Chapter 86

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 86

Chapter Title: Making Amends

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Even though I said that, I was secretly glad to see a quest pop up after such a long time. Why wouldn't I be? It hands out rewards without any penalties. If even this was a turn-off, I'd have to bash my head against the wall and die.

I'm grateful, sure, but ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠looking at the quest details made me sigh. And there's this weird skill name. No way, right? It's probably just named that way, but actually something special.

Exactly as named. Damn it.

The first skill I got, the Contraception Skill, had been insanely useful in my life—irreplaceable, really. Saving on condom costs was secondary; I'd gotten addicted to the pleasure and satisfaction of creampieing straight into the womb.

But the skills after that? Massage Skill, Intermediate Skin Massage Skill, Mild Intimidation Skill... Even if they were free, they left a weird taste in my mouth.

And now a Low-level Lullaby Skill? What the hell is this system shoving at me as a "gift"?

'Well, better than nothing, right?'

...Yeah, even I'm trying to think positively. Tch.

'Of course I want to comfort her, and if we're being fair, Aebom was the one who should apologize first this time.'

As the studio apartment's owner, it was my duty to mediate anyway. But getting rewards for it did prick my conscience a bit.

That said, it wasn't an easy quest.

"Jeez, not like you're a three-year-old. Locking yourself in the bathroom like that! Ha!"

"Shut up! You're the one who's gonna get in big trouble living life so carelessly!"

They both had points. A 24-year-old woman holing up in the bathroom, or a 22-year-old blowing all her money on fandom stuff.

'Still better than those idiots who take out loans to donate to streamers or steal.'

There were even people taking loans to buy CDs for fan sign event entries. Compared to that, these two were just playing around.

The problem was their "play" was heating up so much that no opening for an apology or comfort was in sight.

'Sigh. How did I make up with that friend I swore to cut off?'

I thought for a moment. No memory of reconciling. Oh, right—we stayed cut off into adulthood. And looking back, good call.

That damn bastard. He lent me his ID, I swore I didn't take any items, but he pinned it on me and squeezed money out of me. Now I think he framed me on purpose.

"......"

Anyway, no reconciliation memories. One perk of being a loser crew: no big fights. No fights, no makeups.

"Hoo. Fuck."

Oh Hana, who rarely swore, beckoned me. Like, come out for a sec.

A smoke?

I followed, and she stopped in the studio hallway.

"Gimme a finger."

"Why?"

"Just gimme one. I'm losing my mind here."

Same.

"Here."

I offered my index finger, not knowing why. She clamped it between her index and middle, bit down lightly, and sucked. Foo...

"What are you doing?"

I had to ask; it was too absurd.

"Can't you tell? Imaginary cigarette. Foo! Why's this cig so salty?"

"......"

She's finally lost it. First time hearing of imaginary smokes. And using someone else's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠finger? Unheard of.

"You can see how desperately we're fighting to quit. Just look at me."

"This shit's driving me insane. Even after beating a bad craving, another one hits midway."

"Real talk. Totally get it."

It's been a while since we quit, but just when you think you're good, an unbearable urge hits. Lights one up absentmindedly? Reset. Brutal.

"So we gotta do this."

But this?

Slurp, schluuup.

Why though? Her sucking my finger like a real cig makes it look... tasty? That illusion effect where streamers make boring games fun?

I swallowed hard, staring at her finger. She spoke seriously.

"Should I apologize first?"

"Huh?"

I flinched. If she did, quest failed. And I never expected it from her here.

"From what I heard, Aebom was a bit... out of line this time."

I beat around the bush, and she sighed deeply.

"Yeah, but... how upset must she have been to snap like that? If we had separate rooms, I could've fangirled alone. But we share."

"True."

"She was already annoyed, then sees me giggling alone. Couldn't hold back this time. Usually she bottles it up."

"Wait. Usually too?"

I recalled her saying something similar earlier. Lately, even with me around, it's not okay, blah blah.

"Yep, usually... too!"

Irritation spiked at the end. She tsked, stuck my finger back in.

Foo! "Humans are oblivious where it counts. Or maybe Aebom unnie desperately acts chill around you. It's partly your fault too? You got stake in this. Stake."

My fault?

I asked, half-hoping.

"Hey, is Aebom jealous? Of you."

"No! Jealousy... ha. Yeah. Jealousy. Simple as that. But jealousy happens even between close friends or sisters. Let alone someone you've slept with who clearly likes you."

My loser brain must've ruled it out unconsciously. Never crossed my mind till Oh Hana said it.

"Not just jealousy, maybe. Seems like things aren't going well lately. Bad expression."

I nodded.

"Yeah, her face soured checking something on the computer before."

"And you've been extra attentive to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me lately. Grateful, but I felt bad for unnie."

Felt like a hammer to the back of the head. Her words made me realize what a pathetic loser I was.

Without quests or this setup, I'd have dated a girl and gotten dumped in a month flat.

'This is why virgins get dumped quick.'

Lucky me—not even dating yet. And no breakup vibes.

"Tch. Anyway, she's stressed, and this made it worse. Maybe I should just apologize first this once. I don't obsess over past stuff."

I shook my head.

"No. Can't do that."

Quest aside, for Aebom's sake, Oh Hana apologizing first wasn't ideal.

"Might be fine for you, but it'd make her uncomfortable."

"Really?"

"Yeah. You're straightforward, but Aebom remembers slights forever—like shit smeared on the wall."

"Gross metaphor. Filthy."

"Just saying. She probably knows she overdid it."

Issue was pride stopping her from saying sorry. Aebom always had that.

Unyielding grace. Strong self-belief, pride.

"If you casually laugh it off and apologize, that's killing her twice."

She might even leave the studio. Can't have that. I like her pussy. No—Aebom's daily life.

"Hm."

Liking Aebom sincerely, Oh Hana looked serious.

"So what do we do?"

"Use this chance to comfort her and get her to apologize first. Best for her growth. And drop the casual speech slyly. Not even half-formal."

"Heehee."

Her tongue flick and grin? I get why Aebom snaps. Annoying girl.

"Leave this to me. I'll handle it."

For the quest.

Oh, and.

"In return, lemme grope your tits and ass."

Bonus beyond quest reward? She grabbed my hand to her chest without hesitation.

"Sure, if you fix it. Pussy too? Mood's off for room sex awhile. Quick oral outside?"

Her bold okay had me groping tits and ass right there. Proudly.

Okay. Charge complete.

Now just clear the quest.

"Store Manager."

"Huh? What? I'm heading out."

Seeing peace restored in a day, I looked at him with rare respect.

"From your face, looks like your daughters made up."

"Heh, yep. They kissed my cheeks, cheering Dad on. Holding 50,000-won bills each."

That's... scary in its own way. Whatever, if he's fine.

"Mind sharing how you reconciled them?"

My answer: stewing alone yields nothing, so ask the expert.

"What's this sudden? Got fighting friends?"

"Yes!"

"Hm. Can't ignore that."

Whoa! Sunlight haloed his half-bald head. This is an aura?

"...Wanna say that, but I dunno."

"Huh?"

"I don't know, punk. Their mom handled it. What would I know? Wanna call my wife? She's cranky at night, but sweet to customers. Customers."

Bitter nuance aside, what a useless guy.

"No, thanks."

"Hey, your voice and eyes went ice-cold?"

"Me?"

"Yeah! You. From guru-worshipping eyes to frozen solid."

"Nah. Haha. Get home safe. You look beat."

"You little!"

After messing with the manager, back to work. In a lull, I pondered.

'Just ask Mom?'

No joke. Seriously.

Flipping my contacts, one caught my eye.