Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: 3. My Place (3)
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Hiding it would be pointless.
Daiso was a first for me.
In a world where pretty much everything could be handled with a single online order from your computer or phone at home.
"This building's tall and skinny, huh?"
"Some places are bigger... though it's still smaller than a big supermarket."
Lee Ha-yoon, who was walking ahead, picked up a shopping basket and said.
She looked pretty practiced at this, like she came here often.
"So, what do we need?"
"Hmm. Maybe some dishes? And cooking utensils wouldn't hurt."
"Sounds like it's all kitchen stuff."
"I've only been eating delivery food since I started living alone. Figured it was about time to try cooking."
Crafting a believable lie was easier than expected.
All you had to do was mix a tiny bit of truth into the bullshit.
When I'd first lured her out by saying I needed household goods, that was a lie.
So was the bit about having just moved in and needing a bunch of stuff.
And the claim that a ten-year solo-living vet like me couldn't cook.
The only truth in all that was the delivery food part.
From yesterday to today.
Just one meal eaten at home.
"You got any seasonings?"
"I think there's maybe salt."
"Then at minimum, soy sauce, miso paste, sugar, sesame oil, chili powder..."
Lee Ha-yoon muttered to herself while jotting notes on her phone, then started climbing the stairs to the upper floor.
Even after getting banged up repeatedly in training earlier, her energy hadn't faded a bit.
I followed behind, watching her swaying black ponytail and the hem of her hoodie brushing her hips.
"We can grab the seasonings at a convenience store or mart. Let's look at the other stuff first."
"They don't sell 'em here?"
"Nope. So, frying pan first. Best bang for your buck. Your place got a gas stove?"
"Yeah. Gas."
Wonder what difference an induction makes.
I wasn't great at cooking anyway, so I just nodded.
Then she scanned around with her vivid green eyes and plucked a frying pan right off the shelf.
She compared the tiny print on it and the price tag this way and that, then tossed it in the basket without explaining why.
Eh, even if she explained, I probably wouldn't get it anyway, so I let it slide.
"Spatula? Soy sauce dish? Lock & Lock? Ladle? These-sized bowls okay?"
"......"
...That aside.
I'd planned to just stick close, tease Lee Ha-yoon, and enjoy some casual shopping.
But she was seriously zipping around Daiso everywhere, and it was more tiring than expected.
This was throwing off my plans a little.
A quick glance around showed customers milling about here and there.
Not a ton, but not sparse either. Five people per floor, including us.
Folks stopping by after work for necessities, probably.
Me in just a stiff gray jacket over a black tee that barely reached my waist.
Lee Ha-yoon in her academy uniform topped with a baggy loose-fit hoodie, diligently picking out items.
I pondered for a sec what others might think if they saw us.
Then.
"What, why's this bowl already chipped...?"
Carefully.
I wrapped an arm around Lee Ha-yoon's waist.
...Not quite a hug. More like brushing against it.
I was just standing beside her, arm around her waist.
"......Um, ...uh..."
"......"
She went dead silent in an instant.
Not just that—she started making these broken sounds, no words.
Plus, she looked at the bowl in her hand. At my face. Back at the bowl. Set it down. Blinked rapidly.
Cuter reaction than I'd expected.
Even after swapping spit and kissing last night.
"What's up?"
"......"
Her sparkling green eyes creaked toward me.
Then back to the shelf.
No answer, she just grabbed a new bowl.
It was the same one she'd just put back.
"Like you said, sis, that one's chipped, so leave it. I like this one better."
"...Y-yeah? Then let's get that..."
"Shouldn't we check it out? I'm not sure."
"I-it's just a bowl, what’s there to... check..."
She kept fiddling with my right arm around her unfamiliar waist and stomach.
From the constant poking, seemed like she wanted it off.
What to do. I wanna see you flustered more.
"Okay, bowl it is. What's next? You said a few batteries?"
"...Yeah... D-door locks still use 'em."
"Mm. Kitchen stuff here, so downstairs. Grab some towels on the way..."
"......"
I tightened my arm around her waist, and she flinched but obediently followed.
Her eyes darted to people around, but I ignored it and headed down the stairs with the now-quiet Lee Ha-yoon.
By the time shopping wrapped up.
I finally detached my arm from Lee Ha-yoon's waist and hauled the surprisingly heavy load out of Daiso.
No clue on the price, but it was paid for. Who cares—nothing here's pricey.
It started as a ploy to lure her out, but these were legit necessities, so sorting them at home came first.
Judging by the amount, it'd take a solid 30 minutes.
"Seasonings from the convenience store'll do... Thanks for making time today, sis. I'll buy dinner next time."
"......"
"Sis?"
"......"
Maybe the cars whizzing by drowned me out. No reply even right next to her.
Another call, same result.
I looked down at her as she fixed her clothes against the winter wind. She was walking with this spaced-out expression, soul gone.
Hmm. All I'd done was lightly hug her waist.
Who knew someone who could chatter nonstop for minutes would short-circuit like this if left alone.
I pondered a bit, Daiso bag in hand, then spun around to block her dazed path.
She finally snapped to, eyes widening, stopping dead.
Height difference meant her nose was right at my chest.
"Sis."
"...Y-yeah?"
"Thanks. For helping today. You must've been busy."
"Ah... No biggie. No shift today."
"Didn't peg you for it. Thought you worked every day."
"I do? Every day? ...Told the convenience store boss via text on the way to pick you up from the nurse's office. Said I was too beat to work."
"......"
"So he said you'd cover through dinner."
Hands jammed in her hoodie pockets, she swallowed hard.
"S-so. I can help a bit more."
"Yeah?"
"O-of course, it's nothing compared to the free heals you gave me..."
To make up for it, it'd take an hourly rate of 3 mil... 4 mil...
Head down against the chill wind, she mumbled.
Then she glanced up at my face.
"...Your place. Where is it?"
"......"
"J-just... to help sort stuff..."
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
"......"
"......"
"21,520 won. Need a bag?"
After snagging the last seasonings, we tossed them in the Daiso bag and headed to my place.
I hadn't splurged on a fancy spot just 'cause I make bank.
Not way nicer than Lee Ha-yoon's neighborhood or anything.
Just a normal area.
More two-room-plus than studios.
Unlike her spot, people here actually followed rules like pay-per-bag trash.
No stray cats ripping into garbage either.
"Second floor."
"...First is parking, so right above?"
"Nah, that makes it third?"
"Aha..."
#6050
Pressed the buzzer, door unlocked, up to the second with Lee Ha-yoon.
...Kinda nervous.
I'd only fantasized about banging a hero. First time actually doing it.
Stay cool.
Don't blow it from overexcitement right off the bat.
You've practiced plenty.
How far a first-timer can go.
When she starts losing it.
The pace to ramp up without her snapping out of it, just dragging her along.
Practiced loads on those villain chicks who were at least easy on the eyes.
Mind settled, I punched in the door code.
Lee Ha-yoon peeked curiously from the side, but no hiding it.
If genders were swapped it'd be different, but her coming in meant she wanted this.
"Make yourself at home. It's humble."
"Doesn't look humble for a studio..."
My studio, thick with dude-stank.
Her fresh scent slowly mingling in.
Damn. Should've cleaned harder knowing this.
Not super tidy by nature—just basic clean.
Bed with blankets balled up. Table in the middle still had that pizza box from before regression.
Bottled water lined on the floor. Embarrassing showing guests.
Should've tidied.
"...Nice. Place."
"Like it?"
"Aren't most studios smaller...?"
"Ten pyeong. Not tiny, not huge. There's eleven, twelve too."
"Guess I've only seen small ones."
She kicked off her shoes with a couple thuds and immediately scoped out my place.
Like a country pup excited at a new spot.
If she had a tail, it'd be wagging like crazy right now.
"Computer's here too."
"What home doesn't have one."
"Nah, reminded me of Ji-yoon. She loves games. Shooters."
"Eh... not really me."
She was gaming last time I went by. Hobby confirmed.
Mental note made, I cleared the pizza box and started unpacking.
Frying pan first, Daiso haul spilling across the floor.
"Pass the vinegar we got? New pans need a wash."
"I can do it."
"Nah, I got it. S-sis duty..."
"Thanks then."
Saying that, she headed straight to the kitchen like she was really just here to sort stuff—no glance at the bed.
Hmm. I'd eyed her up, thinking sex was on the table, but now it's a letdown.
...Whatever. Got time.
Hanging with Lee Ha-yoon, opportunity'll come.
I sidled up close beside her.
"Sis."
"Y-yeah?"
Her shoulders jumped as she filled the pan with water.
She'd zoned out for a sec there.
"Why so jumpy. Here. Bowl too. Needs washing."
"R-right. I'll handle it. Just... you snuck up..."
She sprayed dish soap over the rinsed pan.
"......"
"......"
Ears bright red.
Pretending not to notice.
Acting like sex didn't interest her.
Squirt.
Squirt.