Chapter 141: Surprisingly, three people who are new to each other, Part 4

Somehow, they failed to reach a consensus on dinner.

Taste was a complex dataset cultivated over a lifetime.

Everyone had their favorite foods, developed over 20 years, and with Hayoon offering to treat them, they naturally chose what they desired.

‘This is a pain.’

Mediating a three-way preference clash was difficult.

A one-versus-two scenario would be manageable, but a one-versus-one-versus-one situation meant someone would always be left out.

Therefore…

“We’re going to a Korean restaurant.”

“Eh.”

“Ehhh…”

“Ah…”

Korean food it was.

“If you really don’t want Korean, you three can discuss it amongst yourselves.

We still have some time left on the room reservation, so how about a short debate?”

Hayoon suggested they try to persuade each other, offering it as a way to test their broadcasting skills.

Observing how they expressed their opinions in a casual setting could reveal potential on-air pitfalls, like an inability to hold back or a tendency to be overly passive.

Hayoon watched them, arms crossed, as Seo Ji-woo spoke first.

She was surprisingly assertive in these situations.

“Let’s have Chinese. I want to try Dongpo pork.”

However, her confident start lacked a strong supporting argument.

“Dongpo pork is too cheap for a CEO-sponsored meal, Ji-woo.”

“Agreed. It’s not that Chinese food is bad, but it feels like a missed opportunity at this price point.”

“…”

Baek-seol and Jo A-yeong were clearly aiming for the most expensive option.

Hayoon, intending a generous treat, felt a twinge of annoyance at their blatant opportunism, but…

“So, we should go for something expensive…?”

“Exactly.”

“Free food is always good, but expensive free food is even better.”

“Oh…”

Seo Ji-woo was easily swayed.

“Therefore, I propose Western food, A-yeong.”

Next was Baek-seol. With Seo Ji-woo out of the picture, it was a one-on-one battle.

Baek-seol confidently suggested a full Western course.

“Why?”

“Honestly, Japanese and Western food are similarly priced, so let’s just go with Western.”

“That’s not very convincing.”

“Actually, I like Western food. I want to try things like Hanwoo steak…”

Baek-seol, having employed logic with Seo Ji-woo, resorted to emotional appeals, apparently lacking stronger arguments.

‘Interesting.’

Hayoon was intrigued.

Seo Ji-woo fit the airhead persona perfectly, while Baek-seol seemed cunning and shrewd.

This could be a disadvantage, considering her Snow White motif, but a “dark Snow White” avatar could resolve that.

Like a “Black Rain” (Kuro Ame) concept, contrasting with the white snow.

‘That’s a good idea. I need to observe Baek-seol more, but I’ll keep it in mind.’

Hayoon nodded thoughtfully.

If she could discern her Vtubers’ personalities from something as trivial as dinner preferences, perhaps all future meals should be decided this way.

“Baek-seol… Ah, since the CEO called you Baek-seol, I will too.”

“Sure, A-yeong.”

Jo A-yeong, who had been quiet, finally spoke.

“Have you heard the saying ‘Autumn mackerel’?”

“Uh… mackerel is in season in autumn?”

“Right. Not just mackerel, but many fish, shellfish, and crustaceans are in season in autumn.”

“So, basically, all seafood?”

“Exactly. And Japanese cuisine is primarily seafood-based. We have the opportunity to enjoy in-season ingredients at a Japanese restaurant, without spending any money.”

“Ah…”

Jo A-yeong’s argument was concise and persuasive. Baek-seol sighed in realization.

“Even at the same price point, Japanese cuisine, using seasonal ingredients, offers much higher value. Do you understand?”

“I agree…! Autumn seafood being in season, I hadn’t thought of that.”

Baek-seol looked at Jo A-yeong with newfound appreciation.

Hayoon had suggested they could incorporate yuri elements into their broadcasts, so perhaps she should consider writing a script for that…

‘Is it an act…?’

Baek-seol’s gaze seemed almost dangerous.

Perhaps she was simply grateful for the insightful information, but… Hayoon wondered if it was genuine admiration for Jo A-yeong, who had secured them a high-value meal.

Baek-seol was on hiatus from university, and Jo A-yeong was a former clerk at a small company.

“Ugh, you freeloaders.”

“Huh?”

“What’s a freeloader?”

“Is that another meme?”

They were clearly kindred spirits, united by their love of free food.

“Well, a freeloader is…”

Hayoon briefly panicked, not knowing the exact definition of “freeloader” in this context, but slang could be learned later.

“Anyway, I’ll find a nearby, well-rated Japanese restaurant. One of you can go check us out of the presentation room. I’ll find a place and call a taxi in five minutes.”

“Yay!”

“Nice…!”

“Sushi sounds delicious.”

Their eager expressions made it clear they expected a good meal.

Hayoon started searching for restaurants.

“That was delicious. You can go now.”

“Yes, you too.”

After a satisfying meal, it was time to part ways.

Jo A-yeong, surprisingly formal, got into the taxi Hayoon had called and headed home.

Her contented expression and sudden formality, despite having dropped the honorifics earlier, annoyed Hayoon.

‘Why…?’

She couldn’t explain it, but it bothered her.

“Thank you for your hard work today, CEO.”

“No problem. Thank you for staying late. I appreciate your cooperation today, Baek-seol.”

Next was Baek-seol. She hadn’t dropped the formalities yet, perhaps due to their limited interactions, so her politeness felt genuine.

Hayoon was simply grateful for her pleasant company.

“I’m glad you enjoyed the meal. Let’s do this again sometime.”

“Definitely. Let me know anytime. I’m always up for meetings like this…!”

Hayoon expressed her sincere gratitude, despite the somewhat formal exchange. Finally…

“Ji-woo.”

“Yeah, Hayoon.”

Seo Ji-woo. With the others gone, they reverted to their usual selves.

“Did you enjoy the meal?”

“Do you even have to ask? It’s my first time at a proper Japanese restaurant. The fish was… amazing! Seriously, wow.”

Seo Ji-woo was simply Seo Ji-woo.

Her slightly exaggerated expressions and enthusiastic descriptions, despite their naivete, were endearing.

This must be why people enjoyed watching airheaded Vtubers; their very existence was therapeutic.

“If you liked it that much, should we come here again, just the two of us?”

“Hmm… no.”

“Huh?”

“Not Japanese. Chinese. Buy me Dongpo pork.”

“You’re not going to try it until then?”

“Nope.”

Hayoon felt a slight pang of disappointment at Seo Ji-woo’s apparent freeloading tendencies, perhaps a result of Hayoon spoiling her.

‘An airhead Vtuber who gets depressed about failing trivia but lights up at the mention of a cheap meal…?’

That could be an interesting concept.

Actually, the concept wasn’t important. Whatever it was, Seo Ji-woo, in her genuine, unadulterated form, was sure to leave a mark on the streaming world.

“The taxi’s here. Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

They got into the taxi and rode home in comfortable silence, slightly tired and full from dinner.

“We’re here.”

Lost in thought, Hayoon hadn’t realized they had arrived.

They got out of the taxi and entered the building, pressing the elevator button.

They rode up in silence. Soon, Seo Ji-woo would return to Ulleungdo.

Having accomplished her main objective, she needed to go back and continue working.

Her recording process had always been the same: practice and record covers on Ulleungdo, and come to Seoul only for original songs.

However, Hayoon believed it was time for a change.

Seo Ji-woo was an adult now.

“Ji-woo.”

“Yeah? What’s up?”

“Have you considered moving to Seoul?”

Hayoon presented her bold proposition.