Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: 52. Shoulder Tackle (3)
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“Seonghyeon... you need to get up... you're gonna be late?”
“Move over and maybe I'll get up...”
“Mmm... can't do that.”
Ever since Dahye and I started sharing a bed, I'd picked up a few new habits.
For example, doing shoulder exercises before bed.
It started because I worried about waking up with stiff shoulders from sleeping in the same position all night.
And another one: turning off my alarm.
Since Dahye wakes up when the alarm goes off in the morning,
I began shutting it off while she was still asleep so I could sneak out for work.
But things didn't go according to plan.
Life's like that.
Just like game patches.
Even after dozens of meetings and reports, you don't know the real impact until you apply it and see.
Sometimes the patch works perfectly and elevates the game to god-tier status.
But usually, it veers off in a completely unexpected direction and wrecks everything.
What I'm getting at is...
Lately, Dahye's been waking up first around commute time and rousing me.
Today's no different.
Right now, Dahye's got her mouth right up to my ear, going woo~ woo~ like a ghost.
My mouth's full of her hair, and the fluffy softness pressing against me from head to toe snaps me awake bright and early.
This is how my morning routine kicks off these days.
Opening my eyes to find myself pinned under a grumbling Dahye, wrestling to get free.
Then I pat her butt and check the clock.
Somehow, there's always just enough time left—maybe the work of this warmth monster.
Is she waking me up, or am I servicing her? Who knows.
But at least I don't have to scramble out of bed anymore.
“Get up, you pig. I'm gonna be late.”
“Ugh... fine. Want some cereal?”
“Yeah.”
“Go wash up... I'll set it out.”
In the end, turning off the alarm was pointless—we both get up and prep for work.
Dahye's help is just grabbing socks or a cereal bowl, but it still feels like solid party play.
I get dressed and chomp down on the sugarless cereal she's set out.
Dahye sits at the table, staring at me with sleepy eyes.
Just stay in bed, I told her. She looks so pitiful.
“Did you think about what I mentioned yesterday?”
“Internet broadcasting? Hmm... I did. I'll do it.”
“For real?”
Last night, when I brought up the promo stream, Dahye looked horrified.
So I thought, Yeah, figured as much, and relaxed.
But she wouldn't commit.
Back when we first met, she wasn't like this.
With her strong likes and dislikes, she'd cut things off on the spot, no mercy.
Yet this decision took her a full day.
And she picked the one she hates.
Unexpected.
Is this really the Park Dahye I know?
“I thought you hated it.”
“I do... but they pay a ton. I'll tough it out. Sigh...”
She sighs deeply, melting over the table like a puppy whose walk got canceled.
I wish Dahye could just do what she loves and make a living at it.
But adult life is like a patch too—always flowing in the opposite direction of your wishes.
Sometimes chugging down poison for money is just basic grown-up skills.
It's heartbreaking... but seeing her grow eases my mind.
“For real? Once I report to the company, no backing out.”
“Yeah... I'll do it. Tell Manager Kwak I'm begging for his help.”
“I'll report that Queen Rosanne has returned. And... this dad is proud of you.”
“Me too, hehe. Work hard today, Seonghyeon.”
Instead of heading straight out the door after shoes, I turn back inside.
I wave to the retriever wagging her tail, and dog speech comes back.
“Have a good day, hubby~!”
“I told you not to do that...”
Next, Dahye squeezes her eyes shut and makes a kissing noise.
I duck quick to dodge the smooch bullet, pulling a disgusted face.
Her half-asleep face doing that is ridiculously cute, but I keep up the act to save face.
Routine complete.
Time to work hard today.
“See you later.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ New habits popped up at work too.
I used to just stare at my monitor, but now I check my phone between tasks.
And think,
Hmm... grinding's probably done by now.
Or
She's probably heading out to Akane's by now.
Stuff like that.
Is Dahye doing okay alone?
I've never had a pet, but right now I feel like someone who left their dog at home—my mind's in the doghouse.
Snap back to focus, work till 6.
Time to head home and check if the retriever's still alive.
As I grab my stuff to leave, my phone rings.
I assume it's work, but...
[Are you Cheon Suyeon's guardian? This is...]
Police station? The local precinct?
That's what the guy on the line said.
I've never gotten a call from the cops in my life.
And guardian for Suyeon? The person least likely to end up there—why her?
That thought hit, and anxiety flooded in.
[Who cares. Next time she shows up when I'm gone, smash her with a brick.]
No way she actually got bricked...
Why does Dahye come to mind?
That side didn't glitch out too, right?
Before my thoughts cleared,
I was already running.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 1 hour earlier.
What am I doing? What am I thinking? These days, even I can't believe myself.
Am I ugly? Broke?
What does the great Cheon Suyeon lack that she's clinging to some guy...?
The one who ran off saying she hated me, no less.
Haa... Cheon Suyeon, what the hell are you doing...?
Yet here my feet go again, toward Seonghyeon's place.
So pathetic.
I went months without seeing him, fine.
His calls just pissed me off.
Why now, after the breakup, do I miss that jerk like crazy?
Is it bruised pride from getting dumped, or do I really miss him?
My jumbled head kept me up nights.
Nights brought rage, venting to friends all night did nothing for the stuffiness.
So just...
Meet up again!
He clings, treats me great, then bails now? Makes no sense!
No, there's still a chance.
Kwon Seonghyeon's the slimiest guy on earth.
He's just pissed off right now,
Or... maybe hooked on that girl...
But one tiny trigger, and he'll slink back, guaranteed.
He loves me.
I know it best.
So what I gotta do... is swallow the shame and keep showing my face.
Pride hurts, annoying as hell.
Just endure a bit.
One sigh, one sip of coffee.
Seonghyeon's working today, so wait out front—he'll come.
Haa...
What's that now?
Already pissed, and that unemployed bitch walks by.
That slut... stole my man, crawled into his house, having a blast?
Swining her bag like a maniac, hopping around?
What pisses me off more...
Fuck, those tacky tits are huge.
Blood rushed to my head—I called out to her.
“Hey!”
“Yes? Oh...! Hi...”
“You know me, right?”
“Yeah... I heard you're Seonghyeon's ex...”
“Ex? Ha, unbelievable... Got nothing to say to me?”
“Huh? Uh... no... Why'd you call me over?”
No!?
Lied about being friends, hooked arms with my man, and nothing to say!?
That's when I learned hands shake when you're furious.
She's playing innocent, eyes down... total sly bitch.
Otherwise, she couldn't say “no” so boldly.
Yeah, Miyeon had a point last night.
[Whoa, you saw that and just took it? Slap her!]
[Crazy? Not some drama. Slapping's overkill...]
[Hey, reality's worse than dramas. Letting the homewrecker walk is the real overkill!]
Can't just let it slide.
Give her one chance, if no dice, slap and crush her spirit.
“Friends, right?”
“With Seonghyeon? Yes! We are!”
“Even game friends don't sleep over at a guy's place, do they? You slut?”
“What...? That's not... You're being too harsh...”
This is enduring plenty, right?
I swung my arm with all my might.
Never slapped anyone, but getting dumped for a transfer is rarer and more humiliating.
What she did ain't forgiven with one slap.
But...
Whoosh!
Eyes squeezed shut, arm swings.
Shoulder screams, but palm feels nothing.
Open eyes... she's crouched at my feet, looking up.
She dodged? That?
Is this how you dodge?
Usually it's block or grab the arm, right?
Dramas don't duck like this...
What next?
Then reality crashed back with embarrassment.
Nearly assaulted someone. Super awkward spot.
And... her reaction wasn't in my script either.
“Kyaaaaah!!”
The bitch screams like crazy and bolts.
“H-Hey...! Wait! Where you going! Stop!”
Misunderstanding! It's a misunderstanding!
Brain glitched for a sec... Miyeon's words got to me, swung...
Accident...!
“Just stop!”
“Kyaaaaaaa!!! Help!! Somebody help!!”
“What! I didn't do anything! Stop first! Sorry, I won't! Let's just talk!”
“Help me!!!”
Am I pointing a gun? Drawing a knife? Why...! I'm scared too!
Chasing cluelessly...
Things spiraled beyond control.
Beep!! Bwoop!!
[Hey, both of you stop right there.]
[Warning! Stop, both of you!]
Sirens somewhere, then a patrol car screeches up to the bitch.
This real?
Too surreal, feels like a dream.
She's pounding the cop car door like mad.
Cops get out...
Hands on belts like I'm the criminal.
“Uh, wait... misunderstanding... it's not like that.”
“Officer, save me! That crazy bitch tried to hit me! Then chased me!”
What? You didn't even get hit.
And saying it like that...
Makes me sound like the criminal.