Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: First Time Drinking
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From the moment I arrived at the meeting spot until now, I hadn't gone a single second without feeling people's stares.
These folks who were astonishingly indifferent outside were, thanks to the booze, way too interested in strangers.
'...I wanna go home.'
That thought wouldn't leave my head.
The drinking party was incredibly awkward.
Even if we hadn't recognized each other despite two years of shared trials, I figured it'd at least be relaxed.
I'd secretly hoped for that.
But I quickly realized our time together wasn't everything, leaving me fiddling awkwardly with my empty glass.
"......"
"......"
Somehow, I'd ended up sitting next to Hanna Lee, and from then on, it was an endless stretch of silence.
In situations like this, someone usually takes the lead on conversation, but unfortunately, I wasn't the type.
I just waited for the mood to break.
I was like an abalone mushroom, stuck there.
As if sensing my wish, the eldest, Jeong Dokgo, finally broke the ice.
"...Yeah. Little sib. Uh, you are the maknae, right...?"
"...Yes, hyung."
"R-Right. So, what's your tolerance like?"
"...I've never tried."
"...I see."
Jeong Dokgo looked flustered in a way that didn't suit him, and with that, the conversation died again.
It was truly awkward.
I toyed with a stray lock of hair and glanced at Seongil Kim across from me, as if to say, You started this, so handle it.
But whether he got the hint or not, the moment our eyes met, he shuddered and looked away.
You idiot! You're not supposed to do that!
"...That Dori is 'that thing,' right?"
As the awkwardness dragged on, Hanna Lee, sitting beside me, spoke up again.
At that point, any words were welcome, so I nodded vigorously.
"If you're talking about the 'manifestation,' then yeah."
"Whoa... Might be rude to say, but this is my first time seeing one in real life."
It would've offended most people, but her eyes were so pure and sparkling that I didn't mind at all.
"It's not common......"
"But our Dori is... just, so, so pretty!"
Hanna Lee had been gauging my reaction, but seeing me take it in stride must've eased her, because she clapped and started praising my looks outright.
"How can your face be so small? And your features are all so delicate!"
"......"
"Dori, you wear makeup??"
"...N-No, a friend forced me......"
"It's barely any, but you look amazing! I thought you were a celebrity!"
"Haha! S-See? You guys were shocked at first too! Right? Dokgo-hyung?"
"...Yeah."
Starting with Hanna Lee, everyone else seized the chance to chime in.
The sudden barrage of excessive compliments made my face heat up fast.
"S-Serious, you're the prettiest person I've seen lately. Right? Dokgo-hyung?"
"...Yeah."
"Gotta be the top in the dorms......"
"As a fellow girl, I feel jealous......"
No matter how awkward it was, this was too much!
With my praise leading the way to shatter the stiff mood, the sweet talk showed no signs of stopping.
Yeah, these people didn't know the meaning of moderation!
"W-Wait a sec!"
Head bowed in embarrassment, but if this kept up, I'd turn into a hermit crab, so I changed the subject.
"How about we talk about something else? It's our first time meeting in person, so just focusing on me feels a bit......"
Seongil Kim across from me responded.
"S-Sure? Oh, right. Sis, did you change your name?"
"No... Didn't bother."
"Makes sense. Your real name's Noeul Lee, right? The unisex 'Lee' works fine."
"Yeah...?"
"Kuhaha, our little sis. Pretty name to match that pretty face, huh? Right? Dokgo-hyung?"
"...Yeah."
You maniac.
The topic looped right back around.
'...I wanna go home.'
Now for entirely different reasons.
Looks like I was fated to become a hermit crab today.
The praise bombardment that made my ears feel like they were melting finally tapered off once the food and drinks arrived.
The female server who took away the wine Haon Park had offered to liven things up. I'd resented her then, but now she was a total messiah.
With an obvious okonomiyaki in the center—someone had ordered it—Jeong Dokgo picked up the sake.
"Maknae, never had booze?"
"...No."
"Not even once?"
"Somehow......"
It was embarrassing to admit.
Surprisingly, I'd never touched alcohol until turning twenty-two.
No friends in school for any rebellious fun, skipped college, and went straight to independence after graduation—no parental lessons there either.
"Worthy of a celebration."
As Jeong Dokgo said, it really was momentous.
I'd never even imagined drinking 'alcohol' out with people like this not long ago.
Jeong Dokgo tilted the bottle toward me.
"Oppa will..."
"Hyung."
"...Hyung will teach you the Way of Wine. They call it Judo—no, sake-do."
Shivers ran down my spine at his creepy phrasing, but I quickly corrected and picked up my glass.
I knew enough to hold it with both hands.
"When oppa pours..."
"Hyung."
"...When hyung pours, receive it below your elbow."
Seongil Kim jeered that he sounded like an old fogey, but Jeong Dokgo didn't seem to care.
As instructed, I lowered my glass a bit more, and clear liquid began filling it. Halfway up, it looked just like water.
They said it was famous for its floral aroma.
'...Smells like nothing.'
Honestly, I couldn't tell. But if they said so, whatever.
As I sniffed my glass, Jeong Dokgo filled everyone else's in turn.
Then he suddenly looked at me and grinned mischievously.
"Maknae, give a toast."
Totally out of nowhere.
Was he seriously asking me to say something cheesy like 'Youth is now, in these jeans!'? As I pondered, Seongil Kim freaked out across the table.
"Dude, hyung, what is this, an army reunion? Gonna play company commander here too?"
"...Not outside?"
"Well, yeah, but...!"
"Fine, I'll start. Everyone raise your glasses, and..."
"Hyung! People at the other tables are staring! Just cheers! Cheers!"
"For the record, 'cheers' means emptying your glass..."
"Cheers!"
Seongil Kim shut him down before he could finish.
The reckless clinking glasses left Jeong Dokgo looking glum—probably my imagination.
Anyway, it all felt so strange and novel.
Clinking glasses amid a crowd was unfamiliar, and 'alcohol' itself was awkward as hell.
What would it taste like? Looked tasty in dramas and movies. Having only seen it on screen, I couldn't help but look forward to it.
Brimming with anticipation, I tilted my glass, letting a sharp floral note touch my tongue, and...
Urk.
Did the flowers rot?
Way worse than I'd expected.
Exactly seven bottles.
...Or eight?
Anyway, we swapped the pricey sake for beer and soju, downing them in under an hour.
The other drinks tasted bad too, but the mood was great.
The more I drank, the lighter my body felt, confidence surging.
"Maknae, you've got talent."
"Hehe, really? Like this? Like thiiiis?"
"Our sis is a pro!"
"Then I'll propose a toast... hic, hereby!"
"Maknae, outstanding!"
Every time I showed off the Way of Wine Jeong Dokgo taught me, they clapped and cheered.
"... Hic, ch-cheers!"
"Cheers!"
"Clink!"
The clink of glasses and cheers rang out. Half the booze vanished per round, but who cared.
"Wow, so pretty!"
"Gorgeous!"
The next table cheered along when we clinked. I waved, and they whistled approval.
What do I do? Am I popular now?!
No awkwardness left—just pure fun. Except Hanna Lee beside me, covering her face with her hand.
"Sis, whatcha... hic doin'?"
"......"
Hanna Lee suddenly held up her hand in front of me.
"Dori, how many fingers?"
"Hmm... Four?"
"Oppa, look. She needs to go home."
"What? Go? Yeah, time to head out."
Jeong Dokgo, now a red bear, answered, and the guys piled on.
"What, hyung, round two?"
"Yeah, karaoke next!"
"Gotta go, gotta go! No choice!"
The table erupted again. Never done karaoke, but this was a good chance.
"Leeeet's gooo~"
"Maknae, outstanding!"
"Ha......"
I heard Hanna Lee's sigh, but no clue why.
Hadn't even considered it!
"Now, company sings the march."
"Classic company commander!"
"Belt it out strong."
"Ripped the stage apart!"
"Leeeet's gooo~"
Karaoke was louder, tambourines jingling.
Jingle jingle!
"Round three, quick beers?"
"Gotta go, gotta go! No choice!"
"Leeeet's gooo~"
"......"
Hanna Lee went silent, and we swore the Peach Garden Oath.
Born on different days, but we'll die together—we vowed that night.
When I came to with a splitting headache, the familiar ceiling stared back.
...How'd I get home?