Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: The Hare and the Tortoise
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Room 1104, Jihyun Yoo's place.
Jihyun Yoo sprawled face-down on her bed, pounding her pillow as she muttered to herself.
"This is... a crisis."
Her eyes were more serious and grave than when she'd faced a gate boss.
"This trip... did I get totally sidelined?"
She meticulously replayed yesterday's East Coast trip in her mind.
It had started off great.
Secretary Kim's heartwarming hometown visit, delicious sashimi and raw pollock, and a shot of soju.
Up until the moment she'd wrapped a bite for Woojin oppa, the vibe had been firmly hers.
But then.
'Ailin Benedict! That vixen...'
Jihyun gnawed at her nails.
Setting aside the gate incident, the real problem was the finale.
Ailin Benedict.
That arrogant, haughty woman had put on quite the show in front of the night sea, conjuring fireworks with some pretty impressive flair.
– No responsibilities, no burdens. That's why it looks so beautiful.
With that one lonely, poignant line, Jihyun had clearly seen Woojin oppa's gaze waver.
This was cheating.
Acting tough on the outside but pulling the "woman with a painful past" cheat code!
'What about me? What did I even do?'
She dredged up her memories.
While Ailin did her fireworks, she'd been clapping like a seal beside her, going "Wow! So pretty!"
Asking Woojin oppa to draw a heart for her.
'...I was just an enthusiastic audience member No. 1, wasn't I?'
A massive wave of self-loathing crashed over her.
She tore at her hair and let out a deep sigh.
"Haaaaah..."
Unriworld's top contributor, Korea's guardian deity.
The world's most spotlighted S-rank hunter.
All those flashy titles meant nothing in the game of love.
"This won't do. If things keep going like this, Woojin oppa's going to get stolen away."
Jihyun clenched her fist.
Time for a strategy overhaul.
If Ailin had lured Woojin oppa's attention with her "unexpected clumsiness and poignancy," then she needed to deploy her own weapon.
"Yeah, what can't I do!?"
She flung open her closet doors.
Brushing past million-won designer dresses and combat gear, her hand reached for the corner of the closet.
A super casual, comfy strap top and training shorts she'd bought recently but never worn.
Ailin's go-to home style.
In Woojin oppa's words, "embarrassingly skimpy attire."
Jihyun had clearly caught him sneaking peeks at Ailin's outfits.
That's why she'd impulse-bought these.
But staring at the neatly folded bundle smaller than her palm, she hesitated.
'Wear this... in front of Woojin oppa...?'
She might die of embarrassment.
But her mind was made up.
Yeah, men respond more strongly to visual stimuli, right?
'Ugh, I can do this. If Ailin can pull it off, so can I.'
With that, Jihyun hurriedly changed.
The skin-tight strap top highlighted her unexpectedly ample curves, exposing a cute vertical tear at her navel and her slim waist. The ultra-short shorts boldly showcased her long, slender legs.
'Whoa, is my butt kinda showing...?'
She shook her head vigorously to snap out of it.
Even in outfits like this, Ailin had shamelessly rolled around in front of Woojin oppa.
Embarrassment was a luxury she couldn't afford now.
She checked the mirror, tied her hair into a tight ponytail.
A touch of messy strands for that natural vibe.
Thin layer of BB cream on her bare face, just a dab of lip balm.
Perfect "no-makeup makeup" achieved.
"Alright, this looks natural enough, right?"
Ding-dong–
Jihyun took a deep breath and rang the bell for next door, 1103.
Click–
The door opened, but only a voice came from inside.
"Jihyun? Where's Ailin?"
"She headed out for some conquest prep stuff."
Asking about Ailin first. Not a great start.
"Oh? Cool, less noise then."
But Woojin's follow-up made her flash a triumphant smile.
Calling Ailin noisy? Music to her ears.
"Yeah, you haven't had lunch yet, right? Want me to whip up some kimchi fried rice?"
She chirped brightly as she stepped into the living room.
But the scene awaiting her was a bit off from expectations.
Woojin lounged on the sofa in the ultimate comfy pose, watching TV. On the floor in front of him sat...
Sangjin, hunched like a refugee, sighing as if the earth might swallow him.
"Haa..."
The atmosphere was heavy. Woojin waved Jihyun over.
"Talk this guy down. He's been like this since yesterday. Ground's gonna cave in."
"Young master? What's wrong?"
As Jihyun approached, Sangjin looked up at her with eyes full of resentment.
So pitiful, she flinched for a second.
"Sister-in-law..."
"Huh?"
"Was the halibut sashimi good?"
"Ah..."
"Snow crab, raw pollock, flounder, rockfish, spicy stew too? Slurped it down with ramen full of seafood?"
"W-Well..."
Grievance dripped from Sangjin's eyes.
"Man... I really thought you'd snag a bit for me..."
Woojin kicked Sangjin's back.
"Order it yourself, punk! You're not broke! Stop being so pathetic!"
Sangjin's sorrow exploded; he pounded the floor.
"It's not the same level! Fresh-off-the-East-Sea straight-from-the-source sashimi versus fish that rode in a truck tank, seasick and starved for days to Seoul! The depth of flavor's worlds apart!"
Jihyun was at a loss, flustered.
Before she could even launch her "charm offensive," she had to soothe the sulking little brother(?).
Woojin cackled, fanning the flames.
"Speaking of which... raw pollock ain't just any raw pollock. Sticks to the roof of your mouth like it's got super strength. Dipped heavy in sesame oil, one shot of soju—boom! Killer. Don't talk if you haven't tried it. And halibut sashimi? Total tuna vibes. Fat just oozing out—now I get the winter halibut hype."
"You demon bastard...! And you're supposed to be my bro?!"
Sangjin hurled a sofa cushion at Woojin.
Woojin laughed, catching it effortlessly.
Jihyun sighed and headed to the kitchen.
No one batted an eye at her bold outfit.
It was embarrassing how hyped she'd gotten.
'First things first... feed 'em. They'll quiet down once full.'
She deftly pulled fresh kimchi and Spam from the fridge.
Clink, clink.
Crisp chopping sounds from the kitchen mingled with the savory aroma of green onion oil, filling the living room.
Three perfect plates of kimchi fried rice in no time.
Topped with sunny-side-up eggs, mouthwatering visuals.
"Here you go, all done. Young master, eat up and cool off. We'll go together next time for sure."
"...Hmph."
Sangjin grumbled but picked up his spoon.
One bite, and his face melted into bliss.
"...As expected... only sister-in-law will do. I can't even hold a candle to Ailin noona. My one and only sister-in-law is Jihyun Yoo."
Jihyun inwardly cheered at that.
'Nice one! Kim Sangjin! Worth the meal!'
Woojin sat at the table and grabbed a spoon.
"Looks good."
Watching him eat quietly, Jihyun grew anxious inside.
'Just say it's tasty... ask about my outfit today...'
Ailin scored points with one fireworks show, but here she was, raiding her closet and serving meals, yet the reaction felt lukewarm. It stung.
Then it happened.
Woojin downed a glass of water and casually dropped,
"Well done."
Jihyun's eyes went wide.
"Huh? The fried rice? I'm best at fried rice."
Woojin looked indifferent.
"Nah, not that... the gate. If not for your spear throw, Uncle Cheolsu would've died. We'd be mourning right now. It's all thanks to you that we can laugh like this."
His voice was calm, but sincerity weighed heavy in every word.
It was true.
Ailin was a close-range sword fighter, too far off.
Without Jihyun's swift, precise javelin toss, Kim Cheolsu's head would've been crushed by the anchor.
"Ah..."
Jihyun's cheeks flushed pink.
Surprisingly weak to praise, she was.
Woojin averted his gaze awkwardly and added,
"I know you're working hard. And... uh... whatever."
"...?"
"The food's seriously good too. Lately, my standards are so high thanks to you, I can't even eat out anymore. It's tasteless... You gotta take responsibility."
"!!!"
That one line.
Fireworks exploded in Jihyun's head.
A hundred times brighter and more beautiful than Ailin's night-sea display.
'Can't eat out...? My cooking's the best...? And take responsibility?!'
'Isn't this basically a proposal?'
No, not at all.
But an unstoppable smile spread across Jihyun's lips.
"Sh-Sheesh... guess I have no choice. Gotta eat to live, so I'll keep cooking. I'll take responsibility."
"Keep going? How would you ever pay off that debt? Food costs alone..."
Woojin replied nonchalantly, but his ears were tinged red.
Sangjin watched, spoon in mouth, blankly alternating glances between them.
'Damn. This is eye-searing. Should I try dating too?'
But if anyone could date just by wanting to, why would solos exist?
'Nah, not in my fate. Just eat.'
Sangjin quickly gave up and shoveled rice.
Jihyun savored her bite, cheering inwardly.
'Yes, this is it.'
Fancy events? Dramatic confessions? Unnecessary.
Korean guys ultimately melt for home cooking.
Why else would "wanna grab a meal?" double as a pickup line in Korea?
'I'll seep in slowly... real slow.'
Like dew soaking clothes in a drizzle.
She resolved firmly.
'I'll make it so without me, laundry, cleaning, meals—hell, even breathing feels inconvenient. I'll turn Kim Woojin into an idiot who can't live without me!'
Jihyun plotted a terrifying plan, different from Ailin's.
Let Ailin hop around like a flashy hare; she'd burrow in steadily like a tortoise.
The tortoise wins in the end, after all.
As she thought that, Woojin continued,
"And that outfit..."
"Y-Yeah?"
Woojin's gaze drifted to the ceiling.
"Ahem... uh... tone it down a bit? Nowhere for my eyes to go."
Jihyun's face burned bright red.
"Y-Yes, sir...! S-Sorry."
"N-No, nothing to be sorry for..."
"Fashion terrorist? More like calling out her outfit. Sister-in-law, you're just gorgeous."
In the awkward air, Jihyun topped Sangjin's bowl with an extra sunny-side-up.
Desperate to change the subject.
"Y-Young master, eat lots! I'll get you some real tasty pollock next time!!"
"Told ya, only sister-in-law."
Lunch in 1103 was pinker than ever.
But the peace was short-lived.
Riiiing–
Jihyun's phone on the table buzzed.
'Who could it be?'
Her eyes widened at the caller ID.
[Chairman Yoo Daeho]
"!!!"
Woojin glanced over unexpectedly.
"Not your dad? Aren't you gonna get it?"
Jihyun switched to vibrate.
"I-It's fine. I can call back later."
But it didn't stop.
Bzzz– Bzzz–
"...Probably best to answer. Looks urgent."
Jihyun finally picked up.
"...Jihyun Yoo speaking."
A heavy voice boomed from the receiver.
[Where are you.]
Her response was cooler, more curt than her usual tone Woojin knew.
"At home. What's this about."
[I've rung your doorbell a dozen times. What home? I know you're not there. Where the hell did you vanish to?]
Though new to mention, Woojin and Jihyun's apartments had Benedict family and DH Group security posted.
Naturally, Yoo Daeho's eyes and ears among them.
[Why no answer! No one saw you leave, so where are you hiding!]
"!!!"
With Yoo Daeho's thunderous roar, Woojin and Jihyun's eyes met.