Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Confess with a Kiss
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Following the staff's guidance, we passed through a hallway that looked complicated.
We didn't walk far before stopping, and only after the staff whispered something did the beautifully colored sliding door slide open.
"You look a total mess?"
She greeted me with that so-called bittersweet expression the moment she saw me.
"...What if I send this later."
I gave a feeble wry smile and showed her my phone.
「Be careful, there are kids even more lively than me.」
It was a text that came exactly one hour after I'd sent my first message.
"I sent mine too but forgot to check. Anyway, how was hanging out with the girls? Was it fun?"
"...Fun? Sure, there was some. About an hour's worth."
Bowling for an hour, karaoke for four.
I'd thought idols wouldn't get tired of singing...
"Those girls really have idol as their true calling."
Not a single moment of rest amid the whirlwind of songs.
They didn't discriminate by genre, and with their packed performances that even incorporated dance, I wanted to go home just thirty minutes after we started at the karaoke place.
The truly final hour felt like my soul was flying off to somewhere far away.
"...Tell them next time we meet as fan and star."
"You've had the life sucked right out of you."
Chaewon chuckled and rang the bell.
Soon, the antique sliding door slid open smoothly, and a staff member in a modernized hanbok gracefully took our order.
I returned a sheepish shallow smile to the staff's smile as our eyes met.
Only after the door closed softly did I look around and mutter.
"I thought we'd just grab some tteokbokki or something, but we end up at a place like this."
"Should I say it's a waste of your outfit? Since you're dressed up like that, places like this are perfect."
"...Then you could've matched me a bit. White shirt and jeans."
"Is that your signal for us to come together dressed up next time?"
"...Forget it. What am I even saying."
I let out a hollow laugh and dug into the side dishes.
As expected of an expensive place, it wasn't just fancy-looking—the taste was top-notch too.
"The girls liked you. They said to hang out again whenever you have time?"
"Sorry, but tell them my stamina can't handle it."
"Okay. I'll text that we'll hang out next time you have free time."
"......Do whatever you want."
I nodded and eyed the main dish arriving swiftly.
It looked like it would easily cost hundreds of thousands of won.
No matter how successful my friend was, there was such a thing as conscience.
A bit burdened, I glanced at Chaewon.
"I can come to places like this plenty of times. You'd be the one losing out if you let a girl like me slip away."
"I'll eat well. Thanks."
That melted away all my unease.
We busied ourselves eating for a while.
There were dishes I'd never seen before, and others made from familiar ingredients in such novel ways that they satisfied every sense completely.
By the time we were decently full...
"Today, while you were hanging out, I was running around everywhere."
Chaewon murmured her story, propping her chin up.
I listened closely, gazing at her slightly downcast eyes, which I rarely saw.
"Coming back to Seoul after so long, there's just so much to handle. Went to the company, had a big meeting with the staff about scheduling the tour soon, talked about content to shoot with you, then after that went to the hospital for a bone adjustment. Man, there's just so much to do."
"Hospital?"
"Regular check-up. Idols have to go periodically, you know. Dermatology, physical therapy, psychiatry. Might as well knock them all out while I was there."
Chaewon sipped her drink with a relaxed smile.
The atmosphere had grown languid, her voice softer than usual too, but...
"...Psychiatry?"
I couldn't just let that slide.
I regretted it the moment I said it, but at the same time, I thought maybe it was for the best.
As naturally as possible.
I steeled myself inwardly several times and parted my hesitant lips.
"...Still having nightmares?"
"It's not nightmares—these days I don't dream at all."
"Yeah...?"
"I used to always get good ideas in my dreams. At this rate, I might have to buy someone else's dreams. It's troubling me."
Chaewon shrugged and took a bite of the thinly fried zucchini fritter.
Her expression and tone made her seem truly fine, so I didn't want to press further, but...
"...Even these days, then."
"Huh?"
"Ah, nothing. ...Yeah. If you're gonna keep up the activities, you have to manage your health steadily."
I forced a smile and nodded.
My stomach was full and I couldn't eat more, but I picked at crumbs anyway to ease the awkwardness.
Did she notice?
'No, it'd be weirder if she didn't.'
Head down, I flicked my eyes up to look at her.
"Should we get this to go? Still tastes good even when full."
You were still picking up and eating a piece of the raw fish sashimi you'd raved about the whole meal.
'Is she just letting it slide.'
Bringing it up wouldn't do any good anyway.
With that thought, I set down my chopsticks...
"These days, every day is really fun?"
You started the conversation with your usual question mark.
"Activity periods are tough, but it felt good knowing I could still give it my all, traveling with the members was great too, and I'm grateful we held strong and could do another world tour."
"......"
"And being able to open up like this with you is nice. I don't know how I ended up with such great luck."
"...You earned it with your efforts."
"It's not just my efforts. I wouldn't have made it this far on my own, no way."
You smiled softly. In contrast, my face was probably stiff.
Stubbornly, like someone who didn't know how to smile.
"Didn't get a chance to ask back then, but why'd you agree to film this?"
I exhaled and answered lowly.
"...Told you. Because of the bet."
"Yeah? No other reason, just the bet?"
"What answer are you hoping for."
"None in particular?"
You shrugged and picked up another piece of sashimi.
Unlike earlier—or maybe not so different—you added a pinch of your signature playfulness to that soft smile.
"What now, Yumin. I think I'm gonna win this bet."
"......"
"I'm great and all, but you're lucky too. To have a shot at a girl like me. Whoa. Were you Admiral Yi in a past life?"
"...That joke always kills my vibe."
Pulling out a hundred-won coin and widening her eyes snapped my frozen expression right open.
At my laugh, Chaewon beamed, satisfied her joke landed.
"Hey."
"...Yeah?"
"I can wait as long as it takes?"
"......"
"I've been an idol for six years, but I've never dated. It's ridiculous. Practically a national treasure."
"Not embarrassed saying it yourself...?"
"Shut up."
Maybe embarrassed after all, you playfully smacked my shoulder with your handbag.
"Confessions should come with a kiss. That's my romance."
"———."
"I did warn you?"
Then you winked, stared straight through me...
"Ah, reality hitting."
Your face flushed red like you'd downed half a bottle of whiskey, and you bolted like you were fleeing.
For the record, she had to drive, so she hadn't touched a drop.
So...
"......Huh."
What did I just see and hear?
"What if I come off like some kiss-obsessed maniac?"
A corner of the road just a short way from the restaurant.
Overwhelmed by crashing waves of embarrassment and shame, I punched the cushion in the passenger seat nonstop.
I'd planned to just coolly treat him to dinner.
Show Yumin, "This is the kind of girl I am?" appeal hard, then part cleanly—but I got caught up in the mood and said something unnecessary.
Because of that, I quickly paid and slipped out to the car first.
...He probably called a cab and got home safe?
"...Ugh, whatever. Who told you to be so indecisive?"
I let out a deep sigh and lifted my head. My face reflected in the dark window, still flushed red.
"...Not a fool, so why are you still agonizing over that, Minah."
A pitiful emotion fitting the word soon clouded my face.
I'd always wondered why you pushed me away, and to figure it out, I'd confessed my feelings several times.
Why the pained look every time...
"Sigh, can't even hold your hand and drag you to counseling."
You still freak out at the word counseling.
I'm stubborn too, but yours is bull-headed; short of knocking you out and forcing you, you won't go.
"...It's my responsibility."
Bitter taste spread on my lips.
"I like youuuuu, Kang Yuuuumin~!!!"
But that lasted only a moment; I screamed at the top of my lungs and somehow laughed it off.
I'd found the cause.
Even standing still corners me, but you went and cornered yourself.
A position where even if I tried to lose, I couldn't.
"So, should I ponder how to unleash my charm?"
How to make you look at me properly, how to escape that darkness together.
I think that's all I'll think about for the day.