Chapter 96: The Swamp-4
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 96: The Swamp-4
It would have been nice if Hana’s stream was completely screwed, but that wasn't quite the case.
Immediately after she abruptly ended the broadcast, comments were disabled on both her channel and her YouTube. It was a calculated move, the kind of damage control you’d expect from a seasoned streamer who had weathered many storms.
For now, the criticism and attention directed at her would be sky-high, but she knew that if she just shut her eyes and ears and held out for two months, the blows wouldn't land nearly as hard as they did now.
I would have loved to see the tower she built come crashing down all at once, but for now, I had to be satisfied with this level of progress. I considered it a half-success.
Besides, this wasn't the only opportunity. Every time she tried to make a comeback, I planned to release the recordings of our phone calls one by one. Her hiatuses would only grow longer.
Eventually, she’d reach a point where she’d have to be thick-skinned enough to stream just to make ends meet. That’s when I’d drop the biggest bombshell to draw all the aggro.
"Lu-lu-lu-lu-lu."
Even though I’d skipped my morning workout, I felt refreshed. A hum escaped my lips at the thought of having landed a solid blow against Hana.
The time was 9:00 AM.
I was standing in front of Garam’s house. I was there to discuss how to fix the trashed gym with the building owner, and while I was at it, I needed to soothe Garam, who was likely still feeling anxious.
I hadn't been able to contact her properly yesterday because I was busy dealing with Hana, which made me a bit uneasy.
>>Garam: Yes. I’ll be waiting.
Looking back at the reply she sent to my KakaoTalk message yesterday, the situation didn't seem that dire.
Knock, knock.
I tapped lightly on the door with my index and middle fingers. The metal door, its paint peeling away, let out a lonely, hollow ring.
Was she sleeping?
I knocked again, putting a bit more force into it this time.
Knock, knock, knock.
There was no response. I couldn't even hear the sound of someone moving inside.
Surely... it couldn't be?
Thump, thump.
I pounded on the door harder.
"Garam! Garam!"
I called out her name and hammered on the door with my fist. The sound of my fist hitting the metal seemed to make the whole house vibrate.
"Damn it... should I call 119?"
Just as I was debating whether to call emergency services for fear of the absolute worst-case scenario, I heard a sign of life from within.
Footsteps approached.
I heard the sound of slippers dragging across the entryway, and then the door creaked open.
"Oh, you're here? Dad?"
Garam greeted me weakly, deep shadows cast under her eyes.
"Are you... okay? Wait, what did you just call me? Dad?"
I questioned her about the absurd title, but she only gave me a faint smile.
"I'm almost ready. Please wait just a moment."
She spoke to me while standing in the doorway as if blocking my entrance.
"Should I wait inside?"
"It'll only take a second."
Slam!
The door shut in my face, leaving me standing there with a stunned expression.
What... what was that?
The way she smiled brightly was the Garam I knew, but her appearance was not. Her eyes had lost their luster, her dark circles were heavy, and I’d caught a glimpse of bright red scratch marks on her arms and neck.
It had only been one day. I had left her alone for only a single day...
A bitter taste filled my mouth for no reason.
After waiting for about ten minutes, Garam finished getting ready and stepped out.
"Did I keep you waiting long?"
"Huh? Your clothes..."
Garam’s usual attire was strictly tracksuits. The only thing that ever changed was the color. But today, she was wearing a chestnut-colored one-piece dress that captured the essence of autumn. I had no idea where she’d even gotten it.
"I wanted to change the mood a bit. How do I look?"
She spun around in a circle, speaking in a flirtatious voice.
Ugh... I can't get used to this.
Her dress was a bit peculiar. Even though it was a long garment that covered her entire body, it clung to her strangely, revealing every curve without filter.
However, rather than her appearance—which was suggestive, to say the least—my eyes were drawn more to the scratches peeking out from her neck and arms.
"Your neck and arms... what happened?"
"...Haha, it's nothing. I must have scratched myself while I was sleeping."
She was telling a lie that wouldn't fool anyone. Realizing it would be useless to press her further, I simply nodded.
"Have you had breakfast?"
"Not yet."
"I haven't either."
"Then shall we eat together?"
Garam’s eyes sparkled as she linked her arm with mine. She leaned into me so much that I had to take a few steps back.
"Sure, sure... let's eat. But it's hard to move like this, so... could you let go?"
I tried to shake my arm free, but her grip only tightened.
"......"
Before I knew it, she had pressed her face close to my shoulder. Looking up at me, her eyes held a desire that felt like something I shouldn't touch.
I’d have to think seriously about how to handle this situation once I got home today.
"So, where should we go?"
I gave up and asked her after letting out a long sigh. The answer was exactly what I expected.
"Anywhere is fine with me."
*
Since it was a very awkward time to eat out, we went to a nearby snack shop. I felt a bit guilty for breaking the strict diet I always maintained, but Garam didn't say a word.
I ordered gimbap and ramen, while Garam ordered the pork cutlet set. I blinked at her in surprise at the mismatched order, and she offered an excuse that wasn't really an excuse.
"I just don't have any energy. I couldn't even eat properly yesterday..."
Judging by her words and appearance, it seemed she hadn't eaten a single proper meal yesterday. It wasn't an exaggeration; her cheeks looked noticeably hollow.
"You're not under a trainer's diet management anymore, so you don't need to make excuses."
I chuckled softly, picked up the water bottle, and poured her a glass. When I handed it to her, Garam gave me a mysterious smile and downed the entire glass in one go.
Gulp, gulp.
Her throat moved as she swallowed the cold water, and then she stared at me intently. In the past, she wouldn't have been able to hold eye contact for more than three seconds before shifting her gaze elsewhere.
"You're so kind. You really are like a dad."
Garam spoke while still staring at me. When that title I kept worrying about came up again, I cut her off.
"Garam. I appreciate the sentiment, but the 'Dad' thing... could you please refrain from calling me that?"
I knew she was in an unstable psychological state, but right was right. In my mind, where I wanted to comfort her and take responsibility for her, the title "Dad" was not an option.
"Why?"
She asked back so boldly that I found myself at a loss for words. She took the water bottle from me and poured water into my cup. The water flowed from the plastic spout with a gurgling sound.
"You take such good care of me..."
"I can't help but lean on you..."
"You're the only person in this whole world who's on my side."
"Can't I call you Dad?"
Garam, having filled the cup to the very brim until it was about to overflow, threw the question at me point-blank without any hesitation.
I felt that this water cup—which would spill if even a single drop more fell—was somehow very similar to our current situation.