Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Holding Hands?!
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Hand-holding while walking? No way!
Successfully holding hands? Unbelievable!
"Unexpected."
Choi A-young's favorability had only been at 91. Not even close to maxing it out, let alone generating affection.
Honestly, he'd been worried. What if she hated it? What if she felt burdened? What if she got annoyed?
But...
"Seriously unexpected."
Surprisingly...
Choi A-young wasn't upset. If anything, she seemed shy.
Incredibly...
Her favorability shot up steeply.
[Favorability: 95]
It had jumped from 91 to 95.
"And..."
Choi A-young's hand was small.
How could a person's hand be so slender and cute?
How could it be so soft, squishy, and warm?
"Never thought I'd live this long. Walking hand-in-hand with a girl as pretty as A-young..."
It didn't feel real.
He was dumbfounded.
"God, thank you endlessly for Era of Success. I'll live righteously. Gratefully."
They walked for a while.
"A-young."
"Yes?"
Choi A-young looked at Jin-seong's face.
He stopped walking.
"Coming out with you feels so good."
"Me too. So fun hanging out with you, oppa."
"Healing and enjoyable."
"Yeah. Total healing."
"Let's hang out like this more often."
"Sure."
They started walking slowly again.
"Where should we go next time? Anywhere else besides the zoo?"
"Everland. I've never been, not once since I was born."
"Oh? Perfect. Everland it is. Rides and good food."
"Love it!"
A new promise was made.
"Oh, right. Got a gift for you."
"...?"
A gift? What kind?
"Here. For you."
"A necklace?"
"Not sure if you'll like it."
Jin-seong handed over the necklace. The Charm Necklace.
A peanut-sized red ruby on a thin silver chain.
A small, adorable necklace.
"Wow, so pretty."
"You like it?"
"Yes, yes! Really pretty."
"Phew, glad."
"Put it on me?"
He clasped it around Choi A-young's neck.
"How's it look? Matches?"
"..."
"What's wrong? Weird?"
"No."
He shook his head vigorously.
"It's so pretty."
The Charm Necklace suited Choi A-young perfectly, like it was made just for her.
Felt like the necklace was born for her.
"Insane... the charm..."
"She looks even more charming than before..."
His charm had risen from S to S+.
"A goddess descended to earth..."
Choi A-young's face flushed red.
Walking hand-in-hand was nice. The necklace gift was nice. Jin-seong staring at her in awe was nice.
[Favorability: 95]
[Inner Thoughts: Back in high school, I got so sick of guys because of that stalker...]
[Inner Thoughts: Being called pretty by others... by someone... by oppa...]
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"Let's go see the fennec foxes."
"Huh?"
"I wanna see the fennec fox."
Choi A-young let go of his hand.
She half-ran toward the fennec fox exhibit. Her ears were bright red.
[Favorability: 96]
[Inner Thoughts: No idea...]
[Inner Thoughts: Wish he'd hold my hand...]
She ran off. He snatched her hand like catching a fleeing butterfly.
[Inner Thoughts: Ugh, does this oppa seriously have superpowers?]
[Inner Thoughts: How does he read my mind so well?]
[Inner Thoughts: Oppa’s hand is big. Warm.]
[Favorability: 97]
They enjoyed their zoo date.
For dinner, they had ribs.
"You're a pro at grilling meat."
"Damn right. Grilling's the one thing I excel at."
Not for nothing was he called Pig.
"Wow, you grill it so perfectly. How's it always this tasty?"
"Eat up."
If grilling were a talent, it'd be SSS-rank.
"Here."
Choi A-young wrapped a ssam and fed him.
"Is this paradise?"
A beauty-wrapped ssam was pure bliss.
After dinner...
"Today was so fun."
He walked her home.
"Get home safe."
They waved goodbye.
[Favorability: 99]
[Inner Thoughts: A bit disappointed. Wish we could've hung out more.]
Choi A-young turned away, heading to her door.
[Inner Thoughts: Doesn't oppa feel the same? I'm bummed...]
She glanced back quickly. Jin-seong was watching her.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
Choi A-young spun around and trotted back like a puppy.
She stopped in front of Jin-seong.
"Lately, you've made me so happy."
"..."
"Thanks for coming into my life."
"..."
Choi A-young gave a shy smile.
She stepped closer, rose on tiptoes, tilted her head up. He looked stunningly handsome. She pecked his cheek.
"See you next time!"
"..."
Jin-seong watched her go, then touched his cheek.
"A dream?"
24 years as a total loner.
Born with it, but first cheek kiss from the opposite sex.
"Favorability only at 99... and I get a cheek kiss..."
From a pretty girl, no less.
Couldn't believe it.
"Spring's finally coming for me... Bright and warm spring..."
Laughter burst out.
"Heh. Haha. Hahaha."
Won't sleep tonight.
A KakaoTalk came in.
[Choi A-young:] The cheek kiss was a mistake~
[Choi A-young:] No dirty thoughts ♡
[Choi A-young:] Get home safe
[Choi A-young:] [Emoticon]
Thought she was a puppy type.
Turns out, a natural vixen.
"Time to hit the gym."
His steps to Manbok Gym were light.
Monday. Dreaded workday. 62 days into working out.
"Already day 62."
Feels like he just started, but over two months gone.
Time flies terrifyingly fast.
"Gym time."
Usually jogged mornings. Today, gym.
Reason.
"Lee Myeong-ho."
The forgotten master said visiting him would answer "how to live."
Lee Myeong-ho only worked out early mornings. Had to go then.
"Let's go."
Left home. Hit the gym. Greeted Park Man-bok.
Sought Lee Myeong-ho. No sign.
"He'll come soon. Workout."
Weighed himself.
"Nice."
Satisfied smile. Down 0.1kg from yesterday.
[74.9kg]
62 days, massive loss.
"Finally under 75kg."
95kg to 74.9kg.
20.1kg down.
"Peak's close."
Short-term goal: 70kg.
"Status window open."
Exercise talent reached B-rank.
Got a Stamina Booster enhancer from a small happiness random box.
Pushed +10 stamina to +13.
Halfway to appearance goal.
No more "ugly" comments.
Acquaintances raved: "Slimmed down, looking sharp!"
Strangers: "Average-looking."
Got hair from small happiness box. Permanent.
Even if bald, 500 strands regrow.
"Implant 100 at a time?"
Tempting.
No baldness, but thin hair made scalp visible. Needed density.
"Yeah, bit by bit."
Hair makes the man.
"Phase 3 goal: Lush Hair."
Phase 1: Stamina King.
Phase 2: Charm Guy.
Phase 3: Lush Hair.
"Pig, plotting something shady again?"
Turned. Park Ha-yeon in workout gear.
"Shady? I was pondering reverently."
"It's all over your face? Pig's up to no good?"
"Absolutely not. Time to graduate from 'pig'? Down over 20kg?"
"Nah. Still pig."
Post-drinks, casual talk with Park Ha-yeon.
She mixed formal/informal.
[Inner Thoughts: Tease him as 'pig' while I can. Won't be able to soon.]
[Inner Thoughts: Pig lost tons of weight. Face sharpened up. Unbelievable change.]
[Inner Thoughts: Stress from assignments and exams? Why so thirsty for booze? Body's hot too?]
[Inner Thoughts: Wanna drink soju with shady Pig.]
Craving soju?
Music to his ears.
"Exams end when?"
"This Friday."
"Free Friday night?"
"Why? Dinner invite?"
"Yeah. You bought last time. My turn."
Park Ha-yeon crossed arms.
Thought in her eyes.
"Depends."
"Hit me when free."
[Inner Thoughts: Meeting friends Friday...]
[Inner Thoughts: Weekend or next week weekday instead.]
Did burpees.
Earphones in, treadmill slow.
Running mindlessly.
Poke.
Someone tapped his shoulder. Looked right.
"Lee Myeong-ho?"
Lee Myeong-ho. On adjacent treadmill.
Pulled earphones.
"Hey. Long time."
"Hey. Doing well?"
"Yes. You?"
"Call me hyung."
"Sure, Myeong-ho hyung. Casual's fine."
"I prefer polite."
Lee Myeong-ho valued mutual respect.
"Whoa, slimmed down a lot."
"Yeah, busted ass working out."
"How much?"
"20.1kg."
"Impressive. Human victory."
Lee Myeong-ho asked.
"Seem close with Ha-yeon. How?"
Pure curiosity.
Very curious.
Cold, prickly gym goddess Park Ha-yeon.
To his knowledge, only dad Park Man-bok was close.
Yet friendly with Jin-seong.
"Well..."
Light explanation. How they got close.
[Favorability: 55]
[Inner Thoughts: Wow, Jin-seong's got guts.]
[Inner Thoughts: Good character. High morals. Kind, warm heart.]
[Inner Thoughts: Makes sense why Ha-yeon opened up to him.]
Jin-seong scratched his cheek. Overly generous praise.
Not that great a guy.
Embarrassing.
"Got some worries lately."
"...?"
Worries?
Tilted head.
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