Chapter 141: The Confession
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 141: The Confession
"True love can transcend everything..."
The music had stopped at some point.
Senior Anna’s voice echoed through the narrow restaurant. It was pleasant and melodious, like a clear spring flowing over smooth pebbles, momentarily dazing Muen as he listened.
"Can true love really transcend everything?"
An repeated the words, savoring them, before revealing a smile that was as enchanting as it was unsettling.
"What a coincidence. I happen to think so too."
"So, whether it's space, time, or anything else, nothing can tear my love apart, nor can anything stop me from finding the one I love, right?"
She raised her hand, slowly reaching toward Muen.
Watching that slender, pale hand draw closer, Muen’s heart leaped into his throat.
With An’s sharp intuition, the moment she touched him, she would be able to cut through the interference of the perfume he had specifically sprayed around himself and confirm his identity instantly.
But.
The moment before she touched Muen.
That hand was caught by another, equally slender and pale.
"Didn't I say? This is my boyfriend. You can't just touch him whenever you like."
Senior Anna’s smile was just as breathtakingly beautiful, not losing to An’s in the slightest.
She put a heavy emphasis on the word "boyfriend," as if asserting a claim of absolute ownership.
An’s smile vanished instantly.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she leaned across the table, locking eyes with Senior Anna.
At that moment, as their two delicate hands met, Muen felt as if he were witnessing an apocalyptic scene of gathering storm clouds and crashing thunder.
It was as if two supreme beings were clashing at the edge of the universe, grinding the very Great Dao into nothingness, while Muen, the little lamb, huddled in the corner, trembling.
Oh, and there was Shali. She looked terrified; her face had been deathly pale for a while now, and she hadn't uttered a single word.
"I just wanted to confirm something. Why so tense?" An asked.
"Oh? And if the person you loved was being harassed and touched by another woman, would you be so generous?" Anna countered.
"..."
"..."
The two fell silent again.
But this silence was even more suffocating.
Muen was drenched in a cold sweat. He felt as if every piece of metal in the restaurant had begun to hum softly. The knife and fork in his hands were trembling uncontrollably, as if they might transform into lethal weapons at any moment under the mighty power of a Divine Blessing.
Meanwhile, Senior Anna’s other hand was hidden in her sleeve, where faint ripples of mana were beginning to emerge.
What... what do I do? It looks like they’re going to start fighting any second.
Should I run or fight?
If I fight... whose side am I on?
Muen swallowed hard, his gaze darting between An and Senior Anna. He finally understood the impossible dilemma of being asked who he’d save first if his girlfriend and his mother both fell into a river.
It felt like no matter who he helped... he was destined to die.
I can't let them fight!
Muen finally snapped out of it. Just as he was about to throw caution to the wind and stop them—even if it meant exposing his identity—
"It seems I was mistaken."
To Muen’s surprise, An suddenly straightened her back.
It was as if sunlight had broken through the clouds; the scene of thunder and lightning vanished instantly.
The humming metal returned to stillness.
An’s gaze swept deeply over Senior Anna’s face, as if she were committing it to memory, before she gave a slight, apologetic nod.
"My apologies. I didn't mean to disturb you."
"It's fine."
Senior Anna withdrew her hand from her sleeve, a calm smile returning to her face.
"It's understandable."
"Well then, goodbye."
"Goodbye."
The two nodded to each other like strangers passing on the street.
It was as if the previous confrontation had been nothing more than an illusion.
Then, An turned and walked out of the restaurant.
She didn't look back.
From beginning to end, she didn't spare Muen another glance.
Muen’s eyes widened at the sight.
She’s gone?
An just left like that?
Muen waited a few minutes before cautiously peeking out of the restaurant.
The quiet street was empty.
An had indeed left.
The shitshow was over!
I’m still alive!
A surge of immense joy erupted in Muen’s chest.
Praise the Lord.
Praise the Buddha.
Praise the Jade Emperor.
Praise Nyarlathotep.
I finally survived—
"That person just now... was she the girl you mentioned before? The one who likes you?"
Senior Anna’s seemingly casual words reached his ears.
His joy froze instantly.
Muen turned his head stiffly. At some point, Senior Anna had returned to her seat and was sipping her red wine in small gulps.
The alcohol was taking effect; her charming face was slightly flushed, giving her a different kind of allure.
But Muen couldn't find it in himself to appreciate it.
Because, in a daze, he felt as if he had been pushed back onto the executioner's block, with a cold, stern official reading out his crimes.
Scum man, off with his head!
"Y-yes, I suppose so."
At this point, there was no way he could lie.
"Then—"
Senior Anna shifted the topic, continuing:
"Do you like her too, Junior?"
Clang.
Muen could almost see the cold, gleaming blade of the guillotine being hoisted high, ready to drop at any moment and slice the wicked scum man in two.
"I... I..."
Muen wiped the sweat from his forehead, stammering.
What do I do? What do I do? How should I answer?
How can I reply so that...
"Never mind."
As he hesitated, Senior Anna suddenly retracted her question.
"Asking something like that is too rude, regardless. Sorry, Junior. Just pretend I’m drunk."
Then, in a voice so low only she could hear, she murmured:
"It’s just a pity. That girl is a bit too strong; I can't collect her tears."
"Eh?"
Muen blinked, unable to process this sudden shift for a moment.
Senior Anna continued to smile at him.
"You owe me another favor, Junior. You’d better follow through on what you promised me."
"Ah... right."
Muen nodded dumbly.
At this moment, even though all the crises had finally been resolved, Muen found he couldn't be happy.
He looked at Senior Anna, who seemed completely unbothered by everything that had just happened. Something felt stuck in his chest, making it hard to breathe.
...
...
Fortunately, after An’s sudden intrusion, this awkward three-person candlelight "dinner" finally came to an end.
Shali cleared the dishes with a look of frustration. At Senior Anna’s urging, Muen rolled up his sleeves and started to help her. After all, he was a guest; he couldn't just be a freeloading moocher the whole time.
But "helping" really just meant rinsing the plates with water. Shali refused to let him do anything more complicated, and even the dishwashing job was something Muen had to practically beg for.
In the dishwashing room, where it was just the two of them, there was a temporary silence.
Accompanied by the sound of running water, Muen heard the sound of vegetable chopping coming from behind the kitchen door and couldn't help but start a conversation.
"Is your father still busy?"
"Papa has to prepare the ingredients for tomorrow, so he might be busy until very late. But don't worry, Muen, he’s already had lunch."
"Being a chef is hard work."
"It is."
"..."
"..."
Silence fell again.
Ever since the incident earlier, Shali had been acting like a defeated rooster, devoid of energy.
However, Muen didn't intend to comfort her.
Compared to being cold and heartless, a kindness that might reignite her hope would be far more cruel.
Thinking this, Muen sighed and focused more intently on the washing.
But as he washed, he suddenly felt a hand grab the hem of his shirt.
He turned around. It was Shali.
Her head was lowered, as if she were hesitating over something.
But from her knuckles, which were clenched white, Muen could see a resolve gradually forming.
No way...
A bad feeling suddenly washed over Muen.
But before he could say anything—
"Muen, I like you."
There was no buildup.
No accumulation of emotion.
No romantic atmosphere.
It was so sudden.
In a place as mundane as a dishwashing room, Shali confessed to him.
"Why?"
Muen’s brain stalled for a moment, and he couldn't help but ask, "Shali, we... we haven't known each other for very long, have we?"
No, he shouldn't say they hadn't known each other long, because if he counted from the time she first misunderstood him, it had been over a month.
But this was only the fourth time he and Shali had actually met and spoken.
Shali’s affection for him was so sudden—so sudden that one couldn't help but wonder if she had an ulterior motive.
"Is that... not allowed?"
Shali looked up at Muen.
Large tears began to fall from her eyes, quickly blurring the lenses of her black-rimmed glasses.
"I know I'm not as pretty as Senior Anna or that woman from before. I know I'm not that close to you, and I didn't even have the courage to help you just now. But I like you, Muen. Is that not allowed?"
"Of course, it's allowed..."
Looking at the tearful Shali, Muen was suddenly struck by a wave of intense self-loathing.
What is wrong with me? How could I doubt Shali’s sincerity?
If this is all acting, she should be competing for an Oscar!
"But—I'm sorry."
Muen put down the plate in his hand and lowered his head, rejecting her earnestly.
"Shali, you're a good girl. You’ll definitely find someone better than me."
"But I only like you, Muen."
"I'm sorry."
"I see..."
Shali stumbled back a step, her face turning pale.
But just as Muen sighed, preparing to offer a few more words of comfort, she suddenly stepped forward and grabbed his hand, looking at him expectantly.
"Muen, could you... could you reconsider? Please?"
Reconsider?
What is there to reconsider?
Love isn't something you can change your mind about just by thinking...
Wait.
At that moment, looking at Shali’s tear-filled eyes and her pitiful, pleading expression, Muen suddenly hesitated.
That's right.
Look at how cute Shali is, how gentle, how thoughtful.
And she can make delicious snacks and meals.
She’s practically the perfect partner.
Why was I in such a hurry to refuse? Wouldn't it be fine to just... reconsider?