Chapter 47
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Yoon Sua Moves In
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Yoon Sua's eyes darted around aimlessly, spinning in circles. Just from that, I could tell.
This girl has no money. Not a single penny.
'Yeah. As expected, she's got that demon's influence on her.'
From the start, people who decide to cram four into an 11-pyeong one-room apartment are banding together precisely because they don't have money.
Even so, I hadn't expected her to show up completely broke.
"Whoa, no way you came empty-handed? You've got some guts."
Not like I can talk.
"Still, don't worry too much. Even if my oppa doesn't have a dime, if he says he'll pay double next month with part-time work, we'll graciously accept it."
Yeah, that's definitely something you can say.
"My goodness, you're bragging about that?"
Right?
Han Ae-bom, who had just been sitting quietly, started looking even more impressive.
I spoke to Yoon Sua, who was fidgeting with her fingers.
"You heard that, right? No need to act like a criminal just because you're broke. Someone like you, Yoon Sua, is practically respectable. There are girls even more shameless than you living here just fine after two months."
"Yas! Yas!"
Thanks to Oh Hana, the somewhat awkward atmosphere lightened up. She was a bit cheeky, sure, but she played her role perfectly. That's why you couldn't hate her.
"Um, excuse me. I'm really sorry, but..."
But why did Yoon Sua's face still look so dark?
What's with the "I'm sorry" again?
"I-I'm not planning to do part-time work. So... for rent and other expenses... could I pay with my body?"
What? Was she already in the mood for sex?
Quest, give it to me quick. Sex with Yoon Sua, let's go.
"Exactly how do you plan to pay?"
Han Ae-bom's cool, piercing question snapped me back to reality. Come to think of it, she was right. Jumping straight to sex when someone says "pay with my body" made me sound like trash.
And my hunch was correct.
"...I'm confident in cooking and cleaning. I'll be home most of the time anyway, so from now on, I'll handle cooking and housework for everyone. Could you cut me some slack on the rent?"
Han Ae-bom let out a soft hum and scanned Yoon Sua up and down with a calm gaze. Yoon Sua flinched at the look, her chest jiggling.
"We've managed fine without hiring a maid so far. Do we suddenly need you now, Yoon Sua?"
"Well... I can only hope for your kindness. Please."
Oh Hana, watching from the side, sucked on her spoon noisily and chimed in.
"Nah, we've been doing okay even paying 200,000 won so far. Honestly, if one more person joins and handles cleaning and cooking, I have zero complaints."
I added my two cents.
"Me too. It's fine."
Since I'd already considered not taking her in, a 50,000-won difference in rent wasn't a big deal for me now. Probably the same for Han Ae-bom.
...Or so I thought.
"Yoon Sua. I don't really like people who bend over backward unconditionally. Even compared to Oh Hana."
What the hell!
Ignoring Oh Hana's outburst, Han Ae-bom glared at Yoon Sua with cold eyes.
"And you knew I was subtly testing you, putting pressure on you, but you didn't call me out on it. You were just trying to play on our sympathy, right?"
Man. I felt it now and then, but Han Ae-bom really was a high-spec woman. It showed in so many ways.
Oh Hana wasn't clueless either, but they excelled in different areas. When things got serious like this, no one in this one-room could keep up with her.
"Instead of resisting unfair treatment, you immediately give in and accept it. All while subtly hoping for a positive outcome. Like I said, I don't like that. So fix it."
"Yes, sorry."
"Then demand it confidently from us. Can't you see? This place clearly needs someone to cook and clean."
Watching from the side, it felt like a corporate scene—exciting, like a senior scolding a junior.
"Um, I don't know what to demand. Just letting me stay here is already gratitude enou—"
"You should demand fair compensation for your labor!"
Mom.
I wasn't the only one startled. Oh Hana, spoon in mouth waiting for it to end, jolted and knee-bumped the folding table.
A zombie-like groan came from beside me.
"600,000 won rent divided by four is 150,000. You're saying you'll cover that plus any extras like food costs, basic upkeep, or shared living expenses with your body. But labor costs are high these days. Brushing it off like that is basically making yourself a slave."
"I'm... fine with that. I'm just grateful you took me in. I have nothing to begin with."
"I'm not fine with it!"
"......"
"If you were purely useful for profit, I wouldn't say this. But living under one roof, like it or not, we'll grow attached. That makes me uncomfortable."
Han Ae-bom's words tugged at my heart a bit. A high-spec, classy woman. I didn't know why someone like her was living here with us.
But one thing was clear.
She'd changed since coming here. Whether that was positive or negative depended on perspective, but to me, it was positive.
"I'm not saying change right now. Just, as someone living under the same roof as me, don't let yourself be used."
"I... okay."
Yoon Sua's expression as she answered was oddly complex. Happy? Sad?
Headache. What is she hiding?
"So if you handle cleaning and cooking properly, we'll not only waive your rent but give you 100,000 won each. Honestly, even that's low."
"N-No way! That's too much, I'm sorry..."
"Again with that! If this were a company, you'd get chewed out hard."
"Ha, hauu."
Yeah. If this were a real company and Yoon Sua some employee, I bet she'd get sucked dry no matter who she met.
"H-Hold on. Why are you deciding this on your own?! I okayed the rent waiver, but extra 100,000 for Sua unnie?!"
"That's how it is. Fair pay. We have to. Especially since you're the messiest one here."
"What!"
Oh Hana shot up then plopped right back down.
"Fine, if that's decided. Oppa agrees too, right? Majority rules with more people."
"Uh? Yeah, sure."
Even without quest rewards, I probably wouldn't have opposed giving her 100,000 or waiving rent.
She had that kind of vibe.
"Anyway, let's eat first? It's getting cold. Sua brought it all warmed up."
And not just that.
Like magic, she unpacked those two impossible bags and neatly stored everything in the fridge or cool spots.
Fresh rice with steaming galbi and skewered seasoned meat was pure bliss.
"Ugh! So good! Amazing! Oppa, your grandma's an awesome cook!"
"For real. This level, she could be a... chef."
"Seriously, especially this cockle salad seasoning—I could learn a thing or two."
Chopstick clacks echoed nonstop. Voices and chatter crisscrossed over the tiny table.
It felt like a real home. Warmth. Lively bustle.
I could barely recall huddling alone, praying tomorrow wouldn't come—or that this never ended.
"Uwaa! Warming in the frying pan makes all the difference. Sua unnie, you're the best! We'd 100% microwave it sloppily. Hehe."
"Oh Hana! Calling me unnie already, dropping formalities! No manners."
"Yes yes, sorry. Ae-bom unnie's still prickly. Geez. Should we do a nude bonding session or something?"
"...Cough! W-What?"
"Ack! Rice flew out!"
Yeah. No way the past could resurface. Not with this chaotic... no, vibrant energy. Heh.
Yoon Sua and I smiled warmly at the bickering duo and resumed eating.
I waited for the right moment, pushing aside embarrassment, and spoke.
"Oh, by the way, Ae-bom. Thanks for real this time."
"No biggie. It was nothing."
She said it was nothing, but her face bloomed with a bright smile as she kept brushing hair behind her ear with her free hand.
Ears a bit red too. After all, she'd said there, 'Even if rejected, I still want a serious relationship with Hyunwoo.'
I nearly died on the spot, but still.
"Maybe nothing to you, but to me, it was huge salvation. Like a real favor."
I never thought I'd say such cringy lines in my life. But nothing else captured my gratitude then.
Going home always felt like being a sinner. Or even without that, I'd crawl into a pit myself.
No pride, no confidence—curled up, eaten by negativity.
But that time, it felt like laughing, talking, facing family properly after ages.
"Saying that much... it's embarrassing."
"......"
Suddenly cringy.
"Ahem! If you're that grateful, I'll claim fair compensation later. Yoon Sua, see? To survive this harsh world on your own, no need to yield on stuff like this."
Yoon Sua nodded slightly, but Oh Hana wailed unfairly.
"Kwaaa! I could've done it for oppa too! Why ask Ae-bom unnie and not give me a chance! I need to buy that album with the fanmeet signing to get raffle tickets! Gotta mooch off oppa!"
What impure motives.
"No, seriously, next time should I just tag along with oppa? That'd be hilarious too?"
It'd be total chaos. House would flip.
I'd grown a bit used to Oh Hana's antics and soothed her calmly.
"I'll take the thought. Just the thought. Thanks."
Forever just thoughts, please.
"Hng, if you say so. But next time something like this happens, ask me, not unnie. Got it?"
"......"
"Got it or not!"
Where does she pick up these dialects?
"Got it, got it."
Only then did Oh Hana grin and back off. Feeling deflated amusement, I sensed the timing and spoke.
"So, basically, the one-room's full with everyone who wants to live here. How about we share our goals or reasons for coming here?"
It was the start of the quest.
To complete the quest, you must hear their purpose to some extent, or detailed circumstances.