Chapter 29
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Galbi and Goodwill
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Is it because she's so obsessed with idols? There's just something about the way she cheers guys up. Nah, at this point, she might just be naturally gifted at it.
For some reason, that Riki guy's face flashed through my mind.
To me, she looks way more suited to being an idol than him. Still, I can't just force something this huge on her. Just moments ago, even a casual mention of job hunting had me feeling down.
"Ugh, rain out of nowhere! Rain!"
She's making a huge fuss, but she leisurely finishes her cigarette without letting go. Can't be helped. Smokers are all like that.
"Pfft!"
"Pffft!"
We finally finished burning our cigs to the filter in the spot where the rain was lightest, then covered our heads with our hands and dashed into the one-room building.
"Feeling better now?"
"Yeah."
Yeah, Oh Hana's right. Life's short—thinking negatively just hurts me in the end.
If I'm gonna regret it anyway, better to try and regret it later. They say staying put gets you by, but these days, mediocrity doesn't pay the bills.
"Seeing you somehow perks me up, I guess."
"Hee hee hee, of course! Pouring all my money into idol fandom, broke as a joke, but happy—that's gotta rub off."
That wasn't quite what I meant. Still, watching her say it...
"You're secretly worried about it too, huh?"
"Come on. If I wasn't a total idiot, I'd obviously care. It's just that my love for it outweighs that stuff."
I was kinda shocked. Oh Hana's eyes narrowed at my reaction.
"What's with that look?"
"Nothing."
I quietly covered my mouth with one hand. The real shock hit harder—realizing I might've thought of her as an idiot all along.
As we opened the door, Han Ae-bom stood there blankly, holding two towels.
Whoa, startled me.
Okay, I was legit surprised. Imagine opening the door and finding a perfectly pretty girl waiting with towels. Who wouldn't jump?
"Oh, thanks!"
"...Sigh."
"It's English, so it's safe, right? Come on, let's get closer, sis!"
"......"
Oh Hana snatched a towel from Han Ae-bom's hand like it was nothing, shook the water from her hair, and that made Han Ae-bom's eyes narrow this time. But she just let out a small sigh without making a big deal.
Has Han Ae-bom finally given up?
"Ah, thanks to you too."
Han Ae-bom nodded slightly.
"...No problem."
"What? What! You're totally reacting different to Oppa. My casual talk bugs you, but you wanna hear it from him!"
"That's not it! Don't assume stuff!"
"No, seriously. Just use casual with me. Sis. When you keep being formal, it makes me uncomfortable. I'm trying my best here, but you're pushing me away!"
"This is comfortable for me. And your way of getting close is all wrong! Just be polite about it!"
"What am I supposed to do if that's not my style?!"
I roughly dried my hair with the towel, but the energy I'd just mustered was draining again. To an outsider, two beauties bickering might look cute and adorable.
But living under one roof every day? Watching them seriously go at it sucks the life out of you.
Is this what they call oil and water?
Staring at them, words slipped out before I could think.
"Wanna grab some meat? My treat. To celebrate Han Ae-bom getting that part-time gig."
"Huh? That's too much, I couldn't..."
"Woo-hoo! Meat! Booze! Free meat! Free booze! Festival time! Pow pow!"
Han Ae-bom looked so apologetic over just a meal, almost making me awkward too. But Oh Hana saved the vibe, as always.
I grabbed her wildly thrashing head and said,
"Times like this, shamelessly accepting like her actually makes it easier on the giver."
"Then... sure. Thanks, I'll gladly take it."
I'd framed it as celebrating her job, but really, I just wanted to drink. Excuse, pure excuse.
Studying... I'll start cramming tomorrow.
I've put it off a ton like this. What can ya do? Everyone's like that.
But booze might actually bring 'em closer.
I felt stupid for not thinking of it sooner. Booze has always been the ultimate icebreaker. Even oil and water like these two might mix once alcohol hits.
Improve Roommate Relations
📍 Objective: Make Oh Hana and Han Ae-bom—who share the one-room—get along.
⏰ Progress:0/1
🎁 Rewards: 1,000,000 won, Stamina +1, Erogenous Zone Detection Skill
Right on.
Today's the day to clear this quest. Honestly, forget the rest—the skill intrigues me most now. More than plain cash.
Erogenous Zone Detection Skill.
"......"
I stared blankly at Oh Hana and Han Ae-bom getting ready to head out.
Wonder where their erogenous zones are. Fun to imagine. If it's something tame like the navel, I could just bury my face there and...
"Hyunwoo?"
"Ah! Ready to go?"
"Yeah."
Stop. Any more thinking and I'd be pitching a tent before we even left.
"Ah, no umbrella. Han Ae-bom too, huh..."
Oh Hana looked to Han Ae-bom like a comrade, then shut her mouth. Han Ae-bom pulled a fancy umbrella from her carry-on.
"Don't you all carry one just in case?"
"What, living like that doesn't tire you out?"
"Why the shade all of a sudden?"
"Hmph! I'm sharing with Oppa."
"Wh-what?! Stop being a burden..."
I checked my umbrella—folding it open for the first time in ages—and said,
"It's fine. This thing's basically parasol-sized. Big enough for two easy."
"Oh..."
For a split second, Han Ae-bom seemed to offer her umbrella to Oh Hana, then pull it back. What was that about?
"Hee hee hee! Nya nya!"
Seeing that, Oh Hana childishly pulled one eye long and stuck out her tongue.
"...Let's hurry."
Watching these two blows all job worries away. I just want to get some booze in 'em fast and make nice.
"Oppaaaa! Where we headed?"
Oh Hana hooked her arm in mine boldly. Han Ae-bom's eyes seemed to sharpen more. I endured the glare and said,
"How about galbi?"
"Eek! Galbi. Love it!"
"Galbi? Sounds good to me."
Oh Hana squeezed my arm with her ample chest—for real joy, I'd seen it plenty. This girl could kill with cuteness. But honestly, what guy hates aegyo like hers?
Some might call it transparent, but it's solid life skill.
"Hee hee, thought it'd be pork belly and soju. What's Oppa got, splashing on galbi?"
Made me flinch. Can't say it's all quest-clear cash from the god thanks to you two.
"Huh? Now that you mention, where'd the money come from?"
Oh Hana—who'd taken cash from me post-sex a few times—suddenly wondered for real.
"Save a little, it adds up. Dummy."
"Ow! Ah! Don't mess my hair! I styled it for meat night—ruining it's the worst!"
"Sorry, sorry."
Sometimes petting her hair's fine, others she blows up. I quickly pulled my hand back watching her.
Plip plop, plip plop.
...Rain poured as we hurried in silence.
Because,
"C-cold! So cooold!"
"......"
Her shivering thighs and freezing toes demanded we hustle to the shop.
It's "almost" spring, right? Winter hit back quick.
"Ah, no convenience store shift today?"
"Nah, day's off."
"Aha."
Oh Hana snorted.
"Duh, why ask? Like someone's skipping work to treat us. Just wanted an excuse to chat, pfft."
"Hana, ease up."
"Oppa, you're too polite to her—that's why."
Is that it? Maybe...
Thinking it over, I might be the barrier keeping Oh Hana and Han Ae-bom from bonding.
"Whatever. Meat and booze first. Really craving a drink today."
For real. Even perked by Oh Hana, the job market's bleak for my specs.
[Insaeng Charyun Galbi]
"Ooooh! Nice pick. All-you-can-eat—total peace of mind."
"You'd eat carefree without it."
"Duh, turning down Oppa's treat would be weirder."
Oh Hana gives off "I've been treated by tons of guys" vibes. Accepting gracefully is a skill too. Givers like her straightforward yes—no lingering guilt.
"When ya crave galbi~ Insaeng Charyun Galbi~ Charcoal pork ribs~"
"...Let's go in."
"For real."
Her singing from the entrance had me and Han Ae-bom fold umbrellas quick and bolt inside.
Park candy-munchers outside burst laughing at us. Kids pointed innocently. As a bystander, maybe funny—but with them? Face burns.
"Embarrassed by this? Tsk tsk, you two got far to go."
Shunk—umbrella rack, then staff led us to a cozy corner. Pouring rain, but packed house.
The buzz infected me a bit.
"Oppa, know what? Places like this boom more on rainy days."
"Huh? For real? Not like a pajeon joint."
Heard rain boosts some spots, but galbi house?
"Uh, pa...jeon place? Heh, I dunno either."
"......"
For a sec, "Oh Hana's no dummy?" flashed—then I shook my head.
"Three adults."
Soon, staff brought heaping tasty-looking meat. Self-serve after. Explanation dragged friendly; part-timer kept sneaking peeks at Oh Hana and Han Ae-bom.
"Enough" crushed him like world-ending.
"Kyaa! Looks delish!"
"......"
Oh Hana fussed; Han Ae-bom scanned around, eyes sparkling.
"Hee hee, Ae-bom miss. First time here?"
"Yeah, first. So novel. Love the energy."
Her bright, pure smile shut us up. This girl packs sneaky charm.
"Whoa. If I were a guy, heart attack right there. Right, Oppa?"
"Uh? Yeah."
Definitely an unreal pretty smile.
Anyway,
Guess I'm grilling?
I eyed them cautiously.
"Sorry, Hyunwoo. Never grilled before."
"Hee hee! Oppa, I'm trash at cooking. Can't even grill meat."
I licked my dry lips. Big trouble.
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