Chapter 129: Lunar New Year is for Yut Nori and Drinking!

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And so, to celebrate Lunar New Year, a Yut Nori match began.

I was on a team with the CEO, while Uncle and Auntie formed the other team. We decided that the losing team would treat everyone to dessert after dinner.

“Oh, it’s a Gae (three sticks white, one stick black)!”

“Ah, nooo…!”

Uncle cheered as three Yut sticks landed white side up, while I let out a small scream. Our piece, which had been ahead, was promptly captured by their team. When Uncle rolled the sticks again…

Clatter—

“It’s a Yut (all four sticks white)!”

“Hng…”

This time, all four sticks landed white side up, resulting in a Yut. Then, a Gae followed, and one of their pieces moved far ahead and scored. I could only hang my head in despair. They had already scored twice, while we had only scored once. The gap was widening.

Ugh, when the CEO rolled earlier, it went so smoothly. I guess I’m just unlucky. Maybe I should’ve let the CEO keep rolling.

“C-CEO, should I just let you roll…?”

“No, it’s fine. You roll, Da-jeong. We’re only one point behind, it’s fine.”

Even now, I tried to hand the sticks to the CEO, but she insisted I keep rolling, probably because it’s my first time playing Yut Nori. She smiled at me, encouraging me to keep going.

Alright. The CEO believes in me, so I’ll try a bit more.

Flick—

“A… Do (one stick white)…”

I tried to roll the sticks with determination, but the lowest result, a Do, came out, and I slumped in disappointment. None of our pieces were on the board, and now we had to place a new piece just one space ahead. It felt like we were already losing. Maybe I should’ve just let the CEO handle it…

Flick—

Just as I was about to give up, Uncle rolled the sticks, and two white sides landed face up—a Gae.

“Da-jeong, if we get a Gae here, we can capture their piece and move again. Don’t worry, just roll.”

“Yes, yes. I’ll do my best.”

Encouraged by the CEO, I rolled the sticks again. This time, only one white side landed face up—another Do. I was about to despair, thinking I could only roll Do, when…

“Yes, it’s a Do! We’ll capture their piece and move!”

“Huh?”

Suddenly, the CEO cheered and moved our piece, capturing one of their pieces. Ah, I see. Even if it’s not a Gae, a Do can still capture a piece. Finally, we’ve captured one of their pieces!

“Alright, Da-jeong. Roll again.”

“Yes!”

Feeling a bit more confident, I rolled the sticks again. The sticks clattered weakly, rolling like I was aimlessly flopping around on a bed.

“Huh?! C-CEO! It’s a Mo (three sticks black, one stick white)!”

“Wow!”

But despite the weak roll, the sticks lined up neatly, with the curved sides facing upward—a Mo, the highest result in Yut Nori.

“Da-jeong, you need to roll again.”

“Ah, right… Sorry. Hehe…”

I was so excited about getting a Mo that I forgot I had to roll again. I awkwardly smiled as Uncle handed the sticks back to me with a kind smile.

Hehe…

Since I’ve never rolled a Yut or Mo during today’s game, I completely forgot about the rules.

Flick—

Alright, this time it’s a Gae. I’ll leave the strategy to the CEO. Her tactics are crucial here.

“Hmm… Da-jeong, let’s add another Gae here and combine them to move as a Mo.”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

With the CEO carefully strategizing like a general planning a battle, I nodded without hesitation, trusting her completely. Our pieces combined and moved far ahead as a Mo.

Yes! If we score this, we’ll take the lead!

“Pfft… Honey, look at Da-jeong. She’s so excited. It’s adorable.”

“If she had a tail, she’d be wagging it.”

I noticed Uncle and Auntie whispering something, but their voices were too soft to hear. They must be discussing their strategy.

Flick—

Soon, their strategy session ended, and Uncle rolled the sticks. The sticks clattered, and all four landed white side up—another Yut.

Ah, no way! Another Yut?! Uncle, you’re too good at this…!

But our pieces are far ahead, so we won’t get captured that easily…

“If they get a Gae here, we’ll get captured…”

“Huh?! R-Really?”

…Never mind, I guess.

We were in a critical situation. Please, don’t let them get a Gae, don’t let them get a Gae.

Flick—

I watched the sticks soar into the air, carrying my desperate wish. When they landed, it was a Do—meaning they barely missed capturing our piece.

“Ugh, it’s not a Gae.”

Uncle sighed in disappointment, but I secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Phew, if they had captured us here, I would’ve lost all motivation.

Alright, from now on, we just need to run away. If we roll too low, we might get caught…

At least a Gae would be good.

Flick—!

I rolled the sticks with determination. “Please, let it be a Mo!” I silently prayed as three curved sides landed face up. But one stick weakly flipped over, resulting in another do. I looked like I had lost all hope.

“Huh?! It’s a Back Do (reverse do)! Da-jeong! You did it!”

“Huh? A Back Do…?”

But for some reason, the CEO was thrilled and hugged me tightly, shaking me back and forth.

Wait, what’s a Back Do?

Ah, right.

A Do is normally one space forward, but a Back Do is one space backward. When I looked closely at the stick the CEO pointed at, there was a blue X mark on the flipped side. I guess if only one stick flips, it counts as a Back Do.

In a game where the goal is to move pieces forward, this would normally be a trap card. But one space behind our piece was one of their pieces.

“We’re going to feast! Ugh, I’m so full!”

The CEO moved our combined piece backward, capturing their piece, and even taunted her parents.

“Oh my, Da-jeong got a Back Do.”

“Right? Our Da-jeong is so good at Yut Nori.”

“I-I just got lucky.”

Ignoring the CEO’s antics, Uncle and Auntie praised me, making me feel like I was really their daughter. I scratched my head awkwardly and smiled.

“Da-jeong, your luck exploded at the end!”

“Ah, it just happened that way. Hehe…”

After that, thanks to me rolling a Yut twice and a Gae, our team smoothly combined three pieces and scored, completing this dramatic comeback.

After dinner, we all went to a café, where Uncle and Auntie treated us to delicious desserts. By the way, the dessert I had was a Frappuccino topped with whipped cream.

Hehe, Frappuccinos are always delicious.

＊＊＊＊＊

In the evening, we had a simple drinking session.

From what I know, the CEO is quite good at drinking, and I quickly realized where she got it from.

“You should stop drinking so much, especially since Da-jeong is here.”

“Ah, I know. Let me just finish this.”

“I-I’m fine.”

Watching Uncle endlessly pour drinks into his mouth, Auntie couldn’t take it anymore and started scolding him while slapping his back. Uncle shrunk back but stubbornly kept drinking.

It’s amazing. How can he drink so much without his complexion changing? His tone is the same as usual too.

“By the way, Da-jeong, aren’t you drinking? You don’t have to be polite.”

While I was sneakily picking at the snacks on the table, Auntie asked me.

Since I hadn’t had a single sip of alcohol, she must’ve thought I was being polite in front of the adults. Well, that’s partly true…

It’s not so much about being polite, but more that I was afraid of making a mistake if I drank.

“Our youngest isn’t good with alcohol. Don’t force her.”

“You. Who’s forcing her? People might misunderstand.”

“Ah, no. I can drink a little.”

“Huh? Really? You don’t have to force yourself.”

“Hehe… But it’s fine to have a drink or two on a day like this.”

It’s not good to refuse too much. And secretly, I did want to drink a little. Because today was such a happy day.

Pour—

“Da-jeong, don’t drink too much. Okay?”

“Yes, don’t worry.”

The CEO looked concerned, but I confidently drank the alcohol she poured for me. Of course, I didn’t forget to toast with everyone.

By the way, this drink has a really nice aroma. It smells like plum…

It’s subtly sweet, so even someone like me who’s not good with alcohol can drink a little.

“Oh, Da-jeong is better at drinking than I thought. Should I give you another glass?”

“Yes, yes. Just one more…”

As Uncle picked up the bottle, I decided to have just one more glass. I already felt something warm rising from my stomach, but surely I wouldn’t get drunk from just two glasses, right? I’m an adult, after all.

As I sipped my second glass, I tried to pick up a piece of cheese with a fork but missed.

Poke— poke—

Ugh, why won’t it stick?

Ugh, this stubborn cheese.

It must have grown legs or something.

In the end, I picked it up with my fingers and popped it into my mouth. The savory cheese flavor blended well with the alcohol, making it delicious.

“Da-jeong, are you okay? Can you handle it?”

“Hehe… I’m fine. It tastes like plum juice…”

“…Da-jeong?”

I gave the CEO a thumbs-up, but her expression changed.

Huh? Her expression?

Wait… that’s weird.

Why do I see two CEOs?

No, now there are three.

“Hehe, there are three CEOs…”

Hug—

If there are three CEOs, hugging them would feel even better, right? I wondered what it would feel like to hug three CEOs, so I leaned into the CEO’s embrace.

Hehe, this feels nice.

Honestly, I don’t know what’s different from hugging one CEO.

But anyway, it’s the CEO hugging me, so it’s good.

Snuggle—

“Da-jeong, are you drunk?”

“I-I guess so. I didn’t think she’d get drunk from just two glasses.”

Ugh… I’m not drunk.

Why does the CEO think I’m drunk?

Being drunk means your head isn’t working right.

But my head is working just fine.

See? The CEO’s embrace is so nice.

Frappuccinos are delicious.

The members are kind.

And the cherries are nice too…

Hmm, something feels off.

I don’t know. I’ll just stay like this.

The CEO’s embrace is the best.

“Even when she’s drunk, she’s cute. Some wives even hit their husbands when they’re drunk… Ack?!”

“Stop talking nonsense. Ha-neul, take Da-jeong to her room and let her sleep. I’ll clean up the table.”

“Alright. I’m starting to feel a bit tipsy too.”

Pat— pat—

“Alright, Da-jeong. Let’s go to your room and sleep. Okay?”

“Yes… Hmm…”

As I listened to the CEO’s gentle voice, I was led somewhere, and soon something soft enveloped my back.

Hmm, this is nice too…

But not as nice as before.

Where is it? Where was it…?

“Wait, Da-jeong? I need to wash up first…”

Ah, this is it. This.

Hugging this makes me feel at ease.

“Ugh, don’t go… Stay…”

I wrapped my arms around the pillow, which kept trying to escape.

Where are you trying to run off to?

From now on, you’re my pillow.

Pat— pat—

“…Alright, I won’t go anywhere. Sleep well.”

“Hehe…”

As I listened to a gentle voice I couldn’t quite place, I felt a warm hand stroking my head. The pillow’s resistance gradually weakened, and it felt like it was staying still just to let me hug it comfortably.

With all that combined, I felt a sense of peace.

As if I were drunk on something, I felt my consciousness slowly sinking, and I took shallow breaths in and out.

That night, I think I had a very pleasant dream.

I don’t remember exactly what it was about.

But it felt like I was flying through the sky, hugging clouds.