Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: I Love You, Dahye
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ There were only two of us in the bar, yet how could the air feel so oppressively heavy?
Taking in the outside air, I finally felt like I could breathe.
If not for the cigarette smoke, I'd have sucked it in until my lungs burst.
Unfortunately, Wonseok hyung was standing in front of the shop, cigarette dangling from his lips.
Why did this guy have to smoke right in front of his own place?
The moment our eyes met, he stuck out his thumb for no reason.
"No smoking here."
"It's my shop."
"Gotta report you to the fire department then."
"Don't be like that between fellow trash."
"Trash? That's harsh... You heard everything I said?"
"Nah?"
"Your face says you did. What're you playing at?"
"I only caught a bit. From 'the reason I dumped you!' to 'never show your face again!' That's all."
"You got the juicy parts, huh."
"Ugh... To think my little bro's such a stud. So cool. Kwon Seonghyeon, you magnificent bastard."
"Flattery won't change a thing. It's long over. Dragging it out just tires us both."
"Ugh... Slick talk. You're badass. But you won't regret it? You were crazy about Suyeon."
"Not one bit. Hell, I'm relieved as shit."
"Good, then. Still, two years of back-and-forth... Must've been rough."
"Thanks for the call, hyung."
"All talk, no action? Speaking of, why haven't you bought me a meal? I even sent you a gift all the way from Busan."
"Ah..."
The "gift" hyung meant was Dahye.
He'd booked her a G-Pex ticket and even the KTX, sent her down to Busan, and told her to treat me to dinner.
No idea why a rich guy obsesses over free meals, but I'd already treated him.
Expensively, at that.
"You came to my place during the meetup and ate, remember?"
"That was Dahye who cooked."
"That settles it."
"Cheapskate... Fine, here's another gift. Take it, and next time buy me something pricier."
"Again?"
Another gift?
Dahye was probably moping at home right now.
Was he gonna summon her here or something?
Wonseok hyung flashed a sly grin and held out his phone to me.
An audio file was playing on the screen.
"What's this?"
"Secret chat from the meetup. Embarrassing as hell, so watch out. Consider this your warning."
The meetup... Probably after the TRPG, when I went into the room.
That time?
The recording started with Mabaji's hearty laugh, dumb jokes, and chit-chat about everyone's game exploits.
Then, sudden silence.
Through the white noise of the dawn, Mabaji's serious voice emerged.
"But Dahye... You sure you're okay with it?" "Huh? With what?" "Living with a guy. Kwon Seonghyeon won't pull anything, but... Still gotta be awkward, right?" "No! Really, it's fine!" "If you say so... But if it ever gets uncomfortable, tell me. My bro's got an empty room. Don't worry about owing us—just speak up." This lady...
She'd spent two days calling me a thieving bastard, and that's what she was worried about?
Sure, it pissed me off being treated like some creep...
But she cared about Dahye. That meant a lot.
If Dahye ever couldn't stay at my place, I'd lean on Mabaji then.
[...]
Nothing after that.
End of the clip?
Was this what hyung wanted me to hear?
I had no clue what he was getting at, so I tried handing the phone back.
Then, belatedly, a voice came from the recording.
Dahye's voice.
Dead serious, brimming with resolve—no one could interrupt her as she said,
"Um... You kept calling Seonghyeon a thief today... So, what I'm trying to say is... I like Seonghyeon. That's why. I want to stick around this house until I'm kicked out. So... please don't say anything to Seonghyeon... Sorry..." Huh...
What the hell.
Delayed strike. Like a hammer to the skull.
Park Dahye... While I was in the room, she went and said all that...
Hand-foot cringe, he said...
Wonseok hyung was rolling his eyes, grimacing, tongue lolling out.
Are you in elementary school?
"You're insane! Why record that!?"
"Nobody tells me what to do in my life."
"No, why'd she say it like that? Puberty hit her late? That's a crime, you know?"
"Yeah, yeah. Don't embarrass yourself—go on already."
"What?"
"Single life's miserable as fuck, so scram, trash."
Then he kicked my ass with his slippered foot.
"Ow, what the hell!"
No apology—just double middle fingers as he shuffled back inside.
Seriously, elementary school...
Normally, I'd chase him in and cuss him out.
Not today.
I just stood there in front of the shop, reflecting on my pathetic self.
Calling me trash...
Now I got what he meant.
Not about dumping Suyeon...
It was about Dahye.
Yeah, I am trash.
While delivering the killing blow to Suyeon, I used Dahye.
"Dahye's different from you. She doesn't ask for anything. She's easier."
That's what my words boiled down to, right? Fucking bullshit.
Perfect to sever Suyeon's feelings...
But not for me to say, knowing Dahye's heart and ignoring it.
I, who whined that adults have nowhere to run.
I'm no adult—just trash exploiting Dahye.
Was it the audio? Pouring too much energy into Cheon Suyeon?
Or guilt?
Didn't matter. My chest churned.
My head was full of Dahye.
50% sorry, 30% grateful.
20% wanting to see her.
Nothing else.
So, like hyung said, no thinking—just run.
I was dying to see Dahye.
Like, insanely.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I covered the 10-minute walk in 3, flung open the door.
"Dahye!"
My heart was a mess. No clue why.
I just missed her so bad I yelled with all I had.
But Dahye, who should be on the bed, was sprawled starfish on the living room floor, gasping raggedly.
"Seonghyeon... Huff... You're back?"
"What's wrong with you?"
"Dunno... Breathing's... So... Hard..."
Her face was paler than when I left.
Breathing not steady.
Eyes drifting to the ceiling—dizzy?
Hyperventilating...
Chase scene, police station, rough day—yeah, shock makes sense.
Lifetime shut-in gamer sprinting in panic... Bound to hyperventilate.
I grabbed a plastic bag from the kitchen, held it to her mouth.
A bit of CO2 should calm her.
"Dahye, hold this and breathe. You'll be fine soon. Or hospital?"
"Ha... Huff... Seonghyeon..."
"Don't talk. Breathe slow."
"Okay... But... Can you hold me?"
After days of clinging, jumping into hugs anytime...
Just shamelessly hug already. Why ask now?
Like I'd say no.
Her struggling breaths, forced smile at me—it hurt.
Today at the station, Dahye didn't call for me.
Even when Suyeon named me guardian, she just bowed her head, sat like a criminal.
Why Dahye didn't call me.
Why she stayed silent seeing Suyeon call me.
I knew.
No standing for her.
She just lives with me—nothing official.
Suyeon loved me; Dahye's just the interloper.
Imagining Dahye shutting down alone... Heartbreaking.
I shouldn't have.
I hugged her tight, patted her back.
Now her ragged breaths in my ear. Bag crinkling.
And the noise in my chaotic heart.
Beyond that white noise... Dahye's voice from the audio.
"I like Seonghyeon. That's why. I want to stick around this house until I'm kicked out." I thought she lived carefree.
Always showed me happy smiles.
But she feared bad endings too.
Why would you get kicked out?
Yet, entertaining that absurd sad fantasy,
Dahye didn't flinch like me.
Even thinking she might get booted someday, she stayed her best.
Steeled her resolve enough to say it outright to others.
While this brave 20-year-old lived boldly, what was I, the adult, doing?
Unlike brave Dahye, I hid.
Scared of eventual parting, ignored her heart, buried mine.
Turned her into "nothing."
Funny, thinking about it.
How am I different from Suyeon?
Both using people on our whims.
Birds of a feather, huh.
How much time passed?
Her breathing slowed to normal.
I held her still, asked,
"Better now?"
"Yeah... Feels okay... Where were you? Met that girl?"
"Yeah. Bashed her head in with a brick."
"Heehee, then you'll end up at the station too?"
"Yup. They'll call you as guardian. You'll come, right?"
"Me? As guardian? I'm younger."
"Obviously. You're rock solid."
"Then I'll go. I'll flip tables yelling, 'Why're you messing with my boy!?'"
"That'd be solid. Next time you're nabbed, call me. I'll guardian."
But Dahye didn't reply.
Her arms just tightened around me.
I wanted her confident answer.
Shamelessly demanding everything, like always.
But she couldn't.
Knew she was "nothing" to me.
She's not.
For 8 years, Dahye was my everything.
Only family, friend, comrade, hope.
Not enough? Came to reality, fixed my insomnia—max-level healer.
Does she know?
If not, time she did.
Realize her worth, demand boldly—like taxes from me.
Rule me like the wicked lord she always did.
"Dahye."
"Yeah!"
"Sorry for lying. I like you so much. Scared of breaking up someday, dodged it. Truth? Smitten at first sight, still am."
No clue what I'm saying.
Just spilling my heart, no lies or excuses.
Still scary saying it.
Terrified we'll end up worse than strangers, wanna delay forever.
But now, eyes shut, charge ahead.
Like Pokttal grabbing my hand, striding into the maze.
Now I'll grab hers, adventure boldly.
Might fail.
Die, lose all loot.
Still, follow brave her—party play.
Like the last 8 years.
"So... Stay by my side forever. I love you, Dahye."
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