Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Joker Card on Duty
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"Fuck..."
I didn't get a wink of sleep...
Tossed and turned all night...
Feels like I had a nightmare... but I can't remember it...
"Ha..."
Sunlight was shining on my face.
Is today finally here...?
No, I don't wanna cross-dress and serve or whatever... Now that it's actually here, I'm terrified...
I only tried the cross-dressing out of curiosity about how I'd look—not 'cause I like it, fuck...
"This sucks..."
Please, just don't let any rumors spread...
Whenever I think that, they always do, fuck.
I washed my hair and packed my stuff before heading out.
Already felt like there were tons of people on the way to school...
Got on the bus, and my heart started pounding like crazy.
Sh... should I just run away?
No, I'll do the cross-dressing alone and just say, 'Whoa, you look pretty. You could be cute.'
'Whoa, so pretty! Gotta tell the world! Hey everyone, look at me, fuck!' That's just insane...
"Next stop: University Intersection. University Intersection."
Yeah, no way in hell.
Snapped out of it and I was already in front of the club room.
Opened the door nervously, and smiling faces greeted me.
"I'm he... "
"You're here!"
"You didn't run!"
...
What the fuck...
Running away was the right call?
"Close your eyes. Eyes closed."
Time... I had no idea how it was passing...
Too nervous—every time I came to, another hour had flown by.
"Heok."
"Heop."
The seniors' reactions every time they checked in were killing me...
Just look and move on... why make those noises...
"..."
Kim Myeong-jun was getting his makeup done next to me.
Not full cross-dressing, just basic stuff.
Fuck. With makeup, he looks insanely handsome.
Some of us have to deal with wigs, tape, all that bullshit.
Just a light layer and he's a total stud. Born that way... this sucks...
'Fuck...'
The contrast makes it even worse.
One guy's turning into a total hunk, and I'm turning into a girl.
Is this fair...?
"Uh... um..."
Still, second time around, so it's less awkward.
First time, staring in the mirror gave me cognitive dissonance.
Kept sneaking peeks in the mirror and checking the time.
5 PM...
We're heading out for real soon...
"How're the other booths doing?"
"Tons of menu items, super cheap prices."
"Worried if we'll even sell anything."
"Aren't there a shit-ton of hot guys over by the liberal arts side?"
"Think Myeong-jun can carry us?"
"That good, huh?"
Kept hearing murmurs and footsteps outside.
Seemed like things weren't going as smoothly as hoped...
Clenched and unclenched my fists, staring out.
The sun was setting fast...
Glanced at my phone.
No texts yet. Yi Ju-ha quiet, Yu In-ha quiet.
Ha... what if they actually show? Gotta let 'em see me like this?
Really worried about their reaction...
But ignoring and ghosting means dealing with fallout later. Ughhh...
"Don't touch your face."
...Yeah...
"Welcome! Come on in! Welcome!"
No, fuck!
I didn't need to cross-dress!
They're pulling customers like crazy without me, fuck!
Word must've gotten out about Kim Myeong-jun's looks—girls swarming from everywhere.
"You're killing it, Myeong-jun! Killing it!"
"Nice, this is raking it in!"
Lots of other hot guys from different departments, sure...
But aura matters, I guess.
Kim Myeong-jun's got something different. Just that vibe draws you in.
No words left with customers pouring in nonstop. Wh... what was all that suffering for!
"Jun-hyeong, take it easy. You're the joker card."
"..."
What joker card bullshit...
But maybe it's a blessing?
Better than prancing around in front of crowds in drag...
"?"
Occasionally locked eyes with passersby.
Customers staring like, 'What's with her?'
Instinctively gestured to our booth.
"...Should we go there?"
It worked.
A couple guys fixated, glanced over, and headed into the tent.
...This okay? Not gonna get stabbed later? Hands shaking all of a sudden.
"Nice one, Myeong-jun!"
Damn, good looks are the ultimate cheat code.
Sighed as crowds rolled in like clouds.
Kim Myeong-jun carrying solo... then why'd I bother with drag?
Of course, thanks to the awkwardly dressed guys doing tearful hawking way over by the school entrance...
"Senior, we're short-staffed!"
"Need more servers! No one to clear tables."
"Uh... can't use Jun-hyeong, right? He's the joker card."
"No, seriously, we need bodies!"
...
Senior looked at me awkwardly.
Well, can't just sit forever... was gonna help anyway.
"N... no, can't. Jun-hyeong's the joker."
"..."
Then help with serving yourselves... that damn joker card.
Tables piling up, definitely swamped.
Took a deep breath, checked the mirror.
Wave of self-loathing hit. Fuck, is this really okay to go out like...?
No choice... as long as I don't talk much...
"I'm here to help...!"
"Jun-hyeong! Perfect timing."
D... don't say my name so loud.
Fanned my face, quickly checked tables.
All focused on cooking—serving and cleaning total chaos.
Clear tables first...
"Aw, not our Jun-hyeong!
Kimchi soup'll splash!"
Pl... please shut up...
Rushed to clear for new customers... but felt eyes from everywhere.
Huh... heop.
Definitely getting stared at.
No illusion.
Lived as total loser, I can tell.
Can spot stares dead-on.
Three years eating glares from delinquents.
This is 100% staring.
'Huh? What's her deal?' faces.
Ugh... uwaaa...
"I'll order here."
"..."
"Hey. Said I'll order."
M... me?
Three girls poking me.
W... wait. No way? Glanced desperately at others—all busy.
A... aw shit.
"Wh... what'll it be...?"
Voice barely a whisper.
Scared shitless they'll recognize it...
"Egg rolls for us.
Two beers. Squid pancake good?"
"Y... yeah, delicious."
"That too then."
"Okay..."
Okay... phew.
Doesn't seem like they noticed anything weird.
Careful talking, maybe didn't catch on...
"Senior... egg rolls, squid pancake, two beers."
"Which table?"
"Table 15 over there..."
"Got it."
Senior glanced at me and smirked.
Why... why're you laughing!
"Hey, take our order."
"Yo, Jun-hyeong. They're calling. Go."
"Y... yeah."
A... I... I came to clear tables!
"Nah, I'll handle it.
Don't run in that skirt, fuck."
"O... oh... kay..."
"Go line 'em up over there.
Hand out wait numbers. Where're the others?"
...Clearing tables sounds way better.
Hesitantly grabbed number stickers, stepped forward.
Air... suffocating. Good it's getting dark... silhouettes only, thank god.
"Here's your wait number sticker."
"? Oh, thanks."
Line's huge.
Not all for Kim Myeong-jun.
Early hype drawing 'em in: 'What's with the crowd?'
Guess that's thanks to him too?
"Here's your number..."
"Thanks."
"Your wait number..."
"Yeah. You part-timer here?"
"Y... yeah."
"Ah."
...Why scan me up and down.
This guy's got a 'not quite a girl...?' vibe. Zero womanly feel. Subtle expression.
Sh... sharp instincts. Women sense it right away, huh.
"Sticker for you..."
"Thanks."
Handing these out is work too...
Dizzy as hell.
Handing out stickers for a while when an ominous voice hit.
"Why's this bitch not picking up?"
"Dunno. Probably slammed."
"Ignoring on purpose?"
"Then spread he's a bread shuttle—"
Voice I shouldn't hear...
N... no way?
Getting closer. For real... no?
"You sure you should be out playing?"
"Said your allowance got cut."
"Fuck it. Gonna drink and die."
"Smash your head with a bottle?"
"Crazy?"
...No doubt, that's them.
Heart going berserk.
B... but no texts or calls earlier?
"Wait... number..."
Heart stopped.
Right in front: two figures I didn't wanna see.
Yi Ju-ha, in a clean white tee and jeans—unlike usual.
Yu In-ha, dolled up as always.
Standing pigeon-toed, giggling—right there.
"Here... your... number..."
"?"
W... w... words won't come...
Hand holding sticker shaking like crazy.
"Thanks?"
Yu In-ha snatched it with a puzzled look.
'What's her deal?' face.
...Didn't notice? She turned away right after grabbing it.
"Your wait number..."
"Thanks."
Dashed to the side quick—might notice.
But for some reason...
"..."
Yi Ju-ha's gaze stabbed my nape. Won't recognize from voice, right?
"Looks like someone..."
"Huh? Who?"
"The sticker girl."
"Like who."
Luckily, Yi Ju-ha turned back soon.
Wh... what now.
Legs trembling handing out tickets.
Just bolt...? Better than getting photo'd and bullied forever...!
"Ah, Jun-hyeong."
?
Kim Myeong-jun, who'd been standing there forever, waved and walked over.
Felt every vein freeze.
"Line up this way."
Eyes swarmed as he approached.
Chatting Yu In-ha, Yi Ju-ha. Nearby girls too.
Kim Myeong-jun blinked, confused why.
"...Jun-hyeong?"
This clueless bastard...