Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Secret Hideouts
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"This place is really my secret spot. Sorry to the owner, but I hope business stays slow."
Haon Park said that as he set the tray down on the table.
A small, modest cafe with hardly any customers. I don't go out much anyway, but I never dreamed there'd be a place like this.
"...I'll dig in gratefully."
"You'd better. After I shared such a great spot with you."
I murmured my thanks at the iced Americano placed in front of me, and got a sly reply in return.
Is this what 'popular' people sound like?
"Haon..."
"Yeah?"
"You seem like the type with tons of friends."
I stirred the ice with my straw, and the thought just slipped out.
With his bright personality and friendly vibe, his social circle probably felt a lot thicker than mine.
I couldn't live like this forever, so I figured I'd pick up a few tips.
"I don't have that many either."
"R...really?"
But his answer wasn't what I'd expected.
"I used to think I had a lot, but looking back... the people I actually message privately..."
"......"
"Just a few streamers and Noeul. So I'm not much different from you, right?"
Haon slurped his coffee and said it casually.
'I have Haon and the raid team, at least...'
I pondered his words for a second, and yeah, he had a point.
'Am I overthinking it?'
I wasn't that different from anyone else, yet I'd been watching myself, chipping away at my own confidence.
As that realization hit, Haon added,
"Noeul, you're not that different from others, but aren't you the one lowering your self-esteem by second-guessing yourself?"
"......"
"...What's with that look?"
What? Get out of my head.
I felt called out and sucked hard on the straw. An empty rattling sound came from the cup.
"You finished already?"
"...My throat's parched."
"Want me to order another?"
His offer was eager.
But I had some pride left, so I shook my head.
"I'm good. It's about time anyway, so..."
Before I could tack on I'll head home and chill with some gaming, he cut me off.
"How about grabbing a bite then?"
"...Huh?"
"Aren't you hungry? I know a great pasta spot. It's another one of my hideouts."
"......"
Clink, clink.
The ice cubes tinkled in the quiet cafe.
'Everything's his hideout...'
Still, I was hungry.
"S...sure..."
Maybe I'd play along a bit.
I thought Noeul Lee the human had a super Korean palate—bibimbap over risotto, ramen over pasta.
Turns out I was wrong.
"Good, right?"
Haon's eyes sparkled as he asked. I nodded slightly.
"A place like this..."
"Is a first for you?"
"......"
What? I told you to get out of my head.
I stared blankly, robbed of my line, and he just grinned. Was this the 'sweet' face his viewers raved about?
"Try this too. It's delicious."
"...Thanks."
A fat shrimp landed on my plate.
'How many is this now?'
He was just sipping cola, but kept piling his precious shares onto my plate. Talk about generous.
'Isn't this usually...'
A guy thing? I'd seen it in dramas.
Twenty-two years as a guy!
I should be taking the lead here, but just receiving felt awkward, like I was failing at manhood. Time to try it myself.
Target: a big hunk of meat. Perfect to show my boldness.
"You have some too, Haon."
"...Huh? Th-thanks."
He looked visibly flustered by my gesture.
Maybe the piece was too big to share, but it felt like a great chance to show my generosity. Made me feel good too.
"By the way, Noeul..."
He'd cleared half his plate—whether from the portion or pace, who knows—but he broached carefully,
"Anything uncomfortable since becoming a woman?"
"......"
A question only Awakeners could ask each other.
His sudden query gave me pause.
"Uncomfortable things..."
If I had to pick, sure, but nothing jumped out.
I rarely went out anyway, and my social circle was basically just the guy in front of me.
Still, if I really thought...
"The monthly periods, I guess..."
"...Yeah, I get it."
A guy agreeing felt so weird.
I sometimes forgot he'd been a woman. Especially in comfy moments like this.
"Back then, I'd crave sweets like crazy. You?"
"Hm..."
I thought for a sec.
Streams said cravings varied, but I'd never really felt it.
"...Dunno. Just cramps, nothing major."
"That why you don't gain weight? What's your usual diet?"
"Mostly delivery... or shikhye a lot."
"Shikhye?"
He looked puzzled.
What's wrong with shikhye...
"It's a complete meal. Like drinking rice water."
"......"
I preached shikhye's greatness, but got this weird, unreadable look.
It's perfect for gaming snacks. Felt like my world got invalidated.
Don't make that face—it makes me seem weird. I awkwardly changed the subject.
"What about you, Haon? Anything uncomfortable after becoming a guy?"
"......"
He gave a strange look and blushed for no reason.
"...Why?"
"N-no! Uh, nothing major. I'm adapting quick."
The silence dragged suspiciously, so I asked again, but he startled and stammered.
"Articles say male Awakeners adapt faster. Depression's higher, but I don't feel down..."
"Hmm..."
"Any upsides for you, Noeul?"
"Hmmm..."
Upsides, huh.
I shredded a napkin while pondering. Quite a few came to mind.
"...More attention, I guess."
"Huh? Like what...?"
"People paying more attention, so it kinda lifts my mood..."
Top of the list.
As a guy, it was negative stares, but now? People seemed kinder.
"...Staring's uncomfortable sometimes..."
It bugged me, but framing it as interest made it bearable.
"And... closer to my parents."
Biggest win.
Used to dread going home; now I could with confidence.
Dad stopped nagging about college or survival. Progress.
'Hard to say if it's the gender or me growing up...'
At least no more officer academy gaslighting. Huge relief.
"Your parents strict?"
"Not really, or are they...? Anyway, Dad's softer now. Feels good. No college talk..."
"College?"
"Keep saying find a way to make a living."
He'd pushed the academy because of his own path...
"Chuseok was better. Maybe he gets my 'job' now?"
"'Job'? Oh... that one..."
"...Why..."
"No, it's important... that... i-industrial worker! Super important!"
Haon mumbled about 'guardian of the economy' and 'invisible hand'.
...Not crazy, right?
Irked, I stuffed pasta in my mouth.
"You?"
"Ah... upsides?"
Awakener ping-pong. Felt kinda nice, so I nodded.
"No makeup needed."
"Anything else?"
"Freer to act? Viewers let my words slide."
"Hmm~"
"Easier clothes shopping too..."
"And?"
"Uh, also..."
Upsides kept coming.
Was he just positive, or was I too negative?
Lips moved on their own.
"I'm the one losing out. You have so many perks..."
"......"
He didn't reply to my grumble, just looked exasperated.
"...Why?"
"Nothing..."
With that, Haon finished his risotto.
I held half-finished coffee.
Coffee-meal-coffee was an odd route, but not bad.
I snapped to and realized we were at my place. I bowed my head in thanks.
"Thanks for lunch too."
Everything from coffee to meal was on him.
"Hey, Noeul? We're... friends, right?"
Instead of goodbye, he asked abruptly.
He'd said it first, but now...
I nodded.
"Yeah...?"
"Then... how about dropping formal speech?"
"Hm, I prefer polite..."
"......"
No big deal. Polite really suited me better.
But he looked flustered, so I backpedaled quick.
"No, I mean polite is comfy for me. You can drop it, though. You're older..."
"Then can you casual on names too? Feels weird if I'm alone..."
He fidgeted like a puppy needing to pee, straw in mouth.
Names, huh...
"How about... oppa?"
"Pfft!"
He spat his coffee.
Why? Everyone liked it before...
Maybe I lacked tact. He said he adapted, but names were separate.
I'd felt awkward too...
"...Then, hyung? No, unnie...?"
He shook his head vigorously.