Chapter 352
Chapter 352
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 352. The Last Supper
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I've always wondered about this.
Why do these people barge into another guy's house without a second thought?
Am I just too old-fashioned?
"Nothing's changed, huh?"
"Nah, you swapped out the sofa pillows."
"...Why do you remember crap like that?"
Watching the three of them poke around my place was already wearing me out.
"Coffee?"
"Sure, if it's okay?"
"Yeah. I'll make some."
"You won't make any for us sisters?"
"For some reason, I don't feel like it."
I started brewing coffee while answering Park Ye-eun's question.
All I have left is money, so I bought the priciest coffee machine and the best beans—guaranteed to taste amazing.
I handed Park Ye-eun her cup and turned my eyes from the pitch-black brew as she looked at me.
"Oppa, I don't drink it black."
"Baby taste buds, huh."
"I'm still a minor, you know?"
"I'll load it up with sugar and milk. Need decaf or anything?"
Come to think of it, she is a minor.
"Wanna head home now? If something pops off, my conscience would kill me."
"What would prick your conscience, oppa? It's not like you promised anyone."
*I promised your dad.*
I swallowed those words and quietly started fixing her coffee.
"Hey, give me some too."
Song Arin plopped down on a chair with a shameless look, staring at me.
"Make it yourself."
"You're only sweet on the kid."
"Sorry, but aren't you both adults? No hands? No feet?"
"You've turned into a real prick after we visited once."
*Who asked you to come?*
I grumbled internally as I set coffee in front of the muttering Song Arin and passed Park Ye-eun a ton of sugar and milk.
"Thanks, oppa!"
"Nice brew."
Park Ye-eun beamed as she took her cup, while Song Arin grabbed hers indifferently.
How could their attitudes differ so much?
"...Thanks."
Song Arin muttered under my gaze and looked away.
*Yeah, that's more like it.*
...
...
The two sipped their coffee while Jang Chaeyeon and Yoo Daon sat on either side of my sofa, chatting about something.
No interest in butting in there.
"By the way, oppa."
Park Ye-eun, who'd been quietly drinking, scooted her chair closer and whispered.
"You got a confession from Chaeyeon unnie, right?"
"...Ailin told you?"
"We're getting close again, unnie and me."
Good for them, but why tell *her*?
Park Ye-eun's eyes sparkled as she stared at me.
"What're you gonna do?"
"What do you mean, do?"
"You're just gonna pretend you didn't hear? Oppa, you're trash. If you—"
"If she's the one pretending, why're you sticking your nose in?"
Song Arin, who'd been quietly listening, glared at Park Ye-eun with wide eyes.
"Don't stir up trouble. Keep it down."
"...Oh."
Park Ye-eun realized something, glanced around, then bowed her head to me.
"Sorry..."
"...No need to apologize to me."
As long as Jang Chaeyeon and Yoo Daon didn't hear.
Park Ye-eun, who'd been gauging my reaction, sipped her coffee again and changed the subject.
"But oppa, what's this play thing about?"
"It's a nightmare."
"...Like, people dying and stuff?"
*Has there ever been a time no one died?*
*Doesn't ring a bell.*
"At least we'll try to keep it from going off the rails."
"Did you tell the others?"
I texted the branch head too.
Her reply was so her.
I quietly pulled out my smartphone and checked the branch head's message.
[Mr. Kim Jaeheon... You're always such a wonderful man who exceeds my expectations...]
[For you..., a single rose would never do..., Millions upon millions upon millions of roses..., lol...]
[Everyone has reason to like Kim Jaeheon...,]
[I'll handle telling them properly..., Containment Team too... (heehee), lol...]
[Don't worry too much...,^^]
[That's it from me..., bye-bye...]
"...Wow..."
Park Ye-eun, peeking at the texts beside me, muttered in shock.
"She texts like an old lady, not like she looks...?"
*That's 'cause she's way older than she looks.*
From the branch head's perspective, isn't this cutting-edge texting?
Yeah. I need to see things more from her viewpoint.
This is downright youthful, sure thing.
"Anyway, Containment Team knows too, so if shit hits the fan, they'll move. I told Ailin as well."
"Unnie knew. Should be fine then."
Park Ye-eun's infinite trust in Ailin.
Yeah. If I had to pick the most reliable person to leave alone, it'd be Ailin for me too.
As I thought that,
"I'll make dinner."
Jang Chaeyeon smoothly pulled an apron from my kitchen drawer and tied it on.
"Did I ever tell you where the aprons are?"
"Memorized it from last time I cooked."
"I see."
*Sharp memory.*
Then she started rummaging through the fridge.
"You two, come help."
"Sure!"
"Me too...?"
"You're a guest."
Song Arin looked annoyed as hell at Jang Chaeyeon, who gave her a what-kind-of-question-is-that look.
"What about those two?"
"Homeowner and a minor. Plus, can't cook."
"...Fair enough."
Song Arin sighed at Jang Chaeyeon's words, then stepped up to the kitchen.
"What do you need?"
"You chop veggies."
"What about me?"
"You slice the meat over there."
Under Jang Chaeyeon's command, the two moved like clockwork.
They look so buddy-buddy like that. I really can't tell anymore.
...
I sipped coffee with Park Ye-eun, watching them.
"No school today?"
"What kinda uncle talk is that?"
Park Ye-eun laughed like it was ridiculous.
But what can I do?
Turns out, with a surprisingly younger kid, the only questions I have are stuff like this.
No wonder adults always ask about school, girlfriends, work—gotta find common ground first when generations differ. First.
"Honestly, school... whatever, Management Bureau pays the bills."
Park Ye-eun shrugged lightly, staring off into the distance.
"I meet up with orphanage friends sometimes, but everyone's busy with their own jobs."
"Heard one of 'em's on Containment Team."
"Last time? Something about catching a containment object that swaps strawberry ice cream for tomato flavor."
Last time it was one that removes tomatoes from burgers. Weird beef with tomatoes, huh.
"But yeah, kinda bummed sometimes."
...
Yeah. She's still high-school age.
What longing or regret does she feel watching normal folks live regular lives?
Guess I should step up as a proper big bro, look after her more.
"Wanna solve some epic world-ending cases, y'know? But not too risky—something easy that ends with everyone praising me..."
"You're still such a kid."
*Classic teen thinking.*
I stared at Park Ye-eun, and she shrugged.
"Plus, makes bank on the side."
"Where's all that cash going?"
"Oppa. Money's always better in heaps, right?"
*Can't argue.*
"So eventually, HR Team Leader. Like our Team Leader."
In Park Ye-eun's head, Team Leader seems like a big deal.
Our Team Leader sure is.
Does it when needed, skips when not—model employee.
"Or live like you, oppa. Guy the world won't let off the hook? Total magnet for every trial?"
"You envy that?"
*What a weird thing to envy.*
I just wanna rest.
I sighed at Park Ye-eun, and just then, Jang Chaeyeon appeared before us with plates.
"Dinner's ready."
She set them down with a soft smile.
Soon everyone sat at the table, and we all started eating.
Felt kinda nice.
"Hey, Jaeheon. Something good happen?"
Yoo Daon tilted her head at me.
"Hm?"
"You're just smiling."
"Oh. Yeah... Eating together like this. Been a while, so I'm happy, I guess."
"Well, I could come eat with you every day!"
"I can cook for you."
"I'll just order takeout."
How do they each say their piece like that?
Right then, the manual unfolded.
[Office Manual]
1. You always kept the manual beside you during meals.
2. In other words, you were always eating with someone.
3. Feeling lonely is out of the question.
*You can't talk, dummy.*
I closed the manual again.
*
After dinner, Park Ye-eun and I were on dish duty.
Couldn't in good conscience make the cooks do it too.
Clinking dishes, TV chatter, three voices bantering.
Bustling day.
"That was so fun!"
Park Ye-eun grinned while scrubbing, suds on her face.
Yeah. She looks thrilled.
"Should do this more often."
...
No family—must get lonely.
"Bored? Come over anytime. I'll cook, whatever."
"What's that? Hitting on me? I'll think about it, but holding off on an answer for now."
"Cut the crap."
She laughed happily at my reply.
"Anyway, gotta head out for real?"
"Yeah. Anytime."
"Got it!"
She nodded with a smile.
Then the TV we'd left on blared.
[The play succeeding the Red Lady starts soon!]
...
I whipped around, and everyone else was staring at the TV too.
[It's called The Last Supper! Look forward to it!]
Cue the music, and our eyes met.
*Found it.*