Chapter 48

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 48

Chapter Title: Wanna Imitate?

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Golden weekend morning.

Su-hyeon, who had thoroughly enjoyed an emperor-level service the night before on someone else's dime, sat in front of the computer showing off skin that sparkled a bit more than usual.

Originally, Saturdays were for helping Professor Ah-young with her research, but it seemed like the professor had a lot on her plate after that recent incident.

So, with nothing much to do, the plan was to game all day.

But.

Whoooosh—thud!

"...It's getting kinda stale."

The games that used to keep her up all night now felt bland somehow.

Was it because she'd been through so many intense experiences lately?

With her motivation gone, she decided to flop on the floor and zone out.

The first thing that came to mind was the movie she'd watched at Ga-eun's place the day before yesterday.

It was fun.

The cozy vibe of drawing the curtains, munching on snacks and chicken—it already stirred nostalgia, even though barely a day had passed.

She hadn't gotten to see the movie she'd originally planned on due to the theater closure, but the substitute had been so good that there were no regrets.

It really lived up to its classic status.

Once again, the flashy action scenes flickered before her eyes.

Shoo—thwack! Click!

Crisp gunplay.

The sounds that made a man's heart race.

After an all-out shootout that boiled the blood, the protagonist pushed on alone to the end with his comrades' help.

The villain waiting for him.

Bullets flying from both sides, a breathless brawl high up.

Then, suddenly, Ga-eun subduing the stalker at the theater came to mind. Maybe because she'd seen it right in front of her eyes, it seemed way more impressive than the movie's action star.

Does Ga-eun do some kind of martial arts?

The scene of Ga-eun taking down the stalker replayed vividly in her head. The stalker swinging the sharply snapped-off chair leg.

And Ga-eun bending at the waist fluidly like flowing water to dodge the attack.

Was that what they called weaving?

Then Ga-eun loaded up power in perfect form and... Wham!

Adrenaline surged, and she bolted upright.

Mouthing sound effects like "Whoosh, shoo," she tried imitating their moves.

First, the man swinging the chair leg with rage-filled teeth.

Then Ga-eun's turn.

She scurried to the opposite position.

One person playing two roles—no helping it.

'Like that, then... snap!'

She tried ducking to mimic the imagined Ga-eun's movement, but with her short stature, she couldn't replicate that grace.

Bending her waist and legs more barely closed the height gap.

Her limbs were too short for a powered punch, too.

...She realized this move only looked right on someone with long limbs.

Her attempt was just a kid's clumsy imitation.

Next that came to mind was surprisingly not Brüel, but Chan-seong.

Brüel's movements were too fast to even follow, let alone imitate—she hadn't really felt them.

You need some empathy to make it stick...

So the image that hit harder was Chan-seong yanking the lawyer to safety from Chang-hoon's ambush, more than Brüel one-shotting Chang-hoon.

Made sense with his massive build.

Chan-seong's Terminator-like frame shielding the slender woman and taking the hit on his arm instead—it was straight out of a movie.

Da-hye only seemed overshadowed by Brüel or Ga-eun, but she was quite the beauty.

Just based on looks, she and Chan-seong matched well enough for their age range.

Finishing that thought, she tried imitating Chan-seong next.

Chan-seong tensing up at Chang-hoon's approach, sensing something off.

Chang-hoon kicking the desk, sword energy bursting from his leg.

The attack slicing through the desk in an instant—whoosh!

Chan-seong pulls Da-hye in and raises his right arm to block.

......

But imitating it herself, it turned into some kid doing a Taekwondo form for Lunar New Year's talent show.

She even heard phantom applause from somewhere.

"...What am I doing?"

Ga-eun, wrapping up the stream's minor cleanup and eating a simple lunch at her computer, spotted the message notification in the corner of her monitor and smiled.

'Partied hard for two days straight, and already bored today, huh.'

Even checking late that the stream wasn't on—it was so sloppy, it was cute.

A natural urge to tease Su-hyeon bubbled up.

Ga-eun smiled again at Su-hyeon's response.

You're so obvious when you're embarrassed.

Worried about spoilers like in the movie?

But it didn't matter.

She'd announced it to her viewers anyway.

The gym owner said it was fine, but sparring for stress relief without pay pricked at her conscience a bit.

Even if they were aspiring pros, most were barely E-rank material.

To Ga-eun with C-rank dynamic vision and reflexes, they were like snakes before a cat. No match for her, even as boxing prospects.

Higher-rank Awakeners went off to other jobs instead of fighting, so strong opponents were hard to find.

The owner had only hit D-rank right at retirement and used it as an excuse to bow out.

Oh, curiosity piqued.

Back when she still dreamed of becoming a Hunter, she didn't know fighting from moving her body, so she'd simplistically picked boxing as fight = martial arts = boxing.

But it suited her surprisingly well, so even after ditching the Hunter path, she kept it up for body maintenance.

"Pfft...!"

Ga-eun couldn't hold back her laugh.

She could perfectly picture Su-hyeon with wide eyes in awe.

This pure reaction shone even through KokoTalk—it was too cute.

Maybe that's why. On impulse, Ga-eun hammered out a suggestion.

'Being timid again.'

Times like this called for a gentle push.

She'd planned to ask the owner, but Su-hyeon could handle it. Just set up the camera.

For someone like Su-hyeon—lacking confidence and uneasy with favors—giving her a task was better.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"...Heh."

Too straightforward—it was hilarious.

Pretending to have experience just from accidentally turning on a stream once. Pathetic, really.

Ga-eun smiled in satisfaction and dove back into her work.

It felt like it'd wrap up sooner than expected.

Finishing the chat with Ga-eun, Su-hyeon checked the time—plenty until the meetup—and headed out.

Nothing to do at home anyway. She'd wander and grab a snack on the way.

Strolling the neighborhood, she imagined Ga-eun boxing.

Her feet naturally turned toward the bustling area she'd never normally go to.

Cutting through the walkway nearby would get her there faster.

This walkway, with its fountain and neat path, was popular with dog owners and families.

As Su-hyeon passed, something odd caught her eye.

Dozens of puppies wriggling and playing, trailed by a hulking dark-skinned guy.

Worn leather jacket, Terminator build—Chan-seong.

Tiny pups that barely reached Su-hyeon's waist on hind legs numbered over ten. His massive frame holding long leashes, deadpan face handling them—it looked awkward.

...Sorry, but honestly, super suspicious.

So much so that passersby gave bad looks. Keeping distance, some eyed him warily. One lady seemed to be calling the cops.

She knew his intimidating face led to misunderstandings, but knowing his kind heart, Su-hyeon felt a bit sorry for him.

Touched, she decided to help.

Gathering courage, she approached slowly.

"Ch-Chan-seong..."

Su-hyeon called cautiously.

Chan-seong looked up.

"Oh, good to see you, Su-hyeon. What brings you here."

As Su-hyeon neared Chan-seong, she felt eyes on them.

Tiny girl approaching a beast of a man.

Chatter died instantly; people glanced nervously.

Tense moment.

Mindful of the stares, Su-hyeon spoke louder.

"Ahem! Th-these puppies are so cute...! Can I play with them too?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Chan-seong's stoic face.

"...Sure. Help yourself."

Su-hyeon went to the puppies ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and sat. They swarmed her happily, tails wagging.

'Soft and warm.'

Su-hyeon smiled, petting their fluffy fur with small hands.

At her innocent sight, onlookers softened. The lady on the phone with police paused to watch.

Su-hyeon sighed in relief and asked in her usual tone.

"What's with all the puppies? Starting to raise them?"

Chan-seong replied bluntly as ever.

"Nah, heading back from donating to the shelter. Thanks to you and Ga-eun's help paying off my debt, Mom's healthier, and life's easier. Thanks again."

As he bowed again, suspicious stares returned. Su-hyeon hurried.

"No, no! Just did what we had to..."

After the brief commotion, the puppies frolicked around Su-hyeon joyfully.

The wrigglers rolled, rubbed, and went wild when she got close.

As she petted busily, Chan-seong offered something.

"This is...?"

A flat red disc?

"Frisbee. Interested?"

Su-hyeon's eyes sparkled.

Instantly recalling the movie's opening: a boy and his well-trained dog playing in a vast, tidy American yard—a peaceful contrast to the tragedy ahead.

Su-hyeon took the frisbee in her small hands, face lit with expectation.

'With this many, at least one'll catch it!'

"Stop! Wait!"

Su-hyeon commanded the puppies with dignity.

Amazingly, the pups obeyed in unison. Onlookers gasped softly in wonder.

Buoyed, Su-hyeon issued the next.

"Sit!"

Sit.

Feeling proud, Su-hyeon got into position confidently.

She hurled the frisbee with all her might.

"Hngh, go...! Fetch!"

Woof! Yap yap!

The pups bolted the instant she spoke.

But the direction was off...?

"Wha—huh? Huh?"

Sensing doom, Su-hyeon muttered in panic.

They ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠seemed headed for the frisbee—then ignored it and charged her.

"Nyaeeeek!"

Su-hyeon toppled, buried in a fluffy wave.

Luckily, the soft puppies cushioned her—no injuries, but her face was shocked from the surprise.

Laughter erupted around her.

"N-not me! The disc, get the diiiisc!"

Su-hyeon yelled, struggling amid the pups.

Finally, with Chan-seong's help, she escaped into the air.

Her dangling ears burned red.

Tension gone, the park filled with peace again.

...Mission accomplished at the cost of her body. Good enough.