Chapter 172
Chapter 172
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 172
Chapter Title: The Yandere Fairy's Gaze is Strange
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We left the barbecue joint and walked side by side in silence.
A chill wind swept through the Seoul night streets, but that quiet somehow didn't feel bad at all.
It was almost like it was justifying the awkward vibe between us right now.
Swish.
I kept stealing glances at Yang Yujeong's face the whole way, turning my head every so often.
She didn't say a word either. Just walking quietly at my side.
After a few blocks like that, we spotted a quiet street stall tucked in an alley corner, its lights spilling out cozy and warm.
A small place with no big signs or blaring music—just hazy orange light filtering out into the night.
"You said you wanted one more drink, right?"
"Y... yeah."
"Then how about we grab one there?"
Yujeong gave a slight nod at my suggestion.
A relieved smile—like we'd finally found the perfect spot—flickered across her face.
We pushed open the door to the stall. The narrow interior had maybe six tables, with just a handful of people scattered around, nursing their drinks.
We headed straight for a corner seat in the back and sat facing each other. The moment we did, that awkwardness started creeping back in.
"...Hmm, what should we get?"
"Uh, anything's fine for me."
I glanced at the menu taped to the wall and spoke up.
"Doing soju?"
"We're pretty full, so soju sounds good."
"How about rolled omelet and kimchi stew?"
"Sounds good."
Even after the drinks hit the table and our glasses were filled, we sat there in silence for a moment.
Yang Yujeong clutched her phone wordlessly, thumb swiping the screen over and over before locking it again.
I leaned way forward toward her.
"Still trying to get hold of Jiwon-i?"
"Yeah, but... she's straight-up ignoring my calls."
"Junseok had his phone off completely, right?"
"If he'd just said something... I could've gotten it."
"Probably not because of you. He bolted like he was running from me."
"Why?"
I let out a long sigh and topped off our glasses with soju.
"If he'd told the truth, I would've bailed early."
"And me?"
"...Huh?"
"You'd leave me behind?"
Her unexpected line made me blink hard.
"L-leave you...? Nah, we'd bail together."
"We could've just had drinks, the two of us."
"Sure... but unless you suggested it first, it probably wouldn't have happened."
"Why?"
"I suggest drinks, you might not like it."
Yang Yujeong stared right at me and kept going.
"Afraid I'd turn you down?"
"Yeah."
"Do you get more cautious as you get older?"
"...Huh?"
I gawked again, caught off guard, and she waved her hands frantically, her face turning red.
"N-no, don't get the wrong idea. I'm really just curious, that's all."
"Well... yeah, you definitely get more cautious with age than when you were young."
"Oh... really?"
"And after the divorce, boozing one-on-one with a girl I just met? Super awkward."
I'd already mentioned it back at the barbecue place, but there it was again—the word "divorce."
Yang Yujeong straightened up and gave a faint smile.
"I don't think divorce is some stain on life."
"R-really?"
"Not trying to console you or anything—it's true. My parents just got divorced too."
"Oh... got it."
"They asked my opinion. I told them to go for it. Life's only once—you gotta enjoy it."
This time I nodded as I poured soju into the glass in front of Yang Yujeong.
"That's unexpected."
"What is?"
"Jiwon-i said you're super popular at school but don't date guys? Didn't sound like an enjoy-life type."
"W-well... they're all kinda lame. Immature thinkers."
"You must've grown up fast."
My words drew a long sigh from Yang Yujeong.
"That's why I wanna date older guys."
"Age doesn't mean maturity."
"Still better than guys blowing up my phone every night for drinks, right?"
"Guys are full of hot blood when they're young. I was too."
She'd been pretty quiet at the barbecue spot, but one-on-one, Yang Yujeong was clearly the type to speak her mind.
The boldness of a gutsy twenty-year-old, maybe?
Not a bad look for Jiwon-i's friend.
I smiled warmly, and she lifted her glass with a grin tugging at her lips.
"Anyway... a drink for us abandoned folks?"
I hesitated, eyeing her raised glass.
'Abandoned.' The word felt weirdly funny... and kinda sad.
Just a bit ago, I'd been scheming to hook up Junseok and Jiwon-i. Never dreamed it'd end up like this—an odd pair consoling each other.
Still.
I had zero plans to do anything with Yang Yujeong tonight.
For her, I was just Jiwon-i's hometown big bro, sharing a drink.
Desires? I could handle those anytime once I got home.
Swish.
I raised my glass too.
And flashed Yang Yujeong the kindest smile on earth.
"Yeah! Let's drown our sorrows tonight, us rejects!"
-Who the hell leaves a girl behind and crashes solo in a motel?
The next day, evening.
I'd barely dragged myself home when the phone rang. Junseok started cursing the second the call connected.
I tilted my head, face full of question marks.
-How'd you know I slept alone in the motel?
-How? Jiwon-i asked Yujeong what you two did last night.
-Y-yeah?
-Said you just drank at the stall and that was it?
-What do you mean 'it'? I took a taxi and dropped Yujeong off at home.
-Exactly—why drop her home? You do threesomes all the time, and now you're Mr. Nice Guy?
-You psycho, I didn't touch her 'cause she's Jiwon-i's friend!
Junseok let out a short sigh.
-Sigh... I cleared out for you, and...
-Did you at least take Jiwon-i to a motel?
-Go to a motel on the first meet? I'm not you.
-...Keeping in touch with Jiwon-i, then?
-Yeah, things are looking good, thanks to it.
-So you ditched me and turned off your phone, huh?
Junseok sounded a bit flustered as he continued.
-Th-that was 'cause Jiwon-i wanted you and Yujeong to have some alone time. Had no choice.
-I get plenty of girls, don't worry.
-Sure you do. Threesome king at home.
-Keep harping on threesomes, and I'll call Jiwon-i right now and spill your secrets?
-...Huh? Haha! Bro, why you gotta do me like that!?
Junseok switched gears fast.
I shook my head and plopped down on the sofa.
-Anyway, treat Jiwon-i right. Don't ghost me just 'cause I hooked you up.
-Dude! It's me, Seo Junseok!
-Sigh... Jiwon-i's a keeper. Date her for real.
-Yujeong wasn't your type? She seemed pure and pretty.
-Not that, just not looking to date right now.
-...You'll end up dying alone.
-My remarriage'll beat your first wedding anyway.
I chuckled, and Junseok raised his voice.
-Wanna bet!?
-Shoulders all high just from meeting Jiwon-i?
-...This time I'm serious.
-Date her first, yeah?
-You bastard...
Seeing Junseok's energy bright for once made me keep chuckling.
I snickered again and went on.
-If it works out and you marry, don't forget to get me a suit.
-Suit? More than that. When you coming back to Seoul?
-No plans anytime soon. Not keeping the modeling gig forever.
-Then I'll come down with Jiwon-i.
-Do that.
-Got it. Call you later.
-Yeah.
Click—!
After hanging up, I leaned back on the sofa and tilted my head. The ceiling came into quiet view.
Suddenly, it hit me how precious this peaceful evening was in Seoul.
'This is why I can't move to Seoul.'
I listened closely.
TV was off, so only the faint hum of the fridge pierced the silence.
That's when it happened.
Gurgle gurgle gurgle!
Gurgle gurgle gurgle!
Gurgle gurgle gurgle!
Gurgle gurgle gurgle!
Gurgle gurgle gurgle!
Water rushing from the rooftop?
The Jade Emperor had dropped by recently, so probably one of the fairies at work.
My lips twitched reflexively.
'This is why I can't have nice things with women!'
That weird thirst I couldn't shake in Seoul, those stuffy feelings I couldn't put into words.
Looked like a chance to blow them all away in one go.
Swish.
I got up from the sofa.
Shook out the blanket from my lap and crossed the living room to the kitchen.
Opened the fridge door. Beer cans sat neatly on the shelf inside.
I grabbed a familiar one, smiling to myself as I muttered.
"Time to work off some urges?"