.

"Aigoo, how's my oppa doing?"

No. More than that, this infuriating face alone made me want to do it even more. I'd just cleared another quest and my stamina had grown again. I wanted to thrust into her even more fiercely than this morning, make tears stream down this face as it twisted in pleasure... I flinched.

'Whoa, that thought was way too beastly.'

As I muttered that to myself, Oh Hana suddenly changed her tune.

"Actually, why not just do it?"

"Huh?"

"Aren't you curious how that wretched bitch's face will change? Heh heh."

"You..."

I couldn't even finish. It was absurd.

Oh Hana and Han Aebom had clearly just met for the first time today. Anyone seeing them would think they were bitter enemies of a decade.

As I finished my second cigarette and prepared to head inside, my ears were already ringing.

From today on, that tiny one-room would be lively in a whole different way.

I'd fled to a part-time job at the convenience store.

"Hey, are you sleeping properly at home? Your face looks half-dead. Got insomnia from some worries lately?"

"......"

Never in my life did I expect to hear such concern from the Store Manager, who gets nagged by his wife just like me. I'd nearly collapsed during the handover.

"You have to sleep properly at least. Is it because you've been doing too many night shifts? Night work really isn't good for your body."

"I'm fine. What about you, Manager? You okay?"

Did I ask unnecessarily? The manager's eyes had narrowed into slits as he chuckled hollowly.

"Me? Heh heh. My daughters have grown up so much lately. Sales at the store haven't budged, though. Heh heh."

How much weight was packed into that "heh heh." The manager and I shared a moment of mutual understanding, patting each other on the back.

Then I asked.

"Manager."

"Yeah?"

The manager, who was about to leave after the handover, stopped. Like he was wondering what the question was. Or maybe his eyes were begging me to hold him back. Didn't want to go home?

"If two women under one roof—even sharing one room—growl at each other every time their eyes meet, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠how can they ever get along?"

"What, you talking about my girls? Haha. That's proof they're close, isn't it? They bicker and fight, but deep down they love it. Like the best of sisters. Hahaha!"

This wasn't the guy to ask. And that was about his actual sisters. Here, they weren't even that—just total strangers who'd barely met. Far from getting along, they'd botched their first encounter and now felt like decade-old foes.

I'd hoped to catch even a wink before coming here today.

But Oh Hana and Han Aebom had been at each other's throats non-stop, no time to even lie down under the blanket. It felt like bloodshed was imminent, so I'd spent the whole time mediating, leaving my face half-dead.

"You rascal, no need to force cheer into me like that. All dads with girls this age go through it. Still, having two daughters always makes a dad happy."

No. Who said I was trying to cheer you up? I asked because you're the adult—maybe you'd have a real answer.

"Hyunwoo. I know you're struggling, but force yourself to sleep properly at least. Food's important for people, sure. But sleep is really crucial. Sleep clinics are hot these days for insomnia."

"Ah, yeah."

Who in modern times doesn't know sleep is important?

For some reason, the manager seemed in a better mood as he waved goodbye, phone to his ear. Looked like he was yelling about buying chicken for his daughters from afar.

"So, that's actual sisters over there. This side? Not even close."

I was sleepy, tired, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠exhausted—but worry came first.

Couldn't imagine what might happen at home while I was gone.

"Reality's nothing like the fantasies."

Sure, I'd fantasized plenty about a harem life packed with girls in the one-room when posting on Naver Cafe.

Back then, it felt like starring in a rom-com, all happy thoughts. Reality? The polar opposite. I'd thought Oh Hana and I could dive into a sex-filled routine, but now we were forced into wholesome living for entirely different reasons.

Still, seeing the quest complete made it real.

From today, Han Aebom was officially a member of the one-room crew.

"Heh heh..."

Truly, heh heh.

Han Aebom was staggeringly beautiful, with a different charm from Oh Hana. Nothing was easy.

"Ugh... so sleepy I'm gonna die."

Working made the drowsiness worse.

But for the manager—who gets nagged by his wife daily, and feels bittersweet about his grown daughters—I couldn't slack off.

I pressed my temples hard to chase away the sleep, when weird messages appeared before my eyes.

Taking down an armed guy bare-handed might be easier, I thought.

"You bastard. Gave me an impossible quest. I praised you as a filial son, and now you're screwing me over."

No reply.

Instead.

It just quietly added a new quest.

"......"

Both were shit-tier difficult. The "Have sex with Oh Hana" quest had felt impossible at first too, maybe.

But thinking back, I cleared it because it was Oh Hana. Not so much my skill—she'd carried it herself.

'Sharp intuition, loves skinship.'

Yeah.

Oh Hana was the type any guy would love as a girlfriend. A bit brazen, but with solid manners and consideration.

Even sleeping with me—she figured a guy and girl under one roof would build up urges, so it'd be tough on me. Big part of it.

Like she had a built-in mindset to relieve a man's needs as a woman?

What about Han Aebom? If I subtly set the mood and pounced?

'I trusted you, Hyunwoo.'

Was that a police siren wailing? ...No, actual cop cars were circling outside. Some fight nearby? Not our place, right?

"Quest bastard, give me something breakable."

The quest windows popped up right in front of me. Saying I could clear them?

Could I dare hope? Looking back, no quest seemed easy, but none unbroken.

The first one's progress was at 66.666% now.

'Yeah, they say bickering brings people closer.'

Maybe my presence made them overact from embarrassment. After the shift, I'd come home to it: pretending otherwise, but holding hands tight under the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠same blanket, sleeping like adorable kids gazing at each other.

Just imagining that picture energized me, a smile creeping on my face. If it was real, I'd snap a pic—better download a silent camera app now.

Morning came.

"...Hyunwoo, you okay? If not, just rest today?"

"No, I'm fine. Haha."

I chuckled lightly, then clamped my mouth shut. Night shifts always left morning breath anyway.

Today's was worse. Not sure if I even stayed awake at dawn. Body felt like a ton of lead. But I endured.

Yeah.

To go home and see it: angels Han Aebom and Oh Hana clutching hands tight, like "We're actually super close."

"Y-yeah. Good work. If it's too much, say so. Got it?"

"Yes, you too, Manager."

Who works harder than him? Night off, morning in—managing two stores, clocking 12 hours daily himself.

He had it worse.

Me? Steady part-time pay, generous manager with holiday pay. Plus two beauties under one roof.

Best. Life. Ever.

With those thoughts, I headed home.

"......"

But seeing Oh Hana crouched in the alley by the one-room, cigarette in mouth, face twisted in fury, hair a total mess—my mind changed.

From today, I'm the one suffering most. Fuck.

'That's 100% the face after getting your hair yanked.'

If Oh Hana was like this.

Couldn't imagine Han Aebom's state inside. Dizzying. So dizzying. Also, her pretty flesh-toned panties were visible squatting there...

I hurried over, lit my cigarette, and said.

"Sleep well?"

"Do I look like I did?"

Her reply bristled with thorns. Low pressure, total low.

"Smoke one."

"Yeah."

I exhaled slowly, trying my best not to let the smoke cling to my clothes.

Since a non-smoker joined the household today.

Would need fabric deodorizer often.

"Hey, Hana."

"Yes."

"...Get along with Aebom. We're under one roof now..."

I paused mid-sentence.

Felt killing intent.

"I'm gonna kill that bitch."

"......"

What the hell happened while I was at work? Now I got why the manager's eyes narrowed talking about his daughters.

This was hopeless.

"......"

After smoking, I went inside. There sat Han Aebom, blanket neatly folded, demurely poised—but her hair was a dead giveaway mess too.

"You're back, Hyunwoo?"

"Y-yeah... Sleep okay? Sorry if it was uncomfortable. Bedding and pillows arrive today, though."

"It's fine. Unlike some, you're so considerate, Hyunwoo."

What do you call this? Contrast effect? Comparison?

Seemed her ill will toward Oh Hana was boosting her fondness for me.

"Look at that attitude."

"You should watch your own tone."

Yeah.

Time to sleep.

I ignored it all, carefully unfolded Han Aebom's neatly laid blanket, and closed my eyes.

One thing for sure—the blanket smelled great.