Chapter 62
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: This Isn't It!
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This isn't it!
"There, all done...!"
"Thank you."
In the sleek interior that didn't quite match their sauna outfits,
a ridiculously cute kid with her hair tied up in twin towels was wrapping a towel around the head of a ridiculously beautiful woman.
But because it covered her ears too, it looked less like twin buns and more like an Indian turban.
"Doesn't it hurt having your ears squished like that?"
"No, they're more flexible than they look, so this is no problem at all."
Brüel reached out and lightly tapped the firmly secured towel.
As for why these two were doing this in a jjimjilbang, it all started yesterday morning, back when Su-hyeon had fallen into a panic.
"By the way, Brüel, what's that?"
With the issue resolved and Su-hyeon calmed down, she pointed to one of the walls.
There was a corkboard plastered with photos stuck all over it.
The kind you'd see in some spy movie hideout.
"Th-that's... just part of the job. No need to worry about it."
Brüel works from home, huh.
"You work from home? Isn't that tiring?"
"It's a hobby too, so it's fine."
"A hobby?"
Is photography her hobby?
Come to think of it, I don't know much about Brüel.
Even before, on that rainy day, I went out carelessly and made her come along for no reason.
No matter how much it's work, who wants to wander around in crappy weather? I felt bad, and I still do.
I hopped up from my seat, and Brüel looked flustered.
"Ah, um...!"
"Hmm..."
It's a photo of me.
"......"
"......"
And they all looked familiar somehow.
Me eating gukbap, dozing off in the library. The time I went to the salon, and when Min-ji and Ji-eun gave me new clothes.
"Did Ga-eun give you these?"
Brüel clasped her hands in front of her and averted her gaze.
"......Yes."
Sigh.
At least they're not creepshots. Not that I'd expect that from Brüel anyway.
"Is your 'work' related to me?"
"Ahem, not exactly just that..."
I crossed my arms and tilted my chin.
Let's hear your excuse.
"Truth is, there are a lot of my kin who want to see you too... So I thought it unfair if I was the only one getting these opportunities..."
"...Huh?"
Here's what happened.
Brüel had been posting photos of Su-hyeon's daily life on an elves-only SNS.
It started as an idea from photos I'd taken with friends, and now it was the most popular account.
"Isn't this Insta...?"
As Su-hyeon swiped through the screen, more photos appeared.
Not many since it hadn't been long, but each one had hundreds of likes and comments.
"...It's just for us, so I borrowed the UI."
Su-hyeon let out a deep sigh.
Brüel hung her head, looking ashamed.
"I'm sorry. I'll take them all down right away."
"No, leave them as is."
"Pardon...?"
Su-hyeon ignored Brüel's dumbfounded expression and walked to the center of the living room.
She smoothed out the wrinkles in her clothes with a few pats, then awkwardly flashed a V-sign with one hand.
"Any reason to hide? If the people helping me want to see me."
"Ahh...!"
Brüel hesitated a moment, then shakily raised her phone.
*Click*-
The shutter sound made tears gush from Brüel's eyes.
"R-really... this is such an honor... Sob sob..."
Brüel couldn't continue, her shoulders shaking.
But the camera in her hand didn't waver at all.
*Click*- *Click*- *Click*-
"...That enough?"
"...If possible, could I get some other poses too?"
"Ah, sure. Go ahead..."
"Thank you for your kindness."
Brüel seized the opportunity firmly.
A bit later, after calming Brüel down in turn, Su-hyeon asked what she'd been wondering.
"By the way, doesn't Brüel take vacations? You're even in the room next to mine while I sleep."
"Being with you is rest enough for me."
Brüel replied earnestly.
"Don't say that..."
Su-hyeon sighed lightly.
"Still, isn't there something you want to try? You're in Korea now—cultural experiences or whatever. You said this time it was different from America."
"I know this incident makes me seem unreliable, but you don't need to trouble yourself. I'll study more."
That makes it sound like I'm nagging her to study.
"Sigh, that's not it. I just don't know much about you either. Wouldn't it be more fun and easier to learn by hanging out together than studying alone?"
"As expected of you. I was short-sighted."
Worship flowed out as naturally as breathing.
I'd gotten used to ignoring it.
"So, anything you've been curious about?"
"Hmm..."
Brüel fiddled with her chin.
Her ears twitched slightly as she pondered—it was fascinating.
Once she'd thought it over, Brüel met my eyes.
"...In that case, there is a place I'd like to visit."
"Yeah? Where?"
......
And that's how we ended up here.
Brüel checked her reflection in the desk mirror in front of her.
Her face was expressionless, but she looked happy somehow.
"How's it look? Like it?"
Brüel nodded at Su-hyeon's question.
"Yes, thank you so much. I'll cherish it forever."
"No, you have to return the towel when we leave."
Was it okay to do this in a corner of the jjimjilbang? But it was a weekday afternoon with few people around, and Brüel's presence detection was beyond imagination, so it was fine.
We could cover up quick if anyone came.
As she quietly checked her hair, Brüel cautiously spoke up.
"Um... then..."
"Ah, got it. A photo, right?"
Su-hyeon scooted over and sat side by side.
Su-hyeon leaned slightly toward Brüel, who smiled.
Grin grin.
If her ears were out, they'd probably be flapping up and down.
*Click*-
The two with their unique looks matched surprisingly well.
"You both have towels on?"
"......"
As they checked the photo, Ga-eun approached.
Weren't we supposed to come as a pair?
Well... today we have a shared liberal arts class, and we talked about it yesterday.
Wouldn't it come up naturally while chatting at school that we'd hit the jjimjilbang?
"Mind if I join too?"
So she'd ask if she could tag along?
"More the merrier."
No reason for me to refuse.
Too bad Min-ji and Ji-eun had afternoon classes.
"...You've arrived."
See? Brüel looks happy to have more familiar faces.
Hanging out in a group is the best.
"But what's that?"
Ga-eun had brought over a large tray.
"You don't know? This is jjimjilbang tradition."
"...Really?"
She set the tray down and explained.
It held colorful desserts.
"This is yogurt mango bingsu, bubble sikhye, and honey chicken."
"Uh...?"
What? I thought jjimjilbang staples were roasted eggs and frozen sikhye.
"Huh? Isn't that just from old movies?"
"Guh."
Old movies!
They were things you could still find at neighborhood jjimjilbangs even 15 years ago when I last went.
But trendy food at a jjimjilbang...!
Brüel probably didn't expect this either.
"More luxurious menu items than expected."
Brüel held up a glass beaded with condensation.
Rice grains and tapioca bobbed inside.
Bubble tea or sikhye—pick one.
This is just weird food.
"...No roasted eggs?"
"Hm? They have eggs, want me to get some?"
I went with Ga-eun toward the concession area to check the menu.
Eggs were there, but plain boiled ones, not charred inside-out like roasted eggs.
...A jjimjilbang without roasted eggs?
"No!!"
"Kyaa! What's wrong?"
Ga-eun jumped at my sudden shout.
"This isn't a real jjimjilbang!"
"What... what's the problem?"
I collapsed face-down on the floor in despair.
Memories flooded back of going to a jjimjilbang with high school friends over 15 years ago.
The interiors were way fancier now, and the menu completely different.
I figured it was just an upscale place...
But this was like wearing sauna clothes in a hotel lounge.
"Hing hing."
The jjimjilbang I knew is dead.
"Jeez, what's got you sulking now?"
Ga-eun hoisted me up on all fours and stood me straight.
"You'll never understand..."
"Here, eat a cheese hot dog."
"Mum muh."
"Foot bath after we finish? Top floor has an amazing view."
"......"
I took the stretching-cheese hot dog and nodded.
...Tasted better than expected.
Not as good as roasted eggs.
But tolerable.