Chapter 74
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: The Perfect Date
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Oh Mi-yeon headed to the salon at the crack of dawn for her makeup. She slipped into one of her cherished outfits. She even spritzed on her favorite perfume.
If the usual Oh Mi-yeon was a fairy-like beauty,
today's Oh Mi-yeon was a goddess incarnate.
If her everyday beauty rated a 10,
today's was pushing 100.
Her soft, benevolent fairy charm had always stood out before.
But today, it was laced with the haughty, prickly allure of a wild cat.
"Noona."
"What?"
"Just... you look like a noona, so I called you that without thinking."
He scratched his cheek with his index finger.
Oh Mi-yeon looked like a noona. There was no other way to put it. Feminine, mature in appearance, figure, and aura.
"Noona... you're so beautiful. I thought a fairy had descended to the mortal world. Wow... my heart's really racing."
It was a genuine exclamation. Her beauty was enough to make any man's heart pound.
"Hee."
Seeing Jin-seong half-lost in her beauty, Oh Mi-yeon's fairy smile deepened even more.
Tension filled Oh Mi-yeon's neck. She loved Jin-seong's gaze, his expression, his praise. She was utterly satisfied.
Inner Thoughts: I like this. Worth getting up at dawn to prepare.
Inner Thoughts: First date... I wish he'd hold my hand... but he won't, will he...?
Oh Mi-yeon descended the studio apartment stairs. Her black dress fluttered. A faint floral scent lingered in her wake.
They stepped outside.
"Whoa, the weather's amazing today."
"Yeah. Sunny and warm."
"Noona, wanna hold hands while we walk?"
"There are other girls around, aren't there? Hold hands with them instead."
Her response cut deep.
"Got it."
Jin-seong replied with an awkward smile.
Inner Thoughts: Ah... that's not what I meant...
Inner Thoughts: I want to hold hands and walk...
An awkward air hung between them.
"Mi-yeon noona, you know you're super pretty today, right?"
"Am I only pretty today? I'm pretty every day."
"Fair. You're always gorgeous. But today, you're over a hundred times prettier than usual."
Praising her looks was the best way to break the ice.
No woman in the world hated being called pretty.
"How's your mood today?"
"Peaceful so far."
"Tell me if it sours. I'll make you a special coffee."
"Thanks."
The awkwardness melted away.
Jin-seong sidled closer to Oh Mi-yeon. He cautiously took her hand. It was small, slender, and cool.
"......"
Oh Mi-yeon glanced between Jin-seong's face and their hands. Sly smile. Heavy, warm grip.
"...Yum."
She murmured softly.
Oh Mi-yeon turned her head away. Too shy to meet his eyes.
Inner Thoughts: Sly fox... that's not the hand of a guy who's held a girl's hand once or twice...
Inner Thoughts: His hand... so heavy and warm... I want to keep holding it as we walk...
They walked hand in hand for a good while.
"Noona, had breakfast?"
"Nope. Skipped it."
"Not hungry?"
"I'm fine. You?"
"I had something light, but after that intense workout, I'm feeling a bit peckish."
They arrived at the theater.
Oh Mi-yeon bought snacks. Cola, popcorn, nachos, and plenty more for the hungry Jin-seong.
Jin-seong got the tickets. They were seeing the hit film Miracle in Cell No. 7.
'A movie... been ages...'
Jin-seong rarely went to theaters. While others dated and watched films, he'd been buried in games and work.
Showtime. They entered and took their seats. He munched popcorn hungrily.
The screen lit up.
'Fun. And sad.'
He was hooked. He kept grabbing nachos and popcorn.
'Huh?!'
Reaching for popcorn, his hand brushed hers.
"Go ahead."
Jin-seong pulled back.
"No, you first."
Oh Mi-yeon offered her handful of popcorn. He popped it straight into his mouth.
'Tasty.'
Bliss.
Popcorn from a beauty was twice as delicious. Sweet as could be. He smiled, feeling truly blessed.
Affection seemed imminent.
'I wanna touch noona's thigh...'
But he reined in the urge.
Thighs could wait for affection to unlock.
Once affection hit, he could get as naughty as he wanted.
'Time's on my side.'
Relax. Hold back. No rush.
'Focus on the movie.'
He did.
Credits rolled.
Drip...
Drip...
Jin-seong and Oh Mi-yeon had teary eyes.
Sobs echoed around them.
"Jin-seong, how was the movie?"
"Loved it. You?"
"Me too. So much fun."
"Wanna come back next week?"
"Sure."
Lunch together.
Vietnamese rice rolls. Oh Mi-yeon preferred veggies over meat. She wrapped one and fed it to him.
Then a dessert cafe.
They indulged in sweet coffee and treats. Jin-seong found it too sugary, but Oh Mi-yeon savored every bite.
Clothing store next.
Jin-seong bought shirts, tees, chinos. Oh Mi-yeon picked ones that'd suit him.
"Noona, see anything you want? I'll buy it."
"Really?"
Oh Mi-yeon lit up.
She chose a brown coat. Perfect for light layering in spring or fall.
"How's this? Suits me?"
She asked.
Thumbs up!
Jin-seong gave a big thumbs-up.
"Ugh... yeah... with a figure like yours, everything looks stunning. Perfect. Top-tier. Good good!"
Oh Mi-yeon beamed.
Today, for the first time in ages, Oh Mi-yeon was truly happy. Life felt worth living again. She didn't want to die.
Hand-holding thrilled her. The movie was great, snacks too. Rolls delicious, desserts divine. Shopping fun.
They held hands. Interlocked fingers. Strolled leisurely.
"How about udon and soju at a street cart for dinner?"
"Aw, sorry. I have plans with a friend tonight."
"A friend?"
Oh Mi-yeon's fine brows furrowed.
"Lee Myung-ho hyung. Good guy. Meeting him for dinner and book sharing."
"Book sharing?"
"Yeah. His hobby's reading. Kindly offered some great ones."
"I see..."
Her furrowed brows relaxed.
"Late night: YouTube editing, channel management, reading the new books... Whew, busy."
"Can't be helped. Got it."
She flashed her fairy smile.
They arrived.
"Today was so much fun."
"Same. Let's date again."
"Yeah. Heading in."
Oh Mi-yeon entered her room.
"I hope the people around me are happy. Healthy."
He watered the Wish Tree with his wish.
The Wish Tree grew a bit, feeding on the wish.
"Time to read."
He sat in his chair.
Reading Achievement 11
[1. Read for 130+ minutes.]
Reward: 25 Points
He opened Omnivore.
He focused intensely.
Achievement Reading Achievement 11 completed.
25 Points acquired.
He ignored the achievement popup.
Jin-seong read until Lee Myung-ho messaged.
- Jin-seong, be there in an hour.
"Yes, hyung. Drive safe. I'll be waiting."
- Okay, see you soon.
Lee Myung-ho would drive right up. Books first, then dinner.
'More reading then.'
Back to it.
Reading proficiency shot up.
How much time passed?
- Jin-seong, here.
"Got it. Coming out."
He threw on his puffer jacket and stepped out.
A K5 idled out front. Trunk open, packed with books of all kinds.
Easily 50 volumes.
"Whoa?! Hyung?! Isn't this too many?"
"Nah, it's not much. Tell me when you finish, I'll share more."
"Thank you so much. Always receiving from you. I'll repay you someday."
"Don't repay me. Pass it on to someone in need. That's enough for me."
"Yes. I'll repay you and help others too. Truly grateful."
Jin-seong's reply drew
a kind smile from Lee Myung-ho.
Inner Thoughts: Good friend.
He hauled the books inside in two trips.
"Hyung, have some juice."
Jin-seong handed over orange juice.
"Thanks. Cheers."
Lee Myung-ho took it.
"Classics, psychology, self-help, memoirs mostly. They'll help with life."
Inner Thoughts: Selected books that moved me and ones that'd help Jin-seong.
Inner Thoughts: Hope he grows from them, becomes a force for good in the world.
They headed out to 'Octopus, Mushrooms & Shabu-Shabu' restaurant.
"Myung-ho hyung, this place has real deal octopus, tons of mushroom varieties, generous veggies. Best value spot."
"Sounds promising."
Over dinner,
they chatted about reading.
"Enjoy reading? Not too tough?"
"Love it now. Not hard anymore."
Career talk too.
"What do you do, Jin-seong?"
"YouTube video production."
"Oh? Hot field these days."
He shared his channel name.
"And you, hyung?"
"I work at KSO, advanced materials company."
Got it.
KSO.
He mentally noted KSO repeatedly.
'Nope.'
Jin-seong slipped to the bathroom. Opened NH Securities app. Typed KSO. Added to watchlist.