Chapter 31
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Shellfish BBQ and Confessions
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Once affection levels kick in, light skinship becomes a breeze.
Depending on the timing, the mood, or special circumstances, things can progress in a rush.
"Ha-yeon, you like grilled shellfish? I know a spot nearby that does killer grilled shellfish. Wanna go there?"
Grilled shellfish?
It was more than just like—it was something she craved so bad she couldn't live without it. One shot of soju with a piece of grilled shellfish was pure bliss.
But it had a fatal flaw. The price tag wasn't cheap, and it was so damn good that the soju just kept flowing endlessly.
Overdrinking was almost guaranteed. A brutal hangover could drag you straight to hell.
Gulp.
Park Ha-yeon's throat bobbed.
"Let's go. Hurry."
"You like grilled shellfish?"
"Love it."
"Good thing. I was worried you might hate it."
"Who in the world hates grilled shellfish?"
"Some people do. Our maknae says it tastes like dirt and can't stand it."
They found the grilled shellfish joint.
He placed the order.
"Boss, one bottle of soju, please."
"Sure thing, one sec!"
Before the side dishes even arrived, they ordered the soju. They filled each other's glasses to the brim.
Clink.
Glasses touched. Without a word, they downed them.
"Ahh."
"Whew."
It hit just right—cool and refreshing. Bitter and sweet in perfect harmony.
'Wrapping up work and chilling with Ha-yeon like this... tastes even better.'
Is it 'cause the exam's over and I'm drinking with creepy pig guy? Tastes amazing.
The side dishes arrived.
Clink.
The second round came with the sides.
They grilled the shellfish.
"That's not the handiwork of someone who's grilled shellfish just once or twice."
"Damn right. I grill meat and shellfish like a pro."
"You grill meat well too?"
It wasn't for nothing he came from a pig background.
"Grill some meat for me next time."
"Just say the word. I'll grill as much as you want."
The shellfish came out perfectly grilled.
He dipped them in sauce and paired them with soju.
'The booze is going down so smooth.'
Love this. All my built-up stress is melting away.
'Heh, seeing Ha-yeon enjoy it is lifting my mood too.'
Glad I met up with creepy pig oppa. Pig oppa... I like him. He's kind. Comfortable. Attentive. Warm.
In the blink of an eye, they polished off the first bottle.
"Boss, another bottle of soju!"
"Coming right up!"
He shook the bottle to pop the cap and refilled the glasses.
"How'd the exam go?"
"Awful. Totally bombed it."
"Oof, that must suck."
"It does. Why am I so bad at everything? Can't study, athleticism's meh, personality's prickly."
"Hey, don't beat yourself up. Bad at everything? Nah. You're great at working out. Body genius. Pretty face too?"
"Pfft, body genius? What even is that? And I told you not to call me pretty. When someone says don't, just don't."
"Got it. No more pretty. I'll say workout genius, body genius, face genius Park Ha-yeon instead."
Park Ha-yeon burst out laughing.
The word "genius" felt ridiculous but not entirely bad.
"Genius what? I'm no genius. Absolutely not. Don't call me that. Genius word banned."
"......"
"There are so many women out there more capable, charming, and beautiful than me. Calling someone like me a genius would get you flak."
A bit unexpected.
Park Ha-yeon was the kind of woman who could've lived without a care in the world, nose held high with sky-high self-esteem, and it wouldn't have seemed out of place at all. She was that impressive.
Contrary to expectations.
Park Ha-yeon had zero arrogance. Her self-esteem was the same—practically nonexistent. If anything, it was the opposite. Both her pride and confidence were rock bottom.
"Hmm, Ha-yeon, in my eyes, your strengths way outnumber your flaws?"
"What strengths? Nothing besides being kinda cute."
Self-objectivity was tough for anyone.
Few people could accurately judge who they were, their charms, or their place in the world.
"Your strengths? You're attentive."
Park Ha-yeon.
She kept the gym floor spotless, right down to the equipment, meticulous and thorough.
If a member was struggling, she'd appear like a ghost to sort it out.
She worried a lot about Park Man-bok and quietly took care of him with finesse.
"And you're great at self-control."
Even though she loved soju, Park Ha-yeon didn't drink much.
She held back for assignments, for studying, because drinking too often was bad for her body.
She controlled her portions too. Ate less to avoid gaining weight, managed her figure with discipline.
For some, self-control was a monumental challenge.
They gambled without restraint, became alcoholics from lack of it, got obese from indulgence.
"You're deep-minded too?"
And to a serious degree.
She was inherently a good person.
"And you, you live so damn diligently?"
College by day, part-time job to pay tuition. Despite the grind, she helped out at her dad's gym.
"Tch......"
Park Ha-yeon fidgeted with her fingers.
Tch, dummy idiot.
Embarrassed.
Me... surprisingly... I have quite a few strengths... Even my personality is a plus to someone...
Was it the soju? Or embarrassment?
Park Ha-yeon's face flushed red. Her ears turned scarlet too.
She mumbled her lips.
"Don't beat yourself up. You've got tons of strengths and plenty of charm as a woman."
"Yeah... Thanks. Oppa too—you're so cool and great."
Park Ha-yeon's vibe softened.
Her smiling eyes evoked a desert fox.
The corners of her mouth twitched up.
Oppa, I like you.
Maybe the mood lightened?
Or the food was that good?
They downed four bottles at the first spot.
Splitting two each, amiably.
Their slightly glazed eyes met. Warm, affectionate vibes flowed between them.
'Can't keep this up.'
Jin-seong slipped off to the bathroom.
[Hangover Remedy - 1 Point]
He bought the item from the shop.
Unlike Park Ha-yeon, who was only lightly buzzed, he was on the verge of passing out.
'She's tough.'
He took the item.
The buzz vanished clean. His foggy head cleared sharp.
They hit the second spot—an izakaya. Cozy atmosphere was its charm.
Partitions divided the tables. Like mini private rooms, structured so outsiders couldn't peek in.
"Beer? Soju? Sake? What're you feeling?"
"Soju. Beer's too filling, sake's not my taste."
"Gotcha. Sides? What to eat?"
Izakaya was a first for Jin-seong. No clue what to order.
"Not sure. First time at one."
Same for Park Ha-yeon.
He scanned the menu. Ordered stuff that looked tasty.
Soju with.
Tako wasabi, grilled gizzard, fish cake soup.
"How's work life, oppa?"
"Pretty satisfied, all things considered."
"Anyone giving you grief?"
"Nah. Everyone's nice to me."
"Makes sense. You're so kind, they can't help but like you."
"You? College fun?"
"Nah, not fun. Doesn't suit me at all."
Park Ha-yeon toyed with her glass.
"Oppa, everyone says you should chase dreams, right? I don't even know what I wanna do. Not sure if my personality even lets me land a job."
"......"
"I have no clue what I should do. No idea what I'm good at. Feels like I'm a pretty package with nothing inside—just an empty doll."
Jin-seong, listening quietly, chuckled softly.
"Why laugh?"
"Nothing."
He shook his head.
"Cheers."
He raised his glass.
"Yeah."
The laugh? Nothing big. Just struck him as similar, so it slipped out.
Him, Choi Ah-young, Park Ha-yeon—they all harbored the same worries. Anxious about the future.
'Gotta read some books.'
Starting tomorrow.
Cut back on late-night calls with Choi Ah-young, pick up a book instead.
Trim workouts a bit, squeeze in some reading.
'I want answers.'
If he found them.
Might help Park Ha-yeon and Choi Ah-young too.
Could even support the struggling maknae with her studies.
Soju bottles piled up.
"Haa......"
Park Ha-yeon's eyes glazed over. Posture slouched. She propped her chin on her hand.
"Oppa, how do you drink so well?"
Jin-seong looked fine. Thanks to the hangover remedy.
"Oppa, do you watch porn?"
"Huh?"
"Do you watch naughty stuff? Like porn."
"Who doesn't?"
"Knew it. Oppa watches too. So oppa's a real man after all."
Buzzed, her filter vanished.
She boldly asked what she'd always wondered.
"Be honest. Ever jerked off thinking of me? Imagining my body, doing it with me?"
Blunt as hell.
If he'd been drunk, he'd have bragged "yeah" on the buzz.
But Jin-seong was sober. Too embarrassed to answer.
"Back in high school, rumors flew that guys jerked off to me. Curious if you did too."
"......"
"You did, right? Answer me. If you say no, it'll hurt my pride."
She pressed for a reply.
Nod.
Jin-seong nodded instead of speaking, affirming it.
Smirk.
Park Ha-yeon's lips curved up, looking mighty pleased.
"How'd you do it?"
"You? Watch porn?"
"Don't change the subject. Curious."
Jin-seong scratched his cheek with his index finger.
"Y'know, grabbed my dick with my hand and stroked."
"Hard?"
"Yeah, hard. Thinking of you."
Park Ha-yeon's face burned even redder.
"Hng."
Her breathing grew a tad ragged.
"You? Watch porn?"
"Huh? Yeah. Sometimes. Very occasionally."
"How often a week?"
"Once every two weeks."
Park Ha-yeon had low libido. Rarely watched unless her body heated up.
"You think of me when you do?"
"No? Hell no? You crazy? Why would I think of a creep like you?"
Can't say it. Won't say it. No way I'm admitting I masturbated imagining oppa forcing it in me today.
Embarrassed, she switched topics.
"Uh... Oppa... ever had sex?"
"You think?"
"Ah... right... you were still pig guy not long ago...?"
"Please stop the fact violence. You? Had sex?"
"No, me neither. Never even had a boyfriend."
Park Ha-yeon was a virgin. No sex, not even dating.
They swapped naughty stories.
Naughty talk was hard to start, but once it did, it never ended.
Over ten minutes of nonstop sex chatter.
A lewd vibe settled in.
"Haa......"
Park Ha-yeon's breaths came heavy. Thick heat and faint arousal mixed in.
Slide.
Park Ha-yeon crossed her thighs. Thigh pressed to thigh. Rubbed. A bit slick.
Because of the naughty talk?
Hot. Body's burning. Itchy. Down there's getting wet.
My panties are sexy—if I showed oppa, what'd he do?
He'd get horny, go into heat, jerk off treating me like a slut?
Nah. Might lose it and pounce. Rape me by force.
They ordered more soju.
Park Ha-yeon knocked back her glass.
"Oppa, what color are my panties?"
"Huh?"
"Guess. If you get it right, I'll show you as a reward."
Her eyes turned sultry. Breathing intensified.
Buzzed and horny, she'd half-lost her reason.
Black.
Jin-seong's pupils shook.
Prime chance to see gym goddess Park Ha-yeon's panties.
"Hmm......"
Pretending to ponder.
"Black?"
He answered haltingly.
"Whoa......"
"Wrong?"
Park Ha-yeon shook her head side to side.
"My panties are sexy—wanna see?"
"Yeah, wanna see."
"Okay. I'll show. But absolutely no losing control and pouncing?"
"What am I, an animal?"
"Top? Bottom? Which to show?"
"Can't you show both?"
"Nope. Just one."
Jin-seong's pupils wavered in conflict.
This was like,
Mommy or daddy?
Level tough choice.