Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Naturally Going Public Dating Plan
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"Babe, you up?"
"...Why am I your babe? Fever gone down?"
"Heh, playing hard to get. So cute."
Instinctive rejection, I guess you could call it.
After fifteen years of being called "hey punk" or "brat," switching to "babe" overnight had my body and mind rejecting it flat-out, unprepared as they were.
Of course, I thought I hadn't shown it, but Chaewon saw right through me. She grinned brightly and tugged at my cheeks.
Even in the midst of all this, an idol's an idol. Even though we'd just woken up together, her skin looked freshly washed, clean and, above all, stunningly pretty.
I'd always thought she was pretty, but somehow, it felt different now.
That "somehow" being...
"Can't believe the day has come when I'm actually dating you."
The warm late-morning sunlight streamed brightly through the window.
I stared openly at your face lying right beside me, brushed your hair back, and let out a soft chuckle.
"You've made it in life, you know. No one else but me is yours now."
"Yeah, pretty much."
"How's it feel? Becoming my boyfriend?"
"The fever? Gone down a lot?"
Your persistent questioning made me flush for no reason, so I changed the subject.
You read my forehead like a book, smiling as if to say you'd let it slide this once, nodding before wriggling under the covers to press your forehead to mine.
It came on a bit fast—no gentle touch, more like a bump—but the fact that we could do even this little thing without hesitation...
The way I could laugh freely, calling you cute for it...
It was a happiness that didn't come easy.
"What's the verdict, doc?"
"Gone way down. Looks like the hospital trip did the trick."
Even checking by hand, the heat was barely there.
My hand naturally trailed from your forehead to your cheek, and I rubbed it gently with my thumb for no reason.
"Feels nice."
Your puppy-like reaction set off another burst of laughter.
"How's the rest of you? No cough or runny nose?"
"Just a bit chilly otherwise. Ahh, it'd be nice if someone warm held me right now~."
You wriggled in like a little caterpillar, slipping fully into my arms.
In the old days, I'd have scoffed at the tease and brushed it off...
Actually, we never would've shared a blanket to begin with.
I chuckled lightly and took your hand.
"Saying it like that—does that mean someone else holding you would be fine?"
You fixed me with a look that said I was being ridiculous.
"No reason to play proud when I like you. So, hold me."
You stretched your arms out straight, wrapping them naturally around my shoulders.
I looked up at the ceiling to hug you back, extending my arms around your body...
"Has our Min gone crazy? After all I taught you yesterday, you're still being picky?"
"Tap, tap, tap...!!!"
I'd fallen straight into the dreaded hug hell people only talk about.
Anyone saying they'd die happy here should try a chokehold at the gym first.
I'm dying—seriously, let me die.
"Don't try push-pull games like some rookie. Or I'll really gobble you up."
"You're the one who started the push-pull...?!"
"Oh. Right."
Finally realizing her own hypocrisy, she let go with a sheepish grin.
I shot her a resentful glare, and she clasped her hands together, winking playfully with one eye.
"Morning kiss?"
"Even if I like you, our morning breath—mmph—."
"Talk like that to an idol? To your girlfriend? Die. Just die...!!"
It was summer.
+++
Growing up in a dual-income household meant simple soups and stews were no big deal.
If it felt lacking, just add some MSG and call it a day.
But beyond that, among the easiest homemade soups, seaweed soup shines brightest when made for someone else.
It's simple to prepare, but steeped in tradition as a dish full of care—so as long as it tastes good, you get rave reviews.
"Make me this soup you brewed every morning."
See? Rave reviews.
...Right? Gotta be.
Anyway, after breakfast, we dutifully took our meds together.
Not that I had cold symptoms, but I'd kissed a cold patient, hadn't I?
For hours, even—who knows how long.
With tutoring starting next Monday, staying healthy was essential for me too.
"Tutoring? What kind?"
That's how the conversation started.
"Math and English mainly. Sometimes a few tough problems from other subjects, and since they're first-years now, I give them advice on their student records too."
"Ooh, sounds like a top tutor."
"I get why they make bank. Just two kids, but so much to juggle."
"So that means you have time for dates with me?"
You nodded with a meaningful smile, and Chaewon clapped in satisfaction.
She whipped out her phone, showing me her wishlist of date spots, grinning expectantly.
"How about our housekeeper? Mid-to-upper tier in the industry. Side dishes always over five banchan, though."
"Deal. Benefits?"
A leisurely weekday lunch after ages.
As usual this time of day, nothing good on TV, so it looped to the news.
Exchanging silly banter, I watched you peel an apple on the sofa.
A bit clumsy, but definitely practiced.
You'd seen it somewhere and cut it into a bunny shape.
I thanked you, took a bite.
"How are the kids? Listening well?"
"Luckily, yeah. Hardworking, motivated to study. After a month, their comprehension's sharp—grades should shoot up soon."
"Good to hear."
"Gonna check their scores on the September mock in a couple months. Good results, we continue; not satisfied, bye-bye."
"Who wouldn't keep a teacher like you? Pride of Seo-hyun High, Seoul U student, Han Chaewon's boyfriend—Kang Yumin."
"...What's the last one got to do with it?"
"Personal bias."
Chaewon smirked, offering apple on a fork.
I popped the last bite from my hand, took the fork.
"Promised to skip a session if they ace the test. Nothing motivates like a concrete reward over just 'study hard.'"
"Best. Nothing better."
"Sucks losing the pay, but it's not just about money. Feels great when their scores improve."
I shrugged, finishing the rest.
Munching absentmindedly while glancing at the news, my phone buzzed.
One of my tutees—the kind you couldn't call decent.
"Who?"
"Tutee. Text says big trouble—yeah, I know the type. Ninety percent lame excuse."
News shifted to sports; Chaewon lost interest and leaned her head on my shoulder.
She hooked her arm in mine, playfully demanding attention—like we were back in elementary school. I couldn't help chuckling.
I tilted the screen so she could see too.
"Cute kid."
"Why?"
"Wants to surprise her bestie with a birthday party, but it's on tutoring day."
"And you text back like that? You're evil."
"Say yes right away, and she gets spoiled."
"Still, 'Wanna do the party together?' Come on, hate it~."
She grimaced, lightly smacking my shoulder.
"Check this. Her buildup game's pro-level. How's she ace buildup but bomb essay writing?"
"High schoolers snap pics like this these days? Adorable."
Our interests clashing even now was the highlight.
After some back-and-forth, we settled on doing it the next day—her original session day—wrapping up KakaoTalk just as the washer beeped.
I got up from the sofa.
Rain stopped, sun shining perfectly—ideal for drying the blankets fluffy.
Bringing laundry from the balcony, setting up the rack in the living room...
"Minah, sorry, but..."
Out-of-nowhere apology.
What for? I glanced at Chaewon while unfolding a blanket...
"Who's Gayul?"
Clatter—!
The drying rack toppled limply.
The name, faded from memory's depths, hit my ears, drawing an involuntary laugh.
"Why's that name coming up...?"
Not even a full day into dating, and the blind date girl's name drops.
+++
"So, the blind date was almost a month ago, and you haven't met since?"
"I swear."
"Hand straight up."
"...Chaewon, but I'm the wronged one here."
"Chaewon...?"
"Ma'am. Please hear me out."
Her eyes screamed she'd tear me in two; I lowered mine meekly.
(On my knees, for the record.)
...In my own house.
"What."
"No, uh. Yes. Nothing."
Honorifics slipped out naturally.
Stealing glances, she finally relented, letting me lower my hand.
"Speak. Lie even a little, you're dead."
"Nothing happened, for real."
"Friends? Really?"
"More like 'big bro-little sis' vibes."
"Then. Why. Skip. Afters. And go bro-sis?"
"No spark, but she's cool, so—."
"You think I wanna hear that?"
Her face soured, eyes icing over colder.
Maybe the Medusa myth was mistranslated—not stone, but ice.
"Answer."
"Y-yes."
No time for stray thoughts.
I poured my soul into explaining—how the setup happened, why I went, why it fizzled...
"How could I look elsewhere with Han Chaewon as my girlfriend."
"...Again."
"Happy dating you."
"Hehe, once more."
"...Love you?"
"Bingo, Kang Yumin."
You're so simple, even in love.
Told her I tried forgetting you but couldn't, so I turned her down—your lips nearly split your face grinning.
I stroked your head as you nestled against my chest like a backrest.
"Honestly, I wouldn't mind if you had girl friends."
"Same."
"But seeing those KakaoTalks? Pissed me off. Especially calling you 'oppa' all chummy."
"...Can't help it. Friend's intro, 'Mr. Yumin' would've been weird."
"Big trouble. Am I the clingy type?"
You turned to look at me, genuinely worried.
Your face cracked me up before I knew it.
"That's your worry?"
"You cool with me texting daily?"
"Forgot how you Kakao'd me every day in the army?"
"...Right?"
"Not annoying, so yeah."
"Meet every day off?"
"We'd just end up home anyway. Parading around openly and getting Dispatch photographers on us? No thanks."
Dating's great, but she's an idol at the end of the day.
Everywhere draws eyes, so spots to meet are super limited—bummer, but reality we gotta handle.
As I soothed you, stroking your hair...
"Let's make a plan."
"Plan?"
"To naturally go public dating."
Chaewon looked me dead in the eye, resolute.