Chapter 56
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Twitch
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"You know, I think even if there's a character on a show, it shouldn't be fake."
"...I don't really have anything you'd call a character—"
"Hey. Just listen quietly."
"......"
I couldn't help but wonder if the people watching this scene would really see us as genuine friends.
No matter how you looked at it, this was just a girlfriend scolding her boyfriend who was getting scolded.
If things kept going like this, come this fall, there'd be dating rumors spreading far and wide. With that thought in mind, I listened to this era's true entertainer, the 'professional' Han Chaewon, lecture me on the proper attitude for a broadcast.
"—So in that sense, the lie detector is a really great item."
In the end, it was just her way of saying not to even think about lying and to be honest.
"...But that machine is just a toy at best."
"Hey, what have you been listening to? Toys these days have insane quality?"
"...What I'm saying is, let's treat it like munching on snacks as a side dish—something light and fun."
"Fine, so go get it?"
Her eyes burned with the resolve that she absolutely wouldn't take it lightly.
I glanced at my over-immersed girlfriend's eyes, sighed in resignation, and stood up.
Wouldn't you know it—the exact lie detector from TV was still there, gathering dust. With a low sigh, I brought it over.
"...What's that you're hiding behind it?"
"The next content we're doing."
By the time I got back to my seat, Chaewon was beaming with excitement over whatever she'd brought.
"I have so many questions I want to ask, but you have privacy too, right? Just three. No more, no less—exactly three."
"You."
"Me? You have questions for me too?"
"People want to know about regular guy Kang Yumin, not celebrity Han Chaewon."
"I'm mysterious."
"Weren't you just saying the trend in shows these days is raw honesty?"
"...Okay. Two each, then."
Chaewon reluctantly agreed.
They say it's better to strike first, so I placed my hand on the detector first.
"Let's see what you were so dying to ask."
I looked at her with a determined smile I didn't let show...
"I've been loved by two women at the same time."
"—What?"
"Yes or no. Your answer can only be yes or no now. Hurry up and answer!"
"...No, a question this wild has never happened in my life..."
"Yes or no."
"...No. As if something that ridiculous could happen."
The moment she heard my answer, the bratty one pressed the button.
As expected from a celebrity who's dealt with countless fake news stories, she sure knew how to throw a spicy question... but this was so absurd there was nothing to worry about at a—!!!
BEEP! BEEP! Lie confirmed!
"...Why does this hurt so much?"
I instinctively looked at Chaewon, protesting my innocence at the ridiculous question, but...
"...I wonder who they are. Those two."
Was that even a smile?
"It was Mom and Grandma. Thinking about it, my mom and grandma do love me a lot. I love them too. Uh... thank you."
The answer popped out like from a vending machine.
Even the world's greatest girlfriend couldn't touch Mom and Grandma, so I had nothing to say.
I wiggled my electrified hand with a shameless expression.
"One left?"
"Get ready. I brought something really huge."
My face stiffened at those words.
I knew from 15 years as childhood friends that when Han Chaewon said she'd do something, she did it. My lips twitched, unable to control my expression.
"What you hate most is anything bothersome, right?"
"...Yeah, pretty much."
"And the most bothersome thing for someone like you who wants to just chill is someone clinging to you and being all clingy."
"......So what's the question?"
"Your girlfriend, future wife even, says she can't stand even a moment without you, so even on tiring days when you just want to hug and spend the day together."
"......Huh?"
To listeners, it'd sound like a lukewarm question—not a big deal.
And that's exactly the point, slyly.
"Pretty huge question, right?"
Because it was so trivial, I couldn't react properly.
"......All day? When I'm tired?"
"The kind where you could fall asleep just closing your eyes."
"...Isn't a girlfriend clinging then kinda weird too?"
"Sure, but it's not about doing anything—just clinging."
"So it's like permission to cling in exchange for letting me sleep."
"That's why I'm making you choose yes or no."
"...If I can sleep, yeah. Yes."
She pressed the button again.
Honestly, it wasn't a tough question, so I wasn't tense at all.
DING——— Truth verified!
As expected, it registered as truth.
"...Why even ask something like this."
"Alright, on to the next one?"
"Hey, you have to do this too."
"This time I prepared a brainwave detection game~."
The bratty one. Not even pretending to listen.
She pulled out a headset from behind with what looked like cat ears attached.
Anyone who's watched variety shows has seen it: a device that detects brainwaves and makes the ears move when you're excited or focused.
"Whoever's ears twitch the longest after wearing this has to organize the books. How about it?"
"Organizing books? It's just a hassle, not hard."
Why'd she prepare something so tame for once?
Unlike her playful smile, the easy penalty put my mind at ease.
"While watching my vlog together and checking the comments together."
"...Huh?"
The real bombshell hit out of nowhere.
"Put it on first."
"......Do we really need to look at vlog comments?"
"I want to win."
...That's just an excuse—she wants to see my reactions.
The absurdity made me close my eyes and let out a hollow laugh.
"The top five most reacted-to parts. Okay?"
"...You'd film it even if I said no?"
"You know me well. Power on."
I turned it on obediently, and the cat ears twitched side to side.
I pondered what thought would make them move alone, and absentmindedly recalled Chaewon kissing me...
Twitch———.
...What? I already feel naked?
To stay calm, I sang the national anthem in my head while she loaded the vlog on her tablet.
"Shall we start with the third most popular scene?"
The first was us quietly strolling at the temple.
No issue up to there, but...
"You two have that newlywed vibe in your eyes."
Twitch———. It started right away.
"Comments say the way you look at me is full of love. What do you think?"
"Love? I don't know about—"
Twitch.
"...Not love."
Twitch.
The cat ears twitched violently side to side without pause.
"No need to deny it. What can you do when I'm so lovable?"
Han Chaewon was at her peak smugness.
"Hey, am I that lovable?"
Twitch.
"Boring, boring. Minah, this makes the bet pointless."
"......Then just say I lost and move on."
"However. I want to see this bet through."
"...I said I lost?"
"Oh? So you admit I'm lovable?"
Twitch twitch.
"Aying, say it out loud."
———I'm going insane.
Next, the lunch scene where she kept serving me food and caring for me.
"Just date already."
Twitch.
The souvenir shop where we picked them out amicably.
"Picking couple items so diligently. This has to come out when you go public, right?"
Twitch.
The drunk, excited Chaewon repeatedly saying she loved me.
"...Ah, right."
Twitch.
Twitch.
And the most viewed: us walking in sync during the sunset.
"They say this smile of yours only comes out for what you like."
Twitch.
In a total of 10 minutes, my ears twitched for over 9.
"...This thing's broken."
"It's okay. Liking an attractive person isn't embarrassing."
"No, it's really broken."
"You're my number one fan. Watching me grow up close and become an idol loved by everyone—how could you not find me lovable?"
"......Doesn't saying that yourself embarrass you?"
"Not at all?"
Chaewon winked with a perfect smile.
———Twitch.
I'm done. Totally done.
Thinking no more, I quickly raised my hand to take it off...
"Hey, give me your hand."
Instead of asking nicely, she yanked it like she was snatching it.
"W-Wait."
"Just 5 seconds of eye contact."
Even knowing I should pull away, I found myself staring into those eyes.
1 second. 2. 3.
Singing a military march in my head, thinking sad thoughts to calm the ears somehow.
"Hey."
"...Yeah."
"Do you really like me?"
Twitch twitch twitch.
The ears started going wild like they were dancing.
"...Sorry. Let me live...!"
I could only laugh.
"Sigh, Kang Yumin. I didn't know you liked me this much. This puts me in a bit of a spot."
"You do it. The lie detector you skipped...!"
Desperation made nonsense spill out.
But the world was always on this bratty one's side.
A message popped up on the tablet we'd been watching stage videos and vlogs on.
To. Yumin & Chaewon
Chaewon's Other Bucket List: 'Spend time at an amusement park in school uniforms'
🌟 The land of dreams, hope, and fun! Head to the amusement park, one place Chaewon wanted to go if she'd been a high schooler!
🎢 Enjoy thrilling rides, various sights, and parades full of sweet memories~.
"Well, I have a ton to do, so I'll head out first~!"
The bratty one dashed to the shower without looking back.