Chapter 89
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Makeover and Crowded Streets
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Oh Hana's fashion sense and makeup skills weren't something I'd seen just once or twice—they were as familiar as breathing, something I'd witnessed every day. And it wasn't limited to herself, either. In fact, her styling talents shone even brighter when applied to others.
'If I can pass as a real person even in front of the popular crowd, that says it all.'
I'd benefited from her skills countless times before.
She'd attended a beauty high school, and it wasn't a lie—her eyes always sparkled with joy when styling someone else's hair or doing their makeup. I couldn't quite understand it, but damn, it was impressive.
Because her makeup took time and effort, yet she never expected anything in return.
"Hmm, I think this vibe works great for today."
She swiped on the expensive cream she treasured without a second thought. Every pass of her fingers brought life to my face, which even my mom would struggle to call attractive. Cosmetics weren't cheap these days. I made a mental note to buy some for her next chance I got. Should've thought of it sooner, you idiot.
"Oppa, it doesn't feel suffocating or anything, right?"
"Not at all."
Her face was dead serious. Just that expression alone told me she was pouring her heart into it without expecting a thing. The feeling was... weird, in a really good way. Could people really be like this?
Maybe I was too cynical. Everyone I'd ever met pretended otherwise, but deep down, they all wanted some reward for their efforts. Even with close family, there were these subtle, unconscious tallies...
But not Oh Hana. She didn't expect anything. She was genuinely just hoping I'd stand out more with Han Aebom, make some fun memories—that's all that drove her.
"......"
It was absurd. The more I thought it through, the more ridiculous it seemed. No matter how I replayed it, it didn't add up. Was there really a national treasure like her in the world? Was that how I was supposed to accept it?
"Holy shit, today's makeup came out perfect. Wow, thinking about you wiping it off tonight is breaking my heart."
"That good?"
"Obviously. Makeup doesn't hit the same level every day. Some days it's just god-tier, and I think today is one of them. Whoa, gotta snap a pic of this."
Click, click.
Watching her actually save the photo on her phone, I added yet another nagging question to my list.
How could someone so good to others—and who enjoyed it so much—be working a part-time job? Why'd she drop out of high school?
'Maybe she's a pro idol makeup artist or stylist?'
Was that why she wandered Cheongdam-dong like it was nothing? And her love for idols...
Damn, this was all just my speculation. She hadn't said a word, and here I was writing fanfic novels in my head.
"Oppa, what do you think? Like it?"
Her face was a mix of excitement and nerves, so pure it made her look like a high schooler instead of 22.
"Come on, you call that asking?"
"Hey, gotta hear it to know! What, you want me to read your mind or somethin'?"
"It's the best. The absolute best. Nailed it."
I even busted out my long-forgotten Busan dialect, and her eyes went wide as saucers, beaming with pure joy. Dizzying. Seriously. How was she this cute? And yet so damn sexy when she wanted to be.
I'd thought it before, but standing this close to an idol must feel like this—your lips tingling for no reason, a ache in your chest pulling you in, making you her biggest fan without realizing.
"Hey, make me a list of products that suit me."
"Huh? Why? What's up?"
"We'll go shopping together. Can't keep using yours forever."
"Eh? I'm good though."
"Might as well grab some for you too."
"Eeee! Thank ya kindly, master!"
Her waist bent a solid 95 degrees in a dramatic bow. If my little sister pulled that for makeup, I'd dropkick her unless it was her birthday. But with Hana? I'd fill a whole basket without hesitation.
She wasn't just giving—she knew how to receive gracefully too. That's what made her even more likable.
Yeah, if you're always receiving, you gotta give back sometimes, or you'd end up like Han Aebom right now—lips twitching like sitting on pins and needles, having gotten her makeup done first and hating every second in this space.
"Um, Hana..."
Finally, Han Aebom couldn't hold back and tried to speak to Oh Hana—but Hana's finger sealed her lips first.
"Nuh-uh! Listen up. I'm not picky about full names or whatever. But! First, go have a blast on your date. Then next time, drop the family name—'Hana' is fine. Okay?"
"Mmph."
"Nuh-uh! Not now! Oppa, take her out already! You two focus on the date and have fun!"
Click. By the time I blinked, we were shoved out the door in our shoes, staring at the firmly shut studio apartment door. Han Aebom let out a hollow chuckle.
"Jeez, what a girl."
I nodded in full agreement.
Just from her tone, I could tell Han Aebom's grudge against Oh Hana had evaporated. This quest was basically free?
Like, uh...
Comfort Han Aebom and make her apologize to Oh Hana first
📍 Progress:0/1
🎁 Reward: 500,000 won, Agility +1, Low-level Lullaby Skill
All I had to do was comfort her? Then 500,000 won and a Low-level Lullaby Skill were mine...
Wish they'd swap that for 100,000 won instead. I could buy Oh Hana's cosmetics with it. Sigh. No dice.
Anyway, this wasn't my first time heading out alone with Han Aebom, so why the nerves? Was I subconsciously treating it like a date?
I tried mind control to stay cool, but one glance her way and it all crumbled. There she was, Han Aebom.
Looking at her now, the words bubbled up from inside: She's on another level. Damn, makeup was divine! And the fashion? While Oh Hana went cute, hers amplified her mature vibe with trendy black-and-white that fit her like a glove.
A woman who exuded class even bare-faced in rags—what happens when she goes all out? My eyes were feasting.
'But am I okay?'
I figured the makeover made me human again. But next to her? Debatable.
"Ahem. Aebom, how do I look today?"
...Everyone asks this, right?
"You mean today, Hyunwoo?"
She met my eyes, then blushed and turned away slightly.
"No joke—you look like a celebrity."
Her reaction confirmed it. And the way she said it? Yeah, I could rock some confidence today.
...Not gonna lie, it didn't take long for my surging confidence to nosedive. Hard.
[JAJA]
[CooCoo Sushi & Roll]
[Lucky Coin Karaoke]
Downtown had everything. The sheer number of signs on one building made my eyes spin. People were the same—unless you hugged a wall, you'd get swept away in the flood.
And amid it all, Han Aebom stood out like a beacon. At this point, were we even the same species? If I was a squid, she was some goddess... yeah, something like that.
With crowds this dense, whispers followed us everywhere. All ages, all genders, staring and chattering.
"What, they filming a movie here today?"
"Google it. Gotta be a celeb."
"Nothing. New actress? Nah, doesn't add up. Prettier than some influencer with a million followers."
"Whoa, what's up with that lady?"
"She's fire."
If Oh Hana was idol material, Han Aebom screamed actress. What about Yoon Sua? If I had to slot her in... AV star? Trash thoughts, brain—what the hell.
People gawking at her everywhere, jaws on the floor.
"Wait—don't tell me the guy next to her..."
"Nah, no way."
"Oh, there's a person there? Thought it was a squid."
I felt like a butterfly caught in a typhoon. Being next to her dragged me into the commentary too—and not one good word. Fuck.
"If that squid... I mean guy is her boyfriend, I'll eat my own hand."
That prick almost said squid. Lucky you—I'd make you regret it if my dream wedding with her was real.
Compared to the outright insults and sneers mixed in, that was tame.
"Coming somewhere this crowded makes the beast at home seem tame."
Beast at home? Oh.
"Where should we head, Hyunwoo?"
"Yeah. Right."
The classic first-date spot popped into my head.
"Wanna catch a movie?"
"A movie? Movie..."
She mumbled, then nodded way more enthusiastically than expected.
"Sounds good. Let's go."
Her excitement eased my mind. Classics never fail.
Still, the crowd was insane—easy to get separated without luck.
"Hyunwoo?"
"Ah, hold on."
"Okay."
Hold on—what the fuck was that? Just say it, dumbass. It was right there at the edge of my vision: her hand. Holding hands and walking—that simple.
"Ahh, oppa, so many people today."
"Yeah, it's packed."
Couples zipped by— at least ten in sight right now. Kids held hands like child's play. Others linked arms, hands on shoulders, bold ones around waists. Wait—dude, why's your hand sliding lower?
I snapped out of it from the parade. We'd gone all the way; hand-holding was nothing. I'd linked arms with Oh Hana easy enough.
'Actually, she initiated that too.'
Couldn't be helped with her. Max-level warrior vs. level 1 scrub.
But for this date with Han Aebom, I had to take the lead.
"Let's hold hands. Crowd's thick—easier for me to block if someone bumps you."
To my cringey, over-explained nerd proposal...
"Ah. Y-Yeah... that makes sense."
Her flushed face dipped shyly.