Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Permission to Hug
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ “Uwaaaah, Seonghyeon~ah~ I have no strength left in my body~.”
The moment we got home, Park Dahye flopped down flat.
We'd stopped by the mart in front of the house to grab some groceries—stuff I could've carried alone—but she insisted on taking half, and now look at her.
The second she dropped the bags at the entrance with a grunt, she face-planted onto the sofa. KO.
The classic end of a shut-in gamer.
“I told you I'd handle it alone, so why push yourself?”
“No way, no way~. How could I let you carry everything when we're a party~?”
“I've always been the tank. We should just do what we're each good at—no need for you to help with the heavy lifting.”
“Is that so? But what can I even do... Oh, should I put this on right now then?”
Park Dahye pulled out a slip again and waved it like a flag, grinning.
Is that really that funny to her?
She's been teasing me with it all day.
“Seriously, cut it out.”
“Hehe, no need to get so sensitive~. Just think of it as a heal~. I'm a healer, after all.”
“I'm dead serious—if you actually put that on, I'll get mad. And the no-skinship rule is for real too. If you wanna keep living here, follow the house rules.”
“Huh? For realz?”
“Not joking. Dead serious.”
“If you're so serious, then what was that earlier? Grabbing my hand all grabby-grabby? 'Let's go, Pokttal!' You were kneading it like crazy~?”
Park Dahye started mimicking my voice now, poking at me with that bratty provocation.
She was like this at the lingerie store too—what's with her turning more and more like a kid?
She's gotta be twenty-something, though.
Fighting back would just drag me down to her level, but...
Suddenly, an old saying from some wise guy popped into my head.
If you look like an idiot whether you win or lose, then at least be the winning idiot.
Guess I'll be the winning kid then.
“Nope, didn't grab it. Bluetooth grab.”
“Yup, grabbed it, and it was super moist.”
“Yup, moisturizing emulsion—just lotion residue.”
“Yup, not lotion—salty.”
“Crazy, how'd you even know that?”
“...”
“Yup, it's a secret.”
What was that gap just now for a few seconds?
Park Dahye was still smirking like she'd won, but her face was beet red.
What the heck happened?
I'm dying to know, but too scared to ask.
Better unpack the groceries and avoid eye contact with this weirdo.
“I'll put this away, so you rest. You did great going out after so long.”
“Ugh... Guess I walked way too much after forever. Just walking and my legs were all shaky.”
“Your muscles are gonna scream tomorrow.”
“No way. For real? I was gonna binge three days of gaming.”
“That's why you should rest now.”
“Yeah... Sorry I can't help unpack. I'll rest just a bit, but Seonghyeon, wake me up if I fall asleep for real...”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I stashed the groceries in the fridge and soaked the ribs for braising.
Glanced at the clock—3 PM.
Meant to wake her in 30 minutes, but an hour's already gone by.
She's still passed out on the sofa in the exact same position.
She'd fallen asleep hat, sunglasses, and all, like a kid back from a picnic.
Somehow... I don't wanna wake her.
Her hair's cut cute, cheeks all orange and touchable, lips... tinted or something?
Anyway, right now she doesn't look like some broke shut-in gamer crushed by life.
She looks like a normal twenty-year-old girl.
Like she went out to Hongdae with friends since morning, came home, and crashed on the sofa without even washing up.
Her mom yelling, “You brat! If you're sleeping, wash up first!”
And her rebelliously going, “Agh, I got it!” like a spoiled kid.
The Dahye I first met was this awkward stranger in shabby clothes at the café.
Now, at least in this house, she seems like the confident owner.
No more tiptoeing around—she even throws tantrums like a kid and teases me more.
Feels good seeing her relax.
I snuck up to Park Dahye and shoved my camera right in her face up close.
Drooling in her sleep with those sunglasses on—adorable.
Click!
She'd kill me if she caught me, but...
She's got an embarrassing pic of me too, so fair's fair—I need one for my collection.
Too late—she twitched and woke up.
“Ugh, uher! What? What time is it?”
Phew, one second slower and busted.
“3 something?”
“Ugh... Already? My legs are tingling. Ow, my back too... What's with this...”
“How out of shape are you? You got a full-body ache from that little walk?”
“Nooo... I gotta game... Seonghyeon, can you carry me to the computer room?”
“How the heck am I supposed to do that?”
“You could lift from behind, or piggyback... Or princess carry...”
“Quit playing games and walk.”
“Right... Can't just ask nicely. Guess I'll wear the slip then... Wait a sec...”
“Hey!”
“Hehe. You almost caved there.”
“Not even a pinky. Now go game already.”
“Huh? You're not playing? Game with me, Seonghyeon.”
“I'll be cooking. Making braised ribs—takes a while, so starting now.”
“Ooh, for real? Lemme help then.”
“You said you're sore— just game. I got it.”
She pursed her lips at that, just like when she insisted on carrying the bags at the mart.
I know exactly why Park Dahye's acting like this.
She's trying to find her place in this house.
I'm handling all the chores now, but since we're living together, she wants to pitch in and be a real part of it.
She could just chill, but...
Look at her, so admirable.
Time for another quest then.
“You really wanna help?”
“Yeah! Give me anything. I'll help hard, chef!”
“Alright, Park Dahye, kitchen assistant. Wanna learn knife work today?”
“Knife work, chef? I've never handled a knife before, though?”
“Don't sweat it. This sword master's gonna teach you from one to ten.”
“Whoa. Then please... guide me on the path of the blade!”
“Aren't you embarrassed? You're going all in on the roleplay.”
“Hey, you started it! Just play along!”
“Ahem, welcome to the world of the blade, Park Dahye, kitchen assistant. I'll now pass down our family's secret techniques.”
“Yesss~ Your immersion's on point. Fun?”
“I'm dying.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Good call going with braised ribs.
It's just chopping ingredients and simmering.
Might as well have her do all the knife work since I'm teaching.
“Hold the back of the blade lightly with your thumb and index... Like this. Feel the weight on the edge?”
“Yeah. But I'm scared I'll cut my finger.”
“It's fine—once it's muscle memory, you'll never nick yourself.”
I showed her how to grip the knife, then how to rest her knuckles on the blade side.
Dahye's focus is insane.
She was cracking jokes a minute ago, but the second we start, her eyes change.
Staring through my hand like lasers—my hand's burning up.
Hasn't swung it much, but her form's already solid.
“Now, onions first.”
“Okay.”
She nailed it after one demo and started mimicking perfectly.
Hands are slow, but thumb tucked just like I taught, no fear in her movements.
Now I get how she drew perfectly without lessons.
With that concentration, she could master anything.
Bet digital drawing would take her days to pro.
Come to think of it, should teach her for real when she goes independent later.
Find a teacher when I have time.
After that, she zoned in so hard I couldn't even chat—just watched her hands from behind.
15 minutes later: mushrooms, onions, carrots—cleared.
She exhaled the breath she'd been holding and looked at me, face full of accomplishment.
“Whoa, super fast.”
“Did I do good?”
“Sizes uniform, no cuts, did everything by the book. Perfect 100 on knife skills.”
“For real? Then my reward? Gotta give rewards, chef.”
Oh, right.
Yesterday's chef game reward was two head pats.
She's thrusting her head forward, eyes challenging.
What's your move with the no-touch rule?
But no chance.
I'm not letting Park Dahye push me around anymore.
“Here you go. Quest cleared with flying colors—two chocolates.”
“Harsh.”
“Not harsh at all. Eat it and scram.”
Why act like the world's ending over a head pat?
But no helping it.
Even tiny skinship adds up if you're careless—bound to cross lines.
Gotta build that firewall before that warmth monster devours me.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ While the ribs braised, we dove into gaming like maniacs.
At 6, white rice and ribs for dinner, then back to games till midnight.
Dahye's been here three full days now.
Yesterday was her wish, same bed—but no more.
“For real? I have to sleep in the small room?”
“Why so shocked? Isn't it obvious?”
“But... we've shared twice already. What's one more?”
“First was accident, second your wish. Third's back to normal. No nonsense—go sleep.”
I shoved her firmly into the small room and hit my bed.
Mm. That's more like it.
Finally normal.
Sharing a bed day one? Insane.
Alone in bed after ages—pure bliss.
Shoulder was killing me from arm-pillow duty yesterday.
Heh heh heh. Finally comfy sleep.
But...
Why can't I sleep?
Laid down at midnight—it's 2 AM now.
Sleep's nowhere, time just flies.
What's up?
Thought two good nights fixed my insomnia.
No sleep, mind sharpening instead.
Something's wrong.
This was one of those chronic insomnia nights that's plagued me for years.
Fine for two days, but now.
And then, weird noise from the wall.
Tok. Tok. Tok. Tok. Tok.
Fingers tapping, obvious.
The warmth monster's cry.
Ignore and sleep.
Just pray I nod off before morning.
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