Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: The Girls Earning Their Keep (2)
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Honestly speaking, Jang Hana had no thoughts of marriage—she was a full-fledged advocate for singledom.
She was your typical modern young person: fine with dating, but marriage? No thanks.
Her uncle had nagged her relentlessly to at least meet the guy, so she'd carved out time despite her reluctance. The whole way there, she'd been in a foul mood. She wasn't planning to cause a scene, just meet him politely and call it a day.
But...
'This guy's not bad~.'
His humor was a bit lacking, and that constant serious demeanor was a minor flaw, but his sincerity and the way he listened attentively were definite pluses.
'Maybe meeting up a few times wouldn't hurt?'
Jang Hana let a bit more of her fondness show, flashing a coy smile.
"See that?! She's grinning all seductive-like!"
"...Mirni, my ears hurt. Please be quiet."
"...Goddess? When did you get here?"
"......"
...The parts of his ear commonly called the concha and antihelix had been itching steadily for a while now.
"...?"
"What's wrong?"
"...Nothing. It's fine."
Yuseong felt a warm prickling at the back of his head that was bothering him in all sorts of ways. If his instincts weren't rusty, this was definitely...
'Hey.'
'Scan the area. Check if those stalkers are around.'
'Quit stalling and hurry up.'
'......'
I knew it, he thought with a chuckle.
It wasn't a smile from relief that his instincts were sharp.
If anything...
'How do I screw these bastards over-?'
It was a smile of anticipation at the chance to blow off some steam.
Flinch!
'D-did I do something wrong?'
Catching sight of his expression, Jang Hana shrank back in a novel experience, lowering her eyes.
Wracking her brain for any slip-up she'd made.
......
......
A bit of awkward chill hung in the air midway through, but once they tasted the food at the upscale Korean restaurant Yuseong had reserved, Jang Hana's stiff lips melted away.
"Th-the braised short ribs are melting in my mouth..."
"Glad you like it."
"H-how do you know about places like this, Yuseong?"
"Business contacts recommended them."
More precisely, it was the first-generation slaves who'd bent over backwards to cater to his tastes.
'Nah.'
'They're fifth-gen.'
Aram filed away this new info: even slaves had generations. Meanwhile, Yuseong kept a steady eye on Jang Hana even as he bantered with Aram.
When your back was warm and your belly full, all you wanted was rest—that was human nature. Even for a casual meetup, slap the label "blind date" on it, and all your focus sharpened.
Body and mind exhausted, all anyone wanted was to head home.
Jang Hana was no different.
"Shall we call it a night? You look tired."
"Ah, d-did it show...?"
"It's late. Just a suggestion."
"Th-that's..."
Jang Hana wavered, conflicted.
She'd finally met a guy she clicked with— was it right to part ways so soon? That hesitation crept in.
But he showed no sign of wanting to stick around, which bruised her pride a bit.
'I was even the campus model back in college...'
As someone who'd outshone the dance majors to earn "goddess" status, his indifference irked her.
You could call her petty, but pride in her looks bred high self-esteem, and Jang Hana's was especially strong.
That nonchalance rubbed her the wrong way, and she blurted out something she'd never say under normal circumstances.
"...Doesn't feel right to split up like this, does it?"
"Pardon?"
"I know a bar nearby... Wanna check it out together?"
Jackpot!
No red-blooded man could resist a line like that.
'Unless he's impotent or gay.'
But...
'What the hell? Why's she being so clingy?'
Yuseong felt zero spark— just annoyance.
Midgard was a weird place: absurdly full of handsome men and beautiful women.
Maybe it was the ether, or the goddess's domain—even rural housewives struck him as pretty.
A land where plastic surgery was obsolete. If anything, there was demand for ugly folks.
...Niche demand, sure.
After a decade there, Yuseong's standards had skyrocketed.
His body was a healthy twenty-something, but mentally? Late thirties. He had refined tastes.
'She's too scrawny...'
If the face didn't do it, the body should— but no dice.
'A woman's gotta have curves: slim top, then wide hips like an amphora; narrow hips, then a nurturing bust. This one's got neither...'
Hell, if she'd had some meat on her, they might've grabbed drinks. But nope. Yuseong mulled a polite rejection.
Mental age: 38. Tastes set in stone.
Clatter.
"I'll clear the plates."
'Yeah, yeah. Take someone like her—nice hips at le─ ...Huh?'
Yuseong's eyes shot wide.
Staring at the pink-haired girl who looked anything but a server...
"Sir? What's wrong? Something on my face?"
"......Yeah, something. Ugliness."
"...Tch! What a mouth!"
"What're you doing here?"
"They let me in 'cause I said I was with you?"
"......Get lost. Quietly."
"A-angry?"
"......"
"You are... angry."
Mirni sneaked a glance, bowing her head. Sweat beading.
The price for her impulsive stunt would be steep, she figured.
But...
"N-no way...! Pink Cat-nim...?"
"Huh?"
"I-it's you, right?! Pink Cat-nim!"
"......Huh?"
"No way...!"
Jang Hana trembled, eyes sparkling like she'd met her idol.
......
......
"Mirni..."
Sylvia murmured her comrade's name, gazing at the empty spot she'd left.
"Mother... Should I have stopped her?"
"Outsiders......"
The word tasted bitterly.
An hour earlier, watching the pair enter the restaurant, Mirni's face looked demonic at best.
Like glaring at an arch-nemesis.
"Th-that witch!"
...Her gut boiled, irritation peaking.
"M-Mirni, that's weird. A man and woman meeting is natural—why get so mad?"
"R-really, Mirni!?"
Sylvia gawked in shock.
The ironclad woman who'd rejected countless noble suitors—had she finally fallen in love?
'But even so, why Luke of all people...?'
Before bad guy, Yuseong despised and dismissed her party.
Why feel that way about him?
"...It's not that."
The goddess had hoped for romance, but Mirni shut it down firmly.
Fancy him? This wasn't some fleeting flirtation...! Nothing so shallow and empty!
"Not that?"
"I... don't believe in love. It's all illusion and lies."
"Wh-what blasphemy...!?"
"Not blasphemy. Love's just volatile."
"Mirni...?"
"You wouldn't get it. What I truly crave."
Yeah... Mirni didn't want love.
'It's mine! My hand...!'
If anything, it was a thicker emotion.
That day, as she crossed the river to the afterlife, the warm embrace that saved her.
In that touch, Mirni recalled the hazy warmth of parents.
Starved for affection, she'd substituted with money and gambling.
Or so she'd thought...
But no.
Love filled with cash and bets melted like snow in hand—pure emptiness.
Affection was the same.
Burn hot once lit, but destined to flicker out.
To Mirni, love was child's play, trivial.
That's why, since that day, he'd approached in a different way.
'Yells and snaps, but steps up furious if I'm hurt.'
People called that "family."
Yuseong scolded her, raged like fire, but praised when deserved.
Sometimes even warm...
In him, Mirni saw not love, but family.
Twisted? Stockholm syndrome? Fine!
Catfolk—beastkin—were like that.
To affection-starved kin craving love, family was everything.
Not shaky romance, but unbreakable family bonds reigned supreme.
Clingy, impossible to release even if tried...!
"I want a family too."
"......"
Her candid, embarrassing confession swirled with raw emotion.
Sylvia couldn't advise or even comprehend.
No family, but the goddess was there.
Never felt lacking, never craved like Mirni.
"W-we're here for you!"
Best she could offer.
"No, not you guys. Reliable, sure. But we can't be 'family'."
The reply cut deep.
"Wh-why?"
"You're 'selfish'."
"......"
"I'm no saint, but better than you lot."
Clumped now, but once personal goals hit and Luke was unneeded? They'd vanish without hesitation.
Hostile? They'd kill ruthlessly.
For the "greater good."
Temporary allies, never family or friends.
"Th-then Luke qualifies? He's the most selfish!"
"Selfish, but looks after his own. Just look at Gang Gamchan."
"......"
Gang Gamchan's watch that day bore a spatial magic circle.
Rare even in Midgard; nobles couldn't just carry one.
Runic magic took five years to inscribe—longer here with faint, tricky mana.
Gifting that to a mere subordinate proved Yuseong cared for his people.
"Still just a 'candidate.' Not real family yet. But... no one's better than Luke."
Sees her without bias, empathizes past and present.
Strong, decisive.
And greedy cats...!
"Not letting him slip away."
No intent to lose that prize fish.
......Not long after, Mirni bolted to Yuseong.
No chance to stop her.
Sylvia pitied herself for lacking reason or excuse.
"Just shouting 'comrades' with words... I know nothing."
"...You're right. Thank you for the lesson today, Mother..."
"M-Mother... Your presence alone helps so much...! A-anyway, I'm worried about Mirni. Luke won't let her off easy..."
"Mother?"
Why so unsure?
Sylvia fidgeted anxiously.
Should she go too?
'Please be safe...'
......
......
"S-sis! I'm a huge fan! L-look! I follow you too!"
"For real? What a surprise~!"
"......Why is that one even here?"
Now a third wheel, Yuseong scowled distastefully.
Can I just bail now...?