Chapter 21

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 21

Chapter Title: Dakgalbi and Deepening Bonds

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"This scent is amazing. What brand is it? I've never smelled anything like it before."

Park Ha-yeon's lips curved into a smile.

Her gaze softened even more.

It felt like her brain, melted from all that homework, was finally healing. The discomfort in her heart melted away like snow. Warmth spread through her, cozy and comforting.

And then something strange happened.

Just from smelling the scent...

Her trust in Jin-seong deepened. This guy seems trustworthy.I could get close to him.

"Brand...? Uh... um... I'm not really sure either."

"Look it up and let me know. I love it so much—I want to get some for myself."

"Sorry. It's probably discontinued. Even if you had the money, you couldn't buy it. I only got it by chance myself."

"Ah..."

Park Ha-yeon looked disappointed.

"If I find more, I'll gift it to you, Ha-yeon."

"Really? Thank you so much. I hope you do."

"I'll try."

At Jin-seong's response, Park Ha-yeon's expression brightened even further.

The gaze she directed at him brimmed with deeper trust than before.

"Ha-yeon, aren't you hungry?"

"Starving. I haven't eaten a single meal while grinding away at that homework."

"Man, you must be famished. Let's grab some dakgalbi quick."

"Sounds good."

They found a dakgalbi place and ordered three servings of dakgalbi along with a bottle of Fanta.

"Do you like alcohol, Ha-yeon?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

"Oh? What kind?"

"I like soju. Beer tastes fine, but it fills me up too much—not a fan."

Jin-seong hadn't brought up drinks out of the blue.

He'd read her inner thoughts and casually steered the conversation there.

Jin-seong asked,

"Should we get a bottle of soju? It's the best with dakgalbi, right?"

"Uh..."

Park Ha-yeon hesitated at his suggestion.

Normally, she'd refuse flat out.

She was the cautious type.

She knew drinks with the opposite sex could lead to trouble.

She only drank with women—never men.

"Just one bottle. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠If we split it half and half, I'll do it."

"Deal. Just one bottle it is. Eemo, one bottle of soju here."

"Yes, coming right up."

It was the effect of her high favorability.

Her liking, trust, and faith in Jin-seong had deepened enough to say yes.

At 70 favorability, you could call it "somewhat trustworthy."

At 80, "reasonably trustworthy."

And from 90 up, "deeply trustworthy."

The soju arrived. They poured for each other.

Glasses clinked. Without a word, they downed them.

"Kyaah, is it just me? Or because it's with you, Ha-yeon? Or post-work vibes? This soju hits different. So sweet."

"It really is delicious."

"Living long enough to eat with a beauty like you and share soju—what a life."

They refilled ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠their glasses.

"Ha-yeon, um... would it be okay to call you by name casually? Like Ha-yeon-ah instead of Ha-yeon-ssi."

"Hmm..."

Park Ha-yeon pondered.

She hated when near-strangers called her name casually.

Even gym members called her Ha-yeon-ssi, Ha-yeon-ssi, or Miss Ha-yeon—never just Ha-yeon.

After a moment, she nodded.

"Sure. Call me casually."

"Great. With permission, Ha-yeon it is from now on."

"I only said your name could be casual—not drop the honorifics."

"Oh? Sorry if I overstepped. Just the name then."

"Eh, I'll allow it. You can drop formal speech too."

Glasses clinked again.

"Oppa, what're you planning after succeeding at your diet?"

"Build some muscle. That's my goal—a ripped physique."

"Keep it moderate. Too bulky and it's unattractive."

"Got it."

Jin-seong didn't want to go overboard either.

He aimed for "damn, solid build" compliments.

"Want me to help with your training?"

"You?"

"Yeah. I'm a gym owner's daughter, after all. I know all about safe, efficient muscle-building."

Park Ha-yeon refilled his glass.

"It's thanks for helping Dad. I want to repay you somehow. Let me coach your workouts."

She raised her glass.

"I'd love that. Thanks."

Glasses clinked.

Jin-seong didn't refuse.

Learning from Park Ha-yeon?

It'd massively boost his gains. More contact meant natural favorability growth.

"Oppa."

"Yeah?"

"What sparked your diet? How'd you get started?"

The trigger?

He thought it over.

"Trigger, huh..."

Deep down, he'd always craved an awesome life.

But reality crushed him, leaving him inert.

Era of Success hatched those dormant ambitions.

"I wanted a cool life. Big social success. So I started dieting."

Jin-seong smiled.

"Glad I did. Met you and Sajangnim. Stamina up, boss praises my work, raise incoming."

Bonded deeper with Ji-seong hyungnim. Got close to Choi A-young. Gym led to lotto second prize; fun with A-young netted instant scratch win.

"Above all, I gained faith. Faith I can change. Faith I can transform awesomely. Faith that if I try, I succeed."

Unshakable conviction.

Absolute hope.

Straightforward, honest eyes.

"...You're cool."

"...You can do it."

Park Ha-yeon admired diligent, hardworking, reliable types.

Jin-seong's resolute gaze embodied everything she liked.

He looked effortlessly cool.

She felt compelled to cheer him on.

The soju tasted sweeter tonight.

"Eemo, another bottle of soju."

Park Ha-yeon ordered more.

She knew she shouldn't.

One bottle was the plan.

She never drank with guys.

Dakgalbi with Park Ha-yeon.

Soju shared with her.

'Bliss.'

It transcended mere deliciousness. The moment felt special. Sweet. Joyful, exhilarating, grateful.

'Stuffed.'

They polished off the dakgalbi. Three bottles of soju gone—1.5 each.

Fried rice too. Stir-fried rice with pickled radish was pure gospel. Calories screamed, but ignored.

'Tastes good? Zero calories.'

He was under the "eat more, lose more fat" item effect.

Guilt-free feasting.

"Ha-yeon, round two?"

"Nah. That's it for tonight. It's late."

Park Ha-yeon held her liquor well.

No flush after 1.5 bottles.

Clear eyes. Serene face. Even tone.

She didn't want to hinder his diet. Turned down round two.

'Tch...'

Reading her thoughts, Jin-seong smacked his lips in regret.

Wanted round two with her. More time together.

Could eat big today. More food, more fat loss.

'But...'

On the other hand, Park Ha-yeon was beautiful.

Grateful.

Her thoughtful, warm care for him was endearing.

"Alright, let's call it."

Park Ha-yeon paid.

Jin-seong tried, but ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠she blocked him smoothly.

They stepped outside.

"Like donburi?"

"I devour it whenever it's around."

"I part-time at a donburi joint. Swing by sometime."

Dakgalbi? Soju? Favorability?

Distance shortened. Her gaze warmed with familiarity.

"Oh, right. Here—take this."

Jin-seong lifted the shopping bag he'd been holding.

Park Ha-yeon took it absentmindedly and peered inside.

"What's this?"

"Shoes. Thanks for everything."

Jin-seong scratched his cheek with his index finger.

"You got me sneakers before? Made me so happy. Morning workouts got comfy."

Yesterday on his way home, he'd hit a Nike store.

Didn't know her size—hurriedly messaged to find out.

Unsure her style—asked the clerk.

"...Thank you."

"...Pretty."

"...I'll wear them well."

"First time getting shoes as a gift."

Park Ha-yeon smiled with her eyes.

His heart nearly stopped.

He dove into his workout.

Treadmill, jump rope, burpees.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Sweat poured.

Each drop chased away the alcohol buzz.

When his dry towel soaked through, the buzz was gone.

'Whew, refreshing.'

Post-sweat clarity hit different.

Used to be torture.

Now? Not a hint of pain.

Life without sweat? Unimaginable.

'Today, I win again.'

Fist clenched in triumph.

He smacked his lips.

'Midnight snack, wait up. Bro's coming.'

Cheat day today.

The big event kind—eat more, lose more.

'Never dreamed of late-night snacks before... fat gain fear.'

What to devour? What to crush?

What screams "ate well"?

'Ramen's a must.'

Clocked out. Ramen with seasoned fried chicken. Belly near-burst. Sugar-bomb cola to cap it.