Chapter 88
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Awkward First Date Proposal
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Looking at it one way, this might be the first time in my life I've ever asked someone out on a date. Is that why? My delivery came out completely fucked up.
Who the hell am I threatening here? Or was I going for natural... shit. No excuse makes me sound anything less than a total idiot. This is the kind of line a drama lead might spit out, but coming from an extra—or worse, some random passerby.
Oh Hana, watching from the side, had the most incredulous look on her face. Like she'd never seen a date invite this devoid of romance or any charm whatsoever in her entire life.
'Oppa, is this the bullshit you swore you'd nail when you begged me to leave it to you?'
...or at least, that's what her eyes seemed to say. I'd rather it be my paranoia.
I get why companies prefer experienced hires. No matter how hard rookies try or how careful they are, their inexperience or unforeseen fuck-ups just pop out.
Ha, if only I had a superpower to turn back time... That's when Han Aebom, who'd frozen for a moment, dabbed her mouth daintily with a square of toilet paper and asked,
"Asking to hang out just the two of us... That counts as a date invite, right?"
Eh? I was thrown off by Han Aebom's reaction, then double-whammied by her question. Do other people really respond this calmly to date proposals?
What the...? Saying it again from my mouth feels insanely embarrassing.
"...Yeah. Yes. A date... invite."
Ughhh.
I cringed internally, screaming as my hands and feet curled up. I didn't say anything wrong, right? Everyone goes through this?
...I glanced sideways, and Oh Hana looked like she was desperately holding back something horrific. Guess not everyone does.
And Yoon Sua?
"......"
She was watching the scene unfold with the exact same leisurely gaze my mom and grandma have during morning dramas.
Meanwhile, the others didn't seem to notice at all.
Han Aebom nodded with the world's happiest smile. From this alone, she seemed like a total innocent girl clueless about the world.
"Sure, Hyunwoo. I accept your proposal. Let's hang out. Just the two of us."
Stop it, Aebom.
That emphasis on "just the two of us" makes it sound like an elementary kid bragging about a snail they found on the playground during rain. It's not my ego talking—it's just weirdly detailed.
'She's not thrilled purely because of massive affection, is she?'
Even more, she's reacting this well to my cringey, third-rate romance novel line. My guess? This is her "first" too—for Han Aebom.
Not just in reality, but she'd clearly never even encountered this in media. What clinches it is her face: not the usual reliable career woman, but a pure teenage girl buzzing for her first date.
"......"
That utterly innocent face had Yoon Sua and Oh Hana staring, each with their own mix of emotions.
I felt the same.
Han Aebom, what kind of life have you even lived?
In this cramped studio with four of us rubbing shoulders, some things can't stay hidden. Han Aebom's pure, childlike face from earlier is a perfect example.
Yet even there, Han Aebom and Oh Hana were still holding something back from us. Given their personalities, they'd have spilled anything major by now...
'If they haven't said anything yet, how insane must this secret be?'
Forget the long-pending quest. Curiosity alone makes you want to uncover secrets—even Pandora's box.
They say wanting to know more is a sign a guy is into a girl.
"Nngh!"
To cool my burning face from earlier, I stepped out for some air. Stretching, Ji Seonhye's words popped into my head.
'Why not show a bit of weakness?'
Weakness? What the hell does that mean? Go bowling and keep guttering? I'm already showing my idiot side plenty.
'Wait. This is my first date ever.'
The realization hit like a brick. I'd assumed everyone dates casually, but turns out the undater was me. Fuck.
"Your face screams virgin incarnate."
"Jesus!"
Oh Hana popped up out of nowhere and planted herself beside me, demanding boldly.
"Finger."
"......"
Pretty used to it now, I casually offered my middle finger.
"Middle finger's weird. Feels like sucking it off while getting cursed at. Index."
"Fine."
I switched to index, and she sucked it like a cigarette, exhaling with a "fuu." No smoke, but her face looked cooler. Does that actually work? Should I ask for some?
Not hookah-style, but pussy juice cigs...
"Weird thoughts?"
"Nah. Nothing."
I flinched guiltily, and Oh Hana said,
"Loosen up. Seeing Aebom unnie earlier, even if you suggested heading to a coal mine together, she'd probably love it."
Why does that sound plausible? My mind paints us swinging pickaxes, soot-smeared faces grinning.
"In the end, it's all about sex. You'll crash at a motel tonight, right?"
"Huh?"
Is that it?
My blank face earned a truly pitiful look from Oh Hana.
"You're going on a date. Aebom unnie'll be chill in the studio without sex. You're fuckbuddies anyway. And she loves sex."
"Hey, quit saying sex so loud. What if someone hears?"
Someone already did. Just my voice, though.
Three aunties heading into the church next door eyed me like toxic waste. The ones who usually smile and give me tissues or crackers. First time seeing that glare. Damn.
"Couples go on dates without sex? That's nonsense. Don't half-ass it with daytime rates. Go all out—fuck her till she drops. Impregnate her mindset, full throttle!"
Fuck who to death? I'm not dying or knocking her up.
But Oh Hana wasn't wrong.
Han Aebom's the type to go all in once started. Half-assed daytime fun might leave her unsatisfied.
"Why not just date already? You two match perfectly. Total newbie couple vibes."
"......"
Oh Hana tossed it out casually. Felt a bit off, but not as shocking as I'd expect.
Her nonchalant tone was off—usually, if someone's rattled nearby, you stay calm by contrast.
So I fired back coolly.
"You're really okay with me dating Aebom today?"
"Me? Why wouldn't I be?"
She seemed utterly fine—hurtfully so. But why? My usually wrong gut feels spot-on now.
"Your senior said she'd be bummed."
"......"
"Said it'd feel shitty. But your face looks worse than Ji Seonhye sunbaenim's—way worse."
Oh Hana clenched her trembling fists, covering her face gingerly. Her lips twisted harshly.
"Ha, fuck... Oppa. I..."
She looked ready to self-flagellate rather than spill, so I cut her off quick.
"Whatever. Pick an outfit for me first. Then style my hair."
"...Huh?"
"First date. No confidence in escorting properly. At least dress me sharp. Sunday streets are packed. Standing by you girls already turns me into an octopus instead of a guy. Make me at least a cuttlefish."
"Pfft..."
Oh Hana let out a deflating laugh, snapping back to normal. I'd known for nearly four months under one roof—she's tough.
"Damn, you're one hell of a girl. But I'm the real champ, right?"
"What now?"
"Where else does a guy live in a studio—not even two-room—with three girls? Fucking them too. Shit, I thought this was pure fantasy. Who'd say otherwise? Trash personified."
"Puhaha, for real. Yeah, you're the trashiest."
"Right? Pick proper clothes, style my hair right. Gotta look human-ish."
"Human? You'll still be a cuttlefish."
"What's the diff between cuttlefish and octopus anyway?"
"Leg length?"
"Octopus wins then?"
"Maybe."
We laughed casually heading in, but my insides churned.
What she'd almost said wasn't deep backstory—just self-comparison from her experiences. Not what I wanted.
As I said before, past is past.
And with three girls in play, no room to nitpick her history. Seriously.
'Marriage and pregnancy... might change that.'
That dream that keeps resurfacing.
Random wedding. Unknown bride...
And that bullshit "historic decision." Fuck.
Not even sure if future or dream. But curiosity kills—something only I could do?
No way a scrub like me gets that scene. Or do I become epic in the future? Nah, no setup. Quests are grinding me, but peak life was maybe landing a big corp programmer gig.
Something only I'd do...? Nothing comes to mind.
'Can I even marry one of these three?'
Me?
"......"
Can't picture it, let alone future. Total dream bullshit.
That thought as I opened the door.
"Ha?"
While I was out, Han Aebom—decked in her best date look—made Oh Hana's eyebrow twitch.
Oof. That's... harsh.
"That's deliberate, right? Strip! I'll pick clothes and do makeup!"
Oh Hana charged at Han Aebom, who resisted fiercely.
"Shut it! For a proper first date!"
This time, Oh Hana won.