Chapter 15: A Date with Su-jin (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 15: A Date with Su-jin (1)
Going on a date in a school uniform when you're older is usually a major embarrassment.
It’s even worse if your partner isn't wearing one to match, or if you aren't at a specific location like an amusement park.
However, if the uniform belonged to Victory Academy, there was no need to feel ashamed.
In fact, you could walk with your shoulders squared and your head held high.
Within the academy, we were merely treated as novices who hadn't mastered our powers, but in the eyes of the general public, we were all Awakeners.
The mere presence of a cadet from a top 1% academy in a restaurant acted as a natural deterrent to crime.
It was entirely different from a regular college student wearing a varsity jacket; it felt more like a police officer's uniform.
Furthermore, while most Awakeners were hard to identify because they wore civilian clothes, anyone could recognize a cadet's uniform.
Were there benefits to being recognized? Of course.
"This is on the house."
"Wow... thank you..."
But did cadets walk around in their uniforms just to get freebies? Not exactly.
Just because the public perception was positive didn't mean you could act recklessly; if you did, your reputation would hit rock bottom in an instant.
Because of this, cadets generally avoided wearing their uniforms outside, and I was only doing so out of necessity.
"Having no clothes has its perks, doesn't it?"
"I'll say. I can't believe we got back ribs as a service just for ordering steak."
It was truly exceptional treatment.
If the students hadn't self-regulated and suggested avoiding uniforms during outside activities, some cadets definitely would have exploited it.
"Are we going to buy clothes right after we eat?"
She probably didn't intend it, but the way she spoke while chewing was adorable.
Her cheeks were puffed out, she had a puppy-like face, and a pure, delicate image...
The list went on.
She was a woman who felt like springtime.
Even these small details were bursting with charm, so why was I in such a rush to sleep with her back then?
"I suppose so. It wouldn't be right for you to be all dressed up while I'm like this."
I had never worn a tracksuit on a date in my life.
It had always been my duty to wake up three hours before a meeting to get fully ready.
It was a relief that the uniform commanded respect; otherwise, I might have had to call Min-su to borrow some clothes.
Kim Min-su's fashion sense? I didn't even need to see it to know it would be a disaster.
"You don't have to go that far... I really think the uniform looks fine..."
At first, she had offered to help me pick out clothes, but I realized this was Su-jin's own way of being considerate.
A kind heart telling me she didn't mind the uniform at all.
I was touched.
"No, today isn't our last date, and I can't wear a uniform every time."
"T-That's true... since it's not... our last date..."
As she said that, she popped a piece of rib into her mouth, but she winced slightly as she opened wide.
I felt truly sorry about that. The reason her mouth was sore was entirely my fault.
Still, that cleaning blowjob was...
I had never gone without a cleaning blowjob in my life, so even if I went back in time, I would have to receive it again.
I cut the steak into bite-sized pieces for her, and she beamed again, clearly pleased.
Judging by the slight vibration of the table, she was likely swinging her feet happily underneath.
"Have you gotten close with your classmates yet?"
"Well... I guess?"
I tried to sound natural, but I failed.
I only had two classmates I'd met since transferring on the first day; those two were dating, and I had just torn them apart.
Could that really be called "getting close"?
"But I'm probably closest to you, Noona."
"I've been feeling this since a while ago, but are you going to say nothing but sweet things all day?"
Her lack of dating experience was showing.
The way her face flushed at a few words and how easily she became happy made me feel like I was looking at a delicate piece of glasswork.
She was beautiful, but she felt like she might break if touched even slightly.
But then again, considering I gave her a standing lift fuck during our first meeting...
I guess it depends on the glasswork.
"I'm only like this with beautiful people."
"I see..."
Her expression darkened slightly as soon as I answered.
She was definitely thinking of Yu-min's face from the restaurant earlier, wasn't she?
It was best to make uncomfortable memories disappear quickly.
"Noona, say 'ah'."
A direct approach was the fastest way.
I cut the lamb steak, which was still sizzling on the iron plate, into cubes.
After dabbing a bit of mustard sauce on it, I held it up to her lips.
Normally, I wouldn't do this because it went against my "alpha male" code, but I had no choice.
"Why are you doing this... it's embarrassing..."
She said she didn't like it, but her face was blooming with a smile.
Tucking her hair behind her ear, she took the fork into her mouth. The effect was excellent.
"Should we take a picture?"
I couldn't stop at the first attack; I had to go for at least a second to completely scatter those uncomfortable thoughts.
The plan was to naturally approach it with a "boyfriend/girlfriend shot" vibe, but... Su-jin's expression was strange.
Her face turned even redder than before, and after glancing around, she leaned in and whispered.
"Right here...?"
Was asking for a photo that strange? Did she hate taking pictures?
"Do you not like taking pictures, Noona...? Should we not?"
"No, it's just... there are so many people... and doing that in a public place is a bit..."
Ah, wait.
I tried to speak quickly, but Su-jin beat me to it.
"I-It's not that I hate it... but suddenly biting down on Tae-yang's thing makes me nervous..."
Wow, my suspicion was spot on.
Since the first photo we took was a "cheese shot," it was understandable that her mind went there.
But I wasn't such a horny bastard that I'd demand a cheese shot just anywhere.
"No, Noona. Just a regular photo. You know, like how people take pictures of each other in restaurants."
"Oh, oh... I, well..."
"I know. I know exactly what you were thinking, so just calm down and finish your food..."
If I left her be, she might have spiraled into a panic, so I quickly cut another piece of meat and put it in her mouth.
So that's the kind of image I had.
Even if the quest made me do it, the cheese shot was my own choice, so I had no excuses.
"We're almost done eating, so should we take some sticker photos later?"
With meat still in her mouth, she nodded vigorously while chewing.
Even if we wanted sticker photos, we wouldn't have to go far; we'd find a booth just by walking around.
Perhaps because Victory Academy was so large, the surrounding area was a massive commercial district.
The shops weren't scattered; they were all clustered together in giant buildings.
The term "mega-commercial district" was perfectly fitting, with buildings on the scale of Shinsegae or Lotte Tower standing tall, flaunting their brands.
People didn't say a single building contained an entire date course for nothing.
The fact that they even had lodging facilities said it all.
"Did the food suit your palate?"
While we were chatting, a man who appeared to be the chef approached us.
He was completely bald, showing just how serious he was about hygiene.
"Ah, yes. It was very good."
I wondered why he had come over, but since we had even received free ribs, I couldn't be cold to him.
"Actually, we haven't been open for very long... and you're the first cadet to visit... would it be alright if I took a photo?"
Technically, Victory cadets weren't celebrities, but they were treated similarly.
Their fame was immense, and upon graduation, scout offers would pour in from countless guilds.
Even if you ranked last, a successful life was guaranteed.
In other words, there was a high chance of becoming a public figure. From the restaurant's perspective, leaving a trace of a cadet's visit for the price of some pork ribs was a huge gain.
He had clearly been waiting for the right moment.
The fact that he swooped in just as we were finishing our meal and the conversation had paused proved it.
"Yes, yes, of course. Should we lean in close for the photo?"
A smile spread across my face at Su-jin's proactive attitude, as if she were trying to make up for the photo misunderstanding from earlier.
"No, no. There's no need to make it uncomfortable for you. I'll just take one shot of you two enjoying your meal."
A shot of us eating...
If we were going to take one, it might as well look sweet, right?
"Noona, say 'ah'."
After signaling that this was how we'd take it, I held out the fork to Su-jin.
The sound of her biting down was followed by the click of the camera.
It went off twice in a row, and since it was a Polaroid camera, he gave one of the photos to us.
"Thank you. Please visit us again."
As we left the restaurant, I heard a constant fluttering sound beside me.
Sure enough, Su-jin was shaking the photo, hoping it would develop faster, looking far too happy over a single picture.
"Do you like it that much?"
"Yeah! But this is different from the one we promised to take earlier, okay? We still have to take sticker photos, right?"
She spoke while chewing with that small mouth, and if we hadn't been in a public place, I would have kissed her right then and there.
"I know, I know. We'll buy clothes and then go straight to take sticker photos."
"Hehe, I was thinking the same thing. We're so alike."
Today's date was clearly going to be smooth sailing.
After changing clothes and hitting the arcade for a bit... I should head straight to get laid.
Honestly, white lingerie and thigh-high stockings? I wanted to strip them off her as soon as possible.
I wouldn't even take off the dress; I'd definitely keep it on her while we did it.
Ding!
Right then, as if it didn't like the idea of the date going smoothly, a quest window appeared.
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[Emergency Quest]!
Monsters that haven't passed through a Gate have appeared!
Clear Condition :: Hunt all monsters. (0/13)
Time Limit :: Right now
Reward :: Presence +1 / Penalty :: ???
==================================
An emergency quest? Monsters? Presence?
This was a first.
While I was panicking, not knowing how to react, the air split open and goblins began pouring out.
"Kyaaaaak!"
The situation didn't wait for me to respond.
In an instant, the goblins were smashing furniture in the mall corridor.
People scattered in total chaos.
The faces that had been smiling just moments ago were now painted with screams.
In less than a minute, daily life was suddenly shattered.
I had to fight monsters? All of a sudden?
While I stood frozen, unable to do anything, someone leaped forward.
Fluttering black hair, a swaying dress—it was Su-jin.
"Tae-yang, it can be like that the first time. Don't blame yourself too much."
Along with those warm, comforting words, a dark red light gathered in Su-jin's fist.
"Iron Blood: Minimum Output."
A goblin exploded.