Chapter 179
Chapter 179
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 179
Chapter Title: The Yandere Fairy's Gaze is Strange
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A narrow alley in the heart of the city, yet steeped in a profound silence that felt utterly severed from the outside world.
Deeper within, along a path paved with gray stone, stood a building nestled under an aged tiled roof, its soft glow emanating faintly.
‘Is this the place?’
According to the info Junseok had given him beforehand, this spot was a private haven virtually unknown to the public—frequented quietly by business elites, prominent politicians, and a select few celebrities.
“Hoo!!”
He pushed open the automatic door with a calm expression.
The moment he stepped inside, the outside noise vanished completely, replaced by a subtle aroma scent mingled with a salty tang reminiscent of seaweed tickling his nostrils.
“Welcome, sir. Let me help confirm your reservation.”
“Han Haeseong.”
He followed the staff member straight through a small inner garden to the staircase leading up to the second floor.
As he ascended, gazing down at the tiny koi swimming in the mini pond beside the stairs, he soon arrived at the second floor.
The staff member bowed silently before the sliding door and opened it without a word.
Kiiiiiik.
Cha Seol-a was seated on a cushioned chair in traditional style.
He bowed at once.
“Hello.”
“Oh, you’re here?”
Unlike at the magazine photoshoot last time, where she’d been adorned with jewelry and designer dresses, Cha Seol-a was dressed simply now.
She wore a plain beige linen dress, topped with a thin grayish-brown cardigan.
Her hair fell naturally without waves, and instead of heavy makeup, she seemed to have only a light tint of lip balm.
And yet.
Cha Seol-a was dazzling enough as is.
The healthy vitality radiating from her bare face, and above all, her sparkling skin—it captivated the eyes.
“I’m not late, am I?”
“No, not at all. Please, have a seat.”
He carefully settled into the chair opposite her, and Cha Seol-a tilted her head slightly, flashing another smile.
“You look so much better styled than at the shoot last time.”
“...Pardon?”
“Back then, you seemed too much like a city boy.”
Wow...
How does she think exactly like me?
He widened his eyes a bit and spoke up.
“Seol-a, you look better like this too.”
“Repaying the compliment in kind, huh?”
“I’m just saying we’re on the same wavelength.”
Perhaps embarrassed by the praise, Cha Seol-a brushed her hair behind her ear and continued.
“...Shall we start with some sashimi?”
“Sure.”
Soon, a neat spread of seasonal sashimi and premium sake appeared before them.
The visuals alone were mouthwatering.
But the most special thing of all was, without question, sharing this drinking session with Cha Seol-a.
“Oh? So how long did it take you to come up to Seoul?”
“About three hours by car.”
“I should’ve come to you if I knew.”
“Even if you came to my town, there’s nowhere decent to drink.”
“We could drink at your place.”
“...Pardon?”
“I’ve always dreamed of living in the countryside for a bit. Plus, I could check out your house.”
Why do Seoul women like Seo Yerim have this fantasy about the countryside?
Once you actually live there, it’s full of bugs in the house and nothing but boredom.
Of course, with the fairies dropping by the rooftop, I don’t get bored much myself.
“Come visit sometime.”
“Really?”
“I’ll shatter all your countryside illusions.”
He sipped his sake and chuckled softly; Cha Seol-a paused for a beat before bursting into laughter.
“Wow... You’re completely different from how you were at the shoot.”
“I was just terrified of the photoshoot back then.”
“What was there to be scared of?”
“The photographer was glaring at me like he wanted to kill me. If you hadn’t suggested a break midway, the camera might’ve flown at my head.”
He shrugged both shoulders, and Cha Seol-a’s expression turned a touch sullen.
“I thought you were nervous because of me, but it was the shoot?”
“You played a part too.”
“...Oh, come on, liar.”
It was true.
Even now, the subtle atmosphere she created made him feel like he’d stepped into a drama.
A sensation as if every moment was being captured frame by frame.
She was that mysterious to him.
“Is there another reason you called me here?”
Cha Seol-a glanced away briefly toward the garden beyond the window, then turned back, slowly smiling.
That smile, just like when they’d first met, had a subtle power to ease tension.
“Our CEO really wants to meet you.”
“The CEO?”
“The magazine ad you did is getting insane reactions. So he asked me to connect you.”
He didn’t change expression upon hearing that.
He’d half-expected it.
There’d be no reason for Cha Seol-a to meet him otherwise.
Smooth.
Without a word, he picked up his chopsticks and lifted a piece of sea bream sashimi.
The moment the thinly sliced flesh touched his tongue, a soft texture spread across it.
He followed with a slow sip of sake, amplifying the sashimi’s umami.
He quietly set down his glass and turned his gaze to Cha Seol-a.
“Like I said at the shoot, I have no plans to do more photoshoots.”
For an instant, Cha Seol-a’s smile faltered.
But she quickly recovered, tilting her head again and slowly winking one eye closed, then open.
“Truth is, the CEO thing was just an excuse.”
“Do we really need an excuse to meet?”
Cha Seol-a set down her chopsticks and cradled her sake cup in both hands.
She turned her head slightly, bringing the cup to her lips; in that brief silence, a flicker of hesitation lingered in her eyes.
“You might not need one. But for people like us, even meeting someone takes more thought than you’d imagine. Whether it’s a meal alone, tea... even a single text.”
Her words were calm, yet carried a sharp edge.
He straightened his posture and cleared his throat.
“Why is that?”
“People are endlessly curious about who I eat with, where I go, what I do, and why. Eventually, you end up fabricating a reason.”
“Hm, having an excuse means you avoid potential scandals?”
“Exactly. Gives you something to tell the reporters.”
He nodded, though a bitter taste rose inside.
Unconsciously, he lifted his sake cup again.
Even the cool glass in his hand felt like it demanded careful handling amid the atmosphere.
“...Must be exhausting.”
He murmured, tilting the cup.
The lingering aftertaste of the sea bream mingled perfectly with the sake’s dry aroma.
“Honestly, a seat like this is rare for me too.”
“Like this?”
“Somewhere natural, no need for pretense.”
“If you have to make excuses to meet people, and even then the talks are laced with facades... why be in entertainment, Seol-a?”
“Acting’s fun, and it pays.”
“Between acting and money, which matters more?”
“Money. With money, I could start my own theater troupe and act all I want.”
She continued with a gentle smile.
“You’re definitely pretense-free tonight.”
“Too blunt?”
“You’re not faking your profile age, right?”
“...Pardon?”
Cha Seol-a’s online profile listed her as twenty-three.
She’d debuted in a girl group at seventeen for exactly three years before switching to acting.
Perhaps from grinding in the harsh entertainment world, she showed no trace of youthfulness despite being five years younger than him.
“You seem so mature for your age.”
“Are you calling me old-looking...?”
“No, I mean your speech and mannerisms.”
“Phew... That’s a relief. I’m sensitive about my face and skin.”
Cha Seol-a let out a sigh of relief.
The awkward air thawed naturally as a couple more drinks passed between them.
And how much time had flown by?
Before he knew it, they’d emptied the last glass.
“Seol-a, you’re not drunk, right?”
“No, just pleasantly buzzed.”
“Shall we head out?”
“Sure.”
With that, Cha Seol-a rose.
Her movements were a bit slow, but steady.
At the same time, she pulled something from her bag.
A black baseball cap and white mask.
“Haeseong, where to for round two?”
“...Pardon? More drinking here?”
“Come on, I’m not drunk yet!”
With the cap and mask on, Cha Seol-a winked playfully.
Her tone felt much lighter now.
“Hm, so where for round two?”
Cha Seol-a was a high-profile actress.
Wherever they went, she’d be recognized, so caution was key.
He couldn’t let her get hurt because of him.
Well, celebrities probably know tons of private spots like this.
He gazed at Cha Seol-a steadily.
Under the light, her eyes sparkled.
Like a child deep in thought.
She seemed lost in contemplation for a long moment, then suddenly whipped her head toward him with a meaningful smile.
“...My place?”