Chapter 95

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 95

Chapter Title: Black Rock Bowling Alley

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[Black Rock Bowling Alley]

Rock bowling alley?

I'd never even set foot in a club, so how much could I possibly know about a rock bowling alley? The only bowling alleys I'd ever been to were those dingy old neighborhood spots frequented by middle-aged uncles or bowling clubs.

Just looking at the entrance to this rock bowling alley, packed with nothing but young people, already had me feeling a bit intimidated.

"Hyunwoo, a rock bowling alley's no big deal. It's just a place that's a little flashy where you bowl while drinking."

Ki-hang had an uncanny knack for picking up on stuff like this. He'd noticed me stressing about it and casually let me know.

The problem was, what he called "no big deal" felt like a huge deal to me.

A flashy place where you bowl while drinking?

Why did that immediately make me think of a wild club scene?

"Wait, they serve alcohol there?"

"Yeah, probably just me and noona? If you don't wanna drink, no one's forcing you. Companies these days don't push drinks or after-work parties on anyone anymore. Some people just can't handle it."

Alcohol wasn't the issue; I could handle that.

Especially after drinking with Han Aebom and Oh Hana before—I could hold my own pretty well. It was just hard to picture bowling alleys serving booze.

"They got snacks too?"

"Yeah, basic stuff. Chicken, frozen dumplings, french fries?"

"Whoa, nice."

It felt like a whole new world.

And surprisingly, back when Ki-hang and I were in college, he barely drank at all. But ever since he started dating this Lee Sun-hwa woman, he'd either gotten better at it or started drinking more often.

Hey, binge drinking's the bad part. Booze itself? Not so much. As long as he's happy, it's none of my business.

"Hey, you rookies! Hurry up! Time to bowl and booze—let's go!"

Over there, Lee Sun-hwa was waving us over. In front of the rock bowling alley entrance, groups of early-20s guys and girls—dressed even flashier than us—were puffing away on cigarettes while eyeing us.

Then they spotted Han Aebom and their eyes went wide... Yeah, yeah, I'm over it now.

"Let's go, Aebom."

"Yeah. Let's win this."

Her hand gripped tight in mine radiated fierce competitive spirit. This woman was secretly pumped too. Ever since those sticker photos, she hadn't come down from her high. She must've really loved them.

"Whoa... this place must be super popular."

In my whole life, I'd rarely seen a bowling alley using even two floors, let alone three.

"It's the most famous rock bowling spot around here, so yeah, it's packed. Most rock bowling alleys have crappy rails, but this one's got great maintenance, plus you can pick the music, the lighting's on point... Overall quality's top-notch. That's why everyone's here."

The elevator ride up was quiet enough.

But when we hit the fourth floor—with the counter—the doors slid open, and a rush of hot air hit me so hard I squeezed my eyes shut for a second. For real.

Boom-chika, boom-chika—like we'd stumbled into a karaoke bar—the pounding bass blasted from everywhere, mixed with bursts of lively laughter, cheers from booze-fueled groups under dazzling lights...

'Damn it... it's basically a club.'

A club with bowling lanes. That was my first impression of a rock bowling alley.

"Let's check if they've got lanes open first. Oh, and for bowling shoes, go about 5mm smaller than your usual size."

"Got it."

I strutted to the counter trying to act like I knew what I was doing. By now, the stares on my back were old news. More like on Han Aebom, precisely.

"Whoo~ Hot stuff?"

Some jerk even whistled.

It was annoying, but the real shock was checking the prices at the counter.

No joke, I thought my eyes were gonna pop out.

I double-checked, convinced I misread.

Sure, it had been years since I bowled last, and even then with friends on a weekday morning... we'd get five games for 10,000 won.

Here? 7,900 won per game? Almost 8,000?

'What the hell? My sense of money's shattering.'

And beer started at 6,000 ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠won a bottle—for the tiny ones. Snacks plus beer, four people, three games? That's pushing 200,000 won.

Quick mental math made my head spin harder. Hadn't felt this wallet-whacked in forever.

"......"

Han Aebom just stood there unfazed—first time at a rock bowling alley and all.

"Table for four?"

"Yep, we've got you."

Ki-hang and Lee Sun-hwa nodded like this was normal. Was it really?

Trembling, I whipped out my phone for a quick search. Plenty of cheaper rock bowling spots, but even they ran at least 5,000 won a game. This place had prime lanes, huge crowds, top quality—worth the premium, apparently.

"Lanes 7 and 8."

"Okay."

Still, emergency funds—or quest rewards—still sitting pretty in my account snapped me back to reality fast.

That's why they say keep some cash on hand. Having it, even unspent, buys peace of mind.

True story.

I grabbed 275mm bowling shoes; Han Aebom took 235mm. So her regular size was 240mm. Kinda cute for her tall, elegant frame.

Shoes in hand, we headed to the lanes, and there was Lee Sun-hwa plunking down five beer bottles on the table.

She'd ordered snacks too—the frozen dumplings, chicken, fries she'd mentioned.

Now everything looked like straight cash to me.

"Okay, plain games are boring, so like I said, we'll bet on bowling. Losing couple pays the full tab tonight. Cool?"

I'd half-expected it, but hearing it still stung.

"Noona, that's too much. Bet on bowling fees only, split the rest Dutch."

Ki-hang looking out for me mid-chaos? Grateful, but it kinda hurt—made me feel too broke for his pity.

"Nah, come on. That'd make settling up a hassle. We're not kids. No need to nitpick."

This time, Lee Sun-hwa seemed the better option.

"Still, though."

Ki-hang couldn't nod along easily. He tried playing it cool, but anyone could see he was worried about me.

Makes sense. Back in college, he couldn't even spot me cafeteria food confidently. What money did I have? Spot on, really. Without quests, I wouldn't have even stepped foot here today.

"It's fine, Ki-hang."

"Oh... yeah."

Watching him look guilty instead twisted my gut. These moments hit hardest—rubbing in my sorry state.

Even at year-end parties, I'd felt it a few times. Everyone employed, me the freeloader. For seconds or thirds, someone'd subtly pick cheap spots.

One tipsy ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠friend once dragged us to an expensive place, yelling about not living like kids forever—blew two weeks' groceries in one go.

'If I were a proper working stiff, no need for this kid-gloves treatment.'

Not even big corp—just any steady job. The kind where I could wear the pricey suit Mom bought...

"Exactly. Loser pays, right?"

But why was Han Aebom so damn confident? She'd said it was her first time bowling.

"H-Hoo... You bowl, huh?"

Lee Sun-hwa's easy smile froze at Han Aebom's swagger.

Don't tell me she's good at bowling too?

That was her face.

"First time."

"Huh?"

Now flustered for a different reason, Lee Sun-hwa sighed lightly and scratched her head.

"Jeez, say that upfront... Forget the bet. No, we'll cover it here—"

"No. We bet. I agreed knowing full well. Backing out now would just piss me off."

"......"

Her briefly sour expression cracked into a genuine grin as ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠she eyed Han Aebom.

"Whoa, you're no joke. Seriously attractive."

"That sounded kinda casual."

"Fair. Totally fair. Damn, Aebom, you're too charming. Fine, bet it is. No regrets after you lose—I ain't the type to go easy."

"Not expecting mercy. You're not pros, right?"

Lee Sun-hwa nodded.

"We barely crack 100."

That's what all the rail talk was about—with that skill?

"Beginners luck into 100 too?"

"Sure. Tons roll two-handed and break 100."

Right on cue, a girl next lane rolled two-handed cutely—strike! Her crew cheered sincerely, toasting her win. Looked fun.

This place too.

"That's plenty. Losing's losing, but I don't go in expecting defeat."

"Perfect! Love it, Aebom."

Lee Sun-hwa had openly sized up Han Aebom with some rivalry—or at least wariness—before.

Now? Gone. Like longtime sisters, the invisible wall between them crumbled.

Me? Felt awkward even with longtime college buddies.

"......"

What was this feeling? I was low-key jealous of Han Aebom—my own ally.

Naive out-of-touch girl... Probably my take on her. Subconsciously ranked her same or below me. Made her comfy?

'Nah, not that.'

Couldn't deny it entirely. Same studio life, similar struggles—easy that way.

Applied to Oh Hana and Yoon Sua too, probably.

Secret-burdened dropout Oh Hana. Sickly Yoon Sua who rarely left the studio.

Flawed somehow, so I treated 'em casual.

"Bet's a bet. First bowling—excited."

"Me too. Can't wait to see your losing face. Heh."

Who was babying who?

No matter how she ended up in the studio or botched job hunts... Han Aebom was bound for big things, no help needed.

Wait—no.

"Hyunwoo, let's pick balls. To win."

She already was big. Charisma to flip awkward ties into alliances... That kind.