Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Ice Cream and Arcade Bet
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"Wanna go outside? For some ice cream."
"...Me?"
I was so stunned that I couldn't respond right away.
Park Da-kyeong... Didn't she like Kim Myeong-jun?
She'd been staring at him the whole time, for sure.
As I froze up, Park Da-kyeong poked me again.
"Not going?"
"Uh, y-yeah."
I had to go.
Stammering awkwardly, I finally stood up.
The others looked pretty shocked too.
She'd thrown the first punch at me out of nowhere, after all.
"I'll be right back..."
I caught Yu In-ha's dumbfounded expression.
She'd probably planned to make the first move herself... on Kim Myeong-jun.
But Park Da-kyeong beat her to it and ruined the flow, huh?
Screw it, I don't know. I trailed after Park Da-kyeong like a lost puppy.
The cleanup... they'd handle it themselves, right?
"Whoa, this feels nice."
Park Da-kyeong stretched her arms out and flapped around.
The cool night breeze...
A bit chilly, but not bad. After all that drinking, it actually felt refreshing...
"Let's walk over there."
"Uh, sure..."
This wasn't so much her liking me...
She probably just wanted some fresh air, that's all.
Yu In-ha had been glaring daggers the whole time, so maybe it got awkward.
Makes sense. This wasn't a setup with close friends—it was mercenaries for a group date. More tension than sweetness...
Step by step.
Even walking in silence felt kinda comfortable.
The bar noise from both sides filled the quiet nicely.
Dim yellow streetlights.
Cherry blossom petals drifting down everywhere.
The same old path, but it felt different tonight.
Cherry blossom buff must be real...
"Feels nice, right?"
"Yeah."
I glanced sideways.
She was the type I'd never cross paths with in life...
Not because she's pretty and out of reach.
I'm a total loser who sticks to PC bangs and quiet cafes in the shadows...
She's an extrovert who loves active stuff and being out and about. No overlap at all.
If not for this group date, we'd never have met.
"Why'd you keep targeting just me during the drinking games?"
Park Da-kyeong pouted.
Crap... Busted?
I was targeting her on Yu In-ha's orders... Was I too obvious?
But honestly, even without Yu In-ha, she was the only option.
Jeong Eun-sol was already out after a few drinks.
Couldn't go after Yu In-ha.
Kim Myeong-jun was untouchable, and Park Do-hyeon tapped out quick... No one else!
"Uh... It just happened..."
I averted my eyes.
Guilt from the setup made it awkward.
"Okay, whatever."
Her straightforward personality was refreshing.
Tall and slender, with a bold vibe.
If Yu In-ha had half her personality... Though I don't know her that well yet.
"What do you want? My treat."
"Nah, I'll get it."
Convenience store. Park Da-kyeong grabbed a Choco Lemon.
I wanted a Choco Ice... but slurping it on the way might be weird...
I reluctantly picked a chocolate drink. Gotta read the room.
She noticed my gaze lingering on the ice cream and laughed, nudging my shoulder.
"What? Get the ice cream."
"Nah, it's fine..."
"Then I'll have one."
...An angel?
I followed her and grabbed one too.
I went for Tank Boy... Wait, Tank Body.
...Am I blind?
"I'll pay~"
Damn, I was gonna... She's fast.
My hand hovered uselessly. S... Sniff.
Park Da-kyeong handed over the drink and Choco Ice with a grin.
"I'll send you the money."
"No, it's cool."
Over something this small.
...Seriously an angel? Still, 5,000 won's a meal! Cup rice price!
"Thanks..." I mumbled, ripping open the Choco Ice stick.
Luckily, it was perfectly frozen... I stuck it in my mouth and sucked hard.
Oooh... Brain freeze heaven!
"Wanna hang out a bit longer before heading back?"
"Why?"
"The others might not be done yet."
True.
No rush to go back anyway.
Yu In-ha probably left with Kim Myeong-jun by now. Wonder if they settled the bill.
Guess we should check. Worried about those two wrecks...
'Boing boing! Boing boing!'
On the way back...
Arcades caught my eye on both sides.
Claw machines humming temptingly.
Park Da-kyeong slowed down. Same thought, huh?
"You good at shooting games?"
"Uh... Kinda...?"
Truth? I'm trash!
Delinquents dragged me a few times; I sucked so bad they laughed their asses off.
PTSD hitting hard...
"Bet? Loser pays for the game."
"S-Sure."
Paying's fine... Losing embarrassingly is the issue!
Park Da-kyeong strode into the arcade.
"Whew..."
I'm nervous.
Place is familiar, though.
Delinquents' go-to spot when bored.
But girls loved claws, so I barely touched others.
Occasional shooting or punching... Money all went to claws anyway.
"You first? Or me?"
"Y-You go ahead?"
"Sure."
Like a total scrub, observe first!
Ceded first strike. Been ages; need to see her play...
Park Da-kyeong shoved in 3,000 won.
'Bang!'
First shot.
Smallest target flipped instantly.
Hitting from the start...
'Bang bang bang!'
Bullets flew nonstop.
...She plays a lot. Targets screamed and fell relentlessly. Why so good?
'1500 points!'
1500? That's high, right?
I clapped awkwardly; she flashed a V-sign and grinned.
Palms sweating. Can I top that? At least tie!
Tense, I stepped to the machine.
Felt her eyes on my back. Hup...
'Click.'
This heavy, cold feel...
Fits like my own gun.
Time to show... Sergeant Serxattack's skills!
'Rat-tat-tat!'
Shit, why full auto?!
Heard snickering behind. D-Damn it. Why only mine on auto!
'Bang! Bang! Bang!'
Why won't it hit!
Three shots wasted on first target—total miss. Cold sweat pouring down my back.
C-Crap... Where's a big target!
'Bang! Bang!'
...Fuck.
Gave up. Just aim for big ones carefully.
'900 points! Heh heh heh.'
...Is the score screen laughing? Wanna die?
Glared at it, turned red-faced. W-Wanna die...
"Sweet, I win."
"P-Pfft...!"
Not the money... The shame...
Fumbled cash from pocket, handed it over.
She pocketed it grinning. "I let you off easy," nudging my shoulder.
Yeah, think that... Please...
"Sent you a pic. Check it."
"Pic?"
Phone: KakaoTalk pic.
Awkward shot of my back, gun pose.
...When'd she take it? Total loser vibe. Even I see it. Mouth dry...
"Thanks..."
"Thank you."
Whatever... If she had fun.
I'll practice alone next time... Damn.
Blood tears flowing. So embarrassing...
"Shall we go?"
"Yeah."
Nothing else caught eye.
No good prizes in claws, too pricey anyway.
Yu In-ha probably bounced with Kim Myeong-jun.
Those two wrecks might be face-planted on the table...
Followed Park Da-kyeong slowly.
Strange feeling in my chest.
Always with weirdos, but chilling with a normal girl felt off. Head clearing up...
"Huh?"
Park Da-kyeong's eyes widened, waving me over.
"Looks like everyone's still inside?"
...For real.
Back at the room: All four still there through the frosted glass.
...Did they already go and come back?
"...Back?"
Opened door: Yep, four in seats.
What.
Didn't go? Or went and returned...
Yu In-ha looked spaced out. Park Do-hyeon seemed sobered a bit. Kim Myeong-jun's face unreadable...
"Took you long enough."
Yu In-ha muttered coldly.
What happened? Didn't go well?
Feels like her and Park Do-hyeon went out? Something tangled. Her gloomy face says it...
"Leaving?"
"Y-Yeah."
What went down?
Glanced at Kim Myeong-jun.
He looked back like "What?"
His face is impossible to read...
Bill settled, all six shuffled down.
Ah... Gets why pairs slipped out midway.
All together feels weird.
Less group date, more casual drinks... Didn't click, amplifying it.
Park Da-kyeong supported Jeong Eun-sol.
"Had fun today. Hit you up again sometime?"
Polite empty words...
Feels like no sequel...
"Take good care of Eun-sol."
"Yup, don't worry. Bye?"
Eun-sol basically asleep.
Park Da-kyeong waved, propping her up.
I waved small. Bye...
"Gotta go too. I'll handle Do-hyeon."
She's better off than Eun-sol but still wobbly.
Yelling about second round, she'll crash en route.
Friends, she'll manage...
"Heading out first, Jun-hyeong."
"Yeah. See you Monday."
"Yup. Bye."
Kim Myeong-jun waved at Yu In-ha too, dragging Park Do-hyeon out.
Bustling space fell quiet.
...Just me and Yu In-ha. Awkward as hell.
"Ha..."
Group dates can end like this.
Even with hotties... Bitter aftertaste. Didn't vibe...
"..."
Yu In-ha stared after Kim Myeong-jun, then turned sharply.
Hey, where to.
I followed her trudging steps.
"Hoo... Fuck."
Back to usual Yu In-ha.
Earlier she was fake nice. Heh.
She lit a cig, head down.
...Something happened.
"Hey. Kim Myeong-jun hate me?"
"Huh?"
Didn't say hate. But zero interest.
Felt like he came just to see what a group date's like... Tease.
"Didn't say that... Just said he didn't care..."
"Fuck..."
Smoke billowed from her bowed head.
What happened... No clue.
"Couldn't go out with him earlier...?"
"..."
Yu In-ha looked up, puffing away.
Hollow face, like life's beaten her.
...Haven't seen smoker Yu In-ha in ages.
"Rejected, huh. Fucking asshole."
Why snap at me!
Rejected? What.
Probably asked to go, he said no...? Nothing else fits.
Guessed he pushed Park Do-hyeon as a bro.
"Hoo..."
Stood quiet, watching smoke rise.
Rejection hit hard... Deep drags continued.
"Ha..."
"Dressed up so much..."
Mumble overheard.
True... More effort than usual.
Yu In-ha made a sullen face. What can ya do? Life's tough. Hotties ain't easy.
"Club maybe..."
...Again?
Almost died last time.
Muttering, she glanced at me.
"Why you standing there?"
"Huh?"
Why? You didn't say go.
...Wait! Why am I even with her. Shuttle habit ingrained?
"I'm going too...?"
Better not get splashed.
Go home, catch up on games.
"Hey."
Her gloomy eyes turned my way.
Uneasy smirk... Eyes gleaming. Screwed.
"Nothing to do, right?"
"No? Tons."
Suddenly tons!
"Heading out fir—Gack!"
"Where you going, punk."
My neck...!
Yu In-ha grabbed my nape, swinging me like a toy.
D-Damn. She puffed cig, shoving her face close.
"Where you running. Seriously."
Grinning like I was fun toy.
...My precious Friday night...!