Chapter 92
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Bamboo Forest Cafe
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The movie had barely ended when Han Aebom dashed to the bathroom. She didn't say why, but I could guess. It had to be the semen I'd creampied inside her still leaking out. Even though we'd only done it twice in the theater to avoid going overboard.
The amount must have been more than expected. While watching the rest of the film, I'd seen her squirming now and then, wiping under her skirt with tissues from her bag.
'If that was the case, she could've just left midway.'
Han Aebom had stuck it out until the end. It wasn't just about not wasting money; she'd been pretty focused on the movie even during our sex breaks.
Well. Maybe it's because she's the type who's serious about everything.
"Woooooong!"
A loud whoosh echoed from deep inside the women's restroom a few times before Han Aebom emerged, shaking off her dry hands.
"How was the movie?"
"Hm."
She paused at my question, as if pondering, then spoke.
"I guess unpopular things are unpopular for a reason... I felt it with my own body."
"Pardon? Oh, right."
What kind of review is that?
Honestly, I still couldn't believe that boring movie was a full 108 minutes. Without the sex with Han Aebom midway, I'd have slept straight through the two hours.
'Huh? That might not have been so bad either.'
If I thought of it as a 17,000-won sleep clinic session...
I checked the time while lost in silly thoughts. 1:30 p.m. Perfect for lunch. Movies really kill time well.
"Shall we grab some food?"
"Sure."
Truth be told, we'd both eaten a hearty breakfast courtesy of Yoon Sua. But sex turned out to be a hardcore workout that burned more calories than expected. Plus, the theater snacks were so pricey we hadn't touched any.
'Now, what to eat...'
If I were alone, I wouldn't dream of eating inside the department store. Sure, the restaurants there had decent value these days, but they were still pricier than outside spots.
But with Han Aebom? On a date? Different story.
[Cheokcheok Table]
[Lunch Special (1 person) – 32,000 won]
Never thought I'd see a "lunch special" topping 30,000 won per person. Looked like it came with tons of Korean side dishes, pork ribs, and soybean paste stew.
The photo made my mouth water.
"How about here?"
"Hm."
Han Aebom's eyes narrowed. She was eyeing the lunch special price on the menu. It suited her image perfectly. I'd peg her as the type to drop ten million on luxury without blinking.
"Isn't that a bit extravagant? We still have dinner tonight, the motel reservation, and plans to wander around until then."
She had a point. Too valid, actually. But something felt off. Really off.
'Whoa. For the first time, I get why drama guys snap at their thrifty girlfriends.'
When I first saw those scenes, I thought the guy was nuts. Why get mad when she's being sensible and caring?
But now I think I know what he wanted to say.
"Ahem! I've quit smoking lately, so I've got some extra cash."
"Then save it for next month..."
"That's an option."
I took Han Aebom's hand and said,
"But I want to spend on a girl I like. Can't I? Let this be me treating you to lunch."
Yeah. Because I like her. Because she's precious. It's that primal urge to spoil someone special.
"......"
Did that come off too cheesy? Han Aebom stared at me like she'd glitched for a second.
"Um, Aebom?"
"Heh. Hehehe."
Then she let out a small laugh. What?
"Okay. If that's how you feel. It'd be silly to refuse when you put it like that."
"Right?"
"And like I said before. You're really cool today, Hyunwoo."
Whispering as she took my hand, her back view entering the restaurant was breathtakingly beautiful. Graceful even from behind. I muttered under my breath, You're the cool one.
*
The restaurant service was top-notch. The upscale Korean interior goes without saying, the food was delicious, and what I loved most was the staff's friendliness.
'Totally worth it.'
Of course, the 64,000-won receipt on my phone made me wince. And every time, I make the same vow.
'One day, I want to succeed enough to shrug off receipts like this.'
I don't know exactly what "enough" means.
Still, landing a big corp job with a 50-million-won salary would beat my current situation, right? Ha, 50 million annually—what's that monthly? Insane.
"That was great, Hyunwoo."
"Glad you enjoyed it."
Han Aebom smiled brightly.
"Want to grab coffee? I've been mooching too much. At least let me cover coffee. And dinner."
"I won't say no."
I knew how awkward it felt to just receive, so I nodded readily. As an unemployed guy, getting treats from friends used to choke me up.
'That's how some drifted apart.'
Not just post-job stuff.
Even in college, without much spare cash, some richer friends—who were nice guys—would eye me hesitantly whenever splitting plans. They'd sneak-pay ahead despite my Dutch-pay pushes.
It made me guilty. We'd drifted after graduation. Wonder what he's up to now.
'If I land that big job, I should hit him up.'
Considering what I owed him, conscience demands a big treat. Yeah, like premium beef.
[Bamboo Grove Cafe]
Lost in thoughts, we'd wandered to a stop. Han Aebom checked her phone and the cafe exterior alternately.
"This one. Internet raves about it."
That damn internet. She'd barely touched computers when she first came to the studio, but now she was hooked.
'Guess it's not wrong.'
Bamboo accents everywhere inside were striking. The little fountain, panda paintings and plushies in one corner. Perfect for couples or SNS addicts.
"Looks good. Let's go in."
Truth be told, I'd have gone anyway. The lobby had been okay, but out in the bustle, stares stung again—mostly at her, but jealous ones at me too.
Some guy practically screamed "No way!" in his head. No way my ass. I'm the guy who creampied her twice in the theater.
"...?"
Han Aebom tilted her head at my puffed-up shoulders but gripped my hand like other couples as we entered.
[Bamboo Americano Size Tall/Grande 7,300won/7,700won]
[Bamboo Vanilla Latte Size Tall/Grande 8,500won/8,900won]
[Bamboo Cake 1 piece 9,900won]
Damn...
I nearly cursed. Prices had always risen in my lifetime, but for a guy whose splurges were 1,500-won takeout americanos, this was brutal.
"......"
Even more shocking: people ordered desserts nonchalantly despite the tags. And seats were packed—finding one was the real challenge.
"What'll you have, Hyunwoo?"
"Uh... Americano. No dessert. I'm full."
"Same."
Felt like another world. They're here for SNS and dates, acting chill... Yeah, that didn't console me this time.
A hollow laugh escaped. Am I feeling the wealth gap? Pathetic. Time to succeed, damn it.
"Here you go."
Soon, we had our bamboo-cup coffees and headed upstairs. First floor was full—photo-zone prime spots or whatever. Didn't matter; Han Aebom's looks crushed it.
Guys downstairs sighed as we passed with drinks. Two girls by the fountain turned squid-pale seeing her. Priceless.
"Over there."
A couple had just left a prime window seat.
I set down the tray with a clink.
"Whoa, thinking it's 7,300 won makes it wild."
"Right? Compared to street coffee, yeah. But pricing's the seller's call, buying's the buyer's. If it didn't sell at this, seller's fault. But the crowd shows it's spot-on."
I just wanted commiseration on pricey coffee. Rationalist much?
Cute bamboo cup, but taste? Standard Americano. No exaggeration—same as a 1,500-won one, smaller serving.
"Oh, right. Thought of something ordering."
"What?"
Good opener. Cafes are tough without topics.
"Remembered a college friend I mooched off. Once I get a job, succeed, have spare cash—first thing, treat him."
"He'll feel rewarded for those meals. Since you'll call eventually."
"Investment," huh? Felt icy suddenly. She corrected to "meals," though.
"Funny, his name slipped my mind at first. Humans are fickle, huh? Mooch that much, forget the name. Ah, but I remember now."
Then Han Aebom flashed her iciest smile ever...
"That's human nature."
"......"
No joke—chills ran down my spine. She hadn't said anything mean, but it hit like playground stuff compared to real divides. Rubbed my arm; hairs stood straight.
"......"
Awkward. Time to name-drop the friend—
"Ki Hang-ah, over there."
"Got it, sis. Don't rush. Drop it and we're screwed."
...Yeah. That name. That voice.