Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Kiss Mark
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BlueNMI Entertainment headquarters, women's restroom.
Unlike the one near the practice rooms that trainees frequented, this one next to the cafeteria was surprisingly quiet.
Inside one of the far stalls. In the cramped space meant for just one person, two girls were pressed close together right now.
"Can't you just do it?"
A bit flustered, she looked at Lee Seo-yoon and asked.
She'd accidentally left a kiss mark on Lee Seo-yoon's nape.
It really hadn't been on purpose. She hadn't even known hickeys formed that way.
She'd just meant to tease her by pressing her lips there once, so it felt a little unfair that it had marked her like that. Still, there was no denying she'd messed up big time.
It wasn't exactly payback, but when Lee Seo-yoon complained about how unfair it was, she'd said to leave one on her too. And unexpectedly, Lee Seo-yoon hadn't refused.
She was the one who'd done wrong and brought it up first. With no choice, she obediently followed her instructions.
Honestly, it didn't matter much. As long as she covered it well while out and about, it should be fine. She usually wore Band-Aids on her body anyway.
Though, she had no idea why they had to do this deep inside the restroom stall.
It was embarrassing if anyone saw, sure, but did it really need to be this secretive?
"Sarang, I'm gonna do it."
Blue eyes stared straight at her. A faint blush spread over her pale skin.
"Uh... yeah."
Unnie pulled down the zipper of her tracksuit slowly. She stroked the exposed neck with the back of her hand, then brought her face close.
And pressed her lips just below her neck.
Smack—
"Ow."
The sensation of skin being sucked. It stung more than expected, making her body twitch.
But it was over quickly. Unnie lifted her head, looked at her, and smiled brightly.
"Hehe, it marked nicely."
She gently rubbed the spot with her fingertip. She almost looked pleased at a glance.
"Now we're even?"
"Yeah. One each."
Lee Seo-yoon pulled down her own collar, casually showing off the mark her lips had made.
Feeling embarrassed for no reason, she averted her eyes, stepped out of the stall, and stood in front of the mirror.
She glanced at her neckline. The red stain. The small bruise blooming around it.
It looked a little sexy like this.
The thought that she absolutely couldn't let anyone see it made her zip her tracksuit all the way up to hide it.
"...Gotta be more careful from now on."
Who would've thought she'd live to leave a hickey on a girl.
In her past life, she'd have been thrilled, but now it was complicated in all sorts of ways.
Nine at night. Time for minor trainees to head home.
She would've normally gone straight home, but the place she arrived at was some unfamiliar commercial building.
Riding the elevator up, a spicy aroma tickled her nose.
"Welcome, member!"
She opened the door tensely, and even at this late hour, a staff member greeted her with a bright smile. Impressive work ethic.
"I'm here for class."
"Yes. It's about to start, so get ready right away."
The cooking academy she'd signed up for with her own hard-earned money. Today was the first lesson.
Thanks to the academy adjusting the schedule, it was four times a week, from nine to ten at night. Perfect for coming right after practice and learning for an hour.
"Put these on first."
The staff handed her a cap-style hairnet and an apron. Not knowing how to tie the apron properly, she looped it around twice in the back and cinched it tight at the waist.
Heading to the kitchen, a woman who seemed to be the instructor greeted her first. She glanced at the other students.
Most looked like they were in their thirties or older—a full decade ahead of her.
"Okay, everyone, focus up."
The instructor clapped twice to get their attention.
"As I say every time, hygiene is always the most important thing."
Only after thoroughly washing their hands for a full three minutes did the class finally begin.
It started with knife work. On the cutting board: carrots, green onions, and a single chef's knife, neatly arranged.
"Student."
As she tried to get into position, the instructor came right over and stopped her.
"Cutting like that will slice your finger. Here, follow me."
"Y-Yes."
"Press your thumb where the blade meets the handle. Grip the other side with your index finger."
Awkwardly, she gripped the knife as instructed.
The position felt uncomfortable, but the blade stood straighter than when she'd held it before.
"Stick to this grip for now. Okay, give it a try?"
"Yes."
She held the knife as taught and grasped the carrot with her other hand.
"Student."
The instructor's voice cut in again.
"How you hold the ingredient matters too. Want to try the protective hand position?"
Following her lead, she curled her fingers inward like hooks.
She pushed the knife toward the carrot's inner side, letting the blade slide along her knuckles.
Slice—
The carrot cut straight through with a smooth texture.
"See? Cuts nicely like that, right?"
"Yes. It does."
"Good. Now slowly prep the rest the same way."
Satisfied with her form, the instructor turned her attention to the other students.
Slice— slice—
She cut the carrot slowly as taught.
A strange satisfaction welled up each time the veggies sliced cleanly.
Honestly, it was surprisingly fun. She'd thought she'd never touch a knife in her life.
Did she have a talent for cooking?
It was silly to feel this way after just chopping a carrot.
Brimming with unfounded confidence, she sped up her knife movements a bit.
Thud— thud.
The rhythmic sound of the blade hitting the board was pleasant.
At this point, she was convinced. Knife work suited her aptitude.
If she kept this up...
Snick—
"Ow."
A sharp sting furrowed her brow.
Looking down, red blood drops trickled from a cut below her finger.
...Crap.
She'd gotten a little excited, feeling that sensation again after so long.
Heading home with owl hoots in the background.
She peeked at the Band-Aid wrapped around her finger. Luckily, it wasn't deep—some ointment should do.
She wasn't one to like getting hurt, but looking at the wound brought a sense of satisfaction.
It might seem childish, but it felt like proof of her growth.
'First week is just knife skills.'
Real cooking started next week. In a month, she'd be making way more than salads.
Lost in those thoughts, she noticed something off in an unfamiliar neighborhood.
The alley was much darker than usual. Without moonlight, she wouldn't see a foot ahead.
Checking, most of the streetlights were out.
It didn't worry her much. Common in poor areas like this. Nothing to it.
She took a step; her shoe sole squelched on the ground. Another step, squelch. And another.
"......"
Was the echo twice over just her imagination? She glanced back.
A man in a black hoodie hid his face deep in the hood, standing at a distance. Male build. Head down, staring at his phone screen.
No real sense of danger. Probably because the man's mind was deeply embedded in her.
Still, better to be cautious. No proper CCTV around here.
She quickened her pace a little.
Oddly, the man's steps behind matched her speed.
She deliberately turned into an alley she never used. He followed right in.
The deeper in, the bolder the footsteps grew.
At this point, suspicion turned to certainty.
"......Sigh."
What kind of day was this?
She wasn't too shaken. She'd half-expected something like this.
She had a pretty face, after all. Ate little, so her body was slim and delicate. And unfortunately, she lived in a poor rural neighborhood where that could be poison.
Even in modern society, crime happened plenty here. If there were no crimes, police wouldn't exist.
Yet nothing like this had ever happened to her. That was the real mystery.
Sorry to the follower, but he'd picked the wrong target.
People with nothing to lose commit crimes, but she was the same.
If he attacked, she'd kick his precious parts. If he tried to overpower her, she'd bite his nape like a rabid dog.
If that failed, she'd bite her own tongue. He wouldn't rape a dying corpse, right?
"Hey, ajusshi."
Letting out a short sigh, she turned her head back. Meant to give a warning.
She scowled as she looked...
But no one was there.
"Huh?"
No presence at all.
What the...?
He'd definitely been following. Right behind until moments ago.
Did she imagine it?
Embarrassment burned her face. Who knew she'd end up thinking like this one day.
"...Sorry if I got it wrong, ajusshi."
Guilt rising, she clasped her hands in prayer-like apology to the already-gone man.
What kind of pathetic narcissism was this? She'd be more careful not to mistake things like this again.