Chapter 30
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Max Favorability Achieved
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Took my vitamins.
Put on the new workout clothes I'd bought. They were skin-tight.
I'd deliberately bought a size smaller. They'd loosen up once I lost some weight.
'Let's do our best today too.'
Live diligently.
I can do this.
I fixed my gaze on my phone as I left the dorm. Checked KakaoTalk. Several messages had come in overnight.
First, I checked Park Ha-yeon's messages.
[Park Ha-yeon: Just hang in there today and the exams are finally over.]
[Park Ha-yeon: What are you doing? No way you're doing something naughty thinking about me?]
[Park Ha-yeon: Asleep?]
[Me: Hope you ace the exam.]
[Me: Naughty stuff?]
[Me: I was so tired I passed out.]
[Me: Heading out for a workout.]
[Me: Emoji]
As Jin-seong replied, he wondered, 'Ha-yeon, are you sexually frustrated?'
[Suspicious thoughts, huh?]
[You were thinking naughty things, right?]
[You're not doing something naughty, are you?]
[My body's getting hot]
Her words, KakaoTalk, and inner thoughts all carried a sexual nuance.
Why was Park Ha-yeon showing sexual undertones toward him?
'Because she feels comfortable around me.'
True to his inexperienced, single-guy nature, clueless about women's hearts.
Jin-seong simply thought, 'We've gotten really close,' and moved on.
The phrase "sex appeal" didn't even cross his mind.
Next, he checked Lee Myung-ho's messages.
[Lee Myung-ho: Jin-seong, did you read the book I recommended?]
[Lee Myung-ho: PP author's Omnivore is great to read multiple times. It's packed with essential knowledge that forms the foundation for your reading habits.]
[Lee Myung-ho: After Omnivore, read PP author's book on justice. It'll establish your sense of justice. You'll vaguely realize what's righteous and what kind of person you are.]
[Lee Myung-ho: Then read It's Okay to Be Hated. You'll learn to make choices purely for yourself, not based on others.]
I scratched my cheek with my index finger.
[Me: I bought all the books you recommended. Haven't had time to read them yet because I'm busy. I'll read them slowly.]
[Me: Thanks so much for the great recommendations ^^]
Ha-yeon's words about ^^ looking old popped into my head.
[Me: Emoji]
[Me: Emoji]
^^ was just a habit.
Using ^^ made me feel awkwardly embarrassed for no reason. I sent a bunch of the cute emojis Ha-yeon had gifted me in a row.
[Me: Out jogging now. Planning to run for just an hour.]
[Me: Have a fun and happy day, Myung-ho hyung ^^]
[Me: Emoji]
[Me: Emoji]
Habits are scary things.
Next, I looked at Kim Kwang-woo's messages.
[Kim Kwang-woo: Jin-seong, just one more day trusting hyung, what happened?]
[Kim Kwang-woo: 740,000 won! Made a whopping 740,000 won on Toto today!!!]
[Kim Kwang-woo: lololol so sweet!! lololol 740,000 won huge win!! lololololololol]
I shook my head side to side.
Stuck out my tongue.
"A dog won't stop eating shit..."
No old saying was wrong.
"Gambling addiction is really scary."
Kim Kwang-woo had firmly vowed to quit Toto.
Less than a day later, he ate those words.
Seeing him brag about winning 740,000 won stirred up pity and disappointment rather than envy.
"Legendary. Time to cut ties."
I completely closed the door in my mind.
[Me: Congrats ^^;;]
I replied politely. Couldn't just leave him on read.
Thinking I'd avoid gambling for life, I closed the KakaoTalk window.
I did some light stretching to loosen up my stiff body from the night. Started jogging slowly. Picked up the pace.
'Morning jogs are the best. The ultimate healing.'
Jogging brought immense satisfaction.
'Great for dieting... builds stamina... makes body and mind healthy... refreshes the mood... fills me with hope...'
A smile formed.
About 40 minutes in?
- Oppa, whatcha doing?
A call from Choi Ah-young.
She must be up.
"Haa, haa, running."
- You're so diligent.
"Haa, it's life anyway, hoo, gotta live diligently and cool."
- Impressive.
- Maybe I should work out too?
- Seeing you makes me wanna exercise.
"Haa, exercise, hoo, is good."
- Sounds good. Gonna exercise.
- Did you read the book from yesterday?
"Nah? Haa, didn't. Hoo, passed out after our call."
- Should I read regular books instead of comics?
- Can you tell me about the books you bought?
- Wanna try reading them.
"Yeah, later, via Kakao, haa, I'll send."
- Your breathing sounds super sexy right now, you know?
- Why? Why do I wanna see your face so bad?
- Wish next week's weekend comes soon.
- No, wanna meet this Sunday too?
We talked on the phone the whole jog.
'I'm so happy.'
Jogging satisfaction + joy from talking to a girl = pure happiness formula.
'Ugh, totally bombed the exam.'
Park Ha-yeon sighed.
'Ugh, am I really that dumb?'
She had no talent for studying.
'Studying just doesn't suit me.'
She studied hard, but results were always lackluster.
Same with assignments.
Put in effort, but got stingy evaluations.
'Why am I so useless? Bad brain, mediocre athleticism, prickly personality so few friends...'
Her insides churned.
'Agh, frustrating. Annoying. Stressed. Can't take it. Need to exercise. Workout's best when down.'
Nothing beat exercise for a mood boost.
It sweated out the bad. Tore up the muscles. Washed away in hot water. Low self-esteem and deep depression flew off like dust.
Gulped ice water.
'Refreshing.'
Her complexion brightened.
Slide.
Park Ha-yeon opened her drawer.
'What underwear to wear out today?'
Meeting Jin-seong tonight.
'Something classic? Or something sexy?'
Rummaged through the drawer.
Found one she liked.
'Hmm, is this too slutty? This too provocative?'
She paused.
Her actions halted. Frowned.
'Why am I picking underwear? It's just drinking with the pig?'
Unconscious.
A woman's instinct to look pretty to a man catching her eye.
Unconsciously thinking, 'Things could happen while drinking.'
'Annoying.'
Just throw something on.
Didn't want to impress the pig. Didn't want to fuss over underwear.
But against her mind, against her pride, picking underwear took over 30 minutes. No idea how many times she put on and took off.
Park Ha-yeon stood before the full-length mirror.
"Is this... too slutty...?"
Thin black panties.
The panties clung to her skin, blatantly highlighting her hip line.
Large hips for her frame, firm thighs, clear camel toe. Healthy, alluring, lewd.
'Should I change?'
Bit her lip.
'Nah, just wear it. We're just drinking anyway, not showing it off, so slutty or not, who cares?'
Then picked clothes.
Regrettably(?), the outfit wasn't much different from the underwear. Picking clothes took over 30 minutes too.
Flopped onto the bed.
'Lately... stress? Or that time of the month coming...?'
Her body felt unusually hot.
Skin faintly flushing.
The sexual desire dormant deep inside crept up, tickling her body.
She'd masturbated yesterday, yet her lower parts itched again. More precisely, since picking panties.
She hadn't realized her body had been gradually heating up since her favorability rose.
Park Ha-yeon's left hand slipped deep into her panties.
Gently.
Rubbing.
Right hand grabbed her phone.
[Me: Piggy, whatcha doing? Working?]
Sent KakaoTalk to Jin-seong.
"......"
Waited, but no reply. Probably busy.
Tch... diligent pig...
About to set phone down.
KakaoTalk came.
But not the one she wanted.
[Jang Min-jun: Ha-yeon, exams over?]
[Jang Min-jun: You worked really hard]
[Jang Min-jun: Wanna meet later?]
[Jang Min-jun: Must be stressed from assignments and exams, right?]
[Jang Min-jun: Let's meet and have fun to relieve stress. :) ]
Too annoying to reply.
'But... the pig lately... getting handsomer by the day.'
Used to call him ugly pig often.
Now couldn't even use "ugly."
'Is gloomy pig thinking naughty things about me?'
Probably. Definitely. No, he must.
"Hmng♡"
Her breathing grew rough.
Park Ha-yeon left on time for the appointment.
15 minutes early.
Jin-seong was already there waiting.
"......"
Approached closer.
Park Ha-yeon's steps toward Jin-seong halted for a moment.
Had to stop.
"Aigoo... my back..."
A frail old lady carrying scrap paper had tripped.
Clutched her back. Scrap paper scattered on the ground.
Glance.
Passersby glanced at the grandma.
But just looked, none approached rashly.
"Ma'am, are you okay?"
Jin-seong approached.
"Does it hurt a lot?"
"Aigoo, I'm fine."
"Be careful. Ground's slippery with the cold weather lately."
Helped the grandma up. Gathered the scattered scrap paper neatly and tied it with string.
"Thank you so much."
"No problem. Walk carefully so you don't fall."
Park Ha-yeon watched half-dazed.
Even after the situation resolved and the grandma vanished from sight, she just stared blankly at Jin-seong.
'Oppa... is really... really really... a good person. As good as my dad.'
To Park Ha-yeon, Jin-seong was diligent, upright, and warm.
His diligence made her cheer unconsciously.
His moral integrity built trust.
His warm heart melted her prickly nature.
'Oppa...'
Her thoughts blurred. Snapped out.
Eyes met. Jin-seong lost himself briefly in her beauty. Then smiled brightly. Waved.
"Ha-yeon."
Jin-seong approached.
"Why are you so pretty today?"
She heard "pretty" dozens of times a day. Some days over a hundred.
Good words feel nice once or twice. Dozens desensitize.
Actually annoying. Boring. No thrill from "pretty."
But.
"Dummy. Don't say I'm pretty."
Her heart fluttered.
Trembled. Excited. Never knew "pretty" could be so sweet. Learned today for the first time.
"Tch, no more saying pretty from now on. Absolutely forbidden."
Couldn't meet his eyes.
🍀 Favorability:max
❤️ Affection:1
Park Ha-yeon's favorability.
96 yesterday. 98 just now. Skyrocketed to 100 the moment he called her pretty.
Hit max. Affection generated.
🍀 Favorability:max
❤️ Affection:1
Affection.
Liking, loving feelings, heart-deep affection.
Higher affection meant deeper emotions.
'Affection generated? Finally, Ha-yeon sees me as a man.'
Dazed.
Never expected affection to appear instantly.
But daze was brief. Surprise short-lived.
'The great Park Ha-yeon starting to see me as a man?!'
Thrilled.
'Goddess Park Ha-yeon considering flawed me as dating material?!'
Elated.
'Loser me seducing high-nosed Ha-yeon?!'
Exultant.
Like planting a flag atop a towering peak after hardship.
"Ha-yeon."
"What?"
"Pretty."
"Hey? I said don't call me pretty."
❤️ Affection:2
"You look so pretty in my eyes."
"......"
❤️ Affection:3
Cautiously took her hand.
"Let's go."
"Let go of my hand."
"Don't wanna?"
"Not that I don't like it..."
❤️ Affection:4
"Look how cold your hand is. Should've worn gloves."
"......"
"Your hand looks so pretty. Pale and slender."
❤️ Affection:5
"Cold and hungry, right? Let's hurry. I'll buy you something tasty."
❤️ Affection:6
Held hands and walked.
❤️ Affection:7
Pristine white snow began to fall.