Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Park Dahye (4)
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"Meat?"
"Beef and shrimp until you're stuffed. Don't worry about it—it's on the company card."
I flashed the corporate card, and a rainbow practically lit up on Park Dahye's face.
It was like the expression villagers in Animal Crossing make when you give them gifts.
She looked so thrilled that I was glad I'd even asked.
Objectively speaking, though... this was something I really shouldn't have done.
Sigh...
Right now, I'd just smashed the most precious part of my daily routine with my own hands.
Dragging Kim Pokttal out of Billion Saga...
"Whoa... but what do we do? I really want to go, but I can't."
"I'm totally slammed today."
"Sorry. I have a gaming appointment with a friend, so I need to log in before 3."
"That Kwon Seonghyeon Fighter guy?"
"Yeah!"
Was there ever a comedy like this?
Getting edged out by myself... Jealousy was eating me alive; I couldn't stand it.
I'll shatter that appointment for her.
"What if the appointment falls through?"
"Huh?"
"Just hypothetically. If it cancels with him, want to go grab meat?"
"Of course! Oh, not that I'm rejecting because I don't want to go..."
"Here's the deal. While I hit the bathroom, if the appointment cancels, we go for meat. Otherwise, enjoy your game."
"Heehee, what’s that? No way it'd cancel in just a few minutes."
"Just trying it out."
"Sure, I'm game! Though it'll never happen, of course."
No, you fool of a friend.
Everything will flow exactly as I wish.
The second I left the room, I fired up Billion Saga's in-game messenger.
Deception tactics: ON.
[Me: Pokttal ㅠㅠㅠㅠ Gonna be late today, sorry ㅠ] I tossed out the bait like that.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
Ding!
[Message received.] And you bit, hook, line, and sinker.
[Kim Pokttal: Whoa. No way.] [Me: What?] [Kim Pokttal: Someone just offered to buy me meat, but I turned them down to play with you lololol. Jackpot! Time for meat!!! Beef!!] [Me: Score. Eat 10 servings worth.] [Kim Pokttal: Lmaooo can't with a stranger. Might mix it up for 2 servings tho!] [Me: Mix it up! Cold noodles too!] [Kim Pokttal: Deal! Mixing cold noodles toooo! Meat after so long!!] The guy buying meat is telling the guy getting free meat to scam the guy buying meat for him, but really, the guy telling the free-meat guy to scam the meat-buying guy is the one buying the meat in the first place.
This is kinda fun, actually.
I took a quick bathroom detour and headed back to the room. Park Dahye's face was even more entertaining now.
A perfect "Ding ding! How'd you nail it?!" expression.
She's cute, and she can't hide her reactions at all—they're always so big and honest. Makes me want to tease her nonstop.
"Writer-nim. Is that face because your appointment conveniently canceled right on cue, and you're excited for meat?"
I was already teasing her plenty.
"Whoa... seriously, how?"
"Nailed it?"
"Yeah. It just canceled, and yeah, I'm pumped. Wow. How do you guess everything?"
"Told you, I have superpowers. Let's go. I know a great spot nearby."
"If you say so, Deputy, it must be amazing."
"Obviously. You'll probably plan for two servings and end up doing ten."
"What!?"
Great feedback—gotta tease her a bit more.
"They do killer cold noodles too."
"No way."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Sizzle!
Meat was piling up on the grill one after another.
It wasn't even 3 yet, but the place was already packed.
Glasses clinking everywhere,
Toasts that triggered my PTSD just hearing them,
The constant ding-dong of orders.
I thought it'd be quiet this early, but maybe it's spring—tons of after-work parties already.
The shop was full of stuffy suits; Park Dahye was the only one in casuals.
Might've picked the wrong spot.
She can't even order at cafes—bet this feels awkward for her.
I glanced up to check her expression.
And that's when Park Dahye's face suddenly loomed right in front of me.
Oh my god.
"I've never been to a place like this. It's so crowded, huh?"
Scratch that. Good choice.
She looked thrilled, full of anticipation.
"Right? Company came here before—super tasty. It's all over NewTube too."
"Expectations are maxed already. This is killing me... I'm drooling."
Really? Then dig in.
I put the first piece of cooked meat on her side plate.
"Go ahead, Writer-nim."
"Thank you!"
Honey was practically dripping from her eyes as she stared at the meat.
Must be overwhelmingly exciting for a convenience store VIP.
Park Dahye grabbed a huge bite of onion and meat soaked in sauce and shoved it all in at once.
Bold move.
That's the Kim Pokttal way.
Nom nom.
Chews thoroughly.
And now...
Here it comes.
Yes! There it is—that reaction!
Wrinkle up the brow, slowly shake the head...
Sound cue!
"Mmm~!!"
That's the one.
Just watching her eyes crinkle with that refreshing voice warms my heart.
I think I've become a fan of Park Dahye's eating show without realizing it.
But this reaction was a bit loud in decibels, and the whole restaurant went dead silent in an instant.
Every eye in the place was on Park Dahye.
"Huh? Uh...?"
Then laughter started erupting from all around.
My face was burning up.
"Ack, sorry. It was so good I couldn't help it..."
"Don't sweat it. They're laughing 'cause you're cute."
"Huh!?"
"Don't babies look adorable when they eat? That's it."
"Um... I'm not a baby."
"I'm around aunties and uncles at work all day, so someone like you looks super babyish. Like, relatively babyish. It's 'cause we're old."
"Oh... really?"
Her face turned beet red again.
But the second I added another piece to her plate, the shyness vanished, replaced by the happiest girl in the world's face.
Mood swing like Udyr on steroids.
From what I've observed so far, Park Dahye seems incredibly straightforward.
Can't hide her expressions, says what she wants right away.
I sneakily tested her from both Kwon Seonghyeon Fighter and Deputy Kwon angles, but she never lied about either.
Didn't badmouth anyone.
On the flip side, she's brutally honest about what she hates.
Rejecting the contract, dodging cafe orders—you can tell.
Even her extreme meat bias in lunch preferences.
Kim Pokttal in Billion Saga was the same... but real-life Park Dahye too...
She's refreshingly honest.
That warm feeling I get watching her probably isn't just 'cause she's young.
It's because there's not a shred of darkness in her.
Live long enough, you see it all.
Who knew people like this still existed?
(For the record, I'm 29.)
Not ancient enough to say stuff like that, but when it comes to relationships, my soul's been over 60 for ages.
"Deputy! This is so good. I'll grill now, so you eat too!"
"I'm eating. Don't worry about me—pig out. Oh, cold noodles?"
"Whoa, mind reader again. Been craving them. Order some!"
Man, what a joy to buy food for.
Not my money, though.
If I could, I'd drag her around every weekend feeding her everything.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I aimed for ten servings, but she tapped out after three.
Eh, that satisfied look on her face? Good enough.
Seeing it heals the hurt from that goshiwon a bit.
At least she'll sleep full tonight.
"Deputy."
"Yes, Writer-nim."
"You know, it's been forever since I had meat like this. Last time at a grill... hmm, like four years ago? Thanks to you, it was amazing."
"Four years? You hate meat?"
"No! Love it, but never get the chance. I'm from an orphanage, so eating out wasn't a thing."
Orphanage—same as the ones I know?
No parents, huh.
One more piece of info on Kim Pokttal I'd missed in eight years.
But saying it with such a bright face...
Our personalities are worlds apart.
Saw on the news recently: orphanages give 5 million won for independence.
Just 5 mil.
Ridiculous for a 20-year-old to survive alone.
Dumped into society at adulthood with no family and a measly 5.
When I was on my own, I was in college with parents around, so I learned about loans.
But Park Dahye now...
Perfectly, utterly alone. No one to lean on.
Maybe living a way tougher life than me.
"I see. Not long since you left the orphanage, then?"
"Three months now. Once independent, money flies on everything—barely any chance to eat out."
"Makes sense. Selling gold for living expenses too—eating out must be a stretch."
"Exactly! Rent alone chokes me. Without that, I'd draw more... and why's food so pricey..."
"Wait. Did I ever mention selling gold?"
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