episode_0019

“So, what kind of place are we going to go? You’ve always liked Aglio Olio, right? That restaurant is the most famous pasta restaurant for aglio olio!”

While half-listening to Park Ha-eun’s words about making a reservation at a restaurant for me, I focused on the gazes of the people around me passing by.

Some may say that this is too rude, but if you were in my position now, you would have no choice but to act the same way.

Because now, everyone who passes by us has started to look at me as if I had planned it.

And that too, without leaving out even one person.

‘No, what on earth are you doing that for?’

Is it okay for Geum Taeyang to hang out with such a cute and pretty girl? Although it looked suspiciously like it was using a secret recording or a hypnosis app.

I don’t know why, but I feel like I should just report it to the police. Yeah, something like that.

But among so many possibilities, why on earth are you shelving the possibility that they’re just ordinary friends? You damn bastards. Look at the pure face of Park Ha-eun next to me right now. Is this really acting, or does it look like the expression of someone under hypnosis?

“Oh my, aren’t those two dating?”

“How the world works, won…”

“Or, you know what? I heard that things like drugs are popular these days, so they might just keep it around.”

“That makes sense. Actually, it doesn’t make sense if it’s not that kind of thing.”

Why doesn’t it make sense, you bastards? And if you’re going to whisper, say it so that they can’t be heard at all. Would you like to taste 100% pure Geumtaeyang, delivered directly from the natural source?

With that in mind, I was glaring at the guys who were whispering, and as soon as I made eye contact, I immediately lowered my head and walked away. Is he scared, or does he not want anything to do with me? At this point, I couldn’t help but understand Lee Ji-woon’s twisted mind a little.

“What’s going on, Ji-woon? The face is a bit scary…”

“No. Nothing.”

Park Ha-eun seemed like she couldn’t hear anything because she was talking. But, even if this timid guy had heard something like that, how could he have said anything? Since I was a particularly shy child, I might start to pay attention to what people around me belatedly.

If so, that’s fine as is. Anyway, if meeting me becomes burdensome, the distance will naturally be maintained. As the two of us walk around together, it seems like something will naturally happen, so today, let’s focus on increasing Park Ha-eun’s pressure.

Yeah, that’s it. First of all, let’s start with this.

“Ah, but about eating. I thought about it a little bit.”

“Huh?”

Park Ha-eun turns her head towards me as if she is puzzled. Let’s see if those bright eyes of yours can really shine like that after hearing these words, friend.

“Then let’s just eat soup. I’m suddenly craving soup.”

“Gu.. Soup and rice?”

“Yes. It looks like there’s a sundae soup restaurant over there, so let’s go there.”

While reciting the message I had prepared, I grabbed Park Ha-eun’s delicate forearm as if it would break if I touched it. Because of that, the guy’s head was lowered and his expression was not visible, but judging by the atmosphere, it seemed like the operation was somewhat successful.

‘This is my design.’

The key to today’s meeting was, as I mentioned earlier, maintaining distance. A distance that is neither too close nor too far. This is because the main plan established last time was to maintain this level of relationship and control the train to the juvenile detention center.

In order to do that, it was necessary to somewhat lower Park Ha-eun’s favorability rating, which was about to explode. Park Ha-eun’s current state was a time when her affection for me was pouring out due to expectations that had built up over the years.

In other words, someone should step on the brakes for this beautiful girl full of natural beauty. Can’t you already hear the flippant furry man’s voice in your ears saying, ‘Someone has to do it!’ okay. At this moment, that someone had to be me.

Although I knew very well that Park Ha-eun’s feelings for me were not love or affection, wasn’t there a difference in degree, just as there is a closeness and a somewhat ambiguous relationship between friends? The goal of this meeting could be said to be to adjust that level to a reasonable level.

‘With this, the favorability rating is definitely down.’

The other person who inadvertently destroys the plan you took time to make. This was a group of people who could never receive good reviews, whether they were lovers or friends. I have experienced this many times, and no matter how kind you are, you will face a strange phenomenon that will inevitably cause your blood pressure to skyrocket.

And it doesn’t end here. The ending point is a soup restaurant. First of all, the soup restaurant itself does not have an atmosphere where men and women can eat together, and in general, it is not the kind of food that men prefer.

Sometimes there are women who like soup, but at least they wouldn’t necessarily want to eat it with a person of the opposite sex with whom they had made a separate appointment for the first time in a long time. This is especially true if there is a restaurant you have already decided to go to.

‘hmm. The effect seems certain…’

It was Park Ha-eun, who had been unable to raise her head for a while. Of course, she is known for being kind, so she won’t get angry at me or do anything to criticize me, but no matter how kind she is, after all, isn’t Park Ha-eun still a human being?

There would be no one in this world who could control the thoughts that naturally bloom in their hearts. Disappointment and negative feelings toward Lee Ji-woon. This would be an excellent brake to stop Park Ha-eun, who was approaching her like a runaway locomotive.

“I.. Ji-woon…”

A slightly trembling voice. From the weak, fluttering voice, it was clear that Park Ha-eun was hurt.

And at the same time, my heart couldn’t help but be hurt. Being cruel to a child as small and cute as a small animal like this requires a great deal of patience and courage.

But I can’t help it. I am a villain. you are a heroine Aren’t we in a relationship that boasts the worst compatibility that can or should not be formed? It may be pathetic, but as a friend, please give up on Lee Ji-woon, main heroine.

‘Let’s see if I can hear it.’

Will I have the courage to say what I want to say? Or, I wondered if he would follow me like he was being led without saying anything like usual. I think it’s probably the latter, but there’s always that possibility.

“…Thank you so, so much.”

“What?”

Yes, there was always what if. The guy called If was always by my side, derailing everything I had previously predicted and then repaying me with a sneer as if it were nothing.

I could only stare down at Park Ha-eun blankly, unable to react to the unexpected words that came out of her small mouth.

Cheeks tinged with blush. Fingers wiggling. And even a strange twisting gesture.

Just when I was wondering why this guy was like this, Park Ha-eun covered her heated cheeks with her hair and vaguely lifted her gaze upward.

“Actually… I remember liking soup and rice from a long time ago, right? Even if it means giving up your favorite alio olio… you’re trying to match it to me right now, right?”

“No, not at all.”

“I was really touched, Ji-woon… Ever since I was young, you seemed to have forgotten me and treated me like an invisible person… In fact, you remembered everything. Also what I like. All the memories we had together…”

Seeing Park Ha-eun holding my hand with tears in her eyes, I felt like my throat was blocked and couldn’t say anything. No, this is how things go?

Even though I tried to say that I really had no idea and that it was just a coincidence, Park Ha-eun just shook her head as if she had already made up her mind.

“Hi, is it because you’re embarrassed? What’s so embarrassing between us~ Then, I chose one of so many foods, and it turned out to be the one I liked?”

Yes, that’s correct. Is that really true? I just found out for the first time that you like soup while watching this game until the end, you idiot. A heroine who likes soup and rice? This isn’t just fresh, it’s so fresh that it’s almost jumping around!

Anyway, we eventually headed to the soup restaurant. With every step she takes, Park Ha-eun grunts and jumps lightly, or hums a song to clearly express how excited she is. Because of that, people around me looked at me even more strangely. What you looking at. I’m in a bad mood, so don’t think about it.

“is my aunt…! Here, please give me one sundae and one pork!”

Although she seemed shy and cool, she was used to ordering as if she had been here once or twice. The real world is cruel to me.

I’ve heard the term ‘gukbap heroine’, which means reliable, but isn’t this the first time in my life I’ve seen a heroine who really likes soup? At this point, I was starting to suspect that this worldview itself was a version of the Truman Show.

Where is the light not falling? Is that blue sky visible in the distance a painting? So, are all the people surrounding me now actors? If this isn’t true, I can’t explain it.

“Hehehe~”

Wow, you look really excited. Park Ha-eun couldn’t stop humming at the thought of her favorite food and that Lee Ji-woon was considerate of her. The more that sweet melody penetrated my ears, the more I wanted to go home. Brother, I’m feeling down. I want to go home.

“This place serves really good soup, but our Jiwoon pretended not to look and looked for it all? I’m really touched… I’m touched again…”

“So, even if it’s not like that.”

“Hehehe, I understand~ I have to pretend not to notice, right? That’s the concept, right?”

Park Ha-eun was so bright and unaware of my feelings. Just as there is a saying that you cannot spit in the face of a person who is smiling, when I saw that smile, even my cold heart seemed to become warm. Okay, what can I do? What has already passed is past, and there will be another chance, right?

“No… where did it go?”

A voice came from behind at that moment. When I turned around at the sound of a muttering that was not at all quiet, I saw a middle-aged woman rummaging through her bag. Seeing that the rice bowl was empty, it seemed like the meal was finished, but was he looking for money or a card?

Then, by chance, her eyes met mine. I hope so, 3 seconds. Afterwards, the middle-aged woman, whose eyes began to become increasingly fierce, began to firmly grab my shoulder and raise her voice.

“My wallet! You took it!?”

“….Yes?”

The middle-aged woman, whose conversation was as unexpected as Park Ha-eun’s, grabbed me with strong hands, as if she was completely angry. Of course, I could have tried to shake it off, but the situation was unfolding so quickly that my head couldn’t keep up, so it was impossible to use my body.

“My wallet disappeared while I was eating, and you were the only one sitting behind me! Plus, I looked like a neighborhood gangster, but you took my wallet!?”

“No.”

“No, it doesn’t matter! Get it here quickly! Hand it over quickly before reporting it to the police!”

When the lady (downgraded from middle-aged woman) cast forward aggro, everyone in the soup restaurant started looking at us. It was a typical example of a stereotypical, stern ajumma.

So the atmosphere started to become increasingly heated. I repeated my innocence several times, saying that I was not the criminal, but the woman still stood there holding my arm, not believing me. Even if you look at him clearly, he’s a bad guy (this couldn’t be refuted), so he says we need to catch him before he runs away.

“It’s not me, ma’am.”

“Oh my! Who dares call me a lady!? I really want to go to the police station!!?”

“Why do you keep raising your voice when you say I didn’t steal it? What if I really didn’t steal it? Can you take responsibility and pay compensation?”

“Compensation? Bae Aesang!? That’s what you should do to me! Starting with my wallet, which was quickly stolen… Huh?”

As the meaningless war of attrition continued, the person who suddenly stood between us was none other than Park Ha-eun. I thought he would crouch in the back because he has no tolerance for this kind of fight, but is he trying to step in to mediate?

“…….”

“What!!?”

“….No. So… there is no…”

“Speak louder! What are you asking me to understand with a voice as loud as a bandanna’s?”

The lady immediately figured out Park Ha-eun’s capabilities and started screaming loudly. In this world where competition is determined by the size of one’s voice, there would be no one who could beat an entity called ‘Ajumma’, so that confidence was reflected.

In terms of the decibel of her voice, the status of a woman with permed hair in Korea was at the top of the world. Who can stop this woman who has been so wronged? As for the object that could be compared to this, there was no choice but to bring a woman of a higher age, as the saying goes.

Yeah, I thought that was definitely the case.

“Hmm…!”

After all, it seems that what if always exists.

“Our Jiwoon didn’t steal it!!!! This lady!!!!!!”

At Park Ha-eun’s cry, which no one expected, the universe turned off for a moment.